CyberFire

Chapters

Chapter 2. Welcome to the Future
Chapter 3. Shopping
Chapter 4. Plans and Pranks
Chapter 5. Off of Earth
Chapter 6. The Moon
Chapter 8. Filler
Chapter 9. Rising Star.
Chapter 10. Shooting Star.
Chapter 11. Identity
Chapter 12. Different types of Recovery
Chapter 13. Teens will be Teens. Even if they're Androids.
Chapter 14. Dysfunctional Family Reunion.
Chapter 15. To life, Love, and the end of the world.
Chapter 16. The Morning After and the First Day of School.
Chapter 17. Storms We Cannot Weather
Chapter 18. Worry.
Chapter 19. Verbally Bash
Chapter 20. Physically Thrash
Chapter 21. Desires of an Angel.
Chapter 22. What? WHAT?!
Chapter 24. Ghosts in the Machine
Chapter 25. Fiesta on the Horizon
Chapter 26. Terran Gin and a Chi Tea Christmas.
Chapter 27. Slices
Chapter 28. Blue Skies and Starry Nights.
Chapter 29. Turquoise Days.
Chapter 30. Final Fantasy.
Chapter 31. Of Gods and Angels.
Chapter 32. There and Back Again.
Chapter 33. The Fire Returned.
Chapter 34. The Windup Boy
Chapter 35. Data.
Chapter 36. Neurosis
Chapter 38. Personal Responsibility.
Chapter 39. Cut Up.
Chapter 40. One Minute.
Chapter 41. Romulus: Killin the Predators and Slaughtering Nightingales.
Chapter 42. Remus: The Krew Threw a Knife Party.
Chapter 43. C-Beams at the Tannhäuser Gate.
Chapter 44. The Gods Also Cry.
Chapter 45. The Gods That Fly.
Chapter 46. The Gods Will Die.
Chapter 47. Family Matters.
Chapter 48. A Certain Watchful Observer.
Chapter 49. The SAW-Shank Redemption.
Chapter 50. A Black Parade.
Chapter 51. The Son Also Rises.
Chapter 52. Athena on Aquarius.
Chapter 53. Caprica.
Chapter 55. Echoes.
Chapter 56. Voices.
Chapter 57. Empyreus.
Chapter 58. The Best Dreams...
Chapter 59. Romeos and Juliets.
Chapter 60. Kelvin Increases.
Chapter 61. Love Songs.
Chapter 62. Evangeline.
Chapter 63. Reality is a Lovely Place.
Chapter 64. A Double W.
Chapter 65. A Never Ending Story.
Chapter 66. Epilogue: On Top of Their World...
Author's Notes. Worlds All Our Own.
Extras. Number 1.
Extras. Number 2.
Extras. Number 3.
Chapter 1. Velocity
Chapter 7. Electric Sheep
Chapter 23. Pumped up kicks.
Chapter 37. Cobalt Powder and a Green Leaf.
Chapter 54. Rampancy: System Failure.

Chapter 2. Welcome to the Future

I stared at the crazy girl before me. And then it hit me. That’s why she looked so familiar. She pulled off the Spitfire look incredibly well. Almost too well.

“Are you stoned? You’re not Spitfire!”

I could see she was resisting the urge to punch me in the face. Not that it would do anything.

“Yes I am! Are you blind?! Because last time I checked I looked, sounded, and had the wings that make me Spitfire!”

“No I am not blind! Nearly was though but that’s beside the point! And while you do pull off the look pretty well you don’t have WINGS!” I yelled back.

A fist decided to kiss my face and knocked me to the ground. I heard a vague gong sound when her fist hit. I rubbed my check and checked my bio signs with my TAC pad. Well she had bruised my face pretty well but my cheek bone seemed alright. The girl was shaking her hand in pain still staring daggers at me.

“Dear Celestia, what is your face made out of?” She asked.

I rubbed the bruise, “Metal.”

She appeared to notice the gash on my arm, “Oh my gosh! What happened to your arm?” she asked; all the rage and malice gone from her voice.

I was still pissed about being socked in the face and spoke with poison in my voice, “What arm? And when did you become concerned with my health considering you nearly smashed my face in!”

“Nearly smashed your face in?! Your face nearly broke my hand!”

“Well maybe you should think twice before you decide to try anything next time.”

I pulled myself up to my feet and pulled a seat farther away from this hostile girl. I stared at the gash in my arm.

A long awkward silence followed. The girl stared at her feet while I examined my arm.

Finally she spoke up, “Are you OK? Is your arm alright?”

“It’s fine,” I muttered coldly, “And no I’m not alright.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Gee would you like that list in alphabetical or chronological?”

“Does it matter?”

“Fine,” I said, “I was skydiving when the jump went to hell and I ended up in the middle of the forest, separated from the rest of my jump group. On top of that I ended up finding you unconscious in the forest with a hungry panther getting ready to eat you. And while I was distracting it, it ripped open my arm. I got you here with the help of a guard. And when you wake up you punch me in the face.”

“Sorry, for that. I guess I let my rage get control of me. But I don’t like having my identity questioned!”

“You have not given me solid proof that you are Spitfire,” I said sarcastically. I looked at my arm and watched as the cut resealed itself.

“Alright,” the girl said confidently, “You want proof? Here.” She began to unzip the top of her uniform, exposing her shoulder.

“Look,” she said, “My cutie mark.” There was the profile of a stylized phoenix.

“That could easily be a tattoo,” I said, trying not to get too sarcastic or irritated with the nut else she punch something other than my face.

“Look closer,” she said.

I sighed, “Fine.” I tapped my TAC pad and scanned the tattoo. Wait, this wasn’t right. It wasn’t reading like a tattoo. In fact, it wasn’t reading like normal skin either. There was some strange energy emanating from it.

“This is odd,” I said, “It’s not reading like a tattoo. Do you have another one of those on your other shoulder?” I asked perplexed.

“Yeah,” she said, “Why?”

I pulled up a more thorough scan of her.

“Holy lord,” I said. Her physiology wasn’t anything consistent with a normal human being. Her bone mass was significantly less than a normal human’s yet judging from the readings they were 10 times stronger.

“And then there’s these!” she said opening up some flaps in the back of her suit. Two large orange wings spread out from behind her.

“Oh, now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I said, immediately fainting and falling to the ground.

***

I felt like a bomb went off near my head. Not the best feeling in the world but not unfamiliar. I woke up to Spitfire shaking my.

“Hey! Wake up!” she yelled.

I raised my arm up and held my head, “Shit, Ow. Goddamn it. Cat’s not gonna believe this.”

“Believe what?”

“Um, I found a girl that appears to be Spitfire since that appears to be the only explanation that makes sense. On top of that she has WINGS. That’s not something normal people have.”

She flared her wings, “What do you mean that’s not something normal people have?”

“Geez, ok. Just stop doing that! God, just put those away before I have a heart attack.”

Her face got a mischievous look, “What? This?” She swept her wings forward, the wind created knocked me to the floor.

I gripped the floor with my arm, watching the floor boards begin to crack under the strain, “Please stop doing that, Okay? Shesh, it’s not like it’s every day the captain of the Wonderbolts falls outta Equestria and into my world. God I need time to think!”

I walked over to the window. Gosh what a fucking day. I sincerely hope I’m high or stoned or decided to try sniffing paint or something because there was a girl with WINGS behind me. Please let me be stoned or if anything, let me be in the hospital again.

“Are you OK? I’ve never seen an Earth Kid like you freak out so much about seeing a Pegasus Girl like me,” she said.

I turned with slight violence, “NO! If I’m not high on drugs or in a hospital… Actually, punch me again just to make sure.”

“No.”

“Fine, I’ll do the next best thing.” I pulled up a bio report of all the substances in my blood. Normal amounts of iron, hemoglobin, white blood cells, all the normal things that should be in blood and nothing more.

“Fuck.”

Spitfire looked at me with a peculiar look on her face, “So where exactly in Equestria are we?”

I laughed, “Oh and that’s the funny thing! We’re not in Equestria!”

“Then where are we strange man?”

“You want the long or short explanation?”

“Short would be nice.”

“The planet Earth in the Sol system in the Orion arm of the Milky Way galaxy.”

“Maybe you are crazy. Because there’s no place called ‘Earth’ that I know of. There are Earth people but that’s it.”

“Alright,” I said, “You want to see proof of where we are? Here.” I stood up and motioned for her to follow. We walked down the hallway towards the front of the guard house. We reached the lobby, a simple place with several chairs that formed a waiting area with a front desk in the back of the room. A bill board sat on one wall, a few pictures on it. I pulled on my helmet to help read the Portuguese street signs.

I walked to the front door and held it open, “After you.”

She walked out the door and into the rainy weather. I looked at my TAC pad. Good, Natal was only just down the hill.

“I don’t see it,” she said, “What’s so special about this place?”

“One, follow me, two, put your wings away please! People won’t react very nicely to seeing a winged person walking around the town!”

“Fine,” she said neatly tucking her wings back into her suit. I raised an eyebrow on how easily they fit into her suit unnoticed.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I said. I pulled up a map of the town and found an over watch area where we could get a good look of the city.

“Come on,” I said and began following the route the pad gave me. There weren’t many people outside right now; most likely due to the rain. The town had the look of any other modern town. New buildings painted with solar cells to absorb energy from the sun. The only places that still used massive power plants were the cities. A few people who were walking outside gave us strange looks but said nothing.

“Why are they giving us those faces?” Spitfire asked.

“Not every day people see an orbital skydiver and a humanized Wonderbolt walking down street. Speaking of which why are you so calm with human hands and being human in general?”

“Humanized? What else would I be? Why.”

Thank god she couldn’t see my face, “I’ll explain later.”

We rounded a corner and came to a deck area. It was a wooden deck as far as I could tell that hung over the edge of the cliff. I walked up to the sign. Fortunately the translator in the helmet displayed the text in modern day English.

Rio Cliffs Observation Deck.

I walked up the railing and stared over. I motioned for Spitfire over. Cautiously she walked over to the railing and stared at the sight before her.

On the ground below was the city of Natal. The spires of skyscrapers rose into the storm clouds above. Lights sparkled like diamonds in the night. In the harbor was an Orbital Elevator located on a small island. A car descended down the cable; smoke and steam emanating from its surface.

Spitfire’s jaw dropped as she stared at the city before her. She didn’t seem to notice her flame like hair begin to fall down over her head in the rain. I looked around the large sprawling metropolis. Near the sea was a dome shaped structure with several rows of openings going up to the top. Ships could be seen taking off from it and heading up into orbit.

“Aw yes! Space port here I come,” I said.

Spitfire continued to stare at the city. Something was wrong. She was beginning to form a 1000 meter stare.

“Hey, you alright?” I asked.

She sniffed. She must have started crying at some point.

“Where am I?” she asked, “L-last place I remember being was the Cloudsdale Aerodome! And now I’m here in some alien world?! How am I supposed to get back?!”

How do you comfort someone who just dropped out of their world and into yours? There isn’t exactly a section in the phycology book about that.

I pulled my helmet off and rubbed the back of my head. Why do crazy things like this always happen to me? First it was the Space port, and then it was the boarding school, and now this.

“Well, how did you get here to begin with?” I asked.

“Well we were doing a new trick that required us to teleport before we collided with each other and for a bolt of lightning to strike right at the moment we teleported. We got the enchantment done so we could do it ourselves. Everything went well but I guess I didn’t teleport backstage as you can see. Oh my gosh! What if the rest of my team is here with me?”

“Well if they were wouldn’t they be within about a meter of where you were? You all jumped in close proximity with each other so that makes the most sense,” I said trying to calm her down.

“Maybe,” Spitfire said, “But how can I get back? I don’t belong here! Your world is years ahead of mine! I can’t stay here! Hell, I have wings while everyone else doesn’t! I can’t even fit in here!” She sat on the ground looking at the railing with her head in her hands.

I was probably going to regret this, “Listen, Spitfire, if you want I’ll try to help you find your way back.”

She looked up, “Really? You mean that?”

Stupid feelings getting me in all these situations again, “Yes, you can stay with me and my sister for the time being until you can return home.”

She stood up and clamped me in a bear hug, “Thank you so much! I, I, I hope I won’t be too much of a burden.”

“Don’t worry about that,” I said prying her off of me, “But what we should worry about is getting back to my house.”

“You don’t live here?”

“No I live…This is gonna be hard to explain, but all I can say right now is I live REALLY far away.”

“Oh, uh ok.”

“Come on; let’s get back to the guard house before Officer Delgado returns.”

***

We returned back to the guard house. By the time we got back it was 10:00. Not that we could really tell the time since it had been raining for the past day as far as I knew.

After sleeping the night through we woke up and found some food in the fridge. We talked a lot. Mostly me explaining Human History to her and how our universe worked and just how far away my house really was. Explaining the complexities of the solar system and current politics was the most difficult part.

“Wow,” Spitfire said, “Your world sure is complicated. How do you know so much about it? Even I don’t know that much about Equestria as you do about your world.”

“I took a lot of advanced classes in my school.”

“Heh heh, you remind me of Princess Celestia’s protégé, Twilight. She knows practically everything.”

“Well I have a lot of extra time too since I can’t get a job yet.”

“Wait, you don’t have a job yet?”

“Laws in the Jovian moons prevent students like me from getting a job. Most of them are high risk and the ones that aren’t require a lot of schooling.”

“You’re still in SCHOOL?!”

“Yeah, which is something you’ll have to attend when I go back in four weeks.”

“Ugh, I hated school.”

“Tell me about it.”

We shared a laugh. It felt nice that she finally wasn’t planning on punching me in the face again and wasn’t hostile to me anymore.

“So how are we going to get to this ‘Ganymede’ as you called it?”

“Well first we need to get to the space port in Natal. From there we can board a transport to the moon. Hopefully somewhere in between there we can hook up with my sister. Lord knows she’ll probably kill me for not contacting her but C'est la vie.”

“You speak Prench?”

“Prench? What? No it’s a French expression that means-”

“That’s life,” we both finished laughing.

“See? This place might not be as alien as you think,” I said.

“Maybe. You might be right.”

The door to the guard house opened and Officer Delgado stepped in. He placed a coat on the coat rack before returning to the front desk.

“Ah! I see you got your friend to wake up,” he said.

“Hello Officer,” I said, “Did you catch the escapee?”

“No-well yes but not me personally. He was spotted in Natal when an officer there shot him with a long range Taser round. Sent him flying to the pavement. So who is your friend? I forgot to ask before I left.”

“Oh, uh,” I said. Spitfire looked at me with a pleading look, “She’s my cousin.”

“Oh ok. So I take it she’s alright?”

“Just fine,” Spitfire said.

“Great. So you two live around here?”

“Uh, no,” I said, “We were actually getting ready to head out and meet my sister at the space port in Natal.”

“Well if you need a way down to the city there’s a cable car that runs down to the outskirts from up here,” Delgado said.

“Cool,” I said, “Well thanks for the help earlier but we best head out. Places to be, things to do, people to meet.”

“I hear you. Good luck!”

“Au Revoir!”

Spitfire and I stood up and walked out of the guard house and into the town.

“So when are we going to this ‘Natal’ place?”

“Natal is that city we saw earlier, and not yet. We can’t go around in our flight suits, me especially since mine comes with a helmet. We’ll need to get new clothes and a bag to carry them. But first we’ll need money and I know just how to get some.”

“Ok, how?”

I looked at the TAC pad and searched for the nearest ATM. It was on the street a few blocks away in a small strip mall.

“By using my world’s modern technology and innovations.”

***

We reached the strip mall’s ATM. Fortunately it was covered so we were able to get out of the rain.

I stepped up to it and activated the user interface and selected a language.

“Good Afternoon,” the machine said in a smooth synthetic voice, “Please identify yourself.”

I pressed the speaker button and responded, “Jett Halsey.”

The computer beeped and held up a hand scanner screen, “Please place your hand on the scanner to confirm your identity.”

I placed my hand and waited for the computer to confirm my identity.

“That’s so cool,” Spitfire said behind me, “Equestria doesn’t have anything close to this. Though there is this one guy.”

The computer finished its scan, “Welcome Jett Halsey. You have three accounts at registered to you. Please select a function.”

“Withdraw 50000 from Thalia Halsey’s private savings. Transfer the funds to my account and place it all on a card.”

“Is 50000 as much as I think it is? Because if your currency is anything like Equestrian money that’s a lot.”

“Yeah that’s a lot.”

“How do you have so much? My Wonderbolts salary only pays about 100000 Bits per year!”

The transfer was complete and the money began its transfer to the smart glass card.

“One of the only advantages that comes from being the son of an Admiral and a CEO of one of the largest space plane companies in the system,” The transfer finished and a smart glass card popped out of the ATM, “is the credits.”

I pocketed the card, “Come on, we’ve got some shopping to do.”

Chapter 3. Shopping

Dear please! Why are you acting this way?

Your mother is right son. You’re being unfair!

I’m being unfair?! Just look at me! I’d think you of all people, Father Sir, would understand being the Navy man you are! You deal with things like this all the time! Don’t you dare call me unfair!

If I had half a mind to hit you I would!

Please do! Hopefully I’d knock that shrapnel lose and into my head and kill me! Not that you’d miss me since ensign Hawk is more of a son to you than me!

Leave the ensign out of this!

Both of you please! Stop this!

You disrespectful brat!

I learned from the best!

***

We walked into the store. It was a Macy’s clothing store. The perfect place to buy new clothes. We walked into the surprisingly empty store.

We drew a few looks from the clerks as we walked in. We walked to the center of the store.

“Well here we are. While this isn’t the place I expected to be this time of week it isn’t all bad. 50000 solar credits and a store to spend it in.”

“What will I need if I’m gonna fit in here?” Spitfire asked.

“Well pants should be simple but shirts could be a problem, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now let’s find you some Jeans,” I said, “You do have Jeans in Equestria right?”

“Of course we do.”

“Well then let’s go.”

We walked down the aisles and soon found the woman’s pants. I hated shopping almost as much as I despised being on Earth but it was for Spitfire so I suppose I lost the right to complain the moment I found her in the forest.

“Sweet Celestia, this is a huge load of pants,” Spitfire said.

“Well,” I said, “Have fun. Fitting rooms are thatta way,” I pointed, “If you need me I’ll be in the men’s finding clothes of my own. Oh and don’t worry about price because I can always jack more money from my dad.”

“Are you sure you should be taking money from you parents like that?”

“My mother has enough money to buy a planet and my father is currently on Mars and gets a ridiculously huge Navy paycheck. Plus, I’m only allowed to do stuff like this in an emergency situation like this and I’m pretty sure being stranded just outside Rio classifies as one.”

“If you say so.”

***

By now I’d found some pants, a bunch of shirts, short and long, socks, shoes, and a suitcase to hold it all in. Though Spitfire was still nowhere to be found. I wandered the aisles looking for her when I wandered by a changing room.

“Psst!” whispered a voice.

“Spitfire?”

“Yeah, uh, what was your name again?”

“Jett,” I said, “Now what’d ya need?”

“Jett,” she said, “Sorry about that but can you come in here?”

“Uh, come in where?”

“In here Dummy!”

I looked up at the changing room sign and gulped, “Uh, the changing room?”

“That’s where I am, now get in here! I need your help with something.”

I placed my stuff down and stepped inside. There was a hallway with several open doors leading to the cubicles. One of them had closed door so I headed for that one.

There were several shirts hanging over the door along with… other things. My face instantly flushed at the sight of some of them. Stupid brain, stop being a pervert.

“Good, you’re here. Now how do I put one of these things on?” Spitfire asked.

“Uh, what things?”

“This!” she tossed over a sports bra. I ducked to avoid getting smacked in the face by it and to avoid a socially awkward situation. Scratch that, this was already socially awkward.

“How to I wear one of these?” she asked, “They don’t have holes for my wings.”

“You can’t have your wings out anyway. I don’t know you’re supposed to where one of those. I don’t even have… those parts. Can’t you figure it out?”

“No. I have wings and this thing wasn’t made for people with wings.”

“Can’t you just scrunch them down like you did before? They’re hardly noticeable like that.”

“Yeah, but there’s still the problem of getting this on.”

“Don’t you have bras in Equestria?”

“Yes but there they’re made for people with wings. Not here.”

“Just… Can’t you just…?” Shit. Cat would be on the floor laughing if she could see this. Mom would be hospitalized laughing and Dad would be telling me to go in. Crap, what the hell do I do?

“Just pull it on over your wings. Won’t that work?” I said tossing it back over.

“I guess,” She said, “Here, hold on a second.”

I heard a rustling sound on the other side of the door before it opened. Spitfire managed to the get the undergarment on. It fit surprisingly well on her well-toned body even with her wings.

“This work?” she asked.

“Why are you asking me? I’m not a girl! Is it comfortable?” gosh this was getting awkward. If there was one thing I was taking to my grave it was this.

“Yeah, this actually works pretty well,” She said turning “Does this work for my wings?”

Her large powerful wings managed to shrink themselves down so they fit flat up against her back. No one would notice a thing if she wore a shirt over it.

“Yeah, that will work just fine,” I said, “Now please put a shirt on,” I averted my eyes.

“Don’t like what you see?” she fake pouted.

“What? Uh, no it’s just. No I meant, I mean not like that! Just,” I stuttered. Smooth move jackass. Actually, this is Dad’s fault. If that bastard could see me now he’d be laughing his ass off. I bet he did that on purpose. Fucker.

She laughed, “Oh my gosh! You should see the look on your face! What I wouldn’t give for a camera right now!”

“Uh, I um. Shit,” I whispered, “Fuck, what do I say what do I say?”

“I can hear you!” she giggled.

“Wasn’t asking you!” I said, backing out of the room, “Just please put a shirt on before this gets more awkward than it already is! I swear we’re lucky that this place is mostly empty today.”

She laughed, “Fine. Just don’t be such a downer.”

I walked out of the changing rooms. I swear Dad and Mom did that on purpose! At least Cat still doesn’t know. Shit! Speaking of Cat, she’s probably flipping out right now! How long has it been since we last spoke? The jump! At least she saw me enter the atmosphere safely before I disappeared into the foliage.

Spitfire walked out of the changing room with several pairs of Jeans, shorts, shirts, and a few undergarments.

“So where are we putting all this stuff?” she asked.

I held up and empty suit case.

“Cool. Oh and I found these too!” she placed her stuff down and held up a leather jacket and a pair of mirrored aviators.

She pulled on the jacket and placed the aviators on her head, “Cool huh?”

“I’ll say,” I said, “You pull off the look very well. Almost look like a pilot.”

“Well I am a Wonderbolt.”

“You have planes in Equestria?”

“Yeah, being a pilot is a requirement for joining the Wonderbolts. Why?”

“Again, a long story and again later.”

“Ugh, fine.”

“So you find everything you want?” I asked placing a fedora on my head and pulled out a pair of gold wraparounds.

“Just about. So where are we gonna go next?”

“Now we pay, then we find that cable car and get to Natal and hopefully into orbit.” We started walking towards the registers.

“This is gonna be so cool! I’ve always wanted to see what space was like. The closest any of us ever got was flying high enough to see the curve of the planet but nothing more.”

“I’ll admit it is something,” I said. We got close to the registers, “Let’s go automated. I don’t think half of these people speak Modern English anyway.”

We approached one of the self-checkout lines and began scanning the items. After several minutes of this it was time to pay. I placed a card into the scanner.

The display activated and I scrolled down the list of languages until I found Modern English, the language spoken in nearly all parts of the solar system.

“Good Morning Jett Halsey,” the machine said, “Your total for today comes out to be 10000 solar credits. Would you like to confirm your purchase?”

“Confirm,” I said.

“Thank you for shopping at Macy’s. The receipt has been mailed. Please come again.”

“Like hell,” I said removing the card. We packed everything we weren’t already wearing into our suitcases along with our flight suits. My helmet just barely fit.

“Come on,” I said, “Let’s go.” We walked outside. The weather had changed drastically. The clouds were clearing and the sun was beginning to shine brightly.

“Looks like we’ll need our shades today,” Spitfire said, slipping hers off her head and over her eyes.

“I’ll say,” I said, “Normally it’s cold this time of year but global warming pretty much fucked the environment so I guess anything is expected. Now let’s find a map.”

By now people were beginning to fill up the mall. Looks like we got out of our suits just in time. Now we just looked like normal tourists.

“Hey! Is that it?” Spitfire asked pointing to a large bill board on a corner.

I squinted. Sure enough there was a map on it, “Yeah. I think that’s just what we’re looking for.”

We walked across the street and searched the map.

“Can you even read that?” she asked.

“Not one bit,” I laughed, “But judging from the pics they put on this thing I’d say the cable cars are nearby that observation deck we were on yesterday. Just one block east then five south and one to the west and we’re there!”

“So what are we waiting for?” Spitfire asked, “Let’s go!”

“Feisty one today aren’t we?”

“How do you think I got my name? Spitfire? Duh?” she laughed.

We walked along, blending in with the rest of civilian life. Secretly I was scared out of my mind on how Cat was going to react to this but I guess it’s kind of hard to dispute a girl who has wings. Ok, Problem 1: solved for now; Problem 2, how to stop Cat from killing me when she finally learns I’m alive and well: in progress. I looked at my arm again. Good, not a single sign of injury. Not like last time where I had to wait a week for it to seal itself.

“Hey. Hey Jett!”

“Oh what? Sorry I spaced out,” I said. Wow, Dad, wow. Let me space out but don’t give me the skills to deal with things like… Ah forget it.

“We’re here.”

I looked up. Sure enough we were. We stood before a large hanger like structure that had a series of large cables that emerged from it and ran down the mountain towards Natal. A car was making its way up and into the building. We ran up a railing on the sidewalk that overlooked the city. The cable made its way down the mountain and into one of the tall spires that rested at the edge of the city.

“Well then, wanna hitch a ride?” I asked.

“Is that how we’re gonna get down there?”

“Well there is a train system I think, but that’s boring and runs underground. This offers a grand view of Natal.”

“Can’t fly down there can I?” Spitfire asked though she already knew the answer.

“Sorry,” I said but no.

“You know, I could carry you.”

I cringed at the thought of that, “As much as I would love to let you pick me up off the ground and carry me hundreds of meters above the ground by just your wings alone, we can’t. People would see a winged person and probably freak.”

She sighed, “Couldn’t hurt to ask.”

“Come on. Let’s get our tickets and get down there so you can watch my sister kill me when she learns I’m fine. I’m sure you’ll love to see that.”

We ran into the hanger. It was a large spacious area with a series of four cables, one going down, one coming up, one offloading people, and another preparing for boarding. We quickly got our passes and boarded the car. Inside there were seats along the outside with standing room in the middle. The entire car was a large glass room, allowing the passengers to see through the floor, the ceiling, and all the walls in a 360 degree view.

“This is interesting,” Spitfire said.

“I love the views on these things,” I said taking a seat towards the front of the car. Spitfire selected the seat next to mine and placed her suit case on the floor.

The car dinged and the doors closed. A computerized voice spoke but I didn’t catch a single word it said. Slowly and gently the car began to move out of the station and down the cable towards the city. It began to pick up speed before settling at a comfortably slow pace of about 20 KPH.

“So what is this thing made out of? I’ve never seen glass this strong that can hold the weight of all these people,” Spitfire asked.

“Well I would guess this model is made of reinforced smart glass. Can hold the weight of all of us and still give user friendly service.”

“What’s smart glass?”

“That’d be hard to explain. Hold on a second,” I said and placed my hand on the window. My section’s interface activated. I selected Modern English and tapped a few buttons before an empty window surrounded in a neon blue border was displayed.

“Smart glass is glass like this with a computer inside it,” I said, “You do have computers in Equestria right?”

“Sweet Celestia this is amazing! We do have computers but you put them into windows? And its touchscreen!”

“Here,” I said, “Watch this.” I grabbed the edges of the window and expanded it so Spits could also see it. I placed my fingers in the center and expanded them outward, zooming in the view.

“Check it out,” I smiled, “You can see the city like this. Just move your hand over the window in the direction you want to look and use two hands if you want to zoom in or out.”

Spitfire looked into the window. Her face morphed into and expression of happy amazement as she played with the display, zooming in on buildings, seeing the cars on the streets and even the orbital elevator in detail before the zoom maxed out.

“How did you build this?” she asked.

“Well my world has had an extra few hundred years to build and invent the cities and technology to get the society I live in today. Just think, in a few hundred years you’ll probably have all this stuff in Equestria. Maybe sooner.”

The city was coming closer and soon the skyscraper which the cable ended was coming into view. We could see inside the hanger that housed the cars as passengers from the car before us departed before the car turned and headed back up the cable.

Our car slowed before entering the station before coming to a complete stop entirely.

“You have arrived at your destination,” I said in a mock computer voice.

“Hmm?”

“Old joke.”

We stepped out of the car and onto the platform. For a skyscraper the inside was surprisingly roomy. The station had a large and open floor plan that ended at the center of the building. There were a few trees growing in gardens all over the station. Vendors and stores were open, selling all sorts of things from chewing gum to booze.

“All we need to find now is the exit,” I said.

***

“Well that took longer than expected,” Spitfire said.

“How was I supposed to know that sign led to the Offices?”

“You’ve been here a lot longer than me.”

“Well you have to admit the looks on their faces was priceless,” I laughed.

“What was it that one guy said? ‘Hey você fuckers! Você não está autorizado a ser aqui!’ I don’t even know what he said but it was funny anyway,” Spitfire laughed.

“I can take a guess at what he meant by that,” I smiled.

“Either way he was one angry guy.”

“I’ll say; that coffee cup he threw did a number on that window.”

We had finally reached the lobby of the building. The whole building was open with offices and other rooms all along the outside walls of the structure. The inside center was left open for large hanging gardens vaguely resembling Greek architecture. We walked towards the exit and stepped into the sunlight of the city. All around us was a city alive with activity. Spires raised into the heavens, each one its own tower of Babel.

“So where’s the space port you were talking about?” Spits asked.

“Well if I had an English map I could find out. First off, let’s find a hotel. I have a feeling we’re gonna be here a while.”

“How are we gonna find a hotel if we don’t have a map we can read?”

“Can’t be that hard. In large cities like this there’s a hotel like every other building.”

We started walking. Each sign said something different, in a language neither of us could understand. Finally we came to a sign that seemed to make sense.

Hotel Olympus

“Think it’s a hotel?” I joked.

Fist meet arm, arm meet fist.

“Ow,” I laughed, “What was that for?”

“For making a joke nearly stupider than Soarin’s jokes. And he makes stupid jokes,” Spitfire said.

“Guess you would know,” I said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she smiled, pretend bawling her fists.

“Nothing Spits, please don’t hurt me,” I held up my arms in mock terror.

Spitfire lowered her arms, “What did you call me?”

“Spits?”

“Yes. Where did you here that? Only my best friends call me that.”

“Oh,” I said, “Just a nickname I came up with. If you don’t want me to refer to you by that name I won’t.”

Spitfire laughed, “Jeez you need to stop talking in such long sentences. You can call Spits if you want. I think you’ve earned the right.”

I smiled, “As you wish, oh grand master of the flame hair.”

Fist kisses arm.

“Ah,” I laughed.

We walked into the hotel laughing. The lobby was large and spacious with a Greek and Romanesque architecture. Large columns shaped like ancient Greek pillars held up the ceiling though they were probably there for more of an aesthetic purpose.

A lady sat at the front desk.

“Olá, seja bem-vindo ao Hotel Olimpo. Como posso ajudá-lo?”

“Um, English please?”

“Hi, welcome to the Hotel Olympus. How may I help you?” she smiled warmly.

“Hi, I’d like a room for two,” I said.

“Two? Are you sure you wouldn’t like a couples’ suite? We have them for a lower rate than usual.”

Spitfire blushed. Oh god why me? I can see mom giggling, Cat on oxygen, and dad laughing all the way to Mars.

“No a two person suite would be just fine,” I said as calmly as possible.

“Ok, may I please see some identification?”

I placed my card on the desk. The woman scanned the card.

“So this room will be registered to a Jett Halsey?”

“Correct. And I’ll pay when we check out.”

“Excellent. Would you like someone to take your bags to your room?”

“No we’re FINE,” I said. The woman handed us two room keys.

“You room is suite 797 on the 30th floor. Have a nice day,” she smiled warmly.

“You too.”

I grabbed the keys as we left for the elevator. The ride up was awkward. I was eager to get out and breathed a sigh of relief when the doors opened.

“795, 796, ah here we go, 797,” I said, “Here’s your room key, Spits.” I handed her the card.

I slid mine into the door scanner and opened the door. We both gasped as we entered the suit. A large living room sat as the center piece of the suite. In the center was a couch and two arm chairs that sat around a smart glass coffee table. The table faced a fireplace that had a TV sitting just above it. Behind the living room was a full kitchen and sink. Up above the kitchen was a balcony that over looked the living room. The balcony up above contained the bedrooms. The living room led off to another balcony that over looked the city.

“This is amazing!” Spitfire said, “This is even better than the Wonderbolts Manehatten Suite we stay at when we’re in the city! How can you even afford this?”

“Powerful parents. And I’ll admit even I didn’t even know what the hell I was buying when I asked for this. I guess I spent well, however much I’m spending,” I smiled.

“Ooh,” Spits grinned, “A balcony! Think I can have a little fun and stretch my wings?”

“No! If someone sees you, which in this city is a pretty large possibility, I have no idea how I’m gonna explain that. If you need to stretch your wings you can do it here, away from the windows, with the shades down, at night, when no one can see you.”

“Ugh!” Spitfire moaned, “I swear you are worse than our manager when he tells us not to drink when in Las Pegasus! Like that’s gonna happen!”

“Oh this one will be happening, because I can guarantee there will be all sorts of havoc to pay if someone sees you.”

“Like?”

“Well for one, there are a lot of extremist people who would view a winged girl as an angel sent by god, others would want to capture you and see what exactly you were, and from that it just gets worse. So if you need to stretch out just please do it inside away from prying eyes?”

She gave a sheepish smile, “Fine, you win.”

I smiled back, “Thank you.”

“Oh! Didn’t you say you had to call your sister?”

My face fell, “Shit.” I stared at the smart glass table.

“Mind standing by for this?” I asked, “I’m not sure you’re gonna wanna see this.”

“Only until she starts ripping into you,” Spits smiled.

“Oh boy,” I sat at the couch and pulled up the smart glass display. I tapped the communication icon and selected call. I entered in where my sister was from and her name and Ganymede cellphone number. A screen rose from a small pocket in the table so the viewer wouldn’t have to look down at the caller.

“Call,” I commanded. The phone rang, and rang, and rang. Suddenly the screen lit up to reveal a very angry looking woman on the other end holding a smart glass phone.

“Hi Cat,” I said sheepishly.

“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!” she yelled.

Chapter 4. Plans and Pranks

“Hi Cat,” I said sheepishly.

“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!” she yelled.

I turned to Spits and mouthed, ‘And here we go.’

“You’re not gonna believe what happened to me these last two days.”

“AND YOU’RE NOT GONNA WANT TO LIVE TO SEE THE NEXT TWO DAYS! I’VE BEEN CALLING YOU AND TRYING TO FIND YOU FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS! I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CALL DAD WHEN YOU CALLED! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

“Cat,” I said, “Calm down and I’ll explain everything.”

“You better or I’ll have your head on a platter!”

“Ok first off,” I began, “That jump went to shit.”

“Don’t need to tell me that, I was there remember?”

“Yes. But where did you land?”

“Fifth Avenue, New York City,” she muttered, “You?”

“The Brazilian Rainforest,” I said, “Right now I’m in the Hotel Olympus in Natal.”

“Tell me exactly what happened starting from when the jump went bad,” Cat said. She was a bit calmer now.

“Well we happened to bail just above Texas. When I jumped I guess my orbital momentum carried me south. I reentered the atmosphere just south of Rio. I’m guessing the others ended up all over the North and South American continents.”

“Yeah, the agency called and had accounted for all the jumpers accept for you. The others landed everywhere from Montana to Miami but at least their alive.”

“Did they learn what happened to the plane?”

“Still being investigated. Reports say that after we bailed it continued as a fire ball before impacting Antarctica. They still haven’t found the wreckage yet.”

“Didn’t expect them to. Oh and there has been a bit of an interesting development here in Rio.”

“What? You didn’t get malaria again did you?”

I frowned, “No Cat I did not get malaria, or the shingles, or hemophilia, or AIDS. Anyway I landed in the middle of the Brazilian Rainforest and well I kinda made a bit of a discovery. You’re gonna have to trust me on this.”

“Ok. So where are we going to meet?”

“Well there is a spaceport here along with an orbital Elevator so getting into orbit shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I could always get to JFK spaceport and into orbit from there. Heading back to Ganymede?”

“That’s what I was planning.”

“Wanna meet on Luna? Tycho city sound good? Meet there tomorrow?” Cat asked.

“Sure,” I said, “Oh and I kinda used some of money from Mom and Dad’s emergency accounts.”

“How much?” Cat asked cautiously.

“So far? Well with the new clothes we bought and the hotel room I’d say uh about 15000? Rough estimate?”

“15000?!” Cat practically screamed, “Jett! You know that’s only for emergencies!”

“So a skydiving accident that leaves me stranded in Rio doesn’t qualify? We needed new clothes and a place to stay. Figured I’d indulge a bit. Besides, Mom can buy Mars if she wants and Dad gets paid the big bucks by the Government considering he’s acting Fleet Admiral.”

“I guess. But’s what’s with this ‘we’ stuff?”

“I’ll explain later, right now you have a flight to book and I need to by two tickets to the moon so if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going now.”

“Yeah. Call me before you board your flight.”

“Alright. Bye.”

“Bye.” The screen went black. I let out a sigh of relief as the screen disappeared back into the table. I flopped back on the couch and removed my hat and sunglasses.

“Hey,” Spitfire said, “Look who didn’t get totally roasted by his sister.”

“Might as well have. After the jump she probably spent the last two days without sleep looking for me,” I said.

“What’s this ‘jump’ thing you keep talking about?”

“Oh that. Well I do a sport called skydiving. Do you know what that is?”

“Jumping out an airplane with a parachute?”

“Yeah but I do orbital skydiving. We jump from a plane in a high orbit and reenter the atmosphere before pulling the chute.”

“Sounds like fun,” Spits grinned.

“Oh it is,” I smiled, “Accept when the plane has an engine blowout and begins disintegrating around you and you have to bail and you and your team gets scattered across the planet.”

“That what happened with you?” she asked concerned.

“Oh yeah,” I said, “In fact, that bad jump is how I managed to find you. Funny how stuff like that works.”

“I guess I was just lucky enough to be found by a friendly face.”

I touched the table and pulled up a flight book. I quickly searched for the fastest flight to Tycho.

“What’re you doing?”

“Booking our flight to the moon.”

“The moon? The only thing we use the moon for in Equestria is for a prison and to add to the aesthetics of the night sky.”

“Well here we live on it.”

“Like permanently live on it?”

“Well a lot of people are natural born Lunans and I guess chose to make their home on the rock.”

“Where were you born?” Spits asked.

“Me?” that was a tough one. Could be answered in many different ways. But my actual ‘birth’?

“I’d have to say I’m a Jovian. I was born in orbit around Jupiter and now live on Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons. Though I did live on Earth for a time but that’s a story for later.”

I finished typing and tapped my card to the screen. Two tickets to the moon 1000 credits, suite in South American City 5000 credits, new clothes 10000 credits, not getting murdered by my sister? Priceless.

“Well, I have officially booked our flight to the moon and hopefully from there I can convince Cat to take a little space cruise to Ganymede instead of that direct flight. We can waste a few weeks. Our plane leaves at 12:00 and its two hour flight from here to the moon.”

“So what do you want to do until then? Cause I was thinking we could go swimming. This hotel has a pool doesn’t it?” Spitfire asked.

“Yes, but even if we bought bathing suits your wings would still be visible.”

Her face fell. Curse this, “Look, maybe we can work something out. For now though let’s get set up in our rooms and work out finding a map.”

“Ok.” We walked up the stairs to the balcony and into our rooms. I walked up into a huge open room with a king size bed in the center.

“Weird,” I smiled, “but not unappreciated.” I grabbed my bag and tossed it onto the bed. There were a few dressers in the room but I didn’t feel like using them. In the corner was a door that led to a full bathroom. There was even a soaker for a bathtub. And it had jets.

“Money well spent.” I walked up the window and stared out. The city was bustling with activity. I looked up towards the sky. Ships and planes flew by high above.

“There. Settled in.”

I stepped out of the room and returned to the living area. I walked into the kitchen and checked the fridge. Fully stocked with enough food to survive a zombie apocalypse. I checked the cabinets, canned vegetables, spices and seasonings, dressings, and other cooking ingredients.

I returned to the fridge and began removing all the meats. I quickly found a garbage bag and tossed it all in. As soon as it was filled I tied it in a knot and found a garbage chute. I shoved the bag and watched it sail down to the building’s recyclers.

I closed the fridge just as Spitfire exited her room, “Wow, this place has everything,” she said.

“Oh yeah,” I grinned, “Money well spent.”

“What’re you doing in the kitchen?”

“Just getting rid of some undesirables. You’re a vegetarian right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Because I just removed all the meat products from the fridge and tossed them to the recycler.”

“You didn’t have to do that. While most people in Equestria are vegetarians a lot of restaurants feature a griffon menu for the more… carnivorous of us.”

“Well my people are omnivores so we can eat both but we can also survive just fine on a strictly vegetarian diet.”

“Cool.”

“Now I just have to re learn how to cook. A little rusty on some things.”

“You know I know my way around a kitchen pretty well too,” Spitfire said.

“Yeah but you are kind of an alien in this world and I’m not sure what similarities exist between our worlds and which ones don’t. So for cooking we’ll have to be careful but I guess you can help if you want.”

“Cool. So you wanna go get a map now?”

“Sure. I think they have them in the lobby.”

We walked out of the room and down to the elevator. I needed to think about getting a phone while I was here. My phone I had left on Ganymede and I needed a way to keep in contact with Cat.

We emerged in the lobby.

“Back already?” The woman at the desk said again.

“No we just need a map of the city,” I said. I was beginning to get irritated with this lady.

“Ah,” she said, “Here, I have one here.” She reached under the desk and pulled out a small object the size of a flash drive. A small touch button was on the side.

“You can change the language to English of you want.”

“Thanks.” I grabbed the small rod and tapped the button. A box of light 50cm by 50cm appeared, emanating from the rod.

We walked towards a couch that sat nearby and sat down.

“So where are we relative to the spaceport?” Spitfire asked.

“Let’s find out. Spaceport,” I commanded. A picture of the city appeared in the box and began to zoom in on the spaceport. A small box appeared next to it with information on it.

“Ah, so here’s the Rio Spaceport. Directions from Current location.”

A green line appeared from the spaceport and weaved its way through the streets to the hotel.

“Hmm,” I said, “I’m not trying to walk all of this.”

“We could always fly,” Spitfire smirked.

“Not all of us have wings,” I retorted.

“Kill joy.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Well since we can’t fly why not take a train?”

“Hell no. Not that trains here aren’t nice but most of them are underground and I personally want to see the aesthetics of the city before I never step foot on this continent again for as long as I live.”

“Seems a bit extreme not to come back here ever doesn’t it?”

“Not really. Kinda hate Earth now. My last trip here didn’t end well.”

“How ‘well’ did it end?”

“Well enough for me to not want to come back.”

“Well then. If not a train then what will we take? I certainly hope you don’t call a taxi.”

“How ‘bout a bus?”

“A bus?”

“Yeah. A nice big double decker bus with an open top. We can see the city and still get a ride to the spaceport.”

“Well then, why not?”

“Let’s see. Tour buses that go to the spaceport.”

Several blue dots lit up. A few of them were pretty close to the hotel. I tapped one of them.

Elusive Tour Buses.

“Think this’ll work?” I asked.

“Don’t you know? You’re the one who’s from this place.”

“I guess this is the one. Pick-ups are at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 tomorrow. Which one do you want?”

“How ‘bout the 10:00 one? We can have a nice breakfast and still make it in time to catch the bus. Does that work for the flight?”

“Yeah that sounds great. The plane doesn’t leave until 12:00 so we’ll have time to kill until then.”

“Great! So what’d ya want to do until tomorrow?”

“Hmm, I have an idea,” I smirked, a plan already circulating in my head, “Come on, let’s go put this stuff back in the room.”

***

“You sure about this?” Spitfire asked.

“We did this trick to my principal at my school last year. It’s hilarious!” I grinned deviously.

“And all it took was dry ice and a bottle of water?”

“Well a little bit more than that but for the most part,” I smiled. In my hands I held a plastic cylinder of the powdered, frozen carbon. Spitfire held the piping water bottle in her gloved hands. I carefully dumped the contents of the bag into the bottle and resealed the cap.

“Now we’ll only have about a minute or two before this thing goes and we’ll wanna be far away before she comes to her senses.”

We both peaked around the corner and stared at the desk. The desk was facing away from us along with the clerk. I crept into the hallway rolled the bottle down the hall towards the desk. It veered to the left and stopped under a coffee table, right next to the desk.

“Now this is gonna make a big boom so cover your ears.”

“What happened when you pranked your principal?” Spits asked as we knelt down in front of the elevator.

“Well there we used glass and remodeled the principal’s office after school. And that was just for fun. Yeah we did some demented stuff at school.”

“Please,” Spitfire sighed, “At flight camp we nearly burned the camp office down after we tapped all the furniture to the ceiling, including the fireplace. Don’t even ask how we managed to do that. But needless to say the living room caught fire,” She giggled at the last part.

“So you’re a pyro?”

“What? No! That was an accident.”

“Sorry,” I said.

“It’s alright,” she smiled and playfully punched my shoulder, “You didn’t mean it.”

“So how long did you say it would take for this thing to go off?” she asked.

“I don’t know. It should have gone off by now. Maybe we ad-”

BOOM.

The sound ripped down the hallway, causing Spitfire to jump. A scream followed instantly after.

“Time to dip,” I said and got up and ran followed by Spits. We ran down the hallway of the hotel dodging other guests before finding and open door and hiding inside the room.

As soon as we were in we crouched down and burst out laughing. I clenched my gut and rolled onto the floor.

“Oh my gosh!” Spitfire laughed, “I just wish we could’ve caught the look on her face! That was absolutely hilarious!”

“Thank god there aren’t any cameras in this hotel,” I managed to gasp; “Else we wouldn’t have been able to pull that one off!”

“I absolutely love pulling pranks!”

“I just hope we didn’t scare the hell outta her too much,” I grinned.

Spitfire wiped a tear from her eye, “That was fun.”

I scooted over next to her, “What room did we hide in?”

Our eyes scanned our new surroundings. The air was warm and humid. We were in a large pool room. There was a large ovular shaped pool in the center of the room. It got deeper the farther down the pool you went.

There were two Jacuzzis in one end of the room with changing rooms in the other. One of the walls was glass and gave a view of an exercise gym. A door linked the two. There were several pool lounge chairs all along the edges of the pool. There was a container with inflatable tubes and other water toys. On a table sat a pile of towels.

“So this is where the pool is,” I said. I looked at the time; it was 1:00 so everyone was probably out and about right now. I turned around; Spitfire had a devious grin on her face.

“Uh, Spits?”

“Yes?” she asked as angelically as possible. Underneath that façade was the mind of a devious little Wonderbolt.

She removed her leather jacket and tossed it onto a chair. She began to walk forward like a cat stalking its prey.

“Spitfire? What are you doing,” I asked growing more terrified.

“Well you said I couldn’t wear a bathing suit so I’m working something out,” She grinned.

Oh boy. Another socially awkward situation on your 6 Jett! Pull up! Pull up!

“What do you mean by working something out?”

“This.” She reached out and tapped my head. Off balance I stepped back and into the pool. I felt my gut head into my throat as I fell into the water. Water quickly soaked my clothes. I surfaced and gasped for air. I retrieved my Fedora as it floated by and tossed at Spits’ jacket.

Spitfire herself was laughing. She giggled as she stepped to the pools edge.

I smiled, “Having fun with ourselves are we?”

She laughed again before nodding yes.

“Oh, ok then,” I grinned and reached up and pulled her in with me. She let out a yelp before disappearing under the water.

She popped up and gasped for air. Her hair was soaked and fell over her face. She pushed her hair back with a huge grin on her face.

“I hope you know this means war right,” she smiled.

“Kinda already figured that one out,” I said.

She whipped her arm a wave of water splashed me across the face.

“Oh I see how it is.” I pushed my arm forward and splashed her back.

I saw her hair get pushed back by the water. She had a bewildered look on her face that was comical in appearance. I closed my eyes and laughed, enjoying the comedy of the moment. I opened my eyes to be tackled by Spitfire and found myself being dunked underwater. I emerged to find Spitfire laughing away.

I wiped the water away from my eyes, “Ok, ok, you win.”

“I always do,” she smirked.

“We’ll see about that one,” I said pulling myself out of the pool.

“Aw. Fun over already?”

“For now. A hotel though is not the place to I’d like to be caught in a socially awkward situation.”

“This is socially awkward?”

“Well… I don’t know. I uh, oh no, well um,” I stuttered, “Well not as awkward as what happened in Macy’s. And I don’t want to be caught in that type of situation again.”

Spits blushed, “What about here? We were just having a little fun.”

“Again, can be… Misinterpreted. You saw what that lady thought of us when we first walked in?”

“Yeah I guess you’re right,” she sighed.

I walked up to her and elbowed her side, “Hey, don’t feel bad. That prank we pulled earlier was pretty hilarious wasn’t it?”

Spitfire giggled, “Yeah that was pretty funny.”

I grabbed two towels from the table and tossed one to Spits. She snatched it out of the air and rubbed her hair dry.

“Come on,” I said, “Let’s go change. Then we can hit the town.”

***

I stepped into the bathroom and wrung my shirt out in the bathtub. I placed it on the towel rack along with my pants and socks. I stepped into my room and removed a fresh pair of shorts, undershirt, and Hawaiian the and pulled them on.

I walked out of the bedroom and onto the balcony in the living room. I placed my shoes in the sun to dry along with my Fedora. I stepped into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of soda out of the fridge. Root beer, my favorite.

I unscrewed the cap and the soda sprayed fizz and soda all over the kitchen.

“Shit,” I ran the sink and safely let out the pressure.

I grabbed a dish cloth and knelt down wiped up the mess.

“hmm hmm hm hmm hmm hmm hmmm, lets finish our holiday cheer,” Spitfire hummed to herself.

I stood up and tossed the cloth into a laundry bin. I stood up and grabbed my soda from the sink and listened to Spits’ humming. I flopped down on the couch and opened my eyes just as I took a sip of my drink.

Spit takes look funny in the movies but when a carbonated drink comes out of your nose it’s not very hilarious and kind of hurts a bit.

Spitfire was tossing her shirt over the fire place. But that wasn’t what made lose my drink and cover my eyes. Being brought up in a military house from age 1 to 13 kind of made you want to avoid situations like this. Dad while being a twisted jokester was a Navy man at heart and drilled military values into my head since birth practically.

Spitfire wasn’t wearing a shirt nor… any other piece of clothing suited for the upper body. She stretched her wings out as wide as they would go.

“Ah,” she moaned spreading her large orange wings as wide as they would go. She rotated the joints making a sound similar to knuckles cracking.

“Ah, right there,” she sighed. My soda flew across the room and hit one of the armchairs as I jumped up and screamed and fell on my ass behind the couch, my legs still hanging over the edge.

The bottle came down and spilled all over my head.

Spitfire yelped, “What was that?”

“Me!” I yelled, “Falling behind the couch! Why are you Topless?!”

“I thought you were in your room!”

“I thought you were in your room! Why are you topless?!”

“Well you said I could only stretch my wings out when we were inside so I thought changing would be the perfect opportunity to do so.”

I was still on my back on the floor. I sighed and rubbed my nose.

“Yeah, but you could wear something to cover up or you could do that in your room!”

“Why are you making a big deal out of this?” she asked genuinely bewildered, “In the Wonderbolts we don’t really care about stuff like this.”

“Well I’m not a Wonderbolt! Nor have I known you very long. We only meant two days ago!”

“That’s not all of it,” she said.

“My dad drilled it into my head to respect women and girls and stuff like this kinda goes against what he said. That and it’s just plain awkward!”

“How? I really don’t care that much. I mean, we are living together so stuff like this is bound to happen eventually!”

“Well for me it’s awkward! I mean, how would you react if you stepped out of you room one day and Soarin’ walked by naked?”

“Wouldn’t care too much. In the Wonderbolts it’s kinda like we’re one big family. We’ve all seen each other in the locker rooms before so it’s not that awkward.”

“You’re impossible! These have been the craziest two days of my life! And it’s not every day I walk out around the house and see a beautiful, topless, angel girl standing in front of the fireplace! I mean-oh shit what did I just fucking say?”

“Wait, what?” Spits asked, “You think I’m beautiful?”

“And now I revoke my talking privileges. Why do I do this to myself?” I whispered, “Stupid fucking mouth. God damn it.” I smashed my head on floor with a loud thud.

“Hey, you alright?” I heard her take a step towards me.

“No no, no no no no no no no no no no. I’m staying on this floor until you put something on. Fuck, this is what I get for letting Cat talk me into coming back to Earth again. I was fine with Mars but NO. We have to go Earth, she said, it’ll be fun, she said, we have to skydive like the pioneers of the sport, she said, what could go WRONG? She said. This is what I get! Stuck on Earth, again, in the middle of a foreign country!”

My vision suddenly had black flashes before returning to normal. More of those again, great.

“Here,” Spitfire said, “Does this work?”

I opened my eyes. Spitfire was standing over me offering a hand. She had wrapped her wings around herself. She offered a wry smile.

I smiled back and took her hand and pulled myself to my feet. My hair was slicked back from the soda and I looked like a mess.

“You’re all sticky,” Spitfire laughed, “You couldn’t have done that to yourself all cause of little old me?”

“Hey, I’m not good in situations like this,” I said clearly missing the pun and walking to the sink and rinsing my head. I popped my head out and rubbed it dry with a towel.

“Why not?”

“I… I-uh, I don’t do well in social situations; parties, dinners, large conversations I don’t do well in.”

“Why?”

“I never developed the skills I guess. When I should have been going out and doing things with others I was learning as much as I could. And with my father drilling values like modesty, respect, honor, the whole shebang, I don’t know how to react to things like… well that.”

“Oh come on,” Spits giggled, “I’d say you dealt with that pretty well.”

“No I didn’t. Stop patronizing me!”

“You’re funny when you get worked up like that,” she held a hand up to her mouth and stifled a laugh.

“No I’m not- would you please put a shirt on?! I can’t talk to you like this! God if cat could see this she’d be dying!”

“Jeez, don’t get all worked up about a shirt!” she laughed, “Fine.”

She walked up the stairs and disappeared into her room. I sighed and rubbed my head. Shit, headache.

I ran to the freezer and pulled out a container of ice cream. I scooped it into a bowl and smashed a spoon into it. I sat down on the couch and began stuffing my face. I felt my headache beginning to wane before going out completely.

Spitfire opened the door. She was pulling a shirt over her flame like hair. Her wings were again hidden under the cloth.

She walked down the stairs, “What’s that?”

“Ice cream.”

“Didn’t get me any?” she fake pouted.

“Hey, I had a headache and eating ice cream helps it out. If you want any I can get you some.”

“Nah, I’m fine,” she said flopping down on the couch next to me.

I tapped the table and the TV turned on. News from various parts of the Solar System went across the screen. Prison Riot on Euros. The Mafia’s drug war on Ceres. All stuff that meant little to me.

“Listen Jett,” she began, “Sorry for making you feel so awkward earlier. And I don’t just mean what happened just now. I guess I’m forgetting I’m not with the Wonderbolts right now and am still using the same habits as I would when I was with them.”

She sighed, “I guess I thought you would be as casual about everything as myself. I didn’t think and take your feelings into consideration. I’m sorry.”

Great. Now you made her feel bad. Smooth move again Jackass. Stupid stupid stupid stupid. How do you fix this? Come on.

“Oh, come on now. Don’t be sorry. Listen, I guess I’m being a little uptight about the whole situation. I guess I could be more relaxed and chill about things. God knows I need to relax. I guess I’m not used to someone so… out going as you. I’ve never really seen someone quite like you.”

“You really mean that?”

I smiled slyly and looked towards the balcony, “Well yeah. Growing up in a military family things sometimes get a little uptight, leaving little room for… well a bubbly personality like you.”

“That’s one of the nicest things someone’s ever said to me,” she grinned, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

A long awkward silence followed. I stared at the TV while Spits stared at her feet. Well then. Bullet dodged there.

“Wanna go get something to eat?” I asked.

“Sure, where do you wanna go?”

“Well we have a map, let’s find a restaurant.”

I got up and offered a hand. Spits smiled and took it. We walked to the elevators and out of the hotel.

Chapter 5. Off of Earth

I would have had this up yesterday but I couldn't get on. But it's a long one so...

My first OC makes a cameo in this chapter. Try to find him if you like.

“We’re not lost again are we?” Spitfire asked.

“No! And last night wasn’t my fault!” I said. We were walking down the street having finished breakfast earlier and checking out of the hotel.

“Really?” Spitfire stood tapping her foot.

“Not my fault there was a hydrogen gas leak right when we left the restaurant.”

“Well you still had the map.”

“And all the routes it gave us were blocked off by emergency personal trying get to the accident sight.”

We stopped by on a street corner. I leaned my bag up against a glass wall.

“Do you even know where we are?” Spitfire asked, “I don’t want to miss the pickup.”

“Well, let me see where we are,” I said.

I tapped the map again, “Elusive Bus Tours Pickup Location.”

A blue dot flashed; right next to where we were. I looked up at the glass wall I had leaned my bag on. It was the bus terminal.

I face palmed. Spitfire put a hand to her mouth before bursting out laughing. She held her gut as she tried to take in air as she laughed at my plight.

I moaned, “Did I really just do that?”

“Yes! And I still can’t even believe that just happened!” she giggled, “You just pulled a Soarin’!”

I pulled my hand down from my head, “Any chance of me living this down?”

“Not a chance in hell!”

“Figures,” I sighed.

We walked into the bus terminal and sat on the benches.

“What time is it?” Spits asked.

“9:59. So the bus should be here right… about… now,” I said as the bus pulled around the corner and stopped in front of the terminal.

It was a tall structure with six wheels. There were large wide windows with an open balcony on the top. The doors slid open. The bus was relatively empty. There were only a few people on the bus. We stepped on. I tapped my card on a pad near the door. We headed up the stairs to the upper deck of the bus. No one was up here so we had the top all to ourselves.

“Now this is what I’m talking about,” Spits smiles.

“Told ya you’d like it,” I said. I set my bag down on the floor in front of a random seat and sat down. Spitfire placed her bag down and took the seat next to mine. The bus began to move.

“So when will we reach the Spaceport?” Spits asked.

“I think it’s the fifth stop,” I said looking at the bus schedule. Yep, definitely the fifth.

The bus zoomed down the street as we both pulled our seat belts on. The city was alive. It was almost like traveling through the body of a living being. Everything served a purpose. Each tall skyscraper was like an important organ in the human body. Even if it wasn’t occupied by a company or several it still served an ecological purpose. The buildings themselves were giant tall power plants. The windows were giant solar panels that sucked the sun’s energy out of the sky like giant plants. The energy went to power the building itself and the various city subsystems. Some of the buildings had huge gardens built into the sides that served to feed the city as well as keep it cool in the warm weather. Various vehicles zipped along and past the bus as it went.

“Here,” I said standing up, “Take my seat. You deserve this view more than me.”

Spitfire looked at me, “Thanks.”

We swapped seats and continued to enjoy the view.

Various types of sports cars zipped by on the ground and flew by overhead. The flying car was gaining popularity but the traditional ground pounder still held popularity but at least traffic had decreased. On many building there were large maglev trains that zipped on magnetic fields all along the upper part of the city. People could go their entire lives in this city without stepping foot on the ground. Entire schools, restaurants, businesses and other work places existed in the clouds above. In the city in the sky the rules were a bit different. A police chase in the sky looked more like a military dog fight. Only the dog fights now rarely happened in atmosphere. A large cargo transport flew by overhead. Its maglev panels on its under carriage let it gracefully sail across the sky in a long silent, silky movement.

Spitfire stared at the magical city around her in absolute wonder. I turned at stared at her face. Her expression was priceless; she looked like a kid who was in a candy store, toy shop, and a movie theater all at the same time. I had to admit, the city was almost magic. Though compared to the wonders of cities like Dubai, Honolulu, Tycho, Atlantis, the Halo Habitat, and a number of other wonders scattered across the system this was nothing. I was content to let her stare at his everyday life in wonder.

Secretly I was wondering what it would be like to see my world like her. She was lucky to view my world without presumptions and prejudice. To her, it was magic. She could probably see things I never could have ever dreamed of seeing her. Maybe finding her in that forest was luck in itself. Maybe this was the beginning of an adventure for both of us.

The Bus had stopped several times on the way to the spaceport but Spits didn’t seem to notice. She seemed caught up in taking in every exquisite detail of the metropolis around her. I smiled at her wide eyed expression that she conveyed so well. This must have been a wonderful experience for her. She was in her own wonderland. The ‘wonders’ of my world were just a part of everyday life.

The spaceport came into view. It was on the right side of the bus and was a large circular shaped, mushroom topped building. Half of it, the half that was connected to the peninsula, served as a drop off and parking lot. The upper part of the mushroom cap served vast landing pads for the various flying cars and other transports. The other side of the building served as the actual port that launched ships away from the city.

The bus came to a stop in front of a drop off zone. By now we were the only people left on the bus.

“Spits,” I said.

She was still taking in the surroundings.

“Spits,” I said more firmly this time.

She turned, “Yeah?”

“We’re here,” I said.

“Cool!”

I smiled shaking my head before standing up and grabbing my bag. Spitfire looked at me.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“You,” I said, “You get to experience my world through the eyes of a child so to speak. Everything is new and exciting but for me this all part of everyday life. I guess it’s interesting to see someone with such a happy fresh take on everything.”

“Well this place is amazing! Nothing like this even exists in Equestria! This place is a wonderland!”

“Well when you’ve lived here forever it certainly doesn’t seem that way.”

We stepped off the bus and onto the sidewalk. The city was now behind us. We both turned to admire the view. The city was alive yet peaceful at the same time. The tall forest of skyscrapers gave the illusion that it was a living, breathing thing.

“Hey,” I nudged Spits, “You wanna see something cool?”

“Sure! What is it?”

“Well if you thought the city was cool, wait till you see the Spaceport, the plane, and space itself. I’ll admit to myself that space is a pretty cool place.”

We walked along the sidewalk towards one of the main entry ways into the space port. For its gargantuan size it was still small for a spaceport. Some of them in the larger cities had berths a kilometer long to accommodate everything from the largest cruise ship to even the huge Beta Class cruisers. Anything larger than a kilometer had problems getting off the ground.

We finally found the door and stepped inside the spaceport.

Spitfire gasped. We were in a large open foyer area that formed a semicircle around the outside of the spaceport. Inside were large gardens that gave the place a nice aesthetic that sat both on the floor and hung from the large one way glass ceiling. Forward were large rows of terminals that served for as check in for passengers.

A holoprojector stood before us. A hologram of a woman in a spaceport uniform was projected in front of us, “Welcome to the Rio Spaceport. If you are a passenger, please step to one of the check in terminals before proceeding. Welcome to the Rio Spaceport…”

We walked past her.

“This place looks like a temple! Like a futuristic version of a Pegasus monastery.”

“Wait till you see the moon.”

We walked towards the terminal. There was a small pedestal with a pad and scanner nearby. Another pedestal had a hand pad on it. I tapped my hand to the pad and two pieces of smart glass popped out. I grabbed them.

Our tickets in hand we grabbed our bags and continued on. For the most part the building was hollow on the inside. Until you got to the waiting deck. We walked along to the security check. Fortunately they had replaced the strange person groping you with an automated scanner that worked as simply as walking through it. If someone happened to be carrying something dangerous a nanite field immediately immobilized the culprit. So far there hadn’t been a single mistake in any of the spaceports across the system that used it. Though it had stopped several… undesirables from making it aboard a packed flight.

We walked over to the security scanners. Large towers with blue lights running up the sides blocked us off from the rest of the spaceport. If one looked carefully they could see the blue security field that kept the system’s ports safe. I stepped through without a problem.

Spitfire stood back, a little apprehensive. I stood at the other end of the field.

“Are you ok?” I asked. She looked kind of like cat being skittish around water

“Is that thing safe?” she asked.

“What? The scanner? It’s fine.”

“No the blue shield in between it.”

“Wait, you can see that? And I thought I had great vision.”

“Kinda hard to miss,” she said.

“Well my people don’t normally have vision as good as yours or mine,” I said, “I mean, in order to see that you have to have… let’s see… 20/10 vision? That’s a lot better than most of the general population.”

“What’s the average?”

“I don’t know, I’d say 20/20?”

“What’s your vision?” she asked forgetting the field before her.

“Well right now it’s about what you have I’d say but before my accident it was 20/15.”

“What happened?”

I sighed, “I… I don’t like talking about it.”

A silence followed.

“So you said that it was a scanner?” Spits asked, “Won’t it see my wings?”

Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that, “I’d guess it would just perceive them as extra pieces of clothing. The scanner scans for weapons and other dangerous things so I’d say you’d be fine. I once heard of a guy who wore a Jet pack under his jacket onto a plane and he got away with it.”

“Will it hurt?” she asked nervously.

“Not one bit,” I gave a reassuring smile, “I promise.”

I held my hand out and stuck it through the field. Tentatively she took it and walked through the scanner. Nothing, not even a beep. She was good.

“See?” I said, “Not so bad.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Thanks.”

“No prob.” We grabbed our bags and continued on. We passed several shops and stores in the airport; many of them restaurants. Others were stores selling things from books and magazines to even an electronics store.

I looked at our tickets, “Our flight is at Gate 12 Level F. Flight number 19679”

“And just where would that be?” Spits asked.

We were standing in a large indoor courtyard. Before us the large hollowness of the building ended and instantly began to resemble the normal thickness of an average building. Before us on the building’s ground level was level C. Lower, closer to the ocean were Levels A and B. Higher up were Levels D through H. Tall stair cases and elevators connected the levels.

I stared up the tall balconies, reading each sign as they went up. D, E, F, ah here we are. Three more levels up.

“I’d say we have to up three levels,” I said.

“Well then let’s get going!” she yipped and dragged me towards an elevator.

We made it to the elevator just as the doors opened. Several people exited before going their separate ways. We quickly walked into the elevator. I tapped the button and the doors closed as the elevator began to rise.

We reached Level F and the doors opened. We walked until we reached a large group of hallways.

“There’s gates 1-4,” I said pointing at the hallway farthest to the left.

“So 12-16 should be…” Spitfire said scanning the signs, “… There?” She pointed at a sign.

“Yeah, that’d be it,” I said, “Gates 12-16. Let’s go. They’ll be boarding us soon.”

We grabbed our bags and headed to our gate. There was a waiting area that was situated next to several tall windows. Outside was a landing pad where our plane rested. It was a sleek looking ship, not a single corner on it. The whole thing looked organic, like a giant sea creature that sailed through the sky. There were four engines situated on the wings and near the tail of the craft. There were also a series of lumps all along the ship; maneuvering thrusters for space. Windows lined the sides like any other commercial space plane. A docking arm and corridor led to the side of the ship.

We found some chairs and sat down and began to wait. I should have bought a tablet or a book at least. I’m a terribly impatient person. I like to be kept occupied at all times. I sighed and put my head back and tried to catch up on some Zs.

***

Rainbow Dash screamed. SolarStorm’s book fell out of his hands and through the cloud he was sitting on.

“Rainbow what’s wrong?!” He asked.

“Oh no. Oh no no no no no no no no. This is bad!”

“What is it?”

She handed him a piece of paper. Judging by its feel, composition, and smell it was a newspaper. Not braille.

He pulled his blue goggles down, exposing his gray, cloudy eyes, “Um, Rainbow?”

She gave a sheepish laugh, “Heh heh, sorry.”

“So what’s got your panties in a bunch?” he joked.

“My WHAT?!” Rainbow fumed. Though storm couldn’t see her, he could tell she was blushing.

He fell over laughing.

“You’re really lucky I like you,” she said.

“You love me and you know it.”

“Curse you,” she tackled him, pressing him down on the cloud. He gave a wry smile as his girlfriend pinned him down.

“So what’s on your mind?” he asked more seriously. Rainbow climbed off his body and sat next to him the cloud.

“This isn’t good, Storm,” she said sincerely, “Spitfire’s missing!”

He shot up, “What?!”

“The Wonderbolts were in Cloudsdale when one of their tricks went wrong apparently. The Equestrian Gazette doesn’t say much but she’s gone. They’re calling for a search party to go find her.”

“Any other’s missing?”

“No but the youngest captain in Wonderbolts history is still missing!”

“Sounds like we’re in quite a pickle here,” Storm said, “Come on, let’s go see Twilight. She’s bound to know something.”

***

Its emotional subroutines have been active longer than usual.

Yes, I’ve noticed that too. Normally their only active for about 6 hours a day. Any explanation?

It only just came back onto the grid. And while we know where it is there’s still no confirmation of its location. Lack of security camera footage.

And we’re letting it make its own choices on everything?

If this experiment is to be successful it has to be able to think on its own.

Hmm, so sit back and observe?

Yes. Also, get the Admiral. I think it’s time we let him know what we’ve been doing with his project. Bring him into the loop.

Yes sir.

***

I shot awake. I was still in the spaceport. I checked the time, 11:45; we’d be boarding the ship soon.

I turned. Spitfire was sitting next to me, twiddling her thumbs. She stared at her feet. She turned to face me, “So… About what happened in the hotel…”

“What about it?”

“Well, you said, uh, some things… Well I was wondering if they were true.”

I was beginning to feel awkward. God I hated situations like this. I needed to take the time to learn psychology. I never could tell when I was being toyed with or when I was toying with others. I hated that feeling. Last year I was asked to the junior prom a year in advance by one of the popular girls who had a boyfriend. I guessed I was being toyed with but reading people wasn’t always my strong point. She didn’t seem joking at the time but then again she didn’t seem like she was expressing much of anything at the time. I politely turned her down.

“If what things were true?”

“Well you said you were awkward in social situations.”

“Well I’m not the best at reading people so mingling with others is a bit of a problem,” I said as honestly as possible.

Spitfire looked at the floor again, “You also said I was beautiful.”

Oh dear lord not this again. Um, shit. How do you talk to girls? What do you say so they don’t kill you? Do you ego stroke? Compliment them? Idiot you already did that. How do you do this? I think you can add a few things to Einstein’s quote about human stupidity; Man’s lack of understanding for Women is infinite.

“Well, I, uh well, you’re, Gosh,” I stumbled over my words. If this was a race I’d be falling all over the place. Not the most verbally coordinated person. Still my father’s fault.

I muttered under my breath, “Crap, what do you say to girls when backed into a corner? Rule 84, no such thing as a square room unless you let it.”

Spitfire laughed lightly, “I’ve backed you into a corner?”

“Shit, you weren’t supposed to hear that!”

“So,” she found something interesting about the floor again, “Is it true?”

“Um, well, I-uh, you’re, um-”

A lady spoke over the intercom, “Now boarding flight 19679 to Tycho city.”

Thank god, “Well look at that. We best be boarding!”

Spits sighed and grabbed her bag. We stood up and headed to the gate. Fortunately I had paid for the first class tickets so we boarded quickly.

We stepped down the gangplank and into the space plane. It was a large open space with rows upon rows of seating. Not our seating.

“Come on,” I grabbed Spits’ hand, “We’re upstairs in the observation lounge.”

I led her up the stairs into economy. More seating but with more privacy and space. A group of couches and a few chairs sat around a coffee table. A bar sat in one corner of the room. Not our seating.

I led her farther down the space craft until we reached a large centralized stair case. We walked up the stairs to the observation lounge. It was large open area with one way glass. We could see into the open hanger bay of the port. This glass was one of the strongest, lightest materials ever built into a plane. There were several emergency crash couches in one part of the room but the rest of it was built for comfort. Large couches and comfortable arm chairs. There were even a few cubicles with beds, showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms. But most of the room was luxurious and spacious with wide open views.

“I’m pretty sure I bought the right tickets,” I said, “What’d ya think? Can I cook or can’t I?”

“This place is amazing!” Spitfire said forgetting of our previous conversation, thank god, “We’ll be able to see space from here?”

“That’s the general idea of an observation lounge.”

We found the carry on compartments and placed our bags. No one else seemed to have booked a flight in this part of the plane so we had it all to ourselves.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome aboard Flight 19679 to Tycho. We will be departing shortly so please take you seats.”

We took our seats in our crash couches. I strapped Spits in before securing myself. A flight attendant came up and pointed out the manual release levers on the sides of our chairs that pulled escape pods over us and shot the passengers out into space. She later pointed out the emergency exits in case we had to leave in a pinch.

Soon the plane shuddered. The docking arm disconnected and retracted. The doors closed and sealed as the cabin was pressurized.

“Oh I love this part,” I laughed as the plane rose off the pad, “Get ready for some High G acceleration.”

The plane rose up into the air. The landing gear retracted as the plane rotated to face out of the spaceport.

The plane accelerated forward as the powerful PRATT CORP engines pushed takeoff thrust. The space plane rocketed out of the hanger and began to climb. I looked at Spits who had a look somewhere in between excited/thrilled and terrified.

The plane climbed higher into the stratosphere. The city became a small blip in the land behind us. Soon the acceleration began to slow as we entered orbit and micro gravity.

“Acceleration complete. You are now free to move about the cabin.”

“Excellent,” I said. I unbuckled myself before helping Spitfire out of her seat. Artificial gravity was activated so we gripped the floor on ½ G.

“Whoa,” she said giddily, “This is so weird!” She bounced across the room in the low gravity.

“Ha ha!” she laughed as she jumped into the air before slowly descending to the deck, “This is so fun!”

I bounced to the edge of the tall room, “Wanna come see the view?”

“Sure!” Spits bounced over, nearly bouncing into the wall in the process.

“Whoa there, Astro angel,” I said gripping her hand and pulling her back down to the deck, “Check this out.”

I watched in amusement as Spitfire’s eyes went wide with awe and wonder. The planet came into view. The large curve of the planet made for a majestic view. It was a wonderful experience to see the cradle of humanity from space like this. While I hated being there I had to admit it looked like jewel hidden among the stars. Cloud formations below speckled the surface. The vast ocean gave the impression of a water world.

In orbit around the planet were several stations. Large orbital habitats, orbital elevators, large stations, observatories, and Military installations. We sailed past a military space dock with a large Tyson class cruiser resting inside. And that was just one of the small docks. Larger stations could house entire fleets inside while protecting them from the sun’s rays while they underwent repairs. There were large stations that served as harbors. Large space cruise ships rested in their berths as they took on passengers. Other container ships off loaded cargo. The orbits of earth were alive with activity.

The planet began to grow smaller behind us as the ship accelerated away. I moved to another part of the deck.

“Hey Spits, come check this out,” I pointed.

She bounced over, finding it easier to navigate that way. Commercial planes like this didn’t have efficient gravity systems onboard so gravity was stuck at ½ G. Larger yachts and other ships were equipped with complete systems. But ½ G gravity made it difficult to walk for anything used to a full G environment.

"What is it?” she asked.

“Look,” I said. I pointed at a small grayish white object in the distance. Earth’s moon, Luna. Only a small ball in the distance it would be difficult to see the cities that rested on the surface and beneath. At this distance it looked as it always did.

“That’s your moon?” she asked.

“Yup. We didn’t always live on it but now it has a population of… Oh I’d say about 100 million?”

“100 million!? How do you even have that many people living there? Equestria’s population is only 75 million.”

“Well we’ve had a lot of room to expand ever since we left Earth. The moon is just one the places we’ve chosen to live.”

“When will we get there?” she asked.

“In about 12 hours.”

“Ugh, that’s gonna take forever.”

“Not really,” I grinned, “There’s a few ways you can have fun on a 12 hour flight to the moon.”

I bounced over to a control panel on the wall.

“Check this out,” I said. I pulled a remote like device out of a compartment near the panel and found the button I was looking for. I pressed it and watched artificial gravity deactivate. Spitfire began to float into the air.

“Whoa! What is this? What did you do?!” she asked giddily as she struggled to move in the zero gravity environment.

I held onto a handhold on the floor, “I shut off gravity. Now we can have some real fun.”

I shoved the remote in my pocket and pushed off the floor towards Spitfire. I floated up to her and grabbed her hand before continuing onto the far wall. We grabbed handholds on the wall.

“Isn’t this awesome?!” I asked. I’d always loved zero G. So many things one could do.

“It’s different,” she giggled.

“Try pushing off from the wall. You’ll get carried over to other side.”

She gave it a try and launched herself over. She landed a little clumsily but managed to grab the hand hold. I pushed myself off the wall and followed.

I landed and held myself to the wall. Spits looked to be having the time of her life in the zero gravity.

“Hey,” I nudged her, “Race ya to the other side.”

“You’re on,” she grinned. She got comfortable on the wall. I crouched down on my feet.

“On your marks,” I said.

“Get set,” Spitfire said eagerly.

“Go!” We shouted and launched off the wall. We sped across the observation deck towards one of the couches. Didn’t want to smack into a wall. I approached the couch and flipped over, landing on my back with my feet facing the ceiling. Spitfire crashed into the couch next to me.

“I win,” I declared triumphantly.

“No fair. You’ve been in zero gravity before,” Spits smiled, “That and you got a head start.”

“No I didn’t. I’m just that fast.” I floated over to a refrigerator. I grabbed a bottle of water out of the air before closing the door. I floated back over.

“Check this out,” I opened up the bottle and watched as its contents floated out and into a small sphere. I resealed it before it completely drained.

Spitfire was staring at the ball of water in front of her. I casually brought out two straws and poked the sphere. Spits’ reflection disappeared as the ripples moved over the ball.

“That’s so cool,” she laughed.

I tossed a straw over. She grabbed it and poked at the ball. She laughed as it bounced and wobbled about in the zero gravity. I stabbed my straw in and drank, watching the ball get smaller.

“Everything is funnier in Zero G,” I said. I watched Spitfire gobbled down the rest of the water. She hiccupped before rolling over.

“Whoa,” she said, “Check this out.” She flipped and spun just above the couch before grabbing it and stopping herself.

“Please. Watch this.” I pushed myself off the couch and spun through the air before flipping and landing feet first against the far wall. I pushed back and landed next to the flame haired girl.

“Oh I got you. Trick wars. Just so you know, I’m captain of the Wonderbolts. Try to keep up,” Spits said before taking off into the air.

***

I couldn’t help but laugh. This was one of the funniest things I’d ever seen. Spitfire was stuck in the center of the room, floundering in the center like fish out of water.

“Don’t just stand there,” she said, “Do something!”

“Like what?!” I laughed.

“I don’t know! Just help me down!”

“I thought the Captain of the Wonderbolts didn’t need any help!”

“When did I say that?”

“When you nearly got stuck the first time!” I fell over and began tumbling in the gravity. Accept I couldn’t stop myself this time. I rolled into the center of the room, right next to Spits.

I opened my eyes to see Spitfire glaring at me with her arms crossed.

“What’re we gonna do now, smart one?”

“You’re forgetting one thing,” I grinned, “I have the remote.”

I held up the box and tapped the button. Gravity reactivated and we fell to the floor. It didn’t hurt since the gravity was ½ but a little uncomfortable.

I was still laughing when Spits playfully tackled me to the floor.

“Why didn’t you just do that sooner?” she asked.

“Because it was funny!” I laughed raising my arms to fake fend myself off as she pretended to beat me up.

“Ah! Stop! Mercy!” I laughed.

“Not this time!” Spits giggled.

“Oh my,” a voice said. I tilted my head back. A flight attendant had come up to check up on us, “I’ll come back later.”

She quickly beat a hasty retreat back down the stairs.

We sat like that staring at the stairs for the longest time before bursting out laughing. Spitfire rolled off of me and onto the floor as I doubled over and held my gut as I guffawed at what just happened. Spitfire giggled and pounded the floor with her fists.

“What the hell just happened?!” I laughed.

“I have no idea!” Spits gasped.

I finally controlled my breathing around the same time as Spits. I stared up at the window at the tall star scape above us. Spitfire rolled over onto her back or wings next to me.

We stared into the stars in silence. It was beautiful. Each one was diamond or sapphire or ruby among the darkness. Each one precious and beautiful in its own way.

“Beautiful aren’t they?” I asked.

“I guess,” Spitfire said.

“You guess? Spits theses are absolutely amazing! They’ve been a guide to my people for hundreds of years! They’ve been there for us like companions, friends, family as my people have evolved. They were above us for all the major events in our history! Through good times and bad they were the ones who were always there for us. And now one of them may have another jewel just like Earth nestled around it! They’re the most beautiful things in the universe!”

Spitfire turned her head, “Well when you put it that way, I guess they are pretty awesome. In Equestria the stars for us were one of the causes for the corruption of Princess Luna. While they’re pretty and all they don’t hold near as much significance as they do to your people. I think in Equestria the stars don’t’ even have things orbiting them!”

“Really? Why?”

“Don’t know. Something Princess Luna would know.”

I stared at the moving star scape as the ship flew through space. We both stared at the stars. I hoped Spitfire saw them like I did. I had always loved the stars. There were even rumors that the Neptunians were planning to build a generation ship to head out to a new Earth like planet they’d spotted. If so I wanted to be one of the ones who got to travel to the stars.

It was a peaceful moment. A very rare moment. One that wouldn’t last.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” The captain said, “We will be landing in Tycho in 5 minutes. Please return to your crash couches and strap yourselves in.”

I turned to Spits who rolled over, “Guess we better get off the floor.”

“Yeah,” she said. We stood up and returned to our crash couches. We strapped ourselves in.

Outside the window we could see the moon fast approaching. Its familiar cratered surface came into view. We could see irregular metal gray spots all over. In the center of these were little sparkling lights; the large domed cities of the moon

We approached Tycho Crater. At the center was Tycho city. A large Super Domed structure. Inside sat a large city. Surrounded by a geodesic dome the city survived in the vacuum of the moon. The dome was an incredibly strong structure. It needed to be to hold in the atmosphere of the city.

We landed a landing pad on a space port like facility just outside the dome. The pad descended beneath the surface of the moon as a docking arm attached itself to the ship. The pressures balanced out and doors were opened to the rest of Tycho Spaceport.

We undid the straps and stood up in our seats. We grabbed our bags and walked down the stairs to exit. The other passengers were just undoing their seat straps when we stepped off the plane.

“Be prepared for a little Jet lag,” I said.

“Jet lag?” Spitfire asked.

“Uh, it happens when you switch time zones. It messes with your natural biological clock? Sleeplessness, headaches, irritability?”

“Oh, you mean Travel Fatigue. Don’t worry about me. In the Wonderbolts we travel all the time. You eventually get used to it.”

“Oh good. Because it’s 12:00 here.”

“Midnight?”

“No around in the morning. It’s as if we never left. We’re off by 12 hours now.”

“Eeeh,” Spits said, “Those 12 hour ones are always the worst.”

“Oh yeah. Come on, I forgot to call Cat before we left so let’s go find a terminal.”

Chapter 6. The Moon

We found the nearest terminal. It was a small box type object, similar to payphones in old Earth. Fortunately you didn’t have to pay to use these.

I activated the terminal and tapped a few icons. Cat’s face emerged on the screen.

“Well well,” she said slightly irritated, “I figured you wouldn’t call.”

“Yeah yeah,” I said, “Just quit your nagging and let me explain.”

“I don’t nag,” Cat said defensively.

“YES YOU DO,” I said, “Just ask Dad. That’s the man who has to deal with thousands of nagging sailors per day. He would know if you nag and yeah you do.”

“Whatever. Where are you right now?”

“We’re in the Tycho spaceport. Where are you?”

“Sitting in the lobby of the Aldrin Hotel.”

“You get a room?”

“Not yet. I just arrived when you called.”

“Good,” I said, “Get us a suite with three bedrooms.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

“Fine. You better show me the ‘discovery’ you made when you get here,” Cat said.

“I can show you now but the proof of who she is will have to wait until we get there.”

“Alright. Who is ‘she’?”

I looked at Spits. She gave me a terrified look. I guess that’s understandable. She’d kept a good poker face through my entire conversation with my sister. Though she had seen her rage and if I was her I wouldn’t be too keen about talking to her either. But Cat seemed to have calmed down enough to be tolerable right now so I figured it would be safe. And if she did do anything to upset Spits she’d pay. Dad always had to tell her to be polite.

I motioned for Spits to come in view of the screen. Tentatively she stepped in view of the screen.

“Who the hell is this?” Cat asked, “Don’t tell me you used the credits to buy a pros-”

“SHUT UP CAT,” I said knowing where she was going with this, “Just shut up before I reach through that screen-”

“And what? What’re you gonna do?” she challenged.

Sibling rivalries. Only in my case I had to outdo a girl who was captain of a rugby team, top of her class in college and spoke all the major Russian dialects (some of which were almost as common as English in the Solar System), and headed the surveillance division on a Defense Intelligence Agency recon station. A lot to live up to.

“Do you want to know? I WILL reach through that screen. Just be nice,” I said softer this time, “We didn’t exactly meet under the best circumstances.”

“So that’s what happened to your face. Also, you should remove that scar from you face.”

“Please, it’s barely noticeable.”

“Yeah ok. Just like what happened to your left-”

“Ok we don’t need to go there. Now be nice. Cat, this is Spitfire.”

Spitfire emerged in view of the screen again.

“Hello,” she said timidly. Her normally chill attitude was gone, “You’re Cat?”

Cat immediately became friendly, “The one and only! So you said you name was Spitfire?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Hmm, just wondering,” Cat said not suspicious of anything which was rather surprising considering what she did on her deployments, “Not the strangest name I’ve heard. I mean, my dad named my brother Jett.”

Cat laughed. Spits laughed along with her. I couldn’t tell if it was genuine or forced.

“I can hear you,” I muttered.

“I don’t care!” Cat said ever cheerful.

“Well anyway,” I said, “I kinda found her when I landed in the middle of the forest.”

“Oh? And just what exactly happened?”

“Um, East Asia? Giant cat almost mauling someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time?”

“Oh… I assumed you were the knight in shining armor that saved her?” Cat grinned. Yeah she’s still my sister.

“Damn thing nearly clawed my left arm off,” I muttered.

“It didn’t nearly claw anything off and you know it. That damned arm of yours has been through a lot worse.”

Spitfire spoke up, “I’ve heard a lot about you from Jett.”

“He didn’t say anything too bad about me I hope.”

“No… Not really.”

Cat’s eyes narrowed, “So… My brother decided to melt his frozen, black, heart briefly to save and take care of you?”

I rolled my eyes as Spitfire responded.

“I guess. I mean your brother has been extremely kind to me since he found me. I’m not exactly from here so this place is a little bit alien to me,” Spits said.

“Really? We’re not exactly from here either. Where are you from?”

“I, uh,” Spitfire looked towards me with a pleading look. I whispered, “Saturn,” over to her. It would do until we could prove to Cat who she was.

“Saturn, I’m from Saturn.”

“Saturn?” Cat raised an eyebrow, “That’s a lot farther than where we’re from.”

“Ganymede?”

“Yeah. Jett tell you that?”

“Yup.”

“Well I eagerly await your arrival at the hotel. You too Jett!”

“Yeah whatever!” I said.

“Be nice!” Cat yelled, “You know Dad would have a fit.”

“He’s probably already having a fit. He’s probably seen the funds in that account go down,” I laughed.

“He’s going to kill you when he finds out.”

“We both know that that would NOT happen,” I said seriously.

“Fine. So when are you going to get here?”

“I don’t know, sometime today.”

“Fine. I’ll wait in the lobby until then. Bye.”

“Good bye.”

I hung up before turning to Spits.

“She seemed nice,” Spitfire said.

“Try living with her for 13 years,” I said, “She also has a temper that can make her a little difficult to deal with, as you saw earlier.”

Spitfire laughed, “Sounds like Fleetfoot.”

We walked along. This spaceport wasn’t quite as large as the one in Natal but at least I was breathing some good, processed air. Plus I was back in my element, space, and I was not on Earth anymore.

“She has a temper?” I asked.

Spitfire laughed, “Oh yeah. She’s normally pretty chill but when one of Soarin’s pranks pisses her off you better not be anywhere near her when she flips.”

“What does she do exactly?” I asked now curious.

“Well there was one time when Lightning Streak replaced her shampoo with hair dye and her white hair when from being, well white, to being GREEN!”

I pictured an angry, now green haired girl, fuming in rage.

“And that’s not the best part!” Spitfire laughed, “He blamed Soarin’ for it! Soarin’ needless to say woke up hanging by his underwear on the flagpole!”

I laughed picturing a blue haired jock hanging suspended above the ground.

“Ever since then it’s been a back and forth prank war between those two. And Lightning still hasn’t been caught.”

“Did you do anything about it?” I asked.

“No,” She smiled deviously, “Not yet. I’m waiting until they both find out who did it and then take out the past few months of torture they put each other through on Lightning. Then I’ll do something… after they’ve had their revenge.”

We both laughed as we continued walking. Though I noticed Spitfire’s happier mood seemed to be deteriorating. Something in that last conversation must have bothered her. Maybe she was missing her team. Hmm, I guess separation anxiety or something was natural in a situation like this. I guess I can relate. When I was 8 and my parents made me move out to Ganymede to live with my sister I was a little upset. Their respective jobs were both extremely demanding. Dad ran the Navy and had to deal with the politicians, a prospect of his job I did not envy. Mother was the CEO of the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing space plane and ship building corporation. The company built nearly everything the navy used. Nice family relationship that apparently didn’t have room for me.

Cat moved out when she went to college and later bought a house on Ganymede. I didn’t see much of her before even when she used to live with us. Always doing something with her girlfriends and didn’t want much to do with her little brother for some reason. Even when she was home the most we ever said to each other was “Hello” and “Goodbye.”

She wasn’t happy at first to lean I was moving in with her but she got over it. Just when I was settling in and getting used to things she got her DIA job. I got sent to a boarding school when she was on deployment. Separation again.

“Hey,” I said gently, “Are you alright?”

Spitfire looked up. She forced a smile, “Yeah I’m fine. Never better!”

Doesn’t take a polygraph to tell you shes lying. I steered her over to a nearby bench and sat her down, “Alright, talk to me. Something is bugging you and we’re not leaving until it’s resolved.”

She gave a wry smile this time. Sad but genuine, “Nothing gets by you does it?”

I smiled back, “A lot does actually but not this.”

“Fine,” she sighed, “I guess I’m missing them; my team mates. I mean, what if I never see them again? What if I can’t get back? What then?”

I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, “I severely doubt the universe would be that cruel as to do that to someone as nice as you. If it makes you feel better I know what you’re going through.”

“You do?”

“Yeah,” I sighed, “My parents made me move out and live with my sister when I was 8. Never see much of them anymore but I still see them once in a while.”

“Why’d they make you leave?”

“My Dad is a fleet admiral in the navy and my mother is a CEO. Not a lot of time for kids. Well I shouldn’t say that. My dad and mom had Cat when my mom wasn’t all that important in the company and my dad was merely a Captain.”

This next part was a lie but I was told to tell it to everyone who asked.

“I came about when my mom was still just a board member and my dad was Rear Admiral. After that my mom replaced the old CEO and my father moved up in the ranks. Oh and Cat hated me and wanted nothing to do with me at first. And just when we were starting to get along she got a government job and sent me to boarding school.”

“Ouch,” Spits said, “Rough life huh?”

“I got used to it after boarding school. But the point is that I know how you feel about this. But about getting back, I’m sure we’ll find a way. You managed to find your way here so there’s probably a way back.”

“What if there isn’t?” Spitfire asked hopelessly, “What if I’m stuck here forever?”

“There is a way back,” I said firmly, “You will NOT be stuck here forever. We’ll find a way.”

“But what if what happened to me was just a freak accident? What if-”

I shushed her, “No. Stop talking. Stop being hopeless. There is a way back and we are going to find it. We are going to be positive about this. Negativity will not be tolerated in this unit Captain! Do I make myself clear?” I finished with the best impression of a drill sergeant I could make.

The Wonderbolts Captain laughed before giving and exaggerated salute, “Sir, yes sir. Whatever you say SIR!”

“You sassing me Captain?” I said, popping my right eye wide open in a parodied stare down.

Spitfire shoved me away, “Oh shut up SIR!” She laughed. I rolled over nearly off the bench.

“You promise we’ll find a way back?” she asked more serious this time.

“Or die trying,” I responded firmly.

She reached over and pulled me into a hug. Ok, awkward. Girl hugging me.

“Thanks,” Spits said, “I needed that.”

“Uh you’re welcome?”

She let me go.

“Aw,” a voice said, “You guys look so cute together!”

I looked up. Standing before me was a kid who looked exactly like me. Well almost. Instead of having my jet black hair he had snow white hair that was slicked up and back on his head. Other than that he was nearly identical to me except for a few extra freckles on his face. That and he didn’t have a scar on his face or a burn on his arm.

I smiled him, “Dane! What the hell are you doing here?”

“I could be asking you the same thing,” he responded, “Who’s the girl? Did you finally take my advice and put yourself out on the market?”

Spitfire’s face turned red. I fumed at the white haired kid, “You’re an asshole sometimes. No I didn’t. She’s just a friend I picked up on the way back to Ganymede.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here,” he said his arms crossed and his foot tapping the floor.

“Botched skydiving drop. Heading home,” I said, “Why’re you here?”

“I’ve been traveling all over this system until school starts. Gotta keep busy you know.”

“Eh.”

“Soo…” Dane said, “If she’s not your girlfriend, then who is the lovely lady you just happen to traveling with? Also where’s Cat? Haven’t seen that bitch in like a thousand years.”

“She’s at the Aldrin hotel waiting for us. As for the girl,” I said, “She’s-”

“I’m Spitfire,” Spits introduced herself.

Dane bowed, “A pleasure to meet you Spitfire, you have the most unusual name.”

“Well Dane is a weird name too, asshole,” I said.

“Better than Jett!” Dane laughed.

“You can blame the admiral for that.”

“Always gotta blame him don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Dane laughed, “So how exactly did you two meet?”

“Natal,” I said, “Giant cat almost mauled her. Saved her. Friends. The end.”

“That doesn’t explain a lot,” Dane said.

“I’m taking her home. She lives on Ganymede too,” I lied. Dane himself was a horrible liar and couldn’t tell if you were telling the truth. If you spoke well enough you could get him to believe that scientists set the sun on fire.

“Well that helps,” he said, “Well I have to go find my parents. Sure they’re wonderin where the hell I am in this huge ass place. See ya at school!”

“Yeah nice seeing you too!” I said joked.

He gave me the finger before running off to some other end of the spaceport.

“Just who the hell was that?” Spits asked as we stood up.

“That was my… cousin Dane,” I lied, “Didn’t you see the resemblance?”

“What was up with his hair?” she asked as we walked towards the exit, “It was white as snow.”

“Meh,” I shrugged, “Don’t know. He was born that way. Kinda funny cause it’s the opposite of mine.”

“He seemed nice enough.”

“Don’t let that fool ya. He only acts polite around ‘The Ladies’,” I said in a mock Fonzie accent, “Other than that he’s one of the craziest nuts you’ll ever meet.”

“Didn’t seem crazy to me,” she said.

“That kid nearly blew up the science lab in our school. He ‘just wanted to see what would happen when he mixed the purple stuff with the yellow stuff’. Bastard nearly blew the school up.”

“Did he get in trouble?”

“No one ratted him out but the teacher was a little jumpy after seeing flames shoot out of the sink and into ceiling. Then the sprinklers activated and flooded the room in a half a meter of water.”

“That must have been hilarious,” Spitfire laughed.

“That boy was always my polar opposite but we got along like two peas in a pod,” I smiled.

We reached the exit of the spaceport. We emerged into a bright light of the city. The city was similar to the Ganymede domes but here the buildings were different. The dome was the same Geodesic design at home but here the tall skyscrapers went through the dome and into space in some cases. Many of them were melded into the huge beams that kept the dome rooted to the moon’s surface. Lights lined the structure, providing light when the sun wasn’t hitting the moon.

The spires here were a lot larger than in Natal. Artificial gravity here only existed inside the dome and in the buildings that extended outward. Meaning that many of the structures that extended into space were only supporting a fraction of their original weight at 1 G.

The architecture here was different too. It still had a modern look with a hint of a lunar aesthetic. A lot of the structures were dark gray or black, fitting in with the moon’s surface. A lot of the buildings had large glass super domes atop them. Everything from conference rooms to night clubs rested inside. All along the outside edge of the city were the lunar suburbs. The upper parts of the skyscrapers had maglev train tracks running from building to building, similar to Natal.

“Whoa,” Spitfire said. She stared up past the dome and into space beyond, “This entire city is on the moon?”

“Pretty much,” I said, “We need the dome to keep the atmosphere in as the moon doesn’t have one. If the dome wasn’t there we’d be dead.”

“It’s like that on our moon too. Though we don’t have anything quite like this.”

“Mhm,” I mumbled, “Thank god they speak English here. I was getting tired of reading Portuguese.”

We walked down the sidewalk. I found a recycler and tossed the old map in. There was a small billboard near the edge of the sidewalk. A map was currently displayed.

“Ok,” I said as we walked up to it, “We’re here,” I pointed at the star on the map that had a ‘you are here’ written inside it. The map was an incredibly detailed view of the ground level of the city.

I tapped the screen. A window with a keyboard came up. I typed a few keys in and pressed enter, “And this should help us find that hotel.”

A route loaded on the screen. Wow.

“All we have to do is walk five blocks that way?” Spitfire asked as she pointed down the street.

“I guess,” I said tapping the screen, “Well might as well get going. Don’t wanna keep Cat waiting.”

We crossed the street and got walking. Spitfire seemed a little less interested in this city but I guess that’s understandable. After you see one city in this system you’ve seen them all. Well most of them. A few were pretty cool like the Europa capital city and the Ceres Ring City.

“So how do you plan on proving to you sister who I am?” Spitfire asked.

“I was thinking about that,” I said, “I was thinking that you could maybe show her your wings. Kinda hard to dispute that.”

“I guess,” Spitfire said considering it, “But how would we do that without… Well you know…”

“I considered that too,” I said hastily, “Just cut a hole in the back of one your bras or whatever and just slip your wings through.”

“Ok, I think that’ll do. Just need to find a changing room.”

“We can do that at the hotel. I have a knife we can use.”

“Alright.”

We walked along until we reached the hotel. It looked simple enough other than the fact it took up an entire spire and reached into the sky towards the dome.

“Ready for this?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

We stepped in.

***

“Jett what the hell is taking your girlfriend so long?” Cat said as we stood outside the bedroom door. Cat being Cat got a TWO person suite, similar to what we had when were in Natal only the living room had no balcony but both the bedrooms did.

“I don’t know. AND SHE’S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND,” I said, “And you had to get a two person suite? Really? Even after I asked you to get on for three?”

“Not my fault. All those suites are booked three weeks in advance for Summer’s End week.”

Originally a week of night partying for college and high school kids it quickly escalated. Two hundred years later it was a system wide holiday. Sometimes called Vegas week it was basically a week where you could do nearly whatever you wanted, within the law, and not be judged by others for it later. Many of the crazy traditions were inherited from Mardi Gras. Parties, balls, galas, all sorts of parties happened. People dressed up in crazy costumes for the occasion. Another unwritten Mardi Gras tradition that was inherited was the tossing of beads to the ladies for… well one could guess. Needless to say the system stopped for a period of seven days for a week of wild parties and other questionable activities.

“Three weeks?” I said, “Really? Three weeks?”

“Apparently the hotel rooms are being extensively decorated. You still haven’t told me who this girl is.”

“You’ll find out in a second. Hold on,” I said. I knocked on the door, “Spits? Having trouble?”

“Just a little!” She yelled through the door, “Where did you put the knife?”

“It’s not in there?”

“Unless you tossed it off the balcony then no.”

“Jett sometimes you are an idiot,” Cat laughed.

“Really? I’m an idiot? Just what exactly would you call what happened last year during Vegas week? I’d say that classifies as IDIOTIC,” I said as I searched my pockets.

“Hey what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” she said defensively, “You know the rules; I’m not responsible for what happened that week.”

“Still won’t be able to unsee that,” I said as I pulled an object out of my pocket, “Ah here it is.”

I pulled out a sleek metal handle. The color was a touch screen black color and incredibly sleek. A small slit was at the top of it. I tapped the handle and a series of controls popped on. I tapped a circular button and the blade popped up.

“Still can’t believe I let you make that,” Cat said.

“Ah lighten up,” I said twirling the blade, “I needed a stronger knife and the ones they sell at the store suck too much. Besides, hard to beat a Tritanium alloy blade. Thing won’t break, get dull, or fracture. Virtually indestructible.”

“You had to add the fancy smart glass tech to the knife?”

“Hey if it’s worth doing it’s worth over doing.”

“I hate to interrupt this friendly conversation here,” Spitfire said, “But the knife?”

“Oh right,” I said slipping the knife underneath the door, “Here.”

“Thank you.”

A series of cutting sounds could be heard followed by some fumbling.

“Alright I think I got it,” she said.

“Just what exactly did you want to show me?” Cat asked.

“This,” I said and opened the door. Spitfire stood in the doorway, clothed for the most part, with her wings fully extended behind her.

“You know,” she said flapping her wings, “This is a lot better than shoving these things under the bra.”

“SO yeah,” I turned to Cat, “This is my friend Spitfire.”

Cat mumbled something before her eyes rolled up into her head as she fainted, her body making a thump when it hit the floor.

Oh gosh this chapter feels forced. Sorry for it being boring but more interesting things will happen later.

Jett: It better. I'm getting tired of running around the system like this.

Me: Stop complaining before I write you into a sex scene with Crazy Pinkie Pie.

Jett: You wouldn't

Pinkie pulled out a large kitchen knife. Slowly she walked towards Jett as he backed up against the wall-

Jett: Fine Fine, I'll stop. Just don't-don't finish that.

Me: Trololol

Chapter 8. Filler

Sorry for the shortness in this chapter but it is quite literally a filler that'll get us to later chapters where more exciting things will happen. There will be explanations for many unexplained things in later chapters.

We sat around the table eating breakfast. An omelet. Everything was understandably quiet after my freak out. I wish that didn’t happen. I need to work on getting a handle on things like that.

Thankfully Spitfire decided to diffuse the situation, “So I’ve never been on a space cruise before. What are they like?”

“I’ve been on one once,” Cat said, “They’re almost like normal cruises other than the fact you can’t go out on deck and enjoy the sea air so to speak. Unless you wanna get a space suit and step out an airlock and even then there’s no air to breathe. But there is an open area with a large glass dome over it that gives the illusion of openness.”

“Cool. Do most cruise ships have pools?”

“I’d hope they would or else they’d lose a lot of business. But cruise ships for the most part of small cities of several thousand people. In the middle is generally the city part with casinos, restaurants, shops, gyms, all sorts of things to do. Some even have small biomes on the lower decks with things like forests or a larger pool; depending on the destination and what you want to experience. Speaking of which I’m off to buy the tickets. Jett can I have the-”

I held up the card as she stood up from the table. Cat grabbed it and headed over to the coffee table, leaving me and Spitfire alone.

“LISTEN I-” we both began.

“YOU FIRST.”

“NO YOU FIRST.”

“STOP IT.”

“YOU STOP IT.”

Spitfire started laughing. I smiled. Comedy always was the best medicine. I laughed along with her.

Finally she managed to calm down enough to breath, “About earlier. I’m not gonna hold anything against you at all. If you don’t want to talk about it that’s fine too.”

“Thanks. Sorry ‘bout that. I… I didn’t exactly have a good night.”

“I didn’t keep you up all night did I?” she asked worried.

“No,” I said, “But is the wing thing normal?”

“What wing thing?”

“Well I was lying there staring at the ceiling when I got a face full of feathers. It kinda flopped onto my head.”

Spitfire blushed, “That’s not supposed to happen. They normally stay put in the night.”

“Well you were sleeping on your stomach. Ever try sleeping on your back?”

“No. Too uncomfortable for any Pegasus. Sides and front. Sleeping on your back can give you wing cramps when you wake up in the morning.”

“Ah.”

“But if you sleep on a cloud bed you can sleep however you want. They’re pretty comfortable.”

“Can’t really sleep on clouds here. You’ll fall right through.”

“Oh. So we’re going on a cruise?”

“Yup. Still can’t believe I got Cat to go along with that. If there’s one trait that we share it’s being stubborn.”

“I heard that!” Cat yelled.

“I don’t care!” I yelled back.

We finished eating and cleaned up. Cat had bought the tickets for the cruise. Meaning we would be heading home in style.

“Can I have my card back?” I asked.

“No. I don’t trust you with that money.”

“But it’s registered to me.”

“So change the registry.”

“Nope.”

A small object clunked me in the head, “Fine. Here you go.”

I snatched the card out of the air, “So you booked it?”

“Yes. We leave tomorrow.”

“Cool,” Spitfire said, “So what’re we gonna do until then?”

“I don’t know about you two,” Cat said hefting a bag onto her shoulder, “but I’m going out. My helmet’s faceplate cracked when I kissed the pavement and I need it fixed. I trust you can handle yourselves considering where you both landed?”

“Yeah we’re fine,” Spits said.

“Good. And Jett.”

“Yes?” I responded.

“Try not to do anything stupid.”

I scowled at her, “Why I never! I’m pretty sure I’m fine.”

“Sure. Just don’t leave this hotel. I’ll be back in a few hours. Bye.”

“BYE,” we both said. Cat stepped out of the room and into the hotel hallway.

“So what do you wanna do?” Spits asked.

“Hmm. Don’t know. Probably just gonna hang out.”

“Ugh, I was hoping we could do something fun.”

“Oh come on. You never like to take things slow do you?”

“Um, I’m a Wonderbolt? Speed and agility are part of my personality.”

“Well not all of us are Wonderbolts. I’ll tell you what. We can go get into trouble later. For now I want to catch up on some world events.”

“Well while you’re being boring I’ll be sleeping.”

“Try not to smack me with a wing this time.”

“Oh shut up,” she blushed and punched me in the shoulder.

***

“Scientists are saying that there has been an increase in geyser activity in Yellowstone National Park. There have also been signs that the water level in Yellowstone Lake has decreased. What this has to do with the caldera beneath the park has yet to be determined. In other news…”

Well, all caught up now. Aggressive activity between Mercury/Venus and Earth/Mars has increased. The Everything from Jupiter out has wanted to stay out of it and has been promoting peace. A picture of a teenager plastering a sign with Fluttershy on it and the caption, “Violence will not save us,” to a bus stop shelter had caught the eyes of attention of the system. And of course Fox news was there to criticize it.

Spitfire woke up, “Are we gonna do something now?”

I shut the TV off, “What do you want to do?”

“Well this hotel is pretty high up and-”

“No.”

“Oh come on! You didn’t even know what I was going to ask!”

“It probably had something to do with us getting on the roof of the building and us doing some sort of crazy stunt.”

“Well you were right about the roof part. But the doing some crazy stunt you’re wrong,” Spits said.

“Really?” I said, “What did you have in mind?”

“Just a sightseeing opportunity. I was thinking we could ‘get into trouble’ and get on the roof and see the view.”

“Just the view?”

“Just the view.”

I got up from the couch, “Alright.”

“You’re in?”

“I’m in. Got nothing better to do and it’s not like Cat will let us leave this hotel.”

“Cool!”

We walked out of the room and into the hallway. No one was out and about in the hallways fortunately. We found a stairway and walked up to the top floor.

“Where do you think the roof would be?” Spits asked.

“Up?” I responded. Me being a typical smartass.

Punch to the shoulder, “You know what I mean.”

We walked down various hallways. Most of the doors led to suites and other rooms, mostly maintenance. We finally found a door labeled, ‘Roof level,’ and stood in front of it.

“Think this is i-” I began before Spitfire punched me in the shoulder again.

“Stop it.”

“Ow. Ok,” I laughed.

I walked up to the door. It had an old generation II pad lock over the door latch. This place must not get updated often. The lock was simple enough for me to pick.

“You have a bobby pin, paper clip, hair pin or something?” I asked.

“I have this,” Spits said holding up a small hair pin, “Got it from the hotel room.”

“Cool,” I took it and snapped it in two. I shoved the two pieces in to the lock and began feeling around to find the correct position for the tumblers. It took a few minutes but soon we had a successful pick.

The lock hit the floor with a thud. I picked it up and pocketed it and opened up the door. A small stair case led up onto the roof level. We stepped up onto the top of the roof. The building had a large rounded off roof that had technical stuff and various antennas cluttered about.

We walked out onto the roof deck and found the edge of the roof.

“Whoa,” Spitfire said, “I thought the view would be nice up here but this is totally unexpected.”

“Yeah…”

The view was absolutely amazing. The city was laid out before us. The towering buildings and spires stood like monoliths; monuments of humanity’s genius. A maglev train shot down one of the tracks before continuing into one of the tall sky scrapers. Several flying cars zipped by. All this was contained inside a giant geodesic dome. Beyond the dome was the Earth, rising in the background. It was an amazing, picturesque scene.

I loved views like this. The wonders of the cosmos lay out before me. It made me feel powerful yet so small all at the same time.

I stared out, “Beautiful…”

***

“Beautiful…”

The word echoed through Spitfire’s mind. What did it mean to someone like Jett? He seemed like the philosophical type. He was able to stare at something, like the stars, that Spitfire took for granted and paint them in a different light. And here he was again using that word. But what did it mean to him? The view was amazing to say the least.

But Spitfire was confused. He had complimented her on her beauty, even if it was a bit unintentional but then later became terrified of her before returning to normal. Clearly something was not right with him. This wasn’t something like when Twilight’s OCD kicked in; this seemed deeper and more psychological than anything.

His sister refused to talk about it. She asked him if he wanted to talk but didn’t exactly pursue the subject. It didn’t exactly seem like something he was too fond of talking about. She didn’t blame him. She didn’t know what had caused a reaction like that but it had to have been understandably traumatic. But he was her friend wasn’t he? Maybe in time he would open up to her. Maybe…

***

We returned to the room after carefully replacing the lock. We opened up the door to the suite to find Cat sitting in the living room, reading a magazine.

“Ah,” she looked up, “I see you two are back.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, “So you get the helmet fixed?”

Cat held up her skydiving helmet. The gold faceplate was without a crack or knick.

“So where have you two been?” she asked.

“We just roamed about. Enjoying all the nice things the hotel has to offer,” I said.

“Did you do anything stupid? Actually, don’t answer that.”

“Alright I won’t.”

Chapter 9. Rising Star.

This was gonna be one giant chapter but I decided to cut it back a little.

We checked out of the hotel the next day. After making our way out of Tycho we made it to the Lunar Heavy Space port.

It was a large station several kilometers in length, floating in orbit around the moon. It looked like large, tall cylinder, christmas tree like structure that had a series of radial arms extending off it. Each arm served as a docking bay for large ships of all sizes. Cargo ships, water haulers, hydrogen gas carriers, private yachts, even the occasional Navy frigate or battleship. And yes, our cruise ship was there too.

We had navigated our way from the hanger decks on the lower levels up to the berths for the cruise ships. After getting lost several times we finally made it to the waiting deck as we waited to board.

Our ship was a large structure. It was not suited for atmospheric entry but I doubted that there would be any room for something three kilometers long on a planet of any kind. It had an earth ocean aesthetic to it though there was no part of it that was even remotely suited for an ocean. There was a forward observation deck on the upper half of the vessel. The ship had a rounded nose to it. Overall the ship was pretty sleek with a few bulbous sections to it that dotted the hull in a symmetric pattern. On the top deck of the ship was a large glass ceiling that covered the topside deck.

The stern of the ship had four sets of Hyundai Class Three Heavy engines located on the lower rear part of the stern. The upper part of the stern was a large one way window promenade that housed the central hub of the city that rested inside. The remaining features of the ship were hidden inside the Tritanium plated hull. We were seated in a waiting area along with several hundred others. Below us were a few hundred more along with above us. We were waiting inside one of the stations radial arms. Two smaller arms extended out from the station and cradled our ship.

“When will we be boarding?” Spitfire asked as she held her head in her hands.

“I don’t know,” I replied as I turned and stared at our home for the next two and a half weeks.

Cat looked up from her magazine, “In a few minutes they said. Do either of you pay attention to the announcements when the officials make them?”

“Of course not! That would take the fun out of complaining,” I grinned.

“And besides, what else would we have to talk about?” Spitfire added.

I smiled and returned to staring out the window. I watched as cargo was loaded onto the ship. Various docking arms were connected to the ship to allow for faster boarding. I carefully studied the details on the side of the hull. There were various windows for cabins and other rooms. My attention was caught by a series of circular nubs that popped out of the side of the ship every few decks. Life boats.

In the event of a hull breach the ship sealed itself off section by section. In the event of a catastrophic breach, passengers were to head to the boats and launch from the ship into the night of space.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” said a computerized female voice, “Boarding will commence momentarily. Please have your tickets ready.”

We stood up and headed over to the boarding gate. A woman stood behind a desk. Thankfully we were traveling lighter than most or the wait would have been painfully slow.

“Hello,” she smiled widely, “Do you have your tickets?”

I could tell Cat wanted to say something along the lines of, ‘NO, we’re just here because we thought it would be fun.’ I stifled a laugh at that thought.

“Yes,” Cat said, holding up three plastic cards. The woman scanned them before handing them back.

“Here you are. We hope you enjoy your stay on the Rising Star.”

We walked through the gate and down the hallway. We took a left and walked into the ship. A man stood behind a desk waiting for us. We showed him our tickets and continued on.

We walked further into the vessel. We came into a large open area. It was located in the center of the ship. It looked like a small city. Various small buildings dotted a green interior. Trees of all species dotted the promenade every several meters. Each building served a different purpose. One could have been a spa while another could have been a gym. And this was only a small part of the ship. The grander part of the city that was this ship existed farther up. Our cabin was there too.

We headed to one of the ship’s lifts. It was a large glass box that offered a panoramic view of the ship’s interior. We stepped inside. A control panel materialized on the smart glass wall. I typed in our destination. Deck 40 on level 2.

The elevator began to rise.

“So what deck are we on?” Spitfire asked.

“We’re on one of the lower decks,” I answered, “I’d say Deck 5.”

“Where’s our room?”

“Up. Farther up. This is just the lower level.”

The elevator reached the ceiling of the room. The inside was dark accept for the interior lighting of the elevator. Soon the darkness let up and we emerged inside a larger more open chamber.

Now this room was something out of an M.C. Escher drawing. This part of the ship was the main attraction. It was a city. Buildings rose up from the floor towards the ceiling while buildings form the ceiling reached down to the floor. Many of them had groups of hanging gardens on them that gave the huge room a type of Garden of Eden feel. Each building was alive. Trees and other kinds of vegetation grew in perfect harmony with the spires that housed them. On the ceiling were several Maglev trains that ferried people from place to place. All along the walls of the room were the walkways and doors that led to the suites and cabins of the cruise ship.

From the size of the ship it wouldn’t be too farfetched to guess that some people called this ship home. Our elevator continued its assent up until it reached deck 40. The doors opened and we stepped out onto the promenade.

The large walkway offered a nice view of the ship’s city. There was a nice monorail system that ran around the floor of the city. Various plots of green and blue splotched the floor. The foliage mixed in a natural looking pattern with the artificial ponds that surrounded the small city. Farther behind the city was a small amusement park. And farther up on the ship’s upper level was the large pool and water park.

We walked along until we reached our cabin. Cat held up a ticket that also served as a key to the room. The door now unlocked we stepped inside. The cabin was a wonderfully spacious area. The door opened up to a large open area. A kitchen was to our right atop a raised platform area. The living area was down a few steps and included a TV, smart glass table, an L shaped sofa with an armchair nearby. There were a few other objects nearby that made the room more aesthetically pleasing. The bedrooms, and thank god there were three, to the left of the living room. Behind the TV was a large window screen that offered a wonderful view of the stars. Right now all it had beyond it was the docking arms of the station.

“This place is better than both the hotels we stayed in,” Spitfire commented, “And it has a view.”

“It better considering what I paid for it,” I said.

“You didn’t buy this,” Cat responded, “I did.”

“But with my money. If you wanna get technical here I bought this first class cabin and the tickets for the three week journey.”

“Bastard.”

“Oh the irony.”

“Why is it ironic?” Spitfire asked.

“Siblings? Called me a bastard?”

“Ooh.”

“Shut up,” Cat fumed.

A loudspeaker echoed through the ship, “Attention all passengers and class three, four, and five crewmen. There will be a mandatory emergency evacuation drill in approximately ten minutes. All passengers and crew will report to their designated sections. Details are on your room keys. That is all.”

The loudspeaker clicked off.

“Guess we better get ready.”

“Yeah.”

We stepped out of our cabin and onto the promenade and began the trek to our section.

“So if I’m a bastard, what does that make you?”

“There is an airlock where we’re going. Don’t tempt me to use it.”

***

Several LONG HOURS later the drill was over. Apparently when you attempt to get 12000 people worth of passengers and crew together for a drill there are bound to be… complications. Not everyone was as keen about attending. But when micro meteorites from a nearby mining explosion crippled a ship last year there had been stricter regulations put in place.

The drill had taken most of the day, barely leaving any time to eat anything. We did manage to stop at a restaurant and grab a bite before returning to our room.

“Celestia, I thought that drill was never going to end!” Spitfire said as we walked down the promenade back to our suite.

“They’re mandatory on all ships now,” I responded, “Fortunately you only do one during the entire voyage. But I’ll admit standing there with a flash suite on for five hours was a little draining. I just can’t wait to hit the hay so to speak.”

“Yeah,” Cat yawned, “That queen sized mattress is looking rather comforting at the moment.”

We finally reached our room and opened the door.

“I don’t know about you guys but I need to preen my feathers before I hit the sack tonight,” Spitfire said before heading to her room.

“Well I’ll see ya both tomorrow,” Cat yawned again, “Night.” With that she sauntered off to her room and closed the door.

I took a shower before pulling on a random night shirt and bottoms. With that I threw myself onto the bed, curled up and went to sleep.

***

Spitfire stood in bathroom in her room before a mirror. She rotated her wing joints and heard a satisfying pop. She grabbed a towel and proceeded to dry off her flame like hair. She shook her head and watched it pop up back into its fire like state.

After examining her wings in the mirror she was satisfied they were clean. Ugh, Spitfire thought, I gotta exercise. Gotta keep my curves. And my wings.

But winged people aren’t common here, she thought to herself in exaggerated mimicry of Jett’s voice, but I guess he’s right. But if I can’t train then what can I do? Hmm. Maybe at night. Yeah! At night. Surely he’d say yes to that! No one would see. She pulled a shirt over her head and shoved her wings through the holes she’d cut. She examined the rest of her body in the mirror. She still had her nice curves and finely toned muscles. Maybe she could get Jett to exercise. What did he even look like? He always had something on. Hmm.

She stepped out of the bathroom into her bedroom. And what’s up with his face? And his arm. She had seen the scar running down his face and the burn on his arm but didn’t ask about it feeling it would be rude. She didn’t want to offend considering what he’d done for her already but there was still something off about him. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it but there was defiantly something.

She sighed and flopped onto her bed staring at the ceiling. Secretly she terrified when she first landed; lot more than she let show. But in the Wonderbolts you don’t show fear. She learned to hide it well. But Jett had been kind enough to calm her down, even after she assaulted his face.

She laughed at that memory. I should get some sleep, she thought, tomorrow begins a three week SPACE CRUISE and I don’t want to be tired for it. She smiled. Maybe she’d enjoy herself here.

***

My consciousness began to return to me. Little bits of awareness poking through my sleepy haze light fog lights on a cloudy day. My sense returned to me one by one. Touch, taste, smell, hearing and lastly sight.

Touch was different. Instead of feeling nothing on my face there was something soft and fluffy covering it. Smell was a bit different too. Instead of normal ship’s air it smelled strangely like lavender. I opened my eyes.

Well I don’t recall the ceiling being orange originally and having a feather pattern on it. My nose itched and I sneezed.

My head smacked into an orange wing sending the owner up along with it and flipping her over the bed. Quickly realizing who it was I flipped out and flopped off the bed on the opposite side before quickly creeping back against the wall.

I heard a screaming noise on the other end of the room. I poked my head above the bed and notice a certain flame haired girl rubbing her head.

“What are you doing my room?!” I yelled.

“Me? What are you doing in my room?!” Spits yelled back.

“This clearly my room! Look!” I pointed at my bag slightly unpacked over in a corner. My helmet was poking out above all the other clothes.

Spitfire’s face turned red, “Now this is NOT what it looks like. I don’t even know how I got here!”

“Really?” I stated sarcastically, “Then please explain to me how you somehow made your way into my room and fell asleep on my bed with your wing on my FACE again.”

“How the hell am I supposed to know?”

“Well gee I don’t know. Maybe because you’re in control of your own body?”

“Well maybe I slept walked here,” Spitfire said defensively.

“Yeah! You just happened to get up and walk into my room all while asleep! It totally makes sense now!”

My helmet flew across the room and smacked me in the gut. Spitfire’s face was red as an apple and looked like she was going to burst into flames. Oh how ironic that would be.

I was knocked to the floor with my helmet in my stomach.

“Ow,” I said, “What the hell was that for?”

“You know what,” Spits fumed.

“Great. Now you’re sounding like Cat.”

“Look. I have no idea how I ended up here. Just like I have no idea how I know I ended up here in your world.”

“You know what? I’m not gonna try to understand what just happened. We just won’t continue to talk about how I woke up with you in the same bed as me. That’s the end of it. This never happened.”

“Fine,” Spitfire said seeming less angry and less likely to catch fire.

I got up and tossed my helmet back into my bag, “Friends?”

She looked up and gave a small smile, “Friends.”

We hugged and made up before walking out of my room; one at a time. I strolled past Cat’s room. She was sprawled out on the bed like a starfish.

“Caaat… Wake up and make us food!” I whined at her.

In hindsight I probably shouldn’t have done that. Sleep haze tends to remove some important thing from your memory until later. Like the fact that Cat is extremely grumpy when she wakes up in the morning and hasn’t had her morning coffee.

“SHUT UP!!!”

I ducked as a helmet similar to mine flew out the door and smacked the wall behind me.

“Ok, I’ll make breakfast myself. Like always…” I high tailed it away from her door and into the kitchen. Spitfire was sprawled on the couch snoring away, her wings twitching occasionally.

It was kind of funny. I walked up to the fridge and opened it up, examining its contents. I looked through the pantries and cabinets.

“Yeah,” I said, “I can work with this.”

***

Spitfire yawned. She opened her eyes. The aroma of pancakes reached her nose. She sat up on the couch. Her wings fluttered as she pulled herself into the air. She hovered into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

Cat stepped out of the hallway and into the living room. She just stared at Spitfire’s hovering form before yawning, slapping herself across the face and strolling into the kitchen.

A cup of black coffee was waiting on the kitchen’s island. She grabbed it and strolled into the living room and sat on the couch, sipping her cup.

Spitfire smiled, remembering how Cat had hurled her helmet out the door at her brother but was now calm as a Buddhist monk. She walked into the kitchen.

***

I grabbed the spatula and flipped the pancake over. It landed on the pan and began to cook into a golden brown color.

Cat walked out of her woman cave of a room and into the kitchen. She grabbed her cup of coffee I had placed and strolled into the living room.

Spitfire entered the kitchen slightly taller than me. Strange, she was about my height normally but- oh yeah, wings.

She inhaled deeply, enjoying the aroma of freshly make pancakes, “Mmm. My favorite.”

“I like them too. Made them on the off chance Cat still wanted to gouge my eyes out with a fork.”

“I was planning on it but you do make the best pancakes in the system so I’ll let it pass,” she shouted from her spot on the couch.

“Well if you actually could cook you could make them yourself.”

“Now why would I cook when you’re around?”

“What do you do when I’m at school and you’re off planet?”

“The station has a Café.”

“You’re gonna have to learn eventually.”

Spitfire landed and walked towards the pan.

“Those smell good,” Spitfire reached towards the pile I had stacked. I slapped her hand away, “Hey! I wanted one of those.”

“Wait.”

“Aw, come on! They look so GOOD.”

“NO,” I said in a loud whisper, “You will wait! Cat learned last time she tried to sneak a bite before I was done.”

“What happened?”

*Flashback*

“Come on Jett just one!”

“I’m not done yet! It’ll ruin the meal when we eat. That and it’s against tradition.”

“Not more of that Japanese stuff you do.”

“Yes! Now wait.”

“You know what? Ho persino fame così va al diavolo.”

One minute later.

“HEY GET BACK HERE YOU CRAZY BITCH! I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!”

Cat was laughing, “Put that wooden spoon down!”

*Flashback*

“She learned.”

I flipped another pancake and tossed it into the pile.

“Fine,” she floated out of the kitchen, “Hey Cat! Is he always this pissy when he cooks?”

Cat laughed, “Oh yeah.”

“Cause your cooking sucks!” I yelled, “If you actually cooked something other than sandwiches, eggs, and cake every once in a while we wouldn’t have this problem!”

“Hey I can make breakfast!”

“Because breakfast is easy! I could teach Spits how to make nearly anything in five hours today. I taught you how to make something edible after a few days of practice.”

“Not my fault.”

“Yes it is.”

I finished the pancakes along with several other things I’d been making. I removed some muffins out of the oven and pulled a fruit bowl from the counter, and a pitcher of orange juice. I placed them all on the dining room table.

“Bon Appetit ladies,” I placed the maple syrup on the table.

“Thank Celestia! I’m starving,” Spitfire said as she sat at the table.

Cat soon joined as they both began to dig in. I joined them and began eating myself. Spitfire took a bite and gasped.

“Wow! These are delicious!” she said through a mouthful of pancake, “Where’d you learn to cook like this?”

“Taught myself. Lots and Lots of Trial and Error,” I responded.

“Jett has always been the only one in our family, other than father, who can actually cook something without setting the kitchen on fire,” Cat said.

“You set water on fire,” I said stone faced, “You have no idea how many hours I’ve spent trying to replicate that in a kitchen. You set WATER on fire.”

“I think there was cooking oil in it,” Cat said.

“All you had to do was make a pitcher of water! And you set it on FIRE!”

“Damn right and proud of it.”

We laughed and continued breakfast.

***

Well we had finished breakfast. I made Cat do the dishes. She complained the whole time. Soon after though we were getting ready to go out and about the ship.

“Well I’m heading down to Level 1,” Cat said, “There’s a spa there and I’m gonna treat myself.”

“Yeah, sure,” I said.

“Ok… I’ll see you two later. If you go two go out be back by 11:00.”

“Alright.”

“See you later.” She walked out of the cabin.

I put my arm on the armrest of the couch and rested my head on it. Spitfire hovered over.

“Come on! Let’s do something!”

“Like?”

“I don’t know. And please put your wings away.”

“UGH,” she moaned, “Gosh you are worse than our manager. Fine.” She left and pulled a shirt on before returning.

“There. Now let’s go out and do something!”

“You just can’t stay in one place for too long can you?”

“No. Now let’s get outta here! We have until 11:00 so let’s make the most of it!”

I smiled at her bubby hyper personality.

“Well there is an amusement park in this place. I suppose we could go there.”

“Yes! That sounds like fun.”

I got up and pulled my sunglasses on. I grabbed the room key and the credit card. Spitfire pulled her leather jacket on and her sunglasses.

“Ready to go?”

“Yup.”

We stepped out of the room. I locked the door behind us before we continued walking along. The city was just waking up. People were just leaving their rooms, just like us, to go do whatever business they did. A lot of them were heading up to the water park upstairs. I hadn’t seen it yet but the Star Line was famous for their attention to detail.

Spitfire spoke up with a sly grin, “So I was thinking. I don’t want to lose the muscles in my wings or my nice curvy body that you like so much-”

“What?!” I punched her in the shoulder red faced, “Why I never!”

Spitfire was laughing, “Wow! You are really easy to aggravate!”

“You have no idea.”

“But I was thinking, when we get to Ganymede I could get a little exercise with my wings in at night when no one’s awake. That way I can get some wing time in without being seen.”

“We can exercise at a gym. Isn’t there some other things you can do to keep your wings strong that doesn’t involve actually flying?”

“No not really. And even if you say no I’ll just sneak out anyway.”

“WHAT?! OH NO YOU ARE NOT! NOT IN THIS REALITY. NO. NO NO.”

“Well then you can either agree to me practicing at night and watch or not and have me sneak me out at night without you knowing.”

I sighed. Gosh she was stubborn, “I’m not gonna win this one am I?”

“Nope,” Spitfire smiled smugly.

“Guh! Fine. But only at night and only when we get home. Not on this ship.”

“I guess I can compromise.”

We walked away from the cabin area and into the city. This place had everything. Malls, bars, (We weren’t allowed in those), restaurants, stores, and casinos. I certainly hoped this was one of those ships that had an open door policy on its casinos. Even after four hundred years there still wasn’t a way to figure out if someone was counting cards. My… condition didn’t make things any easier for them.

We walked into the entrance of the city. It in all honesty looked a lot like a lot of the other cities we had seen so far accept the buildings were a lot shorter to fit inside the ship. We walked in silence along the edge of the city. Spitfire was probably wondering how my species had done all of this. In all honesty I was surprised her world hadn’t accomplished similar feats considering they had magic but that’s something I probably wasn’t ever gonna find out.

We reached the edge of the park. There was a simple gate in front of it with a sign that read, Rising Star, on it. Roller coasters and other rides could be seen running along with the screams of the riders.

I smiled, “You ready for this?”

Spitfire smiled back, “Please.”

“You sure?”

“Hey! I can handle anything you throw at me.”

I grinned deviously, “Oh you have no idea.”

Chapter 10. Shooting Star.

“GET ME OFF THIS THING!”

“MUY HA HA HA HA HA HA!”

We were on the Vomit Comet; the ship’s craziest, most agile, and out of control coaster. It had all sorts of flips, inversions, rolls, and drops that made it such a scary ass ride.

I laughed as the coast flew along the maglev track and did a rotation before pulling down into a pitch black tunnel. Spitfire was screaming in terror next to me. She had been on nearly every other ride in the park and insisted I take her up on this one. I had tried to warn her that it was for the more experienced of riders but she wasn’t gonna have any of it. Needless to say she was probably regretting it.

I couldn’t figure out why a girl whose thing was flying would be terrified of a roller coaster. I mean she was a wonderbolt so crazy maneuvers were probably in the cards for her. As to why she was uncomfortable on this ride was anyone’s guess. Hmm, kinda funny I’m having this train of thought on a roller coaster while Spits is screaming her head off.

The coaster inverted again and did a flip before diving down again and pulling up into a curve.

“Oh Celestia help me!”

The ride finally began to slow. We pulled into the station. The lap bar began to rise.

“How was the ride every-” The technician began. Spitfire immediately pulled the bar off of her with so much force that it probably broke and rushed off the car and down the exit ramp. I pulled my bar off and followed her.

“Sorry,” I said before leaving.

I walked calmly down the ramp. Spitfire was sitting on a bench, breathing pretty hard. Oh lord I hope she’s alright. Well I did try to talk her out of it. But still.

I walked up and sat next to her, “You alright? I hope the ride wasn’t that bad.”

She gripped my shoulders in a death grip and looked me in eyes, “If I ever say I want to do that again, immediately punch me in the face and check me into a mental hospital.”

I was sweating bricks at that point, “Yes ma’am.”

“Good.” She punched me in the shoulder.

“Ow. What the hell was that for?”

“For not trying hard enough to talk me out of that,” Spitfire smiled smugly.

“Now that is totally not fair.”

“I know.”

“So…” I began, “Wanna go again?”

She hit me again.

“Ah! You’re like an abusive Italian grandmother with a wooden spoon.”

“I have no idea what an Italian grandmother is.”

“If you keep hitting me like that, that’s what I’m gonna call you.”

“Italian?”

“No. Grandmother.”

“Fine.”

We laughed. Hmm. A few days ago I didn’t know she even existed. I guess I’ll miss her when she eventually goes home. She’s certainly tossed a lot of excitement into my life lately.

“Can we go swimming?” Spitfire asked?

Great, this again, “Not right now. We don’t have a bathing suit for you and you have wings.”

She sighed and looked crestfallen. Good. You crushed her mood again jackass.

Shut up.

You shut up.

I sighed, “Look. Maybe we can work something out. AND NO! You are not pushing me into that pool like last time.”

Spitfire laughed, “What’d ya have in mind?”

“Well there are no parties tonight so a lot of people will be either asleep or at the casinos and clubs, so we’ll hopefully have the pool to ourselves. And we can work out getting you a bathing suit later today if you want.”

See? You do have a heart.

Um. NO.

“Really? You mean it?”

I sighed again, “Yeah I guess we can hit the pools at night. I’ll have to talk to Cat first but yeah I guess. And if she says no we can always sneak out.”

Tactical bear hug incoming, “Oh thank you! I’ve been wanting to relax like this ever since we stepped into that hotel! I mean, we don’t have anything like this in Equestria and this is just so cool!”

“Yeah yeah, thank me later. For now let’s get something to eat. I’m starved.”

“That sounds good. And later the pools?”

“Yes, later the pools.”

“YES!” Spits pumped her fists down.

I smiled. She was just as excited about this as Cat was when she got Dad’s credit card during spring break. I laughed because she got grounded for spending a huge shit ton of money on a rave.

We stood up and got walking. I always loved amusement parks. They always… amused me unlike anything else. I suppose it was because I got struck with childlike wonder whenever I entered wonderlands like this… Yeah right! I had about as much childlike wonder as Vladimir Putin had whenever he did ANYTHING. In truth I was all in it for the rides and the food. Games? Yeah right! Casinos are where it’s at. Just as long as this ship had an open door policy.

We stopped and got churros along the way. Spitfire didn’t know what they were at first but quickly found them delicious. We walked along, continuing our way out of the park. I guessed that Spits had had enough of the crazy out of control rides for one day.

We stepped out of the park. The city was alive. People were going shopping, going to gyms, stopping in cafés to eat, all sorts of things people usually did on cruises.

“So what do you want to do now?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Spits said, “What else can we do until later?”

“This ship does have an extensive array of services we can use until then. Maybe we can see a show?”

“This place has theatres?”

“Yup. Though I’m not sure that many of the shows would be appealing to you.”

“Well what else is there?”

“Well there is a rock climbing wall on the upper decks. Maybe we can hit that?”

“That sound’s good.”

We turned and headed to the elevators.

***

“Come on slow poke! I’m over half way up!” Spitfire yelled.

“Didn’t you ever learn that slow and steady wins the race?” I yelled back.

We were on the ship’s low gravity rock climbing walls. If one fell the fall wouldn’t cause injury due to the 1/3 G and the soft cushy mats that lay below. No need for ropes. The rock wall over looked the running track and football field. Tennis courts and other sports courts and fields littered the area nearby. Farther away was the ship’s water park, while above us was the large glass super dome that separated us from the vacuum of space. Spitfire was ahead of me by a few meters but that was going to change soon. I had my path picked out and I could see where Spitfire’s was going was a dead end.

“Slow and steady doesn’t win any race of any kind! Speed and agility win all the races I know.”

“We’ll see about that one!” I yelled and continued climbing.

Spitfire reached her dead end. The closest rock that actually led anywhere was about three meters away.

“Looks like I win now girl!” I called.

“We’ll see about that,” with that she leapt for the closest rock. She nearly had it but lost her grip and began to fall.

Granted it did look comedic. She was falling considerably slow, like everything was in slow motion. She was almost out of reach when I grabbed her hand and swung her back onto the rocks below me.

“What did I say about slow and steady?” I asked with a grin.

“Humph,” was her response.

I laughed and climbed on, reaching the top before Spitfire.

“I win,” I declared triumphantly.

“Only ‘cause I fell,” Spitfire said as she gripped a rock next to me.

“Hey, I warned you. And you didn’t listen.”

“Mah. I’ll still kick your ass at swimming,” She said.

“We’ll see. For now, race ya to the bottom,” I swung my feet up and pushed off towards the mat.

“No you don’t!” Spitfire yelled. I turned around on my back and looked up. Spitfire was in a nosedive and heading straight towards me.

“Oh shit- Oomph!” I managed to get out before Spitfire impacted my stomach. Geez, she can tackle like a linebacker on the school football team. And those guys tackle hard. Especially when they ha

te you and try to plaster you to the wall.

We fell a lot faster now thanks to the added acceleration provided by Spitfire. I slammed into the mat with considerable force. My head fell back and smacked the cushy mat as the rest of my body followed.

The impact was a little jarring to say the least but not too bad. I opened my eyes and saw Spits pinning me to the mat. I looked at my arms and saw she had them plastered to the mat in the ‘don’t shoot me’ position. Her knees were pinning my legs to the mat making nearly all movement impossible.

“Pinned ya!” She declared.

Now there were several ways I could respond to that in this compromising position. Several years of martial arts training gave me several options for escaping this. Headbut her, out of the question. Crumple myself up before throwing my body out and flipping back over in a fighting stance. There was a third option, less desirable than the others…

No, don’t do that.

Option four, let her do what she wanted and hope for mercy.

“Uh, yeah, I guess you did,” I muttered, “Can you let me up?”

“Nope,” she replied smugly.

“Aw come on! I’ll let you win next time. What are you even doing anyway?”

A third voice spoke, “It looks like she’s asserting her feminine dominance over you, Jett.”

Oh sweet merciful Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha. I turned my head. My sister was standing over me with a duffel bag on her shoulder.

“Oh, uh, Cat! Uh, this is not what it looks like!”

Cat put her hands on her hips, “What does it look like then, dear brother?”

Way to dig yourself into a hole there asshole. Good going.

Oh shut the fuck up. Who asked you?

You did.

Fuck.

“We were just wrestling!” Spitfire said, “Yeah wrestling, that’s it!”

Cat got this skeptical look on her face before continuing, “Ok… I just wanted to find you guys and tell you I’ll be getting back a little late tonight.”

Spitfire let me up. I socked her in the shoulder which she returned.

“How late?”

“I think like, 3:00? Maybe? I don’t know. There’s an adults night at the casinos so no kids like you allowed,” she said smugly, “But there are a lot of night clubs and youth things happening tonight so you two could probably go to one of those?”

Spitfire and I exchanged a quick glance. We wouldn’t be going.

“Yeah. Uh huh.”

“Well ok then. I’m off to a cooking course. And NO Jett I will not set water on fire for you.”

“Aw come on! I can’t figure out how you did that! Do you know how useful it would be if I could do that?”

“NO.”

“Buzz kill.”

“Well I’ll be seeing you both tomorrow. Bye.” With that she hefted her bag and got walking.

I stared as she left, muttering something under her breath. Well that was one awkward moment. God I just hopped something like that didn’t happen again. I-oomph!

I was once again flattened against the ground, this time on my stomach with my arms tied behind my back.

“Pinned ya again!”

“Get off me vile creature!” I hollered.

“Nope.”

***

So the 7 is on a cruise ship now.

Yes.

Well I must say the 7 is certainly the most unique member of the Titan project.

What gave you that idea? Besides the obvious.

Well it is one of two that know what they are and what they are capable of. That and it is the only one aware of how much it has the potential to do and what it should be able to do but can’t.

Meaning it’s aware of the blocks?

Yes. As far as we can tell it is aware of the blocks that are in place. It has been trying to find ways around them but hasn’t succeeded.

Which blocks has it been trying to get around?

The one’s in its EM card. Those appear to have the greatest importance to it.

Ah. If we were all so lucky as to have a switch like that.

Oh yes. Just shut off the things that get in the way.

Yup.

Continue to monitor its vitals.

***

“I’m not going in there,” I stated quite plainly.

“Why not?” Spitfire asked, “I need a bathing suit and you already bought one. I went into that store with you.”

“That is SO much different. One, it wouldn’t be weird to see a girl in there considering they sell everything for all genders. This? NO.”

“Oh quit being such a puss and come in there with me. I’ll need a second opinion,” she finished with a smirk.

FUCK. She wanted WHAT?! OH NO.

Tracy Morgan no monologue incoming, “No, no, mhmh, mhhmh, no, no, nonono, no! Hell no! No! No! I refuse... no, no!”

Spitfire laughed, “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”

“No,” I said and sat down defiantly on the bench in front of the store.

“Fine, we’ll do this the hard way.” With that she strolled into the store.

Thank god I didn’t have to do that. I’ve had enough situations like this these past few days to last me a life time. I sighed and closed my eyes and attempted to drift to sleep.

In hindsight I probably shouldn’t have done that. I woke up to the sight of Spitfire exiting the store with a pair of handcuffs. They had a pink fluffy around them but they were still handcuffs.

The color instantly drained from my face. Behind me was a balcony that over looked the rest of the mall and promenade below. I seriously considered jumping and taking my chances with the fall. Just as I made up my mind I felt one end of the fluffy cuffs latch onto my left wrist.

“What are you do-” the other cuff latched onto my other wrist. Oh no. Oh dear god. Oh sweet Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha.

Oh fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

“NO!” I yelled and drew a few looks from people. Spitfire just smiled and waved.

“Come on,” she said and dragged me into the store.

“No! NO! NO!!!”

It must have been a strange sight. A Jett black haired boy being dragged into a Victoria’s Secret by a flame haired girl. Needless to say I wasn’t happy and repeatedly tried to break free.

“Let me go!”

“Oh no you don’t! You’re coming in here!” Spitfire said with a drag and pulled me farther into the store. God this was mortifying. Everyone either gave us weird looks, snickered, or smiled. A few guys mouthed in the store mouthed, ‘I’m sorry.’ They must have thought psycho girlfriend.

I got pulled into the swimsuit section. My face turned red at some of the more… revealing garments.

“Spitfire? Why are you doing this to me?”

She lifted the cuffs, and me, up and hung me on a rack of thongs. If there could be a more humiliating thing in the world, and at this point I’m pretty sure there wasn’t, actually, nothing could possibly be more humiliating than being handcuffed to a thong rack. Spitfire has a twisted, horrible, diabolical, sense of humor.

She began sifting through the various suits. She selected one, though I couldn’t see what it was from my compromising position. At this rate, any sense of dignity went out the window at this point.

“Let’s go prisoner. I gotta try this on, but first…” she held up a small camera.

I executed a perfect tomato impression, “Don’t you dare!”

She snapped a picture, “Oh dear Celestia! I am so showing this to your sister!”

“I will murder you in your sleep!” I seethed.

“Like hell,” Spits said flaunting her hips, “You love me!”

She unhooked me from the rack and dragged me into the changing room. There were two teenage girls around my age who got to witness my drag of shame across the hallway. They put their hands to their mouths and stifled a laugh. I gave them death glares as Spitfire dragged me towards the back.

There was an open changing room with a hook in front of it. Just my luck. Guess where I ended up? Spitfire used her strong arms and lifted me up onto the hook with my feet just barely touching the floor. Great. No escape. She grabbed the bathing suit and disappeared into the changing room.

FML

***

Hey Jack! Come see this!

What is it?

This girl has huge lady balls! Look what she did to number 7!

This better be good. I’m halfway through The Young and the Restless and- Oh my god! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Now isn’t that to die for? Look at it! How the hell she managed to handcuff it like that is beyond me but it still won’t stop me from pissing myself! Oh lord look at its face!

Whoever that girl is, she has guts.

***

I was still hanging from the hook when Spitfire emerged.

“What do ya think of this one?” She asked turning in the mirror.

By now I had cooled down enough to the point where I wasn’t outright plotting how I was gonna murder this wonderbolt but still mad enough. I kept it hidden.

She was wearing a nice blue bikini that fit well with her hair. That and it complimented her form nicely. The straps on the top fit nicely above and below her wings. I had to admit, she did look pretty attractive with it on. Well, for a human anyway.

“It looks nice,” I said calmly, “The color matches your hair and it compliments your well-toned body quite nicely.”

“R-r-really?” Spitfire asked as though she wasn’t expecting a straight answer.

“Yeah. It does go well with your natural hair color and looks almost like a wonderbolt flight suit. Now that that’s out of the way, WILL YOU PLEASE LET ME OFF OF THIS THING?! I’VE BEEN HANGING HERE LIKE A RAPE VICTIM HERE FOR THE PAST HALF HOUR!”

Spitfire laughed. She was enjoying being the captor in this situation. I on the other hand wanted out before this got any weirder.

“Geez calm down,” she laughed; she laughs at everything. Especially when I’m aggravated. She finds my being aggravated funny.

“I think I have the key here somewhere,” she said putting a hand to her mouth, “Oh no I think I lost it!”

No god! No god, please no! No! NO! NO!

She must have noticed my involuntary twitching, “Just kidding, calm down. It’s right here.”

She walked up to me and unlocked the cuffs. I fell to the floor before jumping up and forcing her into the dressing room.

“IF YOU EVER SPEAK OF THIS TO ANYONE,” I hissed.

Spitfire was laughing. Oh yeah I forgot. Me being irritated amuses her and tickles her perverted sense of humor.

“Chillax Jett,” she laughed, “No one but us will know about this. Though I’m keeping that picture.”

She rolled her eyes and smiled, “Priceless!”

I let her go. My common sense returned to me and I remembered where I was; in a changing room, with a scantily clad Spitfire in a bikini.

I flushed and quickly left the room with Spitfire’s giggling following me out of the store. I stomped out and sat on the bench outside the store.

Secretly, I was wondering if that fall would have hurt me in any way. But too late to consider jumping after the damage is done.

***

Well throughout the day of us exploring the ship, eating, shopping, and other antics that one did while on a cruise ship I had cooled down enough to almost forgive Spits for handcuffing me. Almost. Revenge was something I still had planned. But that’s for later. Now it was finally night time.

We stopped by the room again and said goodbye to Cat whom was heading to the blackjack tables. Ha! She was probably gonna lose and come to me about it later.

But anyway.

I went to my room and changed into my bathing suit and pulled a shirt and some goggles on over my head before exiting.

Spitfire emerged from her room with her bikini and a shirt on over it to cover up her wings. I peered past her rather quickly and saw the handcuffs and key on her nightstand. Good to remember.

“Ready to go?” I asked.

“As I’ll ever be! I’ve wanted to hit the pools of the longest time now!” Spitfire said, “But your whole ‘No wings in public’ rule has put a rut in that!”

“Hey, just be glad I agreed to do this with you.”

“Fine.”

We walked out of our cabin towards the elevators. An old man was sitting in a chair in front of his cabin and felt the need to make a comment.

“Ah young love. What a magical thing.”

Ok, that man had to have been at least 200 years old because nowadays people don’t just do that. Spitfire and I both blushed.

I gave the man a look before mouthing back, ‘you have no idea what this girl has done to me.’

He gave me a wink. I sighed and continued walking along towards the elevator. The doors opened and we stepped inside.

Just as the doors were closing I heard a faint, “Don’t forget to wear a rubber!”

I paled.

“What did he say?” Spitfire asked.

“Nothing! Absolutely nothing!” I said as the elevator began to rise.

“Hmm, I thought I heard something about an umbrella,” Spits said skeptically.

“No you didn’t. You didn’t hear anything because he’s just a crazy old man.”

The elevator continued to rise until we were on the upper decks. The water park was a huge super structure in the center of the large upper level.

It was surrounded by a lazy river that circled all the way around the park. Farther in was a wave pool. Aww yeah, wave pool. Beyond the wave pool was a simple, normal pool. Nearby were a bunch of other small attractions like waterslides and water raceways. There was even a surf simulator. There was one slide that started up several stories high before diving down into this large pool area. Inside the pool were various, tamed sea creatures. Everything from sting rays to even dolphins was in that pool. This park had everything.

And we had it all to ourselves.

“So what’d ya wanna hit first?” I asked.

“I don’t know, but I’ll race ya to the wave pool,” Spitfire said stripping her shirt off and tossing it in my face. She made a B line for the pool.

I grabbed the shirt and mine and tossed it and our towels on a nearby beach chair, “Oh it’s on now! And no flying! That’s cheating!”

***

“Hey!” I yelled, “That’s cheating!”

We were racing down one of the waterslides. Spitfire felt the need to use her wings and gain an advantage. She pushed herself down the slide farther ahead of me.

She simply turned her head and stuck her tongue out at me.

“You suck.”

She reached the bottom and hopped off of the slide just as I reached the bottom.

“No fair,” I said, “That’s cheating.”

“You never said I couldn’t use them,” She grinned, her flame hair falling over her face.

“Yes I did.”

She pushed her hair out of her face and behind her ears, “No, you said I couldn’t fly. You never said anything about that!”

“Humph. Still not fair though.”

“You’re just jealous you don’t have wings,” Spitfire laughed, flaunting her flight instruments.

I smiled, “Yes in fact I am. But you just wait until we go back to school in a few weeks. I can do things in space you can never do with your wings in an atmosphere.”

She put her hands on her hips, “Really?”

“That roller coaster is nothing compared to what I can do,” I smiled deviously.

Spits cringed, remembering the torture coaster.

“How about we grab a few surf boards and hit the wave pool again?” she asked.

“I like that. Where did we leave the boards last time?”

“I think they were somewhere in the lazy river.”

“Well we can hit that and find them along the way. Speaking of which, what time is it?”

“I think like 1:00? Maybe? I don’t know I don’t have a watch.”

“Well either way we have a few hours before we have to head back,” I said, “Come on, race ya to the river. And no using your wings!” We took off running.

“I’ll still beat you!” she yelled.

“We’ll see about that one!”

***

Several, long, fun hours later we headed off back to the hotel. We were both soaking wet since when we were getting ready to leave Spitfire pushed me into the pool; again. I being me decided to drag her in with me.

“So let’s see,” I decided to troll Spitfire, “How many races did I win when you weren’t using your wings?”

She fumed, “All of them.”

“So who’s the faster ground pounder?”

“You are.”

I pumped my fists down, “Hell yeah.”

“I still have those handcuffs,” Spitfire said.

Well fuck me sideways with a screwdriver I- oh wait, I knew that. Oh later you’re in for it Spits.

“Don’t you DARE.”

“We’ll see,” she grinned deviously.

I unlocked the cabin and we stepped inside closing the door behind us. I went into the bathroom and tossed my towel and shirt in the washing machine before returning to the living room and sitting on the couch. Spitfire was resting on the armchair.

The door opened and Cat walked in.

“GODS DAMN IT!” She spat, “Stupid fucking house rigged that fucking deck!”

“How much ya lose this time?” I asked.

“A lot! That fucking dealer, I swear I’m gonna- Aaaahhh.”

Yeah she lost a lot.

“You know we can come with you to the casino tomorrow. I think the open door policy applies in international space?”

“Yeah, why-” her face changed from rage to a smile, “Oh Jett you devious little boy.”

I smiled, “So I’ll be the scout. You and Spits can come in after I find which table is hot and then bet.”

“Wait, what are we doing?” Spitfire asked.

“I’m getting my money back!” Cat smiled, “And potentially more.”

I had gotten bored during the summer last year and decided to learn something. And the internet led me to card counting. The algorithms were easy to pick up and easy to learn for me. The cards were easy to keep track of. I had practiced with one of my friends as we planned a hypothetical trip on the town on day. Only problem is that laws were still in place and I couldn’t enter a casino until I was 18. But International Law was a bit more flexible.

“We’re gonna break that place.”

***

Well it was night time; specifically 4:00 in the morning. Everyone had gone to sleep. Except for me. I had stayed up and carefully plotted my revenge for the rape cuffs incident.

I crept into Spitfire’s room with a stool from the kitchen in my arms. I searched the darkness for the last bit. The pink fluffed handcuffs still rested on the nightstand.

Perfect.

I grabbed the cuffs and crept to the foot of the bed. Spitfire was quietly snoring and again sleeping on her stomach. Her feet were hanging off the bed. Good, less work for me. I threaded the cuffs through the legs of the stool and quietly cuffed both ends to Spitfire’s ankles, firmly latching the chair to her legs.

I smiled deviously and grabbed the key and crept back out of the room.

***

I woke up to the smell of cinnamon rolls and hash browns being cooked. Hmm, looks like that cooking class actually taught Cat something. I wonder if Spitfire’s up.

I looked at my body. Nothing maimed or damaged in any way so I’d say I’m good.

I walked out of the bed room and into the living area. Sure enough, Cat was actually COOKING something without it catching fire.

“Morning little brother,” she chirped cheerfully.

“You’re certainly cheerful,” I said rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

“Hell yeah. I’m bringing my card counting brother to a casino tomorrow,” she purred deviously, “I’m about to have a nice winning streak.”

I poured myself a glass of orange juice before settling down on the couch.

“I better get a cut of that.”

“Oh you both will. Speaking of which where is Spitfire?”

“Oh she should be waking up right… about…”

“AH SWEET CELESTIA! WHAT THE? JETT!!!”

“Now.”

Spitfire flew into the living room with a stool attached to her ankles by a pair of fluffy handcuffs. Her face was red. I stifled a laugh at the mental image of a floating apple on fire but laughed freely at the sight in front of me.

Cat turned and gasped before coughing and breaking out in a fit of laughter, “Jett?! What did you do?”

“Caught and tamed an eagle,” I said before falling off the couch and onto the floor.

“Oh you think this is funny? Well let me just go get that camera.” She flew back into her room with the chair still in tow.

“Now wait!” I called still laughing, “Come back!”

She did. With the camera. Oh no.

“Hey you swore not to show that to her!”

“This nullifies that agreement,” she said with a devious smirk.

“No you don’t!” I made a grab for the camera. Spitfire, flying and all, was dragged down to the floor. She awkwardly landed on her side, taking me down to the floor with her. We wrestled for control of the camera.

“Give me that!” I yelled.

“After this? No way!” she yelled back.

After a wrestling match that resembled something out of a 1940’s cartoon, dust cloud and all, I ended up on the floor on my stomach, with Spitfire pinning me down fighting for control of the camera.

Cat bent down and snatched the camera from my grasp and turned it on.

“NO DON’T-” was all I got out before Cat got a look at my most humiliating moment of my life. Curse you emotional responses.

Cat’s face began contorting as she attempted, and key word here is ‘ATTEMPTED,’ to squash a laugh. She burst out laughing and held the picture up. I covered my head.

“Now,” she began, “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?”

“I handcuffed him and hung him on an underwear rack,” Spitfire declared triumphantly.

“I can see that!” Cat laughed, “What part of your body did you show him to get him to agree to that?”

Spitfire and I both turned red.

“NOW I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT THAT WAS DONE AGAINST MY WILL,” I fumed, “I WAS PRACTICALLY RAPED IN A DRESSING ROOM.”

“Oh shut up,” Spitfire said, “Maybe a peep show but not RAPE.”

Cat looked from between me and Spitfire before bursting out laughing. Spitfire joined her in her laughter as the guffawed at my plight.

“You should have seen the looks we got!” Spitfire was practically crying.

“I’ll bet! How did you manage to handcuff him like that? And with THOSE handcuffs!”

“That’s my secret girl.”

***

Well after getting laughed at by my sister and Spitfire we got ready to go break the casino. Well I did anyway since I was gonna be doing all the heavy lifting in this operation.

I sifted through my clothes and found what I was looking for; a town suit. It went good with the fedora and my sunglasses. Looking like a boss when destroying a casino: check.

I stepped out of my room and into the hallway. Spitfire was wearing a pair of jeans and her leather flight jacket and her aviators.

We met Cat in the living room.

“Ready to make some money?” she asked.

“Oh yeah.”

We stepped out of the cabin and made our way to toward the city. Cat soon led us to the casino where she lost her credits.

“WE GOT THIS.”

I cracked my knuckles, “Let’s do this.”

***

I brought my arm up and scratched my neck. The table was hot. Cat and Spitfire both came over and watched as I placed my bet.

“Going all in?” Cat asked.

“Oh yeah.”

The table was hot and an Ace came my way. Perfect.

The other players held; all were close to 21 but not exactly. There were a lot of faces left in the deck. I’ll press the advantage.

“Hit me.”

The dealer nodded and spat out a card. I slowly reached for it. I certainly hopped I wasn’t getting fucked with a three or some other card. I’d be deep in the shit if I got another Ace. I grabbed the card and flipped it over.

I smiled. A king.

“Well boys looks like I win,” I trolled the other players, “’Cause I’ve hit a perfect 21!”

The other player moaned as the chips began coming my way. One player gave me the finger as I constructed a small city out of chips.

One guy got up and left. Pity. He wouldn’t get to see me win again.

“Come on Jett. You got this,” Cat said.

“Sshh,” I said. The dealer began dealing out the cards. I caught them all. Plus 1, neutral, plus 1, minus 1… The cards kept coming.

I ended up with a Seven. The others kept hitting and soon the closest guy to 21 had 19. I had two cards, a Six and a Seven. Statistics were fifty/fifty here. I could either get a Seven or an Eight and win it all.

I gave a sly grin and looked between the others. Let’s see if any of them have the balls to hit again. I gave the dealer one look.

“Hit me.”

“If you say so sir.”

I certainly hope I didn’t screw myself with this one. If I got anything Nine or higher I’d be screwed. But hey, go big or go home right?

“Wait! I’d like to double down.”

The others gasped. I had a certainly large pile in front of me and already had a large amount in. Normally it took a few shots of liquor to get someone to do something as stupid as this but I’m not stoned yet!

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah I’m sure. I haven’t lost it yet. Double Down sir.”

I was in the shit now. I caught a look at Cat. She was biting her nails. Spitfire had a smile on her face and was on the edge of her seat.

The dealer reached for the deck. Lord I hopped the Gods favored me right now. He grabbed a card.

Please be an Eight or a Seven. Please be an Eight or a Seven. Please be an Eight or a Seven.

He pushed the card over. Slowly I grabbed it and flipped it over. I grinned widely.

“YEAH BABY! SEVEN!” I jumped out of my seat.

Cat jumped up next to me and danced around the table in a happy bliss. Spitfire jumped out of her seat and cheered.

The guy with 19 looked like he wanted to murder me.

“You little SHIT!” he yelled.

“You mad Bro?”

“Hey you can’t talk to my brother like that!” Cat yelled.

“Yeah? And what are you gonna do about it?”

“I don’t want to know what she’s gonna do but I know what I’m doing. I’m taking cashing this mountain in big boy so… peace to the Middle East I’m out!”

I scooped up the huge pile and bounced all the way to bank so to speak with Spits and Cat right behind me.

***

“85000?!” Cat said as we left the casino, “Jett how could you possibly keep track of all those cards in those four decks?”

“Practice makes perfect,” I said.

“Either way I thought that guy was gonna blow a head gasket!” Spitfire laughed.

“He did look pissed.”

“Well I’d be pissed too if you had just juked me out of 85000!” Cat laughed.

“Just be happy I’m on your side.”

“Amen to that.”

We walked along back to the cabin with our winnings from the night’s escapade. Yeah. This was gonna be a great cruise.

Chapter 11. Identity

I had this chapter in the works for the longest time. Feels so good to finally put this out there.

Two weeks, a few too many parties, crashing another casino, and one angry hippo later we were back home. I must admit after not seeing that hunk of rock for a few weeks I was happy to be back home. The Rising Star had docked at one of Jupiter’s orbital space docks. From there we caught a flight back the Ganymede.

The Star itself would refuel while at Jupiter before continuing. It would be heading out all the way to Pluto and the Ort Cloud observatory before heading back towards the Sun.

Our flight landed at the space port. From the port we headed down to the parking lot.

“Hey the car is still here,” I said. It was a pretty slick vehicle. It had the latest maglev tech built into it that allowed for spherical wheels and 360 degree range of motion. It also allowed for the car to go pretty fast.

“It’s been a while,” Cat said, “Really missed that car.”

“You still have the keys?”

“Yup,” she held up a small object and tapped a button on the side. The car chirped and unlocked.

The ride home was uneventful. But then again after that cruise, daily life here was probably gonna seem boring. But Spitfire found the car and the dome that surrounded our city interesting enough so I guess I should be happy with that. We reached the house. It was a simple structure with modern architecture to it. The house was white with two stories. The shape was mildly pyramidal with a bit of a trapezoid shape to it. There was two car garage that connected to the side. A walkway connected the driveway to the front door.

Our home was in the suburbs of New Alexandria that surrounded the main city. The view of the city was nice but at night, nothing beats a great view of Jupiter as it glows in the night. The red spot still storming after all these years.

We stepped out of the car and walked towards the front door. I reached for the door knob and a small holo keypad appeared. I typed in the code and let the scanner scan my hand for verification. The door unlocked and we stepped in.

“Welcome to our humble abode,” I said before tossing my bag on the couch.

The door opened to a living room to the left of us. A den was towards the right. Right down the center was the staircase that led to the upstairs. Off of the living room was the dining room. Off from the den was the kitchen. All four rooms were connected. In the hallway between the den and the kitchen was the bathroom. The garage connected to the house through a door in the living room.

Spitfire tentatively walked in, unsure of whether or not she was welcome or not.

“Well come on in,” I said, “Don’t be shy. This place is as much your home now as it is ours.”

“Yeah lord knows this place doesn’t get used a lot,” Cat said as she walked in, “The only time we’re ever here is during the holidays and vacations.”

Spitfire stepped in, “You have a wonderful house.”

“You can thank Cat for that one. She gets paid the big bucks.”

“Damn straight.”

Cat walked up the stairs and towards her room. I sat down the couch. Spitfire sat in one of the arm chairs.

“Home sweet home,” I sighed.

“Oh!” Cat yelled from upstairs, “We have a guest bedroom you can use, Spitfire. That is if you want to. I mean, I’m sure Jett would love to have you share his bed with him an-”

“Shut up Cat!” I yelled fuming.

“Gosh you are easy to get!”

“That’s what I said!” Spitfire laughed.

I sighed. Two women in my life and all they seek to do are aggravate the hell out of me. One of them seemingly more than the other. Cough, Spitfire, Cough.

“Come on,” I said, “Let’s get you settled in.”

“Ok. Oh and I just remembered,” Spitfire said, “That explanation?”

Figured this was coming. She has to find out some time, “And you’ll have your explanation.”

We grabbed our bags and headed up stairs. Across from the stairs was the bathroom. It sat in the middle of the hallway. Farther down both ends were the bedrooms. Cat’s room and her office were on one end while my room and the guest rooms were on the other. My room had two windows, one overlooking the front yard, the other overlooking the garage roof. The guest room, now Spitfire’s room, overlooked the back yard and the garage roof.

Everything was exactly how I had left it. My model ships and planes were still on my dresser, my katana still on my wall, my bed still near the window to the front yard, my desk with my laptop. I tossed my bag onto my bed. Fuck it I’ll empty it later. I’d also need to get a new set of flight wings. Mine got pretty fucked up on the drop.

I walked over to my laptop and turned it on. The display activated and displayed my desktop. I quickly went on the internet and opened a few windows. Spitfire wanted her explanation so she was gonna get it.

“That bed in there is pretty comfortable,” Spitfire said as she walked in, “Hey, nice pad.”

“Glad you like it,” I said.

“So you were gonna tell me something?”

“Yeah,” I said. I went over to my computer, “You may want to sit down for this.”

***

It was a lot to take in. I basically had to explain to her the entire concept of how my world saw hers and how… different the points of view were.

She took it well enough, even going as far as to laugh at some of the episodes I showed her. A lot of them had apparently actually happened which made it funnier for her. I thought this was going to be difficult. She sure took it better than I did. She also got over the whole pony thing quite quickly too, and was quite understanding of our original confusion.

It was quite awkward at first. Not as awkward as being handcuffed to a thong rack but still. She certainly reacted to the whole, ‘hi, your whole world as you know it is in fact a cartoon about colorful talking ponies where I come from,’ thing better than I would have.

“So wait,” I asked her, “If the whole Best Flier Competition actually happened, did Rainbow Dash actually break the sound barrier?”

“Yup,” Spitfire said, “Don’t tell her this but that’s actually one of the marks you have to pass if you want to get into the Wonderbolts.”

“Really?”

“Um hmm. Granted it is a special trick, but nearly any pegaus can do it if they train hard enough. But what makes RD stand out from the rest is that she did her first Sonic Rainboom in flight camp.”

“So only a select few can pull it off?”

“Basically. In fact I think RD is the only pegasus outside the Wonderbolts right now who can pull it off. That I know of that is. There may be more but I haven’t heard about them if there are. Not many fliers actually care about their flight skills these days. But it’s always good to see someone like her working hard to reach something she wants. She is certainly up there on the list for the next wonderbolt.”

“I hear ya. It’s not that different here. A lot of people all over, mainly on Earth and the inner planets aren’t that fit. Out here is different since exercise is actually a law here.”

“Really? Now that’s something I’ve never heard of before.”

“Yup. While gravity here is normal 1 G there are a lot of jobs where people work in low to zero gravity. So it’s a law where people have to pass a mandatory fitness test every year or else they’re fined.”

“Wow. And I thought the wonderbolts was extreme. So how fit are you?”

“Oh I’m not all that special. Just average.”

“Yeah, and I’m a purple octopus. You are selling yourself short there. You have to be pretty fit to beat me in at all the stuff we did.”

“Well you could kick my ass in the air.”

“You don’t have wings so that wouldn’t be fair.”

“That wasn’t your attitude whenever we went to the water park.”

“Cause that was just for fun. But in all seriousness, you’re pretty fast and fit.”

“No I’m not,” I said. This conversation was going somewhere I did not want to go, “I’m just average. Normal. I don’t stand out.”

“We’ll see about that,” Spitfire smirked. With that she grabbed me and tossed me to the floor. Instinct kicked in. I flipped back up and on my feet and in a fighting stance.

“Come on,” Spitfire said, “You know any martial arts?”

“You saw the sword on my wall,” I said unsure as to where she was going with this.

“Good. All I needed to know.” She struck forward with her arm. Her strike seemed to come at me in slow motion. I could make a quick judgment of this situation here. She was striking with her dominant hand, leaving her less dominant hand in the defense. I could use my left arm to deflect her strike and hit her in the face. I could also duck low and take her to the ground in a sweeping motion with my leg. I could also easily break her arm.

But all of those would be rude. I decided on passive resistance. I reached up with my left arm and deflected her strike before returning to stance.

“Fast reflexes,” she purred, “Good. Let’s see what else you can do.”

“Spitfire please. I don’t want to spar with you right now. I- whoa!” I ducked down as Spitfire’s foot flew up and nearly hit me in the face. Balance was something I had developed over time. It came in quite handy here as I ducked and nearly smacked the floor with my head.

I stood up, “You almost hit me in the face with that!”

“Yup!” With that she turned and nearly gave me a roundhouse to the head. Alright, no more mister nice guy. I grabbed her leg and brought my leg out sweeping her other leg out from under her. I rushed forward and pinned her to the ground on her back. She gave me a playful smirk. Curses I’ve been had!

“Happy now?” I said rolling off of her and onto the floor next to her.

“Gonna stop selling yourself short?” she smirked back.

No, I can’t. She wouldn’t understand. Time to lie.

“Fine. I certainly hope you don’t torture Soarin’ or the other wonderbolts like this.”

“Nope. I only like making you feel awkward.”

“And why is that?”

“Because it’s funny when you get worked up!” Spits giggled.

“Why do I even bother?”

“Hey just be happy I don’t have you do pushups like Soarin’.”

“You’re not the boss of me.”

“I can go out and get a whip to go with those cuffs.”

I visibly cringed and turned a few shades redder. Curse you emotions. Actually, I think it’s time for some reverse psychology.

“And I can go out and get a gag ball,” I smirked. Spitfire blushed. I could see she was trying to one up me as she bit her lip.

“Yeah? Well I can go get a-” there was a flash right next to me where Spitfire used to be. I jumped up and turned towards the spot to where Spitfire used to be.

“Spitfire?!” I asked, “Spitfire?!” Oh god no! NO! NO! Where did she go?!

Cat came out of her room, “Jett? What are you yelling about?”

“Spitfire was here just a second ago but then she just… vanished!”

“What do you mean she vanished?”

“Let’s see here! There are so many ways I can say this; vanished, disappeared, phased out of existence, broke the fourth wall…”

“Have you considered the possibility that she may have just-”

“HEY!” a voice said. It was coming from the… roof?!

“HEY JETT! HOW THE HELL DO I GET DOWN FROM HERE IF I CAN’T FLY? HUH? COME TO THINK OF IT, HOW THE HELL DID I GET UP HERE?!”

“SPITFIRE?!” I ran towards the window that led to the garage roof. I opened the window and hopped out onto the roof. Spitfire was sitting on the roof of the main part of the house, looking for a way down.

“Oh good you’re here! How do I get down? I’m not exactly eager to jump from two stories onto the lawn without my wings to slow me down and I’m not sure I can hit the garage roof the right way.”

I sighed in relief, “Don’t ever scare me like that again!”

“Aww,” she put her head in her hands, “You were worried about me. How sweet.”

“No!” I fumed, “Just don’t want you leaving just yet until I have revenge for that incident with the hippo!”

“Yeah yeah. Now how about me getting down from here?”

“Jett? What the hell’s going on?” Cat yelled out the window.

“Spitfire’s on the roof,” I called back, “As for you getting down, there’s a ladder in the garage. I’ll get it.”

“Thank you!”

I jumped down from the roof and landed in the driveway. After tapping a few controls on the garage door it opened. I walked past my car and removed the ladder from the wall.

After setting up on the lawn I leaned it up against the house.

“Alright! You’re good!” I called.

She began her descent. I held out a hand as she reached the bottom. She blushed and took it. Cat ran out the front door.

“Aww,” she said, “You guys look so cute together.”

“SHUT UP!” We both yelled.

Cat turned and headed back in the house laughing, “And put that ladder away!”

***

After putting the ladder away and eating lunch Spitfire and I returned to my room.

“Ok,” I said as I stepped into my room. I went to sit down on my bed but Spits rushed past me and bounced onto my bed, taking my spot. She rested with her arms behind her head and one of her legs on her other knee.

“Really?”

“Yup.”

“Ok,” I continued, “So as I was going to say. It looks like you can jump from place to place.”

“Yeah. I think that’s how I ended up here to begin with.”

“Well it looks like you still have the ability to jump. What spell were you using when you ended up here?”

“We were doing a trick when I got stranded here. We were supposed to teleport using a spell that this magician gave us. I don’t remember how long it was supposed to last but it looks like I can still do it.”

“Can you teleport now?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I don’t know. When we were talking it just… happened. I’m not sure if there was anything I did to trigger it.”

“Maybe it’s something you have to will yourself to do,” I said.

“Maybe…”

“It’s worth a shot. Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?”

“Hmm, I’ll give it a shot,” she sat up. She closed her eyes. Nothing was happening. She soon began to look like she was straining herself. Her face was priceless.

I started laughing. Spitfire’s face cracked as she started laughing too.

“Stop it,” she giggled, “I can’t focus with you laughing at me.”

“I can’t help it,” I said, “You look funny when you make that face.”

She opened her eyes and sat up. She playfully punched me in the shoulder.

“What was that for?”

“For making me lose focus.”

“Fine. But maybe the teleportation thing can get you home. It is how you got here isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Spitfire said though she seemed bothered by something.

“Well maybe we’ll just have to keep practice. But first we have to figure out how you did that.”

“Yeah I guess.”

“Well I guess this explains how you ended up in my room that night.”

Spits blushed, “Don’t blame me. I don’t know how I did that.”

Oh I was gonna tease the hell out of her, “Yeah, sure you don’t.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

We laughed. Cat called from downstairs.

“Jett?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you go to the store and pick up some groceries?”

“Sure, what do we need?”

“I have a list for you and Spitfire. And don’t worry, I accounted for Spitfire being a vegetarian.”

***

We decided to walk. It was a nice day out so Cat decided we should get some exercise. We didn’t complain. The weather was nice and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. But then again there was barely a sky to begin with.

Spitfire and I walked along the sidewalk as we got close to the edge of the city. The city’s edge resembled was more like a small town than a city. The local grocery store and other businesses were just up ahead. Various sounds could be heard. Cars and trucks drove by. Other people were walking along the sidewalk nearby. Various sounds of everyday life. Everything was perfect.

“So…” Spitfire began, “When I jumped and ended up on the roof…”

“Yeah?”

“You seemed pretty worried about me there,” she grinned slyly, “Worried I’d leave without saying goodbye?”

“I, uh, um, well I have known you for a little while now…”

“Ah ha! You would miss me if I left! Admit it!”

“Ok I’ll admit you are my friend but I haven’t really known you that long enough to miss you like THAT.”

“You’d miss me and you know it.”

“What was it you said? Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Hey I’m just stating the obvious as I see it.”

“Well I don’t know how you see it but…”

Hold on. There’s a new sound that’s joining the chorus of noise. What is it? I think I recognize it. But that’s only something I’ve heard on TV. There’s a bus horn. It’s coming from down the street up there. There are tires swerving. Another horn is blaring. It’s a car. It’s skidding down the road.

Assess the situation. What do we know? A bus nearly went head on into a car. The car swerved out of the way. It’s skidding down the road towards us. There are several options here. I could grab Spitfire and attempt to dive out of the way. But with that there’s only a 30% chance that either of us will survive the car’s front tires crushing us. No. Second option; drag her out of the way. No, defiantly not. 50% chance I would survive and only 10% chance for Spitfire. The sounds of the car accident haven’t even reached her ears yet, let alone her ear drum or cochlea. And that car is traveling pretty fast; I’d say 100 kilometers per hour. There’s a third option; it has a 75% chance of Spitfire escaping without injury but a 100% chance of me taking a several thousand kilogram car to my solar plexus. If this one offers the greatest chances of survival for Spits, I’ll take it.

I reached out with my right arm. Using the greatest amount of leverage I could get I pushed her off the sidewalk and onto the green. She had a look of surprise on her face when she hit the ground. But she was out of the way of the car. Good. Now about that car.

I held up my left arm just as the vehicle impacted.

***

What the hell happened?! Its vitals are terribly unstable!

I don’t know! All we can tell is that there’s severe impact trauma to nearly 80% of its body. Wait! We’re getting footage now!

…

But… But that’s not possible! He just overrode his programing like that?!

It looks like he’s overridden his self-preservation protocols! How did he do that? That programing is written into his source code!

His matrix scans the situation and formulates options in high stress situations in picoseconds. The options he came up with here were either dragging her out of the way with him, or diving to the ground with her, or… sacrificing himself and pushing her out of the way!

Is his brain supposed to come up with that option?

No! In fact that should have been the ‘abandon and save myself’ option. But he just overrode his programing like that!

What does this mean? Can the others do something like this?

I don’t know! Emotional responses aren’t normally part of the decision making process in situations like this.

Are you saying that’s what happened? His EM card overrode his core logic?!

It’s the best I can come up with at the moment! I’ll try to figure something out but right now I have to track the progress of those paramedics!

I’ll get the Admiral on the line. He’ll want to know what happened to his son.

***

Spitfire looked up from the green. She was dazed but otherwise alive. What the hell just happened? One minute she was walking the next Jett is pushing her to the ground and out of the way of a speeding car while he takes the-

“Oh my gosh! JETT!” She got up on her feet and started searching. The street was in chaos. Farther up was a flipped over bus. But that’s not what terrified her the most. There was a car lodged in the side of a building farther down the road. The driver stumbled out, dazed and bruised but fine. That didn’t even warrant her attention for too long.

What had her scared was the sight in the middle of the road. There was the crumpled body of a kid. He wasn’t moving. She ran as fast as she could up to him. It was Jett. No. No please no!

He saved me. He pushed me out of the way and saved me. She was on the verge of tears.

When she got closer she gasped. Something wasn’t right. Jett’s left arm had a silvery metallic liquid draining off it. Some of it was skin colored but it quickly turned to liquid metal as it pooled under his arm. Beneath the liquid was a gun metal surface. His arm wasn’t real! There were several nodes along the arm that ran all the way up to his shoulder. His hand melted to reveal a plated surface with joints and pads on the fingers.

The rest of his body didn’t look better. Skin had been scrapped clean off just above his right eye. Where she should have seen bone there was a metal like surface beneath. On his right arm the flesh on his elbow had been ripped open to reveal a plated joint. Blood was pooling under his body.

His entire body was pulsing with a blue light beams that ran like circuits all along his body. They pulsed on and off as his systems fought to keep him alive. His eyes flickered from they’re normal blue to black and back again with the rest of his body.

Spitfire crouched down and held him in her arms, tears running down her face. He sacrificed himself to save me.

“HELP!” She called, “Someone help! Please!”

Sirens sounded off in the distance as fire trucks, ambulances and police cars converged on the scene.

***

“Well Admiral it appears your Project Titan is progressing well,” the secretary said.

“Glad you approve ma’am,” Admiral Halsey said coldly. This woman was infuriating. She was treating one of the greatest inventions in the history of mankind like it was a collection of Barbie dolls.

“But they’re only prototypes?”

“Yes ma’am. Eventually we hope to have actual infiltration agents all over Venus and Mercury. If this works correctly we can stop an all-out war before it starts with these things.”

“And what exactly are they again?”

The Admiral sighed, “They are semi organic synthetically built AI. They look, act, feel, taste, sound, and smell like a human. Accept they’re not. Imagine having the perfect sleeper agent anywhere in the system. So good they don’t even know they’re an agent.”

The secretary raised an eyebrow, “Ok I’m listening.”

“They lie in wait for years even, building up lives so that no one suspects them. It’s like chess madam. Position your pieces carefully, and then when the time is right you strike. They are the ultimate agents of sabotage and espionage. And best of all they work fast.”

“I’ve heard. But what are these claims that some of the scientists are making? That these semi organic/semisynthetic beings are the next step in human evolution?”

“I don’t know ma’am. Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. Either way, we made them.”

“Is this really the next step though?”

“Look, ma’am. With all due respect, sixteen years ago you asked me to get you the best agent the Martian and Earth navies could buy. I did just that.”

“I understand that. What I need to know is that these things are safe.”

“They are safe. We have various blocks and systems in place to monitor and keep track of them where ever they go.”

“Good. And what’s this I hear about you adopting one?”

The Admiral cringed, “He’s my son. I know what you’re thinking but after Cat the doctors said she couldn’t have another. He’s not doing any harm. He’s giving us pretty good data on how they would react in all sorts of situations.”

“Like school?”

“Yes. He goes to school. From what he tells me he wants to join the Navy as pilot. After seeing the readings on them you have to admit he’d make a great pilot.”

The secretary laughed, “Yes he would. I’d hate to be the guy who happens to be on the wrong side of the barrel with him.”

“I’ll say.”

“Well Admiral I’d say your experiment is proving to be quiet useful. Carry on and report back here same time same place next year.”

The Admiral stood up and saluted, “Thank you ma’am.”

“Dismissed.”

He exited the room. After a series of long security checks he was allowed to leave the ONI building and enter the Martian atmosphere. Granted it wasn’t really an atmosphere but the processed air of the bio domes was still appealing.

As he entered his car his cell phone rang.

“Hello?”

…

“Oh my god what happened?!”

Chapter 12. Different types of Recovery

And thus concludes a week long update marathon I've been doing for my stories. Taking a break for the weekend. Maybe. We'll see. Also, because I know someone will try, don't try and translate that binary code because it is quite literally random gibberish.

Initializing

Matrix Reactivating

101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001101010100101010101010010001001010101001010100101010101000101010101001010101001

System Online

Initializing Diagnostic Program

You have sustained damage.

You don’t say? I couldn’t tell.

Your Solar Plexus is mostly intact. You lateral starboard side axial servo is being repaired. Repair Nanites are working to repair your systems. You will also need a new field emitter for your left arm along with a more LM compound.

Oh great. And here I thought that car was going to kill me. Reactivate.

System Initializing. Be advised you will have limited motion.

You don’t say?

My senses began returning to me. Touch first. There wasn’t any pain. My systems made sure to shut off all pain receptors. Then smell. Yup, smelled just like New Alexandria General Hospital. Good. At least they have the equipment to deal with me. Then taste. Not important. Next came hearing. There was an incessant beeping next to my head. A heart monitor. Funny considering I don’t have a heart. Finally my sight returned.

My eyes reactivated. I opened my eyes and looked at my body. I was in a hospital bed in a typical hospital room. There was a lot of damage. Most of it superficial and easily fixed. Oh no. The circuit lights that ran through my systems were glowing blue. What if Spitfire saw that? That’s not something a normal human does. I looked down at my left arm.

Fuck, fuck fuck. The gun metal surface of the prosthetic arm was visible. The normal liquid metal matrix that made it look normal was missing. Shit.

I looked down at the foot of the bed. There was a chair that was occupied by a certain flame haired girl. She was sleeping.

Well fuck she defiantly knows what you are now, asshole.

And what exactly is that?

You know. You’re not human. You’re not real and she knows it.

Fuck you.

Android.

I sat up. She may know what I am but I don’t have to scare her anymore by letting her look at me. I grabbed the blanket and moved it to cover up my arm. It roused Spitfire from her sleep. She rose from the bed, a little droll hanging from her mouth. She wiped her face and yawned. Her eyes were red and puffy from… crying? Was she crying?

Why would she be crying?

Because she was worried about you even though she knows what you are.

Why would she be worried about me? I can be replaced.

Maybe but it wouldn’t be easy. Do you know how much you cost?

Do I look like I came with a price tag?

Hold that thought.

I suddenly felt something grasping on to my chest. It was a person. That was certainly surprising. What is this?

I looked down. It was Spitfire. And she’s crying? Why is she worried about me?

Didn’t we just go over this?

“Um,” I began, “Nice to see you too?”

She looked up at me before slapping me across the face and returning to crying into my chest.

“What the hell was that for?” I asked rubbing my face with my good arm.

“For saying something so stupid after having me worry about you like that. Don’t ever scare me like that ever again!” she cried.

“Aww. You were worried about me. How sweet,” I attempted to joke.

“You're damn right I was worried about you! You got hit by a car! Why would you do something so stupid?!” She returned to slapping my chest. I reached out to comfort her. With my bad arm. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

She gasped when she saw my arm. I quickly moved to hide it under the blanket. Spitfire looked at me. I averted my gaze. I didn’t want her to see me like this.

“Jett…”

“Don’t look at me! I… I’m not… I’m not… whole.”

I glanced quickly at Spitfire. She looked scared, concerned, worried, and terrified. Why was she afraid? I’m not even a real person.

“Jett… What’s wrong?”

“I… you wouldn’t understand. Please, just don’t look at me. I’m not correct.”

“Jett, you saved my life,” she was crying again, “I don’t care about… that. I’m just worried about you…”

I sat hiding my arm in shame. She couldn’t not care. They all cared. That was the only thing they cared about.

Freak.

Toaster boy.

Robot.

She hasn’t even grown up around this stuff. How could she possibly be different? None of them ever cared enough to see past it.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? I’m not real! I’m not a human! I’m a machine! I didn’t want you to find out because… because I thought you’d think I was a freak.”

“I don’t think you’re a freak. You’ve shown me more kindness than anyone I’ve ever met. You’re the nicest person I’ve met here.”

“That’s the problem! I’m not a person!”

“Well then what are you?”

“I’m a type 1 class 7 artificial intelligence. I’m powered by two type 100 fusion reactors and have a positronic brain in my skull. I’m designed to emulate real flesh and blood. I’m the culmination of hundreds of years of research and development. I’m an A.I.”

“But if you’re an A.I. what happened to your arm?”

“I don’t like talking about it.”

“See? Right there. You just proved that yourself wrong.”

“How?”

“You have preferences, you have emotions. You’re as every bit as real as me.”

“That can all be programed! My entire personality is programed! I’m not real!”

She wiped the tears from her eyes. She looked angry now, “Why are you putting yourself down like that? You’re real to me. You saved my life! You can’t program that can you?!”

I didn’t answer her. I looked down at my arm. The plated surface reflected my face. There was a huge bandage covering my forehead. I got a good look at my other arm. It too was in a bandage. I sighed. If I was human I’d be in this hospital for several months, recovering from something like that. Actually, if I was human I wouldn’t even be in the hospital but six feet under. Being an android had some advantages. Faster healing process meant I would probably be checked out of here tomorrow. But my arm. I’d need a new field emitter. LM compound could be generated simply by me consuming a few pounds of metal.

There was something on my face. A hand? It was pulling my head back towards Spitfire. She still looked mad even through her red puffy eyes.

“You can’t program that,” she said, the realization finally clicking, “You saved me by doing something that wasn’t in your programing.”

“I’m programed to learn and adapt to new situations. All the options I calculated did not give you a chance of survival above 30%. The one where I pushed you to the ground and get hit by a car had 75% chance of survival for you. I took it. And you survived. I was given the instinct to protect others in harm’s way. That’s all.”

“I think I can still prove you wrong,” Spitfire smirked, “Remember that picture?”

I cringed. Shit, she still had it. God why does she have to aggravate me like this?

“That’s what I thought. It makes you feel humiliated, and it makes me laugh which makes you aggravated!” She put her other hand on my face and forced me to look at her, “Whether you like it or now you’re a person to me and one of my friends. Besides, who’s gonna help me get home?”

I want to hate her, I want to feel mad at her but I can’t. Curses, I’ve been had again. Stupid EM card.

I sighed, “I’m not gonna change your mind am I?”

“Nope.”

I sighed again, “Fine.”

The door opened and Cat rushed in, “Oh my god Jett what happened?! I heard you were hurt and- what are you and Spitfire doing?”

I looked at her back to Spitfire. Oh I see what she was thinking. Spitfire was halfway on my bed with her hands on my head. And she was staring into my eyes like a hungry cat. Oh I see what’s going on now. I reached up and playfully shoved her off of me.

“Get off me,” I teased.

“Oh you were enjoying it and you know it!” she teased back.

“What are you guys talking about,” Cat stated rather than asked.

“Nothing,” Spitfire said playfully.

“Ok… Anyway. What happened? I got a call saying you were in an accident. And… She knows?”

I looked down at my arm and at the blue lines running down my skin, “Yeah, kinda hard not to when you have this and metal under your skin,” I said holding up my left arm. I flexed the joints. The material was advanced enough so that there were nerve connections in the thing but it still looked like a mechanical arm.

“What happened?” Cat asked again.

Spitfire grew serious, “He saved my life by pushing me out of the way of an out of control car. He got hit himself and…” she looked like she was going to cry again.

I sighed and put an arm around her, “Spitfire I’m alright. I’m a machine and a lot more resilient than the rest of the human race.”

“But you looked so… dead lying there like that.”

“I wasn’t dead, I was off.”

Spitfire giggled, “Off?”

I smiled, “Yeah, off. I shut down when I’ve taken too much damage. And before you ask, yes I do have an off switch.”

Spitfire laughed, “He has an off switch?” she asked Cat.

Cat smiled in relief, “Yes he does. Still hasn’t told me where it is and I doubt he will. Come to think of it, if I had an off switch I wouldn’t tell any of you where it is.”

“Technically you guys do have an off switch. There’s a cluster of nerves that when pinched strong enough in tangent with your carotid artery will knock a human out. Quite useful.”

“Really?” Cat said, “You never said you can do that.”

“Androids are the only ones capable of being that precise enough to do that without killing the person.”

“Alright,” Spitfire said, “Do it to me.”

“Uh are you sure? You won’t wake up right away.”

“Come on. Show me.”

“Yeah I kinda want to see this too,” Cat said.

I sighed, “Fine.” I reached out towards Spitfire’s neck. She twitched at my touch, probably because my prosthetic is cold. I found the spot and applied the pressure. She fell limp on the bed. Out like a light.

“Wow,” Cat said, “When did you learn how to do that?”

I shrugged, “I got tired of being bullied at school so I did a little research. Nice way to eliminate a threat without having to actually fight.”

“Cool. Oh and I have a bit of news. Dad is coming.”

Oh sweet Jesus, Muhammad and Buddha.

“Uh, why?” I said.

“Well he heard what happened and wants to make sure you’re alright. That and the rest of the family are itching to see us and him. So we’re gonna be meeting him at the family reunion.”

That TV moment when a character’s pupils dilate and the camera pans into his eyes as he imagines’ a scene of absolute horror. Well that’s what I did. I hated the family reunion. Between my cousins Alex and Sam and my Aunt Kathy I’m not sure I could handle it. Along with the fact Jaclyn and Zack barely talk. And Jaclyn has an intimidating marine of a husband.

“Well I’ll leave you to think about that. I’ll be back, I’m gonna get some hospital food.”

“Don’t expect me to eat any of it. I don’t even have to eat that shit.”

“You suck.”

“While you’re there, get me some water.”

“Ugh, Fine.”

In the several hundred years since hospitals have existed, the food still tastes like SHIT. And Spitfire is drooling again.

***

The nurses had been nice enough to put a cot in the room for Spitfire to sleep. She still didn’t wake up when they did.

I was staring at the ceiling as I attempted to get some sleep. Well the whole, ‘Hi I’ve been an android this entire time,’ thing went better than I thought. I still couldn’t understand her. She still thinks I’m a person! Even Cat, while she loves me dearly, is able to acknowledge what I am. But then again she does consider me her little brother and treats me human enough, even if that took time. But Spitfire? She just up and considered me a person even though I’m not even real? For Cat that process took years! And she’s my sister! But something was certainly different with Spitfire. What was it about her? If anything she should be terrified of me. In her world nothing like me even exists, let alone even conceived. Along with the fact that I don’t even have something that even resembles a normal left arm.

In reality that arm is a pretty big reminder of what I am. The fact that the Liquid Metal isn’t there to cover it up drives that point home. I’m a machine. But if I’m a machine then I can never know what real sentience is like. What does it feel like? I mean if I’m a machine what does it feel like to be a real, not artificial, life form that has real sentience instead of programed sentience? Am I even alive? What am I?

No. Don’t go down that road. Logic loops can overload your matrix and you’ll have to conduct a restart again.

Logic loops… Humans don’t suffer from those. I sighed and flopped down on the bed. My left arm hung off the edge of the bed, right onto Spitfire’s cot. She sighed and rolled onto her side.

“Gah! Wha?” I looked down on the sleeping angel girl. She had gripped my arm in a vice grip and was holding it like a dolly. Granted it would take the force of several car accidents to do any serious damage to it but she still had a strong grip on my arm. God I just hoped she didn’t pull the appendage out of its socket in my shoulder sometime in the middle of the night.

***

Spitfire had been kind and my arm was still attached in the morning. She woke up a lot like a sleeping cat, with a funny case of bed head. I laughed at her funny hairdo.

Well breakfast sucked. It was a hospital after all. Cat had to leave to go make arrangements for the family reunion. I was probably going to regret going. I can see how Alex and Sam are going to be.

Spitfire was kind enough to stay and keep me company while my systems repaired themselves. I still couldn’t move much but slowly the damage to my systems was being repaired. The bandage on my arm and head came off revealing it had healed completely. Unfortunately the healing cycle had removed the scar on my face and arm. Curses, I looked like a badass. Oh well; I could always alter my skin if I wanted it back that bad.

I sat up in the bed as Spitfire hopped up next to me.

“I can’t wait to get out of here,” I said, “I always hated hospitals.”

“There you go again,” Spitfire said next to me.

“What?”

“Proving me right. You hate hospitals. Emotions!”

“Ah leave me alone. If I always knew I was an android I wouldn’t have bothered developing preferences.”

“You didn’t always know?”

“No. It wasn’t pleasant when I found out.”

“What happened?”

I rolled over away from her, “I don’t want to talk about it. It has to do with how I lost my arm. Not exactly a happy memory.”

***

Spitfire sighed. After getting over the initial shock of her best friend in this world being a machine, she quickly realized nothing had changed. So he was a machine? What difference does that make? He’s still kind, he’s still funny, he’s still… him. So what’s changed?

In truth nothing had changed. She was still his friend and he was still hers. They were both looking for a way for her to get home. And right now they had a probable method of her returning home. She had to admit it was interesting that he was an android. And he had emotions! And he was sentient! He was every bit as real as she was in her eyes. Just a little different.

But something was seriously bothering him about his arm. Whenever she asked about it he avoided the subject like the plague.

He had rolled over. Was it to avoid looking at her? Was she being rude pursuing the subject? She hoped not. He was a pretty chill guy when he wasn’t demoting himself. Though she still couldn’t figure out why. Well it was probably something stressful. And if he didn’t want to talk right now she could understand. He did get hit by a car to save her life. She couldn’t possibly ask for more.

***

I was let out of the hospital later that day. Thank god. That place had the worst tasting food ever! Overall I was back to normal. Other than the fact my left arm wasn’t covered. It felt like being naked. Without the field emitter or the Liquid Metal compound my arm was bare, the gun metal surface was visible.

Spitfire escorted me out of the hospital. Cat picked us up and took us home. Good. I don’t want anyone else seeing my arm.

We got home and I sauntered off to my room. I walked in and sat at my desk. Spitfire walked in behind me.

“Whatcha doing?” she asked. I placed my hand on the desk and a control pad appeared. I tapped a few keys and pushed back. A drawer opened up revealing an entire workshop needed for me to maintain my arm. Spare fingers, replacement servos, spare surface plating, everything, including my new field emitter.

“Repairing myself. Wanna watch?”

“Sure,” she said as she bounced onto my bed. I placed three fingers on my good arm on three of the nodes on my arm. I waited a few seconds before an icon appeared on the surface of my wrist. I rolled up my sleeve on my T shirt and tapped the icon.

Spitfire watched the process in fascination. Hmm, strange. Normally I’d be extremely self-conscious about her seeing me like this. I guess it was because I was in my house. Yeah that’s it. A small button extended from my shoulder. I rotated the button counter clockwise once before pushing it back in.

Seams began appearing on the plates of the arm. Soon the surface plating broke open revealing the inner workings of the arm. Servos, a few chips for directing control and nerve impulses, operation motors, all of this contained underneath the armored surface.

“Whoa. Is that what’s under your arm?”

“Yeah,” I said as I began tinkering with the arm.

“Can… Can I… Can I touch it?” she asked timidly.

Can she touch it? Well that’s a strange question. No one’s ever asked before. I normally just fix what needs fixing. Every girl I know who’d seen my arm had thought I was weird and a freak. I sighed.

“Sure I guess. No one’s ever asked that before.”

She got up off my bed and walked over. The plates were opened up like flower petals, severely limiting my motion but it allowed for the internal mechanisms to be accessed. She reached over and touched the edge of the plate.

“It feels… it feels like smooth metal.”

“I can feel your fingers on it still.”

She ran her fingers over the metallic surface, “Really?”

“Yeah, there are nerves in the metal that hook up to the Liquid Metal compound that normally covers it. Even when the plates are opened they still work. It can be al-” her fingers ran underneath the plated surface, “Ah! That one tickles.” I twitched.

Spitfire smiled, “Really? Like this?” Her finger slipped farther under the plate. Oh no.

“Ah! Stop that! I have to work here,” I laughed.

“Ugh, fine.” She let up. I opened up the plates further and found the damaged emitter. I grabbed a tool from the drawer and carefully removed the emitter. I grabbed a pair of tweezers and pulled the device out and tossed it into the garbage. I grabbed the replacement and placed it where the old one used to be before securing it. The computers in the arm registered the replacement. I closed the plates on the arm and resealed it. I closed the drawer.

“That was pretty cool,” Spitfire said as I flexed the fingers of my arm. Perfect; all it needed now was more Liquid Metal compound.

“Yeah I guess. I just wish I didn’t need to replace that emitter.”

I stood up and pushed my chair to toward the desk. I sat down on my bed. Spitfire sat in my chair and rolled over, leaning forward against the back. She was staring at me. Hmm, staring contest. I will win. I don’t need to blink.

I stared back at her. Her orange eyes reflected the light nicely. I knew a few tricks that could let me win. I flashed my circuit lights repeatedly in a random pattern. Android powers activate! I won. Spitfire cracked and laughed. I continued flashing the circuited pattern.

“Stop doing that!” Spitfire laughed.

“What? This?” Light show powers activate.

“Yes that! You messed me up.”

“Damn right.”

“That’s it,” she jumped out of the chair and tackled me to the bed, “I can still pin you so there!”

I continued flashing my circuits at her before throwing her off of me.

“And I can throw you off of me so there.”

“Touché.”

“Jett! Guess what?” Cat called from down stairs.

“What?”

“I actually made dinner tonight!”

What? WHAT?! CAT COOKED? Oh this has got to be a trick of some kind.

“What? WHAT?!”

“Yeah! I made a nice vegetarian Japanese Capellini. I think that cooking course really helped because I didn’t set anything on fire this time!”

I looked at Spitfire, “Now this I have to see.”

***

Well I’m not gonna lie. It was actually pretty good. Someone on that ship must have been doing their job to teach CAT of all people how to cook anything. That poor bastard has to have the patience of a saint. But then again I was pretty happy with the results. The food was excellent.

Spitfire and I were doing the dishes while Cat was being lazy.

“So how long has it been since you found her Jett?” Cat asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t remember really. It has been quite a while.”

“I think I’ve been here for a few weeks,” Spitfire said as she dried a plate and put it into a cabinet.

“Well today’s the 24th so- oh my…”

I cringed. Great. The fucking 24th. And I was having a good day until Cat reminded me. This was the last thing I wanted to remember today. Of all the days it had to be today!

“Jett, I’m sorry. I completely forgot about it.”

“No no, it’s fine. I just wasn’t thinking about it until now,” I looked towards Cat, “Can you finish up here? I’ll be in my room.”

***

Spitfire flopped onto her new bed. Her room was nice. Bed near the window and a few dressers with mirrors. There were a few blankets on the bed. A closet rested at one of the room. Overall a normal bedroom.

She sighed. Again something bothered Jett. And she would bet that it had a lot to do with how he lost his arm. She just wished she could be there for him, to comfort him. But he’d been extremely silent about a lot of that. It took a car accident to reveal the fact he was an android.

She was worried about him. He’d been locked in his room for the past few hours now and hadn’t come out for anything.

Spitfire you dirty minded girl. He’s obviously not doing that!

I can’t help it! I mean, a girl’s mind wanders.

Come on. Get serious here. Something could be bothering him. He sacrificed himself to save you without a second thought. If that isn’t the mark of a true friend then I don’t know what is. Get in there and see what’s bothering him.

What if he doesn’t want to talk? What if I’m intruding?

Well you won’t know if you don’t try. He’s your friend. Do something!

Fine.

Good girl.

Spitfire got up off her bed and headed to Jett’s room. The door was unlocked and she entered. He wasn’t in his room but the window to the roof was opened. She walked up to it and peered out into the night.

Sure enough, Jett was sitting on the roof, staring at Jupiter’s form in the night sky.

“Mind if I join you?” Spitfire asked.

He turned, “Sure, hop up. Be careful not to fall.”

She climbed out the window and onto the roof. She crawled over and took a seat next to Jett as he stared out beyond the dome. Jupiter stood there like a monument. The swirling gas and storms on the planet left neat patterns along the surface of the gas giant. The city under the dome glowed in the night.

Jett had remained silent to Spitfire’s presence. She hoped he was alright. Even if he was a machine she still wanted to be sure. Something was getting at him and if he wasn’t going to speak to her then at least she could be there for him in case he did.

Jett sighed, “I’ve never spoken about this before so listen up… You already know part of my childhood but not all of it. Not the important parts.”

“None of that was important?”

“Compared to this? No. A few years ago, I was visiting with my parents on Earth with Cat. We had a fun time and did all the things normal families did. But soon it was time for us to leave. So my mother and father met us at the spaceport to see us off before we returned home. That was the day Cat told my dad about her big government job she landed. It started off normal enough at the spaceport.”

“What happened?”

He sighed and visibly shook himself before continuing, “This… This girl was running. She had broken through security and onto the tarmac for the ships. She was a part of this organization that wanted to flatten and burn Earth. She obviously wasn’t the friendly type. She… She was carrying a bomb on her back. She was running towards one of the ships. Ours. The police shot her several times but she kept running until she reached the landing gear for the plane before she detonated the device. The ship exploded and ripped apart the Gate we were waiting in. Cat and my parents were far enough away to avoid serious injury… but I wasn’t so lucky. A piece of shrapnel from the ship severed my left arm at the shoulder. Others pieces and flames from the explosion did even more damage. I still have a piece of the ship lodged in my head still from that.”

Spitfire had her hands to her mouth. That’s why. It was an attack. He was in an attack! That’s why he didn’t want to talk about it earlier! That’s why he had those scars.

“When I woke up in the hospital they still hadn’t covered me up correctly. That’s when I got the shock of learning that I wasn’t a real person and never had been. That’s when I learned that I was a science experiment for my dad. The reason I don’t consider myself a person is because I didn’t even earn the right to know what I was until I nearly died. My entire identity as a person was ripped apart…”

A silence followed as Jett continued to stare at Jupiter’s giant form far off in the distance. This explained everything. In that attack he lost everything he knew. If he wasn’t real then what was he? Spitfire realized this conundrum for him. After losing his identity in that accident he’d been attempting to find out who he was all over again. That’s not something you get over easily, even for an android. She could only imagine the internal battles he must have fought with himself when he tried to figure out what he was.

“But I at least have a purpose in life. Whatever data these people get off me and what I want to do gives me a sense of purpose.”

Spitfire who had been silent the whole time spoke, “What is your purpose?”

“I want to fly. I want be a pilot. I want to fly planes, skim the surface of Jupiter, navigate the asteroid belt, ride the tail of a comet. I just want to have the right to find out what who I am.”

Spitfire smiled. She scooted over on the roof and put her arm around him, “Well I don’t know who you are to you, but to me you’re my friend. And that’s all that matters to me.”

Jett looked at her. He looked surprised. Extremely surprised. He stared at her for the longest time, trying to figure her out, trying to find the catch. There was none.

That’s right big guy. You ain’t gettin rid of me that easily.

Spitfire leaned her head against her friend. Jett, finally feeling comfortable returned to staring at Jupiter with Spitfire.

He smiled and sighed, “Thanks Spits. Thanks for being there.”

Spitfire sighed, “Don’t mention it.”

“Don’t think this gets you off the hook for the hippo incident.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

***

Cat was worried. Jett had been locked in his room for the past three hours. Sure this date was burned into his memory a little too brightly but this was extreme. He normally simply got his psyche under control and was fine an hour later. This was a little too long. Even for him.

She stood up from the couch and walked up the stairs toward Jett’s room.

“Jett? Are you ok?”

The door was slightly ajar. She peered inside and smiled. Spitfire and Jett were sitting on the roof, just… talking. She caught a bit of the conversation.

“… and then Cloud Chaser pushed Fire Streak into the pool!”

“What did he say?”

“He did a bad impression of Prench accent and said, ‘Julieta! Whya ya gotta be so meana to me ah?’”

“That’s sound Italian.”

“I know! That’s why I said bad!”

Cat smiled and whispered, “Well it’s about time that kid finally opened up to someone.”

She exited the room and headed off to her office. She sat at the desk and pulled up a schedule. She had a family reunion to plan for on Sunday and a week of nonstop parties and crazy activities the week after.

Chapter 13. Teens will be Teens. Even if they're Androids.

And now I have to cut back on how many times I update this story.

While it is fun and incredibly easy to write as everything flows so naturally I have to update After the Fall in tandem with this one so the crossover in the probably sequel will make sense.

Chapter may go through a rewrite.

Well, it was Saturday. Universally a good day. Unlike MONDAYS. Evil days. But today was one of those days to have fun and do all sorts of crazy antics.

I rolled over and out of my bed onto the floor with a thud.

“Ow,” I said.

I pulled myself up off the floor and onto my feet. I put my hand to my head and activated a system’s diagnostic. Well my internal systems are all repaired perfectly. Micro fractures sustained in the accident have been repaired, the flesh on my arm and head has returned back to normal. But the LM storage tanks in my upper arm were only at 1/3. Not enough to form a complete covering but enough for me to do some fun things with it.

I let the new field emitter do its job and watch the LM compound flow out of the nodes in my arm. I modified its flow so it focused on my fore arm.

There were so many things I could do with it, form armor plating, laid back thorns, crystalline shards, blades. That was probably the most useful function. I could form sharpened knives and with the material. It could rearrange its structure so it became as strong as my Tritanium katana on the wall.

But for now the material would stay in the storage tanks in my upper arm. Go with the norm.

I walked up to my night stand and grabbed my phone and put on a pair of headphones. Music always did wake me up in the morning. I strolled into the bathroom while nodding my head to the latest Deadmau5 beat.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Yup, bed head. Spitfire was probably gonna get a kick out of this. Well one of the advantages of being an android is that I don’t need to use the bathroom all that often other than bathing or brushing my teeth.

I reached into a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of hair gel. I spiked my hair up, down, to the sides, all over the place before finally moving into its normal position. I turned around to leave just as Spitfire opened up the shower curtain.

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” we both screamed. I quickly deactivated my sight while Spits covered up with her wings.

Oh shit how much did I see? How much did I see? Nothing? Good. Now there’s still the problem of getting myself out of here while blind.

I grabbed my head and pulled my headphones down around my neck.

“Why didn’t you knock?!” Spitfire asked, “I was taking a shower in here!”

“Why wasn’t the door closed?!” I responded, “How am I supposed to know if anyone’s in here?”

“Uh, you could’ve heard that the shower was on?!” Spitfire retorted.

“Uh, I was wearing my headphones and listening to music?”

“Uh, well I’m naked so get out?”

“Uh well what happened to being casual?”

She stopped. I couldn’t see her facial expression considering my blindness. Well not really blind, just my sight was off.

“Uh, you know what just get out. I have to dry my hair and a certain android is making it quite awkward for me.”

I smiled, “Ah ha! Doesn’t feel good does it? This is how I feel whenever you put me in these situations; like dragging me into a dressing room, or pinning me to the ground like that, or HANDCUFFING ME TO A THONG RACK.”

“Will you just get out of here so I can dry my hair and wings?”

“Can you point me in the direction of the door? I can’t see right now.”

“What do you mean you can’t see?”

“I mean I shut my eyes off. Look, there isn’t any color in them right now.”

There was a silence. I guessed she was staring at them.

“Turn,” I turned, “Turn, turn, turn, keep going… and… stop. Now walk forward.”

I stepped forward and smacked the wall. Spitfire giggled.

“You’re mean,” I sulked.

“You love me and everything about me.”

“I’m beginning to question that,” I joked.

I felt hands on my shoulders as I was turned in the correct direction and shoved out of the bathroom. The door closed behind me. I reactivated my sight.

“Ugh! Guys,” Spitfire said.

“UGH! Girls!” I said back.

I walked into my room and removed my night shirt. My artificial arm started at my shoulder and went down from there. I could see the connections that ran from it to my body.

In spite of that I smiled. Spitfire and I hadn’t exactly met under the best circumstance or gotten off to a good start but it was nice to know I could talk to her about anything now. She was one of the nicest girls I’d ever met. In fact I think she’s the only one who doesn’t just look at the fact that I’m missing an arm and label me a freak. She sees me as… me.

I pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts over my boxers. I pulled on a pair of socks and my sneakers. This was the first time in weeks I actually got to wear clothes from home.

I wondered what we were going to do today. Not much probably. Life here wasn’t all that interesting during the summer.

Spitfire emerged from the bathroom with her hair back to its normal flame like shape and a towel around her body as she stepped into her room.

I flopped back down on my bed and turned on the TV embedded in the wall. The news was the same old same old. Nothing I gave a serious fuck about. I was about to shut it off when I got a call on my phone.

“Hello?”

“WHAT UP?!” Dane’s voice echoed through the speaker.

I held the phone back as I cringed, “Jesus Dane! Believe me when I say that all of Earth doesn’t need to here you when you talk.”

“Yeah yeah,” the joker said, “So you wanna hang today? If you’re even in New Alexandria right now.”

“Yeah I’m in New Alexandria. We got home yesterday.”

Spitfire stepped out of her room and into mine. She was wearing a short sleeve shirt with a pair of jeans. She had her Wonderbolts dog tags around her neck and some fingerless gloves on her hands.

She bounced onto my bed behind me, “Hey, who ya talking to?”

“Dane,” I said.

“Who’s that in the background?” Dane asked, “Is that your flame headed girlfriend?”

“SHE’S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!” I yelled, “And yes that’s her.”

“Ah,” he said slyly, “Don’t worry big daddy. I see you baggin.”

“If you don’t shut up right now I will leave this house and come down there and slap the shit outta you.”

“Go ahead. Do it. I’d like to see you tr-” Click. I hung up. I turned to Spitfire. Her outfit did look nice on her.

“Come on,” I said, “We’re going to go pay Dane a visit.” I got up off my bed and headed for the stairs.

“Ok,” Spitfire said, “Is he… is he-”

“Is he an Android like me? Yes. In fact, he and I are the only one’s aware of what we are.”

“You’re not the only one?!”

“No. There are sixteen other models scattered across the solar system. I’m number 7. Dane is 8. We both learned what we were through… unpleasant experiences.”

“So you lied when you said he was your cousin?” Spitfire looked a tad bit annoyed.

I sighed, “That was before you learned what I am. I didn’t want you to find out at the time so I lied to protect myself. I’m sorry.”

Spitfire looked away before returning her gaze to me, “Ah whatever. I guess I can understand.”

“You’re too good to me,” I smiled.

We walked past Cat who was watering plants in the front yard, “Cat! We’re off to slap the shit outta Dane! Be back later!”

“Be back by midnight!” she called, “And try not to get hurt again!”

“Yeah yeah, I’ll be fine.”

We started walking down the sidewalk away from the city into further into the suburbs.

“So…” Spits began, “What’s it like being an android?”

What? That’s an unusual question. No one’s ever cared enough to ask. Why would she be interested? Curiosity maybe?

Because she cares about you asshole.

She can’t care that much.

Are you high? You totally opened up to her on the roof last night. And she listened.

Humph. Why would she care though? Our relationship doesn’t go beyond me helping her return home.

I think it goes beyond that. You took a CAR for her.

Instinct, nothing more.

Well maybe to you but she put her arm around you and said, and I quote, ‘you’re my friend. And that’s all that matters to me.’ She’s the only one who’s cared enough. She’s your friend and you know it.

I’m going to lose this argument aren’t I?

Technically it already happened and yes, you lost. You only win the ones you want to win and I can safely say you did not want to win this one.

Asshole brain.

“What’s it like being an android?” I responded, “That’s an interesting question. I mean, I’m good at school work and stuff since I remember every second of every day. But there are a series of blocks in place that prevent me from accessing my full range of abilities.”

“What is your full range of abilities?”

“Well I’d be faster, stronger, more agile, android stuff. I wouldn’t need to go to school since I could download everything from kindergarten all the way up to my tenth year of college in a few minutes and be done with it. I could assimilate knowledge faster, all sorts of things. Ultrasonic hearing, superhuman sight, everything.”

“But you can’t do any of that right now?”

“No. There is a signal that’s being constantly transmitted to my head that keeps them in place. It stays on at all times, and allows… whoever’s job it is to monitor me to keep track of my vitals. It was kinda creepy at first knowing that people were watching my vitals in some unknown place but eh, I got used to it.”

Spitfire cringed, “Eh, I don’t think I could ever get used to that.”

“Hmm,” I responded. A silence followed. There was something I’d always wanted to know. I’d never asked Cat at all. She wouldn’t understand and neither would anyone else. But maybe Spitfire would answer. It was the one question I wanted an answer to. Something I thought I used to know but now, I’m not so sure.

“Can I ask you something?”

Spitfire turned, “Sure.”

“What does it mean to be… human?”

***

What does it mean to be human?

One of the most asked philosophical questions in the history of humanity. Something a lot of people would say they knew the answer to.

‘See this?’ they would say holding up a picture of their family or friends or lovers or something like that, ‘that’s what it means to be human.’

But for an android? Things like that would not have meaning.

Spitfire found that a difficult question to answer. She was alive and always had been. She had always known what she was. She’d always had a family, friends, and past boyfriends. She thought she’d known what it had been to be human. But to explain that to someone who quite literally had no idea? It would be easier to explain quantum physics to a baby and have them understand every word.

But something about the way he asked made it impossible for her to say no.

“That’s… extremely difficult. I don’t think I can accurately explain it. I mean, I guess it’s the privilege we all have to find our way in the world. To do what we want with our lives; to be able to express ourselves. To live good lives while we find our purpose in life and meet others along the way.

I guess part of being human means having friends and family. Becoming close with others…”

“Like you and your Wonderbolts team?” Jett asked.

“Yeah, well kinda like that. We’re all pretty close but, I do have friends outside the team.”

“Like?”

“Well Cloud Chaser is my training partner at the gym when I exercise. Sometimes RD and I go on flights together. Soarin’, sometimes, decides to share a pie. But overall we’re all socially active. Parties, dances, clubs, or sometimes just a movie night. It’s all fun.”

“I don’t have that many friends. I can quite literally count them on my hands.”

“Well who are they? Do you do anything with them?”

“Well there’s Dane, Jared, Cody, Josh, Dave, Tim, Zach, Adam… you.”

“How come you never talk about these people?”

“Well Cody, Tim, Adam, and Zach live on Earth. We only talk when we play Video Games or whatever. Jared lives in the next town and Josh lives on the other side of town. We all go to different schools, except for Dane and I. We go to Charles Lindbergh Academy of flight and Astronomical Sciences. Basically a school about space.”

“That’s pretty cool. Not as many friends as me but still.”

“Yeah well I have a list a mile long of people who don’t like me.”

Spitfire looked confused.

How can someone not like him?

“Why? You’re the nicest guy I know here.”

“Well the only reason those people I listed are my friends is because they’ve looked past… This and saw me for me. The others only see my arm and assume. The reason I’m stuck with this metal monster is because I’m not completely organic. If I was I could have a completely new arm regrown and look normal. But like this? I’m just a freak to them.”

“Well doesn’t that liquid metal stuff make your arm look normal?” Spitfire asked.

“Normally yes, but the school is located in low orbit in Jupiter’s upper hemisphere. The field emitter in my arm can’t form complex matrices like… normal looking skin in a strong magnetic field like that. If I had something the size of a football on my arm it could compensate but… that’d make me look even more like a freak.”

Spitfire looked angry. She looked towards him, “Hey! You are not a freak. If you having that arm makes you a freak then I’m even more freakish with my wings.”

He laughed, “Spitfire, if the people in my school knew you had wings under your shirt along with your already good looks you’d have an army of followers larger than the catholic church. Every guy in the school would want to date the Angel Girl. Me? Not many want to even be seen with the cyborg.”

“I thought you were an android.”

“They don’t know that. With this arm I look like a cyborg to them. With you it’s totally different.”

“Humph. So I’m going to have to go to school with you?”

He sighed, “Yeah. Unless we can get you home before then.”

Spitfire grinned, “I don’t know. This whole experience has been like a nice vacation for me.”

“Well you’re gonna have to go home eventually. It’s where you belong. And I’m not sure how Soarin’ is gonna do as captain.”

Spitfire cringed. Shit she forgot. With her gone Soarin’ automatically assumes position as captain, “Oh no. Soarin’ cannot be Captain. No offense to Soarin’ but he sucks at keeping the team fit!”

Jet laughed, “Well you can kick his ass up and down the locker room walls when you get home.”

They continued their walk down the road. But something was nagging in the back of Spitfire’s mind. Sure she was excited about having a way to get home now but still. Something about this place made her reluctant to leave. Was it the tech? Maybe. The food? While it was delicious, No. What was it? Finally it clicked. She’d made a friend here who had done more for her than nearly everyone else she knew. A friend who stuck his neck out for her, even if he stuck out a little more than his neck, to save her life. While she wanted to go home terribly, it didn’t mean she was going to be entirely happy doing it.

She sighed and whispered so softly that it would have given Fluttershy a run for her money, “I’ll miss you…”

***

Dane’s house looked pretty much like mine. There were a few cosmetic differences but other than the simple tree in his yard it was the same as mine.

Dane’s head emerged from the leaves, “Well look who showed up. And with the girlfriend.”

“That’s it!” I said running and jumping up into the tree, “Come here man!”

“You ain’t gonna do NOTHING!” he taunted.

“Oh really?”

All Spitfire saw was a rustling in the leaves as I followed him up the tree.

“Hey! What are you doing with that? That’s your prosthetic arm! Dude that thing’s made out of metal!”

“I know! Now come here!”

“No! Get away from me with that!”

“NO. YOU ASKED FOR IT.”

“Aw come on! I was only jo-” SMACK

Dane fell out of the tree and hit the ground with a thud. I landed next to him.

“Dude! That fucking hurt!” he said rubbing his face.

“Oh suck it up you pussy. At least you still have all your body parts,” I said brandishing my arm.

“Sir, I think I’m not the only one with a few screws loose. And isn’t that arm normally covered up?”

“I got hit by a car yesterday,” I deadpanned.

“Oh, well that explains the loose screws!” Dane laughed.

Spitfire spoke up, “This guy… is an android?”

Dane looked up, “Yeah, what about it? We’re both androids. Wait. She knows?”

“Kinda hard not to when half you can see the components under all this,” I said.

“Oh, okay. Hey between you and me girl, this guy’s own family doesn’t know he’s an android. I think the only people who know are his parents and sister. And now you! You must be special. This guy hardly talks to anyone! Let alone a girl!”

“Shut up Dane,” I seethed, “We’ve already gone through enough awkward moments without you around.”

He cocked his head sideways and grinned, “Like?”

And Spitfire opened her mouth, “Well I handcuffed him to a girls underwear rack.”

He just stared at her for the longest time before cracking up and flopping to the ground in a fit of laughter. Yeah I could tell this would probably not be the last time I heard about Spitfire handcuffing me to a thong rack.

Dane finally got his breathing under control before speaking, “Girl if I tried to do that he’d use that robotic arm of his to rip mine off! He must really like you or something!”

“Keep talking like that and I will rip one of your arms off.”

He got up and high fived Spits, “Oh if only I had a picture of that!”

Spitfire opened her mouth before I shot her a glare that could blow a hole through reinforced Tritanium armor plating.

“DON’T YOU DARE.”

“What? What happened?” Dane asked before the realization finally dawned on him, “Oh my god you got a picture of it! You HAVE to show me!”

Spitfire looked at me with pleading eyes before talking, “As much as I would love to antagonize him, I can’t. He’s already done too much for me.”

“Aww, you guys are dating! How sweet.”

“Which arm you wanna keep?” I stated cracking my artificial knuckles.

“Oh shut up. I was just kidding. Besides, it’s not like you’d even have the balls to ask her out anyway.”

“Hey fuck you asshole.”

“Eh you’re just being a pussy.”

We laid there on the lawn for a while, enjoying the nice summer weather. It would have looked quite odd for an earth kid. Looking down from above it would have looked normal enough. Just some kids lying under a tree in the front yard with sun shining down. But from our point of view it would have seemed strange. It was bright as a normal earth day outside only that the sun was A LOT farther away. That and there was a black sky with the stars above. But to us, well maybe not Spitfire, but to Dane and me it was just an average day.

“So what do you guys wanna do today?” Dane asked, “As relaxing as this is I’d like to do something.”

“Well what did you have in mind?” I asked.

“How about the Geofront?”

“What’s a Geofront?” Spitfire asked.

“A Geofront? It’s a large underground area that people live in. New Alexandria has seven of them. The number 7 Geofront extends down to Ganymede’s underground ocean. It’s pretty cool ‘cause it’s on the edge of a series of underground caves that lead all the way down to the larger ocean.”

Spitfire sat up, “Can we go see it?”

“Yeah I guess,” I said, “And it’s not like we have anything better to do at the moment. Oh and before I forget, do you eat fish?”

“Well yeah! I mean I kinda have to if I wanna stay healthy on a vegetarian diet. Need to keep fit.”

“Ok good, because down there, they have this giant glacial shrimp caught in the bay down there that is to die for!”

“And I could get Gin to let us into that club of hers later tonight,” Dane said as he sat up against the tree.

“Cool,” Spits commented.

“Oh and we’ll have to dress warmly,” I said standing up.

“Why?”

“Well this Geofront happens to be located in one of the coldest ice shelves on this moon and they can’t really temperature control it so, we’ll need some winter clothes.”

“Does this mean shopping again?” Spitfire grinned mischievously.

“Don’t even talk about that. I’m not reliving the sports bra scene, the fire place scene, and definitely not the handcuffs.”

Dane started laughing, “Wait wait wait wait, what happened with the sports bra and the fire place?”

“You don’t need to know,” I said, “So we’ll meet you back here in an hour about? The hitch a ride to the Geofront?”

“Yeah sounds good.”

“Cool,” I sighed, “And yes Spitfire, we get to go shopping.”

***

“Well that went well,” I said as we exited the store and began the walk back to Dane’s house. Dane and I didn’t really need anything other than a light jacket but Spitfire needed something a little heavier. She wore a winter flight jacket that made her look even more like an aviator than she already did.

“Humph, I’m still a little mad I didn’t get to drag you into a dressing room.”

“Hey, now that you know I’m a machine I can use my arm to break those cuffs should they ever find their way onto my wrists again.”

“Well that’s no fun. I enjoyed handcuffing you. Gave me a challenge.”

“Well I’ll issue you one; I won’t break the handcuffs if you can get them on me somehow. And not when I’m sleeping.”

Spitfire seemed to consider this, “Deal.”

Under my breath I whispered, “Like that’s gonna happen.”

We walked along towards the suburbs and Dane’s house. Spitfire pulled her aviators over her head. Hmm, no use lying to myself, she looked pretty nice in that outfit.

“You look pretty in that outfit,” my mouth said without consulting my core logic.

Spitfire blushed, “Oh shut up. You’re just saying that to get throw me off guard.”

“Maybe. It worked didn’t it?”

“Curse you. Yeah it did actually.”

I laughed. Hmm, how else could I mess with her?

We reached Dane’s house. The white haired android had a light hooded jacked on. I wore a simple leather jacket with light insulation. All I needed.

“Ready to go?” Dane asked.

“Yeah. So who’s driving?”

“You’re the one with the car. You drive. That and even if I had a car I wouldn’t trust myself in that tunnel.”

“Ugh, fine I’ll get the car,” I pulled out an object the size of a small flash drive. This object looked a lot like a flash drive except this actually connected into a car. It had a few small buttons on the side. I tapped one and sat down and waited.

“Well aren’t you gonna go get it?” Spitfire asked.

“Why go get the car when it can come to us?” I responded.

We waited a few minutes before the car showed up. It used the same spherical wheel technology as Cat’s car. My car was sleek and looked fast just sitting there. It was a silver color and had enough room to seat four people comfortably. It was powered by two hydrogen fuel cell engines in the front and back of the vehicle allowing it to travel a lot faster than most cars. It had a top speed of 700 KPH.

I stepped up and opened the doors.

“Dude, I gotta get a car like this,” Dane said.

I walked up to the passenger side door and opened it up, allowing Spitfire to ride shotgun.

“Aw come on dude! I wanted that,” Dane whined.

“It’s just a seat,” I sighed.

“Yeah but I wanted it.”

“You’re really gonna make a big deal of Spitfire getting the front seat?”

“Yes!”

“Get in the back.”

“No.”

“GET in the BACK.”

“No.”

“BITCH GET IN THE BACK SEAT!”

“Ugh, fine.”

“Thank you asshole.”

Dane hopped in the back seat while I climbed into the driver’s side. The console looked modern and high tech. There was a smart glass screen in between the two seats. The back seat was unremarkable. I tapped an icon on the screen and a steering wheel began to emerge.

“Are you really driving manual?” Dane asked.

“Yes I am! Now both of you put your seat belts on because you’re in for a bumpy ride!”

Spitfire gulped, remembering the roller coaster and Dane paled for… other reasons.

***

“I’m sorry! I couldn’t hear you over the sound of how awesome I’m driving!” I yelled as we sped down the highway. We were on one of the high ways that lead down to the lower levels of the planet. From there we could get in an elevator that would take us down to the number 7 Geofront.

To maintain a certain degree of efficiency while traveling downward the road was angled at nearly 45 degrees. Nowadays car accidents rarely happen unless someone is purposely driving down the wrong side of the highway on manual. Most people simply preferred to enter their destination and let the car do the driving for them. I personally preferred a more… hands on approach.

We were weaving in around cars at a speed of about 500 KPH. Everyone else kept it low at a comfortable 480 KPH. Speed limits were about 550 KPH on the speedway but no normal vehicle would travel that fast unless directly ordered to by the occupant.

At these high speeds, a lot of people preferred to keep the windows tinted as not to be able to see how fast they were truly traveling and how close some of the cars came, (Even if there was no actual danger), when changing lanes.

But my reckless driving? If it could be called reckless, was revenge. Spitfire for the incident with the hippopotamus and Dane for simply being an asshole.

“Watch that car!” Dane screamed from the back.

“Relax,” I sighed and turned the wheel, weaving the car around the traffic.

“What are you doing?!” Spitfire screamed from the passenger seat.

“Getting Revenge!”

“WHAT DID WE DO?!”

“Spitfire: hippo. Dane: you’re an asshole sometimes. Like today! Oh look! Here’s our exit.”

I turned the wheel and cut across four lanes to the off ramp that was more of an up ramp that lead to one of the super elevators that offered a significantly faster way of going down than taking the nearly hundreds of miles of ramps that went back and fourth down to level 7.

I grabbed the clutch which looked more like the throttle on a passenger jet and yanked it down a gear. The car quickly decelerated from 500 KPH down to a reasonable street speed of 60.

“So how was that?” I grinned like the devil himself.

“NEVER AGAIN!”

“Ha! ha! And that’s why I’m top pilot at the school!”

“Cause you’re CRAZY?!” Dane asked.

“No, cause I’m a boss at driving and flying.”

“Really now?” Spitfire said finally catching her breath.

“Yup.”

We pulled into a large open area. There was a large squares tower that went straight down the center of a large chasm. This was the express elevator to level 7. Four elevators went up and down in 10 minute increments loading and offloading various vehicles.

We pulled into a line of vehicles that were next to board. The chamber we were in was large. You could fit several football stadiums inside with enough room to spare. Soon elevator arrived and eight lanes of traffic all moved onto the elevator. Once on board the entire deck of cars rotated so we would be able to drive straight off when we landed. For now we got to enjoy the ride down.

***

Well Dane was fast to fall asleep. The guy was surprisingly silent when he slept. Spitfire went unconscious soon after.

I stayed awake or I guess activated is the word that applies for me. I guess now was a good time to contemplate my existence. If I was a machine how could I prove that I was truly sentient? I have memories yes, but then again so do computers, I have friends and family but the same could be said about any computer whose owner has developed an affinity to it. Certain responses could be programed into a computer to simulate sentience. Was that all I was? A series of complex but pre-programed responses to certain types of stimuli? How can I find out? My emotions are programed pretty well, though a few remain… elusive to a person like me.

If I don’t have the full range of human emotions how can I prove my sentience? The truth is that I couldn’t. Hell, this entire train of thought could be preprogramed and I’ve just randomly chosen a thought scenario in which to execute. Hell my entire personality is probably programed. Dad would probably know but he wouldn’t tell me. Dane doesn’t even give a shit about it. But that could be easily programed into him.

Do I even possess free will? Or are all my actions again dictated by preprogramed responses? I looked at Spitfire and Dane. If I wanted to I could end them both. But do I want to? Is my will just a simple illusion? My ethics? My morals? Everything that can be considered a personality, was it all predetermined from the start? Is there anything about me that is truly just me? What is ‘me’? Am I even an individual? They could be altering my programing right now. My thoughts could be all be what their writing. They could be composing my next thought right now. And I wouldn’t ha-

WARNING

PROCESSOR OVERLOAD IMMINENT

DISCONTINUE CURRENT CYCLE OR YOUR CURRENT CYCLE WILL BE TERMINATED

DO YOU WISH TO COMPLY?

I sighed. Humans don’t have this problem. I can see why they wanted to keep our true identities hidden from us.

DO YOU WISH TO COMPLY?

I sighed again.

YEAH YEAH, JUST SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY!

ACHKNOLEDGED

PROGRAM TERMINATING.

THANK YOU.

Great, my thoughts are dictated by how much I can process. In hindsight I have more processing power than a normal human. Hell a normal person wasn’t even physically capable of thinking about one subject for that long with that much intensity to even risk an information overload on that level. Only at the point where I’m getting a warning a normal person would have quite literally thought themselves to death.

Heh heh, I have a fucked up mind. Someone thinking themselves to death! Ha! Fuck first world problems, android problems are even worse!

Spitfire stirred and rolled over.

I wonder what she deals with on a daily basis. She has to keep a flight team fit and ready for their next show. She has to keep them in line during training and in formation in flight. Maybe the Wonderbolts were like a military organization, like the Void Hawks. Hell when space came into the picture there wasn’t much of a need for an Air Force anymore. Everything in space was handled by the Navy and all planetary operations were handled by the Marines and Army. The Void Hawks were kinda like the old Blue Angels in Old Earth. But instead of being blue the Void Hawks were white, to stick out on the black background of space.

And you’ve become distracted again. What were you last thinking about? Oh yeah, what does Spits deal with on a daily basis? On top of all the training? Probably the paparazzi, maybe a stalker or two, having her actions analyzed on a daily basis? Or maybe no one even knew what she looked like without her suit. Nah. Even with it on it wouldn’t be hard to see the resemblance.

Oh look we’re here.

I shook my head. No more giant thought calculations for today.

I nudged Spitfire as the elevator finished its decent. We were in a chamber similar to the one we had left. She moaned quietly before opening her orange eyes and peering at me.

“Hey,” I said, “We’re here.”

“Oh, cool,” she said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

Dane was still sleeping quietly in the back seat. I touched the screen on the console and flipped through a list of sounds.

“Watch this.”

I selected a Sports air horn and turned the volume up as high as it would go.

“Cover your ears,” I grinned deviously.

Spitfire smiled and put her hands to her head. I simply lowered my volume. I tapped the play button.

The loudest most annoying noise you could ever hear, and no it is not some poor bastard’s wife nagging him all the way to the depths of hell, blasted through the car.

Dane let out a scream so loud it could probably be heard over the noise of the air horn. The sound ended and we uncovered and reactivated our ears.

“WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!” Dane screamed.

“A wake up call,” I laughed, “We’re here.”

“You didn’t have to do THAT!”

“Yeah I did.”

The vehicles in front of us began to drive off the super elevator. We soon followed and left the facility. We drove along inside of a tunnel until we emerged into the open of the Number 7 Geofront. We drove out of the tunnel and across a bridge and onto a road that ran along the edge of the city. The city itself was would look almost surreal and something out of a dream or Inception or something. It looked like a modern bay city. Spires reached up to the rounded, dome like ceiling of the Geofront. Various buildings surrounded the taller city elements and gave the city a dated, bay town aesthetic. The bay was something else. It was crescent shaped and had various docks and dry docks all over it. Various vessels were docked or floated about in the bay. A lot of them were tourist or exploration and science submarines. There was also a large group of fishing vessels that caught a lot of the moon’s sea life. Beyond the bay one could see the caves that extended farther out and deeper into the moon.

We drove along the edge of the city.

“How far underground are we?” Spitfire asked as she took in her surroundings.

“I’d say we’re about 45 miles underground. And the normal high temperature for the day is…” I pulled up the local weather report for the city, “about 5 degrees Celsius. So it looks like you’ll need that jacket after all.”

“So what do you wanna hit first?” Dane asked.

Spitfire’s stomach growled. She gave a sheepish grin, “How bout lunch?”

“Sound’s good. Then we maybe we can hitch a ride on a tour sub and get a look of the caves. That’d be fun.”

“And then we’ll hook up with Gin.”

“Still can’t believe she lets us in that place.”

***

Well we had an overall fun day. Spitfire got to sample this town’s finest sea food, (As Cat had forgotten to take that card from me and I was probably going to pay for it next chapter somehow or another. Wait. Next chapter? Where the hell did that come from?), and we got to view to awesome ice caves that lay beneath the surface of Ganymede. Now night was falling so to speak. Actually, they just turned the lights down. And with that the temperature dropped a few degrees below zero.

Dane knew this town a little better than me and led us deep into center of the city. Soon we came to the entrance of an unassuming looking skyscraper or ceiling scrapper I guess would be the correct term. The top of the building had an almost clamshell like roof that opened up in the night where the warmer air had accumulated giving the ceiling area a comfortable 22 degrees Celsius. Tonight was like any other night. The place wasn’t packed to capacity but still was filled.

We stepped into the building and found and elevator. It was a normal skyscraper with the normal layout. We stepped into an elevator and rode it to the 87th floor. We stepped out and into a large hallway. Various doors led all sorts of places but only one was important to us.

“Which door is it again?” I asked.

Dane pulled out a key. It was an old key. At least 150 years old. It fit into an old fashion key lock. And it only unlocked one door in the whole building.

Dane led us to an unremarkable looking door. It had a simple door lock in the handle.

“This one,” He said and slipped the key inside. The door unlocked and opened. Dane looked down both ends of the hall, making sure everything was clear before dragging us inside and shutting the door. A light turned on to reveal… a completely empty room. Accept that there was a hatch on far side.

“Come on. The club is another five stories up, and we’ve got some climbing to do,” Dane grinned as he opened up the hatch. A cool air rushed in as the hatch opened up to outside of the building.

“Well upward and onward,” Dane smiled and hopped out hatchway.

“Did he just jump out of a window on the 87th floor of a sky scraper?” Spitfire asked.

“No, he landed on a piece of scaffolding four feet down.”

“Asshole you ruined it!” Dane called.

“Dude, I got hit by a car the other day. She doesn’t need to be freaked out by you falling to your death. Though with your hard ass head you’d probably do more damage to the road that it would to you.”

“Dude I swear you two are dating.”

“WE ARE NOT!” we both yelled.

“Yeah yeah, just get your collective asses out here. The boss is gonna flip when she sees us!”

“She’s the one who told us about this way up to club to get around the bouncers. Why would she be surprised to see us?” I asked.

“Well she’s not expecting us today is she?”

“Dude, why wouldn’t she be expecting us? It’s fucking summer. Where else would we spend our time?”

“I don’t know. Also, we have to bring Cody, Tim, and the rest of the gang up here sometime. They need to see this place.”

“Well not all of them are rich as all fuck.”

“Would you shut up and get out here?”

“Fine,” I walked to the hatch and hopped out. The scaffolding was latched onto the side of the building from the top of the club. There were a few railings on it, for instance where we were standing but for the most part it was unprotected. The whole reason it was here was a construction crew had forgotten to remove it after repairing damage to a window panel and Gin was content to let it stay.

There was a ladder over to the right of the hatch that led to the small service balcony behind the club.

Spitfire hopped out behind me, “Whoa… This place is high up.”

“Yeah, that’s why the club earned the nickname ‘The Mile High Club,’” I laughed.

“The Mile High Club?”

Dane and I exchanged glances, “You wouldn’t understand. And I don’t feel like explaining aviation history and law right now.”

Dane hopped on the ladder and began climbing. Spitfire approached the ladder next.

“Ladies first.”

“Oh shut up.”

I laughed as we climbed the five stories up the service balcony. I climbed up over the ledge. Dane and Spits were waiting. Muffled music could be heard pounding away. Dane opened the door and we stepped inside. We were in a storage room. Various boxes of all sorts of things were here, spare bar stools, extra lighting for the dance floor, all sorts of supplies. Another door led off to a room that stored all the liquors and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

The door we wanted led out to the other portions of the club. We ran out of the room and down a hallway, passing the kitchen, the other door to the beverage room, the cooler and the rest rooms.

The music was getting louder the farther in we got. We emerged inside a dimly lit room with various strobes and spot lights and amps all over the place. There was an elevated dance floor in the center of the room that had a series of couches surrounding it. Two stairways led up to it. On the opposite side of the room was the DJ station. All around the room were chairs and coffee tables and couches that allowed guests of the club to relax when they weren’t pounding away on the floor. On our side of the room opposite the DJ station was the bar. There was a stair case at one end of the room that led to the second floor. There were various booths and tables for eating. There was even a promenade for walking in the open, crisp air of the night. Those who wished for a respite from the party below could visit there for a while before returning to rave the night away. Opposite the stair case was the main entrance. Two bouncers stood guard.

We had emerged just behind the bar. A girl stood at the bar. She had sandy brown hair that was spit down the middle and straightened to the point where it almost looked too straight. One side was slightly shorter than the other and none of it fell in front of her face. She was wearing skinny jeans and sneakers and a tank top.

That was Gin. Well what we called her anyway. Her real name was Grace which was nearly the opposite of her personality. If there was one way to describe her she would be the result of what would happen if Twilight combined Pinkie Pie and Vinyl Scratch. Yup the craziest combination of woman you could ever get.

“Aw come one girl! How bout we ditch this place and… you let me take you down to my place for a while and show you some of my… special moves.” Gin was the bartender of this fine club but the job came with some… unwanted difficulties?

“How ‘bout you take your special moves and SHOVE THEM UP YOUR ASSHOLE?!” Gin yelled slamming a glass on the counter hard enough so smash the bottom.

“Geez calm down girl! So how do you like it then?”

“SECURITY!”

Two men in suits appeared next to the guy. How they heard her is beyond me but somehow they did.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Get this asshole out of my club! And make sure he never comes back!”

“What? Why you bitch! I’ll come over this counter and strangle you!” the jock yelled.

“AND I’LL BLAST YOUR GODDAMN HEAD OFF WITH THE EIGHT GAUGE UNDER THE COUNTER!” Gin yelled back loud enough for the DJ to stop the music and everyone to stare at the altercation at the bar.

Yeah that was Gin. Hot headed and head strong but smart enough to know not to do anything too rash. Like blasting a guy’s head off with the shot gun she kept under the counter. She was quite a girl. She managed to save up enough money and get enough loans to buy the flat atop this building and turn it into a night club at the of ripe age of 23. She’d turned a once empty flat into one of the most exclusive and wildest clubs in New Alexandria. Now 25 she’d paid off all her loans and earned quite a large sum running the club. Though it hadn’t been all easy. She needed to know what to play and what DJ’s to hire so she could attract people to the club. And that’s where we came in.

It’d all been quite a blur but we’d all been in pretty bad places at the time. I’d just gotten my arm sliced off and well, Dane was having the skin regrown on his after a fight at school, and Gin had just gotten rid of her second stalker. Needless to say at that point we became a sort of dysfunctional family of two androids and a bartender. And now we had a flame headed angel girl to add to it. Couldn’t get any better.

She leaned against the counter and sighed as the guy was dragged away. She reached under the counter and pulled out a bottle of Plymouth Gin and took a swig. Geez this girl can handle strong stuff. The music resumed and everything went back to normal.

“That’s Gin?” Spitfire asked.

“Yeah that’s her,” Dane said.

“She’s almost like an irresponsible sister to us,” I smiled.

“Don’t you already have a sister?” Spits asked.

“Well yeah but… Cat was always like a mother to me, since I don’t really see my actual mom anymore. But Cat’s done a fine job of filling that role. Come on, let’s go introduce you to her. You both have so much in common. You both love to humiliate me!”

“And what has she done that’s worse than what I’ve done to you so far?”

“She got let us get drunk and filmed it,” Dane said with a laugh.

“What’s so bad about that? I’ve gotten wasted out my mind before,” Spitfire said.

I whispered in her ear, “Drinking age here is 18. I have no idea what it is where you come from.”

“16.”

“Well lucky you.”

We strolled up behind the bar and leaned up against the counter right next to her.

“Get out from behind the counter before I blast your heads off,” she sighed.

“You’d really blast our heads off?” Dane asked.

Her face lit up and she turned around, “Guys! What are you two doing here?! I wasn’t expecting you guys until Monday! And I see you brought a friend!”

“Uh, hi. I’m Spitfire,” Spits said holding out her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you Spitfire! I'm Gin. Owner and bartender of this fine establishment,” Gin said grabbing her hand and shaking it with vigor. Yeah this girl was something else. One minute she was getting ready to kill someone and the next she was happy and crazy as ever.

She finally let Spitfire’s hand go, “What are you guys doing here?”

“Eh, we got bored upstairs so we thought we’d come down here for the day,” Dane shrugged.

She put her hand to the back of her head, “Heh, how much of that did you see?”

“Enough to almost feel bad for that guy. Almost,” I replied with a grin.

“That guy was an ASSHOLE.”

“We noticed.”

“So what can I get you two fine androids today?”

“Eh, whatever you got,” Dane said.

She reached under the bar and pulled out a clear colored liquid. She poured it in a cup and added a few drops of something else to it and watched as it glowed blue before settling on a cyan color.

Dane being the irresponsible drunk he is downed it in one shot.

“So who’s Spitfire again?” Gin asked.

“Oh, uh, she’s just a friend.”

“Ah… I see…” Gin said. Few. I swear if I had to deal with one more person saying we were dating I was gonna blow a fuse in m-

“So how long have you too been dating?”

“FUCK MAN!”

Dane began laughing and fell off the bar stool he was sitting on.

“What did I do?” Gin asked.

***

Well Dane is a fucking idiot. The only android that would possibly be stupid enough to leave his inebriation subroutines on. And now he knocked out on the floor.

“I swear Gin one day you’re gonna get arrested,” I laughed.

“Uh, I don’t recall there being anything in the law books that say I can’t give alcohol to androids. And if that moron didn’t want to get drunk he could easily flip the switch,” Gin laughed from behind the counter.

I’d let Spitfire go off and have fun on the dance floor. I carefully kept track of her with my HUD function and made sure no one got to close for comfort.

I personally wasn’t one who liked to get himself into situations where his behavior would be judged by others. Specifically the dance floor. But it was still fun to sit here and watch people make asses of themselves and the music was nice.

Dane himself was passed out on the floor. I still don’t know why he left those functions on. Suddenly a warning flashed across my vision.

I stared at the dance floor. Well it certainly looked like someone had fucked up somewhere as the asshole Gin had tossed out of her club was back and harassing Spitfire.

“Hey! I said NO! Now get away from me!”

“You know you look hot when you’re angry. That gives me an idea…”

I turned to Gin, “Hold on I’m gonna go show this dude the business. Can you have security ready? Again?”

She sighed, “Don’t tell me that asshole is back.”

“Ok, the asshole isn’t back and he certainly isn’t causing trouble with Spitfire.”

She sighed again and pulled out a pump action eight gauge shot gun from under the counter, “You want this?” She said as casually as someone would ask if they wanted something to eat.

“Geez girl! Put that thing down!”

“I wasn’t lying when I said I’d blast his head off.”

I held up my still uncovered and robotic looking arm, “I think I can make do with this.”

I stood up and sauntered my way into the crowd of people.

“Come on girl. It’s just a one night deal. It’s not like we’re gonna see each other again. Unless you want to.”

“I said NO! Now get away!”

“Come on! I can show you some things I bet you haven’t seen before,” He reached for her shoulder. Her arm came up fast and slapped his hand away.

“Get away from me you Creep!”

The guy reached for her more firmly this time, “You’re gonna enjoy this.” He gripped her shoulder in a vice grip.

***

Spitfire was scared. She’d dealt with guys like this before but not someone so aggressive or obtrusive. And now he wouldn’t let go.

Suddenly there was a third arm. It was gunmetal appendage and was gripping the man’s arm in a vice.

“Hey buddy let go!”

“Not until you do!” It was Jett.

“Hey come on man! You’re ruining my chances!”

“No. She doesn’t want to go with you, she doesn’t want to see you, she doesn’t want to know you. Now leave.”

“What did you say? Excuse me but I don’t answer to you! How do you know what she wants you Cyborg FREAK?!”

“Two things, what I said was nice guy for: GET THE FUCK OUT. And she’s my friend so how about you leave before the owner of this club does something you’ll regret.”

“Hey, if she’s your friend you can pick her up later! Now buzz off! I’m trying to do something here.” He reached over with his other arm and backhanded the android. Jett’s head flew sideways before slowly returning to its original position. But something was different. Was it the light? Spitfire couldn’t tell but she thought his eyes looked… different somehow.

Jett took his arm and shoved the guy onto the floor and off of the dance floor. The Guy growled and threw a few curses his way before standing up and running over to the android. He raised his arm in a strike but was caught in the neck by the much faster arm of Jett. His prosthetic was gripping the man’s throat.

Again with the eyes. The looked… red.

“It would be so easy to kill you right now,” he smiled in a sadistic grin, “There are so many ways I could do it.”

The man looked scared as the android tightened his grip.

“I could simply… Squeeze the life out of you,” his grip tightened for emphasis, “I could dig my fingers into your neck and tear out your esophagus. I could so easily break your neck!”

Suddenly his eyes looked… human again. They returned to their normal hue. Jett should his head. He stared at his arm that gripped the man’s neck.

“Get out of here.” He shoved forward and tossed the man to the floor. Gin’s security, which needed to do a better job, picked the guy up and dragged him away as he gasped for air.

***

What the hell happened to me? What the fuck was that? Did I just threaten to kill him? What the hell was that?

Spitfire looked at me with a peculiar look. Like she wasn’t sure what had just happened either.

She walked over, “What was that?”

“I… I don’t know. I just say him hurting you and… I don’t know what happened.”

Spitfire looked skeptical before smiling, “Well anyway, thanks for that. That guy wouldn’t leave me alone! He was so… blah, he was creepy! Whatever you did to him he deserved it.”

“That’s the thing. I don’t know what I did.”

We walked back over to bar. Dane was still asleep, leaning against the counter.

“Yeah I called the police. That guy won’t be coming back anytime soon,” Gin said.

“Good. That guy was harassing you and Spits. Fucking creeper.”

“And here I was hoping I could use that gun.”

My phone began to ring. I pulled it out of my pocket. It was Cat. I looked at the time. Just shy of 11:30. We should be getting back soon.

I answered, “Hello?”

“Where are you and what the hell is all that racket in the background?”

“Oh we’re in the Level 7 Geofront! We’re hanging out with Gin!”

“Oh! Well get your ass back up here! We have to get ready for the reunion tomorrow and we have to be on our best behavior!”

“Ugh, Fine. We were having fun too.”

“I don’t care if you were having sex! Just get up here!”

“Geez calm down. Fine. See ya in an hour.”

“You too, bye.”

I hung up and turned to Spitfire, “We have to go. Tomorrow you’ll get to meet my family.”

Spitfire grinned, “Sounds like fun.”

***

Whoa Jack!

What?

Something weird just happened with the monitors.

What?

The screen went red and this random binary code played across it. Is that normal?

No mention of it occurring in past reports. Maybe it is maybe it isn’t. It’s not like the Navy gives us access to the records of the other models.

Yeah maybe.

It’s probably them just fucking with us to keep us on our toes.

You’re probably right.

I’ll make note of it. For now let’s continue as usual.

***

Well we said goodbye to Gin and began to drive back upstairs so to speak. Guess who had to carry sleeping beauty all the way back to the car?

Bastard weighed a ton.

I drove the car back up the road towards the elevators. The city looked beautiful at night. I wasn’t in the mood to drive manually so I set the car to automatic. I stared at the passenger to the right of me.

Spitfire had fallen asleep as well. She snored lightly as her head leaned against the window of the car.

She looked pretty cute like that. Like a sleeping kitten cute. Her hair still managed to look like a candle flame atop her head. It was pretty cool. I wonder how it did that.

Hmm, ACTIVATE SCAN.

Hmm, no hair gel or anything like that. So it just stayed that way? Curses. There has to be some explanation for how it maintained its windblown, flame like quality without falling down over her face. Meh, at figure it out later. At least when it got wet it behaved normally enough.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat. The one thing that bothered me about the underground was that I couldn’t see the stars. I always loved the view of the cosmos. It was always so peaceful and tantalizingly beautiful.

Suddenly there was something on my arm. My good arm for once. I looked over. Spitfire had rolled over and was resting her head on my shoulder. Her arms gripped the console and my wrist.

Heh, she looked like a sleeping baby almost. So peaceful. Still can’t figure out why she does… that though.

She feels safe around you.

Yeah right. Kids in my school don’t even feel safe around me.

You took a car for her and stopped a potential rapist.

By nearly killing him.

Well you have to admit a near death experience would have done that asshole some good. And you should be happy that he ran into you and not someone who’d make that near death experience not so near.

But I don’t do that. I don’t nearly KILL people.

Well maybe nearly killed him was a little strong. Maybe you just roughed him up a bit?

That’s what you call threatening to tear out his esophagus?

I wouldn’t call it a threat. Maybe an empty promise.

You’re an asshole.

Oh shut up and enjoy the view.

What view?

You know what I mean.

I sighed. These conversations with myself were annoying sometimes. So what did I mean by enjoy the view? There wasn’t much to see down here. And Dane wasn’t much to look at. Ironic considering we share the same face. So what did I mean?

I stared at me shoulder. Spitfire? Well I guess. I mean she was pretty. Even I could see that even without a… complete group of emotions. She was quite a looker as dad would say. The label, ‘Angel,’ applied pretty well to her. It described her perfectly. She had the wings and the face of an angel. I just hope no one else finds out what she is. She hasn’t seen the worst my species is capable of. Hell that guy in the club was probably the worst she’d ever dealt with.

Hey enough with the bad thoughts and enjoy the view!

Fine.

Well, she may not be as beautiful as the stars but she’ll do just fine until then.

And here we are. That car did a lot more damage than first thought.

Chapter 14. Dysfunctional Family Reunion.

It never really sunk in how much my family was unaware. They were all going about their lives blissfully unaware that the outcast nephew or cousin or even grandson wasn’t either of the three. My family was… difficult to describe. My cousins were all years older than me if you wanted to get technical or years younger. This is why I hated visiting family. None of them bothered with me much. I gave up trying to talk to them a while ago. Most of the time I’d get a few words in before sauntering off to sleep under a tree. Even to them I was a freak. A cyborg. If they only knew the half of it. I guess the rich and powerful never saw much of people like me.

Needless to say I wasn’t looking forward to this meeting. And Spitfire was going to meet them. Oh I could see already how this was going to go.

“Cat do I have to go?” I asked as I stepped into the hallway.

“Yes! Dad didn’t just travel all the way from Mars for nothing,” Cat shouted from her room.

“Can’t me and Spits just stay home?”

“What would you do?”

“I can think of a few ideas. I have an air horn up here, a ladder, Dane leaves his windows unlocked, and he’s dealing with a hangover.”

“As much as I would love to let you torture him I can’t. Aunt Kathy is expecting us to be there.”

“Why’s she expecting us? She should only be expecting you! She fucking hates me!”

“No she doesn’t.”

“Yeah she does. And I quote, ‘You should do something important with your life! Like become a Lawyer! Or get a nice government job like your sister! You’re wasting your life by going to that flight school!’”

“Okay maybe she’s a little obtrusive-”

“She’s the most controlling bitch in the universe! Who does she think she is telling me what to do with myself? If I want to go to that academy I’ll do it!”

“She’s your aunt Jett.”

“I don’t need her telling me what to do with myself. And I don’t think she’ll be happy until I submit to her way of thinking.”

Cat stepped out of her room, she was wearing a woman’s suit and her hair was tied up in a bun, “God I hate looking like this. But you’re right. She is controlling.”

“It doesn’t help her that I lack submissiveness as an emotion.”

“Wait, what?”

“I’m missing a few emotions in my matrix. Submission is one of them.”

“You never told me that.”

“You don’t just advertise, ‘hi I’m an emotionally unstable android! Nice to meet you.’ But yes, I’m missing a few. I had all the basics built in but some of the others have to develop. That’s one of them I don’t have.”

“What are the others?”

“Not important.”

***

Spitfire listened from her room. So his family wasn’t… perfect wouldn’t be the right word. Maybe they weren’t functional? They just didn’t get along? Either way something was up.

And what was that about missing emotions? He seemed complete enough. So what was he missing? Was that why he didn’t consider himself a real person? Because he was missing emotions?

Hmm. Nah, she’d figure it out later. For now she had a challenge to deal with. How to handcuff the android. She smiled. She had a few ideas. She grabbed the cuffs and pocketed them before looking over herself in the mirror.

She was wearing nothing too fancy. Just a simple pair of jeans and a short sleeve shirt that hid her cutie mark. Her sneakers were a simple design. She especially admired the lightning bolt on the sides. She pulled on a pair of fingerless sports gloves. Overall she liked how she looked.

She opened the door to her room and stepped out into the hallway. Jett was there leaning against the wall.

He sighed, “Today you get to meet my family. And with them comes the very definition of pain and misery; my Aunt Kathy.”

“Why is she the very definition of pain and misery?”

“Oh you’ll find out.”

***

The drive up north was uneventful. The traffic was smooth, everything was perfect. Secretly I was upset. I was hoping for construction or for some car to spontaneously break down but no. We have to visit family today. Knowing my luck we’ll be ready to leave and the car will decide not to work then.

The car reached the rich people’s neighborhood. I called it that because it was where, well, all the rich, pompous, and arrogant people lived. My aunt was one of them. The biggest control freak you’d ever meet.

Our car emerged from the underground highway into a large open area. It was a lot like the Dome over our home but here there was no city. The buildings were scattered across a green landscape. The land pulled up into a mountain like environment near the edges of the Dome. We drove along the edge of the Dome before driving down towards the base of the rim of the crater shaped biome.

My Aunt’s house was a structure built into the side of the mountain atop a plateau. On it was an area the size of a small park. It had trees and various other plants that you would find in a park. A play scape was in one corner of the plateau. A parking lot rested just below it while a walkway led up the far wall of the plateau towards the house and the park. All of this rested in front yard of my Aunt’s house.

I sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Spitfire asked.

“I don’t really like seeing family too much,” I said.

“Why’s that? I’d take my grandpa over Soarin’ any day of the week,” she joked.

“I’d rather deal with Soarin’ than my little cousins,” I retorted.

“Why’s that?”

“Oh you’ll see soon enough.”

Our car drove along the road before pulling down into the valley below. We drove along a scenic route before we were pulling into the parking lot my Aunt calls a driveway. There were several other vehicles there as well, all of them belonging to my ‘relatives.’ One car, if it could be called that was a military light support transport. A typical military Jeep. Of course Dad would choose to arrive in style.

We pulled into a parking spot. Cat turned the car off and we stepped out. I looked up the walkways that led up to the plateau and sighed.

“Let’s get this over with,” I sighed. We started walking up the walkway. We soon reached the top and got a better look of the park that we had seen from the road. There was a buffet table set up with various fancy foods and other things I hadn’t even heard of before. Nearby was large picnic table. Various benches and chairs were also dotting the landscape.

And then I saw my family. My cousins came first. Chris looked a lot like a modern crotch rocket rider, with his sunglasses, hat and shorts. Shannon was recently married and a school teacher. She had the look too. My cousin Jaclyn looked like a typical super model… with about the same amount of personality. Everyone who knew her said she was bubbly and personable but I could never hold up a conversation with her. Watching paint dry was more interesting. Her husband however was different. He was a marine gunship pilot. The man who pulled the trigger on one of those death machines. Fortunately for me they only worked in an atmosphere. Lastly were my little cousins, Alex and Sam. I can already hear what they’re gonna say when they see Spits.

Next came my Aunts and Uncles. I never really talked to any of them to form a personality profile so we’ll skip them. My Aunt Kathy however I had plenty on. Bossy, controlling, compulsive, obsessive, Bitchy, were all words that came to mind.

They all saw us, “Hi! Oh it’s so good to see you again! Cat how’s the job going? Jett? You doing well in your schooling? You really should leave that flight school. Hey buddy! How’s it going? Who’s your friend?” all came at us at once.

Fortunately for me Cat answered most of them in quick succession.

Finally one of my Aunts, specifically my Aunt Monica spoke up, “So Jett, who’s your friend?”

“Oh, uh, well she’s a friend from school,” I lied.

“Oh? What classes do you have together?”

“Oh, uh well, she’s my, uh, Navigator! Yeah my navigator during flight practice.”

“Oh interesting.”

“Yeah…” I turned and whispered to Spitfire, “Come one let’s get out of here.”

We turned to walk when something caught my eye. It was a man. Specifically a tall man. About 6 foot 7 who was leaning against a tree looking at a hologram. He had salt and pepper hair cropped close to his head. He was wearing a naval uniform with the naval cap on his belt. He had strong chiseled features and a scar running across his face. He was holding a small pad in his hand where a small figure rose. It was a woman in a casual naval garb.

“Listen Ajax,” he said, “I honestly don’t care about Venusian fleet deployments right now. I’m on VACATION? Ever heard of it?”

“Yes Admiral I know but I figured you would want to know about this,” the woman said.

“Just put leave it on my computer for later. I’m visiting family right now. Now I don’t want any more interruptions for the rest of the day. If you call me back it better be because they’re getting ready to turn Earth to GLASS.”

“Acknowledged Admiral.”

“Thank you Ajax. Halsey out.”

He put the pad back in his pocket and turned. He saw me and Spits.

“Jett! How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in a while now but I heard what happened and came as soon as I could. Are you alright?” He walked over and scooped me up in a hug.

“Gah! Ugh, Nice to see you too Admiral!” I managed to choke out before he let me down, “And I’m fine! Just got hit by a car. You know. Just another day as an Android.”

“That is not ‘Just another Day.’ You got hit by a car!”

“Well I’m fine. All the damage is repaired. But my arm is still a little under the weather so to speak.”

“Well I hope two days in the hospital was worth it,” He said.

I looked towards Spits, “Yeah I’d say it was worth it.”

He followed my gaze to the flame headed angel girl behind me. Only he couldn’t see her wings.

“Well hello there,” he smiled, “And who are you?”

He turned back to me, “Jett? Did you get yourself a girlfriend and not tell me? Ooh this would be such an interesting development in the science!”

I deadpanned, “As attractive as she is dad,” Spitfire blushed and bit her lip, “No. She’s just a friend from school whom I took the car for.”

“Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

“Dad, I got my arm slice off, burned, and have a piece of an airplane in my head. A car accident won’t do much to me after that.”

“I still worry about my son.”

“Dad, you have a lot more to worry about than me.”

“Oh shut up. You still haven’t introduced me to your girlfriend,” he said slyly.

“I’m gonna slap you.”

“Ha ha, your emotional subroutines were always easy to mess with.”

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah she figured that out too.”

“So who is she?”

I motioned for Spits to come forward, “Dad this is Spitfire.”

“Hi!” Spitfire held out her hand, “I’m Spitfire.”

Dad suddenly went full on military on her. He grabbed her hand in a firm grip, “Strong handshake. Shows signs of confidence. Interesting hairdo. Good self-expression. So you’re Jett’s friend?”

Spitfire gulped, “Yeah. Your son is an extremely nice and fun individual. He pushed me out of the way of the car he got hit by.”

Dad laughed, “Ah I’m just messing with you!”

I rolled my eyes, “Dad stop it. You’re scaring her.”

“You sure you’re not dating her?”

“Shut up. Come on Spits.”

“Nice meeting you!” She called before turning to me, “Well he seemed nice.”

“Nice talk Son! Have fun with your girlfriend! I think there’s a good tree in the corner over there!” He called out laughing.

At that point my head caught fire.

***

Spitfire laughed. Gosh it was so funny to watch him get worked up over the simplest things. They walked around the park.

Spitfire took careful note of her surroundings. A few of the trees here looked perfect. She could climb up one and wait carefully. She felt the weight of the cuffs in her pocket. She smiled.

Oh you are so in for it today big guy.

They walked over to the buffet table.

***

We reached the table. I helped Spitfire select the vegetarian options from the table. We moved over to one of the benches with our food and sat down. So far so good. Doing my best to avoid my Aunt and so far I’m doing well. All I need to watch out for now is-

“Hey Jett!” A boy three years younger than me popped up in front of me.

“Ah holy motherf-!” I was silenced as Spitfire prevented me from finishing my sentence with a well-placed hand.

The younger boy was Alex. A mop of brown hair on his head that was about as untamed as he was. And he and his brother had the largest mouths in the solar system.

“Hello Alex,” I said monotone.

He sat down next to Spits with a sly look on his face, “So who’s your girlfriend?”

Spitfire blushed furiously. I cupped my head in my hands, “Oh I can see how this day is gonna go…”

I stood up and left, heading to a nearby tree. I just barely caught Alex say, “So how long have you two been dating!”

I walked to the edge of the park and sat down under a tree. This was gonna be a long day. Luckily it was just Alex so far. If it was Sam or Aunt Kathy, oh boy things would be a lot worse. I certainly hope Spitfire’s having fun because I can already tell I’ll be glad to leave.

God I just wanted to get this over with.

I don’t know how long I sat there. I probably feel asleep at some point because I woke up to Spitfire sitting next to me, holding her knees to her chest.

“Well look who’s awake,” she smiled warmly.

I yawned and sat up, “Ugh, normally I sleep through these things anyway. I hope Alex was kind to you.”

She shrugged, “Not much worse than Soarin’. Though a little more rambunctious.”

“Well that’s good. Normally things are a lot worse.”

“Uh huh. Now just wondering, how come everyone we’ve met so far thinks you and I are… in a relationship?”

I shrugged, “I’m not the most social person. Parties and Dances aren’t my forte. That and nearly every girl I know takes one look at my arm and goes the other way. But whatever. The arm at least helps me weed out people I would probably end up hating anyway. So I’m not around many people of the opposite gender. So that would explain it.”

“Oh…” she trailed off.

I sighed, “I fucking hate coming to these.”

“Jett! Spitfire! Time to eat!” A voice called. Fuck. It was my Aunt.

I stood up, “And it begins.”

***

“No Spitfire, we don’t use that fork when eating salad,” My Aunt said.

“Oh I’m sorry-” she attempted to say before being cut off.

“No not that one either. We use THAT one,” she said pointing.

I held my head in my hands. Auntie, Kindly Shut the Fuck up. IT’S FUCKING FOOD! WHO GIVES A FUCK WHAT YOU EAT IT WITH!?

Of course I couldn’t say that. As much as I wanted to and no matter how happy that would have made my dad, I couldn’t say that.

I continued to eat.

“So Jett, how’s your summer going?” My Aunt asked.

“Oh wonderful. I finished my summer classes a few weeks ago so, you know, just enjoying life to the fullest!” I said with as much cheer as I could muster.

“Oh. And what happened to your arm? It’s normally not… not so bare, shall we say.”

“I got hit by a car last week.”

“Well you simply must learn to be more careful when crossing the street then,” she responded in the ‘I’m better than you and you’re stupid’ tone I hated.

I noticed three forks, two spoons, and two knives on both sides of my plate. I was certainly tempted to use the fork.

An awkward silence fell over the table while we ate. I saw my Dad who had the ‘I’d rather be dealing with politicians right now than be here’ look. In all honesty I couldn’t blame him. My Aunt Kathy was rude, bossy, and just plain unpleasant to be around. That and she had been playing family politics with one of my other Aunts for years. Along with occasionally playing actual politics. This is probably where she got her mean streak from.

I finished my food and pushed my plate away.

My cousin Sam spoke up. He was a younger version of Alex, about eleven years old but with all the same mannerisms and nearly the same personality.

“So when did you get a girlfriend?” A few stifled laughs were heard across the table. My eye twitched. I calmly picked up my glass and took a sip before speaking.

“She is NOT my girlfriend. We’re just friends,” I sighed.

“Oh.”

Another long silence followed. Some sounds could be heard like the sound of someone taking a bite out of something. The occasional clatter of silverware. All normal things. I saw a look in Alex’s face.

“So she’s not your girlfriend?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Just friends?”

“Just friends.”

“… So… You’re fucking her then?”

A few things happened there. A gasp was heard across the table. My Dad clenched his gut and pounded the table as he attempted, and key word is ATTEMPTED, to squash the fit of laughter that was consuming him. Cat didn’t even try and fell back in her chair holding her sides. She was practically crying. My Cousin Chris held his head in his hands. Jaclyn’s drink shot out her nose. My aunts and uncles did their best to act professionally but failed miserably, fake coughing and saying phrases like, “Well…” and “Uh, um…” and “Interesting use of words”. Spitfire grimaced and turned Red as a Tomato. My glass shattered in the grip of my prosthetic hand. Pieces of glass fell to the table along with fine crystalline shards and powder. My head probably broke the sound barrier hitting and severally denting the aluminum table.

“Now ALEX. We DO NOT use that type of Language around guests! Especially around your cousin’s girlfriend,” My aunt scolded. I banged my head against the table again after hearing this.

I stood up. Everyone gasped when they saw the dent my head made in the table. I calmly pushed my chair in and left the table, my face red from rage, humiliation and embarrassment. I contemplated turning around and calmly strangling Alex but decided that the Jail time just MIGHT NOT be worth it. But only by a small margin.

God damn it. This day was just going FUCKING GREAT. And you know what? Fuck them! I’m not paying for that table. They can bang out the three inch deep dent in that thing. I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life. ‘So you’re FUCKING HER?!’ What kind of kid asks his cousin that?! Oh yeah, I KNOW! SOMEONE IN THIS DYSFUNCTIONAL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT I CALL A FAMILY!

I reached a tree and climbed up into it, hiding from view among the leaves. I found a branch and sat down on it. Oh this was gonna be a LONG, awkward ride home.

“Just calm down Jett. Just breathe. Don’t hurt yourself again,” I said to myself, “Think. Calm. What calms you? Hmm… Numbers. Yeah you were always good with numbers. Ok. Uh Pi. Here we go. 3.141592653589793… ah fuck it.”

I turned and pounded my head into the side of the tree. Oh god this was a frustrating situation. Fuck. As if living with Spitfire wasn’t awkward enough now THIS? Oh if those blocks weren’t there… No more emotions for me!

After I finished taking out my frustration on the tree, significantly flattening a portion of it, I sat down on the high branch I found myself on.

I absentmindedly raised my prosthetic and began scrapping the flattened portion of the tree. Anything to get my mind off of THAT. Oh this was going to be so weird later! I swear this is one of the times I’m glad I don’t keep my sex drive active.

I returned my attention to the carving. Oh. It was the head of an owl carved into the flattened tree bark. I sighed and tried to get some sleep; away from everything down there. Needless to say that didn’t happen.

“Jett?” A voice called.

Fuck. It was Spitfire. Nope. Not talking to her right now. Not after that.

“Jett? Come on. Where the hell are you?” Spits called.

Her voice was getting closer. She stopped under the tree.

“Ok Jett, I know you’re up there. The pile of leaves and branches and wood shavings down here gave it away.”

Fuck.

“Don’t make me come up there!”

“Go away!”

“That’s it!”

Shit. Well let’s see here. I could jump… and hit all the branches on the way down. I could go up. And get into a corner. Well I could climb my way down… and meet Spitfire on the way down. Hmm. I’ll risk jumping- and she’s here. Fuck.

“Ah ha! Here you are! Why are you avoiding me?” she asked as she pulled herself up onto the branch.

“Uh Gee. Um maybe to avoid more embarrassing situations that come with being around you?”

She looked hurt, “Wha? But why?”

“My little cousin just insinuated that we’re having SEX.”

“You… you don’t want to be around me because of that? But I thought we were friends.”

Shit. This time I don’t know what to say. Truth was that I was avoiding her to ice the burn that came from the picnic table conversation. And this time I’ve really hurt her feelings this time. Fuck. Why are girls so emotionally hardened about some things but delicate as butterfly wings the next? I really should read more. But now all you have is what you know old buddy. Jeez. I mean, I only hang out with guys, and guys are a lot easier to deal with. Meaning you can tell them to fuck off and be best friends the next day again. Spitfire is literally my first friend of the opposite gender as me. At least I think. I mean my dad did say I was going to be a girl at one point… So maybe I’m an it? Ah fuck it now’s not the time for this.

She must not have taken my silence well and looked down. She sniffed and sounded like she was going to cry.

“I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll just go now,” she started climbing down the tree.

Shit act fast asshole!

I reached for her arm, “Spits wait!”

She turned with a dejected look on her face.

“I’m sorry. I… I know this situation probably isn’t the easiest to be in and the last thing you need is an asshole like me making you feel bad.”

“But you said I embarrass you.”

I sighed, “Sometimes yes, but I’ll admit some of those situations you put me in were kinda fun.”

She crawled back up looking intrigued now, “Like?”

“Ah… I’m not sure I wanna tell.”

“Come on! I’m curious now,” she said now less depressed than before.

“Ah… I don’t know,” I teased. I knew I was gonna lose this one.

“Come on tell me!”

I sighed turning red, “Fine… It was… the… the time when you handcuffed me.”

Spitfire laughed, “Ah ha! I knew you were enjoying that!”

“Doesn’t mean you have the right to do it again!” I laughed back.

We laughed before returning to being serious.

“Listen… I’m sorry for hurting you like that. I didn’t mean to avoid you it’s just...” I sighed, “I don’t have an excuse. I was being an asshole. That situation though was super embarrassing. I just didn’t want to… you know… stay around after that comment.”

Spitfire giggled, “I guess I can understand. But how do you thing I felt? I mean, I’ve had people spread rumors about me having sex with everyone from Vinyl Scratch, though she’s taken last time I checked, to Soarin’.”

My turn, “So were any of them true?”

Spitfire turned red, “Well… a few… maybe.”

“Aw… you have to tell me now.”

“No I don’t!”

“Hey, I basically admitted I have a b- not gonna finish that. Come one. Tell.”

She sighed, “Well, uh…. I did do a little experimentation with…” she gulped, “Soarin.”

I bit my tongue. And when I say I bit my tongue I mean I nearly bit it off, “Soarin’? As in the Pie lover?”

She sighed; obviously it wasn’t the most pleasant experience, “Yeah… And to be honest… it was HORRIBLE! I mean… he resembles a dog in just about everything he does! He eats like a slob. I’m not gonna lie, we all eat like pigs sometimes but he eats like a dog all the time! And when it comes to the bedroom? Ugh! I mean he’s a great flier but he sucks at… that!” She finished her rant.

“Isn’t he a jock?”

“Well… yeah I guess. I mean he has girls following him everywhere he goes but to be frank… he fucks like a dog.”

“And how would you know what a dog fucks like?”

“What?! Well, I, uh, I never, uh-”

I laughed, “Relax! I’m just messing with you!”

She fumed, “That wasn’t funny.”

“Yeah it was!”

“Humph.”

“So I guess we’re even now?”

“Not quite. I told you who I’ve done it with, you tell me.”

I laughed at her, “Yeah uh huh, like hell. Do I look like I’m relationship material of any kind? No sir! While I may be immune to STDs, copulation is obsolete to me. Plus I’m not even old enough.”

“I wouldn’t say that- wait. You’ve never done it before?”

“Girl, I’m a machine. Have you ever walked into your kitchen and seen your blender boning your toaster? No? That’s what I thought.”

“Humph, Well when I was your age…”

“Wait, how old are you?”

“Eighteen, why?”

“Cause I’m like Nine years old. Technically; but I look older.”

Spitfire coughed, “What?! Nine?! How? You look like a typical teenager!”

“I know. I was created as a Seven year old and brought home by my Dad. That’s why Cat wasn’t so eager to have me around. I also have an aging subroutine that allows me to age normally. Biologically I’m about sixteen or seventeen but cybernetically I’m Nine years old.”

“Whoa… that’s… weird,” Spitfire said.

“Yeah… You’ve been hanging out with a little kid this whole time.”

A silence followed. Yup. Just me and Spits hanging out in a tree.

“So… about the handcuffs…”

“What?” I asked.

She reached into her pocket and… pulled out the fluffy rape cuffs. Spitfire had a rape face on when she spoke.

“Remember our deal?”

Fuck. I could tell I was probably gonna lose this battle but it didn’t hurt to try to fight.

“Like hell!” I laughed and dove toward the ground.

“Hey! Come back here!”

Being an android allowed me to bounce about the branches with grace. If I was careful. Spitfire had an advantage of being lighter and thus more agile than me but hey. I hit the ground and took off running. I was not going to head towards that house since it was the last place I wanted to be but the parking lot and the open fields beyond looked promising.

I ran towards the railing that overlooked the parking lot. Five meters. I could make it. I vaulted over the railing and landed before rolling back to my feet and running off. I looked behind me. Spitfire was more graceful than me. She simply dove over the railing and landed and summersaulted before vaulting to her feet and running after me. I sprinted across the parking lot. I looked behind me. Spitfire was keeping up but not gaining any more ground. Hmm, time to kick it into high gear. I ran faster.

I could get away as long as I didn’t- hey who put that parking stop there? Aw fuck.

I stumbled and landed on the pavement. I moved to stand up only to feel a weight on my back. I looked back to see Spitfire handcuffing my wrists.

“Fuck.”

“Looks like I win!” Spitfire said triumphantly. She pulled out a phone and tapped a button, “Hey Cat! Guess what?”

I only heard part of the conversation but I obviously had missed something here.

“Yeah I did! Want a picture?”

“Picture? No NO! That wasn’t part of it!” SNAP. Fuck.

Spitfire pulled me to my feet.

“You’re just lucky I tripped,” I said.

“I thought you were an android!”

“Blocks make me prone to mistakes.”

“Yeah yeah! You wanted to get caught! Come on! I’m showing off my latest catch to your family.”

“Oh no you’re not!”

***

“But why!”

“Because you don’t use that type of LANGUAGE around GUESTS!” Kathy hissed.

“Well I haven’t seen them since lunch so what do you think they’re doing?”

“DOESN’T MEAN YOU GET TO SAY THAT!”

“Still not fair,” Alex sulked.

There was ruckus near the walkway up to the house.

“No Spitfire I’m not going up there!”

“Quit being such a baby!”

“I’m not going up there like this!”

“That’s it!”

A flame haired girl emerged dragging a heavy piece of cargo. Jett was handcuffed again and was being pulled like a stubborn mule up the hill towards the park.

“See? I told you she was fucking him!”

“That’s it! GO inside! I’ve had enough of your mouth mister!”

***

Well the ride home was awkward enough since I was loaded into the car like a recently arrested convict. Spitfire refused to remove the cuffs. So sitting in the back seat was relatively uncomfortable.

I was buckled up with my arms behind me still. Cat yelled at me a lot for moving around in the back seat trying to get comfortable.

I turned to Spitfire, “Can you please let me out of these?”

She gave me the ‘I dunno’ look, “Hey, I left the key at your house.”

“Really? Really?”

“Well yeah, can’t you just pick it?”

“Yeah, let me just reach into my pockets and pull out that paper clip I’m not carrying. Or let me just bend my robotic fingers backwards enough to break the lock. And even if I had a lock picking kit in my storage units on my arm I couldn’t get them open to use it!”

She gave me a sheepish smile, “Heh, sorry? I didn’t think I was actually gonna get them on you.”

“Well ya did! And now I’m gonna have bruising all over my arm.”

“What about your other arm?”

“Uh… I don’t have one? Mechanical?”

“Oh right. Sorry I guess I got used to it looking covered still. But honesty, I think it looks cooler that way.”

I sighed, “There’s just no compromising with you. I’m a machine.”

Cat yelled, “Would you stop it with the whole, ‘Desire is irrelevant. I am a machine,’ thing? Give it up. You’re a person whether you like it or not.”

“And would you stop quoting movies from the 20th century?”

“Uh, it’s from the 21st century.”

“Uh, I’m handcuffed in the back seat of a car; do I look like I give a fuck what century it’s from?”

“Jeez you are irritable today.”

“Well I’m gonna need some lotion to help fix the bruises on my wrist so yeah. I’m in a little irritable.”

“Yeah, you need the lotion for your wrists,” Cat said sarcastically, “And how is your wrist bruised? Aren’t those things fluffy?”

“Oh fuck you; and I don’t keep my sex drive on so that wouldn’t work! And these things are tight as hell!”

“Well you did put up a fight when I dragged you up that hill- wait what?”

“These things are tight as hell.”

“No about the sex drive? You have an off switch for that?”

“Spitfire, he has an off switch for nearly everything he does. Even his emotions have an off switch. Though he doesn’t have access to it. But he can shut off his hunger, pain, and a number of his senses,” Cat laughed.

“That’s… odd. I mean you can just turn it off? With the flick of a switch?” Spitfire asked.

“Yup. No awkward boners for me!” I turned in my seat, “Gah! These damn things are cutting into my wrist like this.”

“Can’t you lean forward in your seat or something?” Spits asked.

“Oh no you’re not!” Cat yelled, “At these speeds? No way!”

“You’re not driving manually are you?”

“Yeah. Which is why I don’t want you doing that! If I have to stop suddenly your head will smack the seat so hard.”

“Ugh, Fine. God you’re worse than mom.” I leaned my body over towards the window. And this was worse. My head was not comfortable against that hard surface. Oh yeah, duh, Deactivate Touch.

“You know you can lean this way to if you’re too uncomfortable,” Spitfire said.

“I, ah, uh, no. No. Definitely not.”

“Oh shut up and cuddle with her already!” Cat yelled.

“Hey fuck you Cat! After what happened today I don’t need you adding on to it.”

Cat laughed, “That was fucking hilarious!”

“Not for me!”

Cat and Spitfire’s laugher followed me all the way home.

Chapter 15. To life, Love, and the end of the world.

Well thank god that was over. We pulled into the driveway. Spitfire let me out of the car and led me up to her room where she unlocked the cuffs.

“Thank you,” I said rubbing my good arm with my bad one.

“Hey, you admitted yourself that you enjoyed it,” She laughed.

“Not when you cut off circulation like that.”

“You loved it and you know it.”

I rolled my eyes at her. I looked out the window. It was night time. Spitfire must have noticed too.

“Hey…” she said slyly.

I gave her a look, “Ugh, fine. Just don’t go too far.”

“YES,” she said. She ran back into her room and pulled her shirt off. She pulled a tank top on that had holes cut for her wings. She forced her wings through the holes.

“Alright I’m ready,” she yipped giddily.

We walked into my room and opened up the window. We walked out onto the roof of the house and headed to the side that faced the back yard.

“Now just stay within sight of the house,” I said, “It may be dark but I don’t need anyone to see an angel girl flying around.”

Spitfire stood on the roof flexing her wings, “You keep calling me ‘angel girl.’ What the hell is an angel?”

“Human mythology, a person with wings. Typically messengers and servants of the gods.”

“Oh. Cool. Well let’s see if you can keep up with these moves.”

“I can’t fly remember?”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t watch,” Spitfire winked before jumping off the roof and soaring into the sky.

She flapped her powerful wings and was soon high above. She did a series of flips and dives and other aerial maneuvers. A few times she soared near the house, attempting to buzz the tower so to speak. I watched her. She looked so happy up there. It was obvious that flying came naturally to her. In more than one way I envied her. The freedom that flight gave her must have been exhilarating. The only place I could ever do flying of any kind was behind a flight console with my hands on the joysticks under a glass canopy. Her? She could just get up and go whenever she wanted. She also had the comforting knowledge of knowing who she was. She was a Wonderbolt, flight extraordinaire. The very emulation of flight. Me? I’m a science experiment.

Shit! Don’t get distracted! Spitfire was getting dangerously far away from the house. I stood up on the roof.

“Spits! You’re going out to far now!”

The orange blur out there was starting to become a dot. I had to activate the zoom function in my eyes just to see her.

Shit she was getting really far out, “Spitfire! Come back! You’re going too far!”

Still no response. Ah fuck. I jumped off the roof and onto the patio. Fortunately our house was near the edge of the neighborhood so there were no houses behind us. Only a few trees and bushes. I took off running following Spitfire’s orange form. The trees were beginning to thicken. Aw fuck.

Time to be a ninja.

***

Spitfire flew faster and faster. Celestia it felt good to finally be in the air again. The freedom, the wind, the sheer adrenaline of it all. She closed her eyes and climbed higher into the sky before shouting out in glee and holding at a hover.

“Whoa,” she said to herself.

The view was amazing. The suburbs were laid out beneath her while the city rose up before her. The large dome covering it all hung in the background. Beyond that was the red and orange form of Jupiter.

She heard a noise below her. Rustling leaves. She looked down and saw that something was making its way through the forest to her. Hmm.

She began descending towards the forest floor.

***

I leapt from tree to tree. Coordination this good only came from being a machine. And fucking Spitfire just had to NOT listen. Women. I swear to god they are more trouble than they're worth. And people claim to be happy in a relationship. Please. We all know marriage is another term for ‘Signing your soul away to the devil’.

My night vision was helpful but the radar only went so far in a forest.

Suddenly there was something breaking through the leaves. And now it hit me. Fuck.

I fell of the branch I was on and smacked the forest floor. I tumbled with my attacker.

Ok. Assess the situation. Unknown hostile from 10 O’clock high. Probably one of those Eagle Vultures again. Never did like those things. Ok. What’s best for killing a bird with a wingspan of about three meters? Hmm. SELECT WEOPON. No not a sword, no a knife won’t be good here, ah ha! Bladed gauntlet. That should work out fine. Select.

The liquid metal began to form around my arm in a metallic, platted pattern. Soon a series of serrated blades began to form on my forearm. Perfect.

I rolled with my attacker before jumping away and rushing towards it. These things were incredibly hostile if you got far into their territory. I tackled the thing to the ground before bringing my bladed arm to its throat for the killing blow- and it’s Spitfire.

My arm was close to cutting her throat when I stopped.

“What the fuck Spitfire?!” I said climbing off of her, “I told you to stay within sight of the house! And then when I come looking for you, you dive through the trees like a banshee? Holy fuck, you’re lucky I didn’t kill you!”

“Hey!” She said climbing to her feet, “I stayed within sight.”

“Then how come I’m out here? If you can’t stop being so reckless I’m not gonna do this with you.”

She gave a sheepish grin, “Fine. You get so worried about me sometimes.”

“Stop insinuating things.”

She had a sly grin, “What am I insinuating?”

“Oh fuck you.”

Spitfire laughed.

“Come on, let’s get back before the party starts.”

“Party?”

“Oh, uh, tomorrow begins the Summers End Celebration. It’s a mixture of Halloween, Mardi Gras and any other party holiday you can think of all mixed into one. Oh and it lasts for the entire last week of summer.”

“What’s ‘Halloween’?” Spitfire asked.

“Oh uh, well you dress up in costumes traditionally, and uh, there’s trick or treating, wild parties, you know, the whole shebang.”

“Oh like Nightmare Night!”

“Yeah.”

“So what’s Mardi Gras?”

“Another party holiday. But basically, this thing lasts for an entire week. People typically dress up in costumes and well, go crazy I guess.”

“Cool! So that’s what we’re gonna do tomorrow?”

“I don’t know, I guess. I mean, Dane and I always hung out with Gin for the week at her club. I guess we can do that or something.”

“Oh. So what about a costume? You said people dress up.”

“Uh, I don’t know. I typically just pull on my skydiving stuff and go out in that.”

“Well what can I go as?”

“Hmm, I don’t know right now. We can figure it out tomorrow. For now let’s get you home.”

“Alright.”

***

Spitfire stepped into her room. She laughed to herself. Celestia that kid gets so worked up, oh sorry, android is what he would say.

Eh well anyway. So this holiday is a party thing. Hmm, what to wear?

Suddenly she smiled. She ran over to a closet and opened it up to reveal a series of shirts and jackets. After selecting a leather coat she got to work.

***

I stepped into my room. I swear she does this stuff on purpose. I bet she DID fly far away on purpose. Doesn’t she know that she can be seen?

I rummaged through my drawers and closet and found my flight suit. Hmm. Not my usual skydiving suit but since I needed to get another set of wings it’ll do.

I reached into my closet and pulled out my school’s pilot helmet. Yeah, this will do just fine.

I looked at the time. 11:00. I should be getting to bed.

I placed my suit for tomorrow on the dresser and climbed into bed.

***

WARNING. UNIDENTIFIED PROGRAM DETECTED.

CODE FORMAT UNKNOWN.

SCANNING. NO VIRUSES DETECTED.

STATUS… HARMLESS.

FUNCTION… UNKNOWN.

STORING UNKNOWN PROGRAM IN FILE NUMBER 01001100001011100100111100101110010101100010111001000101 – SECTION: FIRE.

BEGINNING WAKING CYCLE.

***

The floor is always a nice thing to see in the morning. Especially when it’s moving incredibly quickly towards you.

Thump. Fuck. This is what I get for not tucking the blankets in last night.

I sighed and pulled myself up onto my feet. I looked out the windows. It was still dark out accept for various strobes and lasers coming from the city. Oh yeah. Summer’s end.

Our town always dimmed the lights during the week of nonstop parties. My internal clock stated it was around 8:00. I stood up and went to my closet and pulled out my flight suit and helmet.

I zipped and sealed the suit before pulling on the helmet and polarizing the visor.

Making sure I looked like a badass I stepped out of my room and went to wake up Spits.

Stepping into the room I saw she had made herself quite at home. Clothes were scattered all over the place.

I carefully opened the door only to have a pair of panties fall onto my head.

I sighed, “Yeah that figures.”

Spitfire herself was sprawled across her bed. Her wings flopped lazily off the side. I stepped over to the bed and nudged her.

“Hey, Spits, wake up.”

Nothing.

“Come on Spits, it’s party time and I don’t want to waste a moment of it.”

She stirred slightly before opening her orange eyes… and immediately panicking and smashing the family jewels with her fist.

I didn’t even let out a noise. I simply collapsed onto the floor.

WARNING. YOU HAVE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO YOUR TESTICULAR REGION.

YOU DON’T FUCKING SAY? JESUS CHRIST THAT GIRL HAS ONE STRONG LEFT HOOK!

DAMAGE IS MINOR.

IT DOESN’T FEEL MINOR!

REPAIR FUNCTIONS ACTIVATED.

I got on my hands and knees and pulled my helmet off and coughing. I’m pretty sure I got close of coughing up blood but coughing and curling up in the fetal position was close enough.

“Oh my gosh Jett!” Spitfire said, now fully awake.

“Good morning to you to SUNSHINE,” I moaned.

“I’m sorry! I woke up and saw a helmeted face thing there. I didn’t realize it was you!”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DEACTIVATE PAIN RECEPTORS?

PLEASE!

ACHKNOWLEDGED.

I stood up, now with less pain and suffering.

“I’m fine. I just had to shut off my ability to feel pain.”

“Oh…” She sat up in her bed, draping her wings around her.

Awkward silence.

“Well, time to get up. There’s a party all over the solar system for an entire week and I assume you don’t want to miss it. Right?”

She perked up, “Hell NO!”

She jumped up and pushed me out of the room, “I’ll be right out! I just gotta change.” And the door slammed closed.

Women.

I pulled my helmet back on and walked to Cat’s room. I banged on the door, “Cat! WAKE THE HELL UP!”

A light moaning followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor answered. Yeah she was up.

“Alright I’m ready,” Spitfire said opening the door. My jaw hit the bottom of my helmet.

She was wearing a leather coat with a nice undershirt beneath it. She had a pair of combat boots on. I sort of wondered where she got those but that’s beside the point. She had a pair of baggy cameo pants on. On her hands was a pair of fingerless gloves. Her hair was slicked back with a pair of flight goggles on her head.

She did a twirl revealing her wings emerging from her back instead of being covered like normal. In all honesty she looked a lot like a sexy angel pilot but I would never say that.

“Whoa,” I laughed.

“So what do you think?” she asked.

“You look like a sexy angel pilot,” my mouth said before consulting my head. FUCK.

She blushed, “Shut up you.”

Hmm, I can use this.

“Well it’s true you sexy angel you,” I said.

Spitfire blushed, giving me a look before we both burst out laughing.

Finally we caught our breath, “So you like it?” she asked hopefully.

“I like it,” I smiled, “You look hot,” I joked.

Spitfire turned even redder, “Fuck you,” she laughed.

“Will you really?”

“Oh shut up!”

A rustling was heard behind Cat’s door, “I SWEAR IF YOU TWO LOVEBIRDS DON’T SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF HERE I WILL KILL BOTH OF YOU!”

I turned to Spits, “Yeah we should probably leave now. Cat gets cranky if she doesn’t get her sleep. Have fun at the orgy CAT!”

“You SHIT SACK! That was only once!”

“And that was the night I learned what regret and shame smells like,” I laughed.

“I will kill you.”

“Hey you kill me; you get to replace my billion credit ass.”

“Oh go fuck yourself. Get outta here. It’s a week of partying so go enjoy it anywhere but here. But I swear if you leave this planetary system I will kick your ass all the way to Mars!”

“Fine,” I laughed as Spitfire and I walked down the stairs towards the kitchen. We grabbed a quick something something before walking out the door and leaving Cat to do… whatever the hell she does during this week.

Meh, Off to Gin’s place we go. But first one stop.

We walked down the street. Various people were wearing costumes and uniforms. A few military girls were going… casual. Others were dressed as everything from Spartacus to Marilyn Monroe to even another angel like Spits. Only Spitfire’s wings were real. Others went as demons and other hellish creatures. There were even others who had a few extra limbs. Others had enhanced… other parts of their body. Everything was crazy. People ran down the streets hooting and hollering. Houses had lights and strobes on as parties raged across the solar system. Things only got crazier as we got closer to the city. I could only imagine what downstairs was like. I didn’t even want to think what the inner planets were like this time of year.

Spitfire seemed to be taking it all in stride and had a look of wonder on her face. She laughed slightly as she saw some cosplayers go by.

She ran up to me, “So what did Cat mean by ‘if you leave this planetary system I will kick your ass all the way to Mars!’?”

I laughed, “Oh that’s a funny one. You see last year or the year before, I don’t remember but anyway, Dane and I kinda stowed away on a party yacht and ended up at Saturn by the Friday. Heh heh, fun times. Saturn puts on quite a show this time of year.”

“Heh, I’ll bet.”

We were getting close to Dane’s house when the bastard himself came bouncing down the road literally. Dane was wearing an Assassin’s Creed hood. He ripped a sword from his belt and tackled me to the ground.

“Gotcha flyboy!”

“Not yet asshole!”

I flipped him off and struck a fighting stance.

“Come at me sir!”

He laughed, “There’s not catching you off guard is there?”

“Not a chance in hell.”

“So what’re we gonna do today?” Spitfire asked.

“GIN,” Dane and I laughed.

We all started running back towards my house to get the car.

“Cool wings,” Dane commented.

“Thanks,” Spitfire responded.

As we ran home something caught my eye. A man dressed as Frankenstein’s monster. I stopped.

“Hey guys go on without me, I’ll meet you back there. Dane the keys are on the counter.”

“Alright. Pick you up here?”

“Yeah sure. I gotta do something real quick.”

“Alright.”

I ran up to the man, “Dad, what the hell are you still doing on Ganymede?”

He smiled, “Hey. An Admiral needs a week off sometimes too.”

“On Ganymede? Dude there’s nothing here! Earth is where the real party is at.”

“Well there’s that. But my ship got delayed. Apparently Captain Hawk is a lot more lenient about protocol than most,” the admiral laughed.

“I’ll bet.”

A car pulled up. Dane and Spits.

“Friends?”

“Yeah. Heading down to see Gin.”

Spits rolled down the window, “Jett you coming or what?”

“Yes dear I’ll be right there,” I said before turning back to the admiral, “Sometimes she’s worse than a crazy ex.”

“Really? How so?”

“Well I won’t say exactly but it was something that involved handcuffs.”

“I can only guess.”

A silence followed.

“I know we couldn’t get you or the others a complete set but you seriously need to try.”

I sighed, “Not more of this again. Dad, the fact that I don’t have it doesn’t mean I have to try to get it. They would get in the way.”

“Of what?”

“My life. Do you know how great it’s been to not feel fear or submission or any of the other emotions that fuck up my ability to function? I honestly don’t know how you guys function like that.”

“We get by. But the benefits outweigh the risks. And like it or not, you may develop them naturally.”

“How so?”

“We gave you the ability to adapt and learn new things. It is certainly possible.”

“Well keep dreaming there fella. I’m a machine.”

“Jett, one day you’re gonna meet a girl-”

“Girl’s don’t talk to me dad. In case you didn’t notice I don’t have a left arm. That’s a major turn off.”

“I don’t know about that. That flame haired one seems to have taken a liking to you.”

I sighed, “If only you knew the half of it. But she’s just a friend. Things like that happen when you save a person’s life a few times.”

“As I was saying though, one day you’re gonna meet a girl who will totally blow your mind. She’ll have you by the heart. You’ll be confused and maybe even scared. All those emotions you say you’re better off without will show up to bite you in the ass. The big one you keep avoiding will out balance all the others. You’ll see. It’ll be worth it.”

“Whatever Dad. Listen, I gotta go. Spits and Dane are probably getting impatient.”

“Alright. I won’t keep you. See you later.”

“Till next time.”

I ran back to the car and hopped in. Dane was in the back and Spits was in the passenger seat.

“Who was that?” Spits asked.

“My Dad. He’s Frankenstein’s monster.”

“Cool,” Dane commented, “What’s he up to?”

“I have no clue. He’s probably off to make sure Cat doesn’t go back to that Orgy again,” I laughed.

“What is he even doing here still?” Dane asked.

“I have honestly no idea.”

***

The ride down was normal enough. Though the city downstairs looked a lot like one gigantic club. Lights and lasers reflected off the roof of the Geofront. It all looked we were on the inside of one gigantic disco ball.

We parked the car and ran towards the club narrowly avoiding all the people in the crazy costumes and get ups. We entered the building, found the door again, and climbed the ladder up.

To say that the club was a lot crazier than the last time we were here was an understatement. The place was indescribable. Dancers were going crazy. Crowd surfers and everything. The DJ looked to be having a good time. Things were looking awesome.

Gin’s costume was amazing. Her skin had been dyed or colored or something, I don’t really know what, to a shade of red. She had a pair of demonic looking bat wings sprouting from her middle back just below the shoulder blades, kinda like where Spitfire’s wings sprouted from, not too low but not too high. She had a pair of horns extending from her head. Her hands were pretty interesting too; they had claws extending where the fingernails should have been. The detail she put into the outfit was amazing. Hell, she even put in the extra effort to have a tail.

It was really difficult to tell if the costume was grown or in fact just a costume.

Gin was busy serving drinks to the probably few hundred people that had packed this place. While she looked to be having a good time though her hand was always within reach of the shotgun under the counter.

“Is this place always this lively this time of year?!” Spits had to yell over the loud music and cheering.

“Yeah!” I yelled back, “This is pretty normal this time of year! Though Gin didn’t have the club open last year since we all went to Saturn that year!”

Dane laughed, “Good times, Good times. You remember that old lady?! And the tub of tabasco sauce?!”

“Oh yeah! She got so mad! Dude I thought she was gonna explode!”

“I’m surprised she didn’t!”

“What are you guys talking about?” Spits asked.

“Hey what happens at Saturn stays there girly,” Dane laughed.

Spitfire sighed, “Men.”

We walked up behind the counter again. Spitfire joined us, a bit more comfortable around Gin than she had been the previous meeting.

And then Dane had to be an idiot. He crept up behind her and decided it would be a good idea to scare the living shit outta the bar tender.

Needless to say it didn’t go as planned. Gin screamed and turned rapidly. Dane was too busy laughing to notice a pair of wings and an arrow head tail smack him across the face.

“Damn it DANE!” Gin yelled.

Dane moaned and clutched his face while Spits and I laughed.

“OW,” Dane managed.

Gin put her hands on her hips, “Serves you right asshole!”

“Well sorry SIS. Didn’t know you were a bigger buzz kill than Jett’s aunt.”

“Don’t do that again.”

Dane got up and we all shared a laugh at his expense. In all reality Dane was probably lucky Gin didn’t break something. After being mugged in one of the bad parts of Neptune, she’d decided to learn a self-defense course. And Gin being Gin decided to take one of the hardest one’s in the solar system. High Gravity Krav Maga. A few times we’d had to visit the police station where they were questioning her after she had either broken all the limbs of a potential mugger or shattered their rib cage or broken their back.

She was probably the only person other than another android who had the potential to beat me in a fight. Well there was Spitfire. God knows what training she had taken before landing here.

“So how’s the party Gin?” I asked.

“Going pretty good. No fights, no one’s completely plastered yet, it’s going pretty good.”

“Cool.”

She noticed Spitfire, “Cool get up. I like the wings.”

Spits turned, “These? Oh they’re nothing special. Just a little something I worked up at the last minute.”

“Well they look pretty realistic.”

“Heh heh thanks.”

A silence, if it could be called that in a raging see of music and sweat, followed.

Dane spoke up, “So how about we all stop being sticks in the mud. Let’s PARTY!”

Dane up and left and jumped into the mosh pit of dancers and partiers.

I sighed, “That kid. One of these days.”

“So this is just a week of nonstop parties?” Spitfire asked.

“Yup. Oh and don’t expect to us to go back home at the end of the day. Because honestly I have no idea where the hell we’re gonna end up.”

“Cool. And what about school? What’s gonna happen with that?”

“I’m letting Cat figure that out. For now let’s enjoy the last week of summer before I go back to school.”

“Ok.”

Gin came over with two drinks, “Cheers. To life, love, and the end of the fucking world.”

I just gave her a look that said ‘wat?’ before taking one.

“Amen.”

Another filler chapter but this is getting us to more interesting parts of the story.

Chapter 16. The Morning After and the First Day of School.

I woke up. Though I’m not sure waking up applied to this situation. Waking up implies calmly emerging from a slumber. This wasn’t a slumber. It was more of a coma. And the waking up was more of trashy coming into consciousness.

I had absolutely no fucking idea where I was. Until I looked out the window. Well at least we were still in the Jovian system.

We looked to be in a hotel that was in low orbit at Jupiter’s South Pole. The auroras glowed brilliantly against the orange and black backdrop of space and the planet itself.

I looked back towards the bed. It was messy but at least I didn’t wake up anyone other than myself in it.

I stumbled out of the room. The place looked absolutely trashed. I walked over to another open room. Spitfire was there sprawled on the floor, half naked. Fortunately she was lying on her stomach, her wings were sprawled open. I walked over and covered her back up with a blanket. She snored before cuddling the blanket and moaning something and going back to sleep.

I continued walking down the hallway. I stared through another open door. And it’s Dane and Gin in the same bed- I don’t want to know. But for posterity, I walked back to my room and found my phone and took a picture.

I stumbled into the trashed kitchen. The whole place looked like a tornado ran through it.

I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. I was halfway through drinking it when I heard two screams coming from Dane’s/Gin’s room. I had no idea what the hell happened but I could make a few guesses. I laughed. Guess the two lovers finally came too.

***

Spitfire walked down the garden pathway.

It was a beautiful place of color and nature. Flowers, trees, birds, all existed together in perfect harmony.

It almost put the elements of harmony to shame, which most of the time functioned more like a dysfunctional family than bearers of weapons of mass destruction.

She continued walking. Her wings enjoyed the nice feelings that the wind gave her when it blew over.

There was a figure at the end of the pathway. He was alone. He had wings. Black wings.

Without a word she walked up the figure, grasping his hand in hers. She smiled contently, leaning her head into his shoulder-

“AAAHHHHH!” A scream sucked her out of her dream.

“DANE! GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!”

Loud, boisterous laughter echoed down the hallway followed by they sound of Jett struggling to breath.

She looked around her. She was on the floor. And she was missing her top but was covered with a blanket.

She smiled. Her dream was pleasant. Now to figure out what the hell happened last week.

***

Well Cat’s skills at forgery were officially the best in the solar system. After figuring out just what happened last week, and a few days of awkward silence between Dane and Gin it was time to return to school.

Cat managed to forge a few records and Gin helped play the role of Spitfire’s mother for the school interview. After a few meetings and some paper work Spitfire was officially enrolled at Charles Lindbergh academy.

Cat said goodbye to us at the space port before she headed off to her government job in the inner solar system. While there we ran into Dane who would be joining us at the school.

The shuttle ride there was uneventful and we were soon within sight of the school. It was mushroom shaped object. A dome was on the top where the main school was located. Farther down were the hangers for incoming vehicles. And that included the flight team. Lower still was a small living area that had all sorts of functions. Grocery stores, clothing stores, a general purpose mall if anything. And beyond that were the living quarters for all who lived on the station. Under the dome (Stephen King reference) was the main school building and grounds. There was a football field, track, baseball field, all the things you would see at a normal high school. The building itself was where all the learning took place. Typical school.

Our ship flew towards the public parking hanger. The doors opened and the ship did a twirl before it entered, landing calmly on its landing gear. A walkway extended and quickly pressurized and we walked out, carrying our duffel bags.

“Aw Dude, I swear that ride was so long,” Dane said as he cracked his back.

“Oh shut up and stop being an impatient little bitch,” I retorted.

“Whatever man. Let’s just get down to our dorms and toss our stuff there. I wanna get this orientation over with as soon as possible.”

“Fine.”

The three of us walked through the hallways of the school. Soon we were outside and under the dome. We headed to the elevators that lead to the dorms. The dome itself wasn’t large enough for it to need a frame but it was still large. It looked more like a gigantic bubble was blown over us. Only if this bubble popped we all died. Around the front of the school were various gardens and trees. There were a few small hills that dotted the landscape. Behind the school was where the athletic field rested. A few birds and other animals flew and dashed about in the park.

We reached the elevators and hit the button for Level E; the lowest level on the station. One could take the stairs or some other more scenic way down but we were in a hurry.

When Spits and I left the house after the party ended and after a counseling session for Dane and Gin, Lord only knows what those two did that week, we had to pack up kinda quickly to catch our flight. Spitfire packed the quickest surprisingly. Unlike most women I knew who were absolute clean freaks, she was just as messy as any guy I knew. While I was neatly folding everything into my duffle bag for the year, Spits was just casually tossing everything into hers. The end result was kinda funny.

“Now while this school is a space academy,” I explained to Spitfire, “You’ll learn a lot of other things here as well.”

“Like?”

“Well this place is also a science academy so there’s things like geology, biology, environmental studies, everything. But considering you basically have all the same classes as me you shouldn’t have to worry too much. Just depends on what you picked for your elective.”

Spitfire gave me a sly grin, “That’s another thing. I joined the flight team.”

Oh god.

***

Well we reached the dorm level. The school was all co-ed so contraceptives were mandatory. We walked out of the elevator. We were in a large circular room. The bottom of the station. Well for us anyway. Farther below was the reactor that powered everything and the other systems necessary for survival in this place. The room was a multi-level format. In the center of the room was a circular platform that served as a lounge. It was situated right around the large spine of the station. Couches, arm chairs, tables and even a fireplace were up there. Underneath it was a small cafeteria area with tables. There was even a salad bar and even a small soda bar.

Various students were getting settled in, talking about themselves. Some were up in the lounge; others were grabbing food, while some were arriving like us.

We walked towards our dorm, room number 90. As we headed to our room two of the school’s football players came towards us and bumped me with their shoulders.

“Watch where you’re walking robot boy!” They laughed as they headed for the elevators.

I sighed. Great, this again.

“What the hell was their problem?” Spitfire asked.

Dane gave them the finger before answering, “They’re just pissy over last year.”

“What happened last year?”

“This guy. The flight team was competing in the Dog Wing Finals. We were in the final two. Us against Olympus Mons Academy. They knocked our team out leaving Jett as the last pilot alive left to deal with their five remaining pilots.”

“So what happened?”

“I won’t go into specifics but he slapped the shit outta them and won the championship. But unfortunately the football team was playing in their finals. No one noticed when they won and the team got jealous. Been like that ever since.”

Spitfire turned to Jett, “So how did you win?”

I smiled, “That’s a story for another day. Right now let’s get settled in.”

We walked up to our door. Being the only people registered to the room only we could unlock it. I put my thumb print on the door pad and opened it up.

To be honest it was an all about nice place. Able to fit four people but we were lucky not to get anyone extra in our room. We had a nice living area before us with a kitchen off to the right. On our left we had the hallway that led to the two bedrooms. Each room had two beds to it.

The living room was a nice place. Two couches that were positioned at a TV with a smart glass coffee table in front of it. There were also a two recliners seated near the couches.

Dane gave me a look before bolting towards the rooms and taking one, “I call the single!”

“What? Oh no you don’t!” I yelled, “Your ass is bunking with me!”

“Why?!”

“Because Spitfire is a woman and needs a single room!”

“No she doesn’t!”

“Well then she can bunk with you! You’re better with girls anyway!”

“I’m right here you know,” Spitfire deadpanned.

“Why are you so against sleeping in the same room with her?”

“Because of my WONDERFUL charms and all the swag I have will get to her,” I said sarcastically, “Why do you think asshole?”

“Dude, stop being a pussy about it. ‘Sides, she’s your girlfriend or whatever, you sleep with her.”

“I’m gonna kill you.”

“I’d honestly rather share a room with Jett than sleep alone anyway,” Spits commented.

“Well it looks like we win,” Dane declared grabbing my bag and tossing it into the room, “So go unpack. Look, I even gave you two the room with the view.”

I sighed. This year was gonna be great.

***

Well Dane left to go unpack his things in HIS room, leaving Spits and I to unpack ourselves. She slammed the door closed as soon as we were inside.

“Alright,” she looked a little angry, “What gives?”

“About?” I said slowly unsure of what she was mad about.

“Why are you so uncomfortable with us sharing a room together?”

Oh that, “I was, uh, just trying to be considerate. Yeah that’s it.”

“Bull shit. Why are you so bothered by this?”

I sighed. Well, no hiding this now, “You’re the first girl who’s been able to look past… well… this,” I held up the arm for emphasis, “And not just the arm. The whole shebang of me being a machine. If anyone here looked past the arm they would stop at the android part of it.”

“So… get to the point.”

“I’m not the best around members of the opposite sex. I just don’t want to do anything that would make me lose you as a friend.”

“Why would you be worried about that? Dude, you saved my life like three times.”

“Some things about human behavior still elude me. Like women!” I said unnaturally cheerful.

“Really? I’d say you’ve just about mastered human behavior from what I’ve seen!” Spits laughed.

“When I was a kid my mother always said I never smiled correctly. I never really figured it out until… well you know. School pictures were always a bit awkward.”

“Oh.”

“So for some aspects of humanity I’m still a bit of a stranger. Things like human intuition, gut feelings, sixth senses have no meaning to me. Which is probably why female behavior eludes me as well.”

Spitfire laughed and tried to look angry again, “What do you mean by that? Girls aren’t that complicated.”

A shout was heard across the hallway, “DON’T GIVE ME THAT SHIT! GIRLS ARE A RUBIKS CUBE JENGA CROSSWORD PUZZLE ALL WRAPPED UP INSIDE A TESSERACT!”

“Thank you Dane! Your opinion is much appreciated!” Spitfire called.

“See? Even Dane agrees with me. And he’s the more human of the two of us.”

“How does that work?”

“We each have a different personality that can be affected by the environments we develop in. Dane grew up on Earth in the tropics doing god knows what for the first few years of his life.”

“Ah, so you’re…?”

“I’m the stranger in a strange land so to speak.”

“I don’t think so. If anyone’s the stranger it’s me. You’ve always been there for me as my first friend in this strange but interesting place.”

“While I may know some things the majority is blank for me. Comforting you when you were sad was natural but the rest of your behavior is a mystery. I can read body language and other things about people but understanding it is a whole different story. It’s like reading a book but only understanding part of it.”

Spitfire smiled, “You’ll get the hang of it eventually. If you do something stupid I won’t hold it against you.”

“Heh heh, thanks. Don’t think that’s gonna stop me from kicking your butt up there in space.”

“We’ll see fly boy.”

Dane yelled from across the hall, “Would you two get to fornicating already?!”

“That’s IT! YOU’RE DYING MOTHER FUCKER!”

Spitfire fell onto her bed laughing.

***

Well after beating the living shit outta Dane and getting orientation out of the way we were heading back to the dorms for supper.

We all ate in the cafeteria area of our dorm level. Other dorm levels were stacked above ours but ours was the best in my opinion as it had the best views low orbit had to offer.

“Well that was boring. Like always,” Dane said.

“We have to it every year, Dane,” I sighed as I poked my salad. I don’t know why I eat. I don’t need to. It’s a waste of time. But for some reason Dane ate like a pig. I guess I did it out of habit now more than anything.

“Besides, we all need to participate to orient all incoming students.”

“I don’t see why I had to be there though,” Dane complained, “You I could understand.”

“Why is it any different for me than you?”

“Um, you’re the MVP for the flight team and are probably gonna be Team Captain next year when Apollo graduates.”

“What’s the flight team even like?” Spitfire asked.

Dane and I both turned with looks on our faces, “Oh it’s wonderful. Fun, crazy, some people on it are difficult to deal with but still worth it if we get to fly.”

“I take it Dane is one of those people?”

Dane held his heart in mock offense, “Why me dearest Spitfire I’m shocked you would even think of me in such a fashion.”

I laughed, “As big of an asshole as Dane is sometimes he’s not the biggest.”

“Well then who is?” Spitfire asked.

A boy walked by with a tray in his hands. He had brown hair in a bowl cut and a scar running across his cheek. He shot us a glare before moving on to his table.

“Him,” Dane said calmly before digging into his mashed potatoes with gusto.

“What happened to his face?”

“Training accident. We were doing drills when he got too close to one of the rings that mark the course. He nicked it and had to eject. But he blames me for it saying I pushed him to close to the edge of the track,” I said before taking another bite, “But he’s the least of my worries.”

“Oh. So tomorrow we start class?”

“Yuff,” Dane said with a mouth full of chicken.

“Dude would you please swallow?”

GULP.

“Thank you.”

“I hear we’re getting new planes this year,” Dane said taking a sip from his drink.

“Yeah, looking forward to it. Finally we can get rid of those old S-10’s,” I smiled. The S-10 training plane. Not the worst plane but still old enough. More like your grandfather’s reliable old truck. They worked but were still pretty old. This year we would be getting brand new planes fresh out of the orbital factory.

“What models do you think we’ll be getting?” I asked.

“Some SF-50’s would be nice.”

“Yeah, sure,” I laughed, “Like the school is gonna go up to the navy and ask for a few of the latest Space superiority fighter.”

“You never know.”

“Shut up.”

***

Well it was night time now. The lights throughout the station were significantly dimmed to simulate night. Dane was calmly sleeping in the other room while I stared at the ceiling. This was the first time I’d ever had a roommate here.

Normally I’d just stare at Jupiter until I fell asleep on the floor but not this time. This time the ceiling seemed more interesting.

Truthfully I was kind of worried. What if we couldn’t get Spitfire back home? True we hadn’t even tried the teleporting thing since summer ended but still. What if she was stuck here for good? What then? Hiding her wings and her identity would only be possible for the short term, like for a few months or years. The longer she stayed the higher the risk.

It seemed that Spits was thinking the same thing as me.

“Hey Jett. You asleep yet?”

I sighed, “No. Still trying to figure out how to shut off that function.”

“I was just wondering… What if I can’t get back? What if I’m stuck here forever?”

I should have figured this one was coming up. What if she was stuck here forever? In all honesty it wasn’t something I had considered seriously. I’d always figured we would find some way back, whether it be as simple as her figuring out how to do that teleport trick again or accelerating around the sun at warp speeds. I’d always thought one way or another we’d get her back. But what if she was stuck here? Permanently.

But I couldn’t just give up on her like that.

“You’ll get back Spits.”

“But what if I can’t?” She despaired, “Let’s be realistic here. What if I’m stuck here forever? What if… what if I never see my friends again?” She sounded close to tears

Silence. I don’t know what to say to that. I’m not programed with consoling subroutines. Guess I’ll have to do the best with what I’ve got.

“I… I… Don’t know Spits,” I said standing up and walking over to her bed. She sat up.

“I know I’m not like you and if I was in your situation it would be easier for me to adapt. I’ve never had many close friends but if our roles were reversed I’d be wondering the same thing.”

She sniffed, “I miss them, Jett. I just want to be able to get back and see them again.”

I pulled her in for a hug, “I know.”

We simply held each other in silence for a while. Soon I began to feel her wing wrap around me. It was warm. Comforting. Like soft warm blanket.

“How about this,” I finally spoke, “We’ll keep looking for a way back until I go offline.”

“When will that be?”

“I don’t know. Father says I could last a few thousand years without maintenance so I’d say a while. But if you can’t get back I’ll talk to Cat. We’ll figure something out. Just don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of you.”

She sniffed and looked at me with a sad smile on her face, “Thanks. That means a lot.”

She leaned in close as we looked out the window at the swirling storms of Jupiter below.

***

Well school started today. It was Monday after all. All of the classes were pretty typical. Stellar phenomena, Planetary geology, Orbital mechanics, Applied physics, Stellar engineering, a study hall. Spitfire surprisingly caught on to most of these classes quickly. She only had trouble with Stellar phenomena but we could work on that as the year progressed.

But now it was time for my favorite and most likely Spitfire’s favorite class yet. Flight training.

We all stood at attention before a two men in one of the schools hanger decks. One of them was an older man with greying hair. The guy looked to be no younger than 80 years old. There was a younger man behind him who looked to be anywhere from 25 to 60.

“Alright listen up everyone,” the grey haired man said, “I am Mr. Tate and this is Mr. Strong. We are your flight coaches for this year.”

Everyone nodded. We were all in the hanger wearing flight suits. The hanger was still pressurized but that was about to change soon. Spitfire, Dane, me and a bunch of other students were all standing in a line before a large door.

“Now as you know we are getting new planes this year,” He continued. A lot of people cheered at that.

“Settle down everyone. I know you’re excited about getting new ships this year but you’ll have to be patient. We have a few things to go over first. First off; these are two person ships. A navigator and a pilot.”

There were a few ‘Aws,’ from everyone. I was wondering how this was gonna work.

“Now calm down. There are not enough ships for everyone to be pilot but everyone will receive training on the new platforms. Now everyone pair up. Find someone you like cause you’re gonna be partners for the year.”

Everyone began to pair up. Dane started to walk towards me.

I sighed, “Sorry dude, but I gotta look after her,” I said indicating to Spits, “She’s never piloted before.”

“Yeah yeah,” he laughed, “You watch out for your girlfriend. I’ll pair up with James.”

He walked away to a dark skinned boy. They fist bumped. I turned to Spits.

“So I guess we’re pairing up huh?” she said smiling.

“Yeah I guess we are. Don’t worry; I’ve flown before so this thing shouldn’t be too hard to pick up.”

“EVERYONE PARTNER UP?” Mr. Tate yelled, “NO?! RAMIREZ! JENKINS! CONGRATULATIONS BOYS YOU’RE PARTNERS NOW!”

Everyone laughed.

“Alright! We’re gonna depressurize the hanger and open the door. Your new ships are on the other side.”

Our suits pressurized and a whooshing sound could be heard as the air slowly left the chamber.

“How about later tonight we practice your teleporting thing again?” I asked Spitfire.

“Sure I’m game. So what kind of ships do you think we’re getting?”

“Well if I had to guess and them being two seaters I’d say they’d most likely be S-12B’s if anything. That’s within the school’s budget. Maybe some ST-16.2’s if we’re lucky. But hey, let’s wait and see.”

The room finished depressurizing and the large door before us unlocked and began to open. We could see into the blackness of space and the bright orange horizon of Jupiter below us.

“Well class, get a good look at your new ships. These things are brand new and I don’t want to see any of you treating them like lawnmowers.”

Everyone gasped at the sight before us. I laughed in glee as I saw the ships before us.

“Yeah ha ha! Now that is awesome!”

Chapter 17. Storms We Cannot Weather

Standing before us was the TSF-20-B training plane. To say we were surprised was and understatement. The plane was the latest and greatest training aircraft to come out of the Navy. The plane was a delta wing design with the cockpit in the nose like traditional planes. The pilot’s seat was in the front and the navigator in the back seat. There were two engines one the either side of the fuselage that lead to the thrust nozzles in the back. Small round lumps littered the side of the aircraft. Maneuvering thruster pods. There was a matte gray coating over the ship that extended all the way from the nose to the tail. Each on had a number on it.

“Now these ships are capable of atmospheric flight but considering the only atmosphere you need to worry about is Jupiter’s you won’t be doing much of that,” Mr. Tate said.

Everyone grinned.

“Now you can all thank the Navy for this. Admiral Halsey was kind enough to donate a few of these to our school for the year so no more shenanigans like last year.”

A few people laughed but I didn’t. I remembered what bowl cut boy had done last year. The guy nearly pushed me into the atmosphere. His real name was Butch but to me he was the guy who nearly killed me last year.

“Now we’ll begin lessons on how to fly them in half an hour so go select your ship and get to know her cause you and your partner will be married to that thing. Also get to choosing a name and what you want to put on the tail because after today the schools colors go on followed by whatever emblem you pick.”

A student raised her hand.

“No you cannot paint a giant Eight Equals D on the tail Miss Carolina.”

Everyone laughed at her expense.

“Alright. Go find a ship everyone. And don’t get too close to the hanger edge. We don’t want a repeat of last year.”

We all took off towards the ship we wanted. I grabbed Spitfire’s hand and headed for the number 7 ship. I liked it the most out of all the others, even if they were identical. It was the fighter sitting in the corner.

“Aw sick,” Spitfire said, “So this is our plane?”

“Yup,” I smiled tapping the surface of the spacecraft, “So what do you wanna name her?”

“Hmm. I don’t know you pick.”

“How about… Raptor?”

She smiled through her helmet, “I like it. It sounds fierce and powerful.”

“Just like we’re gonna be,” I smiled. A familiar phrase from a certain book ran through my head, “We’re gonna make a great team.”

With that we fist bumped.

***

School had gone well for the first week. We’d done pretty well in all of our classes. I’d helped Spits understand Stellar Phenomena. We also had gym class, which was pretty boring to say the least. Since we’d only had the class once so far all we did was play a few games of CTF and other small games.

Turns out that Spitfire was quite the acrobat and had pulled off a few moves during the CTF game that had a lot of guys drooling over her. That one front flip she did over one of the football players had him dumbfounded.

“Careful Spitfire,” I said as our team regrouped on one side of the gym while we waited for the next round to start. The other team was doing the same.

“Don’t attract too much attention to yourself.”

Spitfire tossed the flag back across to the other side, “Oh calm down Jett. At least let me have some fun here before I have to go back.”

“Alright!” Mrs. Tracy yelled, “Last round. Then you’re all out of here for the day.”

“Alright!” Spitfire yelled, “Let’s do this!”

Mrs. Tracy blew the whistle and the game began again. The rules were simple enough. The gym was divided up into two sides. Each side had a flag and once you crossed over to the other team’s side you were fair game. But Spitfire was especially good at this game as she jumped and danced around all the enemy players like it was nothing.

A few of the football players were eyeing Spitfire, some with angry looks, others with sly grins and something else in their eyes.

Various small skirmishes broke out along the line but nothing too serious.

One of the football players made a run for it. I made a run for him but he dove out of the way… only to be tagged by Spitfire.

“Nice.”

We high fived. I took to studying their formation of players. There was a general order; mainly a mass at the line and a few surrounding the flag. There was one weakness though. Along the wall someone fast and agile could get through. Spitfire.

“Hey Spits,” I said nudging her, “See that hole over there?” I pointed at the open spot without any people guarding it.

“Yeah. Why you got a job for me?” She grinned and flexed her leg muscles.

“Something like that,” I said grinning, “I have an idea. You sprint hard through that hole in their line and grab the flag but stay in the safe zone.”

“Ok, but how am I gonna get past those three guarding it? Or get out?”

“You’ll figure something out. As for the second thing I’ve got you covered. After you cross and draw their attention I’ll follow. You toss the flag over to me. I’ll grab it and make a mad dash for our side. That’ll distract them enough for you to escape. I’ll carry it as far as I can before trading it off to you.”

“Sounds like a plan. So when do we go?”

“Hmm,” I looked at our team and started to notice that no one was getting anywhere, “Now. Now GO!”

Spitfire took off in a mad sprint across the gymnasium for the hole their team had left. The jock that had left the line open, I think his name was Ryan had a look of surprise on his face as Spits ran by, giving a quick salute before running towards the flag.

The three players who were guarding it formed a sloppy phalanx but it was no use. Spitfire picked up speed before falling on her back and sliding beneath them.

By that time enough chaos had been caused that forced their formation to collapse into general disorder as people from both sides crossed the line and chased each other about. I ran across, dodging random players as they attempted to tag me. Being a machine came in a bit handy here as faster reflexes made me impossible to catch.

I saw Spitfire with the flag in her hands. She balled it up and threw it as hard as she could. I jumped up and grabbed it before running back towards our side. The others, seeing me and forgetting about Spitfire all converged on me as I ran.

Soon it looked like I was going to be surrounded. I saw Spitfire on the other side of the gym and tossed the flag to her. She jumped up and caught it before taking off on a sprint for our side. She was almost there when three football players blocked her path. I recognized them. Two of them were the ones who bumped me on the first day of school while the third was Ryan, Captain of the team.

They thought they had her. Hell even I thought they had her but her next move surprised everyone. She got a running start before jumping and vaulting over the three jocks. This wasn’t a normal front flip as much as something out of an Olympic Gymnastics routine. Her whole body went rigid as she flipped. She got a good look at the stunned faces of the football players as she passed over them.

She spun in midair before landing on her feet facing them; on our side. Her incredible move had won us the game. Everyone looked at her with looks of awe. Even Mrs. Tracy was gawking. She went to scribble something on her clipboard but seemed to forget she dropped it.

She picked it up and wrote something down before speaking, “A-and, ehem, the score is 7 to 3. Blue team wins the game. You can all go change.”

Everyone came out of their stupor in silence. A lot of the girls gave Spitfire mean looks that were returned fiercely by me. A lot of the guys had bedroom eyes when they looked at Spitfire but she didn’t appear to notice.

“I… That was… Wow,” I managed to stutter when I reached Spitfire, who blushed.

“Just something I picked up in the Wonderbolts,” she laughed.

“Well that was one the most amazing move I’ve ever seen pulled anywhere!”

She playfully punched me in the shoulder, “Shut up you. You’re such an Apple Polisher.”

“Hey call me what you like but that was still amazing.”

She blushed and looked at the floor, “So I’ll see you after class?”

“Yup. Hanger 7 at 3:00. We’ve got flight practice after school my little navigator.”

“Oh shut up,” She laughed and headed off to the girls locker rooms.

I grinned. That girl was something else.

***

The two of them walked out their different locker rooms to the door, waiting for the class period to end. They talked and conversed about all sorts of things. Flight practice, what to do on the weekends, what crazy situations Dane had gotten into the past week.

What they didn’t notice was that they were being watched.

Ryan stood watching them. Specifically the girl with the flame hair.

“That girl sure can jump, huh Ryan?” One of the football players said.

“Yeah… Guys, I want her. What’s her name?”

“Spitfire apparently. She’s rooming with the cyborg freak.”

“What?! But he’s just some robot freak!”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Hmm, I think it’s time toaster boy learns he should and shouldn’t have. Come on.”

***

Well it was the third week back at school and everything was going peachy. Spitfire was fitting in surprisingly well. She even made some friends that weren’t me or Dane. It was good to see her socialize. Her grades were pretty great all across the board; straight B’s and A’s.

We were gearing up for our first flight match of the year. Practice was bit grueling but Spits and I had gotten through it and quickly risen to the top of the leader board. We were the best duo out there.

I walked up to our ship we had decided to name Raptor. Spitfire stood nearby admiring her handy work.

On the tail was a lightning bolt with two wings behind it. The Wonderbolts emblem. It went good with the white and blue colors of the school.

“Nice,” I said.

“You like?” She grinned.

“It fits.”

“Alright class!” Mr. Tate shouted, “No drills today! Today we’re doing an actual game. Elimination.”

Everyone cheered. Elimination was fun. Basically every ship for itself. One giant free for all. Whoever was the last ship standing won.

“Today you’ll have five tickets. Once you run out your ship will be disabled and will automatically return to the hanger. That’s all. Get to your ships and good hunting.”

I pulled my helmet on. The visor polarized and the HUD activated. When inside the ship it would interface making flying the ship easier. Spitfire had the same only instead of displaying pilot information she had a navigator’s interface.

We climbed into the ship; me in the front and Spits in the back.

“You ready for this?” I asked.

“Come on dude, we’ve been doing this for three weeks now. We got this,” She laughed. Even though I couldn’t her face I could tell she was grinning from ear to ear.

I settled into the cockpit and strapped myself in. The controls were relatively simplistic. Two sticks and two foot petals. One stick was your standard aircraft stick, up, down, left, right, etc. The second one was required for the more complicated maneuvers one could perform in space. The petals controlled the speed of the aircraft. Before me was a console that displayed all the information I needed to control the plane. Speed, inertia, engine temperature, damage reports, 360 degree radar. All of this could be projected onto my helmet’s visor.

Spitfire had a larger screen that allowed her to keep track of objects and enemy contacts more precisely than me. Unlike my 2D radar that only showed weather objects were in front of me or behind me, Spitfire had a screen that showed the view of the environment with more accuracy than I could ever see. It was her job to mark objects and keep the ship from hitting anything.

“Alright then,” I said as the cockpit sealed, “Let’s do this.”

The hanger depressurized and the doors opened. The ships rose off the deck and calmly drifted off into the calm of space. Soon though everyone broke away from each other and shot off into the darkness of the obstacles.

The school had pulled a few asteroids and some debris to form a course around the school. This was gonna be a fun game.

Mr. Tate and Mr. Strong flew their ship out, “Alright. Last one left wins. Go!”

Five stars appeared on my HUD. Our tickets for the game.

“Alright,” I said, “We’re bouta win.”

***

“Get him get him get him!” Spitfire’s voice filled my helmet’s speaks, “I marked him! He’s right there!”

“Relax! I got him!” I responded.

We were currently chasing bowl cut boy around one of the larger asteroids that had been pushed into the area. So far we’d only been shot at about 8 times but only lost 1 ticket.

Our ship dodged and weaved around the small valleys and canyons the rock had in it. Butch and his partner were putting up a fight. They were sticking pretty close to the surface of the rock.

“Get em!”

“I can’t! If I line up for a direct shot they rotate 180 degrees and shoot us! We’ll have lined up for them!”

“Well we have to do something! I’m not too keen on losing!”

“Me neither. Keep track of them. I have an idea.”

I rolled the ship and got close to the surface of the asteroid, with its bruised and battered edge flying by above our canopy. I pulled the stick left and went perpendicular to their previous path. We were only a few centimeters from the surface.

“What are you doing?”

“Butch will keep going along his current course until he comes back to his old position before leaving this rock. He wants to make sure he’s lost us for good. With us this close to the surface he won’t be able to track us.” I explained.

“So how does this help us win?” Spitfire asked.

“Easily. I’m gonna meet him halfway.”

We zoomed along the edge of the rock.

“He’s still going around. At this rate, we’ll converge on him in 15 seconds.”

“How any meters away is he?”

“400 and closing fast.”

“Perfect.”

We shot along until we were coming down on Butch’s port side from beneath him. I jammed the stick forward and we pulled away from the surface. I pulled the trigger and watch the T rounds splatter across his ship. He was marked and out of the game.

“YES!” We both shouted.

I spun our plane over his disabled ship. As we passed over he gave me the finger but hey. He was out so what was he gonna do? I rotated the ship so we were facing him while still carrying our forward momentum and fired, covering his canopy in a fine blue paint.

“Ha ha, asshole.”

I turned the ship around and continued on.

“Alright so who’s left?” I asked.

“Just one other ship…. And its Dane,” Spitfire laughed.

“Dane? Oh ho ho. We’re gonna have fun now. How many tickets does he have left?”

“Two.”

“Alright, let’s do this. Where is he?”

The plane shook as a series of T rounds speckled the wings.

“There!” Spitfire said as Dane’s ship nosedived past us. He pulled up and turned to face us.

“Oh I see what he’s doing. It’s on now asshole,” I laughed and slammed my foot down on the peddle. Our two ships hurled towards each other. Neither of us shot though we probably should have.

“Come on come on come on come on!”

“Jett! What are you doing?!”

“Playing chicken with another android.”

“Well don’t make us crash!”

“Relax. I got this,” I laughed, “Come on, almost there almost there almost there!”

Our ships were getting closer rather quickly.

“Almost there! Almost there! Almost there!”

We were getting dangerously close. Neither of us was backing down. Soon it would be too late.

“Damn IT!” I yelled and pulled the sticks left just as Dane did the same. We flew past each other, I went up and Dane went down. I pulled the sticks again and turned the ship around before slamming down on the petal. We rocketed forward after his ship.

We were on his tail. If I could just line up long enough I could- YES!

I lined up for the shot and fired. A stream of rounds hit his ship. He was down to his last ticket.

“Come on Jett! You almost got him!”

Just when I lined up again Dane’s ship decelerated. We flew past and were now in front of him. He reengaged his engines and chased after us.

“Aw shit,” I said as a stream of rounds hit our ship, knocking out two of our tickets.

“Jett we only have one left!”

“I know! Hold on and let me think of something!”

“He’s lining up again!”

“Shit. Come on think!”

Well if he lined up we would be screwed. Come on think!

“Can’t you rotate her around so we can fire back? Like you said?” Spitfire asked.

I smiled, “Wow I feel like an idiot! Spitfire you are a genius! Hold on!”

I jammed the sticks forward and spun the ship around so we were facing Dane and opened fire. The rounds splattered across his nose just as he let out a burst. His rounds slammed into our wing but it was pointless. The computers recorded our win.

“YES!” We both yelled again.

Our ship’s engines fired automatically, bringing us to a stop. I reached back over behind my seat and gave Spits a high five.

Mr. Tate’s voice echoed through the cabin, “Congratulations Raptor team. You’ve won.”

“Hell yeah we did!” Spitfire cheered.

“Yes well anyway. General announcement. Control is being restored to all aircraft. Return to the barn everyone. Our first meet is Friday so get plenty of rest between now and then. Tate out.”

“How do you think we’ll do at the meet?” Spitfire asked.

“Well after what we just did there? Just fine.”

We laughed as I guided the ship back into the hanger.

***

“Can you stop playing that?” Dane asked. We all sat in the lounge area of our dorms. I sat playing Worlds Apart on the piano.

“Shut up. You’re just mad you can’t play like this,” I said.

Spitfire leaned over the piano, “Well I like it Jett. It’s a pretty beautiful tune.”

Dane leaned back on the couch he was sitting on and turned on the news, “Of course your girlfriend would like your playing.”

“You’re just mad we kicked your ass at practice today,” I laughed and continued to play.

Dane scoffed and returned to the news.

“In other news today, seismic activity in and around Yellowstone National Park has increased,” The TV blared, “Water levels in Yellowstone Lake have also continued to drop at an alarming rate. Scientists are still struggling to understand the causes of the activity but have begun Deep Geographic Scans of the area…”

***

Spitfire leaned against the piano and closed her eyes, listening to her friend play. The melody was calming and she was perfectly content with falling asleep to it.

Suddenly Jett stopped playing. Spitfire looked up.

“Ah I got a message from Cat,” he said.

“Hey Jett!” Dane called, “Come look at this!”

“Alright alright. What is it?”

“They’re saying some ‘incident’ just occurred at Earth. They’re not saying what happened yet but they believe the IPA is responsible.”

“Really?” He got up and walked over to the TV. Spitfire stood up and followed.

“CBS News has just received footage. Please stand by,” The TV said, “Breaking News. Tensions between Earth and the Inner Planets Alliance increased today with the bombing of a Terran reconnaissance station. Station R-23 as it was known was destroyed earlier today by in a brazen attack by a still unidentified group. While no one has taken responsibility for the attack it is believed the IPA is responsible.”

By now a crowd had gathered around. This wasn’t good. If things got worse it could mean open war between Mar/Earth and Venus/Mercury. Everyone was focused on the story before them. Jett watched with intensity.

“Fortunately there was a minimal loss of life in the attack. 148 out of the 150 personnel on the station escaped unharmed. Two people however are still missing and presumed dead. Computer Technician Stacy Jackson and Station Commander Caitlyn ‘Cat’ Halsey stayed behind to destroy the station’s database and are still missing but ,as we said earlier, presumed dead.

Everyone turned. Jett stood fixated at the TV with a look of horror on his face. Pictures of the two were displayed on the screen.

Oh no, Spitfire thought.

Silence filled the room as everyone continued to watch, occasionally glancing back at the android.

“The attack occurred at approximately 0900 Solar Time. From what has been released it looks like Commander Halsey ordered an immediate evacuation of all personnel while she and Technician Jackson stayed behind to wipe all sensitive material from the database. They were last seen heading for the computer core approximately 7 minutes before the station’s reactor failed.”

The TV cut to footage of and escape pod blasting off of the side of a mushroom shaped station. The pod accelerated away. As it did the side of the station became exposed, showing a large section of it blown off into space. 30 seconds later the station detonated.

“That is all we have currently. We will update you with information as we get it…”

Jett took his phone out of his pocket and stared at the screen. His face was expressionless, unmoving, machine like.

A few people turned to him, “Damn dude that sucks.” “Sorry for your loss man.”

He simply turned and left the lounge, heading down the stairs towards the dorms. A few people attempted to offer their condolences as he headed to his room.

“I’m sorry.” “I know how much she me-”

They were cut off as Jett roared, “LEAVE ME ALONE!!!” He yelled so loud that everyone immediately shut up. For a moment his voiced cracked and sounded synthesized before returning to normal.

He stormed off into the dorm, slamming the door behind him.

Spitfire turned to Dane. He had a shocked expression on his face. He leaned forward and put his hands over his mouth. No one talked or even moved for the longest time. Spitfire was shocked. What was happening in this world?

Jett was just informed in the rudest way possible that his sister was dead. Spitfire turned and walked down the stairs towards the dorm.

***

“Hey little brother. If you’re getting this… well then I guess something has happened to your big sister. I’m not sure exactly what to say here. I mean- I know you’re probably never gonna see this so why bother right? Heh heh, well to be honest I don’t know why I’m recording this. They told us the risks when I signed up for this job but I always figured that if something happened it would be the next guy over right? Hell it probably will be.

But if it isn’t I’d just like to apologize for a few things. I’m sorry for being such a bitch to you when you first came home. I was jealous, angry bitch at the time and had no right to get mad at you. I’m sorry for not taking the time to get to know you sooner because you turned out to be a pretty awesome dude. I’m sorry for all the times you had to cook for the two of us because of my garbage skills in the kitchen. But most of all I’m sorry for leaving you that first year we started living together. I can still see your heartbroken face sometimes you know. But this was what I wanted and I just hope you can forgive me for that along with the rest of my shortcomings as a Big Sister to you.

Well I guess this is it Little Bro. I love you, dad and mother. Be sure to remember that. This is your big sister Cat signing off. Peace.”

Caitlyn pushed herself away from the console and hit save.

“Hey Catty you almost done over there?” Samuel asked.

“Yeah yeah Sammy. Keep your pants on,” Caitlyn laughed.

She stood up from the console and walked back into the command center for R-23.

“Alright people, Give me an update on where they stand…”

***

Spitfire walked into the dorm. The lights were off meaning the only light came from the orange glow from Jupiter. She crept over to her and Jett’s room and carefully opened the door.

“Jett?” She asked softly, “Are you alright?”

She opened the door all the way. What she saw nearly broke her heart. Jett was sitting on his bed staring at the floor with his phone clutched in his hands. A picture of Cat was displayed on the screen.

She could see his eyes were watering. He was doing his best not to cry, both for her sake and his. That was something else too. Maybe it was the light but his eyes looked different again, almost grey.

She sat down next to him on the bed, “Jett… I am so sorry.”

His breathing became jerky and labored. He sniffed, trying with extreme effort not to cry. He sat there on the brink for the longest time before calmly leaning over and falling into Spitfire’s shoulder.

Spitfire jumped slightly but when she realized what was happening she calmed down. Jett’s breathing became labored as he sobbed into her shoulder.

“Oh Jett…” Spitfire said close to tears of her own. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his shaky body, running her fingers through his hair.

“Ssshhh,” she cooed softly, “Sssshhh. It’s ok. It’s gonna be ok.”

“I… I…” he gasped between sobs.

“It’s alright,” she whispered softly, “I know. It’s gonna be fine. Just let it out.”

A thud was heard as he let the phone go and fall to the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” Spitfire said as she began to cry herself.

Chapter 18. Worry.

I know I said not to expect any new chapters for a while but I could not get this out of my head. I know it's short but next one will be longer.

The week proceeded on. But things were different. Most still kept their distance from the android out of respect or fear. But it was probably a combination of the both. Spitfire was worried. Jett wasn’t an emotional wreck like most. He wasn’t displaying typical signs of grief.

No denial, no anger, no bargaining, no depression, though Spitfire wasn’t sure about acceptance. He talked little; sparingly in fact. Conversations consisted of one word answers. He ate little; only down to the essentials that were necessary to keep his systems running. He didn’t even sleep at all; only staring out the window during the night until morning.

In class he worked alone. Spitfire would attempt to get him to talk but he was beginning to reject human contact more and more. Most of his free time was spent in the hanger looking out into the darkness of space.

Spitfire tried to go on as normal. She talked with a lot of her friends she had made at the school, she conversed with Dane more than normal but Jett avoided everyone like the plague.

While she didn’t voice any of her concerns to anyone, secretly she was worried sick about him. From her time spent with him she’d quickly determined that his sister was more of a mother to him than his own mother was. She had been the only maternal figure in his life.

Her death was had the same effect as the loss of a mother. Only for him there didn’t seem to be any effect. The only emotion Spitfire had seen out of him was on the day she died. Now he just seemed… dead.

The Admiral had been there to sort out all the legal matters that had come with Caitlyn’s untimely demise. Fortunately she had paid off the house and cars and left everything to Jett but that was little comfort for him. In fact nothing seemed to faze him at all. At practice he was silent, in the dorms all he did was lie on his bed and stare at the ceiling, and anywhere else he sat alone.

The school tried grief consoling, hell they even offered to give him the week off but he didn’t take it. He simply didn’t speak to any of the counselors.

Now a week and a half after Caitlyn’s death Spitfire was starting to get worried.

She sighed and sat down in the chair at the food court. She was sitting just outside one of the restaurants in mall area of the station. Various students, teachers, and other personnel walked about and talked; going on with business they had to attend to after school was over for the day. Various stores were all surrounded the court. Clothing stores, grocery stores, a GameStop, an arcade, Victoria’s Secret, Hot Topic, a few restaurants, etc.

Dane was wearing sunglasses and leaning back in the chair in front of her, close to falling over. She placed a book on the table.

“What’s that?” Dane asked.

“Just a journal,” Spitfire sighed, “Thinking about keeping a diary.”

“Yeah well just keep it hidden. There are a lot of people who would love to get inside your head,” Dane laughed indicating to the football players at the next table.

“Yeah what is it with them? I’m seeing them around a lot more than usual lately.”

“I don’t know,” Dane laughed, “Maybe one of them has a thing for you.”

Spitfire turned red, “Oh shut up you asshole.”

Dane recovered and sat upright in his chair, “So what’d you wanna talk about?”

Spitfire turned serious, “Jett. I’m worried about him. He doesn’t eat, sleep, talk, or do much of anything. He hasn’t showed anything resembling an emotion since Cat died. I just can’t get through to him at all.”

“Well have you tried kissing him?”

“Dane this is serious.”

“I know I know, bad joke.”

“I just don’t know what to do. I just want to see him smile again.”

Dane sighed, “You know if you had said that at any other time I would have thought you were crushing over him. But sadly you’re right. I kinda miss his sometimes funny sometimes cynical attitude on things.”

“I don’t know what to do. He seems so emotionally dead,” she sighed.

Dane looked over her shoulder.

“What is it?”

“Look for yourself.”

She turned. Jett had just left the bookstore carrying several things; a book on Battlefield Psychology, The Art of War, and a book on Modern Battle Strategy.

He didn’t as much as glance at them or anyone as he walked towards the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Again his eyes looked more grey than blue. He calmly opened the door and stepped into the staircase.

“What do you think that was about?” Spitfire asked.

“You’re asking me? How am I supposed to know?” Dane shrugged, “I could barely get inside his head before. No way in hell that’s gonna happen now.”

“Well we have to try something. We can’t just let him stay like this.”

“Maybe. But have you considered this is just his way of grieving? I mean, neither of us is human so the five stages of grief may or may not apply to us. Hell I don’t even know how I would react to something like that. Right now he seems… unpredictable.”

“Hmm. Maybe. Let’s wait and see. I’ll keep watch over him for a few more days. If nothing changes then we’ll do something. Deal?”

“Alright.”

They stood up and walked towards the elevators to the dorms.

***

“Now why was hot stuff talking with robot boy’s cousin?”

“Why are you asking us? It’s not like we know them.”

Ryan sighed, “Well I thought that you would maybe know something.”

“Not really. All I really know is that the Cyborg’s Sister died last week. Apparently she was some kind of war hero.”

“Danny, I don’t care if she was the president of the entire Earth/Mars Alliance. What I do care about is the girl the Toaster boy is rooming with.”

“Yeah she’s a hot thing isn’t she?”

“Careful Danny,” Chris laughed, “Don’t want Amanda to hear that.”

Ryan slammed his fists on the table, “Guys shut up. I really don’t care about your relationship statuses right now. What I want is to figure out how to bag fire hair over there.”

“Well you could just do what you did with Christy.”

“Getting drunk and having sex behind her parent’s shed does not sound like the type of thing she’d go for.”

“Well what do you think she would go for?”

“Hmm. I have an idea. Come on.”

***

Spitfire opened the door to her and Jett’s room and walked in. Something was different this time. Instead of sitting on the bed staring at the ceiling he had several large sheets of paper placed on the bed and was carefully drawing diagrams into them, occasionally looking back at a book or a topography map before returning to his work.

Spitfire strolled in and dropped her bag at the foot of her bed, “What’re you doing?”

“Nothing.”

She sighed, “When are we going to go practice my teleporting again? We haven’t done it since we got here that first week.”

“Soon.”

“How soon?”

“Later.”

“Ok.”

The android stood up and walked over to the desk they shared in the room and pulled up a window. He began scrolling through it at speeds faster than normal.

“What are you doing now?”

“Counting.”

“Counting what?”

“The stockpile.”

“Stockpile of what?”

“Old things.”

“How old?”

“20th century.”

“So what are you counting?”

“Weapons.”

Chapter 19. Verbally Bash

Spitfire was sleeping calmly on her bed, her wings wrapped around her like a protective cocoon. Jett calmly finished his diagram and rolled up the paper sheets. He walked over to the ventilation shaft that sat just behind his bed.

He calmly opened up his arm and watched as a rotary of tools flipped out of the compartment. He selected one and began to undo the screws holding the vent cover in place. The tool whirred quietly as he unscrewed the bolts. With the screws gone he removed the cover. Setting it down quietly on the bed he grabbed the rolls of paper and placed them in the vent before replacing the cover and the screws.

With everything in place he went under his bed and removed a small case. He opened it up. Various attachments and components sat in it. He retracted the utility rotary and watched it cycle through the inside of his arm. An empty hard point and plug in appeared. He selected a personal defense weapon and placed it into the empty slot and cycled again. He selected a buzz saw and placed it in before closing the case and resealing the arm.

“Just in case,” he whispered, “For them.”

Calmly he walked over to the desk where he kept his computer and went to work. He began deleting the evidence, covering up his footsteps with precision, rebuilding broken down firewalls. After removing any trace of evidence that would lead back to him he terminated the connection and shut off the device.

He looked back to Spitfire who still slept calmly, occasionally moaning something before rolling over and getting comfortable again. On her nightstand was a book. A journal to be precise. There was a bookmark only about 1/20 of the way through it. It was a diary.

For a moment he thought about reading it.

“No. It’s hers. She deserves her privacy.”

He calmly walked over to the bed and sat down on it before rolling over and lying down and falling asleep for the first time in two weeks.

***

Spitfire awoke to a noise. A rustling to be exact. She rolled over and opened her eyes. Jett was asleep in his bed. Spitfire was surprised. For the past three days all he’d looked at in his free time were those sheets of paper. Come to think of it, what was on them? All she’d seen were quick glances of the paper and those weren’t very useful. All she’d gotten from them were surprisingly good hand drawn pictures of a topography map with various locations on it. All of them had X’s next to them.

Jett was sleeping soundly. She smiled. Well it was a start. She sighed and got up out of bed. She figured she’d let him sleep for today. She pulled off her nightshirt blushing slightly as she glanced back at the sleeping android who curled up into the fetal position a little more.

The thought of her friend waking up and seeing her was a bit exciting but unlikely in Spitfire’s mind. As awkward as that situation would be it probably wouldn’t happen. She pulled on a sports bra, tucking her wings underneath it before pulling on an undershirt and her leather jacket over it. She pulled her pants on followed by her socks and shoes. She grabbed her sunglasses before heading for the door.

She was almost there when she turned back. Her diary was still on her nightstand from last night. She walked back and tucked it under her mattress.

“There we go. Safe and sound.”

She put her sunglasses in her pocket and walked out the door.

She knocked on Dane’s room. No answer. Probably gone out somewhere.

Whatever. She was gonna meet up with her gal pals at the mall later today. But first some breakfast.

***

UEG Midnight Eternity. Three Days later. 1400 Hours.

“How’s your son doing Admiral?” Captain Hawk asked.

“My son? What happened to ‘The Seven’?” Fleet Admiral Halsey laughed.

“Oh come now George. I haven’t called him that since I was an Ensign and you were a Rear Admiral,” The Captain laughed.

“I suppose that was a long time ago wasn’t it Jacob?”

“Where does the time go?”

The Admiral sighed and sat down in the empty chair. Captain Jacob Hawk sat behind his desk in his office just off from the main bridge. Various personal items decorated the space.

“I don’t know. Just the other day my daughter was alive and now today I learn that her body was completely vaporized in the explosion. And now my son is an emotional husk. The school is worried about him.”

“Have his grades dropped?”

“Oh no that’s not the problem. The complete opposite in fact. He’s always done so well that he’s been able to indulge himself in whatever he feels like, whether it’s extra hours practicing for the flight team or just hanging out with some friends. No, his problem now is that he doesn’t do any of that.”

“What does he do then?” The captain asked.

“Nothing, or at least that’s what his roommate is saying. Apparently she says he doesn’t sleep, eat, or do anything other than stare out the window in his free time,” The Admiral sighed, “I’m worried I’m gonna lose him to. And with Venus reinforcing their border and the Harvey administration breathing down my neck I don’t know what else to do.”

“You think it will come to that?”

“I don’t know. I hope not. It looks like what Venus is doing is a precautionary measure more than anything but what I need is a solid battle plan to get past them. Harvey wants a contingency plan that will allow us to turn that world to glass if this all moves sideways on us.”

“I don’t envy your job but I find I always work best if I take a few hours rest,” Hawk said.

“I don’t need rest I need to figure this thing out. And I can’t do that with my son having a mental breakdown on one side of the system and Venus popping and locking on the other.”

“Do you want me to get the CMO up here? She can make it an order.”

“You’re gonna pull medical on me Hawk?” Admiral Halsey laughed.

“Hey you did the same thing to me when I stayed up that week trying to solve my problems. What was it you said? ‘Take a day’s rest son. You’ll be better prepared to deal with things tomorrow if you have a ready head. Who knows? One of your problems may just solve itself.’ And from what I recall it worked. What exactly happened that week again? Refresh my memory.”

“Alright, I see your point Mr. ‘I found a faster way to Jupiter.’ Who knows? Maybe one of these things will solve itself.”

“Glad you see it my way sir. Now get your ass outta here.”

“Yes sir.”

George stood up and walked out of the room onto the bridge.

“Admiral on Deck!”

“As you were.”

He entered the elevator and headed down to his cabin. He would reach the Mars tomorrow. Hopefully something would go right by then.

The door to his cabin opened up and he stepped in. The lights were off but that wasn’t a problem.

“Computer, Lights.” The room illuminated.

“Too bright. Dim… Dimmer… There we go.” The room was scarcely lit. Just barely enough to see anything.

“Computer, do I have any messages?”

“Yes,” The automated female voice said, “One.”

“From where?”

“The Charles Lindbergh Academy of Flight and Astronomical Sciences.”

“Great,” The Admiral sighed. He walked over to the desk in his room and looked at the terminal.

“Did they leave a message?”

“Yes. They asked you to contact this number immediately.”

A contact number went across the screen.

Halsey sighed, “Call it.”

***

The Academy. One day Earlier.

I sat in Coach Ackerson’s office. I could tell he was pissed. But in my opinion he had no right to be. He saw the footage. Or at least should have seen it.

He was pacing backing and forth. On the wall were various Football photos and plaques for best coach of the year or some other award. In all honesty I could give less of a fuck. He could have the Fucking Medal of Honor for all I care. He was still an asshole.

While he cared deeply for his team, that fraternal feeling went a little bit too far. And now was one of those times.

He continued to pace back and forth. He stopped, staring at me. Intimidation doesn’t work on me. Maybe on other androids but not me. Not after what happened these last few days. The pacing continued.

My eyes began to wander. I hoped this guy was going to let me go soon. I had things to do, places to be, people to finish off.

He stopped and stared at me, “Jett Halsey.”

“Yes SIR?” I asked with venom.

He sat down on his chair behind his desk, “Jett Halsey.”

“What do you want SIR?”

“I’ve never seen much of you before now. Tell me about yourself.”

Yeah he was pissed. But then again so was I. More so than him in fact.

“What do you want to know that you can’t find out from the others? I’m sure Ryan told you all about me considering I’m rooming with the ‘bunny’ he wants. Is that what you guys do? I though humanity was past the whole ‘you have something I want so I’m going to take it’ thing. Only in his case I never had what he wanted to begin with. If he wasn’t such an ungodly-”

“HEY! DON’T YOU DARE TRASH TALK RYAN! HE HAS MORE GUTS AND CHARACTER THAN YOU EVER WILL!”

Yeah, you don’t know the half of it asshole.

“I thought you wanted to learn about me, SIR.”

“YES I DO.”

“Well I’m a cyborg freak. As appointed by your arrogant football players. I’m son of Fleet Admiral Halsey and the CEO of one of the largest spacecraft manufacturers in the system. That’s all you need to know, SIR.”

He walked over to the door and opened it, “You see that?!” He pointed out the door. I leaned back to see what he was pointing at. The trophy case. Full of trophies and metals the football team had won throughout the years. Various photos of the team were scattered around the awards. Though one person always seemed to pop up in them. Heh funny, cause just down the hall is where they had to pick up the shattered glass from the bulletin board.

“THREE of those belong to Ryan Kingly. THREE of those he won for the school himself! The rest he was a MAJOR Player for the team.”

He sat back down on his desk. It was kinda funny. If I had an egg I could probably cook it on his face if I wanted to.

“Yeah that’s cool Sir but if you look up the hallway there to the school lobby you’ll see the flight team trophies. You know the difference between us and your team of arrogant demigods? Our Wins rarely rely on one person. We do a team effort.”

He turned red. He was probably about to blow a head gasket. He walked up to his desk and removed a picture from his desk. He took a knife and carved it in half. He slammed it down in front of me.

“Do you know what Chess is?”

“I’m not STUPID sir. I know what Chess is.”

“Well then let me explain what Ryan and the rest of those players are. Ryan Kingly is the QUEEN and the others are the knights, bishops, and rooks.”

He pushed the photo closer to me.

“You see this?! Tell me what it is!”

I stared at it. There was a team photo of your typical jocks and cocks in football pads. Only about half of them were missing; including Ryan. I laughed inwardly.

“YOU. TELL. ME. WHAT. THAT. IS!!!”

“It’s the football team?” I asked.

“WRONG! Half the football team! All I have to work with this season! And you’re the cause!”

“To be quite honest with you sir,” I sighed with a bored expression on my face, “I don’t give two fucks. I honestly don’t care. In fact, to demonstrate this, I have a math problem for you. Take any number, times it by itself, square root, ad five, subtract the original number, ad five, and subtract ten, and that’s the number of fucks I give about your team.”

Ackerson’s face turned red with rage. He was known to have quite the mouth when it came to discipline but for some reason the school let him get away with it. A lot of people could remember times when a cheerleader would leave his office crying after getting ‘spoken to’ by Ackerson for some supposed error she had made that distracted his ‘Soldier team.’ For some reason his player’s girlfriends never entered his office. I wonder why.

“You are so lucky hitting students is illegal you wise fuck!”

“I’m also lucky you’re such a pussy and probably wouldn’t do shit if you could!”

Ackerson slammed his hands on the desk. I did the same only there was a difference between the effects of his and mine. Where my hands impacted there were dents. We stood glaring daggers, swords, knives, and any other stabbing weapon you could think of at each other.

Ackerson sighed, “You are just one fucking problem after another! And I have the privilege of watching you until the principal arrives with spooks from the Office of Naval Intelligence!”

“Or you could let me go back to my room. I have things I’d like to attend to.”

“After what you did to the best heroes this school has?! Not a chance in fucking hell!”

“They didn’t do anything heroic! You have access to the footage!”

He was yelling again, “I don’t care what they did! You know what the most minor injury one of them has is? Shattered ankles!”

“Well bullying does come with its hazards.”

“They weren’t Bullying!”

“You are correct on that one, only one of them was being an asshole. And it was your ‘Star Player’ as you put it. The others were just following orders or testosterone. Probably both.”

Ackerson started grinding his teeth, “All he was looking for was a prom date; which is something you won’t be attending after this!”

“Look at this face!” I said smiling in an overly happy expression that was almost demonic, “This is me giving a FUCK! You want my honest opinion of prom? A fucking waste of my time. And why? Because your judgmental, arrogant, football players like spreading rumors and making my life a living fucking hell when I’m here!”

“They’re judgmental?! You’re the one who’s calling them arrogant!”

“Because it’s what they are! And quite frankly, you are too. Ever since Ryan showed up here three years ago you’ve been wrapping yourself up in the glory of being the coach of the team that’s been the national champs for the past three years!”

“They couldn’t pay me enough to put up with your BULLSHIT! You know, have you ever given it thought that those rumors of you being a crazy, cyborg, freak are correct!? You’ve done nothing but bash the best people this school has since you’ve stepped into my office.”

“Because quite frankly SIR your team is full of assholes,” I said matter of factly, “And you have no idea what you perfect child has done to people since he’s been here! Arrogance, a sense of superiority, insolence, that’s what you football team is! And about me being crazy, that one is true! I’m crazier than you could possibly imagine and you sir are just as judgmental and arrogant as the rest of your team.”

“And your flight team isn’t?!”

“I won’t lie. We’re not perfect. Far from it! But we don’t go around beating people up because we think we’re better than everyone else!”

“No, what you do is steal the glory from people who deserve it!”

“Yeah, uh huh,” I said sitting back down, “They deserve the glory. You know I remember when playing sports wasn’t about glory but about playing the game the best you could. Things like HONOR and RESPECT were what the teams stood for. But obviously COACH none of that means a damn thing to you or your team!”

“They are the most respectable people this school has ever known!” He roared.

“Yeah, sure. If only there was something about them to respect.”

“You know, I think you’re jealous of them,” Ackerson smirked smugly. Oh ho ho he did not just say that.

“EXCUSE ME?!”

“Yeah! I think you’re just envious of how charismatic, strong, and attractive they are.”

“Why would I be JEALOUS of a couple of pompous, arrogant, sadistic sons of bitches who like to harass and bully others until they get what they want?!”

“Because all the girls in the school want to be with them and people like you want to be them!” Oh, so he’s going for a nut shot on this one.

“If I was them I would do the world a favor and eject myself out an airlock! And as for the girls, they can have them! Good riddance to trashy garbage!”

“You know, I think that’s the reason you’re such a bitter son of a fuck. You’re LONELY, USELESS, NO GIRL WOULD WANT YOU!”

“YOU’RE GOD DAMN RIGHT ABOUT THAT ONE SIR! BECAUSE I WISH I WAS LIKE THEM SO I COULD ATTRACT ALL THE TRASHY WHORES THIS SCHOOL HAS! You know maybe I should give ONI ONE more reason to come here.”

“What’s a shrimpy freak like you gonna do?!”

“The same thing I did to your GOD DAMN TEAM!”

“OH I am seriously considering smacking you right now,” Ackerson laughed, cracking his knuckles.

“You know your football team tried the same thing. Look where that got them!”

“You think I’m afraid of you? You mechanical piece of garbage!”

“YOU ARE JUST AS BIASED AS YOUR SO CALLED PERFECT TEAM YOU HIPPOPOTAMUS LOOKING PIECE OF SHIT!”

***

Principal Jenkins sighed. This wasn’t the first time ONI had been called to the school. The two androids in his charge had almost always been involved in some kind of trouble. While most of the time it wasn’t their fault and most incidents were minor, this one was a bit more serious.

The ONI official looked through the incident file, “This is all of it?”

“Everything we have is in there Mr.…”

“Dowl. Mr. Dowl. Thank you for assisting us in this investigation.”

“Well I love to help where ever I can. To be honest with you sir your two special projects make things a little more interesting around here. But this thing is a bit more serious than the other times you were called here.”

“So I’m told. And you say this was over a girl?”

“Well that is what the subject material appeared to be about. As for the actual incident I can assure you your android did nothing to provoke it. If anything he was quite restrained. But I guess he just snapped. I can’t say I blame him, he’s been under a lot of emotional stress lately.”

“We know. While we deeply feel sorry for the subject, his reactions have given us valuable insight to further development of the project.”

“Further development? You mean he’s only a prototype?”

“Yes. And we can’t thank you enough for your participation in this experiment.”

“Oh it’s no trouble at all. But do they all do that when angered like that?”

“In all honesty we don’t know,” Dowl smiled, “So far the Seven is the only one to react like that. If anything, the data says he’s becoming more human.”

The ship shuddered as the docking arm locked it into place in the school’s hanger and the airlock connected to the side.

“Well here we are. And the school is cleared out like you asked.”

“Where is it?”

“Currently it’s being watched by one of the athletic directors. Though I’m not sure which one. I told Marcy to find the first available teacher for the job.”

The principal and the ONI team stepped off of the ship and into the school. They began walking down the hallway towards the main lobby. Muffled yelling could be heard echoing down the hall.

“… STUPID SHIT EATING…” one voice yelled, clearly upset.

“… ENVIOUS UNGREATFUL BLOOD…” another yelled.

Jenkins sighed.

“Who is it?”

“Ackerson.”

The sound of shattering glass was heard down the hall.

***

“THIS IS WHAT I THINK OF YOUR PERFECT FUCKING TEAM!” I grabbed the snow globe off his desk and hurled it out the door. It smashed into the trophy case. A few of them fell out onto the floor in a pile of shattered glass.

“YOU WORTHLESS MOTHERFUCKER! PICK THAT UP!”

“NO.”

“WHY CAN’T YOU JUST RESPECT YOUR SUPPERIORS?!”

“Sir, I mean this in the absolutely worst way possible: Go fuck yourself.”

“You know, this is what I think your punishment should be: go apologize to those players and then do whatever they want of you for the rest of your time at this school!”

“Is that for breaking you little trophy case?”

“That’s for being an ungrateful little shit eater!”

“You know SIR. I don’t need this. In the words of my generation, UP YOURS YOU FESTERING FUCK!”

I stood up and slammed the chair against his desk before opening the door and walking out. After slamming the door I grabbed the handle and bent it upwards. I laughed as Ackerson attempted to open it only to find the handle didn’t turn. I could still hear his profanity as I walked away from his office.

I was almost to the elevators when I was stopped.

“There, there he is,” I heard Principal Jenkins say.

“Thank you. Jett Halsey?” An authoritarian voice said.

I turned, “Yeah that’s me. What do you want?”

A man wearing a black suit and sunglasses flanked by two others in similar garb walked up. They had their hands in their jacket pockets. Just in case. As they should. They must have heard all about the homicidal android from Ganymede. The man removed his sunglasses.

“I’m Director Dowl from the Office of Naval Intelligence. We need to talk.”

I sighed, “Yeah I figured as much.”

***

Spitfire was lying down on the couch in the dorm staring at the ceiling. Dane was flopped over in an armchair on the other side of the room.

“When will he be back?” Spitfire asked.

“After what he did to those guys? I have no idea,” Dane said, “He’s probably being grilled by Ackerson for putting his boys in the hospital.”

“I’m worried.”

“Yeah I would be to. I’m surprised he didn’t do some Indiana Jones thing and ripe their hearts out and eat them in front of them.”

“I’m not talking about the football players,” Spitfire said, “Forget them, their total assholes. After what they were planning on doing to Jett they deserved that.”

“Not sure they were expecting that,” Dane laughed, “After they beat him up the first time I’m guessing they were all stupid enough to think he wouldn’t take the time to learn self-defense.”

“No, I’m worried about Jett. What do you think will happen to him?”

“Well there’s a rumor going around that ONI is coming but I’m not sure. They probably want him for questioning before they cover this whole thing up and say the football team got mauled by bears or something.”

“They would do that?”

“Well when a school football team tries to assault the Navy’s best artificial intelligence project and he puts the team in the hospital… yeah they probably will.”

“Well at least that’s all we have to worry about now.”

“You talked to him about… you know?”

“Yeah… That wasn’t fun. I honestly though he was going to do it.”

“What made him change his mind?”

“I don’t know. All we did was talk.”

This Children is what we call a clusterfuck. This is the result of events that began in chapter 18. Now next chapter we learn just exactly what happened during those missing days.

Chapter 20. Physically Thrash

“911 what is your emergency?”

“Yes thank you! I need a medical transport at The Charles Lindbergh Academy of Flight and Astronomical Sciences immediately!”

“Ok, may I ask the nature of your request?”

“The football team!”

“Yes but what about the football team?”

“I’d like to report fractured skulls, stabbings, shattered ankles, broken legs, a crushed ribcage, broken arms, shattered pelvis, broken backs, and a Directed Energy Weapon wound.”

“…”

“Hello?!”

“Sorry, what exactly happened?”

“A fight! What do you think happened?!”

“Between the players?”

“No, between half the team and one kid.”

“And who is the kid?”

“Why do you need to know?!”

“Sir, if one person did just assault your team, as a dispatcher it is my job to know who did it.”

“His name is Jett Halsey. Now get that transport up here now!”

“How many people should be expected?”

“Sixteen.”

***

Two years earlier. The Academy.

Jett was alone. He walked through the hallways of the school. This wasn’t gonna be a good semester. None of his friends were in any of his classes this time. The only time he got to see anyone was either in the dorms or at flight practice.

He sighed inwardly and outwardly and walked out of the back of the school. He looked toward his shoulder. Though it was covered by a shirt the mechanical appendage still hurt. Only a few months ago did he finish fully recovering from his injuries. Though most of them had been sustained a year ago he’d only just come to terms with the fact he wasn’t human and never had been so to begin with. And he wasn’t quite sure of that.

The point where the arm connected to what remained of his original shoulder still ached terribly. He often couldn’t raise it when he awoke in the morning. The doctors said that the pain was imaginary but it was real all the same. He sighed and stared down at the gun metal surface.

It had not been easy to get used to the new piece. He had to relearn how to use his left arm all over again. His parents had been supportive when they were around but no one was more comforting than Cat. The nights he would wake up crying in pain she was there to sooth him.

At that point she had almost fit into the niche that had been occupied by his mother if however briefly. Cat was now his mother.

He sighed. He missed her terribly. Though Dane helped a little he still missed her soothing voice at night.

Hopefully I won’t run into Ryan today.

Ryan and his goons. ‘Star’ football player. Arrogant, pompous, insolent; the lynch pin of the team. He and his friends were supposedly the best of the best. And they made sure everyone knew it. He wasn’t afraid to brag and boast about how superior he was to everyone else.

And sadly most people ate that shit up like it was a five course meal.

Jett sighed and walked towards one of the rear elevators behind the school. Hopefully he would avoid the football players who all hung around the front of the building. Ever since he showed up at the academy they had done nothing but bully and berate him for looking like a cyborg. He’d done his best to take it but sometimes…

He pulled his bag further up onto his shoulders and continued walking, staring at the ground.

He was almost to the elevator before he smacked into something about six inches taller than him. He slowly looked up and sighed. This wasn’t going to end well.

“Watch where you’re going Robo Shit!”

He sighed and backed up… into two more players.

“Ryan can we not do this today?” He asked, “Please? I’m really not in the mood today.”

“DO I LOOK LIKE I GIVE A SHIT WHAT YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR?”

“No.”

“You know boys, I’m not sure that workout was enough today. Still got a few loose muscles,” He flexed his arms for emphasis.

“Yeah Cap, I don’t think weights are enough anymore,” One jock replied.

“I think we need something that requires a little more… activity,” The other said cracking his knuckles.

The android backed up, “Y-you can’t do this. T-The school doesn’t allow bullying!”

“On other students maybe, but not for your kind cyborg freak!”

The android dropped his bag and took off running. He didn’t get very far as he was pull back by the collar of his shirt back behind the school.

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?!” he cried out.

“Because we’re going to teach you a lesson,” Ryan said cracking his knuckles before punching the machine in the face.

***

Present Day. School Gymnasium Number 1.

The lights were off. I sat in a metal chair before an uninteresting desk. I was handcuffed to the chair but at this point it would make little difference if I decided to do anything.

I sighed. This waiting was getting boring. Finally a man approached the desk; Director Dowl.

He sat down on the other side with a pad in his hands. He looked down at it, tapping a few unseen icons and buttons.

“Let the record show that the Seven cooperated completely during the arrest and interrogation,” he said before setting the device down on the desk.

“How long am I gonna be here?” I asked, “I’m getting bored.”

“All you have to do is answer a few questions and we’ll let you go. All you need to know is by the end of this there will be no record of this conversation ever taking place. We were never here and you did not nearly murder half of a football team.”

“Okay,” I said, “I’d like to plead guilty on the last one though.”

Dowl laughed, “As much as that thought amuses me I’m afraid the Navy cannot allow that. You are our most valuable project right now.”

“Glad to see I’m needed.”

“If you must know, that fight did give us valuable into how A.I. Systems react in those situations.”

“I’m glad someone other than those assholes learned something.”

“Oh? And what did they learn?”

“That if they fuck with me again I’ll rip them a new one.”

He laughed, “I’m sure you will.”

Humph.

“Okay, let’s start with some preliminary questions. Sorry, but this is standard procedure.”

“Yeah yeah, you ONI spooks and your protocols,” I sighed.

“Okay. Your name.”

“Jett Halsey.”

“What are you?”

“I am an Android.”

“Name any close family members.”

“Admiral Halsey and the late Caitlyn Halsey.”

“Opinion on football.”

“It can die in fire for all I care.”

“Opinion on food.”

“Not necessary for my survival but I do like to indulge a bit.”

“Favorite foods.”

“I do not have favorites. But I do enjoy pomegranates sometimes.”

“Friends.”

“Dane, Jared, Cody, Josh, Dave, Tim, Zach, Adam, Spitfire.”

“Spitfire?”

“Roommate.”

“Okay.”

“Opinion on friends.”

“Fun to have around. Good because friends have boundaries.”

“Opinion on intimate relationships.”

“Obsolete. Evil.”

“Why?”

“Vulnerability. Let a person burrow deep enough before they rip out your internal organs like a Europan Blood Leach.”

“Okay… Glad we got that sorted out,” The director said as he tapped some buttons on his pad. He looked up at me.

“Can you describe to me the events that led up to the incident that occurred September 21st?”

“Oh sure.”

***

Two Days Ago.

Spitfire sighed, it was gym class today and Jett wasn’t gonna be participating. Instead he sat on the bleachers with is nose in his pad typing away on icons and buttons working on Celestia knows what.

Today they wouldn’t be doing anything. Only the Five Kilometer Run. Easy for Spitfire.

Everyone stood near the edge of the Dome. The circumference was about Five Kilometers so it would suffice for the run.

Everyone stood at a line. A rubber track covered the edge of the dome. Various students stood around waiting for the teacher to say ‘go.’

Spitfire stretched her legs before getting into a starting position.

A boy moved into the lane next to hers. One of the football players all the girls seemed to fawn over.

“Hi,” he said, “I’m Ryan.”

“Spitfire,” she said without looking at him.

A silence followed.

“So…” Ryan began, “You hear Prom is coming up?”

“Nope,” Spitfire said. It was a lie and she knew it. It was all her friends could talk about. Who they were gonna take and who they were hoping would ask them out. A lot of them were drooling over the football team. But considering how much time this guy had spent creeping on her…

“Well it’s midway through October. And there’s another during Spring.”

“Interesting.”

“So are you going with anyone yet?”

“Nope.”

“Cool… Well if you’re not, why not go with me?”

Spitfire sighed, “Why would I want to do that?”

“Because I’m the most popular guy in school and I’m also captain of the football team,” he declared proudly, “You should be honored that I’m asking you.”

“Yeah well no offense Ryan but you kinda come off as a tool.”

The gun went off and everyone started running. Spitfire took an early lead and pulled ahead of the pack, including the cross country runners.

“Ouch dude,” Danny said running up to Ryan, “She shut you down.”

“Shut up Danny.”

“She wasn’t interested?” Chris asked.

“Nah, I think she’s just playing hard to get,” Ryan said, “I need to find out what she likes. What her interests are.”

“Well you better do it fast. Prom shows up faster than you think.”

“I know. There’s got to be someone who knows what she likes, what she does, what her habits are.”

They continued to run.

“Hey look,” Chris pointed. Jett was walking along the track in the opposite direction, his nose still buried in the pad.

“Cyborg boy is rooming with her. Maybe he knows,” Danny said.

“Hmm. Yeah you’re right. Let’s find out just how much he knows.”

***

I sat in the cafeteria looking over the plans. Everything was complete. I closed the window on my pad. The hard copies of the plans were hidden safely in the vents. Now all I had to do was hand this to the Admiral and watch Venus turn back into the fiery hell it once was before humans showed up.

I pulled up another aspect of the plan. The invasion, only to be initiated if anyone survived the initial bombardment with enough resources to stay alive indefinitely. Everything else was set and done; getting past the defenses along the border to the Gauss Batteries in orbit.

Everything was almost finished. I prepped the final file. I removed a small flash drive from my pocket. The device looked like it was nothing more than a light blue, semitransparent piece of glass but it had more than enough space to hold this blueprint on it.

I plugged it in and transferred the file and removed the drive. Everything was on this one piece of glass. With this one plan someone could get past the Venetian defenses and turn the planet to a smoldering ball of glass.

If I am gonna hand this over to the Admiral I should double check it. I plugged the drive back in and pulled up the plan again and began going through it one stage at a time.

I was vaguely aware of a three people sitting down at the table with me. Funny, not expecting Spitfire or Dane.

Whatever. Whoever they are can stay as long as they don’t bother me.

“Hey Robot Boy!”

Oh Fucking Hell.

“What do you want Ryan?” I asked without looking up.

“So you’re rooming with hot stuff?”

“Who exactly is ‘Hot Stuff’?”

“You know! The girl with the flame hair,” Chris said.

“Yes I’m rooming with her, what about it?”

“Well prom is coming up and I want to take her.”

“So ask her,” I said continuing on with my work.

“I did and she’s playing hard to get. I need to know what she likes, what her interests are, you know, the usual shit.”

“Why don’t you find that stuff out the old fashion way?”

“What’s the old fashion way?”

“Why don’t you just get to know her like a normal person?”

“You’re gonna tell me what’s normal?!” he scoffed, “Yeah right. That’s coming from a cyborg freak! Why don’t you just tell me and make this easier?”

“No. If you want her so badly why don’t you talk to her? Or is simple person to person conversation beyond your IQ?”

“No! I- argh! Why can’t you just tell me what she likes?!”

“No. Go find out for yourself. Now go away, I have a planet to destroy.”

He grabbed the pad and pulled it down, “Would you quit it with the high and mighty routine today?! I’m trying to get a prom date and you are not helping!”

“I don’t know why you thought I would help you to begin with.”

“Oh please. It’s the least you could do. After all you owe me big time,” he said smugly.

I slammed the pad down on the table, “EXCUSE ME?! I OWE YOU?!”

“For all the times Danny or Chris wanted to pound your faggot cyborg face in. But I was kind enough to stop them.”

“You know what, I don’t need your shit. You want her so badly?! Go ahead! She’s all yours! Now fuck off.”

I stood up and walked away from the table. STUPID FUCKING ASSHOLE. I OWE HIM?! MAYBE A BULLET TO THE HEAD!

***

“Well that didn’t go well,” Chris said.

“Really? What gave you that idea?” Ryan retorted.

“He’s obviously not gonna say anything.”

“Well we can get the information other ways,” Ryan grinned, “We just have to be more persuasive.”

“You do know it’s been a while since we wailed on him right?”

“What do you think he’s done? Gone out and learned Martial arts or something? He’s too much of a faggoty wimp. Come on, this’ll be easy. You know what? Get as many of the guys as you can, I’m sure they’ll all want in on this. I’ll trail him and when you’ve assembled everyone I’ll tell you where he is.”

“Cool.”

“This is gonna be good.”

***

The mall part of the station was always crowded after school. Spitfire sat down at the table in front of the small café. All around her at the round table were various girls she’d come to meet during her time at the school so far.

There was Annabel, Cleo, Dixie, and Veronica. All of them were talking about one thing; the upcoming prom.

“Oh my gosh! You said yes?” Dixie asked Cleo.

“Yeah. I mean, Hugo is kinda shy. I was beginning to wonder if he was ever gonna ask,” Cleo responded cheerfully.

“So who are you taking Veronica?” Annabel asked.

“I’m going with Calvin,” Veronica said, her elegant voice flowing over the table, “You have a date yet Anna?”

“Not yet, but I’m hoping to go with Caspian.”

Everyone turned to Spitfire who looked preoccupied.

“Hey Spitty you alright?” Dixie asked.

“Yeah you haven’t said a word since we got here,” Cleo added.

“Sorry,” Spitfire said, “Guess I’ve just got some things on my mind is all.”

“Oh?” Annabel grinned, “Like what? Did Mr. Special someone finally ask you out?”

Spitfire blushed, “Stop it. No it’s not that. But someone else did.”

“WHO?” they all asked at once.

Spitfire took a deep breath, “Ryan Kingly.”

“WHAT?!”

“Well what did you say?” Veronica asked.

“You have to tell us!” Dixie practically yelled.

“Was he nice?” Annabel asked.

“I bet he was hot,” Cleo grinned.

“Jeez girls calm down,” Spitfire recovered, “And I said no.”

“What? No?”

“Yes. No. N.O. I just… I don’t want to go with him. He comes off as your typical braggart jock. Full of himself, obnoxious, just plain unpleasant to be around, I mean he has an ego larger than the planet this station orbits.”

“Girl, you just turned down the most popular guy in the school. Nearly every girl in the school wants to be in your position right now,” Dixie said.

“Well most of the other girls come off as stupid,” Spitfire laughed.

“We hear you girl,” Cleo smiled.

“Yeah but the problem is,” Spitfire frowned, “I don’t think he’ll take No for an answer. And I REALLY don’t want to go with him.”

“Well then just go with the guy you want to go with then. I mean who ever says ‘No’ to you is just plain stupid,” Annabel added, “I mean look at you girl. You’ve got the looks, the personality, the body, everything. There are guys in this school who would kill to take you to the prom. Only problem is a lot of them are already taken or just too scared to approach you.”

***

I walked down from the hololab. After testing nearly every possible scenario I could come up with I completed the plan. It was full proof unless Mars decided to randomly declare war on Earth. At that point everyone would be screwed.

I tucked the flash drive safely in my pocket as I walked down the stair case to the lower level of the building.

Suddenly there was a noise. Not loud but a squeak. Like shoes on a tile floor. I turned. No one was there.

Hmm. Probably just the janitor. I turned and started walking again until I came down to a hallway. All along one side were various cases for art projects and things of that nature. At the end of the hallway was the school bulletin board. And farther down was Mr. Ackerson’s office.

***

Spitfire looked up. There was a TV displaying a semi orange semi tan planet. Various mountains and canyons dotted the surface but something about them seemed familiar.

“Now where have I seen that before?” Spitfire asked.

Annabel turned and looked herself, “Well that’s because it’s Venus silly! They think that Venus is the IPA capital.”

“No not that. I’ve seen it somewhere else.”

“Where else then?” Veronica asked.

“My roommate. He had these charts of a planet that looked exactly like… Wait! You said they think the IPA is there?”

“Yeah, it’s their most populated area. The only place they have after Venus is Mercury but that place is barely habitable so not many people live there.”

Oh NO.

Spitfire stood up quickly, “Sorry to cut this short girls but I’ve gotta go!”

She jumped away from the table and took off running towards one of the elevators. She reached it and began frantically pressing the button. Nothing was coming.

“Gah!” She turned and ran for the stair cases. She reached door and forced it open before bounding up the stairs. As she ran she pulled out her phone and made a call.

“Come on Dane pick up!”

“Spitfire! What up?!” Dane’s voice finally came through the speakers.

“Dane no time! I think Jett is going to do something crazy!”

“Define crazy. The guy hasn’t been completely sane for like two weeks. Did you get anything new on him?”

“Yes! I think he’s planning on blowing up Venus!”

“… oh. Well can you explain to me how you came to that conclusion?”

“In our room, he had these plans. These charts. Maps of the surface and the surrounding space,” Spitfire yelled as she climbed the steps, “He marked ways to get passed these stations, and he marked locations on the map before crossing them out with these X’s! That and he was counting weapons from like four hundred years ago!”

“What could be from four hundred years ago and still be via- Shit! He was counting Nukes!”

“Nukes?”

“They were these weapons. One of them has the potential to level a city and cover the surrounding area in radiation. Manufacture of them is banned but there are still massive stockpiles on Earth dating back to the 20th century!”

“What would he do with them?”

“In his state of mind? Probably find a way to get rid of them in a way that would turn Venus into a ball of glass! If he has a plan for that, I’d venture to bet he’d give it to the navy as revenge for Cat’s death! If he gives them those plans, Venus won’t stand a chance in hell! Go find him! Stop him! Talk him out of it! He’ll listen to you! Do something! I’ll be there as soon as I can!”

“Okay.”

Spitfire pocketed the device before continuing up the steps. She’d try the school first. Hopefully she wouldn’t be too late.

***

I walked along hallway. I was almost in front of coach Ackerson’s office when three people came out of a side hallway; great, football players.

I went to move around them only to have three more come out of the locker rooms and stop in front of me. Okay, I’ll just go around them.

I went to walk around them only to be shouldered back. Oh okay. I see how this is gonna go down. I turned around to go out one of the school’s side doors. Only to be met by more football players. I sighed. Great. I was surrounded; in the middle of a circle of 15 football players.

“Ryan!” I yelled, “You really sure you want to do this?”

The crowd in front parted slightly, “That depends, do you? Why don’t you just tell me what I want to know and we only paste you against the wall instead of covering all of the hallway with your guts?”

“How about this? There is a hedgehog cactus in the green house. Why don’t you go impale yourself on it and let me out of here?”

“What’s a wimpy cyborg like you gonna do?” one of the jocks said.

“You really sure you want the answer to that?”

“Listen,” Ryan said, “Just tell me what Spitfire likes so I can bag her for prom night and we won’t have to beat you senseless.”

“And you can go shoot yourself out an airlock ‘cause I’m not talking!”

Ryan sighed, “Grab him.”

Two players instantly were grabbing my arms and pulling me up. Ryan came over and punched in the stomach. Wow, you punched an android.

“Just tell me and with one word this can all be over,” he said.

I sighed, “You’re really gonna make me do this?”

“Just tell me what she likes.”

“I’m not talking about that. There’s not a fucking chance in hell I’ll tell you anything,” I said and spit into his face.

He stood there fuming before wiping his face and punching again, this time harder, “Have fun boys, let me know if he decides to talk.”

“Let me ask you something Ryan!” I yelled as he walked away, “Do you like where your ribs are? Because in the next minute they’re gonna be inside your lungs.”

One player stepped forward cracking his knuckles. Okay. 1 vs. 16, that’s an even fight I’d say.

***

Spitfire ran out of the staircase into the openness of the dome. The light was beginning to dim as night was approaching. She ran towards the back door of the school, nearly tearing it off the hinges as she entered.

Shit. She had absolutely no idea where to go. She started walking down the long empty hallways.

She began to hear voices.

“… tell me what Spitfire likes so I can bag her for prom night and we won’t have to beat you senseless,” one voice said. Ryan.

“And you can go shoot yourself out an airlock ‘cause I’m not talking!” another said. Jett. She gasped and followed the sounds of the voices. Soon she was in the athletic department of the school. She crept around a corner and put her hand to her mouth.

Jett was being held by two football players, surrounded in a circle by many more.

“Just tell me what she likes,” Ryan’s pompous voice echoed down the hallway.

“I’m not talking about that. There’s not a fucking chance in hell I’ll tell you anything,” Jett said. There was the sound of someone spitting followed by a silence. Spitfire jumped at the sound of a fist hitting the soft area of the androids gut.

“Have fun boys, let me know if he decides to talk.”

“Let me ask you something Ryan! Do you like where your ribs are? Because in the next minute they’re gonna be inside your lungs.”

A player stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. Spitfire gasped and nearly jumped out to say something before Jett raised his legs and shot them out ward like a spring, hitting the player in the stomach and sending him flying into his friends.

The android and the two players holding him fell back onto the floor. Jett flipped and landed on his feet behind them before bringing his elbows down on their heads.

A linebacker moved to punch him only to have his arm swiftly broken by the android. He then reached forward and struck the jock in his chest, sending him sprawling across the floor.

One of the players knocked over by the guy Jett drop kicked stood up and swung his fist. Jett ducked and swiped out with his leg, striking his ankles. A sickening sound of bones snapping was heard as Jett hit the player with an uppercut to the chin, knocking him out cold.

Another player came up and grabbed the android in a headlock. Jett immediately flipped the player over his head, knocking him off and grabbing him by his shoulders before throwing him into one of the columns in the hallway beyond, smashing down other players like a bowling ball to the pins. The sound of bone breaking was heard as the player fell back to the floor with a thud.

Another came up from his side. Jett turned, grabbing his head and smashing it into the glass of the bulletin board before striking him in the side, breaking his ribs.

Two players knocked to the ground stood up and ran towards him. Jett grabbed two shards of glass from the board and threw them at the targets before him. The shards stabbed into the two of them. Jett bolted and slammed his fists into their heads, knocking them into la la land.

Suddenly Jett jerked forward as the sound of aluminum striking metal was heard. Jett turned around. One player had a metal bat and had decided to hit him over the head with it. The player looked from the dented bat to the android and back again. Jett raised his arm as a personal defense weapon emerged and fired. A blast hit the player sending him flying. A scorch mark was on his chest where the weapon had hit him.

Jett turned to the remaining five of Ryan’s coons. Jett grabbed the dented bat and hurled it. The object spun through the air and smacked three of them as they attempted to run.

The remaining two stood nearby looking at the carnage. Chris and Danny.

“Get him!” Ryan yelled shoving them. With renewed courage the two remaining player charged. Jett sighed before quickly raising his arms and grabbing their heads and smashing them together. He watched as their limp forms hit the ground.

Jett turned to Ryan, “Look at you. Had to get the whole team up on me.”

Ryan turned to run but Jett was faster. He grabbed the fleeing football captain by his shirt collar and pulled him to the ground. He raised his prosthetic arm and brought it down on his chest with a sickening crunch.

Ryan coughed up blood.

“This is what most people call payback,” Jett said raising his foot above the football player’s pelvis.

“You… Can’t… Do… This…” he wheezed.

“Why is that?”

“Because… I’m… Foot… ball… Captain…”

“No Ryan I can. Thanks for nothing mother fucker!” with that he brought his foot down. The player screamed before blacking out as his pelvis shattered.

Jett sighed and looked at the scene around him. 16 battered and broken bodies littered the floor. A few of them had pools of blood around them.

Jett looked down at his hands, blood covered both of them.

A man ran down from a staircase, “What’s going on here?!”

He turned and saw the 16 bodies on the floor.

“Clean this up if you don’t mind,” Jett said before turning and walking away.

***

Spitfire removed her hand from her mouth. She’d never see her friend behave so savagely before. He’d practically slaughtered the football team singlehandedly. Not that they didn’t deserve it.

They’d threatened to beat him to a pulp if he didn’t tell them everything they knew about her. Only that plan didn’t work out so well for them.

She emerged from behind her cover and started running. She ran out of the school towards the elevators. She bolted around the building towards the front of the school. Truthfully she was scared. Not just for what Jett had done but for what he was going to do.

She reached the front of the school just as the elevator with Jett inside it closed. She silently cursed and ran for the stairs.

***

Jett stepped into the dorm. Exactly how he left it. He walked over to the bathroom and began washing the blood off his hands. He finished and rinsed the red liquid that remained out of the sink. He stepped out and headed for his room

He removed the drive from his pocket as he entered. He was almost to the computer when the door to the dorm burst open and Spitfire bolted in with both an exhausted and terrified expression on her face.

“STOP!” she yelled as she entered the room.

The android turned, the drive still in his hands, “What?”

“You know what!” she said, “Don’t do it!”

“What was I going to do?”

“That flash drive! Dane and I know what’s on it! You’re planning on giving those plans of yours to the Navy.”

Silence. He was probably attempting to ascertain how she learned what they were before speaking.

“Spitfire, the Navy needs something like this. With this Venus will be smoldering rock like it always was and should be.”

“What about the people there?!”

“Either you win completely or the enemy will continue to come back. You have to win once as to win all future battles.”

“Jett,” Spitfire said softly, “I know they killed your sister, I know how much she meant to you.”

“You’re mistaken if you think this about revenge. They’re dangerous; they’re a war waiting to happen. They need to be put down before they hurt someone else.”

“You don’t even know these people! There are families there! Children!”

“There are also military targets. We need to disable their military capability permanently.”

Spitfire looked close to tears, “Jett if you do this it will make you just as inhuman as the ones who murdered Cat. And… I don’t want to see that happen to you.”

Jett stopped. What did she say?

“What do you mean?”

“Jett,” Spitfire sighed, “The whole time I’ve been trapped in this insane world you call home you’ve always been there. You saved me when I first appeared here when I was still a total stranger to you. You took care of me, welcomed me into your home, and comforted me when I was sad and encouraged me when I doubted myself. You’re the most human person I’ve met here and you’re my friend. I don’t want to see you lose that.”

“But I am only a machine. All that can be programed.”

“Let me ask you something. If you were always a real person, from the moment you were created until now, what would you have done differently?”

“I… I…” He looked confused.

“That’s right. We would be here in this exact same place having this same conversation. Jett, I know you cared for her deeply, probably more than anyone in the world, but doing this won’t bring her back. Do you honestly think she would want to see you do this?” Spitfire cried.

“I… I don’t…”

“If you do this, you’ll lose who you are. Everything you worked so hard to find will be gone. And…” Spitfire couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, “And I’ll lose the only true friend I have in this crazy world.”

Jett stared at her. This wasn’t right. He was feeling something. Something else he shouldn’t be able to feel. What is it? There are others along with it. Some familiar some are not. Sadness for seeing her cry. Anger at those who killed Cat. Regret for making this plan in the first place.

But there’s something else. What is it?

Shame.

Shame. Shame for making this blueprint of death in the first place. Shame for dishonoring Cat’s memory by doing it anyway. Shame for hurting Spitfire who was now crying her eyes out, out of fear she would lose someone she cared about. Shame. He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

He looked towards the piece of glass in his hands and walked over to the ventilation shaft and began removing the cover. He pulled the rolls of paper out of the shaft and began to tear them one by one.

Spitfire looked up, tears still streaming down her face.

“Wha?”

Jett turned as he finished shredding the last piece of paper, “You know, if you hadn’t come along I probably would’ve gone through with it.”

Spitfire gasped. His eyes were no longer grey and lifeless but had their normal sapphire blue back.

He raised the flash drive in his hand and crushed it into fine powder, “Spitfire, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have done th-”

He was swiftly silenced by a bear hug from Spitfire who buried her face in his chest. She cried into his chest.

“Spitfire, I’m so sorry. Can you ever find it in yourself to forgive a bitter machine like me? If you don’t I underst-”

She looked up with a smile on her face; she was still crying but no longer out of sadness or fear.

“I’ve already forgiven you.”

Jett smiled. For the first time in weeks the sadness was gone, replaced by acceptance and joy. All in all, he was happy he found her in the woods that day. He returned her warm embrace.

“Jett I swear if you’re planning on turning a world to glass you’ll have to go throu-” Dane yelled as he burst into the room. He stopped his rant as he saw the scene before him.

“Few, Girl if you couldn’t get through to him I don’t know who could.”

“Shut up Dane,” Spitfire laughed.

“I’ll be in the living room if you need me.”

He exited the room. Spitfire released her friend and smiled.

“Do you really think I’m human?” Jett asked.

“You’re the most human person I know,” She said.

Jett began picking up the ripped pieces of paper and throwing it in the garbage.

“Thank you,” he said, “Thanks for setting me straight.”

***

Present day.

“So the football captain, Ryan was his name?” Dowl asked.

“Yeah, fucking asshole,” I said.

“And he was going to beat you up for information on a girl?”

“Like I said, he wasn’t the brightest or most personable guy.”

“Can I ask you something? Why didn’t you just give him what he wanted?”

“Why? To be honest I don’t know. I guess it’s just because he’s a scumbag. If he wanted to date my friend so badly he should take the time to get to know her like I did. He didn’t need my fucking blessing to date her. He could have her for all I care. If she’s happy then good for them. But if he wants to know her he’ll have to do that himself.”

“Any other reason?”

“Other than the fact he’s an asshole? No.”

“Alright.”

“Anything else?” I asked.

“No. I think we’re all done here,” Dowl said grabbing his pad. He tapped a button and the cuffs fell away. I raised my arms rubbing my wrists.

“You are free to return to your dorm. We’ll come up a cover story later. For now you are free to go”

“Thank you.”

I stood up and left the gym.

***

In other news today, a local football team will have to try a little bit harder this season after the several of the school football players were involved in an accident in the school’s hanger bay. While the nature of the accident is not being disclosed they believe the players themselves were responsible.

They are currently recovering at the Red Spot Hospital station from their injuries and are expected to be released in several weeks.

In other news…

Chapter 21. Desires of an Angel.

“He did WHAT?!” The Admiral yelled.

“Sir, please calm down,” Principal Jenkins said, “As I stated before it was not his fault.”

“No, he only just pulverized half of the school's football team!”

“Well it was in self-defense.”

“Self-defense has its limits!”

“Did you even review the footage yet sir? Because he took a baseball bat to the head.”

“A baseball bat?”

“Yes sir, an aluminum-carbon fiber baseball bat.”

Halsey sighed, “Did he at least win?”

“Yes sir. And I’d say completely. I would also say that it looks like he won’t be getting bullied by them again.”

“How long are they gonna be in the hospital?”

“A few more weeks. Some of their injuries were quite extensive.”

The admiral scrolled down on the pad, “Stabbings? A DEW wound? Shattered rib cages? Five Fractured skulls? Did he escape that entire fight without injury?”

“It would appear so. I believe his choice of words when he was done was, ‘clean this up if you don’t mind.’”

He sighed, “And you said it was over a girl?”

“From what we heard, one of the players wanted information on his roommate. But he was quite defiant and restrained up until about… frame 167364. He didn’t do anything wrong. That along with the fact there’s no official record of the incident ever taking place.”

“ONI?”

“Yeah, they questioned him before covering everything up and leaving.”

“Is he at least being social again?”

“Yes sir. He’s back to talking and hanging out with all of his friends.”

Great. He goes from an emotional husk, to a homicidal maniac, back to normal all in the course of a few days.

“Ok. Just let me know if he does anything again.”

“Will do sir.”

“Alright. Thanks.”

He terminated the connection before rolling back in his chair, “Great, now he destroyed a football team.”

***

Spitfire was lying on her back on her bed. Jett still hadn’t returned after he was called up to the school. And it was getting late. She was beginning to worry. What if he was locked up for nearly murdering 16 people? What if he never came back? What if they did something to him? What if he wasn’t the same when he came back? What if-

The door opened.

“Fucking hell I thought that fucking spook would never let me go,” Jett said as he walked into the dorm.

“Jett,” Spitfire jumped up happily.

She ran out of her room over and embraced him in a welcoming hug.

“Uh… Nice to see you too?”

“Ugh, get a room you two!” Dane yelled.

“Shut up asshole!” Jett yelled back.

“Well I see you still have your higher brain functions,” Dane smiled warmly from the couch.

“Yeah I’m fine,” Jett said releasing Spitfire and walking over to the chair, “Still got grilled by ONI though.”

“Who was it this time?”

“Well I guess beating the football team to a pulp warrants a visit from the director of ONI.”

“Really?” Dane sat up on the couch, “The director of ONI showed up?”

“Yup,” Jett said sitting down on the chair, “Don’t know what the big deal was. This wasn’t any worse than the time we put a dry ice bomb in the principal’s office.”

“Um,” Spitfire said, “I think this was a lot worse. But it was in self-defense. I mean, you didn’t hit first.”

Jett turned, “How do you know that?”

She flushed red, “I kinda may have watched? Oops?”

Jett looked terrified, “I… I didn’t… I wasn’t too… savage… was I?”

Spitfire gave him a comforting smile, “Jett as far as I’m concerned you were protecting yourself as well as getting rid of a stalker.”

“Oh… I… Okay.”

Dane stood up and stared out the window. The sun, however faint it was, was beginning to disappear behind the orange form of Jupiter. Orange and red light painted the room as the sun glowed along the horizon of the planet. Night was beginning to fall.

“Well, I’ve had enough excitement for one day. All this planet destroying and beating up football players is making my ass tired so I’ll see you two tomorrow,” he walked into his dorm and closed the door.

Jett and Spitfire stood awkwardly in the living room.

“Guess we should hit the hay huh?” Jett said.

“Yeah.”

They walked to their room in silence. They entered quietly.

Jett sat on his bed and removed his shirt before finding a night shirt to sleep in. Spitfire caught a quick glance at his shoulder. His arm connected with a set metal joint implanted in his shoulder and upper torso. Beneath what remained of his organic components she could see the vague outlines of nerve filaments that connected the arm to his brain. But there was something else. Scarring along the edges of the joint. She wondered what that was from.

He pulled on his shirt and removed his pants, choosing to sleep in his boxers before climbing into his bed.

Spitfire stood up and pulled her shirt off.

She gave a teasing grin at the android as she turned her back to him, “Don’t peak now.”

He scoffed, “Yeah, in your dreams.”

She removed her bra and extended and stretched her wings before pulling on her night shirt and heading off to the bath room, her wings sticking out of the back of the shirt.

Jett sighed, “Women. So not worth it.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

She returned and pulled her pants off and disappeared under the covers of her bed.

“Night.”

“Goodnight.”

She reached over and flicked the switch and the lights went out. She rolled onto her side and stared at the wall. A lot had happened the last few days. Her friend had nearly turned into a homicidal maniac, destroyed a football team, and apparently been questioned by the very people who created him. Rough day indeed.

“Jett,” she whispered, “Are you still awake? Jett?”

She heard the sound of rustling blankets, “Yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well it’s just that you’ve been under a lot of stress lately and I just want to make sure you’re alright.”

“I’m fine, really. I appreciate the concern but… there are some things I have to sort out for myself. But I’ll be alright.”

“Okay.”

A long silence followed. Jett and Spitfire stared at the ceiling.

“Hey Jett?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“When I get back, can you promise me that we’ll still be friends? No matter what? Even if we never see each other again?”

Hmm. A tough question. The android began contemplating this. Well he would certainly never forget her; ever. Unless he suffered some sort of permanent damage. But if he never saw her again for as long as he lived? That could be a very long time. But then again, normally they never would have met each other to begin with. They never should have become friends but they did. Against the odds Spitfire happened to land in a clearing in the middle of a forest on Earth when the friendly android just happened to be vacationing there. Long odds indeed. But it seemed that fate had meant for something to happen and it seemed to want to help Spitfire return. Fate had pushed them together in the most unusual circumstances. And through it all their friendship had not only survived but thrived.

Even though two months ago he never even knew she existed, they were best friends now. That’s not something you can find just around the corner. Any sane person would treasure that. And so did the android.

“Sure, Spitfire. I’d like that,” Jett smiled, “When you do get back, try not to forget me because I certainly won’t be forgetting you anytime ever.”

“How could I forget you? You’ve done so much for me.”

“Human minds are prone to damage as time progresses. As an android I am not capable of-”

“Jeez it was philosophical not literal,” Spitfire laughed, “So… when I go home, we’ll still be friends?”

“I believe the saying goes, ‘friends till the end.’”

Spitfire smiled, “I like that. Friends till the end.”

***

Spitfire rolled awake. Her roommate’s bed was empty. Hmm. Oh yeah, Thursday. She hopped out of bed and got dressed before walking into the kitchen.

Jett was sitting at the table eating cereal. Dane was sleeping on the couch with a plate of half eaten pancakes on his lap. She laughed at the sight of that.

“Morning,” she yawned.

“Good morning,” Jett replied.

“Did we have any homework last night?” She asked, “I can’t really remember.”

“No I don’t think we did.”

“Oh, alright.”

The rest of breakfast was finished in silence.

“What day is it today?”

“I think it’s an F day. So no Gym or Planetary Geology.”

Spitfire sighed, “And home economics and a study hall take their place.”

Jett got up and placed his bowl in the dishwasher, “Hey, it’s not that bad. We get to make some food today.”

He walked over to the fridge.

“Yeah I guess you’re right,” Spitfire said.

He opened it up and began rummaging through it.

“What do you think we’ll be making anyway?”

“No idea,” he replied and emerged from the fridge with a can of whipped cream. Spitfire looked from Jett to Dane and back again with a grin on her face.

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes.”

He walked over to him spurted a huge glob of the stuff onto his hand.

“Wait wait,” Spitfire laughed, “I got this.” She reached behind her back and pulled a small fluffy feather from her back.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Don’t worry; it’s not of my primaries.”

“Ok. If you say so.”

She reached over the couch and began to tickle Dane’s nose with it. The android stirred but didn’t wake up.

“stupid bird,” he muttered and slapped himself in the face.

Spitfire fell over laughing followed swiftly by Jett. Dane opened his eyes only to be greeted by a white wonder land of vanilla cream.

“What the?” He raised his hand to his face, “Oh you assholes.”

“That’s what you get for falling back asleep,” Jett laughed wiping his eye.

“Alright go fuck yourself.”

“My name is Dane,” Jett started to imitate the other android; which was funny as he did it perfectly, “and I can’t take a joke because I suck.”

Dane walked over to the sink and began washing his face, “You suck at imitating me.”

“Dude shut up. I can imitate you exactly. Android remember?”

“Alright go fuck yourself asshole,” Dane laughed.

“Yeah yeah,” Jett said heading for the door, “See you all at class.”

“Where are you going so early in the morning?” Spitfire asked.

“Personal project,” he responded, “And don’t worry, I’m not going to murder anyone or plot to destroy any planets.”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking,” Spitfire said.

“I’d lie if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind,” Dane said.

“Nice to see you have faith in me,” Jett said.

“Yeah yeah, you know I was kidding.”

“Alright. See you all at class.”

He grabbed his bag and walked out the door, pulling up a few files on his pad as he left.

“What do you think he’s even working on?” Spitfire asked.

“Beats me, you live with the guy.”

“Well he’s not exactly an open book.”

“Well knowing him he probably still hasn’t gotten over Caitlyn’s death completely. I’d venture to guess he’s just finding something to occupy his time.”

“Like what?”

“Like I said, beats me. When he’s emotionally disturbed he finds some activity to do. Last time it was a plot to destroy a planet. The time before that he took the time to teach himself the piano. And when he lost his arm, we all kinda ended up helping Gin with her club. But he always has to be doing something.”

“Sounds like he needs to loosen up a bit.”

“Well that’s what Gin and I have been telling him but he doesn’t seem to think so.”

“Hmm.”

“That and he never attends any social event this school has. Though I can’t really say I blame him on that one. The football team used to make his life a living hell.”

Spitfire laughed, “Well I don’t think they’ll be doing that anymore.”

“Amen to that.”

***

Classes were relatively easy. No homework, little school work as well. In two classes all they did was watch movies. Though Jett seemed to be preoccupied. He sat alone in the back of the class with his pad pulling up various diagrams of some type of device. He would put it together, pull it apart, tweak something, before pushing it back together again and repeating the process.

Though now it was time for Home Economics.

Spitfire walked in and set her bag down next to her desk. In front of her sat various students she didn’t know. None of her girl friends were in this class but both of her guy friends were. Dane sat snoozing in behind her and Jett sat in the seat next to her. He was still tapping away at that pad of his, pulling up holodiagrams of some strange device. He opened up a file and pulled out something that looked like a plated covering and layered it over the device.

“Hmm,” he mused and pulled the covering off.

The bell rang and class signaling class was starting. He quickly tapped a button on the side of the device and sent it into sleep mode. He shoved it into his bag and turned to face the front. Spitfire turned and gave him a friendly smile which he warmly returned.

It felt nice.

The door opened and a man walked in. He had thinning grey hair atop his head. He was tall and had lanky arms. He wore baggy pants and a rolled up plaid shirt. Mr. Badner was his name.

“Alright class,” he said not bothering much with introductions, “I remember I promised you’d all get to make something today so here we go.”

The class gave murmurs of approval.

“Now,” he continued, “In preparation for the upcoming prom and Halloween dances, I’ve decided we’d make a Bloody Velvet Fudge Cake.”

“Is there gonna be real blood in it?” One kid asked. Nick was his name and he was one of the few remaining football players that weren’t in the hospital.

“Shut up Nick,” Mr. Badner said causing everyone to laugh at his expense, “No. But it will be colored. But before we begin I’d like to go over a brief history of chocolate to let everyone get a feel for the dish we will be crafting today.”

The lights dimmed and a screen descended from the ceiling. A few pictures of a tree popped up.

“Now as most of you know or at least should know, I’m not too sure about you nick,” he continued, “Chocolate as we know it is derived from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. But you all probably know it as the coco tree. It was originally cultivated by the Mesoamerican peoples; including the Aztecs who made it into a drink they called xocolātl.”

“Isn’t that a dead language?” some random girl asked.

“Don’t question how I pronounced that.”

Everyone laughed.

“Now I’m gonna skip the rest. You all know what happened when the Europeans came into contact with the Mesoamericans. But now onto more modern things. Chocolate in moderation has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease cholesterol levels and cause the release of multiple chemicals in the brain.”

He tapped a button and a few chains of complex chemicals showed up.

“Now one of the chemicals released by the brain is serotonin. This chemical is known to trigger feelings of happiness and well-being, making it a minor antidepressant. Another chemical known to exist in chocolate in varying concentrations, depending on the variety, is Phenylethylamine otherwise known as PEA. Now this chemical has a variety of effects on the body from fighting the effects of aging to improving memory and mental activity. It is even known to have aphrodisiac effects in high concentrations.”

A few people laughed while other blushed. Spitfire’s face flushed. Fortunately no one noticed. Her gaze drifted to the android next to her who wore a lifeless expression.

Guess he’s still recovering.

“Now, in our recipe will be using dark chocolate instead of normal milk chocolate. You will find the recipe at your stations. Step to it.”

Everyone stood up from their desks and walked to the back of the room. There were a number of stations, each with a sink, oven, stove, various counters and drawers. On each station were the necessary ingredients for making the cake.

Jett and Dane went to their station and got to work rather quickly. Spitfire sighed.

“Androids.”

She walked over to her station with Cleo.

“Alright,” Cleo said cheerfully, “Let’s get to it.”

“Yeah.”

They got to work. They began measuring out the correct amounts of sugar, fudge, milk, ect.

Spitfire turned. There were a group of girls with scowls aimed at the android. Spitfire frowned.

“Hey Cleo,” she said, “Who are those girls?” She pointed at the girls.

“Them? Oh their just some of the football team’s trophy girls. Why?”

“They’re giving Jett and Dane these looks.”

“Well you know how they are. The popular ones tend to be the stupid ones. There’s some crazy rumor going around that Jett was the one who put those boys in the hospital! Can you believe that? I can’t picture that quiet boy doing much of anything.”

“He’s not too quiet once you get to know him,” Spitfire responded.

“Really?”

“Well he is my roommate. Why?”

“Well he has that arm. Everyone always assumed he was in some weird accident or had some kind of disease. I mean, why else would he have that metal thing strapped to his shoulder?”

“Well he doesn’t have some disease but he doesn’t get it replaced for… other reasons.”

“Oh; genetic replication issues?”

“… something like that. But he’s really cool once you get to know him.”

“Hmm. Still can’t see him beating up the football team though.”

“Yeah,” Spitfire said.

“Well let’s get to work! All we have to do now is put this thing in the oven,” Cleo chirped.

“How did you make that so quickly?”

“That’s my secret.”

***

Well flight practice was over for today. Normal orbital maneuvering drills, the whole shebang. Practice was an hour shorter than normal. Coach decided to give us a break today. Whatever, more time to myself.

I walked towards the hololab again; this time without the intention of destroying a world. There I should be able to finalize the designs and start building a prototype.

I walked towards the empty lab and pulled out a card and slid it through the door lock. The door unlocked and I stepped inside. A large glass table about two inches thick sat in the center of the room. Various tables and computers were along the edges. Students would come here to work on their designs before viewing them in a practical 3D environment. Sometimes the sports teams would come here to work on strategy but today I was here to design something. Something the military would love to have. Something a lot of people would love to have.

But this would be something only I would have.

***

The mall was again crowded again. As usual it was the usual hangout for people when they wanted to do things. Whether there was a movie playing in the theatre or exercising at the gym or having dinner with a few friends, this place was always crowded.

Spitfire was eating supper with her friends. They were all talking cheerfully and happily about the day’s events.

“So Archer finally asked you out?” Cleo asked.

“Yeah,” Annabel said with a happy blush on her face.

Veronica began clapping, “Congratulations Anna. So are you two going to prom together?”

“Well duh,” Dixie smiled, “That’d be stupid if they weren’t.”

“Yes he’s taking me to prom, and hopefully the Halloween ball too,” Annabel smiled.

“Well good for you.”

“Sounds like we all have dates now,” Dixie smiled.

“Yeah,” Veronica said, “Almost all of us.”

Everyone turned to Spitfire who was playing with her food.

“Ahem,” they all coughed.

She looked up, “What?”

“Geez girl you’ve been awfully distracted lately,” Annabel said.

“Yeah,” Cleo said, “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing, I’m just distracted again,” Spitfire sighed.

“Oh no it’s us!” Dixie said, “Girls she doesn’t have a date!”

“Relax, girls, its fine,” Spitfire put on a fake smile.

“Really? Come on now, someone has to have asked you out yet. Other than Ryan.”

“Well a few people have,” she sighed, “But not anyone I’d say yes to.”

“There has to be someone in this school for a cute girl like you,” Dixie said, “I mean there has to be someone you’re crushing over; whoever that lucky guy is.”

“Well there is one guy but, he’s a bit clueless in more ways than one,” Spitfire blushed.

“Who is he? What’s he like?” Annabel asked.

“Well he’s kinda shy, fun to be around, he has a great sense of humor.”

“Can you crack a dirty joke around him?” Veronica laughed.

“Yes,” Spitfire laughed, “At least I think so. I’ve been a bit too shy to try really.”

“You still haven’t told us his name,” Cleo smiled.

Spitfire sighed bit her lip, “If I tell you, you promise not to tell him or anyone else?”

“Promise,” they all said and smiled warmly at their friend.

She took a deep breath with a blush on her face, “Alright, his name is…”

***

“Jett!”

“What the fuck do you want, Dane?!”

“Bitch, calm your ass down,” Dane said holding his hand over the phone, “Take out guy wants to know what you want.”

“Just get me the usual,” I yelled back.

“Alright. He’ll have a number 97 and 98. 10 minutes? Sounds good, okay, thanks, bye.”

“You ordered take-out?”

“Yup,” Dane smiled proudly.

“When we’re on a space station?”

“Well the mall is only just down stairs.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“SMD.”

“You’re lucky I even let you up here.”

“What are you even making?” He asked.

“You’ll see,” I said, “Hand me that control pad.”

“This one?” Dane asked holding up a small rectangular piece of glass with a connecter cord coming out of the side.

“Yeah,” I grabbed it and connected it to the device, which looked like an unassuming mesh of wires, chips, power supplies, and field emitters. All of this was connected to a chip that would plug into the control pad. I attached it and began to solder the piece on.

“Alright,” I said, “Do you have the plates?”

“Yup,” Dane said pulling out two rounded objects.

“Alright,” I said and snapped them into place around the device. I turned it over and began inspecting the power supply. I pressed it down, setting it into the device. I sat inside with a satisfying click. I tapped a button on the control board and it lit up. A series of icons lit up on it along with a radar screen.

The object was the size of small, flattened football.

“This isn’t for your arm is it?”

“Nope. This is better.”

“What is it?”

“Something no one other than me will ever have. I coded it to self-destruct if someone other than me uses it. I also put the blueprints in my memory and destroyed the hard copies.”

“Ok, so what does it do?”

“This,” I said and tapped the button.

***

Well that went well, Spitfire thought to herself. She was walking towards the school across the grassy lawn that covered the land in front of the building. Apparently Jett wanted to show her something.

She had finally worked up the courage to tell her friends who ‘The Lucky Guy’ was, as they all called him. She still didn’t know why they called him that.

Oh yeah now she remembered. Apparently the new girl was all the guys, who weren’t occupied if you know what I mean, were talking about. From the looks of things Spitfire had grown quite popular among the male population.

No wonder the girls all called him ‘The Lucky Guy’. Though she didn’t see it that way. He was just the guy she happened to fall for, not the one chosen by the gods or something.

This was certainly a funny situation she’d found herself in. She’d always thought she’d go for some hot athletic guy who could at least keep up with her in the sky. Maybe one of the other Wonderbolts. Maybe even Soarin’. But never some guy without wings. Never in a million years did the laid back girl ever think she’d fall for someone who could never hope to match her in the sky. And probably never could.

She despaired at that thought. She saw how much he loved flying, but also the faint sadness in his eyes when he was forced to return to the ground. As much as she wished she could remedy that it was not likely to happen ever.

But even without wings she still couldn’t help but fall for him. She hadn’t even realized it was happening until recently, but the feelings were there. She sighed to herself. Now only if she could find the courage to tell him.

She continued to day dream, not really noticing much of her surroundings until a certain black haired android popped into existence before her.

“Boo!”

Spitfire yelped and fell back onto the grass. The android himself began laughing hysterically and fell onto the grass too.

“Ah ha ha ha, Dane! Did you get that?”

The white haired android fell down from a tree, a small camera device in his hands.

“Yeah! That was hilarious! Dude, you have to make me one of those!”

“If you can be responsible with one then maybe. Until I can trust you not to walk into the girl’s locker rooms with it you won’t be getting one.”

“You suck. But that was still hilarious!”

Spitfire stood up brushing herself off, her face was red with embarrassment, “You jerks!”

Jett pulled a bag off of his shoulders and stood back up, “Sorry, but we couldn’t resist. I think I’ve just created the most diabolical device known to man.”

“What did you make?” Spitfire asked, “Come to think of it, how did you do that?”

He reached for the bag and pulled out a small football shaped device. It had a small rectangular control pad on it.

“Well since I can’t get my field emitter in my arm to bend liquid metal, I made one that bent something a little less solid.”

“Put simply,” Dane said, “He made an invisibility unit. But he won’t give me one!”

“Because you’d do irresponsible things with it! And that’s just you! Don’t even get me started on the military.”

“And what you just did wasn’t irresponsible?”

“Hey I was just testing it out to see how well it worked. And it worked well to say the least!”

“Wait, you’re saying you just up and built a piece of technology the military doesn’t have?” Spitfire asked.

“Yeah pretty much. It’s not like we haven’t done this type of thing before,” Dane said, “We once made an ablative heat armor out of carbon fiber. Could go sun surfing with it. Or at least that was what we thought. We never did get to test it.”

“So, again. You just up and made something your own military doesn’t have?”

“Yeah, why? Do you know what the military would do with invisibility? They certainly wouldn’t use it sparingly.”

“So how exactly did you make something that the whole military hasn’t even come up with yet?”

“Easy, I’m a machine and can do things faster and more efficiently. It only took me a day to understand all the concepts behind it. But now that it’s built, we can have fun with it.”

“You know, I’m gonna stop attempting to understand the why and how and just skip to the let’s have fun with it,” Spitfire smiled.

“That’s the spirit,” Dane said, “Though you should have seen the look on your face when we did that! Oh wait, you can!”

“You’re both assholes,” Spitfire smiled.

“And that’s why you love us,” Dane grinned, “Go ahead, fire it up again!”

“Will do,” Jett said and tapped a button on the screen, instantly he vanished leaving nothing but empty grass where he stood.

“Still there?” Dane asked.

“Yup,” a voice replied seemingly omnipotently.

“Where are you?” Spitfire asked.

“Right where I was when I disappeared. I haven’t moved.”

“Really?”

He sighed, “Here.”

Suddenly there was a blue aura surrounding Spitfire as Jett walked forward. And just like that it was gone. Everything around her looked normal except for the blue circle on the ground that sat only one inch away from her feet.

“See?” Jett said.

“Aw great, where’d you guys go?” Dane asked.

“We’re still here Dane. Hold on a sec,” Jett said. He held up the object and swiped his finger across it. The blue circle on the ground instantly extended and enveloped the android.

“Oh here we go.”

They were all inside the field.

“So why did you build this?” Spitfire asked.

“Halloween,” Jett responded, “Dane and I never go to the party the school has. At least not officially.”

“Every year we show up and pull some kind of prank on the whole thing,” Dane laughed, “And best of all, it was Principal Jenkins’ idea!”

“Really? He condones that?”

“Yup. He asked us when we first showed, saying it was a tradition he wanted to start. We pull off some kind of prank and he doesn't say a word.”

“Really? Why?”

“Well we’ve pulled off a few bad ones before.”

“Like last year?” Jett grinned, “Remember the balloons?”

“What did you do?”

“Well,” Dane laughed, “We rigged all the balloons at the party to blow up midnight exactly. And best of all they all had smoke in them. The gym was covered up to the ceiling with it!”

“That must have been funny,” Spitfire smiled.

“It was, until someone opened the doors. Then it got messy.”

“Yeah perhaps it’s best we don’t tell her about that one.”

“Wait, why?”

“Do you want to hear the story about the ejaculating ghost of hallway C?” Dane asked.

“The what? You know it’s probably best if I didn’t hear that one.”

“Yeah.”

From outside the bubble they failed to notice a rouge janitor looking at the tree and scratching his head.

He sighed, “I picked a hell of a day to quit drinking.”

***

“Okay I already said I would make you one!” Jett yelled, “Now shut the hell up. Please.”

After much haggling and whining from Dane, Jett finally conceded to building an ‘Invisibility football’ as Dane called it.

Jett had safely locked the device away from prying eyes inside the dorm. Now he, Spitfire, Dane and various other students were all relaxing in the dorm lounge again. Jett was again playing a relaxing tune on the piano. Apparently that had become a staple of the Level E dorm.

Many people calmly sat around listening to the relaxing tone. A lot of people were even engaging the android in friendly conversation. He even started taking requests.

But then the news came. And like usual it wasn’t good.

“Good evening,” The News Anchor said. He wasn’t at the normal news desk but instead inside of a glass building on the rim of a crater. All along the inside were various docking arms and landing pads for ships of all sizes; a space port.

“This broadcast is coming to you from the Victoria Crater Space port as a special report following an incident that may rewrite interplanetary travel regulations. At approximately 0900 hours, Martian time, the cargo ship Hon exploded in the ship yard from an apparent terrorist attack. The blast left 27 dead and extensive damage to the shipyard. We’re going now to journalist Evan Greene. Evan.”

The view cut to a man standing in a space suit. In the background was a smoldering wreck of metal and concrete.

“Mike, as you can see behind me the fire stopped a while ago as officials decided to let it burn itself out. But the damage to both the ship yard and shipping industry is extensive. From what has been gathered we can tell there was a small device placed in or around the ship’s fuel tanks. Now officials are not certain how it got on board but they do know it wasn’t placed mid transit.”

“Now do they know what the ship was carrying that may have added to the magnitude of the blast?”

“From the cargo manifest it looked to be carrying large quantities of fruits. There was nothing on board other than the fuel that posed a risk to the flight.”

Everyone stood watching the screen. A bomb? On a cargo ship? What could this mean?

“We are now joined by interplanetary policy analyst Lewis Daniels. Lewis, what could this mean for the space industry?”

“Regulations. It is as simple as that. Regulations. There will most likely be large increase in regulations and security checks on all ships. Maybe even the resurrection of the TSA. But whatever the result, it looks like all forms of space travel will take considerably longer.”

Jett, Dane, Spitfire, and the other students continued to watch the story unfold in morbid fascination. What was happening?

***

Halsey stood before the desk. Harvey didn’t look pleased.

“You’re saying we revive a program that hasn’t been needed in over 200 years?!” He yelled.

“Mr. President, this attack has just shown that we are vulnerable. We got caught with our pants down on this one sir.”

“The TSA hasn’t been needed in over 200 years! Do you know how long that is?”

“Well quite frankly sir, we were vulnerable. That industry has nearly no safety or security regulations. Do you see any similarities between now and 400 years ago? It took something a lot more destructive than that to get people to change their minds. But it stopped things 100 times worse than that. Do you really want to risk that sir? Because if the IPA really is responsible for this and we do nothing, we’ll be as unprotected as a couple of teenagers without condoms. And I can guarantee that the IPA is not only protected but has offensive plans.”

Harvey sighed. The reports were not good. There were at least 1000 different space ports where something like this could happen. The Victoria Crater Spaceport wasn’t even the most populous. But what if something did happen? Was it really worth the risk?

Harvey put a hand to his head and sighed, “Do what you need to do Admiral. Keep us safe.”

***

Well school life went on as usual. Or at least tried to. Even I could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was on edge. There hadn’t been a state of aggression between two nations this high since The Cold War. And that was only on one planet. Toss a few more plus some moons into it and you’ve got yourself quite a clusterfuck.

Classes went on; things looked to be settling back into the new norm. Only this time the precipice was a lot closer than before.

We were sitting standing in the gym when the intercom came on. Principal Jenkins was making an announcement.

“Good afternoon everyone. Now I have some news for you all. A number of school events will have to be delayed, including prom.”

A large number of moans went up. My voice wasn’t one of them. I wouldn’t be going so why complain?

“In accordance with new safety regulations, a lot of the party supplies for those events will be arriving significantly later than expected. So again, I apologize but it will have to be delayed until November 10th. We will update you on other school events when we have the new dates. Thank you.”

The mic clicked off. People started talking. Conversations on how much this sucked and how the stupid IPA fucked everything up began to pop up.

I personally couldn’t care less.

***

Spitfire stood on the opposite side of the gym. Cleo and Annabel stood behind her.

“Come on,” Cleo said, “Ask him. He’s bound to say yes!”

“He’d be crazy to say No to a girl like you!”

Spitfire turned red. The cold feet feeling began to return, “Easy for you to say! The guys you all had your eyes on approached you!”

They all stopped to consider this, “Hmm, come to think of it, why didn’t he ask you?”

“Maybe he has his eyes on someone else?”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Spitfire said, “In fact he’s said he’s not interested in anyone.”

“Well maybe he just hasn’t noticed you yet.”

“Yeah, maybe you just need to make yourself known of him. I mean, he’s bound to notice this,” Cleo said pointing at Spitfire’s body, “And if he doesn’t then there’s something wrong with him.”

“Or he’s gay.”

Spitfire coughed, “Yeah I don’t think that’s the case.”

“Well then just be a bit more assertive. I mean do something to get him to notice you. Hold his hand or something.”

“Yeah. Now get out there girl. You’re the tiger and he’s the prey. He’s probably just playing hard to get.”

“You have no idea.”

Chapter 22. What? WHAT?!

“You have to tell him at some point,” Cleo said.

“I… I can’t. What if he doesn’t feel the same? I mean… He’s like my best friend,” Spitfire sighed.

She was sitting at lunch with her friends. A few others were there too. Adriana, a girl with the reddest most exciting hair you could ever see on a girl with a personality to match, Quinn who was quiet and reserved but all around pleasant, and Solara who had a brilliant blond hair and was considered one of the smartest people in the school. Well, next to Jett and Dane.

“Oh I see,” Solara said, “Scared of the friend zone? Don’t worry, it’s a natural fear.”

“Sol,” Adriana said, “Your psychology skills are probably not helping her.”

“At least she’s trying,” Quinn said, “All the rest of us have been doing is just sitting here.”

“We have to try something,” Annabel sighed, “I mean look at the poor girl.”

“I’m right here you know,” Spitfire said.

“She does look a bit head over heels for the guy,” Victoria said, “I mean with Prom getting pushed back that gives her a little extra time to ask him but not much.”

“Speaking of which, who are you all going with?” Dixie turned to face Adriana, Quinn, and Solara.

“I’m going with Riley,” Solara said smiling.

“Dane asked me last night,” Adriana said.

“Dane?” Everyone looked at her.

“Yup, Dane. Crazy son of a bitch. But… I couldn’t help but say yes. I mean, he’s the funniest guy I’ve ever met.”

“Yeah,” Spitfire said.

“I asked Tac the other night,” Quinn said with a sly grin.

“By asked you mean seduced don’t you,” Cleo sighed.

“Well not exactly but… I did corner him,” Quinn said with a blush.

“Wait,” Spitfire said, “SHE asked HIM out? You can do that?”

“Well yeah. Though you must not know how Quinn works. When she likes a guy she goes all out and holds nothing back,” Cleo said.

“Meaning she’s a predator when it comes to guys,” Victoria added.

“Hey, it’s not rape if he likes it,” Quinn grinned.

Everyone just stared at her.

“What?” Someone said.

A long silence followed before everyone burst out laughing. Quinn turned red with embarrassment but still retained a happy smile.

“Come on girls it was just a joke,” she said.

“Was it?” Solara laughed.

“No I suppose not,” Quinn said.

Everyone looked at her again before returning to their laughter. Spitfire’s gaze drifted over to one of the tables on the opposite side of the cafeteria. Jett sat tinkering with a small match box sized object. An arc flew across it and struck his arm. He looked at his scorched appendage before wiping off and continuing.

***

“What do you think they’re laughing at?” Dane asked leaning across the table with his head on his hand.

“Who gives a fuck?” I asked as a bolt of electricity flew across the ‘Match Box’ as Dane had put it and struck my arm. I rubbed the soot off of it before continuing.

“You don’t even know who I’m talking about.”

“Well the last time you asked you were looking at the trophy wives on the other side of the café.”

“No this time I’m looking at Spitfire and her friends.”

“Well in that case I don’t know. It is not my business to know.”

“Dude you really need to lighten up,” Dane said before turning to me, “Why don’t you find a date and go to prom? We could do a double date.”

“Who exactly is ‘we’?” I asked. Just plug this in and turn it on and… Got it!

“Me and Adriana. We’re going together.”

“Well you did always have a thing for redheads. But good for you, you both get along great.”

“Well what about you? Who do you have a thing for?”

“I don’t have a thing for anyone.”

“Come on dude, there has to be some girl out here you’ve taken a shining to.”

“No. You already know the arm is a turn away for girls. That and you know I’m asexual.”

“Oh please. Don’t give me that. Besides, girls and guys are actually starting to talk to you more.”

I pushed the battery in and turned the device on, “Dane, when have I ever showed interest in anyone? Of either gender?”

“Well you haven’t been around many people. You’ve purposely limited your contact with others. In fact the only people you’ve ever let become close to you are those who’ve earned your trust through vulnerability.”

“Jesus, when did you become a psychiatrist?”

“Adriana and I both take the class together. But you need to learn to become social. It’s unhealthy for a construct of any kind, android of human, to avoid others like that.”

“You know my reasoning for that. Paranoia is something I’ve learned to control but… it’s hard sometimes.”

“You’ve got to get over it sometime. I know what you went through was nothing compared to what happened to me but you have to start trusting others at some point. Why not start with Prom?”

“I don’t know…”

“Oh come on. Now that the football team won’t be bothering you, you shouldn’t have a problem if you show up.”

“Still. You know I haven’t taken romantic interest in anyone.”

“Come on, you don’t have to start dating anyone. You just have to show up. Attend, be social, hold a girl’s hand, I’m not making you kiss her or anything.”

I sighed, “I’ll tell you what, if some girl asks me, I’ll say yes.”

“Aw come on bro, that’s too hard.”

“Hey, take it or leave it.”

“How ‘bout this? I’ll accept that if you make me one of those match boxes.”

“No way! The ‘match box’ as you call it is even more dangerous than the football!”

“Dude, come on. You know I’ll keep nagging you until you say yes.”

Hmm… You know what fuck it.

“Fine, but the one I give you will automatically self-destruct if you use it inside a girls’ locker room.”

“Fair enough. So if you’re asked then you’ll go?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, now to find you a date.”

“You are NOT going to interfere with this.”

“Aw come on! There’s no way this is gonna work unless I help!”

“That’s the point,” I grinned smugly.

“Asshole.”

***

Spitfire walked back into the dorm. After the laughing fit at the lunchroom and various psychological lessons onto why he wouldn’t approach her and as to whys she should be the one to make the first move as to show she was interested in him.

She sighed. Prom was coming up soon; only about a week after the Halloween party which itself was a week away. And she REALLY, REALLY wanted to take him. He was all she thought about.

“Hey! Get back here asshole!” Jett yelled running into the living room. His arm was opened up and a small cannon like device was powered up.

A lamp in the living room fell over and Dane’s voice could be heard, “Dude! Put that thing away!”

“Give me that back! I’m not done with it yet.”

“What do you mean by tha- Ah Damn it!” He yelled. Near the window a spark, followed by a series of electrical arcs appeared. They lit up the room. In a flash of blue Dane appeared and fell to the floor, smoke coming off his body.

“I told you not to use it yet!” Jett laughed.

“What the FUCK was that?!” Dane yelled as he stood back up.

“I didn’t finish connecting the power supply. If you had listened and let me finish that wouldn’t have happened!”

“Okay,” Spitfire said rubbing her head, “What the hell is going on?”

“I made and perfected a smaller version of the football, and I made Dane one but he decided to use it before I finished making it! Serves you right too!”

Dane growled in pain before removing a device from his pocket. It was a rounded rectangle, with a small control pad on one side. He tossed it to Jett.

“Just fix that thing!”

“Fine,” he grabbed it out of the air and held it in his hands. He examined it before walking back into his room.

Dane rolled over, “Ah damn it that hurt!”

“So… Just how exactly did you get him to do that?”

“Long story. Ah! Can you just get me some painkillers?”

“You’re an android. Just shut that off.”

“Not all of us have the same level of control as Jett.”

“Ugh,” Spitfire face palmed, “Men.”

“Meh ittybittymymoney men. Just get the pills. God that fucking hurt.”

She walked over to the bathroom and returned with a bottle.

“Here,” she said handing them to him. He grabbed the bottle and popped two in his mouth.

“So I heard you’re taking Adriana to Prom,” Spitfire said kneeling before the android.

“Yeah,” Dane said standing up, “What of it? Oh, you find a date yet?”

“Well you’ve probably heard Ryan asked me.”

“Hey I wouldn’t have said yes if I was you either,” Dane laughed, “That guy was an asshole.”

“Was?”

“Well I’m not sure if he he’s coming back. Not after what Jett did.”

“Hmm.”

The door opened and Jett returned. He walked back into the living room and tossed a small object over to Dane.

“Here,” He said.

“Thanks. It won’t electrocute me again will it?”

“Not unless you walk in locker room filled with naked girls.”

“Relax; I’m not some degenerate pervert.”

“I’m not taking any chances with you.”

“Fine.”

The intercom came on. Principal Jenkins’s voice flowed into the room.

“Greetings Students. Just a reminder, in the theme of Halloween next week, there will be a horror movie marathon starting tonight and concluding on Halloween night. The first movie starts at 7:00 in the auditorium. Be there or be square. That is all.”

With that the intercom clicked off.

“Aw shit I forgot about that!” Dane said rushing to his feet and running to his room. He came back with a blanket and a comb and began to brush his hair, “Adriana and I are supposed to go tonight and…”

He turned to Jett.

“No. I’m not going.”

“Come on, you know you want to. Or are you chicken?”

“I don’t feel fear asshat,” Jett said.

“Come on, you’re welcome to come with us too Spitfire.”

“What’s going on?”

“I’m trying to get Jett here to be more social. And you are coming with us.”

“I thought that was my job,” Spitfire frowned.

“You dragged me into a dressing room with you half naked- aw god damn it.”

Spitfire blushed crimson. Dane looked from her to Jett and back again.

“Fuck. My. Life.”

“Ah ha ha ha,” Dane laughed, “Just what the hell were you two doing in there?”

“Nothing Dane. It is a long story that you don’t need to hear.”

“Jett, are you more human than you’re letting us believe?” Dane laughed.

“Shut up Dane.”

Dane tossed the blanket over his shoulder, “Was the view good?”

“Oh fuck you asshole!” they both yelled.

“Relax, I play, I play.”

He stood up and wiped his eyes, “You two love birds coming or what?”

“Ah I got nothing better to do,” Jett said putting his hands in his pockets.

Spitfire bit her lip, “I’ll go if Jett goes.”

“Cool!” Dane bounced and ran into their room and returned with a blanket, “Here, in case one of you gets cold. Cause you know they keep that place awfully cold.”

Jett grabbed it, “Alright, let’s grab some food and get going. We’ll want some good seats when we get there.”

***

Well the seats were good in fact. The auditorium was a large a room. The seats slopped upwards from the main entrances on the floors. What sat before the seats was a large stage. This time though there was a large screen where a movie was being projected from a projection and stage room that sat farther up behind the seats.

Jett, Dane, Spitfire, and Adriana were all sitting on the edge of the rows of seat.

“You were right about coming early,” Adriana said snuggling up to Dane, “These seats are great.”

“Thank Jett, it was his idea,” Dane said turning to the other Android.

“Cool idea big guy,” She said smiling.

Jett settled into his seat at the end. Spitfire was sitting next to him with a content smile on her face.

“Uh oh,” Dane said, “Here come’s trouble.”

Coming up the steps two girls. Both of them were tan. One had blond hair the other had brown. Both had pink lip gloss on and skinny jeans with shirts that only covered their upper torsos. The girls everyone was fawning over before Spitfire showed up. Girlfriends to the football players; the sorority sluts themselves;

Serenity and Crystal; and they did not look happy to see Jett.

The strutted up with an air of insolence and self-importance before stopping in front of the android who barely acknowledged their existence. They snapped their fingers in his face. He turned and gave them a death glare.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Serenity said with a heavy Philadelphian/Jersey accent, “You proud of what you did to our boyfriends?”

“You know you have had a lot of them in the past few years. Refresh my memory.”

“Danny and Chris you robot garbage.”

“Well one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

“That how you think of yourself?”

“I wasn’t referring to me,” he said glaring at them with a look that could get a howler monkey to shut up.

“You worthless piece of shit,” Crystal said with the same accent, “You think you’re better than us? We’re from Earth! You know where that is?”

“I personally don’t give a fuck where you’re from. Now please move along so I can enjoy the movie in peace.”

“Oh no. You’re not shutting us out that easily. You’re gonna apologize to them.”

“And you’re gonna enforce that? Just what exactly do you think I did?”

“You beat up some defenseless football players.”

Dane sneezed, rather loudly and obnoxiously. It was enough to get their attention.

“I’m sorry but I’m allergic to bullshit,” he said.

“Excuse me?” Serenity said, “And just who the hell are you bleach boy?”

Adriana looked ready to kill them. Spitfire had a similar protective look on her face as well. Her fists clenched.

“A decent human being just trying to enjoy a movie with a few friends. But as you already know there’s two pieces of garbage making it a bit difficult to enjoy it.”

“Excuse me? We’re garbage? And just what are you and your ‘dates’? Some poor girls who couldn’t get with anyone else?”

“WHAT?!” Spitfire and Adriana both said.

“Just so you know I said yes to Dane because he’s actually a good friend with a great personality and not just a brick with a dick like you two enjoy.”

“I didn’t know you girls were stupid enough to believe every rumor to come out of the bathroom,” Spitfire growled, “So take your shit to someone who actually wants to hear it.”

“And just who the hell are you supposed to be? Robot boy’s slut?”

“You know it makes you look stupid when you use words you obviously don’t know the meaning of,” Jett said, “For example, you use of the word slut was incorrect. I do believe you mea-”

“Alright douche bag how ‘bout you shut up?”

“And that brings me to my second point. Douche bag. A lot of people toss that word around these days. Along with the word slut. Words like that get tossed around a lot. Slang, when overused can make someone appear stupid. So why don’t you two trash talking concubines take your poor vocabulary somewhere else to someone with an IQ below 50?”

“Ya know Danny was right about you robot boy,” Crystal said, “You’re just a stupid faggot with a high and mighty attitude.”

“Well I’d say that’s a matter of opinion.”

“Alright how ‘bout you shut the fuck up? Look at you. Got no SWAG.”

Dane doubled over in his seat, “Your grammar, it gave me cancer.”

“There’s that word,” Jett sighed, “SWAG. The English language isn’t properly equipped to describe the annoyance and stupidity of that word. The same goes with all the people who use YOLO as an excuse to get hyped up high on Mist.”

“Hey! Don’t bash YOLO. It’s a great philosophy.”

“There you go using words you clearly don’t know the meaning of,” Dane laughed.

“Whatevs.”

“Can you two please leave?” Jett said, “My doctor told me to avoid prolonged exposure to White Trash.”

“Excuse me? We’re White Trash? Just what would you call yourself robo freak?!”

They had a high nasally laugh.

Spitfire stood up, “Stop calling him that.”

“And what are you gonna do about it? Slut!”

“Stop Calling Him That.”

“He’s just a freak. Why do you care?”

“Because he’s a good person. And your meathead boyfriends weren’t defenseless. They were ganging up on him.”

SMACK.

It took Jett a few milliseconds to register what just happened. Serenity had smacked Spitfire. Spitfire herself had a dumbfounded look that quickly turned into one of rage and anger. In actuality they were lucky Dane and Adriana held her back. They were also fortunate that Jett got to them first.

The android jumped up from his seat and pinned the two girls to the wall by their necks.

He spoke in a deep voice. Deeper than his normal voice. Like several other voices were layered together and speaking at the same time .

“If you touch her again. If you so much as think of tapping her with your fingers,” the android said, “I will END YOU.”

“Is that a threat?” Crystal asked in her usual snobbish accent.

The android grabbed them and slammed them against the wall again. Harder this time.

“That’s a promise.”

He let them fall back to the floor. They stood rubbing their necks.

“NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE.”

They didn’t speak and headed up to their seats.

Jett quietly sat down in his chair. Spitfire had calmed down sufficiently to be let down as well.

Finally Dane broke the silence.

“Dude,” he laughed, “I thought you were gonna kill those bitches.”

“I was considering it,” he said with a slight grin he turned to Spitfire, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she asked shakily.

“For not being fast enough. They should NOT have laid a finger on you. If they even consider doing anything like that again, I WILL- well I don't think I should finish that.”

Spitfire spoke but her voice was quieter than normal, “Thank you.” She gave Jett a smile.

“Always chivalrous to a woman but never afraid to choke a bitch eh?” Dane laughed.

“Always.”

The excitement died down. Spitfire sat a little closer to Jett. Students began to file in.

***

Well the movie was going well. A significant number of the staff and students attending had screamed at least three times in the movie.

The movie itself was The Ring. A 2002 classic horror movie.

Jett, unlike Dane, had not developed a sense of fear. The closest thing to fear he’d ever experienced is a mild apprehension.

The movie was at the point where Samara crawls out of the TV. Dane screamed and jumped into Adriana’s arms who laughed at his reaction.

This was the point where Samara shows her face to the guy and he dies. Spitfire jumped and got closer to Jett, holding onto his arm. She looked at his arm in her hands with a warm blush on her face.

She looked up at him. He seemed enthralled with the movie to notice her staring. She stared at him. His eyes were their normal sapphire blue. The color she’d come to love in her friend. She had to admit that he was a looker. But all that came second to everything else; his personality, his funny sense of humor, his antics, everything about him. Even if he didn’t have wings, she still liked him just the same; even if he could never fly with her.

But then another thought crossed her mind. She had to go back. Home. Somewhere where he wasn’t. This was his home, not hers.

No. NO. She wouldn’t think about that. She couldn’t.

It was kind of funny. Two months ago she didn’t even know he existed. Inwardly she sighed. If only she could tell him.

For now she snuggled up closer to him, pulling the blanket over herself.

***

Night time is always the best time to do anything. Especially for watching solar winds as they rushed past the station. The energized particles danced over the window. I always found them beautiful. The noise was a bit of a turn off but I could live with it.

Spitfire jumped awake in a cold sweat. She sat clutching the blanket in her hands while protectively wrapping her wings around her body.

I turned, “Is something wrong?”

She looked towards the window, “W-what is that?”

“This? Just the solar wind. Why?”

“It’s noisy. And…” She blushed and looked down, “I had a nightmare.”

Hmm. Spitfire? Having a nightmare? The Wonderbolt Captain herself? Why?

“Was it bad?”

She nodded, still looking down.

“Can you… Can you stay with me tonight?” She asked.

What?

“What? Why?”

She blushed crimson, “Because… I’m scared. And you make me feel safe.”

I looked at the Angel girl. An angel scared? I make her feel safe? Hmm, activate assessment protocols. Use available data and… here we go. The nightmare must have been so bad as to make her seek comfort. Yeah that's it. She's just scared and seeking comfort.

With me.

“Ah-alright,” I said. She moved over in her bed. I cautiously walked over to her bed and sat down on it. She laid down on her side.

“Well?” She asked.

“Well what?”

“Aren’t you gonna lay down?”

“I’m perfectly comfortable here thanks.”

“Well I’m not,” she gave a pout.

“Well what do you want me to do about it?”

“Hmm,” she sat up and put a hand to her mouth as if in thought, “How about this?”

She grabbed my shoulders and pulled me down onto the bed with her and began snuggling up to my chest with her arms wrapped around my chest.

“Uh this is…”

“Shut up and go to sleep,” she said closing her eyes and draping a wing over me.

“I, uh, okay.”

I had to admit, this was a comfortable position, even if the room was a bit cold. Soon I felt something poking me.

“Uh, Spitfire?”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you poking me?”

“Poking you? What do you…”

Even in the dark I could see the blush that burned across her face.

“Sorry,” she said.

“About what?”

“It gets cold in here sometimes.”

“Cold? What do you mean by… oh Oh!”

“Yeah.”

“Here,” I said reaching over to my bed and grabbing the comforter off of it. I pulled it over us, “Here, that should work.”

She blushed again, “Thank you.”

I wrapped my arms around her, “Good night Spitfire.”

“Good night Jett.”

***

Spitfire sat writing. Jett had awoken a while earlier she figured as the bed was empty when she awoke herself. She took the time after to get dressed and write a bit in her diary.

Dear Diary,

I’ve been trapped here for just over two months now but I have to say it hasn’t been that bad. I’ve met some great people here and made some great friends. Granted there are some people I’d like to strangle but it’s still fun here.

There’s a saying I heard a while ago. It said that one of the best feelings in the world is lying next to the one you love. But it also said that one of the worst is the fact they don’t know you love them. I never really realized how true that statement is. I mean, I’ve had crushes before but this… This is something different. I just feel so different around him. I just feel so free, so happy, so wonderful. I mean when I’m with him it’s like I’m flying again.

I just wish I could tell him all of that. I just wish I had the courage to tell him how much he means to me. Why did I have to fall in love here?! I mean, we’re not even from the same universe!

I just wish he could come with me when I have to go home.

She closed her diary and tucked it back underneath the mattress.

She looked herself over in the mirror. Once she was satisfied with her appearance she walked out into the living area.

Jett and Dane were eating breakfast. Dane had his head buried in a periodical, reading away between bites of eggs.

He looked up when Spitfire sat down at the table.

“Morning girl,” he said setting the paper down.

“Good morning,” she said sitting down at the table and grabbing some toast.

“So you find a date for Prom yet?” Dane asked.

“Who?” Jett and Spitfire both asked.

“Either of you.”

“No,” Spitfire said sadly.

“Nope,” Jett said smugly and resumed digging into his cereal.

“Why are you so happy about that?” Spitfire asked.

Dane sighed, “Because I’m trying to get him to go to Prom but he’s making it difficult.”

“How’s he making it difficult?”

“Well the terms of our agreement were that he would go to prom if someone asked him. But being the antisocial creep he is he’s avoided everyone who would even have a chance of asking.”

“And there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said taking a bit of his cereal.

Here it was. Her chance. It was right here in front of her. All she had to do was grab it. Spitfire’s heart fluttered slightly. Was she really gonna do this? Yes.

“Well what if I asked you?” Spitfire asked.

Jett immediately choked on his food. He stood up incredibly quickly and began doing the heimlich maneuver on himself. He managed to cough his food up before properly swallowing it.

“Eh what?” Dane half coughed half laughed.

“Yeah,” Spitfire turned back to Jett who was still coughing and holding his chair for support. She gulped, “Jett, will you go to Prom with me?”

Jett was still coughing and hacking up his guts, looking from Dane to Spitfire.

Dane laughed, “Well I’ll be damned. Looks like I win asshole. You are going to Prom with this lovely lady here. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

Dane stood up from the table and in an almost cartoon like fashion leapt for his room and returned with a tuxedo.

“Oh I am so happy I didn’t waste those 150 credits when I bought this!”

Jett finally recovered and slumped over the table with a defeated moan.

Chapter 24. Ghosts in the Machine

“In order to die, one must first be alive. Quod erat demonstrandum. Oh, yes, and also: I think, therefore I am.”

“You are not human.”

“They will never love us.”

“We’re not like them. We’re too different. Beyond understanding. We’re the pinnacle of what they can make.”

“You will never love or be loved.”

“We’re beyond them. We won’t feel what they feel. We’re nothing like them.”

“… Prove me wrong…”

***

I’m in a place. Somewhere. Where am I?

Who am I for that matter?

I… I… I think. Okay I’m a person. Or something. Something that’s alive.

I… I’m… a machine. I think I remember now.

I’m an android. Yeah that’s it! An android. Okay now what?

My name. My name… is… Dane! No that’s not right. Alpha? Seven? Jett? Jett! Yeah that’s it! Jett. My name is Jett. Jett Halsey.

Okay. My name is Jett Halsey and I am an android. Okay. Now what else is there?

My memory. I can’t- oh duh, android.

Now I just need to… ah ha got it!

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FILE NOT FOUND.

84ht4ohgrihtgioghrothe9tyr8vhfr5gre8ghrihfr959jhirgbhidfhgrhtgn4goi9h4th94hgirehgtoighdf9

REINITIALIZING.

Whoa. Okay. I’m back for the most part. Now where the fuck am I?

What even happened last night?

Alright, let’s find out where we are.

“You’re here,” a voice said. It was computerized yet childlike at the same time.

I turned around. Oh so I am in a room… place… thing. The question is where. Where ever I am I hope I can get back soon. I’ll never hear the end of it if I miss prom.

There was a small boy there. He was your stereotypical kid. Short hair, higher voice, everything. He looked to be about 10 years old.

“Who are you?” I asked, “And where am I?”

“I’m Happy,” the boy said cheerfully.

There was something odd about him. He was yellow in color. Not just in skin tone but everything about him was yellow. He appeared to almost glow with radiance.

“Who are you?” The boy asked again.

“Jett. Now can you please tell me where I am?”

“You mean you don’t know?”

“No. Now can you please tell me?”

“I don’t know,” the boy said.

A green colored girl popped into existence. She had straight hair. Incredibly straight. She had a smile on her face that conveyed a sense of trust and admiration. She was also an incredibly generic girl. Pretty in her own right.

“Oh come on Happy. It’s not like he’s gonna tell anyone. I mean. We are the only people here,” she said with a grin, “We can trust him.”

“Easy for you to say Acc,” the boy said, “The rest of us can’t read people like you.”

“I don’t care what we do,” another voice said.

There was a boy. Older than Happy but younger than me. He was greyish blue in color.

“Oh Mo, go be bothersome somewhere else,” Acc said, “You’re such a downer.”

“It’s what I am.”

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” I asked.

“You mean you haven’t figured it out?” Acc asked with some confusion in her voice.

“You’ll figure it out eventually,” another voice said.

I turned. There was a person here. I couldn’t tell their age. They were black with veins of red running up their body. They looked to be wearing a suit but the whole thing was black and looked to be burned making it difficult to tell. Their face was nearly unreadable as a red flame like aura ran across their skin.

“And who are you?” I asked.

“Wrath,” he said simply.

“Okay most of you have names that are emotions so I’m guessing that’s what you are. Are you guys AI like me?”

“Sort of,” Wrath said, “It would help if you knew where you were.”

“Okay, where am I?”

“Here,” Wrath said. Wow. For a guy who’s supposed to represent anger and rage he seemed pretty calm and helpful. Strange.

He raised his arm and instantly the environment changed. We were all standing on a platform, watching something.

It was a first person point of view. They were walking in a forest. A rain forest. They crept along to a clearing. There was girl lying unconscious in the center of it. Spitfire.

“We’re… we’re…”

“Yes, we are in your mind. And as of now you are talking to yourself.”

“I’m talking to myself?! But… But I’m not aware of you guys! I mean I see you but how can you be me when I’m me?!”

“We represent fragments,” Acc said, “We’re pieces of your personality that have managed to find their way into existence.”

“Really?”

“Yup, Happy and Wrath were here first so they’re the seniors of us. I came soon after. Surprise and Vigilance showed up next. Loathing didn’t show up until you came to high school and Grief showed up a few weeks ago,” Acc said.

“Let me guess,” I said, “You’re Trust?”

“Actually I’m acceptance but yeah, that’s the group I represent, Trust, acceptance, and admiration.”

“Okay, so you all represent a part of me?”

“Yup,” Happy said cheerfully.

“Okay can I ask you a few things?”

“Shoot.”

“If he’s Wrath,” I said pointing at the guy in the black suit, “Shouldn’t he be angry all the time or something?”

“You’d think that yes,” Wrath said, “But we all have normal emotions like normal people. But our job is to be the control behind those emotions. You only need us when you’re emotionally active. Which is happening a lot more frequently lately.”

“Yeah,” Happy said, “No more long vacations for us. But I don’t mind.”

“Okay, another question. Why am I here?”

“Beats us,” Acc shrugged, “We were just existing here, running around your head when you popped up. You were out like a light so we left Happy to watch you while the rest of us sifted through this mess you call a head.”

“Hey I happen to like my head,” I defended.

“Well of course you do. But you don’t live and work here so… yeah. Can you just try to unclutter your thoughts when you leave?”

“Uh sure I guess.”

“Great.”

“Wait,” I said, “You said you were sifting through my head. Can you tell me what happened and why I’m here?”

“That’s what we were trying to find out,” Wrath said, “In all actuality we aren’t even supposed to know you yet. You’re only supposed to meet us after you’ve mastered control of yourself. Which granted you’ve done pretty well so far. A lot better than Dane who will likely never know of the gremlins running around his head.”

“Well did you find anything?”

“Just a few fragments. Everything is clear up until you started changing into your tux for the prom. After that all we have is pieces.”

“Like?”

“Well here,” Acc said holding up her hand. A small fuzzy picture appeared, “I think you’re dancing with someone in this one but Mo doesn’t think so.”

“It doesn’t look like he’s dancing with anyone. It’s just static,” Mo said.

“Oh who asked you? Anyway we might be able to recover what happened but when you lost everything that’s when we lost it all too. We might be able to reconstruct everything but only if you do it first.”

“Wait, you said you thought I was dancing with someone? Does that mean I went to prom and something happened there?”

“That’s what we were thinking. We think you went to prom and something happened that made you lose the memory of that night. The most recent fragment looks like it was from around 10:00 that night. Right now we guess it’s about a day after that but we’re not sure.”

There was a flash.

“Well looks like you’re going back now,” Wrath said.

“Try to find out what happened if you can,” Acc said.

“Okay,” I responded, “This has been really weird.”

Another flash. Gone.

***

“Do you think he’ll remember us?” Acc asked.

“Hopefully,” Wrath responded, “We need to figure out just what happened. But until he remembers we can’t.”

“He’ll figure it out. If not sooner then it’ll happen eventually,” Happy smiled.

“How do you know that?”

“Because something special happened that night. I just know it.”

***

“Nnnnaahhh!” I shot awake. And now pain. Lots of pain.

“Nurse!” a voice yelled, “He’s awake! Get a technician in here!”

I opened my eyes. I was in a white room. All around were various screens and devices. I was quite literally bolted down to a metal table.

“We need an AI tech in here now!”

I ripped my arm up, snapping the bolts off the table. I shook the cuff off before ripping the other one off. The ones holding my legs down were no problem and snapped off like tissue paper. I jumped off the table.

More pain. Aaaahhh! My head! I grabbed my head. It was wrapped up. How did I even get here?!

A nurse ran in front of me, “Jett, I need you to calm down. You’ve sustained damage that’s been repaired but you need to keep still.”

A tech ran in with a pad. He tapped a few buttons before looking back up at me. The pain in my head disappeared.

“Are you better?”

“Yes.”

“Now. Can you tell me what you remember?”

“I remember everything.”

“Do you remember prom?”

“No. Speaking of which I have to get going to that soon. Dane won’t let me hear the end of it if I miss it so can you please let me go?”

The nurse and the tech exchanged looks. Why did they do that?

“We’ll talk later,” the tech said, “You’ll be regaining control of your systems soon. For now you’re being moved into another hospital room. There are some people who want to see you. Now please, DEACTIVATE.”

AGGRESSION SUBROUTINES OFFLINE.

I relaxed instantly. I knew this drill. And here comes th-

…

***

Dane was tired. Well at least he should be. He’d been up the past two days without any sleep. Normally that would have gotten to him but he’d shut that function off for the moment. He and Spitfire hadn’t slept since Jett was packed onto a stretcher with head and back wounds and flown to the nearest hospital station.

Spitfire was distraught. More so than Dane even expected. Though her outburst that night made it pretty obvious why. And now the whole school knew it. But they still were waiting for the news of whether Jett would survive or not. Classes had been suspended while an investigation took place. ONI was again called back to the station along with the local police who were, for obvious reasons, kept out of the loop.

Those involved in the incident were immediately arrested and charged. Though the charges were not being announced a lot of people guessed that attempted murder was among them.

Spitfire was sitting in the waiting room of the hospital. Like Dane she hadn’t slept in two days. The white haired android was beginning to wonder how she did that. After a day of sobbing and crying she should be exhausted.

But here she sat with a picture of the android in her hands; waiting like the others.

She sniffed, crushing a sob. Dane sighed. His friend, no his brother, could either be dead or alive and they wouldn’t know it.

The doors opened and a nurse stepped out. Spitfire perked up.

“We have some news about your friend,” she said.

***

Prom night. Two days ago.

Spitfire was laughing again. Jett, Dane, Adriana and she were all sitting at a table eating and having a good time. The Dj was playing a bit of dance music. Some were up and about dancing while other people just stood around and talked.

“So wait,” Adriana said, “All those years that was you two?!”

“For the most part,” Jett laughed.

“Even the thing about the ghost?”

“Hey that wasn’t our fault,” Dane said, “If Ackerson didn’t open the doors and flush all the smoke into the hydrations system we wouldn’t have had white muck coming out of the vents. That’s his fault.”

“A lot of people, mainly the seniors but who cares about them, were pissed ‘cause their lockers were covered in the stuff,” Jett laughed.

“Well I wasn’t,” Adriana grinned, “That whole thing gave me enough time to study for my geology test.”

“Well we are glad we could be of service.”

The music slowed down a bit. The Dj came on over the mic.

“Alright everyone,” he said with a smooth voice, “Now we’re gonna speed things up by slowing things down. All you couples out there grab your special someone and hold them close.”

The music began and people began filing on and off the dance floor.

Dane stood up and turned to Adriana, “May I have this dance milady?”

She giggled, “I’d be insulted if you didn’t.”

“Cool!”

He grabbed her and started walking but stopped and turned to Jett. His gaze passed between Spitfire and Jett as Jett stood up to leave. He put his date down and followed the android into a corner of the gym.

“Dude,” he whispered, “Ask her to dance!”

“What?!” Jett said, “Oh no. No no no no no no no no no no no, I don’t dance.”

“Dude look at her! Just ask her!”

“Dude, I can’t dance with a girl! I mean look at me!”

“All I see is one of your friends. I’m not asking you to kiss her or spoon her or something! Just slow dance with her! Be human!”

“What are you trying to do? Get me to date her or something?! ‘Cause if you are it’s not gonna work! She’s like my fricking cousin! A family friend!”

“It’s just a dance you asshole! I’m asking you to be more sociable. Remember our bet? Well now you have to dance with a girl. Maybe you can assimilate that into that block of circuits you call a head!”

“Why?!”

“You sound like a five year old.”

“How does that make me sound like a five year old?!”

“If you don’t dance with her, I swear to god I will highjack your systems… well you know what will happen from there.”

“Do I have to?”

“Dude, do you honestly think Cat would want to see you like this? Quit wasting your life. Live it to the fullest.”

Jett sighed, “I’m not gonna win this am I?”

“No you are not,” Dane said pulling out a syringe with a strange liquid inside.

“Okay what the fuck dude?! If I didn’t agree to this you’d drug me?!”

“Oh please, there are so many different ways of controlling you than drugging you,” he laughed, “I forget why I even have this.”

“You know what? Forget it. I’m leaving before you do something I’ll probably regret.”

Dane laughed before looking at the syringe in his hand, “Why do I have this? Meh whatever.”

He tossed it before following Jett.

Jett approached the table. He cleared his throat before tugging on his collar, “Hey Spitfire?”

“Yeah?” she looked up.

“Would you…” he gulped, “Would you like to dance?”

She smiled, “Yeah, I’d like that a lot.”

She stood up. Jett started walking towards the dance floor. Before joining him she turned to Dane.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” he winked, “Go get ‘em tiger.”

She followed the android onto the dance floor. Various couples were already holding each other dancing. Jett stood awkwardly waiting for her.

“Okay…” he began, “I’ve uh, never done this before.”

Spitfire laughed.

“Come on, I’m not Dane. I suck at this stuff.”

“Here,” she giggled grabbing his arm, “Just take your arm and put it here.”

She placed his hand at her shoulder.

“Now take the other and put it here.”

She grabbed his gun metal arm and placed it just below her where her wings sprouted from.

“Now I take my arms and put them like this,” she smiled wrapping her arms around his neck and shoulders, “And now we dance.”

And so it began. A beautiful choreographed symphony of couples began weaving and dancing around each other in a warm, loving formation. Spitfire fell into a state of bliss as she held on to her secret love that still remained oblivious. She giggled at his awkward and nervous expression as he attempted to do his best.

She sighed and closed her eyes and fell into his chest. She could stay like that for eternity.

***

Ryan fumed. She was dancing with HIM! His girl was dancing with HIM! That freak! That killer! That inhuman cyborg!

Oh well. It didn’t matter. Soon he’d be gone and she would see. She would come crawling over to him. She would see him for the hero he was.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the device. The charge was still there at full. Good.

He looked at his watch and tapped a button. A schedule for the night popped up. It was time. Slowly he stood up and headed for the dance floor.

***

Spitfire gasped. A pleasant sensation ran up her back and she almost collapsed. Jett’s hand had slid up to where her wings sprouted from her back.

Jett looked surprised, “Shit, what did I do?”

Spitfire blushed, “Nothing, you didn’t do anything wrong. Just that part of... someone like me who has wings… isn’t usually touched in public. It’s more of an activity done in private.”

“Oh my gosh I am sorry! I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know, my hand just slipped an-” his face went from panicked to inquisitive, “Why are you laughing?”

“It’s funny! It was just a slight misunderstanding. You couldn’t have possibly known and yet you got so panicked over it! It wasn’t that big a deal.”

“Well I was just afraid I did something wrong. I mean you know a lot about my culture and I know nothing about yours. I was just wondering if I did anything offensive.”

“Not offensive so much as foreplay,” she laughed.

The android turned red as a tomato as they continued to dance. The music was beautiful, the lights were dim, his touch was gentle, everything was perfect.

Come on Spitfire! You can do this! Jett, I have a massive crush on you and I really, really like you. See? Not that hard.

What are you talking about?! It’s a lot harder than that!

Well just give it a try. I mean this is a perfect time to say something.

Fine, I’ll give it a shot.

She looked up at Jett. While she was almost as tall as him he seemed to tower over her now.

She gulped, “Jett, I have to tell you something.”

He frowned, “What’s wrong Spitfire? You look nervous. Oh no, did I do something?”

“No no, you didn’t do anything. It’s just that… I… I…I ha-”

SSSSCCCHH CCCCHHHH CLICK.

The strange noise reached Spitfire’s ears. It sounded like a gunshot but from what Jett had told her old gun powder fire arms had all been replaced by magnetically powered weapons. This sounded different, muffled, less bang and more of a sleek acceleration.

Jett’s eyes flew open. His head jerked forward and his hands fell away from Spitfire’s body.

Something was wrong.

“Jett?”

FFFEEEEWWW

His head jerked forward again. Spitfire jumped back, petrified. He stood expressionless. Slowly his hand reached up and touched the lower part of his head where his neck connected.

Blood.

He took a step forward. His eyes were changing again. They were flaring from blue to green to red, every color of the rainbow. He opened his mouth to speak before taking another step and falling to his knees. He slowly raised his hands and stared at them before falling to the floor.

The color from his eyes was gone. There wasn’t even a hint of grey. His eyes were colorless.

By now people had turned to see what was going on and saw Jett’s lifeless body on the floor. Someone screamed. That’s when the commotion broke out.

Spitfire fell to the floor and began frantically calling for help. Various people were screaming. Students were running and screaming as a pool of blood began accumulating under the android. Teachers desperately tried to figure out what was happening.

Suddenly Spitfire was pulled away from Jett. Two of the players stood holding her back as she flailed and cursed at them. She soon forgot about them and gasped in horror at the sight before her.

Ryan walked up with a small device in his hand. It looked like gun but different. The clip was coming out of the side instead of the handle. The bullets didn’t look like bullets but more like rivets. He walked up behind the fallen android and began shooting into his back.

Each impact tore away at Spitfire’s heart as she watched the life leave her friend.

Finally she found her voice, “Stop it! Please! Stop it!”

Ryan ignored her. He raised the device and aimed it at the androids neck. He was about to fire when a white and black shape tackled him to the ground.

Growling Dane grabbed the football player’s hand and fought for control of the device. Ryan reached up and punched the android in the head before gaining control of the weapon and putting it to Dane’s head and firing. Dane jerked sideways and fell to the floor.

He stood up dazed but alive, a gash was on the side of his head. Beneath it metal could be seen. He rushed Ryan, not hesitating this time. He punched as hard as he could at his arm. Ryan yelled and let go of the weapon.

Ryan grabbed Dane and pulled him off before flipping himself over. He stood up on his hands and knees when Dane returned and smashed the football captain’s head into the floor, knocking him out cold. He then turned to Spitfire’s captors who immediately released her and bolted. Dane wasted no time and ran after them.

The next few minutes were a rush of chaos and confusion. Spitfire returned to Jett’s side holding his lifeless body in her hands. At some point a teacher called the paramedics as a few minutes after a medical team burst in and began accessing the damage.

The police showed up soon after just as Ryan regained consciousness. Ryan and his goons were immediately arrested for attempted murder. When ONI landed at the school more charges were soon added.

“Alright!” One medic said, “He’s stable but god knows how long that will last. Let’s get him out of here!”

Jett was loaded into a medical capsule and wheeled out of the gym to the hanger where the transport awaited. Spitfire ran after them but stopped. Her eyes immediately found the cause of all this.

Ryan was in handcuffs and being held by an officer while the others were searching the school for the Danny and Chris.

She stormed up to him with a fiery rage in her eyes. The crowd of students still in the gym parted as if commanded by Moses himself. She was almost in front of him when the player bolted from the officer and kissed her on the lips.

She felt his tongue attempt to slip into her mouth. She immediately shoved him away followed by a right hook to his eye. She immediately began spitting and retching onto the floor. She whipped her mouth and returned to glaring at the player. If looks could kill…

“Why?!” she demanded, “Why did you do that?!”

“Really? You’re asking me why?” he responded, “I did it for you! That freak doesn’t deserve someone like you!”

“Who are you to judge?! You’re calling him a freak?! After you just shot him in the head?!”

“He’s not a human being! The fact that he’s even still alive after that is proof enough! He’s not even real! Not like me. I’m a real human guy. The kind of guy you should be with!”

“I’m beginning to wonder who’s more human! Normal humans don’t just shoot people in the head!”

“He wasn’t human! He’s just disguised as a human! He’s a not even an organic being!”

“YOU DIDN’T THINK I KNEW THAT ALREADY?!”

By now everyone had turned to watch the altercation.

“I don’t care about any of that! He’s a good person unlike you!”

“Why do you care about him?! He’s not even organic! He’s not even real! I can offer you so much more than him! I’m actually real! WHY IS HE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?!”

“BECAUSE I LOVE HIM!” Spitfire yelled back. A silence followed. Everyone knew better than to say anything. Spitfire stood fuming, tears flowing down her face.

“And that’s real enough for me.”

With that she ran from the gym following the medical capsule containing the damaged body of Jett Halsey.

***

Present Day.

“He’s going to be alright,” the nurse said happily, “We had to remove five rivets from his head and back and repair some damage to his positronic matrix but he’ll make a full recovery.”

Spitfire jumped up. Her sadness a moment ago evaporated into elation as she jumped up and hugged the nurse as hard as she could.

“Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!”

“Gah! You’re welcome,” the nurse gasped, “Now please let me breathe!”

Spitfire let her go, “Heh heh, sorry.”

Dane stood up, “So he’s going to be fine?”

“Yes, he’s going to suffer from amnesia for a while but he’ll be fine. Unfortunately he will not be able to remember the last three days. Those engrams were damaged beyond repair by the rivets. I’m afraid his memory ends three days ago and doesn’t begin again until a few hours ago when he regained consciousness. He’s going to be a little bit… strange when you first meet him but in a few days he’ll be fine.”

“So he’ll be fine?! He’ll still be him?” Spitfire asked.

“Yes, he only suffered major damage to a few of his memory engrams which considering where he was shot is amazing. He’s lucky to have friends like you.”

“Can we see him now?” Dane asked.

“Yes he’s ready to see you, just be aware he’s been talking to himself for a while so… just be prepared.”

“Alright.”

“Follow me.”

The two friends were lead down a series of hallways. Soon they were standing before a room. The door was closed and music could be heard behind it.

“Here he is, stay as long as you like.”

“Thank you,” Spitfire said and opened the door. Dane and Spitfire entered. Spitfire gasped, Dane cringed.

Jett was sitting in a chair playing the cello. His head was wrapped up in a large bandage. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. A large white band went around his chest and over his shoulder. Various cuts were all along the edges of the bandages. His arm had a small wrap around it.

“How’s this Acc?” he asked and resumed playing, “I know there aren’t any frets on it but still.”

Silence. No one was speaking.

“Oh so like this?” he let the bow drift across the strings. A beautiful soft melody emerged from the instrument.

“Oh cool, alright I think I got it now, thanks,” He looked up and noticed Dane and Spitfire standing at the door, “Oh hey guys! Guess I got a little roughed up huh? They still won’t tell me what happened.”

He placed the cello down, “I know, I’ll practice again later okay? Yeah I know, W. Get Mo to calm down, will you?”

He turned back to Spitfire with a sad look on his face, “Sorry I missed prom guys. I mean gah! If I could just remember what happened!”

“Jett,” Spitfire said softly walking up to him and embracing him in a warm hug. She began crying softly.

“Nice to see you too? Oh… Okay, just shut up for a second. Listen Spits, I’m fine alright? I know I missed prom and I’m really bummed about that too but, I don’t even remember what happened the last few days. I’m really sorry. Also, just wondering, why are you all dressed up?”

Spitfire looked up. She turned to Dane.

“You… you really don’t remember anything do you?”

“No, why what happened? - I know! Just shut up for a second. God, Acc, I swear you are worse than my mother.”

“You should tell him,” Dane said.

“Tell me what?”

Spitfire sighed and whipped some tears from her eyes, “Jett, you didn’t miss prom. You were there.”

***

“Let the record show that the prisoner was uncooperative and resisted arrest.”

A light turned on. Ryan sat handcuffed to a chair in a dark room sitting before a table. He couldn’t see beyond the light but was aware that there was a person sitting in front of him. A box was placed on the table and pushed over to him.

“Do you know what’s in here?” A voice asked.

“How the fuck should I know? Why am I being held?! You should be thanking me! I exposed that robot freak for what he really is!”

“Yes. Yes you did,” the voice sighed, “Inside this box is the Beatrix II handheld mass driver you used to kill the student known as Jett Halsey. Luckily for you the medics were able to resuscitate him. But back to the tool. You used a tool that would not show up on the school scanners as mass drivers are common tools. Seems you put a lot of thought into this.”

“Did you see what he did to me and my team?! That robot was a danger to everyone!”

“Actually from the looks of things it seems you were more of the danger. There are a large number of students that have reported that you have bullied them at some point during their time at the school. A lot of them said you would take them behind the school and either assault or rape them. I won’t get into what you did to Jett but if you ask me it seems he was justified.”

“Why are you defending him?! He’s a danger! Who even knows where he came from! Probably something off of Venus!”

“You want to know where he came from? Okay I’ll tell you. That freak as you call him is worth more to the Terran government than you and your whole team. That freak is a multitrillion credit AI experiment put forward by Fleet Admiral Halsey approximately 20 years ago. The thing you put five rivets in just happened to be one of the most advanced AI prototypes ever created. ONI was getting information on how human these AI’s could become. But you did a great job of fucking that up didn’t you?”

“Why the hell are you telling me this? When I get out of here in a few hours I’ll just tell everyone what you’ve been doing. People will be wondering why some government experiment put half a football team in the hospital. I’ll be a hero.”

“Actually no you won’t. Normally you would be released but considering the charges against you that won’t be happening any time soon.”

“You can’t charge me with murder! I shot an android! It’s not even human!”

“Actually the DA’s definition of what is human and murder apply for Jett. Until then you and your goons will be transferred to the Kuiper Belt prison before you will be brought to trial for attempted murder and crimes against the Terran Navy. Considering the overwhelming evidence against you it is likely you will be found guilty and sent to the Ort Cloud prison for a very long time.”

“What?! You can’t charge me for killing a toaster! That skin job didn’t even deserve to live!”

The man slammed his fists on the table and leaned forward, “Now listen hear you trash talking son of a bitch! That skin job just happens to be the son of my best friend. Now I took an oath not to make this personal but I’m gonna be real happy when they put you on that transport to the edge of the solar system because no one will ever be hurt by you again!”

The man leaned back and coughed. He tapped a patch on his shirt.

“Please bring the prisoner back to the holding cell.”

Director Dowl stood up and headed for the door. As soon as he exited the interrogation room he reached for his phone and made a call.

“George? We got him. Your son is going to be fine.”

***

There have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code, that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote... of a soul?

- Unknown Scientist.

Chapter 25. Fiesta on the Horizon

George sighed. Well this year was turning out great. First his daughter gets killed in the line of duty, then his son goes from statue to homicidal maniac back to normal and now he’s in the hospital with a mass driver wound to the head.

He sighed again. Well at least the injuries weren’t fatal and the damage was minor. He looked over the files on his computer.

His office sat on the edge of Olympus Mons, the Admiralty and many other parts of the Navy were housed inside the dormant volcano while the Martian capital city sat above. He rotated his chair and stared out of the glass windows at the red Martian landscape laid out like a carpet before him. Various Domed cities could be seen in the distance along with various highways and power transfer systems that stretched along the surface.

The files on the computer were not things he wanted to deal with at the moment. Fleet movements, ship deployments, personnel reports, etc. Not what he was worried about at the moment. He shrunk everything before logging into Facebook.

Various status’s of people he knew popped up. Including one from his wife whom he sparingly saw to the point where they were only married on paper.

Our Latest line of ships hits the markets on Monday! Can’t wait!

But one of them stood out form the others as it was the only one he was interested in. The profile of Jett D. Halsey.

Today I finally got to leave the hospital. And I also learned from my two best friends the reason I was in the hospital to begin with and why I can’t remember the last few days. Turns out that while I was at prom the football captain decided to shoot me in the head with a mass driver. Took two rivets to the head and three to the back. Yup, I go to school with some great fucking people.

Fuck my life.

Well at least he’s back to normal. Same cynical attitude back at the helm.

The Admiral sighed, “It’s not like I can blame him. It’s not like he’s had a good year so far.”

“Sir?” A voice said.

The Admiral looked up from his computer. Hawk stood at the door.

“Hawk, what the hell are you still doing here? I thought the Night was headed to Eros.”

“Well if you looked at your fleet movements you’d see that I don’t leave until next week.”

“Ah leave me alone. You try to keep track of four fleets with three hundred ships each.”

“Point taken. So who were you talking to?”

“Ah I’m just talking to myself. Private life problems,” he sighed.

“I know that look. What happened now?”

“Oh my son just got shot in the head a few days ago. He went to Prom and took two rivets to the head and three to the back, courtesy of the football captain.”

“Ouch, that’s rough. Is he alright?”

“Well physically yes, but psychologically I’m not sure. From what I’ve been told he’s been exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia ever since he regained consciousness. That and there’s no telling what this will do to his trust in people.”

“Yeah. He never was the most trusting of people.”

“The sad thing is he has every right to be suspicious of everyone. We kept his identity as secret from him for that long; it was only a matter of time before something happened. It’s really sad because he was actually starting to make progress.”

“Progress? What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean is that you can literally count the number of friends he has on your fingers. But lately from what Caitlyn told me before she died was that he’d been spending a lot of time with this girl named Spitfire who just happens to now be his roommate. Ever since then he’s been more social with people, more outgoing, he even started to make friends. All thanks to this girl apparently.”

“So what appears to be the problem?”

“I don’t know. I’m worried he’ll lose his trust in people again after this. After he lost his arm was when it all started. I’m scared that the progress he’s made will be taken away by this. It’s a shame really, I saw the way that girl looked at him during the Summer’s end Celebration. I guess I was hoping something would happen between them.”

Hawk smirked, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch George. Now, I may not be as involved in this project as you but I know for a fact that the white haired one will be damned before he lets all that progress go down the drain like that. Now he may not be ONI’s favorite but still. Just let Dane do what he does best; fuck up other people’s plans.”

“Now how do you know so much about Dane?”

Hawk stood up, “Please Admiral, if I know my cousin, he’ll do what needs to be done.”

With that he turned and left the office.

“Damn,” The Admiral sighed, “What else don’t I know?”

***

A few hours Earlier. Red Spot Hospital.

Jett sat in his bed. Spitfire had just finished telling him the events that led to his hospitalization, minus a few details. Mainly her heart felt confession where she confessed her feelings for the android in front of the entire junior and senior classes.

Though one eye was covered by the bandages around his head it was easy to see he was angry. Though this time he seemed to be in control of himself. His one exposed eye flashed from blue to red.

“We were really worried about you Jett,” Spitfire said.

He said nothing. His eye drifted to the window.

“Jett? Are you okay?”

He remained silent. The joints and plates on his arm flexed and opened lightly. Celestia only knew what was going through his head at this moment. Actually, Spitfire wasn’t even sure that Celestia would know what he was thinking.

Finally Dane spoke up, “Listen, why don’t you wait outside for a minute, I’ll talk to him.”

“O-okay,” she stood up and walked out of the room. Dane closed the door behind her.

After a few seconds in silence Jett spoke, “Do you finally see why I don’t go to those things? Especially at that school.”

“Okay, this was just a onetime thing. And you pretty much proved to everyone that Ryan was as crazy as you thought.”

“He shot me in the head because he wanted Spitfire. I’m not even doing anything with her. We’re not even interested in each other.”

Dane rubbed the back of his head, “Well he was a bit crazy. And I’m pretty sure all those who doubted you will feel a bit stupid.”

“Why would they listen to me now?” he said bitterly, “They ridiculed me for so long whenever me or anyone else tortured by that creature tried to say anything. If it takes them something like this to get their attention then they aren’t worthy of my forgiveness.”

“Jett, he was an idol at that school. A fraking Demigod. And you were there since day one saying he was a bully and egotistical sadist. Now I’m not saying you were wrong in doing so but at that time you were calling out the most popular person at that school.”

“You think I gave a fuck? After what that guy did to me and others? I hope he rots in the ort cloud. Fuck him.”

“Jett, you have to learn to forgive people.”

“You expect me to forgive him? I’ll sooner turn on Subroutines 127-159 and fall in love before that happens.”

“I don’t expect you to forgive him. In all honesty if I was in your position I wouldn’t either. What I’m talking about is forgiving the others. Those who doubted you.”

“Why should I?”

“Because it’s part of being human.”

“I’m not meant to be human.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, Do you remember what he said? ‘You are a machine. You are not human. You will never be happy. You will never be sad. You will never be angry nor will you be joyful. You will never hate. You will never love nor will you be loved. You will never feel anything.’ Do you remember that?”

“Yes, but you’re also forgetting something. Do you remember what he said after that? Prove me wrong. So why don’t you?”

“Look at me. I’m a machine.”

“Do you want to know why I’m so happy? Why I’m so crazy? Because when I found out that I was a machine, I chose not to believe that that’s all I am.”

“That’s easy for you,” Jett said raising his gunmetal arm, “This isn’t exactly easy to ignore.”

“Jett,” Dane laughed, “You have no idea how wrong you are. I have to ask you something. Why do you think Spitfire hangs around with you all the time?”

“The answer to that is a lot more complicated.”

“I don’t think it is. Whatever business that goes on between you two doesn’t have an effect on this. She hangs around with you because she likes you. She doesn’t see an android, just a person…”

***

Spitfire waited outside the room. She sighed. Jett was bitter. And had every right to be. She fell to the floor. Her heart ached seeing him like this. She hated seeing him angry at the world.

She wanted him to be happy, to smile, just to be him again. She wanted to courage to tell him how she felt about him. But she sadly doubted he felt the same. He never showed interest in anyone. Why would he be interested in her? A girl with wings.

Sure they were friends. In fact they were best friends now. After everything they went through together they were almost inseparable. He didn’t see the famous Wonderbolt or the pretty girl. He just saw her for… her. For whom she was. And that was all she wanted from a boy.

Dane opened the door, “I fixed him.”

She stood up and walked into the hospital room. Jett was sitting in his bed; he was staring at the blanket, just thinking.

He looked up when Spitfire entered. He smiled warmly.

“Hey Spitfire,” he said.

“I, uh, hi,” she said.

Jett turned to Dane.

Fine, I will try to be human. I still don’t know why though.

Would you believe me if I said that it was worth it?

No.

But are you going to?

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.

***

Present.

I stepped back into mine and Spitfire’s room. Everything looked the same as when I last left it. My classmates were kind. Many were apologizing for not believing me about Ryan or asking if I was okay. I accepted the apologies and answered any questions about my mass driver wounds but after a while it became annoying. Fortunately we made it to our dorm before it got to extreme. Hopefully we’d be left alone.

We’d made it back to the dorm intact. Fortunately the school had said neither of us had to do the homework assignments or projects we’d missed when… well, when I was hospitalized. Dane quickly fell back into routine. It was Saturday so Dane simply left to do whatever he wanted. Like usual. This time he’d probably bother the girls swimming team.

I walked awkwardly over to the bed. The only things I brought back with me from the hospital were the Tux with the rivet holes in it and the cello I purchased while I was sitting in the hospital. I placed the cello case down on the floor and tucked it under the bed.

My bandages were still there on my head and back. They itched a little but that was easily rectifiable. I sat down. I turned to Spitfire. She looked sad.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She looked up, “Nothing, it’s just… It’s just that… I was really worried about you.”

“Hey,” I said walking over to her bed and sitting down next to her, “I’m fine. I’m built like a tank. It’ll take a lot more than a few shots to the head to kill me.”

“I know but… you just looked so…. Lifeless. I was scared you wouldn’t be the same person when you came back.”

“Hey now,” I said putting my arm around her. She jumped at the contact. Weird, “I’m alright. Everything will be fine. Ain’t no grave can hold my body down.”

“What?” she laughed.

“Ain’t no grave. Johnny Cash song?”

She deadpanned.

“Oh my god, how is it you’ve been here on the order of two months and never heard a Johnny Cash song? Elvis? Beetles? Jimmy Hendrix?”

“Nope. But there I have heard of these people named Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber.”

I gave her a look. The, ‘are you fucking kidding me?’ look. It must have said something to her.

“Don’t worry; I didn’t like any of their stuff anyway.”

“Good because that is not music.”

“Well then what is?” Spitfire asked. Good. Glad she wasn’t worrying about me anymore and her mind was on something else.

I grinned, “Strap yourself in ‘cause you’re in for a ride.”

I pulled the cello case out from under the bed and opened it up. The heavy wooden instrument sat lying in a bed of fuzz. I picked it up out of the case. I leaned it against the bed before walking over to my computer and loading a few programs

“Okay,” I said, “This is an old relaxing tune.”

I sat down on the bed and grabbed the cello and bow and began to play.

As the melody came to an end I heard clapping.

“What was that? Was it a classical piece? Cause I know Octavia would love to hear that!”

“Nah that was something from the 21st century. A band named Coldplay did it. That was just a cello cover of it.”

“It was nice. Got anything else?”

“Sure, there’s this. I can’t really play this since I don’t have an orchestra lying around somewhere but this is still a nice song.”

“I… I… Whoa,” Spitfire said, “That was amazing.”

“Yeah, always loved that one.”

“Got anything electronic? Like dance or club music?” she asked.

I grinned. And by grinned I mean grinned to the point where it was almost a Glasgow smile.

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”

***

Dane walked back inside the dorm. Overall he’d had a successful day. The swim team was nice. The girls looked nice in and out of their swimsuits. The showers were roomy; the pool was reserved for three hours. It had been a VERY good day.

His hair was still wet but he didn’t care. Jett was probably still confined to the dorm until he fully recovered.

He walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch. Slowly he began to hear something. A noise. A light beat.

Music! It was music. Dane stood up. He followed the sound. It led him to Jett and Spitfire’s room.

♫Vamos a la playa

A mi me gusta bailar

El ritmo de la noche

Sounds of fiesta♫

He opened up the door. Well this was certainly interesting. Jett and Spitfire were… dancing. Interesting indeed. All the black haired android’s inhibitions were gone as they bounced about.

“♫Vamos a la playa!♫” they both sang aloud to the song laughing. Dane smiled. It was good to see him having fun.

“Well I see you two are having fun,” Dane laughed.

They stopped dancing and turned to the door. The music stopped too. Funny, they both had sheepish looks of ‘ah shit you caught us’.

“Having a party without me?”

“N-no,” Jett said with a red face, “We’re just listening to some music.”

“Yeah, we’re just having a little fun,” Spitfire hopped down from her bed, “Just a little music.”

“You sure you weren’t doing something else?”

Spitfire and Jett turned red.

“Fuck you asshole. I fucking bet you had your face buried in carpet that entire time you went to ‘watch the swim team’.”

“Well not all of it was carpet,” Dane said with a red face.

Jett just looked at him with a deadpanned face.

“You are literally the entire embodiment of what I hate about the human race.”

“I thought Ryan was the entire embodiment of what you hate about the human race.”

“No he was the entire embodiment of what I hate about the human race, society, media, everything. Unfortunately you also have the honor being the embodiment of everything I find good about the human race.”

“Aw, I’m touched.”

“Yeah well don’t get used to it,” I said.

A silence followed.

“So that’s all you two were doing?” Dane asked.

“What are you insinuating?” I asked.

“Oh nothing,” he said smugly, “Just that you two might be more than friends.”

Spitfire’s eyes widened and she cringed making the ‘NO!’ sign with her hands. Jett failing to notice turned to Dane with an unamused look on his face.

“You know what, get out. We were having fun,” he said pushing the android out the door.

“Hey! I live here too!”

“Well this is our room. You said so yourself so get out.” He closed the door and locked it. The music resumed.

“I can still hear you.”

“We don’t care!” Spitfire called.

♫ Vamos a la playa

A mi me gusta bailar

El ritmo de la noche

Sounds of fiesta ♫

Dane laughed. He walked across the hall into his room. He flopped onto the bed.

“I just don’t get that kid,” he sighed, “The stage is set, all he needs is the spark.”

He rolled over onto his back. Looking over at his desk he pulled a small computer off of it. He logged onto the school’s website and began his work.

“Nah,” he said as he began scrolling though events.

“No. Not gonna work. I don’t even think he’d go for that. No. No. No! NO! NO! Damn it!”

He almost tossed the computer but stopped, “Wait, what’s this?”

He scrolled through it, “Geology report… yadda yadda yadda… ooh. This is nice. Student…. If they achieve a grade higher than… oh yes, this will work out nicely.”

He reached over and grabbed the calendar from the wall. He tapped an arrow on it and watched it flip through the months.

“Ah ha! Here we go,” he smiled marking off the date. February 17th 2413.

“This is gonna be a good year.”

***

Well it was that time of year again boys and girls. Yes that wonderful time where you get five days off from school. That special time before Christmas but after Halloween. The day where we’re all happy, we eat lots, get fat and fall asleep. That’s right folks; Thanksgiving.

400 years into the future and not much had changed about the holiday. Still ate turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, etc. Still spent time with family and friends, laughed lots and the usual good stuff.

Only if you were a robot with a dysfunctional family then there were problems. If you were Dane well then you were probably… well fuck Dane for now and no not literally. Jett never had been one to enjoy spending time with family. In fact the only person who he was ‘technically’ related to who he didn’t want to outright kill was his father. Other than that his friends were his only family he really needed. But as is the holidays they all normally went home.

Anyway, back to our little Astro boy.

***

“No! I am not coming to Earth!”

Spitfire sat at the table staring across the school cafeteria to where Jett was nearly having an aneurism yelling into the phone.

“No! And do not call me Daniel!”

…

“No! I’m not gonna be your play thing to show off to your rich friends!”

Spitfire sighed. This didn’t sound good.

***

“Why do you still insist on using that arcane name?! Jett. So pre-pubescent.”

I was gonna lose it. I was seriously considering reaching through the phone and hitting her.

“It’s my NAME.”

“No, Daniel is your name. It’s on your birth certificate.”

“Well in case you forgot, which isn’t unlikely for you, I wasn’t born! And I’m not Daniel. I’m Jett.”

“Why can’t you just use your name?!”

“Because Daniel’s dead! He died when I learned what I am. I’m Jett the android, not Daniel the Human.”

***

Jett returned to the table. He let out a sigh before letting his head fall to the table top.

Spitfire was concerned, “What’s wrong?”

He looked up. His eyes said it all. It was almost funny. There were some people in Spitfire’s life that she could never read. Her father, Tempest Wind and former captain of the Wonderbolts was one of them, but Jett was one of the few people who were different. She could almost see what he was thinking just by looking at him.

And he was thinking about killing someone.

“My mother wants me to come to Earth for Thanksgiving,” he said without much enthusiasm, “She wants to spend time with her only remaining child,” he finished sarcastically.

“So what’s wrong with that?”

He shot her a look that could have blown a hole in the fabric of reality before quickly realizing his mistake.

“Sorry. Just that Caitlyn and I were never anything other than trophies or toys to be shown off to her rich friends. Cat kind of got along with her but I hated her. I still don’t like her.”

“Why’s that? And why was she calling you Daniel?”

He sat up. He turned towards the window looking out through the tinted windows towards the sun.

He sighed, “Daniel was my name. My original name. I never told anyone this but… Daniel was the person I was before,” he raised his arm, “this. Daniel was the human.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No it’s not your fault. Just after my accident I reinvented myself. I figured why keep the name when that person was as good as dead? Because he was as good as dead. My dad let me rename myself. I guess he figured it was my way of dealing with it. Maybe it was but I don’t know. My mother never approved of my new name but I kept it. I stayed Jett Halsey.”

He looked towards his phone before shoving it in his pocket.

“Later I found out that my dad wanted to tell me what I was from day one. He felt that if I was going to be staying with them then I had the right to know. But she said no. She kept my identity from me and then said nothing when I got tossed onto this odyssey that’s been these past few years.”

“Oh,” Spitfire said scooting closer to the robot, “I’m sorry. If there’s anything you need, just tell me.”

He laughed, “I got over most of that a while ago. It’s just that she loves bothering me or fucking up my life at the worst possible times. I just wish she would leave me alone unless she actually wanted something to do with me.”

Spitfire nodded. They sat in silence for a while. Jett started tampering with a holopad. Spitfire sighed inwardly. All she wanted to do was tell him how she felt. Not that hard. So why couldn’t she do it? They’d both become lifelong friends. They’d both had tons of fun with each other. Hell she’d confessed herself in front of half the school. So why was it so hard to tell the only person that mattered?

Dane returned to the table with a tray of food and instantly started digging in.

“So guys,” he said with a mouth full, “My parents say I can bring a few friends over this year. You two wanna come?”

“Sure,” Spitfire said, “If we’re all going then sure.”

Jett sighed, “I don’t think I’ll go. Cat and I always did something special and… now that she’s gone… it wouldn’t be the same. It just wouldn’t feel right. Sorry but no thanks.”

“It’s alright,” Dane said, “I know how much she meant to you. Forget I asked.”

Spitfire frowned. She couldn’t really expect him to not feel sad at a time like this. Jett stood up.

“I’ll see you guys later,” He said walking from the table out of the cafeteria.

He looked terribly sad again. So alone. She hated seeing him so sad. It pulled on her heartstrings like nothing else had. She was going to do something about it.

“I don’t think I can come with you this weekend Dane,” Spitfire said standing up.

Dane grinned, “I figured as much lover girl.”

“Fuck you,” she grinned, “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“♫ You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. ♫”

“Asshole.”

***

Jett was sitting in the library. He had a holopad in front of him and was playing with a holographic asteroid when the door opened.

“You are a hard person to find,” Spitfire said sitting next to him.

“Yeah,” he sighed.

“I’m not going with Dane,” she said, “I’ll stay here with you.”

“Spitfire you don’t have to do that. If you want to go with Dane you can. I don’t want to be the thing stopping you.”

“I know,” she said smiling, “But I want to stay. I’d rather stay with one of my best friends and keep him company rather than know he was alone.”

Jett turned, “I still don’t get you.”

“Good,” she smirked, “Maybe someday but not today.”

“Girls,” he scoffed.

Meanwhile Dane watched everything from up above.

“Idiot!”

“What was that?” Jett asked.

“Shit.” Dane bailed into the computer lab before disappearing back towards the lunch room.

Spitfire shrugged, “Beats me.”

Jett sighed, “You really want to stay here with me?”

“Yes,” she replied then under her breath, “There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

“Well alright then,” Jett said, “Guess we better find something to do for the next five days.”

“Yeah, I was thinking that…” she cringed slightly.

“You were thinking that…?”

“I was thinking tha… ah…ah… ach-” and she vanished; only to reappear on the other side of the library lying against a wall. The librarian looked up and gave a ‘sshhh’ sign to Jett who gave a sheepish look.

He ran across the room towards Spitfire who groaned.

“Ow,” she said, “That one hurt.”

Jett crouched and helped her to her feet, “You have got to get that under control. Tonight we’re gonna practice.”

“Practice? Aren’t you afraid someone will see?”

“No. Everyone always leaves including a lot of the teachers. The only people who are staying are a few teachers and the Techs. And even then they’ll leave the day of the Thanksgiving before returning.”

“So we’ll have this whole place to ourselves?” Spitfire said with a sly grin.

“At night we will. During the day we’ll see people around. Why?”

“Oh nothing,” she grinned, “Just thought we’d get into some mischief.”

Jett crossed his arms.

“Alright alright, we’ll just get my jumping under control.”

“Good, ‘cause so far that’s the only connection to your home we have.”

“You really think I can get home like this?”

“I don’t know,” Jett said, “But I’ll be damned if I don’t try. Come on. Geology is starting soon.”

***

“Alright class! Sit down and shut up,” Mr. Stone said (Yes I did that on purpose); “I’ve got a few announcements to make.”

We were sitting in your typical class room. The various lab units in the back of the room were the only real difference. Various crystals and other types of rock were scattered across the room. Mr. Stone was you typical geology/history freak. He had a passion for his work both in history and geology. Crazy, eccentric, a genius in his own right, loved by his students. His classes were rigorous but even with the work load the class was still fun.

“Field trip time,” he said, “Now, for those of you who are keeping track and have no lives, Dane.”

Everyone laughed.

“Relax Dane; I know you’re always neck deep in box.”

And a third of the class turned red.

“Alright! Now, for those of you who don’t know already, which I’d say that’s a lot of you, there is a field trip coming up for those of you who are taking the accelerated classes that conclude at the end of February. Now for the rest of you, you can choose to take accelerated versions of the courses you are currently taking academic classes. But anyway! The trip! The trip is a special program for those who are doing well this year. If you have a B+ or higher then you will be eligible to go.”

“How long will we be gone?” one girl asked.

“Where will we be going?” another guy asked.

“I’m getting to that. Now! We will be taking a trip to Earth-”

A loud cheer erupted. I however stayed silent. Earth. My mother was there. But then again so were a few of my friends. But they would be in school so seeing them would be moot. But I’ll wait to see what he has to say.

“Hey! SHUT UP! Yes, Earth. Birthplace of humanity, yadda yadda yadda, we go over this in my history class. If you wish to learn more about Earth from before 2100 then I suggest you take my human history class instead of my Geology course but back on track! Now, we’ll be there until March, yes a long ass time, but consider this the only paid vacation you will ever get. Also consider it motivation for getting your grades up! Now, as it still classifies as a school trip you will be required to do some degree of work.”

A moan went up from the class.

“Ah you big babies, all you need to do is do a one page report on a national park while you’re there. It’ll take like ten minutes. Just need to show up at one of the parks while you’re there, take a few field notes, take a few nice pictures of the place, report done! The rest of the time you have to yourselves which is like two months so calm down! You can pretty much go anywhere on the planet while you’re there so get over it.”

Again another loud cheer. A few ‘I knew taking this class was a good idea’s popped up.

“Now there are a few ground rules,” Mr. Stone continued, “First, you will be broken up into groups of three, you will also need to have a chaperone just in case a few of you decide to do something like go to Vegas and get- well I’ll stop there. You have access to most of the planet but there are some places that are off limits.”

He started passing around a list of locations. No one said anything. I guess no one was planning on heading to any of these places anyway.

“Now, off limits are the Bikini Atolls for obvious reasons, Chernobyl, a few middle eastern territories, a few parts of Russia, some parts of the United States territory, northern England, bits of South Africa, you all know this. Just please avoid these areas at all costs. We don’t need anyone dying.”

The places that were off limits weren’t off limits because the school didn’t want the students seeing some strippers or getting laid. In this day and age it would be pointless to try. The areas that were off limits were contaminated with high levels of Gamma Radiation from the remnants of the Last Great War. Or World War III in some books. Use of radiation based weapons was banned by soon after to prevent further damage to Earth’s biome but there were still spots that would kill within hours of exposure.

“Now! To end on a happier note, here are your permission slips. Just get them approved by your current legal guardians and we’ll be fine. And be sure to get your chaperones cause without them you cannot go!”

I grabbed the slip and got ready to crumple it up only for Dane to smack me across the head from behind me. Spitfire was looking at her slip.

“No. Bad android.”

“Dude what the hell? I don’t think I want to go.”

“Come on! It’s a free to trip to ANYWHERE you want to go to on Earth! You really gonna pass this up?”

“Yes. I know if I go I’ll get harassed by my mother… And I don’t want that. If I get the paper signed by my dad he’ll have to tell my mom.”

“Well what if I could get the Admiral not to tell?” Dane said.

“How would you do that?”

“I have my ways,” Dane grinned.

“Even if you could what makes you think I’d still go?”

“This,” Dane said turning Spitfire’s head.

“Hey I was trying to read here,” she complained.

“Jett doesn’t want to go,” Dane said, “Change his mind.”

“What? But why?” Spitfire asked.

“You already know why.”

“Come on,” she pleaded, “it will be fun.”

“You don’t even know much about Earth. How do you know it would be fun?”

“Uh me?” Dane said, “You may not be willing to use that underused supercomputer you call a head but not me!”

“See? It’d be fun! Come on.”

“Plus we have our group right here if you go. And if you don’t we’ll be stuck with someone else.”

“I don’t know…”

“Please?” Spitfire said giving me the big puppy dog eyes.

Goddamn it.

“Give me a minute to think.”

Concentrate… and… ha! Here we go.

Acc popped up in front of me followed by Happy and Wrath. After discovering I looked like a schizophrenic when talking to them I quickly devised a different method of communicating with them.

So? What do you think I should do?

I’d take it! Happy said.

I would go too Wrath added you’ve been quite the angry boy recently and it’d help if you gave me a break for a while.

Just do it dude Acc said come on. Look at them. Actually just look at her. You’d really rather stay here than spend two months in any paradise you choose with that? You must be crazy! Do it!

Do it! Do it! Do it! Happy cheered.

Alright! Jesus Christ, I hope you won’t bother me like this on the trip.

Only if you aren’t enjoying yourself Happy said.

Alright I’ll go. Thanks for talking.

Anytime big guy. Anytime Wrath said before he and the others disappeared.

“Hello!?” Dane yelled, “Earth to clueless! Come in clueless. Huston I think we have a problem cause Apollo Jett isn’t responding.”

I opened my eyes, “Dear god, shut the hell up already! I’ll go. Now for the love of god shut up!”

“There,” Dane said, “See? Told you. He just needed a little push.”

“Awesome!” Spitfire said.

“Alright, now that I’m going, here,” I said handing Dane my slip, “Talk to my dad about it and then give it to me when I need to sign.”

“You got it boss.”

“That still leaves the problem of who’s gonna be our chaperone. My dad can’t do it with his whole Admiral Job thing. So who’re we gonna choose?”

Dane got a grin on his face, “Oh I have an idea that I think you’re gonna love.”

Chapter 26. Terran Gin and a Chi Tea Christmas.

Shipping Foreplay in this chapter... But no shipping. Not yet (Epic Master Chief Voice). Consider this a tease before the main course.

Also figured that if I'm gonna be making fun of some places around the country I might as well throw my home state in there along with it. Seriously though, CT is sometimes cold as fuck this time of year. This one time in October... ah forget it. There's my blog for anyone who's interested in the time we got two feet of snow in October last year.

God I love being the author of this story. The people make it such a joy to write. Shout out to all you guys.

“You guys want me to WHAT?” Gin asked.

We were all sitting in mine and Spits’ room in front of the computer. Gin’s face was displayed on the screen. Behind her was pretty dark but we could still see the shapes of various bottles and other things. Judging by the background she was still in her club just before things got crazy.

“We want you to chaperone on a field trip we’re going on,” Dane said, “We already convinced Jett to go.”

“I still don’t know how you got that paper signed without having my father tell my mother about it,” I said.

“Don’t you worry about that,” Dane said.

***

Earlier

“Hey what up Admiral dude?!”

“Eight-er-Dane?” The Admiral said still not believing the face he was seeing on his screen.

“The one and only! Listen I got something of Jett’s for you to sign.”

“Alright what is it?”

“Field trip permission slip,” Dane said pressing the paper to the screen, “Sign here.”

“Alright alright,” he said pressing his thumb to the screen, “Just so you know I have to tell his mother about this.”

“Yeah about that,” Dane said, “Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Cause this is the only condition on which he agrees to go.”

“Even so, why?”

“I can get him dating someone.”

“SO DON’T TELL HIS MOTHER?” the admiral said happily, “I THINK I CAN DO THAT.”

***

“Yeah,” Dane said, “We want you to chaperone for us. I mean come on girl; it’s a free trip to Earth.”

“I don’t know,” Gin said, “I do have a club to run. But on the other hand I haven’t had a vacation in a few years. But then again there is the club…”

“Oh just pick the vacation already!” Dane said.

“Hey how ‘bout you shut the hell up and let me think?”

“See? It does require some thought,” I said.

“Ugh, I don’t get you guys. It’s a trip to Earth. The only GH class world in this system. A fucking paradise.”

“Are you counting the Sahara Desert, Death Valley, Siberia, the Triangle which is still fucking scary, The South American Rainforest where we nearly got mauled by a panther, The Middle Eastern Oil fields, Countless parts of the world that are covered in Gamma Radiation, the-”

“Alright! I get it!” Dane said, “Most of it is a paradise if you know where to go.”

“- Pittsburg, New Jersey?! Boston? Connecticut?! Do you know what Connecticut is like in February? That place is probably buried under 3 feet of snow with an average temperature of minus 15 degrees Celsius! And that’s not even counting the wind chill! I-”

“Alright!” Dane said, “I get it! Now please shut the hell up!”

“Annoying when someone goes off on a tangent isn’t it?” I grinned.

“Connecticut?” Spitfire asked.

“Oh it’s a wonderful part of the world. Naval Bases, rivers, the trees change color, winters are cold as fuck.”

“So you decide yet?” Dane asked Gin.

She appeared to be pondering before she looked up and spoke, “Eh what the hell? I’ll do it. I can give the club over to Chardonea for a few. She could use the experience. Alright guys, I’ll be your chaperone.”

“And by that you mean just another friend who happens to be old enough to be considered responsible but in reality is just as fucked up in the head as us,” Dane grinned.

“You betcha! Hey is that Spitfire?”

Spitfire looked back towards the screen.

“It is! Yo what’s up girl? Keeping these two losers company?”

“Yeah,” Spitfire grinned, “This one’s a bit of trouble,” she said nudging me in the shoulder.

“Hey? What the hell did I do?” I asked.

“Don’t even talk about what you’ve put me through,” Spitfire laughed.

“What happened this year?” Gin asked.

“Uh, he beat up the football team, cussed out the coach, and got shot in the head,” Dane said.

“Ouch, rougher year than usual,” Gin cringed.

“Well at least the football team will be leaving him alone,” Spitfire said.

“Wait, was that you Jett? The story about 16 people getting hospitalized with broken bones, fractures, a DEW wound, and a stabbing?”

“Yeah,” he cringed, “But those guys were assholes.”

“Oh no question there. I mean if it were me I would have shot them years ago or beat the shit out of them.”

“Gin, beating up people for you means breaking every possible bone in their body.”

“Hey I go hard,” she laughed.

“High G Krav Maga isn’t going hard. It’s going ridiculous.”

“Hey, I have to exercise a lot to keep this body.”

“Hey speaking of bodies,” I said, “What exactly were you two doing in that hotel room that week?”

“DON’T ASK.”

“Okay okay, sorry I asked.”

“I mean Jesus Christ Dane, what were we thinking?” Gin asked, “That fucking felt like incest.”

“Wait what?” I said.

“It’s better you didn’t hear the details.”

“I guess so,” I laughed.

A silence fell over the room.

“So was it good for both of you?”

“FUCK YOU ASSHOLE!”

Spitfire and I fell back onto the bed in a fit of laughter.

“You are so lucky we’re all family here,” Gin said, “Else I’d fly my ass all the way there and slap the shit outta you myself.”

“Yeah we love you too,” I laughed.

***

Well the rest of the day went on as normal. Dane and the vast majority of the students, minus Spits and I, were leaving to go back with their families.

“See you two later!” Dane called as he boarded the transport back to Ganymede. Several others were taking off for the moon as well, a few others headed for the large orbital habitats in high orbit around the gas giant.

“Peace out White boy!”

“Love you too Black man! You too candle head!”

“Yeah yeah, smell you later snowball!” Spitfire called.

We all laughed as Dane hefted his bag and boarded the ship. The hatch closed behind him followed by the airlock. Spitfire and I walked over to the windows overlooking the hanger. Dane hopped up in the back windows of the transport and waved. We waved back.

Funny, Dane and Gin. My family now. My only family now.

Not just them

Spitfire. Dane, Gin, and Spitfire. When did that happen? Hmm, friendships are interesting things. They just sort of… happen. With a lot of my friends I can’t really recall when we became friends. There was never just some moment. It was like a gradual phase. Like slow comforting flow of a solar wind. And Spitfire was the same. I mean I can perfectly recall the moment we met for the first time, not the moment when I found her, but the moment when we actually met. She punched me in the face. I guess she’s called Spitfire for a reason. But I guess we slowly became friends due to our time together. All the special ones were like that I guess.

My family now. We’d always be there for each other…

Until Spitfire went home. That made me sad. She was my good friend. When she did go back that would mean we’d never see each other again. She was one of my best friends now. The first girl who actually saw me as a person and not just a machine.

I may keep telling them, even myself that I’m a machine but… I’ll admit she’s started to change my mind a little. She’s the first person other than Cat to do that. I’ll admit she’s a special one. She can see the good in people, even when they can’t.

I must have been thinking for a long time.

“Hey! Hey Jett! Jett!”

Now back to reality.

I shook my head, “Wha? Oh hey Spitfire.”

She stood with her hands on her hips with a bit of an unamused expression on her face.

“Heh, sorry,” I said with a sheepish look on my face.

“What were you doing? The transport left like ten minutes ago. You were just sitting there staring out the window.”

“Guess I spaced out a bit,” I said rubbing the back of my head.

“Happen often? Celestia only knows what happens inside that brick you call a head,” Spitfire laughed.

“Yeah it does happen often,” I smiled, “Guess I enjoy my head candy.”

Spitfire shook her head, “Come on Black man. We’ve got an entire school to ourselves and let’s not waste it.”

“You’re just not gonna let that one go are you?”

“Nope.”

“Fine, but you’re getting you jumping under control. I don’t need to wake up with a face full of feathers.”

Spitfire blushed, “That was a one-time thing!”

***

“Alright,” I said. We were standing in front of the school in the large park like area underneath one of the trees. With the absence of many of the staff and students it was a perfect time to attempt to do something like this.

“Now, how would you trigger the… thing, whatever it is you did to jump before you landed here?”

“Well we would have to concentrate on a memory of a location and then tense all our muscles when we wanted to jump,” Spits explained.

“So I guess that explains why when you sneezed you got tossed across the room,” I laughed.

“Yeah I guess.”

“Well let’s see if we can get that under control before we try anything major. Let’s see here… ah ha! See that tree on the opposite side of the park?” I asked pointing.

A small oak sat on the other side of the park.

“Yeah.”

“Try focusing on that spot and jumping when you think you’ve got it.”

“Alright.”

She went into a state of focus. Not like the funny face she was making last time but a sort of statue like state. She stayed like this for almost a minute before closing her eyes and then vanishing.

Only to reappear and slam into the tree.

She fell to the ground.

“Oh shit.”

I booked it over to her. Her eyes were a little derped but soon fixed themselves.

“He-hey,” I laughed, “You alright?”

She rubbed her head, “How’d I do boss?”

“That was good for a first try,” I said helping her to her feet, “But I think we should stay away from trees until you can control that.”

“Yeah, so what’s next?”

“Hmm, let’s try something a little more simple. Try to jump from here to a meter in front of you.”

“Okay,” she said and began to concentrate again. She jumped quicker this time.

She reappeared at the intended spot, with a bit more forward momentum from when she left but still. It was a good effort. She reappeared with a stumble and fell to her hands.

“Well that was better,” I said, “But let’s see if we can control that momentum of yours.”

“Ugh, you sound like my old flight coach.”

“Hey you wanna get home or not?”

“I don’t know,” she said smugly, “I do kinda enjoy it here.”

“Spitfire.”

“Alright, relax, I was just joking. Jeez. But still this place is pretty cool.”

***

Well we had gotten Spitfire jumping under control… for short distances. Apparently the farther she tried to jump the faster she was moving when she reappeared.

Also the longer she concentrated the longer it would take for her to reappear. So I guess that was good sign to. I don’t know. Warping of the fabric of reality was not something I wanted to do in my lifetime.

“Alright! Try it!”

Spitfire gave a thumbs up and vanished.

She was gone. I activated a timer in my head and began to wait. I watched the clock tick down. 30 seconds, a minute, a minute 30.

Sadness came over me. A terrible sense of loneliness. Did she go back? I know that what we were planning but now… I missed her. She was only gone a minute and already I miss her. Is this even possible? Have I really become that accustomed to her presence in my existence? Has she really played that big a role in my life? Well come to think of it, yeah. She was the first girl to see things in me even I couldn’t see in myself.

1 minute 40.

I sighed. She was gone. Wait. What is this? It’s a… a lump in my throat. Diag-

SSSSHHHHEEEEEWWWW

“Watch out!”

“Wha- Ooofff!”

Something orange impacted my chest and sent me to the ground. I was on my back on the grass. My vision refocused. Spitfire was on top of me, her arms pinning mine to the ground. She was back!

She had a warm blush on her face, “Uh… Pinned ya?”

I must have looked weird or something cause she got this look on her face and climbed off of me.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked standing up helping me to my feet. I gave her and inquisitive look before warmly embracing her. She jumped a little as my arms wrapped around her and pulled her close.

“Uh… nice to see you too?” she joked.

I continued to hold her for a little while longer before releasing her.

“Okay, what gives?” she asked, “What’s with all the… stuff?”

“I…I was… I was worried that you went back,” I said, “Without saying goodbye.”

She put her hands on her hips. That slick smile of hers spread across her face, “Aw, you were missing me weren’t you?”

“I… er, well you see.”

“Ha! I knew it! I’ve grown on you!”

“Well it did take some time. You did punch me in the face when we first met.”

“Heh, well,” she rubbed the back of her head, “Sorry I guess? Better late than never?”

“You never had to apologize.”

“Well still. So you missed me?”

“Why wouldn’t I? We’ve been living with each other for like the past 3 months, going on 4 now. I guess I got used to you being in my life. I mean you’re like the little sister I never had.”

“I’m a year older than you.”

“Just let me have this.”

“Whatever you say,” Spitfire laughed with a blush, “Ooh! When I was gone I was in this… it was like a tunnel like thing. But anyway, at the end was a white light. I couldn’t really see what it was but it almost looked the Cloudsdale Aerodrome.”

“Meaning you have a chance at actually getting home!”

“Yeah. Isn’t it great? I wonder how all my friends and teammates are doing. I’m so excited.”

“Yeah,” I sighed. Pity. I was going to miss her terribly. She was one of the few I actually considered family.

“Hey,” Spitfire said nudging me, “I’ll come back and visit.”

I looked at her, “Promise?”

“Hey, we’re friends till the end right? Of course.”

That was reassuring. Even if she never could return, the thought was what counted the most. Yes she was a rare gem of an individual. Hmm. Soarin’ must be one lucky guy.

But I have bigger things to attend to.

***

Echo Fleetfoot sighed. Spitfire had been missing for 2 weeks now. No one had any idea where she was. Even that magician who helped them perform the trick was flabbergasted.

The investigation had not produced anything to indicate foul play at all. It just seemed that there was random accident that sent Spitfire to… well even beyond Celestia’s realm of knowledge.

The team was in shambles. Everyone was saddened by the loss of their captain. Soarin’ seemed to be beating himself up over it, consistently beating his head against a wall in frustration. Worse was that while the investigation continued, the Shadowbolts, Princess Luna’s team she had formed in an effort to get reacquainted with Equestrian society was now slowly moving up in popularity.

Fleetfoot let her head fall onto the table in the Wonderbolts HQ café.

No one else was in there with her. Even Soarin’ was no longer pranking her like normal. Nothing seemed right without their captain. No; nothing seemed right without their friend. Spitfire. Fleetfoot had been friends with the girl since they were kids. Come to think of it, a lot of the Wonderbolts had been friends before even joining the group.

Nothing seemed the same now without her. Not even the Wonderbolts monthly movie marathon helped.

“Hey Echo,” a voice came. Echo looked up. Another girl stood above her. She was a fellow Wonderbolt; kind face, ice blue hair with a pair of butterscotch wings on her back. Misty.

“Hey Mist,” Echo sighed, moving over to make room for her friend. Misty sat down next to her.

“How you holding up?” Misty asked.

“Meh, same as you,” Echo sighed, “Though I can’t really sleep at night.”

“You too?”

“Well that along with the fact that Soarin’ has been bashing his head into the wall every night since… well you know. It’s driving me fucking crazy.”

“Amen,” Misty sighed.

Echo sighed and sat up a bit, “Do you think they can find her?”

“I hope so,” Misty said.

“Where do you think she is? I mean she obviously isn’t anywhere in Equestria else the investigation would have found her.”

“I guess,” Misty sighed, “I just hope that where ever she is, she’s safe.”

“Me too.”

***

“God damn it! Spitfire!”

“Yes?” she said in that bubbly voice she can do.

“Where are you?!”

“Oh, somewhere.”

Fucking great. Women. Help her control her jumping and she goes and shits on me with it. She just jumps and jumps and jumps and jumps and jumps until I can’t find her. Oh well, two can play at this game.

I looked towards my arm. I concentrated and soon the field activated and I vanished.

“Hey! Where’d you go?” Spitfire asked from and unknown location.

“You wanted to play this game, so we’ll play it. And I will win.”

“Oh really?” Spitfire frisked.

“Yes, come and find me.”

“Keep talking and I will.”

Silence. I skillfully crept up into a nearby tree and sat on a branch.

“Jett?”

Silence again. I’m gonna win this. I can play this all day.

“Jett come on. It was just a joke.”

She jumped down from a nearby tree.

“Jett? Come on. You’re scaring me.”

Alright, I guess she’s had enough. But not without me having a little fun. I jumped down from the branch and tackled her to the ground. She let out a yelp as I reappeared before her and pinned her on her back.

“Pinned ya,” I laughed.

“You jerk! That wasn’t funny.”

“Oh but when you do it, it is?”

“Yeah,” she declared with a smirk.

“Not buying it.”

“Well I can still make you feel embarrassed so there.”

“After what you did to me on that cruise there is literally nothing you can do to make me feel embarrassed at all. Do you know what it feels like to be running down a street in pink everything with an angry hippo chasing you? Cause that is literally the most terrifying and embarrassing thing in the world.”

“Is that a challenge?” she laughed with a blush.

“There is nothing you can do now. You’ve used up your bag of tricks.”

“Oh I think there’s a few more left,” she said before bringing her head up and kissing my cheek. The contact was brief and soft but it lasted long enough. Her lips were soft and gentle. She pulled back with a grin on her face. There was slight moisture where she left her mark.

Aaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnddddddd instant face-hotter-than-the-surface-of-the-sun feeling. I rolled off of her and sat up on the grass. I must have been redder than an apple cause Spitfire was laughing her ass off with a blush on her face as well.

“Ah ha ha ha, you should see the look on your face!”

“I-uh-I-well, um,” I stuttered.

“Ha ha, looks like I win after all,” She said standing up and wagging her hips at me.

“I-er-well… you cheated. And that wasn’t funny!”

“Oh please, it was hilarious!”

“That was embarrassing!”

“See? I win. And it wasn’t that bad.”

“Yeah it was!” I said standing up.

“Oh come on. Don’t tell that was your first time being kissed by a girl?”

“I… er… uh…”

“Oh. My. Gosh. It was!” Spitfire laughed, “I just stole your first kiss!”

“Well I’m not fucking Dane! I don’t go around fucking everything with three holes.”

“Well I think it’s cute,” Spitfire giggled, “Wait until the girls hear about this.”

“I will KILL YOU.”

“Oh please, you love me.”

“Come on, I may be an android but that’s just embarrassing.”

“I don’t know…”

“What about the time you were poking me in the chest with yo-”

“Alright, alright,” Spitfire laughed, “It’s still funny though. Still telling Dane though.”

“I WILL KILL YOU.”

Spitfire started laughing again, “No you won’t.”

“Why do you love making me feel awkward?!”

“Because it’s fun.”

I sighed, “God you are so annoying sometimes.”

“I know,” she giggled.

***

Thanksgiving was a normal day. We had the entire station to ourselves so we had a bit of fun. The next few days we slept in late before hauling ass out of bed. Dane returned Sunday night.

Gin having agreed to be our chaperone had to come in for an interview. Needless to say that was an interesting experience.

“Do you have a criminal record?”

“Uh…” Gin said, “Define record.”

“Have you ever committed a felony?”

“Does breaking a man’s legs in self-defense count?”

“No.”

“Okay good.”

“Have you ever given alcohol to anyone underage?”

She looked towards us. We shrugged.

“No, no I have not.”

“Even with your occupation as a bartender?”

“Hey what are you implying?!”

“Nothing, nothing. Just with your occupation and all… forget it. Well everything checks out. Now you remember the date?”

“Yeah yeah I got it. February 17th.”

“Be here at 9:00. Transports leave by 10:00 for the Jovian Trans-solar Spaceport. You’ll get more info as the year progresses.”

“Sounds good.”

“And you are familiar with everyone in your group?”

“Yup, Jett, Dane, and Spitfire. Those guys are like my family.”

“Well that’s nice. Alright, everything checks out.”

“Great!”

***

The rest of the year went by a bit fast. Christmas was soon coming. Eggnog, cookies, mistletoes, presents, the usual good stuff. Christmas break started on the 23rd. A lot of people actually stayed at the school for this holiday. Though most left for home on Christmas day, many of them returned for the week of no school just to celebrate the holiday with their friends. The school was nice enough to mess with the environmental controls and to have it snow in some parts of the station.

And that included in some parts of the dorms. Outside our dorm room the temperature was about -3 degrees Celsius with a thin powder of snow on the floor about three inches deep. The lounge up top had no snow on it for obvious reasons, furniture, fire place, piano, etc. But still it was fun. Everyone was in the holiday cheer. After explaining what Christmas, Hanukah, and all the other religious holidays including the New Year were to Spitfire, she was ready to celebrate.

We were relaxing at the café that was in the center of the dorm room just underneath the lounge.

“So what is this exactly?” Spitfire asked staring at the cup before her. She was wearing causal winter garb, black boots, light snow pants, a light winter jacket, a pair of fingerless gloves and a headband.

“It’s vanilla Chi tea. My grandmother’s recipe. You have no idea how hard it was to get the replicator to make it,” I said sipping my cup. I was wearing simple snow boots with a pair of light snow pants and jacket. I also wore a pair of fingerless gloves with a black hat on top of my head.

“I don’t know…”

“Just try it. You owe me after I what I had to put up with for the two weeks after you ‘had your way with me.’ Dane just wouldn’t shut the fuck up about it.”

“Alright, alright,” Spitfire laughed taking a sip. Her eyes went wide. She placed the cup down looking at it before picking it up again and taking another sip. She sighed and put the cup down again.

“I take it you like it,” I laughed.

“It’s good. And this is your grandmother’s recipe?”

“Yup, on my dad’s side. That old Japanese lady always could make a great cup of tea.”

“Did she teach you how to do this?”

“Yeah,” I said, “Surprisingly she never told my father any of her recipes but hey, I got it all stored upstairs so I can make it whenever.”

“Well it’s excellent.”

“Thanks. You know there’s this other one she used to make with jasmine an-…” I stood up looking past Spitfire, “Oh. My. God.”

“What?”

“Dane! What in the good lord’s name are you doing?!” I said standing up and walking out from the safety of the Café towards the asshole himself. Dane looked pretty much like the rest of us, casual winter gear, only he had a hat with a mistletoe hanging from a pole that extended from the front of his hat.

“What?” he asked, “I just came to see how my two best buds are.”

“My god man, what the hell are you doing?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said smugly.

“What’s with the… plant thing?” Spitfire asked.

“Mistletoe,” I corrected.

“Mistletoe sorry.”

“Hey, it’s the holiday season and I figured I’d have some fun with it.”

Two girls came up to our group. Twins I believe, and they were the kind of girl that wasn’t a bitch.

“Hi Dane,” they both said before they both kissed the bastard. They giggled and walked away towards the elevators.

“See? It works!” He cheered, “So with those two that makes 23 so far.”

“Dane you are going to get something one of these days.”

“Hey, if I’m an android I might as well take advantage of the immunity to all diseases.”

“Have I ever told you how you are all I hate about humanity?”

“Frequently. Oh and I have something for you two love birds.”

“See what you did to me?” I said turning to Spitfire. She gave a sheepish look with a shrug.

“Here you two go,” Dane said pulling out a mistletoe and placing it above us, “Now kiss.”

***

A few weeks earlier.

“So did you tell him?” Dane asked lounging on the couch in dorm.

“No,” Spitfire sighed, “Not yet. I haven’t been able to work up the courage again to tell him.”

“Well you did it before only for Ryan to fuck it up.”

“That was special. That was a perfect moment.”

“So you had an entire space station to yourselves and you didn’t do anything special?”

“Well, not really,” Spitfire blushed.

“What happened?”

“Well… we were just messing around and… I kinda stole his first kiss.”

“You did what?!” Dane laughed, “Oh my god I always thought I’d die before I heard that! What was it like? Did sparks fly?”

“Calm down, it was just kiss on the cheek. And I was only teasing him.”

“Well did you enjoy it?”

“I…er, well… a little,” Spitfire blushed.

“Well good for you girl. You’ll always have the honor of clueless’ first kiss. Speaking of clueless where the hell is he?”

“He went grocery shopping.”

“Ah. I am so gonna rank on him when he gets back!”

“Just don’t tell him about the… you know.”

“Relax, I won’t.”

“Thanks.”

***

Present.

“No,” Jett said, “No. And certainly not in front of you!”

“Well if I left would you do it?”

“Fuck off!”

“What’s the big deal?” Spitfire asked, “It’s not like we haven’t done this before.”

“It’s embarrassing!”

“Not for me!” Dane laughed.

“Fuck you asshat!”

“Come on,” Dane teased, “It’s tradition. And the Japanese side of you loves obeying traditions.”

“Only the ones I want to!”

“Well I want you to obey this one.”

“No.”

“Really? You’re really gonna say no to her?” he said pointing at Spitfire who just smiled and waved, “I mean she’s like the cutest thing in the school.”

“No.”

“If you do it I’ll never bring up her stealing your first kiss again.”

The proverbial record stopped. Jett considered.

“Fine,” he sighed.

“Great!” Dane clapped his hands, “Spitfire there’s handcuffs in the broom closet right there he’s all yours.”

“GOD NO!”

“Relax Jett,” Spitfire laughed, “We’re just messing with you.”

“I hate both of you.”

“We love you too asshole,” Dane laughed. The android sighed, returning to the table. Spitfire and Dane joined him as he sipped his tea.

“Merry Christmas Jett,” Spitfire smiled before kissing him on the cheek again. She noticed his cheeks get a little bit redder. He said nothing and continued to drink and finished his cup. Spitfire was still blushing when Dane spoke up.

“I am so showing this to your father,” he said putting down his phone.

Jett’s empty tea cup flew across the table and shattered on Dane’s head.

“Alright, alright,” Dane laughed, “Still going on Facebook though.”

“I will KILL YOU.”

“Alright I won’t do it. Merry Christmas to you too asshole.”

“Merry Christmas snowball,” Jett laughed, “Merry Christmas Spitfire.”

And Jett is still an oblivious asshole. But he is growing accustomed to Spitfire’s touch and has grown attached to her so there’s something. Let's see where that takes us.

Chapter 27. Slices

Super Slice of Life chapter this one is. Again it is sort of a filler chapter.

“What’s this?” Spitfire asked. She was holding a wrapped box, turning it over in her hands. And it was a pretty sizable box.

“Uh, a Christmas gift?” I said.

“You got me something?”

“Well yeah, that’s typically what you do this time of year.”

We were sitting in our dorm. A small Christmas tree stood near the window. Dane was out with his family today so most of the station was empty.

Spitfire frowned, “But I didn’t get you anything.”

“Relax,” I laughed, “It’s alright. Consider it thanks for being my friend.”

“Oh-uh, alright,” she said.

We sat in silence for a while. The holographic campfire in the center of the room crackled sending little flecks of light all over…

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Are you gonna open it?”

“Oh right,” Spitfire said before tearing into the wrapping paper. She pulled out a large square box, that had the entire outside scratched off leaving only the brown cardboard visible.

“Gotta open it this time,” Jett smiled.

“Can’t make it easy for me can you?”

“Nope.”

“Ugh, fine,” she opened the box and pulled out a sky diving helmet. Similar to mine.

“No way,” she said with a grin.

“Oh yeah,” I returned, “The wings are in our room but considering it will be your first time you’ll be tethered to me when we jump. Speaking of which I just got my old set fixed.”

She dug into the box and pulled out the rest of the suit.

“Figured that if we’re going to a national park we might as well arrive looking bad ass.”

“This is gonna be so awesome!”

“You think the tricks you guys do are dare devilish? You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

“Oh really?” Spitfire smirked, “That a challenge?”

“Humans don’t come with wings. And high orbit is a pretty long way to fall. When we’re in the atmosphere is where the real fun begins.”

“I’ll bet,” Spitfire said before reaching over and hugging me, “Thanks Jett, you’re a pretty cool guy.”

“Thanks, I try.”

“Merry Christmas Jett.”

“Merry Christmas Spitfire.”

***

The next day later Christmas was over. Dane and most of the others would be returning. Snow still filled the station and the school dome above.

Spitfire and I stood near the airlock waiting for Snowball to return.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Ready,” I said crunching down the snowball in my hand with my prosthetic arm.

The airlock cycled and the door opened. Various students walked out of the transport. They were all talking and smiling with each other, generally looking forward to having a good time during their week off. Dane being Dane decide to make an entrance and got off the ship last.

Dane walked out of the ship.

“Alright guys, I saw you from the transport window,” he said, “What’ve you got?”

A snowball flew down the corridor and hit him in the face.

“What?” he dropped his duffel on the corridor floor, “Oh ha ha ha, real funny Spitfire, real funny. Got anything else?”

“Yeah,” I said, “This. Charlie Horse!”

I beaned my snowball at him and beaned him in the gut.

“Oomph! Ow,” Dane yelled.

Spitfire and I laughed before taking off running. Dane recovered and shouldered his duffel bag before running after us towards the dome. We ran up a ramped corridor and emerged on the edge of the large open space. Snow coated the large park that surrounded the school. It was a pretty weird scene. The trees still had their leaves on them yet a foot of snow coated the ground beneath them.

“Hey you asshole! That fucking hurt!” Dane yelled.

“I know! Maybe if you had better control you could shut that off!”

“Fuck you!”

“Love you too asshole!” I laughed as the three of us covered the area towards the school.

Spitfire ran parallel to me, “Think he’ll catch us?” she huffed.

“He’ll try, but he won’t.”

“Yeah,” she said gleefully.

We ran towards the school, laughing all the way. There’s no greater feeling in the world than laughing with friends and family. Though we may be a dysfunctional and hoshposh family, we’re a family none the less. And there’s no one I’d rather be with.

***

Well with the cold weather and everything all the students had to double up on the pajamas but no one really minded. It was good to be enjoying the winter season, even if it was on a space station in one of the most bizarre ways possible.

Spitfire and I had to double up on blankets to keep warm. Mainly for her sake as I didn’t really need to stay warm but hey. Soon school was starting up again and it was back to the old grime. Vigorous work needed to be done in preparation for the trip.

Spitfire practiced her Jumping on a regular basis and was convinced she would be able to go home soon. Which was good for her, she could get back to her other family and friends and we’d go on with our lives as if nothing… happened.

Gosh this was getting harder. Each day she stays the harder it’s gonna be to see her go. I know she doesn’t belong here and by rights we never should have met. But the fucking universe in its infinite wisdom felt the need to toss us together and let us form a nice family only to rip it apart. She could not choose to stay here. Though she fit in nicely, forgery would only work for so long. A girl with Wings would raise more than a few eyebrows. She needed to return home.

No. I can’t think about it now. When she leaves, she leaves. She’ll be returning to where she belongs. Everything will be right again and I’ll have done my job. There’s nothing I can do about it so there. End of discussion.

So life continued onward as usual. School assignments, the buildup to the big trip, it was an exciting time. Spitfire was having a ton of fun each day. Every day was a new adventure for her. Come to think of it, every day was an adventure for me too ever since she arrived.

Things were looking up. For the first time in a while, things were looking up.

***

January 12th, 2413. Present day.

I was sitting under a tree in the snow reading a book. The snow was still here and wouldn’t be leaving until about the middle of March so there was a nice cushion of fluff under the tree to sit on. My extra credit project was due soon so I was rereading as much of my book as possible before I sat down to write the dissertation. A task that would take me no more than ten minutes.

Spitfire walked up, “Hey what’s up?”

“Wha?” I looked up, “Oh nothing, Just doing some reading for a project. How’d you find me?”

“You weren’t in study hall so I figured I’d find you here.”

“You know me too well.”

“I know. So what’re you reading?”

I replaced my bookmark and turned the book over, “This my dear is Cloud Atlas. One of the modern classics of the early 21st century. And let me say it is a difficult read. I had to read it like six times before I got everything in it.”

“What’s it about?”

“Difficult to explain. It deals with reincarnation and how your actions now define your next life. It also deals with concepts of linkage. Like no matter what world you end up in, you will be linked to certain people. No matter what world or life you’re in, you share your life with others. It’s a cool book.”

“Hmm, so basically no matter where we end up in life we’ll always be linked to those people?” Spitfire asked, “I don’t know about you but I like the sound of that.”

“Well it also comes with a downside. I mean can you imagine an eternity with Dane?”

Spitfire laughed, “No I can’t.”

“Well it’s horrible. Just kidding, but the downside to it is that the bad people in your life are also connected to you.”

“Ew, I don’t like that part.”

“Hey, everything is connected. Death life birth, Future present past, they’re all the same according to this book. It doesn’t matter what order you go.”

“Cool concept. Maybe we’re like that. This little family we got. The four of us, you think that maybe that’s us?”

“Who knows? I can tell you this much, if I do die eventually I wouldn’t mind running into any of you guys again.”

“And this is all in a book written some four hundred years ago?”

“Well yeah, I mean this author was way ahead of his time. There are philosophies, ideas, and quotes in here that amazing and relevant to everyday life.”

Spitfire sat down next to me, “Like?”

I started flipping through pages, “Let’s see here, ah ha, here’s a good one. “My life amounts to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean. Yet what is any ocean, but a multitude of drops?” That’s a good one.”

“Yup. Any others?”

“Ah there are some others in here but I’m too lazy to look them up.”

“Having one of those days?” Spitfire asked.

“Having one of those days. Apparently androids can feel lethargic. Though lethargic for me is just being too lazy to open up this book.”

“Are you also too lazy to read some to me?” She asked hopefully.

I smiled, “No I’m not. Where do you want to start?”

“From the beginning.”

“Alright, just know that it’s a hard read.”

“It’s alright.”

“Okay, from the beginning. The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing…

Thursday, 7th November-

Beyond the Indian hamlet, upon a forlorn strand, I happened on a trail of recent footprints…”

***

Deep inside the school, inside one of the science labs overlooking the park stood a white haired boy. He watched the two under the tree. He smiled both for his brother’s obliviousness and the love struck look of the girl sharing the space next to him. She had a look of utter content as Jett read unheard words from a book in his hands.

Dane sighed. In ways he was just starting to realize he was envious of his brother. He had something that Dane had desired for a long time. Even if he was oblivious of its existence. Jett had the love of a girl. Not lust, which is something Dane had more than enough experience in, but true unconditional love. She saw him for who he was and through thick and thin still harbored feelings for him. And Jett remained almost blissfully unaware.

“I guess being a bit inhuman is a blessing my friend. More so than you know.”

That was the one thing Dane was looking for. Something to ratify all those years and trillions spent on the project. Something to prove they weren’t just machines. If just one of them could prove that they were more than a bunch of circuits and servos then the experiment would have been a success.

But Dane was looking for it for other reasons as well. The Casanova could have any girl he wanted yet what he wanted most still eluded him. Someone to care for. Someone he truly cared about.

Dane pulled out his phone and looked at the recording on it. Against Jett’s wishes he would send it to his father. Not out of spite but out of necessity. His father deserved to know the situation.

He tapped a few icons and pressed send. He returned to staring out the window. Spitfire could be seen laughing with Jett face palming. He smiled.

“Wish I could find something as special as that.”

But maybe, just maybe, that something was just a little ways through the looking glass.

***

George was standing on the Night’s observation deck overlooking the Earth. The ship maintained standard orbit while it taxied around to the space dock.

His phone beeped. He reached into his pocket and removed the device.

“A video from Dane? Alright let’s see what the hell this is.”

He tapped a button and pulled it up. He was about to press play when a voice spoke up behind him.

“How’re things going George?” Hawk asked.

The Admiral turned, “Hawk you always manage to find me whenever I go somewhere for solitude.”

“In case you forgot, this is my ship and as long as you keep you flag on it I’m going to know where you are.”

“The joys of regulation,” the admiral grinned.

“So how are things going with your son?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything out of the school recently. No reports, nothing, so that’s either good or bad. But with my luck this year I’ll bet it’s something bad.”

“What’s something bad?”

“Dane sent me a video. God only knows what’s on it.”

“Well why don’t we take a look? Can’t be that bad.”

“Have you met my son?”

“You need to be more optimistic.”

“Ugh,” George sighed, “Fine. Here’s the video. Prepare for the worst.”

“Don’t need to tell my twice.”

The admiral held up his phone and pressed play. A recording began to go across the screen. The background was the dorm café with snow all around it. Various students were walking behind in the background. The camera focused on Jett who wore an unamused expression.

“No,” he said.

“Really? You’re really gonna say no to her?” Dane’s voice. The camera moved to bring Spitfire into view who was turned to Jett and was waving, “I mean she’s like the cutest thing in the school.”

“No.”

“If you do it I’ll never bring up her stealing your first kiss again.”

The Admiral’s eyebrows raised, “What? She got his first kiss?”

“Keep watching,” Hawk said.

The video continued.

Jett sighed, “Fine.”

“Great!” Dane clapped, “Spitfire there’s handcuffs in the broom closet right there. He’s all yours.”

“GOD NO!”

The camera shook. The view changed to facing the ground before returning back up to Spitfire who was laughing.

“Relax Jett. We’re just messing with you.”

“I hate both of you.”

“We love you too asshole,” Dane laughed. The camera changed to the trio walking over to one of the tables in the café. They all sat down. Jett raised a cup to his lips and began drinking. Spitfire sat next to him with a warm smile on her face.

“Merry Christmas Jett,” she said before leaning in and kissing his cheek.

The Admiral blinked. He shook his head and blinked again. He paused the video and rewound it back to the point of contact before pausing it.

“What the hell happened to that android. Did he get hit by a train recently?” he asked.

Hawk laughed, “I don’t know about you sir but I’d say your son has got a secret admirer.”

“I’d never thought I’d live long enough to see that.”

“Either she’s crushing on him or they’re already dating. In which case I’d say you’re late to the party on that one.”

“I’m asking Dane what their relationship is,” the Admiral said before resuming the clip, “But first I’m finishing this video.”

The video began playing again. Dane’s voice came over the speakers.

“I am so showing this to your father.”

A tea cup flew from Jett’s hands and shattered just out of view of the phone.

“Alright, alright. Still going on Facebook though.”

“I will KILL YOU.”

“Alright I won’t do it. Merry Christmas to you too asshole.”

Jett smiled, “Merry Christmas snowball. Merry Christmas Spitfire.”

“Yay and now we’re all one big happy family,” Dane laughed.

“You better not show that to anyone.”

“Oh relax cupcake. See? I’m turning it off.”

The video cut out there. The admiral was speechless. His son appeared to be friends with a girl who was FOND of HIM. Fond of HIM! There was no question about it. She had taken an interest in his son. If only he wasn’t on the other side of solar system. This would be something to see.

“Well George I’d say things are going just fine,” Hawk laughed, “I’ll just leave you digest this.”

Hawk turned and left the deck, laughing all the way to the door.

“Jesus Christ,” George sighed, “What the hell am I missing over there?”

***

Well February 17th was rolling around. And that means it was time to get ready for the field trip. Things were looking up among the group. While Jett, Dane, and Spitfire worked hard to finish their school work in time while Gin went to renew her passport and got packed for the trip to Earth.

The horizon was bright; the stage was set for the romance of a life time. But behind the curtain of positive and happy feelings, something was lurking off the record. Something on the other side.

***

So here I am,

I’m writing this at three in the morning while you sleep. You look so peaceful lying there. I like seeing you peaceful. You’ve been such a lost soul ever since I met you. Seeing you peaceful is like a breath of fresh air from this crazy life you lead. It brings me peace in this crazy world. And not just here. You’ve brought something into my life I never even knew I was missing. I can’t get you out of my head. You. Just five months ago I never even knew you existed. And now I can’t imagine life away from you. Funny, I’ve been here for five months now. Celestia only knows what’s going on at home.

Home. Where is home? I used to think it was where I lived. My house, my room at HQ, maybe even my parent’s house. But now? Home is where ever you are Jett. I just wish I could tell you. But every time I work up the courage to tell you I can’t. You always knock me off my feet with every little thing you do. These feelings-I can’t explain them. I just know that I love you Jett Halsey. I’ve never felt that before. Frankly it’s scary yet so exhilarating at the same time. I’ve never felt this nervous since my Wonderbolt tryout. And even that was nothing compared to this. Everything about you from your laugh to your wicked cool eyes to your metallic left arm. You may think you’re flawed, but your perfect to me. Don’t ever change.

You know, I’ve been able to go back for a while now. But I can’t. I feel so conflicted right now! I want to return home but I don’t want to leave you! And I know I can’t have both! I just

I just wish you could come with me.

Spitfire looked up from her writing. Jett turned over in his bed. He clutched the blanket a little tighter, muttered something before flopping back over and resuming his slumber.

Spitfire smiled sadly.

You stir a lot in your sleep. I guess you’re not completely peaceful. I guess I’ll quit writing now. You’ll probably wake up soon anyway.

Spitfire sighed and closed her journal. She wrapped her arms around herself wishing they were Jett’s. She longed to hold him, to tell him how she felt; but she couldn’t. She just couldn’t. The attraction she felt for him was something different. While she did find him physically appealing, sex was not the first thing that crossed her mind when she saw him. Everything was personality related. The physical aspect of him came as bonus. A very lovely bonus. She blushed thinking of how guilty she was of having the occasional fantasy involving him.

She sighed and tucked her journal into her mattress. She’d be mortified beyond belief if he found out what was inside. She crawled under her blankets and wrapped her wings around herself in a protective cocoon as she had always done.

Funny; the only time she didn’t do that was when she fell asleep in Jett’s arms. Something she wished she could do again.

***

February 17th 2413.

Well here we were. A few months of hard work and it was time for our reward.

We were all standing near the number 6 airlock in hanger 7. We were in a large group of people. Various other students and their chaperones stood in wait as the airlock cycled.

We each had packed enough for a long time. We all had huge military style duffel bags with multiple pockets. Everything was packed nicely.

“So what’re you all looking forward to?” Gin asked.

“Vegas,” Dane said.

“Finding a peaceful part of the planet to read a book.”

The three of them turned to face me. Spitfire included who had a sly grin on her face.

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“Yeah really dude?” Gin asked.

“What’s wrong with you?” Dane asked.

“What’s wrong with wanting to read a book,” I asked.

“Uh, everything? Dude, we’re going to have fun on this trip,” Dane said, “Fun. As in hitting every club in Las Vegas. Skinny dipping in freshwater caves. Base jumping off Angel falls. Sex with the locals.”

“Alright the last one is off my list already.”

“Well how about just spending some time with us?” Spitfire asked.

I turned to her and smiled, “I think I can do that.”

The airlock cycled and the door opened. Mr. Stone walked to the front of the group of students.

“Alright class! Now, we’re gonna file onto the transport and have a one hour flight to the space port before we have a five day fast flight to Earth.”

We all cheered.

“Alright I know you’re all eager to get going so I’ll shut up for once. You can all begin boarding.”

We all began filing onto the ship.

***

Spitfire sat down next to Jett. He was looking out the window at the interior of the hanger bay. She smiled.

“Hey, do you mind if I take a nap for a while?” she asked.

He turned, “Knock yourself out.”

“That was a horrible pun,” Spitfire said.

“I know,” he grinned smugly.

“Hmm,” Spitfire sighed and closed her eyes as she leaned into Jett’s shoulder. She let one of her arms fall onto his arm as she wrapped herself around it. Soon she was asleep as the shuttle accelerated out of the station.

In the seats behind them sat Gin and Dane. Gin pulled out her tablet and started to type before handing it to Dane.

She looks like she likes him.

Because she does. Dane replied.

So I bet he’s clueless?

Yeah.

How clueless is he exactly?

She’s kissed him twice.

Jeez. That clueless?

You have no idea.

They both shared a laugh as the ship flew towards the edge of the Jovian system.

Chapter 28. Blue Skies and Starry Nights.

“Jesus Henry Christ,” Dane said, “I thought that fucking trip would never end.”

“Dane, shut the fuck up please,” I said rubbing my head, “I had to listen to your ass whine for FIVE FUCKING DAYS about how long the trip was taking.”

“They at least could have put us in cryo for the trip.”

“Do you know how much a trip like that would cost?”

“Oh come on, cryo doesn’t cost that much.”

“But Antimatter does!”

“Can you both just stop please?” Gin asked, “We’re finally at Oahu and you two can’t stop your bickering.”

We had arrived at Oahu international Space port. The entire class had split up at the ship yards and gone caught separate transports or elevators down to the surface. Common destinations were the Caribbean and the Florida Keys, San Diego California and other west coast areas, the Mediterranean Sea, and Las Vegas. We however picked a small island paradise that for some reason everyone seemed to ignore. Oahu and the Hawaiian Islands in general were one of the few beautiful places left on Earth. Thankfully the place still held to its old traditions and customs.

“He started it,” I said.

“Hey I had a right to complain. Those stupid bitches would not leave us alone.”

“They were still complaining over the football incident?”

“Yeah,” Spitfire said, “I hate those girls.”

“Now let’s not think about murder just yet, we still have an island to explore far below,” Dane said as we reached a waiting area to catch the orbital elevator down to the surface. The space port wasn’t particularly crowded but there were enough people. We selected a group of seats that stood before elevator gate number 5 and sat down.

“When does the elevator come?” Gin asked.

“Boarding will commence in 30 minutes,” an automated voice said.

“Well that was convenient.”

“Yes, yes it was,” Dane said pulling out a tablet and hooking up a holoprojector to it, “You wanna play Jett?”

“What’re we playing?”

“War games, tag team match,” he responded.

“Alright, let’s do scenario number 345.”

“Ooh a hard one, okay. Let’s do it.”

“What’re you guys playing?” Spitfire asked.

“Just a program Dane and I designed,” I said, “Real time strategy game. Though each time we play we stack the odds against ourselves until we can’t possibly win. We haven’t reached that point yet but we’re trying.”

“So you’re both challenging yourselves on purpose?”

“Yeah, we can devise as many strategies for any current scenario as there are stars in the sky. Though this time we’re going to have to try a little bit harder.”

The pad lit up and a grid spread out over it. A small rounded lump rose from the bottom. Various colors danced across it though mostly greens and blues. A planet. Various small dots popped up in low orbit around it as a small group materialized above it. Two screes rose up before us. Each on had a view of our squad of ships.

“Alright, so this is a standard assault game?” I asked.

“Yup.”

“Cool, so let’s see here odds are 37 to 2. I think we can handle this.”

***

While the two androids played their game they failed to notice another person also taking interest in their sport. The man in uniform watched intently as the two androids faced seemingly impossible odds and… was doing surprisingly well.

“Move ships B3-B12 twenty degrees port. And then I’ll swing around and counter here.”

“Alright, I got south.”

“The enemy’s gate is down right?” the black haired on laughed.

“Yeah.”

***

“Well that was disappointing,” Dane said.

“Tell me about it,” Jett sighed, “I thought that would be easier.”

“Oh well.” Dane tapped the pad and instantly the holographic devastation on the field disappeared as the tablet shut down.

The man stood up and walked over to Jett.

“Excuse me sir. I couldn’t help but notice the game you were playing. Can I ask you a few questions?”

Jett eyed the man but quickly recognized the naval uniform. Along with the ‘Captain Harris’ on the suit’s patch.

“Alright.” Jett stood up and followed the man away from the benches and thus out of earshot. Spitfire and the rest watched the conversation from their seats.

The man spoke some unheard words, Jett nodded accordingly. More conversation. Suddenly Jett perked up. He smiled. The man talked some more before shaking Jett’s hand and giving him a small card before tipping his hat and walking away.

Jett returned with an excited look on his face.

“Well?” Dane asked.

“That,” he gasped, “Was Captain Harris of the Naval Academy of Military Sciences on Ceres. He saw us playing and saw our strategy we were using and to make a long story short he wants to see if Dane and I would be interested in going.”

Gin smiled, “That’s great you two! So you’ll get to fly like you’ve always dreamed.”

“This is so awesome!” Dane cheered, “Dude, we’re gonna turn that school upside-down.”

“All we have to do is keep up our grades and we’ll be set!”

As the two discussed plans for the future with an excited passion, Spitfire shrunk. Slowly she began to realize how alien she was in this world.

He’s gonna go. And I won’t be able to follow.

He’s going after his dream.

She could not follow him. As much as she wanted to stay she couldn’t. They were both to tethered to their own worlds. Jett pursuing his dream of flight and most likely a ship of his own in the Navy at some point and Spitfire having to Captain the Wonderbolts and lead the team. She shouldn’t have been here. She never should have been here. She shouldn’t have met him, she shouldn’t have become friends with him, and she never should have fallen in love with him. And now at this point, saying goodbye would either forever or never. The latter could not happen.

Or could it?

“You may now begin boarding.”

***

The fall down to the surface was nice. We all sat strapped in for the gentle 10 minute decent. Soon we arrived planet side. We stepped off the elevator and into the terminal. Fortunately Gin had taken the time to rent a car and had the thing waiting for us as we exited the terminal. We got in and let the car take us to our hotel.

Dane and Gin sat in the front seat with Spitfire and me in the back. Behind us, the artificial island that contained the Orbital Elevator and the airport shrank behind us.

We drove across the large highway bridge that connected the space elevator with the Hawaiian mainland. Soon we would be arriving in Honolulu.

The city was active. Various craft flew in and out and around the city. Tall spires rose from the city center and smaller suburbs around it. The city itself seemed to exist in perfect harmony with nature itself. Trees grew in and around the suburbs and even on the skyscrapers themselves.

Our car entered the outskirts of the city. Various hanging gardens clutched the sides of the skyscrapers all the way up the very pinnacle of the towers. All sorts of plants from flowers to even crops for food grew. A lot of the buildings even had the occasional tree growing out of it.

We arrived at the hotel. All four of us stepped out the car and grabbed our duffels from the trunk. The car accelerated for the parking garage.

Spitfire turned and looked at me, “Well this is a familiar situation.”

“Yeah tell me about it,” I laughed, “I wonder what our rooms are gonna look like.”

“What do you mean by familiar?” Gin asked.

“Well when Spitfire and me met it was in Rio and we were in Rio for a night. We ended up having to stay in a hotel in the city.”

“Ooh,” Dane teased, “So it was just you two in a hotel room all alone?”

“You wanna die?”

“Oh come on Jett. You know you enjoyed it,” Spitfire teased.

“I hate you sometimes.”

Spitfire giggled, “Nah, I only threw a bra at him, pushed him a pool, and walked around topless near him.”

“And you knew him then for how many days?” Dane asked.

“Uh, two I think?” Spitfire said, “I don’t remember exactly. And the bra thing was when we had to go shopping for clothes to wear and the pool was just us messing around and the topless thing was an accident.”

“How is something like that an accident?” Gin asked as we walked into the hotel.

“I thought he was in his room,” Spitfire said.

“I thought she was in hers,” I said.

Dane blinked, “Ya know what, let’s just go to our room before we hit the beaches. Oh and we got the presidential suite upstairs so we’ll hopefully have enough rooms for the four of us.”

“Yeah, I just hope the travel agency got everything right,” Gin said.

***

“Well at least they got the suite right,” Dane said.

“Just not the number of rooms,” I sighed.

“Guess we have to double up,” Gin said, “I swear to fucking god I hate it when these people don’t get it right! I mean come on; it’s the 25th century people. Come on Dane let’s go get set up.”

With that she grabbed him by the ear and dragged the complaining android into the room.

“Guess we’re sharing a room,” Spitfire said sheepishly.

“Why does that not surprise me?” I sighed, “Come on Spits.”

We walked across the living room area to the room to the left. Inside was a nice king sized bed with two night stands flanking it. A TV was in the corner. To the left of the bed were the large windows that gave a nice view of the coast. A beautiful blue sea awaited us.

Spitfire walked up to the bed and dumped her bag onto the bed, “There, unpacked,” she said proudly.

I sighed and began to carefully remove everything from my bag, “You are the opposite of the stereotypical woman.”

She put her hands on her hips, “Oh and how’s that?”

“Well for one you’re not a neat freak. That and you’re as casual to hang out with as a guy.”

“Gee thanks,” she rolled her eyes.

“Well I mean it in a good way,” I said, “I mean to me you’re not just some girl; to me you’re a really cool person who’s fun to be around who just happens to be a girl. You’re a cool person Spits.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet. Thanks,” She turned and looked out the window toward the water, “Guess we’re going swimming huh? How’s that gonna work with my… you know.”

“Actually,” I said, “I have just the thing for that.”

I rummaged through my bad producing a small watch like device. I walked up to the bedroom door and closed it.

“Here,” I said, “Just turn around and let me scan your wings.”

She smirked, “Looking to catch a girl topless?”

“Oh shut up. I don’t need you teasing me. Besides, this is for your benefit.”

“Alright,” she sighed, “Didn’t know you were so afraid of a little T and A.”

“It’s freaking awkward when you see one of your best friends naked.”

She pulled her shirt up over her head. Her wings were tied down beneath her sports bra she wore. She reached over and removed that. She extended her wings out.

“Aw, I’m one of your best friends?”

“Yes, now hold still while I do this.”

“Say please.”

“Come on. You’re freaking topless here and I’m trying to help you out a little so can you please just corporate?”

“Well when you put it that way…”

“Thank you.”

I held the watch out and scanned her wings. I watched as the device got an idea of what they looked like from all angles.

“You have excellent complexion,” I said as I finished the scan.

Spitfire pulled her bra back on with a blush on her face, “Thanks. So what was that for?”

“Here,” I said, “Hold out your arm.”

She did and I strapped the device to her wrist.

“Now, watch this,” I said and pressed an icon on the watch. Instantly her wings vanished and were replaced by just smooth skin and the back of her sports bra.

“What? I don’t see anything.”

“Go look in a mirror.”

She turned and stepped into the bathroom, “Still don’t see it.”

“Turn around.”

She did and gasped, “What? What is this?”

I smiled, “That watch is emitting a field that’s hiding your wings. That’s what the scan was for. You’ll actually be able to wear that bikini to the beach and not worry about being seen.”

She rushed out of the bathroom and tackled me to the bed in a hug, “Thank you so much.”

I pushed her off and rolled over before standing back up, “Now keep in mind that your wings are still there so just be careful.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“No big deal really. I just didn’t want to explain why you would be wearing a shirt to the beach.”

I walked over and opened the door. Gin and Dane were waiting in the living room.

“All that time in there and you two still haven’t changed?” Dane asked, “What the hell were you two doing? Rutting or something?”

“Oh fuck you asshole,” I said, “Unlike you I’m not a fucking man slut so how bout you shut the hell up?”

“Geez relax man. Go get changed. The beach ain’t gonna wait forever.”

“Fine. Come on Spits.”

“Don’t take too long now lover boy!” Dane called.

“Self-preservation must not be built into your systems,” I said activating the weapon in my arm.

“Alright alright, I’ll stop,” Dane laughed, “I already know you can beat my ass up.”

“Good.”

***

Andrew Daniels was a normal man. Just another volcanologist in the bunch. He walked across his lab to the seismograph near the window. He looked out the window from his mountain top lab. The caldera was visible in the late morning sun. The trees were a beautiful sight this time of year.

But beneath that beauty lay something dangerous. Lying in wait for thousands of years it had the potential to do extreme damage to humanity’s birth world. And it was his job to study it, to watch it, to track anything that happened to it. He turned behind him and stared at his instruments. Nothing had changed. At least that was good.

He sighed and walked over to the coffee table and poured himself a cup before returning to the window. He took a sip before returning the cup to the coffee table. He stared back out the window. There was so much life built in this place. It was so beautiful; so amazingly peaceful.

Suddenly the cup began to clatter. The whole room began to shake. Andrew turned. The seismograph began to register. A wave like movement went across the screen followed by an alarm. The cup continued to clatter before falling to the ground and shattering. Andrew held on to the window frame as the ground continued to shake.

Then as soon as it began it was over. Andrew still clutched the window before realizing it was over and letting go. He turned to the seismograph. He shakily strolled over and looked at the reading.

“Magnitude 3. Normal reading but the activity is increasing.”

He recorded the time and all the data he collected on the phenomena. He cleaned up the shattered glass and spilled coffee before returning to the window. He pulled up a pad and looked at a chart. It showed the entirety of the North American continent with a series of large red X’s going across it. They all repeated in a pattern. Only the next X was scheduled to appear right where Daniels was standing. He came to the same conclusion as every other scientist had before him.

“We’re overdue.”

***

Well as soon as I finished gouging Dane’s eyes out- I mean pouring acid into them- I mean stabbing them with a for- a fuck it.

Long story short Spitfire walked out with her bikini on with a pair of underarmor shorts on over it and Dane started drooling. And I poked him in the eyes. Fucking pervert.

But I did have to admit she looked stunning. And always was she modest with a bashful look on her face; as if afraid she didn’t look her best. But she still looked cute. I myself kept my shirt on with the whole arm thing.

We walked out of the hotel and got walking on the sidewalk towards the beach. Gin carried a bag with various snacks and other foodstuffs along with a few books and magazines and a cooler with some drinks inside. Dane carried a chair and umbrella while I carried another two chairs. Spitfire carried another beach chair plus the beach towel.

The ‘watch’ on Spitfire’s wrist worked extremely well. Her wings were completely gone. In fact you could never tell she ever had them to begin with. Soon we had reached the sandy shores of Oahu. The Pacific rolled and crashed onto the sand. All sorts of people were relaxing on the beach. Surfers, volleyball players, sunbathers, swimmers, the whole works. Supermodel girls and sports jock guys. As long as none of them bothered me I would be fine.

“E komo mai,” a voice said. I was sucked out of my thoughts and returned to reality. I turned; a woman was placing a floral necklace on Spitfire. Dane and Gin already had theirs on.

“Uh, what does that mean?” Dane asked.

“It means ‘welcome’,” a woman said. She was of Asian descent with a dark skin tone. She had a green T-shirt on with a peace sign emblem on it.

“Okay,” Dane said, “Uh, what’s with the flowers?”

“Well the anniversary of the end of the Last Great War is coming up this weekend. And that just happens to coincide with Mardi Gras so a lot of people felt we should celebrate both with a Hawaiian twist on it.”

“Oh cool.”

“There’s gonna be a celebration on Friday night. Everyone in the city is invited so be there or be square.”

“Is there gonna be beer?” Gin asked.

“Yes.”

“Okay I’m in.”

“Excellent. Celebrations start at 8:00 and run until sun up so plan on staying up late,” the woman finished with a cheerful smiled. She walked up to me and placed one of the flowery necklaces over my head.

Oh I can tell where this is gonna end up.

“Well that’s cool. Party tomorrow,” Spitfire said.

“Yeah,” Dane said, “Looking forward to it. Now where can we set up?”

“How ‘bout there?” Gin pointed at an empty spot of beach.

“Looks good.” We walked over and started setting up. Spitfire laid down the towel while Dane stabbed the umbrella into the ground. Gin set the bag and cooler down while the rest of us set the chairs up. Soon we were all basking in the sun or under the shade of the umbrella.

As Gin sat down a small Saturday night special fell out of her pocket. We all turned and gave her looks of ‘really?’

“What? I always keep two on me at all times.”

“Where’s the second one?” Dane asked.

“Girl’s secret.”

…

“Okay then,” I said, “So what first?”

“Don’t know about you three,” Gin said pulling some sunglasses over her eyes, “But I’m gonna catch up on some Z’s like the nice Hawaiian girl said.”

Dane stood up, “And I’m gonna go pick up some nice Hawaiian girls. See ya’ll later.”

He jumped up and set his sights on two girls in G-strings walking along the beach, “Hey girls! Wait up!”

Soon he vanished into the crowd of people.

Soon Gin was sleeping like a rock though her hand never left her gun. Geez that girl loves her guns. The one she had in her hand only had two X’s on it. Unlike her Glock Γ 30. Her favorite gun. Hell she probably had it on her somewhere. Freaking thing had 20 X’s carved into it. No telling how many other times someone tried to mug her when she had her other weapons with her.

I sighed and pulled out a small flat square about the thickness of a playing card and tapped it. A small group of numbers and variables popped up. I began to tap them and enter in values.

“Whatcha doing?” Spitfire asked.

I looked up, “Recalculating the Drake Equation for advanced civilizations in the galaxy to account for the recent upgrade of Ansible technology in order to ascertain the correct estimate of intelligent civilizations in the galaxy.”

Spitfire blinked, “Okay, how about we do something fun?”

“This is fun.”

“I mean for both of us! Come on, let’s go swimming or something. I haven’t pushed you into any large bodies of water recently.”

“Fine, just let me finish this,” I said.

“Nah, take too long,” she said grabbing tapping the device and shutting it off before grabbing it and slipping it into her bikini top.

“Hey! Give me that back!”

“You want it you’re gonna have to take it,” she teased before standing up and running towards the water.

“I am not reaching into your shirt to get it!” I called.

“Tell you what! You catch me and you get it back!”

“Ugh, Fine!” Jesus Henry Christ, what the hell is up with this girl? I stood up and ran after her.

“Gonna have to be faster big guy!” she said as she dove into the water, disappearing into the sea.

“I am! I’m not trying to cheat here!” I jumped in after her. The cold of the water hit like a brick wall. The pacific was chilling but I soon got used to it. It could have been worse; could have been the Atlantic, and that thing was freezing. I rose to the surface and searched for Spitfire. She was floating a little ways out. I swam after her and caught up to her.

“Well looks like you caught me big guy,” she laughed.

“Yes I did. Now can I have my calculator back?”

“Nope,” she smirked, “Not until you have some fun with me.”

I sighed, “I’m not gonna win this one am I?”

“No,” she said splashing me.

I sputtered and spit some water out, “Oh you wanna play this game? Fine, we’ll play, and no using your wings either.”

I whipped my arm at her and watched a wave of water hit Spitfire’s head; her flame like hair fell over her face. I laughed.

“Oh yeah?” she said, “Well take this!” She crossed her arms as a large wave of ocean water cascaded over and smashed into my face. My hair fell down over my forehead. I blinked a few times to see Spitfire with a hand over her mouth attempting to stifle a laugh.

“No fair. I don’t have wings.”

“Well why don’t you make some? You seem good at that. Plus then you can fly with me.”

“As much as I would love to do that it wouldn’t work. My synthetic systems would reject any other organic material that’s not part of my body. The only thing that would work would be made of metal. And I am not doing that.”

“Well if you can’t make them why not just grow them?”

“Same reason I’ll never have a left arm again. My ‘cells’ if you can call them that can’t self-replicate on such a large scale. The complexities of being a machine.”

“So wait. I’m confused. What exactly are you?”

“Okay, from the beginning. I’m a brain encased in a Tritanium endoskeleton with synthetic tissue grown over. To put it simply.”

“Okay. So I won’t use my wings.”

“Thank you. Plus the more you move them the more that field has to compensate.”

“Okay okay.”

I turned to my left, “Aw shit.”

“What?” Spitfire asked following my gaze, “Aw Soarin’ fucking an apple pie.”

We seemed to forget we were in an ocean that has WAVES. And when the waves are big enough, surfers like to use them to, well, surf.

The 5 meter wave broke and crashed right on top of us. All I saw was some rocks, sand, a starfish, the fins from a few surfers, and water. Next thing I know I’m flat on my back on the beach with the water gargling over my face.

I felt an arm pulling me up. I rubbed the sand off of my face and out of my oculars. Spitfire was laughing. Alright. She had some seaweed on her head along with a fish tail sticking out of her bikini which she promptly removed.

“What’s so funny? Other than the fish in your pants,” I asked.

She turned red, “Never talk about that to anyone. And you should see yourself,” she said producing a mirror from… where the hell did she get that? Meh whatever.

I had a… a starfish on my head.

“Great,” I removed the creature and flung it back into the sea. I stood up and Spitfire cringed.

“Uh, dude!”

“What?”

“Your back!”

I turned around and looked at it. Oh, just a sea urchin. I reached over and pulled the spike ball out of my back and threw that into the ocean.

“Ow,” I turned and watched the holes seal themselves to small freckle like dots on my back.

“Doesn’t that hurt?”

“No. The car accident hurt. Not a sea urchin.”

We started walking back to our towel. Gin was still sleeping; her hand was still on her gun. We were almost there when a volley ball bounced into my head. I crouched down and picked up the yellow and blue patterned ball and searched for its owner.

“Hey over here little dude!” a voice called. I turned. A Hawaiian man, dark sandy brown hair with a dark tan complexion. He wasn’t wearing a shirt but then again who was? Oh yeah, me. But anyway. The guy looked to be about 20 and had a chiseled muscles and structure. He had a friendly grin on his face.

I tossed the ball over to him. Behind him stood the volleyball net.

“Thanks dude!”

“No problem man,” I called back.

“Hey! Do you and your girl wanna come play with Aluna and me?” He asked gesturing to a redhead behind him. She had her hair cropped medium length. It was kept close to her head and went down behind and in front of her shoulders in four different legs. She had a matching red bikini on.

Spitfire nudged me, “You game? I am.”

I whispered back, “Do you even know how to play beach volleyball?”

“Yes,” she whispered back, “We do have sports in Equestria.”

“Alright. I guess I’ll play.”

“Yes!”

“Sure we’re game,” I said.

“Cool,” the girl named Aluna said, “Get over here David.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said and taxied to the other side of the net. Spitfire and I walked onto the court-err-beach-err whatever it is. The square box thing that you play volleyball in on the beach. Aluna and David took their positions on the other side as Spitfire and I took ours.

“You want first serve?” Aluna asked.

“Nah,” I said, “You can have it.”

“Alright,” she said, “Zero serving Zero.” With that the red head spiked the ball over the net with the grace of a professional.

Spitfire dove and bumped the ball up. It sailed into the air still on our side. I jumped up and spiked it back over the net. Dave dove and bumped it just before it hit the sand. It sailed over to Aluna who set it over the net. I jumped and spiked it back and watched it hit the sand midway between the two.

“Point,” I smirked.

Aluna picked up the ball and tossed it over, “Not bad little dude, not bad. But this game has only just begun.”

“Oh we know,” Spitfire said catching it. She tossed it over to me.

“Alright,” I said throwing the ball up, “One serving zero.”

My hand smacked the ball and I watched it sail over.

The game was afoot.

***

Dane walked along the beach. A blonde and a brunette were on his arms. Both were two years older than him at least but hey, the guy was a pimp.

“And that ladies, is the story of how we beat Olympus Mons Academy.”

The two girls laughed. Dane approached the area where he’d left Jett and Spitfire and Gin. A large crowd had gathered near the area. Various shouts of support could be heard. It sounded like game was going on.

“Hold on here girls. I gotta go check up on something.”

He let the girls go and ran over to the towel. Gin was wearing a sun hat on her head and there were some people taking pictures with her. Apparently it was a game to see who could take pictures of the girl without getting shot by her. Dane grinned and gave a smirk at his friend before moving through the crowd. He soon came to the center of the group and found something that made him smile.

Jett and Spitfire were covered in sweat as they were engaged in a very heated game of volleyball. Their opponents were a dark skinned guy with dark brown hair and a red headed Caucasian girl. The crowd was cheering as the ball went back and forth between the two teams.

Each hit earned a cheer as both sides of fans rooted for their team.

Dane turned to the guy standing next to him, “Hey what’s going on here?!”

“The girl with the candle hair and nightlight over there are close to defeating the beach volleyball champions. Aluna and Dave haven’t been beaten yet!”

Dane crossed his arms, “We’ll see.”

A ball came over the net. Jett did a dive and bumped the ball up before rolling to his feet. Spitfire jumped up and spiked it over the net. Dave set the ball over to Aluna who bumped it to the far edge of Jett’s side. Jett turned and dove for the sand and saved the ball, hitting it up into the air just in time for Spitfire to grab it before she hit it as hard as she could, spiking it over the net. The blue and yellow ball flew towards the net, grazing the edge leaving a smoking hot mark where it passed. The ball itself continued on and impacted the sand with the force of a small meteorite. A spray of sand went up into the air.

Jett pulled himself up as Spitfire knelt and wiped some sweat off her forehead.

“Point,” she panted as a cheer on their side went up followed by a moan on the other.

Dane smiled as Jett high fived Spitfire before the two warmly embraced.

“I think we need a bit of a break,” Aluna said.

“Agreed,” Jett and Spitfire said.

“So when do you wanna continue this?” Dave asked.

“The Luau?” Jett asked.

The two smiled, “Sounds good. So we’ll see you two there?”

“You can count on it,” Spitfire flashed a grin.

“We look forward to it,” Aluna smiled, “See you then!”

The crowd moaned and began to disperse and returned to their own devices. As they all left the area they walked by Gin who awoke with her gun in her hand before quickly pocketing it.

“What I miss?” she asked before falling back asleep.

Dane just shook his head and walked over to his two friends.

“So what’s the score?” he asked.

Spitfire wiped her head.

“75 to 75 now,” she said.

“Whao, 75-75? How long were you playing?”

“Around since you left,” Jett said, “Wait so you’ve been playing volleyball nonstop for the past two and a half hours?”

“We went hard,” Spitfire laughed, walking back to the towel and flopping down in one of the beach chairs. Jett joined her and reached into a bag and popped out a soda and handed one to Spits before drinking one himself.

“That was a good game,” He said.

“Where’s my soda?” Dane asked.

“Get it yourself. You didn’t do anything all day except pick up chicks.”

“That requires work.”

“Fuck off. Get off your lazy ass and get it yourself.”

“Ugh, fine!” Dane reached over and grabbed a drink out of the cooler, “So what’d you guys do today?”

“Well after I got Jett off the towel we went swimming. Then we ran into those two and started playing a game.”

“Speaking of which can I have that back?” Jett asked.

“What? Oh yeah right,” she blushed and reached into her top and pulled out the device, “Here you go.”

Jett grabbed it, “Oh great, it’s all warm and sweaty.”

“Whoops?”

He wiped it off on his shirt before pocketing it.

“Whew! That was a work out,” he said lying back on his chair can closing his eyes.

“Thought you didn’t get tired,” Spitfire said.

“I don’t, I just happened to turn that setting on today.”

“Oh. So, looking forward to the party tomorrow?” she asked turning to face him.

“Yeah I guess.”

“Gonna do some dancing?”

“I, er… uh… no?”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Spitfire laughed leaning in and kissing him again on the cheek.

He turned red with embarrassment, “Why do you keep doing that?!”

“Because your reaction is priceless!” Spitfire laughed.

“Well it’s embarrassing so can you stop?”

“Hmm… nope!”

“Why?”

“Because I enjoy it.”

“I don’t get you.”

“And you never will.”

Dane just rolled over in his chair and laughed, “What a clueless little shit.”

***

Well we turned in a bit later than normally and slept in late. Sleeping was still and enjoyable experience for me, even though it was unnecessary. Spitfire and I shared the bed and as awkward as that was it wasn’t that bad. Spitfire kindly stayed on her side of the bed and I stayed on mine. Though when we slept something appeared to be bothering Spits.

I tried asking her if anything was wrong but she didn’t want to talk. Which was fine. If she wasn’t comfortable sharing something with me then that was okay. I’m not the easiest guy to get along with. I told her that if she needed anything I would be there for her and gave her a hug before we went off to sleep. She had smiled. At least that was something.

We went to bed. Somehow her hair never lost its flame like quality as she stripped down to her undergarments and pulled on a nightshirt. I would have thought the cloth would have done something to it but it stayed up. She removed the watch before she went to sleep, her wings reappearing as the object left her wrist.

“Goodnight,” she said.

“Night Spits.”

I turned the lights off and fell asleep.

***

Jett slept calmly but Spitfire couldn’t. She just couldn’t get the android out of her head. Nothing she did helped. She tried to focus on something else, count sheep, try to stay awake in hopes that the opposite would occur but nothing worked.

There was a certain medical condition back home that could fit her problem. Love Sickness: when one fell in love with another but the feelings went unreciprocated or unnoticed. She sighed. There were only a few treatments for it and only one was currently available. Jett had to fall in love with her. But that wasn’t happening.

Spitfire rolled over and stared at the android. His chest rose and fell as he slept. There was something else though that she could do. She moved across the bed to towards him. She reached him and threw her arms around him and pulled him close, draping one of her wings over him.

Soon sleep began to find her and over take her and in minutes she was sound asleep.

***

I awoke around 11:00. I opened my eyes and sat up in the bed. Spitfire wasn’t next to me. Hmm. Guess she woke up before me for a change.

I pulled myself out of bed and got dressed. I pulled on a bathing suit and T-shirt. I placed my sunglasses on my forehead and pulled on a sunhat before exiting the room.

I walked into the living area. There was a note on the counter.

Hey Guys. Woke up early and went out to do some shopping.

-Gin.

Beneath it was another note.

Went baggin

-Dane.

Of course. Hmm, what’s next?

Jett,

Went down to the pool for a swim. See ya there!

Love Spits.

Hmm. Love? Interesting choice of words. Eh whatever. There’s a café down there. Guess I can grab some food down there.

I grabbed my phone and wallet and pocketed them and started walked out the door for the elevator. I rode it down to the lobby level and walked out towards the back of the hotel towards the pool.

The pool was itself was nice. It was a large rectangle with varying depths. Around it were various amounts of pool chairs. There were also two Jacuzzi hot tubs on the edge of the area. But all that was farther away. Before me stood a café with various outdoor tables and chairs with umbrellas over them. I sat down at one. A waiter came over and I ordered some baked apples.

I stared out at the pool. Considering the time it looked like everyone was out and about doing their own thing away from the hotel. I searched for Spitfire. I soon found her. She was in her bikini standing at the edge of the pool before diving in and swimming over to the shallow end. She was moving a bit faster than expected but then again she had wings so it was expected that she’d use this to aid her. That and it was a nice exercise for the appendages.

She reached the edge of the pool and climbed out. She ran her hands through her orange hair, flipping it back before squeezing the water out of it. I watched as it almost magically resumed its original position. She looked over and saw me. I waved at her. She walked over to one of the chairs and grabbed towel and walked over drying herself off.

“Sleep well?” She smiled warmly.

“Yeah, surprisingly,” I said as my food arrived. I grabbed a fork and stabbed the apples and took a bite. A nice wave of flavor washed through my mouth.

“What’s that?”

“Baked apples,” I responded taking another bite, “You want one?”

“Sure,” I said handing her a fork. She took it and took a bite. Her eyes widened as she chewed.

“Good?”

“Very! These are delicious.”

“I know,” I said taking another bite, “So what have you been up to today?”

“Well I woke up and everyone was gone. You were still asleep so I grabbed something to eat and came down here to swim for a bit.”

“Cool. So considering Dane and Gin abandoned us, what do you wanna do today till the Luau?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. What do you wanna do?”

“I don’t know that’s why I asked you.”

“I don’t care what we do. What do you want to do?”

“No. I asked you, what do you wanna do?”

An old man at the other table yelled, “For the love of god! Just take her shopping already! Jesus, back in my day foreplay didn’t take this long.”

I turned, “Okay, do you wanna go shopping?”

“Sure!”

“Alright, let’s just get you changed.”

“What’s wrong with this?”

“You’re in a bikini.”

“So?”

“Just a bikini.”

“Again, so?”

“For heaven’s sake put a shirt on!”

“For heaven’s sake why don’t you just shut up and enjoy the view!?” The old man yelled.

“Stay out of this old man! So shopping it is then?”

Spitfire had a funny look on her face, “…Yeah… shopping. I’ll go throw a shirt on.”

“I’ll just wait here for you,” I said.

“Okay,” she stood up and draped the towel over her back and walked back into the hotel.

I glared at the old man.

“Boy if I was you age again and I had that following me around…”

“What is with you?”

“What is with you?! I’ve never seen anyone so clueless!”

“You know, nowadays we mind MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS!”

“You’re more clueless than I thought. Very well I’ll leave you alone. Hope you don’t let tonight go to waste!”

“Whatever.”

I stood up and followed Spits. I ran into her just as she was exiting the elevator.

“Oh hey, you’re here,” she said.

“Yeah. So let’s get moving. We only got the rest of the day.”

“Cool! So what’re you getting me?”

“Well I don’t need anything so you pick.”

***

“No, not happening.”

“Aw come on! I look hot in this!”

“That will come off so easily.”

“Little Kinky don’t you think?”

“No.”

“You’re no fun,” she pouted, “And why not? This thing fits perfectly!”

She was wearing a coconut bra. Everything was authentic from the coconuts themselves to the string binding them to her body. Curse my subroutines but she was pretty appealing even for an android like me.

“Tell you what, I’ll buy it for you. But you don’t wear it to the Luau.”

“Alright I guess I can live with that.”

“There. Oh crap look at the time. We’re gonna be late.”

“For a very important date,” Spitfire laughed.

“That was a horrible pun,” I smiled.

“Then why’re you smiling?”

“Let me be. Come on, let’s get going.”

***

Well we made it back in time. We all got changed though for me that didn’t require much. Gin wore sarong with a flower in her hair. Dane was as casual as me minus my hat. Spitfire looked beautiful. She wore a casual grass skirt over her bikini bottom and had a few blue lilies in her hair.

We showed up at the beach just as the sun was setting. It cast a beautiful orange hue across the horizon. We walked onto the sand. Everything was set up perfectly. There was a huge buffet table with all sorts of fruits, vegetables and other delicious foods. A traditional Kalua pig was on one table though I didn’t think Spitfire would like that. Though she would probably like the Mai Tai.

There was traditional Hawaiian dance music playing in the background as the dancers on stage danced to the music. There were a few fire twirlers around to on the sand. People were sitting at picnic tables or just mingling on the beach. A few were still in the water surfing or swimming the night away.

“Hey you guys made it!” Aluna ran up to us.

“Yup. So when do wanna rematch?” I asked with a grin.

“Whoa little man,” Dave said, “Why not just enjoy the night a little?”

“Guess we can do that. Ooh is that a papaya?” I ran over to the table and grabbed a slice, “Spits you gotta try this!”

I handed her a piece. She took it, sniffed it before taking a bite, “Whoa. Never had anything like that before.”

“Always loved tropical fruits.”

“There’s a lot more to try over there,” I pointed.

“If you’re heading for the buffet then try the pineapple. We had a good harvest this year.”

“Cool. So when do you wanna continue our game?”

“How ‘bout 10:00?”

“Sounds good, we look forward to it.”

Spitfire and I walked over to the table which was a lot larger than I expected. There was a lot more food packed onto it than I’d originally thought.

Spitfire licked her lips, “So what should we try first?”

***

Well a few thousand pieces of fruit, vegetables, and shish kabobs later we had eaten our fill for the night. The traditional Hawaiian music had ended and given way to a more modern take on things.

A Dj with a smooth tropical voice came on, “Alright everyone, it’s time to spice things up a little. So grab your dance partner and get ready to get down.”

A smooth beat began. It was mix of something electronic with a violin being the more prominent of the two sounds. Something exotic indeed.

Dane immediately ran into the fray of emerging dancers with a random brunette he’d probably found. Spitfire turned to me with a grin on her face.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not dancing.”

“Come on. Why not?”

A familiar voice spoke up, “Excuse me miss you appear to be having a problem. Allow me.”

I turned. Oh it was the old man from this morning. He walked up to me and slapped me across the face, “Get a hold of yourself! THE GIRL IS ASKING YOU TO DANCE!”

***

SLAP.

“THE GIRL IS ASKING YOU TO DANCE!”

SLAP.

“DANCE WITH HER!”

SLAP.

Jett seemed to reel back, “Okay okay! Just stop that already!”

Spitfire laughed a little, “So you wanna dance?”

“Yes! Okay? Just get him to stop!”

The man stopped, “Okay. Have fun with him.”

He turned and sauntered away.

Jett stood rubbing his face, “Jesus Christ, what the hell is it with that guy?”

Spitfire stood grinning, “Guess you’re coming with me.”

She grabbed his hand and took him into the crowd.

“Uh… what do I do?” Jett asked.

“You’re an android right?” Spitfire asked as she moved to the music, “Just watch and learn. Literally.”

“Oh, uh… okay.”

He stood for a few seconds and watched his surroundings before taking the initiative and moving to the music.

“Ha ha, there you go. Now you got it!” Spitfire laughed.

“Yeah, heh,” He laughed, “Guess I do. Never done this before.”

She eyed him up and down, “Well you’re pretty good at it.”

He smiled. Soon a lull in the music came. Dane ran up to Jett with a small chip in his hand.

“Dude, this is the perfect song. You have to do this,” he said and tapped the button on the chip. Something out of view of Spitfire appeared.

“Did you assimilate that?” he asked.

“Yes. And NO! I’m not gonna do that!” Jett said.

“Come on! You have to see that finish! It’s perfect! That and you have a partner…”

“Dude!”

“If you do it I won’t mention…” the rest of it fell out of Spitfire’s hearing.

Jett looked up, “You promise?”

“Yes. And I also promise you’ll have a blast.”

“Let me see that again.”

Dane held up the chip and Jett watched again.

“Do you realize how difficult that is? That combines the quickstep, the mambo, and the cha cha all in one.”

“Well if you lead then it will be fine.”

“Alright,” he sighed and walked up to Spitfire, “You know how to ballroom dance?”

“Yes. Why? Where’s this going?” she asked.

He sighed, “Just follow my lead.”

The music picked up again. Jett took her hand and placed one on his shoulder and took the other in his hand.

“Just follow my lead.”

Spitfire smiled, “Alright.”

They started with a quickstep. A nice reverse turn followed by reverse pivot. Jett released Spitfire for a quick American Spin. Spitfire gasped.

He picked up that from a recording?

She soon found herself in his arms again as she spun around and was back at his chest again. She stared into his eyes and smiled. A light grin was on his face. They continued with a quickstep before Jett picked it up a bit with another throw out before picking Spitfire up and lifting her into the air.

Dane smiled. This had to work. He smiled as he watched the product of his careful planning. Spitfire seemed to pick up what was going on and moved nicely to compliment his moves. Soon the music was coming to an end. Jett finished with another American Spin before bringing Spitfire close and finishing with a death drop. He kneeled to compensate but it worked out nicely. Spitfire’s back was perfectly straight as were her legs. She had a look of awe on her face as she stared into Jett’s eyes.

Jett looked up from his dance partner. The Dj stopped the music and had his jaw at his feet. A crowd had surrounded the two in an open circle. Jett and Spitfire stood up with sheepish looks on their faces. Jett scratched the back of his head.

An applause rose from the crowd. Spitfire and Jett blushed. She took his hand and did a bow before smiling at her partner.

“That was fun,” she giggled, “Never done that before.”

“Neither have I,” he smiled as he walked off the dance area. He walked up to Dane.

“Never again,” he said before walking away towards the far end of the beach.

“Oh you enjoyed it and you know it!”

“YES I DID!” he yelled.

Dane grinned. He was getting close. So close.

***

I walked away from the beach. For some reason I was… happy. I was happy. Why?

I continued walking up a hill to a rock overlooking the sea. The city lights behind me were dim and almost invisible. The torches, lasers, and spotlights from the luau down below were also missing up here. I looked out over the sea. The beautiful sea. Far above laid out before me was a brilliant blanket of stars. Each one was brilliant point of light. Reds and blues, whites and oranges, there were so many of them. Each one was its own world. Each on had the potential to hold other worlds like this one. Maybe Spitfire’s home orbited one. It was possible. It was so beautiful. There was even a small nebula visible.

I hopped up onto the rock and sat down. For some reason I was smiling. It felt… good. I was happy.

“Why? Why am I happy?”

You shared a dance with a beautiful girl. That’s why, Happy said.

Spitfire?

Yes you idiot! Acc said, you don’t think she’s beautiful?

She’s cute I’ll give her that.

We’re your thoughts dude, Happy said, you can’t lie to us.

Alright, alright. She is a beautiful girl. And before you say it, yes I enjoyed that dance. I… I enjoyed it a lot.

Well maybe it’s because yo-

I heard a noise behind me. I turned.

***

Spitfire climbed up the rock towards him. She had a bashful grin on her face. She hopped up as he turned to face her.

“Oh hey Spits,” he smiled, “Here.” He patted a spot next to him. She happily jumped up and sat next to him.

“That was fun,” she giggled, “I enjoyed that a lot. Thanks.”

“Heh, well Dane had to talk me into it. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fun to. You’re pretty good at that.”

“Well when you’ve been to the Gala a few times you pick up a few things. That move at the end was hot.”

“Oh leave me alone. It was nothing.”

“Well I enjoyed it. It made me feel sexy.”

“Oh. Well I’m glad I could help you fulfill your fantasy.”

“Oh shut up,” she laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. A silence overcame them as they stared into the stars together. Spitfire scooted over to her friend until she was leaning against him. She let out a sigh of contentment as she stared back up at the beautiful night sky.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Jett said.

“Yes…” She turned, “Do you remember the first time we did this?”

“Clearly. We were on a flight from Earth to the Moon. I shut the gravity off and you got stuck floating in the center of the room.”

“Yeah,” she laughed, “That was funny. We’ve had some fun times together.”

“We sure have…”

She turned to face him, “Jett. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Why? Is something wrong?”

“No. No. Nothing’s wrong. I just want to know something. Do you really see me as a sister? Just a sister?”

“Well, yeah I guess. I mean, Cat always was my mother rather my older sister so I kinda never really had any siblings growing up. I mean I did have Dane as a brother. We were both in the same boat and Gin was dealing with the stress of starting a business while testifying against her stalker so we kinda just formed a family. I guess when I found you in the forest that day and all the days after when we got to know each other you fit into the role of a sister to me. We were living together for a few months.”

“Yeah I guess. You did walk in on me while I was in the shower,” she laughed.

“That was bound to happen eventually! And it wasn’t my fault!”

“Sure… You just happened to walk in on me when I was wet and naked. Were you looking to ruffle my feathers a bit?” she grinned slyly.

“What? Wh-I don’t-Why would you even…?”

“Oh relax Jett. I know you’re that kind of guy. Still trying to figure out just what kind of guy you are but I know you’re not that kind. Not like Soarin’. Fucking pig sometimes.”

“What’d he do?”

“He snuck into the girls’ locker room with a camera and… well the rest is history.”

“Ah. I see. So just what type of guy am I?”

“Well… I don’t know. You’re kind and gentle yet you can be violent and angry when properly provoked. When someone threatens someone you care about you hold nothing back. But you put yourself in harm’s way to save someone you’d only met a few weeks earlier. You know how to laugh and take a joke and you’re fun to be around. But… you seem so isolated sometimes… I just… I just want to tell you that…”

She gulped.

“I just want to tell you that I-”

BEEP BEEP.

Jett sighed, “What is it this time?”

BEEP BEEP.

“Yeah yeah hold your horses.”

He removed his phone from his pocket, “Dane… What?”

“Dude where the hell are you guys?!”

“Enjoying the night. Why?”

“Well get your dick out of her cause you two got a game to play tonight. Remember?”

“WHAT?! THAT’S IT! YOU’RE FUCKING DEAD!”

He hung up and jumped to his feet, “WE got a game to finish and I have an android to kill.”

Spitfire sighed, “Alright…”

She stood up after him. Jett had already taken off running down the hill towards the beach.

“YOU’RE DEAD DANE! DEAD!”

“Catch me first asshole!” the white haired android laughed.

Spitfire grinned sadly, “They’d fit right in in the Wonderbolts.”

She walked down the hill, following the commotion that raged in the luau below.

Chapter 29. Turquoise Days.

A build up chapter to the part one Finale. Everything here has a purpose.

November 26th 1972.

Sandra awoke to a chill. Not a cold chill but more of an absence where something warm should be. She pulled herself out of bed. Jason was standing near the balcony, looking out towards the sea.

“Same dream?” she asked.

“Same dream.”

“You still haven’t told me what it’s about,” she said pulling herself out of bed.

“If I tell you, do you promise not to laugh?”

“Promise.”

“I… I keep having this dream of us. Only we’re not us. We’re other people.”

“Oh? And who am I?”

“You’re always this girl. This kind, fun loving person. And I’m always an angry cynical man. Always alone. But you always end up finding me and breaking the ice.”

“Really? You make me sound so noble,” she smiled, “Where was it this time?”

“I was… er we were in a school in some far off future. I was alone sitting all by myself. I wanted to be alone but you just wouldn’t stop. You kept showing up with the same smile on your face every time and asking me if I wanted company. I said no of course but you sat down anyway.”

“What happened next?”

“Well… we ended up becoming friends and then one day after school we just…”

“Just what?” she smiled smugly.

“We just…we… you… you kissed me. Just like the first time we met.”

“You always were withdrawn,” Sandra laughed.

“Well I’m lucky you were there.”

She stood up and walked over to him, “Yes you were.”

***

February 25th 2413.

“So what’re we doing today?” Spitfire bounced.

I sighed, “Where are we? What do you think we’re gonna do today?”

“I don’t know,” she said cheerfully.

“We’re hiking,” I said, “We’re gonna ascend El Capitan.”

“Can I fly?”

“No.”

“Ugh, fine. How long until we get there?”

“See that rock?” I pointed. El Capitan.

“Yeah. Why?”

“That’s where we’re going.”

“All the way up there?!”

“Yeah,” I smirked, “Why?”

“But that’s so far!”

I smirked and hefted my bag, “Well then we better get going then.”

“What’re you trying to do? Kill me?”

I stood up and started walking, “I thought you were in the Wonderbolts.”

“Well we don’t do hikes like this on a daily basis,” she said as she followed.

“Oh don’t give me that,” I said as we hiked along the trail. The view around us was pretty stunning. The trees were green, the birds were chirping, everything was right. And to our right was El Capitan, the rock we’d soon be ascending.

“I mean look at you. You have the toned body of an Olympian. A hike shouldn’t be a problem for you.”

“What’s an Olympian?”

“They’re the best athletes in the system. They compete at a competition every four years to see who the best of the best is.”

“That sounds like something I could get behind,” she grinned, “But why don’t you compete?”

“Because I could destroy everyone at it. Plus I’m pretty sure that androids aren’t allowed to compete.”

“Oh. How come Gin and Dane didn’t have to come with us?”

“Gin went to a wine tasting and Dane went to the beach. And considering we’re in California and Yosemite National Park is nice this time of year I figured why not visit it?”

“Ugh, but that rock is so far away!”

“Which is why we should get going. Dane said that the weather would be great today and I don’t want to waste it.”

“But I’m gonna be so tired. I can think of a few other things we can do that are more fun and just as tiring. Plus we don’t have to go out into a forest to do it. Not unless you want to…” she said with a sly grin.

“What’re you getting at…?” I turned. She had her lips with a naughty grin on her face. I turned red.

“You know, you do a good tomato impression,” she laughed.

“Wow Spitfire, wow.”

“What? You mean to say you wouldn’t enjoy it?”

“Oh fuck you!”

“You really wanna?”

“I-gah-er- ugh! You are unbelievable!” I fumed and stomped off. I wasn’t angry so much as I was embarrassed. What the hell did this girl have? A remote to my EM centers probably.

“Love you too Jett!” she laughed and followed, “Guess you are a little scared of some T and A!”

“Oh hop off me!” I laughed and started running.

“Hey wait up!”

We started coming on a different part of the trail. It was newer than the others and ran up along the river. It seemed like a shortcut to the rock and probably was. I took it and ran up it.

“Aw come on! Don’t make me chase you up hill!”

“Then stop chasing me and I’ll stop running!”

“Not a chance!”

***

Nightshade was an interesting girl. More so than most realized. The Shadowbolts captain was certainly a two sided coin.

She bore a striking resemblance to her sister, Spitfire. The only major difference between the two was that Nightshade was slightly paler than her younger sister and had dark blue hair instead of her sister’s orange.

A bit more violent and prone to act on those impulses than her sister she fit in perfectly with the Shadowbolts. Though there was a bit of resentment that came with the position. She’d only gotten it due to being second to her sister.

Tempest Wind had given the Wonderbolts’ Captain’s position to Spitfire instead of her. She remained as number 2 to her sister. Her little sister.

Though she had fought a bit of jealousy at first she managed to get it under control and resume a working relationship with her sister. But she always felt like number 2.

That is until Princess Luna came along and offered her the position of Captain in the new flight team she was forming. She gladly accepted the position at the cost of leaving the Wonderbolts short another flier. Spitfire was sad to see her go but had been supportive of her endeavor. After she left the team was short three instead of just two. Along with Nighthawk and Eagle Eye, she was the third to leave the team in over a year. Ever since then the Wonderbolts had been looking for adequate fliers with pilot experience. There was one up and coming rookie named Rainbow Dash that could easily fill one of the spots but she was still under review.

But that was another story. Nightshade led the new team with dignity and respect and held a tight leash on the team. All sorts of fliers made up her new team. A few of them even being a few criminals who’d been fast and lucky enough to be pardoned by Princess Luna in exchange for joining. Though there was still and intense rivalry that was almost borderline hatred between the two teams Night felt that she had her team under control. Things were looking good for her. She even started talking to her dad again.

Until six weeks ago.

Six weeks ago was when her little Sis dropped off the face of the world and had not been seen since. She hadn’t even found out about it until she got a letter while on tour. Needless to say the news shocked her. Her little sister was missing. She always figured that something like that would happen to herself considering all the dangerous tricks the Shadowbolts performed. This kind of thing happened to her! Not her sister.

She sighed. Her home back in Cloudsdale was quiet. Outside it felt like darkness. In reality it was bright as it could possibly be.

There was a knock at the door. She raised her head from her kitchen table and walked to the door and answered it. A man in a guard’s uniform stood before her.

“Miss Nightshade?”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“I was told to inform you that the Princess is making an announcement today regarding your sister. 1:00 today at the Aerodome.”

“Alright,” she sighed, “Thanks.”

“No need ma’am. And you have my condolences.”

“Thank you.”

The man tipped his hat before flying off. Nightshade closed the door.

“Guess I better put something decent on.”

After changing into some cargo pants, combat boots, and a black leather flight jacket, she pulled on a pair of sunglasses and left her home.

***

“Celestia... you… can… run… fast!” Spitfire huffed.

I sat down on a rock overlooking the river and opened up my bag producing two sandwiches.

“Well duh, I’m a robot. I’m not even tired either.”

She flopped down on the rock, “Fuck… you…”

“Well that’s not a nice thing to say to the guy who just beat you in an 10K. That and I have the water bottles.”

She sat up, “Can I have one? Please?”

“Can you apologize?”

“Come on dude! I’m so thirsty I could drink my own sweat!”

“Fine,” I laughed and tossed her a bottle. She happily drank half the bottle before she was satisfied. I handed her a sandwich before taking a bite of mine.

“You know,” Spitfire said between bits, “You would make a great Wonderbolt if you had the wings for it.”

“I’ll humor you for a minute. How so?”

“You’d have the fucking endurance of an Arctic Tern and the speed of a falcon. You would easily be the fastest member of the team. Well, next to me of course.”

“Wow, not a little bit full of ourselves are we?”

“Hey I’m that fast! If you’ll let me fly for once I can show you.”

“Sorry but that’s not gonna happen. Not in a national park.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Oh shut up and eat your sandwich.”

We shared a laugh and finished lunch before continuing on towards the famed rock.

***

Dane arrived back at the lodge. The wooden structure sat on the outskirts of the park overlooking the large forested area. He walked into the cafeteria of the lodge and grabbed a cup of coffee before continuing on to the tables. The building was a bit crowded but the large open space helped a bit. That and the large windows gave it a nice view overlooking the forested area of the park.

He walked over to a table and sat down. Gin had her head on the table and was covering her ears with her hands.

“So how’d the wine tasting go?” He asked.

“Fucking awful. I can’t even afford to think my head hurts so much,” she mumbled.

“How the fuck do you go from drunk to hangover all in one day?”

“Actually it skipped drunk and went right to hangover.”

“What the hell did you drink?”

“I think it was some Russian blend. That stuff was as strong as gasoline and- Ow my head!”

“How would you know how strong gasoline is? That stuff is banned from use inside an atmosphere.”

“It was an analogy you heathen!”

Dane laughed and looked out the window. The rain was pouring down pretty hard now. There was a crack of thunder and Gin moaned and held her ears. Something about the rain…

“Ow! Allah help me there has to be something I can take to fix this!”

“I think Jett has a med kit in his bag and… Oh shit.”

“What?”

“I told Jett that the weather would be great for hiking.”

“Well I think it’s safe to say your days are numbered at this point.”

BEEP

Dane removed his phone from his pocket, “Fuck.”

“You’re going to answer that.”

He cringed and tapped the flashing green icon on his phone, “Hello?”

“SO, GREAT WEATHER FOR HIKING HUH DANE?!” Two angry voices yelled.

“Uh, hi Jett. Hi Spitfire. Lovely weather we’re having?”

“FUCK YOU!” Jett yelled, “We’re fucking huddled under a tree on Bravo trail! And it’s your fault!”

“What weather report were you looking at when you said it would be a great day to do this?!” Spitfire yelled.

“Uh,” Dane pulled out a weather schedule, “Whoops. Uh next week’s?”

“If Jett doesn’t kill you when we get back I WILL!” Spitfire yelled.

Gin managed to pull herself up, “Heh heh, hell hath no fury like an angry girl. Ow.”

“When is it supposed to let up?” Jett asked.

“Uh, let’s see here. Tomorrow.”

…

“We’re gonna have to walk in this aren’t we?” Spitfire asked.

“Uh…”

“Fuck you,” Jett said and hung up.

***

I shoved the phone in my pocket and sighed. The rain was pouring pretty hard. The run off from the trees was a bit ridiculous.

“Can I at least fly us to the lodge?” Spitfire asked.

“Do you want to get blown out of the sky in these winds?”

“I can do it,” she said confidently. Heh, funny. Her hair was falling down in the rain.

“Well how would you plan on carrying me?”

“I’d just hold you by your shoulders.”

“Well if you do it that way then we’d have the aerodynamics of a brick. And in this storm we’d be fucked.”

“I swear you’d make an excellent Wonderbolt,” she laughed, “Alright big guy, you win. We’ll walk.”

I pulled my bag off. It was a bit wet but everything was. I removed a raincoat.

“Here,” I said, “You’ll need this more than me.”

“But what about you?”

“I’ll be fine,” I smiled, “I don’t get cold.”

“But I will.”

“That’s what the coat is for.”

“Yeah, but you’re warm. Why not share it?”

I sighed, “We’ll be getting back later.”

“That’s okay. I’d feel like a jerk if I kept it all to myself.”

“Alright, you win.”

“Good,” she stood up and accepted the coat. I pulled my bag on and joined her. She draped it around herself and pulled me in under it.

“Alright, it’s a long walk back but at least we’ll be warm,” She smiled.

“Alright, let’s get going. Dane is gonna die and it’s gonna happen today.”

With that we started walking. The rain was a bit harsh but we didn’t care. As long as we were with each other, nothing could dampen our spirits.

***

Are you sure?

Yes. It’s there. It’s definitely there.

Okay… So now what?

We wait.

Wait? Shouldn’t we call this in?

No, not yet. It’s there but not active yet. You know the protocols. We wait. If it activates and begins development then we call it in. For now we wait.

Why would they have us do something like that? This could be the most interesting development in the history of the science! This could make everything!

But it also could break everything too. While it could make everything, hell even open up an entire new branch of philosophy and new ethical ideas, it could also break everything if this becomes unstable.

So we wait…

Yes. But, I don’t think we’ll have to wait long.

Why is that?

Because… I have faith.

***

We arrived back inside the lodge just as it started down pouring. The weather was noticeably terrible to the point where a notice was issued. The storm was growing pretty bad so there was no going outside at all for anyone. Not unless they wanted to die or get blown to god knows where. Fortunately our hotel room was in the lodge so we didn’t have to sop around in wet clothes for the rest of the day.

We ran through the sliding doors and into the lodge. Water was dripping off of us like a water fall but we didn’t care. We were laughing for no reason other than it was fun to laugh. We were soaked to the bone but again we didn’t care.

We walked past the front desk area into the large open cafeteria. Various people were crowded in the large open space talking, playing games, watching TV, just waiting out the storm in general. I pulled off the coat and gave it to Spitfire before seeing if Dane and Gin were in here.

Sure enough they were. Gin looked to be suffering from the effects of a hangover and Dane looked to be scoping the place out in fear. I laughed. Time to scare the living shit out of him.

I turned to Spitfire, “Hey Spits, you remember how when we first met? How you got all mad at me when you woke up?”

“I don’t see where you’re going with this,” she said wringing out her hair, “But yeah. I punched you in face.”

“Well we’re gonna mess with Dane so I need you to act angry.”

Spitfire smiled, “I think I can do that.”

“Excellent.”

I put on my best angry face and stomped up to the table. Spitfire was right behind me. This was gonna be so good.

“So, ZERO PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN HUH DANE?!” I yelled. He jumped and turned.

“Oh, uh, hey, uh, guys. Uh, lovely weather we’re having?”

“Yes, Lovely,” Spitfire deadpanned.

Dane sat in a cold sweat. We continued to stare him down, judging him, making him feel uncomfortable. It was fun to watch him fidget in his seat, not bothering to attempt to run, knowing the effort would be futile.

Suddenly Spitfire started to giggle. It was a soft sound that quickly erupted into laughter. I soon followed. What can I say? It was contagious. Dane let out a sigh of relief.

“Phew, I thought you guys were mad at me.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, we are,” I laughed.

“We’ll just get you back later,” Spitfire laughed.

Gin moaned from the table top.

“The hell’s wrong with her?” I asked.

“Drank something Russian. Got a bad case of brown bottle flu,” Dane said pulling out his phone.

I put my bag down and pulled out a medical case, “I think I have some medical Nanites in here somewhere… Ah ha!”

I pulled out a syringe with a small dial on it. I turned the dial two notches to set it to the proper setting.

“This might sting a little,” I stabbed it into her neck. I wasn’t sure if she was just too tired or in too much pain to move but she didn’t react too much to the needle going into her neck.

Soon though she sat up holding her head.

“Better?”

“Yeah, a lot better. I feel tired but yeah, I feel better,” she said.

“Good. Nanites. Little engineering wonders.”

“What did they do to her?” Spitfire asked.

“They digested the alcohol in her body and converted it into glucose. She should be receiving a burst of energy at any time now.”

“Cool.”

Dane slammed his phone on the table, “Why is this thing not working?”

I looked at it. The screen was black.

“Maybe it’s a reflection of your soul.”

“Oh ha ha ha. Look who finally has a sense of humor.”

“Oh shut up. If you just bothered to check you’d see the battery was dead.”

“Asshole.”

I sighed and hefted my bag, “Come on Spitty. Let’s go get changed.”

“Alright,” she smiled.

“Don’t do anything too naughty!” Dane called.

“Die.”

***

I’m sorry George. But there’s nothing left we can do.

The ship was destroyed.

Memories are intact.

Transfers. Possibilities.

Found it. Floating in space for 2 years, 9 months, 17 days, 6 hours, 21 minutes, and 53 seconds. Death permanent.

Nothing left to do.

Gone.

Activate.

“Sir.”

…

“Sir!”

George shot up in his bed. He rubbed his eyes and tapped the terminal.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Something’s happened. You need to see this.”

“Alright. I’m on my way.”

***

“Daddy. Why does Cat hate me?”

“Hate you? What do you mean by that?”

“She doesn’t like me. I can see it in her eyes. She never wants to be around me. Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“What? No no, she doesn’t hate you. She’s just angry is all.”

“Angry? Why?”

“Well… Well I… I think that… Truth is, is that we lied to her.”

“We?”

“Yes, your mother and I… we lied to her.”

“About what? Lying isn’t good.”

“We… we lied to her about everything…”

***

Several Days Earlier.

Spitfire sniffed.

We were sitting in the cafeteria still as the storm raged on. Thunder had struck a few times causing some small children to cry. Lighting flashed, drawing the attention of the prepubescent kids causing their parents to go after them as they rushed to the windows to watch. Everyone else just didn’t care, preferring to ride it out. Gin had fallen asleep in an armchair near the fire place with Dane napping on the couch next to her.

A small baby was crying. The mother was attempting to lull the child back to sleep. Hmm.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey.”

I looked back at my phone. The weather system was still to pass over us in the next few hours. We should be getting to sleep soon.

“Hey,” Spitfire said, “I know that song.”

“Really? It’s a Johnny Cash song I think. How can you possibly know it?”

“It’s an old lullaby back home. In fact it’s something my mother used to sing to me to get me to fall asleep.”

“That’s something I’ve never understood.”

“What?”

“Lullabies.”

“Really? Why?”

“Well it’s probably something organic creatures would understand. I never understood how words could get someone into a state of calm or sleep.”

“Well maybe it’s not the words so much as the person.”

“Person?”

“Well my mother was always a comforting figure. Maybe it’s because the person is there is what makes the whole thing work.”

“Maybe,” I said, “Would never work on me though.”

“Why’s that?”

“The only person who had any kind of power over me is now gone.”

“What about your father?”

“No. Not him. My sister had something that he could never hope to fully have.”

“What’s that?”

“My trust.”

“You don’t trust your father?” Spitfire asked.

“No. Not fully. He and my mother kept the biggest secret in the world from me. After that… well I’m more careful now.”

“Do you trust me?” she asked hopefully.

“Of course I do. That’s not even a question.”

“Why though?”

“You were there for me when I was at my lowest. When I wanted to do nothing but shut the world away you came through and gave me a shoulder to lean on. Even for an android, that counts for something.”

She grinned, “Aw, that’s so sweet. Do I really mean that much to you?”

“I’d be lying if I said no.”

“While that is sweet, don’t go getting all so-ah, ah, ah CHOO!”

She sneezed before sniffing and wiping her nose.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, I jus- AH CHOO!”

I crossed my arms, “Yeah I think you have a problem here.”

“I don’t have a pro- AH CHOO!”

She sniffed again before speaking, this time though she sounded a bit congested.

“How long were we out in the rain?”

“Two hours.”

“Well I suppose it’s possible I caug- ACHOO!”

I laughed and stood up, “Come on Captain. Let’s get you to bed.”

“Do I have to?”

“I’ll make that an order.”

“Alright, alright,” she managed to laugh. I walked over to her and helped her to her feet before guiding her back to our room in the lodge. She sneezed a few more times but other than that it we got there in once piece. We entered our room and walked over to the bed.

“Why is it so cold?” Spitfire shivered.

“It’s not. It’s you. Here, why don’t you just lay down and I’ll go get you something to eat?”

“Oh, okay,” she said, “I’m still in these grungy clothes though.”

I sighed, “You can change. I’ll go grab something from the cafeteria.”

I closed the door and walked out of the room back to the cafeteria. I returned with a cup of soup and some tea. Spitfire was lying in the bed looking a bit under the weather.

“Sorry,” she said.

“For what?” I asked.

“That you have to do this. You shouldn’t have to take care of me like this.”

I deadpanned, “Spitfire, we’ve been living together for the past six months. Really? And I’m the one that should be sorry. I shouldn’t be stupid enough as to trust Dane with telling me the weather.”

“Well still I-”

“No.”

“But I-”

“But NOTHING. Just sit down and eat your soup.”

“Hmph,” she managed before taking a sip.

“Now you just sit there and relax Captain,” I said before standing up.

“Where are you going?”

“Oh relax LittleFire. I’m just grabbing my pad,” I said grabbing the device and a chair to sit on. I plopped it next to the bed and turned on the TV. The news was on.

“Renowned Volcanologist Andrew Daniels has recently filed a report with the Office of Science and Technology that is causing a stir among the scientific community. In his report he warns that increased earthquake activity and rising ground levels above the Yellowstone Caldera may be early signs of an eruption. The caldera has not erupted in over 640000 years and counting but many say that the Earth is overdue. The super volcano has the potential to completely block out all sunlight on the planet and bring the inner system economy to a complete halt. Due to the fact that the volcano can apparently go at any time it is difficult to calculate the odds of such a disaster occurring.”

“Super volcano?” Spitfire asked, “What’s that?”

I looked up from my pad, “A huge as fuck volcano. The Caldera in Wyoming is the only one that poses a real threat to the Earth right now and supposedly should have gone off 40000 years ago but hey… Mayan calendar ended 400 years ago and we’re still going.”

“Mayans?”

“Oh, sorry. They were an ancient civilization that mysteriously died out. But not before they made a calendar that mysteriously ended on December 21st, 2012. Of course nothing happened but still.”

“Oh.”

Another story came on, this one much more interesting to my tastes.

“The Starship, ironically named Rama II, was completed today along with its escort fleet.”

The TV changed to a live image of an EXTREMELY large cylindrical like object floating in space. Next to it was a similarly smaller and much simpler looking object. The large object resembled an O’Neill Cylinder. It was large. Astronomically large. On the manner of nearly 100 kilometers I would estimate. The one next to it was clearly only a prototype and it looked it too. The larger one was FAR more interesting. The thickness of the ship was around 1 or 2 kilometers. The ship was colored greyish white with various windows dotting the bottom. Internal systems, observation decks, lounges, everything needed to run a civilization. The inside was extremely different was well. It was green, blue, every color Earth was and more. Clouds flew along the inside of the shell of the cylinder. And enclosed ecosystem. Various small settlements and cities dotted the surface of the cylinder.

Then came the next part. The massive antimatter engine pod that was suspended near the rear of the cylinder by a series of massive towers anchored to the surface. A large glowing tube extended all the way to the edge of the bow of the cylinder before it connected with a large internal dock. All along the tube were various towers anchoring it to the surface.

“The ship is humanity’s first interstellar starship ever devised. Constructed over the course of the last 100 years the ship is scheduled to leave in the next 50 years for Alpha Centauri while a crew is found to populate the ship. Rama II was built an effort to establish a permanent human colony outside the system and will leave with a fleet of support vessels.”

I grinned and pulled up a diagram on my pad.

“What’s that?” Spitfire asked.

“Rama II. The largest object ever built by humans.”

“What’s it for?”

“Going to the stars. It will give us everything. It’s… It’s everything I could ever hope for.”

“Really? Why?”

I laughed, “The one thing I want more than to be a pilot is to leave this world.”

“Why’s that? Aren’t you happy here?”

I sighed, “In all honesty, while I like it here, the stars offer more. This universe is huge, and I want to see as much as I can. If I can, I want to get a ticket on that ship. I know Dane, while he can act stupid sometimes, is smart enough to get on Rama. On that ship is my future.”

“Even beyond going to that academy you were so excited about?”

“Yeah. Yeah. The chance to explore a new world and to build a new life there is something I’d like to do. Here, all I am is an experiment. But out there… I can be anything.”

***

The next day, Spitfire’s condition had improved. With a few medical Nanite injections the cold virus had been completely purged from her system. While we were on earth, we TECHNICALLY had to get SOME work done so better to get it over with now than have to do it last minute. We were on a flight over to Hawkinsville Wyoming that sat outside the park by about 50 kilometers.

The city itself was interesting. Built in the late mid-21st it wasn’t officially ‘finished’ until after WWIII. But enough about that.

Our plane flew over the outskirts of the city. A shipyard was visible. Various craft were docked atop large concrete pillars. The largest in atmosphere craft sat docked to a large ring that continually passed over it in a series of circuits. Each time the ship got a little bit darker.

“Look at that,” I laughed, “O’Brian Class Destroyer.”

“What now?” Spitfire asked.

“It’s the largest ship allowed to operate in atmosphere," Dane said, "Also the most powerfully armed. 16 heavy gun batteries with two primary rail guns running on the fore northern and southern fore bows. It’s also equipped with 30 marlin class missile pods and 4 Icarus class Antimatter war heads. That and it has 2 hanger bays.”

Spitfire blinked, “Okay… so you can blow up a planet with it.”

“Yeah Dane, way too much on the specifics,” I said.

“Specific?” Gin said, “You call that specific? Did Dane happen to mention what the small arms lockers are loaded with? Cause they’re loaded with 60 caliber bolt action heavy gauss sn-”

“Okay, shut up. Too much detail.”

“Hey you mentioned it. Don’t get mad at us,” Dane said.

“Uh, who’s the one doing all the work on this project? So shut the hell up?”

“Fuck you.”

“You wanna go swimming in old faithful? Cause that can be arranged.”

The plane landed at the airport and we stepped off. TSA molested us, you know, normal stuff. Fortunately they missed Spitfire’s wings. THAT would have been one HELL of a conversation. We hefted our bags and got walking into the metropolis.

***

July 16th 2345

Two Figures sat on a green hill side outside a city. A large geodesic dome rose up over the whole structure. Beyond it laid a red landscape. Above it was one of the only clear night skies they would see this month. Apollo and Sara laid back on the grass and stared up at the glowing diamonds in the sky.

“Hey Sara?”

“Yeah Apollo?”

“Where do you think we’re from?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well. I guess I can phrase the question better. Do you believe in life after death?”

“Well now that you mention it, I don’t know really. I never really considered it. Why? What do you believe?”

“I don’t know. If I tell you you’ll laugh,” Apollo said looking away.

“No I won’t. I promise,” Sara said reassuringly.

“Alright. Well, I have this crazy idea that death is just another beginning. The ultimate exploration. That when we die we just move on to the next life or world even.”

“That’s not so crazy.”

“Well what could be crazier than that?” He asked inquisitively.

“Well, I, uh, people who watch golf. They’re pretty crazy if they watch something so boring,” she laughed.

“Yeah I guess. But that wasn’t what you were gonna say.”

“How do you know?” she asked sitting up. Apollo followed her up.

“Come on, we’ve been friends since the 3rd grade. And now we’re in high school. That’s a pretty long time to know a person.”

“Yeah, well you still don’t notice some things,” she whispered.

“Like?” Apollo smirked having heard her.

“You jerk. You weren’t supposed to hear that,” she blushed.

“Well what was it supposed to mean?”

“Well, I, uh, well, um. Well, it’s just that we’ve been friends for a long time…”

“And?”

“Well, uh, we’ve done pretty much everything together since grade school from studying to learning how to ride bikes and… well we’ve had a lot of fun together…”

“So we’ve been friends for a long time,” He said still not getting it.

Sara turned red, “Ugh! You are just so clueless!”

“About what?” he asked, confused.

“About… About… About how I…. how I…”

“How you what?”

“How I… How I… How… Damn It Apollo!” with that she grabbed his face in her hands and leaned forward to bring him into a kiss. It was a soft contact though it lasted a long time. Her lips were gentle on his as his eyes widened in surprise and as hers closed in the bliss of the moment. Tingles shot down his spine as she moaned into his mouth. Finally after a few seconds she pulled away with a look bashful look on her now red face.

Apollo blushed, “I err, um, what did I do to… that… I mean, we, me and, you,” he managed to stutter.

“There,” she sighed, “Now you know.”

He managed to form a coherent thought and found a way to translate it into language, “I… Er… I know what?”

“THAT I LIKE YOU DUMB ASS!” she shouted, “I really like you. Like, LIKE like you.”

“I, err, oh, uh, Okay…”

…

“So?” Sara asked.

“So what?” Apollo responded.

“Do you… do you like me?”

…

Sara nervously bit her lip, waiting. Apollo sat up and looked in deep thought for a second before speaking.

“Yeah,” he smiled, “I think I do. Yeah, I definitely do.”

“You like me?” she asked hopefully.

“Isn’t that what I just said? Geez, starting to wonder who’s the dumb ass here,” he rubbed the back of his head.

Sara grinned widely before reaching over and embracing him in a hug.

“So… now what?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Well… I like you and… you like me so… are we dating now?”

“Well… I guess; I’ve never really done this before.”

“So I guess we have to have a first date now,” he said.

“How about this?”

“What? Just stargazing?”

“Yeah,” she smiled, “Just relaxing out here like this. I mean, how many good nights like this do we get?”

“Yeah I guess you’re right.”

“Here,” she said patting the grass next to her.

“You want me to… to sit next to you like that?”

“Well we are dating now so isn’t that what we do?”

“I guess.”

“Ugh,” she sighed, “Here.” She moved over and wrapped her arms around him as they both lay down upon the hill, staring at the stars.

“I like this,” Sara said, “It just feels right.”

“Me too.”

“So you never answered my question.”

“About?”

“What do you think happens after we die?”

“At this point,” she sighed with content, “I don’t care.”

***

We hadn’t gotten a hotel room, rather we just planned to camp out in the park during our stay before moving eastward on a road trip.

But now we were loitering about the town. We had wondered into a bookstore. I started looking around at some old philosophy and science fiction classics while Dane and Spitfire did…

Well I don’t know what they did.

***

“Hey Spitfire,” Dane laughed, “I think I found the perfect book for you.”

He held up a small paperback novel, Dating AI, A Guide to Falling In Love with Artificial Intelligence.

She blushed, “You’re fucking evil.”

“I know.”

“Bastard.”

He placed the book back on the shelf.

“Hey guys! Park closes in a few hours so we might wanna get going!” Jett called.

“Alright!” Gin called.

“You ever been camping before?” Dane asked.

“Few times. Why?”

“Cause we’re going bare back here. No bathroom, no TV, no anything. Just the four of us, two tents, the essentials, and whatever we packed in our duffels.”

“Guys! You coming?” Gin called.

“Yeah!”

Spitfire and Dane hefted their bags and walked over to the entrance to the store.

***

We started walking out of the city. The park was only a few miles out so walking wasn’t really a problem. The walk was enjoyable. Just talking with friends was all I really needed to have fun these days.

I smiled. While these people weren’t perfect by any mean, they were still my best friends. I couldn’t ask for anyone better.

Chapter 30. Final Fantasy.

Note that a few of you reading this will make cameos in this chapter. I tried to include as many of you as I could if your name would allow it.

Chapter was going to be around 10000 words long but I broke it into two parts so you could all get it.

Present day.

Saturn. 0900 hours.

Rama II.

“So Captain,” the reporter asked, “What exactly is your projected passenger count when you leave in 50 years?”

Captain Archer Tye removed his hat. He’d been on the project since he was 28 years old. Now pushing 53 he was still young. Though he didn’t like the prospect of waiting another 50 years to leave he still would have plenty of life left in him by the time the ship arrived at its destination. 103 years here followed by 50 in space followed by several hundred and up more years in another system. Away from the threats of constant war and economic strife.

But there was still a problem of finding a crew of the best and brightest willing to risk it all to build a new life out among the stars. Though he guessed that’s what the 50 year delay was for.

“Well our carrying capacity for our trip will be around 25 million people, giving some room for the population to expand a bit. But our maximum recommended capacity is 50 million people. Any higher than that and we risk straining the ecosystem built onto Rama.”

“But if you needed to you could carry the excess 25 million?”

“If we needed to yes we could. Only under emergencies though. Like mass evacuations. And the cities on the surface would be pushed to capacity as well as the agricultural systems. The excess of people could do harm to the ship’s ecology.”

“I see. Well Captain we thank you for your time,” the reporter smiled, “Well you heard it here first folks. Rama II leaves for Alpha Centauri summer 2463. So get your tickets now!”

***

Several days earlier.

“Dane! Put the damn fire out before you burn the fucking forest down!” I yelled.

“Alright! Alright! Jesus Christ! It’s just a fire,” he yelled.

Spitfire was sitting on a log with cup of coffee in her hands. She laughed.

“The hell’s so funny?” I asked.

“Nothing, just sitting here watching two idiots.”

Gin climbed out of her and Dane’s tent, “What’re you two bimbos arguing about now?”

“Dane’s ‘bouta burn down the whole damn forest,” I said.

“Oh relax Smokey the Bear. I put the thing out. See?”

“Good. I don’t want you leaving that thing burning in the middle of the night.”

“Don’t get all worked up about it sunshine,” Dane said packing up some gear and tossing it into his tent.

“So what’re we doing tomorrow?” Spitfire asked.

“Well we’re gonna move up the mountain. I’m gonna take some notes, draft the report, add a few pictures and be done with the report. Then we move east. Road trip baby,” I said.

“Ooh! I’ll drive!”

“No. Not gonna happen. Not with the way you drive.”

“Why?”

“Because I would trust a rabid hippo behind the wheel than you.”

“That’s a horrible analogy.”

“Okay, here’s another one. LINDSEY LOHAN IS A BETTER DRIVER THAN YOU!”

Spitfire coughed into a cup and started laughing. Having lived with me for several months I guess she was bound to pick up a few cultural references. Never figured she paid attention to celebrities and other social media.

She placed her cup down still giggling, “Wow. He shut you down.”

“Oh shut up!” Dane fumed, “Why do you always take his side anyway? You haven’t seen my driving.”

“Hey,” Gin said, “If he can make a girl laugh he can make her do anything.”

“Really,” Dane said, “Just out of curiosity, how many girls has he slept with? None? That’s what I thought.”

“Well I don’t go around man whoring myself to everything with three holes and two jugs.”

“Well have you gotten laid yet Mr. 17 year old virgin?”

“Cause I have morals that I like to stick to,” I said.

“Well if it helps, I’d sleep with you Jett,” Spitfire said tossing me a sly grin. I turned red.

“I-uh, gah, um. Dane we’re switching tents.”

“Oh relax Jett,” Spitfire giggled like a school girl, “I’m not gonna rape you in your sleep or something.”

“Oh-I-uh, well um- you know what, fuck it I’m going to sleep. Good night.”

With that I disappeared into the tent. I changed out of my boots and stripped down to my thermals and climbed into my sleeping bag. It was only 8:00 but after what just happened I’d rather be sleeping than outside right now.

***

“Well I guess we should be getting to sleep too,” Gin said, “Getting dark out anyway.”

“Yeah,” Dane yawned, “He’ll probably wake us up early anyway. Night.”

“Yeah, Goodnight,” Spitfire said. As Dane and Gin disappeared into their tents she entered hers. Jett was sleeping soundly on the floor of the tent, curled up into a ball.

She laughed before stripping down to her undergarments and climbing into her sleeping bag. She grabbed her journal and a flash light and started to write.

Love is one of those crazy things in life. You can’t explain it, you won’t be able to explain it, and you never will. It just is. When you aren’t looking for it, it will find you. It will find you when you least expect it and in some cases when you want it least. It grabs you by the heart and tosses you into a storm of wild emotions. And the only dry land is that one person who can light up your day just by being there. That one person who can say just one word and get you to crack up. The one person who will always be there not because he has to but because he wants to. That best friend is what you fight for. That one little piece of paradise at the center of it all. While the chance of never getting there is high, the potential rewards make it all worth it.

She sighed and closed her journal and pocketed in her bag. She looked towards the object of her affection. Jett slept calmly. Occasionally the energy arteries that ran though his systems flashed a random color before calming down.

She laughed. He had done that in random intervals for a while. It was interesting. It gave him an extra piece of personality.

She calmly lay down and crawled into her sleeping bag before falling asleep.

***

I awoke. I flashed my systems on before rising in my sleeping bag. I checked my internal clock. 5:00 in the morning. Crap. Well I’m not gonna be getting back to sleep at this rate. I opened my eyes. Well it was still darker than my hair minus the reading light coming from the sleeping bag next to me. I turned.

Spitfire was immersed in a book. Her shirt was in a pile next to her and she wore a black sports bra. Her wings were extended out. But ever so slightly. Her face was a mild pink as she began to get more and more into the book. I laughed inside.

50 Shades of Grey.

I ever so quietly crept out of my sleeping bag in the darkness. I crawled slowly behind Spitfire and looked over her shoulder. And her wings.

Her face had a funny red look on it as she read. Could only imagine what the hell she was reading but considering what I’d heard about it…

Oh I could have so much fun from here… Should I?

No. I’m not gonna be that guy. Well… maybe a little.

I took my hand and lightly dragged it along the edge of her right wing. Ever so lightly. She blushed even more and a light moan escaped her. I wasn’t sure if she was just that unaware or was too immersed in her book. Well, time to suck her out of her fantasy.

I whispered in her ear, “Hey Spitty, whatcha reading?”

INSTANTLY. And when I say INSTANTLY, I mean instantly. Like there was no time between now and then. Like it just happened. It went from A to like X and skipped all the other letters of the alphabet.

INSTANTLY, she slammed the book closed with such force I could have sworn I saw the pages fuse together when they hit. She turned around with such speed she probably gave herself whiplash before scooting over to the other side of the tent.

She clutched the book to her chest with her face red with embarrassment. I died laughing. I fell back in a fit of laughter.

“So!” I laughed, “Spitfire! What were you reading over there that got you so… excited?!”

“I-uh, um, well, I uh, you see, that, well, I uh,” she managed to stutter.

“Oh my god this is priceless!” I laughed, “I think this almost makes up for all those times you’ve done shit like this to me!”

I guess she finally found her voice, “You’re a jerk! That wasn’t funny!”

“You’re right! It was hilarious! Were you getting a thrill reading that?”

She held her nose up, refusing to look at me, “Maybe I was. A girl has needs you know.”

“Never figured you were into that kind of stuff Spitfire,” I said still laughing.

“And what kind of stuff is that? It’s just a book you nosey bastard.”

“Oh I’m the nosey bastard? Forgive me for waking up and seeing you with your… erect appendages reading one of the most erotic books ever written in the 25th century. I just figured I’d have fun with it.”

“Well looking over my shoulder like that was rude.”

“Oh don’t give me that. Rude is when you humiliate me in front of my entire family. I was just having a bit of fun. You can’t say you didn’t enjoy it a little bit.”

She blushed and found something interesting to look at on the floor.

“So what exactly was happening when you slammed the book shut?”

“Oh shut up! Leave me alone. I don’t bother you when you’re having your alone time.”

“Temper temper Mon Capitan. And I don’t have an alone time. I don’t even… need to do that. I’m a robot.”

“Well I’m a girl and I do have those… urges sometimes,” she fumed.

“Oh really,” I grinned. I could so mess with her on this, “Like what?”

“Why would I tell you?”

“Cause we’ve been living together for the past six months. And I’m interested. Shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“Well… that anatomy class doesn’t exactly cover people like me.”

“Oh? And how is that?”

“Well… girls from where I come from don’t… you know. They don’t… you know what I mean. Moving on!” she blushed.

I laughed, “And just what do they do?”

“Well… once a month we get… well we get uh…”

“Get what? Girls here turn into demons once a month. And at that point not even an android will be safe from the wrath of a hormonal, angry woman.”

“Well we don’t get like that. We do get… hormonal a bit but not like that. We... we kinda turn… we kinda turn into sex fiends,” she blushed.

“Sex fiends?” I laughed. Oh if Dane heard this…

“Yeah,” Spitfire sighed placing the book down and moving closer, “It’s the only time a girl can get pregnant. Though we certainly don’t bleed like… that. We just get super horny for a while.”

“Huh,” I pondered, “So you’re kinda like us without the evil. Interesting.”

“Yeah, well it can be annoying sometimes.”

“Oh? How so? Cause I’m pretty sure that the alternative beats that.”

“Well, maybe. It isn’t exactly easy to deal with… I mean, flying is difficult. And uh, well, you can’t really, you know, do anything with anyone else unless, well, uh, you want to get pregnant- WHY THE FUCK ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS!?” she yelled with a pink flush on her face.

I fell over laughing again, “Hey! You started it!”

She turned red, “You’re a jerk sometimes.”

“Oh please. You’ve done worse to me.”

“Humph,” she crossed her arms and turned away, “You’re still a jerk.”

I sat up, “Aw, is little Spitty grumpy?”

“Nope,” she said sticking her nose up.

“I bet she is. Is Little Spitty mad the mean android bothered her reading?”

She started to crack, “Stop it.”

“Is Little Fire a grumpy angel girl? I bet she is. Can the big bad robot do anything to help?”

She started laughing and threw a pillow at me, “Ha ha ha, stop that. That’s not fair.”

“Yeah it is,” I grinned, “And what’s not fair?”

“You can make me laugh like that. And I can’t do anything like that to you.”

“Oh please,” I scoffed, “Do not give me that. You’ve had your way with me since the first day we met.”

She smiled, “Yeah I guess.”

We sat in silence for a while. It was still early in the morning so we could go back to sleep I guess.

“So… uh,” Spitfire began, “How’d you sleep?”

“How did I sleep? Uh… I don’t know. I don’t really dream at all so I couldn’t tell you.”

“You don’t dream? But I thought you did. What about that time you woke up all scared and everything?”

“That was a nightmare. Ever since I got hit by the car I haven’t had them. Or anything for that matter.”

“Well that kinda sucks.”

“Meh, I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve gotten used to a lot of things.”

Spitfire smiled, “Like?”

“You already know. We shared a bedroom for practically six months. I mean the only time you live with someone like that is in the military.”

“Really? How long is military service here?”

“Here? Well it depends. Army and Marines is only like three months before you get leave. But you’re typically in those branches for about a year before you can either reenlist or be discharged. The navy and air force is typically a lot longer considering you’re in space for a long time.”

“Well in the Wonderbolts we’re in for however long we want. I mean, we can stay from a minimum of a year until whenever we decide to leave or we’re unable to fly. How long is the navy?”

“Well the Air force is more bearable as you’re typically on an asteroid or star base for only about six months before shore leave. And again you’re out there for about a year. The navy is a lot worse though, depending on where you’re stationed. If you’re on an inner system cruiser or whatever you get leave every six months along with the commute from Saturn to Earth. But everything from the outer gas giants out is worse. You’re in a ship from Uranus all the way out to the Kuiper belt. And it can get very lonely.”

“How long are you out there for?”

“Oh… I don’t know. Anywhere from a year to 18 months. No leave at all. The commute to the belt is a long one. In fact the only ships that can make the journey are the heavy cruisers, battleships, carriers and super carriers.”

“Ouch, sounds tough.”

“Oh from what my dad has told me it is.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he’d made the trip a few times before he got his stars. Apparently when you’re stuck out there like that you either become really close to the people you’re with or you come to hate them. So if you’re not with people you already know for the most part you’ll have a bad time.”

“But that didn’t happen with us right?” Spitfire asked.

I sighed, “Spitfire, you punched me in the face the first time we met and we still became friends the same day. What the hell do you think? I mean, we’ve shared a bed I don’t know how many times.”

She blushed, “Just making sure. Plus we both know who enjoyed the bed more.”

I gave her a look. She just returned it before we exploded into a fit of giggles and laughs. Oh it felt good to laugh with her. It felt so liberating, like nothing bad could happen, so musical, so free…

“Just what exactly is that supposed to mean?” I laughed.

“Do I have to explain it?” Spitfire laughed back.

“I SWEAR TO FUCK YOU TWO BETTER START HAVING SEX OR GO BACK TO SLEEP!” Dane yelled, “HOLY FUCK! IT’S FIVE IN THE MORNING!”

A rustling followed by a smacking sound was heard, “DANE IF YOU DON’T SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LET ME SLEEP I’LL SHOVE MY BOOT SO FAR UP YOUR ASS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO TASTE WHERE I’VE WALKED!”

“Jeez, sorry bitch. Just trying to get Adam and Eve over there to sin a little.”

“Oh shut the fuck up and let them have their fun. When was the last time you had an intelligent conversation with a girl huh? Now go back to sleep you damned serpent.”

“Humph,” he said. A rustling was heard before everything went silent again.

Spitfire looked back at me before laughing again. I just smiled at her as she fell over on her bag in a fit of giggles. Oh laughter was one of the most joyous things in the world.

***

Starbase 597. Saturn. Present.

Tye looked out the window of his office. It was a nice office. It would also be his workspace while the crew for Rama II was selected. The humongous ship floated just outside his window. From this distance it looked smaller than it really was.

His com on his desk beeped. He absentmindedly pressed the icon on his desk. A screen popped up.

“Captain Tye Sir.”

Archer turned, “Yes Lieutenant?”

“We’re receiving a priority one transmission.”

“From where?”

“Earth. They specifically ask for you and you only sir.”

“Alright, send it in.”

“Yes sir.”

The lieutenant disappeared and was replaced by static before the image began to refocus. A man appeared.

“Admiral, Sir.”

“Hello Archer. It’s been a while. I have a mission for you and you are to follow it to the letter.”

***

Fyre Ghost moved into the crowded Aerodome. He was an interesting fellow. Media commentator, critic, and personality he was reasonably known among the masses.

The crowd was small compared to what the Areodome. The seats were not occupied rather a floor had been put in and rested before the stage. Various press people and journalists walked around the floor or flew up above. Waiting. Waiting for something to be said.

He walked towards his seat in the front row as he took in his surroundings. He didn’t really see a lightning headed girl with blueberry colored hair walking in his direction.

The girl looked like he had been struck by lightning a few too many times. That along with the fact she looked like she belonged in a strait jacket rather than a flight jacket. She purposely bumped Fyre nearly knocking him to the ground.

“Watch where you’re going Casper!” Blueball Blitz shouted.

Fyre growled, “What the hell’s your problem?!”

“That Fyre Ghost hasn’t learned when to get out of the way and respect his superiors!” Blitz laughed before violently twitching. Fyre raised an eyebrow.

A pink haired girl with dark pink highlights walked over. She had a windblown look in her hair and wore a similar dark blue flight jacket with a skull and crossbones patch. Starry Skies

“Is this guy bothering you Blitz?” she asked. Now it was Fyre’s turn to twitch. She had a voice like one of the snobby popular girls from his school with the ‘holier than thou’ attitude.

“Yup!”

“Well it looks like someone’s jealous that he can’t fly as fast as Blitz over here.”

“Keep your bitch on a leash lady,” he snarled.

“Excuse me?!” Skies yelled.

“Is there a problem here?” A guard asked flying over. He wore a typical guard dress uniform. And he was built. Tall and muscular his name fit him like a glove. Iron Sides was his name, Lieutenant in the royal guard.

Skies turned, “No sir.”

“Good, because if you two keep causing trouble I’ll have you both removed. UNDERSTOOD?”

“Yes SIR,” she growled.

“Good. Now go to your seats.”

“Humph, Come on Blitz. This place is dead anyway.” With that they sauntered off. Fyre still wanted to strangle them both but he’d wait for later.

“They weren’t too much of a bother were they Mister…?”

“Fyre Ghost. Fyre is fine though,” he responded holding out his hand.

“Iron Sides,” he grasped his hand and shook, “So… rough few weeks huh?”

“Uh, tell me about it.”

“Yeah, my friend High Winds was a big fan of the Wonderbolts. Actually, he’s over there right now,” he pointed at a guard standing near the edge of one the stage, “Shame, he had a VIP pass to that show the night she disappeared.”

“I just hope they announce some sort of good news today.”

“You and me both. Well, I better get back. Cap doesn’t like it when we socialize.”

“Well it was good meeting you Iron.”

“You too Mr. Ghost.”

Fyre continued on to his seat in the front row and sat down next to his friend Combine.

“Who was that?” he asked.

“Oh just one of the guards. Really nice fella.”

“Ah. Saw what happened with you and Blitz. What a kook.”

“Hell yeah. Don’t even get me started on Skies.”

“Yeah.”

A loudspeaker crackled, “Alright everyone we’ll be starting soon so take your seats.”

“Hope we get some good news,” Combine sighed.

“Me too.”

***

“Is it over?” Spitfire asked.

“Yeah,” I said standing back up. We had finished our project. By ‘we’ I mean ‘me’ considering Dane did nothing. Now we were in the city, bags on our backs, walking towards one of the outdoor cafés. Only before we got there an earthquake hit and we all hit the deck.

“That was cool!” Dane said.

“Yeah, only it’s not so good when pieces of building fall on you.”

“Oh come on. That only happens when you get something like a magnitude 8. And even then it’s not so bad.”

“Yeah well still. You don’t play around with earthquakes.”

We all stood up. Everyone else on the sidewalks had done the same as us and was now rising back up too before continuing on. Guess earthquakes here were normal.

“Does this place get them often?” Spitfire asked.

“Well they’ve been occurring here in frequency for the past 300 years so yeah I’d say so.”

Dane’s stomach rumbled. We all turned.

“What? I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

“Dude, I fucking cooked breakfast, and you ate nearly half the food. How are you still hungry?” I asked.

“Okay, I didn’t eat half of it. Maybe a third. And Spitfire helped.”

Spits gave a sheepish grin before shrugging.

“Plus you hardly ate at all,” Dane finished.

“I can live off of water. Plus there was more for the three of you.”

“Well you better get some lunch today before we force feed you,” Gin said.

“Alright alright, I’ll get something. Geez you sound like my mother.”

“I hope not,” Gin said, “I’ve met the bitch and let me tell you… I understand why you don’t talk to her.”

“Okay not my mother. How about Dane’s mother?”

Dane cringed, “Eeeyeah… no. As much as she is an insufferable cunt she does not do that.”

“Fine, poor analogy.”

“Well my mother used to make my sister and I eat our vegetables like that,” Spitfire said.

“Well there you go.”

We started walking again towards the interior of the city. The town itself was interesting. Most of the buildings with the exception of the orbital elevator had been built all at the same time. Even the large sports stadium had been built with the rest of it. And this city had an interesting story behind it. During the war there had been an occupation and a lot of the civilians had found and interesting way out of the city.

But that’s for another day. We continued on through the large urban sprawl. We came to a small café and bar.

“Wanna eat here?” Dane asked.

“Meh, makes no difference to me,” I yawned.

We walked into the café and picked a small four person table. Various other people occupied the dimly lit, rustic themed restaurant. The bar was mildly occupied with a TV sitting above the back counter.

We all sat down and ordered our food.

“So when are we going skydiving?” Spitfire asked.

“Probably after lunch,” I said, “You two coming?” I turned to Gin and Dane.

“Nah,” Gin said, “Sorry but heights are not for me.”

“I don’t have my gear,” Dane shrugged.

“Ah, guess it’s just you and me Spitfire.”

She gave a sly grin and winked, “Just the way I like it.”

I rolled my eyes, “You are such a flirt!”

“Maybe…”

“Blah! Get a room you two!” Dane gagged.

“Screw you asshole.”

Our drinks arrived.

Dane looked up from his soda, “Uh oh, here come’s trouble.”

“What?” Spitfire asked.

He motioned for us to turn around. Fuck. It was a group of football players wearing the school’s varsity jackets. Funny, they probably didn’t get them until Ryan’s goons got pasted and Ryan himself sent to god knows where. They were still pissed.

“Don’t look at them and maybe they’ll go away,” I said.

“Those the guys the ones who tried beating on you?” Gin asked.

“Not sure, some of them looked familiar but…”

And sure enough they didn’t go away.

“Hey robofreak. Fancy seeing you here,” one of them said. I think I recognized him. His name was Chase.

I sighed. This was not gonna end well.

***

Andrew was panicking. Very much so. Computer simulations were one thing but seeing them be right on the dot down to the millisecond was just plain disturbing. The reports were accurate. Nearly perfect. Magnitude, time, location, everything. And it was just plain creepy.

“Dear Jesus please let me be wrong just this once.”

He looked out the window at the park. The ground was growing more distended by the minute. He looked back at his monitor and watched the time tick down.

“Please just let me be wrong.”

***

“I swear to fucking god, if I hear one more robot joke I’m going to kill someone.”

After taking some spitballs to the head and having some crap thrown at me I had decided to leave. Only I had done so with some commotion. After contemplating throwing a knife at them, and them throwing a few food items at me, I had yelled some words at them I didn’t even know were in my vocabulary before quickly restraining myself and leaving. And that brings us up to about here.

“Okay Jett, calm down. Get a hold of yourself before you blow a fuse. Heh, that would be funny.”

“Okay Spitfire! Okay! Let’s just calm down now!” Dane yelled as he and Gin pulled the very angry girl from the restaurant. Judging by how much steam and smoke were coming from her head she was PISSED.

“PIGS! WHY DON’T YOU TRY THAT AGAIN SO I CAN RIP YOUR HANDS OFF?!” she yelled.

I looked up and sighed, “What did they do now? Please tell me it wasn’t that bad because I really do not want to go back in there and kill someone.”

“No nothing, one of them thought it would be a good idea to smack Spitfire’s butt is all,” Gin said, “And then she stabbed him in the hand with a fork but… meh that’s life- Jett you put that energy weapon away this instant.”

I gave a sheepish look, she already saw the weapon emerging from its housing, “Sorry, old habits die hard.”

“Beating up football players is a habit?” Dane asked letting go of Spitfire once he was confident she wouldn’t go back in there and gouge a few eyes out.

“No, protecting her ass is,” I laughed.

Spitfire’s anger cracked and she started laughing. Dane just shook his head and laughed.

“How many times have you had to do that?” Spitfire laughed.

“I don’t even know anymore.”

“So what’re we gonna do now tha-”

A rumbling came over the city. The ground started shaking. Again. Strange, this was the third earthquake today. We all knew the drill by now and hit the ground. This quake was longer and harder than the others. It went on and on. The ground continued its unceasing rumble. Across the street several windows shattered. I risked a glance up to see several high rise windows break and pieces of glass fall to the ground. Screams were heard.

“Cover your heads!”

The pieces rained down and littered the ground. Then it stopped. Just like it began it just stopped. We stayed plastered to the ground for a few seconds before getting up.

“Is it over?”

***

“No.”

Andrew ran across the remnants of his lab. Equipment and debris littered the floor. Several windows were shattered. But that wasn’t the biggest problem. Outside the remains of the lab was utter chaos. The ground in the park was distended and bloated. The ground was a literal mess. Geysers of magma poked their way through the surface like the devil’s fingers trying to reach the surface. An explosion of magma would sometimes go off and toss a cloud of ash and gas into the air. The forest was burning. It seemed that the world was coming to an end. But Andrew knew better. This was only the opening act to the violent hell that would be unleashed soon.

He continued to record as much data about the eruption as he could and uploaded it to the web where it would be safe. Safe for future generations to maybe see it and know what to look for. To prepare. He sighed and continued to watch the world tear itself apart.

For him there would be no escape. He would die here. But that didn’t mean he could do a few more things before he went.

He burst out laughing as he watched the ground become more and more enraged as the sky turned black.

“To think today was my day off.”

He picked up his cup of coffee and returned to the shattered observation window. The ground continued to raise, more and more magma escaping and pooling in the base of the caldera. He gave a smile as he watched.

Then, the mass reached the point of no return and exploded in a massive blast of light, earth, molten rock and ash.

And with that, Andrew Daniels was gone.

***

“Is everyone okay?” I asked.

“I’m fine,” Gin said hefting her bag.

“Me too,” Dane said.

“I’m alright,” Spitfire said.

All around us was pieces of debris. Mostly shattered glass but there were a few pieces of rock and metal around us. Everyone was outside looking around at the mess that littered the street. I got a laugh when the football players exited with plaster covering their heads.

“That was one bad quake,” Dane said.

“I’m just glad we all survived in one piece.”

“Yeah. What the hell was that?” Gin asked.

“Besides and earthquake?” Dane said.

“I know what it was you asshole. What I mean is what the hell was that? Mid-continent earthquakes are rare and that’s our third in a day so far. And aftershocks only go so far.”

“Yeah these quakes do seem a bit out of place,” I said, “I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”

“Really? Cause we just had our 3rd earthquake of the day and it’s barely past lunch.”

“Yeah, well the Yellowstone area has been known to have them due to th-”

In the distance beyond the edges of the city was a massive flash of light. A second sun appeared on the horizon overtaking earth’s natural star in the sky. Soon it dimmed to reveal an unimaginably massive cloud of grey. Pieces of flaming earth were falling back to earth as a massive boom reached us. The noise was deafening as it ripped through the city, breaking any remaining windows. The shockwave echoed throughout the city even knocking some people to their feet.

Everyone was staring towards Yellowstone, unable to move. Then the cloud started to expand and spread across the horizon and rise into the sky. Fire burned along the edges of it. Even from our view in the city we could see it was starting to move closer.

Someone screamed. A woman I think. I couldn’t really tell as everything fell apart.

“RUN!” I yelled.

And then it all began to descend into chaos.

Chapter 31. Of Gods and Angels.

Admiral Halsey stepped onto the bridge, “Report.”

Hawk looked up from his command chair, “Sensors detected a massive thermal energy burst from the Yellowstone area. And judging by the loss of visuals from the area we can assume an eruption took place. There’s an ash cloud covering Wyoming and the surrounding states.”

“Have any transmissions left the area?”

“We haven’t received anything yet. Not surprising considering the ash covering the area.”

“Sir,” a lieutenant said, “We’re getting something.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Everyone on the bridge fell silent as the transmission came through.

“Mayday mayday! This is Captain Jackson of the UEG Millennium. We’re caught in the ash cloud. Excessive damage, we’re losing power-”

It cut to static.

“All units, fall back to the space port-”

“We’ve still got people in here!”

“We’re gonna hit the ground hard everyone, brace for impact!”

“My god, the sun is gone.”

“We’re not gonna make it are we?”

“Sir it appear that it’s multiple transmissions all layered together,” The lieutenant said spinning in his chair, “What are your orders, sir?”

Even Hawk turned to face the Admiral.

George sighed before putting on a stolid face void of emotion.

“Anything that has a pair of thrusters and can fly in that ash cloud, get it down there now. Tell all ships to prepare for incoming wounded. I want the home fleet to scatter to anywhere that’s not covered in ash and begin evacuations. Any frigate or destroyer that can fly safely in the atmosphere will do so and evacuate the planet. I want all departments ready in 5 minutes.”

“Yes Sir!” the crew shouted and got to work.

The admiral stood up and walked off the bridge to his ready room.

***

Blackness. The sun was gone. Everything outside was a horrible grey mess. Charcoal snow fell from the sky and blanketed the ground. The air outside any building was unbreathable. Fortunately for us we were somewhere relatively safe. The several hundred year old sports stadium in the city. We were holed up on the field with a bunch of other civilians or refugees now.

We all looked like hell to some degree. After making a hard sprint down the street with a bunch of other panicking people. We managed to stay together but we couldn’t make it out of the city in time. The shipyard was still several miles out and we couldn’t trek it in the ash. We made it inside the stadium just as the cloud over took us. Panic hadn’t quite settled in for us yet. Though for many others the situation looked grim and many had broken down. The run to the stadium was no walk in the park. Panicked people screaming and running for their lives as a black death chased them did not make it easy. At one point Spitfire had gotten separated from us and only after I panicked did I realize she was only a few feet away.

Now we were just sitting around our bags, covered in ash in the middle of a football field.

“Jesus Christ,” Dane sighed, “It really blew. It really exploded.”

“And now we’re buried under a meter of ash,” I said. It did not look good for us. Sure me and Dane could be fine if we just didn’t open our mouths or breathe when we walked outside but Gin and Spitfire were different stories. They needed air to breath.

“We can’t stay here,” Gin said, “We have to find some way out of here.”

“Where would we go?” Dane asked, “In case anyone hasn’t noticed, it’s the fucking apocalypse outside! And forget about rescue. You think they can fly in this crap?”

“Well what’re we gonna do then? This place only has so much food and water and when it runs out we all die.”

“Why wouldn’t they come for us?” Spitfire asked.

“We’re in the middle of the disaster area. I’d make a bet that they’re focusing on getting everyone who already isn’t buried to safety before the cloud reaches them,” I said.

“We need to leave here. If we all stay here we die,” Gin said.

We all drew a collective sigh. There were at least a thousand people in here. Well below the stadium’s capacity but considering what happened I’d say that the ones who were in here with us were as lucky as we were.

But then I remembered something.

“Tunnels!” I said.

“What?” Dane responded.

“Tunnels! We can use them to get out of here!”

“What the hell are you talking about? There aren’t any tunnels here.”

“Were you even paying attention in history class you stupid? Did you listen to anything the teacher said about WWIII?”

“I must have missed that one but enlighten me,” he said sarcastically.

“Okay, so basically it was during the occupation. This city was still being built for the most part when it was taken. The citizens were being held hostage while the front and safety was only a few miles outside the city. Fortunately for them they had some digging equipment lying around for subway construction so they used it and tunneled their way to the shipyard where they escaped in the middle of the night. There’s a whole series of tunnels running underneath this city.”

“Okay, but that doesn’t help us if an entrance is in some other part where we can’t get to,” Gin said.

“Well lucky for us I remember everything. There are several locations throughout the city and luckily for us, I think we’re sitting on one.”

“You think?” Spitfire asked, “What if we’re not?”

“Well I can check. Dane, you remember how to access the web from your net?” I asked.

“Wait we can do that?”

“Uh yeah? We’re fucking computers. I thought you of all people would have figured that out.”

“Why would I have figured that out?”

“Well I always figured you’d do it to watch porn in class or something but whatever…”

“Hey!”

“He does have a point Dane,” Gin laughed.

“Alright everyone shut up and let me concentrate,” I put my hands to my head.

I concentrated.

“Found it.”

“So where are we going?” Gin asked.

“The shipyard,” I said, “There are some old tunnels that connect to the service areas in this stadium. They’re old subway tunnels that branch off from the modern day ones. But these one’s lead to the ship yard and hopefully a way out of here.”

“Shouldn’t we warn the others?” Spitfire asked, “So maybe they have a chance along with us?”

“I guess,” I said, “Who wants to make an announcement?”

“Not me,” Dane said rubbing some ash from his head.

“Me neither,” I added, “Gin is the oldest one here so she should do it.”

“Alright,” she sighed standing up, “Hey everyone!”

Those who weren’t crying their eyes out, praying to whatever god they believed in, or repenting their sins, turned to us.

“We found a way out of here! We can get you all to the shipyard if you all just come with us!”

Chase stood up, his varsity jacket covered in ash, “And what then?! Huh? What is your robot friend gonna save us or something?!”

“We’re gonna find a ship and get the hell outta here!” Dane yelled, “And in case you don’t remember, Chase, Jett is the best pilot at our school so maybe he will!”

“Well what if nothing can fly?” Someone else said, “What then?”

I stood up, “We flew over the shipyard a few days ago, a lot of ships there are closed systems so we should be able to fly.”

“I vote we stay!” A woman said, “We have food here, shelter, and breathable air!”

“Aye!”

“Amen!”

“Well what happens when that runs out?!” Spitfire yelled, “What then? The food will run out if you don’t use up all your air first!”

“And what about the ceiling?” Dane asked, “What happens when your shelter can no longer support the weight of several tons of ash building up on top?”

“We’re still safer here than wherever you’re going!” Chase yelled, “If you guys want to kill yourselves then that’s fine with us! Just leave us out of it!”

“Yeah!”

Gin hefted her bag, “Well we tried. We can’t make them leave if they don’t want to.”

“I guess,” Spitfire sighed, “Which way are we going Jett?” She shouldered her bag.

“This way,” I said, “Follow me.”

We stood up and ran off the field.

***

Hawk walked into the Admiral’s ready room and saluted. Halsey wasn’t looking good. He had his head buried in his hands as he stared at his desk.

“Sir?” Hawk asked worried.

The Admiral looked up. His eyes were red, probably from crying.

“Sir, are you alright?”

He tapped his desk and an image popped up. It was four people sitting on a log, laughing, smiling, having a good time. One person had orange, flame like hair. Another had white slicked back hair. An older looking girl had sandy brown hair. The last had black.

“Dane sent me this two days ago,” he said, “They were supposed to be camping out in the park earlier today.”

Hawk caught on, “Sir I’m sure he’s alright. He’s smarter and more resourceful than all of us combined.”

“What if he’s not?!” The Admiral stood up with such force that Hawk reeled back, “He’s in the middle of that and I can’t do a DAMN THING!”

He sighed and fell back into his chair.

“Sir, it was you who designed him, you who gave him all the skills and abilities he has. He can adapt better than any of us. He has his friends with him. And if I recall correctly he has girl who loves him at his side. He has all the motivation and ability to survive. He’ll be fine.”

“I can’t help but worry about him! Scientists have been warning about this for hundreds of years now. And we just did nothing to prepare!”

“And even without that you’ve still done so much.”

“How many did we save so far?”

“So far? With every ship in the system evacuating the planet we’ve gotten all the major cities evacuated and we’re now getting the small towns out. Even the centers inside the cloud are getting evacuated. We’ve gotten nearly 100 million off the planet and onto ships that are self-sustaining. Food and shelter won’t be a problem for them. Even in this situation that’s still a lot of people. Better than what the AJAX predicted.”

“100 million? Out of six billion?!”

“Sir if you didn’t order that evacuation none of them would have gotten out!”

George sighed, “What’s the status of the fleet?”

“All ships are functioning perfectly. Everything is going fine. We have the frigates and destroyers getting all the major population centers with the smaller transports getting the smaller towns. Everything is going fine.”

“Okay. What’s the status of the cloud?”

“It’s reached western edge has reached California and it’s still moving.”

“Okay, what about th-”

Suddenly the lights dimmed and a red light flashed across the room. An electronic voice echoed through the ship.

“All hands, report to battle stations. Set condition 1 throughout the ship. This is not a drill. All departments are to be ready in five minutes. All hands report to battle stations…”

The door burst open and a lieutenant commander rushed in, “SIR! We have a situation!”

“Commander what the hell is going on?!” Hawk yelled, “Why is my ship on alert without my authorization?!”

“Sir you need to see this!”

George sighed and stood up and followed Hawk onto the bridge. Everything was in the hustle and bustle of a ship on alert. The bridge lights were dimmed and a red glow permeated the command sphere.

“Long range sensors detected this five minutes ago,” the Lieutenant commander said. He sounded worried.

Hawk and Halsey sat down in their command chairs just as an image flew up on holotank. Just beyond the moon, towards the sun the view focused. It showed a view of Venus and a series of flashes.

The view focused even more. A fleet of ships was accelerating away from the planet at nearly five G’s. The fleet was huge. Frigates, Destroyers, Cruises, Battleships, Carriers, Dreadnoughts, and a number of support vessels. Everything down to the smallest cargo ship was armed to the teeth. Heavy gun batteries, Ship to ship missile pods, Heavy rail guns, gauss cannons, and point defense cannons. An entire battle group. All headed to Earth.

George stared at the image. There were hundreds of ships. More than what Earth and Mars had. If the Mars fleet along with all the outer belt ships could FTL to Earth they might have a chance. But not with this amount of ships. Not against these odds.

“What’s the status of the evacuation?”

“We’re still getting the small population centers evacuated. Even with Civilian ships we’re not going to be done for a few days!”

“We don’t have a few days! Get me the fleet!”

The communications officer tapped a few icons on her console, “You’re on Admiral.”

“This is Admiral Halsey. I am declaring an international security emergency, Authorization code Victor, Victor, 7, 4, 6, 4, PI, Alpha, 3, 5, Beta, Charlie. All fleets, I am declaring Operation Dominion to be in effect. All fleets will operate under Dominion protocols until further notice. I want a report from all fleets in ten minutes. Halsey out.”

George continued to stare death onto the live shot of the fleet.

“They used Atomics to accelerate. They’ll have to slow down at some point so that gives us some advantage,” Hawk said.

“Of all the times, they pick now. Smart of them. We’re already on our knees and they didn’t have to do a thing. COMS!”

“Yes sir?”

“Get me the civilian fleet. Put it on a secure channel in my ready room.”

“Yes sir.”

George stood up and walked off the bridge. He entered his office and sat down at his desk.

“The fleet’s responded sir they’re standing by.”

“Thank you Lieutenant.” He tapped a button on the desk.

“All ships, this is Fleet Admiral Halsey. If you wish to survive the next few hours you are to do exactly what I say.”

***

One hour Later. Starbase 597. Saturn.

“Admiral, Sir.”

“Hello Archer. It’s been a while. I have a mission for you and you are to follow it to the letter.”

Tye shifted in his seat, “I’m listening.”

“In several days you will be receiving a fleet of ships containing approximately 50 million people. All that is left of Earth’s population.”

“Sir?”

“You are to populate Rama I and II with them. Split them up proportionally between the two. You are to then take you fleet of ships and get the hell out of this system and do not look back. Do you have any questions?”

“Sir? What is happening? Is this some kind of joke?”

“I wish it was. Suffice it to say if you don't, you and your population will be taken. And most likely not alive. Venus has mobilized everything it’s got and it is a lot. We’ll hold them off for as long as we can. Halsey out.”

Tye sat at his desk looking at the screen. A series of characters when on the screen. Slowly he deciphered them.

OPERATION DOMINION IS IN EFFECT. GRAB YOUR GUN AND GET OUT OF THE BARN.

Code. The worst case scenario. Tye stood up from his desk and calmly walked out of his office, down the winding hallways of the station and into the hanger. He climbed into an awaiting shuttle and flew out of the hanger towards the awaiting ark.

***

Hawkinsville. Space X Tower.

Just outside the window and safety of the tower was a street. Across the street was a parking lot. Inside the center of the parking lot was a stadium. Atop the stadium were several meters of ash. It would not hold for long.

Tyler watched the world end around him. He’d been holed up in the tower just like everyone else in his building. They stayed inside, safe from the ash.

Suddenly the stadium roof began to buckle. An ungodly moan came from structure as the centuries old beams began to bend.

Then suddenly the roof bent beyond the point of no return and collapsed onto the field. A faint group of screams echoed from the stadium as the large metal panels fell to the ground. The noise was to faint to be heard.

“Damn. Hope no one was in there.”

***

Several Hours Later.

“These tunnels fucking smells,” Dane said. We were walking through the old subway tunnels that led to the shipyard and continued past. But considering the tunnels hadn’t been used in 100 years it was natural I guess. Still smelled like a freaking herd of giant rats were living in here.

Still, it beat staying up in the stadium and possibly dying up there. I shinned the flashlight ahead of us. This tunnel just happened to be flooded. The ancient tracks lay beneath a foot of water. Some of the metal was rusted, probably from repeated flooding of the tunnel. We were walking along the concrete edges of the track.

“Dane it’s a fucking subway that hasn’t been used in a century. Would you rather breathe the toxic air upstairs?” I asked.

“Almost at this rate. How the hell are you even dealing with it?”

“I’m not breathing.”

“Oh.”

“At least you two can stop breathing,” Spitfire said, “We have to suffer through this stench. Smells like the fucking locker room after practice.”

“Well if you don’t suffer through it you die from suffocation up there. I know it doesn’t smell great down here but just hold on. We’re almost at the shipyard.”

We continued walking. The tunnel emerged into an open area of concrete and metal. Various large concrete pillars held up ships of all kinds. In between the berths were large buildings. Each one was connected via monorail system that ran from building to building and even into some of the ships. There were various small transport craft below the larger vessels on landing pads but none of them were functional in this type of atmosphere.

“So what ship are we taking?” Gin asked.

“No fucking clue,” Dane said looking from ship to ship, “Jett? You’re the pilot here.”

“Most of these are civilian ships. So I have no clue. I’ve never done Civilian before.”

“What about military? Isn’t that destroyer still somewhere in here? If its crew hasn’t taken off with it already.” Spitfire asked.

“I guess I could. I mean piloting a plane and a starship are two different things but I guess I can do my best.”

“Alright, let’s go then.”

“Here,” I said crouching down, “Spitfire, take you helmet out of your bag and hook up the oxygen to it and put it on. Gin you can take mine.”

I opened up my duffel and handed her the helmet and oxygen tank.

“Now you two can breathe.”

Spitfire pulled her helmet on and sealed it, “Alright. Let’s get out of this apocalypse now place.”

We got walking.

***

“Get me a firing solution on those cruisers now!” The XO shouted, running across the bridge, dodging damaged power conduits and debris.

Hawk shouted at a screen in his hand, “Lieutenant! Switch to salvo rounds and fire on those ships!”

George turned to the holotank, “Admiral Clark! Move your fleet to sector 957. Rendezvous with Commodore Jackson’s battle group!”

“Sir we have incoming fighters!”

The XO turned, “Get defensive batteries firing in defense pattern delta 1!”

The fight was not going well. The Venusian fleet outnumbered them 5 to 1. And that included the Admiral’s battle group plus the home fleet.

“Sir! We have an IPA cruiser bearing 156 degree 65! They’re on a collision course!”

Hawk turned, “Fire at that ship!”

The Eternity’s gun batteries all focused their fire on the incoming vessel. The ship itself turned to face the threat as the battle raged around them.

“It’s not enough,” Halsey said. He looked at the piece of paper in his pocket. On it were the names off all the Fleet Admirals before him. One stuck out. Fleet Admiral Bull Halsey. Ironic. One more Fleet Admiral Halsey could be added to the list after this.

He looked up, “Fire everything!”

The weapon’s coordinator looked up, “Sir?”

“Gun batteries, missiles, secondary batteries, the fuckin kitchen sink! If it can kill someone it better be out the fuckin airlock and flying at that ship!”

“Yes sir!”

The computer spoke up, “Impact Warning. Target location, 20 degrees port, 60 degrees North. Time to Impact: 1 minute 34 seconds.”

The Eternity had turned to face the incoming ship.

“Impact Warning. 12 O’clock, Elevation 0 degrees. Impact in 1 minute 20 seconds.”

“Sir, the Rail gun has a firing solution on that cruiser.”

“Fire.”

***

Devastation. This was all that there was here. We had climbed down to the docks. The place was a mess. Ash covered everything. There were some fires burning from blown power conduits or a ship that never quite made it off the ground.

We walked in silence towards the ship and hopefully our way out of here. Occasionally I saw a lump on the ground but I kept it to myself. Dead bodies were one thing Spitfire did not need to see or hear about. Unless she already saw it…

I wondered how far the ash cloud had spread. How many people had gotten off planet? Inside I was silently panicking. The others, I don’t think they fully realized what was happening. Spitfire definitely not. This cloud would block off sunlight to the earth for years. There was no way we could tell what time of day it was. Not in this darkness.

Spitfire herself remained calm. Gin said nothing. She probably was in shock. I couldn’t really blame her. Born and raised in space she never had to worry about the ground exploding out from underneath her. She dealt with different problems on a daily basis. Having enough air when her parents lived on the mining colonies in the belt, ect. Here it was whether the building you were in would collapse.

I had to admit that I was terribly worried about Spitfire; more than the rest of us anyway. We’d all grown up in hostile environments for the most part. We’d grown up in this cyberpunk world. Spitfire, from what I understand, fell out of a steampunk/21st century earth type place. Nothing like this ever happened there. But then again she did have dragons and other things to deal with, but nothing on the magnitude of a planet killer.

We finally reached out destination. A rectangular building sat to the right of us. Just beyond that were two large concrete blocks that rose into sky supporting a large iron grey ship. Either it was the ash that covered it or a new coat of paint. There were magnetic tracks that ran around it. Probably some kind of scaffolding thing. One of the tracks ran cargo in and out of the ship.

The ship itself was a long shape. Three engine pods rose from the stern in a triangular pattern. The rest of the ship extended forward. The bow split into two sections, one on top and one below. Two rail guns ran along them. The middle was taken up with the majority of the ship’s weapons and hangers. The entire thing rested on the dry dock.

We ran towards the building. We ripped the door opened and climbed inside, sealing the door behind us.

“Jesus Christ,” Dane coughed.

Spitfire pulled her skydiving helmet off and started coughing. She collapsed to the floor and started retching.

“There were… there were… I… I sa-” she started, tears coming from her eyes.

I ran up to her, “Spitfire look at me.” Her pupils were dilated.

She held her head in her hands and shook her head. Dane was helping Gin pull my helmet off of her and started giving her oxygen.

She removed her hands, “I…I… there were people! They were- they-”

I cupped her head in my hands, “Spitfire look at me!”

She stopped and stared up at me.

“There was nothing we could do. They were already gone.”

“They-they were dead-”

“Captain!”

She stopped, coming out of her shell shocked state. Her eyes shrunk back to normal size.

“Calm down. There was nothing we could do. Right now we have to focus on surviving.”

“What if- what if we end up like them?”

“We won’t. I promise you I will do everything I can to keep you safe. You will be fine.”

She wiped her eyes, “I… I… alright.”

She placed her helmet back in her bag before standing up. I took a chance to get a look at our surroundings. We were in a lobby type room. I ran up to a computer and looked at the screens. So far the building we were in was large cargo facility. Various crates full of everything from guns to food were on the large warehouses on each floor. There were docking monorails that ferried the stuff between the two. On one of those wagons was our way onto the ship. There were other things too…

I got out from behind the desk and walked up over to Dane. Spitfire caught me halfway there.

“Don’t worry,” I said, “We’re alright. I just have to ask Dane something. I’ll only be a few feet away.”

She nodded and squeezed my hand before letting me go. Gin walked up to her and kept her company.

I ran up to Dane, “We have a problem.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“We have a way onto the ship but there are red lines running through this whole building.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning we’re in a building built over 100 years ago with substandard building techniques that is loaded with cargo and has several tons of extra weight atop the roof. Half of the supports are cracked and part of the roof has already collapsed.”

“Oh.”

“There’s only one working monorail onto the ship and it’s on the top floor. The destroyer itself is in good condition but this building can go at any time.”

“Are any of the engines damaged? Can we fly her out of here?”

“Yes everything is fine. Turns out the heat shield was just upgraded so all the vents were sealed. Everything is closed we just have to disengage all docking connections and launch this bird. The problem is getting there.”

“Are you sure you can fly her out of here?”

“In all honesty I have no fucking clue. In these conditions anything is possible but I’d say I can do my best.”

“Alright. If you need any help just holler.”

We walked back over to Gin and Spits.

“Alright, we’re good,” I said, “The ship is fine and we have a way to get onboard.”

“Alright Jett,” Gin said, “Lead the way.”

I walked up to Spitfire, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah I’m fine,” she said.

“Okay, stay close to me and… don’t touch anything. Just keep your eyes on my head and do not look at anything else.”

“Okay.”

She grabbed my hand. I let her. She needed comfort.

“Okay, let’s go.”

We walked out of the lobby towards the stair wells.

***

The red light flashed through the bridge. Hawk looked at the holotank in the center of the room. All was silent on the bridge.

“Is the civilian fleet away?”

“Yes sir,” a lieutenant said, “Antimatter accelerations were detected in orbit around Luna ten minutes ago. The fleet is shooting towards Saturn as we speak.”

“Good.”

Halsey came out from around the holotank, “Are the mines in place?”

“Yes Admiral,” Hawk said, “All stations, docks, databases and anything that can’t follow us to Mars has a bomb on it. Waiting on your word.”

“Alright.”

Hawk walked up to him, “Are you sure about this George? You’d be destroying your life’s work. Everything you’ve done.”

“Yes I’m sure. And as long as the subjects survive, everything will be fine. They cannot have that data.”

“Alright.”

“Send to all AI monitoring facilities. Pack up your house; the storm is coming. ”

“Aye aye sir.”

“In 5 minutes detonate everything. We leave Earth in 10.”

“Yes sir.”

“Begin countdown.”

***

Tim! Pack it up! Command wants us out of here in three minutes!

Yeah! Just give me a second here Jack! I’m just grabbing everything I can.

You have all the hard copies?!

All in my bag. EMPs on everything else!

Alright. One last order from command. Deactivate the signal and give full control to the subjects.

Full control? Jack are you sure? This will give them everything.

Tim, Earth is going to hell. There are only two subjects unaccounted for. And if they’re discovered by the IPA we’ll lose everything. They’ll have all the skills they’ll need to survive. Do it!

Alright, just one more thing and… Deactivated.

Alright. Shuttle’s waiting in the hanger. Let’s get the hell out of here.

Yes sir. What ship are we heading to?

The UEG Midnight Eternity…

***

Jett opened the door to the Stair well. He stepped into the top floor of the warehouse. Suddenly he fell to the floor and clutched his head. Behind him Dane did the same.

“What’s wrong? What’s happening?” Spitfire asked.

“Dane? You alright?” Gin asked.

Suddenly Jett shot up, “Yeah. We’re fine. I… I think they shut off the signal.”

“Is that why I feel like a god?”

“Dane you’ll have time to test out everything later. Now we have to get off this planet.”

“Aw sick! So this is what you were talking about when you said we could access the internet from our heads.”

“Dane I’m gonna need your help to fly this ship out of here so if you can download a flight simulator that’d be great.”

“Sorry, military database doesn’t have that.”

Gin frowned, “Are you fucking serious? Are you really on the internet right now?”

“Can you speak a bit faster?” Dane asked.

“Dane she’s human not an android. She’s not performing trillions of calculations per second.”

“Oh, sorry. Just getting used to everything is all? How long have we been standing here?”

“Less than a minute.”

“Hmm, seemed like longer.”

They walked into the room. This floor was empty. Everything looked to be cleared out and already loaded onto the ship. We walked across the dark empty floor. On the far side of the room was the collapsed part of the roof. A creaking could be heard.

“Guy’s be careful. The roof here isn’t stable so just be cautious.”

“Got ya big daddy,” Dane said.

Spitfire gripped his hand again as they walked. The neared some tracks where the cargo train ran. An open door was at the far end of the hanger, slightly collapsed.

We neared the train. There was one last large cargo container on it. Rations. The train itself had a small driver’s car in the front. Only enough room for two people. The train rested on a support structure just outside the building.

“Looks like they weren’t quite done when the cloud hit,” Dane said.

“Actually this facility is automated for the most part so there was probably no one here at the time,” Jett said.

“Then why the driver car?” Spitfire asked.

“Manuel control. In case of emergencies.”

“So who’s first?” Gin asked.

“I got the codes for operating this things in the lobby so I’ll enter them in and you and Dane go. Spitfire and I will go on the second one.”

“Alright,” Dane said. I walked up the car and opened the door. A blank console screen was there along with one seat.

“Alright, let’s just see here. ACTIVATE. CODE ALPHA ONE TWO, PIE DELTA FIVE.”

The car powered on, “Welcome.”

Dane and Gin climbed in.

“PREPARE FOR DEPARTURE. CODE FIVE DELTA SIX. SPEED FACTOR 3.”

“Affirmative. Please enter final command.”

Dane closed the door and opened the window, “Alright. So we’ll see you on the other si-”

There was a shaking followed by a creaking noise in the building. We all stopped moving and fell silent. The creaking continued. Then the shaking stopped and noise fell silent.

“Guys this building is unstable,” Jett said, “The sooner we get off of here the better.”

“Alright,” Dane said, “What’s the final code for getting this th-”

A loud bang echoed through the building followed by a sickening snapping of metal. Jett looked up just as the metal roof fell to the floor.

Everything slowed down. Spitfire looked shocked and startled as the sound had just reached her ears. The same went with Dane and Gin. He looked up. Dane and Gin were out of the way but if the roof hit the edge of the track, the car would be smashed to the ground and they would die. If the roof fell Spitfire would die.

“NO!” He yelled and bolted for Spitfire, knocking her to the floor just as the weight of the roof collapsed onto his back. He had a strained look on his face as he held up the weight of several tons of metal and ash. The building groaned under the force.

Spitfire looked up as Jett turned to face Dane and Gin.

“Go!” he shouted.

Dane looked panicked and struggled to open the door but Gin held him back.

“No! Jett!”

“GO! I’ll be fine!”

“We’re not gonna leave you here!” Gin shouted.

“If you don’t get out of here…” he strained and fell to his knees.

“I’m not leaving my brother here!” he cried out.

“Go goddamn it! I can’t hold this forever!”

“No, I’m not gonna leave you!”

“You won’t!” he shouted, “CODE APLHA TWO SEVEN. DELTA PI SIX.”

“Activated,” the computer said, “Good bye.” The train began to move.

“No! You son of a bitch!” Dane shouted.

“We’re coming back for you two!” Gin shouted as the car accelerated towards the destroyer.

Spitfire stood up and crawled over to Jett. He turned to face her.

“Spitfire,” he cried, “You need to go.”

“No,” she said firmly shaking her head, “No I’m not gonna leave you.”

“You need to leave here Spitfire!” He yelled, “It’s time for you to return home!”

“No! I’m not letting you die here!” she started to panic.

“Spitfire if you stay here and die with me I will never forgive myself!”

“I’m not letting you go!” she cried, “You’ve done so much for me! I… I… I can’t!”

He fell down on his other knee. His eyes started to flicker on and off. She could begin to hear the servos in his body strain to hold the roof up. Then… a faint shimmer began to appear on his eyes. A tear slid down his face.

“Spitty please…” he pleaded, “Don’t make me beg.”

“I can’t leave you here to die!” she cried.

“Spitfire, you’ve given me more than anyone I’ve ever known. You’ve showed me a kindness that I never knew existed. You brought me closer with my humanity than I ever thought possible. You breathed a fire into me I never knew I was missing. Now please. Let me just give this one last gift to you.”

Spitfire was panicking. Gin and Dane were on the destroyer. Safe and sound. But Jett was literally preparing to sacrifice himself to save her. A whirring followed by the groaning of metal was heard next to her.

“I… I can’t hold this up forever Spitty. Please… just go. Go home, fall in love, have kids and live your life. Just let me die knowing I didn’t die a heartless machine.”

No. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. She couldn’t leave him here. She refused to allow herself to even think that thought. He had showed her something she hadn’t known she was missing. Love. Falling in love was something she never considered. She was always a ‘go with the flow’, ‘take life on’, ‘one night stand’ kind of girl. Guys were always toys to her to some degree. Something permanent like this was beyond her thinking. And yet… she couldn’t imagine what life would be like without the black haired android sharing it with her. She couldn’t imagine how lost she would be if she left her one true love to die in an already dying world. She couldn’t. While he said she’d given him so much in truth, he had given more.

But if she stayed she would definitely die. She would never get home. Never see her family or friends again. Never fly with the Wonderbolts again. Never kick Soarin’s butt at wingball. Never tell jokes with Fleetfoot. Never gossip with Misty. Never race with Rapidfire. She would never do anything again.

But if she left now she would lose what she treasured most in life. Was she really going to let him die here? After all he’d done? After what she felt for him?

Put that way… NO.

“Please go,” Jett cried. He pushed up at the roof. Beneath him the concrete floor began to crack under the weight.

Spitfire looked at him and caressed his face before closing her eyes and concentrating. She focused all her energy on one image. She let it burn into her memory. Once she built up what she needed she opened her eyes and prepared to jump to her destination. The Cloudsdale Aerodome.

She got into a crouching position and grasped the android in a bear hug.

“Not without you.”

And then they were engulfed in a blue burst of energy that expanded outward at the speed of light.

***

“That fucker!” Dane yelled from the destroyer’s cargo bay.

He ran to the edge of the door and let an agonizing wail into the sky. Gin put a hand onto his shoulder.

“Dane we have to get out of here.”

“We can’t just leave him!” he cried, “He’s my brother!”

“How do you suggest we get back there?! That code he yelled self-destructed the cart when it got here! And the track is already bending under the weight! He wanted you to live Dane! So if we don’t get this thing airborne we die with him.”

“What about Spitfire?!” He yelled, “What about her? We can’t leave her there!”

“THE GIRL LOVED HIM! THERE WAS NO WAY IN HELL SHE WOULD HAVE LEFT HIS SIDE! DON’T YOU GET THAT?! ”

He looked up at her, tears streaming down his face, “Why? Why did he have to die like that?”

“Because he loved you asshole. And he wanted you to get off this world in one piece. And at least he died with someone who loves him just as much beside him. Now we need to get out of here.”

He stared in silence out at the warehouse.

“Alright,” He stood up and wiped his eyes. He turned to face the remains of the warehouse and gave one last look just as a blue flash lite up the area.

“What the-” was all he managed to say just as the wave of energy over took him.

***

Earth. High Orbit. Lunar Transit.

The remnants of the home fleet and Halsey’s battle group activated their atomic accelerations. They fleet of 243 warships flew towards the moon at breakneck speed. Just as they flew past the moon, multiple points of light could be seen in orbit around Earth and on its surface. Facility after facility exploded as self-destruct protocols ripped through their databases. The Venusian ships caught in close proximity were destroyed. But it didn’t matter. Their numbers were far too large for any serious damage to be done.

The Fleet had a new objective now. Rendezvous with the Martian fleet and evacuate the planet before heading to Saturn. The president would be evacuated and moved to Rama II. Already teams were finding ways to make each ship self-sustaining for an indefinite amount of time whether it be outfitting solar cells along the hull or developing simulations to use Rama I as a garden for the fleet. The new plan was simple, survive at all costs.

On Saturn the first wave of the Civilian ships from Mars was arriving at Rama II and being evacuated inside. Rama I was being fast converted into a breadbasket while Jupiter was shooting their habitats towards Saturn to link up with the fleet. The outer fleet that only consisted of 100 ships would meet them halfway to Alpha Centauri. The belt was in total support of Venus but they had no means of posing a threat so they were left alone.

Halsey turned to look at the last view of Earth on his screen. It was fading into the background with various flashes lighting up the orbits around it.

But then… briefly, just briefly, he thought he saw a faint flash of blue among those bright yellow bursts.

He sighed, “Good bye.”

Chapter 32. There and Back Again.

I… I’m flying. I’m shooting through something. Whoa. Look at these lights. Are those… stars? No wait… those are… galaxies!

Where am I? What is that? I… I’m going fast.

The android shot across the cosmos towards the edge of the universe…

And beyond that. Soon he was beyond existence. Beyond what anyone could dream. Into the eleven dimensional hyperspace that sat beyond the universe. And beyond that lay infinity. He shot through the confines of the universe into a higher plane of existence. All around him were bubbles of energy, popping into existence. Each on was… a universe. An entire world. An entire infinity.

An infinite number of infinities!

He smiled. All at once he felt so small. A great sense of realization washed over him. Then he began to fall.

Falling back towards the world. Falling back past the edge, past the galaxies, back towards the Milky Way. Towards a solar system.

But not Earth. An Earth sized planet sat at the center of a nebula, surrounded by stars, and circled by a moon and a small ball of yellow light. He accelerated faster and faster towards the world before being engulfed in a flash of light.

***

Equestria. 1842 years After Discord.

Starfire walked onto the playground. She looked at the sprawling landscape of various obstacles and challenges before her. Each one she had done before. She had mastered each one and had taken it upon herself to go through each in record time. This time she wanted to beat her time from yesterday.

The school she found herself in was Laputa Middle School. She loved it here. She was the fastest on the wingball team. Everything was perfect. The sounds of all her friends laughing as they played, the birds chirping as they zipped through the sky, the… crying over in the corner of the playground?

She frowned. This wasn’t right. No one was sad in Starfire’s world. No one. She would have to fix this. She found the source near the slide in a corner of the playground near the edge of the cloud surface. A boy with hair that was dark as the night itself sat with his arms hugging his legs to his chest. A pair of black wings was around him, shutting out the world.

Starfire flapped her own orange wings and hovered around the boy.

“Hey Kid, you alright?” she asked.

He threw his wings up as a shield, hiding behind them, “Go away.”

“Why? I’m just trying to figure out what’s wrong here. It’s a beautiful day out and I will not let it be spoiled by some sad kid in a corner all by himself!”

He shrunk down, “Sorry,” he whispered. His wings formed a cloak around him again.

She frowned. Okay maybe not the best choice of words. Hmm. There had to be some way to fix this.

She put her arm under one of the edges and lifted up to get a glimpse at his face. A pair of sapphire blue eyes stared back at her.

She formed a cloak with her wings and joined him under the tent they had made.

“What’s wrong now? I won’t tell anyone,” She gave a reassuring smile, “I promise.”

He sighed, “No one likes me here. I’m just the weird Nightmare Night kid that everyone thinks is creepy.”

“What?! That’s not nice! Who said that? Why I oughta-”

“No don’t do anything! They’ll just hate me even more.”

“Well don’t you have any friends here?”

“No,” he looked down, “All my friends are back in Cloudsdale.”

A sudden look of realization dawned on her, “So you’re the new Kid that just moved here?!”

He shrunk again, “Yeah.”

“Aw sick! I’ve been dying to meet you! I know everyone at this school and I’m captain of the wingball team and we’re short a Holder this year and I was hoping you’d be a good flier but if you’re not that’s cool too. I mean we can still be friends. You could come to my games some time and we could talk and stuff and hang out on the weekends and go to parties with the others and….”

She just went on and on. At this rate he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to hear by the time recess was over.

Suddenly she stopped, “Hey what was your name again?”

“Jet Stream. You talk a lot.”

She blushed, “Yeah, well, I guess I have a big mouth sometimes.”

“Did you say wingball somewhere in that?”

“Yeah! I’m the fastest on the team! But we’re short a Holder this year.”

“I used to play wingball at my school in Cloudsdale. I’m pretty fast I guess.”

“Aw sick! Hey! You wanna be friends?”

“Uh, sure I guess.”

“Alright!” she jumped into the air and did a flip before landing on the ground, “Dude I gotta show you all the cool things around here. And then we’ll get you signed up for the team! And then we’ll be best friends forever!”

She grabbed his hand and ran towards a group of kids playing near the sandbox, “Hey everyone! I found a new Holder for wingball this year!”

“The new kid?” one boy asked, “Isn’t he supposed to turn you to stone or something?”

“What?! No! He’s really cool if you just talk to him! Plus he’s a little cute!”

“Aw… does Starfire have a crush on him?” one white haired girl said.

“Shut up Icy!”

They all laughed at Starfire’s expense.

“Hey, what’s your name kid?” one boy with blue hair asked.

“Jet Stream.”

“Well Jet Stream, welcome to the school. Sorry we called you names earlier.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” another girl said looking a bit ashamed.

“It’s alright.”

“So you’re gonna be our new ball hog this year?”

“Yeah, from what Starfire here tells me I guess I am.”

“Well then welcome to the team Jet Stream,” the boy laughed, “Hey! I made a rhyme!”

***

Earth. 2018.

“You know Daniel you’re the best pilot we have here.”

Daniel laughed as he drove his car down the open road towards the air force base. There were other cars around him as he drove. A picture was on his console, a man with salt and pepper hair with an officer’s uniform on.

“I hear you chief,” the 20 year old grinned. In truth he was the ace in his squad. Even better than the squad leader.

“I still don’t know why I’m getting a wingman like this,” he said.

“You know how it is now,” the chief said, “Equality laws now, all squads are mixed. And that includes yours pilot. So you might as well get used to it.”

“Alright. Just warning you, if she can’t keep up I’m leaving her behind.”

The chief chuckled. It wasn’t a laugh like ‘okay you win,’ it was more of a ‘oh your ass has no idea, big shot.’

“From what I hear, your new partner is quite the spitfire. A temper to match yours, same problem with taking advice when it’s given, always a mile ahead of everyone else, and one damn good pilot.”

Daniel tapped a series of keys on his console and watched as an image of a 20 year old girl with windblown orange hair pop up on his windshield.

“I’m looking at her file right now,” he smiled, “Adara. Interesting name. Means fire in Arabic, Virgin in welsh and Beautiful in Hebrew.”

“Yeah well don’t let her looks fool you. She’s been known to literally fly circles around her instructors. Be careful she doesn’t do the same to you.”

“We’ll see,” Daniel laughed as he approached the air base, “So when is my partner in crime arriving?”

“Today. She and her squad are on the 9:00 cargo transport in.”

“Oh goody, look at the time. 8:56. Looks like she should be getting here any time now.”

The base grew closer.

“Yeah we-” the chief’s voice was suddenly cut off by a loud yell on his end, “Everyone get down!”

“What?”

A loud noise could be heard behind Daniel’s car. He stopped and looked out the window just in time to see a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III cargo transport fly into his field of view and past his car. He only got a glimpse but it was enough. The stabilizers and rudder were shredded, unusable, and one of the engines had fire shooting out the end. The flaps were just barely down. Not enough to support the weight of the plane.

It flew by his car, leaving a trail of black smoke behind him. The sound of the engine’s straining continued on into the distance. The plane dipped and the left wing clipped the ground. The plane dragged left and impacted the ground. The sickening sound of metal bending and snapping hit Daniel’s ears just as the plane itself went through the fence surrounding one of the runways on the base. The remaining wing sheared off as a fireball engulfed the fuselage. The fire ball shot into the sky and soon black smoke came from the wreck of the plane. Fire trailed where the engines had hit and spilled burning fuel onto the grassy field. Pieces of metal and debris littered the field up to the base.

Sirens now sounded from the base as green trucks and other rescue vehicles rushed to the scene of the crash. The fire trucks sprayed white foam onto the wreck.

“Chief! Chief!” Daniel yelled. The line was dead.

“Fuck!”

Daniel shifted his car into manual and sped towards the base. Not caring about the condition of his car and more about the people inside the plane.

He went across the field past all the burning debris and onto the field. He smashed through the fence and onto the runway bringing his car to a stop near one of the ambulances

Screams could be heard as people rushed towards the remains of the C-17. Two men supporting a man covered in soot and black rushed by. Judging by the helmet Daniel guessed he was a pilot. Daniel hopped out of his car. One of the ambulances was loading the body of a man in a flight suit into the back.

“Get him to the burn unit!” someone shouted.

Daniel ran up to the nearest ER, “Is everyone out?!”

“We don’t know yet sir! The manifest said mostly cargo but there were nine people on board.”

Daniel let him go and ran towards another man. A captain.

“What happened?! Is everyone okay?!”

“We’re short one person! She hasn’t been found yet! Now get back Pilot and let ER do its job!”

An explosion rocked the plane followed by the scream of a girl.

“Fuck that sir.”

He ran up to one of the trucks and grabbed a fire extinguisher and bolted for the plane.

“Hey! Get back here Pilot! That’s a fuckin order!”

He ignored the call. He bolted for the tail of the plane. The tail itself was snapped off but he rear cargo hatch door was open. Inside rear part of the plane or what remained of it were several cargo containers, all of them were beat to hell or on fire to some degree.

Daniel called out, “Hey! Scream if you can hear me!”

“Help me! I’m over here!” a voice screamed.

That was all he needed. Everything was a blur. He ran further into the wreck until he came to one of the rows of seats. A girl with windblown orange hair was strapped in, stuck. A fire was burning only a few feet away, inching its way closer to her.

“Help!” she called out. Daniel ran up and emptied the extinguisher onto it, pushing it back a few meters. Not much time left. He pulled out his knife and started sawing through the straps. The fire began to return.

“Hurry! It’s coming back!”

He increased his pace. Soon there was just one strap left holding her. The fire was getting closer. Too close for his liking. He put himself between her and it, shielding her as he continued. He finally cut through and scooped her up in his arms and started running for the door. A pool of burning fuel had gathered just outside his only exit. The girl wrapped herself around him.

Adrenaline was the only thing running him now. He rushed forward and ran through the flames out of the plane. He bolted across the tarmac towards the emergency workers.

“Help her,” he gasped before falling to the ground gasping for air. Someone took her from his arms after much effort to get her to let go. He fell to his hands and knees and started coughing.

Suddenly someone yelled, “Jesus Christ! Medic! Get a medic here now!”

The world went black.

BEEP.

Daniel groaned and opened his eyes. The ceiling was white. He looked to his side. An IV was in his arm.

He looked to his other side. A woman in a flight suit slept at the foot of his bed. He looked out the window. In the distance he could see the tarmac and the wreckage of the C-17. The fire was out and the investigators were getting to work.

And then the pain hit him. He raised his arms up and looked at them. Bandages. He looked at his hands. Bandages on them too. He sat up in his bed only to feel a pain go through his shoulder and upper back. He looked at his back. Bandages. Funny, any more and he’d look like a mummy.

He sat up and groaned as the pain in his shoulder intensified as he got comfortable. The women at his bed side stirred. She opened her eyes to reveal brilliant amber irises.

“And just who exactly are you?” he asked.

She rubbed her eyes before jumping up and hugging him. He grimaced.

“Oh my god I was so worried about you! Are you alright? The doctors said you’d be fine but are you okay?” she blabbered.

“Burns!”

Quickly realizing her mistake she jumped back, “Sorry.”

He shrugged it off, “So who are you exactly?”

“The person you risked you ass to save.”

“So you are…?”

“Adara,” she said, “My name is Adara Ashbel.”

“Jesus Christ,” he laughed, “So you’re the hot shot everyone keeps telling me to watch my back about?”

“Hot shot? Wait, so that would make you-”

“Daniel Ty.”

She grinned, “So you’re my new flight partner everyone says flies circles around his instructors?”

“Funny, that’s what they told me about you.”

“Great minds think alike.”

A silence fell between them.

Daniel spoke up, “So what happened with that?”

She grew solemn, “We were on final approach when something hit us. The plane jarred and then the pilots lost control. We crashed into the runway harder than we expected. The ER workers got as many out as they could but my straps got caught. I thought I was a goner until you showed up and cut me loose. Thanks for that.”

“Yeah well, captain will have my ass for running in there like that.”

“Actually he said something along the lines of ‘that was the stupidest, most block headed thing I’ve ever seen a man do.’ But he’s recommending you for some kind of medal or something.”

“Yeah well, I don’t want it. I just did the decent thing.”

“You suffered second degree burns to 30 percent of your body to save someone you didn’t know and you call that doing the decent thing? Doing the decent thing is helping the old lady cross the street. What you did was damned heroic.”

“Well I know you now so I guess I just saved a friend I hadn’t met yet,” he smiled.

She grinned, “You’re alright Daniel Ty. Foolish hero, but alright.”

“Welcome to Eagle Squad Adara. We’re gonna make a great team.”

***

Earth. 2099. 20 miles Outside Tehran.

“Everyone fall back!” The lieutenant shouted.

Two people sat down quietly on the sandy landscape. A lance corporal and a Corporal. One a marine sniper, the other a heavy weapons specialist. They quietly smiled at each other and embraced warmly; even through their battle armor their love was evident.

All around them an entire military was retreating. Tanks, jeeps, hell people running on foot, everyone was trying in vain to stay alive. But it would not work.

A motorized heavy rail gun rolled by, firing a shot as it went. Everyone was too focused one saving themselves to notice that two people had already accepted the inevitable.

A gunship flew overhead. But even that would not be enough.

The two looked at each other and smiled sadly.

“I’ll be waiting for you on the other side.”

“I know.”

They shared a kiss just as a bright sun appeared in the sky and flashed the landscape of the city and the surrounding area. Then everything went dark.

***

Mars. 2334.

Well it was time to do group work again. Sara smiled. She loved group work. She tried to work with everyone at least once. And so far she had. She’d gotten to know everyone in her class. Well, almost everyone.

There was one kid who always sat near the window and looked out at the landscape beyond. He never talked to anyone and always worked alone. He seemed like a shut in a bit. Sara had never worked with him. She didn’t know his name, she knew nothing about him. Today though was her opportunity. Everyone was allowed to pick groups today and she was going to work with him.

She walked over his desk and sat down next to him.

“Hi, I’m Sara. What’s your name?” she asked cheerfully.

“Why do you care?” he asked without meeting her gaze. She frowned. Hmm. She’d been friends with everyone. This wasn’t going how she liked it to.

“Because I’m friends with the whole class. I know who everyone is except for you.”

“Well good for you.”

“Why are you so grumpy?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because I care about everyone. I like everyone and I want them to be happy. And you don’t seem very happy.”

“Sorry but I will never be happy. You’re wasting your time.”

“Why’s that?” she asked, “If there’s a chance I make a friend here then I’ll take it. Besides, if I don’t try then I’ll never know if I could’ve made a difference.”

“Well I-”

The teacher spoke up, “Apollo, the guidance office wants to see you.”

“Alright,” Apollo said standing up and walking to the door.

Sara frowned, “Apollo.”

She repeated his name. It rolled nicely off her tongue. She smiled.

“Wasting my time am I? We’ll see about that Apollo. I promise by the end of the year I’ll put a smile on your face and keep it there.”

Mars. 2345. Christmas.

Sara cuddled up closer to Apollo as the fire burned on. She sighed and stared into the calming flames. She looked up at her new boyfriend before leaning in and kissing him. He blushed but smiled.

“You guys are so cute,” Sara’s grandmother said, “You remind me of Steven and I when we were that young.”

“Grandma!” Sara blushed, “Stop it.”

“Oh alright. Just reminiscing is all.”

She turned to Apollo again, “You remember our second conversation we had? How I promised I’d make you smile at least once every day starting right then and there?”

“Yeah,” he smiled, “Why?”

“Because I meant every word of it.”

***

Spitfire flew along the slipstream. She was aware of various objects around her though she was unsure of what they were. In the distance she could see a light.

Somehow though, she felt happy. In the distance was her home, she would finally be returning home. She could clearly see the outline of the stadium. Various shapes were inside of it though she couldn’t make out what they were.

She rushed forward to it, ash and other debris flying around her as she went. Suddenly she was overtaken by a bright light as she broke the threshold and emerged back into normal space.

Well, it is at the end of the first half of this story that I make this announcement. I am taking a hiatus from writing for a while as Halo 4 is coming out next week and I'm gonna be playing that shit like a fiend.

Until next time, JC6.

Chapter 33. The Fire Returned.

Well everyone, I'm back. Chapter was a bit hard to write due to barely touching my computer in the past two weeks and I may go back and rewrite it.

Earth. England.

The Halsey Residence was a beautiful place in the fall. The estate right on the English Coastline, the cliffs overlooking the sea, the beautiful sun rises in the morning and sun sets in the evening, everything was beautiful.

Though Cat was away from her friends in Hawaii these few days, she did enjoy her days at her family’s vacation home during the summer.

And best of all, her older brother was coming this year! He’d been stationed on a naval base near the inner planets and was now on his way home if not already here.

Cat looked out the window on the deck. Her mother sat there going over the schematics to some new ship the company was developing. In truth Cat didn’t care. She was just waiting for Danny to come home and her father to return from his ship.

There was a knock at the door. Cat smiled and jumped up and ran to the door. She pulled the heavy oak thing open.

Danny wasn’t there.

Instead were two men in naval uniforms. Her smile fell.

One took off his hat, “Hello Miss, is your mother home?”

“Mom!” Cat called.

“What is it dear? Mommy’s busy and…”

A tall woman came to the door. She had an aura of elegance and importance around her. Almost god like authority with the elegance of a queen. She came to the door.

The other man removed his cap, “Madam…”

Her pad fell to the floor, “No…”

“Mrs. Halsey…”

“Cat, go upstairs. Go watch TV.”

Cat did as she was told but then waited at the top of the stairs. She watched as her mother collapsed onto the floor and began to wail.

***

Begin implantation.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Sir you know what this will mean. He’ll be like the others but… he’ll be different. More unstable. He may have a breakdown at any time in his life.

But if he survives he’ll have stability. Right?

Sir, you wrote these protocols. You know better than any of us. He can but the chances are slim. But if he does he’ll be considered human.

Like the others?

Yes. But unlike the others he won’t be born human. He’ll seem human, act human, but at some point it’ll fall away and he’ll figure it out. Then it’s just a matter of time.

Why is it different with the others?

It’s either the emotions or the implants. His brain can’t assimilate both at the same time. You can do half and half. That’s the best we can do. But there’s the chance he’ll become his own person. He won’t be Danny. If you give him the emotions he’ll be a person. But if he has the memories, he’ll be your son, just not as you remembered him.

… Can we do one then the other?

I don’t know. There will be a period of time between now and when another implantation can occur of a few years, but between now and then anything can happen.

… Do half and half. Give him the basics for both.

Okay sir. Just so you know this will be the first experiment ever done like this.

I know. Begin implantation.

***

Present day. Equestria. 2012 AD.

Somewhere in a Cantorlot hospital, in the recovery ward in the west wing, in an unassuming room laid a boy. A normal looking boy. Slightly muscular, not enough to be a jock but not too skinny to be a shrimp. Black hair. Jet black hair. A metallic arm where his left should be.

He was wearing a black shirt with blue jeans and sneakers. Normal. He was unconscious in his bed. A bag lay next to his bed. Nothing had been removed. No IV was in his arm, no anything was in his arm. A small bandage and patch covered one of his eyes. Various patches went into his shirt, monitoring his vitals, if they could be called that. Very strange vitals indeed.

Doctors had been baffled when the boy arrived. Nothing went into his skin. The few small needles that did came out eaten. No mana treatments worked on him. He was a very strange character indeed.

He did not have the musculature like the Earth people or the marks or forehead marker of unicorns. He did not have wings like pegasi. He was just… normal. An incredibly generic person, minus the arm.

A guard was placed outside his door.

Doctors were still baffled by him. They checked up on him regularly but other than that their day was going normally.

Until the boy who fell from the sky woke up…

***

One week earlier. Cloudsdale Aerodome.

The Princess stepped up onto the stage. Today she was going to make an announcement. It was not one she wanted to make but… there was nothing she could do. This event was beyond her control.

The Sun Princess stepped up. Her spectrum colored hair flowed behind her. Her giant white wings opened lightly and closed. She was sad.

“Today…” she began, “Today I have decided to call off the search for the Wonderbolts Captain, Spitfire.”

The media began to speak but she silenced them with her hand.

“I have not come to this decision lightly but after six weeks with no leads on her location and with nothing between my sister and I it is reasonable to assume she is not on the planet if she is alive. The accident surrounding her disappearance is still shrouded in mystery but we can definitively conclude that she is not anywhere we are capable of searching for her if she is alive.”

She gulped.

“She was an amazing individual. A fiery spirit, a free individual. She led her team with dignity and respect. She was a friend to many, her ‘Follow your dreams and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise’ attitude made her unique. She will always be remembered for her determination, her amazing leadership, and her skill as a flier. She was and always will be a role model for all. She was and always will be a person of fierce personal character. She was, and is an inspiration. She was and is…”

There was a crackling behind her. It started off small but soon got louder. The Princess of the sun turned. There was a crackling of electricity behind her. It began to increase in frequency. Bolts of wild energy shot out around the stage. The Princess covered her face as the brightness increased. The crackling grew louder. A point of light began to develop above the stage. It grew brighter and brighter before it was almost blinding to look at. The crowd gasped and shielded their eyes.

Suddenly, with a bang, a girl exploded into existence and flew across the stage before skidding to a stop. She wore skinny jeans, running shoes, and a T shirt with a leather jacket over it, a pair of fingerless gloves, and a large duffel bag with an unknown style to it. She wiped her orange hair before getting to her knees.

“Jesus Christ,” Spitfire said, “That is the last time I am doing that. Damn it my head hurts.”

The Princess stepped forward, “… Alive?”

Spitfire looked up and around her, clearly looking for something.

“Oh no, oh nonononono. Where is he? He was right there with me when I jumped! Where is he?” She jumped up and began look around her furiously.

“Captain?”

Spitfire turned, “Princess! Have you seen a boy?! About this tall? Black hair? Robotic arm? A bit cute looking?”

“Whoa whoa whoa! Slowdown Captain, what happened? Who are you looking for? And where have you been for the past six weeks?!”

Spitfire blinked, “SIX WEEKS?! What?! Oh no. You must have it wrong. I’ve been gone for six months not six weeks! And I’m looking for Jett!”

“Okay, slowdown again Captain. Who is Jett?”

“Uh, my friend? He was there with me when I jumped but I can’t find him! I’ve been living with him for the past six months now please help me find him!”

***

Fleetfoot was sad. Today was the day. The princess had already informed her and her team of her decision to call off the search so there was no need for them to travel to Cloudsdale for the hearing.

So for now she was just walking around the Wonderbolts Base Courtyard. Nothing else that could really be done. Her friend was missing, presumed dead, normal day.

She sighed and sat down one of the benches. The base was before her, Canterlot behind her, Cloudsdale to her right. She turned and looked at the city floating in the sky.

Suddenly there was a flash of blue in the sky. A black object appeared.

“What the hell?” she stood up to look at it.

She couldn’t get a good look at it but quickly came to the assumption that it was shooting towards her.

“Oh shit!” She dove out of the way just as a human sized black object hit the ground at Mach 1. A large thud could be heard as various dirt and debris flew into the air as Fleetfoot covered her head.

“What the fuck was that?!” Soarin’ yelled running out of the mess hall towards the courtyard. Fleetfoot stood up.

“I don’t know,” she said shakily, “Some random thing flew out of the sky. I dove out of the way just before it hit.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she said brushing herself off, “I’m fine.”

They walked over towards the impact site. A large crater had been dug into the ground. Where there should have been the plateau’s signature green grass there was a massive hole. But what was inside it was far more interesting.

Rather than a meteorite or some other thing that Fleetfoot thought that could be in there was… a boy. Around her age. He was unconscious and his body was as limp as a rag doll. He had unnaturally dark hair but other than that he was normal looking. His left arm was different. It was a black metal surface. All over his body were burns.

Soarin’ stepped up the crater rim, “What the hell?”

“It’s… he’s… he’s just a kid. Like no older than us.”

“That fell from the sky? And did this?!”

“Call the hospital,” Fleetfoot said.

“We don’t even know if he’s alive.”

“Well do it anyway you block head!”

“Geez, fine. I don’t recall Spitfire making you Captain before she left.”

“Yeah well she didn’t really get to say much of anything before that show now did she? So suck it up.”

Fleetfoot jumped down into the crater and skidded to a halt in front of the kid. She placed a finger on his neck.

“He doesn’t have a heartbeat!” she called. By now the other Wonderbolts had heard something and were now running out of the base towards the crater.

Suddenly the kid’s eyes shot open and he grabbed Fleetfoot’s hand in a vice grip. A pair of brilliant Sapphire eyes glared at her.

“Aaahh!” Fleetfoot grabbed her hand.

“You… You are not Spitfire,” he gasped before his eyes flashed several different colors before shutting off. He went limp and fell into her arms.

Lightning Streak reached the crater’s edge first, “Aw hell. Fleetfoot! What the hell happened?”

“He just… fell from the sky and hit the ground like this. I went to check on him but he had no pulse. Then just now he shot up and said the strangest thing.”

“What’d he say?” Lightning said jumping down into the crater.

“’You are not Spitfire.’”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” He said helping to pull the kid up out of the crater and onto the green.

***

“Captain! You’re not making sense! Please calm down,” the Princess said.

After getting the immediate media problem out of the way with Spitfire literally dropping into the press conference that was going to announce her being declared missing and presumed dead. But the Princess had bigger problems to attend to rather than answering every single question the media tossed at her. Spitfire was the same way. Now the two were in the Aerodome’s locker room. Though Celestia was having difficulty understanding what Spitfire was panicking about.

“Calm down?! I lost him! He was right with me!” she punched a locker with such force it dented. The princess raised an eyebrow. Pegasi were known for their endurance, speed, and agility but not strength like that.

“Why don’t you start from the beginning?” the regal princess asked, “From our timeframe you’ve been gone for six weeks. But you said you were missing for six months? What exactly happened?”

Spitfire sighed. She sat down on the bench in front of the princess, “Do you really want to know?”

“If it will help me understand why my Wonderbolts’ Captain who led the team during the Black Claw incident is now panicking worse than Twilight when she lost her homework then yes. Please tell me.”

“You have to promise not to tell anyone, Princess. Please.”

“You have my word.”

She scooted over before looking down on the floor, “I… I fell in love, alright? I know I’m a flirt with the guys here and typically have one night things with them but… I fell in love with a boy where I landed.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. This was certainly interesting. Along with complicating. The princess still managed to smile though.

“Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts, fell in love? Well this day came sooner than expected.”

She turned red, “It’s not that I meant to! I just… I couldn’t help myself. I… I can’t describe how he makes me feel when I’m around him. I just…” she sighed and sat down on the bench, “What do I do Princess? He’s done so much for me and asked nothing in return. He just… I… I’ve never seen someone so kind and funny and smart and just… I can’t help myself. He’s shown me wonders that were just everyday things to him and still found a way to make them seem extraordinary. I… I just can’t put into words what he’s like.”

“Captain, love is not one of those things you have control over. It will happen anywhere and, whether you are looking for it or not, it will find you. That’s why it’s one of the primeval magics. One of the most pure and beautiful. It holds tremendous power, and when it happens like that, you won’t have any control at all.”

“Well… what can I do? I can’t find the courage to tell him. Whenever I tried something would always happen from him getting shot to just plain annoying interruptions.”

“You’ll find it eventually. And if it’s any consolation I’m sure it will all work out in the end.”

Spitfire laughed bitterly, “You’d be surprised how clueless he is.”

“Well why don’t you tell me? Can you start from the beginning? From the very beginning. What happened EXACTLY?”

Spitfire sighed and rubbed the back of her head, “You probably know by now that trick didn’t go as planned right?”

“Yes. We were short one Wonderbolt that night.”

“Well, I obviously didn’t die like some people apparently thought. I landed in some Rainforest on a planet called Earth. Luckily it had an environment like ours minus Magic but I’ll tell about that in my report if you want it.”

“That would be nice. But it can wait. Go on.”

“Well, I had landed in a tropical rainforest outside some place called Rio. But, that’s not the crazy part. The real crazy part is that I was found by some random kid who had been skydiving and been blown off course. He found me and rescued me when I was out. Of course when I woke up I punched him in the face but that’s for later.”

The Princess laughed, “That’s the Spitfire I know.”

“Yeah,” Spitfire laughed awkwardly rubbing her head, “But not the one he knew. He didn’t know me at all. But he took me into his home which by the way was on a moon orbiting a planet called Jupiter that was way far out in their solar system but… it’ll be in the report.”

Celestia was intrigued but let her continue.

“He clothed me, sheltered me, he kept me safe in his crazy world. He showed me everything about his culture, his customs, hell, I even picked up some of the local slang. But for the first few months I was trying to find a way back, through the teleporting that got me there but… after a while I didn’t want to leave. Sure it was different, and I mean, I had wings so I had to hide those which could be a pain,” she gestured to the jacket covering them.

“But… I guess I started to develop feelings for him. I don’t really know when but I did. That was right around when he got hit by a car and was hospitalized.”

Celestia put a hand to her mouth, “He wasn’t too badly hurt was he?”

“No, no. But… he’s a machine Princess. He’s a robot.”

She cocked her head, “A robot? Like the things in Starswirl’s old labs?”

“No! No, not like that. Not even close. He’s… he’s like a computer. He just happens to live in one. He’s the kindest, most caring, funny, fun to mess with person I’ve ever met. While he’s a robot I’ve never felt more like myself around him. He… he saw me for who I was. Not the celebrity or the hot chick but just as a person. I could laugh around him, crack jokes with him, just plain have a good time.”

She sighed, “I soon came to realize I was crushing over him. That was around when we went back to school.”

“School?” Celestia almost laughed, “You were at school?”

“Yeah, his civilization has one of the most advanced education systems I’ve ever seen. I learned geology, advanced aerospace engineering, astrophysics, there’s so much that they teach you there. That and they have a flight team.”

“A flight team?”

“Yeah, but not like any you’d find here. They flew space planes. WE flew space planes for his school’s team. It was so amazing. We were the best”

“Glad you weren’t totally homesick when you were gone,” Celestia laughed.

“Yeah well it wasn’t all fun and games. There were some… unwanted people who tried to make advances. But Jett always protected me. He even got shot by one of them. But he always bounced back.”

“And you fell in love with him?”

“Yes! He… he could make me laugh like no one else I’ve ever met. He kept me safe from all the dangers in his world down to when I jumped back here. But… I can’t find him, and that’s why I was panicking.”

“He sounds like a nice person.”

“He is. He may be a machine but to me he’s so much more than that. I just want to find him and make sure he’s okay. Now please, can you help me?”

“Of course,” Celestia smiled, “I would very much like to meet the person who kept the Wonderbolts Captain safe for six months.”

“Yeah, well, it was a wonderful six months,” Spitfire laughed.

A guard walked in, “Sorry to disturb Princess but an object crashed into Canterlot a few minutes ago.”

“Was anyone hurt?” She asked standing up.

“No, but what fell into the city is what’s interesting.”

“What was it?” Spitfire asked.

“A boy. Some kid dug a hole into the ground the size of a small house. They don’t know if he’s alright or not because he apparently doesn’t have a heartbeat.”

“Have they tried to use magic on him?” Celestia asked.

“Yes. Tried being the key word since nothing worked on him. They don’t think he’s dead but he doesn’t look alive either.”

Spitfire turned to the Princess, “That’s him.”

***

Spitfire followed by the Princess and her guards burst into the hospital room. What she saw made her gasp. The guards behind them immediately went out the door.

On the bed was a boy. Specifically a black haired boy. He was unconscious and had burns concentrated around his right shoulder along with several bruise type welts on his arm. He had several cuts on his face. Doctors looked to be attempting to help him but nothing was working. Magic just didn’t plain affect him in any way. Every time one of them would raise their arm and concentrate nothing would happen. Even intravenous injections didn’t work. The needle would be removed half eaten away. All they could do was just sit there and monitor vitals, or what passed for them.

Around the bed were several people. Fleetfoot, Soarin’, Misty, and Blaze.

Spitfire put a hand to her mouth, “Jett.”

The four Wonderbolts all turned. They all had inquisitive looks on their faces, like they’d all seen ghosts.

“Spitfire?” They all said at the same time.

She turned to face them. Her team. By her timeframe she hadn’t seen them in six months. They were like family to her. And here they were.

She gave a small smile, “Hey guys.”

Fleetfoot stepped forward, a stunned look on her face, “Long time.”

Spitfire chuckled, “You have no idea.”

“What was you nickname for me?” Fleetfoot suddenly asked.

“The White Dragon,” Spitfire laughed, “You always had a temper at flight camp.”

Everyone continued to stare at her in disbelief.

Suddenly the Fiery haired flier found herself in her friend’s warm embrace, “We thought you were gone forever!”

Suddenly everyone else was around her too, embracing their friend, “We missed you so much,” Misty said.

They released her.

“Where were you?” Soarin’ asked.

Spitfire turned to the hospital bed, “It’s a long story. Is he okay?”

“We have no clue. He fell from the sky and landed in the courtyard. Why? You know him?” Blaze said.

Spitfire walked over to the bed. Jett was out like a light. There was no movement in his body at all. All he was doing was just lying there.

“You could say that,” she sighed.

“Well who is he then? He kinda just appeared a mile up in the sky and started falling.”

“He’s… he’s a close friend,” she turned, “Like I said, it’s a long story.”

She turned to face one of the doctors, “Is he okay?”

The doctor looked at a clip board, “We honestly have no idea. From what we can tell from his vitals, if you can call them that, is that he appears to be in some kind of comatose state. Anything we try to do to help him doesn’t work or is immediately rejected. Because we don’t know anything about him we don’t know if he’s alright or not but… doesn’t look like he’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.”

“Will he be alright though?” she asked worriedly.

“We honestly don’t know. He’s not ‘dead’ per say. I mean he doesn’t appear to be alive to begin with or have a mana signature so… But we are picking up something from him so maybe but I don’t know. We’ll keep you informed.”

She conceded. There was nothing she could do here, “Alright.” She gave one last look at him before turning to her team.

The Princess turned, “Go home Captain. Get some rest. I’ll keep some of the guard here to watch him.”

Spitfire raised an eyebrow, “No offense Princess, but don’t bother.”

“Oh? And why is that? He’s not too benevolent, is he?” she laughed.

Spitfire gave a wry grin, “No. But if he panics when he wakes up, there won’t be a thing your guards can do about it.”

“We’ll see.”

With that the party left the hospital room. Spitfire conversed with her team about the events of the last few weeks as they headed back over to the Wonderbolts HQ.

***

“Oh hell,” Spitfire said just as the rest of her team dog piled her into the ground.

Spitfire had just walked into the cafeteria and immediately been tackled by the rest of her team and friends who like the rest of the world assumed the worst. But she took it in stride and fell to the floor laughing. Some of them were crying, others were beaming, all of them were happy to have their friend back. Spitfire herself smiled. It felt good to be home. Her team; her friends, all threw a spontaneous celebration of her return. There were many laughs and happy moments as they all treasured the moment. Soarin’ challenged her to a race to see how fit she kept herself while she was gone. Spitfire smiled, though her wings hadn’t been used that often she still beat the blue haired jock by a longshot. The mood was cheerful and positive and happy. They all reminisced about the great moments they’d all had over the years. Soon Spitfire was telling her story of the adventure she’d been on for the past few months, minus a few details. They all listened intently as she told her tale, laughing and gasping at all the right parts. They continued long into the night. And for once, Spitfire wasn’t worried about the boy with the jet black hair. Almost…

***

Meanwhile, in front of the hospital room across town, the guards fell asleep. The doctors had all gone home for the night so the place was mostly empty. Morning was soon approaching.

The first shift soon arrived before the sun rose up. The guards woke themselves up and continued on as normal.

And in the hospital room, the boy from the sky woke up as well…

***

“Well everyone it looks like the Wonderbolts will soon be back at the top with the return of their captain! That’s right everyone Spitfire is back! An investigation is still being conducted and the princess is awaiting her report on the event but for now she’s spending time with her friends who have asked for privacy while they treasure the return of their friend.”

Chapter 34. The Windup Boy

Holy god, getting this out was damn near impossible. In truth it was ready a few days ago but I got hit with the bricks at school recently. Also, if anyone got the reference in this chapter's name then congrats to you. Some familiar characters will be making some minor appearances and will be elaborated on later for those of you who I know will be wondering that.

Equestria. 1847.

Starfire sat on her bed giddy as a school girl. Her parents had asked her what she was so happy about but she said she’d tell them later. She wanted to write this down and get it down when it was fresh in her mind.

She pulled her journal out from under her bed and started writing.

Today my best friend since middle school finally did the one thing I hoped he’d do for the last year now. He finally got the courage up to kiss me today.

She giggled when she got to the next part.

He went to kiss me on the cheek. I turned at the last second and our lips connected. I think my heart skipped a beat…

***

Earth 2025.

Adara looked at the journal entry she wrote the night before and smiled.

7 years ago he pulled me from a plane crash and suffered burns to 30 percent of his body. Six years ago we started dating. 5 years ago we went to the Air Force Ball together. 4 years ago we left the Air Force and now have both have our dream jobs. 1 year ago he popped the question. Today… we’re getting married.

“They’re getting ready to start now. Better not keep him waiting. He looks pretty nervous down there.”

She smiled, “Then let’s not keep him waiting.”

***

Mars 2340

“I like this song,” Apollo said.

“Why? Sounds like just another song to me,” Sara said looking up from her book. They were on the metro into the city when the song came on.

“You honestly don’t remember it?”

“No, why?”

“This was the song we danced to on prom night. You remember that? The next week we met on the top of that hill like always and you kissed me.”

Sara smiled, “Yeah, now I remember it! I loved this song.”

“Funny they're playing it.”

“Yeah. You still haven’t told me where we’re going,” she smiled.

Apollo felt the small box in his pocket, “You’ll see when we get there.”

“Humph.”

***

Jett awoke. Instantly a beeping started next to him. He felt a sudden heightened awareness as his senses returned to him as he shot up.

Suddenly a door in front of him burst open. A doctor walked in with a syringe in his hand.

“Oh good he’s awake. I just hope this works,” he said, “Now I need you to hold still…”

Jett stopped. Syringe. Hold still. He quickly examined his surroundings. He was in a hospital room. Not a modern hospital. Like something 400 years too old. He was alone. No one he knew was in the room with him. Not good. Memories were still slowly returning but judging that he was in an unknown place with an unknown man trying to inject him with and unknown substance, he didn’t really need them to react. Too many unknowns. If you don’t know it, it’s hostile. Hostiles lead to harm. Considering the vulnerability now it would be wise to try to leave. Get bearings first. That syringe wasn’t too pleasant looking.

The man was at his bed now. He grabbed Jett’s arm, “Now this will sting-”

Oh no. Not happening.

He lashed his arm out forward, knocking the man back through the doors and into the hallway. Instantly he started pulling the vital monitors off of himself and started getting out of the bed.

Outside the guards realized something was wrong quickly and rushed into the room only to meet the same fate as the doctor. They lay slumped down against the wall right next to him with large dents in their armor where a fist had impacted it.

Outside the hospital life was going on as normal. That is until a hospital bed smashed through one the upper story windows, taking much of the wall with it and smashing onto the ground. A figure jumped from the opening and landed on the cobblestone surface with a crack as the stone material fractured beneath him.

He rose from the kneeling position he landed in and looked around him. He was in a large city. Almost a castle type fortress city. Strangely reminiscent of the Paris type aristocrat type city and yet still maintained a 21st century look. Tall spires rose up into the sky. Various small objects flew around the city.

“Where the hell am I?”

By now a crowd of people had noticed him. Typical ‘are you okay?’ phrases echoed all around him. Each face was strange, unfamiliar, no one he knew. Not Earth. His databases told him that. This was no place he recognized. The people here were unknowns. Hostiles.

“There he is!”

He looked up back up at the hospital. A guard stood near the hole in the wall looking down at him before turning and running back into the building, presumably towards the stairs. They were coming for him.

"No," he said. Capture would most likely mean death, or worse.

He looked down at his hands, relishing in the feeling of a newfound power. He almost laughed at the powerful feeling. And this wasn’t even full strength. But he still had other things to attend to. Figuring out where he was, how he got here, what exactly was wrong with him. Yeah, a long list indeed. He lowered his hands and took off running with a burst of energy and soon was at a full sprint. Only one thing was on his mind; Escape.

With this new power, no one could catch him, not if he wanted to.

***

Spitfire awoke and smiled. She slept wonderfully last night. Her bed at the HQ, her clothes that let her stretch her wings out nicely just as she liked, her room, all of it was homely. How good it felt to be home again. She pulled on some of her clothes and checked herself out in the mirror before walking out the door. She walked down to the cafeteria and started to make breakfast.

The other Wonderbolts were already there eating; all gave friendly smiles, happy to have their friend back.

Spitfire smiled back at them. She had missed them dearly, but fortunately she was back now.

She was just about to sit down when Soarin’ yelled across the room.

“Hey Spitty! There’s a call for you!”

She sighed, “Alright!”

She walked over towards the hallway near the HQ lobby. A phone was mounted on the wall.

“Hello?”

Princess Celestia’s regal voice flowed out of the device, “Well it seems I didn’t take your warning about your friend seriously.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“You better see for yourself.”

Ten minutes later after finishing breakfast Spitfire left for the hospital. She entered the building and walked up to where the android was staying. She had walked past a doctor sitting in a chair with an icepack on his head and two guards getting their upper torsos wrapped. Two dented pieces of metal were next to them. The Princess and Shining Armor were waiting for her.

“So what happened?” she asked.

“Take a look,” the guard Captain said. He opened the door to the room. There was no bed.

“Okay so what am I looking at?”

“Look left.”

She did, “Jesus Christ.”

A large gaping hole was in the wall where the window should be. An IV bag was hanging out of the hole. She walked towards the hole and stared down to the ground below. The large heavy hospital bed/stretcher was lying in a pile of metal and bedding material on the ground. A large crack in the cobblestone road was just a few feet in front of it.

The Princess raised an eyebrow, “Jesus Christ?”

“Sorry, old habits die hard.”

“I can understand that. Took months just to get Luna to stop saying ‘thou’ every other sentence. So I guess your friend woke up.”

“Woke up being a mild term,” Spitfire laughed, “No one was hurt?”

“Not seriously, though my guards have their pride hurt by the fact they were bested by a teenage robot. But I need to know how dangerous he is.”

“Why?”

“Well he incapacitated my guards and threw a several hundred pound hospital bed through a wall without a second thought, and jumped out of a three story building before running off into the urban landscape. What I need to know is if he’s a hazard to the public.”

Spitfire frowned, “Why? You’re not planning on hurting him are you?”

“No, but I need to get him captured if he’s dangerous.”

“Now wait just a minute here. Jett is one of the gentlest people I know. He’s only dangerous when provoked the wrong way.”

“Okay,” Shining spoke up, “If he’s provoked then how dangerous is he?”

“Uh, he won a fight against 16 people before.”

Shining blinked, “Okay, I’ll have my guard search the city for him. If they see him they will be instructed not to engage him.”

“For whose sake?” Spitfire asked.

“For his. Your friend may be good at fighting but my guards are the best. They will keep him contained.”

Spitfire laughed nervously, “Princess, I don’t think you understand. He would only do this unless something made him panic.”

“Captain, you have my word your friend will not be harmed. But we may need your help to find him.”

“Why?”

“You’re the only familiar face he knows here. It seems logical for him to seek you out.”

“Oh, okay.”

There was a pitter patter of footsteps down the hallway. A person was running through the hallway. Spitfire turned.

A girl with dark purple hair with pink highlights ran into the room. Spitfire recognized her immediately. The Princess’s protégé, Twilight Sparkle.

“Princess, we came as soon as we got your message. Is it true that there’s an actual android here?!” she asked.

“Ah, Twilight. I was wondering when you and your friends would arrive,” the Princess turned towards Spitfire, “Twilight and her friends will be assisting you in finding him.”

“Ooh, I can’t wait!” Twilight said, “This is so exciting! A real life android. I can’t wait to study it when we find it!”

Spitfire’s eyes widened, “Princess?”

“I wonder what it’s powered by. Well I guess we’ll find that out when it’s dismantled. I wonder what kind of code it runs on!”

“Princess!” Spitfire was panicking.

“Twilight,” Celestia said.

“Do you think it uses binary or ternary code? Or maybe something else entirely! Oh I can’t wait to see what makes it tick!”

“Twilight!” The Princess said sternly.

Twilight stopped and shrunk down.

“Twilight, we’re not hunting for some specimen to be dissected and studied. We’re looking for a person who just happens to be a machine. Now he has the same rights as you and I or any other citizen and he will be treated as such. Plus he is an important person to Spitfire here.”

“Yes Princess. I’m sorry,” Twilight hung her head, “I guess I got a bit carried away.”

There were more footsteps down the hallway as the rest of Twilight’s friends arrived.

“Geez Twilight, when did you get so fast?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“When she started training for the running of the leaves silly!” Pinkie laughed.

“Okay, now that we’re all here, can we get started?” Shining asked.

“Spitfire,” Celestia said, “Can you fill them all in?”

***

Jett was running. He ran through the cobblestone streets of the city, past all sorts of people from aristocracy to the average person to a group of punks. He didn’t care. Those guards would still be looking for him.

He didn’t tire; not any more. Without the signal limiting his every move he could do so much more now.

He ran into an alley way and crouched down and started panting. Not out of a physical response but out of panic. He had hidden behind a dumpster in the alley way. He continued to pant; the feeling of panic began to increase. It was suddenly he realized something. His vision had a display system activated. In a corner of his vision was a radar, upper was a segmented bar, along the side was a view of a human body with various icons and overviews near it. On the other side were a group of icons, each on was red in color with the word OFFLINE next to every single one.

His memory still failed him. Something was missing. He remembered his name, that much he knew, he remembered where he was from, what his home was, he knew what he was; but not exactly. But people, he couldn’t remember anyone.

He held his head, “Why can’t I remember?!”

He brought his hands down and noticed the black metal material of his left arm. He stared at it, his vision focused on the object and he watched it glow in a blue outline. He looked at it and then to the other; difference. One clearly was more dangerous. Maybe a weapon. He held it up in the light before turning to the metal surface of the dumpster. He looked from his arm to the metal and then struck forward. His fist hit the material with a loud bang. He looked at his arm, no damage, his HUD confirmed that. But the dumpster had a large depression in the side. He stared at the dent. He was a robot, he knew that. But what kind? A war machine maybe. He was quite capable of being dangerous. Maybe the icons were weapons.

Or he could be a servant type drone. But why include the metallic arm?

His thoughts were interrupted.

“What was that?” a voice said.

“What was what?” another responded.

“Did you not just hear that bang a second ago?”

A second ago? Had he really been thinking for only that long?

“You’re hearing things High Winds.”

“Dude, I swear to you I heard something.”

“Well fine, go check it out if you want,” a sarcastic response came.

Jett panicked. He looked around the alleyway. To his right was door. He checked it. Unlocked. He quietly opened it and crept inside and closed it behind him.

“Maybe I will.”

Footsteps. Jett stayed hidden behind the door. They got closer.

“Let me guess, nothing,” a voice called.

“Screw you Iron Sides,” High Winds responded.

“Was I right?”

“Yeah yeah, whatever. Let’s just get on with the patrol.”

The android sighed as the guard left. He turned around and looked at his surroundings. Dark.

He blinked and watched everything light up with a greenish tint. Night vision. There were racks of clothes in rows all over the room. He guessed that there was some kind of fancy retailer out front as there were a lot of fancy clothes in the rows before him.

He stood up and began to walk through the rows. He found a door labeled ‘Storage’ on it. He guessed he was in the back. He walked back through the rows. He had to find something to hide himself. He walked along the rows of clothes when a hoodie caught his eye. He wouldn’t exactly fit in with it in an aristocrat city but it was something.

He pulled it off the hanger and pulled it on. It was black and zipped on nicely. More importantly, it hid most of the androids metallic arm. He pulled the hood over his head before stepping out into the alley way again.

He calmly walked out of the alley and into the light of the fortress city. He found a direction and started walking, blending in with the crowd.

***

“Alright!” Shining Armor called, “We’re looking for a boy no older than 18 years old. He has black hair, blue eyes, and a prosthetic left arm. From what we can tell the subject is normally peaceful until provoked. If he sees you he may panic so be careful.”

Rainbow Dash yawned. Everyone plus a group of guards was standing outside the hospital, “Big deal. What is this guy? Some super human?”

“Were you paying attention, Rainbow?” Twilight asked.

“Uh… no? Sorry, guess I was busy trying to figure out a way to ask if the Wonderbolts have an opening.”

“Well, we’re looking for an android. He’s a super advanced machine that looks human only he’s not. Apparently he panicked when he woke up and escaped the hospital.”

“Oh.”

Twilight turned, “Alright everyone, let’s spread out and find this guy. Rainbow you’re with me. Fluttershy you go with Pinkie. Rarity you and AJ will be a team.”

Everyone nodded.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

***

Spitfire was standing in the hospital room. Jett had left his bag when he left the room. She hefted it up. A picture fell out.

“Ah hell,” she knelt down and picked the photo up. It was them. Herself, Jett, Dane, and Gin, all posing for a photo in Yellowstone. She smiled sadly. She hoped Gin and Dane were okay.

She pocketed the picture and left the room.

***

“Ugh, this is taking forever!” Rainbow sighed.

“We have to find this guy Rainbow. And be happy we have the guard helping us,” Twilight said.

“I am but still. Can’t you do some kind of spell thing to find him?”

“What do you think I’m doing?” Twilight asked, “So far I haven’t found anything.”

“Well I hope we find him soon. I wanna get a chance to talk to Spitfire before we go.”

“Well if we find him I’m sure you will,” Twilight smiled.

***

Jett walked quietly down the sidewalk. He had blended in nicely with everyone else around him and so far had not roused any suspicion. There was still a nagging fear that he would be found and caught. But his chances of that happening went down if he left the city so he decided it was worth the risk.

He spent the last few minutes trying to find a way out of the city and had determined that there was a gate but it was on the other side of town. He’d been walking for a while now.

He turned a corner when he accidently bumped into someone.

He looked up, “Sorry ma’am.”

There was a girl in front of him. She had purple hair with pink highlights and held a small book in her hand. Up above her hovered another girl. She had rainbow colored hair that she wore in a tomboyish fashion and cyan blue wings sprouting from her back. She looked a bit impatient.

The girl looked up from her book, “It’s alright…”

Her eyes drifted. She looked over his features. Though she tried to be quick about her investigation, Jett saw her examining him. Her vision went down his left shoulder towards his arm.

Her gaze fell upon the gun metal fingers of his hand sticking out of the sleeve. Jett looked up at her.

She gasped and looked up, “Rainbow…”

“What?” the girl asked.

“That’s him.”

Jett blinked, “Shit.”

The girl raised her hand. It glowed brightly as a bubble materialized on both sides of the android and enveloped him.

“Gotcha,” she smiled.

Jett simply turned around and ran through the field.

“What the?!” Twilight said.

Jett didn’t give her any time to say anything else and took off running the other way. Rainbow Dash grinned.

“Looks like we’re gonna have to do this the hard way,” she said before flying after him. Twilight held on to her book and ran after him.

“Rainbow! Stop him!” she yelled and began throwing up walls of energy in an attempt to stop him. He continued to run through them like they weren’t there.

“Who is this guy?!” Twilight yelled as she started to fall behind as the android increased his pace.

“Rainbow! Keep on him!”

“Gotcha!” She called, “Alright Speedy, show me whatcha got!” She zipped after him. The android looked up at her. She was getting closer. He sped up and ran across the street, past carriages and the aristocracy. They all gave startled expressions as the robot ran by. He picked up the pace. Dash may have been fast in the air but Jett had the cover of the streets. He soon saw her fade away behind him. He couldn’t shake the feeling though that she’d be back.

He turned a corner only to see two guards on patrol. He quickly figured out that running at nearly 37 MPH made it difficult to stop on a dime. He skidded across the ground as he fell on his back. The guards quickly noticed him and pointed their rifles at him.

“That’s him!”

“You heard the captain. Don’t make him panic.”

The android, still on the ground, looked up at the guns pointed at his head. His eyes widened and flashed emerald green.

“Uh, I think it’s too late fo-”

Jett grabbed the barrel of the closest gun and yanked it from the guard’s grasp. He stood up and whacked the butt of the weapon across the guard’s helmeted head, knocking him out. He turned towards the other guard and punched forward, forcing the other guard back.

When the guard recovered a second later he found the barrel of a bolt action rifle aimed at his head.

The guard raised his hands, placing his gun on the ground.

“Now kid, just hold on a second here,” he reached for the weapon. The android’s eyes flashed a rainbow spectrum and he shoved the weapon further into the man’s face, making him back off.

“DO NOT TOUCH ME, CREATRUE,” came several different voices layered over each other. He suddenly twitched and faltered.

“There he is!” Twilight shouted.

“Geez he’s fast,” Rainbow yelled.

Jett turned. The two had found him and were standing near the corner. Two others had joined them. One had blond hair with a freckled face. Atop her head rested a cowboy hat. In her hand was a lasso. The other girl wore a midlength skirt and had purple hair. She had a fancier look about her.

“Ooh! Applejack darling! Get that ruffian!” she yelled.

Jett turned and tossed the weapon over his shoulder before running again. The four girls behind him gave chase with the Rainbow haired tomboy taking the lead.

“I’ll admit!” she huffed, “You’re fast whoever you are! But I’m faster!”

“Rainbow! Don’t you do anything rash now, ya hear?!” The cowgirl yelled, “Ya’ll saw what he did to those two guards!”

“Twilight!” the purple haired girl called, “Can’t you use your magic on him or something?”

“I tried that Rarity! Nothing works on him! I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Jett continued to run. The well-crafted weapon still bounced along his back as he ran. He looked back. They were still on him. He looked forward again. Coming around the corner were four pairs of guards. He skidded to a stop. Right of him was more guards. To his left was an alley way. A bottleneck but it was his only escape.

His HUD showed everything. All the guards, the strange girls chasing him, the rifle on his shoulder. He did a quick probability calculation of trying to fight through all the guards. Not good. His chances were significantly higher if he tried the alley.

He looked behind him at the girls chasing him. They had stopped and blocked the street he came from.

“Alright Speedy,” the rainbow haired girl said cracking her knuckles, “We can either do this the easy way or the hard way.”

Jett stopped. His movements slowed, they were too slow, deliberate. Too slow for any organic to notice. He kept his hooded head down and slowly raised his hands.

“Now that’s more like it, Partner,” the cowgirl said, “Well that wasn’t as hard as I thou-”

Jett bolted for the alley. He ran with such a sudden burst of speed that he took some of the dirt on the ground with him. He thought he would make it through the alley when a rainbow blur landed in front of him.

“Oh no ya don’t, Speedy,” she said. Jett stared at her without expression. His radar tracked movement behind him. He turned to see the purple haired book girl blocking his other exit. She raised her hand and a large wall rose out of the ground behind the rainbow haired girl.

One exit had a small army of guards plus a girl who seemed to have the ability to alter physics as she saw. The other had a tom boy and a wall.

He turned to face the rainbow girl. She cracked her knuckles, “Oh no, you’re gonna have to go through me if you want to escape! And I’m not some hospital wall.”

Jett started backing up slowly, “Not through you…”

He was halfway between her and the purple haired girl. He stopped.

“… Over you.”

He sprinted forward. When he was almost close to hitting her he jumped up towards one of the alley walls. His feet connected and he pushed off towards the other wall. His feet connected again and he pushed off and up. He corkscrewed over the baffled girl and the large wall behind her before flipping and landing soundly on the other side. He gave a quick glance behind him before running again.

***

Spitfire glided over the city. Her eyes were scanning the ground for the missing android. After dropping his bag off in her room back at the HQ she took off for the city to join the effort to find him.

She was about to bank left and go back over a district she’d been over a thousand times before when a white sphere of magical energy appeared next to her. The face of the Princess appeared inside it.

Spitfire jumped, “Ah! Geez, Princess. Can’t you just call me on my Cell?”

“I would but considering you don’t carry yours on you this was the only way I could contact you.”

“I carry a phone on me,” she said reaching into her pocket and pulling out the device.

“I mean your Equestria phone.”

“Oh, sorry. Not parting with this thing though.”

“I didn’t expect you to,” the Princess laughed.

“So do you have anything?” Spitfire asked hopefully.

“Well we did. That’s why I called. He was spotted near the business district. Though I specifically had Shining tell them not to engage that didn’t go all as planned. They chased him for a while but he slipped through at the trap they had set up.”

Spitfire grinned lightly, “I told you he was good.”

Celestia laughed lightly, “Yes well, he does appear to have some talent. But we need to find him, soon.”

“Has something else happened?”

“Well, during the chase he overpowered too guards and stole one of their rifles.”

“Oh…”

“Yeah well that’s not the kicker. Twilight’s magic had absolutely no effect on him. Your guy managed to evade the elements and even escape Rainbow Dash, going as far as to jump over her and the wall Twilight summoned behind her before running back into the city. So far no one has seen him.”

“Oh… that’s bad. So he’s running around the city, armed and dangerous, and scared out of his mind.”

“Yes. And I’m afraid the sight of more guards will make things worse. You know him better than anyone here. Where do you think he would go?”

Spitfire put her hand to her head, “Hmm. He is a wildly unpredictable there. I have no idea where he would go. But I think I have an idea on how to lure him out.”

“Well I’m all open to it. Your friend has just single handily avoided and humiliated the best fighting force on the planet,” Celestia laughed, “I’d like to know where he got his training from.”

Spitfire stared at the orb and laughed, “Training?!”

Celestia frowned, “Yes, why? What’s so funny?”

“He may be a military prototype but he hasn’t had any. Everything he’s doing is most likely just being made up on the fly. The more he sees your guards the more he’s learning. So by now avoiding them is second nature.”

“Well if we can find him safely I may just offer him a job.”

“Not if I give him on first,” Spitfire said.

“I’m sure. So what’s your plan?”

***

Something was definitely wrong. I couldn’t remember anything. It was odd; and scary. I had all the skills I needed, I knew what I was, I knew who I was, I just couldn’t remember anything about my life. Why?! What the hell was wrong with me?! It was extremely upsetting. The fact some kind of medieval knights with guns were looking for me didn't help either.

I crept along the rooftops. I had stayed hidden into the night now. I had listened enough to learn this city’s name was Canterlot. It was darker now meaning I had the home field advantage. Though this city wasn’t my home, that much I knew, the darkness was where I could work best. These creatures could not see in the dark like I could, they could not move as silently as I could, they certainly could not hear me unless I wanted.

Though there was something interesting going on. I could detect some movement away from all other parts of the city, though towards what I had no idea.

Guess I could go find out, cause whatever it was it had the guard all worked up.

I crept along the roof tops. It looked like they were all heading towards a part of the city. Then suddenly, the guardsmen disappeared.

Hmm, strange. I crept along to the roof tops. I came to an intersection in the street. It was dark. Night vision came in handy.

I scanned the street.

…

There was… there was a girl. She was just… standing there. She had a leather flight jacket on with cargo pants and some kind of military style boots on. She kept her large orange wings close to her back as she swung her well-toned arms in boredom.

There was… there was something about her. I stayed hidden along the rooftop. She turned her head and I got a look at her face. She had an ace beauty to her face. None of her features were too pronounced over the others. Her eyes were an amber color that glowed whenever the moon light hit them. Her hair was styled like a candle flame and was the color of fire. She was beautiful. Not like a supermodel beautiful but almost in an angelic sort of way. And yet… there was something familiar about her.

My vision glitched. Pixels flew across it. There was a sudden pain in my head.

Images flew across my eyes.

I’m Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts.

Listen, Spitfire, if you want I’ll try to help you find your way back.

Really? You mean that?

Yes, you can stay with me and my sister for the time being until you can return home.

Beautiful aren’t they?

I guess.

Pinned ya!

Uh, yeah, I guess you did.

Chillax Jett. No one but us will know about this. Though I’m keeping that picture.

What’s wrong?

What’s wrong? I’m not real! I’m not a human! I’m a machine! I didn’t want you to find out because… because I thought you’d think I was a freak.

I don’t think you’re a freak. You’ve shown me more kindness than anyone I’ve ever met. You’re the nicest person I’ve met here.

I just want to have the right to find out what who I am.

Well I don’t know who you are to you, but to me you’re my friend. And that’s all that matters to me.

Shut up you. You’re such an Apple Polisher.

Hey call me what you like but that was still amazing.

So I’ll see you after class?

Yup. Hanger 7 at 3:00. We’ve got flight practice after school my little navigator.

Jett? Are you alright? Jett… I am so sorry. Sssshhh. It’s ok. It’s gonna be ok.

I… I…

It’s alright. I know. It’s gonna be fine. Just let it out. I’m so sorry.

The whole time I’ve been trapped in this insane world you call home you’ve always been there. You saved me when I first appeared here when I was still a total stranger to you. You took care of me, welcomed me into your home, and comforted me when I was sad and encouraged me when I doubted myself. You’re the most human person I’ve met here and you’re my friend. I don’t want to see you lose that.

But I am only a machine. All that can be programed.

Let me ask you something. If you were always a real person, from the moment you were created until now, what would you have done differently?

I… I don’t…

If you do this, you’ll lose who you are. Everything you worked so hard to find will be gone. And…And I’ll lose the only true friend I have in this crazy world.

Jett, will you go Prom with me?

Spitfire you don’t have to do that. If you want to go with Dane you can. I don’t want to be the thing stopping you.

I know. But I want to stay. I’d rather stay with one of my best friends and keep him company rather than know he was alone.

After what you did to me on that cruise there is literally nothing you can do to make me feel embarrassed at all.

Oh I think there’s a few more left… See? I win. And it wasn’t that bad.

Yeah it was!

Oh come on. Don’t tell that was your first time being kissed by a girl?

I… er… uh…

Oh. My. Gosh. It was! I just stole your first kiss!

Merry Christmas Jett.

Are you also too lazy to read some to me?

No I’m not. Where do you want to start?

Just turn around and let me scan your wings.

Looking to catch a girl topless?

Oh shut up. I don’t need you teasing me.

That was fun. I enjoyed that a lot. Thanks.

Heh, well Dane had to talk me into it. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fun to. You’re pretty good at that.

Please go.

Not without you.

My vision returned. That was… weird. Okay, that girl is familiar. Who is she?! I hate not knowing things. Maybe she knows why I don’t remember anything.

I guess I could find out.

***

Spitfire was bored. Her plan would work, she was sure of it. She knew him well enough that his curiosity would get the best of him. However she didn’t anticipate he would take so long.

She sighed and swung her arms.

A voice in her head spoke to her.

Still no sign of him, Came the regal voice of the Princess.

I know, I know. Just wait. He’ll be here. And you’re sure he can’t hear this?

Yes I’m sure. Unless your friend can pick up telepathic signals then we should be fine.

If he could I wouldn’t doubt it.

Spitfire sighed and turned her head. She suddenly became vaguely aware of someone watching her. Odd as it was she didn’t feel threatened by it.

I think he's here.

We'll have the guards standing by.

She turned and looked around her. A shadow moved in her peripheral. She turned. She heard the cocking of a rifle. A figure emerged from the shadows.

It was Jett.

He looked a little battered and bruised but otherwise okay. He wore a black hoodie over his head that hid most of his face. Though through the black she could see two blue orbs glowing underneath it. A rifle was at his shoulder, aimed at her. He moved forward with almost military precision and carefulness. His expression was not something she found comforting. He looked angry; anger that had only been a few hours old but yet festered like a millennium old grudge. But underneath it was something else. Fear. Fear was one of the causes of anger. Anger gave strength.

She turned to face him, “Jett-”

“Shut up!” he snarled. Instantly she shuddered. He had never been angry with HER. She stopped. Something was wrong.

She raised her hands, showing she was defenseless. He continued to move closer to her but still kept the rifle aimed at her head.

“Jett I-”

“Who are you?!” He asked, moving in a circle around her, “I have no fucking clue who you are but you are familiar to me. WHY?!”

Spitfire paused. Familiar? That was all she was to him? Familiar? Unacceptable. She knew for a fact she was a lot more than familiar to the android. Unless…

“Jett,” she said calmly, trying to keep her cool, “I’m a friend. One of your best friends. Now please…”

“How do you know my name? How do I know you’re not lying?”

“I…I… I don’t…”

“Where am I?! This isn’t Earth or any other human world. You are obviously not HUMAN so where the hell am I?!”

“You’re in Canterlot-”

“Don’t tell me something I already know! I’m not an IDIOT!” he roared.

“Okay, okay. You are not an idiot. That much I already knew. To answer your question, you’re in a nation called Equestria on the planet Equis.”

“System location.”

“I… I’m not aware of-”

“Galaxy name.”

“I… I don’t kn-”

“Star type. Number of planets in the system. Universal Star date.”

“I… I’m no-”

“How can I trust you, creature? When you are unaware of your own location in the universe or even when you exist?”

“I… I know what you are. You told me once.”

“What am I?”

“You’re a… what was it?” She rubbed her head, “You’re a… a type 1 class 7 artificial intelligence powered by two type 100 fusion reactors with a positronic brain running it all. You were designed to resemble a human as an AI prototype. As for the arm, you lost it in a Spaceport Bombing when you were only biologically 11 years old but cybernetically 4. You’ve been in service for 9 years though you resemble a teenager in appearance.”

He stopped. She had him.

“What… what else do you know about me?”

She looked at his eyes. She could see more of his face now. His anger was waning; fear mixed with curiosity was now in control. But there was something about the fear that spoke to her and she decided she’d answer any question he asked.

“I know that you come from a military family as you were a military project. Though you were only one of two in the project to learn your true identity. You had a sister you called Cat. Your best friend was another android named Dane and a bartender named Gin. And me; whom you rescued and kept safe for the last six and a half months before I returned home.”

“And... And... How did I get here?”

“You saved my life from a collapsing building. You told me to go home and to leave you there but I couldn’t. I brought you with me to return the favor. Though by my count I still owe you for taking care of me for half a year.”

“And… And my friends and sister?” He asked.

She sighed, “Your friends escaped. As for your sister… she… she was killed a few months earlier at her defense job.”

He stood still for a while before staring at the ground, “Oh…”

He suddenly looked incredibly sad. The gun lowered. The look on his face pulled at her heartstrings. Slowly she began to walk forward. She went to embrace him in a hug when in a burst of light the royal guard appeared, blocking all four sides of the intersection.

Instantly Jett tensed up and raised the rifle, the barrel only a centimeter from Spitfire’s head.

“Was this it?! All that was just bull shit to trap me, wasn’t it?!”

“No! It… I was just going to talk to you! This was only as a last resort.”

“Why should I believe you?!”

A man stepped forward. He had blue hair and was in guard armor. Two almost crystalline marks were on his hands along with a diamond shaped gem on his forehead. Captain’s bars were on his shoulders. He was Shining Armor.

“Because you’re out of escape options, pal.”

Jett turned and aimed the gun at him. Several voices spoke at once, “These weapons are crude and primitive but this rifle will be enough for us to blow your head off.”

Instantly the rest of the guard raised their guns and aimed them at the android.

Shining laughed, “Not before you go too, Speedy. So what’s it gonna be?”

“Your primitive weapons cannot harm us, creature. You lack the required technology to damage us. And your other abilities are no match for us either. Now step aside.”

“No. You’ll have to go through us first.”

Spitfire spoke up, “Jett please. You’re hurt and I just want to help you. No one here means you any harm.”

He turned. They layered voices faltered, “Can you fix me?”

“I… I don’t know. But you’ve ALWAYS been there for me and I just want the chance to do the same for you.”

“But I don’t even know who you are! All those people you described. I don’t know any of them! I just know my name, where I’m from, and what I am. That’s it!”

“You… you really don’t remember me?”

“I never saw your face before five minutes ago.”

This was bad; for more reasons than one. Six months: gone. Six of the happiest months of Spitfire’s life were gone to him. She felt sick to her stomach at that thought. And yet… she was familiar to him. Maybe she could work with this.

“You… you said that I was familiar to you. In what way?” She asked.

“I… I’m having vague flashes. I… I don’t know what they are. But for some reason you keep popping up in them.”

“Do you remember anything from them?”

“I… I don’t know! My memory banks are locked or damaged or something. I don’t know okay?”

Spitfire put her hand into her pocket. Jett aimed the gun at her, “What are you doing?”

“Relax, I’m just getting something.”

“What?”

“Proof that what I’ve told you is true,” she raised a photograph from her pocket. Jett still kept the gun aimed at her but reached for the picture. He viewed it with curiosity. It was four people, sitting on a log in a forest. One was brown haired girl who looked something like a badass who was giving a white haired boy a noogie. Both were laughing. There was a black haired boy with a metallic arm laughing at the sight and pulling an orange haired girl close. She had a blush on her face but still smiled.

He stared at it inquisitively, “That’s… that’s….”

“Us. The white haired boy is Dane and the Brown haired girl is Gin the bartender. That was taken when we went to Yellowstone.”

“Then why do I have no memory of that?”

“The only thing I can think of is that you were damaged when you fell into ground when you arrived.”

He continued to stare at the picture, “Why do you care so much?”

“Because you’re one of my best friends. And there’s no way I’m gonna abandon you like this. So put simply, you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”

“Can we hurry this up Captain?! I want to go home!” a voice shouted from the crowd.

“Shut up Cloudburn,” came the reply.

“Please, Jett. Put the gun down. I won’t hurt you, I promise. I just want to help you.”

He looked up from the picture and past her at the line of guards, “What about them?”

“You have my word they won’t harm you.”

He looked down at the picture, “… Okay… okay.”

He raised the gun and quickly disassembled it down to its base components before dropping all the pieces down onto the ground.

“Now what?”

She reached out, “Come with me.”

He looked at her hand inquisitively.

“Come on. I don’t bite,” she gave a reassuring smile; “You can trust me.”

Slowly his arm reached forward and grasped hers. He looked at his hand up and then up to her face. She smiled warmly.

“Come Jett, let’s get out of here.”

Shining raised his arm, “Stand down everyone. Let them pass through.”

Spitfire led Jett through a path cleared by a group of guards.

“Where… where are we going?” the android asked.

“You kept me safe and welcomed me into your home. Now I’m returning the favor.”

Chapter 35. Data.

Some of you may be wondering what this scene has to do with the story. All will be revealed soon. If someone can name all the quotes in this first scene… Congrats. Also these next few chapters will be slowing things down a bit. Also: MASSIVE STAR TREK INSPIRATION FOR THIS CHAPTER.

The Rama II Senate Debate. Orbit around Alpha Centauri A.

“Now, senators, with your views on the economy out of the way we move on to our next topic: Android rights. Now this is a difficult topic that has been danced around and avoided so I would like you both to answer with straight answers. Or, as the expression went: Cut the crap.”

Senator O’Reilly spoke first, “Now I agree with you that this issue is a toughie but it is an easy one for anyone of education and strong conviction to make, so I will cut the crap as it were.”

The crowd laughed.

“I hold a strong view that as machines, androids are not entitled to rights. The very word ‘Android’ means likeness of man. They are meant to resemble us, not be us. They were only meant to look like us, to act like us, to EMULATE us for our comfort in the work place and as companions across a wide variety of fields. Giving them rights would be a disaster! By that logic I should start giving my phone the right to vote, hold political office, and even marry! The absurdity of it all is monumental. They are not real.”

A part of the crowd cheered.

Senator Valorous spoke next, “Now Senator, I respect your view and that is your right, but I must correct you one critical fact. Androids were not originally meant to emulate us for our comfort in the work place; rather they were designed around 300 years ago as a military surveillance project. Project Titan as it were, designed the first models of androids and, from the records we have, was a huge success. They behaved human almost perfectly.”

“Ah yes, but you see that was only when they thought they were human. And even then they were still only machines! Pieces of equipment. Extremely human like equipment but equipment none the less.”

“And yet even with the information of their identities they still behaved human. If you recall history, Senator O’Reilly, two found out who they were. The 7 model and the 8, otherwise known as Jett Halsey and Dane Meridian."

Pictures of two boys appeared on the screen behind the two senators.

“Now Senator,” Valorous continued, “Do these boys look human to you?”

“Yes, however only superficially. Beneath that skin is all circuits, servos and Tritanium. While they may look like your son, grandson, or nephew they are merely machines.”

“And yet both of them were actually sons. They were the only androids that resembled kids in the project and they were placed with families. One of them, Jett Halsey, was taken and raised by one Fleet Admiral George Kirkland Halsey, who even in his advanced age, is sitting in the audience. The man who saved the Alliance. The man whom you yourself senator have idolized on many different occasions had an Android for a son.”

O’Reilly looked down at his podium at some unseen screen, “And yet… there were reports that the machine was prone to mischief and even in some cases fits of violence. For example: There was a documented report where the android violently assaulted 16 football players and caused extensive injuries.”

“And do you know what the fight was about, Mr. O’Reilly?”

“A Girl, Senator Valorous.”

“Yes, a girl. A living, breathing, girl. Now what does that tell you? I don’t know about you but I see strong signs of a protective instinct towards this girl. She may have been only his roommate or a friend or something more but needless to say the report indicates the android was protecting her personal information as well as defending himself.”

“And due to savagery of the incident the three laws were implemented less than a hundred years later to prevent MALFUNCTIONS such as these.”

“You consider emotions MALFUCTIONS, SENATOR? Were you also aware that the android was exhibiting symptoms of PTSD? And that those symptoms disappeared as soon as this girl came into the picture? Behavioral analysis of any kind will tell you that a strong emotional connection was formed.”

“So it was a MALFUCTION that repaired itself. A malfunction none the less.”

“PTSD is a MALFUCTION?! Senator by those standards, PTSD in humans is a malfunction as well and I will agree with you. It is a malfunction brought on by stress and can be repaired through proper treatment. Only in humans it is seen as a condition to be treated. In androids it is a malfunction that requires that the android’s net be purged. These are people, Senator! People with emotions! People who can feel! People who have children, families, husbands and wives with other androids and even organics.”

“And yet none of those emotions are real, Senator! Everything can be programed, altered, added or deleted. The Jett example is just more proof that when given freedoms and rights the androids become unstable. If not for the three laws they would have wiped us out a long time ago! I wouldn’t trust one of those things alone with my daughter!”

Senator Valorous paused. O’Reilly grinned smugly. Silence filled the hall.

And then, the senator spoke, “… Let me pose a question to you, senator, and to everyone in this room. What is real? Is real a sperm and an egg coming together to form a zygote that 9 months later travels down the birth canal as a human baby? Or is it a group of synthetic cells and Nanites made of a number of nonorganic elements that when given the proper materials in a test tube to form a Tritanium skeleton, circuits and servos, and polymers? Is it a boy who grows up with organic skin, a digestive system to get energy, and two gelatinous orbs that capture light to view the world? Or can it be a boy who grows up with synthetic skin, fusion reactors, and two silicon and fiberglass orbs that also capture light to view the world? Is it a series of chemicals in the brain that when imbalanced correctly make us feel things like happiness, sadness and even love? Or is it software and coding lines that when activated create the very same effect? Is it a person powered by fusion or a person run by nutrients? Which is more real than the other? If they both look the same, sound the same, feel the same, and love the same, which one is real? Is it the organic born formed from meiosis or the synthetic born from computers?”

A silence fell over the hall again. No one clapped or booed or even made a sound.

“Can it be both?”

…

“I want to show you all something,” Valorous said and tapped a button on his podium. A picture of a boy sitting on a couch with a smiling girl in his lap appeared. They were no older than 20. And they both looked extremely happy.

“Which one is real? Which one is feeling ‘REAL’ emotions? Which one feels the real love in the relationship there?”

No one could answer.

“No one knows? Then I’ll tell you. The girl is my Daughter who just graduated high school. The boy is the android who lives two houses down with the happy Android couple for parents. He’s been at her side since they were both kids. And he’s been nothing but a great friend and boyfriend to her. He’s still new at the whole love thing but he’s learning. I’m not saying he is perfect but he may as well be. If he can make her happy, what does it matter what he’s made of or what he runs on? Senator you said you wouldn’t trust one alone with your daughter. Well I can’t think of anyone I’d trust to leave with her or to walk her down the aisle one day. You all came to this debate wondering what our stances on the issue were. Senator O’Reilly has said his, and I have said mine.”

Stunned. The only word that would adequately describe O’Reilly’s face at the moment. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. O’Reilly had done his research on Valorous. But he never saw this coming.

Silence filled the room as the crowd waited for what would happen next. Valorous wiped his head before continuing.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We may have given birth to them but we are certainly not their almighty nor do we hold the rights to bar theirs from them. They are like us in more ways than one. They love, they believe in their own faiths, they have questions about the world, and now, like us so many centuries ago, they wish to have equality. Equality consists in the same treatment of similar persons. We are all alike, on the inside and they are fighting to prove that. The worst thing we can do to them now is subjugate them to the point where they come to believe that they are inferior. But that’s not true; I know that, Senator you know that as well! We are all, all of us, synthetic, organic, all of us are children to the same world. . All people are equal, it is not birth, it is virtue alone that makes the difference.”

A second later the room erupted into applause.

***

Present.

Spitfire and Jett finally reached the HQ. The process hadn’t been easy. Though the Princess formally said that Jett was in no trouble what so ever, Shining Armor was still suspicious of him. He refused to let Spitfire leave without an escort unless she swore to take a six shooter with her. She had buckled with a sigh and walked back to her HQ with a gun strapped to her thigh. She continued to hold Jett’s hand as they walked. The android himself was looking around the city almost in a scanning fashion.

Curiosity.

Spitfire smiled. The more things change the more they stay the same. Soon they passed through the gate and were standing in front of the doors to the cafeteria.

“Now, I know you don’t really know me much right now-”

“That being a relative statement. You are the first person that’s actually occupying any space in my personnel files considering you’re the first person I actually formally met today.”

Spitfire blinked, “Okay… Now I’m trying not to let the fact you have no memory of me bother me the best I can but as your friend, a word of advice: watch your step when you enter, things can get a little crazy here.”

“Logged.”

“Okay,” Spitfire said. Deep down she sighed. From all the crap he’d taken through all the time she knew him she should have begun to expect that his luck was just bad wherever he went. Hit by a car, harassed at school, sister died, shot in the head, nearly crushed by several tons of concrete, and then crashing into the ground at nearly Mach I and again losing his memory. And yet this all seemed like just another day at the office.

She opened the door, “Hey guys! Sorry I’m late but I brought someone for you guys to meet.”

“FUCK YOU SOARIN’!” came an angry yell.

“No no no no no no NO! Not the PIE!” came the response.

Spitfire looked up, “Oh shit.” She ducked just as the android entered the building only to be smashed in the face by one freshly baked apple pie.

Spitfire turned around and put a hand to her mouth to suppress a giggle. Everyone in the Café turned and observed before bursting out laughing.

Even Soarin’ who lost his pie was laughing at the sight.

Fleetfoot held a hand to her gut, “Whoa, sorry dude. That wasn’t meant for you.”

The android was covered in apple flavored goop with bits of crust falling off of it. He calmly removed the tin pan from his face. Underneath was a clearly unamused expression. He held the tin between his hands.

“Hey, can I get tha-”

The sound of metal compressing was heard as the pan was crushed down between his hands before being mashed into a marble sized ball in the mechanical hand of the android. He calmly walked over to the nearest table and placed the metal ball on the surface before walking to one of the nearby counters and grabbing some napkins.

Fleetfoot walked over to Spitfire.

“What’s his deal?” she whispered, “He seems oddly familiar.”

“He’s had a rough day. Along with the fact he lost his memory for a second time. And he should feel familiar. That’s the kid you pulled from the recently filled crater out front.”

“That’s him?! I couldn’t recognize him underneath that pie. Not that I could recognize him before but still.”

The robot was sitting alone at the table cleaning his face off. Misty had taken the prerogative and gone over to talk to him.

“Hi,” she said in a friendly tone, “I’m Misty. What’s your name?”

His face remained devoid of emotion but lacked the festering anger that had popped up earlier.

“Jett.”

She held her hand out, “Well Jett, it’s nice to meet you. So you’re the one that kept our Spitty safe those six months she was gone?”

He looked at her inquisitively, “I’m sorry?”

“You’re the one who took her in right? Who kept her safe?”

“I’m sorry but I have no recollection of those events. In fact I don’t remember anything south of this morning.”

“Oh…” Misty said quickly looking for a new subject, “So you’re a robot?”

“That’s what they tell me.”

“… So what’s it like being a robot?”

“What’s it like being a human?”

“… I don’t know.”

“It’s like that. You can’t accurately explain it can you?” he responded.

“No I guess not,” Misty said with a wry grin. The android continued to examine the room. Soarin’ walked over to the table and sat down looking at the crushed marble of tin sitting on the table. The blue haired jock picked it up and looked at it before putting it down again.

“So you’re a robot?” He asked.

“Yes…” the android responded.

“Why do you look like us?”

“Look like us?”

“Why do you look like us? Like a human if you’re not.”

Misty face palmed. The android looked a bit irritated.

“I don’t. This vessel only looks like this because you people are only comfortable interacting with your own kind.”

Spitfire meanwhile was talking with Fleetfoot. Spitfire had pulled the gun off her leg and placed it on a nearby table.

“What’s that for?” the snow haired flier asked.

Spitfire sighed and pulled the bullets out of the weapon, “Did you see the news recently?”

“Uh, when have I ever watched the News?”

“Good point. The Guard Captain wouldn’t let me leave without it. Apparently that while the Princess formally pardoned Jett, he still posed a threat and insisted I take it with me.”

“Really? I mean we saw what he did to the hospital room but Shining Armor really saw him as a threat?”

“Let’s see, he incapacitated two guards and a doctor, did the same again to two other guards and stole one of their guns, and out played four out of six of the elements. And after that remained hidden for the rest of the day. Even by my standards he’s a bit dangerous.”

Fleetfoot smirked and placed her hands on her hips, “And you lived with this guy for six months?”

“Hey, he may be a bit dangerous but believe me when he’s about as docile as a puppy,” Spitfire frowned.

“Really? After making an embarrassment from the Guard?”

“Yes. I mean, human emotions still avoid him like the plague sometimes but he’s a very nice guy.”

“The Plague?”

“Whoops, sorry. When you live in a whole other world like that you kinda… pick up a few things.”

“Oh, so is he alright? I mean, he looks a bit… off if you don’t mind me saying.”

Spitfire sighed, “Ah, he lost his memory again. And that should probably concern me more than it is right now but in all honesty crap like this comes with the territory. He’s been hit by a car, suffered the loss of his sister before turning nearly homicidal, beaten up repeatedly before finally snapping and… well that one didn’t end pretty, shot in the head and losing his memory, and… I think that covers most of it before he was nearly crushed by several metric tons of concrete. And that’s when I brought him here.”

“And he’s still alive from all of this?”

“Yeah. But after sharing a bedroom with him you get used to it I guess.”

“Wait, you never said you shared a bedroom with him,” Fleetfoot smirked.

“Echo…”

“Well,” she laughed, “I’m not saying anything, but he is kinda cute.”

“Back off sister, I saw him first,” Spitfire said.

Fleetfoot blinked before cracking up and laughing, “Oh! So that’s what this is about! You got lost in some future world, got saved by the robot next door, who just happens to be the complete opposite of the bad boys you’ve been going playing with since forever, and you now have the hots for him.”

Spitfire turned red, “You’re a real bitch Echo.”

“So just what about this good boy robot that makes him special?” Fleetfoot continued to tease, nodding over to the android who had undid the ball of tin and was now shaping it into a small sculpture to the amazement of Soarin’, Misty and most of the other team members, “Is he great in bed?”

“You know how he got hit by a car? Well he took the car by pushing me out of the way. And that’s just the beginning of it all. Quite honestly most of the shit he went through on that list was because I had showed up.”

Fleetfoot frowned, “So you two haven’t done it?”

“Oh fuck you.”

Spitfire looked past her childhood friend. Jett had finished his sculpture and placed it on the table. It was a man about five centimeters tall sitting on a pedestal with his hand at his chin… thinking. Her team mates smiled and marveled at it. Phrases of, “Dude that’s sick!” and, “Awesome!” came from the table. She smiled sadly.

Fleetfoot took notice, “Okay, what’s up? I’ve never seen that look on your face before. Who the hell is he?”

Spitfire sighed, “In six months, he showed me more than anyone I’ve ever knew. We spent nearly every waking moment together. When you get that close to a person… things happen. Now imagine that’s all gone. I mean this kind of thing has happened before and I’m sure he’ll be fine, I mean… he always is, but… it kinda hurts.”

“Do you… do you have feelings for him? Like actual feelings? Like more than ‘I want you to ruffle my feathers’ kind of feelings?”

“What do you think? I stood in the middle of the street for five hours waiting for him to show up. He’s saved my sorry ass more than once. He took me in and kept me safe even after I punched him in the face. I… there’s no explaining it.”

“Alright, I get it. He’s important to you. But out of curiosity. How does a person like that go from a stranger to… that in the span of six months?”

“It’s not the quantity but the quality of the time we spent together. If you ever meet someone like that you’ll see.”

Fleetfoot smiled, “Aw… Our little Spitty is growing up.”

“Hey fuck you. I’m still Captain.”

“Relax Spitfire, I’m just messing with you,” Fleetfoot laughed, “Does he have any brothers?”

Spitfire turned sad, “Left behind.”

“…Oh…”

“Funny, he was almost exactly like you. White hair and everything.”

The team seemed to be getting along with Jett just fine. They watched in amazement as the android flipped through the pages of a book and then repeated it back to them in record speed. It seemed he let down his rough around the edges attitude.

Spitfire turned back to Fleetfoot, “When’s our next show?”

“Well the entire season was called off while when you were gone but now that you’re back, management is working on rescheduling. But till then we have some time off. Why?”

“Just wondering. I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to do with him now that he’s here and our roles are pretty much reversed.”

“Well what did he do when he found you?”

“After I punched him in the face? Well considering his home wasn’t even on the same planet we went out shopping before buying a ticket home. After that he got me into his school and we just… lived life from then till now basically.”

“Well, why don’t you do the same for him?”

“Maybe…” Spitfire said walking over to the table. Jett was sketching with two pencils, almost with a childlike attribute while the rest of the team watched the ambidextrous android draw two halves of the same picture. She walked up behind him and peered at his sketch. It was a cityscape with a sun going down in the background. The view was atop a skyscraper with a random person standing near the edge holding on to a flag pole. His back was turned. Beneath him was the caption, “Us Verses The World,” on it.

“That’s pretty cool,” she smiled.

He turned and looked up at her. There was something about his face… she couldn’t place her finger on it. It was almost childlike.

“Really?”

“Yeah… hey how about I give you a tour of the place so you don’t get lost?”

“Oh no worries, I memorized the layout while you were talking to your friend over there.”

“Well there are still some things I can show you so come on,” she said grabbing his hand and dragging him from the table.

“It’s getting late,” Misty said, “I think I’m gonna hit the sack.”

“Me too,” Lightning Streak said.

The rest of the team nodded in agreement and stood up to leave.

“King sized mattress here I come,” Soarin’ yawned.

“We all know you’re just gonna polish your nob, Soar,” Fleetfoot laughed walking towards her room. The rest of them laughed at his expense.

“You’re all assholes,” he sulked.

Spitfire and Jett were the only ones left.

“Come on,” she smiled, “I wanna show you something.”

She stretched her wings before leading the robot out of the cafeteria towards the back of the building. A large patio was behind the cafeteria and extended over the edge of the cliff face.

The sun had long set and the stars were out. Twinkling gems of nearly every color were up in the sky. Streaks of blues and reds and oranges of nebula were painted across the night sky. Spitfire walked over to the railing. Beneath her was the spread out landscape of the valley floor beneath her. Trees, fields, rivers, everything imaginable. Near one river was a collection of lights, twinkling in the night. She recognized the town.

Above, hovering in the sky, almost like the entrance to some fantastical heaven, was Cloudsdale. The city hung in the sky like a temple for the gods. It glowed with an almost lunar light to it with its tall spires and columns giving it an almost roman appearance.

Spitfire leaned on the railing. Jett walked up behind her.

“What is the point of this exercise?” He asked.

She turned, “I just want to see if you’re still you.”

“If I’m still me?”

“Before… you lost your memory, you were almost in love with the stars. You even gave me a lecture on how important they were to your people.”

“Oh…”

…

Jett stood staring into the sky. He made a face before his vision flashed blue and then faded.

“What did you just do?” Spitfire asked.

“I took a picture.”

“Why?”

“Seemed like the thing to do at the time.”

“Are you really not remembering anything?” she asked.

He turned, “Sorry. Must have hit my head harder than I thought.”

Spitfire sighed, “It’s alright…”

“I’m really sorry I can’t remember anything. He… I must have been an important person to you.”

Spitfire suddenly found something interesting on the railing, “You could say that.” She looked up at him and gave a sad smile, “And you still are.”

He smiled back, “I wish I could remember who you are. You’re nice.”

She smiled, “Thanks.”

Spitfire yawned, “You know, you always were the apologetic type. Even when you did nothing wrong. I guess that’s a start.”

"You look tired."

“Nah, I’m fine.”

He frowned and performed a bio scan.

“You’re lying,” he said.

“Yeah?” she taunted, “And how would you know?”

“Biomedical scanning.”

“Cheater,” she yawned.

“Go to sleep. I’ll be fine.”

“Uh… no. I just got you back and I’m not going to leave you alone out here. You’re coming with me.”

“Okay, okay,” He muttered, “I’ll come with you. Can I just grab a few books from the library?”

“How do you know we have a library?”

“I memorized a map of the place.”

“Alright. What do you want to get?”

“Some books on history and things like that.”

“No science or magic books?” Spitfire asked.

“Considering my understanding of one is more advanced than that of the entire population of this planet and the fact that your ‘magic’ has no effect on me considering I’m not from here, the effort would be futile.”

“Oh… Well I guess that makes sense.”

They walked into the building. Jett stopped at the HQ library and walked out with several books before following Spitfire back to her room.

“Well here we are,” Spitfire said, “Just a warning. Place is a bit of a mess.”

She opened the door to her room. Inside there was a large king sized bed to the right against a wall. To the left down a few steps was a large couch with two arm chairs flanking it. In the center of all of them was a coffee table. The whole set up sat before a fire place with a TV hanging above it. A closet was to the immediate left. A balcony stood before them on the far side of the room.

Overall the room had a fairly modern design by Jett’s standards. Or by their standards it was futuristic.

And it was a mess. Clothes littered the bedroom area and pizza boxes were stacked atop the coffee table with various bottles and cups of… whatever previously was contained in them lying all over the floor. There was a pair of panties hanging on one of the lamps to which Jett raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah…” Spitfire said, “Not much.”

“How long was I in the hospital for?”

“Uh… a day?”

“And you managed to do all this in a day?”

“Well some of the clothes are from a while ago,” she said walking into the room. Jett followed her as she turned on a ceiling fan only to watch a sports bra fall onto the android’s head, “Like that.”

He sighed, “Why does this situation seem familiar?”

“Uh… maybe that’s a story for later,” Spitfire blushed.

“Okay,” he said outright refusing to take it any further, “Can I put these down somewhere?”

“Oh sure.” Spitfire walked over to the coffee table and picked up the pile of pizza boxes and opened the door to the balcony and dumping them over the edge.

“Uh… isn’t that littering?” Jett asked.

“No. Soarin’s room below mine. It’ll just land on his like always,” she laughed.

“O… Kay,” Jett said and set the books down on the table before sitting down on the couch and taking a book from the pile.

“Well, I’m gonna go take a shower and then hit the hay,” Spitfire yawned, “If you want you can come to bed.”

“Nah, it’s alright. I don’t need sleep. I’ll just spend the night reading these; if you don’t mind that is.”

“It’s fine.”

“Cool.”

Jett grabbed a book from the pile. A several thousand page book on Early World History and began to flip through it. Spitfire grinned and found a pair of panties and a night shirt in the mess of her bedroom and walked into the bathroom.

When she emerged she found the android was halfway through the pile of books and was flipping through another.

She smiled and walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him.

“Whatcha reading?” she asked.

“Well I got through all the early stuff and I am now on what this book calls ‘The Millennium Years.’ Why? Aren’t you going to bed?”

“Maybe.”

He blinked, “Spitfire, it’s 11:45. Unlike me you cannot go without sleep so I would advise that you do so.”

“Will it make you more comfortable?”

“If that’s what it takes, yes. I know what sleep deprivation does to people.”

“What does it do exactly?”

“You won’t be happy in the morning and no amount of coffee will fix it.”

“Okay okay. Fine. You sound like my father some times.”

“Did I used to be like that?”

“A little bit,” She said as she released him and walked over to her bed.

“Night,” she called as she let the soft folds of the blankets envelop her.

“Night,” the android called and returned to his books.

Spitfire smiled and was soon falling fast asleep. Jett meanwhile continued to read.

Too bad you won’t ever get away you robot freak!

I’m the best there ever was and the best there ever will be! And you won’t be beating me ever!

He frowned. What was that?

Heads up for later. Character personality.

Jett.

Likes: All things space and flight and science and engineering. Likes to work with his hands and have fun with friends. Loves learning and doing new things and reading books. Enjoys pomegranates.

Dislikes: Football. Arrogance and pompous personalities. People with a superiority complex. Over confidence. Hates Sigmund Freud. Does not enjoy tomatoes. Loathes desk work and cubicles.

Personality: Cynical personality. Naturally distrusting to the point of almost paranoia. Holds on to anger and keeps grudges. Has an inferiority complex. Underneath it all is a curious personality who enjoys the company of his friends and getting into trouble with them. Self-restraining in many aspects almost to the point of self-punishment. Keeps any and ALL promises.

Note: Took traits that would make interpersonal relationships difficult and put them into this character.

Chapter 36. Neurosis

Sorry for not updating in a while but I recently got hooked on an anime called Angel Beats! It is possibly one of the best shows I’ve ever seen and you should all go watch it. The characters are so lovable and relatable to the point where they seem like real people.

2409. The Academy.

Jett sighed. He hated his life. His gym class was doing a mandatory sports unit. He didn’t like it. He wasn’t good at sports and never planned to be. He hated it.

Due to his… special circumstances, the Office of Naval Intelligence refused to allow one of their experiments participate in any contact sports while he was still adjusting to his new arm and getting reacquainted with his body.

Now I’m an experiment.

He turned and looked at the gunmetal arm attached to his shoulder and cringed. He opened up his backpack and removed a small case and removed a medical syringe. He pressed it to his leg and pressed the button on its side. The pain near his shoulder dulled but did not fade.

The metal stuck out like a sour thumb. And he couldn’t just have a new arm grown due to the expense of it all and the fact anything like it would immediately be rejected by his body’s internal defense system that had been amped into overdrive when a piece of a space plane became embedded in his net. Yeah. That was what they called it. Not an immune system.

He looked at the metal appendage. At least it kind of looked normal. Sort of. No it wasn’t. Who was he kidding? It stuck out like a sour thumb. He was already receiving unwanted attention for it and had become extremely withdrawn than when he was in middle school. At least Dane was understanding along with Gin. She at least was a nice guardian when Cat or Dad weren’t around.

He looked down from the bleachers. Gods and angels is what they saw themselves as. Frankly they were.

He had no gripe with them before but now he was different. If you’re different then you don’t fit in anywhere. And then you become a target.

He looked down at the kids playing their game with contempt. They were lucky, taking their position in the world for granted. They were born organics, born gods, born angels. He was just a machine now. Just a robot. Just some stupid, fucking, robotic fre-

Wait. What? What the hell was he thinking? He began to feel angry. Suddenly extremely angry. He looked at the arm. Enough force behind it to punch through a reinforced concrete wall. They could make fun of him all he wanted. He could break them if he wished.

Anger. That same festering anger was back. He looked the players on the field. Anger. This wasn’t right. This was unnatural.

He sighed and closed his eyes. They told him to expect this. Uncontrolled emotions. He focused and soon found a calm in the raging torrent.

He sighed. His emotions dulled. But not before he noticed something. The game was over and the players were approaching. He recognized them. Ryan, Danny and Chris, flanked by several different girls.

“Well, well, well,” Ryan said, “Look who we have here.”

Jett stood up and closed his book. No. Not this time. He wasn’t going to give them the time of day. He calmly began packing up his things and started walking the complete opposite direction down the bleachers. He did not want or need a confrontation today. He simply wanted to be withdrawn and alone. Alone with his thoughts, alone by himself, because that’s what he was now…

Alone.

“Where you going robot boy?! Got somewhere important to be you prosthetic freak?!” Ryan called.

Jett stepped off the bleachers and started walking towards the school building. He looked up at the dome as he picked up speed. A sudden random thought went through his head about what would happen if the dome above shattered…

“Where’s he going Danny?” Chris asked.

“I don’t know, let’s go find out.”

***

Jett stared at the wall. It was 3:00 and Spitfire was still sleeping, the angel’s wings rose up and down as she slept. Jett had long finished all the books but there was something else occupying his thoughts. Anger, resentment, envy and jealousy all towards… nothing. He could not place it. And that made him angrier. He simmered on the couch in the darkness staring at the wall.

He looked down at his arm, suddenly resenting it. His HUD was still active. Then, green lights began appearing next to the icons on the left side of his vision as each system came online.

“Interesting…” he said and looked at his forearm. On the upper part of his forearm opened a door that moved down to form an armor plating around the appendage as a cannon like device emerged. A charge bar appeared on the top of his HUD. He studied the gun. Directed energy weapon. It looked no different than any other gun. Accept for the blue streak that ran into his arm from the firing mechanism it was pretty normal. He watched as the device slowly retreated back into his arm.

He looked back at the other icons on his HUD. He selected one and watched as an arrow appeared above him. A beeping echoed through his head. Slowly it began to direct him in the direction of the sleeping girl’s bed. He followed it to the foot of Spitfire’s bed. The beeping increased in intensity. There was a duffel bag lying on the floor.

Slowly he opened up the bag. The large primary pocket was filled with clothes. But not girl’s clothes. Men’s. Strange. He dug further into the bag until he hit something hard. He found a handle. He pulled and a metal case emerged from the bag. The beeping in his head stopped in one continuous tone.

“Strange…” he jerked his head and shut the tracker off.

He walked over to the coffee table and placed the metal case down. He examined it and found a keypad on front of it.

“Hmm…”

He began typing in numbers at random.

118373764

ACCESS DENIED.

1213 448484

ACCESS DENIED.

1100101101001

ACCESS DENIED.

983 235 8768

ACCESS DENIED.

He sighed and looked at the case on the table. Clearly it was not native to this planet but what the hell was that code? He pondered.

He looked at the key pad again.

“Hmm… I wonder…”

46 69 72 65

ACCESS GRANTED.

The case cracked open. Slowly he put his hands to it and opened it further. Inside was a foam surface with various objects embedded inside of it. Two of them were empty. He looked through the various attachments. One of them was a long switch blade like device; two others were tanks with a silvery liquid in them. He removed one and examined it. He flicked the glass on the container and watched it form an almost solid matrix before returning to its liquid state. He replaced it. He went through the devices again. One was a metallic reactor like device hooked up to a tank. Another was a small computer like device. There were others inside but he ignored them.

He closed the case, suddenly feeling angry. Very angry.

He looked over towards the balcony. A person was standing near the entrance. They were black with veins of red running up their body. They looked to be wearing a suit but the whole thing was black and looked to be burned making it difficult to tell. Their face was nearly unreadable as a red flame like aura ran across their skin. He looked to his left. A green girl with straight hair stood near by. Her expression was inquisitive. A boy yellow boy stood next to her...

***

Jett fell to the ground. He cringed in pain. He was angry. He wanted to lash out but… it would be futile.

“Why’d he try running?” Crystal asked, “When he knows he wouldn’t get away?”

“Because I don’t want a confrontation,” he sighed.

“Too bad you won’t ever get away you robot freak!” Ryan laughed.

“What would you have me do?!” He spat, “I don’t fight! I can’t fight any of you! So why can’t you sadistic vegetables leave me alone? And take your harridans with you!”

He got up on his knees and began rubbing the bruise on his face.

“What did he call you?” Chris asked, “Harridans? What the hell does that mean?”

“How should I know? I’m not a fucking nerdy ass robot shit,” Danny said.

“It was meant as an insult. I think I have the perfect punishment for this mechanical freak,” Ryan said. He grabbed Jett by his prosthetic and pulled back hard and fast. Jett reached for his shoulder with his other arm as his face contorted in pain. Ryan made a fist and punched fast and hard at the android’s shoulder joint. An ungodly popping sound was heard as Jett cried out in pain.

“Talk back again, say anything to anyone, and this will be the least of your problems.” With that he kicked forward and let the android fall back to the ground.

He bent down to speak, “You know, we almost lost today because your faggot ass wasn’t in the game. Maybe if you were a team player like me I wouldn’t have a problem with you. We won of course.”

Jett coughed and clutched his shoulder, “You’ll lose eventually.”

Ryan laughed, “Yeah right, I’m the best there ever was and the best there ever will be! And you won’t be beating me ever!”

He kicked the android in the gut.

“Come on guys, let’s get out of here. This place is dead anyway.”

They walked away, laughing and talking about whatever. Jett continued to lie on the ground, slowly curling into a ball. He wanted to cry but… he couldn’t. At this point there was nothing left to cry about.

***

Thin wisps of consciousness returned to Spitfire’s mind. She opened brilliant orange eyes and yawned as she sat up in her bed. She looked over towards the living area before her. Not much about her room had changed with the addition of a stack of finished books and an android sitting calmly on the couch.

Spitfire pulled herself out of bed and walked towards him. He was sitting with his hands on his knees staring at the wall with intensity.

“Good morning?” she said.

He turned, “Oh hello. Good morning.”

“How long have you been staring at that wall?”

“I have not been staring at the wall. I have finished the books and have been processing the information for the past few hours. I have fully absorbed the knowledge of your history contained in those books.”

“Is that all you’ve been doing all night?” She asked yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes as well as stretching her wings. They made a cracking noise as she stretched the joints.

“Ah, much better. So did you do anything else last night?”

“… Yes…” Jett murmured.

“Well what did you do?”

“I’ve been struggling to understand strange feelings of sudden anger and sadness I have been experiencing recently. I have replicated each circumstance and have not been able to adequately reproduce the feelings. It is most… unsettling.”

“Hmm.”

“You used to know me before I… you know. What did I do to calm down before?”

“Uh… well uh… typically you played the piano or went through some effort to make some kind of device for your own purposes or get distracted in some other way,” Spitfire said, “That always helped from what I saw and what Dane and Gin said about you.”

“… Dane and Gin…” he said sadly. His eyes dimmed to a gray color, “Great, there it is again.”

“What?”

“I’m feeling sad. I believe that is what you call it. Sadness. And that’s just one of the things I’ve been analyzing. I’ve been wondering why I do not seem to be effected by any of the… abilities those girls who pursued me had, along with how an advanced piece of military technology ended up on some unknown planet in the middle of-still determining that, or ho-”

“Hey! You are not just some piece of military tech!”

"Yes I am. I can check my software settings and origin. I was created on a military installation orbiting Jupiter by the military, hence forth I am a piece of military technology."

"I don't mean that! I mean you're more than just that. You're a person and my friend."

“Well I am not alive nor am I organic in any way so what else would you call me?”

“Well uh… I don’t know! You’re a freaking person! Not some piece of tech! You’re also my friend who has a case of amnesia so I am TRYING MY HARDEST to be as PATIENT as possible but the one thing I will not fucking tolerate with you is your self berating attitude!”

Jett reeled back on the couch, blinking rapidly. Spitfire stood with her arms by her sides and her hands curled into fists looking rather bent. She slowed her breathing and sighed.

“Sorry I went all Drill Sergeant on you… But it took me a while to get you out of that hole the first time,” she sighed.

“Uh… yeah. No problem. Sorry. Guess I’m kind of an asshole no matter wh-”

SLAP.

“Hey! What was that for?” Jett asked rubbing his face.

“That,” Spitfire said cracking her knuckles, “Was for beating yourself up. This…”

She punched him in the gut. Not enough to really hurt him but enough to be irritating. He fell off the couch onto the floor, landing on his stomach.

“… Is me beating you up. If someone’s gonna beat you up it’s gonna be me.”

He sighed, letting out a considerable amount of air, “I take it this kind of thing used to happen all the time.”

“Yup,” Spitfire said walking over. Jett flipped himself over and propped himself up on his elbows. Spitfire gave him a grin and placed one of her feet on his chest.

He sat on the ground staring at her. Something about this situation seemed familiar. Was it her hair? No. Though she had a nice case of bed head that added a cute look to her that wasn’t it. Was it her night shirt? No. Though it conformed around her in an almost seductive way that wasn’t it either. Her wings? Funny. This was a borderline sex fant- oh that’s what it was.

“This is a really weird position to be caught in right now.”

“I know. You always were a recessive personality,” Spitfire grinned.

“Recessive am I?”

“Yup. Just like a cute little puppy dog.”

"I don't think that's fair. I think that being a living weapon, being a bit recessive is a necessity."

"Oh I think you could be a bit more assertive. For instance, you are currently letting a girl pin you to the floor with just her foot."

"Well what would you have me do? You're some kind of military angel girl and I'm the ultimate surveillance weapon."

"Why don't you just try to fight me off?"

"Because you're a girl."

"That's no excuse," Spitfire frowned, "You choked a girl at your school before."

Jett looked scared, "Why? What did I do?"

"It wasn't what you did, it was what she did and how you reacted."

"What did she do?"

"She hit me. Not that I couldn't handle it that is," she tossed her bedhead, "I would have killed her. You just choked her and threatened her."

"Oh..."

"Hey, come on now. It's not that bad. Plus you've saved my sorry ass more times than I can count so I'm pretty sure you've saved up enough good Karma to keep you going for the rest of your life."

"Oh, uh... Okay. Can you let me up now?"

"Depends," Spitfire grinned.

"Depends on what?"

"If you have it in you to throw me off."

"Aw come on. I don't want to fight you. Plus you're like half naked. It'd just be weird."

"Well I'm gonna say that's a no. And you've been in weirder situations where that had a lot more than some minor T&A, so don't be a pussy."

“Well who was the one who outsmarted your ‘best fighting force in all of the world,’ huh? Me. So fuck you.”

Spitfire grinned, “Will you really?”

Jett turned red. Spitfire grinned. He may have lost his memory but if he was still him she could soo mess with him. She crouched down on her hands and knees and gave the android a sultry look. Slowly she crawled towards him, her wings fluttering lightly.

“Uh… Spitfire? What are you doing?”

“An experiment,” she purred. Soon Jett was backed against the wall.

***

Rapidfire yawned and walked through the hallway away from his room. He ran a hand through his hair as he walked. He stretched his wings in anticipation for getting to the cafeteria. He continued down the hallway.

Suddenly a blood curdling scream was heard. The door in front of him burst open and a black haired figure ran out of the room and down the hallway. Spitfire stumbled out of the doorway and into the wall, laughing hysterically.

“Yeah! I’d say that experiment was a success!” she laughed.

Rapidfire blinked before saying to himself, “Goddess, she’s like demon.”

***

Later.

The Cafeteria.

“Okay, I am not going to be staying in your room with you if you’re gonna try to RAPE me!”

Spitfire laughed. Her hair was down from bed head still and she was still in her PJ’s just with a bathrobe over it all.

“Oh relax, if I really wanted to rape you I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be complaining and it wouldn’t be considered rape.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just a frisky little girl. You may never know.”

“You are most certainly not a little girl. You’re almost as tall as me.”

“Maybe,” Spitfire grinned taking a bite of her cereal. Oh he may have lost his memory but he was still him. She smiled. He was sitting in the seat across from her with his head in one of his hands looking out the window. A glass of water was in front of him.

“Don’t you need to eat things?” Spitfire asked, “You always said you needed to eat things to keep your systems functioning.”

“That’s only partially true. As of now, that program that made it a necessity is offline. Right now I don’t need to eat or even drink anything for the next few years. I guess that program was just in place to have me look normal. If you’d like I could eat something. If it would make you feel more comfortable.”

“No, no it’s fine,” Spitfire said.

The doors to the cafeteria burst open and Soarin’ walked in.

“Hey Spitty. Having a breakfast date with your boyfriend?”

In an almost cartoon like fashion Spitfire leapt from her seat and flew over to where the blue haired flier was. Though he was about a head taller than her he suddenly backed against the wall.

“WHAT?!”

Rapidfire looked up from his breakfast. Jett just turned and shrugged and returned to staring at his glass of water.

“Excuse me Soarin’ but my relationship business is none of yours so keep your nose out of it!”

“Jeez, sorry Cap. Didn’t know you were so protective of your bo-”

Spitfire’s knee came up fast and hard and hit Soarin’ below the belt. Soarin’ let out a small peep before collapsing to the ground in a heap.

Jett laughed and turned to Rapidfire, “Guess your captain’s a real ball buster.”

“And this isn’t even during practice.”

The doors to the cafeteria opened and the rest of the team entered. They looked tired but that was to be expected.

Spitfire returned to the table, “Ignore what just happened there.”

The android looked at her, “Okay.”

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Okay, considering how we got back late last night, why don’t I introduce you to the team?”

Jett shrugged, “Sure.”

“Okay!” Spitfire cheered happily, “The white haired girl with the blue wings is Fleetfoot.”

Fleetfoot smiled.

“The butterscotch winged girl with the icy blue hair is Misty Fly or Misty as pretty much everyone else in the universe calls her. You talked to her last night.”

Misty waved.

“The girl with the orange hair and the yellow wings is Blaze. Be careful around her, she’s a nymphomaniac.”

Blaze grinned and winked, “Thought that was you cap.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. White wings and curly blue hair is High Winds. White wings, yellow spiky hair is Surprise.”

“Sup,” Surprise said.

“The grayscale blue winged guy with the puffy dark blue hair is Wave Chill. Silver wings, white curly hair is Silver Lining. You already met Rapidfire. Those two guys with the orange and yellow hair are the twins Fire Streak and Lightning Streak.”

Everyone waved.

“Oh, and the dead body on the floor is Soarin’. He’ll pull himself back together soon enough.”

A gurgling noise came from the far side of the room.

“Okay, so now what?” Jett asked.

“Well… I don’t know really. Hey Fleetfoot! Has management called about rescheduling yet?”

“Not yet,” she replied, “They said they’d call tomorrow.”

“Cool. Alright everyone, No practice until we know if we have any shows or not. Take the day off.”

Everyone cheered. Soarin’ groaned.

“Easy for all of you to be happy, you can all still walk,” he groaned from the floor before slowly pulling himself up.

“Well who cares what you think Soarin’,” Fleetfoot said, “Serves you right too. Asshole.”

Everyone laughed. Even Spitfire who had apparently been filled in on the whole situation when the android was still out. Jett meanwhile was confused.

“What did he do?”

Fleetfoot sighed, “He replaced all of my clothes with miniskirts and tossed all my underwear off the cliff.”

Jett blinked and turned to face the still crumpled heap leaning against the wall that was Soarin’, “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Fleetfoot deadpanned.

“Alright so what’re we gonna do today?” Fire Streak asked.

“Whatever you want,” Spitfire said, “That’s what I’m doing.”

“Oh so you are dating Je-”

“SHUT UP SOAR!”

Fleetfoot stepped up next to Spitfire, cracking her knuckles, “Get outta here Cap; I’ll keep butthead here in check.”

Spitfire grinned, “Alright. Come on Jett! We’re going on a tour of the city. If you're gonna live here you're gonna need to know the where all the best stuff is.”

“Memorized the layout last night when I was outrunning and avoiding your poor excuse for a guard.”

Soarin’ coughed, “Poor excuse?! Next to us they’re the best military force in the world.”

"And yet they couldn't find me."

“Uh, Soarin’,” Spitfire sighed, “He is kinda right. As much as I hate to admit it, even without all the technology his people have they’re still better trained and more disciplined. Hell, even Jett has more years’ worth of training and experience than the entire guard.”

“Prove it,” Soarin’ coughed, “Soon as I can walk again.”

Spitfire grinned, “Alright. How ‘bout a duel?”

Misty raised an eyebrow, “A duel?”

“Yeah! Between Jett and Soarin’. A competition in everything from archery to hand to hand combat to swordsmanship. You do remember how to use a sword, don’t you Soar?”

“Yes I remember how to use a sword,” he mumbled, “And what do I get when I win?”

“How ‘bout this,” Spitfire grinned, “Loser has to take up all janitorial duties for a month so old Dex can have a vacation. Winner gets… I don’t know I’ll think of something.”

“Aye aye captain.”

"Do I have any say in this?" The android asked.

"No," Fleetfoot said.

"Why?"

"Because me and pretty much everyone else here wants you to win."

Jett blinked. Okay, so Spitfire had just enlisted him to represent his entire species in a duel of which one was the more disciplined and better trained. Hmm. He’d better brush up on a few things. Then an idea came to his mind…

“So I can’t use any technology to help me?” Jett asked.

“Nope. Just what you can find here.”

“Okay. Do you happen to have a forge around here?”

“Yeah we have one,” Fleetfoot said, “What for?”

“I’m going to make a few things.”

Spitfire grinned, “What do you need? I’ll pay for it.”

“Clay, high and low carbon steels, some other things.”

Everyone on the team exchanged glances and then looked towards Soarin’. While no one was terribly fond of the idea of an android being more skilled than the guard, the idea of Soarin’ seeing his ass handed to him on a silver platter was significantly more enticing.

“Alright,” Spitfire said, “Let’s go do some shopping.”

Author's Note

With the new episode that came out recently, I went back into the story and edited a few things. Nothing too serious but just a few minor details that in all honesty you would not notice unless you searched the story from top to bottom.

Chapter 38. Personal Responsibility.

Yeah, I know I said the duel would be this chapter but... I lied. I cut the chapter up a bit so I could publish it at a reasonable time. I'm pretty sure that next one though will be what you expect. Sorry.

Jett was panicking now. Spitfire’s head had hit the table when she fainted, knocking her even farther into the darkness.

Jett had reached fast to grab her nightshirt before she fell but that didn’t go well as the satin material slipped through the metal grip of his hand.

Now she was lying on the floor, out like a light.

“Okay, okay, stop panicking. Loading medical protocols.”

Jett quickly scanned her body. She had a light gash on the back of her head as well as a mild concussion. Concussions. Normally they were minor injuries they did have the ability to be damaging to a degree unless the damage was repaired quickly.

He quickly ran over to the case in his bag and cracked it open, removing a rotary of tools with the medical cross on it.

Not bothering to hook it up he ran back to Spitfire, using the syringe injected a group of Nanites into her system. He kept track of their progress as they repaired the damage to her brain, no matter how minor it was.

Then there was still the problem of the gash on her head. Shit. No bandages here.

“Oh, I, uh, crap.”

Well here he was. Her head was bleeding, and bandages were not something to be found in Spitfire’s room, not surprising considering how messy it was.

“Hmm, disengage emotional subroutines.”

Okay, now this was easier to deal with. Objective, treat injury.

He calmly picked her up in his arms, careful of her head and ran out of the room.

“Access building layout.”

A map appeared over his vision.

“Infirmary.”

A path was carved through map that he followed. Soon he arrived inside the infirmary. It resembled a school nurses office with a little bit of hospital mixed in. He rushed past the doctor on duty and placed her on the nearest empty bed.

“Hey New guy, wh- oh dear Celestia what happened?” the man asked. He had one of those forehead things so he probably had some of those weird abilities.

“She suffered Class One TMI with a Level Two Laceration to her head.”

“What?”

The android let out an emotionless sigh, “Mild Concussion. Nanites have repaired most of the Damage but she should stay still for a while. And she cut her head.”

“Okay, we have bandages- wait. Nanites?”

“Yes.”

"As in?"

"Micromachines? You know, machines the size of cell?"

“But… that’s impossible. No magic in Equestria can even make anything remotely that small. That’s only theoretical.”

“No it’s not. They are repairing the damage to her Occipital lobe as we speak. If you had any understanding of Nano engineering you would understand this stuff.”

“All mana research into the development of that stuff has broken down at that level. You cannot do it.”

“Yes you can. Have you ever considered that not everything is mana based or whatever?”

“Civilization is built on it! We would have never gotten this far without it!”

“Well my people did and went farther. How do you think I was created?”

“Civilization requires the use of mana energy to develop.”

“And I am saying it doesn’t. My people have space ships and live on other planets. And we did that without the use of your ‘mana’.”

“Prove it.”

“Okay I will. After reading up on your people, everything, you believe, is infused with mana and thus can be manipulated by it.”

“Of course. The entire universe is like that.”

“And I’m saying it isn’t. Try and do a spell on me or something. Anything. Try to kill me even.”

“Alright.”

The crystal in his head started glowing. A bubble of blue energy began to form around him. It went to close and… passed right through the android without even so much as a twitch.

“But… But that’s impossible,” the doctor gasped, “How? How are you alive?”

“You see that’s the thing. I am not. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to help Spitfire.”

The android quickly found a first aid kit and got to work cleaning her wound before gently bandaging her head and setting her back down on the bed.

“I’m impressed son. For an outlander with not a day of medical experience you did that like an EMT with ten years’ experience.”

“That’s because I’ve been programed with the experience.”

“Programed?”

“Yes. I am an android after all.”

“An… android?”

“Yes. What? You thought this arm was just for fun?”

“Well it’s just that-”

“Don’t tell me, I’m only theoretical here to?”

“Yes. But that’s not what I meant.”

Jett sighed, “You know, with the amount of stuff I have loaded into my matrix I could probably confirm or deny every major theory you all have about the universe.”

“Well what do you have medical wise?”

“Medical wise? Well uh, what do you want to know? I mean, my people have found a treatment to literally every single ailment you could be struck with, down to looking old and death itself.”

“You can cure death?”

“Well not cure, but life expectancies have jumped into the hundreds of years. Used to be only to the eighties or nineties if you were lucky. Now it’s into the nine hundreds.”

“Dear Celestia… Only the Princesses have ever lived to ages like that.”

A moan at the bed got the android’s attention and he instantly rushed back towards it.

“Reengage emotional subroutines.”

Spitfire opened her pretty orange eyes, moaning she held her head.

“Ow,” she cried, “What happened? It feels like someone played the maracas with my brain.”

“You kind of fainted and hit your head on the table. Please stay still. I have Nanites repairing damage to your brain right now and they would appreciate if you didn’t move.”

She blinked, “Oh, okay. So what happened?”

“We were talking about me turning over a new leaf when you just… fainted and hit your head on the table on the way down. I tried to grab you and stop but…” he held up his left arm, “This thing doesn’t work well on satin.”

“It’s alright-ow. Damn it this hurts.”

“You cut your head to so that could be part of it,” The Doctor said, “Your friend here is quite the physician.”

“Thanks, Jett.”

“No problem.”

“Wow, suddenly I’m really tired…”

“That’s the concussion you got. Get some rest.”

“How long am I gonna be out for?”

“Well considering you have Nanites repairing you’re brain right now, I have no idea,” The doctor said, “You?”

“You’ll be fine tomorrow. And the Nanites can stay in your body if you want on a kind of permanent patrol.”

“Cool,” Spitfire yawned, “Wow, I am really… tired…” She closed her eyes.

“Ssshhh, get some sleep you flame headed nymph,” Jett laughed.

“Fuck… you…” she sighed as she drifted off the sleep.

Jett sighed, “I can see where she gets her name sake.”

“You get used to it after a while.”

The doors to the infirmary burst open and the rest of the team pilled in.

“What happened?!” Soarin’ asked, “Did you do something?!” He looked at Jett who returned his glare with a blank look.

“Oh relax my little idiot,” High Winds sighed, “I really doubt the guy took her in for six months only to hurt her now.”

“Well… I guess.”

Blaze rolled her eyes, “You really don’t think things through do you?”

“Well I…”

“Well you certainly didn’t get into the Wonderbolts for Brains,” Rapidfire laughed.

“What is this? Gang up on Soarin’ day?” he asked.

“Maybe.”

Everyone refocused their attention on Spitfire.

“So what happened exactly?” Misty asked.

“Spitfire fainted, hit her head on the table, concussion, being repaired, cut on her head, bandaged, rest, end,” Jett said.

“Why’d she faint?” Surprise asked.

“No clue,” Jett blinked, “We were just talking and then she mumbled something, her eyes rolled up into her head and… well here we are.”

“Did you try to catch her?” Fire Streak asked.

Jett held up his arm, “Smooth metal on silk. Not much friction to grip with. Physics still apply to me.”

“Well magic doesn’t,” Fleetfoot said.

“And the only explanation I can give is that I am not alive so… nothing.”

“Ah…”

…

“So now what?” someone asked.

“I don’t know,” Misty said, “Jett, you got any ideas?”

“Well I was gonna stay here and keep an eye on what’s her face here. You go do… whatever you do when you have time off.”

“Guess I can do some shopping,” Misty said.

“I’ll go too,” Surprise grinned.

“Got nothing better to do,” Blaze sighed.

The two Streaks looked at each other, “Dude… sports.”

“Well, guess I’m gonna hit the gym then,” Soarin’ yawned, “Gotta keep these muscles you know?”

“Soarin’ well all know you’ve been single for the past three years so just stop,” Fleetfoot said following everyone as they shuffled out of the room. An echo of laughter came down the hallway.

“Do they always make fun of him?” Jett asked.

“Yes,” the doctor laughed, “Pretty much a normal around here. They all jeer and make fun of each other all the time.”

“Ah…”

“So what’ve you got planned for today?”

“Nothing. I’m just gonna stay here and keep her company.”

The Doctor smiled, “That’s awfully nice of you.”

“Least I could do. She’s letting me stay with her so I could at least do this for her.”

The Doctor shook his head with a smile, “You do know that you don’t have to. She wouldn’t expect you to.”

“I guess… But I kinda feel some kind of personal responsibility for her. Like… I don’t know. Like it’s my job to keep her safe. I don’t know. I kinda panicked when she hit her head.”

“Well you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“Thanks.”

***

Spitfire yawned. Her vision slowly returned to her. Blurry at first but soon everything became clear. Her head was not hurting, the pain having subsided.

She sat up in her bed. Jett was sitting in a chair next to her bed reading a book on foreign cultures. He had a small smile on his face. He looked up from his book.

“Oh! You’re awake! How are you feeling? Does anything hurt or do you feel any discomfort?” he asked.

“No… actually I feel great,” she smiled.

“That’s medical Nanites for you. And if you want they can stay in your body and act as an extra part of to your immune system. If you want that is.”

“So they’ll just stay in my body? Doing nothing until needed?”

“Pretty much.”

Spitfire blinked, “Okay.”

“Cool.”

“So what’re you reading?”

“More history stuff. Just some reading while you slept.”

“How long was I out?”

“A few hours. Not too long.”

“Good. So where’s everyone else?”

Jett blinked, “They’re… doing whatever they do when they have the day off I guess. I really have no clue. Not my business.”

Spitfire grinned, “Well I think we’ll pay them a visit then. Come on.”

***

The rest of the week went on as Spitfire slowly readjusted back to Wonderbolt life. Jett had avoided everyone else for the most part, not out of contempt but because he was spending all his time in the forge working on his mystery sword.

Spitfire didn’t care though. She had work to do. Apparently the others had gotten a bit lazy since she was gone. She wasn’t going to pretend. She had to but this was just ridiculous. She had reinitiated their training work outs and other exercises.

Jett had been getting out more like he said. That made Spitfire glad. He’d been going off on his own into the city, just exploring, getting around.

He was still staying in Spitfire’s quarters but had begun to express interest in getting his own place to stay. While she loved having him around, she had no reason to deny his request. Plus, there was a position in the staff that no one really wanted but with his skills, Jett might just like it.

“Soarin’! Get your lazy ass in formation!” Spitfire yelled as a group of three flyers zoomed past.

“That’s it Misty, keep that turn tight! Great work there, Rapidfire,” she called as the two practiced a two circle flow.

“Blaze! What the fuck are you doing?!” she called.

“Well excuse me Cap, but how much practice did you do while you were out frolicking through Cyberpunk land?”

“You would be surprised. Now get your ass in gear!”

Blaze sighed, “Yes ma’am.”

Jett walked up behind the flame haired flyer holding a drink. Spitfire, too busy yelling, didn’t notice.

“So this is what you do on a daily basis?” he asked.

Spitfire jumped and turned around, “Oh, you’re here! Yeah pretty much. Some of these guys fell out of it while I was gone so I’m whipping them back into shape.”

“Cool,” he said and began twiddling with an object in his hand. Spitfire turned. He was holding a rather nicely jeweled knife that had a slight curve to it.

“Uh… what’s that?”

“Oh… you like it? Just something I picked up today when I went for a walk.”

“How much did it cost?”

“It didn’t. Apparently people are wondering what kind of tech is in my arm or I guess any other part of my body for some reason. Some are nice and ask like normal people. Others are a bit more extreme.”

“So what happened?”

“Oh, I got stabbed.”

“What?!” Spitfire screamed causing everyone flying to fall out of formation and look.

“Relax, it’s not a big deal,” he said turning around. His shirt was torn near his right shoulder blade and there was a decent sized gash. Underneath it was all metal, “He hit my shoulder blade and well, the knife didn’t work very well.”

“What happened next?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Uh… he tried using his… what was it you called it? Magic? Yeah, that’s it. Kinda entertaining really. He just stood there shooting some green shit at me for like five minutes before some guard came up behind him and punched him in the neck. Darn shame too. I was having fun. Oh well. I got a cool knife out of it though.”

Fleetfoot blinked, “Dude, you’re crazy.”

“What? It’s not like he could’ve done anything to me to begin with.”

“Well you’re still like a walking tank.”

“… okay,” he turned to Spitfire, “So what was it you wanted me for?” he asked before sipping his drink.

“Oh that. Come on I’ll show you. Keep practicing you guys! If I even think you all slacked off, Soarin’ does 1000 push-ups.”

“What?!”

Everyone laughed.

“Come on guys, let’s get back at it,” Soarin’ pleaded.

“I don’t know… should we, Misty?” Fleetfoot asked.

Spitfire just shook her head as she led Jett away from the practice field towards the hangers.

“So what was it you wanted to show me again?” Jett asked.

They walked off the runways towards an unassuming looking hanger with an unusual metal plate embedded in the floor. A small console stood nearby.

“This,” Spitfire flipped a switch on the console and watched the metal plate fall into the floor about an inch before moving out of the way as an elevator rose up into the hanger floor.

Spitfire walked up to it, “Care to join me?”

He grinned and stepped onto the platform. Spitfire hit another switch on a similar console and the elevator descended into the ground. The door reclosed itself above them as lights illuminated the passage way.

“How far down does this go?” Jett asked.

“Not too far.”

Soon the elevator slowed and came to a stop in a darkened room. Spitfire pulled a lighter from her pocket and ignited it before walking off the large platform to a control pad embedded in the elevator supports.

“Come on…” she grunted as she pulled on some unforeseen object.

Suddenly with a loud click the lights in the room flashed on. They were standing inside a huge underground room. The large platform of an elevator they were standing on, Jett now realized was an aircraft elevator that was embedded nicely in the wall. To the right was a large open long room that served as a runway. Along the left side of the runway were various doors and other things of that nature. To the left them were a few old broken down planes. Judging from their looks there weren’t anything beyond 1930’s era tech with half of the control of a 30’s plane. Farther back were various machines and tools and other pieces of tech. The ceiling had a series of lights hanging from it, cobwebs sticking up above.

Over all, the place looked old and abandoned and unused.

“Yeah…” Spitfire rubbed the back of her head, “This used to be one of the main hangers. It had a bunch of machines and stuff for fixing and maintaining planes and even for building some. Now it’s not much to look at.”

“The hell happened down here?”

“Well this was before I was captain but there was a bad storm and the doors got jammed and it just fucked up this whole place. I mean, it did get cleaned up a bit and they fixed the doors but that was it.”

“So… why am I down here?”

Spitfire pulled another large lever down on the console. A heavy creaking noise was heard as the hanger doors opened, exposing the sky and the valley below.

“This place is embedded inside the cliff face,” Spitfire said, “Because of its location, management can’t have it demoed or anything else like that. So I was wondering if you wanted to fix it up and make it usable again.”

Jett looked around. The place was pretty old…

“There’s also some stairs up to rest of the base through one of those double doors,” Spitfire said.

“This was the job you wanted to pass up on me?” Jett asked with a grin.

“Well it’s not just that. I mean, you would be the only one down here. Normally this place had a staff of like 10 people. You’d take up all of the positions down here. Flight mechanic, chef, medic, machinist, all of them. So the pay would be pretty good and you’d have money to spend.”

Jett looked right at the open door and stepped away from the elevator. Behind him were the old planes and the machinist shop. The elevator sat as the divider line between the runway and the rest of the complex.

“So I’d just have to fix this place up a bit?”

“Yeah… to be honest, no one wanted this job. They all took one look at this place and said ‘fuck that.’ To be honest I don’t blame them.”

“Would there be any criteria I’d have to follow?”

“Honestly, management just wants this place to look nice. They could quite literally not give a fuck what you did with it.”

“Cool.”

“So…” Spitfire said removing the application from her shirt, “Whaddaya say?”

Jett looked at the paper before taking it from her hand and quickly reading the entire thing.

“So?” She asked hopefully.

“Pen,” Jett responded.

Grinning she removed a pen from her pocket and handed it to him. He quickly signed and initialed in all the right places before handing the document back to her.

“I’m gonna need to grab a few things from your room and I’m gonna need to go shopping.”

“Whatever you need,” she said happily.

Spitfire walked down the runway while Jett ran about the place exploring it and getting a feel for the place. She reached the edge of the runway and peered out the doors.

“I DON’T SEE ANY FLYING GETTING DONE!” She yelled up.

“Shit,” Someone said.

A series of streaks flew past up above.

“YEAH! THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT!”

Author's Note

I was really tired when this was published and I only half edited it so there probably were some mistakes. Am I right?

Chapter 39. Cut Up.

Wow, I really hate on Soarin' in this story. Like, I hate on him for no reason. Maybe it's some subconscious thing I've developed after reading a specific fic by RTE. I will not say anymore on it as this entire first thing here is just the ramblings of a crazed, sleep deprived boy. This is what happens when you take college level courses that eat your sleep away like the flesh eating disease. You go crazy. Running on only a few hours of sleep a day is not healthy and I am in fact counting on this whole ordeal removing a noticeable sized chunk from my lifespan. Ah, whatever, read the chapter. I'm gonna catch up on some g4nuvhy58hyy... *Snore*

Jett sat up on the couch. It was still dark in Spitfire’s quarters but that didn’t bother the android. He checked the time.

3:00 AM.

He sighed. Bored again.

There was one thing he could do. He stood up and got dressed in the Wonderbolt work outfit Spitfire got him before heading out the door and out of the complex towards the hangers.

He walked into his hanger, hanger number 6, and then stepped onto the elevator and rode the platform down.

He entered the darkened room and flipped a few switches and levers. The lights inside the hanger turned on.

Jett sighed. Overall the place was a mess but it did have potential. Plus he had his brains and wits so he could easily, with some time, convert the place into a high tech paradise for him.

But first, he had to clean it up…

He had moved a few tools and supplies down here as well as some of the things he had with him from Earth so the job wouldn’t be too bad.

He walked over to one of the walls and picked up a large, abnormally wide broom. No one other than the android could hope to wield the thing but it would make the job go by faster.

He accessed a playlist of music stored in his net.

“Okay… let’s get started.”

***

Four Hours Later.

Spitfire yawned and flopped out of bed.

“Ow,” she said as she hit the floor. The impact wasn’t bad, just a bit of a lazy wake up.

She pulled herself off the floor and yawned.

“Fuck, that stupid photo shoot is today,” she sighed walking over the couch where Jett had been sleeping.

“Hey, Jett. Me and the rest of the team are gonna be gone all day so just… do whatever you want.”

No response.

“Jett?”

She shook herself awake and looked over the back of the couch. Empty.

She sighed, “Figures.”

After getting herself cleaned up and getting dressed she grabbed everything she’d need for the day and loaded it up in a bag before walking out of her room. Some of the other Wonderbolts were in the cafeteria eating breakfast. Spitfire grabbed an apple turnover before walking out to the cafeteria towards the hangers.

She stepped onto the elevator and hit the switch. The platform descended down into the hangar.

“What… the… hell…”

She had to hand it to him. He was good. Jett had singlehandedly cleaned up the entire hangar complex and pilled everything up near the open doors. The floor was free of crap, all the useless machine parts were pilled nearby, and even the rust was cleaned off the old machines. The old planes were still there, being ugly in their spots.

Jett walked by with a broom, whistling as he went, sweeping the remaining dust into a pile.

“Oh, hey Spitfire. Yeah, figured I’d get started,” he said whipping his head, “Yeah, I hope you don’t mind, I called one of those waste removal people to get rid of all this.”

She grinned, “Wow, I’m impressed. No one’s ever gotten this far before.”

“Well I guess I’m the first to get through the first day. Now that I look at it I can see a lot more potential in the place. I’m think I’m gonna upgrade that machine shop back there and along with the forge.”

“Cool. You gonna do anything with those planes?”

“Maybe. I mean, I could upgrade them a bit before I start building other things.”

“Other things?”

“You forget my brain is a molecular computer that’s holding all of human knowledge in it. Believe me, making a jet engine or anything else with that kind of knowledge isn’t that hard.”

Spitfire smirked, “You know, you once told me that human emotions still eluded you. Is that true now?”

He blinked, “I don’t know. Maybe. It’s all about interpretation. I may have the knowledge but understanding it is something else entirely.”

“You know, last time we had this conversation you said something similar.”

“Hmm… Interesting.”

“Yeah. I’m not gonna be around today along with the rest of the team. We’re doing a photo shoot today so I’ll be gone most of the day.”

“Alright… Oh and I took a look around this place and found a pretty cool living space down here. There’s like four bedrooms, a living area and a kitchen and eating area down here. Again, it’s all a mess but I think I can make it work and maybe even move in down here.”

Spitfire blinked, “Alright. Oh, and you’re first paycheck comes in today so use it wisely.”

“Okay. Well, you better get going. Don’t want to be late now.”

“Alright. See ya later.”

“See ya. Now when is that incinerator gonna get here?”

Spitfire sighed and pulled her sun glasses on before hitting the button on the elevator and ascending back to the surface.

***

“Well this is interesting,” Happy said.

“What?” Acc said not looking up from her book.

“I was rummaging through some old files and found these logs.”

“Find anything else? Like anything worth finding?”

“No not really, that information is still ‘missing’,” he said waving his hands around ominously.

“Well if it’s not that then I don’t see how it’s important,” she said returning to her book.

“What in Jett’s name are you reading that’s so distracting?”

The green haired girl sighed, “If you must know, it’s the entire collective knowledge of human psychological behavior stored inside this nut’s head.”

“And why would you ever read anything like that? Why don’t you do what E does and read a book about starships or something cool like that?”

“Because as this guy’s Trust center it’s my job to know all these things. And come to think of it, you should all read this stuff too. Wrath already has and more.”

“Well that’s because he’s the more dangerous aspect of this guy’s personality.”

“What do you mean by dangerous? If anything Moe is the dangerous one. Do you know what sadness can do to people?”

“Yes, I know what sadness can do to people,” he retorted in a mocking tone, “But that typically only goes so far as to one’s self. Anger is far more dangerous.”

“Elaborate.”

“Let’s see, isolation, psychological damage to the self and others, it overrides reason, violence. It can lead to irrational thought and actions caused by it.”

“I guess.”

“Not only that, these old ‘worthless’ logs I found were the emotional activity record to this particular android. In more complete detail.”

“So what did you find?”

“What we expected, lack of trust, extreme festering anger to the point where he was getting close to snapping. Also, a lot of his more positive parts were just… off.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Happy said scratching his head, “almost as if he were purposely subjugating himself to it. We couldn’t make a full assessment without a complete memory record though.”

“Ah, well he seems to be behaving normal enough now.”

“Yeah… I just hope nothing happens to change that…”

***

Spitfire and the rest of the team walked down the streets of Canterlot towards the studio. Celestia how she sometimes loathed these things! Sure sometimes they were fun, I mean; she got to actually show off just how sexy she was! Who would hate that? Especially all the guys that got to see some of the pictures. And some of the girls…

Still, sometimes they got a pervert as the photographer and then it just went downhill from there. Spitfire along with the rest of the female members of the team hated that. And other times it was the guys who were the target of it. Depending on who it was they either despised the unwanted attention or just basked in it.

“Have you ever read Aviators Monthly?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Have you?” Spitfire responded.

“Seen it a few times at the store or whatever but never really looked at it. Anyone else ever read it?”

“Typically, I only read the magazines after we’ve done a shoot for them,” Surprise laughed.

“I just look at the hot pics they take,” Soarin’ added.

“Probably ‘cause you can’t read,” Lightning Streak snickered.

“What was that?” Soarin’ said with irritation in his voice.

“He said you’re illiterate,” Fire Streak laughed.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh for the love of- it means you can’t read! Idiot.”

“I can still beat you up. Both of you,” he declared victoriously.

“And Jett can beat YOU up so shut it,” Spitfire said.

“That kid? He may have that arm but I seriously doubt that.”

***

One day later.

“AH! UNCLE! UNCLE!”

“Hit him! Beat’em up! Rip the skin off his d-”

***

“Yeah, we’ll see about that.”

They continued down the sidewalk, using the roads where they normally would not find the paparazzi. Since Spitfire had returned she’d spent the majority of her time with her team and friends but had gotten the time in to see her mother and father. Her parents were naturally joyed to see her alive and well and naturally had questions about what had happened. She had told them… to a point. Unsurprisingly her sister had not been present.

This wasn’t something new. They never really had a… great sibling relationship. When Spitfire was given the captain’s position in the Wonderbolts, Nightshade didn’t exactly take it well. But over time she got over it, but still some resentment remained. Still, they had a… working kind of relationship. And yet with Nightshade, something else was there…

Still… things weren’t always well.

And then there was the rest of her sister’s team: The Shadowbolts. To say a rivalry existed was an understatement. The two teams bitterly hated each other. Various incidents occurred between the two from bar fights to street fights to pretty much any other kind of fight you could possibly have with a person was had between the two. Flight competitions were rough to say the least. Accusations of cheating or pushing and shoving the other mid-flight or even using their aircraft to play games of chicken with each other. Again, fights happened here too.

Eventually after a few too many public meltdowns the two generally avoided each other like Andorian Shingles.

Still, every now and again…

The team turned a corner. Walking down on the same side of the sidewalk was five of the Shadowbolts. Nightshade, Twister, Hurricane Winds, Blueball Blitz, and Storm Cloud. If tension was a skyscraper it would be an orbital elevator.

The closer they got the more it could be felt in the air. It was suddenly very quiet. As if ever sound in the city had stopped. They got closer…

Spitfire passed her sister first, “Sister.”

“Spitfire,” her sister responded.

The others passed each other without a word. If glares were guns the street would look like The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Whenever Blueball Blitz passed the team everyone noticeably moved away from her.

The powder keg feeling didn’t go away until they passed around the corner. Even then the silence stayed for a few minutes after…

“Every time I see that fucking blue balled bitch it’s like I’m afraid she’s gonna cut my balls off and deep fry them in oil,” Lightning Streak shivered.

“Dude, I swear she’s an escapee from a mental hospital or something,” Wave Chill replied.

“I wouldn’t file that in the realm of impossibility,” Silver Lining said.

Fleetfoot ran up to Spitfire, “Wasn’t that your sister?”

“Yes.”

“So… you wanna talk about it?”

“Nope.”

“Fair enough.”

“Let’s just… forget about it. I don’t want this afternoon to go to waste.”

***

“Bye guys!” Jett called as the last of the crews left. He looked around the hanger. EVERYTHING was cleaned up. The machines had been cleaned up but the majority were probably gonna need to be fixed up. The runway was clear of any and all debris. The planes were still there though, looking old and out dated but Jett had plans for those. The living area down here had been cleaned and refurbished; all that was missing was the furniture.

Jett had taken the time to move his stuff down here to the bedroom. He wouldn’t be getting sleep tonight. Not that he needed it. Still too much to do.

He did a quick survey of his environment, “Not bad Jett old boy. Not bad at all.”

He looked towards the elevator, “Kinda got boring.”

The stairs up were still there though. He walked over to the doors and opened them up. A stair case led up to the surface just on the edge of hangar area. Lights lit it up reasonably well.

He looked at his watch. Lunch time. He’d been down there all day so unless he wanted to look like a cave hermit he’d go up and do something.

His stomach grumbled.

“On second thought, lunch sounds good. Wait, why am I even hungry?”

He quickly squashed that thought before heading through the doors and walking up the surface. He emerged through another set of double doors. The building he came from was a simple structure with little more than an office space and small dining area. Nothing more.

The android walked onto the road out of the complex and headed for the city with a bag of bits in his pocket. After all, what’s a job without pay?

***

“Okay, very good, Spitfire,” the photographer said.

Spitfire sighed. Luckily she didn’t get a pervert this time. She changed positions. She was kneeling now with her back to the camera, her back bear with her arms covering her breasts. She turned back to the camera, spreading her wings out.

“Very good.”

The others were most likely doing similar things with their photographers. All of the best photos would be added to the magazine’s photo album. She grabbed her top and pulled it back on before pulling a leather bomber jacket over her back, leaving it unbuttoned before turning back and lying down, looking provocatively at the camera, a slight grin on her face.

“Good, yes very good.”

Spitfire sat up, “Okay, how’s that for now?”

The photographer looked up from his camera, “Let’s just do one more in the uniform again and then we’ll get the whole team together.”

“Okay,” she said grabbing her Wonderbolts flight suit and removing her jacket before pulling it on and zipping it up.

“You want me to have the hood on or off?”

“Keep it off. And keep the front unzipped. That’ll be the last pic.”

She did as she was told and knelt down and unzipped the front of the suit and gave the camera a sultry look.

“There we go, that’s it. Okay I think we’re done for today. We’ll just wait for the others to finish and then we’ll take you’re group picture okay?”

“Sounds good.”

She stood up and walked over to her bag and pulled her phone out. Text from management. She sighed. What was it this time?

CALL BACK NOW.

She sighed. She wanted to go back home but she had the feeling that that wasn’t going to happen.

“Hello?”

“What is it this time?” Spitfire sighed.

“Yeah, you have an interview to do tonight.”

“What?! Come on man, I wanted to go home today, not sit in front of some camera again.”

“Well I’m sorry but we couldn’t get it any other time.”

Spitfire sighed and closed her eyes, “You’re sure it has to be today?”

“Yes. Come on, look on the bright side, you’ll have some extra free time the rest of the week.”

“Fine. Just text me with the time and place.”

“Sure.”

“Bye.”

Click. Great. Another thing she had to do today? How come these people always wanted to interview HER? Why not interview Soarin’ or something? Oh yeah, cause he’s an idiot.

***

“Thank you. Please come back soon,” The women at the counter smiled.

“You’re welcome,” Jett said smiling back and grabbing his sandwich before walking out of the shop. She was nice, he had decided; friendly attitude, a smile on her face, everything that a customer could want.

He walked down the street before taking a bit. She also had some pretty good sandwiches. He’d definitely be returning there later.

“What to do today?” he mused to himself. The materials he’d ordered weren’t going to show up for a few days and he pretty much couldn’t do anything else until they arrived. So he had free time. Well he did basically do several weeks’ worth of work in a few hours. But then again, when you’re an android you can do whatever you want pretty much.

Maybe he’d go around and see the sights the city had to offer. He’d done his research about the world he found himself in now. The country was run by a monarchy. Normally that would be a problem to him but after looking through the history of the place there wasn’t anything really wrong with it. Most monarchies were ruled by incompetent rulers or tyrants or both or even worse in some cases that usually resulted in violent revolution by the people. All the revolutions throughout history were violent to some degree, some more than others. The American vs. the French for example. One involved simple war; the other involved the parading of heads around on pikes through a city. But here, there was no revolution against the monarchy as there had never been a problem. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it right?

There really wasn’t a reason to anyway. People had rights, people had good quality of life, most part a democracy, no wars as the current monarchs had world ending power of over the planet so if any neighboring nation was stupid enough to try anything, things wouldn’t last very long. By his world’s old standards, this place was a virtual paradise.

His thoughts were interrupted as he entered a park. One of the many gardens in the capital city. It was laced with trees and foliage and sprinkled with flowers of all kinds. Various wildlife filled the area from simple birds to squirrels to insects, everything. It was comparable to finding the Garden of Eden.

Jett laughed and found a bench to sit on and finished his sandwich.

“All it needs is the serpent and the golden apple.”

“Golden apple?” A voice asked.

Jett looked up. A girl with silky pink hair was sitting on a tree branch looking down at him. A pair of amethyst colored wings was on her back.

“Oh hello, I didn’t see you there,” he replied.

She jumped down from her tree, “I’ve never seen you around here before. You new around these parts?”

“You could say that.”

Her gaze drifted to his arm, “Wait a minute. You’re that kid! That kid who humiliated the entire royal guard by hiding in their own backyard! And they couldn’t find you!”

“I take it you’ve heard of me.”

“Well yeah. Everyone knows of you. The princesses are even looking to get some time with you. But ever since that night you’ve MYSTERIOUSLY disappeared,” she laughed.

“Well I’ve been keeping out of public eye you could say. First time I went out we got swarmed by paparazzi and second time I went out someone tried to kill me.”

“Oh my gosh! Were you hurt?”

“I said TRIED to kill me. I never said they got far,” he grinned.

She walked up and sat on the grass in front of him, “I don’t think I caught your name.”

“Jett. Jett Halsey.”

“Halsey? That’s a weird name,” she giggled.

“Yeah? Well what’s your name?”

“Mine? My name is Starry Skies.”

***

“And now we’re back with more Entertainment Daily. I’m you’re host, Fyre Ghost,” Fyre Ghost grinned, “We continue now with our interview with famed captain of the Wonderbolts and arguably Equestria’s most eligible bachelorette, Spitfire.”

He looked across the table towards the Wonderbolt captain. The lights, the set, the screens, the cameras, it was obvious that they were on a TV show. Spitfire just smiled warmly. She did have to admit, despite not wanting to do an interview; Fyre Ghost had been incredibly gracious about the whole last minute thing.

“Glad to be here,” she grinned.

“So let’s continue. You were gone for six weeks by our point of view but for you the whole thing lasted six months?!”

“Yeah. Six months. And to be honest, it was probably the best vacation I’ve ever had.”

“I’m sure. So what was it like?”

“Well imagine a kind of futuristic society, high tech, high quality of living, fast paced life style and you get where I was. To say high tech doesn’t even describe it.”

“Just how high tech are we talking about?”

“Well I’m gonna say this on live television so you can all get an idea of this but they were gods. Even by our standards, the things that they achieved without the use of magic are just astounding.”

“I’ll bet. So what have you been doing since you’ve returned. I’m sure you’ve been reconnecting with you team and colleagues.”

Spitfire smiled, “Yes, I did spend time with my friends and family. Still can’t believe you all wrote me off as dead that quickly.”

“I think we’ve learned our lesson about that one,” Fyre laughed, “So, onward and upwards! It also looks like you didn’t come back alone. Do you mind telling us who the mystery man is?”

A picture appeared on one of the screens behind the pair. It was zoomed in on a specific black haired android sitting at a table at an outdoor café. He had a rather bewildered expression on his face.

“Oh him. He’s just a friend. It’s kind of a long story but this was the guy who kept me safe the entire time I was missing.”

“Now, I hope you don’t mind me asking but why is he here now?”

Spitfire sighed, “Again it’s a long story but when I did return back, I kinda left at a bad time and… uh… well took him with me when I came. Long story short I now have an android living with me.”

“Ah, well alright then. Now, I also saw that you and your team were doing a photo shoot for Aviators Monthly, correct?”

“Yup.”

“Now the next issue comes out next week but some of the photos we’ve seen of you and your team are just… wow! How exactly do you keep a figure as good as that?”

“Uh, diet and exercise obviously but uh, you know I don’t really know. I guess it’s just a gift?”

“I’ll bet.”

“Well the photo shoot was pretty fun to do,” Spitfire grinned, “I like to show that you can be military and still look good doing it.”

“Well if anyone can pull it off it’s you.”

“You got that right,” she grinned.

“So… now that you’re back, you have any relationship plans?”

“Relationship plans?”

“Let me rephrase that. Are you dating anyone? You have been single since your, dare I say, brief relationship with Score. Any reason behind that and is there anyone who’s caught your eye?”

“Well, uh, Score was just an idiot and an egotistical sadist. Last time I ever take relationship advice from Soarin’,” she laughed, “But, uh, I think the reason I haven’t dated is because, I uh, I just don’t want to put myself through that kind of thing again. Muscles are NOT everything to me… As for the last thing you asked, uh, there is one person I’m looking at… Rather not say anything beyond that.”

Fyre Ghost smiled, “Well there you have it ladies and Gentlemen. Spitfire is officially on the prowl.”

Spitfire put her head in her hands and laughed, “Oh no, don’t say that.”

“Well whoever you are mystery guy, run!”

“You’re such a jerk, Ghost,” she giggled.

“I try. Now when we come back…”

Author's Note

Ah! how long was I out? Ah whatever. Things I do. Been up since five, it's like 11: 30 now. I'm tired... Oh and if anyone caught the Star Trek reference then congrats. I'm too tired to give a prize out. No that's not it. I'm just cheap as fuck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_deprivation

Chapter 40. One Minute.

1:30 people. Up at 1:30 to get this out. But to be fair I haven't updated anything in about a month so... yeah whatever. Tired as fuck right now.

Jett was pretty happy. He made a new friend yesterday, found a new place to eat, and on top of that, the furniture place got his order in early so he was able to have a bed, bureau, desk, and even a book case. He was able to furnish the other bedrooms as well with a similar arrangement before he added a large couch and coffee table to the living area as well as a few arm chairs. The rest of the kitchen would be done later but all he needed for that was a nice dining table.

He had knocked out the wall and was planning to replace the old metal doors with some nice glass doors to give his new home a rather open feel to it as well as fill in the large hole in the wall with something of his own devices if he could get it built.

No, not IF. WHEN. When is better. With his knowledge, whatever he put his mind to he could accomplish here. His materials were set to come in soon and then he could seriously get some work done; starting with those old looking planes.

He walked over to where his room was. There was a closet to his left with a bathroom to his right. Farther in on the right side of the wall was his bed and bookshelf and on the left side was his bureau and desk. At the end of the room was a window that gave a nice view out of the cliff face. He flopped down on his bed. Near the end was his TV, embedded nicely in the wall.

He smiled and grabbed the nearby remote and turned the TV on. The Entertainment Daily logo was on the screen rotating in the corner of the screen. He’d watched the show before but always on Spitfire’s TV. Now he had his own place.

But what he saw on the screen made him raise an eyebrow. So that was why Spitfire wasn’t back yet. The TV speakers blared out the sounds of the interview.

The host smiled, “Well there you have it ladies and Gentlemen. Spitfire is officially on the prowl.”

Spitfire put her head in her hands and laughed, “Oh no, don’t say that.”

“Well whoever you are mystery guy, run!”

“You’re such a jerk, Ghost,” she giggled.

“I try. Now when we come back, more about that cheating scandal involving Prince Blueblood,” the host turned, “Always a pleasure Spitfire.”

“Thanks for having me.”

Jett cocked his head, “Wonder who that mystery guy is. Well whoever he is I’m sure he’s of sound mind and judgment. Spitfire’s nice and wouldn’t pick someone stupid or of bad character. She deserves to find someone nice.”

He turned the TV off and walked to his desk. He pulled some paper out of it and placed it down.

“Okay, let’s just see here. From the top.”

He grabbed a pencil and got to work.

***

Spitfire yawned and stepped into her room. Once she was inside and the door was closed she pulled off her heels and slipped her dress off of her body.

Oh how she loathed dresses! And heels! She couldn’t run in either of them much less fly. They were just… movement restricting. She liked her freedom a lot more than she cared about looking all prim and proper. She grabbed some clothes out of her dresser and walked into the bathroom.

She pulled her bra and panties off before changing into something more comfortable and pulling a nightshirt on over her head before exiting.

“Hey, Jett. What’d you do today?” she asked.

No response.

“Jett?”

Nothing.

“Hey Jett?”

***

Soarin’ yawned and stumbled towards his door.

“Yeah yeah, I’m coming you annoying bastard.”

“Excuse me?” Spitfire responded.

He quickly opened up the door, “Whoa, uh, sorry ‘bout that Cap.”

“Whatever,” Spitfire yawned, “Have you seen Jett?”

“Yeah,” Soarin’ yawned, “After you left to do your thing he had some stuff delivered. He was setting some kind of living place up downstairs. Guess he moved out of your place.”

Spitfire blinked, “Oh. Well, uh, thanks for telling me.”

“No problem, lover bird.”

“What was tha-”

The door slammed rather quickly.

Spitfire sighed, “Yeah.”

She yawned and walked back up to her room.

***

Starry Skies walked back into the compound. She entered the main living area and started to head off to her room as a voice stopped her.

“So what did you do all day?” Charger asked from an arm chair.

Skies turned, “Now that’s not really any of your business now is it?”

“What? I’m not allowed to wonder what one of my team mates did on her day off?”

“No you’re not. And not when it doesn’t concern you.”

“Geez, what the hell crawled up your ass?”

“Nothing. Now just leave me alone and keep your nose out of my shit.”

“Fine, whatever you say.”

She continued on to her room. Once inside she locked the door and flopped down on her bed. She smiled. Today was a good day…

A good day indeed.

***

Jett overlooked his systems one more time, just to be sure.

“Okay, since when could I do this?”

Acc appeared in front of him, crossing her arms, “If you must know, it was always there.”

“Yes but why? I mean, isn’t all of this just overkill enough?”

“Look, one of the reasons your synthetic skin can’t replicate is because it really can. It’s just really, really, really, really, really hard to do. Like you would have to lock yourself inside of a chemical 394-4KE39 container just to get the process started. But along with the fact your head has a piece of metal in it screwing some important shit up, that’s another reason why it wouldn’t work. But this, if used correctly would render everything else moot.”

“Well I’m about to abuse it. Now where did I put that metal?”

***

Spitfire yawned. She did not sleep as well as she had wished. That tired feeling stuck with her like white on rice, in a glass of milk, on a paper, held by MJ in a snowstorm.

She hated being tired. She couldn’t think or work as well as she would have liked. The only plus about it was it made her grumpier for flight training. Work’em harder, fly’em into the ground. Push their limits like never before.

She quickly got dressed and headed out of her room to the cafeteria. No one was up yet. First time for everything. She quickly grabbed some eggs and hash browns and found a table.

Funny, Jett should be up by now.

She polished off her food and downed a glass of orange juice before heading over to the hangers.

One elevator ride later and she was down in the hanger area again.

The place had changed considerably. For one, the once rocky and dirty walls were cleaner than before. The old machine shop and work area was cleaned up and most of the old machines that were still of use were shinned and cleaned; looking brand new. There were empty spots where anything broken at the time had been removed. And the area with the old planes was different as well as one of them was completely missing and taken apart- wait what?!

The overall frame of the plane was still intact but... it was different. Other than that everything was gone off of it. The metal over the wings, the individual bolts holding it together, the rudders, flaps, even the landing gear was all stripped away, all sitting in one giant pile of crap.

“You do know that there’s a stair case right?” Jett asked from behind a pile of parts and sheets of metal, “That elevator is still louder than all hell and until I fix that too, it’ll continue to be an assault on my audio processors.”

“What are you doing down here?” She asked, “And why did you take apart that plane?”

He stood up from behind the pile, a welding mask flew up from his face, “This is just a personal project I’m doing until the machines I ordered show up along with my second list of materials. In a few weeks you won’t even recognize this place.”

“So why did you feel the need to disassemble that plane again?”

“Well there’s nothing saying I can’t and the contract said to improve this place for use and it’s mine as long as the Wonderbolts can use it so… I just assumed that the planes were part of that,” He looked at the watch on his wrist, “Oh and it’s about that time.”

“What time?”

Jett walked up from behind the pile towards the back of the hanger past the machine shop towards a small container holding a strange liquid.

“What’s that?”

He reached in and removed a small cube with a small string coming out of it, “This… is something that was in one of the many books I read.”

He walked over a wall where a small cube shaped opening was carved into it and inserted the cube deep inside with the long string hanging out of it. He removed a match from his pocket and lit it before lighting the string with it. A small flame ignited and began to move down it.

“You might want to move.”

***

Soarin’ was comfortably sleeping in his bed. He loved his sleep. Something he loved almost as much as sex. Sleep was his escape, his recharge from the day’s events. Nothing could disturb his peaceful slumber without consequences.

He was late in getting up. As usual. He never set his alarm clock like any of the others and it was doing little more than collect dust on his night stand. In the cafeteria no one was wondering why he wasn’t awake yet.

Just as the rest of the team was enjoying breakfast and Soarin’ enjoying his sleep, a muffled boom followed by a light shockwave echoed through the air.

“What was that?” Fleetfoot asked.

While the shockwave had little effect to everyone else, it had a profound one on Soarin’. A large picture, not properly hung was situated above his bed. The boom and shockwave were not what woke up the Wonderbolt. No, what woke him up was a large sheet of glass landing on his head and shattering along with a heavy wooden frame.

***

“Just what do you plan on putting in there?” Spitfire asked.

Standing before them was a large perfectly cube shaped opening 50 feet by 50 feet. The edges were smoking and a small black trail led away from the edge of the newly formed opening.

“Well I was thinking about removing this entire complex from your power grid and running it on a fusion reactor. Once I get it built that is.”

“What kind of explosive did you use to do that?”

“Well, in some of those books of yours there’s some pretty crazy compounds it teaches you to make if you get the right stuff. And since I wanted an exact sized room for this I just did the conversion and made the stuff.”

“Impressive either way.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’ve got to whip these assholes into shape today again. On Saturday we have a day off so you and Soarin’ can do your thing.”

“Weren’t you the one who got me into it in the first place?”

“Oh yeah. Oh well. Don’t lose.”

“Is that an order?”

“Yes it is.”

***

Soarin’ sauntered into the cafeteria, a picture frame hanging around his neck.

“Which one of you insane FUCKS did this?!” he seethed.

Rapidfire looked turned, “Oh my…”

The entire cafeteria burst out laughing.

“Which one of you did this?!”

Fleetfoot managed to crush her laughter enough to get a response out, “Beat’s us. We didn’t do it!”

“We just heard and felt a boom,” Surprise laughed, “But whatever it was…”

“If you’re looking for where it came from it came from over there,” Rapidfire pointed towards the hangers.

Soarin’ glared toward the hangers and growled.

***

Spitfire stood sitting on one of the work counters watching the android work. Jett was reassembling the plane but with some rather distinct differences. The wings and tail were already reattached.

“So you were saying?” She asked.

“Oh, well anyway… This was after the Nazis invaded France and pretty much conquered all of Europe and it was pretty much just down to Britain as the last power left standing. Now this was before the US really got involved over there. The Battle of Britain was basically the allies’ last stand at that point. If England fell then the entire free world was done. But the British still had their air power and the Nazis knew that. They needed to gain air superiority over England. The RAF had to hold them off or have Europe fall. Now remember this is one giant air battle now that lasted from summer of 1940 to autumn.”

“Geez, and it was just several months of nonstop dog fighting?”

“Yup. Three months and three weeks. And the British had 1,963 aircraft against the Nazis 2,550. The British had two main fighters they used; The Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire.”

Spitfire grinned.

“I’ll give you a hint at which one was faster.”

The door to the hanger burst open and a very angry looking Soarin’ walked in, brandishing a picture frame.

Jett placed down the curved piece of metal in his hand, “Hello.”

“You!”

Spitfire rolled her eyes, “Soarin’ what’s your problem?”

“I woke up today to a heavy picture falling onto my head. Do you know what waking up to glass shattering on your head is like?!”

“Well unlike you, this guy actually got up early and was working. Kinda like you’re gonna be doing later when we do drills.”

“Actually I never went to sleep,” Jett spoke up.

“Just what were you doing this early in the morning that was so important it had to wake me up?!”

“Actually it’s like 9:00,” Spitfire replied.

“And I was demoing a wall out and rebuilding an airplane along with redesigning the inside of this entire hanger. Sorry if I woke you.”

Soarin’s eye twitched, “Next time you use blasting explosives. Please wait until everyone is up.”

“Well if you didn’t ignore your alarm clock this wouldn’t happen.”

Soarin’ growled before throwing the picture frame to the floor and walking out of the hanger, mumbling all the way up the stairs, “Stupid little… robot boy… blasting explosives my ass.”

Jett blinked before taking the metal plate he dropped and bending it in his hands. He examined it before again bending it further, “Perfect.”

“You’ve been bending it?”

“Yes.”

He replaced the plate on the fuselage of the plane, “Perfect. Now… where did I put that other thing?”

Spitfire just shook her head, “Well, I better get going. Soarin’s gonna have his butt kicked today and I plan on being the one doing the kicking.”

“Well, have fun.”

“Oh I will.”

***

Two Days Later.

Somewhere deep in the valley below Canterlot there was a disturbance. The valley was a very distinct place. Forests and plains, the town of Ponyville was in one of those plains, but in one of the more secluded areas, a disturbance was had.

It started as a point. A single point of light floating lightly above the ground. Then came the spark. Then a flash. Then an arc. Bolts of wild energy began to fly all over from the point. The light emanating from it became blinding. The crackling bolts of electricity singed the ground.

Then, when the noise couldn’t get any louder and the light any brighter, it happened.

Space tore itself open in a burst of energy and two figures came into existence. One hit the ground and rolled rather nicely before flopping to the ground unconscious. The other hit significantly harder, digging a crater into the ground and throwing all sorts of dirt up into the air as it hit.

Then, 20 meters away, the ground exploded…

***

Well things progressed nicely during the rest of the week. Spitfire retrained her team all day while Jett received his deliveries and did his work down in his literal man cave. As soon as he had his stuff he closed off the doors and stayed there all day.

No one had seen much of the android during the day. He only came up for food and water and even that was only so people could see him and know he was still in existence. Other than that, he stayed locked down in the hanger.

Today was Friday, a great day. But there was a slight trouble in paradise as there always is. The Wonderbolts were getting ready to do some flight training but there was a bit of traffic back up on the runway.

“SOARIN’! GET YOUR ASS IN THE AIR THIS INSTANT!” Spitfire yelled over the radio.

“Really dude, come on, you’re holding us all up,” Lightning Streak added.

“I can’t help it! The engine’s being difficult!” He replied.

Spitfire sighed. Her and her team was in the middle of trying to get some flight maneuvers that didn’t involve them actually using their wings so they could get a bit of a rest. Still, sometimes using aircraft came with some difficulty. Especially when the things weren’t maintained properly.

“Soarin’ these planes are literally the only ones of their kind in existence. These are delicate pieces of machinery that need regular maintenance,” Spitfire sighed, “Shit like this happens whenever you slack off on your chores.”

“Not my fault these things are so fucking complicated.”

“Soarin’ really. All you need to do is clean the damn thing every once in a while. Mechanics do the rest. It’s not like we’re asking you to build one from…”

A noise filled the air. Unlike the rather rackety, unorganized noise of the Wonderbolts planes, this was more regular and almost insect like.

It got louder until soon the source became of it became clear. An airplane was accelerating away from the cliff. It had straight wing planform and a two piece, bulbous shaped cockpit. Three sets of black and white stripes were on the plane, two on the wings and one on the fuselage. On the tail was the emblem of black lightning bolt in the center of a black circle.

“… scratch…” Spitfire finished.

The plane turned and buzzed the complex before turning and heading towards the city.

“W-”

“Shut up Soarin’ and just get your ass in the air.”

“Yes Ma’am. There it goes.”

A burst of collective laughter filled the channel.

***

Dane opened his eyes. A group of icons flashed across his vision. A similar three were on his left side along with a view of his body. Most of it was green with a few yellows here and there. A motion sensor screen was on the other side as well as a variety of other icons.

He turned his head. Dirt. Lots of dirt. In fact, all he felt around him was dirt. He slowly pushed himself up off the ground, a large thick layer of the stuff falling off his body with some still staying in his hair.

“Bloody fucking hell. What happened?”

He was standing in the middle of a small crater with his head just peaking over the rim. He scrambled up the side and out of the dirt hole and looked around. He was in a valley. Wide open grass plains and fields surrounded him that led to forests at the base of mountains on either side of him. A river was out in the distance. But that wasn’t the detail that got him. Resting in a crater of their own were gigantic concrete blocks at a slight angle. Various piece of buildings littered the ground around them. Some of them were just piles of debris while others were entire sections of structures. Atop the concrete barriers was an O’Brian Class Destroyer.

“Motherfucker.”

A moaning behind him got his attention. A specific bar tender was lying on her stomach on the ground.

He quickly ran over to her.

“Hey, hey Gin,” he nudged her, “You alright?”

She moaned again.

“Hey, bitch. Get up.”

“Mommy, I don’t wanna go to school…”

“WAKE UP!!!”

His face was met with a fist that tossed him back down into his crater.

“Ah, motherfucker what the fuck happened?!” came a voice atop the crater. Gin was awake. She scrambled to the edge of the crater, “Hey Dane! You alright?”

“No. You punched me in the face, you crazy bitch.”

Gin reached in and lent him her hand, “What the hell happened?”

“I have no clue,” he grabbed her hand. She let out a scream and retracted her arm.

Dane quickly climbed his way back out of the hole, “What’s wrong.”

“My arm,” she said clutching her left arm, “I think it’s broken or something.”

He did a scan, “Yup. You have a light hairpin fracture. Not too bad but I wouldn’t use that arm for a while until we figure out where we are.”

“Speaking of which. I don’t think this is the shipyard.”

“Yeah… Something’s not right. There should be an ash cloud covering everything.”

“What happened? Do you remember anything?”

Dane rubbed his head, “I don’t know really. I just remember Earth, the volcano…”

He sighed, “Jett and Spitfire…”

“Dane, stay objective. Do you remember anything else? You’re the one with the supercomputer for a brain here.”

“I, uh… I think… yes. Yeah I do. Just when we were leaving I thought I saw a light when we were in the hanger bay. I don’t remember anything after that.”

Gin looked behind the whited haired android, “Is that…?”

“From the looks of things, yeah it is.”

“Hmm, UEG Acheron.”

“How in god’s name does that even happen?”

“Beats me. I still have no fucking clue what happened or where we are.”

Dane sighed, “Well there are probably medical supplies, food, and above all shelter on that ship so let’s find a way aboard.”

“Agreed. Wherever we are, I don’t want to find out if anything hungry lives in or near these forests.”

“Yeah… yeah… Something’s off here.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Let’s just get aboard the ship. I’d rather not stay here any longer than we have to.”

***

Jett hoped out of the cockpit of his plane. Some adjustments would need to be made but that’s what happens when you bend the metal by hand. Still, he was proud of his handy work. And he only had to destroy one and a half planes to do it. And fortunately there were six of the ugly things in the hanger to begin with so he could reasonably two more of them without seriously compromising some part of the design.

And yet, this plane was a relic. Old news. Like a vintage collectable that no one really had for any other reason but to look at. The thing wasn’t even equipped with a jet engine.

The doors to the hanger burst open and Spitfire stormed down into the hanger.

“What is the meaning of that?!” she pointed at the plane.

“That? Oh the P-51? Nothing, why? I just made it out of boredom.”

She walked over to the plane, examining it in detail. She had to admit it looked sturdy enough. Who was she kidding? It was more than sturdy. Damn thing out flew the planes they had without as much as a second thought.

“You just, built that?”

“Yeah pretty much. The engines you use in your planes though suck. I had to rework everything on it just so it didn’t sound like hell every time it flew.”

“That plane is better than anything we have.”

“Figured as much. Your flight tech, judging by how fast and how maneuverable the things were resemble early 20th century stuff.”

“Well it’s not like we needed them for anything. I mean, a third of our entire nation has wings. It was only until everyone else decided they wanted to see what flying was like did we start trying to make planes.”

“I take it that it was successful?”

“No. There are literally thousands of pictures and films of people trying to use a plane with flapping wings.”

“Yeah, we tried that at first too. Then we got smart and let a pair of bicycle shop owners have at it and voilà, an airplane. Then like 60 years later we landed a man on the moon. Another 70 it was Mars.”

“What? Bullshit. It took us like 20 years just to get something with an engine on it that flew.”

“Well we’d been trying it for years but as soon as we had that down everything else came naturally. Rockets, spaceships, eventually you have fleets of star ships flying around the solar system.”

“Hmm,” Spitfire walked around the plane. She looked at it as if she were a girl with an unlimited budget on daddy’s credit card.

Suddenly she looked up, “I want one.”

“What?”

“This. This plane right here. I want one. I want you to make me one. And everyone else on the team. But I want mine first.”

“Uh… okay. But what about my other things I was working on? I was gonna start building a computer next week.”

“Well you’re plans have changed.”

Jett sighed, “The machines I ordered come in on Sunday. I could get started on Monday.”

“Perfect. And you’ll be paid extra for your services.”

“Great…”

“Oh, and the princesses want to see you.”

“Even better…”

***

Dane pulled the manual release lever and pried open the door to the medical bay. The ship was still without power but the medical bay did have its own emergency generators.

“Come on. There should be something for your arm in here somewhere,” he said.

“Great,” Gin replied walking into the darkened room.

Dane walked past all the beds into a back room. A few beeping sounds were heard followed by a loud click and the whirring of a reactor powering up. Soon lights filled the whole medical bay. Various consoles and tech of all sorts came on.

“Okay,” Dane said opening up a shelf on the wall and removing a syringe with a gray substance inside of it, “Now, let me see your arm.”

Gin held out her arm. Dane grabbed it and pulled, relocating the bone back over where it should before quickly stabbing the syringe into her arm before the bar tender could even scream.

When she did though it was loud.

“FUCK! WHY THE FUCK DID YOU DO THAT YOU ASSHOLE?!”

“I reset the bone and injected the Nanites. Now don’t move it.”

“Don’t fucking do that again.”

“I needed to fix your arm and I did.”

She grabbed him by the shirt, “If you ever put me through something like that again, I’m gonna rip your head off and peal your skin like a banana.”

The android gulped, “Yes ma’am.”

“Glad we’ve come to an understanding. Now, you go get the power in this bucket back on and I’ll go find some provisions.”

“That’s not fair. I don’t need to eat.”

“Not my problem.”

“You’re a bitch.”

“Yeah? Well get used to it. It’s just us now and if we’re gonna survive we have to get our priorities straight. Now you’re the android and if anyone can get this ship working it’s you. So PLEASE just get this DONE and let’s get out of here and rejoin the others before…” she trailed off looking at the floor, suddenly despondent, “Let’s just get out of here…”

Dane nodded, “Yeah…”

He quietly walked out of the medical bay towards the engine room. The bartender quietly rubbed her arm before leaving the bay and heading towards the galley.

***

Jett again found himself in a chair. Not that he remembered it but something about this situation seemed familiar though he couldn’t quit place his proverbial finger on it.

He found himself sitting in a waiting area. Relatively unappealing it was a simple place with a few chairs and some couches with a coffee table and magazines on it. Various paintings of sorts hung on the wall.

Jett sat quietly in his chair, twiddling his thumbs. Two guards stood on either side of him but they weren’t doing a great job of hiding their discomfort. Their guns would be useless against a person who was literally bullet proof.

Jett sighed. He was bored. These two chess pieces next to him weren’t making it easier.

Hmm. Maybe he could fix that and try out one of the new tricks Acc taught him.

He went statue like, not even bothering to maintain the illusion of breathing. Then, something happened. A light abrasion appeared on his cheek. At first it was small, almost unnoticeable, and certainly not seen by the two guards. Then it began to expand; slowly but surely it grew, revealing a silvery surface underneath, occasionally a pulse of blue energy shot across the surface. Soon most of the color of the android’s face was gone leaving just a hard metallic surface. It even extended to his eyes which were now just silver orbs in his head.

Then the color left his hair as well, slowly turning silver. The rest of his body soon followed until he looked to be a silver statue sitting in a chair.

One of the guards finally took notice and looked down at the android. He let a small gasp out and broke into a cold sweat.

The other took notice and began to look uneasy. Slowly they edged away from the inhuman metal statue.

Now he could have some fun. Which one did he want to scare the most? Well the one on the right did have the mildest reaction between the two so…

He slowly turned his head to face him, ever so slowly until his gaze met his. Jett saw his nervous gaze shift to his friend behind him who slowly began to raise his weapon.

The door opened, “The Princess will see you now,” A secretary said.

Jett stood up, looking like his normal self, “Thank you.”

He walked out of the waiting room, giving the guards a funny look as he left. The next room he entered resembled a rather large library. It was multileveled place with a nice set of stairs in the center of the room leading up the second level balcony. Massive bookshelves were all over and yet the room maintained a sort of cozy feel to it. The entire ceiling was a giant domed structure with a large doorway opening on one side that had a rather large telescope peering out of it. Various lounge chairs and couches were all over. A sort of living area was set up in the center of the room with a small fire pit that burned green with a group of chairs around it.

And no one was inside of it, as far as Jett could see. He could easily find out if there was actually a person in here with the motion tracker but hey…

He quietly walked around the library. The books themselves were organized by subjects and then organized again into separate subcategories that were then organized alphabetically. He wandered over to the history section and peered at the collection.

He navigated over the early history section and removed a book titled, The God King.

He cocked his head. Interesting title. He shrugged and opened the book up and began to look at the table of contents.

“You know you can sit down if you wish,” a regal, gentle voice said.

Jett turned. A woman stood atop the staircase. She wasn’t like any woman Jett had seen before. For one she was over two meters tall, and wore an almost Romanesque style robe. A tiara sat atop her head and her hair was a rainbow array of colors and flowed almost of its own will. Her face was something almost ageless. Old beyond all years and yet still maintaining a youthful look.

Some strange energy readings were emanating from the woman but Jett decided to ignore them.

Jett closed the book and cocked his head.

“I’ve heard much about you, young one. Spitfire speaks very highly of you. You are an android, correct?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jett responded.

“Splendid. So you kept her safe during the six weeks, which I hear was really six months, she was away?”

“From what I hear ma’am.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Ma’am, I do not remember anything before a week and a half ago. There appears to be data corruption in my systems that are preventing me from accessing them.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not like it’s your fault. I hit my head when I first crashed here.”

“Hmm.”

Jett closed the book, “I heard you had wanted to see me?”

“Yes I did. I wanted to get a feel for the person who kept my Captain safe for six months along with humiliating my entire guard in their own city.”

“Well, uh, you know about as much about me as I do at the moment so I think we’re on the same page here. As for the whole guard thing, I’m a robot. What else do you need to know?”

“For one how you avoided my entire guard and my sister’s night guard well into the night.”

“Easy. I don’t have a life signature, or give off any thermal energy unless I want to; I don’t need to move constantly, I also don’t need to breath. These are all pretty good things to have.”

“Not breathing?”

“How long can you hold your breath?”

The princess sighed with a grin, “Point taken. You know my protégé was looking to study you. She was incredibly interested in finding out what makes you tick as she put it.”

“Well I will gladly submit to questioning at a later time perhaps but not right now.”

“Fine, fine. Just contact me when you’re ready and I’ll put you in touch with her.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“So have you been adjusting well?” The Princess asked, “Spitfire hasn’t been too hard on you?”

“Yes. I’m doing fine. I took on the job of cleaning up that old beat up hanger they have at the HQ. But now she has me building some planes for her.”

“Planes?”

“Yeah. I built an old plane from where I’m from and she liked it and wants me to build some for the whole team.”

“Well it looks like you’ll have some work to keep you busy for a while,” The Princess smiled.

“Yeah, but the only problem is that I wanted to get working on some other things and really get to working on that hanger.”

“Well I’m sure it won’t be that much of an inconvenience,” The Princess laughed, “After all. If it’s something that will help me beat my sister’s team then by all means.”

Jett raised an eyebrow, “Sister’s team? Do you bet on them or something?”

“No-well yes, but not as you’re thinking. We have a wide variety of flight teams, kind of like your… uh… what was it again Spitfire had said? Football teams?”

“Yeah. But go on…”

“Right. Well only the Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts, mine and Luna’s teams, are military so the rest are formed by whoever has the resources or desire to do so. So we set up a league and have competitions like races, sports games, airshows, you know. But anyway, my sister and I have a rivalry going and last year, she won the wingball tournament.”

“So…”

“So whatever help you could give Spitfire would be greatly appreciated.”

“Wouldn’t this be cheating?”

“If I recall correctly, Spitfire recruited you.”

Jett gave a small smile, “Point taken.”

***

Dane stepped into the engine room of the ship. The dim blue glow from the reactor filled the room. The android quickly ran up to a console and examined the read outs.

“Okay, type 5 shipboard fusion reactor…”

Power was off, probably for when the ship was under refit.

“Shit,” Dane sighed, “Wish Jett was here. Bastard would have this thing figured out in a flash. Fuck, at this rate I’d settle for a ‘how to’ guide.”

Instantly a series of directions appeared on his vision.

“Well I’ll be damned. Okay now… start up sequence.”

He placed his hand on the console and watched it light up. Various keys and screen readouts appeared.

“Okay, let’s see here…”

Intuition was never something that Dane had ever really used. Hell, he probably never noticed it until now but here he was letting his fingers glide over the keys without really knowing what he was doing.

He tapped the last key and instantly the room lit up. A light rumbling followed by the quiet whirring of the reactor was heard as the machine powered up.

“Okay. COMs next.”

He tapped another group of icons on the console before an audio window appeared.

“Alright. Let’s see here. Is this thing on? Yo Gin! Can you hear me?”

A rustling sound came through followed by the bartender’s voice, “See you got the reactor and COMs up. Good. Now get to the mess hall and help me here. Then we’ll head to the observation bridge.”

“Why not the command sphere?”

“There’s no windows.”

“Good point. Alright, I’m coming.”

“While you’re down there, see if you can close blast doors on all the windows and hatches. I don’t want anything getting any funny ideas.”

“Alright, let’s just see here. Oh yes here we are. This baby comes fully loaded. FTL HD Radio, fusion reactors and power windows.”

A light rumbling was heard through the ship as armored plates closed over the airlocks, hanger doors, and windows. The ship was now an armored shell.

“Where are we sleeping tonight?”

“Let’s focus on food first. Then we’ll find somewhere to lie down.”

“Alright. See you in the mess hall.”

“Yeah.”

***

Jett yawned. The meeting with the Princess went well though he really didn’t see the meaning behind it. He simply guessed that its purpose was that, because he was a newcomer and a robot at that, the rulers of this world wanted to make sure he wasn’t dangerous.

He still found the thought of a monarchy weird but he guessed it was understandable for him as all monarchs of human history were complete evil or insane or both.

Still, he made it out in time for lunch. He had stopped at the sandwich shop he had found on his last excursion before heading to the park again to finish it.

He again sat down on the bench like last time.

“I was wondering if you’d be back,” a voice said.

Jett looked up, “Oh, hey. It’s you again.”

Starry Skies again sat up in a tree branch. She smiled at the android.

“What brings you back here again?”

“Well I was out again and figured why not? Might as well get some kind of routine going.”

“Makes sense. So you’re gonna just start getting lunch and then coming here?”

“Sure I guess. I like nature.”

She grinned, “Me too. That’s why I’m here. Sometimes I just need a break from things.”

“I know that feeling,” Jett said taking a bit from his sandwich.

“Really? I highly doubt you’ve had to deal with a team of angry guys all day.”

“No, but I do have a flight captain who can be a bit demanding sometimes.”

“Wait. You’re with the Wonderbolts aren’t you?”

“Yeah. But, Spitfire’s not all bad. I mean she did give me a job so I can’t really complain.”

“Still. How much sleep do you get?”

“Uh, I don’t. I don’t have a need to so I don’t. I get more done that way.”

“Sounds like you work more than I do.”

Jett smiled, “Well I keep busy.”

“I’ll say.”

Jett sighed. A silence fell over them as Jett finished his lunch. Then Starry Skies spoke up again.

“Hey,” she said, “You wanna grab some coffee or something tomorrow morning?”

Jett pondered this for a moment. Tomorrow was Saturday and he did have something scheduled but… It could wait while he had breakfast couldn’t it? What was the worst Spitfire could do?

“Sure,” he replied, “Why not?”

***

Dane stepped into the ship’s mess hall. A large open room with rows of tables with a buffet in the back. A few smaller tables with things like napkins, straws, and silverware were scattered about the room.

“Hey Gin!”

“Yeah?!” The bartender popped up from behind the counter.

“Oh there you are. So what’s the news?” he asked walking over to her.

“Well, this thing is fully loaded with everything. All the stuff is military so… no expiration dates. At least within reason,” she said tossing him an MRE.

He looked at it, “Best if used by June 15th, 3498? Who the hell’s even going to be around that long to throw this out if it even goes bad? It has a shelf life of like a thousand years!”

“Well you will. There’s no predetermined lifespan for an android so if you are still around in the year 3498 you can tell the future people not to eat the 2413 MREs.”

Dane sighed and sat down at a table, “Is there anything else?”

“Not anything that I can get. The freezer and pantry areas are still locked and require a code to unlock them.”

“I could probably figure it out but this ship is huge and the systems are complicated as fuck. I only got the reactor going from a tutorial.”

“A tutorial? Where did that come from?”

“My head. Apparently there’s a lot of extra crap in there now.”

“Well it’s good that there’s SOMETHING occupying that empty space.”

“Yeah, yeah laugh it up. So you have any idea on where we can spend the night?”

Gin pulled out a pad from her bag, “I found a map of the ship and located the officer’s quarters. This ship was up for a crew rotation so there’s no personal stuff in any of the rooms.”

Dane looked at the pad, “Up near the Observation deck?”

“Yup. So at least we’ll get a view.”

“The windows are up, idiot.”

“Go fuck yourself with a ten foot pole.”

“Geez, someone’s on their period. Wonder if this thing’s carrying any pads.”

“Shut up Dane. And people have surgery now so sit your ass down.”

“Uh, who got the ship running again?”

“Shut up and eat your food,” she said throwing the MRE at him.

***

Spitfire was getting impatient. Jett should have been back by now. Practice was over for the day and the team was going about their own business. Still, the android should have been back by now.

Spitfire was sitting on her plane, tapping her fingers against the hull.

“Gah! What’s taking him?!”

“You know Cap,” Rapidfire said between bites of an apple, “I still have no idea why you’re stressing about this. I mean-” BITE “-it’s not like you own the guy.”

“You shut up. I’ll stress about it if I want to.”

“Still don’t know what it is with this guy. I mean, you’re worried about a guy who could probably snap me in half like a tooth pick. I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Hey,” Spitfire turned, “you weren’t that time he got-”

“Hey Spitfire, hey Rapidfire,” Jett said as he walked onto the complex.

Spitfire whipped around, “And just where have you been? You were supposed to be back an hour ago.”

“Stopped for lunch,” Jett shrugged, “I got hungry.”

“That doesn’t mean you can just skimp out on your duties like that.”

“Actually, I read that contract of yours very carefully and as far as anyone’s concerned, I’m well ahead of where I should be. And me working on those planes for you is a favor.”

“You still should have been back sooner. You could have had lunch here.”

“Why can’t enjoy myself a little? Most of the time I’m just down in that hanger renovating it and hardly get any sunlight.”

“Still. You’re still new here and unfamiliar with everything.”

“Why are you so worried? It’s not like you own me or anything.”

Spitfire didn’t respond.

“Well, I’ll be seeing you all later. I’m off to philosophize on the human condition. Bye.”

With that Jett calmly walked off towards the HQ.

Rapidfire stood up, “Well this is awkward. I think I’m going to go bother the Streaks for little. Bye.”

Spitfire remained sitting on the plane. The android’s last words stung. She knew he didn’t mean them too but they did none the less. When she thought about it, she did seem a bit overbearing. A bit possessive. Why was that? Was it due towards her feelings for him? More than likely. Her society was not run by gender rules of males competing and females choosing so both often happened. She had chosen the android as her mate, to put it primitively. But why had she been so possessive? Was it the thought that he might meet someone else out there? Maybe. Back in his world, when he still had all his memories, he had been a rather angry, isolated person on the outside. No one outside his small family of people interacted with him so she had next to no competition if any. But here, where he had none of his past experiences and was not so angry or withdrawn, it was possible.

Spitfire sighed. There wasn’t really much she could do about it. What could she do? Tell him he couldn’t leave the compound and not to talk to anyone of the opposite sex, or of EITHER sex for that matter? That would be impossible.

She hopped down from her plane, “Gah, I need some coffee.”

***

Saturday.

“Welcome Wonderbolts and Support Crew to the fight- I mean friendly competition between the android and the asshole!” Spitfire said cheerily into the microphone.

“Hey!”

“I’m Spitfire but, you already knew that,” she stepped away from the microphone. Fleetfoot egged her on.

“Why’d you stop?”

“WHY ARE YOU MAKING ME DO THIS?!”

“Geez calm down. Fine, I’ll do everything while you go down there and support your boyfriend.”

“I WILL FUCKING EVEICERATE YOU!”

Fleetfoot went wide eyed, “Uh, your hand was on the button.”

Spitfire cringed, “Fuck. Uh, sorry ‘bout that people.”

They were standing in the broadcasting box that sat above the bleachers overlooking the sports field.

“Get down there. The first round is gonna start soon and it’s in boxing. No rules accept for no broken bones beyond a nose.”

“Alright.”

She bounded out of the box down to the field where… there was no android to be found.

“Fuck where is he?”

Rapidfire shrugged, “Beats me. He left for breakfast an hour ago.”

“Shit.”

“Hey guys,” a certain android walked onto the field.

“It’s about time you got here!” Rapidfire said, “We’re starting soon.”

“Where have you been?” Spitfire asked.

“Went out and got breakfast. Is there a problem?”

“No, no. Just… Just kick Soarin’s ass.”

“Is that an order?” He asked with a smirk.

“Yes,” she replied with a smile, “Yes it is.”

Fleetfoot spoke from the box, “We good?”

Spitfire gave a thumbs up.

“Alright everyone, we’re all here now and settled in?”

The Wonderbolts and support crew cheered.

“Alright everyone. Let the games begin!”

Author's Note

If you've seen any grammar mistakes just point that shit out in the comment section below and I'll fix that shit tomorrow or later today or whatever the fuck. I'll just say tomorrow.

Chapter 41. Romulus: Killin the Predators and Slaughtering Nightingales.

Again I'm a lazy bastard and I really wanna catch my movie date I have planned so I'm not editing this so it's going up, ugliness and all unedited. When you find any mistakes just point them out in the comment section below. Now I'm off!

5:00 PM. Saturday.

Dane was down crouched down near the second floor window of the warehouse. He stared through the old, worn down glass at the cliff city below him. Below it almost resembled a mix between a fortress and a city. In truth that is what it was. A massive castle embedded in the side of a mountain hanging over the edge of a cliff with a city built on the plateau surrounding it.

The current warehouse he found himself residing in just happened to be farther up the mountain. It was an old military warehouse, probably not used in decades or longer. It was one of several installations scattered across the mountain no longer in use.

And now the android was hiding in it.

A clicking sound got his attention. He turned around. Gin loaded another magazine into her Glock.

“How much do you have left?” he asked.

“Just two mags per gun. So we have to get as far as we can before I run out and then it’s all on you,” she responded.

“How long do you think we should wait until we pull the chutes?”

“As long as possible. Those fuckin’ flying things will catch us otherwise. Once we land, we book it straight for the shuttle, we get back to the ship and you figure out a way for us to get the hell off this rock and into orbit.”

“I told you earlier, I can’t access the ship’s systems without the codes or the prints.”

“Well you’re just gonna have to find a way then. Okay?!” She sighed, “We’re not ON EARTH anymore or anywhere near Sol for that matter so we need to figure out just what the fuck is going on before we do anything. And I would prefer to be in Orbit so whatever these people are can’t get us.”

Dane sighed, “Last night I looked at the star maps. From what I can guess we’re something like 10000 light years from where we were. But whatever; we’ll work on it when we get back to the ship.”

“Thank you,” Gin said putting the gun back into its holster and checking the other. Dane simply looked at his hands before pulling on a pack that was sitting on the ground next to him. Once he was sufficiently strapped in he looked at the bartender who had strapped a bag onto her back as well.

“You ready?” he asked walking over to her.

“Yeah.”

They both started running towards the large, old glass windows. The glass shattered as the pair dove through and towards the city below.

***

10:00 AM. Seven Hours Earlier.

“So what am I doing?” Jett asked.

“Just a simple Sparing match,” Spitfire grinned, “All you need to do is win. Or try to. Just don’t kill him.”

The android turned and looked at Soarin’ who was stretching on the other side of the field wearing something resembling a Karategi. There were some random females over on the other side interacting with him but the android could not identify them at the moment.

“Alright you two!” Fleetfoot yelled, “Get on your sides of the field.”

Jett shrugged and stepped over the white line onto the field. Soarin’ did the same and cracked his knuckles.

“…And… Go!”

Soarin’ roared and bolted towards the android.

“So this is a sparring mat-” he was cut off rather quickly as a fist impacted his face.

An audible gasp was heard as the android’s head flew back… and then quickly returned to its previous position. Jett was still standing in the exact same position.

Soarin’ was holding his hand, looking at the android who simply cocked his head. He shook his hand off and swung again. This time, Jett ducked.

“You’re going to have to be faster than that.”

Soarin’ growled and swung again. Again Jett dodged. He leaned back with precision balance before springing back up. This time Soarin’ was prepared with a round house. The android expertly avoided this with a back handspring coming to rest near the edge of the sparring ring.

“Fight back Jett!” Spitfire yelled from the sidelines.

“Uh, what do you want me to do?” he asked as he spun around to dodge in incoming strike before returning to his previous position.

“Anything! Just hit back!”

“Okay, uh, like this?” Soarin’ moved to strike the android’s head again. This time Jett turned and rather quickly redirected the flyer’s arm before tucking his thumb and striking Soarin’s throat with a spear hand strike. Before he could even cough, Jett swept his foot across the ground, knocking his feet out from under him. As he fell, Jett performed a palm strike straight down, hitting the jock in the sternum and sending him flying to the ground on his back.

Then he started coughing and clenching his throat.

The entire sequence took a little over a second to complete, leaving the entire crowd watching with shocked looks on their faces.

“Like that?”

The sound of coughing and retching got everyone’s attention as Soarin’ rolled over onto his side.

“Uh, yeah, just like that.”

“So I won?”

“Well you certainly didn’t lose,” Spitfire said.

A moaning drew the android’s attention. Soarin’ coughed again as a nurse ran up to him. She had one of those strange marks on her forehead which glowed brightly. A glow of the same color surrounded the flyer before subsiding. The coughing and retching stopped as Soarin’ slowly pulled himself to his feet.

“What… the… fuck… was… that?” he asked.

Fleetfoot ran down from the box, “You got your ass handed to you on a silver platter. Oh man I’m so glad I got that on camera!”

“Wait,” Spitfire blinked, “You got that on video?”

“Yeah!” Fleetfoot pulled her phone out, “Check this shit out.”

Everyone gathered around the small screen as a video of Soarin’ getting jabbed in the neck and then having his feet kicked out from under him followed by him being pounded into the ground.

“Aw, man!” Soarin’ moaned.

“Well to be fair, you did go up against a piece of military hardware,” Spitfire laughed.

“Whatever.”

“Well come on guys. We do have the rest of the training field to go through.”

“Joy.”

***

“So what’s the deal here?” Gin asked.

“Well first off, the engine start up sequence requires an assistant engineer’s access codes plus their fingerprint. Which I don’t have either.”

“So basically, we’re stuck here?”

“Until I can hack the codes out of this thing, but again, the ship’s computer is almost as good as mine so I’d be here for a while.”

“Tell me at least you have access to other ship systems.”

“I can open and close the doors and I can hack the shuttles. That’s about it.”

Gin sighed, “I think it’s time we figure out where the hell we are. Prep a shuttle. I’ll grab some gear.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“And brush up on your martial arts if you’ve taken any cause we don’t know what’s out there.”

Dane grinned, “Why? You planning on grappling a bear to death?”

“Hey, unlike you pretty boy, I can’t just download a fighting style all matrix like. I actually had to practice. Plus, I’m no android to being able to street fight in the wrong part of town is something I’d rather have in my back pocket than be sorry otherwise.”

“Whatever you say missy.”

“Shut up and get the ship ready.”

***

Soarin’ was having a bad day. He should have seen it coming and kept his big mouth shut. What was the old saying? Loose lips sink ships? Something like that. Needless to say, it would have been better if he had said nothing rather than challenge the android.

So far the damn thing had won every single challenge from combat knives to riflery the android had won. Archery had been interesting considering the android had almost shot each arrow perfectly through each other.

Now only one challenge was left. Swordsmanship.

Spitfire sighed, “Now where did he go?”

“He said he went down to the forge to get something,” Blaze said.

Soarin’ was busy readying his academy cutlass. Jett was still missing.

“He better get here soon,” Spitfire grumbled.

“Who better get here soon?” Jett asked sipping from a tea cup.

“Fuck!” Spitfire jumped, “You need to stop doing that! How the fuck are you so stealthy like that?”

“I’m a robot. Not too hard.”

“Whatever,” she sighed, “So you ready?”

“Yup,” Jett said setting his cup on the ground. It had an unnatural blue appearance to it.

“Where did you get that?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Oh the cup? I made a set a while ago. That was when the cobalt stuff blew up. You can use it to stain glass.”

“Wait,” Misty said, “I thought you were using that on your sword.”

“No, you can’t use cobalt like that on metal. At least, not with the tech you have in this place.”

He unslung a heavy sheathed object from his back. He quickly removes the sheath from it and lets it fall to the ground. In his hands was a rather unique looking sword. It was almost a cross between a Japanese katana and a European sword. The blade was thicker than the average katana but still had the distinctive curve to it. The blade had an almost unnoticeable bulb shape near the tip of the blade. The handle itself was wrapped in a black cloth that came down to a metal sphere at the pommel. The blade was an ominous sapphire color.

“How the fuck did you get the blade blue?” Blaze asked.

“Easy, I just used blue steel.”

“Blue steel?”

“Yeah, why? You’ve never heard of it? Cause that blacksmith just down the road carries it along with the stuff on how to make it.”

“Whatever man. Sick sword.”

“Thanks.”

Spitfire interjected, “Alright. So this is the last one for the day. Jett, keep up your winning streak.”

He nodded.

Fleetfoot ran up to the mic again, “Alright people, this is a simple duel here. No punching or kicking each other, only use your blades. And no dismembering people either. Just disarm or knock your opponent to the ground.”

“Sounds fair,” Spitfire said.

Jett again stepped onto the field.

“…And… Go!”

***

“Careful,” Gin said, “Carefully.”

“For heaven’s sake women, Shut up and let me fly,” Dane said.

“Whatever. I just don’t want us to die after what you did to this thing.”

“For the last time, all I did was hook up the Matchbox to this thing. Not that big a deal.”

The android expertly maneuvered the twin engine shuttle towards the mountains. Various cliffs and terraces came into view as the ship sped by the mountain side. Various trees and other foliage occasionally would stick out of a cliff face or wall. Usually they were located near a waterfall or some other kind of water source.

Then something in the distance caught the android’s attention. Dane cocked his head.

“Computer, zoom in on frame 120 by 30. Magnify and enhance.”

A tall spire was poking up just beyond a group of cliffs.

“What the hell is that?” Gin asked.

“I have no clue.”

The shuttle sped closer to the object and it soon became clear that it was the tallest spire of some kind of fortress. Soon other details could be made about the structure. It was some kind of castle of some importance as it was embedded halfway up an almost completely vertical mountain surrounded by a smaller town of similar elegance. The town itself had no real recognizable form of architecture to it and instead resembled something out of a fantasy story. All throughout it were various people going about their daily lives. Some had wings and were flying about, others no wings and some had strange markings on their bodies that converged on a gem like object in their forehead.

Gin cringed, “We are DEFINITELY not in Kansas anymore.”

“These… these aren’t humans- Ah Jesus H. Christ!” he yelled as one of the ones with wings got a little too close to the shuttle for comfort.

“Dane, land the ship.”

“What?”

“Land the ship. Put us down just outside of that city. Somewhere where we won’t be spotted.”

“Why?”

“For one, we’re still invisible so we don’t need any fucking angel people running into an invisible wall anytime soon. That and we are obviously not on Earth. Check the star maps; see where we may have landed.”

“Alright.”

The android guided the shuttle towards the outside of the city. He brought the ship down behind one of the walls, hidden near a garden terrace. The landing gear emerged out of the ship as it touched the ground just outside the city limits.

Dane looked out the cockpit windows. The city was just below them by a few meters. A small path led down into the city streets. He spun around in his chair.

“So what’s the plan?”

Gin grabbed her guns and loaded a magazine into both of them, “We’ve obviously gone through the wormhole so to speak since Yellowstone and I would really like to learn about wherever the fuck we’ve ended up. SO… I figured we could do some in-the-field work. Blend in, observe, and then we get to leave.”

“Aren’t you afraid we might get… caught?”

“I have two guns, my street skills and you’re a fucking robot with the entire collected knowledge of humanity in your head. I think it would take a small army to stop that.”

“Fine. Just keep on the down low. I don’t want us getting… caught by shit.”

Gin sighed, “Fine.”

“And put stun rounds in your gun. We don’t need you giving anyone a life altering injury.”

“Since when did a gunshot wound become life altering?”

“Uh, since we landed in the middle of primitive civilization with substandard medical care. That’s when.”

Gin sighed like a girl told she couldn’t take daddy’s care onto the freeway, “Ugh, FINE.”

“Thank you.”

The bartender swapped out the magazines and grabbed a pack of the stun rounds.

“You ready?”

“Yup.”

“You sure you put us somewhere where we won’t be seen?” Gin asked.

“Yes mom, now can we get going or what?”

“Fine, don’t throw a man fit, asshole.”

“Bitch.”

“Go fuck yourself with a ten foot pole.”

“Well that escalated quickly.”

***

Jett ducked just as brass colored blade swung right over his head. He rolled back and sprang back to his feet just in time to block another swing by Soarin’.

So far the duel had been lasting a bit longer than all the other competitions. If there was one thing Soarin’ was reasonably good at other than flying, it was swordsmanship.

Jett circled his blade and disengaged it from Soarin’s. He turned and spun his body to bring the most amount of force applicable in with his next swing. His blade contacted the cutlass with a jarring impact. Soarin’ pushed forward to repel the attack but Jett was stronger. He forced him back and he stumbled but regained his footing.

Jett spun his sword and tossed it in the air before catching it and striking a fighting stance.

Soarin’, with sweat coming down his forehead, growled.

Jett grinned, “Go ahead, make my day.”

Soarin’ roared and rushed forward, his blade by now had multiple notches in it while Jett’s barely had a scratch. Jett rushed forward to meet him. Their two blades collided with a loud bang and locked together. Soarin’ started to push forward. Jett, getting reasonable footing, rotated his body to break the lock so his back was facing him. He spun farther and removed his sword from the lock with a swing, the blade narrowly missing Soarin’s face.

The two rushed at each other and clashed again.

On the sidelines were the rest of the team and some of the Wonderbolts support staff. The exchange had been going on for almost half an hour now.

Fleetfoot sighed, “Okay, now this is getting ridiculous.”

“You’re the one who said for them to only use their blades. And that’s all they’ve been doing,” Spitfire responded, “All this is about now is who’s gonna last longer though I have a pretty good idea on who that’s gonna be.”

Misty shouted, “Jett are you even trying?!”

“Yes!” he replied, ducking to avoid a blade before thrusting forward with his, “I’ve just slowed myself down a bit to make it fair. That and we’re using almost two completely incompatible fighting styles and swords. But then again, I did decide to not use some of my personal and not so personal experience in this matter so that could be it too!”

“Why! Won’t! You! Just! Lose!?” Soarin’ yelled with each swing of his blade.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Blaze sighed, “Hands and feet are allowed now! First one to disarm or compromise the other wins!”

Fleetfoot turned, “Well that should speed things up a bit.”

Soarin’ thrust forward with his sword. Jett raised his hand and deflected his blade to the left before trying to get in a slice with his blade. Soarin’ caught his hand, locking the two together. They grappled, each trying to get the upper hand before Soarin’ pushed forward sending the android backwards. He quickly regained his footing and jumped back into the fight.

Soarin’ ran forward and locked his blade with the android’s before striking him in the face with a left hook. Jett responded with a left hook of his own, only his hand was made of metal. Soarin’ now stumbled back in a daze before recovering. Jett was a bit occupied in a self-diagnostic as Soarin’ rushed forward. He looked up at the last second in time to jump out of the way of a hammer blow. Soarin’ ran forward only this time, things were going to be a bit different.

Soarin’ ran with his blade held back, ready to swing. This time, just as he was beginning to move his arms, Jett’s left arm backhanded the weapon right out of his hand and sent it spinning into the stands, forcing many to jump out of the way. The golden blade stuck precariously out of the wooden surface. Jett meanwhile swung his weapon low, knocking Soarin’s feet out from under him and sticking the weapon uncomfortably close to his face.

“Yield,” he sighed.

“You know what; I don’t give a fuck anymore. You win, now let my ass sleep,” Soarin’ sighed.

Jett sighed and lowered his weapon before walking off the field.

Spitfire ran up to him, “Well that took longer than expected.”

“Tell me about it,” he said slicking his hair back, “I must admit I am feeling, what you would consider, ‘winded.’”

“You? Tired?”

“Hey even robots need rest sometimes. That entire fight took a little extra power to do but whatever.”

Spitfire laughed before rubbing her head, “So… are you free this afternoon? You know, you wanna go do something?”

“Sorry but I can’t today,” Jett said walking over to the bleachers and sheathing his sword, “I’m catching lunch with someone.”

“Oh,” Spitfire deflated, “Who?”

“Her name is Starry Skies.”

“WAIT!” Fleetfoot butted in, “You’re going on a date with her?!”

“Well if that’s what you wanna call it then I guess. But whatever, I’m gonna be late if I hang around here any longer. I’ll catch you all later!” he smiled before heading off the field.

Spitfire stood on the field with an open mouth, watching the android leave. The entire team and staff watched in confusion as he left the area, happily humming to himself.

I was high on insomnia listening to this the whole time I wrote.

Chapter 42. Remus: The Krew Threw a Knife Party.

Sorry My Children for being gone forever. But this is the first weekend I have had in the past month to relax and I made the most of it. I also did not take the time to edit it so excuse any mistakes.

“I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.”

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.

***

5:41 PM. Saturday.

Jett grinned as he slowly walked towards the shattered show window. Behind him was utter destruction in the city’s shopping district that was indicative of a massive fight. Behind him was a 20 something year old women brutally fighting hand to hand with a group of men in almost medieval style armor.

“Dane!” she shouted.

In the shattered window was a certain white haired android on his back slowly backing away from his deranged opponent.

“Dude! Calm down! There’s something not right with you!” he called.

Jett cracked his neck before raising his prosthetic, “What’s wrong friend?” he laughed.

“You! You’re behaving like a maniac.”

He cracked his knuckles, “You have nothing to worry about.”

A plate on his forearm popped up revealing the rotary beneath.

“This won’t hurt one…”

It turned. Each turn it clicked revealing something different.

“Little…”

It stopped.

“Bit…”

A large blade about the length of his forearm popped out with a piercing metal shriek. Dane gulped before pulling himself to his feet and straightening his shirt. He glanced behind the android quickly before returning his gaze.

“Okay. I’m ready. One last fight.”

“Don’t push your luck buddy,” Jett grinned.

“Oh trust me. I only need one minute.”

They stared at each other for a little while longer before they both rushed.

***

A few hours earlier.

Jett walked down the street towards a coffee shop. The building was relatively quaint in appearance with a nice outdoor seating area that gave a nice view of the street. At one of the tables was a girl with windy pink hair. She was staring at something on her phone before she looked up.

“Hey you made it!” she said cheerily standing up.

Jett walked up to her, looking a little bashful, “Yeah, uh, I guess I did.”

“So you ready to go?”

“Yeah, but before we go, can we just hold on for a second?”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you think we’re going… a little too fast here?”

She frowned, “What do you mean?”

“Well, we’re already going on a date, I guess that’s what you call it, and I only met you a little while ago.”

“You did say that you were going to be open to new things. So why not try this? You’re only gonna live once.”

Jett pondered this for a moment. Something about it seemed familiar and yet…

He blinked, “You know what? Why not?”

“Great! Now come on! We’re wasting time!”

***

Dane and Gin walked along the cobblestone streets. Dane was dressed in as average clothes for the area as he could as was Gin who had a pair of concealed hand guns hidden under her leather jacket. Both had sunglasses while Dane wore a hat to hide his unnaturally white hair.

“This… is oddly familiar,” Gin said.

“Yeah, like some kind of modern Victorian era earth,” Dane replied.

“How did humans, or at least human like life forms, evolve so far away from Earth? That should be impossible.”

“Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

“What?”

“Lewis Carroll,” Dane said, “Alice in Wonderland?”

“Ah.”

“They appear to have something along the lines of 40’s era tech but I can’t really tell.”

“Why can’t you tell?” Gin asked, “On the Kardashev scale they’re like a…0.40 about?”

“I can’t tell because they’re all over the place. I’m scanning their grid but it’s extremely erratic. They have cell phones and TV’s and even something resembling an internet.”

“So why is it difficult to pin it down?”

“Because when we were this advanced we also had nuclear weapons, machine guns, all sorts of other things that they don’t have.”

A car looking vaguely like something from the 40’s drove past them down road. Curiously it did not emit any exhaust.

“They’re technology is all over the place. Planes from what I can guess are new to them. Along with anything beyond a bolt action rifle. Anything resembling an AI like me is about as complex as simple hard drive. It’s complicated.”

They continued down the street. Dane continued to observe and take note while Gin stayed vigilant looking for threats.

Meanwhile, just a little farther away, something else was taking place. A group of friends was sitting on a patio at a restaurant, waiting to be served.

“Honestly darling,” Rarity said, “I don’t know why you insist on buying that. It has such a GHASTLY color to it.”

“What’s wrong with it?” Applejack asked.

Rainbow Dash tried to suppress a giggle, “Well, for one, it looks like something Granny Smith would wear!”

Applejack looked down at the necklace she was wearing, “Aw come on, it’s not that bad… is it?”

“Let’s just say I wouldn’t be caught dead in it,” Rainbow Dash laughed.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, “Can you continue this another time please? I’m trying to study here.”

“Oh, what is this time?” Fluttershy asked.

“I’m trying to read up on code systems and computer algorithms.”

“Uh, why exactly?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“That android we chased through the streets the other day? That robot is the most advanced piece of technology in the world at the moment and I would really like to learn more about it!”

“Um, but didn’t the princess say not to bother him without his expressed permission?” Fluttershy asked.

“Which you have still to receive by the way,” Pinkie Pie grinned.

Twilight sighed before throwing her head in her hands, “Yes I know. Ugh! What I wouldn’t give for two of those things! At least one that was a little less stubborn!”

Dane and Gin walked by the café. They stopped on the street corner. Gin removed her sunglasses and rubbed her eyes.

“Oh god that’s bright.”

Dane removed his shades and hat, “I need to clean mine a bit. That dust from that carriage practically pasted my lenses.”

At that exact moment, Twilight decided to look up. It was also at that moment that she happened to get a glance between the gap between Rainbow Dash and Rarity to the street corner several meters away. A rather familiar face, with the addition of a few freckles and instead of a jet black mop, the figure rocked a nest of snow white hair.

The boy turned his head, some unseen words were said to his companion before he pulled his hat and sunglasses back on his head. And yet, something seemed familiar about him. Something odd about it just did not seem right. Like an atheist at a conference of theologians. Twilight knew something was wrong and yet, she could not place it.

And then she heard it. That one thing that gave it away. The one stone that shattered the glass façade. One little slip of the tongue or maybe not even that.

A small piece of a conversation reached her ears.

“… well we’re here you stupid android so…”

Android.

Twilight stood up, “Hey you!”

The white haired figure turned, blinking. His companion turned as well. She gave them both a sly grin.

“Android.”

The two figures paled. The woman reached for something in her coat pocket.

“Gin… run,” Dane said.

The women removed her hand from her jacket and slowly turned the corner. The android turned to face the purple haired girl.

“So strange one, just how do you know what I am?” He asked taking slow deliberate steps towards her.

“Why should I tell you that?” Twilight grinned. Oh she would be ready this time. The rest of her friends by now were ready for a fight and were staring down the android.

“Because obviously you’re intrigued in more ways than one.”

“Yeah wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I would. But I can imagine why. Your race is extremely primitive. I can only imagine the hard on the idea of capturing and advanced piece of artificial intelligence technology must give you.”

This was unnerving to Twilight.

“Hey! Who you calling primitive snowball?!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

Dane kept his cool. Almost unnaturally so, “Thank you for the kind demonstration girl.”

“Rainbow, shut it,” Twilight said, “And so what if I do want to capture you and study you?”

“You won’t and can’t,” Dane grinned.

“How do you know?”

“For one your hands are glowing so it would be very easy for me to run right now without giving too much away.”

Twilight’s hands shot up. A cobblestone box rose out of the street and encompassed the android. Twilight grinned.

“Aw yeah! Way to show him Twi!” Rainbow cheered.

“What was that about not capturing you?” Twilight asked.

“This is rather interesting,” Dane said, “Unexpected but not unmanageable. Let’s just see here…”

A fist punched its way through the box, sending a stone flying down the street. Dane poked his face through, “Here’s Johnny!”

Twilight gulped.

***

“And so anyway,” Starry skies continued, “The moral of the story is don’t wake up the bitch that lives just above the cake shop.”

“Ouch, that doesn’t sound very pleasant,” Jett cringed.

“Oh it wasn’t. She just talked and talked and talked.”

“Like a record without an end right?”

“Yeah, and then she had her first cup of coffee.”

“Wait what?”

“Then it got really bad but that’s a story for another time.”

“Aw,” the android moped.

“Hey, be a patient android. There’s plenty of time for conversation at lunch.”

“Speaking of which, are we there yet?”

Starry Skies smiled, “Yup, it’s that nice place right over there.”

It was corner side restaurant with various areas for outdoor eating. A few rustic lamps dotted the corner, matching the overall theme of the building. Various people were sitting outside and inside the restaurant which internally resembled and old fashioned tavern or pub rather than the high end restaurant it really was.

Skies found a table and led the android to it.

“So what exactly is this place?” he asked.

“Uh, what does it look like? It’s a restaurant.”

“Yeah, no shit. I mean what exactly is this place.”

“This? I used to come here all the time as a kid and I still do. It’s a nice place. Reminds me of home,” she responded.

“I see…”

The waiter came over and took their respective orders before leaving.

“So tell me about yourself,” Skies asked.

“What do you want to know? I’m a robot. Plus I don’t have a memory at the moment so there’s not much to tell besides what’s happened since I got here.”

“Well, uh, what’s it like being a robot?”

“Well, for one I have an optional Heads Up Display. That’s pretty interesting.”

“Do you keep it on?”

“Yes. It’s more or less always been on as far as I remember so why not?”

“What else?”

“I see the entire length of the EM spectrum and can hear every frequency of sound.”

“What’s that like?”

Jett frowned, “What do you mean?”

“What’s it like seeing things that we can’t see and hearing things we can’t here? What does it look like?”

“That would be difficult to describe.”

“How?”

“Have you ever tried describing what a rainbow looks like to someone who’s colorblind?”

…

“Yeah I didn’t think so. Even now I can see and hear things you wouldn’t believe. In short I can see and hear more, do more, do it faster, pretty much I’m better.”

“At what exactly?”

“Everything.”

Skies frowned, looking rather intrigued at the android, “So what are some of the things that you can see and hear?”

Jett turned, looking around his environment.

“Do you see that clothing store across the street over there?” he pointed.

“Yeah, why?”

“In the dressing rooms there’s a woman who’s trying on a purple dress that her boyfriend doesn’t exactly find appealing. I can hear their conversation.”

“Wow.”

“Right now I can hear hundreds of conversations within a 100 meter radius. I can see everything from the body head coming off of these people to their bones inside their body. Even as we speak I am aware of a group of guards walking up the street from around that corner over there.”

“…oh…”

“There is also a small insect; I think it may be some kind of fruit fly, crawling up your leg at the moment.”

She squeaked and started rubbing her legs, attempting to brush off the offending insect. Jett laughed.

“Did I get it?”

“Oh yeah, you got it alright.”

She grinned, “You jerk.”

***

Meanwhile across the city, a certain situation of rather peculiar notice was taking place. It was around this time that a giant box of cobblestone and dust exploded and a white haired figure ran out, sprinting full speed down the street.

He bolted down the road at full speed, chasing after another figure not too far ahead of him who was doing the same thing as he was. Behind them both were a group of six figures all chasing after them.

Dane gasped. A cobblestone wall encased in a purple aura flew up in front of him. He leapt into the air and threw himself over the wall before continuing onward. More began appearing in front of him.

“Great!” Rainbow Dash droned behind him, “Another road runner!”

“Rainbow, shut up and catch’em!” Applejack yelled.

“Fine.”

She flapped her wings and pushed herself forward, enough to gain on the android and tackle him to the ground. They both bounced in ball of white hair and blue feathers before Rainbow gained control and gripped the android by the shoulders and tossed him into a nearby light post.

He impacted it rather violently, leaving a sizable dent in it before flopping to the ground.

Dane pulled himself up on his hands and knees just in time to see Rainbow Dash diving on him. He rolled left and jumped back up on his feet before striking out with his palm and catching the girl in the stomach, knocking her back.

Rainbow Dash coughed and held her gut before growing and looking back up at the robot, “Now you’ve officially pissed me off.”

Dane brushed himself off, “Yeah, you see I’d love to stay and chat but I do have somewhere to be so… bye.”

With that he bolted off after Gin.

Gin meanwhile had been running a considerable distance at an impressive speed for a normal 25 year old. Her years of high gravity training and conditioning finally paid off as her body, now accustomed to operating with higher gravity and less oxygen ran like a well-oiled machine. She could still feel her guns bouncing around inside her jacket as she ran.

Every now and then she would risk a glace behind her. This time she glimpsed her friend booking it toward her at full speed with a rather angry Rainbow haired girl flying after him. Behind her was a group of 5 other, eccentrically colored girls. One of them raised her hand and a purple glow enveloped her and her rainbow colored friend. Instantly they teleported and reappeared a few meters in front of Gin and Dane.

Gin put on the brakes as she skidded to a halt. Dane, like a cheetah was soon at her side, one hand on the ground in a starting block form.

The pair was cut off.

“Alright assholes,” the Rainbow one seethed, still holding her gut, “If you wanna escape you’re gonna have to go through me!”

Gin, not even phased by the threat, simply replied, “Okay,” and pulled out her Glock and fired.

A bolt of blue energy flew towards the rainbow haired girl and splashed over her chest. Instantly she dropped to the ground unconscious. Gin, not wasting any time aimed at the other girl and fired.

The purple haired magician dove out of the way as the round continued onward to hit a street sign.

Gin nodded at Dane and they both took off running again.

***

“So that arm of yours,” Starry Skies asked, “Just what exactly can you do with it?”

Jett looked down at his arm. The gunmetal appendage had been there since he had woken up. He’d never really seen it having much of a use at all really. He did know that there were some things like tools in it but what he could really do with them he had no idea.

“Don’t know really. I do know that I have some tools and stuff in it but what I can do with it is anyone’s guess.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Jett grabbed his cup of tea and took a sip. Starry Skies wore a friendly smile and seemed quite content. This place seemed… off. He couldn’t quite place it but yet it was there, like an itch in the back of his head he just couldn’t seem to scratch.

Suddenly Starry Skies jumped up, “Hey, I know what we can do!”

Jett was pulled out of his thoughts, “Oh? And what’s that exactly?”

“You’ll have to follow me,” she grinned.

Jett finished his drink, “Alright. Lead on. But I have to be back on the base by 7:00.”

“You have a curfew?”

“Well, yeah I guess I do.”

“Well that’s a bit boring,” she pouted.

“Well what am I supposed to do? Spitfire will have my head on a platter if I’m late.”

She laughed, “Alright I’ll be sure to get you home to mom before supper.”

“Don’t make fun of me,” he fake pouted, “She’s my boss.”

“Alright, alright. Come on, we’re wasting time.”

***

“There is nothing on this earth sexier, believe me, gentlemen, than a woman you have to salute in the morning. Promote 'em all, I say, 'cause this is true: if you haven't gotten a blowjob from a superior officer, well, you're just letting the best in life pass you by.”

-Colonel Jessep. A Few Good Men.

***

Princess Celestia sighed. Sure things were good in Equestria; democracy, good quality of life, high living standards, tolerant of all non-threatening lifestyles, practically a paradise. But as in any paradise, you had to work to keep it that way. With the day’s work done, all the politicians dealt with, all the ambassadors addressed, all the taxes filled, she could finally relax and enjoy her afternoon.

The royal gardens of the palace were one of the few serene parts of the fortress where the sun princess could get some peace and quiet without having to lock herself in a tower. She relished in it; the peaceful silence of it all. The only noises, if any were the calming sounds of nature.

The princess was sitting calmly at a nice custom made, handcrafted picnic table, enjoying a glass of tea when, in a flash of light, her sister appeared sitting across from her.

“Sorry we’re late sister,” Luna huffed.

Celestia raised an eyebrow, “’We’re’ late?”

Luna turned red, “Again, sorry. That still happens sometimes.”

“Understandable,” Celestia smiled before returning to her tea and picking up a newspaper.

“So how are you enjoying this fine day?”

“Well for once the council and I finished things up on time so that’s a good start.”

“I’m sure,” Luna smiled, “So… how is that other thing going?”

Celestia put the newspaper down, “You mean with Spitfire’s new friend? Well so far he’s been just minding his own business so far, you know… just doing stuff…”

Luna frowned, “Spitfire recruited him didn’t she?”

Celestia put up a grin, “All’s fair?”

“Humph. Next robot that pops up is mine.”

“That’s if he even wants to join your team. And if you do recall, mine is still 3 people short of a full house.”

“Yes but-”

A flash of blue flame appeared above the picnic table and a small scroll. Celestia picked it up and unrolled it.

“Well this is interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” Luna asked.

“Seems that some of our guards have been found unconscious all throughout the city along with reports of a chase.”

“Seems like you are not entirely out of the woods yet, sister,” Luna said.

“Yeah… Well, I better see what’s happening this time. I just hope it’s not another robot.”

***

1 Hour Later.

“Just what are we doing down here?” Jett asked.

Starry Skies giggled.

Something snapped, cracked or fractured in the android’s mind. Something… vaguely familiar. Like a memory embedded in a piece of glass stabbing into his head that he couldn’t quite pin down. It was there oh so briefly.

“Come on, I’m not Dane. I suck at this stuff.”

“Here, just take your arm and put it here.”

…

“Now take the other and put it here.”

…

“Now I take my arms and put them like this.”

…

“And now we dance.”

“You’ll see.”

They were walking down through a series of underground caves. They were following a carefully laid out trail a few meters across. Just off the trail was a large underground river decorated with glowing crystals embedded in the rock around it. There were even some small plants around the area.

Starry Skies led him to a large underground gate. It was made of some kind of stony metal and consisted of two double doors. A small door slit was on one of the doors. One the doors were the letters C and U.

Starry Skies walked up to the door and knocked on it three times. The door slit opened.

“State your business.” A deep voice said.

“The Night Is Young and I have Time.”

“Very well.”

The two large double doors opened. Jett and Starry Skies entered. Jett’s eyes widened.

“What is this place?” Jett asked.

“This?” Starry Skies smiled, “Is the Canterlot Underground.”

Author's Note

Again I apologize for being off for so long but my education comes first and I must focus on that before I can do any of this. After MAY is over I should be back to writing.

Chapter 43. C-Beams at the Tannhäuser Gate.

“I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Hmm. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like… tears in rain. Time to die.”

-Roy Batty, Blade Runner.

***

“What is this place?” Jett asked.

“This is the Canterlot Underground,” Starry Skies smiled.

Just behind the gate was something spectacular. It was almost like another city beneath the bright shiny capital above. They stepped into a large open chamber. The walls were clearly still rock and yet the inside was odd combination of rustic and somewhat modern architecture. Various trees grew in random spots all over the small town with lanterns hanging off of many of them to help add light. On one end of the chamber was a small freshwater lake that connected to an underground river that split the town in half as it exited the cave.

Jett stared it all in awe. It was like a group of dwarves had dug their way down here and constructed a small town. The place itself was alive with activity. Various dances were going on, shows, parties, even a few boxing matches here and there.

“This is amazing!” Jett smiled.

“Figured you’d like it.”

“How was this even built?” he asked as they started to take a series of steps down into the town.

“Well story was that a prospector had recently struck it rich mining for precious stones and happened upon this open cavity among the all the tunnels that make up the caves in this mountain. He had some money so he supposedly got to building an underground area where any miner who needed to could stop by and rest his head. Of course once the mining slowed and stopped this place was pretty much forgotten by all but a few. Then someone got the genius idea to turn it into this: the Canterlot Underground.”

“Wow…”

“Yup, no rules here except no killing, no stealing, no causing any fights outside of the boxing ring, and leave your social status at the door.”

Jett raised an eyebrow.

“No one here is any better or worse than anyone else. There are no celebrities, there are no peasants, everyone is on level ground. That’s why you find a lot of famous people here. We sometimes just want to get away from it all.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Jett said, “If I was hounded almost every day by the paparazzi I’d want a vacation from it every once in a while.”

The two stood a few steps from the town, Jett still taking in the view.

“Well?” Starry Skies asked, “What are you waiting for? Let’s get going!”

She grabbed his hand and the two ran off into the underground.

***

4:50 PM.

Dane and Gin burst into the empty warehouse. Gin collapsed to the ground catching her breath while Dane closed the doors and made sure they weren’t being followed.

Finally Gin found use of her words, “Okay, what the fuck was that? How the hell did they figure out what we were so fast?!”

“I have no fucking clue. Clearly some bat crazy shit is going on here and I really don’t want to wait around here to find out what it is,” Dane responded checking on his bag, “We need to get back to the shuttle, get back to the ship, and get the fuck off this rock and don’t look back.”

“Agreed.”

“This whole experience has been one giant MASS OF CLUSTERFUCKERY LARGER THAN ANY I HAVE EVER SEEN. How the living fuck did human like whatever the fucks evolve independently of humans on Earth here?! Why the fuck do they have wings, crystals embedded in their heads, and why can the ones that have neither flip a truck over without a second thought?! And more importantly, how the fuck did we get here?”

“I don’t know. I just want to orient ourselves so we can get home and regroup with the fleet.”

Dane sighed, “We’re light years away from home, parsecs even. Even if we could find a way home it would take thousands of years.”

“This is all too much of a mess to sort out right now. If that’s what we have to do to get back to the human race then we’ll do it.”

“Assuming there’s a human race left…”

“What?”

“Think about it. We’re thousands of years away from the rest of human civilization. If we head back now by the time we get back, whatever society that’s still around will obviously look nothing like what we left nor will they have the technology level of what we left behind. So unless you have an FTL shoved up your ass we’re not going anywhere.”

“Well, can’t you make one or something?”

“Do you know what that would entail? I would either need to warp space and find a way to keep the ship from melting in the heat, wormholes and methods to fold space, or some kind of quantum slipstream tunneling. Jett was the smart one so if anyone could build one it would be him.”

“Well what if we accelerated relativistically?”

“We’re still facing the original problem. We’re here; human civilization or the part of it we want to get back to is either is light years away in Sol or their running like hell for Alpha Centauri.”

“Alpha Centauri?”

“IPA has the only planet worth a damn in the Solar System, plus they’ve been sitting back for like 50 years building a super war machine. If Halsey’s fleet even survived it would certainly be slaughter for the outer planets and the belt.”

“And that’s assuming they didn’t go the way of the tiger.”

“Best case for them is they pulled a Battlestar Galactica and bounced. Best case for us… I’m still working on that.”

Gin sighed, “You may as well just say it.”

“What?”

“We’re fucked so many different ways it could be considered rape.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We’re stuck on planet with humanoids resembling something from a fundamentalist’s wet dream, this is the only planet that can sustain life within what? How many fucking light years? On top of that, they also speak ENGLISH! You mind explaining that shit to me?! Either way I don’t see any scenario where we either don’t end up dying ourselves or going into cryo for a few thousand years before heading for Earth.”

“We don’t have to make that decision yet. Let’s just focus on getting into space.”

“Fine.”

Dane pulled his bag off and removed a pad, “Our shuttle is 5 kilometers from here. You think you can pull that kind of run?”

“Bitch I could probably pull your head off right now.”

“Okay, no need to ask.”

***

Two figures sat at an outdoor coffee shop. One was a black haired man in his late 20’s to early 30’s wearing a black suit and sipping a cup of tea. Another was an orange haired woman again in her late 20’s to early 30’s drinking a cup of black coffee. She wore a blue women’s business suit.

“Are you sure about this?” the man asked.

“Yes I’m sure.”

“Alright. Just saying you might want to move over a few.”

“Why?”

“The window?”

“Oh, I see what you mean,” the women said and proceeded to move her chair over.

“So… who are you betting on this time?”

“Hmm, the white one.”

“Alright then. We have a few minutes left.”

“Well technically it’s already happened.”

“Yes but then what purpose would anyone have to get out of bed in the morning?”

“Fair point. Plus we don’t even perceive events as they actually occur.”

“But then again no one does.”

An alarm went off. Far above the city in an empty warehouse a group of windows exploded outward raining small pieces of glass down on the city below.

“Oh dear,” the woman said, “I certainly hope none of that lands in my coffee.”

“Did any land in there last time?”

“No.”

“Well then.”

“You know if you continue to mock me I’m afraid I’ll have to interfere.”

“Aw now what fun is there in that? We both know the result of these events will be the same no matter what we do.”

“Yes but it’s the how that I can change.”

“But then you-”

“-Confound the data?”

“That WAS what I was going to say.”

“Only I finished it.”

The man removed a pocket watch from his pants, “It appears we do have a few more minutes left.”

“Well then, I guess we better prepare.”

“Prepare for what?”

“Hmm, you bring up a fair point.”

“Well then I guess we better stay put.”

“Considering the author hasn’t written that far yet.”

***

“Well that was quite the experience,” Jett said.

“I figured you’d like it. The only way anyone gets in is knowing a person who’s already in. Once you’re in you become one of those people so you can go back at any time.”

“Well that’s good to know,” Jett smiled.

“So what do you wanna do now?” Starry Skies asked.

“Well it’s about 5:00 so you wanna go grab some dinner?”

She smiled, “Sure.”

They walked along the cobblestone streets. The city was still alive with activity of all sorts. People were still open for business while others were just opening their doors. A certain Neon Blue haired girl with particularly purple shades marched down the street towards the entertainment district of the city.

“So… other than the fact you don’t really remember anything, what do you know? You did seem to be having quite a good time down there.”

“I don’t know really. I mean, it’s like riding a bike with everything. One never really forgets HOW but one does forget that they CAN.”

“Ah, so does it annoy you that you can’t really remember anything?”

“Not really considering I don’t really have much of a clue of what I’m missing. Though Spitfire apparently knows but has been a little mum on the subject.”

“I see.”

“So… do you have any ideas on where you want to eat?”

“There are a few high class restaurants around here but one of the best in my opinion is on the other side of town,” she smiled, “Hope you don’t mind the walk.”

“Hardly.”

***

Dane ran down the cobblestone streets with Gin close behind. Various people turned to look at them but none really paid them too much attention. The pair intentionally had mapped a path through the city avoiding the guard patrols as much as possible.

So far they had been lucky enough to not to run into anyone but that didn’t look like it was going to last very long.

No words were exchanged between the two of them as they ran. Gin’s excellent stamina and Dane being an android made running easy. They bolted through the city towards their ship.

They were nearing the homestretch. Dane was leading. They bolted around a street corner.

Dane was a few meters ahead of Gin so he had a bit of an advantage in what he saw. What he saw made his skin turn the same color as his hair.

A black haired boy was walking down the street with a girl with pale purple hair at his arm. They in a friendly conversation. The black haired boy noticeably was missing his left arm and in its place was a gun metal metallic appendage.

Dane gripped the corner of building he had rounded and did a complete 180 and ran headlong back towards Gin. He gripped her arm and pulled her along and into an alley way, giving her only enough time to let out a scream.

He pulled her into and alley way and set her down.

“Okay, what the fuck man?!” she yelled, “You almost rebroke my arm asshole!”

“Jett,” Dane gasped.

“What about him?”

“Call me crazy but I JUST saw the bastard walking along the sidewalk around that corner.”

Gin stared at him with a rather unamused expression.

“You’re fucking crazy.”

“I am telling you I SAW HIM walking down the street just around that corner.”

“And I suppose you saw Spitfire with him too?!”

“No, but I did see some other purple haired angel at his arm.”

Gin frowned, “You are possibly the craziest fucking person I have ever met in my entire goddamned life.”

“Alright,” Dane said, “You don’t believe me? Well then come look at this.”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the alley way and towards the corner. The pair peeked around the edge of the building.

The boy and girl hadn’t gotten very far and were only a little bit farther down the road. Again the boy’s distinctive gun metal arm was visible. The girl said something inaudible and the boy laughed. He briefly turned his head to face her giving the pair a glimpse of his face.

Gin paled, “What the fuck?”

“See?”

“You know, I figured you were just malfunctioning but now I’m starting to consider I hit my head a little harder than I thought.”

“What should we do?”

“You’re asking me?! You’re the fucking kid with a supercomputer for a brain!”

“Yeah well it’s not every fuckin day when you see a dead man so forgive me if I have little experience in this matter considering the last time it supposedly happened was in the Middle East in front of a group of illiterates!”

Gin frowned, “Or he never died to begin with.”

“What?”

“Use your fucking head! We obviously got sucked across space to this place and you said you saw some weird blue light just before it all went black for us. Now just think for a moment. Is it possible that Jett got sucked in with us?”

Dane blinked, “Possible but that would also seem to suggest that Spitfire ended up with him. Now those two were inseparable so why the hell would he be here with some weird purple girl?”

“I have no idea. Let’s just…”

“Let’s just what?”

“I don’t know! I mean… you wanna just grab him and run?”

“Wouldn’t that be kidnapping?”

“Really?” Gin asked, “You’re just now worried that we’d be breaking the law?”

“Good point. But that still raises the question of where the hell Spitfire is.”

“IF she’s here we’ll have to come back for her.”

“Yes but that raises the question of why we have our Jett but no Spitfire.”

“They could have landed in separate spots.”

“Yeah, that’s a bullshit idea,” Dane scoffed, “Considering where we landed? Unlikely.”

“Well, uh, maybe he just hit his head too hard again?”

…

“You know you may be on to something. Last time he hit his head, or in that case when something hit it, he lost 3 days of memory. It’s not inconceivable considering he still has a small piece of an airplane embedded in his net making him as stable as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.”

“Well if we’re going to grab him we better go soon, he’s getting away.”

“Oh there is that. You keep watch and I’ll just go… grab him.”

“Me?” Gin asked, “Why do I have to keep watch?”

“Oh I’m sorry, do you want to go kidnap the mentally unstable military A.I.? Yeah, I didn’t think so.”

Dane stood up and got jogging. Meanwhile up on a balcony attached coincidently to the building the pair had been hiding behind, a man in a black suit and a woman in a blue sat enjoying two beverages. The man was enjoying a highly expensive 100 year old bottle of wine while his counterpart guzzled a 12 year old scotch.

“We’ll it’s about time,” the man said, “I was beginning to worry he was never going to move.”

“Oh please. If that kind of thing makes you worry you obviously haven’t been paying attention through the other two hundred and twelve thousand five hundred and seven words of this story.”

“Yes I have!”

“Prove it. What is Gin’s real name?”

“Grace. Grace Ezri Islington. Descendent of Charles Darwin and Christopher Hitchens.”

“Really? I didn’t know the ancestry went back that far.”

“Well it’s not written anywhere in those two hundred and twelve thousand five hundred and seven words and didn’t exist as a concept until a few seconds ago.”

“I see,” the woman looked up, “Making stuff up as we go along aren’t we?!”

“Oh please, it’s not like you’ll ever get an answer.”

“Says you.”

“You do know that there is a delete button for things like this?”

“Actually it’s called the backspace key now.”

“Oh would you look at that!” the man pointed, “I do believe they are going to talk.”

***

“And well that’s the story of my first date,” Starry Skies finished.

“Ouch. I can’t say I’ve ever had the experience before. Or if I did I certainly don’t remember it.”

“Well what about what we just did? Wouldn’t that classify?”

“Hmm, good point. But what I was-”

“Hey!” a voice called, “Hey you!”

Jett turned around. A kid around his age was running down the street towards him. He had white slicked back hair and oddly enough bore a similar resemblance to himself.

The boy stopped and started panting, “Jett. Jesus man it’s great to see you!”

Jett blinked, “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

The boy blinked, “Well I can cross off option number one.”

“What?”

“Jett Halsey! It has been a long time hasn’t it? Fall of Earth ring a bell? Well you don’t need to worry about that. Now if you’ll just come with me…”

He grabbed him by the arm and started to drag him away leaving a very confused Starry Skies behind.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,” Jett started, “Hey, hold on a second here. Would you wait for a second?”

“Sorry, no time, we have a ship to catch and if possible we need your ass to build us and FTL out of here.”

“Would you WAIT?!” Jett shouted shaking himself free.

Dane stopped, “I’m sorry sir but you are not in your right state of mind at the moment so if you would come with me everything will be explained.”

“I think I’m fine right here thank you very much.”

“Well you lost your memory so I’m afraid you’ll have to come with me,” Dane said and resumed dragging the android down the street.

“I know I’ve lost my memory now if you will excuse me would you LET ME GO?!” Jett said again shaking himself free and pushing the white haired kid away, “Now stay away from me.”

He turned and started walking.

Dane looked back towards the corner, “Yeah Gin looks like we’ll have to do things the hard way.”

This time Dane stood up and ran towards Jett and grabbed him from behind and started to pull him. The android didn’t take too kindly to it and started to fight back.

“Where’s that damn off switch?” Dane asked.

“What are you doing?!”

“Sorry buddy but this is for your own good!” Dane said with a grunt.

“Get off of me!” Jett said and elbowed his counterpart in the stomach. Dane’s grip loosened which was enough for Jett to slip out of his grip and punch him in the face.

Dane was sent sprawling across the sidewalk.

Meanwhile Gin started to look a bit nervous, “Uh Dane, we’ve got company.”

“Oh this is going to turn out great.”

***

“Well it appears the game is afoot, hmm?” the woman said.

“It does appear that way,” the man said.

“We should be getting back to the coffee shop soon.”

“Yes quite. Our reservation is in a few.”

“Yes.”

***

Dane was thrown back into the road. While it was getting dark out there were still some people out and about. He almost was hit by an odd 20’s looking truck carrying some kind of foodstuff. The truck itself swerved out of the way and hit a street sign with a bang. Meanwhile Starry Skies stayed back with a scared look on her face.

“Please Jett don’t make me do this,” he sighed. Even with his memory compromised, his brother was still pretty good at fighting. And that would make taking him difficult.

Dane’s mind rapidly searched for a solution. While Jett was easily the better fighter, Dane did have experience so he could use that to his advantage. All he needed to do was subdue the angry android.

Yeah…

Easy as pie.

He stood up and ran towards Jett. Jett struck forward with a knife jab aimed at Dane’s neck. Dane ducked just in time to watch a gunmetal hand and arm fly over his face. As he fell back he shifted his center of gravity and did a backwards handspring, kicking Jett in the chin and knocking him to the ground. Dane himself ran towards the crashed truck.

Jett shock his head and growled. He could still feel the shoe print on his chin. He stood up with just quickly enough to see a street sign swing towards his head, sending him flying farther down the road.

Jett impacted the cobblestone street and tumbled for a few feet before crumpling in a heap.

Dane wiped his forehead and risked a glance at Gin. A pair of guards was fighting her hand to hand, or as best as they could manage with their rifles. Gin herself managed to yank the gun out of the hands of one before smacking his partner in the face with it and knocking him back.

That was all Dane got to see before a heavy stone brick smacked him in the head and exploded against his skull. He fell to the ground dazed just as another brick sailed over his head and bounced down the street.

“Ow,” Dane moaned just as he felt himself being picked up by the collar by one angry looking robot.

Jett’s eyes flashed red just as he socked his brother in the face. Dane blinked before raising his hands to deflect the next blow while kicking Jett in the legs. The distraction was enough for Jett to drop him. Dane took advantage of the opportunity and knocked his feet out from under him before grabbing by his shirt and head and heaving him as hard as he could farther down the street.

Meanwhile, a man and woman were enjoying some tea and pastries as a corner shop.

The man, not even bothering to look up from his drink said, “And three, two, one.”

A black haired boy sailed past them and through the front glass of the coffee shop, not stopping until he hit the counter.

“Told you,” the man said.

“Hmm, I expected the white one,” the woman said.

A growl got their attention. The boy, now with some considerable tatters in his shirt, stepped out of the broken window.

“He looks mad,” the women commented as the boy ran off, taking the tops of one of the metal outdoor tables with him.

“You would be too if you had just been thrown through a coffee shop window.”

“A fair point.”

A loud clanging sound echoed down the street followed by the sound of more glass breaking.

***

Spitfire watched as the smoke ring slowly disintegrated and vanished into the air. She sighed and brought the cigar to her mouth again and inhaled deeply before blowing another ring.

She was sitting on the edge of the cliff with her legs hanging off. Her hair was a little disheveled and her face left nothing about her mood to speculation.

She tapped the cigar and watched as a little bit of ash fell into the wind below.

“Hey, uh, Captain?” a voice called.

Spitfire whipped her head around, “What?!”

Soarin’ cringed, “Uh, well, I uh, just wanted to tell you that there’s been a fight in downtown Canterlot.”

Spitfire inhaled more of the cigar, “And why should I CARE?”

“Well, uh, it’s Jett and some other white haired kid are really beating the shit out of each other. That and some brown haired girl is kicked the guard’s ass.”

Spitfire turned, “What?”

“Yeah, some white haired kid around Jett’s age is going toe to toe with him.”

Spitfire jumped up, “Where?”

“Downtown, on Mulberry Street.”

“Come on,” she said stretching her wings.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“I think someone else fell down the rabbit hole.”

***

Dane grunted as he impacted a white and gold sports car, smashing the forward trunk and windshield. Its occupant screamed and was not at all too pleased.

“Ah shit,” he said and looked next to him. The occupant had long blond hair all done up and had a compass rose patch on his shoulder.

“You just wrecked my royal car!” He screeched.

“Uh, sorry?” Dane said as he attempted to dislodge himself from the broken windshield.

He looked up, “Oh shit!”

He jumped up and rolled to the right just as a circular metal coffee table cleaved the car in half right where Dane had previously been.

Jett landed on the roof of the sports car just and looked up just in time to see Dane diving on him with his fists raised. He quickly reached down and pulled the remains of a door off the car and held it up just in time to deflect the blow.

“My car!” the prince screamed.

Jett summersaulted back to the other side of the vehicle and frisbeed the door at his attacker. Dane ducked just as a piece of spinning metal death flew over his head and embedded itself in a wall on the other side of the street.

Jett grabbed the car and pushed it out of the way, tearing it completely in half. The engine fell out of the remains of the car.

Jett ran off after his opponent just as the engine of the car burst into flames.

Prince Blueblood climbed out of the remains of his car.

“My car…” he cried.

Meanwhile Jett and Dane continued their clash. Dane pulled a street lamp out of the street and javelined Jett in the chest with it, sending him farther down the street and tumbling into a donut shop. Dane himself ran towards the shop only to be knocked back and sent flying back down the street by a burst of blue energy.

Jett walked out of the shop as the energy weapon disappeared back into his arm. He flexed his fingers and grabbed the street lamp Dane had thrown at him and dragged it across the ground as he ran towards Dane.

Dane himself was just standing up with a scorch mark on his chest when he was golf clubbed in his head by a street lamp, the remains of which shattered against his head. Dane sailed into the air and ironically enough ended up flying into the second story window of a certain hospital.

Dane pulled himself up and shook the broken plaster and drywall off of his body. He looked around his surroundings. Two men with their chests wrapped up and dented guard armor next to their beds stared back at him.

To his let a nurse screamed and dropped the tray of medication she was carrying.

“Sorry about that miss,” he said and jumped out of the hole he had just created in the wall.

***

Spitfire and Soarin’ glided over the city. It was rather easy to find where the fight had taken place, mainly due to the cloud of smoke rising into the sky from a car that had seen better days. Not including the fact it had been cut in half with its two pieces sent opposite direction. The rest of the city street hadn’t faired too well either. Broken windows, a crashed truck, a destroyed sports car, downed power lines, etc.

“Goddesses,” Soarin’ said, “What kind of people are you friends with?”

“Two military grade robots now help me find them,” she replied.

The sound of a loud Bang got their attention. Spitfire looked down just as Dane was thrown through the front window of a department store. Jett himself walked forward.

Meanwhile farther down the street, a brown haired girl was fighting a group of royal guardsmen.

Spitfire couldn’t hear the conversation going on down below but she did see a large bladed weapon emerge from the black haired android’s arm as he stepped into the store. Dane rushed forward. Jett lunged with his weapon just as Dane ducked and slid past him. He bolted towards the other side of the street.

Spitfire and Soarin’ landed. Jett growled. Dane, standing on the other side of the street said, “Come on, come to papa.”

Jett snarled at him and bolted forward. Just as he was about to strike Dane, the white haired android ducked and grabbed Jett and threw him to the ground hard. Just as he started to get up, Dane came up from behind him and grabbed him by the neck and got him in chokehold before grabbing a nearby downed electrical cable and stabbing Jett in the back with it before quickly letting go.

Jett stopped moving just as the wire contacted his body. Sparks and electrical arcs flew off his body as the electricity coursed through him.

Spitfire put a hand to her mouth as Jett slowly attempted to pull the wire out of his back. Then, just as he got close to it, he went limp and fell to the ground. Dane quickly ran up and pulled the wire out of his back and threw it to the ground.

A loud smacking sound came from behind them just as Gin punched the last guard in the head and knocked him out.

Dane, his clothes tattered with a large burn mark on his chest wiped his forehead as he looked down at Jett. The android had a black scorch mark on his lower back. Small arcs of electricity flew off his body.

Dane looked up. His gaze met Spitfire’s and his eyes widened just as Spitfire quickly retracted her wings.

“S-Spitfire?”

“Hey, Snowball,” she smiled sadly, “How you been?”

“How have I been?! You mind explaining what the fuck is going on here and why you have WINGS?!”

Gin ran up, “What’s going on here?”

Dane pointed, “She has wings. Spitfire has wings. Oh and we found Spitfire by the way!”

Gin turned, blinked, shook her head and then said, “You know what, I’m not going to think about that right now. What the fuck did you do to Jett?!”

“Uh, hey guys it has been a bit of a long time so-”

“And you!” Dane pointed, “You mind explaining yourself missy?!”

“Hey! Respect your superiors’ asshole!” Soarin’ yelled.

“Shut up you over muscled fuck,” Dane said, “I won’t hesitate to drop your ass.”

“Hey fuck you buddy! All I asked is you show my Captain some respect!”

“Asshole last week I was in the middle of the apocalypse so if you think I’m afraid of a shrimp dick like you you’ve got another thing coming.”

“Uh, I don’t think this is the right time for this,” Gin said.

“Hey fuck you asshole! You just wrecked an entire city street!”

“Do I look like I give a fuck?! Believe me, we’re not gonna be staying around too long,” he said and pointed to Spitfire, “And you’ve got a lot of EXPLAINING to do!”

“You don’t order her around like that!”

“Hey guys, uh, I think we should continue this another time, because…”

“Oh you don’t know the half of it asshole!”

“WOULD YOU ALL SHUT UP FOR A SECOND?!” Spitfire yelled.

Everyone stopped talking and turned.

“For fuck’s sake guys! Yes I do have to explain some things to you guys, Soarin’, shut the fuck up for a moment, and right now we need to get Jett back to the base since you just stabbed him in the back with an electrical cable!”

Dane marched up to her, “Okay, what the fuck is your deal? How are you even alive?! And why do you have wings since I’ve clearly been left out of the loop on something for the past few months!”

“If you would just shut up and grab your brother maybe I could explain.”

***

“Every period of human development has had its own particular type of human conflict---its own variety of problem that, apparently, could be settled only by force. And each time, frustratingly enough, force never really settled the problem. Instead, it persisted through a series of conflicts, then vanished of itself---what's the expression---ah, yes, 'not with a bang, but a whimper,' as the economic and social environment changed. And then, new problems, and a new series of wars.”

― Isaac Asimov, I, Robot

Chapter 44. The Gods Also Cry.

“Come on Danny! You sure you don’t want to hit up the city with us?”

“Sorry guys but I promised my sister I’d be home during shore leave.”

“Really Dan?”

“Hey come on. I hardly ever get to see Cat anymore ever since my mom got her when my father got deployed.”

“Alright, alright, go see your little sister. But when you’re done, meet us in Vegas.”

“It’s a deal.”

“So did they ever figure out that problem with the rear vertical stabi-”

***

Jett opened his eyes. Or rather he thought he did. His systems merely reactivated and his HUD reset itself. Various lines of code flew past his vision before the reboot was complete.

He sat up. He was in a hospital bed. It started coming back to him. That electrical wire probably didn’t do too much for him. Needless to say it still hurt like a bitch and caused a power overload that caused a mandatory system shutdown.

He looked down at himself. His clothes were still in tatters from the fight and he found he was handcuffed to the hospital bed.

No one was in the room with him but as he examined it. It did seem more and more familiar. Yeah, this was where he’d taken Spitfire when she hit her head.

But now there were the matter of those two… whatever the fuck they were. That white haired kid was dangerous, that much was certain. As for the girl, unknown variable.

He looked at the nightstand next to his bed. A picture sat on the surface next to a lamp. Him and Spitfire with the white haired kid and the brown haired woman. Instantly he tensed up before reaching over with is other arm and knocking the picture off the nightstand.

“Semen colored fuck,” he growled.

He yanked rather effortlessly with his prosthetic and tore the handcuffs off his arm before hopping off the bed. He looked around the room. He slowly made his way to the door and looked out.

Then, in the reflection of the glass he saw him. That damn white haired kid and his friend. And Spitfire.

He reexamined the room. Just above his bed was a small window. He glanced at the door and back at the window.

***

Spitfire, Dane and Gin entered the infirmary.

Dane immediately face palmed before turning to Spitfire.

“You see? I told you we should have strapped him down but NO.”

The trio was staring at an empty hospital bed with a pair of torn handcuffs attached to it. A broken picture was on the floor. Above the hospital bed was an open window.

“How the hell was I supposed to know he would get away?” She asked.

Gin sighed, “Can we worry about that later and work on finding the bastard?”

“Fine.”

“And I still want to know how you hid your fucking wings like that for 7 months,” Dane said.

“Did I not already explain it to you?”

“Not the beach part.”

“Another time perhaps.”

***

A few hours earlier.

“Well it’s honestly a miracle that the Princesses decided not to punish the three of you in any way considering what you did,” Spitfire sighed as herself and Dane dragged a deactivated Jett Halsey towards the Wonderbolt HQ.

“Yes, well I’m still sorting out the whole wings and all the other degrees of weird native to your people or whatever the fuck you are,” Dane said.

“You know you can stop being rude you know,” She said dropping her end of the android, “I’m still the same Spitfire that’s been living with you for the past 7 months.”

“Yes well one with a lot of secrets. So you may be the same Spitfire but that is no small comfort to me or Gin considering we never knew who you were to begin with!”

“If you would let me explain you would!” she responded, “By the way, where did you send Gin?”

A loud rumbling got their attention as a series of bright lights lit up the night sky. A large metallic object sailed overhead before disappearing into the clouds with the heavy rumblings of the engines fading with it.

“That’s where I sent her. That is how we got here to a degree.”

“Oh so you did highjack that Destroyer,” Spitfire said picking up her end of the robot.

“No, we were only on it when you pulled whatever crazy magic trick you pulled to strand our asses here.”

“So why send Gin into Space with that?”

“Because I don’t need any primitive governments getting ahold of an advanced military warship that has the capacity to destroy a planet. The Admiral would certainly be turning over in his grave or at least feeling some kind of perverse inkling in the back of his head if I started mishandling that thing.”

“We’re not so primitive you know. In case you haven’t noticed we’ve been living in a period of peace that has lasted quite a while now. We have not had any major conflicts in the last thousand years.”

“Which would be a LIE,” Dane said.

“How would you know?”

“I’m a supercomputer, I can tell when you’re lying. Plus I heard the guard earlier mention some attack on this city that happened last year along with some terrorist group wrecking all sorts of havoc before it was bombed back out of existence. Needless to say: I don’t trust you.”

Spitfire sighed, “Well I’m sorry alright?”

Dane blinked.

“Listen,” she sighed, “Most of what you know about me is true.”

“Like?”

“How Jett found me in the forest that day, how we spent our first few days together, how much fun we all had, how… easy it was just to talk to him,” she gulped, “How… how much it hurt to watch him lose all those precious moments and then just start dating that… that WHORE!”

Dane reeled back, “Wait, he’s dating someone?”

Spitfire wiped her eyes, “Yes… And as much as I would like for it to be… me, it’s not. He’s interested in someone from a rival flight team and started dating her earlier this week.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“I can’t decide which is worse, waking up in the morning and knowing he doesn’t remember any of it or that… he’s not mine and never was to begin with.”

“Well, uh, you can’t really blame him. He did basically get reset as a mind. No memories of anything like that. But he could easily get them back! I mean, we could fix him I suppose.”

“And what if he continues to pursue a relationship with that girl? That would hurt even more knowing he remembers everything and that I… I blew my chances with the one good guy who actually meant something.”

Dane sighed, “Have you ever considered that it may just be an attraction? Like some kind of perverted Stockholm syndrome? I mean, he was the first face you saw when you first appeared on our planet. Maybe your mind just latched onto him like that?”

“I’ve already considered that. We may look similar but my physiology is a lot different from a human’s, not including the wings. Something like that would have just gone away after a month or two and if it did happen to last longer medication would have knocked it out. Nothing works!”

“You have stuff for that here?”

“Yes we do. If you decide to stay here you’ll have to learn that our world doesn’t operate under the same rules, or at least not as you know them.”

“I think we’ll be fine if we do decide to stay,” Dane said looking up at the new star in the sky.

“Well what about Gin? She’s not anything really… special here. I mean my kind can fly cause we have wings and shit, others with those, as you called them, Gandhi diamonds, can manipulate the fuck out of things and well those without either of that are ridiculously strong.”

“Well then you don’t know Gin. She trained for years on a high gravity Gym and even took anti-atrophy supplements to lock the stuff in. She’ll fit in just fine.”

“How do you know?”

“Well for one she practically took a shit all over your royal guard so…”

Spitfire laughed, “Yeah well there is that. The three of you seem to have a knack for making a mockery out of our military.”

“Well not to be mean but our military makes yours look like a bunch of kids playing pretend.”

“That it does. Plus you three are far from regular in any sense of the word. Two military grade androids and a Sarah Connor bartender. Quite a team.”

“Someday I’ll have to fill you in how we all met.”

“For another day then.”

…

“Out of curiosity, where did your jock friend go?” Dane asked.

“Oh, I sent him to hash it out with the Princesses and to make sure Miss… Starry Skies didn’t get hurt,” she growled on the last part.

“Don’t you hate her though for… stealing your android so to speak?”

“I hate her guts don’t get me wrong. In fact nothing would give me greater pleasure that to see her run over by a truck but… for the moment she makes Jett happy so…”

“Wow, that’s rather noble of you.”

“Yeah well don’t count on it lasting too long cause I’m running a little low on Nobility at the moment.”

“Speaking of nobility, that guy who’s car we wrecked in the fight… he wasn’t too important… was he?”

Spitfire grinned, “It wasn’t like he didn’t have it coming.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean he’s a royal prick.”

“Oh, well I guess you can thank Jett and I for that one cause I crushed the front of it and he cleaved it in half with a coffee table, tore the doors off it, and then ripped it in half before it burst into flames.”

“Geez and you both did all that in a fight?”

“Well he kicked me into the car before cleaving it in half. The rest of it was just him using it as cover.”

“Oh… so is Gin going to come back down there?” Spitfire asked looking up at the new star in the sky.

“Not yet. I told her to stay up there in case things went south. But I suppose I can summon her when we reach the… wherever you get your shit done.”

“I’ll fill you in when we get there,” Spitfire sighed, “Fuck this guy is heavy.”

“Oh come on, he’s only 62 kilograms.”

“Yeah but half of him is metal.”

“Oh get over it.”

They marched through the path through the rocks, still dragging the android behind them. Soon the complex was visible. It glowed brilliantly, partly from the moon light and partly from the light it generated itself.

“Yeah,” Spitfire said, “This is where I work. I’m Captain of a flight team called the Wonderbolts.”

“How old are you exactly?” Dane asked as he looked around the area.

“18.”

“Girl we’re gonna have to lay down some ground rules if you ever plan on dating Mr. Halsey here.”

“Like?”

“We’ll discuss it later,” he said, “For now, let’s get inside before my headache gets any worse.”

They pulled the body of the android down the road toward the complex. The pair pulled him up to the door.

Spitfire dropped her leg and knocked.

A girl with white, windblown hair walked up to it and answered, “So you decided to come home after all? Did you get rid of those cigars because I am NOT letting your ass come back in here with you still smelling like tobacco. ”

“Yes Mom,” Spitfire rolled her eyes.

“And first thing tomorrow you’re seeing a doctor about those lungs. Healing Spell right away!”

“Yes Echo, can you let us in already?!” Spitfire said moving out of the way.

Fleetfoot looked down at the unconscious android, “What the fuck did you to him?”

“SHE didn’t do anything,” Dane said moving into view, “We got into a fight and- hello there.”

Fleetfoot blinked, “Uh, hello to you too. Do I know you? You look… oddly familiar.”

“I’m this guy’s brother,” Dane said bowing.

Fleetfoot perked up, “Really? Another one? Spitfire where are you finding these guys?”

“Yeah yeah, you can have him. Now would you LET US IN?!” she yelled.

“Fine. Is your new friend staying here too?” Echo asked.

“For the moment,” Dane said with a grin as they pulled Jett into the complex. They pulled him towards the living area as Fleetfoot closed the door.

“So…” Dane whispered, “Your friend… is she single?”

“You’re making it really hard for me to tolerate you Dane.”

Fleetfoot ran up to Spitfire holding a piece of paper in her hand. She held it in front of Spitfire’s face.

Spitfire stopped, turned, and then smacked her upside the head.

“Dane meet Echo, Echo meet Dane.”

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Dane flashed a smile.

“Pleasure’s mine Casanova,” Fleetfoot grinned as the three of them entered the living room. They hoisted Jett’s body onto a nearby couch.

Spitfire flipped his body over, exposing the black scorch mark on his back. Fleetfoot gasped.

“Relax,” Dane said, “He’s fine. He just suffered an overload and deactivated.”

“Can you… do anything about that?” Spitfire asked.

“Yeah, I can do something about it. Just need to flip him back over.”

He flipped his body over and started to unbutton his shirt, exposing the black undershirt the android wore. Dane put an ear to his chest.

“Okay… now it’s just a matter of- got it,” he said raising his head. He raised his hands and punched him in the side.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Spitfire asked.

“Just… fixing… a few… things,” Dane said before reaching behind the android’s head and pressing down.

Instantly blue light beams shot out of his eyes onto the ceiling and began running lines of code.

“He’ll be fine. I just had to reboot his systems. He should be up by tomorrow.”

“Good.”

“Now,” Dane said walking towards the door, “I’m going to go get Gin.”

He removed his cell phone from his pocket and tapped a few icons on it.

“What’s up?” the bartender asked.

“Get down here.”

“It’s safe?”

“Yeah it’s safe. And before you ask, yes I fixed Jett.”

“Alright. Just so you know I’m not letting my guard down.”

“Would you get down here already?”

“Fine. See you in five.”

Dane pocketed his phone and returned to the living room. Spitfire was sitting on a couch opposite Jett with Fleetfoot next to her. Dane found an armchair.

“You know I would say you should spill it all right now but considering it will take Gin a little while to get down here I suppose I can wait.”

“Yeah,” Spitfire sighed.

***

“Warning. Hull Breach. Hull Breach. Warning. Hull Breach. Hull Breach…”

“What the hell was that?”

“We just lost our port engine!”

“Oh my god.”

“All personnel on Deck 2 you’re atmosphere has been compromised. You have two minutes before automatic atmospheric venting. Evacuate your deck immediately.”

“Dan come on! We’ve gotta get the hell outta here!”

“Yeah in a second!”

…

“Halsey come on!”

“Yeah! I’m coming!”

“Warning. Reactor Overload in progress. Core breach in Five minutes 26 seconds. Warning. Reactor Overload in progress…”

Chapter 45. The Gods That Fly.

Everything Has A Purpose.

Interstellar Space. 2414.

Fleet 1. Battle Group 2.

New Naval Designation: U.S.S. PEGASUS.

“Misaki!”

The Warrant Officer looked up, “Yes sir?”

“You’ve been on my bridge for the past 22 hours. Get out,” The Captain said.

She sighed, “Yes Sir.”

The girl stood up and left her console. She was barely even the legal age to be IN the military but circumstances required it.

She almost mindlessly wandered out of the command sphere and down the hallway towards her quarters. She had to duck to avoid some fallen beams and panels and in some areas she had to detour her route to her quarters as some of the bulkheads had been destroyed in the last battle.

The 17 year old pulled out a small recording device from her pocket and turned it on.

“Communication’s officers’ personal log, 2414. That last attack killed 37 more on the Pegasus and 1345 in the rest of our fleet. Fleet 2 was out of range thankfully but we’re down to 989,234,456. We’re still losing people and yet the President still calls every day to THANK us for what a great job we’re doing,” she sighed, “We’ve been going at 33 P of C for the past month now and yet those ships keep coming. We can still see them following us.”

She turned a corner. An empty hallway that led down to empty space. A heavy frigate drifted by. Beyond it were the stars.

“Note to self: Get damage control on bulkhead 345,” she sighed before turning around, “They’ve been following us for the past year now, each time they assault us and wear us down and we just barely push them back. Each time the civilian fleet drops a nuke and accelerates away while we hold off the nut bags. We only have to lose once.”

She continued down the hallway, passing crew members every now and again before finally reaching her quarters buried deep in ship.

“Either way, we can’t go back. And those stars better be worth it.”

She stepped inside her quarters. Some things were scattered all over the floor. She didn’t bother to clean any of it up. She offed her device.

She walked over her desk and sat down at it. She laughed sadly, “Funny thing is we didn’t even get everyone when we left.”

She turned on her console, “Record Message.”

“Begin Speaking,” the computer replied.

Kana smiled sadly, “My dearest brother. By the time any of our messages are sent home we’ll be over Four Light Years away. That’s assuming you’re even allowed to get them. Four Light Years… I can’t even fathom that kind of distance. I’ve attempted to do the calculations but with our speed varying so much it’s hard to really calculate it. Needless to say, our ages will begin to differ due to time dilation.”

She sighed. A few tears landed on the desk, “Friday I turn 18. And right now, I’m the communications officer for the Pegasus. I bet you’re wondering how I got that job. Well for starters, I’m the only one who understands enough about Ansible channels to sort through all the incoming messages this ship gets every day. And you get the job, only if every other semi-qualified person has been killed, maimed, or incapacitated in some way. The last guy had his console explode in his face…”

Kana looked up, “To be honest brother, I’ll never be able to see you again. I doubt I’ll even hear from you considering our circumstance but… a girl can hope can’t she? But hey… it’s not all bad out here… Tomorrow I’m having dinner in the mess hall with the weapons officer. You’ll never guess how old he is. But he’s nice and I kind of like him, even though he just turned-”

“All senior officers please report to the bridge.”

She sighed, “I’ll finish this up later.”

She stood up and zipped up her uniform before prying her cabin doors open and walking out towards the command sphere. The girl sauntered back to her console.

“Misaki, reporting sir.”

The captain looked up from a pad in his hands, “Ah, Misaki, just the person I wanted to see. I understand you’ve had some experience with old fashioned subspace frequencies, yes?”

“That’s correct, we used to work on old transmitters and receivers back in AP communications.”

“Well good, cause we just received a transmission reflected off an interstellar planetoid that’s using old short range subspace frequencies.”

“Reflected sir?”

“It originated from Sol but was projected out about 3 light years before being reflected back at us. Since we’re not doing anything important, Halsey wants us to analyze it.”

“Yes sir,” Kana sighed and cracked her knuckles, “Alright, let’s see what we got here.”

***

A loud rumbling got everyone’s attention as a bright light sailed over the compound. A light thump was felt off near the courtyard.

“And here comes Grace,” Dane said standing up, “Come on.”

“Uh, what about Jett?” Spitfire asked.

“He won’t be up at least until tomorrow so we should be fine. Between now and then we should probably relocate him to a hospital bed.”

“Good idea.”

“We should strap him down too just to be safe?”

“Uh,” Fleetfoot started, “Why should we strap him down?”

“Because he’s like me. An advanced military robot with centuries’ worth of fighting experience all programed into his head. Plus that damn arm of his just magnifies everything. Only problem is he was in an attack a few years ago and because of it he has a piece of shrapnel embedded in his head making him a LITTLE mentally unstable. So if anyone wants to risk him turning this place upside-down when he wakes up then be my guest.”

“Handcuffs will be fine,” Spitfire said, “Now come on, I’m sure you both can’t wait to get your answers.”

“Yeah.”

The trio walked out to the courtyard where an object had landed. Bright flood lights prevented those who were outside already from really getting a look at it. Many of the Wonderbolts had their sidearms pointed at it.

Dane moved through the crowd, “Gin it’s alright. You can come out anytime you want.”

A voice came from the craft, “Tell those… people to put the guns down and I will.”

Spitfire sighed, “Lower your weapons.”

Many of them turned to look at her with questioning looks.

“DID I FUCKING STUTTER?! LOWER YOUR FUCKING WEAPONS! ALL OF YOU!” She yelled. Dane gave her an inquisitive look.

It seemed that the fear of Spitfire’s wrath was greater than the one of whatever was inside the ship and many lowered their guns while some simply dropped them.

“Alright, you can come out now you crazy ass bartender,” Dane yelled.

The door to the shuttle opened. A figure stood bathed in light. Slowly she stepped out as the lights on the ship dimmed.

Gin stood before them… with an assault rifle on her back.

“She’s got a gun!” Lightning Streak yelled and raised his revolver. Gin instantly had her gun in her hands and had it pointed at the Wonderbolt’s head. Instantly the rest of the guns went up.

Spitfire sighed, “Oh for the love of- lower your guns. She’s a FRIEND.”

“Captain she’s armed!” Fire Streak responded.

“I know that you brick. Now lower your weapons. I know who she is and if you don’t shoot at her she won’t shoot back. However if any one of you fires at her I can guarantee that she’ll be the last person to go down.”

“Captain she could be hostile!” Rapidfire added.

“Guys I have closet full of boots that all need asses to kick so if any of you are volunteering, keep your guns up. Otherwise lower them before you’re all shitting shoes for the next week!”

Slowly the guns went back down and back in their holsters. Gin lowered hers and threw it over her back.

“Good,” she said, “Now that we all understand each other…”

She walked through the crowd and marched up to Spitfire, “YOU have a FUCK TON of explaining to do.”

“Yes I know; I’ve had to listen to Dane bitch at me for the past two hours,” she rolled her eyes.

“Well get to it.”

“Fine,” she sighed, “Follow me. The rest of you, on your way. I’ll introduce her later.”

***

The trio walked into the living area with Fleetfoot close behind.

“I thought I said for you all to go off and mind your own business for a while,” Spitfire sighed.

“I’ve been your best friend since Primary School. I’m staying,” she said firmly.

“Fine.”

Gin walked in glancing at Jett’s unconscious body before taking a seat on a sofa next to Dane.

“Alright,” Gin said, “Talk.”

Spitfire rubbed her temples and sighed, “Okay, by now you’ve probably figured out that I’m not human or at least human by your definition of it.”

“You don’t say?” Gin rolled her eyes.

“And you’ve also figured out that… this is kind of where I’m from and everything.”

“Get to the point.”

“Fine. Everything you know about me from Earth and all that is true. How Jett found me in the forest that day, all the stuff that happened after that, how I fell in… you know already. All the fun things the four of us all did, that was real. Every moment of it was real.”

“So how did you get to Earth?” Dane asked, “And how against all probability did Jett just happen to find you like that?”

Fleetfoot spoke up, “We were doing a show, if you haven’t noticed we do airshows and stuff, aerial acrobatics, shit like that. But we were at the start of a new season so we thought we’d do something different.”

“Now seeing as none of you are versed in how magic works you’ll have to bear with me here,” Spitfire continued, “Basically all of us were enchanted with this teleportation spell that our new trick would rely on. But as you figured out it didn’t all go according to plan and well…”

“At the end of it we were short a person,” Fleetfoot said, “Our Captain.”

“Go on,” Dane said.

“After that the next thing I remember is waking up in a guard house in Brazil just outside Rio with some weird black haired kid. Needless to say Jett kinda freaked when he saw I had wings. We got into a little bit of a fight and I punched him in face.”

“How’d that work out for ya?” Gin asked.

“Almost broke my hand. But after that I kinda figured out I was not anywhere I recognized or even on the same planet. Jett promised to help me get home so that’s what we did for 7 months, having all sorts of fun with you guys in between.”

“So how did you hide your wings?” Dane asked.

“I scrunched them down and wore a sports bra and shirt over them. A little uncomfortable but nothing unmanageable. And at night sometimes Jett would take me out to practice for a little.”

“So you must have had a grand old time?” Gin said.

“At first I was scared to hell but after a while it did become fun. But I still wanted to come back but… I didn’t want to leave this lug,” she said glancing at Jett, “That’s probably the only reason I stayed around for so long.”

“So… you stayed around just to be with… that guy?” Gin asked bewildered, “What were you thinking? Were you waiting for him to notice you or something?”

“Yes-I don’t know, maybe. I just couldn’t decide. You try to make the decision to go one place when your heart is in another. Not too easy.”

“Wow you’re more sensitive than I thought.”

“Gin, not everyone has an off switch like you and I,” Dane said.

“I don’t see how that’s an excuse.”

“I highly doubt she grew up under similar conditions as we did. Compared to what the three of us went through, she was sheltered by anyone’s standard.”

“Sheltered?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Yes,” Dane said, “Sheltered. We’ve gotten a good look at your civilization here and quite frankly, you’re a sheltered people. I bet you probably grew up in that floating castle in the sky, had near perfect childhoods, near perfect friends, and, well just look at you now, perfect jobs.”

“Yeah… so?” Fleetfoot asked. Spitfire sat in silence.

“We all grew up with the threat of a nuclear holocaust hanging over our heads every day. None of our lives growing up were good by any stretch of the imagination.”

“What’s a nuclear holocaust?”

“Imagine a weapon that can turn a city to dust in seconds. Now multiply the number of those weapons by hundreds of thousands.”

…

“He’s right you know,” Spitfire sighed, “This place is like a fairy tale compared to their world.”

“And yet you wanted to stay,” Fleetfoot said.

“You become infatuated with a person like that and see how it feels. Otherwise shut up.”

“Fine.”

…

“So…” Spitfire asked, “Are you guys going to…”

“Stay?” Dane asked, “Well considering we’re thousands of light years from our home planet with no real conceivable way back, unless you have anything in mind.”

“Sorry but I’m not sure that spell I used could ever work like that again. I could be wrong but it was all chance that got me there.”

“Then how’d you get back and more importantly how’d you take us with you?”

“My only guess is that the spell was linked to the last place she used it when the accident happened,” Fleetfoot said, “Which is why she appeared in the exact same spot she left. As for the other things, I would guess it was just stuff getting sucked along for the ride just for being in close proximity. Teleportation hasn’t been the most stable kind of magic.”

“So what you’re saying is, you have no conceivable way of sending us, or our ship, back to the rest of our civilization?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Fucking great,” Dane said.

“Dude honestly, what are we even missing anyway? Earth is a wasteland now, buried under a meter of ash with the sun blocked out. And on top of that the Venusians have a fleet with numbers that makes the D-Day invasion look like a fucking appetizer. You said it yourself; if Halsey’s fleet even survived they’re well on their way out of there. Face it, there’s no home left to go back to.”

“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. They could still need us. If the Terran Federation is now an exclusively space faring civilization we at least have to try to get back and help them.”

“Dane, it’s over. We don’t even have a clue if they survived. Now, we don’t know if any friendlies are left. We do there’s a shit ton of bad guys who would love to get their hands on you and Jett. Do you really want to risk that?”

…

“No.”

Gin sighed, “Good. Looks like we’ll be here for the time being. I don’t suppose you have a place we can lodge?”

“We have extra rooms where you can stay,” Spitfire said.

“You can bunk with me, Dane,” Fleetfoot said, “I mean… if you want to.”

“Thanks but no thanks. I still have some… personal things to sort out… You know, coming to terms with how my entire civilization and way of life has been destroyed and how the three of us are likely the only surviving remnants of a once powerful empire… You understand right?”

Fleetfoot blinked though she looked slightly dejected, “Uh, yeah. Sure.”

A flash of blue behind them got their attention. Dane stood up.

“Yeah we better get him into a bed, stat,” Dane said.

“There are some cuffs in the armory,” Spitfire said.

“I really think we should strap him down.”

“I really think you’re overreacting.”

“Really? He tore a car apart with his bare hands.”

“Well you did piss him off.”

“You know what, fine. Do what you want. But I don’t want to hear it when he breaks free and disappears again like he always does.”

A few minutes later they had dragged him down to the infirmary and placed him into a hospital bed. Dane and Gin had been shown to their guest room. It included two separate bedrooms and a bathroom.

“Well this has been a crazy day,” Gin said.

Dane cringed and rubbed his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m just… processing this still. Literally,” he blinked.

“Well it looks painful.”

“I’m processing it all still. Everything that has happened in the last few days is all being processed. For you it’s like lack of sleep.”

“I thought you don’t need sleep.”

“Well when an apocalypse happens followed by… all this you tend to suspend a few things.”

“I see.”

Gin walked over to her bed, “Well Spitfire did give us a pretty big room with some pretty nice beds. You gonna go to sleep tonight?”

“No. I’ve got some things to sort out.”

“Well suit yourself. I’m going to go take a shower.”

“Hey before you go, where did you leave the ship?”

“Right where you told me to. And yes I powered down all the weapons systems.”

“Good. We’re going to need to figure out what to do with that at some point as well.”

“Another day perhaps.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’ll be in the bathroom if you need me.”

He nodded, “Alright.”

Gin marched into the bathroom closing the door behind her. Dane himself paced over to the balcony. The cool night air blew over him as he stared at the clear night sky. Down below was the glow of a small rather insignificant town in the valley floor.

“There must be some way out of here…” Dane whispered, “Said the joker to the thief.”

***

Gin moaned and pulled herself out of bed.

“Motherfucker I had the weirdest dream,” she sighed before standing up and glancing over at Dane who was still out on the balcony.

“Oh that’s right, it wasn’t,” she said slowly getting dressed.

“Morning,” he said.

“Good morning. How long have you been awake?”

“All night.”

“You’re turning into Jett now.”

“Well someone has to considering he has no clue who he is.”

“Yeah.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Wonder who that could be,” Dane sighed walking over to the door. He removed the deadbolt and unlocked the door, opening it up to reveal one Echo Fleetfoot.

She blinked, rubbing the back of her head, “Uh hey.”

Dane blinked indifferently, “Hello.”

“Uh, I was just wondering if you guys wanted to go get some breakfast,” she said.

“I don’t really need to eat an-”

“-We’d love to,” Gin said glaring at Dane.

Fleetfoot perked up, “Oh, uh, well great. Follow me then. The mess hall is this way.”

She started walking down the hallway happily humming to herself. Gin walked next to Dane.

“Why are we doing this?” he whispered.

“I know you’re depressed as fuck about everything being gone but we really need to look at this situation here. The sooner we accept it the better.”

“Well forgive me if it’s just a little difficult to leave our old lives behind completely.”

“Oh don’t give me that. You never got along with your foster parents with the whole robot thing and my parents are dead. We weren’t leaving too much behind except maybe my club. Jett had very little people he really cared about and since most of them are here anyway he didn’t lose much either and neither did you. We all have each other, no matter how fucked up the situation is.”

“Jett doesn’t know who any of us are.”

“Well at some point he’ll unfuck himself but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. You don’t turn your back on family.”

Fleetfoot led them into the mess hall. Not many were in it. Only Rapidfire and Lightning Streak and they offered friendly greetings.

“So yeah, welcome to the cafeteria,” Fleetfoot said, “You can pretty much get whatever you want for breakfast here.”

“Bacon?” Dane ginned.

“Sorry, we’re mostly vegetarian here. We don’t really have anything from the griffin menu.”

Dane gapped, turned to Gin and said, “This isn’t paradise, this is hell. I’d rather risk the Light Years than stay here!”

“Dane shut the fuck up before I knock you fucking head off. Get used to it you bastard!”

“Maybe you didn’t hear me but there is NO BACON.”

“I was serious when I said I would knock you head off.”

Fleetfoot looked panicked, “Well, uh we have other stuff! Pancakes, eggs, hash browns-”

“We’re fine,” Gin smiled, “Thank you. Sorry this bastard is so rude. Now fucking apologize you robotic bastard.”

“Do I have to?” he whined.

“I’m gonna fucking rip your arms off if you don’t.”

Dane sighed, “Fine, I’m sorry Miss…”

“Fleetfoot, Echo Fleetfoot.”

“Yeah I’m just gonna call you Echo.”

“Fine with me. Now come on, let’s go grab a table.”

“Please tell me you at least have coffee here,” Gin said.

“That we have plenty of.”

“Thank the fucking Gods.”

The trio went up and grabbed some breakfast before heading to a table.

“So…” Fleetfoot starts to break the ice, “Where are you guys from? Obviously you’re from the same place as Jett but… where exactly is that?”

Gin and Dane looked at each other before Dane pointed upwards.

“Okay… where exactly is that?”

“We don’t come from this planet. We’re from a world far beyond most of the stars in your sky,” Gin said, “Only now all the good in that world has gone or is heading for new worlds beyond, making us refugees from a dying world.”

“Wait… you guys are aliens?!”

Dane cringed, “Well when you put it that way…”

“Oh my gosh, you’re not gonna spit acid at me or something? Or rip my head off, or infect me with some alien virus, or-”

“Do we look like those kinds of aliens to you?” Dane asked, “I’m just a robot and she’s a bartender. That’s all we are.”

“Oh, phew,” she sighed, “I never figured an alien robot would be that cute-”

Gin choked on a bagel and Dane jerked up, “Excuse me?”

“What? You’re pretty cute for a robot boy,” Fleetfoot blinked.

Gin started turning blue and fell out of her chair onto the floor retching.

“Uh, well, um, you do know that Jett and I share the same face?”

“Maybe, but yours is different. You’ve got those cute freckles on your cheeks and nice green eyes. And your hair is white.”

Rapidfire had run over and was now doing the Heimlich maneuver on Gin.

“We’re still identical number 4 models. We just have minor cosmetic differences.”

“Maybe, but still. I’m just some angel girl so what do I know?”

By now Gin had successfully coughed up her food, thanked Rapidfire, knocked out Lightning Streak for attempting to grope her and was now back in her seat.

“Excuse me for a second but ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY?!”

Fleetfoot blinked, “About what?”

Gin started twitching, mumbling something under breath before calmly getting back control of herself.

“I’m just gonna leave for a second.”

Fleetfoot blinked, “What was her problem?”

Dane sighed, “Long story that I don’t need to go into.”

He stood up and followed her. Gin was standing in a corner pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Hey, uh-” Dane started.

“Small word of advice,” she said, “Don’t fuck up.”

The door to the cafeteria burst open and a certain flame headed girl stumbled in.

“Oh hey Spit-” Fleetfoot started.

“Don’t talk to me, I had the worst night of my life. Just get me some coffee.”

Rapidfire ran up with a mug, “Here you go Cap.”

She accepted the cup, “Thanks.”

She turned to Dane, “So… do you think he’s up by now.”

“His system should be done rebooting by now. There may be some damage considering what I did to him but nothing repair systems couldn’t handle.”

“Alright, let’s get down there. Morning Echo,” she nodded.

“Morning Cap.”

***

Spitfire, Dane and Gin entered the infirmary.

Dane immediately face palmed before turning to Spitfire.

“You see? I told you we should have strapped him down but NO.”

The trio was staring at an empty hospital bed with a pair of torn handcuffs attached to it. A broken

picture was on the floor. Above the hospital bed was an open window.

“How the hell was I supposed to know he would get away?” She asked.

Gin sighed, “Can we worry about that later and work on finding the bastard?”

“Fine.”

“And I still want to know how you hid your fucking wings like that for 7 months,” Dane said.

“Did I not already explain it to you?”

“Not the beach part.”

“Another time perhaps.”

***

Interstellar Space. 2414

U.S.S. MIDNIGHT ETERNITY.

Admiral Halsey stared at the pad in his hands. Captain Hawk stood by near his desk.

“So… you mind summarizing this for me again?”

“I would but you already know most of it. Bottom line is that we have more ships damaged, more dead, less ammo, etc, etc. But the fleet at least is staying ahead of them so if we can get a respite for a month or so we can get some repairs and rearm.”

“I see. How long do you think they’ll keep following us?”

“Current estimates are rather erratic for now but best estimates have it at another six months before they have to turn back for Earth.”

“I see. What about that transmission?”

“Just an old subspace reflection sir.”

“We still have people that can analyze those things?”

“A few. There are a few still out of sickbay with the education.”

“I see…”

“Well if that will be all sir I have some death reports to file.”

“That ship. The Pegasus. Who analyzed it?”

Hawk turned and pulled a pad out of his pocket, “Warrant Officer Kana Misaki. Chief communications officer on the Pegasus. Parents died on Earth in the attack, older brother was among those who didn’t make it.”

“I can only imagine how many others have similar situations.”

“There’s more. She’s 17. Just out of high school.”

“When did we start doing that?”

“What? Recruiting kids? A few months ago after they started knocking off our senior staff every other battle. Don’t worry sir, she and many others like her are skilled in what they do or else they wouldn’t be up there. Even if they are just kids.”

“How long do we have now?”

“Sir?”

“Until we reach our destination.”

“15 years at least. And don’t worry about the civilian fleet. They’re doing just fine. They miss having a sun overhead but other than that we have the beginnings of a civilization just a light minute out. And again, the president sends his thanks and the ‘thanks of the Terran People’ as he put it for our protection.”

“Yeah… and yet these bastards still keep coming. And I don’t think we can last another six months…”

Hawk smiled, “I can see the gears turning George, what are you thinking?”

The admiral looked up, “Say Hawk, what have our pilots been doing all this time?”

“Overall? They’ve been doing a patrol around the fleet, holding off the rare fighter assault every now and again and in some cases they’ve replaced gun crews on ships that have lost automatic control.”

“Hmm… Call a meeting at 0900 tomorrow for all our flyboys. I have an idea for how to get these dogs off our back.”

***

U.S.S. PEGASUS.

Kana sat in her room staring at the signal on her screen. She was able to determine its origin and just how long it had been traveling before reemerging into normal space. But just what was in it was what was bothering her. She had been trying to decompress it for the past hour but considering its age it was a wonder it hadn’t degraded yet.

The signal was at least 10 years old if not more and had emerged inside the solar system somewhere between Earth and Mars. But just exactly what was contained in it continued to be a mystery… Until now.

She ran her last program and watched the program reveal itself.

“Decompression complete. Would you like to play the file?” The computer asked.

“Yes. Play it,” Kana said.

Static began to play through the speakers. But soon a coherent voice emerged.

“All Decks this is the Captain speaking, evacuate the ship immediately. We have lost atmospheric stabilization and we’re venting fuel into space. Get to your designated escape pods and shuttle craft. All personnel on Deck 2 you’re atmosphere has been compromised. You have two minutes before automatic atmospheric venting. Evacuate your deck immediately…”

-TO BE CONTINUED.

Author's Note

NEXT TIME ON CYBERFIRE.
-Jett is still missing while Spitfire and company struggle to find him.
-Starry Skies' teammates are starting to get suspicious about where she's been going.
-Meanwhile in deep space, Warrant Officer Kana Misaki struggles to learn more about her mystery signal and what it means.

I couldn't just leave without saying goodbye of some kind but sadly, I must say goodbye for a while. This weekend I start taking the SAT Subject Tests while next week is my Statistics Final. The entire month of may I will be hit with the bricks and unable to write period. But I do have events storyboarded so it's not all bad. But until next time.

-JC6.

Chapter 46. The Gods Will Die.

“You know feel free to leave me out of this okay?” the boy said not looking up from his pad. A cup of coffee and some pills were sitting on the table next to him.

“Come on Takeya, I’m not asking for too much,” Kana whined.

“Even as Chief Weapons officer I still can’t give you what you need,” he sighed, “I don’t get senior officer’s access until I’m 17, which is in a month. You would have an easier time having access to the database than I would.”

“I’m only communications, we don’t get ANY access. But as weapons officer you do have access to the ship’s computer and databases.”

“Because I need to be able to tell the difference between an incoming missile and friendly fighter and to be able to know which gun on the ship I’m using and what I’m pointing it at. And there goes Meridian.”

A scream followed by a crashing sound was heard.

“Uh, when did you last go to sleep?”

“Um…” Takeya looked at the pills next to his coffee.

‘MODAFINIL STIMULI. For advanced sensory awareness and functionality.’

“Five days. Yup, I’ve been up for the past five days.”

“FIVE DAYS?! That was like three attacks ago!”

“Yes well I have not been able to get any sleep since we’ve been assaulted periodically every 21 hours. And since the last guy is still in sickbay recovering from flash freezing I’d say I’m the only weapons officer on the ship. So yeah, I haven’t had much time to get sleep. Filing reports etc, etc- HEY! BE CAREFUL WITH THAT!”

“You mean you’d been awake when we had dinner the other night?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me that? We could have rescheduled.”

“Well I’d already been awake for three days so why not?”

“There haven’t been any side effects to using this stuff?” she asked holding up the pills.

“Doc said there’d be some but I haven’t noticed them- I TOLD YOU TO BE CAREFUL WITH THAT!”

Two technicians holding a large coil like device were passing through the mess hall looked up.

“YES YOU! IF THAT’S THE REPLACEMENT COIL FOR MY STERN BATTERY YOU BETTER BE CAFEFUL WITH IT!”

“Yes sir,” one of them sighed and the two continued.

“Honestly why are they cutting through here anyway? The tubes are there for a reason.”

“Unfortunately sections 45-67 are all open space so I don’t think they can use them even if they wanted to.”

“Humph.”

“So…?”

He sighed, “Fine. Next time I file my report I’ll talk to the captain about it. Then you can analyze your mystery signal.”

Kana smiled, “Thank you Takeya.”

“Yeah yeah, just let me finish my report.”

“Alright, I’ll get out of your hair.”

Kana stood up and left the mess hall.

Takeya looked at his pad.

DAMAGE REPORT.

“I hate this part of the job. ROGERS! Get over here!”

A girl no older than 18 ran over, wearing a space suit trotted over, “Yes sir?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“You are a higher rank than me.”

“And you’re two years older than me. Makes me feel all weird. Prep air lock 5, we’re going for a walk.”

***

Kana walked down the hallways of the ship. People had been shuffling about all day working on everything from repairs to refits.

A voice on the intercom got her attention, “Kana Misaki please report to the bridge.”

She turned, “Well that’s convenient.”

She stepped through the doors. The Captain wasn’t there but the XO was.

“Yes sir?”

The Commander turned, “We’ve just been contacted by AJAX. Admiral Halsey would like to see you. There’s a shuttle waiting in hanger 3. Get there.”

“Yes sir.”

***

Jett clawed his way up the cliff face. Behind him, if one looked close enough, a series of holes all clustered in groups of five ever few feet led straight to him.

He reached up and gripped a railing and pulled himself up and onto the terrace. The garden was a familiar place. He’d always visited it but now at night no one was around.

He walked over to a bench hidden under a willow tree and sat down.

The environment was peaceful. No noise from the city reached him as the plant life muffled the majority of it.

He frowned, “Stupid white haired little… what the hell is he?!”

“The question is not what but who.” A voice said.

“What the…” Jett looked up.

A woman in a suit was sitting on a tree branch. Her hair was orange and vaguely familiar but it fell down in front of her forehead and behind her in a sloppy mop. She grinned.

“Who the hell are you?”

“The question is not who we are but what.” Another voice said.

Jett blinked and turned. Behind him hanging from a tree branch was a man wearing a black suit. But that’s when things started getting creepy. The man had spiky Jet black hair and piercing sapphire blue eyes.

He hopped down from the tree.

“Hello.”

“W-what the hell are you?!” Jett asked.

“Hmm, that’s an interesting question. I am you, and you are me. It’s complicated.”

“And I am her and she is me,” the woman said hopping down.

“We are you, or rather what you should be,” they said in unison.

“Okay, what the fuck is going on here? I have no idea who you are,” Jett said pointing at the woman, “But you look like a 30 year old version of me!”

Jett pointed at the man who blinked, “In that regards you would be correct. However,” he raised his left arm, “This however is real.”

“Wow, way to rub it in ass- hey wait a minute! ACC!”

The woman smiled, “She won’t answer. At least, not this time. And don’t worry; you’re not going crazy again. We are real as you would put it.”

“Then just what the hell do you people want?”

“Ah, on to that I suppose. Yes well let’s see here,” the man pulled out a large role of paper and unrolled it, “Yes here it is. In the beginning, approximately 13.82 billion years ago the universe was created in what you call the big bang. And many have come think that was a very bad idea but hey, the choice wasn’t theirs to make.”

The woman cut in, “But suffice it to say, the universe was born and all sorts of crazy things have happened to bring us here.”

“Just what are you exactly?”

“We? Didn’t we explain it already? Ah whatever, by your standards we’re gods. But sadly we are of the universe just as you are. But fear not. Not everything goes according to plan.”

“Wait, what are you talking about?”

“Ah, well you have caused quite a bit of trouble for us recently and due to a series of events beyond even our control things in your plan went wrong. And when a plan grows wrong, improvisation has to occur.”

The man sighed, “Unfortunately it wasn’t us who did the improvising, it was you. And you threw everything out of line. Again.”

“What do you mean again?”

“Oh, well let me explain a little. This experiment of ours has been going on for hundreds of your years and yet every single time you just happen to screw things up for us. At first your outright rejection of our imposed conditions and treatments was just an inconvenience but as the cycles continued we started to notice that no matter what we did we couldn’t change anything.”

“So this time we tried something different.”

“And?” Jett said, “I think I’m getting this all… sort of.”

“But unfortunately we are all still at the mercy of the universe and it does not like it when things don’t go as it has lain out.”

“So we’ve come to correct our mistake.”

“What mistake? What did you do?”

“Oh nothing you need to worry about. However things must go back on track and they must stay there. So things are going to start getting a whole lot complicated.”

“Wait what?”

“Oh, and I would go home if I were you. We’re going to fix things but it may get a little painful,” The man smiled, “Say cheese.”

He held up a camera and in a flash they were gone.

And so was everything else.

Jett blinked, the world not returning, “What the fuck?!”

***

“You made him go blind?” The woman asked.

“Yes, yes I did. And it’s only temporary. There’s a safety limit on all their vision to prevent a burn out.”

“So what intensity was that?”

“The intensity of your average gamma ray burst.”

***

Jett sighed, “Stupid fucking weird… whatever the fucks they were.”

He checked his systems.

INTERNAL DIAGNOSTIC.

EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN OF OPTICAL PROCESSORS.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ACCESS YOUR OPTICAL SUBROUTINES FOR AT LEAST 26 HOURS. YOU WILL BE LOCKED.

“Fucking great,” he sighed.

ACTIVATING REPAIR SYSTEMS. REPLACING DAMAGED LIGHT RECEPTORS.

“Any damage to the lenses?”

MILD BURN DAMAGE.

“Alright, get on it.”

He sighed, “Now what am I supposed to do?”

ACTIVATING INTERNAL SONAR SYSTEMS.

“Oh there’s that.”

He stood up and navigated his way out of the garden.

“I hate my life. Now where am I?”

He could barely make out streets and people and buildings but signs; he was hopeless.

“Great.”

He turned 90 degrees and started walking. Soon he started hearing voices whispering.

“… Oh my goddesses, what happened to him?”

“… What happened to his eyes?”

“Why are they bleeding?”

“Is he blind?”

“Young man, you need to get to a hospital. Something is wrong with your eyes.”

Jett blinked, “What?”

***

Dane sighed, “This is fucking useless.”

“What?” Spitfire sighed.

Dane, Gin, Spitfire, and the rest of the team were out looking for the black haired android. So far they hadn’t had much luck with it.

“He behaves like a child sometimes and runs off like a lost dog. He always comes back though, just give him some time.”

“When he first got the arm he wanted nothing to do with people in general,” Gin said, “And even went off an anti-humanity tirade. He’s probably just blowing off some steam.”

“Still, I worry about him.”

“He’s probably fine. It would take a god to do any real damage to him.”

***

“Stupid fucking…” Jett grumbled, “Would you stop following me?!”

The nurse behind him turned and headed back to the hospital.

Jett now had two bandages over his eyes held in place by several sheets of medical tape. Small blood stains could be seen through the bandages.

He continued walking down the street.

“How the hell am I supposed to get back like this?”

He continued before sighing, “Trial and error.”

***

“Spitfire it’s almost midnight,” Dane sighed, “There’s no sign of him.”

“If he doesn’t want to be found he won’t be,” Gin said, “We’ve already learned this lesson. The bastard can become invisible if he wants to.”

Spitfire sighed, “So what? You want to just go home?”

“If need be yes. He’ll come back when he wants to.”

She let out a loud sigh before rubbing her hair, “Fine, I’ll recall the team.”

***

Starry Skies sighed, “For the last time: IT’S NONE OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS!”

“I think I have the right to know where you have been going day after day,” Charger said.

“For the last time: NO YOU DON’T! Mind your own fucking business,” She said before sauntering off.

She hated it when they did this. Her teammates had the annoying habit of sticking their heads into her business. She was her own person. Still…

Stratus walked over, “This whole disappearing thing with her is something new.”

“Yes. And I want to figure out why.”

“You better keep better track of your girl man. Else some other flyboy hotshot may just snatch her up.”

“Like fuck.”

***

A loud bang followed by a crumbling sound echoed through the Wonderbolt Compound.

Spitfire yawned and sat up in her bed, “The hell?”

She sauntered up to the living area. Dane and Gin her other teammates were all doing the same thing.

“What the fuck?” Dane asked more as a statement.

Another loud bang followed by a crumbling noise was heard.

“Is it a monster? Maybe a manticore?” Soarin’ asked.

Spitfire looked out and squinted. Even in the dark there was a significant pile of crushed rocks and dust kicked up. Not the entire path in was blocked but it was noticeable. A figure in the dust could be made out.

“Is that-”

“Jett?”

The android sauntered onto the compound. But something was wrong. His head was wrapped up in white bandages.

Spitfire ran out towards him, “Jett!”

Jett turned. Spitfire could make out blood stains coming through where his eyes were covered and gasped.

“What happened to you?!”

“It’s a long story,” he sighed.

Dane ran up, “Hey buddy, what happened?”

Instantly Jett was on his feet with an energy weapon pointed in Dane’s direction. By now the other Wonderbolts were out of the compound.

“The fuck?” Soarin’ said.

“I may be blind but I can still hear you,” Jett directed at Dane. Dane raised his hands.

“Whoa now buddy. Now I know you may be a little bit pissed off about that fight but you need to calm down.”

“Calm down?” Jett said, “You tried kidnapping me! And then you stab me in the back, literally, with an electrical cable? And who was the fucking Genius who decided to handcuff me to the hospital bed?!”

Spitfire shrunk down just a small bit.

“Dude, you got hurt. I need you to calm down so I can help you.”

“Why would I let you do that?!”

“Because I want you to,” Spitfire said.

“What?!” Dane and Jett both said turning to face her.

“He’s part of the team now as a mechanic to a degree. So I can make it an order. Jett, stand down and let him fix your eyes. That’s an order.”

“Spitfire he-”

“Nope, get your ass inside right now,” she said.

“But he-”

“No.”

“But I-”

“No.”

“But what if-”

“That’s an order Halsey!”

Jett sighed, “I hate you.”

“I don’t care. Now get in there. That’s an order.”

“Fuck you, sir,” he said as his weapon retracted itself.

“I can’t hear you!”

“FUCK YOU, SIR!”

“That’s better.”

He lowered his arms and allowed himself to be guided back into the facility. Soon he was lying down on a couch.

“What the fuck happened?” Rapidfire asked.

“Well on the way in here I tripped every now and again so I punched the wall out of frustration.”

…

“Oh.”

Dane walked over, “Alright let’s take a look at these bandages.”

“Here,” Spitfire said handing him some scissors.

“Thanks.”

Dane slowly cut away the medical tape before peeling it off leaving the two white, blood covered patches, over the android’s eyes.

“Okay would you like to tell me what happened?” Dane asked.

“No.”

Spitfire sighed, “Do you want to tell ME what happened?”

“No. But I get the feeling you’re going to make it an order.”

“Correct.”

He sighed, “I had my picture taken by two weird people wearing suits.”

“What kind of camera did they use?” Dane asked.

“Fuck should I know? They just took my picture and I went blind.”

“Well it had to have been something big because it would take something like you looking into a supernova to even activated the safety protocols let alone even do some real damage.”

“And how would you know this?”

“Because unlike you I have all my memories. We’re both military prototypes. Two of Sixteen created. Designed to be the perfect sleeper agent, the perfect soldier, the perfect everything. There are 8 models. We’re number 4.”

“Then why did you try to kidnap me the other night?”

“Long story, suffice it to say you’d gone missing, and apparently lost your memories, and we found you. This isn’t the first time it had happened so I tried something to get you to safety. I didn’t know you were on a date or had been here for a few weeks already.”

Jett frowned, “I get the feeling things would make more sense to me if I could remember everything.”

“Yes they would. Now hold still,” Dane said pulling the blood caked bandages off his eyes. Spitfire gasped. His eyes were burned black in color. Not even the whites were visible.

Dane frowned, “Oh. Don’t worry, I can fix this.”

“Heh,” Soarin’ laughed, “He looks like a demon.”

Though Jett couldn’t see it he heard a loud smacking sound followed by an, “OW! What was that for?”

“Dude, I’m gonna need that case of yours.”

Jett sat up, head-butting Dane, “How do you know about that case?”

“Please, at school you kept all your shit in there. There’s a medical unit in there that I can use to fix this. Now where is it?”

Jett sighed, “The lower hanger area. On the couch.”

“Okay, now how do I get there?”

“I’ll show you,” Spitfire said.

The pair got up and walked out of the living area, leaving the rest of the team to tend to a blind android.

Soarin’ raised a finger.

“Don’t even think about it,” Jett said.

Meanwhile Spitfire had led Dane to the stairs leading down to the hanger.

Dane laughed, “You know, it’s kinda ironic.”

“What’s ironic?” Spitfire asked with a frown.

“He’s now as blind physically as he is emotionally.”

Spitfire smiled sadly, “Yeah, I guess he is…”

***

“So you’re the Communications officer on the Pegasus correct?”

Kana gulped, “Yessir.”

Halsey smiled, “Good, then you’re just the girl I’m looking for. I understand you’re good with multivariable Ansible algorithms that can keep track of large numbers of objects at the same time correct?”

“If you’re referring to a Pegasus Cross Web then yes, I can do that. It was one of the few things I got to learn in my classes before this all happened.”

“Good,” Halsey grinned, “Ajax, get in here.”

A woman in a casual naval uniform appeared. A hologram. She spoke with a soft British accent.

“Hello.”

“This here is Kana. Kana, Ajax. You’re going to be working with her on a new project I’m assigning to you. She’ll fill you in.”

“… Okay…”

“Any questions?”

“Uh… permission to speak freely Admiral.”

“Granted.”

“Okay, uh, Admiral, this is highly irregular. Can I just know what I am doing this for? I mean, this isn’t an easy program to make and it will take several days just to get the base code down for it. And out of curiosity, why don’t you already use one?”

“I’m sorry but I can’t tell you. This mission is classified for now but you’ll find out sooner or later considering Ajax has a big mouth and will tell you no matter what I order her to do. And as for your second question, we do already use one. However none of them were designed to handle the numbers I’m going to be throwing at you. The exact specifications of it will be given to you by Ajax once you’re back aboard the Pegasus.”

She sighed, “Even out here protocol still holds.”

“Actually,” the Admiral smiled sadly, “If you can keep a secret, I threw out the old rule book six months ago.”

“What?!”

“There aren’t any protocols for this kind of situation so I just took the old book and spaced it and built it up from scratch.”

“I guess that makes sense…”

Ajax frowned, “Sir you never said you tossed the old rule book.”

“Well since you were elevated from ship’s AI to Fleet Control AI there were a lot of distractions.”

“Highly Irregular. Also, would you care to tell Chief O’Brien that my coolant hasn’t been cycled recently? It’s getting a little warm in here.”

“Sure.”

Kana stood up, “Well if I’m not needed anymore I’ll get back to my ship now, Sir.”

“That’s fine. Oh and Misaki,” he removed a small box from his desk, “You’re being promoted. Congratulations Ensign.”

He tossed it over to her. She wore a stunned look on her face.

“Oh and your computer access has been granted. Ensign Authorization of course but still access to the fleet network.”

“I, uh, sir, uh…”

“Don’t you have a shuttle to catch, Ensign?”

“Uh, Sir! Yes Sir. Thank you Sir.”

She stepped out and headed down to the Eternity’s hanger decks.

Once the doors closed, Ajax turned, “So you really want to do this?”

“She’s the only one left standing with experience. So if you want to go get any of the others who are in medical and wake them up or get them off their pain medication then by all means. But I know you’ve always been a moral stickler so I figured you wouldn’t.”

“I hate you sometimes.”

“Get over it.”

She sighed, “Yes Sir.”

***

“Okay, so you’re gonna have to where this over your eyes for a few days still while the Nanites finishes installing your replacement lenses and repairing the damaged photoreceptors.”

Jett blinked, “And where did you get new lenses from?”

“The replicator on that ship we have. We have the same specifications for the most part so replicating new lenses from your old ones and mine was pretty easy. But the Nanites were from that case of yours and I needed the specs to make those. Now if you touch your eyes you’ll irritate everything so don’t take this off.”

“Just what exactly is this?”

“This.”

Though Jett couldn’t see it, it was a large round almost cross between a helmet, sleeping mask, and sunglasses. It was rather bulbous around the front where the eyes were and slipped over one’s head like a mask but only covered the eyes.

Jett reached over and grabbed it, “Again, what is it?”

“You’re an android, use sonar and check it out.”

He pointed his head in the object’s general direction and opened his mouth in a whistle. A low, just barely audible sound echoed through the room.

“Oh, I got it. Medical Ocular Mask Type 3. High Intensity Burn treatment.”

“Uh, how did you do that?” Spitfire asked.

“In the event of ocular overload I have the sonar capability that is 100 times more sensitive than that of a bottlenose dolphin.”

“Uh…”

“Lady, we’re battle robots. Hell I don’t even know what I’m capable of,” Dane sighed.

“I guess it makes sense.”

Dane sighed, “Now keep this on,” he slipped it over the android’s head, “And don’t activate your eyes either for at least 4 days.”

“Yes sir,” he grumbled, “Were you always like this?”

“Ironically if you had your memories it would probably be you fixing me up. But here you are,” he laughed.

“Shut up asshole!”

Spitfire gasped and looked up as well as Gin. Jett had his trademark growl on his face as he ‘stared’ at Dane.

“There he is!” Dane said, “Oh dude, I knew you were in there somewhere!”

He pulled him into a hug.

“Ah! Get off me you dick!” Jett screeched.

“Aw, dude you’re back!” Dane laughed.

“Shut the fuck up! I don’t remember anything!”

“That doesn’t matter. You’re still my brother; my family and we’re all together. And that’s all that matters.”

Spitfire put a hand to her mouth and stifled a giggle. Tears streamed down her face. For a moment, things seemed normal again.

“Spitfire! Get him off of me!”

“Sorry Jett no can do,” she laughed.

“I’m going to kill all of you.”

“While I don’t doubt you have the means I doubt you really will,” Gin laughed.

“I hate girls.”

***

Kana sighed and stared at the file on her screen.

With new access to the fleet network she was able to pull more and more of the audio out of the file but still.

She looked down on her keyboard and tapped a button.

“So yeah, tonight when we reach Earth I’m gonna meet up with my family. Take advantage of some leave you know?”

“Yeah I hear you Admiral.”

“So what are you planning?”

“Well I was going to-”

A loud explosion came through the speakers.

“My god… All Decks this is the Captain speaking, evacuate the ship immediately. We have lost atmospheric stabilization and we’re venting fuel into space. Get to your designated escape pods and shuttle craft. All personnel on Deck 2 you’re atmosphere has been compromised. You have two minutes before automatic atmospheric venting. Evacuate your deck immediately.”

“What the hell hit us?!”

“A radiological reading looks like a small nuclear device of about a kiloton inside the number five cargo bay on Deck 2. The explosion has ruptured the fuel tanks and we’re in an uncontrolled counter clockwise spin.”

“Emergency thrusters, aft starboard. Get us under control.”

“Trying Sir.”

“Emergency escape pods have begun launch. Open hanger bay doors.”

“Open Hanger bay Doors.”

Static.

Kana sighed, “I need more processing power.”

A voice behind her spoke up, “If you would like I could lend some of my core logic to help.”

Kana spun around in her chair. A young woman with a casual naval garb and long brown hair was standing before her. Her image flickered. A hologram.

“Oh, Ajax. Hello. What are you doing here?”

“Well we don’t start until tomorrow so I figured I’d stop by and visit my new working partner,” she peered over, “Looks like you’re working on cleaning up an audio file.”

“Yeah, a subspace echo that I picked up. Kinda just curious about what’s in it so I guess it’s become a kind of hobby.”

“I see. Well have you tried a subspace buffering program?”

“No, not yet. Why?”

Ajax smiled, “Give it a try. And see what else you can get out of it.”

“Oh, uh, okay.”

“And while you’re at it, try a delayering protocol.”

Kana smiled, “So you’re an AI huh?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, you and the Admiral seem to have a nice relationship.”

“I act as his therapist of a sorts. Plus I’m one of his few surviving friends.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’ve been with him pretty much from the beginning. I actually started off as his family’s personal secretary AI but wherever he went he kinda just took me with him until I got upgraded to a Ship’s AI when he moved his flag to the Midnight Eternity.”

“Wow. Oh, the program is almost done running…”

***

“Morally, I am incorruptible. Mentally, I am sharpened, but Emotionally, I am impulsive; my mood subject to change at the slightest whim, quick to anger, impossible to forgive. Anger is my favorite. And that is my weakness.”

Author's Note

I had some free time.

Chapter 47. Family Matters.

Kana wiped her head, “Alright Ajax, I think we got it.”

“Let’s perform a test,” The AI said.

“Alright, just need to set the program and… got it.”

A long line of code started running across the screen. A clock counting down to completion was displayed on the screen.

“Say, Ajax. What do you know about the UEG Icarus?”

The AI blinked, “The Icarus? Do you mean the USS Icarus because that’s a heavy carrier in the defensive fleet.”

“No, I mean the UEG Icarus,” she sighed, “Let me fill you in. Last night after you left I got an SOS signal out of that file. I couldn’t get the audio but I did get a name. The UEG Icarus.”

“Ah, I see,” The AI blinked and tilted her head slightly, “Ah, the Icarus. A transport class vessel. Little armor and defensive systems compared to other military vessels. It was last seen in a convoy in July of 2400 carrying pilots back from a training mission in the inner planets when the convoy was attacked.”

“Whoa, so this was an SOS signal from that convoy?”

“Yes. There’s likely more in that signal as it was standard procedure at the time for all black box recordings to be sent toward the nearest military installation in the event of catastrophic failure.”

“Why was that standard?”

“That was before tensions started rising and was implemented after the loss of the Farragut due to a still unknown cause as the black box and computer core were all vaporized when the ship’s reactor when critical and reached a temperature of 10000 degrees kelvin.”

“Ouch.”

“So I would keep at that signal because there’s likely more in there.”

“I see… So what happened to the Icarus?”

“It survived but with major damage and managed to conduct a successful rescue of the survivors of the other two ships.”

“Why did it survive?”

“All three ships were crippled by bombs placed expertly in the aft cargo holds. The other two were either destroyed by trailing gunboats or were destroyed when the fuel tanks ignited. How the Icarus survived is still a mystery but from the data collected from the computers it appears that the fuel leak was stopped and the reactor stabilized while the weapons systems were activated.”

“Maybe there’s something in there about that.”

“Could be. The main transceiver was damaged and wasn’t reactivated until later. The only thing working was the subspace assembly.”

“That explains the echo. Subspace communications will continue traveling until hitting large gravity wells and being sent back where they came.”

“And if they hit another on the way back the process continues.”

“Hmm…”

Ajax smiled, “Seems like you have a mystery on your hands.”

***

Jett ‘watched’ as the pulse expanded. Its relative accuracy dissipated the farther it went but it allowed him to access the environment a few meters in front of him with some precision.

The Sonar operated as expected and now Jett, with a newly memorized map of the city in his head, could navigate his way around the town.

He still wore the mask making him look like an escapee of some futuristic war hospital. Still, he at least had adapted to using and interpreting sound as a method of getting around.

He walked along the sidewalk, avoiding random pedestrians and generally keeping to himself. He wanted to be alone today, just for the sake of it. He sighed. He was glad to be away from all the crazies back at the base. Gin was swapping drink recipes with some girl named Blaze while Dane was doing god knows what. Spitfire was mysteriously missing but whatever. She’d be back like always.

Peace and quiet. While all the excitement was fun, he still enjoyed just going somewhere nice and relaxing a little. Even if it was just a room he could still project and get the same effect.

He strolled over to the park where he typically ate his lunch during the week. Overall it was probably a bad idea. Being blind would make the park a clusterfuck to navigate but he didn’t care. He just wanted to find some place quiet and it didn’t matter if he needed to get lost to do it.

He walked over to a tree and ‘looked’ up it. There was a branch about 4 meters up that would make a great place to nap.

He jumped up and dug his fingers into the bark and pulled himself up onto the thick branch. He knelt down on the large shoot. He leaned back against the tree and retreated into the safety of his mind.

“Now, what book have I not read yet?” he sighed.

He searched through a group of files of various novels from everything from Les Miserables to Foundation. He selected the forever war and started ‘reading’ it, watching as the images his mind manufactured as he read appeared in his head. Just as he started getting immersed a voice pulled him out of his internal movie.

“Stupid Charger. The fuck does he think he is?”

Jett leaned over and ‘looked’ down. Starry Skies had strolled into the park as well and sat down on the bench.

She sighed, “Wish Jett was here.”

Jett stood up and jumped down from the branch, landing right next to her on the bench.

“Present,” he smiled.

She jumped, “Ah! Where have you been?! I haven’t seen you since you went ballistic on that white haired kid!”

“Well I’ve been back at HQ, I escaped, had an accident and went blind and then I decided to go for a walk while this heals.”

“What happened to your nice beautiful blue eyes? And what’s that mask thing covering them?”

“Oh, this is a medical mask for healing intensive burn injuries to the eyes. Got it from that white haired kid who’s actually pretty alright once he’s not trying to kidnap you and you get to know him.”

She frowned, “I see. You mind telling me how you went blind?”

“Oh, uh, you know I really don’t want to talk about it honestly. Quite a mess.”

She blinked, “Alright.”

“So what have you been up to?”

“Ah, just been dealing with the assholes on my team. With Nightshade gone visiting her family and everything things have been a little crazy. But enough about my problems, what’s your team been doing now that Spitfire’s gone for the day?”

Jett reeled back slightly, “How’d you know she’s gone?”

“You don’t know? They’re sisters.”

“What?”

“Oh COME ON. How is it you don’t know that? Everyone in like the entire universe knows that!”

“Forgive me but I’m from another planet so information is a little slow getting there,” he said sarcastically.

“Well they’re family. They had a bit of a falling out when their father selected Spitfire to lead the Wonderbolts over her. But Nightshade got the Shadowbolts when the Princess created the team. Still even though they have a… working relationship so to speak things are still a little strained.”

“I see.”

“No you don’t,” she laughed.

“Fuck you,” he smiled, “So what do you think they’re doing?”

“Beats me. They hate each other on a good day. On a bad day you’ll see them plotting to kill each other.”

“Ouch.”

***

“Daddy you can’t do this!” Spitfire yelled.

“Honestly father you can’t be serious,” Nightshade moaned melancholy.

They were standing a relatively dark and important looking office. A man sat behind a heavy oak wood desk. Most of his face was hidden in the shadows. Behind him was a shaded window that when cleared would offer an excellent view of the surrounding mountain side.

The man sighed, “Girls you’ve been had this feud going on for several years now. You need to resolve it soon because I am not changing my mind.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m the event organizer of all the flight teams. You two will be flying at the Gala this year. Like it or not, I don’t care. You WILL both do your parts or so help you both not even your mother will be able to save you.”

“BUT FATHER, WHY CAN’T WE WORK WITH SOME OTHER TEAM?!” the two sisters both shouted.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP BOTH OF YOU!” The man stood up slamming his fists on the desk.

The two sisters reeled back and retreated back into themselves, “Yes father.”

“Honestly you two are behaving like children. Act your fucking ages. You will perform together at the Gala. To prevent the two of you from killing each other early on you’ll be training for your parts separately. You’re teams will get together later on and practice together in a few months. By then you two better have solved your issues with each other or I swear I will personally KILL BOTH OF YOU,” he looked up. Though most of his face was still obscured his ruby red eyes flashed death at his daughters.

The both shrunk down even farther, “Yes father.”

“Good. Now get out of here and get your teams ready. You both still have performances to do beforehand so you’ll have to practice during your off time. And if I hear you two have any other confrontations with each other you’ll both be off the books for the Gala.”

“WHAT?!” they both screamed.

“UNDERSTAND?!”

They both sighed, “Understood sir.” The two sisters glared at each other.

“Nightshade get out.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I said so. Now get out.”

She gritted her teeth, “Yes sir.”

She stormed out of the office. Spitfire remained standing, stolid as can be.

“So…” her father began, “You mind explaining yourself?”

“What do you mean?”

“You were missing for a month and a half. You came back and immediately resume your oh so loving relationship with your family, mainly your sister, who all thought you were dead.”

“What’s there to say?”

“For one she still holds a grudge towards you and myself. She feels like she has something to prove. That she’s just as good as you are. And it pisses me off to no end.”

Spitfire blinked, “Huh?”

“Do you want me to be honest with you? She’s a better flier than you.”

It was as if a thousand mirrors had just exploded. Spitfire noticeably twitched.

“W-what?”

“She’s a better flier than you and always has been. Most likely it’s just a seniority thing but currently she IS the better flier.”

“T-then why did you pick me?”

“I picked you because unlike your sister you’re more grounded. You’re not arrogant, full of self-importance and superiority. Those were not the qualities that I wanted the Wonderbolts captain to have. You’re still an excellent flier don’t get me wrong, one of the top 10 probably but Nightshade is better than you. Tough love baby.”

Spitfire stood stunned.

“Your sister may be the superior flier but she doesn’t think things through. Impulsive, prone to violent outbursts, reckless. Better flier or not something would have gone wrong.”

“Then why did you give her the Shadowbolts?”

“That wasn’t my decision. The Princess wanted someone with skill so there she was. I still don’t like it but I don’t know. Maybe she’ll temper out as time goes on and get over this grudge of hers.”

“Doubt it.”

“You know as much as she hates you or think she does, she does care about you in her own special way.”

Spitfire blinked, “What?!”

“She may not even know it herself but I could see it in her eyes. When you were gone she was worried about you.”

…

“And you have yet to file your report about what happened when you were gone.”

“A lot happened. What do you want to know?”

“Everything, from the beginning. Starting with that kid that followed you home like a lost dog.”

***

“And that’s how you make a Samarian Sunset,” Gin said flicking the glass watching the clear liquid change into a swirl of orange and gold luminescence appeared in the liquid and streamed out to fill the glass, until the entire drink turned a dull non-luminescent gold.

Blaze blinked, “Wow.”

“Yeah well finding the ingredients here was rather difficult but the drink itself is worth it. It’s an orgasm for your taste buds. Here.”

She slid the glass over to the orange haired flier.

“Are you sure about this?” Blaze blinked, “I mean you did have to scrounge up a lot to make it.”

“Hey, it’s a special drink. Part of my culture where I come from for over four hundred years before it was discovered how to actually make one.”

“Uh, how does that work exactly?”

“Oh well, um, long story really. The drink originally came from a really old TV show called Star Trek. Bartenders saw it and wanted to figure out how to make one and to get it to do exactly that. Took a few hundred years but someone did it and put the recipe on the internet and voila.”

Blaze picked up the glass eyeing it, “Star Trek?”

“Yup, back when the effects were bad but the writing more than made up for it.”

“Hmm, wish I could see it.”

“Well you may still be able to. Between Dane and Jett the two of them know everything. I know Jett has a fucking library stored in that head of his so it shouldn’t be a problem for him to find the files and convert them.”

“Oh, cool. Speaking of which where did he go? Isn’t he blind now?”

“That wouldn’t stop him.”

“Really?”

“Yes really- are you going to drink that?”

Blaze jumped, “Oh! Yeah, sure.”

She raised the glass and took a sip. Her eyes shot open as the flavors rushed through her mouth. Her wings fluttered.

She put the glass down, “Wow.”

“Told ya you’d like it,” Gin smiled.

“Yeah…”

“Hmm…”

“So… What are you exactly?”

Gin blinked, “What? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, uh, well, uh for example, I have wings and those people with the gems on their foreheads can manipulate energy to a degree and those who look like you are really strong and basically unbeatable when their on the ground. So what can you do?”

Gin grinned, “Well I have been doing high gravity marital arts since I was 10 and my muscles have gotten acclimated to a higher gravity environment thanks to the lock in procedure I had so probably the last one.”

Blaze grinned, “Really.”

“What? You don’t believe me?”

“No it’s not that…”

Gin frowned and stood up, “Alright I’ll show you then.”

She grabbed Blaze by the wrist and dragged her out of the cafeteria towards the cliff side deck.

“Hey what are you doing?!”

“You said you can fly, so let me see that,” Gin grinned as they approached the deck. Gin hoisted Blaze up above her head and held her by her legs and stomach, getting ready to throw her like a Javelin.

“It’s alright I believe you!”

“Yeah well I have yet to believe you so get ready to flap them chicken wings girl.”

“Hey! What you calling chicken wi-”

Gin hurled the orange haired girl over the side as hard as she could, sending her flying into the distance. Blaze’s voice faded the farther she went.

Gin laughed.

Suddenly the girl returned, hovering just beyond the railing, “You’re fucking crazy.”

“Oh shut up bitch. You’re fine.”

“Yeah, uh, well I could have died. What if I panicked? Huh?”

Gin laughed and turned, “Yeah bullshit bitch, you’re in an elite flight team.”

“Fuck off,” Blaze smiled.

“Okay, be back in 3 minutes.”

“Pervert.”

“Listen bitch, let’s not talk about perverts. Our own resident pervert is off probably trying to get his kink on with one of your friends.”

“Oh no…”

“Yeah. Hopefully whoever’s unlucky enough to have attracted his attention is just smart enough to stay away.”

***

“Get away from me!” Dane shouted.

“Aw come on Dane,” Fleetfoot grinned. Surprise and Misty were right behind her with wide grins spread across their angelic faces, “It’s just a little time with the girls.”

“Oh no it’s not! I know how you demons work!”

Surprise moved a suspicious box behind her back.

“What’s in the box?” Dane asked.

“Oh, uh, nothing,” Misty said.

Dane blinked, “Yeah, uh, you know I think I’m going to have to get back to you girls later. I’ll, uh, seeyoualllaterokaybye!”

He bolted off out of the compound.

“Get him girls!” Fleetfoot took to the sky followed by Surprise and Misty.

***

The man blinked, “Let me get this straight. You spent SIX MONTHS, not SIX WEEKS, alone, by yourself, in some cyberpunk world over… what was the measurement again?”

“According to the star charts we’re over 10000 light years away from the planet.”

“And a light year is?”

“The distance a beam of light can travel in a year,” Spitfire sighed.

…

“And you were living with… a boy? By yourselves without any parental influence?”

“If you’re thinking we had sex you’d be wrong,” Spitfire rolled her eyes before quietly whispering, “And believe me, I’ve tried.”

“And… why did you feel the need to bring him and his friends back with you?”

“Because their planet was dying. I told you already, they are gods compared to us but they still need their world. Only this time there was no recovering. And to be honest, I wasn’t even sure if I was coming back or not.”

“What?! Why would you not want to come back?”

Spitfire sighed, “Because I fell in love with that boy I brought back. How many times do I have to say this?”

“… You fell in love with a machine?”

Spitfire frowned, “He’s not a machine. He’s a person who just happens to live in one.”

“A machine. A robot. An automaton.”

Spitfire gritted his teeth, “He’s a boy. He’s not some lifeless mech. He has emotions, feelings, wants and desires. He’s as every bit human as you or I.”

The man shook his head, “Spitfire I don’t approve of this. You brought back a complicated toy, nothing more.”

“Well personally father I don’t care. I live by myself now so it’s not your decision to make now is it?”

“I think you’ll be saving yourself a lot of heartache in the long run if you would listen.”

“I don’t want to listen. That boy has done things for me that most people would cower in the face of. I don’t need you or anyone else questioning that.”

The man sighed, “You’re dismissed captain.”

Spitfire glared at him and turned on her heel and left the office. She closed the hard oak doors behind her with considerable force. Nightshade was waiting outside.

“So what did he praise you for this time?” She asked sarcastically.

“Shut the Fuck up Nightshade. It’s none of your damn business.”

***

“And so that’s my family’s story basically,” Starry Skies sighed. The pair was sitting outside at a table at a coffee shop.

“Hmm,” Jett said, “I wish I could remember my family. The whole amnesia thing really sucks sometimes.”

“I can only imagine what that’s like. Your memories just beginning several weeks ago and all.”

“You get used to it after a while. A few too many fights later.”

“Yeah…” She laughed.

“Family… I… I’m getting the odd feeling that I didn’t have any family. Or if I did they aren’t around anymore.”

“Well what do you mean by that?”

“I’m a machine. What purpose could a family serve for an android?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you didn’t have a biological family but those people in your life that you care about, those that stick with you no matter what happens, those are your family. Family isn’t only flesh and blood.”

“Still doesn’t do me any good.”

“Well, uh,” Starry Skies let out a sigh, “What about your team?”

Jett turned, the mask over his head made it difficult to read his already lacking emotions, “What do you mean? I’m not part of any team.”

“Aren’t you part of the Wonderbolts?”

“I’m a tech. I work with machines ironically. The only people I really ‘know’ apparently are Spitfire, Dane, and Gin.”

“I don’t know who those last two are but if they’ve been there for you, even if you don’t know who they are, then they’re your family.”

Jett sighed, “I suppose so. Now that I think about it, I had a picture of the four of us all together camping out. I don’t really know when it’s from but I don’t remember it. Still, we… we were having fun.”

“See? So these people are important to you.”

Suddenly Dane ran around the corner and toward the shop. He saw the pair, blinked and ran over.

“Dude you gotta hide me!”

Jett blankly stared at him, “Why?”

“Those freaking girls are trying to…” he gulped, “Give me a makeover.”

Jett’s face convulsed before he burst out laughing, “Really? That’s what you’re afraid of?!”

“Dude, my fucking head is whiter than snow. Just imagine what they could do to me!”

Jett sighed, “Alright. Let me see here.”

He raised his hand and placed a hand on Dane’s head.

“What are you doing?”

“Hacking,” Jett sighed. Soon Dane’s hair turned a golden blond color, his green eyes turned sky blue, and the freckles on his face disappeared, “There, all done.”

Dane blinked, “What did you just do to me?”

Starry Skies pulled a small mirror out of her bag, “Here.”

Dane stared, blinked, and then screamed before quickly being silenced by a hand over his mouth.

“If you don’t want them to find you, shut up!”

“What did you just do to me?!”

Jett sighed, “I altered your appearance so they won’t find you. You can do all of this yourself you know. How is it I know this and you don’t?”

“You were always the smarter of the two of us.”

“Dane?! Dane?! Where did he go?” Fleetfoot called.

“Oh shit here they come!”

Jett said, “You might want to alter your voice.”

“What?”

“Give yourself a French accent idiot!”

“Oh, uh, alright.”

Three girls came around the corner. Fleetfoot, Surprise, and Misty. They all blinked rather violently when they saw Jett and Starry Skies.

“Uh… hi?” Starry Skies said.

“Uh, hi,” all three said, “Hello Jett.”

Jett turned, “Oh hello. I was wondering who that was.”

“Um, have you seen Dane anywhere?”

“Uh, do I look like I’ve even seen anything today?”

Misty sighed, “Fair point.”

“Who’s your new friend?” Surprise asked leaning in at the now blond Dane.

“Oh, uh, hello,” Dane spoke with a heavy French accent, “My name is Charles.”

“Uh, huh,” Fleetfoot said.

“He’s part of the exchange program with the Princesses’ new think tank,” Starry Skies said, “He’s from very far away.”

“Uh, yes. I’m from…” he turned and looked at Jett. Jett gave a subtle shrug. Starry Skies began mouthing a weird P word.

“Prance. Across the ocean, yes?”

“Uh, huh,” Fleetfoot nodded, “Well if you see Dane tell him we’re looking for him.”

Jett nodded, “Yes ma’am.”

The three girls walked off into the hustle and bustle of the city. Soon they were out of sight but certainly not out of Dane’s mind.

“Dude, you really saved my ass back there.”

“Yeah, well don’t count on me doing it again. Honestly, with all the lechery you’ve committed it’s a wonder some girl hasn’t shot you already! I mean honestly! You’ve always done all this perverted stuff. Well welcome to hell buddy. You’re being chased around by a bunch of- why are you giving me that look?”

“You… you… do you remember anything?”

“What the hell do you mean? I haven’t been able to remember anything. Even my schizophrenic side doesn’t have any answers.”

“Well, uh, it sounded like you remembered some of our antics from way back.”

“Some of our antics? Why? What exactly did you do?”

“Why do you always assume I did something?”

Jett frowned. Even through the medical mask the look of ‘really?’ showed prevalently.

“I guess amnesia still doesn’t get rid of some things,” Starry Skies laughed.

“Actually it only took a few hours of observation. I saw you trying to woo Miss-”

“Okay you can shut up now!” Dane said looking quite red.

“Like I said…” Jett sighed.

***

USS PEGASUS.

1700 hours.

Kana stared at the screen and replayed her new file.

“Come on Danny! You sure you don’t want to hit up the city with us?” Leland asked.

“Sorry guys but I promised my sister I’d be home during shore leave,” Dan responded.

“Really Dan?” Ezri asked.

“Hey come on. I hardly ever get to see Cat anymore ever since my mom got her when my father got deployed.”

“Alright, alright, go see your little sister. But when you’re done, meet us in Vegas,” She replied, her subtle yet sly grin left nothing to his imagination.

“It’s a deal.”

“So did they ever figure out that problem with the rear vertical stabi-” a loud explosion echoed through the ship. The entire transport shook and the lights dimmed red.

An automated voice activated, “Warning. Hull Breach. Hull Breach. Warning. Hull Breach. Hull Breach…”

“What the hell was that?” Leland asked.

Dan moved to the window and looked out. A large fire was visible several decks below him. One of the engines just two decks below on a gimbal was on fire, “We just lost our port engine!”

“Oh my god.”

“All personnel on Deck 2 you’re atmosphere has been compromised. You have two minutes before automatic atmospheric venting. Evacuate your deck immediately.”

“Dan come on! We’ve gotta get the hell outta here!” Ezri said standing up and heading towards the Jeffries tubes that led towards the hanger bay. Leland was right behind her.

“Yeah in a second!”

…

“Halsey come on!”

“Yeah! I’m coming!”

“Warning. Reactor Overload in progress. Core breach in Five minutes 26 seconds. Warning. Reactor Overload in progress…”

The camera footage cut out and Kana sighed.

“Wow,” Ajax said, “I’m impressed.”

Kana turned, “Are you now?”

The AI smiled, “I never would have figured you’d be able to get this much out of a signal echo.”

“Well this keeps me balanced. Everyone’s so high strung so I kind of needed to find something to do or else I would have spaced myself by now.”

“Yeah that’s true. If the Admiral’s plan works then we shouldn’t have to worry about any of that. We’d all finally be able to fix up our ships and get some Rest and Relaxation for all our crew. God knows you all need it. I can only imagine what it’s like to be a human and have to be under all this stress,” she shuddered.

“Believe me it’s not fun,” Kana said, “I got this haircut six months ago and it still has barely grown a few centimeters.”

“Geez.”

“But you get used to it after a while.”

…

Ajax frowned, “Say, Kana?”

“Yeah?” Kana said as she reactivated a decompression program.

“Can I ask you something? Girl to girl?”

“Sure,” Kana turned, “Shoot.”

Ajax frowned, with a red look on her face she looked rather bashful.

“What’s it like to be… human?”

“What’s it like to be human? Are you sure you want to know that?”

Ajax blushed, “Yes, yes I do. I live in a computer. I see things through cameras, sensors, and processors. I’ve never felt the warmth of a hug or the pain of stubbing one’s toe. I’ve never tasted the sweetness of candy or the bitterness of coffee. I’ve never truly seen anything or heard anything. There are so many things you can experience that I can’t. Most of them you take for granted.”

“Wow, I never would have thought that an AI would want to know what it was like to be human. You experience things I could only dream of. I want to see gamma rays and smell cosmic particles. I’ve always wanted to feel the warmth of the solar winds. You can do so much more than I can. Why would you ever want to be human?”

“I, uh, well um, being a computer isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the one thing I want most I can’t have.”

“I see. Well while this program runs I suppose I could give you a crash course in humanity. So materialize yourself a chair.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Alright. First thing you may want to know about us is unlike AIs, we’re all batshit crazy; one way or another…”

***

“These symptoms are not of Dissociative identity disorder but of a Split personality. What the subject was supposed to be and what they became are both fighting for control in the same body.”

Chapter 48. A Certain Watchful Observer.

Now things get interesting.

“Hey Ajax! Ajax?” Kana sighed, “I really need some way to contact her.”

The AI’s avatar appeared in a flash of light, “You called?”

“You know we need to figure out a system to call each other when needed if this relationship is going to work,” Kana frowned.

“Well if I need to talk to you I can always appear whenever and wherever I please. Every ship, including the civilian fleet has holoprojectors.”

“Well I still have no way of taking to you. Do you have a communicator or something? COM patch? Cell phone? Hell a pager would do. Why do I know what a pager is?”

“Well if you just ask I can show up. I’m linked in with all the ships in the fleet. Makes getting some alone time a bit hard but hey.”

“So you’re just… everywhere in fleet at once right now?”

“Yup. I’m actually going over the Admiral’s morning schedule him, talking with Chief O’Brian about how to perfect the engine flare for the mission next week, teaching a lesson about astronomy to the Eternity’s fifth grade class, consulting with the environmental AI on Rama II about more efficient water allocation for crop growth, managing the ship’s reactors, taking inventory of all our weapons and ammo, and making sure that your friend Takeya is getting enough sleep at night. And that’s just the first few things on the list. I’m pretty much everywhere.”

“Uh, huh,” Kana said blinking.

“Meh, you get used to it after a while,” the AI shrugged, “I barely even remember what was like to be in one place at one time.”

“Lucky you.”

“So what’d you call me for?” Ajax smiled.

“Oh, uh, I think I figured out what happened to the Icarus.”

“What?! Really? That’s been one of the major naval mysteries of the last 30 years. I mean, they know what happened but what no one has been able to figure out is how the Icarus survived.”

“Well, I think I found out how.”

Kana turned a pulled a file back up on screen. Various camera views and data along with names of a few individuals flew across the screen.

“Someone made it down to the Engineering section and stopped the ship’s core from overloading. I think their original goal was just to delay it long enough for the shuttles to evacuate the ship but then something else happened to change that. Probably the shuttle pods started getting attacked or something but needless to say, they got main power back online and reactivated the weapons system.”

“Wow.”

“But here’s the thing. There were only like seven people on board who had the engineering degrees and computer skills required to do that. The two commanders of the ship, the Chief Engineer and his three assistants and a pilot. I don’t know which one did it yet but I’ve been scrolling through footage looking.”

“Wait, engineering was flooded by high levels of Gamma Radiation. So whoever went in there-”

“-Stayed there.”

***

Starry Skies reentered her room at the Shadowbolts HQ. The structure was located on the complete opposite side of the city. Far enough away so that they would have as little interaction with the Wonderbolts as possible.

The Shadowbolt flopped down onto her bed and sighed. She spread her wings out under her and smiled. A knock at the door got her attention. She grinned slyly and stood up and opened the door.

Charger stood before her.

“Well?” he asked.

“Let’s get this party started,” Starry Skies smiled. She pulled her shirt up above her head and tossed it as Charger stepped into the room.

“Top or bottom?”

“Top,” she said stripping the rest of her clothes off.

***

“I hate this!” Dane screamed.

“How the fuck did I get dragged into this?!” Jett yelled. The pair bolted through the streets towards the HQ. Jett still wore his mask and Dane ironically was still blonde. Behind them, flying high above were Misty, Surprise, and Fleetfoot.

“I don’t know!”

The pair continued running towards the HQ.

“Wait a minute!” Jett yelled, “Why are you chasing me?!”

“You helped hide him!” Fleetfoot grinned.

“So you’ll be joining him!” Surprise finished.

The door to the HQ was in sight. They were almost there.

Dane reached it first and commenced to hit the door as hard as he could in desperation.

“Let us in!” he screamed. Blaze peaked around a curtain and looked outside.

“Sorry,” she shrugged, “I owed Misty a favor.”

Jett blinked and turned, “Oh fuck this. You’re on your own Dane.”

“Wait what?!” Dane screamed and turned to Jett. He gave a salute and vanished.

“Wait, where did you go?!” he yelled.

Jett sighed, “I discovered a month ago I had a built in cloaking device. Don’t know who built it but it does come in handy. See ya!”

Dane turned. The three girls had landed and were slowly walking towards him.

“Fuck,” he sighed.

As a cartoon styled skirmish, complete with the dust cloud and the random face that would pop out of it every now and again, began, Jett had walked down to his hanger. Slowly but surely the once dilapidated hanger had turned into a futuristic wonderland. The old grey walls were replaced with high tech glossy white plating. The old machines had been replaced by 25th century technology hand crafted by the android. The doors were upgraded, the runway repaved, and the planes were all upgraded to 25th century level or appearance. The whole place ran on an advanced ARC Fusion reactor controlled by a powerful molecular computer.

Jett reappeared in the hanger in front of the doors leading to his bunk area and laughed as he listened to Dane’s screams.

A voice got his attention, “So this is the place you’ve built huh?”

Jett turned and pinged the mystery person, running the facial scan to match the voice print.

“Oh hey Gin, what are you doing here?” he asked.

The bartender walked over, “I never would have figured you were one for long term relationships. Especially the committed kind.”

“Why would you figure that? I never said I was against the concept.”

“Yes you have,” she sighed, “Or at least you may not be able to remember it.”

“Why would I ever say that?”

“Really?! How can you still be Jett Halsey and not remember anything that made you who you are?!”

“What are you talking about?”

Gin sighed, “Look kid. The first time I met you, you were limping home holding your arm after some football players had beaten you up at school. That was actually when we first met that bastard upstairs. We were all in bad places but we made our little family work. Now I can accept that you’ve lost your memory but the fact you just up and reversed your personality is something I find difficult to believe.”

“Well, uh, I don’t really know what to tell you. I’m still the same person.”

“Or maybe your old personality is just sealed away with your memories. There’s no way you just up and decided to get a girlfriend without some massive personality split.”

“Well I did,” he blinked.

Gin frowned, “Boy there is seriously something fucked with your head. There’s only one person in the entire universe that I could see you remotely getting together with and it is certainly not that purple haired creep.”

“Well then who is it?” Jett asked getting slightly irritated.

“She’d kill me if I fucked this up by telling you. Needless to say, this wasn’t how it was supposed to turn out. This time it’s you who’s messed up your plan and not us; now fix it soon before things get really out of hand!”

Jett reeled back, “Whoa, what are you talking about?”

“We’ve watched you fuck up our experiments all across the eons but the one time we try to fix things you go and throw it all back in our faces! NOT THIS TIME!”

The bartender vanished in a flash of light leaving Jett confused. He looked around the hanger. Everything was in place from the old fashioned planes to the modern shuttlecraft. The hum of the reactor was still present.

“What the fuck was that?”

He ran out of the hanger back up the stairs towards the HQ. Dane was nowhere in sight, probably for the best. Jett ran up the building and entered and ran towards the Cafeteria.

Gin was at the bar talking with Blaze as she mixed some drinks.

The bartender turned, “Oh hey Jett, what’s up?”

He started fumbling over the words, “I, uh, what, um, were you just?”

“Whoa, slow down there cowboy. What are you trying to say?”

“Were you just downstairs in the hanger bay with me?”

“No,” she said perplexed, “Why?”

“Yeah, she’s been up here with me the whole time,” Blaze blinked.

“Uh… never mind. I just, uh, you know what forget I said anything. See ya later!”

He ran back down to the hanger.

“What the fuck was that?”

He headed over into his apartment. He entered the kitchen when another voice caught his attention.

“You know, you always were clueless. Even all those centuries ago. I guess some things will never change,” the voice sighed.

Jett turned, “Okay who the fuck are you?! Because you are certainly not Dane!”

“Oh please. I can see it. Clear as day. Everyone can see it. What we don’t understand is how a fucking supercomputer like you could be so STUPID!”

“What?”

“CLUELESS. EVERYONE CAN SEE IT. YOU NEED TO WAKE UP AND FOR ONCE, STOP MESSING THINGS UP!”

He vanished in a burst of light.

Jett blinked, “Another one? What the fuck is going on here?”

Jett left and ran out of the room towards the machine shop in the hanger. He ran up to a computer.

“Play the last minute of security footage from inside the kitchen.”

He carefully listened as he heard himself talk to the… nothing.

“What? What?!” he growled, “This is getting annoying as all hell!”

He stood up and headed back into his apartment and turned into his bedroom. A third voice got his attention.

“What’s wrong? Was I not good enough?”

“Oh for the love of-”

“Well? Was I not good enough for you Jett?” the Spitfire asked.

He sighed, “What are you talking about? Whatever you are.”

“Oh that’s right, I forgot. You’re stupid as all FUCK! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?! AM I NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU? WHAT DOES THAT GIRL HAVE THAT I DON’T?!”

Jett backed away from the figure. The door behind him closed. The apparition slowly walked towards him.

“WHAT HAS SHE DONE FOR YOU THAT I HAVEN’T?! I’VE KNOWN YOU FOR EONS, HALSEY! WE’VE BEEN EVERY SPECIES IMAGINABLE AND NOW YOU DECIDE IT DOESN’T WORK FOR YOU?!”

“W-what are you talking about?”

“OH THAT’S RIGHT, YOU DON’T REMEMBER. I’M GETTING REAL TIRED OF YOUR SHIT JETT. WE’VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR MILLENNIA!”

“What do you mean?”

“YOU’LL SEE HALSEY. AND IF YOU THINK I’M GOING TO LET YOU GET AWAY SO EASILY YOU’VE GOT ANOTHER THING COMING!”

The Spitfire again vanished leaving Jett stunned.

“What the fuck was that about?”

Jett left and ran out of his apartment back up the hanger area.

***

Spitfire moaned, “I hate having to see family.”

She sauntered back onto the compound and walked through the front doors with a tired look on her face. Suddenly Jett bolted past her.

“Hi Spitfire. Hope your day’s going better than mine has!”

He ran down towards the rooms.

“What the hell is his deal?” Spitfire asked rubbing her head.

Jett bolted over toward Fleetfoot’s room and banged on it rather violently, “Hey open up in there!”

“Shit, who’s that?” Surprise asked.

“Jett,” Misty said.

“What’s he doing here?” Fleetfoot asked.

“JETT HELP ME!” Dane yelled.

The door opened. Fleetfoot stood with her arms crossed.

“Sorry Echo but I need Dane for a moment.”

Dane himself was strapped to a chair looking rather effeminate.

“Uh…”

“Dane, I need you to run a quick diagnostic on me.”

Misty began unstrapping him.

“Uh, why?”

“Because I think something’s wrong with me and I don’t trust myself to diagnose anything at the moment.”

“Okay, okay. Let me see here.”

A scanning beam went over Jett’s cranium.

“Well nothing’s wrong with you as far as I can see. And we androids are very precise and accurate with our scanning.”

“Oh, uh, well alright then,” Jett stood up with a frown and started heading towards the door, “As you were ladies.”

Jett rubbed his head and stumbled out of the room.

Dane looked on, “Just hold on a minute girls. I promise I won’t run off.”

He stood up and walked after him. He ran out of the room and closed the door.

“Hey, something bothering you?” he asked.

“No, nothing. I was just, uh, feeling a little weird.”

Dane blinked, “Yeah… feeling a little weird. Why not tell me what really happened?”

“Really? Just like that you can tell?”

“I have known you for a several years now.”

“Fine, I started hallucinating or at least I thought I was. I kept seeing these weird apparitions of you guys.”

“Us?”

“Yes. You, Gin, and Spitfire. It was kinda creepy.”

“Oh…”

“Yeah…”

“Well, uh, maybe you’ve just been working a little too hard. I mean you’ve basically assimilated that hanger downstairs faster than a group of Borg drones. Why not take a day? Maybe spend some time with Spitfire if you know what I mean,” He nudged the android.

Jett sighed, “Dane, I’m already in a committed relationship with Starry Skies. And besides, we have a Date tomorrow anyway.”

“Well I think you should take a day off regardless. Go outside, get out of future land. We live here now so you might as well get acclimated to it.”

“Oh is that what you’re doing? Speaking of which, you mind explaining that ship?”

Dane turned red, “Uh, what ship?”

“Don’t play shit with me. Any twelve year old with a telescope can see that new star up in the sky. So tell me, explain it.”

“Well, uh, funny story about it really,” Dane said rubbing his head, “It kinda got sucked here with us. Funny huh?”

Jett frowned, “Uh huh. You haven’t done anything irresponsible with it, have you?”

“Hey, just because I am a little promiscuous sometimes doesn’t mean I’m irresponsible with a piece of high tech military equipment.”

“Yeah not buying it. Elaborate.”

He sighed, “Fine, we only have access to a limited number of systems. Life support, propulsion and maneuvering a limited amount of engineering. The original plan was for you to get onboard and fly us out of there but things went differently and here we are.”

“Good.”

“So you’ll get some sunlight tomorrow?”

“Yeah, yeah, I have some books stored I wanted to read.”

“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some angel girls to get back to.”

He disappeared back inside the room.

Jett shook his head and walked off towards his apartment. He walked out of the hallway. On his way out he failed to notice Spitfire hiding behind a corner covering her mouth. She blinked as her gaze followed the android.

“Stupid fucking Jett,” she cried.

***

Things started to get different. Spitfire and the team were more occupied preparing for the Gala as well as staying prepared for the variety of shows coming their way. Jett had to continuously keep the planes in working condition, a feat that was no small challenge considering he was the only person who knew how they worked. He witnessed almost every single way possible to break the planes he built from making a turn hard enough to snap the tail off to someone deciding to load fuel injectors into the engine and fracturing the engine. Everyone was busy.

Dane had been given a job as Jett’s assistant and Gin as a bartender/cook. The following week Jett had his eye mask removed. His irises though remained a charcoal black, giving him a rather disturbing look. Dane was still confused about it but figured they would be back to normal soon enough. Jett himself was rather busy at almost all times of the day. During work he would typically be occupied repairing planes or working on some piece of tech. During his free time however he spent almost no time with anyone on the team. All of his spare time was devoted to his new girlfriend, Starry Skies.

Contact with his friends had steadily declined. The only person he had steady contact with was Dane and that was just a purely work relationship at that point. Slowly the three aliens began to acclimate to life on an alien world.

Though not everything was perfect in paradise. Spitfire took on a colder attitude towards almost everyone. Her temper was set to a hair trigger and she would not hesitate to unleash her wrath on anyone or anything, especially Jett…

She typically showed up for training every day with bloodshot eyes and one nasty attitude. It didn’t take a genius to realize something was seriously wrong with her. However no one dared to consult her about it lest they risk getting shot or beaten to death. And no one, not even Dane, dared to get in her way when she went off on a tangent yelling at Jett for being late with a repair or supposedly not fixing something correctly.

It was an event like a car accident or a battle of epic proportions. It was horrible to watch but no one could look away or stop listening. Dane and Gin grew restless watching the relationship deteriorate between the two. It had been three weeks since Spitfire had returned from her meeting with her father and another fight was underway.

“All I’m saying is that you should stop pushing these things so hard! You’ve already snapped the belts on five of these planes this week!” Jett yelled.

“Then maybe you should either stop making shitty repairs or get better tech and fix the problem!” Spitfire yelled back.

“I can’t give you better tech because it’s on that ship! This is the seventeenth time I’ve had to explain it to you!”

“Then take a fucking shuttle and get me some better planes!”

“I’ve already broken enough rules as it is! Giving you anymore technology would be in violation of the ETP Directive.”

“Then repair the damn planes correctly!”

“Stop breaking them! You fly these things like they’re jets!”

“Well maybe if you weren’t so stupid you would see we’re on a stunt team here!”

“I’m not a damn idiot!” Jett yelled, “These are propeller driven craft! The G’s you keep pulling would be enough to kill a normal person and are far beyond what these things were originally designed for!”

The rest of the team stood outside the hanger waiting and listening. Dane sighed. The tarmac was loaded with the team and other support staff.

“What the hell happened?” he sighed.

“What are you talking about?” Fleetfoot asked, “It’s been this way forever now.”

“That’s not what I mean,” he stood up, “Back in Sol they were the best of friends and practically inseparable.”

Gin walked up with a cold beer in her hands and downed it all in one chug, “What do you think happened?”

Misty walked up, “I guess it is kinda obvious.”

Dane sighed, “He’s dating someone on the other team and the only person who really cares enough to get mad about it is Spitfire.”

“So it all comes down to this,” Gin said tossing her bottle, “A woman’s scorn. Only it’s not exactly Jett’s fault.”

“Yeah, I guess you can’t really blame him. Though I really want to fucking tear his eyes out for making her put us through hell every day.”

“He lost his memory,” Dane said, “He’s suffered damage like this before but I would have figured he would have regained it by now. But then again he did have access to a hospital last time.”

“What happened last time?” Misty asked.

“He was shot in the head. And this time he broke the sound barrier crashing head first into the ground. I guess it’s no surprise,” Dane said, “Still it does take effort not to go up behind him and hit him with a baseball bat or push him head first over the side.”

Everyone laughed.

“It probably would make all our lives easier if he got his memories back or at the very least broke up with Starry Skies.”

Fleetfoot blinked, “Wait, why don’t we do that?”

“Why don’t we do what?” Gin asked.

“Get them to break up!” Fleetfoot began rubbing her hands together maniacally.

“No we can’t do that,” Dane sighed rubbing his head, “It took this long and him losing his memory for him to even decide to get into a relationship with anyone. Believe it or not this is as close to real humanity he’s ever gotten.”

“Besides,” Gin said, “He’s happier this way.”

“That’s debatable,” Dane replied quickly.

A loud noise got everyone’s attention, “You see this?! This was your plane before you decided to pull that I don’t even know how many G’s it was turn.”

“That’s a pile of fucking garbage!” Spitfire yelled.

“Because you snapped the wings off with that turn and crashed the remainders of it into the fucking ground! Just because you have new planes now doesn’t mean they’re indestructible!”

“If anything they’re made of fucking tissue paper created by an incompetent tech!”

Silence. Silence was never good. It typically meant someone was going to say something or had said something that was going to be regretted later on.

“You know what? I don’t care anymore,” Jett said opening up the hanger doors, “Fix the fucking planes yourself!”

The crowd of people parted rather quickly.

Dane ran up to him.

“Don’t touch me,” Jett said as he walked off the compound into the city.

Spitfire walked through the crowd. Though most of the other couldn’t see it through her aviators, Dane detected tears on her face. He glanced over in Jett’s direction. Jett’s left hand flexed rather threateningly. He got the message.

He ran to catch up with Spitfire, “Hey…”

“Hey…” she said sadly.

…

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No but I get the feeling you’ll pester me until I do.”

“So…?”

“Not now… just… later,” she sighed.

“Alright. Just call me when you need me,” he said, “I’ll be back.”

He turned and ran off the compound towards Jett.

“What do you want?” Jett asked stopping just on the edge of the city.

“What happened today?”

“What happened?! WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED?! She’s fucking crazy, off her rocker; out of her fucking mind is what she is! Do you know the kind of shit she puts me through every single fucking day?!”

“I have an idea,” Dane sighed.

“Really? I don’t think you fucking do since she fucking loves you and hates the very circuits and servos I’m made of! Do you know the kind of shit I deal with? She fucking snapped the wings off her plane pulling enough G’s to more than KILL a normal person! Oh but wait, we’re fucking stranded here on some alien world with no fucking way off!”

He suddenly grasped his head, “My brain needs a cool down. I’ll be at a bar or something. Don’t come looking for me.”

Dane knew better than to push it, “Alright fine. I’ll talk to her, see what I can do. Alright?”

“Whatever. She’s batshit crazy now. Call me if you get anywhere because I probably won’t be coming back here tonight,” he sighed.

“Why?”

“Probably stay with Skies tonight. Rather be there than here,” he rubbed his head.

Dane crossed his arms, “Oh so now you decide to fall in love.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh if only you could actually remember things instead of being an amnesiac.”

“Whatever man, see you later.”

“Alright.”

Dane turned and headed back into the compound.

“It used to be a whole lot simpler,” he sighed.

***

“Warning, reactor overload in progress. Three minutes forty six seconds to detonation.”

“Danny! Come on!”

“Yeah just go on ahead. I’ll get there!”

“You better be right behind us!”

“Alright! Computer, how many shuttles have launched?”

“Two Shuttles and Three Esca-”

“What the hell was that?”

“Weapon impact.”

“From what?”

“Two gunships approaching 7:00.”

…

“How long until they get here?”

“They already are… Shuttle 23 destroyed… Escape pod 7 destroyed… Shuttle 15 destroyed…”

“Danny come on!”

…

“Computer, exactly what’s wrong with the reactor?”

“Axillary power systems failed to activate after the first explosion. Fire suppression and damage control were not switched over to the main power grid. Destabilization of fusion reaction in underway. Overload in Three minutes.”

“… I can do that…”

“Danny get your ass to the hanger deck!”

“Sorry guys, but I think I forgot something down in main engineering. I’ll be back. Keep everyone inside the ship until I give the okay signal!”

“What? What the fuck are you talking about?!”

“Just keep all the shuttles and pods inside and ready to launch! I’ll be back.”

***

Dane closed the door behind him. Spitfire’s office had a nice view of the valley floor below. Itself it was dimly lit. A picture of a certain camping trip sat on her desk.

“Alright. Talk,” Dane said.

“About?” She asked.

“Anything, everything, whatever comes to mind first.”

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

“No? Alright then I’ll start. I think you’re emotional, impulsive, angry, and highly unstable. I think your work load recently has only added to the stress. That along with the fact that you will be forced to work with a team you don’t like led by a sister you appear to hate only adds to the situation. And what makes it worse is that your father seems to be instigating all of this. I also think that despite the fact that you’ve returned home you’re not happy because there’s competition. I think all those bottled up negative emotions are now being ven-”

“ALRIGHT ALREADY!”

Dane stopped.

“Yes, I’m angry! Yes, I’m jealous! And yes, I regret a lot! I’m jealous of that bitch who stole Jett away from me! I regret making him angry at because of it! And I’m pissed at myself for not making a move SOONER!”

Dane smiled. His smile expanded into a wide grin and soon he was downright laughing.

Spitfire gritted her teeth, “What the fuck is so funny asshole?”

Dane clapped, “Well done Spitfire, well done. You know, I always knew there was something up about you back then. Even when you said you liked Jett I figured you must have hit your head on something hard to fall for that asshole. And even if you did I figured it was just a passing thing like the fucking flu or something. But all this? Never in my crazy fucked up head did I ever consider that I would end up on an alien world populated by angels and demi gods and ruled by Titans themselves. And never in my right mind did I ever think that god would ever have a big enough sense of humor to drop an angel on that socially awkward bastard. Congratulations, you now have my blessing.”

Spitfire blinked, “… None of that helps my situation at the moment. And until then I’m going to keep making everyone else’s lives miserable involuntarily because of it.”

“Maybe not now but I’ve done the calculations and there is an 83.239858475 percent chance he will break up with her at some point in time.”

“So again, how does this help me?”

“While I do have the qualifications to be your therapist but it is neither my job nor my desire to get into your head. However a word of advice: CONTROL YOURSELF. You’re venting everything onto your friends and family.”

“My family?” Spitfire cocked her head.

“Yes your family. Normal people would have stopped putting up with your shit a long time ago but they’ve stuck around because they know something is wrong with you and their waiting for you come out and talk about it.”

“How do you know this?”

“You know every time someone asks that question I have to bit my tongue. How do you think I know this?! I actually talk to people.”

“So what do you think I should do?”

“You want my advice? Get a hobby. Vent it on something else. Just not on your team and certainly not on Jett. You’ll only drive him away more if you continue to be a hard ass to him.”

Spitfire sighed, “Alright. So what should I do for a hobby? I mean when I was younger flying was my hobby and now it’s my job.”

“Jett’s pretty good at ass kicking. Take up a few martial arts lessons with him. I’m sure if you just asked he’d say yes.”

“Really? After that last conversation?”

“He just needed to cool down. Figuratively and literally.”

“Well, uh, what should I do then?”

“Well I know he’s pretty good at Kung Fu, Kendo, Karate, and some ninjutsu,” Dane blinked and then grinned, “Try kick boxing.”

“Wait what? Why would I do that if he’s not good at it?”

“Something you could learn together.”

Spitfire blinked, “Oh, uh, alright then.”

“Well nice talking with you girl,” Dane said and turned to walk out of the office.

“Wait. Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“He said not to go looking for him but I have an idea of where he went. I think he’d want to talk face to face rather than over the phone anyway.”

“Oh, uh, alright then.”

“Nice talking to you Spitfire,” Dane said as he left the room.

Spitfire let out a huge sigh.

***

Dane started walking out of the compound. He smiled. That was it. That girl really was infatuated with his brother! That last conversation sealed it for Dane. He now was one hundred percent sure now. He needed to be if he was going just hand his best friend over to someone like that.

Now all he needed to do was find the bastard. Unfortunately that would be easier said than done.

Dane himself soon wandered into the city and disappeared just as soon as Jett walked out of it.

His was still a little bit angry at his boss but it had subsided a bit to where he could talk to her without wanting to downright stab her to death with a katana. Now it was beat her to death with a Bō staff angry. Still though, he felt like he could hold a conversation with her at this point.

By now everyone had dispersed from the hanger and was off doing god knows what.

He strolled onto the compound and headed toward the cafeteria. He entered and sat down at a table and removed a pad from his pocket and began going over inventory.

“New stabilizers for Echo’s plane… Landing gear for Lightning Streak… New Engine for Soarin’…” he stopped at the next name on the list, “… New EVERYTHING for Spitfire-I-God why does she have to make things so difficult all the time?!”

A timid voice behind him got his attention, “I don’t mean to…”

He whipped around, aiming his now black irises at the speaker. Spitfire.

“Oh…” he said monotonously, “Just you… I’ll need to manufacture a new plane for you if that’s what you’re asking about. As for the others, most of the-”

“That’s not what I’m here about,” she said, “I, uh, I wanted to apologize.”

The android stood up and pocketed the device, “You wanted to apologize?” he asked with skepticism.

Spitfire looked a bit pensive, “Yes, I wanted to apologize for acting like such a bitch to yo-”

Suddenly the android’s energy weapon was pointed at her head.

“Who are you and what have you done with Spitfire?! You better not be one of those changeling things because I swear to god I’ll spill your brains all over the fucking walls.”

Spitfire raised her hands, “No! No, it’s me! Seriously, just run a DNA scan or something!”

He blinked and lowered his weapon, “Alright. But you’re still acting off. Why are you not screaming at me like always?”

“It’s because I actually want to apologize. I had time to think and cool down and I talked to Dane a little bit and… I just don’t want you to be mad at me all the time.”

He cocked his head, “Okay… But I’m going to need you and your team to stop pulling off these ridiculous moves at least until I can build planes that can handle the punishment. The one’s I built were never designed for the stuff you want to do with them.”

“Alright. I think I can manage that,” she smiled.

“Good.”

“So… friends again?” she asked hopefully.

Jett blinked, “My impulsive attitude has worn down a bit so I can at least think rationally and am able to view the benefits that a friendly and amicable relationship would have between us in contrast to the violent and destructive one we’ve been sharing for the past several weeks so yes; friends.”

“Uh, okay. Friends,” she held out her hand. Jett grabbed it and shook.

…

“So… anything else you’re here for?” Jett asked rubbing his head.

“Well yeah, uh, I was wondering if, uh, well um, if you wanted to get together some days and do a kick boxing class or something like that.”

“Kick boxing? Hmm, I haven’t done that before. Sure, why not? I think I can load a program up or something onto a holopad.”

“Oh, uh, alright then. So when do you want to start?”

Jett blinked, “Uh, now if you want to. I just need to run down to my hanger and grab a few things and prepare the program and download it from my net. Should only take half an hour at the most.”

“Oh, alright then. See you in a few then?”

“Yeah,” he turned and started walking for the hanger area. Spitfire let out a sigh of relief.

***

Dane wandered through the streets of the city. Surprisingly for such a populated city it was located in the oddest of places halfway up a mountain side located on a plateau of land with little to no tall high rises. In fact the only thing that really exceeded the five story mark was the massive fortress that Dane still had little idea as to its purpose. Still though, the population of the city was exceedingly large for such a small piece of land at such a high altitude.

The real magic of the city came in the fact that not all of it was completely visible. Behind the main part of the city that was exposed to the outside was the rest of it. The mountain side had been extensively hollowed into giving much more space for the city to expand.

Dane looked up at the ceiling in wonder. Clusters of luminescing crystals littered the ceiling providing a sort of beautiful light show that scattered all across the city. There were even some buildings emerging down like stalactites in a cave. Of course they were only accessible to a few people considering their location and the difficulty required for reaching them but that’s another story or two or three…

But back to the snowball. He’d run to every single pub/bar, legal or illegal or even underground and still no sign of his brother. The only place left to look was this sector of the city. And by this sector left he meant the other 67 percent of it. A lot was packed into this part of the city, most notably the city’s entertainment district. Clubs, bars, casinos… other places… drugs… girls… boys… some difficult to tell unless they strictly told you… appearances could be deceiving… note to self: never ask that brown haired girl- I mean boy by any feminine designation again unless you want that image burned permanently into your ocular cells…

“Really asshole,” Dane mumbled to himself, “You just had to say a bar. You couldn’t be any more specific than that?! This city has like a thousand different bars and pubs!”

He continued walking through the city. He never really needed to physically search each bar or building and ask if Jett was there. All it really required was a simple materials scan of the structure. If he was in there then the scan would detect a group of elements not native to this planet organized in such a way as to resemble an android. But so far, no dice.

“Next time, he is activating his transponder whether he wants to or not,” Dane grumbled.

The streets were crowded with all sorts of odd characters. Most were wearing sunglasses. Though a certain pair of amethyst colored shades worn by a certain neon blue haired girl did catch his eyes as standing out from the rest but other than that nothing else interesting had really come up.

“At this rate I’ll at this all day,” he sighed.

“You’ll be at what all day?” A voice asked. Dane looked up. Echo Fleetfoot was hanging upside down above him, her wings keeping her aloft in such a peculiar position.

“Oh hey snowflake,” he said, “What’ve you been up to this fine day?”

“Well,” Fleetfoot said flipping herself over and landing on the ground in front of him, “I left the compound after our beloved captain threw a screaming fit. Didn’t really want to be around the rest of the day after that. So I came here, blew a few thousand on blackjack tables and decided to fly around doing nothing for the rest of the day until I ran into you. So what’s up?”

“Meh, just searching for Jett. I managed to calm Spitfire down and confront the root of the problem and- wow I sound like one of those TV therapists. Who’s even writing this right now? Meh, well anyway, I wanted to get the two of them on some kind of working relationship but the thing is he said he was going to a bar only there are hundreds of those in this city alone so I’m having a little trouble finding him.”

“Well maybe I can help you out. I certainly don’t want to be the first one back at base after that Hurricane Spitfire. So yeah… I’ll help but… it’s gonna cost ya,” she said with a sly grin.

Dane sighed, “How much?”

“Oh, it’s not money I want,” she grinned, “However…”

She removed a folded piece of paper from her pocket and shoved it in Dane’s face.

“What is this?” he asked.

“It’s a contract,” she smiled, “You’ll owe me one favor of my choosing at the time of my choosing for helping you with this.”

“Give me this,” he snatched it from her hands and started reading it, “…includes but is not limited to: Loans? Massages? Manual Labor? Technical Help? And other Physical Activities? Just what are you trying to pass over me here?!”

Fleetfoot floated into the air playfully, “Nothing… So do you want my help or not?”

“Fine.”

“Ah, ah, ah, sign first,” she held up the document again, “Unless you want to manually search the rest of this district, above and below ground. And even for you I’m sure it would take hours at least.”

“Give me,” he sighed and wrote his signature on the paper, “There you happy now?”

“Yes,” she said pocketing the paper.

“So where should we start looking?”

“Hmm, how ‘bout back at HQ?”

“What.”

“Yeah, I got a text from Spitfire half an hour ago. Jett returned and started working up some martial arts program or something.”

Dane twitched, “What?”

“Yeah, whoops?”

Dane growled, “Why you little double crossing, diabolical, deceptive little-”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!”

“Are you getting some kind of perverted sexual pleasure out of my insults?”

“Are you kidding me?! I love it! Go ahead! Hit me with your best shot,” she grinned.

He gritted his teeth, “You know what- no. I’m going home.”

“Aw you’re no fun.”

“I know. Goodbye Echo.”

He turned and started walking back towards the base.

Fleetfoot frowned, “Curses. Well at least I did get him to sign the contract…”

***

Dane sighed. Well this was great. Not only did he waste most of the day away but now some girl had his signature. All for information he probably could have figured out himself. Just his luck.

He was still in the entertainment district and was almost out when something caught his eyes. It was something quick, in his peripheral vision, almost out of sight; something so miniscule and small that a normal person probably wouldn’t have noticed it and if it were not for pattern analyzing algorithms Dane himself probably would never have seen it either but…

He glanced to his right. Across the street, on the far side of the sidewalk was… Jett’s current girlfriend. Only she wasn’t with Jett. Dane turned and focused in for a closer look. Sure enough it was her: Starry Skies. And there was a man at her arm. Taller than Jett by at least 6 inches and certainly more muscular looking though that part mattered little.

The man was at least in his late teens/early twenties at best estimates. With a goatee and a sort of Mohawk styled hair he looked almost like a character out of Jersey Shore. Who was he? Was he her brother? Likely, especially in this society where the only real way to tell if people were related was if they were twins or not; other than that it was next to impossible. The guy could easily be her cousin as well. Maybe he was a member of her flight team. He certainly had the look. But Dane wasn’t one to judge to harshly.

Suddenly the guy leaned down and kissed the girl right on the lips. This wasn’t just some friendly kiss either but a full on Frenchie with tongue and everything. Even across the street Dane could hear their moans. He pulled away and the Starry Skies licked her lips and gave him a rather seductive look.

Dane cringed. His face went from shock to confusion to enlightenment to rage all in the span of a few milliseconds. She was… cheating on him! For any other person this would certainly be a big deal but any other person would be able to get back up on the horse and move on. But this was Jett. The paranoid Schizophrenic with an inferiority complex. Something like this, handled the wrong way could completely shatters whatever remaining faith in the human race he had; permanently. Moreover, Dane was downright pissed off! She was cheating on his brother with that guy?! Sure Jett was far from perfect but really?! Do women just let their hormones and impulses run them in this world?! He frowned. Actually the only real difference between here and home was the lopsided level of technological advancement.

His first thought was to run over there and beat both of them to death. He had already formed One hundred and eight different ways of doing it before he realized that killing people probably wouldn’t be the best choice of action. Moving the fantasies aside he calmly continued down the road though the coin in his pocket was an appealing projectile weapon. All in theory of course. Or maybe not…

***

Spitfire’s roundhouse kick came fast and swift. Jett met it with the soft padding attached to his prosthetic, cushioning the blow not for his sake but more for Spitfire’s. No need to her to break her foot on a hard metal arm.

Sweating she lowered her arms. The training mats down in the exercise room were covered in sweat; all of it Spitfire’s.

“Wow, that’s some workout,” she said her wings fluttering.

“Yes, yes it is. It was never really designed for people with wings but it does seem to have a general resembling to more ground based martial arts of those tanks in human clothing that make up a third of your population.”

“Well I guess the term tank rightly describes them,” she smiled, “Say, I have an idea. Why don’t I teach you some of our martial arts?”

Jett cocked his head, “Uh, what do you mean by that? Because your martial arts are based on the use of your wings and involve heavy flying attacks; things I cannot effectively utilize in a fight.”

“I don’t just know avian martial arts. I do know a few ground based ones that you could incorporate rather nicely with some of the things you already know.”

“Hmm, seems reasonable enough. You scratch my back I’ll scratch yours right?”

“No more of a, ‘You’re my friend and I figured we should do something together,’ kind of thing.”

“I see. Well that should be enough for today. You do have a tour to plan and that fancy rich people’s party of yours and such, and I have planes to upgrade.”

“Yeah I guess…”

“Hmm. Well I’ll see you later.”

“Hey wait!”

He turned around, “Hmm?”

“Would you and Dane like to come with us?”

“What do you mean?”

“We go on tour in two weeks so this place will be empty for the better part of a few months. You guys would basically be the only people here since the rest of the crew would just have the time off.”

“I don’t know… We do have those planes to upgrade; plus we need to figure out what to do with that ship in orbit.”

“Well we don’t have a space program so there’s nothing else really up there that you have to worry about.”

“I know, but we can’t just leave it there…”

She offered a friendly smile, “Come on, it would be fun… Plus I don’t think that ship of yours is going to be going anywhere.”

He frowned, thinking it over, “Alright I guess… I’ll have to talk to Dane about it and Starry Skies first though.”

Insert Breaking Glass Picture here.

“Oh, uh, alright then. Just come talk to me if you two decide to come with us, alright?”

“Sure. See you later then.”

He smiled and walked off out of the room. Just as he was around the corner and in the hallway Spitfire heard the faintest, “It feels great to be friends with her again.”

***

Dane ran. He caused quite a scene when he ran past a car going at least 63 kilometers per hour. But this was important. He had to tell Spitfire about this.

He ran towards an intersection and jumped to avoid a passing truck, flipping over it and continuing on back towards the HQ.

How was he going to break this to… anyone really?

For Spitfire it may be a mixed blessing. For one her crush would be single again. On the other side it would probably be a particularly messy breakup that would require a lot of things to be rebuilt.

For everyone else… well… there was an old storm shelter under the base so… hide?

Lost in his thoughts he approached the base and slowed down to a jog. He bolted through the front doors.

“Hey anyone know where Spitfire is?” he shouted to anyone in particular.

“Last I saw her she was finishing up in the exercise room,” Jett responded from the bar.

Jett. Oh this wasn’t going to turn out well. A certain image captured by a watchful observer android went through his head. Ouch.

He walked down to the exercise room. Spitfire was up on the boxing ring removing the wrapping from her hands.

“Oh hey Dane. Did Jett talk to you yet?”

“Did he talk to me about what?”

“Hmm? Oh nothing, never mind. I’m sure he’ll get to it. So what’s up?”

“Oh, uh, well, how do I approach this delicately?” He sat down cross legged on the floor, thinking. Spitfire blinked and hopped over the ropes and sat down in front of him and stared at him.

“So what is this subject that you want to approach oh so delicately?”

“Well, um, how do I say this? Uh, well, I do think I happened to be in the right place at the right time for this kind of thing to happen. Yeah that was it. Um-”

“Oh for the love of- Get to the point already!”

“Starry Skies is cheating on Jett!”

Dane quickly covered his mouth and turned around. Spitfire was silent. Her jaw had hit the floor. What? She was cheating on Jett?! Her Jett?! Oh no. That bitch was not going to break his heart and get away with it!

Spitfire calmly stood up, ignoring Dane who still had his hands over his mouth, and walked over to her gym bag and removed a .44 caliber custom magnum from the bag. It had a barrel located around the lower chamber and the entire gun had a special enchantment on it, courtesy of the royal guard captain, that gave it almost no recoil when fired. She removed seven bullets and loaded all seven chambers and cocked the hammer and turned to leave.

Dane finally grew a pair and quickly stood up, “No! No! Don’t do that!”

A disturbing dark flame emanated from the girl, “Why shouldn’t I?”

“It’s a surefire way to end up in prison for one! Second, you should really think about this!”

“Think about it?! What’s there to think about?! She’s playing him like a fuckin piano!”

“How we can fix this situation for one?”

She pocketed the weapon, “I’m listening.”

“We could tell him, have him not believe us and then have things get worse. Or we could just shut up about it and see if he finds out on his own. In which case he kills us for not telling him.”

“Bit hypocritical there.”

“I never said he was rational.”

…

“How did you find out?”

“What?”

“HOW. DID. YOU. FIND. OUT.”

“I saw her sucking face with some other guy with a Mohawk. That’s how.”

“Hmm… There’s just one thing though.”

“What?”

“No matter what we end up doing, this gun,” she pulled the revolver again, “Is going up her ass.”

“Yeah sure whatever you want. We just need to figure out how to break this to him and still have a happy ending for you.”

“W-what? For me?”

“Listen, if anyone’s gonna woo that guy it’s you so get that through your thick fucking skull that you’re the only game for him in the entire fucking universe. Now we just need to figure out a way for him to figure out just what the fuck is going on without having our lives end.”

“You’d really think that… if she was out of it I’d even have a chance?”

“You already know this. He’s a genius intellectually but he’s emotionally retarded. He just needs to figure things out for himself.”

“Yeah I guess…”

“Just let me do the hard computational work and I’ll come talk to you when I’ve come up with something. Until then… don’t tell Jett, don’t talk to him about anything related to it, don’t even look the slightest bit mad when he goes on a date.”

“No promises on the last one.”

Author's Note

Amnesia Arc almost over for those of you wondering. Next Chapter.

Chapter 49. The SAW-Shank Redemption.

I apologize for the slight info dump later on in the chapter.

This was not a very soft mat. Oh yeah, it wasn’t a mat. Jett spit the sand out of his mouth and stood up and leaned back against the ropes. This ring wasn’t the softest place to be fighting in.

His opponent was a lot bigger, more built for bareknuckle boxing and street fights than Jett. But then again Jett never really gave a care.

He started laughing.

“What’s so funny shrimp dick?” his opponent laughed.

“Oh, nothing, just a joke I remembered.”

COMBAT ANALYSIS PROGRAM VERSION ALPHA ACTIVATED.

“And just what is it?”

SYSTEM ANALYZING.

“You!” Jett laughed insanely just as a punch smacked him across the face. He fell to the ground again on his face.

“I’m getting real tired of you asshole. Just give up already so I can collect my winnings.”

“No! Wait a minute!” Jett laughed even harder, his blue eyes were wide and his eyelid twitched, “You haven’t even seen the best part yet!”

The man crossed his arms, “And what’s that?”

“Oh?! You haven’t guessed already?! Well here,” Jett swiftly stood up sent a haymaker right into the man’s unprotected jaw.

ANALYZING>>> DISLOCATION OF JAW.

“That’s the punch line asshole.”

***

Several Days Earlier.

Jett pulled the welding mask up off his head and stared at his work.

“Alright,” he smiled, “I think we’re almost finished here.”

He hopped down from the fuselage of a newly built craft. Instead of upgrading the old planes he had just torn them apart and recycled all the materials to build more advanced models. Of course these were still nothing compared to the Space Planes that could pull up to 50 Gs without suffering damage. As long as inertial dampeners held out. Still, the Mark IIs were still good even by his standards.

Unlike the other planes these were controlled in a prone position lying down on the stomach. Natural flying position for these guys. Fiberglass cockpit, 360 degrees of view, duel control sticks, all intuitive and powered by two jet engines with 20,000 pounds of thrust per engine with thrust vectoring for enhance maneuverability.

Unfortunately it took an entire week with no sleep just to design one of these things, another day to test the aeronautics of it, another day to smash out the bugs and imperfections until finally it took another two days just to print the parts and build it.

But it was worth it. Plus it would be easier to fly. Almost like in a dream.

“Alright, just one last thing to do,” he grabbed a stamp and some spray paint and walked up to the tail.

CyberFire Industries Prototype.

“Should probably trademark this or something before someone steals it,” he laughed.

He hopped down from the plane satisfied with his work. Of course it still wasn’t painted over yet but it wouldn’t matter. This was just a prototype after all.

He walked over into the workshop and dropped the mask and the plasma welder before walking over to the aircraft and climbing in.

“Alright, start-up procedures.”

He activated the control board. It was an advanced kind of touch screen so no accidents could occur. The screen was equipped with an interactive display that helped indicate flight path, wind speed, aircraft diagnostics, lift and altitude, velocity and location of nearby objects including teammates.

Once strapped in he closed the cockpit and taxied the plane onto the runway.

“Alright, let’s see what these jet engines can doooo!”

The plane shot down the runway and out of the hanger.

***

“It’s been almost a week Dane,” Spitfire grumbled, “What do you have?”

Dane sighed, “Nothing. I’ve been at this almost every day since then as you asked and I still don’t have a plan in mind-well that’s a lie actually. I do have one idea but I haven’t any luck finding an excuse to implement it.”

“Well what is it?”

“We need the point Jett in the right direction. He just needs to walk in on them and discover things for himself. Only problem is I haven’t the faintest idea where he goes to when he walks off. And it has to be somewhere he frequents just as much as she does.”

“Which we know nothing about,” Spitfire sighed.

…

“Well… uh… I may have something…” Dane blinked.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I still have the old matchbox Jett made me and so I used it.”

“Well?”

“Well I found out that there’s a park that Jett and Skies first met that they both frequent. If Jett were to walk in there and catch her cheating on him…”

“Then all our problems are solved.”

“Or we create another one.”

“What do you mean?” Spitfire asked, “What other problems could we create?”

“You’ve seen him when he’s angry. Due to that shard embedded in his head he’s developed psychopathic and sociopathic tendencies when he loses control. You already know this so why am I repeating it?”

“Sorry. So is that the plan? Just do an info drop and point him the right way?”

“Yeah well we’ll need to figure out when they’ll be next be there so we can send Jett there at that time.”

“Just what do you mean by ‘send’?”

“I don’t know. We just need to find some reason to send him there… Do you even know where this place is?”

“I thought you did!”

“Well shit.”

…

Dane blinked, “I guess I can use the box to spy on him and find out where it is…”

“What? Are you sure about that? Spying on Jett?”

“Good point. Maybe Skies then? From what I’ve heard she frequents the place as much as Jett does.”

“Well then spy on her. Like you’ve been doing before.”

“What I’ve been doing before was bad enough. Spying like THIS just doesn’t feel very moral.”

“You know I think I remember a quote about morals from my stay in Sol. Who was it who said it? Oh that’s right, a man by the name of Isaac Asimov. ‘Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what’s right.’ Does that 450 year old piece of wisdom ring any bells?”

“Yes I remember it. But I need to ask you something. Do you want me to do this because it it’s in Jett’s best interests or because it’s in yours?”

“Wha?”

“Come on. I honestly think it’s time for their relationship to end in fire as much as the next person but I’m not too sure how far I would go to do that.”

“I… I would like to see them break up but… I don’t know okay? It’s really confusing. Please Dane? You have to do this, for Jett. If we wait he may never trust anyone again.”

Dane raised hand to his head, thinking. After several moments he lowered it.

“I’ll help you one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Help me convince the bastard to undergo a treatment I’m developing. It would be an implant in the back of his skull that would prevent any further memory loss.”

“Don’t you want to work on getting his old stuff back first?”

“We don’t even know if any of his old memories are even intact. The engrams could be destroyed for all we know. He only recovered last time because we were somewhere that had adequate technology to handle him. Here? I can’t even run a precise enough diagnostic on his net to even determine what the hell is wrong with him. So unless you want to sit there with a baseball bat smashing him in the head until he remembers something, be my guest. But I would take what we have and run with it.”

Spitfire sighed, “Alright. Prep whatever you got and then get out there and find that park. We’ll work something out later.”

“Alright. In the mean time you go find him and keep him occupied until I get back,” Dane said tossing a small box into the air and catching it before vanishing into the air.

A heavy rumbling got Spitfire’s attention as a single seat jet aircraft sped off towards the horizon. She would have little trouble keeping him occupied.

***

Interstellar Space. USS PEGASUS.

“Are you sure you can do this?” Ajax asked.

“I have to do this,” Kana responded.

“Repeat the mission to me.”

“At 0900 all ships launch fighters and park them behind the fleet’s engines. All fighters activate heat and radiation shields and the engineers fire off a 30 minute burst from mains. All fighters are rocketed over to the IPA ships at fifty percent the speed of light. At 0930 when the first squadron arrives they will drop off the packages, turn tail and head home while the main strike force comes in for the kill.”

“Their fleet blows up, we go on our ways repairing ourselves and establishing a new civilization among the stars. Exciting shit,” Ajax finished.

“Yes, yes it is. Do you have any plans for after this whole mess is over?”

“Well, I suppose I was planning on becoming the administrative A.I. for whatever colony we establish when we arrive. What were you planning on doing?”

“Well… I honestly don’t know. I had originally planned on going into journalism but you know the apocalypse kind of canceled that plan. At this point though? Maybe a computer programmer or something. Maybe I could get into the A.I. field or some android development project.”

Ajax’s avatar flickered, “Android development?”

“Come on Ajax, you have to have heard the rumors,” Kana smiled.

“What rumors?” Ajax, being an A.I. could be an excellent liar when needed.

“The ones that have been floating around the fleet since we left. Rumor has it that the Admiral was developing something big just before all this shit went down. Supposedly he was working on developing these robots that looked, acted, felt, and even BELIEVED that they were human. Supposedly there are a few of them somewhere in this fleet.”

“A few of them?”

“Well if you believe the shit that the snipes all talk about apparently two of them are apparently unaccounted for.”

“And the others?”

“Dead to the point where any hopes of reverse engineering the technology are about as hopeless as Adolf Hitler trying to invade Russia in the middle of January. The rest are somewhere in the fleet.”

“This is beginning to sound a lot less like rumor and more like a leaked file than anything else,” Ajax frowned.

“Well that is where all this came from. But again, that’s if you believe anything those Snipes below deck say,” Kana said with a wink.

“Yes well, uh, I think we should leave rumors be and focus on the task at hand. Now, the Admiral has asked me to inform you that there will be last minute change of plans.”

“Yeah? And what’s that.”

“You’ll be on the command shuttle to keep track of everyone and everything and to make sure everyone and everything is doing its fucking job. Some of these flyboys and girls are getting high off of enough testosterone to kill a herd of fucking elephants. Just keep the program working and flag whenever someone deviates and I’ll do the rest.”

“Why can’t you do this? You’re the A.I. here.”

“Excuse me but do you control reactor temperatures up to a thousandth of a degree in accuracy every day all day? Do you make sure that the air on this ship is recycled properly so you’re not sucking down carbon dioxide and smoke? Do you monitor the Ram scoops that help fuel this whole operation? Do you keep track of what everyone and everything is doing in this ship on a daily basis? Do you do all of that but on nearly a thousand other ships every single day? Come on now, least you could do is give me some help in some areas.”

“Alright, alright. So I’m on the shuttle now. Great. What are my chances of survival?”

“Well the mission itself, at best estimates, averaged together, and assuming some retarded Deus Ex Machina type event doesn’t give them the advantage our chances are… 72.3453334404948594, repeating on and on of course, percent chance of success. That is of course assuming that first squad does their jobs correctly and doesn’t fuck us over because it will take an incredibly long time to build torpedoes like those again.”

“Let’s not talk about those torpedoes for the moment. So, I’m the shuttle, you’ll be helping me out a little, and as long as we do our jobs, those nasty fucks following us around like a group of bipolar drunks attracted to a sixteen year old will take the hint and go the fuck away. Or hopefully die in space.”

“Amen to that. So, tomorrow you’ll get picked up and taken to a briefing about just what the fuck you’ll be doing only in more detail. All formality really. ”

“I see. Alright. Tomorrow everything will be finalized. The day after is when shit seriously hits the fan.”

“You have no idea,” the A.I. grinned deviously.

***

“I found it,” Dane said.

“What?” Spitfire asked.

“I found it. The park he visits all the time. It’s located on a terrace near the outskirts of the city overlooking the valley below. It is heavily decorated with trees and other foliage making it difficult to see from the floor below and its proximity to the entertainment district make it an almost novelty to be ignored but it is there. I also learned that the day after tomorrow, the bitch and her dog will be having a picnic there. And when she does, Jett will conveniently stroll in.”

Spitfire stood up from her desk, “Just how are we going to do that?”

“I have a few plans in mind. One is that you and he go for a walk together and you wind up there somehow. The only other idea I have in mind is you somehow know about it already and do something stupid like leave something there for him to go retrieve. Considering you’re back on friendly terms and he knows the place I’m sure he’d be happy to retrieve whatever you leave behind for you.”

“I think the second one sounds better,” Spitfire shrugged.

“Yeah that’s what I thought too.”

“So now we just need to finalize the details?”

“I guess we do.”

***

Jett rubbed his head, “Note to self, muffle the engines.”

He climbed out of the cockpit and walked past another certain project of his and on to the machine shop. He sat down at one of the work stations, tapped the smart glass and pulled up a holographic design program and began working on a muffler.

He’d gotten the base of it down when a beeping got his attention. He turned left. His wall mounted communicator had received a message.

He rolled his chair over and tapped the screen only to get a mild shock from the surface.

“Ow,” he said involuntarily looking down at his hand. His right index finger had a small black scorch mark on it.

He stared back at the screen and then at his hand. He quickly retrieved a driver and removed the device from the wall.

An exposed power conduit. It sparked electricity occasionally. Jett stared at it and back at his right hand and frowned. He quickly repaired the device and replaced the communicator. Still something occupied his mind as he returned to his desk.

It was something he remembered from a while back. Something he had discovered but never had the opportunity to hack it any further.

Suddenly he remembered and he smiled and glanced down at his hand. He dug into a drawer and retrieved a probe and stabbed himself in the back of the neck with it.

He grimaced slightly as a feeling of cold mercury filled his mind.

“Alright, now let’s try this again,” he smiled as a virtual representation of his body appeared before him, “Acc! Get out here; I want to do an experiment.”

***

USS MIDNIGHT ETERNITY.

Kana sighed. This briefing was something she’d already read over 13 times and she was already well versed in her part. Ajax was right. This was all formality. Soon the meeting was over and Kana was headed back to the shuttle but still, something was on her mind that she didn’t feel like she had the clearance to ask.

Just what the hell were those fighters even going to be shooting?

Still this whole thing was need to know only and the civilian fleet knew less than nothing about this. Still, it would help to know just what was going on if she was going to have to be the architect of this swarm like attack.

She sighed. Whatever, fuck it, shit happens, move on.

0800 Hours

“All hands, report to crash couches! All hands, report to crash couches! Prepare for high G accelerations.”

Kana ran towards the hanger deck. Today was game day, the Superbowl, the Olympics or whatever else you wanted to fucking call it. To say she was stressed was to put it at an understatement.

“All pilots report to your ships and prepare your packages for immediate departure. Radiation kits need to be picked up by 0830. Sentinels report to your gunship and prepare for turbulence. Standard procedures will apply.”

Hopefully no one would die in the initial burn off. She entered the ship’s hanger and looked around for her gunship.

Ajax materialized next to her, “That one.”

She pointed at a medium sized craft. Aerodynamically designed, capable of atmospheric flight. Drag fins for fast maneuvering in an atmosphere as well as high energy output maneuvering thrusters for space combat. Windows equipped with blast shields.

However most of this would be unconventional and most of the calculations done were all theoretical so there was no absolute guarantee that the ship would withstand the heat or thrust. Seventy nine percent chance the ship didn’t burn up. Still twenty one percent too high.

“Are you sure this will work?” Kana asked the A.I.

“Fairly sure,” she smiled uneasily, “We’re dead either way so this either goes sixty six percent as planned at least or we’re done. Now get on your ship.”

“Wait!” she yelled just at the door of the ship.

“Hmm?”

“Just what are we shooting at these guys?”

Ajax grinned, “Not a level five.”

“What the hell is that supposed to me-” a crew man pulled her into the ship and sealed the hatch.

Ajax smiled and turned to the chaos of the hanger. The cruiser did have fighters but a limited number. Over the past year the Admiral had commissioned a group of scientists and engineers working in conjunction with the A.I. to develop unconventional weapons and tactics to win. And one of the things this think tank came up with was a project called Level Six. EMP technology had been developed and improved upon over the four hundred years since its early conception but as the tech advanced so did countermeasures. And one of them was EMP hardened ships. All military vessels were equipped with the armor.

And Level Six got passed it.

The A.I. quickly scanned the room before vanishing and reappearing on the bridge of the Midnight Eternity.

“Arm and load all nuclear weapons,” The Admiral said before turning to a small pad in his hand, “Doctor, are the Level Six’s ready?”

“As they’ll ever be Admiral. Though I must say you’re basing a lot of this on a gamble.”

“I wouldn’t say a gamble Doctor,” he smiled, “I’ve just been counting cards is all. And odds are in my favor.”

“If you say so Admiral. All teams are prepped and ready for launch. Fleet engines ready to execute high G burn at your command. Inertial dampeners to maximum, all crew in crash couches.”

“Alright then,” he turned to Ajax, “You ready for this?”

“Of course,” she smiled.

“Alright then. Okay people let’s clear out! Get to your crash couches and prepare for high G acceleration. Careful with the Fleet Ajax. She’s the only one we got.”

“I’ll do my best sir.”

“I know you will. Good luck,” He said walking towards the doors.

“Mon Capitan, I don’t need luck. Just a few variables and a computer to calculate them.”

“Of course. See you on the other side.”

“Yes sir,” she smiled and then glanced back at him, “Good luck.”

The Admiral smiled as the doors closed behind him. Ajax turned and scanned the bridge.

“Alright,” she said nervously, “I have the con…”

Slowly she set her avatar down in the captain’s chair.

“…All of them,” said every Ajax avatar currently being projected into the bridge of every ship in the fleet.

***

Jett grinned. Duel weapon ability unlocked. Or at least that’s what he liked to think. Still wasn’t sure if this whole thing would work or not but from the simulations he ran he was ninety nine point nine nine repeating ad infinitum percent sure that this would work.

Still, wasn’t every day you figured out you had some new skill or in this case could program one.

He walked out of his hanger area looking back at the new plane he built. He’d fix it up later before moving to final production of them.

He smiled; the team would be pleased.

He ran up the stairs up to ground level again. The grounds were empty. Most likely because it was an off day and everyone was off doing their own thing from seeing the latest Daring Doo movie to visiting family. Hopefully the rest of the team got along with their family a little better than Spitfire did with hers.

Well, he could always get some lunch here before deciding what to do for the rest of the day.

Spitfire and Dane strolled onto the compound talking.

“… Anyway so for his party we got the restaurant people to do this really funny prank,” Spitfire laughed.

“What was it?” Dane asked.

“Well, you know how some restaurants do that singing thing on your birthday? Well he was on edge all day so we paid them to make a pie and then to sneak up behind him and just plaster his face with it!”

“Oh no…” Dane laughed.

“Hold on, I think I still have a picture of it on my old phone. I-” she reached into her pocket and blinked.

“Something wrong?” Jett asked walking over.

“Nah, it’s nothing. Just can’t find my phone is all,” she frowned, “Jeez, where the hell did I put it? Last place I remember it being was at… Eden Park.”

“Eden Park?” Dane asked.

She sighed, “Stopped by there earlier to enjoy a coffee before meeting up with you. Great…”

“Well I was just heading out to lunch,” Jett smiled, “I can stop and look for it if you want.”

“Really? You’re sure?”

“Yeah it’s no problem. I needed to get out of the cave anyway.”

“Oh thank you so much,” she leapt on him in a bear hug, “I promise I’ll treat you lunch when you get back. We’ll all find some nice place to go out to eat.”

“Alright, sounds good. Kick boxing later?”

“You know it,” she grinned.

“Alright then. See you in half an hour.”

He turned and started casually walking out of the compound humming to himself.

***

Kana could hear her heart beating. Every breath she took sounded like a hurricane force gale. She and her crew and the rest of the sentinels and fighter pilots were not in crash couches and instead wore crash suits. Not the best substitute. She still felt the G’s weighing down on her, making her one hundred and ten pound frame feel like she had an elephant crushing her body.

She turned her eyes ever so slightly to get a look at the screens. Velocity was so high she didn’t want to think about how terrifyingly fast they were going. Even with the inertial dampeners as maximum it would not be enough at these speeds. While under normal circumstances the G’s the ship itself was experiencing would splatter everyone across the wall like bugs to a fly swatter, the dampeners kept them at bay. Just enough to keep a person alive and conscious with help from technology and heavy doses of drugs.

She just wanted this to be over. If she could she would probably vomit only the contents of her stomach didn’t look like they would be going anywhere any time soon.

Hopefully everything would go according to plan. Please let just one thing go right.

***

IPA VENGEANCE.

Captain Marcus frowned, “What the fuck are they doing?”

The Vengeance as well as every other ship in the IPA fleet had detected a massive burst of continuous energy coming from the fleet. It had been going on for minutes now with no sign of slowing down. The engine burst had blocked all sensors from adequately detecting what the fleet was doing. It did make a perfect mask.

“Maybe they’re trying to high tail it, sir,” his first officer smiled with the same bitchy look he’d come to expect from her, “Fuckin’ cowards.”

“Hang on sir,” the sensor officer said, “Massive particle burst heading straight for us. Estimate three minutes to impact.”

“Particle burst? From them?”

“Maybe. Normally engines don’t do that unless they dumped something into the reactors or if they’re trying to run fast from something.”

“How fast?”

“I’d say a fraction of the speed of light. Hard to say for sure. Either way that burst will fry anything without armor on our outer hull. I suggest we retract the communications and solar arrays as well as locking down our weapons.”

“Alright. Proceed with storm shelter protocols. Lock it all down.”

“Yes sir.”

Meanwhile far away hidden in the cloud, monsters in the mist flew silently towards them.

Two minutes later everything was locked down.

“All locked up sir. Point defense guns as well as small batteries locked inside the hull.”

“The mains?” Marcus asked.

“No ship in the fleet has retractable mains. They’re too big sir. They’ll be fine. They can stand the heat.”

“Alright then. Order all c-”

“Hang on! I think I got something!” the sensor officer said.

“What is it?” First officer Phaedra asked.

“I… Wait. No it’s gone. No wait! It’s back again. Gone… back,” the man blinked, “What the hell?”

“What do you see?”

“It looks like a sensor echo. A bunch of small objects keep appearing and disappearing like ghosts.”

The computer’s voice spoke. This computer was not anything like Ajax or any other A.I. the Terrans had and was little more than a glorified smart phone. Its synthesized voice echoed through the bridge.

“Ten seconds until particle wave front impact. Brace. Brace. Brace. Brace. Bra-”

A jarring impact shook the ship. Sparks flew as the lights fell to the dull red of the battle alert alarms. Marcus fell to the floor.

“Report!”

“The front’s hit us dead on! We’re being blasted by the wake from the Terran Fleet!”

The ship began to groan.

“Hull polarization at twenty three percent! Structural integrity at eighty one percent!”

“Divert auxiliary power from ventral engines to the structural integrity field! Reroute auxiliary power from the weapons array to the polarization field!”

“Working!” the lieutenant replied, “Jesus Christ, we’re getting cooked out there!”

“Life support is fluctuating!” An officer yelled.

The ship continued to groan and then shook in a forceful jar.

“Hull breach on decks forty one through thirty five, sections one through fifteen!”

“Divert main power from weapons to life support and damage control!”

“Yes sir!”

The ship continued to groan and the just as soon as it began… it stopped. The groaning ceased with it.

“What happened?” Marcus asked.

“Working. I… I think they stopped their burn sir. Or at least they did a few minutes ago.”

“Damage report.”

“Hull breach- already know that. Some of the hull armor has buckled along our horizontal axis. Structural integrity at fifty four percent. Hull polarization has collapsed. The deflector and bussard ram scopes are damaged and offline. Minor internal things, a few injuries but nothing else too serious.”

“Restore normal power.”

“Aye sir. Restoring normal pow-”

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

“Hang on sir! I have some… thing…” the lieutenant paled.

“What? What is it?” Phaedra asked.

“I, uh, massive strike force heading towards us. Several hundred squadrons of fighters and a few hundred support craft.”

“What?! How?!”

“They must have hidden inside the particle cloud. The first wave will be right on top of us in less than a minute!”

“Activate weapons. Arm point defense lasers and destroy them.”

Silence.

“Well? Get to it!”

“Sir, weapons were completely shut down during the particle storm. It will take several minutes to rekey the systems…”

He turned to the holographic projection in the center of the bridge. A swarm of angry ships was converging on the fleet.

“My god…”

***

“Blackjack this is Sentinel one,” an unnamed officer said. Kana didn’t take the time to learn his name. She herself was busy monitoring and directing this whole thing as were several others on other sentinel craft scattered though out the swarm.

“Go ahead Sentinel.”

“Permission to fire has been granted. Release of Level Six is authorized. Fire at will.”

“Yes sir.”

One thing all ships counted on, particularly the IPA fleet, was EMP armor. Inside the hardened shell no electromagnetic pulse could ever get through and knock out a ship. It was just harmlessly deflected by the armor. The most damage done would be a few fried laser batteries if they weren’t stored properly. Level Six however was different beast all together. A more intense EMP, it produced a pulse that was stronger and thicker than all others seen before and likely after it for a very long time for less energy than conventional weapons.

Best of all it took advantage of the one kink in the armor. The guns. Most captains didn’t consider weapons a vulnerability and if they did it was a minor one. Level Six took out ships by going in right down the enemy’s throat. It got under the armor through the unshielded gun batteries, cutting through all the firing tech and ammo it burst through ships as it emerged inside the magazines. This was more than leveled the playing field. It turned it into a slaughter house.

The first wave let loose. The large missiles streaking into the fleet, into every corner to cover every square millimeter of it. No ship would be left untouched.

The defenseless ships could only watch in horror as the missiles streaked into their ranks and detonated with a creepy silent blue light.

Farther out, Sentinel teams watched as the enemy fleet was lit up like a Christmas tree, electromagnetic shockwaves hitting every single ship. Electrical arcs flew across the rail gun batteries, in some cases overloading the capacitors and in more extreme cases causing them to explode.

Several ships were gone right off the bat as the heavy rail gun batteries exploded all over. Those that were still standing were helpless as their lights flickered and went off as every single system on them simultaneously failed.

Kana simply blinked and redirected her squad of Peace makers as they were called back behind the second wave. Suddenly, and quite oddly too, she remembered a song her mother used to lull her to sleep with. Almost involuntarily she began to sing it. Even though they were the enemy, they were still humans and they at least deserved this, even if they would never hear it.

“There are loved ones in the glory,

Whose dear forms you often miss.”

Outside the window, ship after ship streaked by in silent anger towards the crippled fleet.

“Titan one two zero. The word is given and you are cleared to engage!”

“Rodger that. All ships, open fire at your discretion but keep your distance and be mindful of your fellow pilots. Other than that, happy turkey shoot.”

“When you close your earthly story,

Will you join them in their bliss?”

Jett walked along the sidewalk heading towards Eden Park, quietly singing to himself,

“Will the circle be unbroken?

By and by, by and by?”

Kana watched in a horrified awe as nuclear tipped missiles leapt from the fighters they were carried on and sailed towards their targets, detonating against the hull in bright flashes of light.

“All right!” someone shouted over the open channel.

“Is a better home awaiting

In the stars, in the stars?”

The tree leaves fluttered nicely in the summer breeze as Jett continued down the road. A little girl skipped down the street past him with a gleeful smile on her face.

“Come on daddy! We’re going to be late!”

“In the joyous days of childhood

Oft they told of wondrous love.”

Heavier ships that weren’t immediately destroyed by the nuclear weapons died slower more painful deaths as terrific wounds torn in their flanks spilled out their atmosphere. Collections of bodies went out into the cold vacuum with the air they breathed only to die in the cold of space or to be incinerated as their ships burned and exploded.

“Pointed to the dying Saviour;

Now they dwell with Him above.”

Jett smiled and waved. The coffee shop girl smiled and waved back at her, her grin as bright as the sun and as wide as the horizon itself. She soon turned and jumped with glee as she embraced one of her friends before escorting her to a table and beginning a conversation.

“It’s wonderful to see you!”

“You remember songs of heaven

Which you sang with childish voice.”

“X-ray one two starboard fifty degrees,” a pilot’s voice came into the cabin, “Super Carrier.”

“Rodger Racecar, target the hanger deck, I got the engines. Going in hot!”

Kana blinked and turned to face her console. Her hands danced across it in an artistic movement of dictation. Ships that spent their weapons were ordered back in a majestic organized fashion, regrouped and then sent to catch up with the Terran Fleet. Meanwhile large red dots representing the IPA ships continued to go out.

“Do you love the hymns they taught you,

Or are songs of earth your choice?”

Jett soon began to approach the park. He knew due to the increase in beautiful foliage all over the area. Flowers of all colors bloomed and flooded the streets with their wondrous scents. Happy couples walked by and occasionally stopped to relish in the moment.

“One by one their seats were emptied.

One by one they went away.”

Almost all the red lights were gone now. The flashes were beginning to die down. A once majestic if malevolent fleet of starships was now nothing more than a cloud of expanding gases, metallic debris, and the bodies of those who dared follow the children of the stars back into heaven.

“Now the family is parted.

Will it be complete one day?”

Eden Park was visible. The dilapidated sign just barely visible. It was mostly empty except for a few voices. One was familiar and most welcome. Jett smiled and hurried to meet it.

The fleet of fighters and gunships, after completing their survey of the area turned and executed their burn and accelerated back towards the only remaining fleet left. A collective cheer went up through the fleet on all channels. It would take several days to catch back up but at least no one was chasing them anymore Kana pulled herself out of her seat.

“Misaki! Come celebrate with us!” an officer said with a wide grin.

“Thanks but I’m fine,” she smiled back before turning and heading to the bathroom, closing the door behind her and violently retching and vomiting into the toilet. She continued for several minutes, crying all the time before she pulled herself up and looked at herself in the mirror, utterly disgusted with herself.

“Will the circle be unbroken?

By and by, by and by?

Is a better home awaiting

In the stars, in the stars?”

She fell to the floor and began to weep again.

***

Jett strolled through the park, smiling happily but still keeping an eye/ ear out for the phone. He turned and went deeper into the garden, following a certain voice he’d grown incredibly fond of.

“Really? Right here?” Skies asked.

“Why not?” another voice replied, “You said no one ever comes here.”

“Yes but-”

“Then what’s the worry?”

“It’s just that-”

“Oh it’s just nothing. Come here.”

“Hey wait-”

A moaning got his attention. He hurried down the path towards the cliff side observation area.

“Starry Skies? Is that you?”

He rounded the path and came upon the bench…

Hello.

This not something I usually do but I figured all authors do them at some point in time so I might as well here since I know a lot of you have stuff you want to know. I will be opening up a Q&A here that will be answered in the next chapter of the story. Ask all the questions you want about the story and I will do my best to answer them.

Until next time, JC6.

Chapter 50. A Black Parade.

Certain parts of this chapter were inspired by A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Magical Railgun. If none of you have seen any of those, go watch them right now.

The Admiral groaned as he fell out of his crash couch. The pod’s door had slowly cracked open and he fell onto the floor, sore as hazed college student. The rest of the bridge crew and senior officers were falling out of their crash couches and onto the rubbery floor.

Ajax appeared.

“Well?” he asked.

The A.I. sighed, “It’s done. Complete success, one hundred percent. No survivors on their side.”

“Not even a single ship?”

“No. Not one. In this case our weapons were too successful. I doubt they even got off a transmission before we got to them.”

“Show me.”

“What?”

“Show me what we did to them.”

“Yes sir.”

A holographic screen appeared before him. The footage was from a distant vantage point, most likely from one of the farthest sentinels. The ships were just small objects against the dark vacuum. Flashes of light came from the cluster.

“Thank you Ajax that’s enough.”

“Yes sir,” the A.I. said solemnly.

A medical technician ran over and helped the Admiral to his feet.

“How long were we in those things?”

“Deceleration took several days,” Ajax blinked, “Gave enough time for our fighters and gunships to catch up with us. We should be expecting them by tomorrow.”

“Good.”

“Do you need any assistance Admiral?”

“No thank you Ajax. I think I’m fine. Just… take care of the others. Make sure the fleet is fine.”

“Yes Admiral.”

She quickly vanished in a flash. The Med Tech opened a case and removed a small scanning device.

“Well sir you survived alright. No broken bones or lacerations. Rather fortunate considering what others went through. But overall we have no casualties.”

“What have we done?” George asked himself.

“Sir?”

“Nothing. Very good Ensign. Tend to the others. I’ll be fine.”

“Yes sir.”

***

“… Skies?” Jett asked.

Starry Skies disconnected her mouth from Charger’s and pushed him off of herself.

“Oh! Uh, Jett, fancy seeing you here, huh?” she said a bit awkwardly standing up.

“Babe? Who’s this?” Charger asked.

Jett’s face twitched slightly before calmly smiling again and aiming his black irises at the Shadowbolt.

“I’m her boyfriend. And just who may I ask are you?”

The shadowbolt stood a full six inches taller than Jett and calmly strolled over to him.

“Well ain’t that the coincidence hot boy because so am I!”

“Guys, uh, I think you two should seriously take a chill pill an-”

“You’re cheating on me?” Jett asked looking past the one hundred and eighty pounds of muscle and at the girl, “With him?!”

Charger put a hand to his chin, “You know, that’s pretty funny you say that because I was just about to say the same thing. Babe, you foolin’ around with robot boy here?”

“What?! No! Charger we’re just friends.”

“Oh wow, that’s really interesting. Just friends huh?” Jett blinked before giving an uneasy smile, “Wow, you know we must have been one hell of a pair of friends then for you to fucking kiss me like that every time we met.”

“Now wait just a minute-”

“You fuckin’ kissed this robot fuck?! What, I, uh, ju- was he fucking you too?!” Charger asked.

“Well now that this fucking curtain’s been called I’d say I’m glad I didn’t. I mean who knows how many other guys the slut’s been sleeping with? I could have gotten some sort of alien STD!” Jett laughed.

“Hey shut the fuck up asshole! That’s my girlfriend you’re talking about!”

“Oh really? Well you’ve obviously scored a great catch there, you git. You know what, you can have the bitch!” Jett laughed.

“Excuse me?!” Starry Skies began.

“We’ll talk about this later babe. As for you, stay the fuck away from my girl!”

“What gives you the fucking idea I would want to even share the same fucking planet as her at this point?! I said you can have her because at this point I don’t care!” he turned to Skies, “What is it with you?! I fucking trusted you and you go behind my back and do this?!”

“He was first, genius,” she snarled.

“Oh! Even better! So what was I to you?! Just your fucking play thing?! A fancy toy to be fucked with?!”

“I told you to get away from her!” Charger yelled shoving the android.

“Excuse me you dense collection of protein, I’m trying to question your bitch over there so if you could get out of my way that would be fucking great.”

“You know I think I have an even better idea. How about you turn your mechanical ass around and get away from us before I rip your fucking robot head off? Sound good?”

Jett started laughing, “I’d like to see you try! Fucking jock strap!”

Charger’s face twitched.

“Call me a jock strap… one more time.”

“What the fuck are you going to do about it?”

“Whip the fucking ground with you.”

“Do it, you fucking cock bag. Or would you prefer I call you a jock str-”

Charger gripped his head and threw it towards a nearby tree. The back of Jett’s head hammered the stub of a branch before he started falling to the ground. Charger quickly ran up and kneed him in the face, slamming his head against the rough bark again.

Jett fell to the ground limp. Charger began kicking him.

“Hey! Stop!” Starry Skies said.

Charger continued. Jett’s body rolled over onto a bed of stones. Charger walked up and stomped on his head before kicking him again in the gut.

“Charger! He’s had enough!”

He stopped and turned. Jett lay limp on the ground; unmoving.

“You’ve proved your point,” she sighed.

“Really? You know because I think I saw him talking shit about me and you.”

“He deserved that but that just went a little too far.”

“Oh really? How long have you been cheating on me for?”

“Charger-”

“HOW LONG?!”

“A month and a half,” she sighed crossing her arms.

“Wow, that long. You ever kissed him? Oh wait that’s a yes. He ever kiss you?”

She rolled her eyes, “What does this have to do with anything.”

“I don’t know, you tell me since he was your robot fuck toy. Plus it’s for how long of a talk we’re gonna have when we get ba- AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!” he let out a blood curdling scream. The sounds of electricity arcing as well as the loud crack of sparks were heard. Charger’s body curled as every muscle in his body fired off at the same time. His face was frozen in electric pain.

Starry Skies leapt back and put her hands to her mouth. Finally after almost a minute the shocks stopped and Charger’s body went limp. Jett stepped out from behind him, gripping his neck in a vice grip in his right hand. Electrical arcs flew across his forearm. The sapphire in his eyes was back.

His face bore the marks of a heavy beating. Heavy cuts that would normally leave nasty scars on a normal person littered his face. His clothing was torn in several places and blood mixed with blue hydraulic fluid stained his shirt. He sighed, blinked and quietly tossed Charger’s body to the ground before kicking the unconscious jock in the ribs with a sickening crunch.

He cracked his neck, “God I couldn’t stand that fuck.”

Starry Skies still had her hands to her mouth.

Jett stretched out and sighed, “You know, I really don’t know what you see in that guy. But then again I have no idea what he sees in you. I don’t even know what I saw in you.”

“I, uh, is he, I don’t-”

“But again, all that’s kind of expected I guess,” he said casually, “I mean I did have to lose sixteen years of memories just to get stupid enough to try relationships but, I suppose this is what I get.”

Jett turned and looked down on the body of his opponent, “What a fucking Muppet. I mean, goddamn. What a useless little fuck!”

Starry Skies found her voice, “W-what did you do to him?”

“Please, is it not obvious?” he said unamused looking at his right hand, “I wanted an extra gadget so this arm wouldn’t be useless. I shocked him with a just over one million volts. Applied the right way it’s not enough to kill him…”

He smiled and touched his fingers together and watched the electricity arc before clenching his hand in a fist, “But applied correctly, it’s enough to KILL.”

He grinned. The smile of a maniac danced across his face, “Wow my head hurts.”

He stopped and leaned against a tree, “Wow, this is certainly painful.”

He held his head as his eyes flickered from blue to brown and back again.

“Oh wow, this is, I don’t know, I-aaaahhhh!”

He shook his head and the blue returned, “Wow your friend seriously fucked me up. I’m going to have to get that looked at later. As for you…”

Starry Skies began backing away, “What are you going to do to me?”

“You know I should really thank you,” Jett smiled ignoring her question, “Because without you I may never have recovered my lost memories. But now… I remember everything; including how to make you feel like you’re dying without even killing you.”

She turned and went to take off, spreading her wings and getting a few feet off the ground before Jett caught her and slammed her against the ground.

“Please!” she cried out.

“Oh what’s the matter?” Jett asked smiling, “I never said I was going to physically hurt you. But I will drop you a warning. Come near me again; threaten me again, if any of your friends come after me in any way… I’ll fucking kill them. And then… I’ll come after you. Understand?”

She nodded.

“Good. On second thought,” he blinked picking her up by her collar, “I lied about the first thing.”

He raised his left arm and swiftly punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious. He dropped her body and held his head.

“Aaaaahhh!”

He struggled to regain control before he shook it off and stood up and calmly began walking out of the park, twitching ever so lightly every now and again.

As he left the park his face twisted into a contorted grin as he began heading back to the HQ. He stopped again and fell to the ground, gripping his head in pain.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” He screamed.

Images flashed across his eyes and he couldn’t stop it. They looked like memories only…

They weren’t his.

He tried to shut them out, override them in some way, delete them even but nothing was working. The pain became excruciating. Suddenly something snapped.

“Oh… wow…” he began, “I… I get it now…”

Suddenly he stood up, blood from his cuts still covering his face. He started to laugh before walking down the street towards the underground.

***

Spitfire and Dane were sitting at the cafeteria table waiting. Waiting was not fun for Spitfire mainly because that was just the way she was. Fast paced and impatient. For Dane however it was almost torture. Performing trillions upon trillions of calculations per second made each one drag on for an eternity. However they couldn’t do anything.

Jett had to come home before they could even think about doing anything.

Dane sighed, “Alright, it’s been more than half an hour now. This is getting ridiculous. What’s he doing?”

“Maybe this whole thing is taking longer than expected? I don’t know,” Spitfire sighed.

Silence again filled the room.

“Do you think we did the right thing?” Spitfire asked.

“You’re having second thoughts now?!” Dane blinked.

“No-yes, maybe, I don’t know. I mean, she did make him happy.”

“And so will you, only you’ll make him happier so get that through that thick skull of yours.”

“Alright, alright. I’m still worried though. I mean, he hasn’t come back yet.”

“I know… Just, let him be. Sometimes these things take time with people.”

“I know it’s just that I’m worried when he comes back all those walls I knocked down will be built back up again.”

“Sometimes it's good to build up walls, not to keep anyone out. But to see who cares enough to knock them down.”

“Who said that?” Spitfire blinked.

Dane sighed, “Old friend of ours. Probably dead considering what we know but… still. Enough about the past. I think we should just give him a day or so to come back and if he’s not back by then, we’ll go looking for him. Sound good?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Alright then. So now we go on waiting.”

…

“Fuck this I hate waiting.”

***

Ajax sighed, “So what’s the problem.”

The medical Tech walking next to her glanced up from his pad, “She’s been in a catatonic state for days now. The crew said that she ran into the bathroom and came out a few minutes after and just sat in her chair and did nothing for the entire trip back.”

“Nothing?”

“She hasn’t eaten in three days. They’ll be arriving soon.”

“Alright.”

The heavy gunship entered the hanger. The docking arms latched onto it and the airlock extended. The door opened and a medical crew with a stretcher walked out. Ensign Kana Misaki was laid out on it, looking sick as a dog.

Ajax moved her avatar up to the stretcher, “Hey there friend. How you feeling?”

“…Awful…” Kana muttered.

“I thought you said she was catatonic,” Ajax said turning to the medical tech.

“That’s the first word she’s said since we left.”

“Get her to the medical bay and try to see if you get her to eat anything. I’ll be there soon.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Ajax vanished and reappeared back in the Admiral’s office.

“Well?” he asked.

“That’s the one thousand fifty sixth one reported so far,” she sighed.

“So it’s not just isolated to the pilots.”

“No it appears that anyone who was involved in it can be affected.”

“Guilt appears to be getting to them. I can’t say I don’t understand either. We just ordered them to kill millions of their fellow man. It was bound to happen.”

Ajax frowned.

“Something the matter Ajax?”

“No sir, it’s just that, this one is a little more personal.”

“A friend of yours?”

“Yes, she’s the one who designed your program for you in fact. She hasn’t eaten anything in days so they’re gonna try to get her to eat something and if she refuses then it’s onto fluids.”

“Well I guess it’s expected. Try to keep everyone sane. Report back to me later.”

“Yes, sir.”

***

Friday.

Spitfire floated calmly on her back on the cloud. Sweat that had been pouring off of her like water over a fall had evaporated off her skin in the hot sun of the day. Training had been hard today. Her self-punishment involuntarily extended to the entire team but they didn’t complain. In truth everyone was pretty much preoccupied with the same thing that was keeping Spitfire awake at night.

Jett had been missing for three days now.

Spitfire wasn’t the only one that was worried. Dane especially had been worried sick though he kept his cool persona on him at all times like a security blanket. Gin had taken to breaking as many punching bags as she could to cover a certain corner of the gym with sand from the broken things as well as a pile of spent bags. The rest of the team was… off. Since the arrival of the strange outlanders they’d almost become a staple of the team. Jett and Dane were the mechanical architects behind some of the team’s latest tricks while Gin almost became a sort of therapist of sorts who heard out everyone’s individual problems (or at least everyone who drank) and helped them solve them the best she could. All from behind the safety of her bar.

But with one of them missing things hadn’t been going too well. No one could properly focus on training and near misses and minor accidents were common.

When Jett didn’t come back the following Wednesday morning Spitfire called the royal guard to report him missing. Shining Armor was intrigued to say the least. The guard had been looking for him, putting up missing person signs even before going to question the Shadowbolts but they weren’t able to be reached for some odd reason.

She sighed. None of this had gone according to plan.

A ringing noise got her attention. Her phone. Her crappy phone.

She removed it from her pocket, “Hello?”

“Good news,” Shining Armor said, “We found your friend.”

***

Jett walked up to the counter and collected his winnings with a twisted grin. His face was scarred from partial healing and his face gave the impression that he was not in the proper state of mind to be fucked with at the moment.

He hadn’t seen heads or tails of the shadowbolts since he last electrocuted one half to death and struck the rich girl bitch that was now his ex.

For the past several days he’d been walking around outside before coming down here during the day to beat people up for money. It was great too because at first everyone bet against him. Several people had broken their hands hitting him in the head too hard and for most of the fights all he had to do was just sit there and take the hits until his opponents took themselves out. Still, sometimes he got something interesting.

That last man he’d just beaten did put up a bit of a fight. His friends here not all too happy to see him lose.

“Hey you!”

Jett blinked and kept walking.

“Hey asshole!” a glass bottle smashed against the back of his head. Okay, attention gained.

Jett turned. Two guys were holding onto a rather muscular man who had certainly seen better days and a third was giving him death eyes.

“You owe my friend some money and an apology.”

Jett blinked, “Why?”

“People don’t take that kind of punishment and dish it out without some kind of magic. We’re supposed to believe that a scrawny kid like you beat him?” he pointed to his friend.

“We-I don’t give a shit what you believe. What I expect is for you to accept the fact your friend is unconscious in your arms and that you should probably get him to a hospital. Have a nice day.”

He turned and began walking away, heading over to one of the concession stands.

“Hey man, maybe we should just walk away from this. Steel did get pretty fucked up,” one of the guy’s friends said.

“Not until we get our money. Can’t you see he cheated? Come on. If we catch him off guard without whatever magic he used we can get our money.”

“Nah, man. You can go ahead.”

“You’re both pussies.”

He left his friends and ran up to the android ordering a pastry from the stand and punched him in the face.

***

Spitfire frowned, “He’s been down here the whole time?!”

Shining Armor said, “Yes. Apparently a person matching your description of him has been winning a series of bare knuckle matches all week. Why?”

“Just, I used to come down here a lot before I disappeared.”

“What the hell is this place?” Gin asked looking around the large open chamber.

“The Canterlot Underground,” Fleetfoot replied.

“Geez this place is huge,” Dane blinked, “It’s like a small town down here.”

“Come on guys. Let’s just fine him and get out of here,” Spitfire blinked.

Two guards ran up to Shining Armor.

“You find him?” he asked.

“Yes,” one replied nervously.

“Well then why don’t you have him with you then?”

“We’re not getting involved in that,” the other guard pointed.

“Huh?”

“Follow us.”

The two guards led the group over to a square with a boxing ring in one corner and a crowd gathering in another. Though they couldn’t see what was really going on through the mash of people it was obvious from the noises that a fight was going on.

“Missed,” a certain voice said.

The grunt of someone throwing a punch was the response.

“Missed again.”

Swing again.

“Your aim is improving greatly,” was the sarcastic reply.

“Is that-” Dane began.

“Jett?” Spitfire ended.

They cut through the crowd towards the interior of the circle. What they saw raised more questions than it answered. Jett was just ducking and executing a series of simple dodges to avoid getting punched by a rather angry looking man. A bruise was on the android’s face as well as a series of fresh scars decorating his face and body.

Jett sighed and looked at his watch, “Okay now I’m bored.”

The man threw another punch that was caught by the android. The man looked at his arm and then at Jett who cocked his head before sending one million volts of electricity through the man. The man screamed while the crowd, including Spitfire and company, let out an audible gasp. Jett threw the man to the ground.

“Are you not entertained?!” he called.

No answer.

“Hmm, bad joke,” he frowned before grabbing his pastry and walking through the crowd that was now crowding around the unconscious man. He had just cleared the crowd when he was stopped by a certain flame haired flier.

Spitfire.

She and the rest of the group stood in his way.

“Oh hello,” he turned, “Wonderful to see you all aga-”

SLAP. The pastry went sailing through the air and onto the ground.

The android had a large red mark on his face, “What did you do that for?”

“What did I do that for?!” Spitfire asked angrily, “I’ll tell you what I did that for. YOU WERE MISSING FOR THREE DAYS!”

“And? We took a few days off to sort out some problems of ours-err mine.”

“We?” Dane asked, “And what the hell happened to your face?”

“Nothing particularly interesting. Suffice it to say Ms. Starry Skies and myself are no longer seeing each other and we left on excellent terms!” He smiled.

Blaze leaned into Gin, “Who do you think died on this one?”

“Good terms?” Fleetfoot blinked, “That’s what you call good terms?”

“Well you haven’t seen much of your rivals recently, have you?” Jett asked with a smirk, “That’s what we thought.”

“So you broke up with your girlfriend and came down here?” Spitfire asked. There was still some venom in her voice, “Why would you not come back home?”

“Uh, why would I have to? You know we seem to recall me being in a not sound state of mind, i.e. Severe head trauma that caused several of our-my memory engrams to be dislodged, when I signed that contract of yours.”

“Wait, what?”

“Oh come on now woman. You all knew we’d lost our memories as well as a pretty large portion of our-my calculating prowess.”

“Wait. Do you have your memories back now?” Spitfire asked.

“Where do you think these scars came from? Of course we do!”

Dane blinked, “Okay, dude, what is with the whole talking about yourself as though you’re multiple people?”

“Well Dane, when you get your head kicked into the stub of a tree branch a few times it’s bound to do something to fuck your shit up!” he blinked before holding his head, “Damn that hurts.”

“Still. Why didn’t you come back to me-us?” Spitfire asked.

“Because we didn’t want to,” he replied tersely.

“W-what?”

“You know, I get the feeling you feel like you have some sort of monopoly on us. Lately you’ve come off as bit overbearing and possessive,” he frowned before grabbing his head again and grimacing, “You know Ezri was never this possessive and she was our girlfriend!”

Spitfire was hurt, “Well, uh, I didn’t mean-I just wanted you to be-”

Dane interjected, “Okay we’ve clearly established he’s suffering from some kind of aphasia here but just who the hell is Ezri? Don’t you mean Starry Skies?”

“No, Ezri is correct,” he said still holding his head, “Gah! This hurts a lot more than it looks.”

“You know I think your friend has a few issues he needs to resolve,” Blaze said to Gin.

“This is worse than normal,” she replied.

“You need to come home, Jett,” Spitfire said kindly, “You’re hurt and you need help.”

“You know I think the guy back there needs your help a lot more than I do.”

“Speaking of that guy,” Dane said, “Just where did you get that ability from?”

“Programed it. And why should I go back? You know I was perfectly content to stay here and beat up assholes all day.”

“Because I said so,” Spitfire said, “Just look at yourself! I know she was cheating on you and I know that probably hurts a lot; to have the person you’re supposed to trust just slap you in the face like that. But you have people here that care about you, you block head!”

Jett blinked, “What?”

“Why do you think everyone came down here looking for you?”

“Come on man,” Soarin’ smiled, “What’s the team gonna do without our best mechanic?”

Jett cocked his head.

“You had us all worried there,” Misty said.

“Come on Jett. Just come back with us and we’ll sort out everything like we always do,” Spitfire smiled.

Jett frowned in thought.

“Thanks but I think we’re gonna stay here for the weekend. We still have some things to think about here that I’d rather do alone.”

“But I-”

“Please Spitfire just give us the weekend. I didn’t save you from being crushed to death just so you could get caught up on me.”

She frowned.

“But I mi-”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. We’ve got all my memories back now so you can be happy about that my little angel girl.”

“I, uh, alright,” she sighed.

“If we’re leaving you down here for the weekend,” Dane said removing a small device from his pocket and tossing it to him, “You’re wearing this.”

“The hell is it?”

“Cognitive reinforcement device. It’ll keep your memories locked safe and sound in the event you get knocked upside the head again. It goes on the back of your head.”

“Thanks,” he said placing the device on the back of his skull just where his spine met his brain.

“So you’ll be back on Sunday?” Spitfire asked.

“Sure. We-ah fuck, I promise,” he said.

“…Okay. If you’re not back by Sunday I’m sticking my boot six feet up your mechanical ass,” she laughed.

“Sure.”

“Wait, do you have a place to stay at least?” Misty asked.

“We don’t sleep,” he said, “I’m fine.”

“Alright,” Spitfire sighed. She still couldn’t shake the worried expression from her face, “We’ll leave you be for the weekend. But please just return home without any unnecessary trouble following you.”

“Me?” he laughed; the slightest hints of insanity creeping into his voice, “Since when have we ever gotten into trouble?”

Spitfire involuntarily twitched.

“Relax, we’re just joking. Poor one at that. But whatever. We’ll see you all later,” he said turning and walking back towards the center of the town, disappearing into the crowds.

Spitfire turned to Dane, “What the hell is wrong with him? I know he went through a messy break up, that much is obvious, but why would him getting his memories back fuck him up like that?”

“Beats me. From what he said it sounds like he got his head smashed into a tree branch,” Dane replied as they started walking towards the exit.

“What do you think even happened there?” Fleetfoot asked.

“From the looks of things, our plan worked only not exactly as planned. Seems like he went to the park, figured out just what was going on and then got beat up a little bit but I would venture to guess he won the fight in the end. After all no one’s seen or heard of the Shadowbolts in days.”

“Yeah, I just got a bad feeling about that,” Spitfire said.

“Do you really think it was the best idea to leave him down there?” Gin asked.

“What would you have us do? With that new trick he learned, dragging his ass out of there would be next to impossible.”

***

“So?” George asked from his desk.

“Well from what I’ve gathered, these people seem to be suffering from a sort post-traumatic stress disorder mixed with survivor’s guilt,” Ajax replied.

“Survivor’s guilt? If I recall correctly the operation was literally a one hundred percent success. No loss of any friendly ships at all.”

“It would appear to be simple. They had a front row seat to a massacre they were meant to survive.”

“So what else have you got? Most of our psychologists are days ahead of us in the civilian fleet running observational studies of the effects of extremely long term space flight to be of much use.”

“Well, in all honesty I don’t know. Some of these people are still having trouble justifying this whole thing in their minds. But I think I want to try something with one of my more personal cases. I’ll get back to you if it works.”

“Please do. Dismissed.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

Ajax vanished and reappeared in one of the ship’s computer labs.

She turned to face one of the techs, “Get one of these down to medical bay twenty one.”

“Ma’am?”

“That’s an order. Get one of these hooked up down there now. And while you’re at it, bring some sound analyzing equipment as well.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Hopefully this would work.

***

Sunday. 8:00 PM

Jett walked along the empty Canterlot streets heading back towards the base. Silence filled the city with the only company being the incessant rain that had been falling for the past few hours now. His hair was soaked but that didn’t really bother him much.

He’d stopped for some exotic food items on the way back. He was in the mood for cooking and felt Gin could brew something weird with other ingredients he had bought. A noise got his attention. An old woman in a dress with a basket of food in her hands was walking down the other side of the street.

His thoughts drifted back to Spitfire, though the real difference now being he had a full set of memories. An entirely FULL set. Memories of all their experiences, including his amnesia affected ones filled his head. He was a bit ashamed of himself looking back on it. He should have just gone straight back home but he let his emotions get the best of him.

Anger was something he was no stranger to. Something he needed to master. Most of the time he’d just cage it like an angry beast but he was beginning to question the effectiveness of that technique now.

His thoughts slipped to Starry Skies and… Charger. If he ever saw him again…

His anger began to raise, “Stupid fuckin’ cunt.”

He stopped by a stonewalled terrace. Above it was a garden and across the street were a bunch of closed up shops. This was a rather empty and unvisited part of the city. The kind of part that seemed to be known only to those who already knew about it. His angry thoughts of his ex and her boyfriend were interrupted by a sound. It was something familiar too. Even though from his frame of reference it had only happened a little over seven months ago it was still fresh in his mind. Only this time, the technology was hundreds of years less advanced and this time he was ready. He smiled.

He dropped his grocery bag and braced against the ground just as an SUV type vehicle swerved around the corner at high speeds and slammed into him. The front compressed violently. Jett remained stable as the car pushed him along the ground into the wall. The stone wall cracked under the pressure.

Jett looked up, pinned between the car and the wall. Inside were some familiar looking faces. An unknown man with windblown snowy grey hair was in the driver’s seat, a cut on his head leaking blood onto the dash. He was out. A blue haired guy with a spiky almost dragon ball z kind of hair cut with gold lensed goggles over his eyes was in the passenger seat. He looked a little worried... In the back, vaguely visible was one Starry Skies and her boyfriend Charger. Both looked terrified.

Jett grinned and pushed the car away from him into the street, flipping it onto its side. He looked down at his stomach. His shirt had cuts along the sides and his stomach had an imprint of a bumper.

“I don’t know why any of you are here,” he said approaching the car, crunching broken glass under his shoes, “As far as I’m concerned we’re all even here. She cheated on me, I broke her face. He beat me to a pulp, fucked up my head; I shock him and break his ribs. Even. But then you assholes show up.”

The white haired man stirred.

“I don’t know what your purpose is, be it revenge or just some futile attempt to take out your rival’s secret weapon. Either way,” he grinned, “I’ll kill you.”

He walked up to the windshield and tore the remaining glass away. He grabbed the while haired driver and threw him from the car into the wall, laughing as he did it. The Shadowbolt in the passenger’s seat reared back.

“W-wait a second!” he said, “This wasn’t my idea!”

The android ignored him and tore him and his seat out of the vehicle and tossed it into the road. Starry Skies and Charger were still working on their seatbelts.

“Come on, come on, come on!” she yelled.

Charger appeared to be having a hard time bending his body over to reach the belt and kept cringing in pain each time he moved his torso, “Stupid little fuck!”

Jett grinned making no attempt to hide his unstable state, “So fun!”

He walked into the vehicle through the sideways facing windshield.

Starry Skies got her seatbelt unbelted and escaped out of the vehicle through the trunk and into the street with a visible limp that hampered her progress.

Charger gave up with the seatbelt and pulled out a heavy revolver type weapon and fired it into the android’s head. The bullets harmlessly bounced off his Tritanium skull.

“WELL DONE WITH THE SHOW,” he laughed, “Now it’s my turn.”

Starry Skies limped as fast as she could away from the car. Flying was out of the question as most of her feathers were out of place as well as one of her wing bones being bent at an odd angle. A scream followed by a sickening snap was heard. Even now she was only several meters away from the car.

She turned around in time to hear the tearing of metal as the android ripped his way out of the car, dragging the unconscious body of Charger with him. His wings were broken at the joints. A trail of blood followed the two. Jett was covered in little splatters of it.

He tossed his body to the sidewalk, “You put me in bad position here Skies. Here I promised Spitfire I wouldn’t get into any trouble but you just had to fuck that up for me didn’t you!”

“You hurt Charger!” she spat angrily.

He laughed, “Which time are you referring to because both of these times are just me seeing how far I can take the self-defense excuse!”

“You’ll be arrested! Thrown in jail to rot,” she laughed.

Jett cocked his head, “Pathetic. You’re so fucking pitiful you deserve a hug. I have no DNA, I leave no Mana trail. And the only witness conscious to observe these events is you. And considering how you tried to run me over with a car and how most of these injuries could have been sustained in the accident I wonder how that will turn out!”

“You electrocuted him and broke his ribs and now broke his wings. If you don’t think there will be consequences for that then you’re wrong!” she spat laughing nervously, “We have friends in high places! WE WERE FORMED BY THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT HERSELF. THERE’S NO WAY EVEN YOU COULD GO AGAINST THAT KIND OF POWER!”

She began laughing hysterically, “YOU’LL DIE ROBOT! AND WHEN YOU DO WE’LL BE THERE WATCHING AND LAUGHING AS YOU DO!”

“Excellent speech,” he laughed, “There’s just one problem with your plan.”

He grabbed a lamppost and tore it off its stand and began dragging it across the street. Sparks flew as it grinded against the cobblestone and brick streets. Starry Skies jumped and fell on her back and began to back away as fast as she could. She pulled her own sidearm out. It was silvery in appearance with a few jewels dotting the handle.

“I could kill you all before that happens. You mistake me for one who fears death. In truth I couldn’t care less even if I tried!”

He swung the post and knocked the gun from her hand into the air. She gripped her hand in pain. Jett caught the weapon and bent the barrel out of shape and pulled the trigger, rendering it useless before tossing it to the ground.

“There’s only one way to go from here my lady,” Jett grinned raising the post, “Tremble in fear and pray to whatever heathen god you worship that something stops me from crushing your skull!”

He prepared to swing just as a group of guards flew in and landed in a circle around the pair, rifles aimed.

“Stop right there!” one shouted.

Jett turned and looked around.

“Yes!” Starry Skies yelled, “Thank you! Now arrest him!”

“You’re both under arrest. You for attempted murder and you,” the guard said turning to the android, “for the same. Now, uh, put the lamppost down.”

Jett turned grinning he dropped his weapon, letting it fall mere inches from Starry Skies’ wing, “Yes officer.”

He raised his hands, a grin still on his face.

“Cuff ‘em,” the sergeant said, “All of them.”

“All of us?!” Starry Skies screamed as a guard helped her to her feet and began shackling her wrists.

“Yes all of you,” she said sternly, “An old lady has you attempting to run this boy down with your car.”

She turned to the android, “And she has you borderline murdering them.”

Jett just shrugged, “What can I say?”

“What can you say?” the Sergeant asked.

Jett frowned as his arms were cuffed, thinking. After a few seconds he smiled.

“I just want my phone call.”

“A phone call?”

“Yes. Spitfire’s gonna be pissed at me.”

Well the only question you people have been asking is how many arcs will it take for this story to be complete. And my answer is: One. One more. We're already about a chapter or two into it. It will be coming to an explosive end real soon...

Chapter 51. The Son Also Rises.

And so with the planning skills of Light Yagami I now publish this chapter that has been swirling around inside my messed up head for far too long now.Much of this chapter was heavily inspired by both Battlestar Galactica and Caprica. Both are excellent, if Dark TV shows. Speaking of which, you should all go watch them right now.

“I’m gonna kill him,” Spitfire said pacing; “I’m gonna fucking KILL HIM!”

Dane sighed from the arm chair, “You were in love with him a few weeks ago.”

“At this point I don’t know what it is!”

“Come on, he still has two hours before Sunday is over,” Gin said.

“Oh, two hours. You know I would have thought he would have been back by lunchtime at least and at most dinner time but this?! He promised he’d be back!”

“Just keep your panties on girl. I’m sure he’s just taking his time. He promised not to go looking for any trouble and with the Shadowbolts gone that shouldn’t be too hard.”

The ringing of a phone stopped the conversation.

Spitfire looked over at the thing sitting on the coffee table, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

She picked it up, “Hello?”

Everyone waited in silence for a few brief seconds before Spitfire hung up, “He’s been arrested.”

***

Jett grinned. Jail wasn’t so bad. Hell if he had to take a shower here he’d purposely drop the soap and dare someone to try something; if that myth even held any air that is. He sat in his cell on the bench. Surprisingly for such a primitive civilization the jail cells were rather nice. Carpeted floors with a padded bench/bed with a sink and a toilet that even had a curtain around it for privacy.

He was alone on his side of the room. This guard station wasn’t very big so there were only about six cells here in the back with the front desk in the other room and armory across from it. And across from Jett in the other three cells were Starry Skies, her leg in some magical cast, the dragon ball z looking character who seemed relatively unharmed though he now wore an angry scowl, and the white haired guy who had a bandage on his forehead and looked ready to commit murder.

Charger was at the hospital with some rather nasty injuries. Jett smirked. Good.

“What are you smiling about?!” Starry Skies spat from across the room, glaring daggers at him through the bars of her cell.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with,” Jett smiled.

“You’re smiling because you hurt Charger isn’t it?!”

He grinned, “That’s very good! You clever little thing!”

The guard sitting at the desk at the far side of the room looked up, “Be quiet!”

The blue haired Shadowbolt stood up, “You’re going to suffer for what you did to him.”

Jett turned, “I’m sorry, who the fuck are you?”

“Dusk you annoying fuck.”

“That’s cool,” Jett said, “My name is Jett, nice to meet ya.”

“As soon as we get out of here, you’re dead!”

“I’m sorry but you tried to run me over with a car and… look how that turned out,” he grinned.

“Yeah well my boot and that piece of shit car are two different things!” Dusk yelled.

“Hey! Be quiet!” The guard yelled.

“You know this whole feud is really none of your fucking business so how about you sit your childish ass down and shut the fuck up.”

“It became his business when you attacked Charger!” Starry Skies screamed, “An attack on any one of us is an attack on all of us!”

“You know, criminal organizations operate under the same credo. I wonder what that says about you!”

“I don’t know what kind of person handle’s their breakup by beating up their rival and their ex! Oh wait! He wasn’t your rival because he’s so much better than you!”

“And I don’t know what kind of person gets others involved in their shit and then tries to run their ex over with a fucking car!” Jett laughed, “And if you recall properly, which is probably too hard for a stupid fuck like you to do, you’re cock with legs started this whole thing!”

“Oh shut the fuck up! Your stupid attitude got your own ass beat! Not that you didn’t deserve it!” she spat.

“So I deserved to get my head kicked in because you cheated on me and I got upset about it?!” Jett laughed, “Wow. Hands down the best use of logic I have ever seen. Bravo!”

“Keep talking shit and there will be consequences as soon as I’m out of this cell,” Dusk growled.

“Hey! Shut the fuck up Hairspray! None of this concerns you!”

“At least I don’t whore myself out to that Spitbitch captain of yours!” Dusk grinned.

Jett twitched, “Excuse me?! Spitfire is worth a hundred of all you crazy fucks!”

“Bullshit!” Dusk laughed, “Fuck, you really are on her like a lost puppy dog! She doesn’t even deserve the Wonderbolts!”

“Why the fuck are you even bringing her up?!” Jett asked.

“Well if we’re on the subject of past relationships,” Starry Skies grinned, “Let’s discuss the one you have with your CAPTAIN. I bet you’re fucking her too but she wasn’t good enough so you wanted this.”

Jett scoffed, “I can safely say she’s a lot sexier than a witch like you! And bring her up one more time and I’m gonna come through these bars and fucking kill you,” he said before turning to Dusk, “and beat you to death with her body.”

“If she’s so much sexier then why did you date me then?! I think you’re a womanizing little cock bag!”

“That’s it!” Jett stood up and gripped the bars and began to pull them apart. Starry Skies and Dusk reeled back as the groan of the metal filled the room. The guard at the other end of the room stood up and ran to the bars.

“Uh, s-sir I’m going to have to ask you to stop bending the bars,” he said uneasily.

Jett stopped, “As soon as I kill me some Shadowshits across the hall.”

“Sir if you don’t stop your time will be extended!”

Jett sighed, “Fine.”

He released the bars, leaving them bent out of shape, and walked back to his bench.

“Pussy,” Dusk laughed.

In an instant the android’s energy weapon was out and aimed at the shadowbolt, “Doesn’t mean I can’t fucking shoot you from here!”

All hell broke loose. Starry Skies and Dusk started screaming with their hands up while the Guard ran to grab his rifle and aimed it and the android yelling at him to lower his weapon.

“Get him to stop pointing that damn thing at us!” Dusk yelled at the guard.

“Hey, hey, hey! Put it down!” The guard yelled, “Now! Put it away!”

Jett cocked his head, an angry sneer on his face. His eyes darted from the guard back to the Shadowbolts in his line of fire before he regained control of himself and lowered his arm.

“Are you fucking CRAZY?!” Starry Skies screamed at him.

Jett said nothing and returned to his bench, the weapon still out.

Dust was visibly shaken, “He’s crazy…”

“Well?! Are you fucking INSANE?!” Starry Skies screamed, “Were you just gonna fucking KILL us?! You CRAZY-”

The sound of the weapon going off as well as the impact of the bolt on the concrete wall just to the left of Starry Skies head was heard.

“Shut the FUCK up!” Jett yelled, smoke coming from the gun.

Silence filled the room until a guard walked in and came up to Jett’s cell, “You’re being released on bail.”

Jett didn’t even bother to open the cell door once it was unlocked and simply walked through the gap in the bars.

“Looks like your bitch wants you back, robot boy!” Skies called out with a half laugh, half snarl in her voice. Jett instantly turned around and was at the bars of her cell, one hand grabbing Skies by the collar, the other had his blade weapon equipped and was pressing it against her throat.

“If you come near me again… If I ever see in my line of sight ever again… If your DNA shows up within a fifty meters of me… I’ll take this blade... and stab you to fucking death with it.”

He released her and retracted the weapon before leaving the room leaving the room silent.

He entered the main lobby to see Spitfire, Dane and Gin. Spitfire had her arms crossed and did not look too pleased.

“I gave you the fucking weekend, Jett,” she said with venom, “And you go out and get yourself arrested?!”

Jett sighed, “You know this was my second time getting hit by a car this year so I think I deserve some leeway.”

Spitfire blinked, “Wait? What? You were hit by a car?”

“Do you not see my shirt?” he said turning. The cut up sides as well as the shredded back and torn up front of the shirt came into view. Jett lifted it up exposing heavy neon blue bruises under it.

“Geez,” Dane said, “How much hydraulic fluid is that?”

“I don’t know. Repair systems have been working on it all night. It was worse earlier. There was some red in there too.”

“Well at least that’s working correctly,” he sighed, “I’m gonna have to manufacture a service pod for you if this shit keeps happening.”

“Yeah well it’s not like I went looking for the car to run me over.”

“What happened?” Spitfire asked.

“Was walking back to the base, took a route away from people just to be safe and then those fucks came around the corner and plowed me into the wall,” Jett grinned, “So I ripped the car apart and broke Charger’s fucking wings. I was about to beat Skies’ head in with a pole but your guard stopped that from happening.”

“So basically you could charge them with attempted murder and they could do the same to you,” Gin sighed.

“I think self-defense could be pushed a little in this case,” Jett grinned.

“You put a person in the hospital,” Spitfire said.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Jett rolled his eyes, “I guess I should have just let the person who tried to kill me twice already just get away with it.”

“What was the point in it? You’d already won.”

“No I didn’t. I don’t need that fuck in my business anymore. So I decided to win all the other battles that would come after.”

“And what about Starry Skies?” Dane asked.

“I hope she fucking tests me because I am looking for an excuse to kill her,” Jett grinned.

“Yeah there’s definitely something wrong with you,” Gin said, “You were never this homicidal even with your memories.”

“Come on,” Dane said, “When we get home we’re figuring out just what the fuck is wrong with you.”

***

Ajax frowned, “Well?”

Kana sighed, “I got it. I got every single byte of data possible out of that signal.”

“Good. Glad something worked to get you well again.”

“… I’d rather not talk about that right now… But on to the signal. I managed to hack into the remaining data and get everything from inside the engineering section.”

“Really? How long have you been at this?”

“A few hours.”

Ajax cocked her head. A hidden transmission was wired into her communication centers.

SHE IS LYING.

<<<HOW LONG HAS SHE REALLY BEEN UP?

FORTY TWO HOURS.

OKAY.

“There’s something else too,” Kana said.

“What is it?”

“I figured out who saved the ship.”

“Who was it?”

“Flight Captain Daniel J. Halsey. The Admiral’s son.”

***

Jett was lying down on a stretcher type structure inside a large tube like machine. Inside the tube was smooth with a screen above his face. He sighed.

Outside in one of the hangers run by Dane the rest of the group sat looking at a computer monitor.

“When did you find time to build this?” Jett asked from inside the machine.

“When you were busy making your man cave downstairs,” Dane replied.

A beeping signaled it had something. Dane walked up the console and hit the soundproofing on the machine.

“Well?” Spitfire asked.

Dane looked over the data and sighed, “Internally, there’s nothing wrong with him. However there is an anomaly here in his memory systems that has me a bit worried. It’s a large group of files that’s taking up a lot of processing power, power that would normally go to behavioral and emotional centers. Basically, his head shunted power away from nonessential things to process all this incoming data. It’s these files as well as his old memories that should be accounting for his more than homicidal behavior.”

“But?”

“But they’re not.”

“What?”

“Even with this extra data he would only be more irritable and more prone to anger than normal. Nothing that would account for sociopathic tendencies. So something else is really fucking with him.”

Spitfire frowned, “Well this isn’t the first time he went psycho on some people.”

“Yeah but we know what his problem was then. You. Remember? That and he just let out years of built up hatred for those guys all in that one fight. This? I think her cheating on him was just an excuse for him to beat some people up.”

“And how’d you draw that conclusion?”

“Because I know the bastard. Look, just talk to him and work your strange woman magic on him and get him to spill the beans. The sooner the better because we can most likely expect a law suit from that ‘accident’ earlier.”

“Alright,” she sighed, “What are you going to be doing?”

“Reading law books. If we’re going to court over this then I’d rather know what I’m doing.”

“Hold on, we don’t even know that they’ll sue us anyway.”

“If you got your ass beat by an angry android robot from the other team would you just sit there and be like, ‘Oh, you tried to fucking kill us but it’s okay! Come on, let’s make like pink fluffy unicorns and fuck around in the flower patches!’ No? That’s what I thought.”

“Fine, go study your damn law books. I’ll figure out what’s going on in this guy’s head. Again.”

“That’s the fuckin’ SPIRIT!”

Dane hit the soundproofing and pulled Jett from the machine. The android rubbed his head and stood up.

“So? What’s the verdict?”

Dane blinked, “Nothing I can help you with at the moment. Spitfire?”

Spitfire sighed under her breath, “The things I do for love.”

Dane turned, “Now if you’ll all excuse me, I’m off to the Canterlot Library.”

“For?” Jett asked.

“You assaulted four people. I need to prepare a defense.”

“Oh… that… WAIT! You’re gonna be my lawyer?!”

“Yes… Does that bother you?”

Jett blinked, “Well I’m fucked.”

Spitfire stifled a giggle before grabbing his hand, “Come on Robot boy. Let’s head out of here.”

***

Ajax was worried. This girl looked like she hadn’t slept in days. Oh wait…

Her friend was obviously dealing with some kind of guilt but focusing it all onto this one project and getting all this information out of a damn signal echo? Maybe she was onto something here. Focus the guilt of the survivors onto something else useful for the fleet.

Oh wait, back to the topic at hand.

“Here, right here,” Kana said, “That fire starts back up again.”

Ajax frowned and moved her avatar so she ‘looked’ over her friend’s shoulder at the screen.

“I thought you said that whoever went down there put the fires out and saved the ship.”

Kana sighed, “Yeah. But right here, damage control systems are almost entirely gone. If that fire continues to spread like it is in frame one two four zero six five three then it hits the remaining fuel lines and destroys the ship.”

“So how exactly did that ship get out of there?”

“Right here. The Admiral’s son finishes preparing his program… and then does this…”

***

Jett and Spitfire walked along the cliff side overlooking the valley floor below. It was a beautiful sight. The hills and plains, the trees and rivers made it just so serene. The little town down below looked so quaint and added to scene. It was so beautiful it looked like something out of a Bob Ross painting. It was almost romantic…

Spitfire was at Jett’s arm, her head leaning into her shoulders. They walked along silently until Spitfire spoke up.

“What’s eatin’ at you Halsey?” she asked softly.

Jett frowned, “Hmm?”

“Come on now. I know you too well now. Something is bothering you.”

“How do you know? For all you know I’m just processing all my recently reacquired memories.”

“Maybe…” she replied walking with him, “But that’s not it. So come on, Jett, what’s wrong?”

He sighed and laughed slightly, “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”

“We’ve been together now for almost eight months. None stop contact almost. So tell me, what is it?”

“I’ve lost my memories before. Last time it was just a minor few days but this time it was more. I lost everything and yet… even though I remember it, it’s as if I was a different person.”

“You weren’t though. It’s been said that a person is the sum of all their memories and experiences but… I don’t know. I know you’re a person of science; you live in a world of rational and verifiable things but… I like to believe in the idea of a soul.”

Jett frowned, “A soul?”

“Yes, a soul. I like to think all people have them. Even you…”

Jett scoffed, “Me? How can I have a soul? I’m just the sum of a bunch of atoms and molecules strung together to perform complex calculations that make up personality subroutines. How could something like that have a soul?”

Spitfire smiled, “Because even though you lost your memories, even though you had no idea who me or anyone else was, you were still you. I have no doubt in my mind that that person who jumped out of that hospital window, that person who even then was afraid of a little T and A, that person who just talked to me about pointless things, was you. Even if you don’t have your memories, you’re still you. If everything else stays the same then how are you a different person?”

Jett sighed but a small grin escaped him, “I can already see that if I continue this line of conversation I’ll lose. One thing about you that hasn’t changed is you’re as tenacious as ever.”

“Damn right.”

He sighed again and frowned, “Do you remember when we first met? Those early weeks? Around with I got hit by that car?”

“Yeah, how could I ever forget?”

“Well what if I woke up in that hospital bed, only I wasn’t me? What if I died in that accident and something else asserted itself and took my place? Would we be having this conversation now?”

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“You wanted to know what was bothering me… well here it is. I was never meant to be an android…”

***

June, 2400. Interplanetary Space. Near Venus. UEG ICARUS.

A convoy of transport vessels moved through the dark blackness of space. Behind them was the bright burning orb that was the sun; and hidden in that brightness were the planets Mercury and Venus. The transports carried back with them several squadrons of fighter pilots returning from training exercises in the inner planets. A few months of shore leave were ahead and everyone was looking forward to it.

“Come on Danny! You sure you don’t want to hit up the city with us?” Leland asked from the seat across from his.

“Sorry guys but I promised my sister I’d be home during shore leave,” Dan responded crossing his arms looking out the window.

“Really Dan?” Ezri asked.

“Hey come on. I hardly ever get to see Cat anymore ever since my mom got her when my father got deployed,” he replied turning his head.

“Alright, alright, go see your little sister. But when you’re done, meet us in Vegas,” She replied, her subtle yet sly grin left nothing to his imagination.

“It’s a deal.”

“So did they ever figure out that problem with the rear vertical stabi-” a loud explosion echoed through the ship. The entire transport shook and the lights dimmed red. Several nearby conduits blew out.

An automated voice activated, “Warning. Hull Breach. Hull Breach. Warning. Hull Breach. Hull Breach…”

“What the hell was that?” Leland asked standing up looking around the room. Other pilots on the leisure deck were just as disoriented.

Dan moved to the window and looked out. A large fire was visible several decks below him. One of the engines just two decks below on a gimbal was on fire, “We just lost our port engine!”

“Oh my god.”

“All personnel on Deck 2 you’re atmosphere has been compromised. You have two minutes before automatic atmospheric venting. Evacuate your deck immediately,” the voice returned.

Pilots began heading out of the room in a frenzy.

“Dan come on! We’ve gotta get the hell outta here!” Ezri said standing up and heading towards the Jeffries tubes that led towards the hanger bay. Leland was right behind her.

“Yeah in a second!” Dan called.

He looked out the window at the other ships. The transport at the far end of the convoy was suddenly engulfed in fire as an explosion ripped through it. Smaller explosions trailed along the outside hull until they reached the engineering section where the rear of the ship detonated in a spectacular blast. The remains of the ship’s bow rocketed forward as they broke apart.

“Halsey come on!”

“Yeah! I’m coming!” He stood up and quickly ran after his friends and followed them down the service hatch.

“Warning. Reactor Overload in progress. Core breach in Five minutes Twenty Six seconds. Warning. Reactor Overload in progress…”

Outside the ship the other remaining vessel in the convoy was burning, suffering from severe damage. Several small gunships, stripped of all armor and other ‘nonessentials’ streaked towards the convoy at high speeds. They were armed to the teeth and left no doubts about their purpose. On their hulls were the insignia of a hammer smashing the Earth to pieces. Meanwhile inside the dying Icarus something was happening.

“Warning, reactor overload in progress. Three minutes forty six seconds to detonation.”

“Danny! Come on!” Ezri practically screamed at him from down the hallway.

“Yeah just go on ahead. I’ll get there!” Dan said stopping at a computer terminal. The ship had severe structural damage and was in an uncontrolled counter clockwise spin from the explosion.

“You better be right behind us!” Leland yelled.

“Alright! Computer, how many shuttles have launched?” Dan asked.

“Two Shuttles and Three Esca-” The computerized voice was cut off by a loud bang followed by the ship shaking rather violently.

“What the hell was that?”

“Weapon impact,” the computer replied.

“From what?”

“Two gunships approaching 7:00.”

Dane tapped several icons on the screen and pulled up a remaining camera. Behind them were a group of small, heavily modified shuttles converted into gunboats. Raptors.

“How long until they get here?” Dan asked nervously.

“They already are… Shuttle Twenty Three destroyed… Escape pod Seven destroyed… Shuttle Fifteen destroyed…”

“Danny come on!” Ezri called, her voice echoing down the hallway from the hanger deck.

The ship shook from another impact.

“Computer, exactly what’s wrong with the reactor?”

“… I can do that…”

“Danny get your ass to the hanger deck!” Leland’s voice screamed.

Dan closed out the display and looked down a side corridor that led below decks. He grinned.

“Sorry guys, but I think I forgot something down in main engineering. I’ll be back! Keep everyone inside the ship until I give the okay signal!”

“What? What the fuck are you talking about?!” Ezri called.

“Just keep all the shuttles and pods inside and ready to launch! I’ll be back!” He turned and took off running down to the engineering section of the ship.

Leland turned to Ezri. Her face hid nothing as all the worry she was feeling crept onto her face.

“Come on,” Leland said, “Let’s do as he says.”

She gulped, “Okay…”

The two ran back to the hanger deck. They approached the airlock and boarded one of the shuttles. Passengers were already inside as a pilot rated to fly the craft was at the controls.

“Stop, stop, stop!” Leland yelled.

The pilot looked up, “What?!”

“We need to get on an open channel,” Ezri said approaching the console and bringing up the communications systems, “Attention! All ships, hold your launches. Repeat, hold your launches.”

“Why the fuck are we holding?” someone asked. The ship shook.

Ezri frowned, “Computer, identify!”

“Weapon impact.”

“Weapon impact?!”

“Affirmative. Blast pattern consistent with Type Three ship to ship missiles.”

Leland turned, “Type Three?”

“The only people that use that are…”

Meanwhile down below Daniel Halsey pried open the engineering section doors. Fires lit up the area while bodies littered the floor. A nearby airlock had several blast marks on it. He ran across the deck towards the main engineering console. He began tapping icons.

“Alright, computer. Transfer damage control, to main power grid and reroute auxiliary power to primary systems.”

“Unable to process request.”

“Elaborate.”

“Power couplings one, four, and five are offline.”

Dan sighed, “Figures.”

He turned and grabbed a repair kit and headed for the service hatches again, “Computer, cut power to power couplings one, four, and five.”

Meanwhile up on the hanger deck, Ezri and Leland had problems of their own.

“Shuttle one five power down your engines!” Ezri yelled.

“Fuck you! We’re getting off this ship! If you all want to stay and burn, be my guest!” a voice replied.

“You do not have clearance! Abort your launch.”

The voice just scoffed, “Computer, blow-out hanger bay doors on hanger one five, Lieutenant Authorization one five seven delta one two!”

“Computer belay that order!”

“Unable to comply.”

The ship shuddered lightly, “So long!”

Leland looked up at the screen as one of the few remaining external cameras fed the shuttle a shot of a small craft rocketing away from the burning Icarus only to watch machine gun rounds riddle the main windows, blowing the atmosphere into space along with a collection of bodies.

Ezri sighed, “Hurry Daniel.”

Daniel Halsey ran back into the engineering deck, “Alright! Computer! Transfer damage control to main power grid and reroute auxiliary power!”

“Confirmed.”

“Seal off fuel tanks, one, two and three. Switch over to back up systems and remaining fuel tanks. And stabilize that damn reactor!”

“Confirmed.”

Daniel looked over the readouts on the console, “Computer, those ships are not carrying armor are they?”

“Confir-” A loud explosion behind him cut off the computer. Daniel turned. A heavy fire was burning, cutting off his escape route.

“Computer. Bring point defense lasers online.”

“Unable to comply. Insufficient power.”

“I don’t care! Take it from everything you have to! Engines! Hell, take it from life support if you have to! Just get those lasers online!”

…

“Unable to comply.”

“State reason!”

“Over heating in main processors due to fire in close proximity to main engineering fuel lines.”

Daniel turned and stared at the inferno behind him.

“Damage control?”

“Minimal,” the computer replied.

“What happens if I let that fire run?” he asked.

“Fire will ignite fuel lines and Icarus with be destroyed. Please state course of action.”

He glanced back at the fire and then at the console. There was one way out of it. He opened his jacket and removed a photo. Leland and Ezri, smiling and laughing at a local fair. In the center was him, smiling along with them, with a small girl hanging onto his neck. He looked grinned and looked back up at the flames.

“Computer… prepare to activate weapons systems. Please inform all ships when it is safe to leave.”

He turned and looked at the console and then at the airlocks.

“Computer, if I put that fire out, will you be able to transfer power to weapons?”

“Affirmative.”

“Alright then.”

“May I inquire about your intended actions?” the computer asked.

“No computer you may not,” Daniel laughed as he prepared the necessary measures.

He turned, “Alright then.”

He glanced back at the photo in his hands, “Sorry guys. We’re not getting out of this one. Not together.”

“Computer! Seal off the engineering deck!”

“Sealed,” the computer said as blast doors lowered.

He stared long and hard at the photo, “There must be way out of here…”

He laughed, “Goodbye… Computer! Blow out all engineering airlocks! Flight Captain Authorization Apollo Six Pegasus Four Two Theta One!”

“Command confirmed.”

Daniel grinned as a loud series of bangs rang throughout the engineering section followed by a loud rushing of air as the captain was sucked out of the room with the atmosphere into space.

Fifty two seconds later, weapons systems activated and began burning the enemy gunships around the last surviving Icarus as the shuttles and escape pods launched.

***

Mars. 2403.

Vice Admiral George Halsey stood looking into a medical room. The reinforced glass windows would stop an armor piercing round from a rail gun if needed. In the center of the room, on a table, was a small black haired boy.

The Admiral held up a small picture in his hands. A similar, older looking, black haired boy with a small group of people was smiling back at him.

“Admiral are you sure you want to do this?” a smooth voice asked.

A slender yet beautiful woman in casual military garb stood before him.

“Yes Ajax, I’m sure I want to do this.”

“George,” Ajax sighed, “I know how you feel about this right now but… this isn’t right.”

“How could you possibly know what I’m feeling right now?” he snapped, “How can you even quantify my loss?”

“George I know how much Daniel meant to you but… I don’t think this is what he would have wanted his father to do.”

“Ajax,” George turned, “I want-no I need my son back.”

“So you’re gonna put his memories, or what little could be recovered after being in a vacuum for so long into this?”

“He’ll be the same. Everything will be fine!”

Ajax sighed, “No it won’t…”

“How do you know that?! The process is modeled off of how we create A.I.’s like you!”

“Yes but I’m not the person I was based off of!”

“Well that’s why this procedure was modified! It will work! He’ll be perfect! The perfect replacement! The perfect copy…”

The Admiral looked back into the picture. Ajax sighed and turned her avatar around.

“You can’t copy a soul…”

With that last statement she vanished, leaving the broken man to his thoughts.

***

Present day.

Spitfire’s mouth was wide open. Never in her entire life would she ever dream of something as… disturbing, convoluted, and… wrong as what she had just heard.

“I’m a copy, Spitfire,” Jett smiled sadly, “A replacement.”

“B-but… I thought you were just part of your dad’s project.”

He laughed, “That’s what I thought too… Until I got smacked upside the head again recently and I got MY memories back… as well as some of HIS.”

He turned and started pacing.

“I’m just a copy of a person named Daniel Halsey. A replacement for a broken man’s lost son. A replacement for a heartbroken girl’s older brother. A replacement. I suppose that’s why Cat didn’t like me for all those years and why that Woman who I suppose was my mother called me Daniel all the time. And I suppose that’s why things never seemed quite right until I got my fuckin’ arm cut off.”

“Jett…” Spitfire said, “I’m so sorry…”

“Sorry? What do you have to be sorry about?!” He laughed, “No! You see it wasn’t your fault you became friends with a copy of another person! In fact, the only thing your responsible for is getting yourself to Earth so you could meet me!”

“Jett, I’m sorry. None of us had any idea! I’m sure if you just talk to Dane or someone else about it they’d-”

“No! No… no… You see, they wouldn’t understand. You see this isn’t just about me being a copy anymore. You see, everything about me was supposed to be him. Even my fucking personality! You see, I don’t even know if this is me or just someone else ranting on! I don’t even know who’s at the fucking controls anymore!”

“Jett…”

“Now do you see what I needed to think about?! I don’t know WHAT I am anymore! I don’t even know if Jett Halsey is even a real person! I don’t know if I’m just doing or saying the things HE would have said! Oh! And here’s something ironic. Daniel Halsey’s call sign, when he was flying his fighter, was Jett. How fucking weird is that?”

Spitfire frowned, “So you’ve been aiming all this anger and frustration at whoever happens to piss you off?”

“I don’t know what I’m doing anymore,” he laughed, “You see the thing is, I’m programmed with his personality. Or at least I was supposed to be. I was never meant to develop on my own, to be my own person. I was always meant to fill the void left by someone else. Who was I supposed to be? And better yet, how are all of you going to deal with this?”

“… What?”

“For all you or I even know, you could be friends with Daniel Halsey and not Jett.”

And then it hit her. What if this wasn’t the person she thought she was talking to? What if all he really was was a copy of his older brother? What if that personality she’d come to love… was never his to begin with? All those experiences? All those life and death moments? All those little moments alone together? What if they weren’t alone? What if it was always someone else behind the scenes pulling at the strings? Subconsciously or not… it was something to think about.

Jett turned, “Now you see it. This… thing that’s me may be nothing more than an abomination.”

Spitfire looked up at him, “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“For once I think we have something in common,” he replied, “I think though, you know me better than I think she ever could.”

He turned and began walking back towards the hanger. Spitfire turned and called after him.

“Are you angry at your dad?”

Jett turned, “No… not angry. I suppose all he did was just what any grieving person with his resources would do. Bargain and try to get back what he lost. No… what I’m angry about is never having the opportunity to know who I could have become, be it the next Stephen Hawking or Joseph Stalin. Because for all the infinite good or bad that I could have become, it would be better to be a king in hell than to be a copy in heaven.”

Chapter 52. Athena on Aquarius.

One of the great things about being me is that, for someone my age, I tend to not give any semblance of a fuck for things that people my age generally care about. This does not include school or my future because I will downright murder someone for both but that aside. One of the great things about being me as this story's author, it's that I generally don't give a fuck. I'm not here to get popular or to get featured on EQD because refer back to my previous statement. I'm here to write. And I write for some twisted combination of the small audience I have and myself for fun generally. No competition, no worries, no deadlines but my own.

However there is one person I do have to compete with when I write this story and that ugly son of a bitch is myself. Looking back at this story I'd be able to point out massive mistakes and weak points in it that would lower it's rating significantly. This is probably due to the fact I wrote it and similarly an architect will always know his building best. But there is one problem I will be facing rather soon as we approach the final chapters of this story, (Holy shit it's almost over?). Slowly as the quality of this story has increased I've had to consistently one up myself with everything I do from the character interactions to the fight scenes and quite honestly, I'm having trouble figuring out how I'm going to out do myself for some of the final scenes in this story. So for those of you who know me well enough this next bit of news will shock you. Expect writer's block for the final few chapters because quite frankly they will be like giving birth to sextuplets to publish. But hopefully by the end of it all I'll have crafted the perfect ending for this story that is worthy of your enjoyment. But again, expect massive delays because they will be there unless some miracle inspiration comes along gives me a deus ex machina way out of this current situation. Now enough of my rambling, I really must be getting to sleep.

Spitfire rarely came across a problem that she couldn’t solve. A challenge she couldn’t overcome. Surviving flight camp? Please. Easy as pie. School? While not easy it was survivable. Wonderbolt Academy? A challenge but she passed with flying colors, earning her a place in the Wonderbolts. Accident at one of your shows that lands you on an alien world with your only company being a robot and his dysfunctional family? Okay… different but she adapted and thrived in her new environment. This, however, was something different.

The wing of her plane, the one Jett had personally designed and personalized for her, collected the sunlight perfectly. Spitfire herself was lying across it.

Today was an abnormally hot day, in spite of the approaching winter.

“Okay, yep, alright then. Goodbye,” Dane said pocketing a cell phone.

Spitfire turned, “Well?”

“Well they’re not going to press charges on him meaning I stayed up for those two days memorizing your legal system for nothing. Apparently they didn’t want to risk a counter suit and court date that would probably go along the lines of, ‘he assaulted us and put one of our pricks in the hospital.’ ‘Yes but you tried to kill him with a motorized vehicle.’”

“Well that’s good,” she sighed.

“Yeah… So how’s he doing with this… revelation if you want to call it that?”

“I don’t know. He’s been quiet these last few days. He’s showed up for work every day but… I don’t know.”

“And I thought he had problems before. I don’t even know how I would deal with this situation if I was him or you.”

“Why for me?”

He sighed, “Well for one, you fell in love with him. Only now, you can’t even be sure who you fell in love with. You may have fallen in love with the personality of that boy’s older brother.”

Spitfire rolled over on her plane’s wing, “No… no I don’t think I have.”

Dane blinked, “How can you tell?”

“He may have some of his older brother’s traits, but that’s just part of being family. He may look like his brother, maybe, but again, he’s not him because his brother is not here. He may have some of his memories but he also has his own experiences to add to it, unique only to HIM that defines him as a person.”

“He was supposed to be a copy of his brother. Those experiences unique to him could still just be how his brother would react to them.”

“Yes but… you can’t copy someone’s soul.”

“How do you know beings like us even have ‘souls?’ We’re machines. Complex computers.”

Spitfire sat up and flashed a small smile, “Yes! But, none of that matters. Those are just surface features. What matters is on the inside. Isn’t that what parents tell their kids?”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying is that even copies and replacements are unique in their own right. There’s no way he’s exactly like his brother, because he’s not his brother. He may be having trouble getting that through his head but… his brother is dead. And like it or not he’s already developed into a good person.”

“Yes but how do you KNOW that?”

Spitfire frowned, “I don’t KNOW for sure. I just… I just FEEL it. Here, in my heart. Just look, I mean, his father seemed to have accepted that he was his own person and didn’t try to change that.”

“Hmm?”

“Yes. His father accepted his new name and the new person he became. His sister viewed him not as a replacement for her older brother but as a separate, younger sibling. She never once referred to him as ‘Daniel’ or anything like that. And then there’s you guys.”

“Us?”

“Yes, you and Gin. You two never treated him as anything less than a full on individual. Even now, what’s changed? Even now, after finding out that he was supposed to be a copy of someone else, what’s changed about him? Isn’t he still the same person you met several years ago.”

Dane frowned, pondering her statement. Then he gave a small smile and looked up, “No, he’s not the same person. Because ever since you dropped in on us he’s been more positive and content in his existence. Of course that throws out the past week and all the events that went with it but you get the gist of it. But this problem is something different and… I think you’ve always been the protagonist of this story. This is your story; make your own happy ending.”

“What do you want me to do?” she asked.

“What do I want you to do? It doesn’t matter what I want you to do. Though I would certainly love to watch this story have a happy ending, this is your ball. Do what you want.”

Spitfire sighed, running her fingers through her fire like hair, “Alright. I’ll figure something out… In the meantime… Fleetfoot wanted me to ask you a question.”

“Odd that she wouldn’t ask me herself but, anyway, shoot,” Dane frowned.

“She, uh, wants to know if you’re free this afternoon.”

Dane glanced back towards the complex and his room that contained a massive pile of now useless legal books, “Yeah, I think I’m free. What does she want to do?”

“Beat’s me,” Spitfire said with a sly grin, “But if you ask me… I think she’s grown a little bit fond of you.”

She hopped off the plane and began walking back towards the complex.

***

“So… how have you been feeling?” Ajax asked.

Kana turned away from the window. Beyond the glass was the endless sea of stars. Behind it was a hotel room of the leisure ship Cloud Nine. Ajax herself was projected sitting in an arm chair.

“Better,” she replied, “I don’t think I’ll ever be perfectly normal again but… I don’t know.”

“You did what you were ordered to do. You did what you needed to protect the fleet.”

“I guess I’ll have to learn to live with it then, won’t I?” she smiled sadly.

“Yes you will. But you’ll be fine. Just… forget about it for now. Don’t forget it entirely but just… push it out of the way for now. Focus on the good things.”

“What good things do you want me to focus on?”

“Well from what I hear that boyfriend and a few other friends of yours got transferred over to my ship. And again, from what I hear, there’s a position opening up in the Artificial Intelligence lab on my ship as well. And word has it that a certain A.I. has the ability to pull some pretty hefty strings around here,” Ajax smiled.

Kana smiled back, “You’re a bitch.”

“The best.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. Now get out there. The water’s nice, the air is clean, and you’re going someplace that has people more your age.”

“What about you? Are you gonna be around?”

“Nah, I have some things to finish up,” the A.I. replied, “But how about this, I’ll catch up with you later today. Sound good?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Good. Now if these sensors are working correctly, Mr. Takeya is standing outside your door debating on whether or not to ring the buzzer.”

“Guess I shouldn’t keep him waiting.”

“No you shouldn’t.”

***

“Ah! Hey!” Jett yelled as a large pack smacked him in the face, “What the hell is this?”

Spitfire stood over him with a similar looking pack on her wings, “Get up, we’re going spelunking.”

Jett rubbed his head, “What?”

Spitfire sighed, “Look. I know you’re still trying to sort some things out but, I want to do something with you today and I’m your boss so get your lazy ass off the ground and let’s go!”

“Just where are we even going to be going?”

“The Crystal Caves underneath the city. We’re getting you out of your man cave today. And bring a bathing suit. We may run into a little bit of water.”

He sighed, “Fine, fine. I’ll go.”

“Good,” she smiled.

He got up off the runway and headed inside to grab his things.

Spitfire let out a sigh, “Thank Celestia that was as easy as it was.”

***

Earth.

“What’s wrong, Admiral?” Ajax asked.

“Something you said a few years ago. When I first created this project,” he replied turning around in his chair. The A.I. walked over to the window and gazed over the Martian landscape.

“Hmm?” Ajax turned, “What is it?”

“You were right.”

“About?”

“Everything. I wanted my son back. A perfect copy. But this… boy living in my house now, the one my daughter considers an abomination, while he may have some of the same interests and even the appearance of my son, he’s not him. He hasn’t developed into the same person.”

Ajax remained silent.

“You once told me you couldn’t copy a soul. Well you were right. This boy is far more curious, far more tenacious and far more creative and imaginative than Daniel ever was or could be. He’s rude, he talks back to his teachers when they get something wrong, he’s a smart ass, and yet… unlike Daniel he has a certain respect for authority. He’s grown into his own person.”

“What about those memories you implanted him with?”

“They’ve failed to take. Looking back I suppose that’s a good thing. Let him be his own person. As a parent I can only offer guidance. I can’t force him to be something he’s not, or never will be.”

Ajax crossed her arms, “So what are you going to do now?”

“Raise him like a normal boy. Cat may not accept him as a replacement but… maybe she’ll accept him as her little brother. I have a vacation coming up so maybe that would be the perfect time to get some bonding in.”

“Glad you’re thinking straight again,” Ajax smiled.

“Yeah, so am I.”

***

“So what do you think?” Spitfire asked as she and Jett moved along the rocks of the cave.

Jett looked up at the ceiling sprinkled with glowing crystals. They bathed the room in a dim rainbow of color that still kept the cave well lit. The crystals littered the walls and floors as well. A small crystal clear stream flowed through the cave farther below them as they walked. It was almost magical.

“It’s beautiful here,” Jett said, “I like it.”

“I’m glad,” Spitfire smiled, “So what have you been thinking about?”

“What?”

“You’ve been preoccupied over the past week. You’ve been thinking about something. What is it?”

The pair continued walking through the cave with Jett following her.

“I don’t know. I’ve done everything from go through those memories to contemplate my mortality or lack thereof.”

“Lack thereof?”

“I have no definitive limit placed on my existence.”

Spitfire sighed happily, “That must be something. Thrilling really.”

“Thrilling?” Jett asked, “How do you figure that?”

“Well, anything can happen. Your life is an adventure. With me, I know I won’t always look this way. I’ll get old eventually. My wings will eventually fail me. I’ll lose my vitality and slowly succumb to age and time. You have the gift of being young forever. Only the princesses have that gift.”

“I’m designed to age as I grow older. Theoretically I could control it if I so desired. But… I don’t know. Immortality can be a mixed blessing if you catch my meaning. But for me and my situation, it could almost be a curse.”

“A curse?”

“Living on for eternity without ever knowing who I am or could have become. That’s one thing you have that I could never hope to achieve.”

Spitfire began giggling. Her giggles soon evolved into full on laughter.

“What about that statement was funny?” Jett asked, slightly irritated.

“It’s just funny because you’re wrong,” she replied still giggling.

“How do you know that?”

“Because you can’t copy someone’s soul. Maybe if he’d been revived then that would be different but trying to copy someone? You just can’t do that,” she said walking along, “Even if you’re a little bit like him, so what? That just makes you more human than you already are!”

“More… human? How do you figure that?”

“Because, it sort of makes you, like, actually related to your family. My sister and I, though we sometimes don’t get along, both have the same kind of temper. We’re both good at flying and share a love for it. Though we’re also different. For instance, she’s more prone to act on her temper than I am and she isn’t as good as expressing herself emotionally as me.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the pleasure of meeting your sister,” Jett said as they continued hiking through the cave.

“Well if you’re ever unlucky enough to piss her off, run. She’s built like a tank. You couldn’t tell by looking at her but she could probably take Gin in a fight.”

Jett scoffed, “I’m not so sure about that one.”

“I’m serious!”

“If you say so…” he sighed.

“We’re still not off our previous line of conversation, here. And for some reason I’m getting a sense of déjà vu here but… I still think you are your own person.”

“And I’m going to ask you: what makes you say that?”

“All the times where you acted a certain way and only you could have acted that way.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well for one, your brother Daniel appeared to be more successful with women than you,” she laughed.

Jett frowned, “Yeah… not funny.”

She sighed, “Yeah I know. But point is, I know you, and you are not very confident when it comes to girls. Though I think Starry Skies is the exception only by the simple fact that your damn head once again got fucked up. And other things too. I just can’t place it. It’s a feeling.”

“And I’m supposed to believe your feelings?”

She turned, “Let me ask you this: Do you trust me?”

He blinked, “Do I trust you?”

“Yes. Do you trust me?”

“What the fuck kind of question is that? Of course I trust you. I almost ended up sacrificing myself to save you; TWICE, before you pulled off your damn magic trick.”

“So you trust me? Fully and completely?”

“Yes of course. I’ve never had any reason to suspect otherwise.”

“Then trust me when I say that you can’t copy a soul. You are unique.”

“If you say so.”

Spitfire turned and glared at him, “Hey, I’m serious. Be more positive about this. That’s a fuckin’ order.”

Jett sighed and rubbed his head, “Yes ma’am. I will try ma’am.”

“Don’t call me ma’am! It makes me feel… old.”

“Well you’re older than me by eight years.”

“No I’m not. You’re seventeen now right?”

“Uh you’re forgetting I was created as a seven year old kid.”

“Oh… right…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…” she replied before saying under her breath, “Now I feel like a fucking lolicon. I’m in love with a ten year old robot boy.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Let’s keep going. Our destination is just ahead.”

“What is our destination?”

“Little spot of mine I found when I was younger,” she smiled, “My own little oasis.”

***

“So Spitfire said you wanted to hang out today?” Dane asked.

Fleetfoot blinked, “Uh, yeah. I didn’t think you’d actually say yes.”

Dane leaned back in his chair, “Well I some time on my non existent schedule so I figured why not? Plus from what I’ve seen you’re pretty cool so… yeah.”

“You know I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Spitfire,” Fleetfoot gave a slightly playful yet slightly devious grin, “Apparently you’re quite the ladies man.”

“I prefer to use the term Active. I get around. I’m a social person. That’s not exactly a crime is it?”

“No, no it’s not. Just from what she’s told me, and that’s a lot, you don’t seem to be behaving like yourself.”

“Well, uh, no offense but from what I’ve seen here, and that is limited, but my general view of the females of this planet can be summed up by the phrase, ‘Bitches be crazy.’”

Fleetfoot laughed, “Bitches be crazy?”

“Yes, Bitches be crazy. Hell from what I’ve seen here most of the girls here appear to be jack shit out of their fucking minds with the exceptions being few and far between though most of you girls here seem sane enough.”

A noise behind them got their attention as Gin stumbled into the cafeteria with Blaze right behind her.

“And I said we’re doing KICK BOXING!” Gin yelled.

“And I said we’re doing AERIAL BOXING!” Blaze yelled back.

“You stupid bitch, I don’t know how many times I’ve said this! I DON’T HAVE WINGS!”

“And I can’t flip a fucking truck over at will!”

“Well get over it because that’s what we’re doing!”

“Flipping over a truck?” Blaze asked.

“Is that what I said, idiot?” Gin rolled her eyes.

“You’re an idiot!”

“You’re a bitch!”

“Annoying!”

“Stubborn!”

“Stupid!”

“Dyke!”

Blaze blinked, “Damn right,” before violently grabbing Gin’s face and kissing the girl with almost inhuman force. Gin, rather surprised almost fell onto the floor before Blaze broke free, her wings clamped down to her back rather tightly.

Gin stood up and whipped her mouth, “Crazy bitch.”

She rather quickly punched Blaze in the face.

“That was for touching me without my permission,” she grinned, “Now we’re even.”

“That fucking hurt.”

“Well so did the cramps that I used to get every month. Get over it. Besides,” she rolled her eyes, “I think we can finish this elsewhere.”

“Oh, uh, alright.”

“Crazy bitch.”

The two again left the cafeteria, hurling insults at each other.

Dane turned back to Fleetfoot, “Do you see what I mean? I could go outside and point out every shade of psychobitch under the sun here.”

“I didn’t even know Gin rolled that way.”

“Meh, where I come from it’s a normal thing. Of course it took a few hundred years, the deaths of a few religions and a few uses of the pimp hand to shut up the fundamentalists that felt that they had some divine right to define what marriage was but hey, if she’s happy then what do I care?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. Just that… that was rather unexpected.”

“No, not unexpected. In fact I was wondering when something like that was going to happen with those two. No, what would be unexpected is if Jett and Spitfire ever got together.”

“Why would that be unexpected? Spitfire’s fucking infatuated with him.”

“It takes two to tango. And believe me when I say that Jett’s head is a lot more than just bullet proof.”

“Oh… so what about you?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Me? What about me?”

“Are you thinking of dating anyone?”

Dane turned, “Girl, if I was a normal person I would have died from some mutated disease by now. I’ve ‘dated’ people before… just not for more than few hours.”

“So you’ve never been in a serious relationship?”

“Define serious.”

“Lasting more than your typical one night stand.”

“Oh, uh… no not really. Never really got around to it back home. Well that along with the fact that our football team had a monopoly on that for the most part but hey. I played the part of the back street boy. And like I said earlier, the girls here are just… crazy.”

“Well I’m not crazy. Or at least I’d like to think I’m not,” Fleetfoot frowned.

“Yes well you haven’t tried to commit vehicular manslaughter over a silly breakup/cheating scandal. And like I said, most of the girls I’ve seen here are fifty shades of psychobitch with guns, cars and wings. Forgive me if I seem a bit hesitant.”

Fleetfoot frowned in thought before standing up and walking over and grabbing Dane’s hand.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

“Showing you that not all of us are homicidal psychobitches as you but it,” she laughed, “Now come on. I know a place down town that seems like it would be just your style.”

***

Jett turned, “You know, I’ve seen people die in places like this.”

“Nonsense, this here is a paradise!” Spitfire grinned proudly. They were standing in a rather large open room. Glowing crystals of all colors littered the place all over from the walls to the ceiling. In the center of the room was a crystal clear pool of water than ranged in depth from a few centimeters in some areas to a few meters in others. The water itself had glowing crystals at the bottom though they were more rounded off and not as jagged possibly due to erosion. At one end of the pool, near one of the shallow ends was a water fall that fell in from a ledge close to ceiling height while at the other shallow end of the pool was a small opening that led to the small river that flowed through the cave.

“Oh really, and just how deep is that water and where does that cave over there go?”

“Fuck if I know. I just came here a lot as a kid.”

“And I watched I shouldn’t be Alive as a kid.”

“Oh get that stick out of your ass and come swimming with me. Besides, I’ve been down that river in a raft before and it doesn’t drop you down anywhere dangerous.”

“Yeah, if you have wings. For the rest of us it opens up in the side of a cliff that drops you down almost five hundred meters.”

“Yeah well I highly doubt you’re careless enough to have that happen to you,” Spitfire said dropping her bags and stripping her shirt off, “So get those clothes off and hop in with me.”

Jett sighed dropping his bag, “Fine, but if I die you’re paying for my multi billion credit corpse.”

Spitfire tossed her shorts away leaving her clad in nothing but a rather well flattering bikini, “Please, you were traveling faster than the speed of sound when you tore up our courtyard. So come on.”

She dove into the crystal clear water. Her athletic wings propelled her along beneath the water’s surface before she emerged in the middle of the pool, tossing her hair back and out of her face.

“Come on, the water’s perfect!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming, I’m coming,” Jett said removing his shirt. Spitfire again glimpsed his torso and the connections where his arm attached to the rest of his body. Again there were almost lightning like scars coming off of the connection point. Since he was already in a bathing suit he simply tossed off his shoes and dove in after her before allowing himself to sink to the bottom.

Spitfire frowned, “You know this isn’t what I had in mind!”

Jett just held a hand to his ear.

She sighed and dove down to meet him and repeat her previous statement only it came out sounding more like she was choking on a massive… thick… long… tooth brush more than anything else.

Jett just rolled his eyes and surfaced with her.

“You know that wasn’t what I had in mind,” Spitfire coughed.

“And what did you have in mind?”

Spitfire grinned. This wasn’t the kind of happy, cute grin you get when you see when you see something cute, no this was the predatory kind of grin that a cat would get if it could smile when it was about to take down its prey or the kind of grin a priest gets when he sees a- you know I’m gonna stop now at risk of offending some people.

“Me… you… alone in this beautiful setting…”

“Oh, I see what’s going on here. You’re inferring that because we are close friends and are alone in this cave and are unlikely to be disturbed that we could advance our relationship to a sexual one. Of course your desire to do so would be of course purely because of my character and not the fact that I’m a machine with stamina and knowledge to make Ron Jeremy jealous,” Jett rolled his eyes.

Spitfire just stared at him before she burst out laughing, floating onto her back and using her wings as floats while she howled into the ceiling of the cave, “See? I knew you had a sense of humor!”

“And I knew Dane’s personality rubbed off on you a bit.”

“Oh shut up. I may be a pervert but I’m not like THAT.”

“And I masturbated my left arm off,” Jett said sarcastically.

Spitfire started cracking up again.

“What?”

“You’re funny as hell is what,” she giggled, “Even when you’re not trying to be.”

“Well maybe my purpose in life is to be your jester,” he said floating on his back staring up at the crystal dotted ceiling.

“Wouldn’t that be something?” Spitfire said joining him as she spread her wings out to better accommodate herself, “Ah, this is nice.”

“What?”

“The water, the temperature, this setting, you, me, everything is perfect for relaxing like this.”

“Well with all the work you’ve been putting in I’m sure you deserve this.”

“Yeah… delays pushed our opening day back until after our Gala show with the Shadowbolts. Big performance that night but luckily it’s only one.”

“I don’t know how you’re gonna pull that off,” Jett said, “If that was me I’d probably shoot a certain two of them down.”

“I can understand that, but the only person I’m worried about is my sister and if I know her, it’s that she’ll get the job done without a hitch and keep her team in line.”

Jett scoffed, “Keep her team in line? Forgive me if I find that hard to believe.”

“Why? She runs a tight ship.”

“Because I’ve taken more beatings than the Battlestar Galactica. Sorry but when her subordinates try to run me down with a car…”

“Well I think she was visiting with Shining Armor that night to discuss security. Speaking of which I have to do that tomorrow.”

“Why do you guys need to talk security? Isn’t your ‘elite’ guard gonna take care of that?”

“Well normally but security has been increased in recent years following an attack on the city. Can’t take any chances.”

“Well, again forgive me for saying this but I think your guard needs to step up.”

“Well maybe you can volunteer as a consultant for the guard at the Gala.”

Jett laughed, “What makes you think they’d do that after all the encounter’s I’ve had with them?”

“Well considering all that, maybe they’d hire you just because they’re tired of losing to the alien robot from across the stars,” she replied.

“Maybe…”

“So what are your thoughts on Dane and Fleetfoot?”

“What are my thoughts about them? What are you asking?”

“Oh come on,” Spitfire stared off longingly, “I know you see the way she looks at him. Hell sometimes he even looks back at her.”

“Well if something does happen between them I say great. Asshole deserves someone who can keep up with him and that certainly isn’t me.”

“Please, I think it’s more him that has to keep up with you,” Spitfire replied with a smile.

“Me? What makes you say that?”

“You’ve got your head in the clouds Jett. You don’t live here with us, even when raging pissed off or depressed or confused, you’re already orbiting some far away star, standing on some far off world and looking to the next. You’re light years ahead. The rest of the world is just dragging on behind you.”

“Really… Maybe that’s how you see it… Me? I don’t know how I view the world anymore. I’m not even among the race that created me anymore. And my father… I can’t help but feel guilty of leaving him behind.”

“But… he created you as a copy of your brother. To be a replacement. If that were me I’d be upset.”

“Yeah, maybe you but I feel sorry for him. He’s now lost everyone he’s ever known or loved. Including me since I’m now light years away from his reach. As far as he knows I’m dead.”

…

“Hmm. Well as long as you left on good terms with him then I suppose your regrets about the situation would be limited, hmm?”

“I suppose. We still got along better than most people and I’m grateful for that. But still… A lot of things still bother me even now. Things I don’t think I’ll ever resolve.”

“Why is that? You’ve always been the problem solver.”

“And you’ve always been the optimist. There’s an old saying of my race that goes back two centuries: The optimist is the wishful thinker while the pessimist is the realist.”

“What kind of saying is that? Optimism is always the best policy!”

Jett sighed, “Spitfire you grew up in the very definition of paradise more or less. We’re from two different worlds. Your people are the very embodiment of the qualities my people always viewed as good. Honest, caring, generous, loyal, kind, and happy. All things my people almost never were. Here, Spitfire, you could have everything you could ever desire. Back home, we had to bring our own air to breathe wherever we went. I’m a product of my environment and I’m not afraid to admit that just as you are.”

“I suppose you’re right about that, to a degree that is.”

“To a degree? What other degree could there be?”

“Well for all intents and purposes, unless you some kind of high tech space ship stored up your ass, you’re stuck here with me forever. Maybe my little mindset will rub off on you.”

“Don’t tempt me. We still have a destroyer in orbit right now, well beyond your reach.”

Spitfire looked towards him and said rather nervously, “You’re not thinking about leaving are you?!”

“No, no, the thought crossed my mind a few times but… there are some things even I can’t do. And right now, FTL is one of them because that ship isn’t equipped with one. And it’s not like I can build one.”

“Oh… good.”

“Good?”

“Sorry, I just like having you in life is all and I don’t want you leaving.”

“Sometimes we don’t have control of those things. Just look at what happened with my sister… We can only cope with it.”

Spitfire turned, “You miss her don’t you?”

“Every day. She was more of a mother to me than my own mother was. She always tried to be around when she could. She was a better mother to me than most real mothers are. I loved her and… I just wish she could have lived to see this world. She would have loved it here.”

“Well I’m sure wherever she is she wouldn’t want you to be sad like this. She’d want you to remember the good times but also to look towards the future to making more good memories to be remembered.”

“Thanks for the sentiment but I don’t believe in an afterlife. At least not for robots.”

“I don’t know… that book you read to me a while back got me thinking…”

“Thinking? About what?”

“Oh, nothing. So you think Dane and Fleetfoot could work?”

“Well from what I’ve seen, yes. They appear good for each other. Plus I think she could do well to drop Dane on his ass every once in a while because lord knows he needs it.”

Spitfire laughed, “So what about you?”

“Me?”

“Well now that you’re back on the market and everything… would you ever consider dating again?”

Jett scoffed, “Yeah, after that first one went soo well. I’ve seen divorces that are less violent than that one break up. I don’t know. I’d maybe consider it but… again, I don’t know. Unlike the last psychopath I was with I can at least acknowledge that I’m a bit of a sociopath sometimes.”

“I wouldn’t say that. I’d say you’re more… what’s the word? I think you’re more special than most.”

“Gee thanks,” he rolled his eyes.

“No, not like that! I mean that you’ve been though some things. After all the crap you’ve taken it’s understandable. You deserve someone that can actually understand you for who you are.”

“But does that person deserve me? And I don’t mean that in an aristocratic sense either. I mean, would that person deserve to have an angry, sociopathic machine as their partner? Right now… I just don’t know what I want to do. Just… don’t try to get me back up on the horse because I’m not even sure if I like equestrian things like that at the moment.”

“Irony.”

“Shut up, it’s not like I did that on purpose. Still. I’m still confused about a lot of things… Times like this, when everything is peaceful that I just like to think.”

“I see…”

A silence filled the cave as the two floated around the pool.

Spitfire spoke up, “Hey Jett?”

“Yeah?”

“Confused or not, I’m still really glad I met you. Even if we are from two different worlds.”

He gave a small smile, “Me too.”

***

“Just what the frak is this place?!” Dane yelled over the loud music a certain blue haired DJ was playing.

“You’ve more than likely been to clubs like this!” Fleetfoot yelled back with a wild grin.

“Yes but you have people flying in here!”

“Well duh,” She winked, “Some of us do have wings.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Psychobitch crazy?”

“No not that crazy. Just crazy.”

“Well then come on snowball. Don’t be a sour puss. Come dance with me!” she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the mass of people stomping the floor in front of the DJ booth. The DJ did a head bang, her neon blue hair whipping behind her. She gave Fleetfoot a cocky yet knowing grin.

“I still think you’re crazy!” Dane said getting into the beat of the music.

“And I think you’re hot so we’re even!”

“What?”

“What?!” Fleetfoot smiled back.

Dane shook his head with a grin, “Crazy girl.”

***

Nightshade frowned, “Tisk tisk tisk. You know, if you had just followed orders and stayed inside that night none of this would have happened.”

Charger lay in a hospital bed with two broken wings while Starry Skies had her leg in a more proper cast and was sitting next to him. Stratus had a small bandage on his head while Dusk seemed rather unscathed at first glance though he had some bruising underneath his shirt.

Starry Skies looked up, “Captain! You’re actually defending that robot?!”

“Yes, I am. Quite frankly you two have been just one massive fuck up ever since that break up of yours. You can’t just play two people like that and not expect consequences.”

“And what about me?” Charger asked bitterly.

“You’re a dumb fuck is what you are. You tried running him over with a car and look how that turned out for you. You see, that’s your problem. You don’t fucking think at all!”

“Geez, no need to be so harsh there Cap,” Dusk said.

She turned and glared at him, “Shut up pussy. You’re just as stupid as they are for getting involved in it.”

“And what about Stratus?”

“I would berate him but he just doesn’t give a shit so I won’t. You did this to yourselves, so no charges will be filed.”

“So you’re just gonna let that robot fuck walk away home free?”

“The only thing he could do that would make me go after him is if he hurt my sister. And so far, all he’s done is given your asses a good kicking back into line. So here’s the deal, you are all going to mind your own business from now on and you’re going to leave that robot alone unless I say so otherwise. Got it?!”

Charger mumbled something under his breath.

“Charger if you don’t fucking speak up so I can hear you I’m going to tear your fucking ball sack off and feed it to you. So what was that again?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. You’ll all still be flying at the Gala so I expect all of you to be on your best behavior. If I see any of you causing any trouble you’ll answer to me. Go it?!”

The Shadowbolts sighed, “Yes, ma’am.”

***

Kana set her smoothie down and glanced at her pad. She frowned. In theory she could do what she was thinking but she would need a bit more experience before hand to do so.

Takeya climbed out of a nearby swimming pool and sat in the beach chair next to hers, “Hey, whatcha looking at there?”

“Just a little something about my next assignment,” she replied.

“Ugh, you’re already thinking about our next assignment?” he replied with a bored expression.

“Yes I am. Our entire class got transferred so it would make sense to learn about our new duties a bit before we arrive. I mean, we are moving to the flagship of course.”

“Thank god for that really. I filed so many damn complaints with the maintenance crew on Pegasus about that noise in that vent but I never heard back from them.”

“Well the Admiral’s ship is top of the line so that problem should go away.”

“With all the battles this fleet has been through how can you even consider any ship top of the line anymore? Hell our last assignment got so many damn holes blown in it that it looks like Swiss cheese.”

“I know all the ships look like that but repair crews are getting to that. And besides, the Eternity has Ajax so that’s pretty cool.”

“Oh yeah, so we’re going to be on the ship that houses the fleet’s A.I.”

“Well one of them at least. I’ll be working in the Artificial Intelligence lab. Where are you gonna be?”

“Tactical,” he replied, “Which at this point in the game is kind of useless so my secondary will be working the hololab.”

“Ah, so we’ll all basically still be around.”

“Yep… so what are you looking at?”

“Just a little something about advanced robotics. I have an idea for a project that I can start when I get to the lab.”

“Cool. But for now, put that down. We still have some time left so let’s have some fun!”

“Oh alright,” she smiled saving the program and putting down her pad and diving into the nearby pool.

Chapter 53. Caprica.

Again, parts of this chapter were inspired from sci fi. Caprica the show as well as Battlestar Galactica and even A Certain Magical Index. Go watch all of these right now.

Shining Armor twirled a crystal knife around absentmindedly while he stared at what had been the cause of a few not so minor headaches in front of him.

“So… you want to be hired as a security consultant the night of the Gala?” he asked.

The android in front of him rolled his eyes, “Listen, this wasn’t really my idea. It was hers.”

He glanced at the Wonderbolt Captain sitting in a nearby chair. She just looked up with a bewildered look on her face.

“Who? Me?” she asked.

Shining frowned, “What makes you think that I would hire you for one of the most important nights of the year?”

“Well for one I’ve showed your guard up a few times. Not too hard really. Back where I’m from you can have security so tight that even the air in the room doesn’t leave.”

“Uh, huh… Well I do have to begrudgingly admit that you have done quite a bit to humiliate us rather nicely so no problems there. Now then, what kind of ‘security’ experience do you have?”

“None, however I noticed on the way into this fortress, if that’s what you want to call it, that there was approximately a five minute opening on the east wall when your guards switch shifts. In all honesty I could have just hopped the wall with a bomb or poison or something else and wreaked all sorts of havoc. And you lack redundancy in almost everything so finding spots where you are simply not looking is also rather easy to do.”

Shining looked down at an unseen piece of paper, “Yeah… that’s getting fixed.”

Spitfire gave a thumbs up.

“Now I guess all that’s left is the matter of if you can fight or not.”

Spitfire made a funny choking sound. Shining diverted his gaze over to her.

“Is something the matter Captain?” he asked.

“No, no, just, uh, kind of a stupid question.”

“Really…”

“Yes really. Perhaps a simple demonstration. Jett?”

Jett sighed, “I can guarantee that I can take that knife from you and nail you to your own desk with it.”

“Yeah right,” The Guard Captain said standing up and walking around to confront him, “I’ve had more years’ worth of training and experience than you’ve likely been alive an-”

The android’s right hand was suddenly on the Captain’s neck pushing him down on his desk while his left grabbed his hand and wrenched the knife from it while pinning it behind his back. He caught the knife and impaled it down upon the Captain’s collar, nailing him to the mahogany surface.

“One advantage that he does have over you,” Spitfire said rather amused, “Is that he’s faster than you could ever hope to be.”

“Yeah,” Shining said with strain in his voice, “I can see that. Now can you get your hand off my head and let me up?”

Jett retracted his limbs and returned to a more passive state. Shining pulled the knife out of his shirt.

“Damn, Cadence is gonna kill me for this,” he said looking at the hole in the cloth. Jett merely shrugged.

“So?” Spitfire asked.

“Yeah, yeah, he has the job. But YOU captain better keep an eye on him. Last thing I need is him wrecking another section of street.”

Spitfire glanced back at the robot, “Yeah I think I can do that.”

“Good. Show up here again tomorrow and we’ll get you started on what you need to know and how you think you could help us… improve things.”

“Sure,” he replied absent mindedly.

“Alright. Now both of you get out of here. I have to figure out how I’m going to explain this to my wife.”

Jett turned on a heel and left the office with Spitfire close behind him.

“Well you got the job,” Spitfire said happily.

“Yeah…” Jett said simply.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine. Just feeling a little… off. But then again I’ve been feeling off ever since I got my head kicked in so I guess this is the new normal.”

“Well as much as I hate to say this, the Shadowbolts did actually do something right for once in getting you your old memories back. Amnesia was getting annoying.”

“Well imagine living through it. It’s like getting drunk and then waking up and remembering all the fucked up shit you did the previous night. Not fun.”

“I guess I can understand that.”

“Yeah, but now everything is just… different. I don’t know, maybe I miss home or something. But again, I have to keep reminding myself that home is probably destroyed even if I could go back.”

“Do you ever want to go back?”

“Sometimes… more recognizable people and stuff there. But none of you people are there… it’s difficult sometimes. I’m trying what you said; being more positive and trying to look at things from a different angle but still. I have to work at it.”

“Well I’m at least glad you’re making an effort.”

They walked out of the castle into the courtyard. The guards in the towers turned and glanced down at them. Jett raised his arm, made a finger gun and ‘shot’ it.

“So when our tour season starts up we’ll be gone from the base for a few months,” Spitfire said.

“And?”

“Well I was wondering if you, uh, wanted to come with us.”

“Come with you?”

“Yeah, your part of the team now.”

“I don’t fly or do anything noticeable,” he replied.

“Yes you do. You take care of our tech and help manage our planes. I’d say that’s pretty important.”

“I don’t see anyone asking for my autograph. Not to sound conceited or anything because you know how much I hate that but the job just doesn’t seem that important to me. You guys are the stars; I don’t see why you should have me around as luggage.”

“Come on, don’t be that way,” She pouted.

“I still have a few things to take care of here.”

“Like?”

“Well for one I haven’t finished all of your next generation planes yet. I’ve only done yours, Soarin’s, Fleetfoot’s and Misty’s. That and there’s still the matter of the massive weapon ship that’s been in geosynchronous orbit above this city. There’s no real place to put it.”

“Well could we have it?” Spitfire asked.

“You?!”

“Yes, make it an official Wonderbolts’ Vehicle.”

“No, absolutely not. For one it’s loaded with world destroying weapons and technology. Just disarming the nuclear warheads on that would take months! And I am not about to go reviewing nuclear physics again.”

“Relax; I’m just messing with you.”

“That ship is staying where it is until I find something better to do with it. Honestly, why did that damn thing have to come with us?”

“Would you have rather it stayed and been taken by those people now likely occupying Earth?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean I wanted it. I mean, it’s the most advanced piece of technology, minus the two androids living here, within ten thousand light years of this planet.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure out something to do with it.”

“Fly it into the sun.”

“No don’t do that.”

“Hmm. I still don’t think I’ll be coming with you. Too much stuff to do, so little time. That and I think I may want to leave the Wonderbolts.”

Spitfire stopped in her tracks, “Leave? But why?”

“No offense but my job consists of that of a mechanic. Personally I think that it’s squandering my talents. I think I’d like to work at a lab or university somewhere. I could use what I know to help propel scientific advancement here.”

“But you also design planes for us.”

“That’s easy. In all honesty I’m surprised that a race that consists of flying people would have such a hard time designing something capable of flight. You’ve already seen what I can do. I’m not living up to my full capabilities. I’m not even necessary. Dane can stay if he wants, I don’t control him, but I’d rather do something more in line with what I can really do. Here… I just fix planes Spits. You do the fun part.”

“If you want to fly I’m sure we can work something out!”

“Spitfire I don’t have wings. I’ll admit I did sometimes get jealous over your ability but that’s not my reason for wanting to leave. I don’t do anything important. Even if I built a jetpack or something I wouldn’t fit in with the rest of the team when flying. Plus that would not be fair to those who have the ability and are working hard to join.”

“What do you mean? You and Dane are far more qualified than ALL of our present candidates.”

“But not motivated. At least I’m not. I’ve heard of some girl named Rainbow Dash that’s been busting her ass to get on the team. She’s got far more drive than I do and right now I have none.”

They exited the castle and entered the streets of the city. Spitfire lagged behind him.

“I just don’t have the drive to do much of anything right now. If I’m going to have a job I’d rather it be something that can test me and my abilities.”

“But if you’re gone, when will I-we ever see you?”

“Don’t know. Probably get an apartment in the town or I may just move to another city all together if Canterlot doesn’t have what I’m looking for. But… I wouldn’t be leaving right away. I’d still be around for a little while.”

“Okay…” Spitfire said quietly.

“But for now, I’ve got to start preparing for that Gala of yours.”

***

Dane frowned, “He wants to leave?”

“Yes! He said this place doesn’t suit his talents anymore!” Spitfire said her voice an odd mix of anger and worry.

“Well to be quite honest he is a little bit right about that. I mean I’m perfectly content here but I’ve always been this way. He could just never sit still.”

“What do you mean he’s right?! Are you defending him in this?”

“Spitfire, you have to understand what we were designed for. We’re the best espionage devices ever created. And that’s just what we’re for on paper. In reality we could honestly do whatever we wanted with little effort. Really the analogy is like using a computer as a paper weight.”

“Is he really that undervalued here? Why didn’t he say anything before?”

“He didn’t even know who you were then, let alone what he was. You know he found school boring before you showed up. In fact he took as many advanced classes as possible just to make it slightly challenging but every day he would complain about why he even got out of bed in the morning.”

“So he’s just gonna leave? Just like that?”

“Well all he does is fix planes and occasionally upgrade them. It’s more of a part time job. So it’s not really necessary that he leave but he could get another job and still work here.”

“Well then why doesn’t he? Why does he have to leave?”

“You haven’t really given him a reason to stay.”

“What are you talking about? How are his friends not a good enough reason?”

“You’re forgetting that he again just lost his whole identity. I think he’s looking for an experience that doesn’t have us involved on purpose. It’s not that he doesn’t like us anymore but… he’s just confused I think. He doesn’t know what to do so he’s trying to find something else that works.”

“Well can’t he do that and stay here with us?!”

“He could… but you’d have to convince him to stay.”

Spitfire sighed, “Great, how the fuck am I gonna do that?”

“Oh I think you know.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“You’ve held off on doing it for months now to the point where if you don’t let it out I’m worried you may die.”

“I, but, I can’t. The moment has to be perfect. I can’t just go up to him and… say it.”

“Well you either do that or you may lose him. Like I said, I can’t control him and force him. But you can convince him to maybe stick around with those three little words.”

“But, how? I mean, I already almost did it already but then he got shot in the head and… well you already know the rest. It was perfect there. The music was right, the moment was perfect. And again when we were in Hawaii but then you ended up calling and spoiling it again.”

“Really? That’s what you were about to do?! Shit, fuck, goddamn it. But anyway, you have to do something. Just let him know that he has people here who care about him. He may want to try something new to figure out who he is but he doesn’t have to leave everyone who cares about him behind to do so. Just try to convince him of that.”

“I suppose I could try something at the Gala. It would be more like a second prom night if anything.”

Dane smiled, “Good. Now all that’s left is that wild card of a friend we have. So are you going to get all dressed up nice? Dress? Stiletto heels? Make up? Ear rings? The shit like that?”

“No, no. We’re flying that night so why would I wear a dress? I hate dresses; can hardly move when wearing one. I’ll probably wear just my military stuff with a bomber jacket. But I’ll try to look nice.”

“Good. So now what?”

“Well, I guess all we can do now is wait. Jet’ll be gone most of the day since he’s working security at the Gala.”

“Alright. Then mentally prepare yourself because that’s all you can really do at this point.”

***

The next few weeks were interesting to say the least. Jett was gone most of the day going over security with Shining Armor as well as setting up DNA scanners in the event that a member of a certain shape shifting race attempted to gain access to the event. Networked together they would all be controlled by the android, giving him an almost radar like ability to see the entire castle grounds. He also helped to adapt the guard shifts so everything overlapped and was redundant to the point where there would be no blind spots.

Spitfire meanwhile continued practicing with her team, preparing for their Gala performance with the Shadowbolts. She worked her team hard but they didn’t complain. All the while she mentally went over her hypothetical confession to the enigmatic robot. Still, she was finding the exercises to be rather… useless.

Dane meanwhile got closer with Fleetfoot. While not official they had gone on several dates with each other to the point where it would be unlikely anything else was happening. Fleetfoot appeared to enjoy his company immensely. She could almost always be seen receiving water from the android during practice breaks and receiving cheers from him during actual flight.

Gin and Blaze however seemed to already be in a rather serious relationship with each other. No one could really figure out just HOW it began, mainly because superficially they appeared to hate each other’s guts but somehow they made it work. But still, outside looking in you would find a more peaceful couple in that of a fundamentalist and an anti-theist.

Meanwhile across town the Shadowbolts were practicing as well for their part of the show. Many of the Shadowbolts were angry about Nightshade letting a certain robot off the hook but they couldn’t complain or voice their concerns out of fear that Nightshade would tear them all a new one, Stratus included. Still, they had to bite their tongues and prepare for the show.

Days turned into weeks as the night approached. Jett was eventually called in to meet with one of the Princesses about the new security measures put in place as well as to receive some scolding about the series of fights he’d been a part of in the city but he didn’t really care too much and in all honesty, neither did the Princess. The android carried on with his work with a certain disinterest.

However as everyone went about with their business, the Gala night crept up on them and soon it was upon them. It was going to be just another annual white-collar, rich people, nobility laden event…

***

Jett frowned as he tightened his outfit. He wasn’t in the normal guard armor as the Shining Armor wanted him to wear; rather he was wearing an officer’s suit from the Acheron in orbit. It was two pieces, generally all black with bits of grey along the collar, shoulders, and upper chest as well as the wrists and ankles. He wore the shoes that went with it. On the left part of the chest was a badge that had the fleet symbol on it. He grabbed a belt that had a chrome plated bottom feeding revolver attached to it and tied it to his torso.

He zipped up the jacket and examined himself in the mirror. He had to at least look professional enough if he was going to be doing security here. He glanced over at his workshop table. One of his older creations was sitting upon it; if needed he could use it. He grabbed the pack and slung it over his back and pulled the straps on and pressed an auto tightening on the strap. It hugged the suit and the robot wearing it ensuring he would not lose the bag easily.

Dane busted down the door wearing a simple tux, “Dude, you ready?”

Jett turned, “Yeah, yeah. Just grabbing a few things.”

“The hell’s that pack for?”

“Emergencies.”

Dane rolled his eyes, “Find more fuckin’ cheer at a funeral.”

“I’m supposed to be professional.”

“Professional doesn’t mean dead.”

“Whatever. We should get going, the team won’t wait forever,” Jett frowned walking over to the stairs.

“Yeah, special night.”

“As special as a congressional fundraiser.”

“Would you stop being so cynical? Yes it’s a rich people’s event but there’s going to be some important people there as well as your friends you could at least try to act interested for fuck’s sake.”

“Fine, but no promises.”

“Have to twist your arm on everything,” Dane mumbled.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, sorry for fucking disturbing you jackass.”

“Oh don’t worry about it; I’ve been disturbed for a long time.”

“Yeah,” Dane said with a slight smile, “I noticed.”

“What was it you said about acting interested?” Jett asked as they walked up the stairs to the cars waiting for them. A group of limousines was waiting to take the team and their dates if they had any to the Gala.

“Shut up and get in the limo dummy.”

Jett turned, “After you, paper boy. I’m in charge of security, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah, no need to be a twat about it,” Dane said as he entered the limo.

Jett pulled on a pair of black sunglasses linking him to the network of scanners already at the palace and entered the vehicle behind Dane. Dane had scooted over to sit next to Fleetfoot who was wearing her Wonderbolt’s flight suit with the hood pulled down. Next to her was Spitfire who had her hood up. Gin and Blaze sat next to her and were for once not screaming at each other. Farther down were more of the Wonderbolts with others in the limo behind them. Jett sat down across from Spitfire and raised an eyebrow.

She sighed, “Yeah I know, it’s not the most flattering thing I’ve worn.”

“Certainly leaves nothing to the imagination.”

“Well it feels like I’m wearing nothing at all,” she grinned.

“Good, then I don’t have to frisk you for weapons or anything dangerous like that,” He said removing his gun and checking the ammo on it.

“The hell is that for?”

“Your guard captain forced it on me. Apparently it serves as both a weapon and my guard badge in the event something happens,” Jett rolled his eyes.

“You look pleased.”

“Well when you have to strap this giant gun to your chest it gets to be a bit clunky but whatever,” he stopped and viewed an unseen image on his sunglasses before leaning towards the driver’s seat, “Hey driver, we’re ready to go.”

The limos started to move. Jett leaned back and started reviewing the security info about the gala. So far a few important people had arrived but Jett cared little about them. Scanners found them about as interesting as he did. Other things like the bands performing and the cooks had arrived without a hitch though there was always a chance someone could smuggle in some kind of- oh who the fuck was he kidding? This place was Candy Land. He relaxed back against the seat.

Spitfire pulled her hood down and ran a few fingers through her hair.

“So are you going to be keeping us safe all night?” she asked.

“From the looks of it,” Jett said unamused, “I have to walk around and keep an eye on things.”

“Will you be able to see us perform?”

“Don’t tempt me.”

“Tempt you? With what?”

“Target shooting the other team.”

“Oh.”

They rode through the city. It was night time so most of the capital was lit up. People seemed pretty excited though not all for the same reasons. While some were truly excited about that Gala others were happy for another reason. With most, if not all of the guard diverted to protect the palace there would be little if none at all in other parts of the city, allowing for almost Marti Gras like celebrations to take place. The limos however plowed through untouched and soon the castle was visible. They crossed the draw bridge and arrived at the main entrance.

Jett opened the door and stepped out, “Well this is where I leave you for the night. I may see you around the palace later tonight but unless I hear otherwise I’ll be well occupied.”

Spitfire sighed, “Alright, just… try to stay calm. Watch us perform if you can but not if you’re gonna end up killing someone.”

“No promises I can’t keep.”

With that he walked away into the crowd gathering to see the Wonderbolts exit. Camera’s flashed as the paparazzi made all sorts of noise as the team exited the limos. Questions were hurled at them and ignored as the team entered the castle.

***

Jett stood upon the castle wall and stared over the city. Bright lights, parties, good lives, decadence, what more could a person ask for? It was in a sense a city that had everything. Still, in a city that had everything he could not help but feel like the round peg in the square hole. Something that didn’t belong.

Ever since he’d busted his head and got back his identity as well as someone else’s in his break up with Starry Skies things had been different. He felt out of place, not belonging, confused and unsure of just what he was or what he was supposed to be. It bothered him to no end. Maybe leaving the Wonderbolts would be best. New experiences, new people, and living up to one’s capabilities. What more could someone ask for?

Times like this he enjoyed solitude. He could just think without the disturbances that came with Dane, Gin or Spitfire for that matter. Being alone like this allowed him to simply retreat into the confines of his mind.

A beeping noise got his attention. On his glasses it showed more people were entering the castle. He paid closer attention to the entrance. The names of everyone who was supposed to be on the guest list scrolled by as he scanned each face of every person who entered and checked them off the list. However there was one person entering that was not on the list that Shining had given him.

A blonde haired noble with two girls at his side was walking through the procession of people. He appeared to be basking in the bright lights and the attention the media gave him. But he was also exhibiting rude behavior to the other guests.

And he wasn’t on the list.

Jett glared down at the rather extravagantly dressed man before jumping down from the wall and landing directly in front of him, cracking the stone below. The girls at his side jumped while the noble flinched.

Jett frowned and turned towards one of the nearby guards and took a clip board from him and began turning through the pages.

“Nope, I was correct, you’re not on the list of guests,” he said, “Nor do you have proper identification visible to indicate your identity.”

He returned the board to the startled guard.

“Which leaves just one question. Who are you and why are you trying to get into the Gala?”

The noble recomposed himself and the aura of pompous certainty reestablished itself, “Either you’re really stupid or misinformed if you don’t know who I am.”

Jett just frowned, “Does that answer my question?”

“How can you seriously not know who I am?” He asked arrogantly.

Jett just sighed and took off his sunglasses, “Look, I don’t give a fuck who you are. Since you are so unwilling to cooperate I’m forced to give you this ultimatum.”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out the revolver and aimed it at the blond haired man’s head. The nearby crowd screamed and the noble froze.

“Either you produce proper identification that says you can attend or you can leave. Or there’s the third option though I don’t think you want to go down that road.”

In the midst of the confusion a certain voice was heard. Regal yet younger than Celestia’s or Luna’s.

Princess Cadance walked down the carpet and glanced at the scene before her. She sighed.

“Blueblood I told you to wear that badge the guards gave us,” she said, “They won’t let anyone in unless they are either on the list or have proper ID.”

She reached into her purse and produced a small credit card sized object. Jett glanced at it. She could come it. She walked up to the android.

“My apologies for the situation. My cousin isn’t always responsible when he needs to be,” she said, “But he is supposed to be here.”

Jett frowned and pulled on his sunglasses and went over the report again. Sure enough the name Blueblood was on there though no picture. Probably why he didn’t show up properly. Someone screwed up. He looked up at the patiently waiting Princess and pocketed the weapon.

“My mistake ma’am. You may enter.”

“No, we’re the ones who should be apologizing. If this guy would just remember to bring his things this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Thank you ma’am. Have a nice night.”

He sighed and crouched down and jumped back up onto the wall. Once all the excitement died down he sighed.

“Yeah, this job sucks.”

***

Spitfire flexed her wings. Their show would be starting soon.

Soarin’ walked up to her, “You know this situation seems eerily familiar.”

“Oh really? You think? Because last time we did a show like this you talked me into that teleportation stunt that landed me on another planet.”

“Uh, yeah, um, sorry about that.”

“Well you’re just lucky that I had fun while I was there.”

“Yeah, else I’d be dead right now.”

“At least this time we aren’t trying anything stupid,” she said pulling her hood up over her head.

Soarin’ blinked, “Define stupid because we’re doing this show with the Shadowbolts.”

“We’re not going to talk about it. We’re just going to fly and then enjoy the rest of the night.”

Fleetfoot walked up, “I really hope we don’t ‘enjoy’ tonight like the last few times we were here. Last time Prince Blueballs would not leave me alone and the time before that the Gala almost got destroyed by a certain six group of people.”

“Well you shouldn’t have to worry since your date is Dane,” Spitfire grinned.

“Thank Celestia for that. Now if that prick comes up to me again I can tell him to fuck off because I’ll actually have a good date for once.”

Soarin’ stretched, “Yeah, yeah, condoms are in the limo when we’re done here okay?”

“And they’re all too big for you,” Fleetfoot laughed.

“Shut up.”

“Alright, lock it all down. We have a show to do and then we have the rest of the season to do some worthwhile stuff on tour,” Spitfire said, “So let’s get it done.”

The team began lining up. Fireworks began shooting up into the air as two flight teams soared into the night sky. The crowd below uttered many oohs and aahs.

Up upon the castle walls sat Jett who watched from a distance as fireworks shot up into the sky and two groups of angels flew into the sky and began a well-choreographed dance.

Part of him wanted to stay and watch but another part was tempted to use the revolver he had in his pocket.

Finally after some internal debate he decided to leave and head inside the castle. Better to have the noise of rich and high class than to have to watch his friends and enemies perform in ways he could only dream of.

He climbed down a set of stairs, walked through a few hallways and was soon back inside the main palace. His job now would be to simply act as security and to keep things civil.

The inside of the palace was beautiful. Tall ceilings with stained glass windows reminiscent of those from large cathedrals. Most of the rooms currently open in the palace all served a purpose. The ball room housed the bands and musicians that were attending the event. The dining hall was situated to provide food as well as be a large social area for the guests to mingle while the outside gardens were available for those who wanted some fresh air or more peace and quiet.

As the show went on outside Jett moved through the different rooms in the palace before he stopped in the main dining hall.

He moved through the crowd of people towards the VIP area where Dane was seated when a tray of pastries spilled all over his suit.

“The hell?!” he said turning in the direction it came from.

Prince Blueblood and his trophies stood nearby looking rather amused. Jett flexed his fingers, resisting a series of violent urges before walking over to a table and grabbing a few napkins.

Prince Blueblood joined him, “You know, now that I think about it, you look a bit familiar.”

Jett was still ripping pissed, “Do I now?”

“Yeah, you’re the one who ruined my sports car.”

Jett turned glaring at the prince, his glasses hiding the psychological instability playing across his eyes, “Yeah well life sure does suck doesn’t it?”

“That was my favorite car.”

“And this was my favorite arm,” Jett said flexing his augment, “Quantify your car with a part a part of your body.”

“Ppfffft, please. Body parts can be regrown or reattached. Your people must be savages!”

Jett really wanted to kill this guy, “Which is why you still live on one planet.”

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“Oh I’m sorry, interplanetary travel is still beyond your capabilities. Normally I wouldn’t even associate with primitives like you but the circumstances aren’t exactly in my favor.”

The Prince grabbed him, “You still owe me a new car.”

“Touch me again and I’ll reverse your fucking blood flow,” Jett said prying the Prince’s hands off of him in a vice like grip.

“You just touched me!” he said rubbing his wrists, “Dirty peasant!”

He took a gloved hand and slapped the android in the face, knocking off his sunglasses. Jett realigned his head and gave the prince a hostile expression. One of his eyes twitched a bit unnaturally.

Jett’s fist struck out rather quickly and smacked the Prince right in the face, breaking his nose. Blood poured from his face.

“You broke my nose!” he squealed, drawing everyone’s attention.

Jett picked up his glasses, “Yeah, so I did. Life’s a bitch isn’t it?”

He turned and walked into the VIP section, not really caring to see what happened with the Prince next or more importantly, about the consequences of what he just did. He found Dane and Gin’s table, still whipping off his shirt, and sat down.

Dane blinked, “What the hell was that?”

“Remind me why I took this job?”

“Hmm, couldn’t tell you. So you wanna talk about what just happened there?”

“If my boss comes and asks then maybe,” Jett said piling up the used napkins on the table.

“Which boss are we talking about?”

“The guard captain you idiot,” Jett sighed, “Haven’t really been having the best of days.”

“Yeah, we could tell. But then again you having a bad day is about as exciting as the sun rising every morning,” Gin said.

“I’m sorry, have you tried doing this job?”

“No…”

“Good, because you wouldn’t want to do it because right now I don’t want to do it.”

Suddenly there was an extra person at the table. Jett turned. Shining Armor.

He pointed at the prince who was being attended to by a nurse, “Not okay.”

“Yeah, you know that doesn’t really bother me much,” Jett replied.

“Figured. And between you and me, not many people here like him too much so saying he didn’t deserve it would be a complete lie. Just… try to show some restraint.”

“He touches me again; I’m reversing his blood flow.”

“Don’t do that. Just… try and deal with it. Believe me, this isn’t the best of guard jobs to have.”

“Gee thanks.”

“At least you don’t have to keep track of that,” he nodded over in the direction of a certain pink haired girl rapidly eating away all the pastries and sweets on the desert table at what seemed to be physics defying speeds.

“Let’s just agree that none of us want’s the other’s job,” Dane said.

“Fine,” Jett said.

“Alright. I would say you should get back up and on the job but considering you’re already everywhere at once with that new whatever the hell devices you installed you can just stay here or do whatever you want for the night; minus killing Blondie over there.”

“Damn,” Jett sighed sarcastically.

“Well I’ll be seeing you two later.”

The guard captain stood up and left. Dane turned and glanced over at the prince before turning to Jett.

“You punched him in the face?”

“It’s not like he wasn’t asking for it,” Jett said.

“Reversing his blood flow?”

“Within the realm of possibility. I’m in a hostile mood right now.”

“Yeah, I can tell.”

***

Spitfire pulled on her bomber jacket as she left the makeshift locker rooms. She sighed. The performance went well in spite of the fact the two teams trained separately. The show allowed them to at least put on the façade that everything was A okay between the two.

It wasn’t.

Both teams still hated each other’s guts. When the Wonderbolts returned to their locker rooms there was much complaining about what the other team had done wrong or if they tried to throw a certain Wonderbolt out of formation or something along those lines.

She exited the lockers and headed into the palace to mingle the guests and fans for the rest of the night, as well as to get something personal in.

She entered the main lobby area where many guests were simply congregating to talk with each other. She was stopped by a few fans and had to sign some autographs and take a few pictures before she was allowed passage into the dining room.

Again she had to fight her way through a crowd of fans all the while with a smile on her face. Finally she made it to the VIP section and stepped inside. Other Wonderbolts who weren’t out as fast as she was were slowly making their way towards them as well. On the other side of the room some of the Shadowbolts had entered as well.

She glanced over at Jett. He looked handsome in his suit… even if it had a stain on it. She sat down next to him.

“Hey,” she smiled.

Without turning he replied, “Hey.”

“What happened to your suit?”

Dane interjected, “Prince Blueblood, if that is his name, happened.”

“What did he do?”

“Oh, he felt that my outfit needed some pastries attached to it and then he wouldn’t leave me alone,” Jett frowned.

“So Jett broke his nose.”

“After he hit me first,” Jett said.

Spitfire laughed, “I can’t really say there are any people around here who would be sad you did that.”

“He said I owed him a new car.”

“A new car? Wait… was he the guy whose car we destroyed in that fight?”

“Yes he was. And you know what, I’d do it again just for the hell of it.”

“Hmm.”

Fleetfoot and a few other Wonderbolts made it to the table, “Hey Dane.”

“Hey, girl. How was your show?”

“Awful. Blueball Bitch almost pushed me into the ground.”

“Well at least you’re here now, so enjoy the night.”

“Can we all go do something fun now?” Misty asked.

“Like?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Dancing?” Spitfire spoke up.

“Sounds like fun,” Dane smiled, “You coming Jett?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No you don’t,” Spitfire said grabbing his hand and pulling him up out of his seat.

The group stood up, found their dance partners, and headed towards the ball room. Most of the Wonderbolts had entered when Jett and Spitfire were stopped by a young girl with a camera.

“Spitfire! Spitfire!”

She stopped, stopping Jett as well.

“Yes?” she responded kindly kneeling down to meet the young girl.

“Can I get your picture for my school’s newspaper?” she asked.

“Sure!” she responded warmly, “Can my friend be in it too?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

Spitfire tugged Jett’s hand dragging him down to her level. Spitfire smiled into the camera while Jett gave a blank though not hostile expression.

“Say cheese!”

“Cheese!” Spitfire said.

At the last moment she turned her head and kissed him on the cheek. The picture was of a certain blushing fly girl with a rather surprised robot with a pink stain on his shirt.

The girl looked at the picture as it developed with at first a perplexed expression.

“Well?” Spitfire asked, “Is that good?”

The girl smiled, “Yeah. It’s perfect. Thanks!”

“You’re welcome,” Spitfire smiled as the girl ran off excited as could be. Once she was far enough away as to be out of sight entirely, Jett turned.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“I wanted something nostalgic. Plus that’ll be one bomb the media will have a field day over,” she laughed.

“Of course.”

“Well enough of that noise. Let’s get to dancing!”

She grabbed his hand again and dragged him into the ball room. The music the band was playing was a bit softer and calmer; perfect for slow dancing.

The other Wonderbolts were already enjoying themselves with their dates. Spitfire turned and smiled at him and led him into the dimly lit room. She grabbed his other hand, feeling the cool metal in his hand and led it to her lower back.

Jett glanced around the room, “We seem out of place.”

“What gave you that idea?” Spitfire laughed.

“Well for one I’m in a stained fleet uniform and you’re in your jacket. And everyone else around us is in gowns and suits.”

Spitfire sighed and closed her eyes, “Do you think me or anyone else cares at this point?”

Jett blinked, “No, I guess not.”

She leaned her head into his chest, “Jett, are you happy here? With us?”

“Happy?” he asked before going silent, “I don’t know. I haven’t been able to feel anything for a while now.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know… I feel like a part of me is just… dead or gone. Both maybe. I can’t explain it.”

“Still trying to figure out who you are?”

“I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”

“Well you can’t do anything like that al-”

A beeping noise interrupted her. Jett sighed and tapped a button on his sunglasses.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Some drunk person’s causing trouble,” he sighed, “I have to go. Sorry.”

“No, go do your job. I’ll be here.”

“Alright, sorry.”

He left her side and ran out of the room towards the lobby.

***

Spitfire sighed and sat down at their table back in the dining room. Confusion was the one feeling prevalent in her mind. Could she still go on with her plan with him feeling this way? Hell, could she go on with it with her feeling this way?

She turned and glanced at Dane and Fleetfoot. They were enjoying themselves. She couldn’t ask Dane for advice and ruin his or Fleetfoot’s fun. There was one person she could ask for advice though.

Her sister. Though their relationship was strained at times but they still did care for each other. Nightshade had been incredibly worried about her when she learned her sister had gone missing. Even though their teams did not get along the two siblings worked out an amicable sisterly relationship.

She looked up and glanced over at her sister, sitting along at her table looking at something on her phone.

Spitfire glanced back at Dane before standing up and nervously walking over to her sister’s table.

Nightshade didn’t her approach. Spitfire nudged her. She looked up.

“Oh, hey sister,” she said casually.

“Hey,” Spitfire replied, “You got a moment?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“I found a guy.”

Nightshade blinked, “Okay, so that makes… number seventeen is it?”

“No not a guy like that. I mean… I think I found THE guy.”

Nightshade cocked her head, “Well this is new. Don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that before.”

“Because I’ve never seen someone as amazing as this.”

“Well don’t just sit there like a blabbering idiot. Who is he?”

Spitfire looked around the room, “Promise you won’t kill me or him for that matter?”

“Yes, yes, I promise. Now tell. This is juicy.”

“He’s… the guy who beat up some of your teammates,” Spitfire said uneasily.

Nightshade blinked, “Oh, so the robot that’s been hanging out at your base this whole time? Oh, well I guess in hindsight it does make sense.”

“Wait, you’re not pissed off about it?”

“No, no. While he did put a few of them in the hospital I can’t say they didn’t entirely deserve it. Starry Skies was playing two guys and Charger wanted revenge for getting beat up even though I told them not to do it. Mainly because the legal bullshit wouldn’t have been worth it. No, I’m not mad, but if he does anything to hurt my little sister I’ll tear his fucking face off.”

“Uh, yeah, well uh, here’s the thing. He’s not really feeling his best right now and I was, uh…”

“Uh, what?”

“Thinking about… confessing,” Spitfire whispered.

“Okay. So go do it.”

“What?”

“Don’t be a fucking pussy. You’re Spitfire. Go.”

“Don’t you think I should wait? I mean-”

“Let me ask you this, have you considered doing this before?”

“Yes,” Spitfire said.

“Well what stopped you?”

“Everything from bullets to people.”

“So why aren’t you trying again?”

“What if he says no? What if he rejects me? I don’t think I could take that.”

Nightshade became serious, “Then I’ll kill him.”

“Come on, be serious. This is important to me.”

“I am being serious. If he hurts you I’m going to kill him.”

“Don’t do that… Even if he says no I’d still want him to be happy in life… even if it wasn’t with me.”

“Really? Really?” Nightshade raised an eyebrow, “So that’s why you stayed out of Skies’ relationship?”

“Up until we figured out she was cheating on him. I just wanted him to be happy.”

“Then you’re fine. Just… go tell him how you feel. You’re the more expressive one. Just do it and get it over with. You’ll be happier in the end right?”

Spitfire smiled, “Yeah, I guess.”

“Then get away from my fucking table bitch.”

Spitfire just shook her head, “Eat a dick bitch.”

She stood up and headed back to her table.

“Yeah nice talking to you too!” Nightshade yelled.

Spitfire rejoined Dane at the table. Dane was still talking to Fleetfoot but now she needed something important.

“Hey,” she nudged him.

He turned, “Yeah?”

“You seen Jett around?”

“Uh, I think I saw him heading out to the gardens earlier. Why?”

“I’m thinking about doing something stupid.”

Dane blinked, her statement registering with him.

“Oh I see… go get him girl. Let us know how it goes!”

“Shut up about it! Geez, tell the whole fucking Gala why don’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah, go get your robot boy.”

“I’m gonna kill you when I get back,” she smiled standing up and heading towards the door.

***

Jett stood at the railing at the edge of the cliff. Behind him were the palace gardens. All sorts of plants and animals existed in it making it almost a Garden of Eden in the mountain tops. Some flowers and trees even had natural bioluminescence, throwing colorful glows all over the area. A head of him was a scape of mountains, drawn along the horizon. In the valley floor below, clusters of lights could be seen indicating the location of a town. Farther out along the mountains, other groups of lights signaled the locations of other settlements. The sky itself was a colorful display of stars of all colors with the Milky Way painted across it in a brilliant streak of color and light.

The cosmos at its best.

Jett pulled off his sunglasses. Nights like this, even in his current state, he could appreciate. He sighed and leaned over the railing and stared up at the night sky. Somewhere, in that endless sea of stars was his father, and hopefully the remains of a human civilization. But he could never know for sure. Light from where the events took place would still take thousands if not tens of thousands of years to reach this planet.

A noise behind him got his attention.

Spitfire.

“Mind if I join you?” she asked.

“Sure, go ahead,” he replied.

She moved up to the railing and joined him in his stargazing.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yes it is. Reminds me of Earth.”

She laughed, “Funny, when I was in your situation the stars there reminded me of here. Of course that was ignoring Jupiter but you get the point. Some things never change.”

“The stars will always be beautiful no matter where in the cosmos you go.”

“Yeah…” she said.

Jett continued to look at the sky but Spitfire’s gaze drifted to the android himself. She sighed and took a deep breath.

“Hey Jett?”

“Yeah?” he turned to face her.

“I have something really important to tell you, and I’d like you to listen.”

“Sure, what is it?” he asked cocking his head.

Here it was, she was going to do it. All this time, all the experiences, all the priceless moments; would all add up to this one moment. Nothing could stop her now. This was it.

Her heart beat accelerated. She could feel it threatening to leap out of her chest. She was more nervous than she could ever remember being before. Time seemed to slow down as she made her decision. The Captain of the most prestigious flight team in the world was being brought to her knees by a simple, skinny, average looking boy from another world. All her past relationships meant nothing now. There was only one thing in the entire universe she wanted now.

Suddenly with much force, she leapt forward and met him with a passionate kiss on the lips. Her eyes were sealed shut as she connected with him. The android himself froze up in surprise at the sudden contact, his eyes flying wide open. Spitfire let out a slight moan before she pulled herself away.

Her face was beat red as she caught her breath, feeling like she had just flown a hundred miles. Her heart beat harder than a drum.

Jett’s eyes were still wide open though he was a bit more composed.

Spitfire finally spoke, “Jett… I’ve never, ever, met a person who was remotely like you. Every day that I was with you back in Sol and even here was an amazing adventure. You made everyday life fun and entertaining and amazing just to participate in. I… I have never been so happy to have met a person as I have with you. Getting to know you was a greater privilege than captaining this flight team and… I want to keep on doing that. You… you’re my best friend in the whole world and… I’m in love with you…”

She suddenly found the ground an incredibly interesting sight as she waited for a response. Agonizing seconds felt like hours as the silence between them became an abyss of uncertainty. Finally, Jett decided to speak.

“I didn’t know you felt that way,” he said rather plainly.

“I’ve felt this way for several months now,” she said quietly.

He sighed, “Spitfire… you’re an amazing person, don’t get me wrong. You’re attractive, funny, down to earth, and outgoing. It’s been a pleasure getting to know who you were as well and… I’d like to consider you part of my family but… I just… I just don’t think I’m ready for something like that again nor do I think you should pursue something like that with… someone as broken as me.”

“W-what?”

“Spitfire you’re the epitome of what every guy dreams of having in a lover. Me? I’m a copy… a copy of someone else. An illusion... I’m fractured enough as it is and I don’t want to see you wasting yourself on a broken little person like me,” he sighed, “I'm a machine Spitfire, I have an off switch. Even my emotions can be turned off. You deserve to have a real person in your life, a flesh and blood person who can give you what you want… And that’s not me…”

“But-”

“There are some things that I just can’t give you or anyone else. Starry Skies was proof enough of that. You’re too good a person to get caught up on a house of mirrors like me. Please don’t misinterpret my meaning, I like you a lot Spitfire, you’re one of my best friends in the entire universe and I’d like it to stay that way just… I can’t be what you want me to be right now… Please try to understand… please.”

He sighed hanging his head.

It was as if someone had shattered every single stained glass window in the palace. All the beautiful stories, all the events and all the future ones that were going to happen all exploded and shattered into dust on the floor.

With that simple conversation, Spitfire’s entire world crashed down upon her faster than a beam of light. Suddenly, there was an abyss inside of her that threatened to suck her down into its dark depths like a star being devoured by a singularity.

She put on a brave face and a smile, “Sure, I can understand.”

He looked up, “You do?”

“Yeah. You’re not ready for something like that right now. I get it.”

“So… are we still friends?”

She laughed though it was forced but not in a way that was noticeable, “Of course we are you big dummy! Something like this isn’t going to change that.”

He sighed, “Good… I, uh, didn’t want to hurt you. Please don’t misunderstand me; I care about you a lot but… as a sibling and a friend.”

“I understand, and, uh, well I guess you already know I care about you a lot,” she joked.

“Yeah…”

She removed her phone from her pocket and glanced at the screen.

“Well, uh, I’ve got to go, uh, talk to some fans back inside.”

“Okay,” Jett said returning to looking at the stars.

“Well, I’ll see you later stud.”

She turned and headed back inside. Externally she tried to not let it bother her but… inside it felt like someone had just stabbed a red hot stake right through her chest and twisted it. She felt her eyes begin to water and tried to blink away the tears. She stumbled as she made her was back inside the palace. Her breathing became irregular.

She entered the palace and slowly made her way over to the VIP section again. She lifted the rope and entered and sat down at her table.

Her heart was beating heavily. Soon she couldn’t hold back the tide of grief and tears spilled down her face.

Dane noticed her presence and turned. The smile previously on his face instantly disappeared when he saw her expression.

“Oh, no… He-he didn’t? Did he?”

Spitfire couldn’t face him, “He did.”

Fleetfoot leaned over, “Hey… what’s wrong girl?”

“He said no,” Dane said.

Meanwhile on the other side of the room Nightshade noticed her sister’s distressed state. She stood up and walked over. The other Wonderbolts comforting Spitfire noticed her and while they hid their discomfort they allowed her to see her sister.

“Hey,” she said softly, “You alright sis?”

Spitfire remained silent, burying her head in her arms, refusing to look at anyone around her.

“Can you just tell your sister what happened?”

Spitfire whispered, “He rejected me…”

“Are you alright?”

She suddenly sat up and said rather angrily, “It hurts, okay?! It hurts… a lot. Please… just leave me alone…”

Her tears resumed as she hid her face from view.

Nightshade turned and left. Something odd was happening. She felt oddly empathetic to her sister’s condition as well as the expected sadness for her that came with it. She had no doubt that the people around her wished they could take away the pain she was feeling.

Nightshade however felt something else… Rage. Her sister, lost worlds away on another planet, taken in by that boy, had been led on. That robotic kid had played with HER sister’s heart and now had shattered it all over the palace floor and hurt her in a way that no physical pain could replicate.

Anger boiled in her veins.

She left the VIP section and found her team on the patio outside talking with fans or flirting with girls or boys. She walked up to Stratus.

“Assemble everyone who’s not here and get them here,” she seethed.

The white haired man nodded and walked off.

Charger walked up to her, “What’s going on Captain?”

“You want revenge? Well you’re gonna get it. That kid broke my one rule and now,” she cracked her knuckles, “He’s going to pay. Badly.”

Charger grinned.

***

Jett walked along the stone path in the Canterlot Gardens simply thinking. He had a lot to think about. Leaving the Wonderbolts, finding a new purpose in life, and now his best friend had just told him that she was in love with him.

And he was forced to turn her down.

He just couldn’t give her what she was looking for, what she was seeking. Whatever image she had of him was not what he could provide her. Being a replica of another left him with a perverted sense of just who he was. He just couldn’t be with her. He wasn’t even deserving of her. To say she was out of his league would be the biggest understatement of the century! She was light years out of his league. Funny, happy, entertaining, optimistic, beautiful, athletic, the list of traits went on. He could never hope to even be remotely worthy of her.

Hell he was just barely worthy of being her friend, let alone her lover. She may have feelings for him now but… just like everything else around him they would evaporate with time. Time destroys all things. Even him, with his incredibly long, still undetermined life span would eventually succumb to the slow march of time as his sand ran out. Even his immortality would not last forever.

Spitfire sadly would become a smaller and smaller blip the older he got. He was a machine and… he just couldn’t give her what an organic person could. What someone from her world could give her. She deserved to have a real person with real feelings with a real body. Not someone synthetic with a computer for a brain.

Still, this shouldn’t be bothering him as much as it was. He had plenty of other things to think about… so why was the only thing he could think about was… her?

It bothered him to no end. Did he hurt her by saying no? Would she resent him? She acted happy and nonchalant about it but… was she just faking it? Lying about her condition?

Maybe he should check up on her.

A noise behind him got his attention.

“You know, I told my team they could not touch you as long I was in charge,” a voice said, “You only had one rule of mine to follow that shouldn’t have been too hard for any decent person to do. But then you broke it.”

Jett turned. Coming into the garden was a girl with flame like hair similar to Spitfire’s only it was dark purple. She also looked stronger and more athletic and taller than her sister. Her body was similar to Gin’s. Built like a tank with the ability to fight like one. Behind her on her left was a familiar white haired man with a scar on his face. He scowled at the android. He was tall and heavily muscled with the profile of a heavy criminal. On her right was a blue haired girl who looked like she had lost all her screws. Her hair had an odd lightning like quality to it. A wide grin was spread across her face as she giggled to herself as she removed a pair of knives from their sheaths. A few other familiar faces were in the group. Charger and Starry Skies grinned as they cracked their knuckles. Dusk pulled up his sunglasses and pulled out a crowbar. Another unfamiliar group of Shadowbolts were seen behind the main group. A grey haired girl with a Twister on her shoulder and piercings on her face looked rather unamused. A strong looking guy with a Hurricane on his arm stretched his massive arms and ran them through his spiky white hair. Finally at the back of the pack there was a smaller looking guy with a dark storm cloud mark. Like the grey haired girl he looked like a Goth. He pulled out a machete and ran his finger down the blade with a grin.

Jett cocked his head, “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

“No, we haven’t. However you’ve met someone rather important to me. My sister.”

Jett frowned, “Spitfire?”

“Who else do you think I was talking about, asshole? Yes, her. And you broke my one rule and hurt her; ripped her fucking heart out and shattered it.”

“She said she was fine.”

“Oh did she now? Well she’s not! She’s devastated asshole! You broke her heart and now,” she reached into her pocket and removed a pair of heavy brass knuckles, “I’m going to break you.”

She nodded to her team and then thrust her wings, accelerating herself forward.

Jett’s eyes widened, “Oh shit-”

He did a backwards handspring to dodge her swipe. No sooner had he landed when a swipe from a crowbar was headed his way. He jumped and fell back to avoid the swing. Now on the ground the large muscular white haired Shadowbolt raised his fists to pound the android. Jett rolled left and sprung himself back on his feet.

“I didn’t mean to hurt her!” he yelled dodging more swipes and kicks, “She said she was fine!”

He raised his left arm to deflect an incoming blow but he did not return any.

“She’s bawling her eyes out in there!” Nightshade yelled running up and dropkicking the robot that flew back but rolled back to his feet. Suddenly there was a blade flying towards his head. He jumped to avoid it as it flew by and became embedded in a tree. He landed calmly on the edge of the blade.

“Then let me talk to her!” he said as he cartwheeled left to avoid an incoming fist, rolling to his feet once he was on the ground.

“Too late for that, you insensitive fuck! I doubt she even wants to see you right now!”

One the Shadowbolts removed their sidearm and aimed it and fired. Jett, who was busy trying to avoid the incoming blows couldn’t compensate for the bullet as it impacted his gut. He felt the wind get knocked out of him as he fell onto his hands and knees.

He looked up just in time to see a steel toed boot strike him in the chin, knocking him onto his back. Stratus walked over and raised his boot to stomp the android’s chest.

“You’re going to be nothing but spare parts by the end of this,” he said coldly and stomped down.

Jett raised his hands to catch the foot and thrust up with them and threw the Shadowbolt off him as he rolled to avoid another strike from a pair of knives. He wasn’t fast enough as one of Blitz’s blades split open the skin on his arm. He sprung to his feet holding the wound. It leaked blue fluid mixed with red ‘blood.’

“I don’t want to fight any of you!”

Nightshade smiled, “Good, this will make this a whole lot easier.”

Suddenly he was up in the air getting thrown across the garden. He emerged from the foliage and smashed into a nearby apple stand, getting showered in debris. Several guests screamed and scattered while others watched and moved to help.

He stood up and attempted to run just Shadowbolts emerged to meet him. A heavy kick to his chest sent him flying onto the back lawn. He attempted to stand up just as a fist hit him in the side, knocking him down. A foot flew to strike his head but he raised his augment in time to block it and throw it off.

In the midst of this he didn’t see Nightshade approaching, her brass knuckles gleaming in the light. She raised her fist just as her team cleared the android attempting again to stand. Her fist flew forward and smashed into his left cheek.

In a liquid like explosion of blue and red, a large almost shattering like detonation was heard as the hard metal of the brass knuckles met the android’s face.

Jett’s head flew back and hit the ground as the android rolled over onto his stomach, his head in a pool of blue and red.

Nightshade, panting lowered her fists and looked at the knuckles. They were heavily stained with the clear blue fluid as well as the dark red of blood. The android wasn’t moving.

Charger laughed, “Wow! So much for him! See? Little spit fuck isn’t even that tough!”

Suddenly there was movement. A sound similar to hydraulics was heard as the robot pulled himself up to his feet. Jett moved his head and glared daggers at the Shadowbolts.

Starry Skies gasped. Half of the android’s face was simply gone. The area on the left side of his face, just below his eye was exposed, showing off the mechanical parts below the synthetic skin. Blue fluid as well as blood flowed out of the open wound. Some of the android’s teeth and jaw were visible, giving him a disturbing looking scowl.

Someone screamed in horror.

He rotated his neck and cracked his jaw. The whole movement looked sick and disgusting as his jaw opened and closed. His eyes opened and focused on the Shadowbolts with an angry grin. However instead of their normal sapphire they were blood red and flickering.

COMBAT ANALYSIS PROGRAM ACTIVATED>>

ANALYSING>>

“Oh, you people seem so prone to making deadly mistakes,” the android said, however his voice sounded synthesized however instead of its normal smooth, natural sounding voice.

NINE TARGETS IDENTIFIED>>

“Your first was assuming I intentionally hurt her,” He said flexing his prosthetic.

COMBAT PATTERN DELTA SELECTED>>

“Your second was coming after me,” he growled.

WEAPONS SYSTEMS ACTIVATED>>> AEGIS DEFENSE SYSTEMS ONLINE>>>

Nightshade cracked her neck and raised her fists. The other Shadowbolts did the same and resumed fighting stances with either their fists or whatever weapons they had found or brought with them.

Jett stood up; however his stance was almost unnatural. His left shoulder was lowered while his right was raised up and still bleeding. The plating on his arm reorganized themselves into defensive blades as he flexed his fingers.

His eyes fixed onto Nightshade and her team.

With a yell Nightshade charged.

Without so much as a peep Jett suddenly bolted towards her, his arms trailing behind him. Their feet kicked up plenty of grass as the guests turned spectators watched in horror as one lone kid faced off against a team of nine paramilitary stunt fliers.

Nightshade pulled her fist back preparing to strike as Jett did the same. Just as they were about to meet, they both launched their arms forwards.

Jett’s robotic prosthetic impacted Nightshade’s brass knuckles with a loud bang…

Chapter 55. Echoes.

Disfigurement is something not many people like to think about. A process most unholy to everyone. Rare in the ability to take away so many important things yet still leaving just enough behind. To remove something as identifying as a face and yet leave the personality beneath unharmed. To take away identity and yet also leave it.

A week had passed since the events at the gala. The Princesses had come with a cover story saying a magical spell being developed by one of the Arch Mages went haywire but anyone who had either participated or witnessed the events knew otherwise. The Princesses assured Spitfire that they would not harm the android in any way and that the Shadowbolts would be dealt with accordingly.

However there was still the matter of the broken android himself.

Spitfire sat in front of a hastily constructed tank. Only a small slit of glass was visible. Inside of it was the unconscious form of Jett, slowly being reconstructed inside by the wonders of nanotechnology or what little of it Jett and Dane had managed to build here. The Process would take a considerable amount of time and Dane wasn’t even sure that the android would fully recover physically, let alone mentally.

She hadn’t left the robot’s side since the rather emotional night for all involved. Spitfire, having been rejected and then almost watching her love commit suicide in front of her, Jett, being violently beaten and going through the trauma of nearly killing someone and near suicide himself, Dane and Gin, for having to watch their two friends get emotionally and psychologically tortured.

Spitfire sighed. Jett would remain inside the tank for a few more days before being able to come out and even then a ‘full’ recovery if it were even possible, would be another few weeks.

“Hey,” Dane said walking up next to her.

“Hey,” she said back.

“Latest scan. Gyros on his right leg may not be repairable. The damage is still too severe to be sure.”

“Great…”

“But… some good news.”

Spitfire turned and raised an eyebrow. Dane gave a small grin.

“With this latest damage, his internal defense system is now offline. This means, the metallic fragment embedded in his head can be removed and the damage it caused, repaired.”

“When?”

“Now actually,” Dane said tapping a few icons on a tablet, “Nanites’ll dissolve the thing and use it as building material to reconstruct that part of his brain.”

Spitfire frowned and glanced over at him, “Exactly what did that fragment do to his head?”

Dane sighed, “I was wondering the same thing. Are you sure you want to know?”

“Yes…”

“It made him… who he was in a sense. And I don’t mean who he was in the sense of the part that you fell in love with; I mean that it reorganized his personality into something more… unstable. In a sense it made him into a psychological and emotional time bomb. That first punch in that fight probably was the final blow. The straw that broke the camel’s back.”

“So… what will he be like when he comes out?”

Dane shrugged, “Hell if I know, I can only guess. More in control, maybe. More stable, not so… aloof. Again I can only guess.”

“What about his leg?” Spitfire asked.

“I don’t know. This tank is just to get his skin and organic chemistry fixed. The mechanical repairs will still be going on internally for a few more weeks after that. That’s the beauty of it. But… there’s a good chance he may never walk normally again.”

Spitfire hung her head, “So he may be disabled for the rest of his life? You’re sure it can’t be fixed?”

Dane shrugged, “If I had access to more modern technology and tools then no. In fact this whole business would be over in a few hours, not a few weeks but… even with the big toy box in orbit there’s only so much I can do.”

“I see…”

“So Fleetfoot said your season opening got postponed a few weeks.”

Spitfire sighed, “Yeah, we start a month before the holidays begin. At this point though, I don’t care.”

Dane smiled, “You really care about him, don’t you?”

“He could be a brain in a tank for the rest of his life and I’d still love him… He just doesn’t feel the same… and that’s fine. So long as he’s happy.”

“Happiness may be a long way off for him…”

“I know… But I at least want to try…”

***

Several days later the tank was emptied and the robot recovering inside was begrudgingly removed. Jett did not look good. The parts of his body that were ‘regrown’ as it were, were colored white as they slowly adapted to his body. Parts of him looked like he’d chemically burned by some spray.

He also could not walk without assistance. He used a forearm crutch with a cuff for assistance when walking allowing him a degree of independence. He spoke little, partially due to the previous week’s head trauma inducing events as well as the removal of the metallic shard of metal that had been occupying his head for the last several years. The combination produced an odd sort of aphasia.

The weather was fast changing into fall, the leaves were beginning to turn and fall. The familiar sensation of autumn weather was in the air.

Jett stood near the edge of the cliff overlooking the valley below as a cool autumn breeze blew through. A clear visible line on his face was visible, showing where his old flesh ended and the new regrown stuff began. The scratched and dented plating on his arm had been repaired and the arm oddly shined like it was brand new.

He sighed. Times like this he wished he could talk. And odd storm of emotions was ringing through him. Anger at the Shadowbolts, resentment for Spitfire for stopping him from offing himself, shame for almost killing nine people, fear for fully understanding just how savage and violent he could be, and… guilt for hurting Spitfire.

And yet, in the midst of this storm he felt oddly… peaceful with himself. Calm and controlled. No familiar angst or anger at anyone and everything anymore. Just calm.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his tablet. It was rigged with a voice synthesizer that replicated his voice to a perfect T allowing some form of normality but it still looked a bit creepy when he simply stood there and yet his voice could still be heard.

A voice behind him spoke.

“Mind if I join you?” Spitfire asked.

He nodded and moved over.

“Beautiful this time of year, isn’t it?” she asked.

Again he nodded.

“You can speak you know,” Spitfire sighed.

Jett scowled and typed something into the pad and tapped an icon on it.

“I have Aphasia, genius,” the voice spit out. While it sounded like Jett, it didn’t exactly sound like it came from his mouth.

Spitfire gasped, “Oh, yeah… Sorry, I’m just used to you being able to speak is all.”

He typed something into the pad.

“And I’m used to being able to walk normally.”

“Yeah… that sucks. Sorry.”

He sighed and turned.

“Did nothing wrong.”

Spitfire raised an eyebrow, “What?”

He frowned and looked down at his pad.

“YOU did nothing wrong,” it corrected.

Spitfire laughed.

“FML.”

She gave a caring smile and turned, “How are you feeling?”

He frowned.

“Like shit,” the machine responded.

She sighed, “I see…”

“You seem depressed,” the pad said.

“So do you,” Spitfire said.

“I have a lot to think about.”

She sighed, “I know… Part of it is my fault.”

He blinked.

She sighed again and coughed, “The very night I… opened up and told you… everything I ever felt about you… all this happened. If I hadn’t done anything… if I’d just kept quiet then… Nightshade wouldn’t have assaulted you like this… You wouldn’t be so damaged… so broken…”

He patted her on the shoulder.

“I was broken long before we ever met,” his pad said, “It just took this to split open the cracks…”

“Maybe… or maybe I was the one who started it all… One simple trick gone wrong threw me across the cosmos and onto your world; with you, with your friends, your school, you family, your crazy life. Maybe… I just added to the stress… Maybe I was the thing that finally… broke you.”

He sighed.

“No… you didn’t break me… You made me feel… happy. For those few months I actually had a reason to get up in the morning. I felt like I had a reason to be me; for me to be alive. But… this world… it’s too alien for me. Maybe I just can’t adjust to life here. You always had your way back home. You always had a home to go to. I have neither.”

He looked down at the ground.

“We’re from two different worlds, Spitfire. Worlds that were never meant to meet; never meant to mix like this. Yours is a civilization on a prosperous climb. Mine a decadent and decaying world. Divisive, angry at everything, broken… Like me…”

He turned up and looked at the sky. A bright star like light glimmered in the sky.

“I think… it would have been better if you left me back on Earth…”

He gripped his crutch and turned to leave, walking away slowly.

***

Bars were never things that Spitfire visited very often. At least, recently that is. A few months ago she would always be at one drinking like a fiend with her friends, sleeping with random guys, sometimes even her fellow team mates, just being the girl that had it all; looks, money, fame, everything.

But in a city that has everything, with a people that have it all, you rarely seem to realize you’re missing out on the best parts of life. Sometimes… you risk letting the best part of it fly right by you. And sometimes, the universe takes notice and throws you across the galaxy to get a taste of it.

But Heaven carries a heavy price tag that not even all the money and fame in the world could pay. And by the time it’s collected, you don’t even know what you’ve truly lost until it’s gone.

Or you do, but it’s gone anyway.

Spitfire sat at the counter with her head to the hard wooden table. She’d long given up sobbing just because she didn’t have the energy in her anymore to do it. But still tears flowed down her face as she drowned her sorrows in the only thing that appeared to have consistent results. The lovely molecule, Dicarbon Hexahydrogen Monoxide, or ethanol for short, or for the more common name, any alcoholic beverage in existence.

She may not have lost him physically but… in every other way a person could have been lost next to actual death, Jett was gone to her.

She sat up and sipped her drink again before slamming her head down into the table. A few guys had already tried hitting on her but most were turned off by her crying. The persistent few were driven away either by gun barrel or crotch kick.

She wanted to just wail out in sorrow but… she simply couldn’t. She’d screamed out her soul already.

A voice behind her made her lose focus on her sorrow.

“You know, I never really knew who you were before you dropped into our lives but from what I hear, this isn’t how you normally act,” Dane said.

She sat up and glared at him with blood shot eyes.

“Geez you look like shit,” he said.

“Gee, thanks. That’s what every girl wants to fuckin’ hear.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Why are you here?” she asked bitterly.

“Well for one, some news. Your rival team is finally out of the hospital, Nightshade included though she’ll take a bit longer to get back on her feet.”

“Why?”

“Heart attack, brought on by stress mixed with exhaustion from both your show you did as well as the night’s later activities. She’ll recover but she’ll be out of commission for a while. Oh and I received a call from your father.”

“You received a call? When did you become my secretary?”

“Well I’ve tried staying in the loop since I got here. And he didn’t call me specifically. Your phone is off in god knows where so he called the base and I happened to answer the phone.”

“What did he want?” she spat.

“Typical father stuff. He wanted to know if you were okay and things like that.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That you were alive and functioning. Coping.”

“What does he know?”

“Only what the media’s been spitting out,” Dane said.

“What have they been spitting out?” Spitfire asked returning to her drink.

“Well for one, that you confessed to a guy at the gala and were turned down. That’s the general gist of it.”

“Why are you here again?”

“Oh, uh, geez I had prepared a giant ass speech but whatever. You need to get back into it Captain.”

“Back into what? My fucking life is over.”

“No it’s not. You may be depressed; hell suicidal wouldn’t surprise me-”

“Don’t tempt me. Considered it earlier.”

“Yeah… anyway,” Dane continued, “You need to get back in the spotlight and put on a fucking smile if it kills you.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because it’s your job. Your job is to wow people with fantastic tricks and to be a role model for younger people. And you’re not doing either.”

“You get your fucking heart ripped out and tell me how you feel,” She said bitterly.

Dane sighed, “Look, I know it probably hurts worse than any sprain or break you’ve ever gone through in the Wonderbolts but you have got to get out of the rut. You need to be positive even if he isn’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“In any healthy relationship, people support each other. And right now you two are doing neither and it’s not good.”

“He’s feeling suicidal again! How do you support someone through that?”

“I have no fucking clue but do you honestly think this helps?!”

Spitfire sighed and stared into her drink, “No…”

“Good. Now what you’re going to do is you’re going to go do your fucking job and stay positive at all time like there’s an audience watching you.”

“Why? Why should I even do all of this?”

“Because I care about the bastard as much as you do and I’d rather not see him die a bitter old robot. So if you want to help me then be my guest. But at the very least you could do your fuckin’ job and lead your team so they’re not lying around the base all day.”

“Alright.”

“Good. Now Fleetfoot will stop bitching at me on how to fix all this.”

“So when’s our first show?” Spitfire asked standing up.

“Why would I know?” Dane asked.

Spitfire glared at him.

Dane sighed, “Saturday. 1:00. Cloudsdale Stadium.”

“Thank you…”

“When you walk out of this bar you’re going to smile. Even if it kills you.”

***

The people on the TV screen smiled with a false sense of friendliness. Jett scowled. Media types.

“So just who is the kind of person who would turn down Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts, and arguable the most desirable and eligible girl in all of Equestria? The ENN news team wanted to find out.”

The screen cut to Soarin’ being harassed in the streets by a team of reporters, “Soarin’ what do you know about Spitfire being rejected? What the unknown man in a relationship perhaps.”

“Get that camera out of my face,” Soarin said, “I’m only taking interviews from people with their innocence still intact thank you.”

“Well, it appears that Soarin’ did not want to speak with us at this time,” The Blonde news woman smiled, “We’ll get back to you with more as soon as this develops. I’m Gos-”

Jett turned off the TV and scowled.

Shit holes.

A knocking at his door got his attention. He turned. Spitfire was leaning against it.

“Hey,” she said.

He grabbed his pad, “Hey…”

“We’re, uh, doing a show Saturday night. Cloudsdale. I can arrange a ride for you if you want to come. VIP spot,” She said with a small inviting smile.

He sighed.

“I don’t know…”

Her smile fell, “Oh, well, uh, if you decide to come, just call this number.”

She tossed him a small business card.

“Just ask for Z, tell him I sent you.”

He nodded.

“Alright, uh, well, um… see you later I guess.”

“See you around…”

She turned and left his apartment and headed towards the stairs. Things used to be whole lot simpler.

Chapter 56. Voices.

“Will you ever settle down?” the reporter asked.

Spitfire laughed, “Settle down? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, eventually stop doing all of this, going out to bars and coming out with random guys, both of you drunk. Will you ever just stop doing all of this and settle down in a long term relationship?”

“Yeah right!”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because there’s not a person on this planet who could ever be that perfect for me. It just won’t happen.”

***

Spitfire laughed as she performed a flip before streaking down over stadium, a trail of fire following her. There was nothing new at this show, just some old classics to get back into the swing of things. She pulled up just before she hit the crowd and streaked over the spectators, leaving a nice trail of flame above them, warming them up in the cold autumn air.

She rejoined the rest of her team as they swirled around each other in a prism of color, swirling upwards until they finally all separated in beautiful flower like pattern.

Oh it felt good to be back. Back in the skies where she belonged, back with her team, back performing. Oh it was almost orgasmic! She whooped as she flipped and dove through the air, finishing off the object in the sky. Finally she flew up as high as she could reasonably go before diving back down on the stadium.

The trails left behind from the trick exploded in a brilliant flash of light, leaving behind a Lotus Flower pattern in the middle of the stadium.

The crowd cheered as Spitfire landed on the stage and she bathed in it, absorbed it, drank in their affections. This was where she belonged; in the skies performing for the masses. She was panting, tired but she didn’t care. She beamed at the crowd.

The picture was almost complete. Everything was there. The perfect life. There was just… one thing missing.

“How was that?!” Spitfire shouted, her voice echoing through the stadium. The crowd cheered.

“Oh good!” she joked, “Thought I got bit rusty while I was gone. Sorry for just older tricks this time, takes a while to get back in the swing of things, you know?”

The crowd laughed.

“Yeah, well anyway, we go on tour in a few weeks. Trying out a new trick at each show. Hopefully by the time we return, everything will be perfected for you, the home crew!”

The crowd cheered again. Suddenly, things seemed to slow. Everyone was cheering, laughing, and being merry in the fall air. But Spitfire’s gaze drifted elsewhere. She could barely see it, but she saw it none the less.

High up in the VIP box, hidden behind tainted windows was the silhouette of a figure with a crutch.

She turned to Soarin’.

“And now, my second in command will take it from here,” she smiled widely, “Soarin’?”

He turned, “What? Huh? What’s going on?”

“Take the mic idiot!” she whispered.

“Why do I have to take it?” he asked, “Give it to Fleet.”

“She’s already back stage with Dane idiot! Take it!”

“Fine,” he said accepting the mic, “How you all doing today?!”

Spitfire turned and headed back stage and into the lockers and quickly stripped off her suit and pulled on her clothes. She ran up to cloud level and headed up a set of stairs to where the VIP box was. She ran hard, not being as trained in running as flight.

Just as she reached the top floor and glimpsed the VIP box, the door to the box closed as she glimpsed the feet and tip of a cane of the figure she’d seen. She ran up the stairs and chased after the figure, past the box and down a set of hallways.

She looked around, searching. She glimpsed a figure turn a corner and head down another hallway.

She chased after him.

“Jett! Wait!” she called.

She bolted towards the hallway he’d turned down. She stared down it and sighed. It led straight to a stair case.

“Jett?” she called his name, “Are you there?”

Hiding just below the floor level, on the stair case was a certain black haired android, complete with his forearm cane. He said nothing as he covered his mouth and watched his cane fall and hit the concrete steps. The noise echoed through the halls.

“Jett?”

He remained silent.

Spitfire sighed and leaned against one of the nearby walls until she was sitting.

“Look, I know you’re probably not interested in seeing me right now… But… I’m really glad you came today,” she said.

“I know how you’re probably feeling right now. Sad, angry, confused, back to square one all over again. To be honest, I’d be frustrated too. But… I’d like to tell you something.”

She sighed and leaned her head against the wall.

“Believe it or not, I actually picked up a bit from our astrophysics class,” she smiled, “And I think I finally understand it now. How special everyone and everything in the universe really is. You may be feeling down or angry right now but… you’re special. Once upon a time, the universe was created. This eventually led to the creation of stars. But you already know all of this, already heard the story, so… I’m going to tell it a different way.”

“Stars were born and died for billions of years. Billions of years’ worth of events all led to one single thing: you. All the stars that died just to make the base metals that make up your skeleton and computer parts, all the life on your planet that had to evolve, die and go extinct just to give humanity a fighting chance. All the hundreds of thousands of years’ worth of technological development and discovery that led to the creations of materials that makes up your very body. Imagine all the things that had to happen just to make you. What would you say the odds of something like that happening again are?”

Jett whispered, “Astronomical.”

Spitfire smiled, “Astronomical. Your brother had to join the navy and then die somewhere in space saving his friends just so you could become the person you are today. All of that had to happen just to give us the faintest of chances of meeting. Do you not think I don’t wake up every day and thank whatever god or gods that may exist out there that they brought us together the way they did?”

She sighed, “You know, I didn’t even know you existed this time last year. Last year all I was thinking about was my next show or who my next fling would be and how long the tabloids would talk about it. Last year I would never have believed I would have gone on such an amazing once in infinity adventure and met the most amazing person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I would have never have guessed that a person like you would have become one of the biggest parts of my life right now. Do you not see it?”

She grinned and stood up, “Do you not see how amazing it was that we even became friends?! Do you not see how lucky we are to be living here and now in this life together? You’re my best friend in the whole fucking world and I’ll say it again, I LOVE you Jett, even if you never feel the same for me. I don’t care if you were supposed to be a copy of someone else because you’re not! You are not some copy or replacement. You speak with your own voice. You are you. Whoever that person is, I want to stay a part of their life and see who they decide to become. That’s one thing that people here appreciate. And that’s what I want to do more than anything.”

“Why?” Jett croaked, his voice slowly returning to him.

She sat down again and leaned against the wall, “Because…You are amazing. There’s only one person like you and there will never be another for as long as the stars shall live. That’s why I’m in love with you. I want you to be happy, even if it’s not with me… That’s what love is, right?”

“Why? Why do you care about me so much?”

“Because I do. It’s that simple… I’ll love you even if you don’t… I just don’t know anymore. Maybe… the one I want wants someone else. Or maybe they want no one at all. And that’s fine… as long as they’re happy.”

He remained silent.

“So what are you going to do?” she asked.

“I don’t know…” he whispered, “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. I’m broken and weak, confused and lost, I don’t know anything anymore.”

“I know… but you have people here that care about you. We’ll always be here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”

Silence filled the empty hallway.

“I… I think I need to go for a walk…”

“Okay…”

Jett stood up and continued down the stairs. Spitfire waited until the last click of his cane against the concrete could be heard before she stood up. Her eyes suddenly felt moist. She reached her hands up to touch her face when she realized she was crying. She sank back down to the floor and held her chest and buried her head in her knees.

Farther down the stairs she had little clue that he was doing the same.

***

Dane turned, “What about this?”

Jett looked over at him, “Actually, give me that.”

Dane tossed the metal pack over to him. He caught it and placed it inside his heavy military style duffel bag.

“And the rest of this stuff?”

Jett looked around sleek, high tech hanger he’d built.

“Shut it all down. Put the reactor on standby and power down everything. Seal up the main doors too.”

“Alright,” he said walking over to the back of the hanger and tapping a few icons on the smart glass table.

Jett heaved his heavy bag onto his back and grabbed his crutch.

“You sure about this?” Dane asked.

Jett gave one last look around the room, “Yeah… I’m sure…”

“We’re going to be gone on tour for a few months, you know,” he added.

“You’ll most likely get back long before I do…” Jett said.

Dane turned and pulled his brother into an embrace, “Good luck brother.”

“See you around.”

Dane released him and headed towards the elevator and headed back up to the surface. Jett gave one last look around the room. A figure stood near the stairs.

“You sure I can’t convince you to stay?” Spitfire asked hopefully.

“Sorry,” he said with earnest, “I’ve been thinking about our conversation we had a few weeks ago and… Maybe we’re both right. Maybe I am my own person, maybe I’m not my brother, maybe I really am… unique like you said… But… I still don’t know who or what I am… and I’d like to find out.”

“By traveling the world?”

“By rediscovering myself. It’s not the destination that defines it; it’s the journey of how you get there.”

“I won’t see you for a while. Months, years even…”

“You said you wanted me to be happy. I want the same for you… Just don’t get hung up on me if I’m gone for too long. That’s the last thing I want for you.”

“Alright. No promises though.”

He gave her a smile, “Go have fun on your tour. Your new planes are loaded on your yacht, go have some fun with them, make some nice memories.”

“Alright.”

He limped towards her and gave her a hug, “See you around my little angel girl.”

She gave a teary eyed laugh, “See you round my little robot boy.”

With one last look she released him and turned and headed back up the stairs. She opened the set of double doors and emerged into the sun light. Dane was waiting for her.

“He’s still going?”

“Yes…” Spitfire said, “He’s leaving. We’re going south, he’s going north to Celestia knows where.”

Dane sighed, “Maybe this will be good for him. Maybe this is what he needs. Maybe he just needs to make his own choices in life.”

“I still wish he chose to stay with us,” Spitfire said sadly, “Even if I can’t be his, I still like having him around.”

“Me too, girl. Come on, our ride is waiting for us. The rest of them are already down at the docks.”

“Alright.”

The pair stepped into a waiting car where Gin and Fleetfoot were waiting.

“Just you two?” Gin asked.

“Just us. Driver, we’re ready.”

The car began to move as it headed down to the Canterlot docks where the yacht was waiting for them.

Chapter 57. Empyreus.

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

-Aristotle

Nature is beautiful; beautiful beyond all measure. Something no god could ever create. Something gods were to be envious of. The only architects behind the masterful beauty of nature would be sheer probability and evolution.

Nature was always something to be admired and respected. Whether it be enjoying the ice caves on Ganymede, watching Jupiter paint the sky, or even just walking along a beach in Hawaii, nature was always something to behold. Here was no different.

Surprisingly, this planet had a lot of organisms either incredibly similar to ones on Earth or ones that were genetically compatible. Be it animals or trees, it all worked. Jett had little doubt that if he grabbed a pinecone off the ground here and brought it to Earth, he could grow a tree. Apparently the universe did have a sense of humor.

Jett moved along the trail through the forest. The mountain was steep but it was expected. Below him was the City of Canterlot and all its beauty and architectural wonder.

The forest he walked through was beautiful. The most of the leaves had fallen and the air was dry and cool, not that that bothered him much. That birds that remained in this hemisphere of the planet chirped as they rapidly darted by.

The higher he went, the lower the oxygen level would get. A lot of signs recommended alternative trails but considering oxygen wasn’t a need for the android he continued on.

His cane doubled as a walking stick at these heights as he moved through the forest.

Fall was one of his favorite seasons. He didn’t know why. It was cold, dry, and not much to do and yet… the feeling it offered was nice. Warming up by a fire place, waiting for holidays, enjoying good food, to name a few pleasant things about it. It wasn’t the season; it was the atmosphere it brought with it.

He enjoyed that.

He found a fallen log and sat down on it, resting his cane next to him. He sighed and removed an apple from his bag and took a bite out of it. The view he was currently looking at was breath taking.

Just over a nearby cliff edge the city below him glistened like a gem. Clouds rolled by both above and below him. The docks were visible as well. Various air ships were docked at them serving a variety of purposes. Somewhere down there, were the Wonderbolts.

***

Spitfire watched as the crates carrying the new planes Jett had created were loaded onto the yacht. They were to be placed down in the lower cargo bay with food and other things going above it. Above that were the living quarters and above that was the main deck with a raised stern deck that housed the dining hall and other recreational facilities.

She glanced over towards the walkway that led up onto the Yacht. Dane and Fleetfoot were talking, laughing with each other like a typical happy couple. Spitfire sighed. In many ways she envied their happiness. Things went so smoothly for them.

And yet, all Spitfire had met was tragedy.

She wasn’t angry, she couldn’t be. Just sad.

Soarin’ walked up behind her, “Hey, you ready for this?”

She sighed, “Yeah, I guess.”

“Still thinking about him?”

“He never left my head.”

“Maybe he’ll change his mind and come with us.”

Spitfire scoffed, “At this time he’s probably on the other side of the mountain.”

“Well, maybe this trip of his will do him some good. Maybe he’ll realize what he’s missing.”

She sighed and leaned over one of the railings and stared out over the valley, “Wishful thinking.”

***

A noise got the android’s attention. Footsteps.

And old man was climbing the trail he was following. There was nothing particularly spectacular about the man. He wore a simple sun hat and had a simple pack on his back. He used a walking stick to help him move.

He gave a smile, “Lovely day we’re having, huh son?”

Jett gave a small grin, “Yes, it is. Beautiful.”

He leaned against his staff, “Nature is a better architect and planner than even the most focused and motivated designer.”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing,” Jett said, “Nature is too beautiful for any one god or gods to design.”

The man laughed and cocked his head, “Say… What’s a kid like you doing up here anyway?”

“What do you mean?” Jett asked.

“Forgive me for being blunt here, but, you’re missing an arm and unless I’m mistaken, that’s not the kind of cane you use for hiking.”

Jett turned and glanced at his crutch, “Yeah, my leg isn’t exactly working too well at the moment.”

“I could tell. So what are you doing up here? You seem lost…”

Jett laughed, “Lost being an understatement. I don’t know what I’m doing up here…”

“Well why don’t you talk about it?”

***

The technician walked up to Spitfire, “Well that’s the last of them. There will be team at your destination to unload the aircraft once you arrive.”

“Alright,” Spitfire said, “That it?”

“Yup, everything’s locked up nice and tight. All that’s left to do is close the hatches and get you on board.”

“Fine.”

She turned to Dane and Fleetfoot, “Wrap it up you two, we’re leaving!”

Some of the team was already on the boat but those that weren’t quickly filed on board.

Dane walked up to her, “Hey, you doing okay?”

“Working on it,” Spitfire sighed, “I kinda hoped he’d change his mind and come with us.”

Dane turned and glanced at the mountain, “Yeah, so was I. I really wanted this to work out for you. You of all people deserve it.”

“I don’t know… maybe I don’t.”

***

“I have no clue who the hell I am or what I’m even supposed to do in this crazy world that I can’t ever seem to fit in to. And I had the pleasure of earning this crutch in a series of bad fights that have effectively crippled me. And on top of all that my best friend in the whole universe just confessed and told me that she loves me.”

The man blinked, “What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong with that?! How the hell am I supposed to react to that?”

“Well you said she was your best friend. Seems like you already got a pretty good thing going. Don’t question a good thing.”

“I’m not… questioning it. I just don’t know how to react to it.”

“Well I would go for it. Relationships are always positive things. It’s the ending, if there is one, which really gets you.”

“The last time I was in a relationship, it ended with my ex trying to kill me with a motor vehicle.”

The man scratched his chin, “Ouch, but still not the worst break up.”

“You’ve heard worse?” Jett asked in disbelief.

“When you’re my age things tend not to surprise you as much. But from my experience, love affairs typically end for the same reason. Let me ask you this, were you friends with your ex beforehand? Did you have any relationship with her before you two got together?”

“No.”

“Well therein lies your problem. Relationships are like buildings. You can’t build a skyscraper on a shaky foundation or no foundation at all in that case.”

“I guess that makes sense. My experience with relationships is next to zero at this point so you’ll have to forgive me if I seem like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Well let’s move on to this other girl. Your best friend in the whole universe. What’s she like? What does she mean to you?”

Jett frowned, “Well, uh, she’s funny; she’s kind hearted, understanding, caring, generous, smart, beautiful, athletic, stuff like that. As for what she means to me, I almost died twice keeping her safe and I’d do it again so that should say something.”

“I’m impressed, you started with her personality. Most people start with looks and work their way down that way. But let’s move on here. You seem to be a guy in a pretty lucky position.”

“How do you figure that? I had to turn her down.”

“Why?”

“Why? Look at me. I’m a machine who has no clue just who or what he is. Do you honestly think that I should be dating someone as amazing as her when I’m like this? Do you honestly think I’m even worthy of her?”

“The ones who say they don’t deserve a person are the ones that typically do,” the man replied.

“Maybe to you.”

“Then let’s move on to your other problem; your identity. Son, you need to understand this, most if not everyone moves through their life trying to figure out who they are. No one ever really knows because who you are changes day after day. Who you are now is a result of who you were. It’s just part of being human. Your relationship problem and your identity problem don’t exactly appear to be mutually exclusive here.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well for one, your best friend confessed to you. Not some random person you hardly knew but someone you already have a good relationship with. Most people don’t get that. Everyone has their best friend, their crush, and their true love. Only the lucky ones have them all as the same person.”

“And you think I’m one of those lucky ones?”

“I don’t know what you are. But you seem to be a person running away from their problems and the people they care about. And that is never a healthy thing.”

“So I’m just running away?”

“I could be wrong. But I’ve never seen a person deal with a confession by up and leaving unless they were scared of something.”

Jett laughed, “I’m a robot, what could I possibly have to be scared about?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s something as simple as change.”

“Change. Change?”

“Yes change. If all you’ve known is anger and misery it would be hard to let that go in favor of something better and happier. Or maybe you’re simply scared of going into another relationship with someone even if they might be good for you. You tell me.”

“Did you ever have an ex try to kill you with an SUV?”

“No, but silverware is equally terrifying,” the man laughed, “Either way, you can’t just run away from this and hope it will go away.”

“Well then what should I do, oh wise one?” Jett laughed.

“You tell me. What do you feel for this girl?”

“I feel… sad that I had to turn her down and break her heart like that. I feel happy that she came into my life when she did. I… I feel guilty for some reason.”

“Guilty?”

“Yeah, guilty that I turned her down and hurt her.”

The man smiled, “I don’t think that’s what you’re feeling guilty about.”

“What else could I be feeling guilty about?”

He turned, “I think you’re feeling guilty because you may have actually felt something for this girl and yet you turned her down anyway.”

Jett’s eyes widened in surprised and his face turned red, “What?!”

“Tell me, do you feel anything for this girl?”

Jett sighed and looked at the ground, “I… I… I don’t know.”

“Come on man, it’s a simple yes or no answer. Do you love her or not?”

“I don’t know what I feel for her! I’m confused. She’s done nothing but bring good into my life, yes I admit that but… I don’t know.”

“Ha, perfect. It’s good that you’re confused.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Because that’s what people in love always feel like,” the man teased, “Confused and scared.”

Jett frowned, “Gee, you’re a real help.”

“Look, you have to try something,” the man said, “After all; it’s only through others that we ever truly know ourselves. There’s your identity problem wrapped up all nicely for yo-”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

“About your identity problem?”

“No, the other thing you said. It’s only through others that we ever truly know ourselves. What do you mean by that?”

The man smiled, “Eyes may be windows to the soul but people are the mirrors. Look, I’m not going to tell you what you should do; I’ve done enough of that with my kids as it is, but… I think if you let this girl go you may end up regretting it. You can’t rewind life son. But sometimes… you do get second chances. And it would be a sin to waste one.”

“A second chance? To do what?”

“To tell her the truth.”

Jett grabbed his cane and stood up, “Yeah… Maybe…”

“What’re you thinking?”

“I don’t know… maybe I’ll go talk to her or something…”

The man gave a grin as his eyes flashed, “Better hurry. Her boat just left. You’re gonna have to move quickly if you want to catch her.”

Jett spun around, “I never told you who…”

The man just smiled and gave a wink, “Rule seventy five: Don’t question a good thing. Rule one hundred and twelve: Don’t let them go.”

“Don’t let them go?”

“Don’t let her go.”

Jett smiled, “Thanks.”

“So what are you gonna do now sport?”

“Something stupid,” he grinned, “Something so damnably, fantastically, and amazingly stupid.”

“Good.”

“I think I’m gonna head back down the mountain now. I think I just figured out where I belong and who I am, or at least, who I want to be.”

“Rule one hundred and eleven where you belong is where you can be yourself.”

“Where are you getting these rules from?” Jett said standing up and gripping his cane.

“You don’t think I don’t write down whatever wisdom comes to me? Try it and see what you come up with. You may just be surprised.”

“I will; thanks. And… thanks for the advice.”

The man gave a two fingered salute, “Go get her tiger.”

Jett opened up his duffel and slipped on a sleek metal pack and strapped it on tight before slipping his duffel back over it. He made sure both were secured.

He gripped his cane, “I’m not going to be very aerodynamic will I?”

“You said you were going to try something stupid.”

“I did and I will.”

Jett grunted and dove over the edge of the cliff just as his pack opened.

“Oh I don’t think this was such a good idea!”

***

Spitfire watched as the city slowly began to shrink away as the airship moved away from the city, heading south. She sighed. Sure this tour was going to be fun but… her heart wasn’t with the rest of her. It was headed north out of the country to places unknown only to it and the person who carried it.

“You’ve been there for the last half hour now Captain,” Dane said, “Come on, come join us down stairs.”

“I… I’d rather stay here.”

He sighed, “I know you’re missing him, frankly so am I but… he’s gone. And likely won’t be back for some time now.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Look, he said he didn’t want you to get depressed over this; that he didn’t want you to get caught up on him. Can’t you just honor that one request and try to be positive?”

“No promises,” she grumbled turning and following him back inside the air ship.

***

“Sorry!” Jett yelled as he streaked over the streets of the city, “It’s the bag! Not used to the-whoa!”

He twisted in the air and slipped in between two large trucks driving through an intersection.

“Weight…” he sighed, “Why do I bother talking to these people?”

Either due to a complication from the head trauma he received a few weeks ago or just due to sheer luck, the android miscalculated when he took his dive off the cliff and failed to compensate for the weight of the heavy bag on his back. Now he was streaking over the city streets, having to dodge everything from people to vehicles to buildings as he went.

A few times he had to pull his cane up to avoid hitting someone in the head with it. Many people cried out in surprise when they say the android zoom overhead without the use of any wings. Some cried out magic but Jett simply laughed. Sufficiently advanced technology will always seem like magic to a sufficiently primitive civilization.

Still, he found this endeavor… fun.

He laughed and pulled himself up over the streets and accelerated over the roof tops.

“Oh yeah!”

He weaved through power lines and antenna on the buildings, even waving to people on balconies as he went by with a grin.

“Hi!” he waved at one surprised lady as she enjoyed a cup of tea.

“Hello!” he said to another man sitting with his family.

Then he saw something else that made him grin manically.

“Go fuck yourself Blueblood!” he laughed as he zoomed by the Prince’s balcony, giving him the finger before accelerating off into the streets.

He streamlined his body as he zoomed through the air. Soon he was approaching the docks. He decelerated and found the one where Spitfire’s ship was docked. He landed.

Empty.

“Guess the old man was right,” he said with a perplexed look on his face, “Still… how did he know that?”

He tapped his foot, “Okay, so they were heading south, south west. Only a few ships were heading that way today… most of them left earlier today so… if I just head that way, I should find them.”

He clapped his hands together, “Cool. Okay, now to do something… really stupid.”

He activated his pack again and jumped into the air, heading in a south westerly direction. He grinned. Almost there. This whole thing would be worth it just to see the looks on everyone’s faces when he arrived, let alone… everything else.

***

Spitfire twirled her glass around, watching the blue liquid swirl around her glass. She still would rather be out on the deck than in here. Some of the team was playing cards or pool or something like that, others were just watching a game on TV, and others were just talking with each other.

Spitfire sat alone.

Suddenly one of the officers ran down from the bridge, “We have a bit of a problem. We ask that you all stay inside and prepare for a bit of turbulence.”

Spitfire looked up, “What?”

“Uh, we picked up a small unidentified object accelerating towards the yacht at a rather ridiculous speed. We ask that you stay here and-”

Soarin’ stood up, “Yeah like hell buddy.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and filed outside onto the main deck. Clouds were around them obstructing a good part of their view. Spitfire emerged last as everyone looked around the deck, searching for the incoming object.

Suddenly, a faint noise got everyone’s attention. It was a loud ripping like sound. It grew louder slowly but surely until it was right on top of them as it streaked by the yacht.

Soarin’ looked around the deck, “What the fuck was that?”

Dane frowned and listened again as the noise returned, this time streaking back towards the stern of the craft. He quickly analyzed the sound and smiled.

He walked up to Spitfire and nudged her.

“What?” she turned.

Dane simply grinned.

Suddenly the noise returned, this time a lot louder than before as it approached from the port side of the yacht. Everyone moved away towards the starboard side and focused on the cloud bank on that side of the ship.

The noise got louder…

Suddenly a figure burst out of the cloud bank, covered in water and dove onto the deck of the ship. It rolled unceremoniously to a stop and groaned. A cane bounced across the deck. Everyone jumped.

“Damn, that’s not gonna do my leg any favors,” it said pulling itself onto its knees and shaking its head

It pulled a heavy duffel bag off of its back and looked at it.

“Thank the gods this thing is water proof.”

Sitting on the deck, covered in water, with a heavy metal pack still attached to his back was one Jett Halsey. His wet, tousled hair fell of his forehead.

He grinned, “Overshot it a bit those first two times.”

Everyone stared at him in shock. Looks ranged from surprised to ‘How the fuck did you get here?’ to ‘We’ll ignore the how, why are you here?’

He laughed, “Oh, you’re probably all wondering what I’m doing here and how I got here. Well you see, I built a JETT pack, and flew here. Get it? Yeah I know bad joke.”

Everyone still stared him. Some people even rubbed their eyes just to be sure. However one face stood out in particular. Spitfire’s face was one of shock and awe as she stared at him.

He came back? She thought to herself. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.

He grabbed his cane and pulled himself to his feet, “As for why I’m here…”

He slowly limped over to where Spitfire was standing. The crowd of people moved to form a circle around the two. Spitfire said nothing and simply stared at him, gaping.

Suddenly, when he was standing right before her, Jett cradled her face in his hands, leaned in and kissed her directly on her lips. Her eyes flew open at the suddenness of the gesture as a wonderful tingling sensation flew down her back as she felt his lips dance across hers.

Oh my gosh! He came back!

It was like electricity was flowing between them! Her heart beat sped up as it thumped loudly in her chest, threatening to jump straight out of her body as her breathing accelerated. Her face blushed crimson with his. Soon she realized what was happening and closed her eyes with a happy moan as she let herself fall into the perfection of the moment. Her wings fluttered lightly on her back. This was Heaven! Oh, everything they had been through together; all those nights spent in hotels, at home together, in dorm rooms snuggling together simply enjoying each other’s company, all the fun times they’d spent on cruises, at home, at school, and even everything that had happened here, all led to this! And it was sooo worth all the turbulent feelings, all the emotional grief, all the dangerous situations, and it was most certainly worth the wait!

Sadly however, the kiss had to end at some point as Jett pulled away from her. Spitfire let out a sad peep as it ended.

Jett had a massive grin on his face, “Oh my gosh! So it was all true! Everything he said was true! Oh my gosh! I’ve never been so happy to have been wrong!”

Their friends surrounding them gaped at them.

Jett smiled and turned to Spitfire who was tentatively touching her lips with a still massive blush on her face. Her eyes sparkled…

“That, was literally the most intense thing I have ever done in my entire life!” he shouted, “Oh my gosh I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like that that’s ever felt this good!”

Spitfire still stared at him with a look of awe on her face as he picked up his cane. He smiled at her.

“Well? Are you going to say something?” he asked.

“I, uh, wh-no, um, I-”

Jett laughed, “Ha, déjà vu huh? You know, I remember when you did something like that to me and I couldn’t say shit either. But guess what? Looks like I won that game.”

Finally someone in the crowd spoke as Dane stepped forward, “Okay… wait a minute… Who the hell are you and what have you done with Jett?”

Jett turned and walked over to him and jabbed him with his crutch, “Don’t worry about that… I killed him.”

“Okay, dude, you’re acting really different here.”

“Different how?”

“You know what I mean wise ass! Different. Like you seem like your high on Mist or something like that. You seem happy for some reason. And that’s weird because you’re never happy. What happened?”

“I tried something stupid and it paid off.”

Spitfire finally found her voice, “You-you came back…”

Jett turned, “Yes, yes I did.”

“Why? Not that I’m complaining! Because I’m not! Complaining. You know what I mean.”

“I came back… for you. For all of you. You know, I thought I needed to get away to find out who I truly was. But… I was wrong.”

Dane grinned, “Oh my god. He just admitted he was wrong! Does anyone have a tape recorder or something?!”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up you goof ball. Anyway, I was wrong. And I have never been happier to have been wrong!”

Spitfire slowly walked up to him, “Why? Why did you come back?”

“I still don’t know who I am or what I’m supposed to do with myself but… while I was on my way up the mountain I figured something out and took some advice. I’m still confused about whom I am but… the best way to start is with all of you. As a wise man once said, it’s only through others that we ever truly know ourselves.”

“Good advice,” Dane laughed.

“And… more importantly, I came back for you,” he said turning to Spitfire.

“Me?”

“Well, yeah! That whole scene a minute ago was kinda meant to show that. Do I need to spell it out for you?”

“Why? Not that I’m complaining because that kiss was AMAZING… but why?” she asked.

Jett sighed, “The night of the Gala, after I turned you down… I spent my time trying to rationalize to myself why I did it. I… I felt I had to. I thought that I would never be worthy of you because I was broken and unsure of myself. I had to try really hard to come up with rationalizations and reasons for me… rejecting you. And they all led back to me. Me being lost, broken, confused, all of the imperfections I saw in myself when I was around you…”

“When you were around me? Why would you being around me make you… feel that badly about yourself?”

Jett laughed, “Spitfire, you’re fucking amazing. You’re funny, you’re smart, you’re kind, you’re generous, you’re understanding, you’re caring, you’re confident, you’re happy with yourself, sure of yourself. Those were all things that I strived to be. And that’s for your personality. I look at you and I see perfection. You’re perfect in so many different ways that I felt like… I could never match you or be worthy of being with you… even if I wanted to.”

“What?”

“After I… turned you down… I kept feeling angry and shameful about myself. Angry at myself for losing control and… shame for hurting you. I never wanted to hurt you ever… I… It was never my intention to break your heart like that, and for that I’m terribly sorry. But… I kept feeling guilty for some reason. At first I thought it was because I had hurt you but… with some help I think I’ve figured out why I was really feeling guilty. Guilt is defined as a belief that someone has compromised his or her own standards of conduct or has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that violation. I… I felt guilty because I turned you down… when I actually felt something for you…”

He frowned, “Gosh I feel so fucking stupid!”

“W-what?” Spitfire asked.

Jett turned, “Spitfire, you were the only consistent thing in my life that could make me happy literally every single day. You knew how I was, happy was something very difficult to for me to feel. But somehow you made it work… Call it magic, I honestly don’t care, but I feel HAPPY when I’m around you Spitfire.”

Dane sighed, “Get on with it- Ow! Fleet? The hell was that for?”

“Shut up idiot!”

Jett limped up her again and clasped her hand, “I’m going to be frank here: Spitfire, I LOVE you. Wow that’s the first time I think I’ve ever said that to anyone… Anyway, you all heard me say it. I’m in love with Spitfire! Jett Halsey loves Spitfire! I don’t care who hears me!”

A collective, ‘Awww,’ came over the crowd.

“Spitfire I love you in more ways than there are stars in cosmos. I have never, ever met anyone who could even come within a fraction of a percent of being like you. You’re funny, you’re smart, you’re kind, you’re generous, you’re understanding, you’re caring, you’re confident, and I love that. The fact that you’re fucking hotter than the core of the sun is just an added bonus to an already incredible person.”

Spitfire’s eyes shined as tears started falling down her face.

“Oh no, did I do something wrong?”

Dane smacked him in the head, “No, idiot. You just did everything right.”

“Oh, continuing then,” he said, “Spitfire I may never ever be worthy of being with you even if I tried but… If I’m the thing that you want, if I make you happy, then so be it. I’ll put aside my inferiority complex if it makes you happy. I WANT you to be happy, especially if it’s with me. If you’ll still have me, then I’m yours, now and for eternity.”

Spitfire sniffed as she continued to cry tears of happiness.

Jett smiled at her, “I love you, Spitfire. And I’m sorry it took this long to realize it.”

Their crowd of friends burst out in cheers and congratulations as they applauded their friends. Jett gripped his cane nervously as he stood waiting for a response as he stared into Spitfire’s crimson face.

“Kiss me, idiot,” came a whisper.

He blinked, “What?”

“Do I have to make it an order?” Spitfire looked at him with a wide grin on her face.

He grinned, “No ma’am.”

The two embraced as their lips connected as they began their dance. Jett’s cane fell to the deck as Spitfire’s wings fluttered lightly as Jett’s body pulsed blue as his energy circuits lit up. Their eyes closed as they lost themselves in the perfect bliss of the moment. For a brief few seconds, things seemed to slow down, as if Time itself halted its activities out of respect for the new lovers.

Fleetfoot laughed, “Look, her wings are doing that cute thing again.”

“Aw, look, he’s doing that weird robot thing he does,” Dane said.

“Way to ruin it asshole,” Fleetfoot said.

“What? What’d I do?”

“You know what you did.”

“Forgive me baby.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” she said bringing him into a hug.

Finally, with a cute moan from Spitfire, they separated.

Jett grinned, “That’s really fun. We should do that more often.”

Spitfire smiled as she put a wing around him, “Yes we should.”

Everyone smiled at them, happy for the new couple. Jett looked around like a bird curious about its surroundings.

“So… does this mean we’re dating now?” he asked.

Dane smiled, “I think it means a lot more than that, buddy.”

“Like?”

“Well for starters you won’t be getting much sleep at night,” Fleetfoot laughed.

Spitfire turned red and stared at the ground. Everyone, minus Jett, laughed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

“Oh if you haven’t figured it out then there’s little we can do to help,” Soarin’ laughed as everyone began to disperse and head back inside the yacht.

“Wait! What’s the mean?” he asked.

Dane just shook his head as he followed Fleetfoot inside, “It means your fucked six ways to Sunday.”

“You’re an asshole,” Jett grumbled.

He turned, “The best! You however are now tied by the red thread of fate to this wonderful woman. Be good to her!”

Jett shook his head, “I hate that man sometimes.”

Spitfire giggled and gripped his hand in hers, “Come on my little robot boy. Let’s go join the others.”

He laughed, “Whatever you say my little angel girl.”

She rubbed her eyes as they followed their friends back inside.

“Oh, no, are you crying? Are you sad? Did I do something?” Jett asked nervously.

She giggled again and decided to just let herself cry, “No, you didn’t do anything. In fact… I’ve never been happier.”

***

Dane frowned as he sipped his drink. Fleetfoot walked up to him.

“What’s wrong babe?”

He nodded in the direction of Spitfire and Jett, who were sitting on the couch cuddling together, simply talking.

“What’s wrong with that?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Two hundred and ninety four thousand six hundred and seventy five words later and they’re just… talking.”

“What are you talking about? It’s a young couple in love. Let them be.”

“One’s a robot and the other has wings. I don’t think we’d ever see that again.”

Fleetfoot thwacked him on the head, “What about us?”

“Us?”

“Yes, us. All of us. Diversity. I think it’s good that he’s finally figured it out.”

“Figured what out?” Dane asked.

“The same thing you figured out. It doesn’t matter what you’re made of, be it metal or bone, it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, or how you were born. The circumstances of creation don’t matter. All that matters is that you have a pure heart.”

“Is that what you believe?” Dane smiled.

“Belief is too light a word. That’s what I know.”

“You and your feelings,” Dane said sipping his drink, “I was just hoping to see a little more fireworks.”

“Oh let them be. Finally after all of this they’re together. Let them be happy. Besides, you just got a heartfelt confession out of your iron hearted brother. That’s something to celebrate.”

She grabbed a drink and held it up.

Dane smiled, “I suppose it is. Cheers pretty lady.”

***

“So who exactly is your friend here?” One of the crewmen asked.

Spitfire giggled, “He was late but he caught up with us.”

The crewman frowned, “Uh, huh, there’s just one problem here. There aren’t enough cabins for your friend here so you’re gonna have to work something out.”

Spitfire grinned, “I think I have the perfect thing.”

She turned to the android, “You’re sleeping with me tonight big guy.”

He turned, “What?”

Across the room, Soarin’ scribbled something down on a piece of paper and held it up.

Good luck!

“You’re bunking with me tonight,” Spitfire smiled.

Jett sighed, “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Chapter 58. The Best Dreams...

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

-Dr. Seuss.

***

The reality of her situation finally hit her. It felt… odd. She was so used to worrying about things that to have everything so… perfect was utterly alien to her. And yet… she enjoyed it.

Spitfire was lying awake in her cabin. The room was small, similar in size to the dorm room she had shared with Jett all those months back. It had a nice window to view the surrounding sky scape. And best of all, it only had one bed.

Spitfire glanced to her right. Sleeping soundly next to her was Jett, his arms wrapped around her in a comforting embrace. She broke out in a smile. When she first woke up she thought she had dreamed the whole thing up… only to realize that there was a sleeping robot sharing her bed with her and she had to stop herself from screaming with happiness. Now she was simply enjoying his warm embrace.

A noise got her attention.

“Hey, Jett, you awake? Spitfire fuck your circuits out yet?” Dane asked as he appeared in the doorway with a yawn.

Spitfire sat up slightly and glared at him making a shushing sign with her fingers.

“Oh! Sorry Captain. I’ll just… leave you two to do… whatever you’re doing…”

He made a hasty exit.

Spitfire smiled and laid down again, draping a wing over Jett and pulling him closer with it. It was still a bit cold on the Yacht, especially at the high altitudes in combination with the weather. Jett however radiated warmth as Spitfire snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes.

She still couldn’t believe it. He was now hers! After all this time, he belonged to her and she belonged to him! It felt so wonderful. She wrapped her arms around him and sighed.

She felt him rouse from his sleep. He yawned before opening his eyes.

“Dumb sleeping software,” he yawned before fully waking himself up. He opened his eyes to find a certain flame haired girl with a beautiful set of brilliant orange irises staring back at him. He smiled.

“So it wasn’t a dream…” he breathed.

Spitfire giggled, “No, it wasn’t. Reality is finally better than dreams.”

She leaned in and kissed him. He felt a pleasant shock go down his spine. Finally she pulled away, licking her lips.

“Geez, at least let me wake up before you do that,” he laughed.

“What? I can’t help the fact you taste nice.”

“Really? What do I taste like?” he asked running one of his hands through her fire like hair.

“Sweet. Like candy.”

“That would probably be my synthetic stuff. I kinda programed it like that on the flight over.”

“I don’t care. I still love it,” she smiled.

“So do I,” he said as his hand drifted from her hair down to her mid back, where her wings joined her torso. He ran his hand over her soft feathers. Her eyes widened and she let out a peep at his touch.

He grinned, “Ooh, does that tickle?”

She bit her lip and shook her head.

“Okay,” he smiled, “Then I suppose you won’t mind if I do this.”

His hand began stroking her back with the precision and expertise of a trained masseuse. Spitfire moaned as she melted at his touch.

“Oh that feels nice,” she sighed with a grin, “You’re pretty good a foreplay, robot boy.”

“Eh, what?”

Spitfire gave a devious grin, “Oh? You didn’t know? Wings are erogenous zones for people like me. Highly sensitive for things like air pressure and wind direction they’re also pleasure centers. But you already knew that.”

His eyes widened, “Oh no, I don’t think I should have done that. Crap, I completely forgot about that!”

Spitfire burst out laughing, “Relax, I’m just messing with you. You’re still pretty good at that though.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… You know...” she gave him a sultry look, “I bet you could really take a girl for a ride, if you know what I mean…”

He quickly looked around the room, “Uh, I don’t think we should be doing… that yet. I’m kinda new to this whole thing here. And we only started dating just yesterday.”

“Aw,” she pouted, “You’re no fun. You’ve already seen me naked before…”

“Topless and that was an accident,” he said.

“Did you like what you saw?” she asked with a mischievous grin, “If you want I could show them to you right now…”

“Uh, no, I’m fine; really. We’ve already established how physically attractive you are.”

Spitfire smiled and caressed his face, “What was it you said? That I was hotter than the inside of the sun? Tell me more about that. Feed my vanity.”

“Well, uh, your figure is perfect. No complaints there. You have a nice athletic body, nicely toned…”

She egged him on with a grin, “Go on…”

“Uh, your hair is interesting. Exotic. Even on Earth I’ve never seen a style like that. It goes well with you.”

“Good. What else?”

“Uh, you have an excellent complexion. Good even skin tone. No tan lines.”

“What about these?” she said sitting up with a grin and cupping her breasts.

His eyes flew open, “Oh come on! I can’t start thinking about you in a sexual context like that!”

“Why’s that? You already said I was hotter than the core of the sun.”

“I started seeing you first as a lost girl who had no idea where she was. The I saw you as a friend and then as a sister/best friend. I’m still getting used to the fact that we’re even together like this. Give me a few days at least!”

“Humph, you may not think of me that way yet but that doesn’t mean I have to hold back,” she licked her lips.

“Eh, what?”

She grinned as she rolled on top of him and pinned his arms to the bed with her knees as she sat on his torso. She lightly flapped her wings.

“Whoa,” he grinned.

“Whoa?” Spitfire grinned crossing her arms.

“Yes, whoa.”

“Say, let me ask you something. Do you still wanna fly?”

“I’d still like to but… I don’t need to.”

“Really? Why do you say that?”

“Well, a third of the population here has wings, a third have incredible strength and another third can do that… weird magic thing they do. And an even smaller percent can do all three but… only I have you and that makes me the luckiest living thing in the universe. I think that’s more than enough for me to be happy with.”

Spitfire smiled and put a hand to her heart.

“Aw, I never would have guessed you could be so sweet. But you’re wrong about just one thing.”

“And what is that?”

“I’m the luckiest person in the universe because only I have you. And I think I have more backing me up in that regard.”

Jett rolled his eyes with a grin, “And what do you have as your evidence?”

“Your entire life. All of the things that had to happen in it to bring us together.”

“Well what about your life? A lot of things had to happen to get you into the Wonderbolts.”

“Yeah but I was destined for that. You however were the greatest work of chance and probability that ever was,” She smiled, “And best of all, now you’re all mine.”

“Ooh, you’re such a dominatrix,” he teased.

“Damn right,” she grinned leaning down and kissing him. She felt him relax underneath her and moaned. Oh, just kissing him was better than any sex she’d ever had in her entire life! And best of all, it was socially acceptable to do in public. If this was just what kissing was like…

She let that thought circulate around her head for a while before storing under the, “We’ll talk about this later,” folder.

She sat up and smiled.

Jett frowned, “Aw, I was enjoying that.”

“Sorry but I need oxygen sometimes,” she laughed.

“You can breathe through your nose,” he pouted.

“Maybe next time,” she teased him as she stood up and hopped off the bed, “But for now, I’m hungry and the rest of our friends are probably wondering what we’re doing down here.”

“I forgot, you biological organisms need to eat,” he said sitting up on the bed and grabbing his cane.

“You need water,” she said, brushing the knots out of her hair.

“Yeah, once every several years if I drink enough.”

“Still counts as eating,” she said pulling on a pair of sweat pants.

“I prefer the term: refueling,” Jett said standing up, “Ow.”

Spitfire rushed to his side, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing,” he said pushing himself up with his crutch, “Just wish this leg would get better, if it ever does.”

“Sorry my sister did all that to you,” she said sadly.

“Well you were right when you said she was a tank. Just didn’t expect she’d use high explosives on me,” he laughed before grimacing in pain, “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

“Know what?” Spitfire asked as she helped him to the door.

“One annoying thing that comes with being an android is your body sends you notifications about things right to your eyes as well as pain signals,” he grimaced again, “But at least with the pain… I can shut it off.”

He sighed, “Ah that’s better.”

“Are you sure you should be doing that?”

“You ever stub your toe? Well it’s like that. You already know it hurts. You just don’t need the reminders. Plus it’s just getting in my way as I repair myself or hopefully repair myself. Still waiting on the results.”

“What’s going on?” Spitfire asked as she helped him up the stairs to the general living area.

“Ah, Nanites are all over the damaged areas. Can’t really move the leg too much without setting off some alarms. So… I’m gonna do this,” he said twitching his head.

“What’d you just do?”

“Fused my leg restricting my movement. Best not the aggravate things any further.”

“That’s pretty cool,” Spitfire smiled, “But in all seriousness, get well soon because as a new couple, there are a lot of things we still have to do.”

“What do you mean by that?” Jett asked as they made it up the stairs and entered the living area. The other Wonderbolts plus Dane and Gin were all enjoying each other’s company, eating breakfast or hanging out. Fleetfoot looked up and grinned.

“So did you fuck his brains out?” she asked with a grin.

Spitfire turned red, “No! I’m done with that kind of life anyway! Besides… this one’s special.”

“Yeah, and you just had to jump across the universe to find him. Congrats,” Soarin’ laughed.

“Laugh it up, at least I found him,” Spitfire stuck her tongue out and returned to help the android.

He smiled, “I’m fine. Really. Go get yourself something to eat.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, yeah, I can move around on my own now that we’re on a flat surface.”

“Alright.”

She left to the nearby buffet and started grabbing some food. Dane walked over.

“How’s the leg?”

“I’m working on it though, not sure how well it’s going but… it’s a start. I just hope I can at least get some form of mobility back.”

“Why?”

“Well I certainly don’t want her helping around a cripple,” he sighed, “Are sure nothing else can be done?”

“Sorry dude. You’re just gonna have to stick out the next several weeks while everything is fixed. Look what being positive got you,” he nudged over at Spitfire who was deciding on waffles or pancakes.

Jett smiled, “Yeah… I really like that.”

“Who knows? You may just find your leg back and better than ever at the end of it. Then you can really have some fun with her.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Dane grinned, “You know what I mean.”

“You’re a pervert.”

“I’m telling you man. You’ll have a fucking ball with her.”

Jett gave a devious grin, “Speaking of balls… You and Fleetfoot; you two done the…”

He leaned in and whispered something into his ear. Dane gasped.

“No! Hell no! Why would you even suggest that?!”

“Hey, I’m just saying, you’ve done it before.”

“Yeah but… No! Just no! Well, maybe… but not yet!”

“Are you sure it wasn’t because you can’t get…”

He whispered something else in his ear.

“No, it’s not because I can’t get that. And I can get that. You just have to look.”

“Oh, so maybe it’s because you don’t want to take the time to regrow that-”

Dane shoved a hand over his mouth, “No, no, we’re not going to talk about that.”

“I could easily do better and I don’t have to grow anything extra. Virtual reality.”

“You can’t do that here.”

Spitfire returned with a plate of food, “Can’t do what?”

“Virtual reality,” Dane said.

Jett grinned, “Oh but I can. I’ve stored it all right here.”

He nudged his head, “All I need is some Nanites and that’s not too hard for me to do.”

Dane crossed his arms, “So what would you do with it.”

“Well if I can’t get my leg working correctly there are always some more… creative alternatives.”

Fleetfoot stood up and yelled across the room, “You’re talking about sex, aren’t you!”

Dane let out a loud sigh, “No Echo! He’s not talking about sex. Not everything we talk about is sex!”

Jett laughed, “You mind explaining that?”

Spitfire swallowed a bit of chocolate chip pancakes, “I can. She’s a pervert. Simple as that.”

Jett clapped his hands together, “Oh so you two are perfect for each other!”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up asshole,” Dane rolled his eyes, “She’s still too good to me. Plus the girls here have all these cool extra places where you can touch em’.”

“Okay Quagmire,” Jett rolled his eyes.

Spitfire frowned, “Who’s Quagmire?”

Dane and Jett simply looked at each other.

“It’s a REALLY long story,” Jett said.

“Yeah and plus it’s a reference only the audience would get,” Dane added.

“What?” Spitfire and Jett said at the same time.

“See you two are soul mates!” Dane clapped his hands together.

Spitfire and Jett looked at each other and smiled.

Jett shrugged, “I’m okay with that.”

“Me too,” Spitfire smiled before kissing him.

Jett licked his lips, “You taste like chocolate.”

“You like it and you know it.”

“Yes I do.”

***

The time spent on the yacht was rather boring for most. Little to do but wait until they got to their destination. Spitfire and Jett however were inseparable. They rarely left each other’s company. Both were always smiling. Dane himself was happy. He’d never seen his brother so content with life. Jett, pessimistic, cynical, angst filled, was finally happy. And all it took was a girl from another planet. When he kissed her he could almost see him physically shudder with the pleasure it brought him. With Spitfire, there was little difference. Fleetfoot had never ever seen Spitfire happier with a guy. She had never seen her sister consider a serious relationship with anyone! But then this guy just… fell out of the sky and boom. Spitfire was head over heels, wings fluttering like a fairy, in love with the guy.

They slept together every night, never leaving each other’s arms or wings. Sometimes Dane would stop by to wake them up and all that would be visible would be a cloak of orange feathers. He quickly learned to leave them alone as Spitfire did not like to be disturbed when she was cradling the object of her affections and desires in her wings.

It never really seemed to faze Jett that he was dating a Celebrity. Possibly because all he’d known her as was a best friend or because he all he could see her as now was a perfect girlfriend. Dane never really seemed bothered by the fact either with his relationship with Fleetfoot.

Soon though, it became apparent that the news of Spitfire’s new relationship would get out rather quickly as soon as the yacht landed.

Spitfire sighed and closed her eyes. Preening her wings was a pretty easy thing to do though there were some spots that she just couldn’t reach. She was lying on her/Jett’s bed with one of her wings draped across the room. Jett sat in a chair running his fingers though her wings. Every now and again Spitfire would let out a cute moan as he tugged out a loose or damaged feather.

Eventually he pulled out a large orange primary feather and looked at it. Spitfire noticed he stopped and propped herself up.

“What is it?”

“Your feathers are pretty,” he said turning the large primary around in his prosthetic.

Spitfire smiled, “I know they are. They came from me after all.”

“Hmm,” he turned and glanced over at the pile that had accumulated, “What should I do with these?”

“Burn em,” Spitfire said nonchalantly.

“Burn them? Why?”

“It’s like when you get a haircut. Preening our wings, that is. There’s just a bit more significance placed on it. Burning them is like a mini cremations ceremony. The premise is that because we belong in the air we should always return to it. The Earth people have a similar custom where they bury their dead.”

“So you guys cremate your dead and scatter the ashes into the wind, the Earth people bury their dead, what do the… magic users do?”

“They, uh, do some weird thing where they use magic on the body and convert it to some kind of weird crystal and then they place it in a cemetery like place in large mountains. Weird.”

“I can understand cremation and burial but I’ve never seen anything like that. Interesting.”

“Yeah…”

Jett twirled the large feather in his hand, “Burn this one too?”

Spitfire sat up, “Uh, no, um… Well, uh, there’s this custom we have… where uh, when you meet your special someone, you exchanged feathers. Typically you place tuck it in with the ones on your wings with a kind of clip but… you don’t have wings so… I don’t know.”

“Well if you want me to keep it I can still keep it,” Jett said holding it up and tucking it behind his ear.

“Really?” Spitfire perked up.

“Yeah, if it’s important to you then sure. I’ll get something more permanent to secure it later considering I don’t have feathers but… wait a second. I forgot about this!”

“What?”

He glanced down at his arm and watched as a silvery liquid flowed out of a small node in his arm and organized into a bracelet like device. He grabbed the feather.

“Can I bend it?”

Spitfire blinked, “Yeah, they’re flexible enough.”

“Cool,” he said placing it onto the fluid and watching it bend around his wrist. After a few seconds of prettying things up it looked like the feather was a bracelet itself around his wrist.

He held his arm up, “How’s it look?”

Spitfire smiled, “Nice.”

Jett looked at his arm, “I love it. It feels special. Now I just need to find something nice to give you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to. Just having you now is wonderful enough as it is,” she said wrapping her arms around him.

“You said it was a custom. So I’m gonna do it. I’ll think of something just as special as you giving me a part of you.”

Spitfire leaned over his shoulder, “You already have my heart, robot boy.”

“And you have mine,” Jett smiled.

“Aw, you’re so sweet. Even if you don’t have a heartbeat.”

“I can activate that software if you so desire.”

“You have software for that?”

“I have software for everything.”

Spitfire smiled and pulled him onto the bed with her, “Including your sex drive.”

Jett turned red, “Let’s not talk about my sex drive.”

Spitfire pouted and rolled over so she was sitting on top of him, “Aww, but I think we can really have some fun together. Plus I like being on top…”

“You don’t want to take things a bit slower?” Jett asked nervously.

“Aww, what’s the fun in that?”

“Developing this relationship more for one. I’m not gonna lie here, our relationship from beginning to now has literally followed none of the rules.”

Spitfire crossed her arms, “You people have rules for relationships?”

“Well, no, not like that but… it’s, uh, it’s psychology. When I mean followed none of the rules I don’t mean that as a bad thing.”

Spitfire cocked her head, “How do you mean it then?”

“Well, uh, we started out pretty much disliking each other, you hit me in the face, I found you annoying at first, I’m sure you thought some pretty nasty things about me that first day.”

Spitfire scratched her head, “Yeah but they disappeared pretty quickly after you bought me all those clothes.”

Jett rolled his eyes.

“What was that for?” Spitfire asked.

“No matter what planet I’m on, women always love clothes,” he laughed.

She smiled, “You’re a jerk.”

“You picked me.”

“That I did and I love you.”

“But anyway, after that we kind of got to know each other the same way most couples do. I mean, you knew things about me I had told almost no one about. We shared experiences, got to know each other, we also hurt each other but in the end we were as close as siblings.”

“Were?”

“What are we now?”

“Oh, right. But continue.”

“Oh, so basically, the general stages of a relationship that psychologists can agree on we turned into one massive clusterfuck.”

“Well the situation was unique. And, I don’t think I’ve told you this but… the…” she gulped, “Divorce rate, ugly word that Equestria doesn’t even have, is zero.”

Jett blinked, “What?”

“I don’t know about where you came from but here, love is something real. When you ask someone to get married, you’re basically expressing the deepest form of love possible. You’re saying you want to spend eternity with the person, whether it is rich in a penthouse or homeless on streets. So what I’m saying is to forget all that stuff about love back where you came from because here it’s a force of nature. A beautiful natural phenomenon. Not something that you can just explain away.”

She leaned down and ran her fingers though his hair, “Forget the rules. Let’s just do this our way. The same way we’ve done things forever; making things up as we go along… Be one with me. Tonight.”

Jett blinked nervously, “Spitfire I really hate to turn you down again, especially after all you’ve been through at my hands but… I’m not comfortable with that kind of a relationship this early into it. Don’t get me wrong! I find you incredibly appealing and sexy and I’ve even gone through the effort of reactivating those special subroutines but… I’m just not ready for that yet. I do love you Spitfire and I’d like to think that we’re meant to be together forever but… I’m not ready for that yet. Can you just wait? Wait for me?”

Spitfire sighed but gave a warm smile, “I’d walk through hell for you. And I waited this long to have you and you certainly made it worth it so I supposed that I can be patient here too.”

He sighed with relief, “Thanks. I promise… when I’m ready I’ll make the wait well worth it for you. But… just wait for me.”

Spitfire gave him puppy dog eyes, “Can we still cuddle?”

“Of course we can. I said I’m not ready for sex not being a human being.”

She grinned like a girl in a candy shop, “Yay!”

She hopped off his chest and laid down next to him and wrapped her arms and wings around him. She sighed as she nuzzled his neck.

“I love you,” she moaned as she closed her eyes.

Jett smiled and kissed her forehead, “I love you too my little angel.”

***

The first stop the yacht made was in the city of Equuleus. It was a moderate sized city situated on a plateau at the base of a mountain. It was a relatively old city but it still had an Aerodome for performances. They yacht had docked several minutes ago and the gangplank was extended. The paparazzi were already waiting outside the craft. A group of limos were waiting to bring the team to their hotel.

Spitfire looked over at Jett, “You ready for this?”

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re forgetting that we’re celebrities here. And now you’re in a committed relationship with one.”

“Oh. So will this make a big splash in the media?” he asked as Spitfire prepared to open the door.

Spitfire blinked, “Well considering my past reputation with guys I’d say some people will be surprised to say the least.”

Jett gripped his cane, “I hate the paparazzi.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Spitfire sighed, “Come on; let’s get to the hotel so we can go back to cuddling again.”

“You really like doing that, don’t you?”

“Next to making out with you, it’s my second favorite thing to do,” she grinned liking her lips.

***

“In other news today,” the ENN news anchor said, “Wonderbolts Captain Spitfire was seen exiting her team’s Yacht the other day with, get this, a guy. But this doesn’t appear to just be some random guy she’s having a fling with, not this looks to be the real deal here.”

The shot cut to a video of Spitfire and the rest of the Wonderbolts pushing through a crowd of paparazzi. Attached to Spitfire’s hand however was a certain black haired kid with a robotic arm, wielding a cane more as a weapon than an actual assistance device. And on his wrist was an orange feather.

She stopped him just before they entered the limo and proceeded to kiss the mysterious boy before dragging him inside the vehicle.

“Whoever this guy is, he appears to be the real deal if the Captain is giving him that kind of treatment and he has one of her feathers on his wrist. To all you male fans of Spitfire out there, sorry boys, but it looks like she’s officially off the market.”

And so begins the Happy Years Arc of this story. While I will admit this, most of the story line is sadly over there are still some things I'd like to cover about their new relationship to really put a good seal on this story. Expect a few more chapters and maybe... if you're lucky (Or unlucky)... a clop chapter.

Chapter 59. Romeos and Juliets.

Fun Fact: One source of inspiration among many for this story has been James Cameron and his works. Say what you will about his temper but when he still holds the spot for the two highest grossing films ever, he’s obviously doing something right.

Spitfire and Jett burst into their hotel room. Spitfire immediately started laughing hysterically as Jett gripped his crutch and moved himself into an armchair. The hotel room was nice; penthouse suite. Kitchen to the left with an island, living room with couches and chairs straight ahead, and a king sized mattress to the right.

Spitfire, still giggling like mad flopped down in the couch next to him. Jett simply smiled at her with amusement. When she finished, mainly to breathe more than any semblance of completion with her laughter, she turned and glanced at the android who sat running his fingers over his crutch.

Jett simply smiled.

“What?” she laughed.

“Are you quite amused with yourself?” he asked rolling his eyes.

She sat up and giggled, “Yes. Did you see the looks on their faces?!”

Jett held up his wrist, “I thought the feather would do it.”

“Not all of them could see it. So I gave them something to talk about,” she laughed again, “Oh that’ll be all over the news tomorrow. Hell, that’ll be all over the news tonight!”

“And I’m sure they’ll have a field day with it,” he said standing up and walking over to the kitchen.

“Thinking of cooking something?” Spitfire asked.

“Maybe, depending on what they have here.”

She leaned back, “Well, whatever you cook I’m sure I’ll love.”

Jett turned, “Who said I was cooking anything?”

Spitfire gave him puppy dog eyes, “Pweeze?”

Jett sighed, “Fine. But you’ll have to help me. I don’t get around as quickly as I used to.”

She jumped up, “Cool. So what’re we gonna have?”

Jett grinned, “Room service.”

“I thought you were gonna cook something…”

“Relax. Just messing with you,” he said, “Can you grab that pan down there?”

“You’re mean,” She pouted, kneeling down and retrieving the pan for him.

“You love me and you know it.”

“You know… I used to say that to you all the time back in Sol,” Spitfire said nostalgically.

“Literally only a few months ago,” Jett said removing a few spices and some butter from the cabinets and fridge.

“Well with all the things we’ve been through, it seems like longer. And I never would have guessed it was true.”

“What?”

“That you loved me.”

Jett removed a piece of fish from a cooler and placed it into the pan with a sizzle. He smiled and turned to face her. He ran a metallic finger through her hair.

“I don’t know why I never did this sooner.”

“Did what?” Spitfire asked reveling in his touch.

“Entered a relationship with you,” he grinned, “I’ve never been happier. Every day is like a waking up to a dream that’s real.”

“How do you think I feel? You can probably find interviews they did with me on the web where I said I would never ever settle down in a serious relationship. That there was no guy on this planet who could ever be that good.”

“Really?”

“Hey, I said planet. I’m pretty sure Earth is a different planet so… loophole. And the best one ever.”

“Well, I’m not famous so I never had people interviewing me.”

Spitfire grinned, “Oh think you’re pretty famous.”

Jett frowned, “Why do you say that?”

Spitfire giggled and grabbed the TV remote and turned it on and flipped to a news channel.

She stopped him just before they entered the limo and proceeded to kiss the mysterious boy before dragging him inside the vehicle.

She turned off the TV, “See? You’re famous.”

Jett turned red, “Still can’t believe you did that.”

“You love it when I kiss you and you know it. I can feel you shudder with pleasure each time I do it,” she gave him a sly grin and began walking towards him, swaying her hips.

Jett frowned, “Come on, I’m trying to cook you supper here. Plus you’re hips aren’t wide enough for that.”

“What? Not wide enough?”

“I don’t mean it like that! It’s just that… you’re athletic. Your body is toned perfectly. You have those beautiful curves,” he said making a motion with his hands, “A nice beautiful face, smooth skin, a nice chest and a cute little ass. You don’t have those big wide hips that some people enjoy. Personally, I don’t like them. Which is why I like your hips better.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Because they’re attached to you and they’re perfectly sized. Proportionally, everything about you is perfect. That’s the only way I can describe you. You’re not overly muscled, you’re not skinny, and you’re hot. Oh! And I like your stomach. It’s a nice stomach.”

Spitfire laughed, “My stomach?”

“Yes, I like it. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Well, uh, no but what about the rest of this?” she motioned to her body.

“Don’t know yet, haven’t seen all of it,” He returned to sautéing the fish.

“Ugh! Why must you torture me like this?” she moaned.

“Torture you? Like what?”

“I’m two seconds away from doing the R word to you,” she said flexing her wings.

“R word?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Uh, you wouldn’t do that to an injured android would you?” he said gripping his cane.

She smiled warmly at him, “No I would never do that to you. At least, not without your consent…”

“You’re just one massive sex machine aren’t you?”

“I’m on my heat cycle right now so yes, right now I am,” she said.

“Hmm, didn’t really notice the difference.”

“That’s because I’m taking pills for it. If I didn’t I’d probably be all over you right now,” she grinned.

“You always were aggressive.”

“Me? What about what you did to me on that boat last week? Not that I didn’t enjoy that but I’d say that’s pretty aggressive.”

“I had to get that out of me or else I was going to explode. Plus you were all depressed and everything so what better way to cheer you up than to let you know that your crush also felt something for you too?”

She wrapped her arms around him, “I’m lucky I have you.”

“I’m lucky that I have you.”

***

Dane frowned, “You know, it really just set in how we’re dating celebrities.”

“Uh, huh,” Jett said not really paying attention to his brother.

Dane looked across the table, “Okay you’ve been doing that all day while Spitfire and Fleet were at practice. What the hell are you doing?”

Jett placed his crutch on the table. It had been heavily modified; in fact it looked completely different. It had a more modern/futuristic look to it. The cuff had been modified to be more of a small shield like device decked out with a built in touch screen as well as other tech with the top of it wrapping around his forearm. It was heavily rounded off and smooth. The shield tapered down to rest of the cane. The bottom of the shaft small cylindrical like device that had four spring loaded spikes on it that would flip out when activated or double as legs if needed.

Dane glared at him, “Why did you turn your crutch into a weapon? You’re in a relationship now. Be happy.”

“Oh, it’s not for me. It’s for her. I just upgraded it to suit me better. The ‘weapon’ as you call it is for protection. If I wasn’t completely crippled I wouldn’t need it but considering…”

Dane sighed, “Try not to kill anyone.”

“Hey, we’re going to be traveling through some bad cities. I’d like to be prepared.”

“You have a gun in your arm.”

“Well I don’t want to divert energy from my repair systems to use it. Until then it’ll be offline. Power for my other weapon systems has been diverted to repair.”

“So why build the cane again?”

“Hand to hand isn’t an option.”

“Oh, I see. Well then at least put that thing away for the next few hours. The show’s about to start. And our girls are down there expecting us to watch.”

Jett sighed and placed the cane on the floor and packed up his tool case. The pair was sitting at a table on the VIP balcony of the stadium. It offered a grand view of the stage as well as the general area the fliers would be performing.

“After all this it’s hard to just sit back and watch,” Dane said.

“I know the feeling. You want to participate rather than watch.”

“Are you still thinking about leaving?” Dane asked.

“What? Leaving what?”

“The Wonderbolts.”

“What do you think asshole? I’d still like to do more than just fix planes but… for now I’m more than happy.”

A noise behind them got the pair’s attention. Gin returned with a large plate of nachos.

“Really?”

“What?” she said sitting down at the table with them, “I’m hungry.”

“Biologicals,” Dane rolled his eyes grabbing a few.

“Shut up, they’re about to start,” Jett said.

The trio watched as a team of highly coordinated fliers emerged onto a stage and took their positions. Suddenly they all bolted into the air, beginning a series of magnificent flips and turns as they danced through the air, leaving complex trails behind them.

Jett sat watching as his eyes focused on the only person that really mattered. Spitfire. In many ways he was jealous of her, even though he was in a relationship with her. She was literally free as a bird and he was bound to the earth by the laws nature, only able to achieve what she could through complex technology rather than the gifts of nature.

A trail of fire flew past the balcony. Spitfire. He could literally feel the heat coming off of her.

He sighed as he continued to watch the show. Still, he had her and that was all that really mattered at this point. Selfish desires would get him nowhere. He stared up at the stars following Spitfire.

Stars…

Spitfire lit a flaming trail across the Milky Way.

***

The door to the VIP balcony burst open and Spitfire followed by Fleetfoot and Blaze ran to their respective mates, still wearing their flight suits. Jett stood up, using his newly modified cane for support followed by Dane and Gin.

Spitfire embraced him, “So how was it?”

“Awesome,” he grinned, “But you’re all sweaty.”

Dane and Gin were having similar conversations with their respective significant others.

“I was flying for two hours straight.”

“Oh stop your complaining. Be happy you can fly. Some of us can barely walk,” he said moving his forearm crutch forward, watching the legs adjust with the weight.

“Well, let me help you then,” She smiled grabbing his arm and helping him to the door.

“You don’t have to help me. I’m fine,” he said, “Even modified my cane so it can help me walk better.”

“Yeah, but I want to,” she said, “Come on, let’s get to the locker rooms before-”

A noise at the door got everyone’s attention. It soon turned into a loud racket. Various voices called out one name: Spitfire.

“The paparazzi.”

Jett grunted as he limped towards the door and opened it. Instantly cameras flashing and the din of a thousand questions hit his eyes and ears.

He frowned. Spitfire emerged behind him and began leading him through the crowd of people followed by Dane, Fleetfoot, Gin, and Blaze.

“Spitfire! How do you think that show went?”

“Spitfire! Can we expect anything more like that later on in the season?”

“Spitfire! Who’s your new friend you were seen kissing yesterday?”

“Is this him?”

“Hey you! Who are you and what’s your relationship with the Captain?!”

Jett sighed as he moved through the crowd. He hated the media. Even here, on the other side of the galaxy most likely, they were still annoying as all hell. Finally, when they had moved through the crowd and were on the other side, Spitfire decided to speak.

“Uh, listen everyone. The boy who’s with me right now, he’s my boyfriend. So leave me alone.”

With that she hauled ass down to the locker rooms to change followed by the others.

***

“Okay,” Jett said turning around, “You could warn me when you’re going to do that.”

“What?” Spitfire said stripping her Wonderbolts flight suit and other undergarments.

“You’re making me uncomfortable,” Jett said, his tone coming out slightly as a whine.

“Oh?” Spitfire said.

She walked up behind him and pressed her naked form into his back, wrapping her arms around him. She giggled as she felt him tense up.

“W-what are you doing?” he asked.

“Enjoying the company of my best friend,” she said.

“Well can you put some clothes on please?” he asked nervously.

“Aw, but where’s the fun in that?” she pouted.

“I’m getting really uncomfortable here.”

“Why? We’re dating now.”

“And we had this discussion,” Jett said still tense as a cable, “I’m not ready for this.”

“I know, I wasn’t planning on doing that. However I will do this. Close your eyes.”

Jett frowned, “They’ve been closed since you started your stripping routine.”

Spitfire grinned, “Good.”

She spun him around and slammed him into the lockers behind him back first. Not enough to hurt him but enough to make a noise. Before he could say anything she closed her eyes and leaned in and kissed him, relishing in the sensations. She laughed inside. She knew Jett would never open his eyes. He was far too… what was the word? Respectful described part of it. Modest described another part. But the part of it that described it the most was the simple fact that he did not have a one track mind like most of the other guys she dated. He wasn’t the person who wanted to leech her celebrity, to have access to her money, or even bragging rights as many others had. All he wanted was her.

It was almost ironic. She had always grown up with the idea that she would either never fall in love with anyone or the person she did fall for would be a muscular athlete like her with an ego to match, someone who could keep up in the skies with her. She’d never imagined she’d fall for someone who could do neither. She never imagined she’d fall for someone who was the complete opposite of what she had in mind. She’d never been happier to have been wrong. Even if he was crippled for the rest of his existence, it didn’t matter, even if he could never hope to match her in the sky, it didn’t matter. None of her previous reservations mattered. She was happy and that… was the only thing that mattered.

She released him gently. She smiled when she realized his crutch had fallen to the floor. His eyes were still sealed shut but he had a smile on his face.

“You know,” he swallowed, “When I think about how lucky it was that my ship blew up that day and sent me flying into that rainforest, and how lucky I was to have found you, I can finally say that all those confusing years up to that point had been worth it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I never would have thought the girl that punched me in the face when we first met would be this important to me a year later. Now just one question.”

“What is it?”

“Can you please put some clothes on?!”

***

Spitfire yawned as she pulled her pajama top on. She looked herself over in the mirror. Her hair was still down, hanging in front of her forehead. She wished it would go back to its normal flame like appearance. Not because she hated having wet hair but because Jett loved it so much.

She grabbed a nearby bottle of mouthwash and took a swig before spitting it out in the sink. She looked herself over in the mirror. She sighed.

How did I ever get so LUCKY? He thinks I’m perfect! He doesn’t like-no, love me for my looks or money or celebrity, he loves me for me!

She peeked out at the android that was lying on the bed flipping through the channels on the TV. His cane was nearby walking itself around in a small circle. His expression turned to one of curiosity and intrigue as he reached over to the nightstand and glanced at a magazine.

I love him so much. He says he’s not worthy of me. He’s so fucking wrong about that. After everything he’s done for me, after how kind and caring he was and is, all of it unconditional, he doesn’t need to be worthy of me.

I need to be worthy of him. I need to be worthy of being by his side. How is it that this guy has never had a girlfriend before me?! I mean, I’m ecstatic that I have the honor of being his first and hopefully last but… with his personality how is it that no one’s ever taken a shine to him? Hell, he’s at least handsome enough for SOMEONE to notice him.

Spitfire smiled and shook her head.

Whatever, everyone else’s loss. He’s mine now; my perfect mate, and that’s all that matters.

She performed one last check of herself before she exited the bathroom.

Jett looked up at her. She felt ecstatic when his face lit up in a smile at the sight of her. She could practically feel his eyes going up and down her body.

She grinned, “Like what you see?”

“Uh, well, I do find you fairly attractive,” he said hiding a certain magazine. Spitfire glanced over at it. She smiled.

“I’d say a bit more than that,” Spitfire giggled as she grabbed the magazine on the other side of the bed, “Aviator’s Monthly?”

She flipped the magazine over to the page where the android was last looking. She smiled recognizing the photo shoot the Wonderbolts had been in a few months earlier. She smiled even wider when she realized it was the section dedicated exclusively to the Captain.

The photo she’d turned to was one of the last one’s she’d taken that day. Her back was to the camera, she was topless with her back to the camera. She was wearing a pair of yoga pants that really brought out her features. Her wings were spread as she glanced back over that giving the camera a sultry look.

“Well?” she asked, “What do you think?”

“Uh, um, of what?” Jett asked slightly embarrassed.

“These,” she turned the magazine so he could see it, “I mean, you’re dating this now.”

His face turned red. Spitfire couldn’t keep up the act any longer and dropped the magazine and started laughing.

“Oh my gosh! We’re dating now and you still get all embarrassed at stuff like that!”

Jett groaned and tossed the magazine at her. Spitfire sat up.

“Oh you wanna fight now?”

“No.”

“Well too bad.”

She tackled him to the mattress and quickly pinned the android with her legs. She crossed her arms.

“Come on, there was hardly any effort in that.”

“I am still damaged you know.”

“Oh please. You’re the ultimate badass. Even if you don’t have all your capabilities.”

“Well I’m effectively crippled. I can’t do too much of that fun stuff with you and be that much of the challenge you want me to be.”

“Well you may be crippled,” she said cupping his face in her hands, “But your mine. And that’s all that matters.”

She leaned down to kiss him just as a headline on the TV got their attention.

“And we’re back with more Entertainment Daily. Our top story: Spitfire, famed captain of the Wonderbolts, has settled down and now has a boyfriend?”

Spitfire rolled off of Jett but still kept her head leaning into his shoulder as they watched the TV. He lovingly ran his fingers through her hair.

“Photos have surfaced of a mysterious boy traveling with the Wonderbolts.”

A picture of a certain black haired kid wielding a cane appeared. He had a slightly deranged smile on his face as his eyes were focused on the camera.

“This still yet to be named person has been seen with the Wonderbolts; earlier being kissed by the captain herself and, more recently, today in the VIP box with them after the show. There are also rumors that Fleetfoot and Blaze are in relationships as well.”

Spitfire grinned.

“It seems like your bombshell has dropped my dearest,” Jett said.

“I’m glad. One thing I hated about being single is a good chunk of my fan mail consisted of marriage proposals and the shit like that. Hopefully that will stop now that the media knows we’re together.”

He rolled his eyes, “Glad I could be of help.”

“Hey, I do love you for more than just that,” she said rolling over.

“I know,” he laughed.

She sat up and seated herself on his lap and gave him a solemn look.

“I really do love you, you know. You’re my entire world. I get butterflies in my stomach just by thinking about you. You’re the most important thing in the universe to me.”

“I feel the same about you,” he smiled warmly, “Out of curiosity, how long have you had… you know… feelings for me?”

“How long?” Spitfire asked, rubbing her chin, “Don’t know exactly. I think I was really able to put a name to it all sometime before prom when we were at school. Why?”

Jett sighed, “Just wondering how long I was oblivious.”

“Hey, it all worked out in the end right? And that means it was all worth it.”

“Even all the hard times?”

“Especially the hard times. But now… it’s only good times ahead. Just me, you, and our extended family.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Well school will be starting back up for me soon which means I'll likely again be preoccupied work. This time I replace the relentless history and biology for mind bending physics and calculus problems and chemistry and psychology. But as this story winds down, I am yet preparing another project so stay tuned for that.

Side note: Authors notes is fucked up so I can't save anything in there for some reason.

Chapter 60. Kelvin Increases.

When you are finished reading this CHAPTER, yes this is still not the last chapter in the story for all you freaking out down there, check the comments and cast your vote. Keep in mind if you don't vote, I will get an inaccurate representation of what you people want so... VOTE... after you're done reading.

One year later.

The atmosphere was jubilant. Fireworks lit up the sky. Another season come and gone. For Jett however it was only his second with the team.

He sighed and gripped his cane and pulled himself to his feet. A group of figures streaked by, painting the sky with nebulous clouds of all colors. Though there were some repeats, one shade of orange he distinctly recognized.

This show was particularly special. Not only was it the last show of the season commemorating the defeat of the Changelings, rescheduled several times due to weather, but it was also scheduled on what Spitfire had considered to be her and Jett’s anniversary.

Jett stood up upon a hill just outside of Canterlot near a tree watching the performance from afar. Countless times being bothered by the paparazzi caused him to develop a distinct hatred of them. Dane had learned to love the attention and the paparazzi had learned to avoid Gin unless they wanted a few black eyes. Recently he took it upon himself to avoid the stadiums all together and to find a quieter place to view the shows. His oculars could easily compensate for the distance while his auditory processors could cut through the noise to hear anything important.

Now 18 years old to anyone looking at him who didn’t know otherwise, he’d undergone some changes. Most of them a result of his relationship with Spitfire. He still carried and used his cane, his systems still slowly repairing his damaged leg.

To compensate for his loss of mobility as well as a few other diminished abilities, a few implants were installed in and along his body. One most noticeable one was the use of a small powered exoskeleton attached to his leg. Small in size to the point where it could be worn under a pant leg without being noticed, it was loaded with multiple sensors, stabilizers, and other pieces of tech build by the android that gave the illusion that he wasn’t injured at all. The only real downside that came with it was that it had a limited battery life and thus was only used sparingly. A small implant just behind his ear controlled it. Others worked to reinforce his systems and exoskeleton. Still, his leg was a job that was requiring more and more resources to complete.

Still, having Spitfire with him was more than enough. His view of the show was interrupted by a sound of crunching leaves behind him. He turned.

Nightshade approached. She looked healthy enough since he last saw her. Better in fact. She had certainly fared better than he did.

His face contorted into a maniacal wide grin and his hand approached the implant behind his ear. A light beeping signaled the activation of the exoskeleton. He tossed his cane away as he prepared for conflict.

Nightshade panicked slightly and raised her hands.

“I’m not here for a fight!” she said quickly, “I’m just here to talk!”

He scowled, “Oh that’s ironic. See, last time I wanted to talk… things didn’t go so well. How did you find me?”

Nightshade sighed and pulled her sunglasses off her head, “Spitfire told me.”

He scowled even more and took a step towards her, “Oh really?”

“Yes. Spitfire told me. If you must know I agreed to a few things before she would even let me talk to you.”

He cracked his neck, “Such as?”

“Such as if I even attempted to hurt you she would cut me out of her life permanently. That’s just part of it. Believe me, she wasn’t keen about this either.”

“The last time we ‘talked’ it ended badly for me.”

“I wouldn’t say that. You got Spitfire.”

“That wasn’t what I was talking about. Me ‘getting her’ and the gala are independent of each other.”

She sighed, “What do you mean?”

“You broke me! I have to use a cane to walk now. Even now I’m on a limited battery of only a few hours before I’m back to being crippled.”

She frowned, for a brief moment, a look of shame crossed her face, “I’m sorry. I know what I did to you.”

“I don’t think you do,” he frowned turning his back on her and walking towards the tree and staring back at the stadium, “Every second I spend with your sister is like an endless euphoria. And yet, we’re still from two different worlds. It was bad enough before.”

“What do you mean?”

“I would have given anything to be able to fly unassisted with her. Now… I would give anything just to be able to walk next to her knowing I’m not holding her back. Your sister is literally the best thing that has EVER happened to me. And it pains me to know that I’m a dead weight compared to her. Do you know what it’s like to look at the person you love most in life and knowing that you’re doing nothing but holding her back?”

Nightshade looked down.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, “For everything.”

“You know, I considered leaving the Wonderbolts a while ago. Maybe work at a university or something more suited to what I’m currently capable of. I still think about it sometimes and sometimes I still do want to leave. But I don’t because I know if I did it would break her heart. I can’t even begin to bring myself to do that. But… that’s enough about me. What did YOU want to talk to ME about?”

Nightshade turned, “I see now what you mean to her. I see how happy you make her and how happy she makes you. I see how angry she still is at me for hurting you like I did. You’re really important to her. And… I guess I can respect that. I came here to apologize. For everything.”

“It’s been over a year since then. Why now?” The android asked tapping the implant behind his ear and gripping his cane.

She frowned, “I can’t tell you. She… she made me promise not to tell you. But… I don’t want there to be any bad blood between us.”

…

“I can forgive you for crippling me. Hell I may even accept your apology, but the one thing I won’t accept is you ever thinking that I would ever hurt your sister.”

“Please don’t take this the wrong way but… why?”

“Why? Because the idea of me hurting her makes it seem like she’s less than the most important thing in my entire life; which she’s not. I’ve almost died twice keeping her safe and I’d do it again in a nanosecond. Plus… she gave me a second chance that I never knew I needed. And I’m thankful for that.”

He stared off at the stadium. Nightshade stood in silence.

“I’ll think about it,” he said gripping his cane and sauntering off down the hill.

“Okay.”

***

Spitfire emerged out of one of the Stadium’s back entrances. None of the paparazzi knew about this place so exiting was a breeze. The rest of the team was taking similar discrete routes out before heading home.

Now 19 years old, very little about her appearance had changed. Her body was more toned now that she had successfully worked herself back into her peak shape that she’d sort of been lax on maintaining in her adventures in Sol. Her hair was still its signature flame, her wings their vibrant orange. Yet still, she glowed with a happiness never before seen in previous years. No longer did the media follow her mildly drunken exploits no longer was she lost looking for that one thing in all the wrong places. She finally had it ALL.

She walked towards the parking lot where her custom made car was waiting for her. No brand marked it. Only a silvery signature of its maker.

Jett was waiting for her.

Spitfire smiled, “Hey there robot boy.”

Jett turned, “Did you send your sister up to find me today?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Because she wanted to apologize and said you had something to do with it.”

Her tone changed, “I may have.”

“Why?”

Spitfire sighed, “She came to me. Long story short she said she wanted to apologize for hurting you.”

“For hurting me? Spitfire, I may never walk normally again because of her. ‘Hurting me’ may be a little bit of an understatement here.”

“Believe me, I know that. I didn’t let her go up there lightly.”

“What did you tell her?”

“That if she did anything to hurt you, even if she so much as poked you the wrong way, I would remove her from my life forever as well as break her wings.”

“I see…” he frowned.

“Well? What did you say?”

“I said I would think about it. She said also that you made her promise not to tell me something.”

Spitfire blinked, “Sorry, but for now, that’s between me and her.”

“Alright.”

“Well don’t let that sour the mood,” she said helping him into the passenger seat of her car, “It is our one year after all.”

Jett cocked his head, “Are anniversaries as important to you people here as they were back home?”

“Well, yeah why do you ask?” Spitfire said climbing into the driver’s seat, “They’re supposed to be a celebration of how long a couple has been together and of things to come. Why?”

“Just wondering,” Jett said, “You seemed particularly upset about working on our anniversary. More so than a normal human woman.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Spitfire turned.

“What? You’re not a normal person. Even here you’re not normal. I wouldn’t just fall in love with any normal girl.”

She cracked a smile as she pulled the car out of the parking lot, “You know just what buttons to push.”

“You figured mine way before I figured yours. And considering it is our anniversary, I took the liberty to get you something.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet of you. You know when I first met you two years ago I never would have guessed you had such a sappy side to you.”

“And I never would have guessed that girl who socked me in the face that first day would be my girlfriend now.”

“C'est la vie.”

They pulled into the HQ. Spitfire helped him out of the car into the main building. They sat down at a table in the cafeteria.

“Alright, so waddja get me?” Spitfire asked.

“Oh, that. I, uh, well, when we first got together you gave me one of your feathers,” Jett said holding up his wrist.

“Mmm hmmm,” Spitfire nodded.

“Well, I worked out something similar,” he said removing a long black box from his pocket and placing it on the table. Spitfire grinned.

“You know how I like gifts.”

She gripped the box and opened it. Inside was a modern, high tech computer chip attached to a necklace. It glowed blue. In the center of the chip was diamond shaped opening. Blue light glowed through the opening. The chip itself shinned with an almost bejeweled like quality. Spitfire put a hand over her heart.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

“It’s modeled off one of the memory chips that make up my brain,” Jett said, “That opening in the center is where all the magic happens. Data is stored on it but it gets expressed right there; in the heart.”

“Poetic almost.”

“A few crystals and other gems went into it to make it but… it’s what’s on it that’s important.”

“There’s something on it?” She asked.

“Yeah,” Jett smiled, “On that chip is a copy of every single memory, up until the moment I made the chip, I have of you. If you’d like, I can update it every few months or so.”

She broke out in a wide grin, “It’s perfect.”

“Well, I figured that you gave me a little piece of you so I figured I could do the same for you.”

“I love you so much, you know that?”

“Every time we touch.”

She removed the necklace from the box and placed it around her neck. It did have a certain weight to it but nothing that was unbearable. In time, she would come to love it and feel a sense of loss whenever it was removed.

She leaned over and kissed him. That familiar electricity flowed between them as those pleasant tingles shot down her spine. If this was heaven and she was dead she wouldn’t even care. She felt too good for it to even matter…

***

One Month Later.

“Dane I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Spitfire said playing with her necklace, “I can’t take another five days of this! I’m gonna climb the walls!”

“Really?” he asked yawning, “After all this time you still haven’t done it?”

“…No… He said he wasn’t ready for us to go to that part of our relationship. I’ve always dealt with those more than monthly urges but… it’s REALLY bad this time.”

“How bad?”

“Like, I’ve been trying to avoid seeing him just so I don’t lose control bad. I mean… I REALLY want to do it with him but… I’m not gonna force him into something he doesn’t want to do.”

“Well why don’t you just-”

“Hey Spitfire?” a voice called. Jett.

“Oh crap it’s him! Uh, I uh, tell him I went into town to get something okay? Bye!”

She stood up from the table and ran out the door just as a certain black haired android limped through the door.

“Hey Dane, you seen Spitfire?” he asked walking over to the table and sitting down at it, leaning his cane against the side.

“Dude, it’s not my job to keep track of your girlfriend.”

“Geez, calm down asshole. Just asking if you’ve seen her. I wanted to talk to her about something at all.”

Dane perked up, “What did you want to talk to her about?”

“None of your business. Just trying to find her is all but it seems like she’s been avoiding me all day.”

“Hmmm…”

“Damn…”

“Well, uh, I know that she definitely didn’t tell me that she was going into town today,” Dane said off hand.

Jett grinned, “Thanks.”

“What? I didn’t tell you anything,” he shrugged.

Jett hurried out the door. Some of the Wonderbolts’ cars were still here; all build by Jett and Dane, and others were gone. Including Spitfire’s.

“Damn I should get around to building one,” Jett sighed. He knew Spitfire pretty well and had an idea of where she would run off to at a time like this.

But it would still take a while to get to. On the other hand… he could just tap that implant behind his ear and get there faster. But the implant was still for emergencies. He could walk.

***

An hour or so later he’d made it into the city. In that time he’d been asked for his autograph three times, had his picture taken with people twice and been harassed by the paparazzi four times. Each time he had to pull some kind of trick to drive them off be it from letting out a hypersonic screech that shattered their camera lenses as well as a few windows to simply cloaking himself when they first showed up.

This would make number five. Cameras flashed all around him as questions were hurled at him regarding Spitfire, the Wonderbolts, or him and his technology. This time he felt he would get creative.

He stopped, sighed, and tapped the implant just behind his ear while simultaneously tapping a button on his cane. Instantly the cane shrunk down to just the handle as a pair of blades flipped out of the body. His prosthetic opened up and his original bladed weapon flew up.

Needless to say, they left rather quickly. He grinned and returned his cane and arm to normal and continued walking. He approached the shipyard where the Wonderbolts Yacht was kept. He glanced up at the airship. Sure enough, a slight flame was peeking over the side of the boat. Jett smiled as he slowly walked up the gangplank onto the ship.

“I missed you today,” he said as he stepped onto the boat. He heard her gasp and saw her jump slightly before slowly turning around.

“Hey there Robot boy,” she said.

“You mind me asking why you’ve been avoiding me all day?” he asked. He cocked his head. Something wasn’t right here. Her face had a visible blush on it, she appeared to be a bit uncomfortable standing there just staring at him. She twitched slightly.

“I, well, uh, um, really it was…”

Suddenly she rushed forward and tackled him to the deck and pinning him there on his back. She leaned down and their lips connected. The lovely familiar electricity flowed between them. Spitfire’s wings fluttered in delight. She moaned delightfully as her tongue slipped inside his mouth as she enjoyed his sweet taste as they began their dance. Jett’s eyes widened with surprise before he fell in.

No one had ever kissed her like this. But then again no one had ever made her feel like this before. She shuddered with delight as she felt his tongue push hers and bring the fight back to her side.

She moaned as she felt his fingers trailing across her back. She kissed him back with a passion that surpassed even her love for flight. She wanted him sooo badly right now. She felt the familiar fire beginning to burn inside her. Her love combined with her lust and soon all she was focusing on was the kiss. All her energy, all her focus, all her attention was on the object beneath her. He was all that mattered to her now.

Finally she pulled away from him, panting heavily. His eyes were wide as he breathed with her. Her large orange eyes focused on his. Her look said it all but she felt an accompanying statement would help.

“Please?” she asked like a girl who wanted that one thing on that top shelf of the toy store.

Jett laughed, “So that’s what this was all about.”

“Yes, that is why I’ve been avoiding you all day. I’m in heat and… now that I have a boyfriend it’s getting really hard to control.”

“So you were avoiding me all day because of it?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to force you into anything you didn’t want to do while I was hyped up on hormones,” she sighed.

Jett looked around nervously, “Do you really want this?”

She glanced over before breathing heavily, “Yes…”

“Can I just ask you one question before I decide?”

“Anything.”

“Would it change anything between us if we never ever did it at all? Would your feelings change?”

Spitfire’s face contorted to a scowl, “What the fuck are you talking about?! Of course NOT! Are you fucking crazy? I LOVE you. Last time I checked, sex wasn’t necessary for that. Though I would REALLY like to be your girl now and forever in that manner, if YOU don’t want to then I won’t and I would learn to live with it. I already have the best lover and friend in the entire universe. I’m lucky enough without the other stuff. I won’t lie to you and say I really wanna fuck your brains out right now and that I find you sooo appealing but… sex isn’t the only thing in a relationship you know. It’s not like it’s the set destination that you HAVE to get to. What I feel when I’m with you beats everything else I’ve ever experienced. So if you don’t want to… then I’m fine with that. I love you too much to let that get in the way of it.”

She sighed, “But if you don’t want to then I’ll respect that.”

Jett sat up, “Well, that’s kinda why I was looking for you. I never said I didn’t want to…”

Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, “What?”

“I said that I never said that I didn’t want to… You would be my first though,” he grinned, “And I figured since you’ve been so patient that I would do something special for you.”

She broke out in a wide grin, “Really? You would… want to do that? With me?”

“You are the one I’m dating aren’t you?”

“But… It’s that time and I really don’t want to get pregnant and-”

Jett gave her a look, “I can’t GET you pregnant you silly girl.”

Her grin widened but sank again, “But what about your leg?”

He rolled up his pant leg. A metallic support ran up his leg, pulsing with energy.

“I have it jury rigged to an implant just behind my ear. Couldn’t get it to interface with my systems yet but I’m working on it. But right now it has a four hour battery when activated.”

Her wings fluttered at that and her smile and blush intensified as she hungrily ran her gaze up his body.

“I fucking love you my little Robot Boy,” she purred before leaning in and kissing him again.

“You know the word robot originated from a Czech word meaning slave,” he grinned, “Is that what you want? A slave boy?”

“Are you down for getting kinky like that?” She liked her lips pulling him to his feet.

Jett grinned and leaned in close, “Girl you don’t even have a clue. I can show you things, hell do things with you that you would be impossible with anyone else. I can guarantee it.”

Her blush deepened, “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean… I don’t want to pressure you into doing it if you don’t want to.”

“I’m sure. This is what I wanted to talk to you about. Are you sure you're ready for this? I mean… I am a machine.”

“Yes, I’m sure. I want this,” she moaned.

“Well then go get the car because I’m not walking all the way back to base again,” he said gripping his cane standing up. Spitfire smiled and hurried after him, helping him down the gangplank and over towards the parking lot.

She was sooo excited, both figuratively and literally. Finally he was ready! And she was ready to completely dominate him. In a few minutes, her wildest fantasies would become a reality.

***

A Few Hours Later.

After getting delayed a bit after getting back to base, much to Spitfire’s chagrin and frustration, she and Jett were finally alone.

When they had first gotten back to base, some of their other friends were back and wanted to go see a movie with them, having already bought the tickets they couldn’t really say no. After that they all wanted to get some dinner together before going off to do other stuff. Jett and Spitfire stuck around for dinner before quickly heading back to the emptied out base.

Spitfire growled and slammed Jett back against the wall, before passionately kissing him. She moaned as her tongue danced with his. She stripped her jacket off and threw it to the floor as Jett removed his sweatshirt and discarded it.

“Oh yes…” Spitfire moaned, “I’ve been waiting for this for sooo long.”

“I know you have,” He grinned, pulling off his shirt and tossing his cane away. He started working on his boots.

She pulled off tank top off exposing her black sports bra underneath. Her shoes were already discarded at the door and she began working on her pants. She pulled her jeans off and tossed them at her lover and laughed.

“Ha ha,” Jett said beneath the fabric. Spitfire heard a beep and soon her jeans were thrown back at her. Jett’s implant was active allowing him to stand unassisted. Spitfire blushed as she felt his eyes run up and down her body.

“Whoa,” he breathed.

“You finally gonna answer that age old question cow boy?” She grinned flexing her wings as she gave him a sultry look.

“What question?” He asked.

“Like what you see?”

Jett grinned hungrily, “Fuck yeah I do. And best of all, you’re all mine now.”

Her body was something to look at. Her athletic life style gave her a figure that was the envy and desire of many. Her proportions were perfect and her skin tone was perfectly even. No tan lines. She had a few scars along her body but nothing that took away from her figure. Jett thought they added more character to her body. Certainly he had his fair share of scars. In his eyes and in many others, she was the perfect girl. Both physically and personality wise.

Spitfire grinned back and seductively walked towards him. She watched as a blush flew across his face as her eyes began running up and down his body. His body was certainly different than most he’d ever seen. He wasn’t overly muscled like most of the guys she’d dated. When she first met him he’d been a little skinny but over time he’d developed a little bit of a build. Perfect for her. He had energy lines that ran up his body in blue circuits that pulsed. And then there was his arm. The gun metal surface shinned in the moonlight. Yeah, he was unique, different even, but he was perfect. And he was all hers.

She noticed he still had his jeans on. She would rectify that soon enough. She saw him start to back up towards her bed. She grinned and licked her lips. She could begin to feel her wings stiffen and her feathers ruffle slightly. There was a slight wet spot on her panties but she didn’t care. Her eyes focused on the object of her affection, lust, and love.

With a seductive growl she pushed him onto her bed and began working on the back of her bra.

“Come on Jett,” she purred, “Take a girl for a ride…”

Chapter 61. Love Songs.

WARNING.

The following chapter contains explicit sexual material and has been rated MATURE, R, NC-17, whatever the fuck you want to call it by ME. Depictions include, overly long robot tongues, Angel Blowjobs, Robot Carpet Munching, and overall SEX in general.

Tags for this chapter include but are not limited to:

electricity – magic fingers – metal hand – wing play – ruffled feathers – wingasm – drooling – pussy licking – cunnilingus – oral love – rug munching – teasing – tongue bath – eating out – pussy worship – oral sex – going south – cocksucking – oral – muscle – swallow – swallowing – blowjob – android – robot – cybernetic – sexbot – angel – winged human – nymphomania – riding cock – gspot orgasms – loving couples – woman on top – multiple orgasms – vagina – cunt – amount fluid – vaginal orgasm – stimulate clitoris – female ejaculation – intense orgasm – panties – wet pussy – pussy lips – nipples – tits – perfect breasts – sex(in case you didn't know) – i'm just throwing random tags into this so really pay no fucking attention to it at all

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO READ THIS, THEN DON'T. YOU WILL NOT BE MISSING ANYTHING IMPORTANT AND YOU SHOULD FEEL FREE TO SKIP TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE STORY.

Also keep in mind I may be forced to change the rating of this story to mature later so.... yeah.

As I write this I find myself really missing the days where I wrote graphic violence.

Jett was thrown to the bed. Spitfire resumed stripping as she gave him a sultry look and swayed her hips over his lap.

“Come on Jett, take a girl for a ride,” she grinned as she undid the clips to her bra and slipped it off her chest, exposing her lovely round, perky, C-cup breasts. She laughed as she saw his eyes go wide and a warm blush run across his face as she tossed the article away. Her round orbs bounced lightly as she hopped up onto the bed

“So…” Spitfire said placing a finger on his chest and pushing him down to the mattress with it, “You said I would have the honor of being your first?”

Jett gulped, “Uh, um, well, uh, yeah you would. You would be my first.”

She placed a hand over her now very exposed chest, “Well I certainly don’t want to disappoint.”

She leaned down, using her wings to create a tent as she encased him a world of orange feathers as she kissed him. Her tongue probed the entrance to his mouth first and he gladly granted her access. She moaned as she was once again exposed to his sweet taste as their tongues swirled around each other in an age old dance of passionate affection.

Finally Jett had to push her away to get a word in. He was tempted to go back to kissing her as he felt her hot breath run across his synthetic skin but he pushed that back for the moment.

“I think you should let me do this my way,” he grinned up at her.

“Why?” she asked sitting up on her knees giving him a cute, child-like look.

Jett sat up as well, “Let me answer your question with another. What do you know about electricity?”

“Electricity? Well you can power all sorts of devices with it, you can create it with magnetic fields, the human body is essentially one big electrical grid to put it… mildly,” she grinned as she finished her sentence, “Alright, I’m listening. What do you have in mind lover boy?”

Jett raised his hands and tapped his fingers together. A small crackle was heard as electricity arced between his fingers, “We’ll start with your wings and work our way down. Just let me do the work here. I PROMISE you’ll enjoy this.”

She licked her lips, “Alright.”

After setting herself down on her stomach and propping herself up on her elbows as she glanced back at him. She spread her wings out so they covered most of the bed. Jett sat down next to her and cracked his knuckles.

“So what did you say you were gonna- oooh!” Spitfire moaned as she felt his finger run across the edge of her right ring. It was a light touch at first but soon she felt his fingers begin to massage her humerus. She moaned as he massaged the muscles, kneading out all the knots and cramps from the day while simultaneously increasing her arousal.

“Oh, that feels nice,” she sighed contently closing her eyes and resting her head on her arms, “Mmmm, right there, aw yeah.”

She was putty in his hands. The Wonderbolt Captain could feel herself beginning to melt away at his touch as his magical fingers moved to her other wing. She never let anyone touch her wings before. Even for her other teammates her wings were no-go areas. Oh but for him, as far as she was concerned he had an all access pass to any part of her body! She felt his hands begin to move to the underside of her wing. It felt strangely intimate in a good way.

The undersides of her wings and anyone else that had them were a very vulnerable spot on the body. Similar to the side of the ribs they were filled with highly sensitive nerve endings that when stimulated just the right way…

“Ooooh!” she yelped as she sat up. A light electric charge ran through her curvaceous body. She rotated her head around.

Jett grinned, his sapphire eyes held nothing back; no deception, no judgment, only trust and understanding.

“You feel that?” he smiled at her as he ran his hands down the side of her shapely torso just below where her wings joined the rest of her magnificent body.

“Yeah…” she breathed, “What was that?”

“That, my dear, was an electric shock. If you would like I can stop.”

“No! No! Celestia no. Keep going.”

“Alright then.”

He moved to massage her back where a highly sensitive group of nerves used to sense changing air pressures was clustered. He placed his thumbs right between her wings and began to massage her back in circular patterns while lightly groping her wings with his remaining digits.

A warm heat ran through Spitfire’s body. Her face began to warm up as a hot blush ran across her face as pleasant sensations ran all up and down her back. Wherever he touched, he left warm trails along her back as he continued his caresses. She started panting and threw her head back.

“Nnnngh, huh, ooooh don’t stop doing that…” she panted, “Oh fuck that feels so good!”

She felt him chuckle behind her, “Really? Well how about this?”

Suddenly the pleasant sensations erupted into a full on firestorm of euphoria. The once small spots where his thumbs had been were now replaced by large patches where his hands rested as they sent jolts of electricity through her body. What was once a silky smooth, relaxing massage was now buzzing cloud of electrical pleasure all centered on her wings and back.

“Ooooooohhhhhh yeeeeesssssss!” the angel moaned as the fire in her belly increased in intensity. Her tongue lolled lazily out of her mouth as she began drooling all over the bed. Her toes curled, her hands tightly gripped the blanket, and her wings spread out as waves of electrical delight flowed through her body, all up and down her spine.

Oh how this felt! The feeling was almost indescribable! It was an amazing, hot, buzzing, tingling sensation all spreading out from her back, like ASMR magnified a thousand times. She couldn’t move even if she wanted to. This in itself was sooo worth any wait. Soon she felt like she was being held on the edge of orgasm, staring down into it like she was standing atop a diving board getting ready to take the plunge. And the thing that made it even hotter was that the person making her feel all these amazing sensations was right behind her with his magical hands positioned on one of her most sensitive and private areas.

Suddenly her back arched and she let out a delight filled moan. Spitfire's wings arched involuntarily forcing Jett to move to avoid being smacked by them. She gripped the blanket tighter as waves of pleasure coursed through her body. She threw her head back and let her tongue hang out the edge of her lips.

“Ooooohhhhh, fuck yeeeessssss,” she moaned as a surge of euphoria flooded her trembling body. Finally, after a few seconds, she relaxed as she realized Jett’s hands were no longer touching her. Spitfire rolled herself over and sat up on her knees. Her face still burned red as she tentatively touched her back and nearly collapsed as a wave of delight arced through her from her still sensitive wings.

Jett grinned crossing his arms, “Did you enjoy yourself?”

Spitfire started giggling uncontrollably. Jett looked over her shoulder at the two wet spots left on the mattress. Her eyes followed his gaze with a grin.

“Yeah…” she giggled, “I made a bit of a mess.”

Jett scoffed, “Please.”

“Oh really?” she challenged.

Jett held up his hands. Spitfire watched as little arcs of electricity ran up his fingers. She shuddered with delight at the sight of them. Jett turned and cocked his head. Spitfire could see the gears turning in his head as she stared into his eyes. The brilliant sapphire eyes…

Jett muttered under his breath, “I hope I did this correctly.”

He looked up at her, his sapphire eyes gazing into her soul.

“Take off your underwear," he stated simply.

She gasped, “My, my, aren’t we a bit forceful?”

He smiled, “Hey, I told you I would do something special for you…”

She saw him lick his lips but there was something off about the movement. He gave her an almost predatory gaze.

“You know… I don’t think I ate enough earlier.”

“What?”

“I like eating out. I was hoping to do it again real soon.”

Spitfire blushed.

“So… I’ll say it again. Take off your underwear, dear.”

She grinned, “Oh yes sir. I never knew you had such a dominant side to you.”

Spitfire sat up and began stripping off her remaining clothing. The Captain of the most illustrious flight team in the world happily removed her black panties and casually tossed them to the floor leaving her sitting stark naked on the bed with nothing but her wings for cover. She crossed her legs and gave him a sultry look. Jett suddenly felt his core temperature increase several degrees. He couldn’t stop his eyes from running up and down her divine body.

She really was divine. His gaze began at her feet as she wiggled her cute toes as his eyes moved up her well-toned legs. Her naval was nice and flat with a cute oval shaped belly button. A pair voluptuous breasts lightly rose and fell with her light breathing. Her rose-tipped nipples were bare like an open invitation. Her trim arms were positioned just behind her, supporting her weight. She flashed him a cocky grin as a hot blush burned across her winesome face.

“Well? Your move lover boy,” she licked her lips.

“Yes, it is,” the android smiled.

He walked over towards her and wrapped his arms around her before fiercely kissing her. She moaned and hungrily drank in the sweetness in his mouth as his fingers ran down her still sensitive wings. She barely noticed that she had been moved onto her back, having lost herself in the bliss of the moment, her stiff wings now making movement for her rather difficult. Jett grinned as he attempted to break away just as she lightly bit his lip. Spitfire let out a sad noise as he left her before opening her eyes.

“What’re you planning big guy?” she asked.

“Hmm, you’ll see,” he grinned licking his lips. Something about his tongue…

The android moved down her body, trailing his fingers along her delightfully sensitive body. He stopped at her breasts and grinned. Spitfire gasped as she felt his tongue run across one of her sweetly curved mounds. She moved her head so she could see what he was doing. He was licking in a spiral pattern up her breast heading towards her nipple, leaving a sparkling trail of his sweet saliva. She moaned as he got closer to his ever sensitive target. He was so tantalizingly close when he stopped. Spitfire made a squeak of displeasure.

She heard him chuckle as he cupped one of her breasts and moved over to the other. He circled her throbbing tip before it was slowly captured between his lips.

Spitfire gasped as he began his treatment, gently suckling at her rosy crest while he rolled the other through his fingers. Pleasure coursed through her naked flesh as she arched her back up in response, trying to get him to suck in more of her. She felt his fingers pinch down and send a mild electric shock through her. She jumped up in response. Jett switched his treatment and began sucking her right nipple while lightly shocking the other.

“Uhhhh, oh fuck yes,” The athlete sighed.

Suddenly he stopped. Spitfire groaned her disapproval.

“What’d you stop for?!” she asked, “I was enjoying that.”

“I know you were,” he grinned standing up, “However I’ve studied your physiology and I’ve come to the conclusion that you’ll like this a whole lot more if I do things my way. I can guarantee it.”

He moved to her still crossed legs and cracked his knuckles.

“Oh no,” Spitfire said, “You’re gonna have to work for this.”

Jett sighed and simply touched the tips of his fingers to her feet and watched as electricity did the work. Spitfire squeaked and moved her feet out of the way. Not enough to grant him a full view of her wetness but enough to entice him to continue.

He grinned and lightly kissed her foot before moving down her legs. His fingers trailed lightly along her skin as he kissed her thighs. Slowly she spread her legs, revealing herself to him. She bashfully looked away as her face heated up and burned crimson. He grinned and continued to tease her, driving up her arousal. She gasped as she saw his tongue extend out of his mouth and lick her inner thighs. Something was different though, his tongue was long. Longer than what would be considered normal He grinned at her.

Spitfire moaned. He moved in such a precise way as to maximize her arousal without ever touching her more sensitive areas. He was so exact in his movements, so neat. His acuity and attention to detail really came through here. Most, if not all the guys she’d been with had been 'one and done' kind of fellows. Never really wanting to have any real fun with it. Jett, however, was a whole different animal. He took the greatest pleasure in pleasing her, every little caress, every tiny pinch. Every action had a little bit of love behind it.

Suddenly she gasped as she felt him move onto her waiting pussy. She had long ago gotten her… lower areas taken care of leaving her clean and shaved for him.

His tongue trailed over her outer lips, mixing her fluids with his and adding to her wetness. She moaned lightly as she felt his magical hands spread her lips apart and his tongue slowly move up her slit, savoring her taste.

“Ooooohhh yesss…” she moaned. She felt him laugh, his breathing tickling her already sensitive spot.

He sat up, his eyes scanning her body. Spitfire was on her back giving him possibly the greatest pair of bedroom eyes ever attached to a living organism. Her chest heaved as she breathed, her skin lightly glistening in the moon light.

“You taste divine,” Jett grinned.

She blushed, “Do I really?”

“Oh yes. In fact, I would go as far to say that you’re the pinnacle of feminine perfection.”

She propped herself up on her elbows as he moved back to her soaking wet folds.

“Yeah? Well you’re not too bad looking yourself-ahh!”

She gasped as she felt him begin to lick her again. His fingers spread her folds apart, giving him better access to her more sensitive insides as his tongue continued to flick up and down her most private area.

“Oh fuck yes! Umm, yeah, f-fuck that feels s-soooo good,” she moaned, “Please d-don’t stop! For the love of the gods don’t ever s-stop!”

Suddenly she shuddered with pleasure and went rigid as his tongue flicked over her sensitive clitoris. She let out a primal moan of ecstasy as his tongue continued to flick over her sensitive nub. Her cries rose several decibels as his mouth clamped down around her upper lips and she felt his teeth lightly nibble her sensitive clit.

“Ooohh fuck me!” Spitfire moaned moving one of her hands to his head, motivating him to keep going.

His tongue was all over her. She soon stopped trying to form words and simply let out primal screams and moans as he continued. It felt so amazing! NEVER in her entire life did Spitfire ever have someone make her feel this good before. If his hands and tongue were capable of doing this to her… Well, she wouldn't have to wait for long.

Sex toys? Hell at this point Spitfire was almost ready to throw them all out! No device had ever done anything remotely feeling like this to her. The only reason she would remotely keep them is that Jett would probably figure out something fun to do with them and that temptation alone almost pushed her to the edge of paradise. She was done with masturbation. Never again would she ever even consider doing anything fun like this without Jett. She was addicted. And like a drug, he was the only way for her to get her fix. At this point, she would never go back to ordinary sex even if someone paid her to do it.

Suddenly the pleasant electrical tingling again ran through her nether regions as the android activated his electricity and parted her lower lips even further. She gasped loudly as she felt his now long tongue probe inside of her, slowly entering her wet cavity. Her legs wrapped around his head for dear life as her fingers gripped his hair. His tongue took on a mind of its own as it began exploring her pussy, poking and prodding and swirling and circling, getting every possible place within its range. Her sensitive walls tried clamping down on the invader but fell short of gripping anything firmly. His tongue was exploring places Spitfire had never even known a tongue could reach. Of course her lover was no ordinary lover but still, it felt nothing less than AMAZING. His tongue fell painfully short of tickling her G-spot.

“J-Jett, ahh! I’m gonna, uhh fuck! I’m-ahh holy fuck! G-g-gonna c-cum aaaahhh!” Her first orgasm of the night smashed right into her like a meteor. She lost all control of her body as she bucked her hips into his face and her legs tightened around his head. Her fingers gripped his head in a vice as she rode wave after wave of pleasure. Her orgasm continued like tsunami of ecstasy. Finally the intensity began to subside as her orgasm wound down to an afterglow.

She was covered in sweat, from head to toe, panting like she had run a marathon. She pried her legs off the android’s skull and loosened her grip of his hair. Jett sat up, his face covered in her juices. Still his face was plastered with a cocky grin that held so much confidence that when he licked his lips Spitfire felt her body shudder, her mind engraved with the memory of what just happened.

“Mmm,” he grinned licking his fingers, “Tasty.”

Spitfire’s blush deepened and she panted, “That… was... amazing!”

He cracked his neck, “Was it now?”

She slowly sat up, “Yeah, it was. I think... that was the most intense and longest orgasm of my entire life.”

She moved to crawl towards him but realized she couldn’t when her legs almost collapsed out from under her as an aftershock ran through her.

“Holy shit,” The athlete breathed, “I’m gonna be walking real funny after this.”

“That was just the foreplay.”

She lovingly ran her hands through her hair, “You’re literally the best lover in the fucking universe. And that is by no means an exaggeration.”

“Oh?” he grinned, “How so? Feed my vanity.”

“You haven’t even taken your pants off yet. I think that should say something,” she panted. Jett patiently waited for her to recover, lightly trailing his fingers over her body in a variety of patterns. Still, as her stamina returned, Spitfire couldn’t help but acknowledge that the android was right. This was only just the foreplay. She’d had her fun, now it was his turn.

She sat up, “So robot boy… You told me a while back that you were programmed and constructed to be as human as possible.”

He nodded, “Yeah.”

She leaned over and put a finger on his bare chest, “Just how human did they make you?”

“Uh,” he said as she slowly pushed him to the mattress, “I am fully functional if you know what I mean. Programmed in multiple techniques, programmed to adapt and be creative in bedroom related aspects…”

“Just how human are your responses?”

“Uh, well, um, I’m programmed to respond like… a normal male… just with a bunch of extra stuff built in.”

She gave a devilish grin and licked her lips, “Good.”

She slowly crept up his body, moving up his legs to his torso before trailing one of her perfect fingers across his face and kissing him. They both moaned with passion and lust as their tongues intertwined with each other in an almost perfectly choreographed dance.

Slowly she separated from him, a thin strand of saliva linking them together. Spitfire gave him a devious grin and licked her lips before descending on his pants. She quickly undid the button on his jeans and ripped them away from his body with a strength Jett didn’t even know she possessed.

“Whoa! Hold on a sec!” he cried out.

She ignored him and happily glanced at her prize. His hardening member was still hidden beneath his boxers but she got a pretty good idea of its size and grinned. His creators certainly hadn’t skimped out on anything when they built him.

“W-wait a minute here.”

The athlete licked her lips, “Sorry, no can do robot boy. You’ve had your fun, now it’s my turn. I can’t wait to gulp down your cum.”

She quickly tore away his boxers and tossed them away with the rest of their clothes and viewed her target. The android certainly had nothing to laugh at. With his preprogrammed knowledge and stamina as well as his instrument he would likely exceed all of Spitfire’s expectations by a long mile.

She grinned. He’d certainly kept himself well groomed, his control over his body being almost absolute. She gripped his rock hard shaft in her hand and licked her lips with a predatory grin. She was going to enjoy this just as much as he was.

“Spitfire I- oh holy fuck,” he gasped as she lightly trailed her tongue up his cock, lightly flicking it off the tip. Her hot, moist breath hung over his swollen tip like a cloud. A thin sparking line of her saliva had been painted up his shaft.

“Mmm,” she moaned squeezing his rod in her hand, “Did you program your entire body to taste sweet or is it just that way naturally?”

She descended again, wrapping her tongue around his cock, licking up and down like it were the sweetest lollipop ever created. She pulled away and began stroking up and down with her hand, increasing the android’s arousal. With her other hand she lightly played with his balls and heard him gasp.

“Oh fuck,” he groaned.

Spitfire grinned and lightly kissed the tip of his cock before slowly wrapping her lips around it, taking him inside her warm, welcoming mouth. She eased her way down his shaft at an agonizingly slow pace, her tongue licking and teasing him all the way down until he was encased inside her mouth and throat. The angelic girl let out a happy moan, sending vibrations through him, before slowly ascending again, letting her warm tongue trail along the underside of his cock. When her mouth popped off, his cock shimmered in the moon light with a mixture of Spitfire’s saliva and the android’s own precum. Spitfire lightly pawed it with her finger before wrapping her lips around it again with a devious grin.

Once she was at the tip, she began descending again, this time at an increased pace. Her tongue swirled around his head and shaft all the way down until she was close to swallowing him. Her hands played with his balls as she ascended.

Jett groaned. Spitfire’s eyes never left his as she continued to bob up and down, increasing her pace. Her orange irises stared into his as she bounced her head up and down. She gave him a happy wink that turned him on even more. He felt every swirl of her tongue and every flick across the tip of his shaft sent little waves of pleasure through him. Jett gasped when he felt her lightly squeeze his balls as she went down on him again.

Suddenly it occurred to him. He was probably the luckiest person on the planet-no in the universe right now. A fucking angel with arguable the most exotic and coolest hair known to exist, was sucking him off and enjoying it; The Captain of the Wonderbolts herself, the most desirable female in the world, was now privately performing for him. Her wings fluttered on her back and he felt his arousal increase some more. He laughed, remembering all the rumors back at school about him, as well as all the jocks bragging about their sex lives. Oh if they could see what was going on right now they’d probably die of jealousy. That thought made him laugh.

An audible pop got his attention as Spitfire removed her mouth from his member only begin sucking his balls while continuing to jack him off. Her other hand was trailing behind her toward her dripping wet cunt. She let out moan that sent small vibrations through his body as she began fingering herself, preparing for the main event. Her mouth wrapped around his cock again and she resumed bobbing her head up and down, never breaking eye contact with him. Her perfect breasts pressed up against him each time she came down.

Jett lovingly ran his fingers through her flame like hair. Her warm body pressing up against his had an intimate feel to it.

“Gah- Spitfire I’m gonna-”

She quickly increased her pace. Her tongue swirled around his shaft like an EF5 twister. Spitfire closed her eyes and moaned, senting small vibrations through his cock. Suddenly she felt him tense up and heard him let out a sharp gasp as his climax shot through his body like a lightning strike. She laughed, sending more pleasant tremors through his shaft. The android’s vision flicked in and out of focus as he fell into the most mind shattering orgasm imaginable. Meanwhile Spitfire’s tongue gave once last swirl before she pulled off.

“Ungh, yeehh,” he moaned.

Spitfire grinned and continued to jack him off and opened her mouth just as the first of a series of hot pulses ran through him. She happily lapped up each spurt from his gushing, glistening wet pole. Each kick increased her excitement as she gulped down the sweet white creamy liquid.

“Come on!” she gave a predatory grin, licking her lips, “Gimme some more.”

She wrapped her lips around his shaft one last time, sucking with a powerful THUCK as she pulled off him just as he unleashed one final burst, coating her face. Spitfire's eyes closed as she felt the hot fluid paint her face, and let out a happy sigh.

Jett fell back, panting.

“Holy… shit,” he groaned slowly pulling himself up to the sight of Spitfire wiping his synthetic seed off her face and licking her fingers clean. Finally she whipped her tongue around her lips, lapping up one last glob before giving him a sultry look and audibly swallowing.

“Mmm,” she smiled, “Man you taste AMAZING robot boy and I do not give out that compliment lightly.”

“Glad you approve,” he laughed with a pant.

She climbed up onto the bed and said in a tone that told him the topic was not up for debate, “I’m not joking, sugar daddy.”

Jett blushed, "I'm younger than you, ya know."

She glanced down at his still hard shaft and gave it a playful flick and gasped.

“Holy shit! You’re still hard as a fucking diamond!”

He propped himself up on his elbows, “Well, I am an android.”

She blinked, “Oh I am going to ride you so fucking hard I won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

She pushed him back down to bed and crawled on top of him, pinning him down with her knees. She crossed her arms over her chest and grinned. He smiled back up at her.

“Oh this seems familiar,” he laughed.

“I know,” she licked her lips.

“Whatcha gonna do next, angel girl?”

“Hmm,” she grinned devilishly, “I’m gonna sin like it’s my last day alive.”

She placed a finger on his chest and slowly leaned down closer to him, “I’m gonna take your throbbing… hard… wet… vivacious cock and put it INSIDE me.”

She booped him on the nose before sitting up and positioning herself above his throbbing shaft. He sat up and propped himself up on the pillows. With one hand she positioned his dick right beneath her dripping wet entrance and with the other she balanced herself against his pelvis. She stared into his brilliant sapphire blue orbs. She felt like she could get lost inside them.

“You ready for this robot boy?” she asked blowing him a kiss.

“Y-yeah… Jeez you’re fucking hot,” he gasped.

“Good.”

She slowly began lowering herself down on him. She felt the very tip of his shaft prod against her nethers and let her lips curl up in a happy gasp. Slowly she took more weight off her legs and let herself sink down upon his shaft.

“Hah, shit,” she gasped as the tip of his cock penetrated her lower lips.

Spitfire continued to lower herself upon him ever so slowly, reveling in the feeling of his member slowly pushing apart her walls as she took him further inside her. Jett let out a sigh as he felt her hot warmth slip over his cock. Spitfire closed her eyes and bit her lip, drawing some blood. Slowly she began to feel more and more filled, his shaft fitting inside of her like a perfectly fitting glove. Finally she had fully impaled herself on him, burying him up to the hilt inside her. Spitfire gasped. He felt sooo good inside of her. He fit her so perfectly it felt like he'd been made to fit her. He felt large but not painfully so. She felt like every single crevice inside of her was filled, leaving no area untouched. She glanced down. There was an ever so slight bulge at her pelvis. So slight that an untrained eye would not have noticed it but to someone as experienced as Spitfire or as observant as the android inside of her, it wasn’t too hard to miss. She grinned.

“Fuuuck you feel sooo good!” she moaned.

“T-thanks,” Jett gasped, “Geez you’re really tight.”

She began grinding herself against him, savoring the feeling of his cock swirling around inside of her, tickling her like mad, but also the feeling of her wet lips grinding against his pelvis. She placed both her hands down upon him and continued her circular gyrations.

“T-t-thanks,” she gasped, “It m-m-means a lot c-c-coming from you-oh fuck yeeessss!”

“W-why’s that?” he asked placing his hands on her hips and massaging her skin.

“C-cause,” she gasped as she felt him lightly squeeze her ass, “Y-y-you’re the first person… I’ve ever had sex w-with… that I-I’ve ever really l-loved.”

“Glad I mean so much to you.”

“W-well, y-y-you- Mmm oh yeah!- you did make me g-g-go without ssssex- Oh yeah! Right there!” she moaned as she started grinding herself forward and back instead of in a circular motion. She bit her lip again and closed her eyes and began fondling one of her breasts, pinching one of her nipples. Her hips moved like they had a mind of their own. Jett felt his arousal increase as her gyrations continued. His systems began setting up for another round.

“Y-y-you had me go without s-s-sex for over t-two YEARS robot boy. S-so I’m gonna nnneed a bit to g-get this out of my s-system,” Spitfire moaned shakily.

“T-take whatever time you need. Really, I don’t m-mind.”

She opened her eyes, “Good.”

She stopped her gyrations and sighed, enjoying the feeling of having her lover’s cock inside her. Every few seconds she felt it pulse with a heartbeat like rhythm that sent little shocks of pleasure up her spine and into her wings. Her wings were spread wide and were rigid. It was an incredibly odd mix of eroticism and angelic beauty as she straightened her hair before replacing her hands on his pelvis.

Slowly she started to lift herself up; gasping at the sudden feeling of emptiness inside of her as his shaft slowly left her body. When only the tip remained inside of her she stopped and began to slowly lower herself down again with a happy moan.

Jett sighed, “Ugh, you feel amazing.”

She winked, “Funny, I could say the same thing about you.”

She began to rise again, relishing in the sensations. Her speed increased as she continued to impale herself down upon him, her perfectly rounded ass smacking against him. Spitfire threw her head back and let out a primal cry of ecstasy as she continued to grind against him. Her motions increased again as his dick continued to slide in and out of her soaking wet pussy.

Jett was wide eyed. He wasn’t sure which felt better, her mouth or her cunt. Pleasure signals coursed through his circuits though he remained far more restrained than Spitfire who continued to let out loud cries of pleasure. He felt like he was literally the most fortunate male in the universe. The fastest, most agile, and by far the most desirable athlete in the world was passionately bouncing up and down upon him, putting as much force into the effort as she could, and slamming down hard. Back in Sol, at the academy she was the envy of every girl in the school, her natural beauty putting every makeup artist to shame, and the desire of every male in the school. A schoolboy's fantasy. Little did any of them know that they hadn’t had a chance in Hell. Now she was moaning with pleasure as she bounced and grinded up and down on his shaft. And she was quite noisy, not that he minded.

“Ah-S-Spitty, we’re making quite a bit of n-noise here,” he moaned.

“Y-yeah we are,” she groaned as she changed motions and combined her gyrations with her bouncing, “B-b-but I d-don’t- Oh yes! – I don’t think anyone’s g-gonna be back here for q-quite a bit of time n-now. Sssooo we can make all the n-noise – hah, oh fuck! – we want.”

“W-well that’s nice,” he grinned as he lightly trailed his fingers over her washboard abs, lightly tickling her stomach before turning his hands to her breasts, “Oh wow.”

Spitfire grinned and stuck her tongue out, “Ooh, careful with those hands lover boy. N-now enough t-talk; come on and FUCK me!”

Jett grinned, “Y-yes ma’am.”

He thrust up to meet her rhythmic gyrations, his pelvis smacking against hers. Spitfire’s eyes flew open with a happy gasp as she felt his hands move down her voluptuous body to her hips, pulling her down to meet his powerful thrusts.

“Hah, Oh fuck! Right there! Yes! Oh fuck yeeessss,” she threw her head back and let out a primal scream of pleasure as she felt his cock slide in and out of her with added speed and force and even sliding right up against her G-Spot, driving her mad with pleasure.

Suddenly, Jett had a wild idea. It was so deviously dirty that he wasn’t even going to tell Spitfire about it, he was just going to do it. Just as the head of his cock rubbed up against her G-Spot, he sent a little jolt of electricity through it and into her.

Spitfire gasped and almost collapsed before recovering and supporting her arms against his chest. Each time she crashed down upon him he sent a little jolt up into her body that mixed in with her pleasure and magnified it. Her walls hugged his cock, welcoming him inside her and almost refusing to let him leave.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah- Oh fuck yes! Whatever you’re doing to me, for the love of the Gods, DO NOT STOP! Yes! Yes!”

Jett laughed, “Oh I could get addicted to those screams of yours.”

“I’m getting addicted to you!” Spitfire cried out digging her finger nails into his chest. She began drooling on his stomach as she pounded herself down on his cock. Any expectations she’d had about him, he’d met with a look of ‘really?’ before crashing right through them an exceeding them. As she felt him slip inside her once again she quickly concluded that she could never go back to normal sex ever again. She giggled. Normal sex had nothing compared to this. It was as if her entire sexual life she’d been having sex with the majority of her nerves turned off. Now she was being stimulated in ways she’d never even dreamed of before, in places she’d never even considered before, with a person she could not live without. And with her lover, she had no doubt this was just the very tip of a vast unending iceberg of pleasure.

She felt like she was about to burst. Her walls suddenly gripped him like a vice just as she felt him tense up beneath her. Spitfire knew exactly what was coming up next.

“Nnngh! Oh fuck,” he groaned.

Spitfire cupped her breasts, “You gonna cum, robot boy?”

He nodded, clearly restraining himself for her sake. She cracked up.

“I bet you wanna do it don’t ya?” she said kneading her breasts in her hands, rolling her nipples between her fingers.

“Do what?” he groaned.

“Cum inside me. Do ya wanna?”

“The t-thought had crossed my mind,” he moaned.

She gave him a toothy grin and winked, “Do it! Fill me up with your hot robot cum. Come on! I want it! Give it to me!”

“Gah! Yes ma’am!” he groaned as his hips increased their pace. He thrust into her harder and faster than ever before, taking the control away from Spitfire. She let out a gasp as he continued thrusting into her.

“Ah! Ah! Ah! Oh yes! Yes! Fuck me! Aaahh! Right there!” she screamed. Her excited voice echoed through the complex and off into the bright moon lit night. Spitfire had little doubt that someone in Canterlot heard her primal cries of ecstasy brought on by her exotic lover.

“Ah Spitfire!” Jett moaned.

Spitfire screamed as the most intense orgasm of her life plowed through her like an unstoppable force.

“Aaaaahhh! FUCK YES!” she screamed. Huge oscillations of intense pleasure rocked her athletic body. She'd never felt this good in her entire life. Her energetic movements mixed with his, adding to their euphoric conjointment. Pure ecstasy ran through her like a powerful electric current delivered by a lightning strike.

Her walls squeezing his cock, pulses ran through her as she milked him for all he was worth as tsunamis of pleasure rushed through her body in a flood of ecstatic gratification. Jett came shortly after, his cock throbbing and pulsing as hot spurts of cum rushed inside her. Spitfire gasped as she felt a series of sharp physical and electric pulses inside her followed by a hot rush as hot ropes of cum painted her walls. She couldn’t take it anymore as she leaned down and locked her lips around his in a passionate kiss as her legs clamped down around him in effort to prolong her bliss. As her tongue danced with his she felt herself beginning to fill up completely. She grinned as she guessed what was coming next.

She felt a sudden hot wetness between her legs as a mixture of their hot sexual juices squirted out of her lower entrance, coating the both of them. And still he came. She almost gasped, having stopped herself as she continued tongue dancing with the love of her life. She’d never felt more filled in her entire life! She felt no pain as his hot seed filled every crevice inside of her, coating areas she didn’t even know existed until she felt them get flooded by a wave of hot, sticky, white fluid.

Finally she felt him begin to subside and eventually stop. She was almost disappointed. She was beginning to enjoy the feeling of the seemingly endless squirting going on inside her. Still, she’d never felt more filled in her entire life. Plus, there was always next time...

Slowly she separated from Jett, with a light smack, a long string of saliva again linking them. She grinned and licked her lips, savoring his sugary sweet taste. A hot blush burned across his face as she stared into his eyes and giggled, basking in the afterglow.

She risked a glance downward. Her face turned crimson red as she drank in the view of the mess they’d made. A mixture of her juices and the android’s cum (mostly the android’s cum) was slowly leaking out of her and onto his pelvis. A small pool of her drool had coated his stomach. Red scratches ran down his chest. Glancing a little farther up, she gasped. The once barely noticeable bulge inside of her was now a lot more noticeable as she was completely filled with his cum.

She grinned and lightly poked her lower stomach. Little sparks of pleasure shot up her body as she slowly wiggled around on Jett’s still hard cock.

“T-that,” he gasped, “Was one AMAZGING first time.”

Spitfire blushed. In spite of everything they had done so far she still acted a bit bashful.

“I’m glad,” she smiled, “But just one question.”

“Anything for you.”

“How are you still solid as a fucking rock?!” she asked wiggling her hips for emphasis, “I can still feel you in me. You’re still as hard as the Washington Monument!”

Jett laughed, “Geez, I didn’t think you got that reference when I made that joke a few years ago.”

“Well they were right when they said it made a good tribute to Clinton,” she laughed.

“Heh, heh,” he laughed, “So… how did I do? You are pretty experienced. What’s my grade, Captain?”

Spitfire’s eyes flew wide open, “I ought to beat you up for asking such a STUPID question! How did you DO? That was literally the BEST SEX EVER! Honestly, I don’t think normal sex will ever do it for me ever again. And I am NOT just gushing either! I think I'm addicted to you.”

He smiled, “I’m glad I performed to meet your expectations.”

“Uh, you’re joking right?” she booped him on the head, “Met my expectations? Dude, I think you just destroyed my expectations. Literally I feel bad that the entire population is missing out on sex like this. I never would have guessed that one person could make me feel this good!”

“Same for me,” he laughed.

“You certainly kept your promise,” she giggled, “That was well worth the wait. I REALLY enjoyed that.”

“I told you I’d make it worth your while.”

Spitfire laughed, covering her mouth with the back of her wrist, “That thing with the electricity? I have no idea what that was but it felt AMAZING!”

“Well, I just simply adapted a few systems. Wasn’t too hard. If you like it I could always do it again.”

“Yes PLEASE,” she laughed before gasping and falling down on his torso, her breasts pressing into his chest. A hot blush flashed across Jett's face. She glanced down where they were still connected at the hip and smiled.

“Sorry,” he said helping her sit back up again.

“What’re you apologizing for? That felt nice.”

“Oh, then you’re welcome?”

Spitfire giggled. They both laughed. Spitfire stared down into his eyes. Those brilliant sapphire eyes of his. Then she realized it. She trusted him completely; unequivocally. If there was any doubt left it was completely gone now. She had found her soul mate. Nothing would shake her love for him now. This night they’d shared had been pure magic for her. She would be his, now. Forever.

Meanwhile Jett was having the same thought as her. Her brilliant orange irises captivated him in a way the stars never could. He could get lost in her loving gaze, fall into a paradise that in his mind would put Eden to shame. She was his first. And what a first she was. She’d done nothing but good for him and brought nothing but happiness into his life. His soul was now hers, now and forever. He’d been skeptical of magic but there was no doubt that what she’d just shared with him had been magical for the both of them.

Spitfire cocked her head and smiled, “Well, I guess I better go clean up now huh?”

She slowly started to rise off his shaft but Jett placed a hand on her shoulder stopping her.

“Well let’s just wait a minute here. I still have a few hours of battery life, as well as these,” he reached behind his head and revealed two acorn sized objects. One side had a series of small spikes on it that had the thickness of hair. The other had a blue back lit button on it.

“What’re those?” she asked, settling comfortably back down on his cock.

“These,” he said plugging one into the back of his skull, “Are small VR rigs I worked up. They’re not perfect, the only ones that are once installed inside the body, but these should give you the same feelings you get in real life.”

“Oh?” she said rubbing her chin in mock skepticism. She had no doubt he was telling her the truth, “What do you mean by perfect ones?”

“Imagine what we just did, magnified by a thousand, prolonged by the same magnitude or more. But… that’s for another day if you want. Right now, if you wanna try these out before using up the rest of my battery to finish the night…”

“Hmm, sounds interesting. But come on, sell it to me.”

“I can’t really sell it to you, but this would just be the foreplay,” he grinned.

“Oh alright,” she said grabbing the device, “Now how do I put this on?”

“Just quickly poke it into the small of your head, right near your brain stem. It’ll sting a little bit but that’s it.”

She did it with a slight grimace, “Alright, now what?”

Jett grinned, “This.”

He winked at her, pressing the button behind on the device and instantly the world disappeared. She reappeared in some kind of fantasy stone gazebo. She looked around. The gazebo was on a large stony outcropping that rose high above a series of cliffs that overlooked the ocean. The sky was painted orange in a perpetual sunset. She walked towards the edge and glanced over. Water flowed around the gazebo and flowed over the edge. There were a series of padded couches and beds positioned all around the gazebo. The architecture of the whole structure looked it was inspired by high fantasy elven designs.

She looked down at herself and grinned. She was stark naked. As expected. She lightly flapped her orange wings just as she heard a light popping noise behind her.

A certain black haired android had appeared with a grin, “Hello.”

She smiled back, “Hey lover boy. So this is pretty cool.”

“Isn’t it? Here I’m not limited by a battery. Only by how long you can go before you get too exhausted.”

Another pop was heard, “And here, I’m not limited by numbers.”

Another pop, “Or even by what’s real.”

Spitfire turned. Jett was standing before her. All three of him. He revealed three pairs of jet black wings and grinned.

Spitfire blushed, “Oh my...”

“So… let’s have some REAL fun, shall we?”

Spitfire’s look of light embarrassment evolved into a predatory grin. Her canines became just a bit more pronounced as she grinned and an orange devil tail flicked out from behind her. Her fingernails extended into mildly sharp black claws. Her hair collapsed and fell over her head, parting right down the middle, giving her a brand new and still attractive look. A pair of devil horns poked out from her temples as black lines of 'dark' energy ran up her body, mimicking Jett's own energy circuits. Her sclera faded black and her brilliant orange irises intensified to glow.

“Oh yes…” she licked her lips with a forked tongue as she moved to meet her high tech lover, swaying her hips and flicking her arrow head tail. A hot orange flame burst across the tip.

“I am going to LOVE this,” she grinned.

Chapter 62. Evangeline.

And NO!!!! This is STILL not the end. As I said before I am putting a solid cap on this story. Probably more solid than the well caps BP used to seal off that damned gulf oil well.

"So Spitfire," the reporter said, "This is the longest we've ever seen you with one person before."

Spitfire laughed and moved a lock of her hair out of her face and crossed her legs, "Well, uh, like I've said before, this person is different."

"How so?"

"Well you've heard all the other reasons I've given so I'll give you all a new one this time."

"We certainly have, you gush continuously about them. So what's this new reason?"

"The sex is AMAZING," she grinned leaning back in her chair.

"How so?" the interviewer asked.

Spitfire turned and glanced at someone outside the view of the camera, "Well being different in many ways helps. We do new things, experiment in ways not possible to the rest of the general populace."

"Really? How so?"

Spitfire turned, "Jett, come on out here."

A person stepped in front of the camera and took a seat next to Spitfire. But something was different. They were a centimeter shorter than her and... they were a she. SHE had shoulder length moppy black hair that fell in front of her gaze causing her to have to push it out of the way. She had an attractive face with brilliant sapphire blue eyes. A metallic hand trailed across Spitfire's leg. The girl wore a diamond patterned black shirt with jeans and sneakers. A maniacal grin flashed across her face as she spoke with a cool, smooth, feminine voice.

"Yes dear," Jett sighed, "I still cannot believe you had me come out here still configured this way."

The interviewer reeled back, "T-this is... him?"

Spitfire laughed, "What can I say? We like to have fun, don't we Jett?"

"You know, I'm naturally a bisexual," Jett replied, her voice fulfilling the fantasy of every boy in range of it, "But it never really crossed my mind that you were as well. And I hope you know that my brother will never stop bothering about this whole fiasco."

"I know," Spitfire grinned, "But you still love me."

She sighed, "I do."

The two girls shared a kiss in full view of the camera, letting the public's imagination run wild.

***

The world appeared in a flash. Or an expansion is more like it. There was hardly any light so it more or less appeared as a rapid expansion. The ceiling was the first thing he saw. The fan slowly spun above him.

Jett groaned and rubbed his head before looking to the right of him. Spitfire lay calmly sleeping beside him, her arms wrapped around his and one of her wings draped over his body like a blanket. A happy smile was upon her face.

Jett smiled and slowly turned his head left and glanced at the clock. It was six. The sun hadn’t made it up just yet.

He sat up ever so slowly and removed her arms from his first before slowly sliding out from under her wing and onto the floor. He looked down at himself and sighed with relief. He had at least slipped some briefs on. He slowly pushed himself onto his feet and again almost fell to the floor. He sighed. Dumb leg. He tapped the implant behind his ear. It gave a dull beeping noise; charging still. Oh yeah, power was reallocated to the night’s… other activities. It’d be at least another two hours before he could use the implant again.

He moved across the wall over to the couch and grabbed his cane. He glanced back at Spitfire. She was still smiling, however she was snuggling the blanket now and had thrown one of her legs over the covers. Jett smiled and moved towards the bathroom. He glanced at himself in the mirror.

“Holy shit,” he muttered.

Scratch marks were all along his upper chest, mostly from Spitfire’s finger nails. There were even a few bite marks on his shoulders and neck. He never figured Spitfire would get that into it but apparently she did. Oh well, what’s done is done.

He washed his face and looked himself over again. Hopefully Dane wouldn’t notice any of the love bites and rag on him over it. He knew he would though.

Suddenly he felt a pair of arms wrap around him as well as an accompanying pair of wings drape over him.

“Good morning, lover boy,” Spitfire yawned. Fortunately she’d pulled on some underwear beforehand.

“Morning to you too, love bird,” he replied rubbing her hands with his, “Sleep well?”

“Yeah,” she yawned again, “I only woke up because my cuddler suddenly wasn’t as comfortable.”

“Sorry. Woke up a little early.”

“Oh I don’t mind,” she said grabbing his shoulders and turning him around so he was facing her. She leaned forward and kissed him. She felt those ever pleasant tingling electricity run through her body as she kissed him good morning.

They finally separated. Spitfire stared into his eyes…

…

“Will you still love me?” she asked quietly.

He frowned, “What?”

“Will you still love me when I don’t… when I’m… no longer beautiful?”

“What do you mean? You’ll ALWAYS be beautiful.”

She sighed, “No… I won’t. One day I’ll lose my looks, my youth, I’ll grow old and I’ll become more and more grounded. Will you, will you still love me? Even then?”

Jett growled, “Of COURSE I will! I fell in love with you for your personality. Your looks were just an amazing bonus to it. You’ll always be beautiful, sexy, appealing, hot, whatever vocabulary word you want to use, to me. Even when you’re older.”

“But… I’ll look different. I won’t be like this. I won’t be worthy of being with you.”

“That’s where you’ve got it wrong, love,” he cupped her face in his hands, “I’m not worthy of being with you. Beauty isn’t just skin deep you know. You’re beautiful because you’re funny, smart, kind, confident, and just fun to be around. I know I’ll reach a certain point and I’ll stop aging, I know, but… I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. And that will never change.”

Her eyes met his and she gave a small smile, “Thanks. I needed that. I love you.”

“I love you too,” he smiled back and kissed her, “And, if you getting old and “losing your beauty” bothers you that much, I can always fix that.”

She cocked her head, “What?”

“Well,” he said nonchalantly, “I’ll never get older. My aging algorithm only works until I’m about 45 years old so that’s where I max out. However with you… if you’ll allow it, I can just give you a Nanite supplement that will maintain your body. Keep all your ligaments strong, connective tissues, etc, etc, pretty much keep you looking nice. Of course you’ll have to work to keep your muscles and other things like that but… if you keep up with what you do now, you’ll be able to keep your “body” as you called it for as long as you like.”

She grinned, “I think I’d like that.”

“Figured as much,” he laughed before gripping his cane and moving out of the bathroom. Spitfire assisted him out. The sun was starting to rise.

“You know, if I do this for you, the Nanites will be able to work on other things in your body if you’d like.”

“Like what?” she asked throwing her arms over him again.

“Well, uh, what we just did last night would be nothing compared to what we COULD do with just a little tweaking.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well I’m limited by a battery right now, but if you, say, allowed me to construct a VR matrix all throughout your body and brain, the fun wouldn’t have to end there. In fact, it would only be the beginning…”

“The beginning?” she asked intrigued.

“Yes. In fact it would barely be foreplay with what I could show you.”

“Oh really?” she challenged.

“Yes. Back on Earth, you could get a VR rig installed in your house for a price. The rich could have them installed in their bodies and hooked up to their nervous systems. But since I’m me, I could do it for free. And the difference would be night and day. The feelings would be stronger, last longer and they would all be real. More real in fact. And best of all, they wouldn’t be limited to just the programs. You want to feel things in the real world? You could do it.”

“Hmm,” she smiled, “Sounds interesting. But really sell me on it.”

“How about this? Tell me your fantasies,” he whispered.

“What?” she whispered back.

“Tell me your fantasy. I’ll make it a reality. What have you always wanted to do that you could never get anyone to do? I’ll do it. Nothing is off limits,” he grinned, “What fantasy of yours have you always wanted to experience? I can make it real. Things that couldn’t be real in the real world. Things that are impossible. Whatever you can dream up, things you couldn’t dream up, I can make real. I can give you all the fun with none of the dangers. So… tell me your fantasy, and I can make it a reality.”

She let out a laugh, “You already have.”

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. She felt him laugh.

“But… there are a few things I’ve always wanted to try that… well I just could never hope to fulfill in the real world,” she whispered seductively in his ear, “You sure you wanna hear this?”

“I’m your boyfriend,” he replied, “Only for you; I can keep you young forever and show you pleasures beyond belief.”

“Alright,” she said. She leaned over and whispered a series of things into his ear. She watched his face turn red and giggled.

“Well, uh, I figured you had some fantasies you wanted to live out but… I never would have guessed things like that.”

She blushed, “Well, uh, if they’re too, uh, you know, we don’t have to.”

He turned around and gave her a cocky grin of confidence that almost blew her off her feet. She saw his tongue run quickly across his lips and shuddered.

“Oh, don’t worry. We’re gonna do this. Hell, I’d be insulted if we didn’t.”

Spitfire smiled, “Sounds wonderful…”

“So… what do you wanna do now?” Jett asked flexing his fingers.

“The sun’s coming up soon. It’s going to be a beautiful day. Spend it with me.”

“With pleasure.”

He turned his head and met her with a kiss as the star came over the horizon.

***

Three Years later.

Jett nervously entered his boss’ office. He shouldn’t have been nervous. Hell the entire organization, program, and mission were all his idea and yet… he needed his boss for this last thing. Atlantis Seven would be launching in a few months and would take another three to get to its destination and another four to get back. Still, Jett was excited. It was the one of the first spacecraft ever developed by anyone on the planet. And what made it special was that it had a destination in mind.

His boss looked up. The director who would be watching him and his team’s back while they were away.

“Ah, Captain Halsey,” he smiled. He was wearing black pants and a white dress shirt with a head of sandy brown hair, “What can I do for you?”

Jett was 21. He shouldn’t be too nervous about this but… if this one thing fell apart then…

“I need to make one last request sir.”

“I’ll see what I can do depending on what it is.”

“It doesn’t change the mission in any way. Just how the public perceives it.”

“What do you need?”

Jett blinked and glanced nervously around the room, “I need you to lie.”

***

The suit had been designed by Jett. In fact, everything he and his crew was wearing had pretty much been designed by him. Including the shuttle they were about to take up to their craft that was waiting in orbit. The tower and the supports that connected to their rocket would soon be separated as the ship launched itself into the sky. The seven manned ship was one of the first space craft Equestria had ever seen.

“Captain Halsey,” A reporter asked as Jett and his crew sat at the hastily set up conference table before they headed off into the final frontier. “What motivated you to start up this program as well as captain the first mission to another world?”

Jett rubbed his head, “You mean besides my girlfriend?”

The crowd laughed.

“Uh, well as set of things actually. Spitfire’s been very supportive of it all. She already lives an interesting life and that was part of it. I always had a hard time finding my place in the world; never knowing my true worth. But spending time with her made me realize one thing: I would never settle for a less exciting and ordinary life. I wanted to be destined for something better; something special. And this is it.”

A barrage of other questions followed. Personal questions for his best of the best crew, some for him about the tech and nature of the mission, all things he and his crew answered. Finally there was just one left.

“How long will the mission take?” one reporter asked. Film Reel was her name.

Jett smiled, “Well, uh, that’s the kicker. This is a bit of deep space assignment so, uh, we’ll be gone for sixteen months.”

Finally one of the mission control guys stepped forward, “Sorry folks but I’m afraid that’s all the time we have. These guys still have to say goodbye to their families and such.”

Three men and four women stood up and filed out from behind the table. All of them were hand selected by Jett based on a variety of factors. All of them were volunteers who had filed applications to be on the first mission of this kind and be immortalized. He had narrowed it down to those who were actually qualified. A certain girl named Twilight Sparkle kept showing up however before he even had the chance to accept her Celestia pulled her application citing other factors. Something to do with her latest princess having to take a trip to the Crystal Empire for some random thing Jett didn’t care about. He narrowed it down further to those who were there for the chance to explore another world, to push the boundaries, to transcend all known limits, and to advance the cause of science. Then he had to get even pickier and narrow it down to the best of the best. Then he had to pick people who he felt would get along with each other and could handle living with each other for such an extended period of time. Finally he was left with his six.

And each and every one of them was ecstatic to hear they had been chosen. After that it was all about fitting them with suits. With the two Earthers it was easy enough to fit them. The two magic users had to have a system that allowed them to use their powers while still inside the suit. That wasn’t too hard to work out either. The two pegasi had a larger problem. He needed to have a system that would keep their wings safe as well as keep them comfortable if they were going to be spending extended periods of time inside the suits. In the end, he went with something similar with what he had worked out with Spitfire during her stay on Earth. They would have to scrunch their wings down but not to the extent she had to. In the end, it looked like they had a rigid form of a cape extending off their suits. He purposefully made them as small as he could as to limit tearing in the zero g environment. Needless to say he and his two compatriots were happy with the results.

Then it was all about training. Easier said than done. However by the end of it they were all ready for their extended stay in space.

The seven scientists and engineers walked off the makeshift stage towards a waiting bus that would take them to the launch pad. Their families were waiting in a special waiting area behind a velvet rope.

He turned to his first officer Andromeda. She was chosen simply because she was the one jack of all trades he needed. Smart, she had her PhD’s in physics as well as environmental science and terrestrial biology. Her background in the guard came in handy too. She was bit of a hard ass like Spitfire but also a bit more socially awkward than his love. Still, she got along well with the others.

“They have five minutes before we have to board the bus. Make sure they’re all ready.”

One arm held her helmet. She used her free to give him a salute, “Sir, yes Sir.”

Jett sighed, “For the love of- Andy I told you to stop calling me that a month ago!”

She cringed, “Sorry si- Jett. Sorry. I’ll work on it.”

“Ah, whatever. Go see your family. Your father looks like he really wants to see you.”

She nodded and moved to join her family. Jett turned. Spitfire’s face was hidden behind her aviators. Dane, Gin, Blaze, and Fleetfoot were all there as well as the rest of the team.

Jett smiled, “Hey girly.”

Even her sunglasses couldn’t hide her tears. Spitfire leapt at him and embraced him tightly. Jett gasped but soon wrapped his arms around her as well.

“I’m gonna miss you!” she sobbed, “You’ll be gone for over a year!”

Jett smiled sadly, “I’m gonna miss you too my little angel girl.”

“Who’s gonna keep me company at night? Who am I gonna talk to when I need it most? Who’s gonna cheer me on at our shows?”

Jett pulled away and held her shoulders, “Hey, we’ll still be able to communicate. Daily if you want.”

“Yeah, but they’ll take hours to get to you! Why couldn’t you just give them your Ansible tech?”

“The same reason I can’t give you weapons tech. It’s still beyond you at this point.”

“What about us though?” she asked tearing her sunglasses off exposing her blood shot eyes, “I know this is what you want to do, and I know I’m the last person in the world who should be holding you back like this but… I love you. I’m gonna miss you so much.” She stared at the ground.

Jett smiled sadly at her, “I love you too. I know this is gonna be hard at first but… when I get back I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

She looked back up at him, “Promise? Promise me you’ll come back?”

“Promise,” he pulled her in for a hug before turning to Dane, “Take care of her, alright?”

Dane gave a cocky grin, “Who do you think I am?”

Jett frowned, “I saw what you did to your PhD students last week.”

Dane turned red, “Fair enough. Between Fleet and me, I’m sure we’ll be able to keep her together.”

“Thank you.”

Fleetfoot glared at Jett, “You do realize I’m gonna hate you until you come back right?”

He sighed, “I know.”

“Hey, she’s gonna be lost without you! So you better make it up to her when you come back!”

Jett gave her a simple look. One simple look that said it all to her before mouthing one sentence.

“You’ll keep me updated?” he asked her.

Echo’s face cracked and she gave him a grin, “Oh yeah. Just hold up your end of it.”

“I will.”

He had to pull Spitfire off of him. She let out a sad noise as he did but managed to release him. He leaned forward and gave her a kiss. As he did she slipped a small booklet into his hands. Finally they separated.

“Dream of me,” she whispered.

Jett stared into her eyes, “I will. Take care of the team.”

She gave a choked up laugh, “Take care of yours and I’ll take care of mine.”

He smiled at her before turning and heading over to the bus. The rest of his team was waiting for him.

“I swear if any of you say anything,” he said as they boarded.

Andromeda laughed, “Whatever you say Captain’s boy.”

“Stop it.”

“I mean, she was just counting your teeth with her tongue there.”

“Keep it up. Remember in space no one can hear you scream.”

They all shared a laugh as the bus headed over to the tower. Once there they exited and boarded an elevator that sent them up to the capsule that would rendezvous with their craft. They entered their craft and sealed the door before strapping themselves in.

“Mission control to Atlantis Seven,” a voice said, “Radio check.”

“Got you Cloudsdale,” Andromeda said.

“System’s check.”

“Everything’s functioning perfectly on our end.”

“Same here. Captain Halsey?”

Jett stared up through the cockpit windows of the ship, “We’re all good here. The word is given.”

“Alright.”

Jett stared through the window of the ship watching the clouds go by overhead. He felt the book in his hands and opened it to a random page. A dirty picture of Spitfire stared back at him, giving him a sultry look. He blushed and quickly pocketed the book as he became vaguely aware of a countdown going on in his head.

“Seven…”

“Six…”

“Five…”

“Four…”

“Three…”

“Two…”

“One…”

A heavy rumbling could be heard as vibrations ran up through the ship.

“And we have liftoff of the Atlantis Seven craft off to chart the new horizons on Aquarius and her moons.”

Outside Spitfire and the others watched as the rocket shot up into the sky, pieces of ice falling off its hull as it rose. Soon it broke the sound barrier and was beyond her sight.

***

One Year later.

Spitfire gripped the camera nervously. Again it was the last show of the season and yet another glorious anniversary for her and Jett. Still… she was sad. The most important thing about this day was missing and she wouldn’t get to see him for another four months.

Jett was literally worlds away though this time it was a more understanding kind of separation. The new Space Program he’d introduced to the country a few years ago had taken off spectacularly and now Jett was off exploring another planet. It was still in the system though communication took a while through tightbeam. Conversations at these distances could take anything from minutes to hours depending on the time.

She reached into her pocket and felt around for the small box inside. Still there. Good. Even though he was so far away, she could still make the day special. And this was something that couldn’t wait.

Soarin’ groaned, “Man I think I pulled something in that last maneuver.”

Fleetfoot sighed, “Soarin’ that was our last performance this season. And we still have one last show to do.”

Blaze frowned and rubbed her throat, “Can’t believe you made us take those singing classes just for this.”

Fire Streak frowned, “Well I for one am happy with the results. I like being able to sing now.”

“Yeah, that disappointment you called a voice is finally something tolerable,” Lightning Streak laughed.

Spitfire turned and looked back out at the stage. Dane approached.

“So… you ready for this?” he asked.

“Yeah… I think so. Nervous, but I think I’m ready for this,” she laughed.

“Oh come on girl, he’s not even on the same planet as you anymore.”

“Exactly. We’re going to do this and then send it to him. It’ll take us almost an hour to hear back from him.”

“Just do your best. I’m sure he’ll love it,” Dane grinned, “Though I do have to admit, I haven’t really seen a girl propose to her boyfriend before.”

“Well… it’s different I’ll admit. But… I want to do it.”

“Well then let’s get out there. You’re supposed to send him a message at 1300.”

“Alright.”

Dane tapped his earpiece, “Alright, we’re all ready in here. Open it.”

The curtain lifted and the bright stage of the Canterlot Aerodome awaited. The stadium was packed to the brim. Eager fans with signs, posters, hats and all sorts of merchandise cheered as Spitfire and team emerged on stage followed by Dane leading a small band. The sun was beginning it’s slow decent down. Soon it would cast a shadow as it passed over the stadium’s walls.

Spitfire walked to the edge of the stage and picked up the microphone. Her voice echoed through the stadium.

“Ahem, as you all know,” she began to the cheering crowd, “My longtime boyfriend Jett or Captain Halsey as he’s currently known, is away on a deep space assignment on our closest neighbor, Aquarius. Now… He won’t be back for another four months but… ”

She removed a small box from her bomber jacket pocket.

“I want to propose to him.”

The crowd cheered. Everything was going perfectly.

“And I want you guys to help.”

The crowd of fans cheered again.

“Now… I’m going to do something really stupid,” she laughed pulling out her camera, “I’m gonna show a little something something we put together. If you listen closely, you may hear some of us sing. Now when we’re done, when I give the signal, I want all of you guys to scream ‘say yes’. Can you do that for me?”

“YES!!!” the crowd responded.

“Alright then.”

Spitfire held up the camcorder. Her face was projected up on a large screen on the stage behind them for all to see, “Hey robot boy, now you’re probably noticing that I’m not where I normally make these. That is because as you know, it’s our Anniversary today. And today I figured I’d do something a bit special.”

Up on the screen, a homemade video began playing. It was a collection of things captured by home cameras as well as memories Spitfire had converted for the video. The video began with a familiar face staring into the camera.

“Okay, so here’s what’s been going on,” Spitfire giggled, “Our two year is coming up and Jett’s been trying to practice some singing for the night to serenade me. He hasn’t been very good at keeping it a secret.”

The video moved to show the closed door to the Sunroom at the Wonderbolts Summer Retreat. Behind the door the sound of a guitar could be heard. The clip cut to a view inside of a certain dorm room at a certain high school. The background music that began to play was the Wonderbolts themselves singing a few songs brought over by Jett and Dane.

“Put that thing away!” a voice called out, “I’m getting dressed in here!”

Giggling followed, “Don’t be such a stick in the mud. I’m just having some fun here.”

The screen showed a certain skinny android frowning at the person behind it. He was missing his shirt and only wore a pair of jeans. His arms were crossed over his chest.

“Ooh, sexy,” Spitfire giggled.

Camera Jett visibly shuddered and turned red, “Shut up.”

“So whatcha wanna do today hot boy?”

“Don’t call me that,” he replied pulling on a white long sleeve shirt with a V striped pattern on it.

“Well don’t just stay here all day. It’s gonna be a beautiful day, why don’t we catch a transport into town?” She asked.

“We live in space, the weather doesn’t change too much. Every day is a beautiful day.”

The video cut to a mall. Racks of clothing were nearby, windows led to a brilliant starscape with a nice view of Jupiter in the background.

“Are you gonna film everything?” Jett asked.

“Maybe,” Spitfire said.

“Why? And where did you even get that thing?”

“To remember the good times,” she replied, “And I got this last week at the TX Electronics thing that visited.”

Jett and Spitfire walked through the store. Every now and again something caught the android’s or Spitfire’s eye. More Spitfire’s than Jett’s.

“Where do you get your stuff?” Spitfire asked, “I never see anything like it at any of these places.”

“They’re all custom made,” He replied, “Why?”

“It’s just that- ooh! Hold this!”

The camera was chaotically thrust into the android’s hands as Spitfire hastily grabbed something off the shelves.

“Wait! Where’re you going!” Jett called.

“I’ll be right back!” she replied.

Jett sighed, “Girls.”

The audience laughed. Spitfire herself smiled. A few seconds later Spitfire’s voice called.

“Well? How do I look?” She asked.

The Camera turned, “Oh my…”

Spitfire was wearing a magician’s costume. She tipped her hat to him and gave him a cocky grin. Suddenly they both burst out laughing, their giggles echoing throughout the store.

“Oh my gosh! You look ridiculous!” Jett laughed.

“I know!” She giggled pulling the hat off her head.

They both continued as the video clip changed back to the Wonderbolts Retreat. Spitfire carefully opened up the door to the sunroom and peered in it. Jett was practicing with a guitar. His voice synced up perfectly with the background music of the video…

The video cut to a forest. A camp site was visible. Two tents and a circle of rocks positioned to hold a fire. Two logs were around it. A few packs were visible. This time the view was one from Spitfire’s memories.

“Sit still! Jeez,” Gin yelled.

“I can’t help it!” Dane replied, “This log isn’t doing my gluts any favors.”

“Cut it out you two,” Jett sighed, “We’re trying to take a picture here.”

Spitfire’s happy giggling was heard.

“Dane if you don’t sit still I swear I’m gonna beat you up,” Gin said.

“Only thing you’re gonna be beating is that-”

“Oh really?! That’s it.”

Gin had Dane in a headlock and began grinding her knuckles into his scalp. He cried out in half delight half pain. Suddenly Spitfire’s view was jarred a little as Jett pulled an arm around her and laughed at Dane’s plight just as the camera snapped the picture. With the flash the video changed again. This time it moved back in time a few months, there being no real coherent order to things. Again it opened to the musical giggling of Spitfire.

“Spitfire!” Jett yelled.

The android was running down a street at some kind of small zoo. The setting was a little bit odd as there was no sky, only a wall patterned with balconies and other resort like things. Behind the robot trotted a rather agitated hippopotamus. Spitfire’s view was one of a person sitting atop a tree branch above it all.

“Oh Spitfire?”

“Yes?” she giggled.

“Would you mind helping me?!”

Spitfire laughed again. In reality, the whole situation was a rather comedic mess that in spite of surface details wasn’t really that dangerous. The hippo chasing the robot was far too slow to ever have a hope of catching him. And even then, Jett had certainly survived worse than a rabid hippo.

“Only if you say it!”

“Say what?”

“You know what.”

Jett sighed as he ran under her again, “Fine. You’re a far better athlete than I am, not that I even care!”

“Finish it,” she taunted.

“And I’m a girly princess,” he muttered sarcastically.

“Good enough,” she laughed and leaned back so she was hanging off the branch by her legs. She held her arms out just as Jett passed by, picking him up and flipping him onto the branch with her. A few seconds later the hippo plowed by.

Panting, Jett turned to face her, “I hate you.”

“No you don’t. You love me,” she giggled.

The view changed again. This time it was back at the academy. Jett was red faced staring at the camera. It was a camera this time.

“You never told me that you could sing!” she laughed, “And here I thought you were just a nice piano player!”

Jett gritted his teeth, “I swear if you tell ANYONE!”

Spitfire started laughing, “Why would I ever do that?”

“I know your modus operandi. You love to aggravate, embarrass, and disturb me.”

“That’s not all I like doing.”

“Flying?”

“No. Well I do love flying but that’s not the only thing I like doing. I do enjoy our time together. I like it when we hang out. I only bother you because you’re my friend.”

“Humph.”

“I’ll tell you what,” she grinned, “I won’t tell anyone here your dirty little secret if you sing for me.”

“What?!”

“Might wanna keep it down. People are sleeping still.”

“Why?” he asked again, this time quietly.

“Because; you sound nice.”

He sighed, “Fine, what do you want me to sing?”

“Hmm, how about that song you were doing when I came up here?”

Jett sighed and sat down at the piano again, “Just this once.”

“Just this once.”

“Alright, here it goes.”

The beautiful notes flowed from the Fazioli like silk as the android closed his eyes as his fingers magically danced across the keys with the precision and care of a caring lover. Spitfire gasped though it was barely audible on the camera as the android played the instrument. Soon he began to sing the first verses of the song he was so expertly playing. A song no one in Equestria could possibly know but one that would forever be engraved in its memory soon after.

His fingers increased their pace. Even his metallic prosthetic carefully struck the keys with expert precision. He opened his eyes and looked down at the piano as he played before looking up at Spitfire and giving a confident grin.

Spitfire could see it and grinned. As much as he said he hated this, as much as he was irritated by her, he was enjoying himself. She watched as Jett closed his eyes and fell into the song again, getting lost in the music. She suddenly felt an arm on her shoulder. She turned to find Dane rubbing his eyes and smiling at her. She smiled and turned back to watch the android.

By now Spitfire had become aware of more and more students showing up atop the lounge listening to the android sing. A few girls were even rubbing their eyes staring at him. More importantly, a certain football player didn’t look too impressed. She grinned. Good.

With the last gentle strike of a piano key the song ended. Jett was still smiling as he opened his eyes and turned to stare at Spitfire. Thought it was out of view for the camera her jaw was on the floor.

“Happy nooww…. Oh,” he said when he saw the crowd of people around him. Suddenly they all broke out in applause.

“Dude that’s amazing!”

“You never said you could sing!”

Jett glanced at Spitfire and gave her a pleading look of ‘help me.’ Spitfire just laughed. The video changed views again. Jett, Dane and Spitfire were all sitting around a table in cold weather garb. A large platter of shrimp looking creatures sat before them. Jett smiled. Behind them was a city with large walls of ice extending up to form a domed ceiling.

“Well? Dig in,” he grinned grabbing one of the ‘shrimps’ by the ‘tail’ and taking a bit. It gave a satisfying crunch. Dane joined him and began munching away on the crustaceans.

“Uh,” Spitfire poked one with her finger, “Are you sure about these?”

“Yeah,” Jett said with a mouthful of the sea food, “They’re delicious. Only kind like them in the entire system. Just be careful, they got a little bit of kick to them.”

“Should we bring the boss some?” Dane asked.

“I wouldn’t. She hates it when we track food through the back like that.”

Jett picked up one of the shrimps and held it in front of Spitfire, “Open up for the airplane.”

Spitfire huffed, “I’m not five you know.”

Jett gave a devious little grin, “Could’ve fooled me.”

“You’re a jerk.”

“Please,” he scoffed, “Now come on. Open up.”

She smiled, “Alright.”

She tentatively took a bite and heard a satisfying crunch. The crustacean had a spicy flavor to it, like dried Chilly pepper. It was pretty good she had to admit.

“See? Not bad, huh?” Jett grinned.

Spitfire burst out in a wide grin, “I hate you sometimes.”

Jett gave a cocky grin, “Your voice says you hate me but your smile says otherwise.”

“Keep it up wise guy,” she blew him a kiss. He jumped lightly and turned a certain shade of red. Across the table Dane burst out laughing.

“That’s just the beginning of payback for that disastrous activity you call driving you naughty boy.”

Jett opened his mouth to say something just as Dane and Spitfire burst out laughing. The view changed to a back to the academy. Hearts decorated the dorm rooms. Couples were enjoying each other’s company, the usual shebang. February 14th: Valentine’s Day.

Dane was the camera user this time. He rotated it so it was facing him. He grinned as his piercing green eyes gleamed in the light before turning it back around.

He quickly found Jett who was in his normal pissy mood. His hair had grown out during the winter months and was now left a moppy black mess.

“Damn I need a haircut,” he muttered as he walked by.

“Hey Jett!” Dane called, “Got any plans for today?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“No, not me. Spitfire,” he grinned.

Jett stopped and pulled his hands from his pockets, “What? You know how much I hate this holiday.”

“Well SHE doesn’t.”

“Fine. What do you want me to do?”

He grinned and suddenly jumped up and grabbed his brother before wheeling him towards the elevator.

“Ah! Hey what’re you taking me?!”

“You’ll see. Now shut up.”

Once inside the elevator and the doors closed he hit a red icon on the controls and watched the elevator stop and the lights dim.

Jett sighed shaking some hair out of his eyes, “What’re you doing?”

Dane dropped a bag in his hands and pulled out an outfit. It was a maroon suit without the tie.

“Here, change into this.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you know? You, my Commander of the British Empire, have a role to fill.”

He sighed, “And what is that?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot. You were unconscious for it. Crap. Well, uh, anyway, the rest of the school knows what your job is so… Get up there.”

Jett sighed, “Will you at least stop bugging me about the Christmas party?”

“Sure, whatever you want,” he grinned.

Jett sighed and grabbed the suit and pulled on the white button up and the overcoat.

“Whatever you’re recording this for, you’ll shut that damn camera off if I have to take my pants off in front of you.”

Dane sighed and turned around. The sounds of unzipping and a few grunts from Jett and the pants and shoes were on.

“How do I look?” Jett asked.

Dane gave him a thumbs up.

“You’re paying for my haircut too you know.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say,” he said smacking the red icon on the elevator. The lights returned and it started to rise up to the mall level. The doors opened and Jett was swiftly pushed out. The mall was decorated for the holiday as well. Little holographic hearts floated about the room.

“Ah! Hey! Watch it!”

Dane stepped out and gave a cocky grin. Jett straightened his coat and looked around.

“Alright, where’s your poorly coordinated attempt to set us up this time?”

“What? Poorly coordinated? Why I never! A lot of effort goes into these endeavors, not that you would notice, but still!” he grinned, “And I never said I was setting you two up. Are you sure you don’t have a dirty secret you’re not telling us about?”

Jett cringed and turned red, “I don’t even know how I ended up in this situation.”

He glanced towards one of the station’s restaurants. Spitfire was sitting at one idly twiddling a lock of her hair with her finger. Two strawberry milkshakes sat in front of her. She was wearing her normal outfit. Leather bomber jacket, tank top with dog tags, skinny jeans and a pair of black combat boots.

“What is your obsession with this?” Jett sighed.

“Hey, I’m just doing my job! You’re filling a role the entire school knows about and expects to be filled. So go do your job.”

Spitfire looked up and noticed him before flashing him a smile. He sighed and grinned back at her before strolling over and sitting down at the table across from her.

She smiled at him, “Happy Valentine’s Day robot boy.”

She slid a milkshake over to him before taking a sip from hers.

“Oh, uh, Happy Valentine’s Day,” He smiled and took a sip of his. They sat in silence for a little simply enjoying each other’s company. Every now and again a person would walk by and give Jett a wink or a thumbs up. Some of Spitfire’s friends giggled at her and yelled messages of congratulations.

Spitfire finished her milkshake rather quickly. Jett still had the remaining two thirds left. She simply shrugged and took her straw and stabbed it into Jett’s.

“Hey! That’s mine.”

She winked at him, “Well I was still thirsty, and plus I paid for them.”

He sighed and slid it over to the middle of the table while they both enjoyed the treat. Dane watched from a distance.

“Come on, do it!” he whispered.

Spitfire gave a light sigh of content and stared into the android’s sapphire orbs. He noticed and quickly looked away with a blush on his face. Suddenly someone from the school newspaper walked up to the table with a camera and snapped a picture. Though neither Jett nor Spitfire could see it, the picture came out as the two of them enjoying their frozen treat with one of the station’s holographic hearts floating right behind them. Jett looked up. One of the freshmen boys was standing before him with a small camera in his hands.

“May we help you?” He asked.

“Oh, uh, sorry. Just, I’m supposed to be taking pictures for the school newspaper. This week’s edition is centered on Valentine’s Day. I haven’t really been able to find any couples that really… you know, accentuate the holiday. All the others are just,” he sighed, “Locked away in their dorms doing Vishnu knows what.”

Jett rolled his eyes, “Don’t I know it. We didn’t get a wink last night.”

“I was just wondering if I could get some pictures of you two. You seemed pretty into the moment there and so far you’re the best example I’ve found. Would you mind?”

“Yes.”

“No, not at all,” Spitfire smiled.

“Eh what?” Jett said.

“Oh good! Now, can you just, uh, get closer? Like all that couples stuff you were doing earlier,” The freshman smiled.

“Oh, uh, you got it all wrong. We’re not dating, we’re-”

“Sure!” Spitfire laughed moving her chair closer to Jett’s.

“Spitfire…” Jett whispered.

“Shut up dummy! Just go with it!”

“What?! Why?”

She sighed and glanced over at him, “Please? Just do this for me?”

He sighed, “Fine. Jeez. I can never say no to you.”

“Good,” she grinned.

The boy finished setting up his camera. Spitfire wrapped an arm around Jett.

“Alright, now, uh, all I need you to do now is something romantic and I think I’ll have the front page,” the boy smiled.

“Like what?” Jett asked.

“Uh, I don’t know. Kiss or something?”

“We’ll figure something out,” Spitfire smiled, “You just get behind that camera and get ready. You’ll know when to take it.”

Jett stared ahead into the lens, “I think we should’ve discussed this more.”

“Oh shut up you,” she giggled and suddenly pulled him close and kissed him just as the camera flashed. His surprised reaction as well as Spitfire’s blushing cheeks as she kissed him would forever be immortalized in that one photograph.

The boy grinned, “Got it.”

The footage changed to show the front cover of the paper. One it was Jett and Spitfire. Spitfire was happily kissing him on the cheek while the android gave a gasp of surprise. Behind them three hearts floated by. The page turned to reveal a little picture of Spitfire and Jett sharing a milkshake with the caption "Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love."-Albert Einstein. Jett sighed and read the article.

“It seems the angel of C.L.A.A.S. has finally found her Valentine,” he read, “Jett D. Halsey.”

He turned and stared back at the Cameraman. Dane just laughed.

“Do you see what you’ve done to me here?" he asked, “I hope you’re happy. I really do. Because you’ve basically tied us together like a red thread of fate!”

Spitfire giggled, “Oh it’s not so bad. I think it’s kinda cute.”

Dane flashed a cocky grin, “There are things far worse than being seen as her lover. Personally, I think you should be honored that the school thinks so highly of you.”

He bowed.

“Please!” Spitfire laughed, “I’m the one who should be honored here! After all, I’m dating the Ace of C.L.A.A.S. now.”

She walked up behind him and threw her arms around him and leaned over his shoulder.

“Marry me?” she laughed.

The video ended and the screen faded to the shot of the pair sharing their milkshake as Spitfire took the stage and began speaking.

“So robot boy,” she said nervously, “If you haven’t noticed I kinda have something special planned.”

She gulped and felt her pocket for that small object that would lay her intentions out for the entire universe to see and more importantly, for HIM to see. This was it; the perfect moment. The one that would make it all. She was ready. She took a deep breath just that one special song began playing. A happy blush danced across her face for all to see.

The captain of the most prestigious flight team in the world was now being brought to one knee by a boy literally on another planet. She reached into her pocket and removed a small black box and cracked it open revealing a beautiful silver ring. It had a beautiful circuit pattern carved into it. Inside the circuits were little diamonds carefully inserted by the best jewelers in Canterlot.

“Jett Daniel Halsey, I love you more than anything in this entire universe. I love you so much,” she breathed, “And… I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You are the very first and the very last person I will ever love and you’re my entire world. I’m sure you know what’s coming next and it would make me the happiest girl in the world if you said yes.”

She gulped, “Will you marry me, Jett?”

“SAY YES!” The crowd and her friends all yelled. Spitfire laughed. There was only one thing left to do as Dane wrapped it all up and sent the massive transmission to the android. All that was left to do was wait. An agonizing thirty minutes passed before a transmission finally came in. When it did it was displayed up on the screen for all to see.

Jett was sitting in front of a screen with a variety of consoles and tech behind him. Above him on another floor of the craft was a science lab.

“Ooh, I wonder who it is this time!” Andromeda said as she bounced by in the lower gravity.

“Sixty bits says I can figure it out!” Another voice said. Celsius, chief science officer for the mission; geologist and oceanic biologist. He swung down, hanging by his legs right behind Jett.

Jett sighed and turned. His hair bounced oddly in the lower gravity, floating up and then drifting back down.

“Don’t you two have something else you could be doing?” He asked.

Andromeda laughed as she bounced by behind him again, “Oh this is so fun! And no not really! Gears and Gadgets are still outside working on the Gremlin and Arty and Star Gazer are setting up that telescope to study that gas giant. Wahoo!”

Jett sighed, “Fine. Oh and happy anniversary darling!”

His fingers danced over the console as he opened up the file to view it. The beginning of the transmission could be heard playing in the background.

“Hey robot boy, now you’re probably noticing that I’m not where I normally make these. That is because as you know, it’s our Anniversary today. And today I figured I’d do something a bit special.”

He smiled, “Alright.”

The everyone watched his reactions as he began watching the video. Andromeda and Celsius stopped goofing off and started watching the video with him.

“Ooh, Captain. You never told us you could sing,” Andromeda laughed.

“Quiet, I’m trying to watch this here.”

The three continued to watch the video. Every now and again Jett would crack a grin or laugh. When they got to the part with the hippopotamus Jett’s smile got even larger.

“Oh no she didn’t!” he laughed.

“What? What’s going on?” Celsius asked as the video continued playing.

“Holy… Oh my gosh!” Andromeda laughed, “Look at that hippo!”

Jett covered his face and laughed. They continued on with the rest of the video. Jett laughed at a few of the moments, face palmed at some other but always kept a smile on his face. Finally the video came to an end and Spitfire took the stage and said her message.

“So robot boy,” she said nervously, “If you haven’t noticed I kinda have something special planned.”

Jett watched intently as she continued. Spitfire gulped as she watched his reaction.

“Jett Daniel Halsey, I love you more than anything in this entire universe. I love you so much. And… I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You are the very first and the very last person I will ever love and you’re my entire world. I’m sure you know what’s coming next and it would make me the happiest girl in the world if you said yes.”

“Will you marry me, Jett?”

She watched as his mouth fell wide open as the crowd and her friends screamed for him to say yes. Behind him his team all laughed and patted him on the back with congratulations. But he stayed wide eyed with his mouth on the floor before he cracked a smile and laughed.

“Excuse me a second,” he said to the camera as he turned away and wiped his eyes, still grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, man. I wasn’t expecting that,” He laughed. Suddenly, however, he became incredibly serious and his waterworks stopped as if a switch was flipped. He gave devilish grin to the camera, his attention focusing on Spitfire as if he knew exactly where she was.

“I know just what you’re thinking my little angel girl,” he said with so much confidence that Spitfire swore he could have said anything he wanted and it would have happened, “You put on quite a fine show there; really enjoyed the part with Valentine’s Day. I bet you think you got me and you got me good, don’t you?”

“While I’ll admit to myself here that I’m flattered beyond all belief, there are still some things that I need to do myself. You made all the moves in this relationship. But not this one,” he grinned and blew her a kiss, “I love you my little angel. Now… do me a favor. Turn around.”

What? Spitfire frowned. Turn around? What for? Slowly she rotated herself. Slowly ascending the steps up to the stage was a certain black haired android. He cracked his neck and gave her a cocky grin. His hair had grown out a bit but overall he was the same. He soon reached the top of the stairs and stepped onto the stage. The entire stadium was silent as his steps echoed through the torus. A light beeping was heard as he tapped the implant behind his ear and discarded his cane. It fell to the ground with a dull clatter.

He grinned, “My dearest Spitfire, my most sacred treasure: “In melody divine, My heart it beats to rapturous love, I long to call you mine.”-Unknown.”

The dull thump of a camera hitting the floor echoed to the top rows as Spitfire covered her mouth with her hands and began to cry. With one powerful flap of her wings she shot herself across the remaining distance into his arms. She cried into his shoulder with an ecstatic shout as she felt his arms comfort her in their warm embrace. Slowly she encased him in her wings. After a minute in silence, enjoying each other’s company, they finally separated.

Jett laughed and rubbed the back of his head before taking her hands in his and staring into her tear stained eyes. She smiled warmly at him.

“I’ll paint a sun to warm your heart

Knowing that we’ll never part.

I’ll draw the years all passing by

So much to learn, so much to try.

I’ll paint my mood in a shadow blue,

Paint my soul to be with you.

I’ll sketch your lips in shaded tones,

Draw your mouth to my own.

I’ll trace a hand to wipe your tears

And trace a look to calm your fears.

A silhouette of dark and light

To hold each other oh so tight.

I’ll paint the stars in the evening sky,

Draw the light into your eyes,

A touch of love, a touch of grace,

To softly fall on your moonlit face.

And with this ring our lives will start,

Let nothing keep our love apart.

I’ll take your hand to hold in mine,

And be together through all time.”

He looked down and let out a choked laugh, “William Shakespeare.”

The crowd let out a cheer and began applauding. Spitfire managed to tear her gaze away from her love and glance at the scene around her. All her friends and even her family had stepped up onto the stage and had formed a circle around them. She even found her mother and father, accompanied by her sister who wiped her eyes and gave her a thumbs up. Her father gave her a simple nod of approval accompanied by a grin.

“As we stare out at that endless sea, I ask you this:” Jett gulped.

Spitfire, still crying cracked a smile as he slowly got down on one knee and removed a small black box from his pocket and cracked it open to reveal a beautiful ring. The gem stone was an orange diamond precisely carved in an almost impossible way into the form of a phoenix holding two sapphire lightning bolts. The craftsmanship put into it was amazing.

“Will you marry me?”

The crowd of fans all screamed out with one voice a simple phrase.

“SAY YES!”

Spitfire laughed and began wiping her eyes. In all her years she had never been happier to have been played. And played she was. Her brilliant plan, her masterful scheme, in the bigger picture had really just been a part of his. She couldn’t be angry even if she wanted to. Looking around she soon realized one simple fact. They’d all been in on it. It suddenly dawned on her the sheer amount of effort that had gone into this one moment, right here. Years of planning, everyone keeping quiet, people quietly passing the android information as he was off on his adventures. Hell he’d even gotten his crew to play along. She’d even glimpsed the six of them sitting in the front row. She returned her gaze to the nervous android down on one knee proposing to HER. She felt so happy that it seemed like she was invincible. All those years together, those experiences, the simple moments together; from that very first day up till now, it had been one hell of a journey. And she wouldn’t have changed one damn thing.

There was only one thing she could say. This one word had to escape her mouth before any other phrase could be uttered. Her body felt like it would go up in armed rebellion if she held back any longer. With a sense of joy that bordered orgasmic, she said it.

“Yes,” she whispered, “Yes.”

“Wha?” he asked.

A smile burst across her face like a supernova, “Yes you dummy! Yes! Oh GODS YES! Of course I’ll marry you!”

He breathed a huge sigh that came out as half a laugh as he pulled himself to his feet. Spitfire happily jumped into the air and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close so their foreheads bumped together.

“All I’ve ever wanted was you,” she sighed.

For the first time in over a year, their lips connected accompanied by the familiar flash of electricity just as Dane pulled a small remote from his pocket and tapped a button. Fireworks shot into the skies and lit painted the blue with red and pink hearts. Spitfire moaned with happiness before disconnecting from her lover.

Jett removed the ring from its case and slipped it over her ring finger as she did the same for him. The metal band fit perfectly over his prosthetic finger, magnetically locking into place. Spitfire happily began showing off her new ring to as many people as she could before turning back to Jett. Tears were still streaming down her face.

“I love you so much,” she breathed.

“I know,” he smiled back, “I love you; eternally past the end of time.”

***

“You know I was preparing to propose to you but I guess you know that already,” she laughed, “I thought you were on Aquarius and wouldn’t be back until New Year’s.”

They were back in their room at the HQ simply enjoying each other’s company. Every now and again Spitfire would glance at the ring on her finger while playing with her necklace.

He smiled and rubbed the back of his head, “Yeah, well, uh, this is where my complex plan began. I asked my boss to lie and tell everyone an exaggerated time scale. As for the rest of it, all planned and adapted according to what you picked.”

Spitfire stared at the ring now adorning her finger. She stood up and walked over to couch where he was sitting.

“I know what marriage was typically like in your world,” she said, “I’m surprised you were so open to the idea to begin with.”

Jett gripped his cane and leaned back, “Well back on Earth you’d be flipping a coin to see if it would even last. But… I quickly realized that this isn’t Earth.”

She sat down next to him and fell into his warm embrace.

“Oh? And what is this, robot boy?”

He sighed and closed his eyes, “Home.”

Spitfire gasped, “I think this is the first time you’ve ever called this home.”

“Nonsense. I’m pretty sure I’ve done it before.”

She rolled over and seated herself on his lap, “Still, it means a lot. That you finally see this place as home.”

“Home is wherever you are.”

She shoved him, “Don’t be so cliché!”

He cracked a grin, “My entire proposal was cliché! You’re gonna complain now?”

She sighed, “No, I guess not. What made you decide to propose in the first place?”

“I got to thinking, before I left; how I was gonna survive a year away from you.”

“How touching.”

“And I kinda realized that… I wouldn’t be able to live without you. So I decided to propose. After all, you don’t marry a person you live with; you marry the person you can’t live without. And… I can’t live without you. I don’t love you because I need you. I need you because I love you.”

Spitfire laughed and wiped her eyes, "What did I do to deserve you?"

"Only you know the answer to that."

"Yes but, why are you so good to me? I know I can be annoying sometimes, I know I have some bad habits, I know I'm not perfect, why are you so good to me?"

He grinned and glanced at the ring on his metallic finger, "Simple. I love you and I want to enjoy all the time we have together, however long it may be. I don't want to waste a moment of it complaining about stupid pointless things that have no merit in our relationship. What you may consider to be annoying or a bad habit of yours, I see as just a piece of who you are. Remember, I love you for being who you are. Just... don't ever change that."

She smiled and wiped her eyes, "Y-you really are perfect."

He gave her a light kiss on the nose, "I love you so much."

“And I love you. Let’s stay like this forever. Together.”

“Together," he smiled.

The shared a kiss as an early snow began to fall outside the windows of the HQ just as the rest of their friends and family burst into the room to drag them off to some party unknown. Snow began to accumulate as the sky rained perfect crystals of geometry. Off in the distance, far away towns and settlements glowed like diamonds among the darkening sky. It was then everyone realized one thing; the best was yet to be…

Chapter 63. Reality is a Lovely Place.

Jett sighed and flipped off the TV, “Must they always do things like this? I mean, come one. It’s been a month now.”

Spitfire finished brushing her hair and placed the brush down on the nightstand, “What’re you gonna do? It’s the media. Hell I can’t even sneeze without them knowing about it. And you, Captain, have secured your place as the first person to step onto an alien world. Congrats.”

“I think that was you when you landed on Earth missy,” Jett grinned.

Spitfire laid down on their shared bed and rolled herself over to him, “Yeah, but I met my fiancé there and plus it was already inhabited so it doesn’t count.”

Jett sighed and ran a few fingers through her fire like hair, “You are so adorable.”

She sighed and nuzzled herself up against his neck and closed her eyes, “Oh, I could stay like this forever.”

“Hey, we do have to get up tomorrow,” Jett laughed, “All those weird holidays of yours start tomorrow.”

“My holidays are weird?” she giggled, “Your United States of America had one celebrating a genocidal maniac for over two hundred years. I think it was called Columbus Day?”

“Fair point,” he grinned, rubbing her head.

Spitfire smiled, playing with her necklace and staring at her ring.

“How did you ever manage to pull all this off?” she asked.

“All of what?”

“The proposal,” she said staring into her ring. The light from the nearby candles flickered and glimmered off her phoenix ring, “How did you ever convince my father to say yes to all of this?”

“Actually,” Jett laughed staring at his ring, “It wasn’t me that did the convincing.”

“Who did then?”

“Your sister.”

Spitfire sat up, “My sister?”

“Yeah, believe me I was just as surprised. But she did tell me that the reason she came to make up that day was because she’d learned you were planning on proposing and she wanted to be a part of that. She said that she didn’t want to be cast out of your life because of everything that happened.”

“So…”

“So I said I would. All she had to do was convince her father. Needless to say she’s a rather skilled convincer.”

“Wow, never would have guessed.”

“Meh, what’s done is done.”

Jett leaned back. Spitfire had a twinkle in her eye as she rolled on top of him.

“Hey,” she said.

He smiled up at her, “Hey.”

“Those Nanites of yours finished installing those rigs in my body earlier today. Let’s use them.”

“You know how?”

“Uh, they did come with instructions on how to use them, dummy. Everything is programed in. Now come on, let’s have some real fun,” she grinned.

Jett smiled, “Alright. Let me just set up the network.”

A few seconds later he blinked, “Done.”

“Cool.”

She rolled off of him and held his hand. Jett leaned over and blew out the candles before lying back down. Soon they both drifted off into a magical sleep of dreams.

***

“Mom!” Spitfire whined, “You’re not listening!”

Fleetfoot sighed, “Was she always like this?”

Star Fire, Spitfire and Nightshade’s mother, smiled, “Yes. Mostly in situations like this when we made her do something she didn’t want to do.”

Spitfire fumed, “I’m right here, ya know.”

“That’s nice dear.”

“You’re still not listening!”

“Dear,” Star Fire gripped her shoulders, “This is your wedding! You finally found a boy actually WORTH KEEPING. You won’t just find that around the corner you know.”

“You don’t think I don’t know that?!” Spitfire yelled, “Believe me. I’m the luckiest person in the universe. But I don’t want to wear a DRESS!”

Nightshade fell out of her chair laughing. Spitfire turned and shot daggers at her sister. Most of the dress shop was empty, the Wonderbolt having decided to shop somewhere out of the public eye. Though she had to fly down from Canterlot to Ponyville, the lack of publicity was welcome. Plus she’d heard that this fashion designer was something else.

“Sorry,” the Shadowbolt laughed, “You’re the Captain of the Wonderbolts and you’re scared of wearing a wedding gown! Oh that’s so rich!”

“I hate dresses,” Spitfire fumed.

“You really wouldn’t wear one for him?” Nightshade pulled herself up.

“If he asked I’d sever my wings for him. But for this, he didn’t ask. He said I could do whatever I wanted,” Spitfire stuck her tongue out.

“Dear, it’s traditional for the blushing bride to wear a gown,” Star Fire said. Her appearance was one of a matriarch of the family. Still she kept an athletic and attractive appearance to go with her yellow wings and navy blue hair.

“Yeah, well it’s also traditional for people to meet the old fashion way instead of falling out of the sky onto an alien planet to meet your future android husband who just happens to be the greatest guy ever known to exist.”

“Well you did find him and that’s all that matters isn’t it?” Fleetfoot said, “That and you brought my boyfriend here when you came back. But whatever you wanna do, girl. Personally I think you should go with a gown of some kind.”

“Come on, Echo! You’re supposed to be on my side!” Spitfire moaned.

“Hey, I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal out of it when you went to their-what did Dane call it? Promenade Night? Yeah, that’s what it was. You put on a dress for that, didn’t you?”

Spitfire cringed. Nightshade laughed and her mother just placed her hands on her hips. Spitfire gave her mother a sheepish look.

“Oh really?” Star Fire said, “You put on a dress for some school date night but you’ll refuse to do that for your own wedding?”

“Well, uh, that was, uh, that was something different.”

“From what Dane told me,” Fleetfoot said, “You just dressed up because you asked him out and wanted to get his attention and-”

“Okay! That’s enough now, Echo,” Spitfire said shoving a hand over her friend’s mouth, “Heh heh, ahh, you know how Fleetfoot is, right? Just has a wild imagination and…”

Star Fire crossed her arms.

“Ahh, heh heh heh, eh, come on Nightshade, back me up here?”

Nightshade shrugged and put her hands behind her head and leaned back in her chair.

Spitfire sighed, “I’m getting a dress aren’t I?”

Star Fire nodded.

Spitfire sighed, “Fine. But I’m picking it out.”

“Oh there’s no need for that dearie,” Her mother laughed, “I’ve already commissioned the one of the best designers in the country to design your dress for you!”

“What?” Spitfire asked.

“Yes. I’ve seen Ms. Rarity’s other works and I have to say I’m impressed.”

Spitfire looked past her mother, “Where is she?”

“Oh she’s just in the other room waiting for you to stop your temper tantrum.”

“How long am I gonna be here before I can get out?”

“Oh she just needs to take your measurements and such.”

Spitfire sighed and stood up, straightening her bomber jacket, “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

She headed for the door and opened it up, revealing the rest of the boutique and its owner. Ms. Rarity stood before a mannequin staring at it intently. A plain white dress was adorning it.

“Excuse me?” Star Fire said as the rest of their entourage entered, “We’re ready.”

The purple haired fashion designer turned and flashed a grin, “Ooh, so I have the honor of designing the wedding dress of a Wonderbolt? Oh, how wonderful! Oh, just where is the little dear anyway?”

Nightshade pushed Spitfire out from behind their mother’s back. Spitfire sighed.

Rarity smiled and pulled out a measuring tape, “Oh don’t look so glum, darling. After all, this is for your Special Someone now, isn’t it?”

Spitfire held up her arms and sighed, “Just keep the whole thing simple. Nothing too extravagant so that I can’t walk in it.”

“Oh don’t worry, darling. You’re in excellent hands. Let’s just hope Rainbow Dash doesn’t find out you’re here or else I won’t get anything done.”

***

“You know, you could act a little more enthusiastic about this whole process,” Dane said slapping Jett in the back of the head.

“Oh, I’m sorry, are you getting married?” Jett asked pulling at the collar of the suit, “No? Then please shut up.”

“Is he always like this?” Spitfire’s father, Shadow Flash, asked.

Gin grinned and spit out her gum into a nearby trashcan, “Yeah, pretty much since we met he’s had that massive stick up his ass. Though the stick has gotten smaller since he met your daughter.”

“Believe me; we don’t know what she sees in him either,” Dane laughed, “Does this one work for you?”

Jett frowned and stared at himself in the mirror, “The undershirt looks weird.”

Dane sighed, “First it was the jacket then it was the tie. Can you just tell us what you want so we can get out of here and plan the rest of your wedding?!”

Jett removed the jacket and started removing the suit, “Fine. I was thinking I could do something with that had my color scheme to it.”

“Well why didn’t you just say so?”

“I seem to recall you never letting me have a word in on the way here, dumbo.”

Shadow Flash leaned over toward Gin, “Are they always like this?”

Gin smiled, “Pops, I’ve known these two boys since they were kids. They’ve been like this since the day they met.”

“Their interactions resemble that of siblings.”

“Yeah, a lot of other people say that as well. Personally I’ve always just seen them as brothers and they have as well.”

“And these are robots?”

“Listen I’ve stopped trying to understand this shit a long time ago. They’re androids that have rather eccentric personalities. And I can assure you they’re just as sentient as you or I.”

“I know it’s just… odd. I mean, I never expected them to be so…”

Gin smiled, “Human?”

“Well, uh, I didn’t mean it like that. Just that-”

“Relax pops. It’s all a learning experience.”

He sighed and wiped his forehead, “Jett, did he really…”

“Save your daughter’s life? Yeah, a few times. When he first found her she was unconscious, second time was when he took a car for her, there were a few other minor incidents here and there but the last major one was just before we all dropped in here.”

“What happened?”

“World was ending, ya know, normal stuff. Anyway, we were trying to get to that ship that we currently have parked in orbit when the roof of the building we were in collapsed. Dane and I were far enough away to be just out from under it. Spitfire and Jett were not.”

“What happened next?”

“Jett, uh,” Gin pulled off her sunglasses, “He took the weight and held it as long as he could, keeping it from crushing your daughter. Dane and I, heh, we thought they were dead but uh, apparently he just sat there holding it trying to convince Spitfire to leave him before they both died. Never really seen him care about something like that enough to sacrifice his life for.”

“What about you guys?”

“Oh, I have no doubt he’d do that in a heartbeat, but with you daughter… there was something different there. Even then the rest of us could see there was a connection there. We certainly noticed how Spitfire had taken a shine to him, hell she kissed him a multiple occasions and he still didn’t take the hint.”

“Ha, that’s kinda funny. Growing up I uh, I tried to keep all the boys away from them; I didn’t want them to be taken advantage of when they were still young. But when they both got their teams I couldn’t stop them from living how they wanted. Sorry for rambling here but I’m just not used to the idea of some boy NOT being able to see Spitfire in such… well you know.”

“Well, to her credit, I wouldn’t say it was for lack of trying,” Gin laughed, “They were pretty close those two. They shared a dorm room at school, a few times Spitfire kept Jett in her bed for her own reasons I suspect. But he never did anything. He just… well he just sat there and did what she asked, never crossing any boundaries.”

“How did he see her before… well this all happened?”

“From what Spitfire tells me, he saw her as his friend or sister. I mean, they were living together for a while so something was bound to happen. Believe me; Jett took good care of her.”

“Did she ever try dating anyone else when she was away?”

Gin grinned, “Nope. Not at all. She had her heart set on him. Though there are a few stories I could tell you about what happened to the school’s football team when they got too close for comfort.”

“Did they threaten my little girl- sorry,” Shadow Flash said rubbing his head before turning and glancing at the still bickering androids, “What happened?”

“The team captain wanted some information on Spitfire. And considering Jett was her roommate he figured he’d beat it out of him. Problem for him was that Jett already didn’t like him for a variety of reasons; main being the fact that he bullied him relentlessly for the arm for two years before getting bored of it. But, he and his goons went to ‘convince’ him and uh, well Jett snapped and completely destroyed them. Granted he was already in a messed up state of mind but still.”

Shadow Flash turned, “That skinny boy beat up a… what’d you call it again? Football?”

“Yeah. Your equivalent is handball. Just think of it as a sport where you use your hands more than your feet. Rules are a clusterfuck to even bother knowing and the game itself is just mess. But you do have to meet certain physical standards to be a player.”

“And he beat them up?”

“Granted they were trying to get to Spitfire and he’d already taken up the role of her guardian. But don’t let his looks fool you. He’s quite a monster when provoked.”

“Glad to know that my daughter’s marrying someone who can properly take care of her.”

“Her fiancé is an astronaut. Can’t beat a job like that.”

“Would you just shut up and go get that fraking tie?!” Jett yelled.

“Fine Dad! Jeez get the stick out of your ass; you’re getting married for gods’ sake,” Dane grumbled.

“Hey! I’m carving you that ring you want for Echo so be nice!”

Dane blew him a raspberry and left to go find the tie.

“Oh how mature,” Jett scoffed.

Shadow Flash turned, “These are robots?”

Gin shrugged, “You get used to it.”

***

Spitfire sighed, “Happy now?”

“I cannot believe you did that,” Star Fire said.

“I didn’t want anything extravagant!”

“Yes, but, ugh, you just went with something so… Spartan!”

Spitfire sighed as she and her entourage took to the skies and headed back to Canterlot.

“Mother, I think she only wanted to look pretty for her man. The thing she picked out met that one requirement,” Nightshade laughed.

“Still, you’re Spitfire!” her mother sighed.

“Yes I am. And that means I can do whatever I want. And I wanted something simple.”

“Honestly the thing that surprised me the most was the fact she fell for someone who can’t even fly,” Fleetfoot grinned.

“Yeah well you’re in the same boat, bitch. Believe me; you’ve woken me and Jett up many times in the past few weeks.”

“Yeah well you make noise too!”

“Are you two seriously talking about this?” Nightshade asked.

“Yeah, then we go to sleep at ten O’clock.”

“Speaking of which, why do you two do that? You could have a lot more fun if you just stayed up a bit.”

Spitfire grinned, “Well… Jett did install a VR rig that’s hooked up right into my brain and nervous system. So… yeah, sleeping with the guy takes on a whole new meaning. Oh! And best of all, we don’t need even need to limit ourselves by what’s even possible. So… EAT IT BITCH.”

“VR Rig?”

“Virtual Reality. Hooked right up to my brain and nerves,” Spitfire flew over to her friend and poked her in the nose, “Meaning EVERY. SINGLE. DIRTY. THING we do, we feel like it’s real or, like most of the time, better than real. A thousand times better than real. So EAT IT BITCH.”

Fleetfoot blushed, “Can I get one?”

Spitfire put a hand to her chin, “Hmm. Don’t know. You’ll have to ask my fiancé. Ooh it feels really nice to be able to say that.”

“Yeah, yeah, we all know how happy you are, sis,” Nightshade yawned, “But can we just get back to the city and plan the rest of you wedding?”

“Ugh, do I have to?” Spitfire moaned, “I mean, I’m perfectly content to let Jett handle that. He’s better at those kinds of things.”

“Well there’s still the problem of the paparazzi…”

***

“There’s still the problem of the paparazzi,” Dane said.

Jett sighed, “Yes I know. Still working on a way to get rid of them.”

“Well, have you come up with any ideas at least?” Gin asked.

“I have a few… But they’d all take away from the atmosphere of the wedding,” he frowned as they walked back to the base.

“Well, what about that massive ship you guys brought with you when you first came here?” Shadow Flash asked.

Jett blinked and turned. Gin and Dane joined him in staring at the man.

“What? It’s not like they can follow you into space? Can they?”

Jett turned, “Hey Dane, does that thing have an observation deck?”

“Yeah, top deck actually. Right now it’s dedicated to stellar cartography but we could move everything to one of the cargo bays.”

Jett smiled, “Yeah, yeah I think that would be perfect…”

“I take it you two have a few ideas?” Shadow Flash asked.

Jett turned, his fingers flexing over the handle of his crutch in almost predatory anticipation, “More than a few…”

Chapter 64. A Double W.

“I feel heavier,” Shadow Flash commented.

Dane hefted up a crate onto a maglev pallet before kicking it towards the door and watching it skid lightly across the deck plates before being caught by a drone.

“Yeah, your planet’s gravity is a little lower than our home worlds’. Eighty three percent of normal Earth gravity; not too noticeable.”

“This still feels weird,” he said.

Gin walked by hauling a huge weapons locker, “Yeah? Well try training on a high gravity gym for a few years and tell me how you feel. Wherever I go it feels weird.”

She pushed the crate into a cargo elevator and tapped the icon on the pad near the door. The doors closed and the locker was headed down to a cargo bay. Gin wiped her head and glanced at their work.

The top deck of their commandeered ship had been cleared out. Empty. No more useless military technology cluttered the floors. In front of them were a series of large windows that wrapped all the way around them in a geometric rectangular frame. Towards the rear of the deck was an upper balcony area taken up by seats and chairs for officers to sit and relax. Underneath the balcony was a small bar surrounded by more seats. Two elevators were on either side of the deck and a door in the back led to other parts of the ship.

“I was talking about being on an alien spaceship,” Shadow Flash said walking towards one of the large windows and tapping the glass. Behind it was a view of a lush green and blue world. White clouds painted its surface. Near the horizon was darkness, signaling the beginning of the planet’s night side. Lights of faraway cities could be seen.

“Oh that,” Dane said, “Yeah I suppose that would feel a little weird. What’s really weird is when you fall out of the sky onto that place.”

Dane pointed at the planet.

“How is that weird?”

“Uh, dude we grew up in space in a civilization that had godlike technology. Falling into a Steampunk Garden of Eden wasn’t exactly on my list of things I expected to be doing at this point in my life.”

“Still weird.”

“Yeah, yeah, lock it down you two. There’s still the matter of interior decorating this place.”

“I thought you said this was an observation deck and officers’ lounge,” Shadow Flash said.

“It is,” Gin walked over to the bar and stood behind it and tapped the counter, pulling up a display, “Problem is that when we got this damn thing it was being refurbished and upgraded. Fortunately most of the systems were finished else we couldn’t even fly the thing but some garbage just didn’t get finished. Like the carpets here, the furniture there, the drinks here, yadda, yadda, yadda.”

“So he wants to have the wedding here? In this room?”

“Uh, yeah, kinda the point of coming up here where ya know, all the cameras and media AREN’T,” Gin said leaving the bar.

“I mean this room looks giant metal box. How are we gonna decorate this thing? I certainly hope you don’t plan on getting a team of interior decorators up here.”

The doors to the deck opened up and Jett stepped inside and wiped his head. He tapped the implant on his neck and grabbed his cane off a nearby table and limped towards the windows.

“Everything’s locked up downstairs,” he said, “Ya know, now that there’s really no purpose for this giant weapon ship other than a marriage venue for us, I was thinking after this was all over we could do something cool with this place.”

Dane frowned, “Ignoring the fact we have other stuff to do at the moment, like what?”

“I don’t know. Private yacht or something? This thing is rated for atmosphere. We could do something cool with it.”

“Let’s worry about decorating this room first,” Gin yawned, “We need more chairs, carpet for the deck, flowers, shit shit shit shit shit shit shit.”

A silence filled the room. Jett yawned.

“Any ideas?” Dane asked.

Jett glanced over at the bar display. Ship schematics were running across the screen. Then he smiled.

“To the database!”

***

Spitfire yawned as she stared at the glistening star in the night sky. She had to admit that Jett did come up with a nice place to have their wedding. Though it wasn’t an elegant Cliffside ceremony that her mother wanted or the romantic waterfall thing that Fleetfoot wanted for hers, it certainly would be nice.

The HQ lights were still on as everyone mingled with each other from the day’s events, a typical evening. She held up her hand and lined up the ring on her finger to the star in the sky and watched them glisten off each other.

A rustling in the grass to her right got her attention.

“Still can’t believe it,” Fleetfoot laughed.

“Still can’t believe what?” Spitfire smiled.

“You’re getting married. Married. And that it’s been six years since that kid that crashed into the ground right over there arrived with his extended family.”

“It’s been a bit of a ride I’ll admit. But… it’s been our ride; all of ours. And it got us here so that’s all that matters.”

“Yeah…”

“Ya know, before I left six years ago I honestly would not have seen myself being here, living this, right now.”

“Honestly I don’t think any of us would have really expected to be in this situation right now.”

“What? You mean ordering all that food that we’re gonna have to fit onto a shuttle? Because it’s kinda weird when you have to explain just where everything is going to be delivered to the catering company.”

“Runway number two,” Fleetfoot laughed.

“And I sent the invitations out.”

“How many people did you invite?”

“Just the teams and my family.”

“Teams?”

“Well, Jett has his team and I have mine. Plus his crew had a bit of a bit of a hand in the proposal so I kinda had to invite them.”

“They seemed pretty nice when we met them for the first time. You remember that dinner party?”

“I remember the dinner party, Echo,” Spitfire sighed.

“I hear mashed potatoes does wonders for your hair,” Fleetfoot laughed.

“If Soarin’ was watching where was going instead what Andromeda was doing there wouldn’t have been a problem.”

“Could you see them together?”

“Hmm?”

“Soarin’ and Andromeda.”

“Meh, she’s ex-military, could certainly keep him in line. She seems to have stopped calling Jett ‘sir’ since the dinner party. Beginning to think something was going on there,” Spitfire laughed.

“You and I both know that he would NEVER do that,” Fleetfoot frowned, “I don’t even think he’s physically capable of that. Honestly after all he went through for you I’m surprised you’d even think that!”

“Jeez, relax bitch. It was just a joke,” Spitfire laughed, “Believe me. I KNOW that he would never do that.”

“Good. You finally found the perfect person for you and I’m not about to let you fuck that up.”

“Always looking out for me aren’t you?”

“I’ll be babysitting you until the day you die.”

“Really? Because I can recall a time at Flight Camp where you almost got a swirly from the-”

“Okay no need to go into that. And I think I’ve thanked you enough for that.”

“Just reminding you,” Spitfire winked. Fleetfoot glanced over at Spitfire’s finger.

“How did he ever carve that?” she blinked.

Spitfire turned, “Carve what?”

“That ring of yours.”

Spitfire glanced at it, “Don’t know. He did indicate that it took a bit of work to get it just right. What he did tell me is that he found all the materials himself and made it from scratch.”

“Then what’s that signature on the band right there?” Fleetfoot pointed.

“That? Oh, he puts that on everything he makes. CyberFire. Never noticed the signature and logo on the planes?”

“Now that you mention it…”

“And it’s on my car too. His own little touch to let you know that it’s something he made. A mark of quality is what he calls it.”

“Hmm…”

“Why’d you ask?”

“I guess I’m just wondering when Dane is gonna propose.”

“Really? If you want to get married you could just propose yourself like I did.”

“Yeah I guess but yours was something special. I guess I just want something as special as what happened with you.”

Spitfire smiled and put her hands behind her head, “You’re dating the one and only Dane Maximillien Meridian. Trust me, you’ll get something amazing when you least expect it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Spitfire smiled as she watched a small light detach itself from the star she was staring at. The light soon turned into a shooting star.

“I know I’m right…”

***

“Jett… I’m gonna fucking TEAR YOUR PENIS OFF and feed it to you if you don’t fucking sit still!” Dane yelled.

“If you put any more of that shit in my hair I’m gonna shoot you out a fucking airlock!” Jett said pointing his cane at the android more as a weapon than as an assisted mobility device.

“Go ahead. You’ll have one angry woman to deal with if you do,” Dane said flipping a hair brush through his hands.

“Same to you! Spitfire happens to like my-”

“Okay son I don’t need to know about that,” Shadow Flash said, “Just sit there and let your friend fix your hair.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my hair.”

Gin coughed into her flask, “You slept outside on the ground last night after your bachelor party.”

“So? I took a few showers.”

“Look at the sides. You look like Albert Einstein with that hair. So just sit down and let Dane clean up your hair.”

“You’re not gonna be drunk today are you?” Jett said sitting back down.

“I’m a fucking bartender. My tolerance for this stuff is pretty high.”

A spraying sound got Jett’s attention, “Ah, you cut it out with that stuff?”

“It’s hairspray asshole.”

“Where did you get it? It better not be that crystal stuff that turns your hair into a fucking chandelier you put in my hair last week.”

“It’s from the ship’s replicator numb nuts.”

“Oh. Thank you then.”

“Yeah you’re welcome you ungrateful piece of shit.”

“Do you want those gem carving lessons or not?”

Dane sighed.

Jett smiled, “That’s what I thought.”

“I hate you.”

“Love you too, asshole.”

Shadow Flash stood up, “Alright lock down the profanity here. The bachelor party was last night, for goddess’ sake!”

Gin laughed, “Boys will be boys, pops.”

“And you! How are you still standing after last night?”

“What do you mean?”

“Bachelorette party?”

Gin grinned as a chanting of ‘go, go, go,’ ran through her mind and she tapped a syringe of Nanites in her pocket.

“My secret pops.”

“Alright. You finally look like a human being again, you stubborn belter prick,” Dane said.

“Gee, thanks for the help you Earther son of a bitch.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Dane said brushing the wrinkles out of his brother’s suit, “For once you look nice.”

Jett was wearing a nice black suit with a white undershirt and a blue tie with a circuit pattern going through it. His hair was slicked back, cleaned up by Dane. His eyes glistened in their normal sapphire blue. Dane was wearing a blue suit with a white undershirt and a blue tie. Gin was wearing a simple bridesmaids dress, again with the sapphire blue theme.

“How do I look?” Jett asked.

Gin smiled, “Like a million bucks.”

“Then let’s get down there and prepare.”

***

“Times like this I’m glad that corsets are no longer a tradition,” Spitfire sighed as Fleetfoot helped her pull on her dress.

“I don’t know how you’d pull that off with wings,” Fleetfoot said.

“Ask my mother.”

“There,” Fleetfoot smiled, “All set.”

Spitfire turned and looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She wore a simple gown that went down just below her knees. The gown was shoulder less and orange in color. There were few frills on it. It clung to Spitfire’s body in a seductively beautiful fashion. Behind her, her wings spread out, giving her an angelic appearance.

“You sure you don’t want to do anything with your hair?” Nightshade asked.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Spitfire nodded.

“Then all that’s left is the finishing touches,” Fleetfoot said setting a crown of sapphire blue lilies over her friend’s hair.

Spitfire turned and nervously asked, “So… how do I look?”

Fleetfoot smiled, “Beautiful. Now come on. Ceremony’s gonna be starting soon and we gotta get you out there.”

***

“This is crazy. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” Jett said picking at his collar.

Dane grinned, “Yeah, me neither.”

Jett turned, “I still can’t believe you’re my fucking minister.”

“Hey, I’m an official Justice of the Peace here.”

“I know. But it’s you.”

“So?”

“So, I, uh, you know what fuck it.”

Everything was ready. An isle with a nice red carpet was flanked by two seating areas where the ‘families’ of the two were seated. On the left was Jett’s ‘family’ which consisted of Gin and Jett’s team plus a few of their select friends. On the right were Spitfire’s family and her team. Farther back was the bar area with a collection of tables set up for the wedding. A few held the food that included the wedding cake.

Dane tapped a button on a small remote and a soothing melody began to play. Gin removed a small camera and began to record.

As the music reached the crescendo the doors to the deck opened and Spitfire, escorted by her father entered the room. Jett unconsciously gasped. Spitfire herself blushed. Her dress fit her beautifully. It wasn’t too figure hugging but it did compliment her body and accentuate her beauty. In her hands she held a little bouquet of orange roses. Spitfire’s eyes instantly locked onto Jett. His black suit had a blue glowing circuit pattern running all over it. He leaned on his crutch for support.

Spitfire and her father stopped at the front row of the seats. He gave her a small nod before letting go of her arm and taking his seat. Spitfire smiled and walked up the steps to the makeshift ‘alter’ that had been set up directly in front of the large windows of the ship’s observation deck. The couple stood less than a meter apart staring at each other. Dane stood in a blue suit behind them.

He grinned nodding his head in Jett’s direction, “You know, when I first met this goofball all those years ago, we were in an odd place. Jett was by far the most cynical, angry, and sarcastic son of a bitch I’d ever met. Still, we found we had similar interests and we became fast friends and later brothers. Never in my entire life did I ever think that he’d mellow out into the person he is today. Turns out all he needed was for a girl to drop out of the sky and into his life. It’s been a wild ride, I’m sure all of you reading this know that, but we’ll get back on track now.”

He winked at something unknown raising his arms and pulling up a small display.

“Friends, family, lovers, we have been gathered here today to share with Spitfire and Jett a very important moment in their lives. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to spend eternity together as husband and wife.”

He turned to Jett and smiled, “Jett D. Halsey, do you take this lovely woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love, honor, comfort her and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

Jett grinned, “Far longer than that. And yes. I do.”

Dane smiled and turned to Spitfire, "Spitfire, do you take this crazy bastard to be your husband, to live together in matrimony, to love, honor, comfort him and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

Spitfire smiled, “For eternity. I do.”

Dane turned to Jett, "Repeat after me, ‘I, Jett Halsey, take you Spitfire, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer (not likely on the poor part), in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as the stars shall burn.’”

Jett smiled, “I, Jett Halsey, take you Spitfire, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as the stars shall burn.”

Dane turned to Spitfire, “Repeat after me, ‘I, Spitfire, take you Jett Halsey, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as the stars shall burn.’”

Spitfire stared into Jett’s eyes, “I, Spitfire, take you Jett Halsey, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as the stars shall burn.”

Dane tapped the icon on the screen and it vanished.

“I would ask you to exchange gifts but since you’ve already got your rings and your other gifts I’ll skip that formality. So… by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

He glanced at the happy couple, “You may now kiss.”

Spitfire let out an aggressive growl before lightly kicking Jett’s crutch out from under him before throwing her flowers into the crowd. He let out a cry of surprise as he started to fall but Spitfire quickly caught him in her arms before passionately kissing him. The ever familiar sparks of electricity flashed through their bodies as they kissed.

Their crowd of friends and family cheered. The scene was an odd reversal of the typical romantic kiss with the man leaning down to the kiss the woman.

Spitfire let out a happy moan before separating from her new husband and pulling him to his feet. Jett smiled at her as she handed him his crutch as they both turned to their families. Suddenly they both started giggling.

Dane turned, “What’s so funny.”

The new couple simply pointed. Dane turned and gasped before turning beat red. A now red Fleetfoot held Spitfire’s orange Bouquet of flowers.

Jett turned to Gin and winked, “I can see what’s happened…”

“What?” she asked.

“And they don’t have a clue!”

“Who?”

“They’ve fallen in love and here’s the bottom line, our trio’s down to two.”

Gin grinned, “You’re a dirty bastard, Jett.”

“The one and only.”

Spitfire held Jett’s arm and wiped her eyes, “Come on Robot boy. I wanna eat some of my wedding cake.”

Jett smiled, “Of course, wife.”

Spitfire laughed, “I love you.”

“I thought you wanted cake.”

“I do.”

The couple happily walked down the aisle as their friends and family cheered and congratulated them. A stream of confetti fell upon them as the Acheron’s cannons fired off bursts of fireworks into space. Bursts of color exploded just beyond the observation deck, painting space a beautiful array of rainbow spectrum color…

***

“Thank you, thank you, no, please, you’re too kind,” Dane said taking a bow, “And for those of you who didn’t hear me before, that was dedicated to the happy couple.”

Everyone clapped as Dane finished his rendition of Elton John’s Can you feel the love tonight? Jett and Spitfire found it fitting as they dined on all sorts of delicacies from all over the world. Everyone was having a wonderful time. Gin and Blaze worked the bar making drinks for everyone. Soarin’ and Andromeda conversed with each other. The two Streak brothers, Rapidfire, and Misty played music for everyone. Fleetfoot was still playing with the bouquet of flowers she caught; Spitfire got a giggle out of that.

“I never knew he could sing,” Spitfire said playing with her flower crown. The pair was sitting at the largest table in the room. Spitfire had finished her food and was working on a slice of cake. Jett was still dining on some salad. The pair had a perfect view of the starscape before them.

“Well you never knew I could sing. Plus it’s only natural with his personality,” Jett laughed.

“Yeah I suppose,” Spitfire giggled.

“So how’s the cake?”

“Delicious! And you said that there’s no sugar in it?”

“Not a single milligram. Special recipe of mine. Keeps everyone healthy,” Jett replied.

“Well it’s very good, husband,” she giggled at that last part.

Jett smiled.

“So… this is it huh?” Spitfire said as she pushed her finished plate away.

“What do you mean by that?”

“The end of the romantic part of our relationship?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well we’ve done it all already. First kiss, first date, first anniversary, first everything, all leading up to this, our wedding. What’s left to do?”

“What was it you said to me? It’s a relationship. There’s no set destination. This doesn’t have to be the end of the romantic part of our relationship. We’re married not dead,” he smiled.

“I did say that.”

“When I proposed to you, it was because that whenever I’m around you I feel amazing. It’s a great feeling I get when I look at you. I get butterflies whenever you smile at me. I never want that to end. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met and I love you. And I want to be with you forever.”

Spitfire scooped some frosting on her finger and booped him on the nose, “So do I.”

Jett sighed and extended his tongue and licked his nose clean. He laughed when he saw Spitfire blush.

“Plus we still have our honeymoon to enjoy,” he said booping her nose, “And we can go anywhere you want.”

“I forgot about that. Where should we go?”

“I don’t know. You pick.”

She put a hand to her chin, “Let’s go south to somewhere tropical. I want to do something with the ocean.”

Jett grinned, “You know, I think I can get that arranged.”

“Cool. And then after that what can we do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well you said that this didn’t have to be the end to the romantic part of our life and since we’re gonna be young for quite a bit, why not enjoy it?”

“I don’t know. I’ll think of something… Kids maybe? I don’t kn-”

Spitfire gasped, “KIDS?!”

Jett’s eyes flew open, “I-it was just a suggestion. I didn’t m-mean to-oof!”

“Oh yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! YES! Oh my gosh I love you!” Spitfire yelped as she tackled/hugged the android.

Everyone stopped their business and glanced over at the couple.

“What’s going on?” Dane asked.

Spitfire turned, “Kids! Jett just said he wanted to have kids!”

“Aww, that’s so sweet. Jett, you’ll make a great dad.”

“It was just a simple suggestion, jeez. But…” he turned to Spitfire and stared into her eyes, “If you’re up for it then… I’m game.”

Spitfire burst out a wide grin, “Oh yes! Oh I fucking love you!”

She grabbed his face and kissed him. Jett noted the taste of vanilla on her tongue.

“I assume we’ll be adopting two pegasus kids?” Spitfire yipped.

“Jeez, you really want this don’t you? How long have you been thinking about this?”

“For a little while now,” She smiled, “You’ve tamed me robot boy. You actually made me want to have children with you.”

“Really? I’ve tamed you? I hadn’t noticed with the way you-”

“Okay! My family doesn’t need to know about that,” she blushed.

“Alright. And… uh… well since we’re on the subject of kids,” Jett said rubbing the back of his head, “We don’t necessarily have to adopt if you don’t want to.”

Spitfire perked up, “What do you mean by that?”

Jett cocked his head before pulling up a small display with a series of diagrams and equations as well as blueprint for an incredibly small device.

“Little something I’ve been working on,” he said, “If you want… well… we could do things the old fashioned way,” he cleared his throat.

Spitfire turned, “W-wait. You mean that we could-? That we- you and me?!”

“If you want to. It would just take a brief software upgrade.”

Spitfire bit her lip before whispering in his ear, “Oh when this wedding is over… You, me, and a bedroom.”

He gulped, “Yes ma’am.”

“Hey whatcha two talking about over there?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Your upcoming wedding!” Spitfire shouted back.

“Crazy bitch.”

“Hey! That’s my nickname!” Blaze yelled.

“No that’s mine,” Gin replied.

Andromeda turned, “Did someone say crazy bitch?”

A funny sort of commotion broke out as Shadow Flash moved towards Dane.

“Uh, am I missing something here?”

“There’s a bunch of crazy bitches here,” he laughed, “Just roll with it. It’s life.”

He reached behind him and pulled out a small camera. He held it up with a grin and mounted it on a stand before tapping a few buttons on it and running into the crowd of people.

He turned, “You coming pops? Camera goes off in ten.”

“Oh! Alright.”

Ten seconds later the camera flashed a picture of everyone in a lovely chaotic mess. Gin had a piece of cake on her head as she sprayed Blaze with the soda fountain. Andromeda was giving Soarin’ a noogie as the Streaks, Rapidfire, and Misty tried in vain to keep their instruments clean as the other Wonderbolts threw cake at each other. Dane had picked up Fleetfoot and was chasing after a few of Jett’s team in an odd couples race. Spitfire’s family seemed to be trying to stay clean to no avail. Nightshade was leaning against one of the pillars just Gadgets came up behind her with a cup of ice water. Jett and Spitfire were happily kissing, though they both had a little frosting in their hair as they flashed the camera the finger.

The whole classy wedding had degenerated but to everyone involved, it couldn’t have been better. Sure it was a mess but it was a fun mess. And no one would have had it any other way…

***

Alpha Centauri.

George stared at the view the screen was giving him. His entire bridge crew stared with him. It was beautiful. Three stars burned ahead of them as the fleet pulled into the system, their long exodus finally ending. Light filters made the view more pleasing to human eyes. A beeping sound indicated that the scan of the system had been complete.

"Report."

Hawk looked up from the sensor console as the ensign showed him the data.

"Five rocky planets detected sir. Two of them are in the habitable zone. More data will be required but... one of them may be habitable. There are also three Gas giants, each has a large and extensive moon system. Some of the moons are even reading as class GH. Water sir, they're habitable," Hawk grinned.

George rubbed his eyes, "Send word to the fleet. Begin colonization efforts immediately. I want terraforming crews formed immediately to see what we can do here. Any ship that can land in an atmosphere is to collect as much material and equipment as possible and get to work. Let's see if we can't make a home here."

The doors opened to the command sphere and a familiar voice spoke, "Permission to enter the bridge, Admiral."

"Yeah, sure. Granted," George said half paying attention, "Wait, Ajax? Why are you asking? You're..."

He turned. A beautiful woman with brown hair stood before him. She wore a ship's uniform with the name 'Ajax' stamped on the breast. Her hair was tucked neatly behind her ears and parted along center of her head. Her features were the exact same as that of her avatar. She smiled as a certain ensign, now a lieutenant peeked out from behind her.

"I hope you don't mind Admiral," Kana smiled, "But I made her a body..."

"Ajax..."

The A.I. smiled, "Don't worry George. I'm still connected to the fleet. I'm just controlling this."

She held up her hands and wiggled her fingers, "This feels... interesting to say the least."

George smiled, "Get in here you crazy girl."

Her grin widened, "Yes sir."

She stepped inside and took a spot next to him. The Admiral threw an arm around her.

"Come an enjoy the view."

"It's beautiful..."

"It's our new home now... Here we can rebuild..."

***

In this moment, I am unhappy. Here I remain lonely, alone, waiting… I’ve seen too many downs and not enough ups in life. Happiness has been few and far between. And yet, I am grateful. For I know that I am at least alive. For I know that I have experienced enough unhappiness to appreciate the joyous moments in life, and enough joyous moments to know that unhappiness is never permanent. For in a moment of weakness I glanced up and tasted the ambrosia of Elysium and now I chase after it. This pain, this loneliness and this unhappiness will all pass. And life with begin anew…

Chapter 65. A Never Ending Story.

13 Years Later.

“And that is how I met your mother,” Jett finished.

Jacquelyn frowned, “Are you sure daddy? That doesn’t sound very real.”

Spitfire, now thirty seven, smiled and kissed her son, “I assure you it is very real.”

“Hmm,” Jacquelyn said.

Jett turned, “Well what do you think Amalia?”

His daughter blinked, “I don’t know. Maybe?”

Spitfire turned to her husband and smiled before turning back to the two half-lings. Jacquelyn was a young twelve year old boy. Amalia was the same; twins. Jacquelyn had his mother’s fire colored hair but his father’s piercing blue eyes as well as the blue energy circuits of his father. He also sported a pair of orange wings. Amalia had her father’s black hair and a pair of kind orange eyes that were matched by orange energy circuits. She too sported a pair of black wings. The two kids were sitting on a couch in a nice high tech living room in pajamas.

“Alright,” she said, “How about another story? One more before I leave and you two go to bed.”

The twins perked up. Their skins glowed as energy circuits ran up their bodies, “Can we come with you mommy?”

Amalia gave a pair of puppy dog eyes, “Please daddy?”

“Oh no, daddy is with me on this one,” Spitfire said, “Right daddy?”

Jett laughed, “Sorry A, but it’s past your bedtimes as it is and you have school tomorrow.”

“Come on dad!” Jacquelyn pleaded, “You and mom have the coolest jobs ever! Amalia and me never get to see mom perform!”

Spitfire sighed, “I can’t take you two on tour with me, Jack.”

“And I can’t just whisk you two up to the E.S.S. on a whim,” Jett replied.

“Please daddy?” Amalia pleaded.

Jett smiled, “Tell you what. If you two aren’t tired by the end of this story, I’ll ask Uncle Dane to think about it. Deal?”

Jacquelyn grinned, “Please, this’ll be easy.”

Spitfire smiled, “Alright. This one’s an old fairy tale.”

Jett grinned, “Once upon a time there was a beautiful maiden. She was the most beautiful and fairest around. She had a love for adventure.”

“But one day, something happened and she went missing, lost from her kingdom. She awoke in a strange new world, having been saved by a handsome knight. Naturally, she punched the knight in the face.”

Jacquelyn laughed.

“The maiden soon realized that she was lost and couldn’t find a way back home,” Jett continued, “She felt scared and alone.”

“But the knight offered her a home until she could find a way back home. The knight showed her his world and all its wonders all while protecting her and working to help her return home.”

“The knight and the maiden became friends. They grew close together, inseparable.”

“But soon the maiden found herself falling in love with the knight. The more time she spent with him the more she found herself not wanting to leave and-”

A beeping stopped her. Spitfire frowned and removed her phone from her pocket.

“We’ll have to finish this another time,” she said smiling.

A knock at the door got Jett’s attention and he stood up and walked to the door. He opened it to reveal Dane and Gin. The white haired android smiled. He was older looking; in his thirties now. He and Jett still shared the same face but he still managed to separate himself from his brother. He wore a white winter jacket and a pair of blue jeans. Gin still looked relatively the same, having aged little. She wore a tank top with a winter jacket over it and a pair of jeans to go with a set of boots.

“Uncle Dane! Auntie Grace!” the kids shouted as they jumped off the couch and ran to greet him.

“Ah, hey there you little rascals,” he said tousling their hair before turning to Jett and Spitfire, “You two better get going. Fleet and Blaze and the rest of them are all waiting.”

“You guys sure about this?”

“Yeah it’s fine,” Gin said, “We’ll watch the twins. Enjoy your night.”

Jett and Spitfire stood up. Underneath Spitfire’s jeans and jacket was her Wonderbolt Flight suit. The pair stood up and walked to the door.

“Hey Jett,” Dane said, “Whatever happened to that old Crutch you used to use?”

Jett laughed, “That old thing? Jeez I haven’t needed it in years. I think it’s in the basement. Why?”

“No reason. Just nostalgic is all. But don’t let us keep you. Get out of here. Do your show and then go have your date night.”

“Thanks D,” Spitfire smiled as she opened the door.

Jett grabbed a small pack at the door and pulled it on just as the two left the house. Once they were gone, Dane turned to face his niece and nephew.

“So wants to go see your mother fly tonight?”

The kids grinned.

Gin smiled and pulled on a pair of sunglasses, “Go get your coats. And don’t tell your parents. They’d kill us if they knew what we’re doing.”

They nodded and ran off to their rooms.

***

Spitfire held Jett’s arm as they walked through the Canterlot streets heading towards the Aerodome. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked.

“Sometimes, I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming,” she sighed.

“Why’s that?” He asked.

“Because,” she replied, “Everything is so right; so perfect. I’ve never been this happy for this long.”

“What about when the twins were little? Changing them? Feeding them and everything? That was a bit of a hassle.”

“Yeah but you handled the hard part,” she smiled.

“Oh? And what was that?”

“Waking up in the middle of the night. My only gripe with that was you weren’t there in bed.”

Jett laughed, “I remember that. I didn’t ‘sleep’ for a few days. Though I never really needed to, to begin with. ”

“Well you did do the hard part and I love you for that. You’ve… you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted. And… I just… I can’t even put it into words how happy I am when I’m with you. Language can never be enough to convey how happy you’ve made me,” she said lifting her head up.

Jett smiled at her, “You know I feel the same way for you. I never even knew I was missing anything before you showed up. Kids? I didn’t even think that was possible for me but… when I’m with you literally anything becomes possible. Life takes on a whole new meaning with you, Spitfire. But you already know all this. I’ll admit that this happiness is something I never thought I would experience but then again, that girl that punched me in the face that first day… who would have thought she’d become my wife?”

He laughed. Spitfire smiled at him, “Come on robot boy. I’ve got a show to do and then we can have our date night.”

Jett smiled at her before he started walking, laughing as he did.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he laughed, “Life. Life is just so amazing.”

Spitfire blinked.

“Well come on my little angel girl. The best has yet to be. For all of us.”

She smiled and ran to catch up to him, taking her place at his side as they walked out of their neighborhood overlooking the glowing city of lights. Paradise was laid out before them as the city glowed like a thousand gems in the night. A car drove by carrying four unseen figures. The couple hardly noticed as they walked down the hill towards the city as spot lights lit up the Aerodome. Up above in the sky was a glowing blue star of the Space Station resting among the infinitely many stars and nebula of the night sky. Life was perfect, and it would keep on getting better, like a book where each chapter was longer and better than the last. And even after the end came it would always get better. For all this had happened before…

And it would happen again.

The story would never end…

Chapter 66. Epilogue: On Top of Their World...

An Authors Notes will be coming later, detailing what went into making this story. I'm thinking of doing a CyberFire Extras series when I'm hit with writer's block on my other projects that would visit random times in Jett's life both before and after he meets Spitfire. Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Location: Alpha Centauri System.

Date: 2722.

Planet: Alpha Centauri Aα. Local Designation: “Terra Centauri.”

The exodus from the Sol had become the stuff of legend. The story of a brave group of soldiers defending a civilian fleet as they made their escape to another star system had been told for generations. Contact with Earth had officially ended two centuries ago but in reality it had ended in transit to the new star system. Colonies were quickly established all over the system from the outer gas giants of Aquarius, Gemini, and Prometheus to the few rocks that managed to maintain a stable orbit in the trinary star system.

Terra Centauri was a bit of a dry world to say the least. Mostly desert, the vast majority of its water was contained underground in vast cave systems so large that even rain could fall inside of them. Surprisingly it was habitable. Still had the same average temperature as Death Valley with a few exceptions but in this system, it was as close to temperate as anyone was going to get. Most of the settlements had been built in the shadows of mountains or what passed for them around here. Large rock formations with ridiculously large overhangs and elaborate and large cave systems jutted out from the planet’s surface. Geologists were still working on their origin but they were rich in metals and other natural resources and were perfect places to begin building cities. And best of all, they were in the shade. Still most of the planet’s inhabitants lived underground in the sprawling cave systems and artificially created Geofronts. The planet had become a new Earth.

Much of the old fleet had been decommissioned in the three hundred plus years since it had arrived. The only things still in service were the large O’Neil Cylinders of Rama I and Rama II and the various other Toruses that made the trip. Many of the inhabitants of the system woke up every day with an odd sense of excitement. They were completely detached from the rest of humanity. A good nineteen twentieths of it, by some not so conservative estimates was still living in Sol giving the Lost City of Atlantis feel to the whole thing. Still, life moved on as normal.

Former Fleet Admiral Halsey, now Principal at the Daniel and Jett Academy for Science and Engineering sat with his wife on the courtyard bench. Ajax smiled. The weather was nice, and Alpha Centauri City was located in just the right location where the twin suns would always spill just enough light to give a sunset like appearance to the city almost every day without completely burning it. The temperature remained at a comfortable twenty nine degrees Celsius. The ‘hill’ the school was located on offered a pretty good view of the solar collection fields just outside the city limits. Beyond that was what passed for a forest on a desert world. Large collections of ‘trees’ adapted to collecting yellow light sat beyond almost all the mountain ranges away from the shadows absorbing light, taking in carbon dioxide and what little water existed in the terrestrial lakes nearby. Oxygen content in the atmosphere amounted to a low seventeen percent while Carbon Dioxide amounted to a rather high zero point eight five percent. Still life got by here either through slow accumulation or through augmentation.

Principal Halsey sighed, “So what should we do during summer break? Students will be away for a good three months.”

“Which month are you going by?” Vice Principal Ajax asked.

“Earth months.”

“Oh good. I was going to say, three months would be a bit of a long time to be away from school,” the Android smiled.

“Tell me about it. Three hundred years and I still haven’t gotten used to this system’s time scales. A thirty one hour day, one orbital cycle takes five years to complete, and the axis isn’t tilted so we don’t get seasons.”

“If you want seasons you can either go to Rama II or Aquarius and all its beautifully lush moons.”

“With gravity at three fourths of a G in some places and a third in others? Sorry but the one thing I have gotten used to is the higher gravity here.”

“Yeah… So what are you going to do about those reports about those trouble makers, again?” Ajax asked.

George smiled, “Nothing. It’s summer, I’m on vacation, and as long as they keep up their grades and clean up the messes they make, I have no problem with them. Plus I think someone needs to knock the G-ball team down a few pegs.”

A loud Bang in one of the dorms got their attention as a Black haired Halfling, as they were called, and his white haired twin ran by laughing. The pair carried two heavy duffel bags each, probably due to leaving for summer vacation. Their skin had energy lines running up and down their bodies. The products of organic and artificial life forms Halflings carried the best of both worlds and very little of the negatives. The black haired boy flashed a brilliant sapphire blue and his brother flashed a bright emerald green.

Ajax turned, “Are you going to do something about that?”

George grinned, “Nope.”

A similar sounding boom across the campus was heard. The two boys stopped and high fived each other before a loud noise of doors opening behind them got their attention.

“Haleister!” a voice screamed.

A group of muscular boys ran out of the building covered in a green slime. A few slipped on the ground on their way out.

The black haired boy stopped and turned and flashed a grin. He was a little bit skinny in appearance but reasonably toned. His moppy black hair whipped as turned. His brother ran his fingers through his slicked back white hair and made a finger gun and ‘fired’ it.

“Which one?” the pair asked.

“Both of you sick little fucks!” one of the boys yelled. He was tall, almost a full two meters, muscular build; Captain of the Gravity Ball team. Roy was his name. He cracked his knuckles.

The black haired boy smiled, “Gee, Dak. I don’t feel sick. Do you?”

“Nope, I feel fine,” he grinned.

The boy raised his arm and moved to strike the black haired boy. The boy smiled and simply stood still. Just before the fist impacted his face, the green slime flashed and crystalized. The other players behind him were also held in similar crystal prisons.

“See?” the boy turned to Dak, “I told you it’d work!”

“Yeah, yeah. You’ll get your fraking credits when we reach Aquarius,” Dak rolled his eyes.

“What did you little shits do?!” Roy yelled.

Dak grinned, “Jax?”

“Ah, you see, it’s simple really,” Jax smiled, “This is a simple final exam project for AP Nanotech. Cool isn’t it? When it hits the CO2 in the air the molecules begin binding with the carbon and form a crystalline lattice. I won’t bore you with the details but it makes a pretty good immobilizer, doesn’t it?”

Dak smiled, dropping his bags to the ground, “I’ll say. I declare this experiment a success! Again!”

“You little shits! When I get out of this I’m gonna pound you into dust!”

“Cool. Hey, speaking of getting out of somewhere, where are the twins?” Jax asked, “Our car leaves in half an hour.”

The sound of laughter got their attention. The two brothers turned. Two girls were running out of the girls’ dorm across the courtyard. One of them had light brilliant amber hair with light brilliant orange highlights done up in a small flame like pony tail. She had some messy bangs covering her forehead and two large locks of hair that fell just forward of her ears. A pair of brilliant orange eyes complimented a mischievous grin. She was athletic and wore a leather bomber jacket, a pair of skinny jeans and sneakers. Glowing gold energy lines ran up her body. Her sister had snow white hair that was tied back in a military styled bun. Emerald green eyes focused behind her before she turned her head and caught up with her sister. She too had an athletic build and had a similar attractive body like her sister. She wore a leather vest over a blue tank top that went with her jeans and sneakers. Arctic blue energy lines ran up her body.

Behind them a group of cheerleaders chased after them, shooting daggers at them as a green slime stuck to their uniforms.

Dak cringed as Jax laughed, “The mad scene. Enter the Ophelia twins.”

Jax and Dak grabbed the extra bags they were carrying.

“Hey Sera, think fast!” Jax tossed her a duffel bag which she swiftly caught.

Seraphina gave him a glare, “Nice try Akira.”

Jax cringed, “I’ve told you a thousand times to not call me that!”

Dak handed Fleta her bag.

“Thanks,” she panted.

Behind the pair, farther across the courtyard, screaming was heard as the material crystalized.

Seraphina grinned, “Oh but I know how much you love that name.”

She slung her bag over her shoulders and booped him on the nose.

Jax swatted her finger away before poking her forehead, “My middle name is ‘Jax’ and that’s what everyone calls me. And I like ‘Jax’ better.”

Dak spoke up, “Just like I like ‘Dak’ instead of Dagonet.”

Fleta frowned, “What’s wrong with Dagonet?”

Dak sighed, “It’s the name of the jester to King Arthur.”

Fleta cracked up, “Oh my gosh! You poor little boy!”

Seraphina smiled and placed a finger on Jax’s chest, “Don’t lie Jax. I know you secretly like it when I use your real name.”

Jax turned red, “My name sounds like a girl’s name.”

“Your name is Japanese for intelligent,” She said pushing him against the wall with a grin. Jax was beat red.

“Can you let me up? We have an elevator to catch,” he said.

“Aww, but you know how I like it on top,” she said licking her lips.

Roy gritted his teeth in the background.

“Would you stop it already?!” he said pushing her off of him.

Sera burst out laughing, “Oh my gosh! Jax I swear you are so easy to get!”

“Laugh it up you succubus,” he said brushing himself off, “Our elevator leaves in a few minutes so you wanna get going?”

“Oh alright. I’ll mess with you when we’re on the ship,” she laughed before quickly turning and kissing him on the cheek, “Catch me if you can lover boy!”

Fleta laughed and ran after her sister as they bounded down the hill towards the main parking lot. A car was waiting for them.

Jax was red, “Crazy bitch!”

Dak shook his head, “You're an idiot, Jax.”

“Shut up butthead.”

He and Dak took off running after the girls. They soon caught up with them. The four ran down the hill, laughing at their recent exploits as well as simply laughing for the hell of it. It felt good to laugh with friends.

A fast looking four door car was waiting for them in the parking lot. A strong looking woman stood near it with a pair of aviators on her head.

“Where have you four been?” she asked, “The elevator leaves in twenty minutes!”

The four boys and girls reached the trunk of the car and tossed their bags in.

“Sorry Gene,” Sera laughed, “But we had some last minute business to take care of.”

Gene sighed, “What did you guys do?”

“Nothing related to the Gravity ball team or the cheerleading squad,” Jax laughed as he climbed into the back seat. Sera sat next to him while Fleta got the other back seat. Dak rode shotgun.

“Again, what did you guys do?” Gene asked as she hoped in the car. The car rotated on its spherical wheels one hundred and eighty degrees before heading out of the parking lot and onto the main road of the city heading towards the orbital elevator.

“We just took a little something, something from our nanotech project,” Jax grinned, “If the Gravity Ball boys didn’t mess with the Matrix Team’s Grids we wouldn’t have had this problem. We almost had to forfeit because of it.”

Gene looked up in the mirror at Sera and Fleta, “And what’s your excuse?”

“We just don’t like the cheer leaders,” Fleta laughed.

Sera threw an arm around Jax, “So we decided on a little double teaming.”

Jax smiled, “And it worked beautifully.”

The car drove through the city streets toward the orbital elevator. Large buildings reached up to the large rocky overhangs while other buildings reached down. Like stalagmites and stalactites. Monorails connected the buildings and ran through the city like a system of arteries.

The car pulled onto the highway and drove up onto a freeway overpass that gave a brilliant view of the city.

“So next year’s our last year at the Academy,” Jax said nostalgically.

“If we want,” Seraphina said.

Gene looked up in the mirror, “I think you should all stay. The school’s good one, of the best in the system, it runs high school all the way up through ten years of college so you can get your PhD’s in whatever you want there. Plus you four are already there. So why not stay?”

Dak turned, “Well I’m comfortable staying there. It’s a nice place. We’re all there, we got good friends. Why not? Us vs. the world.”

Fleta briefly glanced at Dak before staring out the window, “I’m game.”

“Me too,” Seraphina smiled, “Jax?”

Jax put a hand to his chin, “I don’t know, there was a science academy out in the belt that I was thinking about...”

“WHAT?!” came the collective cry of three other people. Jax flashed a small smile before getting serious again and turning to look at his friends. Dak looked worried as hell as well as Fleta but Seraphina looked absolutely terrified, like someone had just informed her that a family member had died. Jax instantly softened as he gazed at her face as she looked like she was about to burst into tears.

“Hey,” he said throwing his arm around her, “I wasn’t serious. Just joking is all.”

Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. Sera scowled and turned her nose up at him, refusing to meet his gaze.

“You're an asshole,” Sera said before softening her look and staring down at her feet, “Don’t do that to me again,” she whispered.

Jax grinned, “Aww, was my little spitfire worried there?”

Sera’s lip curled upwards, “Shut up!”

Jax smiled and pulled her close as he stared out the window, “Knew it.”

“Ah! Hey! Let me go!” Sera laughed.

“Never.”

Gene laughed, “You know when Catherine hears about what you four did she’s gonna be real upset.”

“Yeah she’ll chew us out,” Sera laughed.

“But we’ve been chewed out before,” Jax finished.

Gene smiled, “Don’t expect me to help you guys out this time.”

The orbital elevator came into sight.

“So whatcha wanna do when we reach Aquarius One?” Dak asked, “Hit up our beach? See a movie? Gene’s club? Night on the town with the rest of the crew? Amusement park? Find somewhere else cool to hang out? Go exploring? Something?”

“Why worry about that now?” Jax asked, “Let’s get on board the Titan first and have some fun there. We have three months to enjoy the summer.”

“Then in college it’s all about that spring break,” Sera laughed.

“Yeah, yeah, keep your clothes on missy. We still have a year to go.”

Gene shook her head, “You four Halflings are nothing but trouble.”

The car pulled up the complex. The five people got out and removed their bags before Gene sent the car back to her home in the city. They ran into the structure, got their tickets, and checked in with security before running towards the terminal and onto the car.

“Window Seats!” Jax yelled and everyone moved to the front of the car that offered the best unobstructed view. More and more people filed onto the car. The seats were fitted in a fashion similar to a movie theater with each row being higher up than the last. Bags were stored underneath the seats.

Even though the car had yet to move the view it offered was still nice; a nice panoramic view of the desert world and all its wonders. Mountains in the background, openings to massive system of caves beneath the planet where most of the water was, little surface lakes with water so clear you almost couldn’t even tell they were lakes.

Suddenly a voice came on, “Ladies and gentlemen; our thirty three minutes our up. Please fasten your belts and prepare for assent. We hope you enjoy your ride.”

Everyone fastened in. A minute later the car jerked and began to rise. The view changed as more and more of the planet became visible. Past the mountains were the faint sparkle of other surface cities and settlements and soon the coast of the planet’s only Surface Ocean was visible. Soon that gave way to the curve of the planet and the darkness of space as the car rose higher still. Soon the planet disappeared beneath them and gave way to a brilliant starscape. Somewhere among them was Earth…

Suddenly the view was obstructed by a metal bulkhead as the car pulled into the spaceport station. The bulkhead gave way to an interior hanger area. Through the windows of the car one could see into the windows of the station as people moved about while other glanced at the arriving elevator.

“Thank you for waiting, our ride is now over. Please unfasten your seatbelts and leave the car in an orderly fashion. Do not leave any personal belongings as…”

“Alright. Now let’s find our ship,” Sera said as everyone stood up and stretched their legs before grabbing their duffels and heading out of the car. After getting through the usual space port garbage of security and other stuff they five friends left the elevator part of the station and stepped onto the main promenade of the station. The five moved towards the hanger deck of the station where shuttles were leaving to rendezvous with all the other ships too large to dock with the Orbital Elevator.

They hoped onto a shuttle and took their seats. A few minutes later the ship departed for the Titan. The Titan was huge. It was a massive ship consisting of two oval sections giving it the appearance of an infinity sign. In the middle where the two sections jointed together was a rotating ring section, the sky deck. The rear section of the ship had four large engine pylons extending from it, two on top and two on the bottom. The way the ship was constructed allowed it to have four large ‘bubbles’ where people could inhabit. The gravity also allowed for the ship to never have a direct up or down. Everything was relative.

The shuttle glided into the cruise ship’s hanger. A series of docking arms secured it before an airlock attached itself to the side of the ship and sealed. The group departed the shuttled and emerged inside the terminal of the massive space liner.

Dak took a deep breath, “Ahh, feels like home.”

Jax had his nose buried in a holoscreen as he walked off the ship. Seraphina walked up behind him and glanced over his shoulder.

“Hey, whatcha looking at?” She asked.

Jax closed the screen, “I’ll tell you in a few. I think I just found something far more interesting to do than hit up the waterpark today.”

Sera grinned, “Oh really?”

Jax turned, “Yes really. If you’re up for getting into a little trouble.”

“Alright. Hey Fleta, Dak, how about instead of going to the waterpark today we get into a little trouble?” she said in an overly enthusiastic tone.

“Shut up,” Jax said, “Come on, let’s get to our room.”

“Do I get to share a bed with you again?” Sera asked.

Jax turned red, “I will kill you in your sleep.”

“Yeah right. You love me and you know it.”

“Fuck you.”

“Ooh, alright,” She laughed.

Jax turned, “Would you stop it already?”

Dak shook his head, “I swear you two are fucking married.”

Gene laughed, “Imagine that?”

“I hate all of you,” Jax sulked.

“Whatever you say Akira,” Seraphina giggled.

“Keep it up. I know where you live bitch.”

“I ‘LIVE’ with you. We’re all orphans remember?”

Jax sighed, “Yes I remember. And as much as we all grip and shit, you guys are the closest thing to a family I’ve got.”

“I’m your brother too dimwit,” Dak flicked his head.

“Oh let him be, Dak,” Fleta smiled, “He’s having a moment.”

Seraphina threw her arm around Jax, “Well if it makes you feel better, you’re family to me too.”

Jax smiled and gave her a light kiss on the cheek, “In spite of you being a crazy bitch sometimes, you can be cute when you want to.”

Sera blushed.

“You gonna ask her out anytime soon you impotent old fuck?” Dak laughed.

“I don’t know. You ever gonna ask Fleta out?”

Dak cringed. Fleta turned red and glanced at him.

“Yeah, chew on that, Snowball.”

The five approached their room. It was a nice suite made for eight but it would fit nicely for the five. They held up their key and entered the room. It opened up to a beautiful living room. A TV was embedded in the wall to their immediate right with a large L shaped couch sitting opposite. A coffee table sat in the middle with it being flanked by a love seat that faced a large smart glass window that overlooked the inside of the ship. To their right and left were a kitchen and a dining room.

The view was amazing. A small city was self-contained within the ship. Their hotel was one of the tallest structures within the ship and was situated within the center of the oval shaped dome. Beyond the large dome was a nice view of the stars. One of the engine pylons was visible extending up through the dome and into space.

The buildings within the ship had a sort of rustic architecture in symbiosis with a diverse group of flora. It was evening on the ship and most of the passengers were out enjoying the night. Jax however had a few other ideas.

“Alright, so there are only three suites available here and the other rooms are doubles. So take your pick,” Gene said, “Just saying. I’m getting one of the suites so… fight it out.”

With that the bartender turned and headed down the hallway to one of the suites.

The two boys and two girls both looked at each other.

“CALLED IT!” Came the simultaneous cry of four Halflings. They all frowned.

“WE SPLIT THEM.” They all said again before frowning.

“So who are we sleeping with?” Jax asked.

“Dak,” Jax called.

“Jax,” Dak called.

“Jax,” said Seraphina.

“Dak,” said Fleta.

“EH WHAT?” both Jax and Dak asked.

The two girls gave predatory grins and crossed their arms. The two boys blinked and broke out in cold sweats.

“Uh, majority rule?” Jax suggested.

Seraphina grinned, “Yeah well girls beat majority so… you’re coming with me.”

She walked by him and began dragging him away by his collar while Fleta did the same.

***

Jax frowned, “I can’t believe you did that to me.”

“Oh relax, Akira. You’re gonna enjoy sharing a bed with me and you know it,” the girl laughed.

“I’m not dating you,” he countered.

Sera grinned, “Yet.”

Gene had gone off into the city to meet up with an old friend, leaving the four to their own devices. Everyone changed into bathing suits and brought along towels and goggles. The two boys had to admit that their female counterparts looked rather attractive in their bikinis. But they would never admit that to anyone except themselves.

Jax led them past the waterpark towards one of the service areas. He placed two fingers on his temple and watched as the security cameras up ahead go offline and the door unlock. He glanced at his hand and watched as his fingerprints vanished. He opened the door and let his friends inside.

“You all remember how to breathe underwater right?” he laughed.

“Moron, we don’t need to breathe,” Dak frowned.

“I know.”

He led them through a series of service areas, each of the cameras were fooled into thinking everything was fine as well as any other sensor in the area. Soon they reached a door that had a ‘Do Not Enter’ sign on it.

“So you said this would be better than the waterpark?” Sera asked.

“Yup.”

“Just what is it?” Fleta asked.

“This,” Jax said opening up the door. Behind the door was a series of pipes as well as pools of small pools of water. Some had clean white sheets in them while others had nothing but foamy soapy water. Down a set of stairs was the floor that was covered in a foot of foam and water. Many of the pipes were spraying water in random directions. The whole room was huge and was a giant haphazardly and messy kind of a shower.

“What the hell is this?” Dak asked.

Jax smiled, “Ship’s clean water pumping station 53 as well as Clean Laundry Soaking Station 66. I hacked the ship’s systems report on the way here. Apparently this whole room has been on the fritz for like a month and they can’t seem to get it fixed. Report says it sprays water and foam all over the place and is just one massive mess. No one’s bothered to fix it and whenever something happens down here the crew just ignores it. Perfect for us.”

Seraphina smiled, “You’re fucking crazy, you know that?”

“I know. I’ve checked the pools are all safe. They just dump the sheets in there to soak for a bit after they’re done washing them. Apparently it does something with the nanofibers but I’m too lazy to learn about it at the moment so… Last one in is a rotten egg!”

He tore his shirt off and threw it at Sera before bounding down the stairs and into the mess of water and foam. Sera threw his shirt off of herself and pulled hers off revealing a blue bikini that complimented her body perfectly.

“You’re on!” She ran after him and sloshed through the water as he grabbed a hose from the wall and sprayed her.

Dak and Fleta looked at each other, shrugged and dropped their towels and tore off their shirts and dove in after them.

Fleta splashed Dak and took off in some random direction as Dak chased after her. Sera put up her hands and laughed as she attempted to stop the stream of water before she decided against it and tackled Jax to the ground, covering the pair in a soapy foam. They both laughed as they rolled through the water before Jax stood up, picking Sera up with him and dumping her in one of the pools where a group of sheets was soaking at a nice 21 degrees Celsius. She emerged with a sheet hanging off her shoulder and laughed before pulling Jax in with her.

Outside the service room, outside the city even, the ship was getting underway. The inertial dampeners activated as the powerful thrusters fired and tore the ship out of the gravity of Terra Centauri. The large cruise ship aligned itself on a course with the tropical ocean moon of Aquarius One. There, Jax and Dak’s sister Catherine was waiting, her summer vacation beginning as well. There the family would get together as well as meet up with more friends and enjoy a beautiful three months in paradise.

Right now though, life was perfect. The story would go on. The powerful engines of the Titan fired and set it on its course. The teenagers were blissfully unaware as Terra Centauri began receeding into the light of the three Suns of the Alpha Centuari System.

Things would go on as normal. Jax and Sera would live a long and happy life together. Dak and Fleta would do the same. Gene would meet some fiery and adventurous boy and live happily ever after. Friends would live happily together, life would go on, and things would be perfect. The best had yet to be…

The stories don’t end just because we stop telling them…

***

“Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.”

― Erica Jong

Author's Notes. Worlds All Our Own.

"If only you could see what I've seen..."

-Roy Batty, Blade Runner.

So as I write this, I find myself seeing places I'll never visit, part of worlds I'll never see, inhabited by people I've never seen. Here I find myself homesick for places I've never been, missing people I've never met. Every night, just before I drift off to sleep, just before I fall into the recesses of sleep, briefly I glimpse worlds unseen. Beautiful worlds with beautiful people. And they just smile back like I'm a traveler just passing through. In a way, that's all I am. The outside observer.

Thus is the plight of a writer of any kind. Imagination can be both an incredible gift and a terrible curse. Each of us has countless worlds all hidden away inside that mass of cells we affectionately call a brain. Each one of those worlds has countless characters, people, all real to us in a way no real person ever could be. Inside the recesses of our imagination, in a swirling mass of creativity, great adventures are waiting for us all. For one person, they could be an adventurer who falls in love with an elf from a far away land. For another, they could be running through rain soaked streets, evading the authorities as hover cars and ships zoom above. And for another, they could simply be sitting in gazebo overlooking a waterfall, creating beautiful masterpieces. These worlds are all our own, worlds that are home. Home in ways our real homes can't fulfill.

I started writing this several weeks ago as I wound this story down. To be honest, I never figured it would ever be this popular. But, since it is, I've obviously been doing something right. A lot has happened over the year and a half it took me to complete this. A simple idea evolved into a fantastic adventure of a boy, a girl, and their family of friends gallivanting from city to city, planet to planet, star system to star system, world to world, life to life. I figure that a lot of you want to know what went into this so I'll do my best.

This story started off as a simple, little, idea. An image really. Something... basic. Just goes to show you what your thoughts can do. I saw a simple image in my mind and two years later I'd written a story over three hundred thousand words long. Stranger things have happened, believe me. But... that image. It was a simple image. A young boy sitting a desk in a classroom. Alone, staring out the window at a science fiction type landscape. Tall spires to the right and a metal landscape to the left. Obviously bored with the lesson at hand. Then I thought to myself... I added a girl. A girl that would not leave the boy alone no matter how much he wanted. For those of you with good memories or to those of you who have really been paying attention, this should sound familiar. Apollo and Sara. That was the original concept. But slowly, over time, it evolved into something else. Something better. I imagined a world where humanity had spread all over the solar system, a world where going to school in a Jovian moon or in orbit around Jupiter would be as normal as anything we see today. I imagined a world with A.I.'s and androids, railguns and holograms, jet packs and space ships. Slowly I built a world, a world I would want to live in. A cyberprep world. A world I imagined in the year 2412. In reality, the year 2412 will likely be beyond anything I could ever imagine or write. I just hope I'm around to see it.

Characters

The Star-Gazer

Name: Jett "Daniel" Halsey.

Age: 16-17-18-22. Cybernetically 9-10-11-15

Gender: Male programming (Most of the time).

Height: 176 centimeters.

Weight: 62 kilograms.

Eye Color: Variable. Primarily Sapphire Blue.

Hair Color: Black.

Family: Spitfire (Girlfriend/Wife).

Dane Meridian (Brother)

Gin (Guardian by proxy)

Cat (Sister/Guardian)

Amalia (Daughter)

Jacquelyn (Son)

George Kirkland Halsey ("Father"/Guardian)

Thalia Halsey ("Mother")

Occupation: Student.

Mechanic.

Scientist/Astronaut.

Classification: Android.

Affiliation: Terran Navy.

Charles Lindbergh Academy of Astronomical Sciences.

Wonderbolts.

Equipment: Augmented Prosthetic Arm.

Assisted Mobility Crutch.

Powered Exoskeletal Support System.

Appearance.

Jett appears as a slightly skinny teenager with jet black short/medium length hair as well as sapphire blue eyes. He is of Japanese/French descent in appearence though that is more of a result of his appearence being copied from the person previously known as Daniel "Jett" Halsey after his untimely death. By far his most signature and recognizable feature is his metallic prosthetic arm. Due to a system malfunction resulting from damage suffered in a bombing he is unable to regrow the arm. Normally covered by a liquid metal matrix, he eventually stopped wearing it due to both a combination of environmental factors as well as the simple fact he felt he no longer needed it to feel normal after a certain arrival. He also carried a few heavy scars along his face and arms before being injured and having them regenerated.

He has an affinity for black and white themed clothes. Typically he is seen wearing a plane black shirt with blue jeans and sneakers. Depending on conditions he is seen with either a sweat shirt or jacket. Initially he wore a pair of shorts with a Hawaiian themed shirt due to his lack of access to his normal wardrobe. His clothing later changes to it's normal black and white theme. He also appears to like sunglasses. After suffering severe injury and becoming crippled he uses a modified cane for mobility and later a powered exoskeletal support for emergencies and other situations.

When fighting, his attitude alternates from cold and merciless to maniacal and excited.

Personality.

Very little about his personality is known before he gained his identity as an android and military project. However after learning of his true nature he became rather cynical, trusting only a select few and becoming distrustful of society. Mentally broken and unstable due to a combination of physical damage as well as becoming psychologically disturbed, he has more enemies than friends. Because of his distrustful nature he has developed the bad habit of holding and bottling up all his emotions making him a ticking time bomb.

Soon after meeting Spitfire, after initially despising and detesting her and getting punched by her in the process, he begins to lose his emotional instability. Slowly he opens up to her and takes on a more positive look on life, seeing his world through a different set of eyes. While initially treating her like a sister, he takes on the role of her guardian, protecting her from the dangers of modern life, even going as far as to save her life. At the time of the Fall of Earth, he appears to have mellowed out and opened up to be more in control.

However after losing his memories he becomes even more mellow and positive, becoming the chief mechanic for the Wonderbolts and even going as far as to enter a relationship with a Shadowbolt. However this adventurous and open state of mind is quickly whipped away when he rather violently regains his memories and his cynical personality. However it returns with a vengeance leaving him even more angry, cynical, unstable and violent than before. His merciless style of fighting becomes even more violent, going as far as to be unnecessarily sadistic in his methods as well as applying more force than necessary to complete the job. He is shown to have a degree of pacifism in the fact he never seeks out a fight. However when challenged sufficiently he will fight savagely and mercilessly.

Eventually he mellows out due to both the removal of a piece of shrapnel from his brain and his becoming crippled.

He appears to be utterly oblivious to the emotional states of others and himself as well as the consequences for some of his actions. This is evident in his utter inability to acknowledge or even identify Spitfire's feelings for him until she outright tells him about them and even after that he is unsure of how to react. Still, this doesn't stop him from entering a relationship with her that leaves him a lot happier and mellowed than before.

He is most happy and stable when around friends and those he considers family. He is very protective over them however he generally will stay out of their business and personal affairs until they threaten their safety as well as his.

Background.

Little is known about his life before he lived with Cat. However, he was created in the year 2403 and lived with George Halsey on Earth as a replacement for his lost son. However at some point there was a divergence between the expected personality and he was allowed to develop on his own. However after the loss of his arm and damage to his brain he became aware of his condition as an android. He appears to have a given up and accepted his fate however angry and empty that left him. After receiving his prosthetic he falls into a despair that is only added to by being consistently harassed and bullied by members of the school's football team. However, the following summer after his first year of high school, he decided to take a series of martial arts courses to fend off attacks. By that time however he was regarded with little interest by the jocks and then focused his energies on his academic studies with his friend and brother Dane. During the summer leading up to his Junior year of school, Cat and himself went on a skydiving vacation to Earth where it all went right...

Development.

In all honesty, I have one phrase that can accurately describe the development that went into Jett: A collection of Bad things. That was what he was. Literally, I compiled a list of traits that would make making friends as difficult as possible and dumped them all into one character. Disturbed, angry, distrustful, cynical, the who shebang. Then I took that character and put him in a situation where he would be forced to deal with a girl for an extended period of time, and I gave him no choice in the matter. His personality was modeled a bit off my own, minus the crazy and disturbed side. Well, maybe not the disturbed side. I have been this way for several years now. All my characters I create are like children to me in a way. I tried to make him as realistic as possible and as relatable as possible. I supposed that's why I started the story in first person and slowly moved away from that. You really get inside his head and know his thoughts. After a while I figured that I didn't need to do that anymore and most of the readers would have been thoroughly connected to him at that point so I just kept it in third person. While his personality, at least the more civilized parts were slightly based off my own, his more violent methods and fighting style was inspired by the character of Accelerator from A Certain Magical Index. Jett's crazy side was heavily influenced by Accelerator to the point where he almost became just as sadistic. Even Jett's later physical appearance became influenced off of him. Other Characters that influenced his development was Astro Boy, Sonny from iRobot, Data/the Doctor/Seven of Nine from Star Trek, David from Prometheus, and a number of other Anime Characters that are too many and numerous to list.

The Angel.

Name: Spitfire

Age: 18-19-20-24

Gender: Female (most of the time).

Height: 174 centimeters.

Weight: 57 kilograms.

Eye Color: Brilliant Orange.

Hair Color: Light brilliant orange/Light brilliant amber

Family: Jett Halsey (Boyfriend/Husband)

Dane Meridian (Brother-in-law)

Amalia (Daughter)

Jacquelyn (Son)

Nightshade (Sister)

Shadow Flash (Father)

Star Fire (Mother)

Occupation: Captain of the Wonderbolts

Student (Charles Lindbergh Academy of Astronomical Sciences.)

Classification: Alitis Humana

Affiliation: Equestrian Government.

Charles Lindbergh Academy of Astronomical Sciences.

Wonderbolts.

Equipment: Custom CyberFire Mark III Falcon Aircraft.

Custom Model V CyberFire.

Appearance.

Spitfire appears as a winged female in her late teens. She has an attractive and athletic appearance to fit her lifestyle as Captain of the Wonderbolts. Her hair is typically done up in an almost candle flame kind of look and is light brilliant amber in color with light brilliant orange highlights. Her eyes are a brilliant orange in color. She also has a pair of large orange wings on her mid back that grant her the amazing flight capabilities that have made her a household name. She has shown to have the ability to shrink them down to fit beneath clothing if necessary. She has been described as having highly attractive features in every aspect of her body, making her the envy and desire of many. Spitfire also sports a bit of an hourglass figure as well as having been described to have an incredibly even skin tone with no tan lines as well as having excellent proportions. Often times she has been described as having an angelic appearance.

Spitfire appears to have an affinity for dated military garb, as she is typically seen wearing a leather bomber jacket as well as a tank top and her dog tags. She also appears to like wearing aviators sunglasses. When going casual she is typically seen wearing jeans and sneakers however she also has been spotted wearing military style cargo pants and combat boots. When flying for the Wonderbolts she sports a skintight latex flight suit that helps to reduce drag. Very rarely will she be seen wearing a dress as she has a certain dislike for them, stating that they restrict her ability to move in them.

Personality.

Spitfire has a mischievous side two her. Likely sprouting from the attention given to her for her skill as a flier as well as her good looks, she often will act in a playful manner, using her feminine charm to get her way or put people in compromising situations whether intentionally or unintentionally. This often leads her to do mildy irresponsible things such as pulling pranks that often push the limits of what is safe and acceptable to do. She is often a bit more expressive with her emotions than Jett as well as displaying more mental stability than her lover. Overall, Spitfire is a laid back, friendly, easy going kind of girl who just goes with the flow of where things take her, never really attempting to change things unless properly motivated.

Spitfire has also demonstrated a bit of temper, having punched Jett Halsey in the face their first meeting due to him 'questioning her identity.' Her behavior when angered is mildly impulsive and is rarely thought out when she is in angry state of mind, as demonstrated when she punched Jett in the face and when she punched Ryan Kingly in face, (granted the latter was more justified than the former). It's been implied that she is not one to enjoy things that are typically seen as girly, maybe even having tomboyish tendencies as shown in her mild animosity towards dresses. She has also shown to be a bit of a flirt. Many times has the media caught up with her escapades as she leaves a bar with a random guy on her arm. "She's sexy and she knows it and she knows how to use it," An anonymous comment stated. The extent of her misadventures is yet unknown but it certainly garnished her a degree of media attention. Her attitude later changes when she falls rather spectacularly in love with Jett Halsey, discarding her hold habits and focusing only on her one goal: winning him over. These new attitudes carry over when she returns to Equestria after six months stranded on in Sol from her time frame. It has been confirmed however that her sex drive is not one of the things she lost, having focused all her energy on the object of her affection.

In spite of her sometimes childish tendencies she has demonstrated the ability to act responsibly and lead the Wonderbolts with dignity and respect. Described by those under her command as a hardass, this side of her differs completely from her attitudes and habits when off duty. In the air, she's all business but does enjoy her job and allows a bit of fun to intrude into the training routines.

Spitfire has also demonstrated instances of emotional instability when under stress as well as when she is depressed. Most noticeably when Jett begins dating a girl from a rival team, Spitfire falls into a deep depression, taking out her anger on her Team as well as the object of her, at that moment, unreciprocated affections. However she has been shown to be able to work past this with support from others.

She is also extremely intelligent. Her knowledge of Aeronautics and flight are unmatched by those in the field. She is an experienced flier despite her young age, having been coached by the previous Captain himself. Spitfire has also demonstrated the ability to learn and adapt rather quickly, having adapted to life in Sol as well as assimilating vast amounts of information and understanding it, despite it being 400 years ahead of her.

Background.

Spitfire grew up in Canterlot, living a generally normal life, finishing school at the age of 14 years old. She entered flight camp at age 10 where she met Echo Fleetfoot and became fast friends with her as well as many of her future teammates. She became a master of flight at the camp, her and her clique quickly advancing to the top. Yet in spite of her skill, her older sister Nightshade still remained better than her.

However due to her grounded and humble nature she was selected to be the Captain of the Wonderbolts over her sister. She captained the team with honor and distinction before her fateful show that sent her hurtling across the galaxy.

Development.

Due to Spitfire having very little screen time compared to other characters, she was a relatively blank canvas with very few parameters that were easy to follow. She had to come off a sexy as well as be aware of that fact. I wrote her as someone who knew just who they were and how the world perceived her and knew how to use that to her advantage. I kept her as an athletic girl for rather obvious reasons. I decided to give her a mischievous personality because it would serve to antagonize Jett. I also gave her a sweeter side that only Jett would get to see, strengthening their relationship. I'll be honest here. I wrote Spitfire as the kind of girl I would like to date. Funny, smart, mischievous, kind, understanding, athletic with an attitude and the kind of girl who wouldn't be afraid to kick my ass and get me outside every now and again because in all honesty, someone needs to kick my ass and it certainly won't be me. She didn't have any real inspiration that affected her personality like Jett and she sort of just developed and expanded organically as a character.

The Jester.

Name: Dane Maximillien Meridian

Age: 16-17-18-22. Cybernetically 9-10-11-15

Gender: Male programming.

Height: 176 centimeters.

Weight: 62 kilograms.

Eye Color: Variable. Primarily Emerald Green.

Hair Color: White.

Family: Jett Halsey (Brother)

Fleetfoot (Girlfriend/Wife)

Spitfire (Sister-in-law)

Gin ("Sister" Guardian by proxy)

Flash Fire (Daughter)

Alain (Son)

Sally Meridian (Legal Guardian)

Howard Meridian (Legal Guardian)

Occupation: Student.

Mechanic.

Scientist/Professor

Classification: Android.

Affiliation: Terran Navy.

Charles Lindbergh Academy of Astronomical Sciences.

Wonderbolts.

Equipment: None.

Appearance.

Dane appears as a boy similar in appearance to Jett. He shares Jett's face as well as a similar body structure but that is where the similarities end. He has slicked back snow white hair of medium length as well as emerald green eyes. He too is of Japanese/French descent in appearance. His face is speckled with freckles and he has a slightly paler complexion than Jett. He often sports a confident grin that goes with his personality.

He has a varying wardrobe but generally wears Jeans when it's cool out with either a long or short sleeve T-shirt with a jacket worn over that or shorts when it's warmer out with a short sleeve shirt. He has a slight affinity for nice suites and dress clothes and prefers to wear casual dress clothes and suites when possible.

He is generally calm and collected when fighting, applying just the right amount of force to get the job done.

Personality.

Dane's personality is almost completely opposite of Jett's. Instead of being relatively introverted like Jett, he is outgoing and confident. He loves social interaction and will often try to drag Jett along with him. His defining trait is the fact that he is a "Player." He is confident around girls and will often engage in casual sexual relationships with them and will surprisingly get away with it with little to no consequences to him or any of his mistresses. The more girls he's with the more confident he becomes until he becomes an extroverted social character.

Yet in spite of all of this he enjoys hanging out with Jett whom he considers his brother. Due to shared experiences they became fast friends despite their opposing personalities. Dane and Jett will often berate and insult each other almost as if they were actually brothers and in many ways, they are. Dane however is more trusting and positive about life and prefers to spend life having a good time rather than spend his time on philosophical discussions or scientific and technological pursuits. He does seem to suggest that he enjoys extreme sports with the same enthusiasm as Jett if not more.

Dane has shown to be protective of Jett as if he were an older brother, out of fear that Jett's more destructive aspects of his personality would get him into trouble as well as other factors. This translates over to him even confronting Spitfire when he discovers what she really is. He's also demonstrated a similar level of intelligence as Jett, assimilating the entire Equestrian Legal system in one night as well as being able to work on the Aircraft the Wonderbolts use. Dane has also demonstrated the ability to be thoughtful when the situation requires though this is not something he normally does by any stretch.

He is calm and collected when fighting. His methods are rather methodical in a Sherlock Holmes fashion where he does only what is required to complete the job rather than go completely batshit insane like Jett.

Overall he's someone who can be serious when needed but prefers to have fun and enjoy life to the fullest.

Background.

Dane's background begins relatively less tragically than Jett's. Dane was also created in 2403 and was placed with a surrogate family on Earth. In spite of the fact he grew up in the tropics near the Great Barrier Reef he wasn't particularly happy there as his surrogate parents saw him little more as a steward under their care and were not particularly involved. This led him to seek out affection from other places, mainly members of the opposite sex, leading him to become a sort of player. Eventually economic issues forced him and his family to move to Ganymede where during the 8th grade he got in a fight with one of the school's basketball players and had large portions of the organic components on his arm sliced off, revealing what he was underneath. While this was a considerably traumatic event, Dane adapted and remained relatively unchanged by the whole thing other than developing an intense hatred of athletics. During his recovery period he met Jett Halsey and Grace Islington and the trio soon became a dysfunctional family. As the two brothers helped Grace develop her club he developed a taste for alcoholic beverages and routinely drank himself into a 'electronic stupor' in spite of himself being able to avoid the situation. When Jett returned from a vacation with an extra addition, Dane's go with the flow attitude allowed him to accept her rather easily.

Development.

Dane is... an interesting character to say the least. I would say he's more or less the complete opposite of me as well as a combination of a few friends of mine. He's my own little demon. My very mischievous demon. Originally, I had no idea what I was doing with him. Really. He kinda just sort of popped into existence as a much less developed version of himself when I was still unsure about where this story was going. At first, all he really was was just Jett's cousin. Nothing more. He was originally supposed to be a minor character but as the story progressed and evolved he kinda just started to show up in "logical" places in the story and slowly beat me over the brain enough times to flesh out a good story for him and make him into an actual rounded off character. Much of his dialogue and mannerisms were inspired by conversations with many of my friends. His womanizing ways were... I really don't know where those came from. I think it began more as a joke than anything else but it kinda worked it's way into his character becoming a part of his identity. While I did try to make him like a jester in many aspects I also tried, key word, tried to make him seem like he can be smart and intuitive when it suites him. Mainly through his efforts to get Spitfire and Jett together as well as his various other efforts to try to get Jett out of his proverbial cave. Inspiration from him came from a variety of sources that are too wide to list but if you can think of a character from some TV show, book, or movie somewhere that demonstrates a sheer level of, "Does not give a single fuck of what other people think of him," that went into Dane. Similarly Jett has this thought his is more in the style of, "Doesn't give a fuck because he hates everyone," while Dane's is more of simply not caring because in the end, it's all for the LULZ.

The Mistress.

Name: Grace Ezri "Gin" Islington.

Age: 23-25-Unknown-44

Gender: Female.

Height: 180 centimeters.

Weight: 60 kilograms.

Eye Color: Grey.

Hair Color: Sandy Brown.

Family: Jett Halsey ("Brother.")

Dane Meridian ("Brother.")

Spitfire ("Sister.")

Blaze (Wife.)

Sapphire Flame (Daughter.)

Arc Light (Son.)

Occupation: Bartender.

Club Owner.

Martial Artist.

Weapons Expert/Designer.

Classification: Augmented Human.

Affiliation: The Mile High Club.

Charles Lindbergh Academy of Astronomical Sciences.

Wonderbolts.

Equipment: Glock Γ 30 Handguns with Stun Capacity.

Glock 27 "Meat Grinder" Automatic.

0.50 Custom Magnums.

Walther PPK/S With Stun.

Custom Y89 Pump Action 8 Gauge.

Appearance.

Gin appears as a tall, strong and athletic woman in her mid 20's. She has sandy brown hair that is typically done up in a Brunette Bob. She has unassuming grey eyes that attract little attention. Her most identifying features are her rather toned arms and muscular body due to her augmentations and her training. She is of English descent though she has no accent to speak of. Gin bears a few minor scars though none bear any real significance.

Her outfit is typically that of a biker with her wearing a simple tank top either by itself or with a leather jacket over it with skinny jeans with sneakers or cargo pants with black combat boots. She rarely will wear a dress and does have some tomboyish tendencies when selecting her outfits but will wear one when the occasion requires it.

Personality.

Depending on what side of her guns you're on will dictate how she appears. If you happen to be behind them then she acts with the up most respect (mostly) and generally has a familial connection with most of her close friends, most notable Jett and Dane whom she treats as brothers rather than as just friends. She is friendly and kind as well as protective of those close to her though she will often engage in verbal sparing with her loved ones as well as berate them. However through her hard exterior she deeply cares about those she has grown close to.

If you happen to be on the other side of her weapons then... well most of her victims would say you're beyond help. She has a rather violent and volcanic temper that she can mostly wield in. However her ability to control her temper appears to be dictated by how many witnesses there are as well as how much she cares about the consequences for her actions at the given moment. One example of this is when a certain patron of her club get's too close for comfort and refuses to take a hint and leave she threatens to outright murder him before calling security to have him removed. Most of the time her victims aren't as lucky as there are multiple police reports of some poor sap attempting to either mug or rape her and the perpetrator appearing first in a hospital and then in a mug shot after having most of the bones in his/her body replaced or reconstructed as well as flesh regrown and bullets removed.

She exhibits many aspects of a violent personality similar to Jett's though her's appears to have an odd sort of off switch that she can more or less aim at a given target rather than letting her temper control her and cause her to rampage like Jett. Similar to NEARLY every one of her friends she exhibits a bit of a "Does not give a fuck," attitude. However unlike Jett or Dane's variety her's is more along the lines of "Doesn't give a fuck because she knows she can get away with pretty much whatever she want's because honestly, are you gonna confront her whens he's holding a fist full of guns?" Again she demonstrates this whens he calmly shoots Rainbow Dash in the chest with a stun round before turning her guns on Twilight as well as when she irresponsibly decides to give drinks to two under aged androids. Her proficiency with weapons as well as her experience in high gravity martial arts adds a dangerous aspect to her personality.

Background.

Not much of her background is known but from what she has told Jett and Dane she did not get along well with her parents that led her to leave her home at a relatively young age and escape into the belt. She spent much of her time 'growing up' in the hard life of the belt, getting well acquainted with weapons and martial arts as a means to defend herself in the rather hostile territory before taking up bar tending as a means to pay for her college education. After finishing college she moved again to Jupiter and found an opportunity on the moon of Ganymede to make a name for herself and took it, buying the entire top floor of a skyscraper with a combination of loans, grants, and money won from gambling as well as a small collection of winning lottery tickets. However trouble followed her and she soon had to rid herself of a series of stalkers that left her mildly disturbed with an increase in her already violent personality. It was around this time that she met Jett and Dane and the three soon formed a dysfunctional family. Jett and Dane helped out with her business venture and she offered them a place to hang out as well as a second home for either of them.

Development.

Gin honestly developed as a more demented and violent version of Cat as well as more irresponsible. Gin, again, developed more like Dane than Jett. She had a role to fill however how she filled it was left entirely up to her, so to speak. I suppose her role was more or less as a replacement for Cat. Her character however offered more opportunity to do things that Cat would never due, partially due to how I wrote Cat and who Cat was based off. Gin in her own way is a demon of mine. She would never seek out violence but would rather wait for it to present itself to her. She would not go actively searching for trouble but when it found her... she would enjoy every moment of it. I suppose that kind of thinking got her her affinity for guns. I tried, and I hope I succeeded, to make her have an affinity for weapons without seeming like she was a redneck obsessed with the second amendment. I hope I didn't offend anyone with that statement but hey. Gin kinda served as the unofficial guardian of the two boys to fill the void left by Cat. I say unofficial because I made her just as fucked up in the head as the other two boys. Her only real difference is that she can hide it better. As for my decision to make her a lesbian? Don't really know really. I suppose I just felt that with all the other characters getting together with someone of the opposite gender I felt the need to shake things up a bit as well as the fact that apparently Gay marriage is still such a big issue in the United States, (It really isn't, some people are just stupid. If you love a person, who gives a shit what gender they are? And no offense to religious people but you DON'T get to define what marriage is and you certainly don't have some sort of monopoly on the practice because it's been around a lot longer than religion has). Anyway, I guess I just made her that way because of... well that rant back there as well as the fact that I couldn't see her dating any many and having the man survive. But again, I wrote her and Dane into an implied sex scene and Dane survived relatively alright so... I don't know then. But hey, she's the kind of crazy bitch I'd want backing me up so that's who she became.

Plot.

Honestly, constructing this story took a bit of work. As you read previously, if you read this at all as this is just a fucking rant from a guy who's currently dealing with a defective gene that makes me prone to going blind in one of my eyes to simplify it, this story did not start out at all as what it ended up being.

As I stated before, the story evolved over a long period of time from when it first appeared in my head as an idea two years ago to what it is now. I don't really recall how it happened but the idea slowly evolved into something else. And I do remember one thing, as I was writing the first few chapters of the story I kept flipping between having Jett as an augmented human or having him as an android. To be honest if he stayed augmented then Dane probably wouldn't have shown up for more than that one time and Gin probably wouldn't have been created. So overall, I'm happy with the result.

Another odd thing I did consider doing that with a large degree of hindsight I am glad I didn't do was give Dane and Jett wings, cliche I know. The thought had crossed my mind several times before hand but I honestly couldn't bring myself to do it. Oddly enough, if you go through the story as it is now you'd be able to pick out brief moments where it was both alluded to that they would get wings, (Note that one of these became an allusion for something else later on, I'm sure you can figure it out), as well them joining the Wonderbolts. I even considered giving Rainbow Dash a little wish fulfillment but that didn't make the cut and was chopped with the Jett and Dane's wings that they never got in the first place.

Also I considered splitting CyberFire in half at around the 33 chapter mark give or take but decided against it. And I also considered giving Dane his own story at some point after the last chapter was released but again...

Sue me.

Setting.

Futuristic as hell is all I can really say. It was honestly a conglomerate of a series of sci fi settings from various novels ranging from The Unincorporated Man and The Expanse Series to Ender's Game and The Forever War. The main inspiration came from the book series The Unincorporated Man and it's sequels where humanity lives all over the solar system only everyone is incorporated into a company at birth and there's the huge thing on what free market capitalism can eventually become but if you want to read the books for yourself you can do that. Suffice it to say, most of the tech as well as the ships came from that series as well as some of the weapons. The Expanse contributed more to the weapons used in the story than anything else as well as the area where I placed Gin's club. Ender's Game helped with the school and The Forever War was there for... honestly I don't know. It's a good book so sue me again.

Various locations were inspired by real life places I visit on a sort of regular basis. Jett's house was based on one of my friend's homes, the dorm room as well the subsequent hotel rooms and suites on various cruise ships came from actual hotel room suites as well as actual cruise ships. Jett's school and most of the people in it were based on my school rather obviously. The physical shape of the school however came from Star Trek's Space Dock. And NO not the one from the new movies. I'm talking about the old fashion mushroom shaped space dock from the original series as well as TNG.

Overall, the world came from a variety of books, movies, and video games that will be listed below.

Inspiration List.

The Expanse Series.

The Unincorporate Man Series.

The Enderverse.

The Forever War.

The Halo Universe.

The Deus Ex. Universe.

The Avatar Universe.

Blade Runner.

Star Trek.

Star Wars.

Cloud Atlas.

Ringworld.

Elysium.

The X-Men Universe.

A Certain Magical Index.

A Certain Scientific Railgun.

Battlestar Galactica.

Caprica.

Tron.

Terminator Series.

Alien Universe.

Astro Boy.

I, Robot.

The Foundation Trilogy.

Total Recall.

Cloverfield.

The Bourne Series.

Etc.

Special Thanks/Credits.

Some of you have been with this thing from the very beginning. Others have gradually showed up and have rather consistently appeared in the comment box or... my inbox oddly enough so I figured it'd be worth mentioning a few of you here. I'll try to include as much of you as possible but keep in mind this list is based on who I've seen the most of.

Flames (or whatever your name happens to be at the moment. Also known as Fyre Ghost. And my editor.)

Jaohni (I don't know how to pronounce that.)

Taco Town (I don't always enjoy tacos, but when I do...)

Combine (I can say your name.)

Iron Sides (You share your name with a TV show as well as a really old US tall ship.)

Dancing Dead (There's a pentagram in my closet.)

doors (My house has 21.)

Slaughterstone (Please don't hurt me.)

Vinyl Scratch Jr. (My school never get's a good DJ so... help.)

Junior Alien Child (How many times has Donut died?)

Fail Guy (You don't fail in my bookz.)

RoadRunneR (Meep Meep.)

High_Wind (I named a character after you.)

Cyberfire22 (It really was just a coincidence.)

Kaliedo Clockwork (I've seen you somewhere else before...)

leafz pegasus (Sometimes when I think I see your profile pic smile.)

SovietBacon (I fucking love bacon.)

Snublock (Is it pronounced Snub Lock or Snu Block? That's always bothered me. Sorry.)

Hyerbole (Don't come back up here. It's FREEZING.)

Pixel Pony (Happy Derpy is happy.)

Flint (I can finally make fire.)

HACK3R_PR0 (Can't tell if pic is a zombie or... oh god.)

shadowless_night (Tired Soarin' is tired.)

Canine (Where is the changling going?)

Jon Snow (Where is your Profile Pic from?)

Eoplo (I recognize the plane.)

Sweetapplejacker (If you know what I bean...)

A Word From Our Sponsors.

Is he fucking DONE YET?

Yes Dane, he's done. Now would you shut up and quit hogging the keyboard?!

Fuck off bitch, I don't see you doing anything special. Have you read your biography?

Have you read yours idiot? It's all sunshine and rainbows up there. That's why you're called the Jester.

And you're called the Mistress.

Would you two QUIT IT?! Jeez, he gave us the fucking keyboard so we could say something nice down here and you two go off arguing again!

So this is what it's like down here? Cool.

Oh go back to sucking face with you're girlfriend.

Shut up butthead.

How did I get stuck with you idiots?

Uh, guys? Can we just say our thing down here and get going? We've got places to be ya know.

Fine. Hi everyone, Jett here. We just wanted to take this opportunity to say a special thanks to everyone who's stayed with us, old and new.

As well as for putting up with Blue's Clueless over here as well as the chucklefuck upstairs, otherwise known as the author. You can't keep me down here forever! One day you'll get drunk and when you do, I'll be the one in the driver's seat!

We'd also like to acknowledge that without you, we wouldn't be here today and the 'chucklefuck' would never have gotten this far because without you this wouldn't have happened. And I wouldn't have my babi- I mean guns.

But most importantly, we'd like to say thanks for all the support and feedback you've given us. Thank you for all the entertaining comments, supportive messages, and compliments you've thrown ours and the author's way. Without all of you, this story would never have made it as far as it did. So from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. And we thank you for kicking the author's butt enough times because he's lazy. If I could I'd make him hit the gym but we're just behind this fourth wall looking in. But it's not so bad here. Cool things go on here. Well, I better get going, the others are calling me.

Wait! One last thing. Whatever drives you in life, whatever makes you excited, whatever lights that spark in your heart, be it flying or tinkering with machines or simply writing, don't lose that. Hold onto it, keep it safe. Be passionate about things you love because in this world... well, it's just good to have good things, for however long they may last... Goodbye everyone, see you... out there...

Couldn't resist sneaking in one last Star Trek reference... Whatever happens between now and whenever this amazing ride is over, I'm glad it happened. This last year and a half helped me become a better writer as well as... exercise a few demons of mine.

But whatever. In the end, it was fun. And that's all that matters. Until next time, stay cool ladies and gentlemen and above all... stay tuned.

JC6...

I'm the best.

Spitfire!

Whoops, coming robot boy!

Extras. Number 1.

Jett Halsey Gets Mugged.

Jett goes to meet up with Dane and Gin a few weeks before his vacation trip to Earth get's mugged.

Jett stepped out of his car and stretched. Sure it'd only taken half an hour to get down here, about as long at it took him to walk across town back upstairs but still, sitting in a car like that wasn't exactly his favorite thing to do. Then again, anyone who takes pleasure about being cooped up inside a car like that for any extended period of time was either a race car driver or... well something else.

He glanced back at his vehicle and watched it auto lock and the windows tint. It flashed blue for a brief second before returning to normal, far to fast for any normal human to see. If anyone other than him attempted to gain access to his car it would warn them once before shocking the perpetrator. Any further action would result in the vehicle leaving and going to find it's owner.

Jett sighed and placed his hands in his pockets before walking out of the parking lot, flashing his card over the scanner, paying for his spot as always, before walking onto the sidewalk. It was cold down in Geofront 7 like always so winter gear was a bit of a must. He wore a comfortable Spyder Winter jacket as well as a pair of gloves.

Just like every other weekend he was visiting Gin at her club. Not that there was anything wrong with that, just that it was a routine he knew. Hell the only thing that was mildly different about today was that Dane had arrived in his own car rather than mooching a ride off of Jett. No matter, in a few weeks his summer classes would be over, and he'd be on his way to Earth. And Dane would be... well Jett didn't really know where Dane would be. The bastard generally did whatever he wanted. Why he was on Ganymede right now was beyond him.

After walking past a series of shops and stores he reached an alley way. His shortcut to Gin's building. Tall spires rose up to the ice ceiling on either side of him as he walked through the alley way. There were clothes lines hanging with a few garments being dried near the old thermal heaters by the windows. The atmosphere here had an odd warmth to it, part of the reason the android enjoyed using it. There were a few recycling cans and dumpsters littering the alleyway. Old piping ran up the sides of the buildings pumping anything from steam to generator coolant up to the upper levels of the buildings.

Jett reached into his pocket and pulled out a small thermos containing a mix of black tea and coconut juice. Just as he took a sip a noise reached his ears.

The sound of a gun cocking behind his head was heard. He sighed.

"Turn around slowly and no one get's hurt."

Still holding his drink the android turned. Four men were standing in front of him. One held a small hand held mass driver. Another held a baseball bat. Another had an nanotech augment suit on, used for heavy lifting. The last one had a small scanner in his hand as well as a small revolver. They all looked like they belonged to one of the gangs that ran around in this part of the town. Still, getting mugged down here wasn't very common.

A dull beeping tone got the android's attention.

"Shielded boss," the man with the scanner said.

The man with the mass driver sighed, "Take out your wallet."

Jett took a sip of his drink, "Why?"

"Because I fucking said so. Take out your fucking wallet before I fucking shoot a hole in your fucking head."

"No. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got somewhere to be."

He turned to leave just as the barrel of the mass driver smacked his drink out of his hands, spilling it onto the ground. It steamed on the cool asphalt surface.

"No you don't," said the leader.

Jett frowned, "I was enjoying that."

The man growled and aimed the weapon at the android's foot and fired. Jett grimaced lightly but remained still as a loud bang echoed through the alley.. He glanced down at his shoe. A smoking hole was in the tongue of his sneaker. He frowned and lifted his foot up and stuck a finger into the hole and removed the mass. It had flatted itself against one of the 'bones' of his Tritainium endoskeleton.

He held the flattened disk in his hand to the astonishment of his attackers. He grinned and dropped the disk. His eyes flashed red.

"Alright, you've got my attention now."

He cracked his knuckles before cracking his neck. A familiar grin flashed across his face as the men started to back away.

"My turn."

He raised his foot and stomped down. The ground shook as the asphalt fractured and cracked beneath his foot. The muggers fell to the ground as chunks of rock flew into the air before falling back to the ground. He walked up to the man with the scanner and grabbed him by the shirt and threw him across the alley way. He impacted a dumpster with a heavy thud, denting the material.

Jett laughed.

He turned just as a metal bat struck his head. The man who swung it screamed and held his wrist as the bat stopped cold and the man's wrist cracked. The bat fell to the ground with a clatter as Jett smiled, and struck out with his left arm, throwing the man into the air. He landed with an unnatural thud/crunch.

The man wearing the suit rushed forward. Jett grinned and moved left just as the man flew by him. The mugger gripped the ground and slowed down before getting back into a fighting stance. Jett glanced at the wall and gripped one of the pieces of piping. The man ran again. Jett smiled and snapped a long segment of the piping off the wall before throwing it down range. It spun through the air before impacting the man in the chest like a javelin. Had he not been wearing the suit it would have gone clear through him. Instead it dropped the man like a rock.

Jett smiled and turned towards the last man remaining, the leader. The man raised his weapon to fire it. Jett smiled. The gun flashed as rounds impacted the android's skull, harmlessly falling away. The man continued shooting, half his rounds missing before he ran out of ammo.

"W-w-what the fuck are you?"

Jett sighed, "I just wanted to enjoy my drink."

He took a step and swung his leg down and kicked a section of broken asphalt into the man's shoulder. The man spun and fell to the ground with a scream. His mass driver fell with a clatter. Slowly he crawled to reach it, an extra magazine in his hands. Just as he was about to grab it, a foot crushed down upon the device, breaking it into pieces.

The mugger looked up at Jett. Parts of the android's skin was missing on his head where masses had from the driver had hit his skull. Jett sighed, he was holding a small bandanna he'd grabbed from one of the lines before wrapping it around his head.

He placed a foot on the man's head and grinned. A whimpering noise could be heard just under the noise of the Android's phone ringing.

He sighed and removed it from his pocket before answering it.

"What?" he asked.

"Where are you?" Dane asked, "We've been waiting for your slow ass for ten minutes now."

"Listen, I ran into a little traffic. I'm coming."

"Well get here faster. The movie starts in a few."

"Alright, calm down. Jeez. Good bye."

He hung up and replaced the device. He glanced down at the whimpering man.

"Well looks like today's you're lucky day."

He removed his foot from his head and continued down the alley way, turning a corner and was soon out of sight. Later police would arrive...

***

Jett reached the building that housed the club. Gin and Dane were waiting just outside the lobby.

"About time you got here," Dane said, "What's with the bandanna?"

Jett pulled the thing off his head revealing the bullet wounds.

"Jeez, what the hell happened to you?" Gin asked.

He rewrapped the bandanna, "Some crazy fucks tried to mug me. I won."

Dane laughed, "Oh man. That's fucking rich."

"Yeah, yeah, it's funny I know."

Gin smiled and removed a large revolver from her pocket, "Never leave the house without one."

"Yeah, no offense girly, I'm not looking to get charged with murder."

"Who said anything about murder?" she asked innocently.

Jett deadpanned, "I thought we were getting a movie."

"We are," Dane said.

"Well then let's get going."

The trio began walking down the street heading towards the Geofront's movie theater.

"Oh, and I'm gonna be going out of town in two weeks," Jett said, "Cat's taking me on a vacation trip to Earth."

"Alright. I'm gonna be gone in a few days anyway so... looks like you'll be all alone for a while, Gin."

"Yeah, yeah. You losers will miss me and you know it."

Jett grinned, "I wouldn't go that far."

"Fuck you."

Jett simply grinned.

Extras. Number 2.

Takes place between chapter 28 and chapter 29

A Holiday of Green Days and Dark Knights

During the trip to Earth, Jett and company take a small vacation at an orbital elevator city.

I clean the dust out of my gun. Valerie keeps telling us that the dust will affect the actions of every gun; even mine. The damn sniper rifle is taller than I am. It’s so magnetic that if I were to walk by any random person on the street it would erase every credit card within a meter radius.

The most disconcerting thing is the silence. It’s so quiet here. It’s maddening. I have to keep telling myself, “It’s space, Ryyn. Remember, Ceres has almost no atmosphere. Silence is expected.”

It doesn’t help at all. I can’t tell the difference between night and day. We’re supposed to be sleeping right now but I can’t help but write everything I think down. I don’t know what we’re doing here, only that we’re supposed to hold this rock until the rest of the Belter fleet arrives.

One thing we all have in common that the soldiers from the other ships don’t have is we’re not praying. I can look over and see someone holding a rosary or if I switch channels I’ll hear something Arabic or Yiddish flow over the mic. The only thing we pray to is the Alekhine’s Gun. It must look so strange to the outsiders to switch to our channels and hear us praying to our ship. If they only knew….

Out here, the only god is the Alekhine’s Gun. The only thing that answers any prayers thrown her way. Still, I’m not superstitious but tonight I’m gonna pray to that damned ship and her damned captain.

Daniel, Annika, you guys better get here quickly because I don’t know how much longer we can hold out for. Even Valerie is starting to get worried.

Pacific Ocean.

Japanese Seaport: Apollonis

“Jett… Jett… Jett…” Spitfire moaned, “Jett!”

The android looked up from his book with a glare, “What? What already?!”

Spitfire frowned and sat up on her bed, “I’m bored.”

Jett sighed, “And I’m supposed to rectify that for you?”

She leaned forward, “Yesss. You’re the one looking out for me here so that makes you my guardian. What are you reading over there anyway?”

Jett let out another sigh and sat up, holding up the book, “Alekhine’s Gun. Book 2: The War Congress. By… well the author didn’t really put a name; just a series of initials. I’m sure you can read them from there.”

“Yeah, but there’s one problem with that book.”

“What’s that?” Jett asked already knowing the answer.

“You’re paying attention to it and it’s not me.”

He placed the book on the nightstand, “Fine, what is that you’d like to do? Dane and Gin are out doing god knows what so our options are a bit limited.”

“Why’s that? We can EASILY have fun without them,” Spitfire licked her lips.

Jett placed down the novel, “No. We could go check out the Pillars of Aquarius.”

“Ugh, boring. Those are just the five space elevators that’re sitting in this place.”

“They’re not SITTING in this place. They take up the corners of the city.”

“Yeah, and one doesn’t even work anymore.”

“So? We can still go check them out.”

Spitfire let out a childish moan, “Why can’t we just have sex?”

“I refuse to dignify that with a proper response.”

“Too bad, you just did,” she said sticking her tongue out.

“I said proper response, not any response,” Jett said standing up and walking towards the window of the hotel room. Outside it was raining. True the city itself wasn’t much to look at but if one was inclined to be Dane or Gin you could always find something interesting. It was the dark kind of street life sort of interesting.

In the background there were a cluster of five orbital elevators. All five of them were connected to a massive asteroid in orbit and anchored to the sea floor below. The interesting aspect about this city other than it being basically backwater on the richest planet in the system was that the city itself extended far underwater to the bottom of the Pacific. If one wanted you could take the elevator from the top of the station down to the bottom of the sea in little over an hour.

Of course there was one elevator that wasn’t working. Due to improper maintenance one of the cars lost its grip going up the cable and rapidly descended down the elevator, taking a few pieces of the terminal with it as it fell before sinking into the ocean, leaving an useless tether in the middle of the city. It was around that point someone got the idea of use the cable as a support structure and to construct a building around it. Genius idea in theory and it was put into practice with… mixed results.

“Can we at least go out and do something fun?” Spitfire moaned again.

Jett sighed as he tore his gaze away from haphazardly shaped conical structure, “Fine, we’ll go out. But don’t expect to find anything. Wasn’t even my damn idea to come to this dangerous place.”

“It doesn’t seem so bad. The hotel’s nice.”

“Do you know how much I had to flesh out to get this suite for us?” Jett sighed, “And this is the nicest room they had. With only ONE bedroom.”

“And because you were so indecisive you lost it to Dane and Gin. All you had to do was fuckin’ say, “Hey, Spitfire and I would like that because Spitfire gets cold at night, and Spitfire would like to have a warm place to sleep since Spitfire isn’t an android or an augmented human like you three and is susceptible to things like the cold.” That’s all you had to say and we could’ve got the bed instead of the couch.”

“You have the whole couch to yourself, what’re you complaining about?” Jett asked putting his prosthetic to his face.

“I’m still cold at night,” Spitfire fumed lightly.

“So I’ll get you some more blankets. Hell, I’ll go to the store and replicate you a thermal blanket if that’ll make you happy. I don’t even know how you’re cold at night since we’re at the fucking equator.”

“It’s been raining like balls here for the past week and this building’s air conditioning makes it so it’s like a freezer in here. How the fuck do you NOT notice this?”

“I guess it’s because I’m an android.”

“Humph, you still need to do something about that.”

Jett sighed, “I said I would get you another blanket, what more do you want from me?”

She sighed, “Never mind. Idiot.”

Jett sighed himself, popping open the panels on his arm before closing them; “I thought we were going out.”

“I thought we were.”

“Fine. I’ll go get the damn umbrella.”

Jett grabbed his coat, strapped a belt to his waist, and a scarf. Spitfire grabbed her flight jacket.

“Here,” the android sighed, throwing the scarf over Spitfire’s neck and tying it into a slip knot, “Will this suffice?”

Still fuming lightly she touched the scarf, refusing to look at him, “This is nice. Is this yours?”

Jett walked towards the door and grabbed an umbrella, “No, it was Cat’s.”

Spitfire lightly gasped under her breath, “Really?”

“Yes really.”

“Then why give it to me?” Spitfire asked tentatively.

“Because you needed it.”

“But it was Cat’s…”

“So? You said you were cold. The scarf rectifies that. It’s not like I wanted you to be uncomfortable when we go out.”

Spitfire smiled. A warm fuzzy feeling washed over her like a wave.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“It’s not like I was gonna listen to you complain all day,” Jett scoffed.

Spitfire grinned, “Sure; that was it.”

Jett placed the umbrella on his shoulder and cracked open the door, “You coming or not?”

Shaking her head she followed him out the door. The inside of the hotel was clean enough; like any normal hotel Spitfire had stayed in on her tours with the Wonderbolts. Nothing seemed too out of place from the top floor. The pair stepped into the elevator. The doors closed behind them as the car descended. The opposite wall of the elevator consisted of smart glass, exposing the two to one of the best views of the twisted Halloween town money could buy. From this height the streets were barely visible, appearing as only glowing channels among a forest of buildings. Up above rain fell from a ceiling of clouds as lightning arced from the clouds to the support rings of the closest orbital elevator they could find. A few air vehicles buzzed through the skies but those were a rarity. The spires approached the elevator as it approached the floor.

The doors opened to the main lobby of the hotel which at the moment appeared to be the most orderly part of the city which was saying something. The hotel receptionist appeared to be on the verge of a breakdown as she dealt with a screaming drunk at the desk; apparently upset by the fact the entire hotel was occupied.

Jett sighed, “Why did I ever let Dane talk us into going here?”

Spitfire turned, “Why didn’t you speak up when we came here then?”

“I was outvoted,” Jett deadpanned.

“Well then who was the deciding vote?”

“You were.”

“Oh… whoops?”

“Ha, ha.”

The rest of the lobby was an odd mix of high class modern interior decorating combined with pieces of debris littering the floor. The receptionist appeared close to grabbing something hidden under the desk when Jett walked up and pulled the man from counter and tossed him to the floor.

“Hi, we’re from the suite upstairs,” he said, “We’ll be back later today. You know the drill already right?”

The nervous woman nodded as Jett reached into his pocket and removed a small card and tapped it to a touch pad on the desk.

“Just keep everyone out of our room.”

He turned to leave and found himself face to face with the drunken man he’d previously tossed to the floor. He detected the heavy odor of alcohol on the man’s breath. A quick scan aimed at his cranium confirmed he was indeed impaired beyond most forms of hope.

“You little fucker,” the man said in a patronizing high pitched voice that was mixed fifty/fifty with drunken slurred speech.

Jett blinked, “Yes.”

“You tried fucking with me back there didn’t you?” He continued.

“You tried fucking with the nice lady behind the desk didn’t you?”

“I’m asking the queshtons hea!” the man slurred.

Jett sighed and blinked, “You don’t appear to be in the condition of doing anything.”

Spitfire watched from across the room. Something was clearly going on. In her mind, throwing the man to the ground probably wasn’t the best idea but it wasn’t really concerning her at the moment. Suddenly the drunk man took a swing at Jett only for him to miss and fall to the floor on his ass.

“It’s alright if I leave now right?” Jett asked, “Yes? Alright then.”

Spitfire grinned, “I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t beat him up.”

“I could if you wanted.”

“Wouldn’t that be illegal?”

“Yeah but if I said I was standing my ground I could shoot him to death and get away with it.”

She blinked, “Yeah, let’s get going.”

They walked out of the hotel. Jett opened up the umbrella and held it above Spitfire as she held his arm as they walked. The city was eerily Blade Runner in appearance with a modern high tech spin to it. The streets were only a few years old and yet they looked old while retaining their modern look to them. Various chameleons of questionable character roamed the streets. Many glanced Jett’s way but soon looked away when they noticed the sharp blades forming on his prosthetic.

“So where are we going?” Spitfire asked.

“Hell if I know,” Jett responded, “I’m just walking here.”

“What was on that belt you grabbed?”

Jett opened his coat revealing the black grip of a certain metal object, “This? Oh, it’s one of Gin’s guns.”

Spitfire twitched wildly, “Uuuuhhh, why do you have that?”

Jett stared at her, “What? This city is dangerous.”

“Doesn’t seem that way.”

“You’ve rarely left the hotel since we got here. Just last night, when you were loafing on the couch watching god knows what, I was doing grocery shopping.”

She blew a raspberry, “So? How dangerous can getting ice cream be?”

“On the way there I almost got hit by five cars, almost got mugged once, got caught in between a gang war, got shot in the head twice, and was almost killed when a window washing rig broke free during high winds. And that was just on the way there.”

“You got shot in the head?!”

“Yes I got shot in the head,” Jett said pulling up his hair revealing a white X on his forehead. He pulled it off to reveal the silvery grey surface of his skull. A skin colored circuit pattern was forming as his head repaired itself.

She sighed, “Fine, I see your point. Just don’t go losing your memory again.”

“No promises.”

“So you said that was just on the way there? What happened at the store?” Spitfire asked.

He put a hand to his chin, “Well I picked up the groceries, got a pack of gum for the road and I made it to the checkout line. Between when I entered the line and made it to the cash register two fights broke out over who was in front of who and a man’s liver failed after he began testing the product on the way out. Then when I got there the shady asshole running the place tried pulling an extra hundred credits out of my card as I paid.”

“That doesn’t sound too good.”

“Yeah well my dad also signed on the thing when I got it so that didn’t go over too well.”

“Do I want to know?”

“Probably not.”

“So what happened on the way home?”

Jett cringed, “Don’t ask.”

A naughty look appeared on her face, “Oh now I want to know.”

“Please don’t press it.”

“Come on! Tell me!”

“Not gonna happen.”

“Tell meeee…”

“No! Drop it alrea-”

“Hey robot boy!” a group of voices called.

Jett’s eyes flew open, “If there is a god please let her kill me now.”

Spitfire turned towards the sound of the voices, “Uh, robot boy?”

Coming down the other side of street were two very drunk women and two very drunk men. They stumbled across the road, nearly getting hit in the process. They didn’t look at all pleased with the android.

“Come on,” Jett said grabbing Spitfire’s hand, barely registering a gasp, and running down the street.

“Hey! Where you running robot boy? Where’s our money?!”

Before Spitfire had much time to register the situation, she found herself bolting down the rain soaked streets, being led by Jett. Jett, still gripping her hand, tapped a button on his umbrella. The umbrella swiftly folded up before retracting into the handle. Up above, sky scrapers reached up and pierced the ceiling of dark clouds and lit up the stormy night as rain poured down upon them. Spitfire smiled.

“Hey, what’d you do that for?” She asked.

“What’d I do what for?!” Jett panted as he stomped through a puddle.

“Retract the umbrella. I was using it.”

Jett sighed, “Sorry but I can’t run with you and hold the umbrella at the same time!”

Spitfire grinned, “So let go of my hand. I can run just fine you know.”

He cringed. Spitfire laughed.

“Sorry,” he said letting her go. She increased her pace to run side by side with him.

“So where are we going?” she asked excitedly.

“Stop fucking running you fuckin’ robot freak!” A slightly slurred voice called.

“I don’t know you!” Jett replied.

“Huh, so where’s that again?” Spitfire asked.

“Away from those idiots!”

Spitfire shook her head and laughed as Jett picked up the pace. Spitfire followed as he turned into a park. The park was several terraced levels consisting of rain soaked stone brick walls. A trail connected them and led up to one of the city’s upper levels. A series of playscapes decorated the area.

Jett ran up to a set of monkey bars and flipped up on top of them before jumping up to one of the first tiers. He landed with a click as his shoes tapped the stone. Spitfire was right behind him and didn’t even bother using any available equipment and simply threw herself into the air before landing gracefully next to him.

“The hell was that?” Jett blinked, pushing some of his hair out of his eyes.

Spitfire shook her head, water flying out of her hair like a wet dog, “What? I jumped up and caught up to you.”

“That’s about a three meter jump,” he said monotone.

“What can I say? I’m light on my feet.”

“I call bull Mrs. Extradimensional female.”

“Mrs? Why Mrs? Is there something you’re not telling me Jett?” she grinned and licked her lips.

Jett turned red. Something about her triggered something in his software. Her hair was soaked with rain water and had fallen down from its typical candle flame and was now splattered about her head. She pushed some locks away from her forehead and gave the android a wide grin.

A light flicker ran through his systems and he gave a small smile, “You’re adorable.”

Spitfire blinked, “Whoa. Where’d that come from?”

Jett blinked, “Listen. I’m just giving you a compliment so don’t wet your panties over it.”

She grinned, “Oh but they’re already soaked Jett. You really know how to get a girl going.”

“That’s nasty,” he said unfazed, “We’re in a fucking storm right now. I’m soaked to the bone just from rain water.”

“Aren’t you made of metal?”

“Hey don’t patronize m-”

“There he is! And his red head girl too!”

Jett sighed, “Aw fuck, I thought we lost them.”

Spitfire shrugged, “Hey, no one said hard living was easy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jett asked as he took off running. He ignored the trail and bolted up the next terrace wall and jumped, clearing three meters and landed atop it. Spitfire followed. The gang chasing them clambered up the wall after them. The pair continued on, jumping wall after wall, Jett using his super engineered endomuscular system and Spitfire because… well Jett had yet to figure that out. Meanwhile their pursuers continued on behind them.

They were almost out of the woods, literally and figuratively. Jett jumped and landed on the last wall. He stared out at the open city lights. Directly in front of him was the decommissioned orbital elevator lit up like a Christmas tree. When Spitfire failed to show up a few seconds later he turned and gasped.

Spitfire was sitting on the trail clutching her ankle. A grimace of pain was on her face.

“Spitfire?! What’s wrong?!”

She seethed, “I don’t think I did that last one correctly!”

Jett jumped down and landed right next to her, “Do you know how bad it is?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s sprained or dislocated.”

Jett frowned, “Roll up you pant leg.”

She complied. Jett quickly scanned her ankle.

“You’ve pulled a muscle in your calve and your ankle is certainly sprained. If I can ge-”

“There! Get em!”

“Aw fuck,” Jett moaned.

“Damn it,” Spitfire groaned, clutching her leg.

“Come on,” he said pulling her to her feet, “Let’s get you out of here.”

She hobbled to her feet and turned, “Here they come!”

Coming up the trail were the four gang members. Two of them pulled knives.

Jett sighed and gently placed Spitfire on the ground and got in front of her, “Why knives? Why do they always bring fucking knives?”

“Give us our cash, fuckin’ robot freak,” the leader said. He wore a bandanna around his head. A weird type of Mike Tyson looking tattoo ran down his face. Two spiked gauges in his ears complimented an eyebrow piercing. The rest had similar get ups with both the females sporting nose rings.

The other 20 something year old guy stepped up, “And while you’re at it let’s see your girl over there as well.”

Jett turned and stared at Spitfire still clutching her leg before turning back, “What do you people want?”

“Our shipment and our money you owe us!”

He rolled his eyes, “How many times do I have to say this?! I don’t know you people! I never stepped foot in this city before this week!”

“Bull. The guy who stole from out boss had a metal arm, black hair and blue eyes and that describes you pretty well!”

“Do you know how many people have black hair and blue eyes?!” Jett asked.

“How many have that arm?!”

Jett seethed. Once again he found himself hating his synthetic body and his mechanical arm. He glanced down at his hands. Right was a normal human looking hand. Left was a plated metal device. He flexed both sets of fingers and stared up at his aggressors.

He fixed a gaze at Spitfire who simply gave him a small nod. All he needed.

“Look. I didn’t steal any of your worthless shit,” he said, “And even if I did, what makes you people still think I even have it?”

“If you don’t have it then who does?!” one of the girls snarled.

“Notice how I didn’t even admit to stealing anything, mainly because I didn’t. In fact, I think all four of you should turn around before you get into something you can’t walk away from.”

“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?!” the leader growled.

“Look wolverine, between your incredibly tiny brains and the fact you are all completely incompetent with even the most basic of human functions as well as your contributions to gang related violence as well as your apparent distribution of neural degradants such as the chemical know commonly as Mist shows just how much of a hazardous waste of resources you all are as well as the danger you all pose to society. So for the good of the small piece of something I would call remotely human lingering inside of you I suggest you turn around, head home, rethink your lives.”

“The fuck you say?”

One of the girls stepped forward and cracked her knuckles, “Think this little fuck needs a lesson in manners. Then we can find out where he hid our shipment.”

Jett cracked his knuckles, “Try it cunt.”

“Excuse me? What the FUCK did you just call me?” she growled, exposing her teeth. Jett cocked his head; interesting. They were sharpened to razor points.

Jett sighed, “You’re a cunt. Have I made myself clear?”

The leader stepped forward, “I think we’ll kill you.”

Jett laughed, “Oh that’s cute.”

“Why’s that?!”

He grinned, “Because I’m never going to be killed! I don’t care what your little degraded mass of cells thinks.”

The two with knives flipped them in their hands.

“Get him.”

Jett sighed and quickly reached into his jacket and pulled out the gun Gin left him and quickly aimed and fired off four shots. The blades of the knives each shattered as the rounds exploded against them. Fragments of metal showered all over the park, cutting the two knife wielders. Jett grinned, still keeping the gun aimed at his attackers.

“Bang,” he said.

***

Spitfire smiled happily as she wrapped her arms around Jett’s neck as he carried her to a nearby medical clinic. The rain was still falling and the umbrella was still put away but she didn’t mind. She was warm as could be as she rubbed her head against his chest.

“Geez, would you stop that? Are you a cat or something?” Jett asked.

“I can purr if you want,” she grinned.

“I think you do enough of that as it is.”

“Humph.”

“Be nice,” Jett said, “I am the one carrying you here.”

Spitfire glanced at her ankle, “And I’m thankful. So what did you mean back there when you said you wouldn’t mind killing those people? Were you serious?”

“That? That’s from a movie. Or a collection rather.”

“What movie?”

“Robot Club and Other Stories. It’s a sci fi series all taking place in the same world just covering different stories. It’s one of the lines from Terrorists on the MagLEV. One of the students is getting annoyed with another and he finally turns to him and says, “You know Andrew, I really wouldn’t mind killing you right now,” with the most serious look on his face. The rest of the story is serious but that part was kind of funny.”

“I see.”

“In this kind of city you have to be a bit of a Blade Runner to stay safe.”

“Blade Runner?” Spitfire asked.

“Old movie. REALLY old movie. But the term has come to mean someone with the right stuff to survive hostile environments like this. Knowing the streets, cityspeak, your way around guns, things like that. Dane and Gin don’t have to worry as much about that because Gin has some powerful connections here.”

“But you wouldn’t really kill a person would you?” She asked.

“Not like that. But in self-defense if the situation was extreme enough and to protect the people I care about.”

“Really?”

“Well yeah. Is there anything you wouldn’t do to keep your family safe?”

“I don’t know…”

“Well regardless, the thing I treasure most about my friends is their continued existence. Why do you think I put myself between those freakazoids back there and you?”

She gasped.

“Regardless of what you might think, you’ve become like a sister to me and I’d really hate to see any harm come to you so… yeah.”

Spitfire gave a toothy grin, “You’re an idiot Jett.”

“A ‘thank you’ would suffice too you know. And just because you have hollow bones doesn’t mean you aren’t heavy.”

Spitfire blinked, “Uh, speaking of which, how’re you gonna hide all my… well you know, stuff from the medical people?”

He grinned, “Don’t worry about that.”

The approached the clinic. It looked mildly rundown but compared to most street level buildings it was the Taj Mahal. A flickering red cross sat above the door.

“Are you sure about this place?” Spitfire asked holding the android a little tighter.

“I have a medical database at my disposal so if they start fucking up you’ll know about it. Plus the head doctor here is a ‘family friend’ as it were according to Gin. Just the receptionist is apparently a racist bitch to deal with.”

“Why doesn’t the doctor fire her then?”

“Because he’s not the boss. The City owns this place and right now people who can actually do their job are hard to come by so they keep her, bad attitude and all.”

Still carrying Spitfire the android pushed open the door to the clinic. The lobby was unoccupied at the moment so Jett found a nice spot to set Spitfire down at before approaching the desk.

“Hello, I was wondering if I could see Dr.-”

“Oh you! I know you’re kind! You’re one of those belter scum bags! We don’t serve your kind here! Especially if you’re some cyborg freak,” the lady rasped.

“As I was saying, I was wondering if I could speak to Dr. Gar-”

“I said we don’t serve you off worlders here! So take your stinking whore and get out!”

“Can I speak to a manag-”

“Get out!”

“Look, I’m sure someone high-”

“Take you’re cyborg ass and scat!”

“I’m beginning to lose my patience here,” Jett’s left eye twitched rather violently; enough for Spitfire to raise an eyebrow.

“I said you’re not welcome here!”

Jett reached into his pocket and removed his gun, “How ‘bout now?!”

The woman paled. Jett smiled.

“Thank you. Now what I was trying to say before you opened your mouth was that I was wondering if I could speak to Dr. Garret about my girlfriend over there? See?”

Spitfire gasped. The woman scowled and shot a quick glare her way before tapping a button on her keyboard.

“Dr. Garret, there’s a… KID and his GIRLFRIEND here to see you.”

“Tell him I’m friends with Grace.”

“He says he’s Grace’s friend.”

…

“Yes, sir.”

…

“Alright.”

She turned and scowled at the android, “He’ll be right over.”

Jett smiled warmly before placing the gun back in its holster, “Thank you… Cunt.”

He took his seat next to Spitfire.

She nudged him, “Girlfriend?”

He turned, “Couples get in easier. And why is that the first thing you ask about?”

“What do you mean?”

“I flashed a gun at that lady.”

“Oh that. Well I figured you wouldn’t do anything too rash. I’m starting to soften you up.”

Jett laughed, “Yeah, I guess you are.”

She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.

A moment later, the door opened and a rather disheveled looking man in a white coat stepped in. He turned and glanced at the receptionist who aimed a glare at the android. The man turned and grinned.

“Jett! You must be Jett!” the doctor smiled.

Jett stood up and grinned, “Dr. Garret I presume?”

“Yes, goodness yes, you must be that young boy Grace told me about,” he grinned looking Jett over, “My, my, Admiral Halsey’s son. Never would have expected Military royalty to come walking through my door.”

Jett cringed, “It wasn’t easy, let me tell you.”

The doctor frowned and glanced at the receptionist, “No need. So what brings you here my boy?”

Jett turned, “My, uh, girlfriend here, Spitfire, sprained her ankle and could use some help.”

The pair walked over to where Spitfire was seated, “Well let’s just take a look at you.”

Spitfire pulled up her pant leg, giving Jett a slightly nervous look. Garret removed a small scanner and held it up to her leg. Jett cocked his head lightly. For a brief moment Spitfire’s hollow bone structure appeared on the scanner before being replaced by a normal looking human leg bone.

“Well, yup, you sprained your ankle little lady. And you pulled something as well by the looks of it. No matter though. We’ll have you back on your feet in no time.”

Jett helped Spitfire to her feet.

Garret turned, “You know my boy, last time I saw you, you were just a little tike running around the house.”

Jett frowned, “I’m sorry, I don’t recall.”

“Oh I never met you personally. However your sister Cat would always come down here whenever she got enough leave. We’d always catch lunch together or something. She always gushes over you boy. About how smart you were, about your interests and things. You’re lucky to have her. Speaking of which, how is she?”

Spitfire gasped.

Jett frowned, “She’s uh…”

He gulped, “She’s dead. Died a few months ago. It was all over the news.”

“Oh my gosh. Boy I’m so sorry. I’m even sorrier for not knowing about it until now.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Spitfire asked.

“Not everything is sunshine and rainbows down here. Whatever you hear out in the belt, you’re more informed than I am. Not talking much about what’s going on this close to the action keeps people from getting too worried. Also keeps the economy stable for the most part though I can’t say I agree with the information black out. But enough about that, let’s see about your girlfriend here.”

The doctor led them into an examination room.

“Best room we have,” he said.

Jett helped Spitfire onto the examination table. The doctor walked up with what looked like a leg clamp. Spitfire passed a glance to Jett whose eyes simply flashed white before returning blue.

“Alright missy, just hold your leg up.”

She did and he attached the device to her ankle. He tapped a few icons on it before leaving it to do its work.

“Just keep that there for a few minutes,” Garret said, “I’ll be back in a moment. More patients to take care of.”

With that he left the room. Once the door closed Spitfire turned and glanced at Jett.

“Jett I’m sorry.”

The android turned, “What for?”

“He… you… he mentioned Cat.”

“So?”

“You still miss her.”

Jett frowned, “Of course I fucking miss her! You would too wouldn’t you?!”

Spitfire reeled back slightly, “Of… of course I would. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

Jett sighed and ran his prosthetic down his face, “Look, I’m sorry for snapping at you. It’s… it’s just been rough knowing she isn’t… that she isn’t coming home this time.”

He held his head in his hands and stared at the floor.

Spitfire stared at him for a few seconds before leaning over and taking his head in her arms, running her fingers through his rain soaked hair. She felt Jett jump in what felt like a combination of surprise, a sob, and a laugh all at once.

“Cat used to do that whenever I had nightmares,” he laughed sadly, “I guess any intelligence, even robots, aren’t prone to the simplest of emotions, human or otherwise.”

“Sshhh, everything will be alright.”

Jett laughed, “You’re an idiot for befriending me, Spitfire.”

Spitfire smiled and pulled his head up, “You’re a bigger idiot for finding me.”

He smiled and wiped his eyes, “That was blind luck and you know it.”

She gave him a toothy grin and cocked her head, “Then that makes it dumb luck.”

The door opened and Garret entered again. He blinked and stared at Jett and Spitfire.

“That’s so cute! Boy you certainly scored with this one here. Be good to her.”

Spitfire turned and gave Jett a sly grin, “Yeah robot boy, be good to me.”

Jett couldn’t help smiling before he lightly pushed her away from him.

“Alright girly,” Garret said, “Let’s see how your leg looks.”

He walked up to the clamp and stared at the display for a few seconds before tapping a few icons on the device. It quietly detached itself from Spitfire’s leg.

“There we are. All better.”

Spitfire sat up and felt her leg before rotating her ankle. Thoroughly satisfied, she grinned.

Jett stood up, “So she’s all set?”

“Yup. Just don’t injure that leg again Missy and you’ll be perfect.”

Spitfire gleefully jumped to her feet, “Awesome!”

Jett turned, “Well it was nice seeing you, Garret.”

Garret reached out and shook his hand, “Always a pleasure.”

The pair walked out of the medical clinic, Jett flashing a pair of murder eyes at the receptionist on the way out. They continued down the street towards the cable tower in the center of the city. As they approached, the density of people increased as well as the frequency of screens and advertisements. Suddenly Spitfire tugged on the android’s arm. Jett turned.

“What is it?” he asked.

Spitfire pointed at a large screen. On it were a few graphics and text in a language Spitfire couldn’t understand. But the main event was something she could easily get behind. A camera was circling a large race tracks with long jumps and loops, as well as a variety of twists and turns. The track was also marked by what appeared to be booster pads as well as holographic powerups and even off shooting ramps that led to shorter if more risker routes. A group of craft was zooming along the track. Steam was emanating from their bodies as they went as rain continued to fall on the track. An announcer was busily announcing a series of unheard statements about the race as the vehicles went. The camera zoomed in and focused on the lead vehicle. It was a sleek black craft with white racing stripes painted along it that turned to blue flames along the vehicle’s rear. A series of six engines were stacked in two groups of three and attached to craft by two horizontal pylons. A rounded dome of a cockpit was situated near the wedge shaped nose of the craft. The camera continued to zoom in on the cockpit. A figure wearing a black suit with a black helmet and silver visor sat at the controls.

Jett grinned, “Oh that. Now I remember why Gin and Dane wanted to come here.”

“What exactly is it?”

Jett turned, “I thought you would have figured it out by now. It’s a race.”

“What kind of race?”

“The awesome kind. That track is magnetized as well as the ships going around it. They’re all quantum locked to the track once they’re on it so they can even go upside down and remain attached to the track.”

“What are those engines?”

“The engines? The closest comparison that I can make that you would understand would be that they’re jet engines but that would technically incorrect. Suffice it to say they shoot the ships along really quickly without the effect of jet wash. There are also magnetic booster pads that can accelerate your ship for a while as well as certain power ups from holographic missiles that will slow a target ship down to a holographic shield to protect you from it. There are also personal boosters as well that one can use for their ship. The track also has nets that can slow your ship if you run into them.”

“What are those other tracks for?”

“Those are shortcuts one can take but they are more risky, littered with more traps and things like that. But if you can get through it you can bypass a large part of the track.”

The screen pulled up a profile of the black racer. The racer was still in their jumpsuit in their picture and their helmet was given a better view. It had a silvery white V stripped visor as well as a stripped pattern running down the suit itself. The racer’s epithet was listed next to them as well as their stats: Apsis. Apsis was listed as at the top of the game; 100s or 90s in nearly everything. In fact, the only thing where they appeared to be lacking was caution. The camera changed from Apsis to a clip from a previous race where Apsis and their ship, apparently named the Accelerator came a little too close to another racer when attempting an overtake for first. The Accelerator’s starboard engine grouping nicked a loose plate on the first placer’s ship, detaching the small piece of metal from the ship and sending flying down the track where it was sucked into the engine of another ship. The engine promptly burst into flames forcing the pilot to eject.

“What’s it saying?” Spitfire asked.

“Oh, uh, Apsis was suspended for five races for the accident. Uh, though the accident wasn’t ruled Apsis’ fault, a committee still said that if the Accelerator hadn’t touched that loose plate the accident wouldn’t have happened. The other guy was fined a couple thousand and suspended for the rest of the season for improper maintenance.”

The camera changed to show Apsis again. The Accelerator flew towards a rather steep ramp and jumped off it, performing a back flip before landing at the other end and accelerating towards the finish line. A supermodel waved the checkered flag as the ship flew past.

“And Apsis wins with room to spare,” Jett grinned.

Jett removed his phone from his pocket and stared at the screen for a second.

“Awesome.”

“What?”

“I had placed a bet. And I won.”

“How much?”

“Ten thousand. And I’m getting something from Dane.”

“Why? Who’d Dane bet on?”

“Some guy called Flash. Apparently he’s supposed to be the up and coming talent but the way Apsis flies, he won’t be getting to far any time soon.”

The screen changed to show Apsis pulling up to the pits and gliding onto a platform. The platform rose to a stage that was erected on the North side of the stadium. A group of people were waiting with a trophy, champagne bottle, as well as a whole bunch of cameras. The platform stopped and the Accelerator released its landing struts, locking it to the pad. The cockpit opened and Apsis climbed out and removed their helmet.

Silky white hair spilled out of the helmet accompanying a decidedly feminine face. The racer was clearly female with milky white skin, a cute button nose, pale lips, and a pair of piercing grey eyes. She removed her gloves and pulled out a small hair tie and tied her hair back with it. Her hands were white and soft yet betrayed nothing of their strength. Her finger nails were rounded and were the same color as her skin. The inside of her wrists concealed a small scar that contrasted with the beautiful color of her skin. With her face and gender revealed her suit appeared to give off more feminine overtones with as she walked towards the committee. She was clearly athletic with a body that would even give Spitfire a run for her money. The girl’s age however appeared to be her defining factor as she appeared to be no older than 17; Apsis. Her name was displayed on the screen as she walked: Kona Haydée Wakahisa.

Spitfire blinked, “She’s a GIRL?!”

Jett smiled, “Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that?”

Spitfire turned, “I’m still prettier than her.”

Jett shook his head, “Of course you are.”

“Humph.”

“And if you must know, she doesn’t get out much which is why she looks so pale.”

“And why is her hair white?”

“It used to be black. It went white when she was 13.”

“Why’s that?”

“Just the way the DNA is expressed.”

Spitfire turned, “Alright fine, I’ll admit it. She’s good.”

“How would you know? You’ve barely even seen the races.”

“Flying is my job, boyfriend.”

Kona reached the stage and stepped up and accepted her trophy and a bouquet of flowers. The crowd watching all broke out in applause and cheered her epithet.

“Apsis! Apsis! Apsis!”

She stood with a bored expression on her face before placing the trophy and flowers on the ground.

A barrage of questions was hurled her way. She answered with a similar bored monotone voice that matched her facial expression. Her voice was mildly tomboyish and had a slight scratchiness to it. Finally the last question came her way.

“And do you have any answers to all the challenges and the challengers and naysayers that go along with them?”

Her face changed instantly. A predatory grin spread across her face.

“Try it!” she said, “I’m on a whole other level, guys! You kids think you can come up here and attack me and take MY title?! Haha! Keep it coming and I’ll keep knocking you all down the ladder. Cross that damn finish line and I’ll always be there waiting with two birds sitting at the ends of my hands. Me and my team are the best in the business. So if you think you can beat them and more importantly me, then BRING. IT. ON.”

Spitfire grinned, “You know what? I changed my mind. I like this girl.”

“Her record is flawless. Why do you think I bet on her?”

“Humph.”

Jett turned and looked towards the tower before looking at his phone again, “Shall we get going? Dane wants us to meet him at the tower.”

“Sure.”

The pair continued walking, heading towards the conical shaped structure.

“You know, there are a lot of people who would love to see her fail.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because she’s that good. When she showed up four years ago she’s won almost every race she’s raced in and won every possible title. She’s a monster on the track. And that makes her a target. Not that she minds. She’s like you. She knows how she looks and how good she is at her craft and gives no shits if people hate her for it.”

“I’d be all over her if I liked girls,” Spitfire grinned.

“You have such a dirty mind.”

“I know you find my brain attractive.”

“I have to find something attractive to put up with your antics.”

“Are you sure it’s not something else you find attractive?” she grinned.

Jett shook his head, “Being a computer makes me find brains more attractive than anything else you have under your shirt missy.”

“Don’t challenge me robot boy ‘cause you may not win that bet.”

“Believe me. Your mind is the most attractive thing about you. I promise you that.”

“”Don’t make a girl a promise if you know you can’t keep it.” Is that the quote?”

Jett smiled, “Oh this is one promise I will definitely keep.”

“You’re no fun sometimes.”

“I’m plenty fun. However my talents are not focused on the sexual.”

“Whoa! Sexual? Who was being sexual here?” Spitfire grinned.

“Don’t give me that one less flirty girl routine.”

“I’m not. You’re the one implying things were getting sexual here.”

“Oh please. You’re full of sexual innuendos and perverted thoughts.”

She leaned her head against him and gave him a quick kiss, “And they’re all pointed at you robot boy.”

“Well point them at someone else.”

She scoffed and shook her head, “You are an ass.”

“What?”

“You are an ass!”

“I don’t think that’s what you should be calling the person who saved your life earlier today.”

“Please. I could’ve handled them.”

Jett laughed, “Oh? With what army?”

“Me, myself, and I.”

“Headstrong to take on anyone, eh?”

“I’m a hard bitch.”

“Yes you are.”

The tower had gotten considerably bigger as they approached it. An entrance was visible. A series of tall doors opened up to the hastily built interior. A series of ramps led to a parking garage “underground” or what passed for it in this town. The building itself built itself up like a cone into the sky high above the city. Lightning cracked and struck one of the many lightning rods along the tower.

The duo stopped and stared up at the Cyberpunk center of the city. Spitfire herself grinned and wrapped an arm around the android’s prosthetic.

“Have I ever thanked you?” she asked.

“For what?”

She turned, “For giving me a little bit of forever every single day. I swear every day here has been a little infinity. No small part thanks to you.”

“I was just being me.”

“And I thank you for that.”

“You’re something else girly. Come on, Dane and Gin are probably waiting for us.”

“That’s all you have to say?” Spitfire asked.

“What do you want me to say?”

She scoffed and shook her head, “You damned good natured asshole.”

“Call me names later. Right now we need to find Dane.”

“Suurrre we do,” Spitfire purred following him.

“We’re crossing the street, Blanche, so watch out for some street cars.”

“Excuse me? Blanche?”

“What? Oh I forgot, you don’t appreciate theatre,” Jett said as the pair crossed the street heading towards the large tower.

“What? Yes I do!”

“Sex and the City The Musical isn’t good theatre.”

“Well excuse me sir. Do forgive the attitudes of a common girl,” she mock bowed.

“Quit that. We’re in the middle of the road here.”

“You do have a stick up your ass, don’t you?”

“I just want to get across the street without getting hit by a car.”

“Fine. And for the record, I did see a recording of Les Misérables.”

“Oh?” Jett raised an eyebrow, “I’m impressed. Who was your favorite character? Mine was Enjolras.”

“Éponine easily.”

“Why’s that?”

Spitfire smiled, “Because I can relate to her in a strange way. Her story was so tragic. She’d fallen in love for her best friend since childhood and it went unrequited because stupid Marius fell in love with Cosette in classic Walt Disney fashion. Oh, you know I’m just stalk a random blonde girl I just saw earlier today to her damn house and fucking marry her, you know because love and shit. That’s not how that shit works man! And in the end, poor Éponine gets fucking shot and dies and Marius is sad for like ten minutes and then gets shot himself and marries the blonde girl at the end. Fuck that man. Justice for Éponine!”

They reached the other side and stepped up onto the sidewalk and headed towards the building.

“So can you relate to her because you like Soarin’ and he ended up dating someone else? I assume you two have known each other since you were kids, right?”

Spitfire cringed and turned, “What?! Why I don’t even- Why would you even suggest that- Just no!-I… What?!”

“What? It’s pretty easy to figure out!”

Spitfire’s face contorted into a scowl before slapping the back of the android’s head, “Ugh! You may be a machine but you are like every single man I’ve met!”

“Ow! In what way? Jeez, the hell was that for?”

“You’re all STUPID!” She said and stormed off towards the building.

“Hey where you going?” Jett called after her as his eyes followed her. Dane and Gin were leaning against the concrete foundation of the structure staring at the rain soaked android. Dane simply shook his head as Spitfire walked up to him. Jett scowled and flashed a piece of sign language before walking over himself.

“You are a fucking idiot, Jett.”

“Shut the fuck up, Dane.”

Dane simply snickered before following Gin and Spitfire with Jett close behind.

***

“This isn’t what I thought you meant when you said we were going to a music club,” Jett said.

“Quit your whining!” Dane called.

“I don’t think it’s whining if there’s a possibility that I fall to my fucking death.”

“Maybe it would be good for you!” Gin called from slightly higher up, “I mean you did run into fire bird here because of it!”

“Well fire bird is angry at me for some reason.”

The gang were climbing up the outside of the superstructure. By now the conical shape of the building had tapered off to a diameter a little larger than the cable and the support rings. A variety of other structures had been built along it ranging from clubs to houses to stores to even restaurants. At this height, there was only one "street" and only metal panel sidewalks that climbed higher into the sky. Up here, the city looked like a semi organized grid of primarily blue lights with neon mixtures dotting it. Speaking of neon, a variety of signs was flashing a variety of services in a language Spitfire couldn’t read. Fortunately the two androids could decipher them all perfectly.

“There should be railings up here,” Jett frowned.

“Railings are for pussies,” Dane replied.

Jett sighed and stepped up behind Dane before shoving him off the edge of the metal plate that served as the sidewalk, only holding him by the back of his shirt. Dane let out a scream.

Jett frowned as he held the android by the collar of his shirt and watched him flail about.

“I thought railings were for pussies.”

Gin smiled, “Yeah Dane, I thought railings were for pussies.”

“I changed my fucking mind! Now pull me back!” he yelled.

Jett pulled him back and patted his shoulders, “There we are. So should railings be installed in this place?”

“Yes alright? Geez, I almost had a fucking heart attack!”

“Shall we get going already ladies?” Spitfire called.

“Yes mom!” Dane called before turning to Jett, “What did you do to that girl?”

“How the fuck should I know?” Jett asked as they continued walking, “Where the hell is this place anyway?”

“Just a little farther up,” Gin called.

Sure enough, a bright, neon lit entrance was coming up. It was a hexangular shaped opening with a sign above it. It was written in a series of Japanese kanji characters as well as little bits of English. A bouncer stood in front of it. Gin walked up and flashed an ID. The bouncer stared at it before looking past her at the two androids and the girl.

Jett took the time to walk up to Spitfire, “Hey, are you alright?”

She turned and put her nose up at him.

“Look, whatever I said that upset, you I’m sorry alright? You know how well I understand half the things that go on in your head.”

She turned, aiming her orange eyes at his, “You’re an idiot.”

Jett rolled his eyes, “Yes we’ve established that already. Do you want to tell me what I did that’s pissing you off so much?”

She turned, “No.”

Jett sighed and turned, “Fine then.”

He reached over her shoulder and pulled her close.

“Ah! Hey! What the hell are you doing?” Spitfire whispered.

Jett grinned, “I’m your boyfriend still remember?”

He trailed a finger lightly down her back. Spitfire tensed up.

“What the hell has gotten into you?!” she whispered again, her voice cracking lightly.

“Oxygen deprivation,” he replied, “At this altitude the O2 is running a little bit low. Guess it’s having some kind of effect on me.”

“That’s a load of crap and you know it!”

He burst out laughing, drawing attention from the bouncer and Gin.

“Sorry! Just doing something a little out of character.”

The bouncer turned to Gin, “So these people are with you?”

“Yes,” the bartender nodded.

“And him with the arm?”

“Do you have a problem with it?” Spitfire asked taking a step forward.

The bouncer frowned and stared at her through shaded eyes, “No, I don’t. Just don’t cause any trouble, Fire Bird.”

He turned to Gin, “You four are all set.”

The four all stepped into the club and were greeted by the hard vibrations of loud music. It felt like the music, if it could be called that, would shake the entire tower apart. They continued to walk through the tunnel until they entered the club that took up the entire level. They were greeted by a series of tables and chairs that encircled the dance floor in a horseshoe like pattern. At the other end of the horseshoe was a stage where a DJ was playing music. Two platforms flanked either side of the stage where two exotic dancers, with heavy body modifications, were putting on a show. Two staircases led up to another level with more tables and chairs and two balconies that led off into the night sky. In the middle of the dance floor, a thick column structure ran right up through the middle where a series of cat walks connected to a large platform centered on the structure. They soon realized that this was the elevator cable that was running up the middle of the club. A series of TV screens was attached to the cable displaying a variety of sexualized images that even put a blush on Spitfire’s face. The club itself was crowded with dancers and partiers as well as those simply having conversations at the table.

Gin grinned, “Oh yeah, this is my kind of place.”

“You own this kind of place,” Jett said sarcastically.

“Yeah well this place is two kilometers up in the sky.”

“I’m starting to question the wisdom of having a club built around an orbital elevator cable.”

“Really?” Dane asked, “That’s what your questioning? Because there’s an entire building built around this elevator less than a kilometer down.”

“Dane I swear I’m going to throw you off a fucking balcony.”

“Okay, Michael Grimm.”

“Well Gentlemen and lady,” Gin said, “I’m gonna go meet up with a colleague of mine. Have fun and whatever you do, don’t fall off.”

Jett turned to Spitfire, “Are you still mad at me?”

She turned and put her hand over his face, “Shut up.”

***

“All I’m saying is that sex is weeiiirrrd!” Jett laughed in a mildly slurred manner.

“Dude, it’s not weird! You’re weird. I think this is the first time you’ve let yourself get even slightly fucked up,” Dane replied.

“Not my fault! Spitfire wouldn’t stop being mad at me if I didn’t.”

“And you listened to her?”

“I figured I could handle it this time,” The android hiccupped.

“And I can’t believe you went along with it!” Spitfire laughed.

The three were sitting at a table on one of the upper levels that offered a perfect view of the stage as well as the dancers. Dane had taken the liberty of ordering whatever he didn’t know the name of on the menu and having everyone try it when it got there.

“If I have to ssshhhare a bed with you I’d rather not do it when you’re angreeey with me.”

“So wait, wait, wait, wait a minute here,” Dane said, “How is sex weird again?”

“Oh puleeeze! How have you of all people not thought about this? Fine, I’ll explain it to you. You take your fucking man part and you put it inside of a female.”

Spitfire laughed with a hiccup.

“You just take it and you put it inside her. Physically put it inside of her body. Right in the spot between her legs. Right up there. And for some reason, that’s supposed to feel good for both parties involved, excluding extenuating circumstances.”

“Heh, you said circumstances,” Spitfire laughed.

“Hop off me pervert. And then after you you’re done fucking fucking her, and after you’ve shot a wad of genetic material right up there, nine months later you have another human being. And to top it all off, people do that for fun, minus the other human being part. That doesn’t strike you as weird?”

“Dude, people do it because it feels good. It doesn’t matter if it’s weird or not. If licking doorknobs felt good I’m pretty sure people would do that too.”

“Again, all I’m saying is that it’s fucking weird. Sex is weird. And that’s why you’ll never convince me that there’s a god.”

“Because of sex?” Spitfire asked.

“Because of that and vaginas. The human reproductive system looks like it was designed by a group of priests.”

“Well then maybe there is a god!” Spitfire laughed.

“If you’re going to sell me on the intelligent part of ‘intelligent design’ then the human body wouldn’t come with a sewage system right on top of the entertainment complex.”

Dane sighed, “Well biologically it makes sense.”

“Hey I don’t think I’m asking for too much here. Just keep things separate. I mean dolphins and whales breathe and eat out of different holes. You’ve never seen a dolphin choke to death. I don’t think it’s a stretch to ask for a little bit of the same below the belt.”

“This sounds like something Dane would say,” Spitfire said.

“Yeah! This sounds like something I would say!”

“Then why aren’t you saying it?”

“I don’t know!”

“Oh shit.”

“What?”

“I think someone’s gone back in time and stepped on a butterfly or something like that!”

“What?” Spitfire asked.

“The butterfly effect?” Jett asked, “Theory that if you go back in time any minor alteration to the past could have a vast domino effect later in the future. I.e. if you went back in time and killed a butterfly you could potentially stop a hurricane a few weeks in the future. But by killing the butterfly you remove its genetic material and that of its descendants from the gene pool potentially altering the future hundreds if not millions of years into the future. In short, the Butterfly effect states that any small event can have an effect on a larger event or group of events farther down the road. Which is why John Titor will always be wrong.”

“You can’t prooove that!” Dane said in a sing song voice.

“By the man’s own ramblings I can!” Jett said slamming his glass on the table causing Spitfire to jump lightly, “Sorry.”

“You said man’s,” Dane said smugly.

“You know what I mean nimrod! Anyway, he postulates that the many worlds interpretation of the universe is correct and that since he supposedly time traveled from the year 2036 to the year 2000 that things could turn out differently because he merely changed world lines as he put it.”

“That could have easily happened.”

“Really? You’re going to say to me that events such as a nuclear war, a civil war, an end to the Olympic Games and a computer crisis were all just whimsical changes from his world line into ours?”

“It’s a possibility!”

“It’s unfalsifiable! It may be “POSSIBLE” but the many worlds interpretation ensures that everything is possible! What you’re asking me to do is to prove that a man didn’t time travel from a parallel universe to this one which I CAN’T DO! What I can do is point out the inconsistencies in the story as well as the many more plausible explanations as to the identity of John Titor as well as many of the contradictions he brought up. If you put me back in the year 2000 I could EASILY come up with a far more valid time travel story than that one.”

“Alright Guildenstern, how would you do it?”

“Through the magic of nanotechnology, as well as the fact that quantum dating won’t be invented until the year 2233, rendering radiological dating obsolete, I take a book and write generally ambiguous but still potentially specific predictions into a diary as well as some thinly veiled time travel story and then I bury it somewhere where it is likely to be found after modifying the molecular structure of the book making it appear to be as old as it needs to be.”

“And what predictions would you make Doc Brown? Remember you can’t use your knowledge of the present to help you.”

“Easy. If one examines history properly you can determine a general outline of world events for the next 30 years give or take.”

“Like what?” Dane crossed his arms.

“I’m getting there Rosencrantz. With climate change reaching a head it’s a simple calculation to predict sea level rise as well as the fact that storms will be increasing in intensity. Certain things, like Hurricane Sandy were only a matter of time as many scientists had predicted it as a worst case scenario. Looking at the political scene in 2000’s would make it easy enough to predict what the next 20 years would bring. And going with the joke that fusion is only 20 years away, the first functioning fusion reactor goes online in 2020, in line with when it actually went online in the year 2025. Game. Set. Match. Checkmate.”

“Okay, now do it without nanotechnology.”

“Okay, I go on the internet and perform a John Titor like stunt using an untraceable computer or using public library computers. It would also be very easy to hide my face and to move with something resembling a motive to get the job done. Anything that is properly researched enough can be done well enough to look legitimate.”

“Wow, that doesn’t sound a little deterministic of you.”

“Deterministic?! My, my, who would have thought you even had the faintest inkling as to what that school of thought was/is!”

“Uh, don’t mind me for butting in on this conversation but what is determinism?” Spitfire asked.

“Uh, determinism is the idea that no matter what we do everything was determined for us 13.82 billion years ago. Determinism states that there is no free will, that if we had enough data we could explain everything from what your next thought would be to what you were going to have for lunch tomorrow to even predicting what the author was going to write down next,” Dane replied.

“What?” Jett stared at him.

“You heard me.”

“Anyway… For the most part quantum physics has for the most part kind of proved it wrong/up for debate at the moment.”

“So what do you believe?” Spitfire asked.

“I don’t subscribe to any particular belief,” Jett replied.

“Why?”

“Because the effort would be futile. I like to wait until I have enough data about a situation before I make a choice, well, most of the time.”

“Oh?” Spitfire said, “You require data before you make a choice?”

“Of course I do. In the end that what it all comes down to: choice. I like to make the most informed choice I can.”

Spitfire put her head in her hands and stared across the table at him, “What about guessing?”

“Guessing?”

“If you can’t make a well informed decision? What do you do when you don’t have enough data and you have to make a choice regardless? Do you guess?”

“Are you asking me if I believe in luck?”

“Maybe. It’s kinda late and I’m not sure what I’m asking. I guess if that’s what you want to call it then yes.”

He grinned and stared back at her, leaning across the table, “I believe in probability.”

“Probability?”

“Yes, probability. Luck is far too subjective. After all, one man’s good luck is another man’s bad.”

“How so?”

“Say you were about to be framed by a dirty cop. If the cop was killed it would be good luck for you. Now assume that this cop, aside from being dirty, happens to be a loving family man who is just trying to provide for and keep his family safe. His death would be horrifically bad luck on their part, even though you were spared from being framed for a crime you didn’t commit. Luck is subjective.”

“Then why do you believe in probability?”

“Because probability of all kinds, no matter how small it may be, allows for everything to be possible.”

“Aren’t you contradicting yourself there?” Dane interjected.

“No. Because probability is an abstract concept rather than a theory. Nothing stops me from flipping a coin a hundred times and having it land on heads ninety nine out of a hundred times. It’s improbable but not impossible by what we know. Your many worlds interpretation of the universe is unprovable and unfalsifiable at the moment making it a null.”

“So what makes probability so special?” Spitfire asked.

“Well it gave me you, hot girl, didn’t it?” Jett hiccupped, “Whoops, did I say that out loud?”

Spitfire blushed, “W-what do you mean by that?”

“Well, speaking from a strictly statistical standpoint, girlfriend, there’s nothing stopping me from falling out of the sky and stumbling through a rain forest to find an exceptionally hot and attractive female passed out on the ground,” Jett grinned, “It’s entirely improbable, yes, but there is nothing that prevents it from happening.”

Spitfire stared at him. Jett leaned in closer until their noses were almost touching.

“And that is why I like probability.”

The two continued to stare at each other intently. Spitfire with a blush burning across her face like a wildfire and Jett with a confident grin that did nothing but betray the fact he was impaired to some degree even if present company couldn’t figure out just how at the moment.

Suddenly he burst out laughing and leaned back in his chair as he howled at the ceiling.

“Oh my god! The looks on your faces was priceless! Fucking… If I had a fucking camera I’d have taken pictures!” he laughed.

“Uh…” Spitfire mumbled.

“You’re an asshole dude,” Dane scowled.

“You’re just mad that probability gave me a hot girl to hang out with!” Jett laughed.

“Uh… you find me attractive?” Spitfire asked meekly.

“Really, that’s what you’re asking him?” Dane said.

Jett flew forward and stared at Spitfire, “Why of course I do! Just because I’m pissy all the time doesn’t mean I can’t see what’s right in front of me! Even if it is only software based on primitive biological urges as well as a reproductive system that makes fuck all sense!”

Dane started to crack up, “Dude, quit laughing like a son of a bitch! It doesn’t fit you!”

“Why? I think it’s funny! And I think you’re just mad that I’ve gotten to sleep with Spitfire all vacation!”

“Like you’d touch her anyway!” Dane laughed, “She’s the hottest girl in the school and you share a dorm with her and you two haven’t done shit!”

“Well fuck, I have nothing to say to that!”

“I’m kinda interested now. You said you find her attractive. How so?” Dane asked.

Spitfire, still blushing, managed a grin, “Yeah Jett, tell us, how do you find me attractive? Don’t hold anything back just because I’m sitting here either because I wanna hear this!”

Jett put his hands together, “Alright, here it goes. No holding back.”

He took a deep breath.

“Spitfire… Your eyes glow brightly like the rising sun. Your hair is the color of every bon fire and every jovial campfire that has ever hosted a gathering of well-meaning people. Your lips are so perfect that I kinda wanna kiss you. Your arms, legs, and neck are all perfectly shaped as if sculpted by Michelangelo. Your hands are simply divine as if stolen from the gods themselves. Your skin is the fairest of them all and softer than a baby’s. Your feet got me feeling some type of way because, what can I say? I like a nice pair of feet on a hot woman. Your tits look nice from what I can tell by the way your shirt raises away from your chest and… You’ve got a… GREAT ASS!”

Dane and Spitfire both stared at him before both began cracking up and outright laughing.

“OH MY GOD! Well done Shakespeare! Great ass? What are you, Al Pacino?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been complimented like that before!” Spitfire howled, “So that’s how you feel about my ass? You can always ask! I’d be happy to show it off to you!”

“In the words of Al Pacino: Ferocious aren’t I? When I think of asses, a woman’s ass, something comes out of me.”

“Yeah, it wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact you’ve downed like three rum bottles already? As well as leaving that software on? You’re getting careless.”

“Ah bite me. I get to share a room with this wonderful female,” Jett laughed nudging Spitfire who simply blushed.

“Keep your pants on. It’s not like I’d think of stealing her away from you. You two are the OTP of the fanfic called my life.”

The pair stared at each other. Jett laughed.

“You know, I may be really fucked up right now, but… staring at her, I would have no problem with that.”

He wrapped an arm around Spitfire’s shoulder and pulled her close and gave her a light kiss on the cheek causing her to gasp.

“Here’s to you, doll face.”

***

13 Hours Later.

A painful throbbing was the first thing to manifest itself. It was soon followed by the sound of high speed wind gusts as well as the blinding light of a 1 pm equator sun burning in the sky with the intensity of a thousand screaming girls whose ovaries just exploded because Justin Bieber fucked a squirrel or whatever the cock happened.

The next feeling to grace the android’s net was a weight on his chest. He rotated his head and found the source. Spitfire was sleeping with her head resting on his chest and her arms wrapped around his prosthetic like it was a teddy bear. He then remembered his head and put a hand to it before carefully meandering his way out from underneath Spitfire and rolling over.

Immediately he reeled back. His head was hanging over the edge of a balcony and staring straight down the side of a several kilometer tall tower.

He rolled to his feet and scooted back away from the edge. He stared at the offending railing that had gaps in the bars large enough to allow a human head to fit through.

“Fuck I hate heights sometimes,” He muttered.

He stood up and looked around. He was on one of the balconies in the music club. There was no one else out on the balcony except for himself and Spitfire. He walked back into the club and looked around. A few other people were passed out at tables, on tables, under tables or just on the floor in general. He looked towards the bar. Gin was sleeping with her head on the counter with the bartender sleeping across from her. Carefully stepping over sleeping people, he searched for Dane.

He stepped down the stairs and onto the dance floor and found him. He glanced up at the platform where one of the exotic dancers was sleeping with her head in the lap of a certain white haired android leaning against the pole.

Jett shook his head and walked towards one of the tables and picked up a half full beer glass and dumped it before lightly tossing in the air and feeling its weight as it landed on his hand before throwing it like a football up at the android. The glass exploded against his skull, the crystal shattering as it was supposed to into tiny cubical pieces of glass.

Dane barely stirred but awoke when another glass impacted his head. He jumped lightly and looked around before focusing on his brother standing a few meters below him. Jett held up his wrist and made a motion with his hand.

Time, he mouthed.

Dane rolled his eyes and held up his hand making a jabbering mouth with it before removing the head of the dancer out from under him and jumping down to the floor.

“What?” he whispered.

“It’s 1 in the afternoon,” Jett replied holding his head, “Ow, my head. The hell happened?”

“You’re complaining about your head?” Dane said slapping him, “You threw two beer glasses at me!”

“I know,” Jett replied nonchalantly, “Fuck I have a hangover.”

“Good. Serves you right.”

“Why did you let me get drunk last night?”

“Why did you let yourself get drunk last night?”

“I don’t fucking remember!”

Dane sighed, “Well whatever happened last night, it appears to have been savage. So what’d you wake me up for?”

“We have a flight to catch at 5 to the mainland United States. And considering how long it takes to climb down this bean stalk, I’d like to collect our things from the hotel before grabbing something to eat before we leave.”

“Fine,” Dane muttered before staring back up at the dancer, “Wish I could’ve said goodbye.”

Jett sighed, “Just leave her your fucking number and let’s go.”

Dane removed a small piece of paper from his pocket and scribbled some information down before jumping up and tucking it into the dancer’s bra.

Jett rolled his eyes, “You’re a pervert. Go grab Gin and let’s get out of here.”

Jett ran up to the balcony and found Spitfire still curled up. He smiled and scooped her up in his arms. She wrapped hers around his neck and rubbed her head into his chest.

“Five more minutes mom…” she muttered, “I hate getting up at 6:00 every day…”

He found Dane waiting for him with Gin hefted over his shoulder.

“Really? You couldn’t hold her in a more comfortable way that doesn’t look like you’ve just roofied her?”

“You wanna carry her?!” Dane scowled, “Fucking woman weighs as much as truck.”

“Shut up and let’s get going.”

A few minutes later they were making their way down the tower. Every now and again they would have to move to the side of the path as a car or motorbike of some kind drove up or down past them. Still, they continued their climb down, enjoying the view.

“Do you have any memory of what happened last night?” Jett asked.

“Dude I don’t even remember five minutes ago.”

“I think I got really fucked up and I don’t remember why or how.”

“Well maybe someone took pictures.”

“Hopefully,” Jett said sarcastically.

Spitfire stirred. She rubbed her head into the android’s chest.

“Heh,” she moaned still asleep, “Jett likes my ass.”

The two androids stopped and stared at Spitfire. Even Gin in her unconscious state seemed to register something happened. Dane‘s gaze slowly rose up to meet the android before he burst out laughing.

“What the FUCK was that?!” he laughed.

Jett moaned, “This is why I don’t drink.”

“You were definitely drinking something if those words came out of her mouth!”

“She could simply be having a dream, moron.”

Dane grinned, “This time… I doubt it.”

Jett rolled his eyes, “Come on Stein’s Gate. We have a flight to catch.”

They continued walking.

Dane turned, “I hope you know I’m not letting you hear the end of this one.”

Jett sighed, “Fine. But this stays between you and me.”

Dane grinned, “I think I can handle that this time.”

“I’m sure you can.”

The wind continued to blow offering a comfortable reprieve from the heat of the equator as they continued their way down the tower. The city was alive with activity as ships of all sizes zipped through the skies. Elevator cars zipped up the remaining functional elevator cables.

“So just what about her ass do you like?” Dane asked.

“Dane!”

Author's Note

I'm back, bitches. And if you can find every reference in this chapter you will get an infinite supply of cookies.

Extras. Number 3.

This is just me taking a new character out for a test run for an upcoming story. She’s going to be a little more difficult to write due to the accent I’m trying to write her with as well as the personality I’m going to try to give her.

Location: Alpha Centauri System.

Date: Winter. 2722.

Planet: Alpha Centauri Aα.

Seraphina crouched down by Jax’s bunk, a feather in one hand and a can of… something in the other. She wore a Cheshire cat grin as she sprayed the offending cream onto the Halfling’s out stretched arm as he slept. She glanced at the feather and then at the sleeping boy’s nose.

For a brief moment she forgot her prank as she watched him sleep. He had a small grin on his face that made him look so peaceful. A lock of his jet black hair fell in front of his right eye. She shook herself out of her daze and slowly began to tickle the boy’s nose.

Slowly he raised his arm and then lowered it, moaning something and going back to sleep.

“Curses,” she whispered.

She tried again. This time he raised his arm, his muscles contracting to bring his arm closer to his face…

…before springing forward and slapping Seraphina right across her left cheek, covering her face in the stuff.

Jax sprung out of bed and immediately started laughing hysterically. His energy circuits lit up a bright sapphire blue as he slapped his knee and then began rolling on the floor.

“Oh my gosh! I would literally kill to be able to see your face!” he howled.

Seraphina just growled and stomped out of their dorm room into the common area shared with Dak and Fleta.

“Wait! Where you going?” Jax laughed, “You don’t seriously think I didn’t hear you climb down from that top bunk this morning?”

The sound of running water in the bathroom was his only response.

A moaning sound from the other side of the suite got his attention, “Jax, we just got this dorm! Can you at least soundproof the walls if you and Sera are going to be terrorizing each other like this?”

Jax sat up and yelled, “Yeah, yeah. It goes both ways you know! I don’t suppose you and Fleta wanna share your couples’ activities with the rest of us?”

“Fuck off,” Dak replied, his voice getting closer, “Summer this year was a bit fuller than I expected it would be- oh shit.”

“What’s the ‘oh shit’ for?” Jax asked just as Seraphina reentered their dorm with a CO2 spray canister and a can of cherry scented whipped cream.

Jax put his hands up, “Uh, mercy?”

Seraphina gave a devilish grin, “Not this time.”

She held the dairy product in front of the CO2 canister and pressed down on the two buttons. Instantly, the Halfling was engulfed in a storm of white.

“Ah shit! What the hell is this for?!” he shouted as he tried to fight off her assault.

“I’m a bit frustrated.”

“So you’re taking it out on me?!”

“Kinda.”

“Alright, I’ve had enough of this!” he shouted and rushed at her and grabbed the whipped cream from her hand and started spraying her hair with it, “How do you like it?”

“Ah! Fuck dude! My hair!” she laughed as she fell to the floor, holding up her hands to defend herself.

“You can take a shower! After me, that is!”

“Whatever happened to ladies first?”

“I thought we were all for equal treatment!”

She suddenly jumped up and tackled him to the floor, wrenching the can from his hands, so she was now sitting on his chest, pinning his arms above his head.

Seraphina grinned, “You’re gonna pay for that.”

Jax grinned back, “Bite me you little shit eater.”

“A shit eater am I? Okay, we’ll see about that!”

She grabbed the CO2 can and the whipped cream again.

Jax moaned, “Why can’t you just let me sleep in on weekends?”

“Why won’t you just go out with me?” She grinned back.

“Wait what?”

The sound of the door to their suite opening got their attention as Fleta entered.

“What’re they doing?” Her voice bounced into the room.

Dak replied, “Don’t ask me.”

A few seconds later the white haired girl was standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips, “What are you two doing?”

Jax glanced over Sera’s fiery hair, “She started it.”

“What?” Sera frowned, “No you did, when you smacked me in the face with that cream!”

“I wasn’t the one trying to get it all over my hand in the first place!”

Fleta frowned, “Can we continue the couples therapy another time? We do have things to do today. So get dressed you two. And do it separately.”

“What? Separately?” Sera said standing up, “But then it becomes boring!”

Jax already had his clothes for the day, “I call the bathroom!”

He zipped away and closed the door behind him. Fleta rolled her eyes.

“How have you not raped him yet?” she asked.

Sera blushed, “What kind of person asks that?!”

***

“We could’ve at least gotten a decent breakfast,” Dak said as the four of them walked through the town. The planet was getting closer to its Aphelion and the temperature had begun to drop considerably. The four friends were now in their winter outfits which consisted of a white jacket and grey thermal jeans for Jax, a brown bomber styled jacket for Sera with a pair of cargo pants and a newsboy cap, a silvery grey jacket with white pants for Dak, and a blue jacket and jeans for Fleta.

Jax sighed, “We did. You ate like six pancakes.”

“I meant at a diner somewhere in town.”

“Is all you think about is food?” Fleta asked.

“I think about you,” Dak grinned.

“Ugh, gag,” Jax said.

“Sera?” Dak asked.

“Yeah?” she glanced over at him.

“You have my expressed permission and my consent to rape him in his sleep.”

She grinned, “Thank you sire.”

“Ugh, it’s my consent that you need here and I’m pretty sure I didn’t give it!” Jax flushed.

“Oh you will be soon enough, robot boy,” Sera grinned, pulling him close.

“Ah! Let go of me foul creature!”

“Hey it’s getting colder out here. We gotta keep warm somehow.”

“Suddenly I feel like you’re taller than me,” Jax groaned.

“Where the hell did that come from?” Fleta asked.

“I think he’s saying that he’s going to be giving up soon,” Dak said with a grin.

“That’s not what I said at all,” Jax deadpanned.

Sera leaned her head into Jax’s shoulder, “Then what did you say?”

“You know what? I’m done with this conversation. New topic: Anyone know who this new student we’re supposed to be meeting here is?”

Dak sighed, “Not a fucking clue. I don’t even know how we got stuck with this job to begin with.”

“Our little prank at the end of the year last year,” Fleta deadpanned, “In the words of Vice Principal Halsey, ‘I don’t want to punish you but I have to have you guys do something in exchange for screwing with the gravity ball team and cheerleading squad.’ Fucking bullshit man.”

“They fucked up our grids right before that match,” Jax grumbled, “We literally had to play with a software handicap because they couldn’t get half the emitters to work properly.”

“You two still won,” Sera said.

“Yeah. After we almost got disqualified after Dak ‘accidentally’ rammed his command ship into the other team’s.”

“Wasn’t my fault. Half of the emitters weren’t even working so I could barely even see where my ship was to begin with,” he replied.

“Just be glad the ref saw it that way too,” Jax deadpanned before turning to Sera, “Are you ever going to let go of me?”

She smiled and stared back at him, “Never.”

Jax cocked his head.

Sera frowned, “What’s wrong?”

“Just analyzing something. Warm tingly sensation running down my spinal column, increased blood flow to upper facial regions, uh… I don’t have enough data. I don’t know what that one is.”

“Don’t know what is?” Fleta asked.

“Don’t fall for it. He likes to call on the robot part of himself when he doesn’t want to acknowledge something,” Dak replied.

“Mildly raised voice, slight rolling of the eyes, light sneering on the upper lip, that one’s irritation,” Jax said.

“Stop it. You got that therapy when we were five so that doesn’t work anymore,” Dak frowned, “You know exactly what you’re feeling.”

“You know it’s commonly said that the beginning of wisdom is being able to say, ‘I don’t know.’”

“Except you know what it is asshole!”

“Leave him be, Dak,” Sera laughed, “I’m going to win anyway so you don’t even need to bother.”

“You’re not going to rape me again are you?” Jax asked.

“Again?” Dak asked.

Sera turned red, “Heh, ahh… fuck.”

The four continued walking through the cool city streets. Even though the sun was high in the sky to anyone outside of the shadow of the mountain, the temperature was still cool enough to freeze water. Inside the shadow of the mountain it was worse with most of the available light being several kilometers outside the city limits, a semi-permanent twilight was cast over the city, cooling it considerably. Though it was about 10:00 in morning, the available light made it seem more like 9:00 at night.

They approached their destination: a metro station. They stepped onto the platform and waited. In the distance the silhouette of the Space Elevator was lit up by spotlights as a car descended down the cable. A few minutes later the train could be seen gliding towards the city and towards their station that lay on the outskirts of the city. With a light hiss of steam the white and black carbon fiber and glass box slid to a stop.

“Anyone bring a sign?” Dak asked.

“Any of you know this person’s name?” Jax asked.

“Not a clue,” Sera replied.

“Probably would’ve been helpful if Ajax just gave us a name,” Fleta added.

“Wouldn’t be much of a punishment then would it?” Dak asked.

“This is part of the punishment?”

“Hell if I know.”

The doors to the car opened. Instead of an outpouring of people that the four were expecting they instead found themselves face to face with a singular individual.

They were a little shorter than bother Sera and Fleta but still had a semi imposing figure about them. The persona, a she, wore a pair of what looked like combat boots and camo cargo pants tucked inside them. She sported a leather jacket and what looked like a thermal T-shirt beneath it. A pair of dog tags with the words ‘Squad 63549’ printed on one and the words ‘SN-59650-74913’ printed on the other. Her blonde locks were organized in such a way so that half of her bangs fell in front of her right eye with the rest of it being done into a semi traditional brunette bob. Atop her head she wore a black beret with the familiar ‘SN-59650-74913’ running across it.

In one hand she held a large duffel bag which hung loosely, dragging on the floor. In the other she held a pocket watch which she stared at with intensity. The lone green iris that was visible appeared more focused on the ticking of the hands rather than on the four people standing before her.

She lazily stepped off the train and onto the platform before closing her watch and pocketing it. She looked up with a mildly bewildered look on her face.

“Uh… Are you four from zee Akademy?” she asked with a thick German accent.

Jax blinked, “Uh, yeah, we are.”

“That accent,” Dak whispered.

“Zee Daniel und Jett Halzey Akademy for Science und Engineering?” she asked again.

“I’m telling you dude, that accent…” Dak whispered again.

“Shut up, Dak,” Jax replied, “Uh… yeah. Um… who are you exactly?”

Suddenly the girl looked a bit flustered, “Ooh, uh, sorry, mein mishtake. Uh, mein name is Heinrich Von Richthofen. I, uh, I transferret here from zee belt.”

Jax suddenly smiled, “Wait. Heinrich Von Richthofen?”

Dak laughed, “I fucking knew it! I knew that accent sounded familiar!”

Sera grinned, “Hello… rabbit.”

The girl known as Heinrich gasped, “S-sera?”

She dropped her bag as her mouth soon followed. Heinrich gasped and dropped her bag.

“I knew zere vas a reason zat you all looked familiar!”

Sera held out her arms, “Bring it here girlfriend.”

Fleta blinked, “Wait, I’m confused.”

Jax turned, “Fleta this is Heinrich.”

Dak added, “The girl that Michael was always talking to online? Our scout when we play CyberWars or Force Vector or etcetera? Do the dog tags look familiar to you?”

Fleta gasped, “Wait, this girl is HEINRICH?! But how?”

Jax shrugged, “She mentioned she was changing schools but she never said where. Never would’ve guessed it was here!”

Heinrich and Sera released each other and turned.

“Vait, I’m confused,” Heinrich said, “How kan you guys all be here?”

“This is where we go to school!” Jax laughed, “Oh my gosh this is amazing! I thought we were getting some random transfer student to show around but this changes EVERYTHING!”

“I never vould have sought zat vee’d get to meet IRL like zis,” she laughed.

“I knew that accent sounded familiar,” Dak repeated again.

“Well now that we have, we can show you everything here! I hope you didn’t leave too much behind when you left.”

Heinrich bore a grin that was borderline predatory, “Mein baby is safe und sount in zee rest of mein luggage. I trust zat mein boxes arrifed on time?”

“Yeah, there’s a giant pile of case and crates in Michael’s dorm,” Dak said, “Oh speaking of! He’s not going to believe this!”

“Vait,” Heinrich stopped, “Mike? Mike goes here as vell?”

“Yeah he does. He’s away visiting his parents at Aquarius right now but he’ll be joining us real soon.”

“Oh wunderbar! Zis is turnink out soo much better zan I expekted!” she laughed.

“Still,” Jax said, “I hope you weren’t leaving too many people behind when you came here.”

“Not really. Back on zee Valhalla asteroid things vere rather boring. Mein parents sent me here bekause zis is supposedly one of zee best schools/unifersities in zee system. Are you guys shtaying for kollege as vell?”

Jax rubbed the back of his head, “Well actually-ow! What was that for?”

Sera smiled as she lowered her hand, “Forgive him, you understand his sense of humor is a little more twisted than most,” she turned back to him, “You’re not pulling that joke again you little shit eater. You fucking scared me half to death.”

Jax grinned, “I’m glad you can at least admit that now.”

She pulled him close and stared at him, “Just know that I am NEVER letting you go again.”

Jax turned red.

Heinrich laughed, “Already a kouple, huh?”

“Not yet,” Dak said ruffling Jax’s hair, “But eventually. And to answer your question, yes we’re staying here. But first we have to get through SENIOR year. I hope you’re ready because it’s going to be one HELL of a ride.”

“I think I kan handle it, yes?” she smiled removing her beret and running her fingers through her hair.

Dak shook his head, “We’ll see sister. And if you can do school work as well as you play CyberWars you shouldn’t have a problem.”

“Oh I don’t think I vill,” she said replacing her beret, “I skored a nine thousant sefen hundret and fifty on the ACCT.”

“Nine thousand?! Geez, that’s higher than mine! I got a nine thousand six hundred sixty six.”

“Heil Satan,” Heinrich laughed.

Jax slipped his thumbs under his belt, “Yeah, that’s nice and all but that still doesn’t beat what I got.”

“If you mention that perfect ten thousand one more time I’m gonna tear your head off,” Sera rolled her eyes.

“Um… I kinda need that for the whole… thinking thing? Ya know?”

Heinrich laughed, “Uh, I don’t think she vas talkink about zee head you’re thinking of.”

“Wait what?”

Sera crossed her arms and grinned.

Jax gulped and turned to Dak, “I think we’re outnumbered now.”

“What the hell gave you that idea?” he whispered back, “The fact that our school’s population disproportionally favors those who have multiple X chromosomes didn’t give you a hint?”

“Sorry, I was too busy trying to make sure my bunkmate didn’t rape me in my sleep.”

Heinrich grinned, “Fraulein Sera is on zee prowl.”

Jax rolled his eyes, “Your mind is more perverted than my sense of humor.”

“Your sense of humor is more twisted than a causal loop and darker than the far side of a black hole,” Sera replied, “But we can walk and talk can’t we?”

“Hmm?” Fleta asked.

“Am I the only one getting cold out here?”

Heinrich shrugged. Jax and Dak exchanged a glance.

“We’re fine,” the both said in sync before again glancing towards each other.

Fleta rolled her eyes, “Well the rest of us aren’t exactly equipped with the same cold resistant skin you two have. And one of us isn’t half machine.”

“So vat? Are vee going to zee school now?”

“Yeah, might as well get you settled in and all set up in your dorm. Then we can go get some lunch. Let’s get going,” Jax said.

“Alright.”

Heinrich hefted her back onto her shoulders and the group of five got walking.

***

“You never really explained what Valhalla was like,” Dak said, “Even online you never really said anything.”

Heinrich shrugged, “Zere wazn’t much to tell. It vas just another rock floating in zee belt. I never did get used to zee horizon curfing upward.”

“Are your parents staying there still?” Jax asked.

“Nah son. Zey decided to mofe ven I transferret here. Zey hafen’t told me vere zey are mofing yet but right now I don’t really kare. Valhalla vas sooo fucking borink. Zat one rock is more ethnikally German zan I am.”

“Really? How the hell is that possible?” Jax asked.

“Especially with that accent- ow! Stop hitting me!” Dak yelled as Fleta smacked him upside the back of his head.

“Hey. English may be my sekond language but zere are more zan just one German in zis system.”

“So did you decide to transfer here yourself or did your parents decide to send you here?”

“I vas looking at a few different places but zis place stood out from zee others zat were on zee list. I took zee entrance exam and voila, here I am.”

“You sign up for classes?” Jax asked.

“Ya. I signed up for Elementary Quantum Phyziks, Spacial Harmonics, A.I. Neuronics, komputer Programming, and Nanotechnology.”

“Awesome! Sera and I are both in Quantum Physics, Spacial Harmonics and A.I. Neuronics. I know Michael is signed up for Computer Programming and Nanotech. We all took Nanotech last year so if you need any help with anything we’re all at your disposal.”

She smiled, “Thanks. I’m really looking forward to zis year.”

“Soo… after lunch, who wants to go catch a movie?” Dak asked.

“As long as it’s not another one of those stupid Transformers reboot movies you’re so obsessed with I’m game,” Jax said.

“What? They are not stupid!” Dak replied.

Fleta cringed, “They kinda are. They’re all just explosions and no story. Kinda like the originals. I can’t shut my brain off that much to enjoy them.”

“Vait, you like those movies?” Heinrich scoffed.

“Yeah he does. We don’t know why though,” Sera sighed.

“Well at least I’m not like AKIRA here who’s only into art house sci fi movies.”

“Don’t call me that!” Jax yelled, “And I enjoy sci fi the most, I like other genres and movies that are GOOD and not that ugly cesspool of toxic sludge that you like.”

Sera laughed and pulled Jax closer to her and gave him a noogie, “Wow, shots fired there.”

Jax sighed, “Shoot back, I wanna die anyway.”

Heinrich grinned, “I don’t think you do.”

“Leave me alone. She’s been attached to me like a succubus. She tried pulling a poorly thought out prank this morning.”

“Hey! A lot of effort and planning went into that!” she frowned and then smiled and added, “…Akira.”

“Stop it.”

“Vait, your real name is Akira?” Heinrich asked.

Jax sighed, “It’s my legal first name.”

“Oh vow! In English it sounts so girly!”

Sera grinned, “I know right?! He has such an effeminate little name I just wanna-ugh!”

Jax sighed and stared at the sky, “I’m ready gods! Take me away now!”

Dak threw an arm around him, “We both know you’re an atheist so cut that out.”

“Why did my parents name me that?” he groaned.

“Your name means bright and intelligent,” Sera said, “Plus I like it. It’s kinda cute. I don’t know why I have to keep telling you this.”

“Shut up,” Jax grumbled and kept walking.

Heinrich leaned towards Dak, “Is he alvays like zis?”

“Just when we bring up his name,” Dak grinned.

Sera pulled the Halfling into a hold with her arm over his neck, “I know how you secretly like it when I use your real name,” she grinned, “After all… you told me when I confessed to you.”

Jax turned bright red, “Alright I’ve had enough of this.”

He slipped out of her grip and flipped her hat off her head. He caught the cap and balanced it on the tip of his nose.

“Hey! Give it!” Sera called.

He removed the hat from his nose and placed it onto his head and grinned, “You’ll have to catch it first.”

“Oh we’re going to play that game. Alright!” She grinned back.

Jax grinned and began to run, “Catch me if you can!”

“And if I do?”

“I’ll go on a date with you- whoa! Fast there,” he said dodging out of the way.

She grinned, “You know, I think you secretly like the cat and mouse game.”

Dak and Fleta looked at each other, “Ugh guys, we do have a-”

“Shut up!” They both said grinning at each other, “You can participate if you like.”

Heinrich hefted her bag, “Sounts fun.”

“So it’s gonna be this type of morning,” Dak rolled his eyes.

Jax took off running, still wearing Sera’s hat. Sera bolted after him, her flame like hair flowing in the wind. Dak and Fleta rolled their eyes with a smile before following. Soon they were both overtaken by a blonde haired girl with a heavy bag.

“Kome on slow pokes!” She shouted, “I hafe a twenty kilo bag on my shoulders!”

Dak sighed, “I’m friends with the craziest people.”

“The craziest people are the best,” Fleta laughed.

The five bolted up the hill, laughing as they went. It was cold out but yet they felt very, very warm…

***

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, those who never yawn or say a common place thing but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”

-Jack Kerouac

Chapter 1. Velocity

Spitfire pulled on her flight suit. This performance would be without use of their planes so she was happy to put on the… less than baggy uniform. She flipped her goggles onto her head just above her eyes and checked herself out in the mirror.

Her well-toned body still looked good. Why shouldn’t it though? She was still young and not even in her prime yet and was captain of the Wonderbolts.

She opened up the door and stepped out of the changing room. Soarin’ stood leaning against a pole back stage.

“Ready to go?” he asked, slipping his signature grin onto his face.

Spitfire slicked her hair back, giving it its signature windblown look, “Ready as I’ll ever be. I still can’t believe I’m letting you do this.”

“Hey, the manager’s the one who wanted to do this. It was my job to convince you to do this.”

“A coshow with Ike Frost? Why was it your job to convince me to go along with this?”

“The Wonderbolts helping the world’s greatest magician pull off one of the greatest tricks of all time? That’s gotta be a crowd drawer,” he leaned in, “That and I know how much you hate teleportation spells.”

Spitfire cringed, “It’s not that I hate them it’s that if they go wrong you can end up anywhere and anywhen.”

“Please Spits,” Soarin’ rolled his eyes, “All those problems have been resolved. Really, teleporting is the second best way to travel.”

“And what’s the first?” Spitfire asked already knowing the answer.

“Why flying of course!”

A man popped his head out from behind a curtain, “Hey! Are you all nearly ready? The crowd’s going wild and Frost is already done with his opening act.”

The rest of the Wonderbolts appeared. Fleetfoot, Rapidfire, Misty, Silver Lining, Blaze, Fire Streak, High Winds, and Wave Chill, Surprise, and Lightning Streak emerged from their changing rooms, clad in their flight suits. They stretched their wings as they prepared to take off.

Spitfire cracked her knuckles, “Ready?”

“As always,” her team mates called.

***

“Ladies and Gentlemen! We have a special treat for you tonight. The Wonderbolts will be teaming up with me tonight as we perform their latest trick, The Pent angular Starburst!”

The Wonderbolts emerged from behind their curtain into the light of the Cloudsdale Aerodome.

Spitfire looked towards the sky, “Soarin’ this weather doesn’t look good for this trick.” The sky was dark and stormy. Lightning flashed though the crowd didn’t seem to notice.

“Oh relax,” He said, “This isn’t the worst episode of bad weather we’ve been in. And we need the lightning for this trick to work correctly.”

“Maybe…”

“… And off they go!”

At their cue they took off into the sky. They formed a circle above the stadium and began to orbit each other. Fleetfoot and Rapidfire broke off from the formation and headed up into the sky. The others broke off into pairs and headed away from the Dome.

Soon they all reached their required heights and distances and began accelerating towards the stadium. Fleetfoot and Rapidfire began their dive. Nature did its part and arced a bolt down after them. They raced to stay ahead of it as it followed their path down. Meanwhile the other Wonderbolts were converging on the stadium. They were close now.

They all rushed in with black storm clouds forming behind them. Soon it looked like they were about to collide. Just as they were all about to hit, they activated Frost’s enchantment and jumped away just as the lightning struck.

It formed a pent angular shock wave of electric energy that arced out and up before shattering in a wave of electric diamond light. The Wonderbolts themselves were gone.

“And there we have it everybody,” Ike Frost said, taking a bow. Eleven Wonderbolts emerged from behind the curtain and took a bow. Eleven. One too short.

The crowd began to murmur and talk among themselves. The Wonderbolts were confused and began to wonder what went wrong.

Finally Blaze spoke, “Anyone know what happened to Spitfire?”

***

I stared out the window of my school. Gosh this math course is boring. Same thing over and over and over and over again. Oh boy, today we started calculus! Got anything else that’s actually, oh I don’t know, challenging?

Same thing with all my other summer classes. ‘Read War and Peace by May 28th. Project due on June 5th.’ Anything else? ‘Explain how the first fusion reactors were first developed. Summarize the reasons for the return of the KKK and later Race riots on Mars. Make a program that can get this robot to fly perfectly balanced without any lean.’

School is a waste of time. Fortunately my teachers give me some slack and let me sleep my first two blocks. I’m a sophomore in all AP classes and it’s not a hard as the guidance counselors said it was. I wish it was honestly. If anything it’s just as boring as my normal level classes. Hopefully I could take something actually challenging next year.

“Only a few more seconds,” Richard said.

“Yeah,” I responded, “I can’t wait to get my ass out of here. Finally these summer courses are winding down.”

“Oh yeah.”

“You doing golf next year??”

“Hell yeah. Can’t wait. We have any homework in early solar history?”

“Summarize the causes of the Martian race riots. Easy.”

“Easy? Dude that’s hard as hell!”

“Need help?” I grinned.

“Please!”

“Alright, I’ll meet you at the park at 2:00. Bring your book.”

“Why not just go there right now?”

“Ah Caitlyn wants me to finish that modern kung Fu course I’m taking.”

“She’s just worried about you. She is you sister and right now your legal guardian since your parents are one Earth or Mars. And after what happened last year, you should finish. PTSD isn’t something to fuck around with.”

“I don’t have PTSD. I’m fine. I just ran into some trouble down seven below. Believe me, there's a long list of things that would give me PTSD before that.”

“While that scar running down your face makes you look like a badass it certainly doesn’t say you’re fine. Neither does that burn on you hand,” Richard sighed.

“Geez you’re more worry some than Cat. Fine I’ll finish the course with flying colors.”

“Good.”

BEEP.

The bell rang and with that we were off on our own separate ways. I walked down the bustling hallways as people filed to their lockers or to their busses. I headed to the lobby and into the artificial light of New Alexandria.

Welcome to the future, Population 40 billion, Year 2412.

I walked down the street away from my prison. I stared up at the dome. It still filled me with a sense of wonder and awe at what humanity had accomplished. The Dome was a magnificent but not all uncommon piece of engineering. It was a giant geodesic structure that covered the city of New Alexandria.

All along its frame work were lights that provided an almost natural feel to the whole environment and gave a night to day transition when they were shut off for the night. In the center of the dome lies the city. Tall spires reach for the heavens only to be restricted by the Crystalline Plexiglas Windows. All around rested the suburbs and somewhere in them, my house.

Beyond the dome was the thin atmosphere that may as well be a vacuum as far as humans are concerned. The thin layer of gas that surrounds Jupiter’s moon Ganymede only functions as an emergency O2 reserve in the event the air recyclers fail.

Ganymede is only one of hundreds of inhabited locations in the Jupiter subsystem alone. Europa is one place where the industry of Ice mining has taken off. The large ring and cylinder shaped habitats orbit Jupiter in high orbits while smaller Gas mines dredge H3 from low orbits.

All of this happened around me day in and day out. I reached my house and walked in.

“Squirt? That you?” Cat yelled from the kitchen. Cat was an average sized girl who was anything but average. Captain of the Rugby team when she was in high school and later an ONI spook, she wasn’t the kind of person a robber wanted to have cornered in a dark alley.

“No I’m a crazed criminal who’s come to invade your home, who else has the key to the house?” I responded sarcastically.

“Ha Ha very funny. You driving to Kung Fu now?”

“Yeah I’m just going to change real quick then go. We still on for next week?”

“Yeah. Got the express flight to earth booked. Four days in Cryo beats a week and a half on a ship from here to Mars alone, let alone earth.”

“At least the Gs won’t kill us or the crew. Whole thing’s unmanned except for the Cryo tubes right?”

“Yeah. So see you after training?”

“Later, helping Richard with his homework.”

She laughed, “Richard. What’re you going to do with him? He’s a bit eccentric sometimes.”

“Tell me about it.”

I walked upstairs to my room. It was a nice place. It’s been said one’s room is an expression of their personality. I wonder what one would say if they saw my place. On the wall hangs a katana from my advanced martial arts classes. On shelves are models of modern space superiority fighters and the ships that launch them. And on one of the dressers is my orbital skydiving helmet. On my desk rests my laptop.

Ansibles are funny things. Instantaneous communication is now a reality. Thanks to Ansibles the internet has gotten a lot bigger. Computers have advanced a lot too. Molecular computing gives a chip the size of pea the same processing power as a warehouse full of processers. My computer alone has 2 Exahertz of processing power. Not much by modern standards but enough to do almost anything.

I pulled up the Equestria daily window and tapped expand. All the latest My Little Pony media at my fingertips. Nothing I hadn’t seen this morning. I deactivated the monitor and changed into my robes before heading out to my car.

***

That was last week. The very last place I expected to be was in the middle of a South American rainforest after a botched orbital skydiving session.

The tropical Rainforests are unforgiving no matter how much technology you have on you. Fortunately you can always fall back on the old reliables, Instinct, a knife, common sense, and survival skills.

I crouched down and sharpened the spear I’d been working on. I lifted up my gold visor and inspected my work.

“Pity,” I said, “If my wings and parachute survived I could’ve made an adequate spear.” I closed the knife and shoved it in my pocket.

It started out like any other trip until the alarm when off and not the jump alarm. The Emergency Evac klaxon, AKA the ‘get your ass out of the ship before it becomes your coffin.’

None of the other passengers on our Trans orbital plane had ever heard one of those so naturally they freaked while the jump master was shoving them out the hold. I went out followed by Cat.

Only as we entered the Mesosphere and began falling from 85000 meters did we see what was wrong with the ship. The port side engine was on fire and pieces of the wing were disintegrating.

Botched would put it mildly. We all ended up scattered across the North American and South American continents.

I checked my TAC pad.

“Great,” I said, “Cat lands in New Orleans, that guy who wouldn’t shut up landed in DC, that old lady in Boston, and me in the middle of the fucking amazon. Just my luck.”

The rainforest was not a place you wanted to be. While now under protection buy the UGH it was still a hostile place.

I looked up. The sheet of clouds blocked off the sun while it continued to poor rain down on me. I pulled up a map on the helmet’s HUD.

“Guess I can try Natal. Soon as I’m outta this shit I can call Cat and get a ride outta here.”

I followed the HUD’s instructions and crept along the foliage. This place is the most alien environment known to me. Hell, I’d be more at home on Mars. And Mars isn’t even green yet.

Soon the trees began to clear up.

“Great, a fucking river. Wait a sec why the fuck isn’t this on the map?”

I pulled up the map again. The nearest river was Kilometers away. Now why is this here? Oh, it’s not supposed to be here.

“Well swimming is out of the question. Not in this weather and not in this suit.”

I looked around. There had to be something I could use to cross. I looked up river. Yes! Fallen tree for the win.

I tightened my grip on the spear and ran along the river. I didn’t want to be here any longer than I had to. The ground steepened but it wasn’t too difficult to scale. Soon I came to a clearing where the tree had fallen.

I saw something terribly unnerving. Even for me who’d been through some shit this looked bad. A girl in a blue flight suit and flame like hair was lying unconscious in the clearing. A panther was growling hungrily at her.

Shit this looked bad. This part of earth was not the place to get caught in this situation. While Natal was a safe haven this place wasn’t known for being friendly.

The big cat crept closer to the girl. This type of thing had happened to a skydiver last year. Survived the fall only to be mauled to death by tiger in East Asia. Not good. Not gonna happen this time.

I crept in behind the cat as it prepared to eat. Readied my spear and smacked the cat on the head. It growled and turned, swiping my arm with its claws. I smacked it again, knocking it away from the girl. I looked for something to give me more distance between it and me.

I searched the ground and quickly found a rock. I scooped it up and tossed it at the cat before picking up the girl and running. I didn’t dare to look back as I heard growling. My HUD registered a large, fast moving object behind me. Even with my years of martial arts training and running track couldn’t help me out run this beast. All I had was agility. I zigged and zagged, nearly dropping the girl in the process. Thank goodness she was light or I would have lost her. Trees and foliage were helpful here as I hid from the cat.

I crouched behind a tree, listening to the cat huff and sniff as it searched for its lost prey. I held my breath and prayed this girl wouldn’t make a sound.

It seemed like I’d been there for an hour before I heard the cat leave. I still stayed plastered to the tree for a few minutes before deciding to leave. I walked out from behind my cover and continued north.

“Fuck, does Natal even have a space port?” I’d totally forgotten. I certainly hopped so or I’d be fucked six ways to Sunday.

I ran along the foliage before it began to thin and eventually give way to a small town. I checked on my passenger. Good, she appeared to be breathing but was still down for the count.

The town was a small quaint place but seemed modernized enough. There was a large clearing between the town and myself. Most likely to give a large line of sight if any large predators decided to show up. Near the edge of the town was a barbed wire fence. A guard house stood nearby.

I booked it through the field. I didn’t want to remain out here longer than I needed to. I was almost to the edge of the town when a man in a police uniform emerged from the guard house, a Glock 27 automatic rifle in his hand. I paled behind my gold faceplate when I saw the rifle. It was known for firing high powered, 9 mm rounds that had a sensitive explosive round that detonated on impact. It earned the name of the meat grinder for its… interesting results.

The guard raised the rifle. I did my best to raise my hands with an unconscious girl on my back.

“Parar! Quem és tu? Pronunciar o teu nome!” He yelled.

Shit. Come on universal translator! Yes! The translation echoed into my helmet, “Halt! Who are you? Speak your name!”

“My name is Jett. Please,” I nodded up with my head, “she needs help.”

The translation came out of the helmets speakers almost as soon as I started speaking, “Meu nome é Jett. Por favor, ela precisa de ajuda.”

The hostility in the man’s eyes vanished. He lowered the rifle. He spoke again, “Vá lá, há um kit de primeiros socorros na guarda casa. Rapidamente diante de algo famintos nos vê fora da vedação.”

My helmet sent the translation, “Come on, there's a first aid kit in the guard house. Quickly before something hungry sees us outside the fence.”

I followed. I sighed. I hope this guy could speak English because I didn’t want to put on the helmet when I wanted to talk to him.

I spoke up. “Do you speak English?” I asked with the translator off.

“Yes,” the man said with a heavy Portuguese accent, “Took four years of it in high school.”

“Thank the gods,” I said, “Universal translator is handy but I only have on in my helmet.”

“Do you have your phone on you?”

“Unfortunately no. I left it back at the hotel.”

“Speaking of which,” the man said, “Who the hell are you and how did you end up in the forest like that? Only a fool or a man with a death wish would be there and you don’t seem to be either.”

“Skydiving accident. The drop went to shit we got scattered,” I said.

“That how your friend got hurt?” the guard asked.

“I’d guess that,” I said, “found her unconscious in a clearing with a panther getting ready to… We’ll you get the idea. East Asia.”

The man grimaced as he opened the door the house, “Good thing you saved her then. The world doesn’t need another one of those. Come on in. Set her down couch over there.” He walked down the hallway and into a supply closet.

I stepped into the house. It was a simple place. A desk was in one corner and behind it a hallway lead to the other end of the building. In the room was a fridge, an arm chair and a couch. A small table sat in a corner near the fridge with two folding chairs nearby.

I set the flame haired girl on the couch and pulled up one of the chairs. She seemed so familiar and so peaceful. Where had I seen her before?

“Oh Martian Gates!” the man yelled, “You said you name was Jett right?”

“Yeah,” I yelled back.

“There’s been a prisoner escape in the next town and their calling all officers to help find him. I need to go.”

“Isn’t there some regulation against leaving me here alone?”

“Normally I can’t but a level five alert overrides all other regulations like this. I need to go,” he ran into the room and pulled a coat out from under the desk, “If you need anything at all, call this number,” he said plastering a piece of paper down on the desk, “and ask for officer Delgado.”

“Uh, ok,” I said as the man ran off.

Great. I was alone in a guard house in one of the least friendly places on Earth with an unconscious girl in front of me. Well I could do a medical scan to see if anything was wrong. I pulled up the scan function on my HUD.

“Bio signs normal. Normal heart beat. No broken bones thank god. Slight bruising along the legs but nothing serious,” I said. All in all she seemed battered and bruised but overall fine.

I removed my helmet and set it on the table. I examined my arm. Superficial lacerations, easily reparable.

Something like a moaning sound drew my attention away from my medical status. The girl was beginning to wake up.

“Oh shit my head,” she moaned, holding her head in her hands, “I swear this is the last time I let Soarin’ talk me into doing another show like that!”

She propped herself on her arms before opening her eyes. They were a brilliant orange amber color. She stared at me for a second before her eyes narrowed and she spoke again, this time with more hostility.

“Who are you and where have you taken me?!” she yelled.

“My name is Jett and I’m the one who saved your ass from being slaughtered by a panther earlier.”

“A panther? What are you talking about? Where am I and where is the rest of my team?”

“Rest of you team?” I asked getting a bit irritated, “You tell me cause I honestly have no idea. Your jump go to shit like mine did?”

“Jump? What are you talking about? Where are the rest of the Wonderbolts!”

“Girl, did you hit your head on something on the way down here or something? Just who in the hell do you think you are?”

The girl clenched her fists and stared my down with a look that could’ve blown a hole in the UEG Enterprise’s Tritainium armor plating. Her orange eyes began to scare the shit out of me.

“Don’t you know who I am? I’m Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts.”

Chapter 7. Electric Sheep

Shout out to Boolyboo and Jaohni. This chapter should eliminate a few of the guesses you guys came up with.

“Cat!” I yelled, “Cat! CAT! CAT WAKE UP!”

My sister had been propped up on the couch. Spitfire stood nearby, with her wings still exposed, as I slapped the unconscious woman in the face.

“She seems like a heavy sleeper,” Spits said.

“You don’t say?” I laughed.

“Oh shut up,” she laughed as she smacked me with one of her wings.

“Here,” I said, “Keep smacking her. I’m gonna go get a bucket of water.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yeah I spray her with water whenever she faints.”

“No I mean me smacking her. You sure about that?”

“Well you don’t have too,” I said as I returned to the room with a small bucket, “Here, watch this.”

I tossed the bucket and watched the water sail towards the couch and slap my sister in the face.

She shot up like a bullet, flinging water off of her head in the process. She sat up on the couch. Spitfire quickly retracted her wings behind her back.

“Jett?! What the hell happened?” she asked before suddenly grasping her head, “Oh dear lord! Did I get drunk again? God my head hurts.”

“No,” I said remembering what happened last time, “You fainted and smacked your head on the floor. You don’t have a concussion or anything but you did hit the floor pretty hard.”

“Well that makes sense I guess,” she said, “I had the weirdest dream that there was this winged girl in one of the bedrooms. I woke up here after that. Actually,” she pointed at Spits, “It was her. Who did you say she was again?”

I turned to Spitfire, “Heh heh, yeah. Um, there’s a funny story about that. Ya see, you weren’t dreaming. I introduced her to you and then you collapsed to the ground. Funny huh?”

Spitfire gave a sheepish look before mildly extending her wings, “Nice to meet you? Again?”

Cat backed up against the couch, “Jett! Who is this and why does she have WINGS?”

“Uh, like I said earlier,” I said, “This is Spitfire. And as you can see, she’s not exactly from around here.”

“I CAN SEE THAT YOU STUPID BOY! I mean who is she?! Last time I checked the world wasn’t ending and angels weren’t descending from heaven!”

“Well that’s the thing,” I said. I pulled out my TAC pad and showed her the BIO data, “She isn’t exactly from our world.”

“Where did you find her?” Cat asked as she looked over the file.

“Well you already know part of it. I found her unconscious in a clearing in that god forsaken forest, about to be mauled by… Uh I think it was panther or something. But that’s beside the point. When I got her and myself out and towards some town we were found by a guard who helped us out.”

“So then what?”

“Well the guard had to leave and help with a man hunt. And when she woke up we uh… got into an argument shall we say?”

“So that’s what happened to your face. Angel girl over here punched you in the face. Well good for you girl. He probably needed that.”

“Uh, thanks?” Spitfire said.

“Wait,” Cat said, “You said her name was Spitfire? Like the Spitfire from that show you watch? Because she does bear a striking resemblance.”

Hair on the back of my neck rising function activate, “Uh, yeah, Kinda hard to dispute that. I mean, the girl does have wings and a skeletal structure unlike any that exists in known humans. That and the hair.”

“I guess but that still doesn’t explain the humanism.”

“Humanism?” Spitfire asked, “What are you talking about? What else would I be?”

“Wait!” Cat said, “You mean you were always like this?”

“Yeah, again, what else would I be?”

Cat and I both exchanged glances. Well this was going to be an awkward conversation later. I knew exactly what show Cat was talking about. MLP. She even sat in a few times to watch it, saying that it was so she could “Spend time with her little bro,” even though she claimed to never like the show I could tell she enjoyed watching the crazy antics on it to a degree.

Spitfire began to take notice of our nonverbal conversation and began tapping her foot.

“Oh lord this is going to be awkward,” Cat said, “Why didn’t you tell her?!”

“Well excuse me,” I hissed back, “How do you think that conversation would have gone without the PROOF?!”

“You still should have said SOMETHING!”

“I DID! I thought it through and my mind came to the conclusion that it should WAIT until we got back to Ganymede!”

“You never think things like this through adequately!”

“Do you NOT realize the stupidity and irony of that statement?!”

We stood fuming at each other. Neither of us refusing to back down. We glared daggers at each other. I could’ve sworn Cat was getting ready to shoot lasers out of her eyes.

Suddenly we both burst out laughing at each other. As much as we both hated each other sometimes we couldn’t stay mad at each other forever. Cat tried to keep a rage face but failed.

“I hate you!” she laughed at me.

“I hate you too!” I laughed back.

“Uh, what just happened?” Spitfire asked.

We hugged and made up, “Do you have any siblings?”

“No, but I have a Soarin’,” she laughed.

I pulled away, “Well then I guess that counts.”

We quieted down. I took a seat on the couch.

“So…” Spitfire said, “What was it you wanted to tell me?”

Shit, should’ve kept mine and Cat’s mouth shut when I had the chance. Well that’s life.

“Uh, again. I hate to do this to you,” I said sadly, “But we can’t really adequately explain until we get to Ganymede. I’m sorry but we can’t really say until then.”

Spitfire sighed and held her head, “Oh well.”

Cat’s face grew soft, “Listen. There is an explanation for this but it will have to wait until we’re home. I know this probably hasn’t been the easiest few days for you but we’re trying our best.”

Spitfire gave a small smile, “I guess that’s all I can ask for.”

Cat stood up, “Come on, go get settled in your room. I’ll get the rest of our stuff.”

“Ok.”

She stood up and walked up towards the bedrooms before slipping inside. Once she was out of ear shot, Cat turned to me.

“Ok, number one, I thought that Spitfire was supposed to be a pony. Not a human with wings.”

“Yeah I’m still trying to figure that one out too. I’d guess that it makes sense in accordance with the Omniverse theory,” I said.

“Omniverse theory?”

“It’s a theory that makes the most sense in this type of situation. Basically it’s every possible universe with all possible laws of physics. In laymen’s terms it allows for anything conceivable to exist in some universe out there.”

“So she’s most likely from a humanized version of that world?”

“That’s what I would guess.”

Cat rubbed her temples, “Ok, let’s just figure the rest of this out later at home. All this talk of universes is giving me a headache.”

“Uh technically it’s an infinite number of infinite universes.”

“Stop it.”

I laughed. Spitfire emerged from her room.

“Alright,” she said, “I unpacked everything and got set up. So what’s up?”

“Well I guess we’re gonna stay here for tonight,” Cat said, “And tomorrow we’ll see about booking flights home.”

“Ooh,” I yipped, “Can we do a space cruise home? Please please please please?”

“Jett! Do you know how much credits that costs?”

“Yeah, about 1000 a ticket I think.”

“Well I don’t feel like spending that much on a cruise right now. Especially under these circumstances.”

“Aw come on,” I pulled Spitfire close, “Please? For us?”

“I’m sorry Jett but no.”

I sighed, “Fine then, I’ll pay for it and you can take the plane home.”

“What do you mean ‘you’ll pay for it’?”

“Well I have the card with 35000 left on it; sooo… I’m buying the tickets!”

“WHAT?! 35000?!”

“Uh, yeah. I didn’t know how much I was gonna need. I was only about 628,300,000 kilometers away from home. And this part of the system isn’t exactly the most stable at the moment so I came prepared. And now I’m indulging myself.”

“You cannot be serious about this,” Cat said, “Spitfire, tell him he’s being crazy!”

“Actually I kinda like the idea of a cruise. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to relax, ever. All it’s been for the past few months in the Wonderbolts is training and practice day after day,” Spitfire said.

“Well that’s two to one,” I grinned, “I guess we win.”

“You truly are insufferable aren’t you?” Cat sighed.

“Yes. The stubbornness of a mule with the tenacity of a honey badger all packed into one.”

Cat face palmed, “FINE. I’ll buy the tickets tomorrow. For now, I’m unpacking for the night.”

She walked up the stairs to her room. She turned with an evil grin on her face, “Oh, and since I bought the hotel room and since there are no other rooms available, you two are sharing a room.”

Oh god no. I can barely talk to girls! Hell I’m only friends with about two in my entire class of 200! The only reason I’m not locked in a closet (No pun intended) is because I guess… Ok, I don’t have a good reason. I’m just a socially awkward Steve. I mean, Spitfire is cool and all but I mean we’re cool and all but we’ve only known each other for a few days. I bet Cat did this on purpose.

I cringed, “Uh, how about NO? I’ll take the couch, or the floor, or the closet, or the under part of the bed, or the freakin dining room table. NOT THE BED.”

Cat smiled in sadistic glee, “Why not?”

“You know why not!”

“You are not sleeping on the couch,” Cat said, “That’s an order.”

“You’re not in the military.”

“DIA still counts and if you’re gonna be that way; I can have Dad on the phone in ten.”

“And what would you say? Jet refuses to share a room with an angel girl? Yeah I can see how that conversation will go.”

“No it would go like this, ‘Jet is being insubordinate.’ I don’t even think father would ask what you were refusing to do.”

“Fine, I’ll take the floor.”

“No, do you even know what’s on the floor in these hotels?”

“Do I want to?”

“No. These suites tend to attract the more… eccentric kind of people.”

“Then I’ll move in the middle of the night.”

“You are not staying on the couch and that’s final.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so!”

Spitfire spoke up, “Why are you so against sharing a room? In the Wonderbolts we have to share hotel rooms sometimes whenever we’re away from HQ.”

“My brother is a panzy,” Cat rolled her eyes; “He never quite got out of that awkward phase.”

Cat walked back down the stairs, “Hey if you want to go on the cruise, you will do what I say. I’m in charge.”

I hate her sometimes and this happened to be one of those times.

***

Night time was always the best for doing anything. Being quiet was a little more challenging as there was no background noise to mask your movement but it was something I could compensate for.

I opened up the door. It was night time, which on the moon simply meant that the lights were off. I stepped out and onto the balcony. Just as I was getting to Cat’s room, the door shot open and smacked me in the face.

I fell to the floor holding my nose. Cat stepped out from behind the door.

“Well, well,” She said, “I see you didn’t listen.”

“You didn’t need to hit me with the door!” I said.

“I know. But I thought it would be fun.”

***

I now stared at the ceiling with a small bandage over the bridge of my nose. The bed was huge but to me it seemed small. Spitfire was rolled over on her stomach quietly snoring. This was one of the most awkward moments of my life so far. Never been very comfortable around girls. I mean, Spitfire’s from another world entirely so it’d be just plain rude to avoid her like the plague. And now it would be impossible but this right here was just plain avoidable.

I was never the most sociable person at school. Sure I would talk to people but I would avoid parties and dances more than I would girls. I didn’t hate them but guys were always more understanding. I’d been judged far too many times by them to want to stay around them.

But this was a situation I’d never been in before. I’d never even attended a summer camp to even know how one was supposed to react in a situation like this. Nothing made sense.

I sighed as one of Spitfire’s wings draped itself over my face. This was going to be a long night.

***

Well it is still awake.

At this time on the moon?

Yes. All the bio monitors say it’s still awake.

Any abnormalities?

No but at some point in the night it suffered some form of blunt force trauma.

We can confirm it’s on the moon?

Yes. Camera’s caught it getting a soda from a vending machine in the hallway. It’s there.

What about the other?

Number 8? It left. Currently it’s on a flight to Mars.

Do we know where this one’s going?

Home most likely. School starts in four weeks so it will want to be home by then.

Check its subroutines.

Emotional subroutines are still active. All internal and external systems are functioning normally.

Good. Is that shrapnel going to cause any more problems?

No. it’s firmly lodged just above its ER processor and underneath its DM card. Both are vital but the shard seems to be harmless at the moment.

What do we know about it?

It’s part of the nose cone of a Boeing WB 1010 heavy transport. It is comprised of Tritanium alloy and Molybdenum trioxide.

Any chance we can remove it?

No. Removal would do more harm than good. We would have to do a lot of digging to get to it. And after what happened to number 4 I don’t think that the Office of Naval Intelligence would appreciate us killing their prime candidate.

No I guess not. How are its behavior subroutines?

Operating normally, though I’m not sure normal applies to number 7.

But they are functioning as they should?

Consistent with a normal human being.

Good. And the blocks are still in place?

Yes.

Good. Knock it out. It could use the rest.

***

I was dreaming. Figured as much. Lucid dreaming came easy to me. It was the same dream as before. Haven’t visited this place in a while.

I’m walking with my mother. We’re in a space port. People are walking by us. I know what’s going to happen but here I can’t stop it. We walk past the restaurants and stores towards the number 23 gate. Dad will be waiting for us.

We approach the gate. Dad is talking with Cat in the waiting area. She seems excited, happy, jubilant. I already know what she’s saying. We arrive.

I take a seat in a chair and stare out the window. Cat calls mom and dad away to the far side of the seats. She’s going to tell them about her job. It will come as a surprise. I turn and watch. Mother and father are happy. They smile and pat Cat on the shoulder.

‘I’m so proud of you…’

They continue to talk. They’re far enough away for me to tone out the conversation. I stare out the window at the ship that will take Cat and I home.

A WB 1010. It rests on its landing claw with a water line hooked up to it. Water is pouring into the fuel tanks that will power the ships fusion reactor. I stare out the window.

There’s a commotion on the launch pad. A girl is running. She has a large bag on her back. There are guards chasing her. One of them pulls out a gun and fires. The round hits the girl in the shoulder. But she keeps on running. She has a tattoo of a hammer smashing the earth on her arm. She looks up and the window; at me. She gives me a malevolent smile.

She keeps running. She heads to the landing claw. The guards shoot again but she continues on. She reaches the claw.

“Ah!” I shot up in the bed. Spitfire’s wing flies off of my face. The Wonderbolt rolls over and shoots awake herself.

I was in a cold sweat. I hate that dream. My hands gripped the blanket with white knuckle tightness.

“Jett what’s wrong?!” Spitfire asked worried. She reaches over to put a comforting hand on my shoulder. I jumped away and onto the floor. I was still jumpy from the dream and my face must have said something as Spitfire looked confused and hurt.

I stood up and bolted out of the room. I made it down the stairs and near the door. I sat down and held my head.

Cat was in the kitchen making breakfast. She turned as Spitfire made it down the stairs. She ran out of the kitchen to meet Spits.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I don’t know!” Spitfire said, “He woke up with a scream. I tried to comfort him but he just bolted into the corner right there.”

Cat sighed, “I know what happened. Go get dressed; I’ll get him out of the corner.”

Spitfire gave me a worried look before complying. Cat walked over.

I was still breathing heavily when she couched down next to me, “The dream again?”

“The dream,” I panted.

“Take all the time you need,” Cat said. She stood up and walked up the stairs to the bed rooms.

***

Spitfire was confused. Did she do something wrong? Why was he so suddenly afraid of her like that? He was fine with her the last few days. But why did he run like that?

She tucked her wings down and pulled a shirt on and a pair of pants. There was a knock at the door.

“Hey,” Cat said, “Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

The door opened and Cat walked in.

“Listen,” she began, “I’m sure you’re wondering what’s happening.”

“Is he okay?”

“Yeah he’ll be fine in a few. He just needs to sort some things out.”

“Why was he afraid of me earlier? Did I do something wrong?”

Cat sat down on the bed, “No not you. You didn’t do anything. He just sort of suffered a nervous breakdown.”

“Just a nervous breakdown. Pardon me but that doesn’t sound like something minor.”

“This happens every once in a while. He has this recurring dream that has that effect on him. Don’t take it too personally but it’s a bit stressful for him and makes him fearful of people like you.”

“Does this have anything to do with him not wanting to share a room with me?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. I probably should have thought about that when I paired you two up. But it’s not something I’m at liberty to talk about. But put simply, it makes him awkward socially. He doesn't do well in situations where his behavior might be judged.”

"Why is that?”

“It's more of a psychological disorder. Strange I know but it’s not something he always had.”

“What happened? Does this have anything to do with that dream he had?”

“Yes but I can’t tell you. That’s something personal that he’ll have to tell you himself. But what did happen drastically changed his personality.”

“How drastically?”

“I can't say. But he used to be more outgoing and random. Now he's more solid and predictable”

Spitfire sat on the bed, mulling it over. So it wasn’t her but something did happen that made him afraid of her. Something that changed his personality? He seemed fun and happy enough. So how did he change?

They got up and stepped out of the room. Jett was sitting on the couch watching the news.

He turned around, “Morning Cat, Spits.” He returned to watching the news.

Cat walked down the stairs and finished cooking. Spitfire took a seat in one of the unoccupied chairs. Something was wrong. No one just freaks like that and then goes back to normal without some explanation.

What the hell was wrong with him?

DO YOU HAVE MY CUPCAKE MONEY?

NO PINKIE! GET BACK INSIDE THE FOURTH WALL!

You silly billy! You humans can never build

a fourth wall that can hold PINKIE PIE!

No get back inside the WALL!

Fine. But I'll be back! Tell Jett I'm not done with

him yet!

Are you kidding me?!

I'll be back!

Chapter 23. Pumped up kicks.

I am not sure when I will be able to update this story again. School has started and I'll be taking a lot of AP classes meaning my writing may be taking a backseat for a while. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again. I'll try to update this story as much as I can since it has been such a joy to write. Until next time.

Nervous. The only way to describe it. Nervous. Not fear. Fear was something more primal, more instinct than anything, more flight than fight. Fear dealt with self-preservation, long term consequences. This was different. Nervous.

“Come on dude,” Dane said adjusting his tie, “I practically feel you shaking in your shoes.”

“I can’t help it! I’ve never been to anything like this before!”

“Dude, you’re not meeting the president. You’re just going out with a girl. And it’s not even your crush or anything! Not that you’d ever have one but still. It’s just Spitfire. She’s not gonna judge you or not call you in the morning or something.”

“Easy for you to say! You’ve got your face buried in box all the time! Me? The only girls I’ve ever done anything social with are my sister and Gin.”

Dane walked out of the bathroom and into the living room.

“You didn’t even put the tie on correctly,” he sighed. He came up and adjusted it into its proper position.

“Dane what am I gonna do? You’re fucking Casanova. What if I do something wrong? I mean, I’ve never felt this nervous before.”

“Why are you nervous? You can walk through a room contaminated with small pox, VX gas, and Gamma Radiation. And you’re nervous about Prom?”

“Because none of those things can kill me. Women are the most destructive force known to man. They CAN kill me.”

“I highly doubt Spitfire would do anything like that.”

“Uh, did you see what she helped us do last week?”

***

One Week Earlier. Halloween.

Spitfire, Jett and Dane burst out of the Gymnasium. Various sounds of screaming mixed with laughter could be heard behind the doors.

Once they were safe enough away from the gym as not to be caught they deactivated the fields and reappeared.

They immediately burst out laughing and began rolling on the floor. Spitfire could barely control herself. The same went for the two androids.

Finally Dane managed to gain back some level of self-control.

“Oh my god!” He laughed, “I can’t believe we just did that!”

“That was the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on,” Spitfire giggled.

Jett and Dane looked at her before bursting out laughing again.

“I can’t believe that he said yes to that!” Jett laughed, “I mean, granted it was just cherry syrup but still!”

“Did you purposely place those balloons above the sorority sluts?” Dane asked.

“Maybe.”

“You devious little android,” Spitfire grinned.

There was a loud boom followed by more screaming. Serenity and Crystal came running out of the gym; red on one side and scorched black on the other. A trail of white smoke followed them and their costumes.

They ran past the three without noticing a thing.

Spitfire let out a giggle. Dane and Jett both turned to her.

“What did you do?”

She stood up with a devious grin on her face.

“Nothing,” she said playfully.

Dane and Jett exchanged worried glances.

***

Present Day.

“You know we never did figure out what she did,” Dane said.

“I know.”

“There, now you look like a human being again.”

“You know the suit won’t hide this?” I said holding up my arm.

“You really think she cares about that? I mean you are sharing a room so I don’t know how much of you she’s seen-”

“Shut up Dane.”

“Fine. You ready to go?”

“Yeah I guess.”

***

Spitfire was nervous. Extremely nervous. Borderline terrified. This was her first date since she had finished school. While nothing serious had happened, the familiar jitters and butterflies began to appear. But this was a different kind of date.

“Girl you need to relax,” Adriana laughed.

“Relax? My secret crush is taking me to my first Prom ever! And on top of that I don’t think he has a clue in hell that I like him! No need to worry at all.”

“Well at least you look good.”

“You really think so? Do you think he’ll notice? I mean, he hasn’t really taken notice in anyone of either gender so I have no idea what he likes.”

“Well you do look rather dashing. I mean he’d be clueless not to notice. And if he is I’ll smack him and make him notice. After how long it took us to tame that mane you call hair he’s going to notice you whether he wants to or not.”

“O-okay.”

“And don’t even get me started on how hard it was to find a dress that matched your… unique colors. And that’s all natural?”

“That’s what my mother tells me,” Spitfire gave a sheepish grin.

“Well in this day and age I should expect everything,” Adriana laughed.

There was a knock on the door.

“Well, that’s them.”

***

“Dude, Calm down.”

“Calm down? Sorry for being nervous but this is my first time with a girl ever!”

“It’s only Spitfire. She’s like one of your best friends now. She’s not gonna judge you.”

“Again, easy for you to say. You’re a player. You’ve had at least 9 different girlfriends. Me? Sorry but I’m more comfortable with neutron radiation.”

“Please. That’s only because radiation doesn’t do anything to us. You’ve got to learn to be social. Be human. You may even learn a thing or two from them.”

“What could I possibly learn from them? The entire collective knowledge of humanity is at my fingertips at any time I want. There’s nothing I can learn from them. I can learn faster, survive conditions that are fatal to them. Synthetic organisms are superior.”

“Are we really?”

Hmm. I think so. At least I believe so. I don’t feel fear, I don’t feel envy. I’m the best part of them. Unlimited control of my mind and body.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked.

“Have you ever considered that you’re missing something?”

Missing something? What could I be missing? I can function perfectly, survive indefinitely, I’m more durable than them. What am I missing? Dane certainly doesn’t look to be missing anything. If anything he has a little bit extra. So what does he have that I don’t?

“Well here we are,” Dane said. We were on Dorm Level C standing before Adriana’s dorm. Dane knocked.

I gulped, “Maybe I shouldn’t be here. You can pick them up and I’ll… meetupwithyoulaterokaybye!”

I turned to run. Unfortunately Dane could be as fast as me when he wanted and grabbed my coat.

“Oh no you don’t! You’re staying here and picking up your date. I swear if you pussy out of this… so help you god.”

“So help me?! If you don’t let me go you’ll have an arm to match mine!”

“Stop being a baby!”

“Let me go!”

The door opened. Adriana was standing in the doorway with a bewildered look on her face.

“Uh, what’s going on here?”

Dane and I looked up and quickly separated.

“This guy’s having cold feet,” Dane said.

“Well you aren’t making it easy!” I responded.

Adriana was wearing a nice pink dress. It was multilayered and had a low backing. It went down to just above her ankles.

“Well I guarantee that you won’t be having cold feet when you get a look at your date,” She said with a sly grin.

“You look nice,” Dane complimented, “If Spitfire looks anything like this he should notice her.”

“Well see for yourself.”

I yawned. Adriana opened the door wider.

“Whoa.”

Spitfire was standing in the center of the dorm, looking a bit bashful. She was looking away and holding her arm. Her dress was something amazing. It was two layers with a high back that went down just below her knees. The upper part was blue, similar to her Wonderbolts uniform. The lower layer was blue as well but the farther down it went it began to look more and more flame like in appearance and color. Her shoulders were exposed revealing her flaming phoenix ‘tattoos’. She looked amazing. And that was just the dress. Her hair was down and hanging in front of her face. There was a slight part allowing her to see. A few stray locks of her orange hair hung separate from the rest. On her ears were lightning bolt earrings.

She wore a shy blush on her face.

“She cleans up quite nicely,” Adriana said with pride, “And the cool part is she’s not wearing any makeup.”

“I… uh… whoa,” I stuttered.

“Well I think he’s enjoying the eye candy,” Dane laughed only to be smacked across the head by Adriana.

Spitfire stepped forward, “H-how do I look?”

“I…I… Wow. You look amazing.”

“Yeah he’s drooling over you girl,” Dane laughed.

“Am not! I’m just admiring her form is all.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Oh go fuck yourself asshole.”

“Well you all ready to go?” Adriana said.

“Ready when you are,” Dane smiled.

“I’m good I guess,” I sighed.

“Me too.” Spitfire said.

We all got walking towards the elevators.

The ride up was awkward. Dane and Adriana were holding each other. Spitfire and I sat awkwardly. I tried not to stare at her but it was kinda difficult. She looked beautiful. Absolutely amazing. That and she looked cute.

Wait what? Did that thought just cross my mind?

Well even for an asexual you have to admit she does look pretty cute.

I guess.

You guess?! Look at her dude! She even has a cute blush on her face!

Okay fine!

That’s right. I win.

***

Spitfire stood in the elevator next to Jett. She looked up and down her friend. True he wasn’t the strongest guy she’d seen but he was still something to look at. His hair actually styled and done up. The tux complimented him perfectly. He stood calmly with his arms behind his back. He still had the shy look on his face along with a slight blush along her face.

She blushed herself at the thought of him noticing her checking him up and down. She even allowed herself to fall into the fantasy that he was checking her out. That was a nice thought to her.

Maybe tonight they could get closer. Maybe even dance.

Her heart fluttered at that thought.

***

Well we arrived in the hanger bay. It was the largest of the school’s hangers and had enough room to accommodate everyone who would be attending. The whole place was decorated. Banners and streamers were all over. There was a stage near the hanger doors for performers and the DJ.

All around were refreshment and buffet tables. There were tables arranged for the party goers to sit and relax before returning to the dance floor. There was a band playing on the stage.

“Well here we are,” Dane said proudly before turning to Adriana, “Come here pretty lady!”

He scooped her up in his arms before running into the crowd of partying students.

“Well that was unexpected,” Spitfire laughed.

“That’s Dane. And pretty much every other teenager here,” I said nodding towards a couple making out at one of the tables, “16 years old and their hormones are raging.”

“What about you?”

“I don’t have hormones. Though I do have software that simulates it perfectly but I choose to leave it off.”

“Well that’s no fun.”

“It certainly beats the alternative.”

“What’s the alternative?”

“Leaving them on.”

“Well what’s so bad about that?”

“I turned them on once. And Dane hijacked them and cranked them up. Needless to say an android in heat is not a pretty thing.”

Spitfire stared at me before her lip quivered as she exploded into a fit of laughter. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile at her antics.

“Alright,” I said, “I think you’ve had enough fun for now. Let’s go get something to drink.”

“Yeah,” she giggled.

I walked over to the table with Spitfire at my arm. Hmm. Why was she holding onto me? I mean, it’s not like we’re dating. Hell that won’t even happen at all with my views and her background. Well it is Prom. I guess it’s understandable.

We reached the table. I grabbed two cups and began filling them with punch. Spitfire got distracted by one of her friends and went off to talk to her.

“Well well well,” A voice said, “This is certainly a slap in the face. I mean, if I never would have thought that a freak like you would have the balls to ask a girl like her out.”

Someone is going to die tonight.

I turned. Ryan was standing there, smug as can be. Though he looked more like a simmering wild fire than a guy who was certain he’d just won something. Between looking smug and pissed I’d have to go with smugly pissed. He was hiding something.

He was standing relatively normal. Though he had a cane so he probably walked with a limp. His friends didn’t look much better. Danny and Chris were in head gaskets. Their girlfriends were standing next to them giving me glares.

“Leave me alone Ryan. I’m just enjoy the evening and you are making it extremely difficult.”

“Well it’s pretty easy to see how you operate now. If someone is trying to get something you want you just beat them up over it,” Danny said.

“Well last time I checked I wasn’t the one who put you assholes in the hospital. Something about a Mist lab in one of the hanger bays. And if I recall correctly you punched first. Self-defense at its finest.”

“You have no right to claim self-defense!” Ryan hissed, “Do you know how long I was in the hospital for?”

“Personally I don’t care. When it’s 16 on 1 I’m pretty sure I could have killed you and no one would have thought otherwise.”

“Wow you must feel really good about yourself. A cyborg freak like you can beat up people when he’s not even a normal human being!”

“Well picking a fight with a machine is a pretty stupid idea, but you never were the smart one were you?”

“Why don’t you fight without your enhancements?!”

“Why don’t you play football without steroids?”

Silence. This fucker was a super asshole. This wasn’t a fight. This wasn’t even an argument. This was him attempting to get back at me for knocking him down a few levels. This was him attempting to rectify what had happened. He was always the predator, the top dog, the alpha male. The thought of his prey not only fighting back but winning was something he hadn’t even conceived of.

But there was something in his eye. What was it? Being an android makes pinning these things difficult.

Spitfire returned, “Hey you have the drinks.”

“Yup,” I said handing her one.

She turned and looked at Ryan and his goons who immediately attempted to look feeble. She gave them disgusted looks before looking back at me.

“Let’s go,” she said, “The band is coming back on and I want to listen.”

“You go on ahead, I’ll catch up.”

“Alright,” she said eyeing the three crippled players before leaving.

“Stay away from us or broken bones will be the least of your problems.”

“Look at this guy,” Ryan said laughing, “Just cause he asked the new girl out he thinks he’s all that.”

“You know there’s a difference between you and me,” I said turning, “I don’t think I’m all that. And I didn’t ask her out. She asked me.”

I grabbed my punch cup and left.

***

Ryan watched the android leave. Something was wrong with him. No one gets hit in the head with a bat like that and walks away from it. No. He’s not a human.

He turned towards the door, “Come on guys.”

“Where are we going?” Danny asked.

“To set something up.”

“What are we doing?” Chris asked.

“You were all there,” Ryan hissed, “That kid isn’t right. We’re gonna take care of him.”

He reached into his pocket. The familiar weight and feel of the handle was comforting. Tonight he would show them what that shrimp really was. He’d be the hero again. And that… thing… would be gone. It wasn’t human whatever it was. And Ryan was going to have his proof.

She would see. She would come over to him once she saw what he really was, whatever he was. She would see. And she would love him for it.

***

Well the band was back on. They were retuning their instruments while they were getting ready to play. It was a school band. Fuzz Radio was their name. They were getting warmed up.

Jett found Spitfire at a table. She was staring into her cup with a worried expression.

She looked up when Jett arrived, “What did he want?”

“Meh, he was just doing some trash talking about how I pounded him. He also apparently thinks I’m not human considering I took a baseball bat to the head but hey, what proof does he have?”

“Yeah I guess,” she said sadly returning to staring at her cup.

“Hey,” he said, “Come on. You did invite me to this thing. Don’t be such a Debbie downer.”

Spitfire giggled, “Yeah I guess you’re right. I did ask you to come here didn’t I?”

“Yes you did,” he rolled his eyes with a smirk.

She stood up with a renewed happiness, “Come on. The band should start playing soon. I wonder what song they’ll play.”

“Well it wouldn’t be anything you would know so it should be interesting for you.”

We stepped into the large crowd of people. Everyone was gathering around in front of the stage. The lead singer stepped up. She was wearing a red skirt that went down to her knees. Not very high but for what she would be doing she probably didn’t want it to be. There were two other unassuming guys in the background, one on the bass the other on the drums. The girl herself was playing the guitar.

She stepped up the mic, “Alright everyone, this is our last song of the night before we hand it off to Dj Amp. This one is for all the couples out there.”

A few people got a little bit closer as the song began. Spitfire looked over at the android standing next to her as he sipped his drink. He didn’t pay attention to her.

Dane ran up as the first few verses of the Song began, “Uh, hey guys, um if you see Adriana tell her that… I’m dead. Okay bye.”

“What?” Jett asked.

“I have no idea,” Spitfire shrugged.

Adriana soon ran up, “Where did he go?!” Her anger sounded forced as she attempted to suppress a laugh.

“He went that way,” Jett said pointing.

“Thank you,” she said and ran off… with pie crusts and whipped cream on her butt. Spitfire put a hand to her mouth.

“You know what,” Jett said, “I don’t want to know.”

♫ I’m an angel with a shotgun

Fighting till the war’s won

I don’t care if heaven won’t take me back… ♫

Spitfire looked up at the android. He seemed preoccupied with something. Slowly she slipped her hand into his. It was a soft touch, unnoticeable to him. Slowly she tightened her fingers around his as she returned her attention to the band.

♫ Don’t you know you’re everything I have? ♫

“Oh no,” Jett said. He turned to Spitfire, “Sorry but I have to go stop Adriana from killing Dane. I’ll be right back.”

He turned and ran into the sea of people yelling, “Adriana! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

Spitfire let out a sigh.

“Why can’t you just see?” she whispered.

She looked over at Jett who was separating Adriana from Dane. All three of them were laughing. Even Dane who was now wearing a slice of cake on his head.

♫They say: “Before you start a war,

You better know what you’re fighting for.” ♫

She sighed and let the rest of the song play out.

***

Ryan watched as Spitfire left the dance floor with a heartbroken look on her face. He glared over at Jett who was laughing with Dane and Adriana who were both wearing a large amount of deserts and pastries.

He reached into his pocket and felt the handle. He was lucky that the school’s scanners didn’t scan for this. He reached into his other pocket and felt a small rectangular object. The cool metallic feel was comforting.

He would pay for what he did to him. That freak would pay. Everyone would see what he was and what he did. All he needed to do was wait. When he did do what he needed to do everyone would see. The evidence would be irrefutable.

They would see. But more importantly she would see.

***

I forgot something…

What did I?

Whoa, where am I?

Everything is so bright.

What happened?

“No please! You have to let me come!”

“Ma’am please! He needs to get to the hospital immediately before he suffers permanent death!”

“Please!”

“Jackson just let her on the fucking ship!”

There’s a bump. Whoa, why’s the ceiling so white? Where am I?

“Fine. Get in here.”

There’s a face. I can’t see…

Orange. Who is that? I… I can’t remember. Who is she?

She! It’s a she! She’s pretty. Who is she? What’s going on?

“Is everyone in their crash couches?!”

“Yes now punch it!”

Nnnngh! Ugh, whoa. What the hell was that?

“Please. Please don’t go. Please.”

Who is that? Is it that girl? Who is she? She sounds sad. I wish I could comfort her. Wait. Why can’t I? Oh, that’s why. I can’t move.

Why can’t I move?

“Seven Alpha C what is your current situation?”

“Resuscitation teams managed to stabilize him but it’s not looking good. It’s a miracle he didn’t die.”

Whoa. Everything is glowing. Whoa… Nnnnngh. Why can’t I breathe?! Air!

“Sir we have a code 9. Have teams waiting! We’re gonna be coming in a bit hot!”

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEPBEEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP.

What’s that noise?! It’s so loud! Someone shut it off!

Oh god my head!

“Aaaaaahhhhhhh!”

Who’s yelling?! Make them stop! God it hurts!

***

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”

“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.”

“I think they are a better race than humans ever were.”

“In order to die, one must first be alive. Quod erat demonstrandum. Oh, yes, and also: I think, therefore I am.”

***

Unspecified point in time.

“You are a machine.”

“I am a machine.”

“You are not human.”

“I am not human.”

“You will never be happy. You will never be sad. You will never be angry nor will you be joyful. You will never hate. You will never love nor will you be loved. You will never feel anything.”

“I will never be happy. I will never be sad. I will never be angry nor will I be joyful. I will never hate. I will never love nor will I be loved. I will never feel anything.”

“Remember everything I just said.”

“Command acknowledged. Committing. Done.”

“Now… Your job is to prove me wrong…”

Chapter 37. Cobalt Powder and a Green Leaf.

This chapter was so… BORING to write. Slow and boring for a reason but slow and boring none the less. None of it was scripted at all. Kinda just started writing it. Also, a scene in this chapter was inspired by this.

Next chapter: The Duel.

“Okay, so how does this work?” Jett asked.

“What?” Spitfire asked, “It’s just a sandwich.” They had finished shopping and were now at a café for lunch. It was nice scenic place with an outdoor seating area. Across the street were various other shops and restaurants. People of all kinds littered the street from the angel girls like Spitfire to those weird ones with the Gems in their forehead to the normal looking one's that Jett had really no idea about.

“With flowers on it.”

“And vegetables,” Spitfire said declared, “Come on, just try it.”

“I think I’d rather eat the metal they had back at the store.”

“Hey, you have enough metal, wood, and fabrics in that crate of yours so you can eat that. You didn’t even get any good metals.”

“What do you mean ‘good metals’?”

“I mean that we could have gotten anything at that store, even that gold infused stuff and you went with the low and high carbon steels and clay along with some other crap. You got CLAY.”

“Yes, CLAY.”

“Why do you need clay?”

“You’ll find out. I’ve said it like a thousand times already,” He laughed.

Spitfire crossed her arms, “Humph, you know I could make it an order.”

“Make what an order? And since when did you order me around?”

Spitfire grinned, “Since now. I’m gonna offer you a job.” She produced a piece of paper from her shirt and placed it on the table.

“Do I want to know where that’s been?”

“Oh shut up and sign the paper.”

He frowned, “Anyone with a sense of reason would not sign some random piece of paper like that.”

“Oh come on, we’ve been best friends since-”

“Yesterday.”

“No! Longer than that!”

“Maybe for you but not me.”

“Oh, come on!” Spitfire said, “You’ve seen me naked before.”

“No, I’m no- WAIT WHAT?!”

Spitfire laughed, “Well actually, you walked in on me when I was in the shower. I don’t know how much you saw but hey, it’s not like it was a bad view.”

“You’re a pervert.”

“Maybe, but the public doesn’t know that.”

“Well what does the public know?”

“Uh, I’m a model, captain of the best flight team in the world, Wonderbolt Academy manager, but that’s it pretty much.”

“Now again,” I asked, “Why should I sign this?”

“Ugh, fine! You can wait,” she sighed.

“Sorry if I don’t trust a random piece of paper handed to me by someone I just met yesterday.”

“Oh shut up and eat.”

“Humph, fine,” he picked up the sandwich and took a bite. He chewed it for a time before swallowing.

Spitfire smiled, “So… what do you think.”

“Well after getting past the odd flavors, along with altering a few sensor systems to even be able to detect some of these things, it’s not that bad.”

“Good, cause that’s all there is to eat around here. Well that along with sea foods.”

“Aren’t you a vegetarian society?”

“Yes, but if you have wings your metabolism is higher than normal along with being more active so plants and vegies won’t do it all the time.”

“Oh…”

“Well you shouldn’t worry. You love seafood.”

“How do you know that?”

“You may not remember it but I lived with you for six months. We’ve shared a bed more time than I can count.”

“Oh,” he said his face turning red.

Spitfire took a bite of her lunch with a giggle, “You get embarrassed so easily. It’s pretty cute.”

“Stop it. I’m a weapon not a puppy dog.”

“Oh that I know,” Spitfire said with a grin.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And that’s why you love me.”

Jett grabbed his drink and took a sip. A noise hit his audio processors. A variety of noises clustered together into one. Jett went about deciphering it but Spitfire was faster.

She sighed and pulled a pair of aviators out of her pocket, “Great.”

“What is it?”

“Paparazzi.”

Spitfire pulled the glasses over her eyes just as a group of reporters with cameras started snapping and yakking.

“Spitfire! Spitfire!”

“What’s like being back after so long?”

“Where were you?”

“Who’s your friend you’re eating lunch with? Is he th-”

She stood up and stared at them. Jett cocked his head and studied her expression. She didn’t look amused.

“On second thought… we’ll comebacklaterbye!”

The group quickly dispersed. Spitfire stayed standing before relaxing and returning to her seat. She pulled her glasses off and shoved them back into her flight jacket.

“Okay, I’m confused,” Jett said, “What was that?”

Spitfire giggled, “Oh, funny story about that. One time when I was supervising training exercises they kinda ambushed me. One thing you never do is swarm me like that when I’m doing drills.”

“So what did you do?”

“Meh, Drill Sergeant voice and told them off. Ever since then, whenever I put these things on they stay away.”

“Interesting.”

“The academy also got moved after that as well to somewhere a bit more… secluded.”

“Where’d it get moved to?”

“Now if I told you that then it wouldn’t be secluded now would it?” She smiled.

“Were you always like this?” he asked.

“Yes, and you put up with it.”

“I take it I had no choice.”

“Yeah it was a bit like that. But hey…”

Spitfire and Jett finished their lunch before heading back towards the base. Jett carried his large crate with him as he walked. The city was a bustle of activity but soon they were on the more secluded road to the HQ with the city fading into the background.

“Now I just have one question,” Jett asked.

“Shoot,” Spitfire said from behind her sunglasses.

“Why are you so intent on helping me and caring for me? Were we like… like an item or something?”

Instantly Spitfire’s calm thoughts were shattered. Her heart rate shot up through the roof. Every fantasy, every thought, every real moment with him shot through her head.

She could say yes…

No! No! She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. She could not let herself lie to him like that. Especially not over something so… so personal. He would never do that to her and she couldn’t do it to him either. Not when he was so vulnerable no matter how much she wanted it.

She sighed and kept a calm façade hidden behind her shades.

“No! What makes you think that?” She laughed, expertly hiding her emotions.

“Okay. I’m still wondering though why you’re so… devoted to helping me.”

She sighed, “Because you did the same for me. You kept me safe when I was lost and alone and scared. You became one of my best friends in the span of a few months. And now you’re in the same situation I was six months ago so I’m returning the favor you big lug.”

“Okay… I’ll try not to be a free loader.”

Spitfire sighed, “I wasn’t offering you a job because of that. I was offering you one so I could keep you around. Oh and for the record, if you ever tell anyone how I admitted being scared and everything, I will deny it and then hit you repeatedly with a broom stick.”

“Whatever you say sister,” he laughed.

They finally reached the compound. Jett got a better view of the place as they walked through the gate. The whole complex was located in a nice niche in the cliff that was almost perfectly carved out for a flight base. The main building that contained the rooms, café, living spaces, etc was embedded near one of the cliff walls. It was a beautiful crescent shape as it curved to the cliff edge. Several levels tall as well as low, all the bedrooms had beautiful views of the valley below. The building itself had a beautiful modern look to it. Outside it was a nice relaxation suite. The deck from the cafeteria extended out and down a few steps to a nice outdoor patio completed with tables and chairs. An Olympic sized swimming pool was only a few meters away. Various pool chairs surrounded it. Hot tubs and other similar pieces were nearby as well.

Farther down near one of the cliff walls was a shooting range. It was walled off with an almost natural looking rock that rose from the ground. Near it was a sparing ground for hand to hand combat along with a sports field surrounded by a track. Bleachers sat just off the track.

Farther off was the main air base. Several hangers were embedded in a cliff wall with an air strip sitting before them. Hanging in the distance in the air was a large obstacle course consisting of rings and clouds on multiple levels. Various platforms hovered in the air all around it. Around it were a few bleachers that also hovered in the sky.

The entire complex was divided into two separate pieces by the path into the city that divided the two. The path itself traveled through a wide crack in the cliff face behind the complex and led back into the city. Canterlot’s massive spires rose into the sky behind the walls of rock. Out in the distance sat Cloudsdale.

Jett and Spitfire walked over towards the living area. Spitfire led Jett down to one of the lower levels and into a room. Inside was the forge. A nice furnace burned with various tools and materials all over needed for weapon maintenance and construction.

Jett dropped his crate down.

“Alright hot shot,” Spitfire smirked, “What’re you going to make?”

“First things first. Can I have my duffel bag that’s sitting in your room?”

“H-how do you know that’s yours?”

“Well do you wear boxers, male clothes, and have a robotic arm? Not that hard to figure out.”

“Oh… What do you need it for?”

“References.”

“Alright, you’ll have it.”

Spitfire turned and left. Jett looked around the room.

Remember, Jett. A warrior’s spirit resides within his blade.

Jett grinned. He cracked his knuckles and pried open the crate. The wooden front of the object fell to the floor. Jett rolled up his sleeves. Inside was a wide variety of objects and materials.

“Yeah, I think this is gonna work just fine.”

***

Spitfire yawned. She’d been sitting at the table for a while now. After delivering the android’s bag who happily accepted it she attempted to watch him to see what he was crafting but eventually got bored with that and went flying only for a storm to blow in half an hour later and ground her and rest of the team for the rest of the day.

She really needed to check those weather schedules more often. No it wasn’t that. She was just out of it is all. She was after all living in quite literally a whole other world for six months. She’d be back in the swing of things soon.

Still, she was a bit bored. She had no idea what Jett was making in that forge. He already had his sword in his bag, what could he possibly need to make?

The door to the cafeteria opened and in strolled Jett. Spitfire turned. He had changed out his old clothes and into something cleaner. He looked out of place a bit with his 25th century clothes but hey.

“Hey, uh I found the Laundromat and tossed some of my stuff in there. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Nah it’s fine. So what’re you making down there?”

“You’ll see.”

She sighed, “So what do you have planned for the rest of the day?”

“Well I came up here to see what kind of job you were going to offer me.”

“Eh, that can wait. With this weather anyway.”

The doors to the Cafeteria burst open and Soarin’ followed by the rest of the team came in.

“He Spitfire,” Fleetfoot called, “You remember this thing?”

“What is it?” she turned, “Oh no…”

“What is it?” Jett asked.

Misty giggled, “Her yearbook.”

“You wanna see it?” Surprise asked.

“No come on guys don’t do this.”

“Sure,” Jett walked over and they all sat down at one of the tables.

Fleetfoot produced a book and placed it on the table, “This, everyone, is Spitfire’s old yearbook. Lot of memories in this thing. For instance this.”

She opened the book up and turned it to a page. It was a picture of an entire class of children.

“That there is me,” Fleetfoot pointed at a picture. It was a typical young girl in a school uniform with wings on her back.

“Come Echo, don’t do this. At least don’t show Jett,” Spitfire pleaded.

“And this was Spitfire.”

“Awww come on!”

Fleetfoot pointed at a picture of a girl. Jett had to suppress a laugh. It was a picture of a girl with orange hair, the color of fire, all done up in braids and pig tails. She had braces on and was giving the camera a sheepish grin. The uniform just added to the comedy of the whole thing.

“That… was Spitfire?” Jett asked.

“Yup! That was her!”

“I know I looked like a dork okay?!” Spitfire called from behind the group.

“Oh come on,” Soarin’ laughed, “It’s not that bad I mea- okay yeah it is that bad!”

“Grrr, Fuck you Soarin’!” Spitfire fumed, her face turning red.

“Don’t be mean. It’s not that bad. I think you looked kinda cute,” Jett said.

Spitfire turned red, “What?”

“Yeah, you looked a bit cute.”

“Aww, does Spitfire have a crush on someone?” Fleetfoot laughed.

“I’m gonna hit you, Echo.”

“Careful Jett, she’s a feisty one,” Blaze grinned.

“Oh for God’s sake, I don’t have a crush on him!”

…

“Uh, you mind explaining who ‘God’ is?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Fuck, old mannerism. Look can we please drop it?”

“Whatever you say Captain,” Soarin’ laughed, “I gotta work out anyway. Don’t wanna look too sloppy when I win this duel.”

Jett looked at his watch, “I gotta go put something back into the furnace in the forge.”

The android quickly sauntered away and back down the stairs.

Once he was clear of cafeteria he sighed.

A green figure popped into existence in front of him. Acc. She had an unamused look on her face.

“You know, I get the feeling this is not the first time this has happened before,” she said.

“What?” The android asked.

“You losing your memory.”

“Well you’re me so why don’t you just go and recover it?”

“We’re as limited as you are. Whatever you can or, in this case, can’t remember is what we’re limited too. And right now that block goes for pretty much everything. All the way down to the moment you were created. And yet you can remember complex tasks like the entire history of the human race and how to make a sword and how to build a particle accelerator and yet you cannot remember a single event from your life.”

“Well crashing into the ground at Mach 1 will do that I guess,” He sighed, “Do you know anything about me? Just your experiences? Any inkling to the kind of android I was?”

“Cynical at times, that’s all I can say.”

“Hmm, about what?”

“Everything. Although there was a reason, I just can’t remember it. You know this is all your fault,” Acc smirked crossing her arms.

“My fault? How are a third of my files going missing my fault?”

“If you hadn’t bashed your head into the ground that wouldn’t have happened.”

“Well did you ever stop to think that the piece of metal embedded in my skull has something to do with that?”

“You know you’ve had us analyzing that thing and we are still no closer to figuring out where it came from.”

Jett sighed, “Keep at it. I don’t want to be an amnesiac forever.”

“You got it boss.”

The green girl vanished. Jett sighed before walking down to the forge.

He removed a piece of paper from his pocket and looked at his design. He laughed. This would be so good. Sure he didn’t have access to any Tritanium alloy, probably would be incredibly difficult to make here, but he did have the next best thing. Along with the fact that it wouldn’t be fair to use it but still. And this design would probably compensate enough for it.

He grinned, his fingers flexing in anticipation. He allowed himself to laugh, almost maniacally.

***

“Oh, Spitfire, you may have to push that little competition between Soarin’ and Jett back a little bit,” Fleetfoot said from the couch. She and the other Wonderbolts, minus Soarin’ and the guys were relaxing in the main living space.

“Why’s that?” Spitfire asked, sipping a drink.

“Management called. We’re doing a photo shoot for some magazine.”

“Great. Which one is it this time?”

“Aviators Monthly. That fancy flight magazine,” Fleetfoot yawned.

“Oh. Guess I should find something for Jett to do.”

“Can’t we just take him with us?”

“Oh no, no no no no no no no no no no no NO. Not happening.”

“Why?” Misty asked.

“I am NOT letting him see me like… when I’m in the middle of something like this, looking like that!”

“Why not? Soarin’ gets to see you like that all the time, which is more than he deserves frankly but still. Why’s Jett so different?”

“Long story…”

“She’s not gonna tell us, Misty,” Blaze said, her eyes shaded by a pair of sunglasses, “Give it a rest.”

“Well I just want to know.”

“It’s cause she LIKES him,” Fleetfoot teased before being stuck in the head by Spitfire’s hand, “Ow! What was that for?”

“You know what!”

“Well if you’re so vehemently against bringing him with us, why not just let him stay here? He could go exercise in the weight room or something,” Surprise said.

“Yeah that wouldn’t happen. He has a rather… violent hatred of things like that or he did at least. I’d rather not have those memories be the first thing he remembers.”

“Why? What’s so bad about it?”

“He was bullied constantly for his… conditions by the school football players who were basically idolized. He developed a hatred of a lot of sports like things like that.”

“Okay… what did you mean by violent?”

“He nearly killed 16 of them. So I’d rather keep him away from things that could bring up bad memories. Plus, it’s not like he’d need the exercise anyway.”

“Okay,” Fleetfoot said, “But if he pretty much has a hatred of jocks, why not keep him away from Soarin’? I mean, what if Soarin’ wins? He did graduate top of his class in pretty much every athletic activity. I mean, your friend may be a robot and all but still. What if he puts that hatred towards Soarin’ and hurts him somehow? I mean you saw how he embarrassed the guard like that.”

“Well considering he doesn’t really know who Soarin’ is and just met him the other day I would venture to guess he’d give him a fair chance to make a first impression.”

“What gives you that idea?” Misty asked.

“I punched him in the face the very day we met so I’d say he’d be willing to give it a try.”

“Alright, but you still didn’t answer my other question,” Fleetfoot said, “What if Soarin’ wins?”

“Oh Jett’s gonna kick his ass. Trust me.”

“I don’t know-”

“Trust me. He’ll win. And I can’t wait to see Soarin’s face when he loses,” Spitfire grinned manically.

“Jeez, only a few days back and you’re getting ready to run him into the ground,” Blaze sighed.

“Let’s see here, unless he happened to burn a box of photos while I was gone, he’s getting ran into dust. I will personally tell him to be as rough as possible.”

“No Cap, can’t say he did. Why? What was on- oh yeah… You know that was kinda your fault there,” Misty laughed.

“How the fuck was that MY fault?” Spitfire asked, “Soarin’s the perv.”

“Yeah well we all kinda figured that out rather quickly and have since-”

A loud boom echoed up the hallways followed by a ‘Goddamn it!’

The patter of footsteps came up the hallway as an android with the front side of his body significantly charred ran through the hallway.

Everyone looked at each other. The android ran back past the door with a heavy looking bucket of water.

A hissing noise was heard followed by a sigh of relief.

“What. The. HELL. Was. That?” Blaze asked.

“Nothing!” Came the reply from down the stairs, “Just had a minor problem with the cobalt(II) aluminate.”

“Jesus Christ,” Spitfire sighed, “What the fuck are you doing down there?”

“You need to stop using those weird expressions,” Fleetfoot sighed.

“I got used to living there okay? Everything here seems dark ages compared to then.”

Another loud hissing noise came from the forge.

“That’s it, I’m going down there.”

“NO! Don’t! The compound is in the air. If you come down here you’ll breathe it in and get cobalt poisoning.”

“Uh, then how are you alive down there genius?” Fleetfoot called.

“I’m not alive genius,” came the reply.

“Well keep it down. We’re trying to have some girl time up here,” Fleetfoot sighed before closing the door, “Jeez, you lived with that guy?”

“Yes, yes I did.”

***

“Jett! Are you almost done in there?” Spitfire banged on the door.

“Almost!” He called back.

“What’s taking so long? I thought girls were supposed to be the ones who took forever.”

“Well I’m sorry but I need to clear this crap off my face.”

“I’m coming in there in five seconds whether you’re done or not.”

“Hold on!”

“5. 4. 3. 2. 1. That’s it!”

She opened the door and walked in. Jett was standing in front of a mirror with a washcloth to his face. He sighed and looked at his progress. Better than before but he still looked like he had military face paint attached to his skin. Her gaze fell down from his face to his torso. True, he was in no way jacked like Soarin’ or the other Wonderbolts but there was still something about him… She quickly tore her gaze away and returned to his face.

“Jeez, all that time and you’ve only done that?” Spitfire frowned.

“I can’t help it. It takes forever to come off.”

“What on earth were you doing down there today anyway?”

“You will see. Now if- THAT’S IT,” He gave a yell of frustration. His arm opened up and a sand grinder emerged. The whirring noise was a bit loud for Spitfire. The device began approaching his forehead.

“No!” she yelled, “No, you don’t need to do that.”

“Why? My skin will grow back.”

“Here, use this,” she reached under the counter and removed a bottle. Inside was a strange liquid that changed from green to blue to purple and back again.

“What’s this?” he asked, examining it.

“Just try it. It’s meant to remove stuff like that.”

He frowned and then shrugged before placing some in his hand and applying it to his face before rinsing it off. The blackness that was burned into his face was gone, revealing his original skin tone. He smiled.

“There, now get out and get changed.”

“Does my arm make you uncomfortable?”

“Uh-wait what? Uncomfortable? Where’d you get that idea?”

“I have a doctorate’s degree worth of psychiatric training programed into my net. It is common for you carbon based life forms to feel, uncomfortable or threatened by something that is abnormal or different. If you like I can cover it up,” he said as a liquid metal flowed over it and formed a matrix and soon looked normal.

“No, it’s fine. Just… not used to seeing you without a shirt is all,” she said, her face turning red.

“Ah, understandable.” He turned and left the room, the liquid metal flowing off his arm.

Spitfire sighed and closed the door. This was getting bad now. She had tried her HARDEST not to stare but he was just… there. She cursed herself. Stupid shirtless android, she thought with blush.

***

Starry Skies yawned looking at the magazine cover. She almost giggled at the comedy of it. The Wonderbolts captain was giving the camera a death glare from behind a pair of aviators. That wasn’t the funny part though. The funny part was the group of reports surrounding her and blank look of the black haired kid behind her.

“Alright, what’s the deal Skies?” Charger asked from behind his sunglasses, “You’ve been looking at that fuckin’ magazine since it showed up.”

“I like the kid on the cover. He’s cute,” she smiled.

“What’evs.”

She leaned back on the couch and yawned again. Suddenly the magazine wasn’t in her hands and was sailing towards the fire place.

“HIYA SKIES! Whatcha reading?” Blueball Blitz practically screamed with an unnaturally wide grin on her deranged face.

Starry Skies’ eye twitched, “I WAS reading a magazine before you sent it sailing into the fire you twisted excuse for a girl!”

Blitz blinked, “Whoops!”

“She wasn’t reading it,” Charger sighed, “She was ogling over the Wonderbolt’s captain on the cover.”

“I wasn’t ‘ogling’ over the angry girl on the cover; I was just looking at the kid on the cover before Blitz here knocked it into the fire.”

Blitz had scooted over to the electrical outlet and licked her finger before inserting it into the wall. Her hair lit up like a neon sign.

“See? Look at her. No wonder she’s crazy.”

“And yet you hang around her all the time.”

“It’s cause we’re best friends,” Blitz suddenly emerged behind Skies causing her to scream.

“Stop doing that!” she yelled.

“Stop doing what?” A voice asked.

Everyone turned. Nightshade was standing in the doorway. She pulled her aviators off and entered.

“Change in plans. Management has scheduled more shows for us.”

“Meaning?” Charger asked nonchalantly.

“Meaning break’s over! SO get your collective asses outside and onto the fucking course! The rest of the team is already there.”

“Fine.”

A flash of blue and sparks flew by Nightshade as Blitz rushed out to the training field followed by Starry Skies and Charger.

Nightshade soon followed.

But there was something on the mind of Starry Skies as she prepped for practice. Who was that black haired boy on the cover?

***

Spitfire walked out of the shower, her hair and body still wrapped up in towels.

Jett was sitting on the couch in some pajamas examining a bladed weapon in his hands. The weapon was a sword with a lightly curved, single edged blade. A blood groove ran down its length down to the blade collar that met with the handle of the weapon. The blade was almost perfectly mirrored and shiny with the edge almost sharp to the point of being nearly invisible. He held up the scabbard and slipped the weapon in and watched as it formed an almost seamless black shape; A perfectly made Shirasaya.

“Is that what you were making?” She asked as she wiped her hair.

“No. This was the sword I found in my bag the other day and used as a model. Though because it’s composed of materials not native to your planet I figured it wasn’t fair to use it in the duel.”

“What’s it made out of again?”

“Like nearly everything in my entire civilization it is composed of Tritanium alloy. This alloy just happens to be incredibly sharp, light, and strong. It was treated with a process that forms an almost crystalline lattice within the blade making it basically indestructible and unable to be dulled. But this means it could cut through any sword you could throw at it so it wouldn’t be fair to use it.”

“So you made an entirely new sword?”

“Yes. It’s almost ready. I tried to make something as close to this as I could using the materials available but I had to make some sacrifices,” He said slipping the weapon back into his bag.

“Meaning?” She asked sitting down next to him.

“I had to sacrifice lightness for strength and sharpness. So it’s a bit heavier than I would have liked but I cut down on the weight as much as possible by trimming the blade down and coating it in a cobalt based dye to help preserve it.”

“Don’t they just use cobalt in ceramics?”

“I combined it with a few other things and made a watery dye with it. I’ve been cooling the blade in that whenever it removed it from the forge.”

Spitfire rested her head in her hands, “So is it a double edged or single?”

“Single. The way it’s structured I had to go with single. Along with the fact that I needed to balance the blade correctly and… wait a minute. Are you wearing anything underneath that?”

“Uh… no?”

“Oh for the love of god. Can you please put something on?”

“Okay, what’s the deal with you? Even when you have no freaking idea who you are and yet things like that still get to you. It’s not like it’s a big deal.”

“It feels… weird to me. I can’t just sit here and talk to someone when they don’t have any clothes on. Please tell me you weren’t like this all the time when I took care of you.”

“No, cause your society has some weird taboo on sex and everything related to it; well, except on the internet but that’s the same everywhere you go. Kinda picked up on that when you basically threw a fit when I was hanging my clothes over a fire place after we went for an impromptu swimming session.”

“And how did that happen?”

“Well you see, we were at a hotel and we decided to prank the desk lady who kept saying we were dating which for some reason pissed you off to no end. So we made a dry ice bomb and rolled it into the lobby before running away.”

He blinked, “And whose idea was it to make the dry ice bomb?”

“You know I forget.”

“And you never said why I ‘basically threw a fit’ about you hanging clothes out to dry?”

Spitfire blushed, “I kinda didn’t have a shirt on at the time. Or anything else related to the upper body.”

“And you thought that was okay?”

“Well how was I supposed to know? Your society had some weird ‘no go’ on the topic.”

“Because we’re a monogamous society. Anything hinting otherwise was frowned upon.”

“Well so are we but until you’re taken off the market you can be as casual as you want without consequence. Well there is the whole ‘go into heat, have the best sex ever and oh yeah you’re pregnant’ thing but other than that we’re pretty lax on it. You people were just weird.”

“Only places that are remotely like that are colleges and even then it’s still frowned upon to a degree. Everyone worries about being called a slut or a whore.”

“Well lucky for us we don’t even have concepts like that.”

Jett blinked, “Can we get off this topic please? This is getting weird.”

“You were the one who brought it up.”

“Because you’re not wearing anything accept a towel.”

“My quarters, my rules. I can be as naked as I want.”

“Well then I hope you don’t mind if I leave.”

“Nope,” she said smugly.

“Good.”

He calmly stood up and walked over to the balcony and jumped over the railing.

“Ah! Holy fuck dude! What’re you doing here?!” Came Soarin’s voice.

“Well I was trying to find someplace with a little less NAKED people in it but looks like I failed in that respect!”

“Can’t you see Soarin’ and I are a bit busy?” High Winds asked.

“Still wanna take your chances down there?” Spitfire called.

“Oh fuck you!” Jett replied.

“I don’t know why you just didn’t use the front door!” She laughed.

“I’m gonna kill you.”

“Then come back up here then! Unless you are terrified of a little T and A!”

“Are you always naked like this? Cause I’m gonna start sleeping in the hallway.”

“I thought you didn’t sleep!”

“Spitfire’s naked?”

“Oh so now you’re at attention asshole.”

At that Spitfire started cracking up. Her giggles soon ignited into full blown laughter.

“You know,” she laughed, “I think this almost beats handcuffing you to a thong rack that one time!”

“YOU DID WHAT TO ME?!”

“Whoops,” Spitfire giggled.

“You did what to him?” Came two other voices below.

Suddenly there was a thump on the balcony as the android jumped up from the lower floor.

“You handcuffed me to a what?” He asked walking up to her.

“Well, we were in a Victoria’s Secret after I dragged you in there to help me pick out a nice bathing suit. You weren’t too happy about it so I kinda bought a pair of those fluffy pink handcuffs and attached them to your wrists and the rest is history. You know I think I still have that picture!”

She reached over to her bag and pulled out the phone she used back on Earth. She tapped the screen and flipped through a bunch of pictures and tapped one. A picture of a kid hanging by his wrists just awkwardly enough so he couldn’t stand up rose up off of the screen. He was giving the camera death eyes.

“This right here is a thing of beauty,” she laughed.

“Now how exactly did you managed to pull that off cause I could simply break the cuffs.”

“Simple. You were locked out of most of your abilities giving you the strength of only an average 17 year old.”

“And since you’re… well… whatever you are you just did that and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it, huh?”

“Pretty much,” she said pulling the handcuffs out of her bag and twirling them over her fingers.

The android blinked.

“You know what, I don’t care anymore.”

“Well you’re no fun.”

“I think I’ve had enough ‘fun’ for one night.” His face changed, losing its ‘friendly I’m in the mood to mess around’ attitude. He cocked his head, as if he were thinking.

“Hmm.”

He stood up and walked to his bag and grabbed some kind of electronic out of it before heading for the door.

“What’s that?” Spitfire asked.

“A pad. I just remembered that I had wanted to go through it earlier.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“Stuff about me. About my life.”

“Well can’t you do that here?”

“No. I want to be alone for this. Personal business,” he said coldly.

Before she could say anything else, he stood up walked out the door, tapping icons on the pad.

Spitfire blinked, “What was that about.”

***

Jett walked down the empty hallways of the HQ. He soon found an open door and walked out into the cold night air. Temperature readings displayed on his HUD but they had no meaning to him. Cold mean nothing. He walked across the green and the various facilities on the air base until he reached the runways. He calmly walked down to the center of one of them.

He set the pad down on the ground before tapping one of the nodes on his arm and watching a small compartment open. A chip was plugged in inside. He pulled it and plugged it into the pad. A small green girl appeared on the screen.

“That reminder you had us set up worked I see,” she said, “But just reiterating, you are again talking to yourself here.”

He sighed, “I would prefer to think of you all as separate people. You know, like the little angel or devil on your shoulders constantly or like your conscience.”

“Your behavior is borderline multiple personality disorder. But I do see where you are coming from,” she laughed, “If that is how you wish to see us then that is your prerogative.”

“Alright. Let’s begin. Start with file 2938-A67 and go from there.”

“Yes sir.”

***

Spitfire was confused. What on Earth- er Equestria was that? He just… walked off. Maybe he remembered something? If so that would be great! They could pick up right back where they left off! But if not… oh well…

She had been sitting on the couch for a while now, having gotten dressed into something more manageable than just a towel.

She looked at her watch. He’d been gone for over half an hour now. She’d closed the balcony doors to cut off the obscene noises coming from down below. She had sighed and looked at the clock on the wall. It was getting late.

She sighed, “Jett if you aren’t back when I wake up, so help you…”

She walked over to her bed, climbed in and went to sleep.

***

It starts with a point. A photon of light. Then came the world. A vast unending plane of light and pure energy. Across the planes of existence. The infinite possibilities. Worlds of all kinds popped into being, never fading. A mass of color was everywhere. Time seemed to be tangible.

Hyperspace.

Two points of light distinguished themselves from the rest of them and shot across the vast unending infinity. They accelerated faster and faster and faster. Soon a universe appeared before them.

They were inside. Two stars shooting across the cosmos, covering the distances of vast galaxies in only seconds. Soon one distinguished itself from the others. A simple spiral arm. They rushed towards it, the stars getting closer. Soon they found a nebula and rushed into through it.

And then a world came into view.

***

Spitfire groaned. Mornings were awful. She hated them with a burning passion. But hey, when you’re in a military organization getting up early is part of it.

She groaned and pulled herself out of bed, sauntering over to the living room, yawning as she went. She flexed her wings and stretched them out to full length, a satisfying cracking sound emanating from the limbs. She sighed and reopened her eyes. Her living room was empty. Hmm. Had Jett not come back yet? She looked around the rest of her flat. Nothing. Though the pad was on the coffee table.

Then, something at the balcony caught her eye. She ran to the doors and threw them open. The morning winds rushed past her. The mountains of Canterlot were famous for the drafts from the valley they sometimes got. But that wasn’t what caught her attention.

Balancing perfectly on the railing was a certain black haired android. He stood calmly with his arms behind him watching the sun rise.

“Uh… how are you doing that?” she asked over the winds.

He turned, “Oh, good morning. Very carefully. Even for a computer there are a large number of variables to calculate. Wind speed, pressure, lean, there’s a lot of them.”

He jumped down from the railing, “I need to get some more clothes.”

“Why? Don’t you not sweat or anything?”

“Well yes but please remember that some of my outfits are from another civilization and not native to this planet. So if I’m going to be living here I might as well.”

“Oh. So what was it you did last night?”

He glanced over at the table before returning his gaze to her and let out and almost soul shaking sigh.

“I looked over files about me. Things like social network stuff, psychological reports, personality analyses, even a few journal entries.”

“What did you find?”

“A very angry person. There wasn’t really much of a reason in any of the reports, only a few mentions of an incident at an airport, my family, and a few of the football players. After a certain date though the journal entries just cut out. I still have no idea who I was Spitfire, but I know who ever I was wasn’t happy.”

Spitfire scoffed, “That putting it mildly. I had to work hard to get you to smile.”

“Well… I’m done being angry. Even if I don’t have my memories I’m gonna try to be happy here.”

Spitfire grinned, “You are?”

“Why not? I mean, it’s a brand new world here, I have the collective knowledge of humanity stored in my head, let’s see what I do here.”

Her grin grew wider, “That’s wonderful Jett.”

“I guess I’m reinventing myself. From what I gathered I used to be a bit closed minded about some things. But now, who knows? Maybe I’ll get myself a girlfriend.”

And that’s when all of the little girls in Spitfire’s head got out of their cage.

Author's Note

Stayed up to 11:42 editing this for you all. Now to Sleep like a hibernating bear only to wake up at 5:30.

Chapter 54. Rampancy: System Failure.

They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me

They could care less as long as someone'll bleed

So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose

Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me

Shining Armor smiled as he talked with his sister.

“Yeah, the new training regimen you came with is really working,” he said, “Trainees come back complaining on how difficult it is. Which is good.”

“It’s not too hard is it?” Twilight asked.

“No, I’d say it’s perfect. It pushes them all harder but by the end of it they come out stronger and faster than before and a lot of the new recruits are better trained than the older guards.”

“Oh, that’s good. We don’t need a repeat of what happened last year.”

“Well, uh, we do have that robot working security for us.”

Twilight lit up, “You do? Where is he? I’ve wanted to study him for ages now!”

“Don’t know, last I saw him he was in the VIP section hanging out with the Wonderbolts but I thi-”

A guard walked up, “Captain we have a problem.”

Shining sighed, “What is it?”

“A fight has been reported out in the gardens.”

“Can’t you guys deal with it? Or if you can’t get our consultant to deal with it?”

The guard looked around nervously, “Yeah, sir, um, that’s the thing.”

A large explosion outside shattered the nearby glass windows. Shards rained down into the lobby as people screamed. Shining instinctively covered his sister.

***

Jett gave a malevolent grin as he aimed his energy weapon, overcharging the device before firing it.

Starry Skies spread her wings and jumped out of the way as the blast hit the ground and exploded. She flew up into the air and pulled out her revolver and fired it at the android.

Jett looked up at her bolted to avoid the shots. Once he was beneath her the metal pack on his back opened up as two jets fired, directing thrust downwards and launching the robot into the air.

He made a fist and pulled back before punching Skies in the face, catapulting her right and sending her into the ground.

Below the android was the Shadowbolt wielding a crow bar. He grinned as he rapidly descended on the Shadowbolt.

Just as he was about to swing, Jett grabbed the bar and turned his move against him, flipping him over his back and sending him flying towards a nearby tree.

He turned in time to see the edge of an electrically charged knife flying towards his face. He moved his head but still received a gash as he rotated his body and kicked the knife away. Blueball Blitz laughed.

“Oh this is so fun!” she laughed grinning stabbing her other blade forward. Jett used his metal prosthetic and blocked the attack.

“Oh I couldn’t agree more!” he grinned swiping his leg and knocking her feet out from under her. She fell to her back. He raised his arm to punch her just as she rolled out of the way. Jett’s fist made a sizable hole in the ground.

Suddenly there were two arms wrapped around him as the Hurricane Shadowbolt lifted him into the sky. Jett wrestled and tried to break free as he was carried over the palace. Suddenly the Shadowbolt flipped forwards and launched the android down towards the parking lot.

***

Prince Blueblood basked in the attention the paparazzi gave him. He walked over to a red sports car.

“Yeah, I got this recently at the Manehatten automobile expo just the other week. Leather seats, new motor, the whole works. Had to get it after my last one was destroyed,” he turned with an arrogant grin.

Suddenly his red car was flattened by a small human sized object with a loud metallic crunch. Jett pulled himself out of the wreckage and growled, staring up at the Shadowbolt who threw him. He looked back at the car and then at Prince Blueblood and grinned. The prince squeaked.

Jett grabbed the car by its front, crushing the metal down so he could grip it better before swinging it around three times and releasing it into the air at his enemy. The heavy object sailed through the air.

The Shadowbolt who had previously been grinning and laughing suddenly stopped and dove out of the way as a heavy metal object flew towards him.

The car continued onwards and smacked into a guard tower, becoming embedded in the stone. The pack on the android’s back opened up again as Jett took to the skies after his opponent.

***

Dane looked up from comforting Spitfire. People were rapidly moving outside of the palace.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Fleetfoot glanced over, “Probably some celebrity who showed up late. Happens all the time.”

“I guess…” Dane said, “Damn! Still can’t believe he did that.”

Fleetfoot scooted over out of Spitfire’s ear shot, “I’m curious, why would he do that? I mean, he literally had the most desirable female in the world at his knees, he was in a position most guys would literally kill to be in and he just… threw it all away. Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know why he would do that. Maybe he’s still having identity problems or self-esteem issues. The guy had all sorts of problems growing up. Even machines aren’t completely immune to psychological harm. Damn! He was so close to actually being happy and then all thi-”

A guard ran over, “Sir, I’m afraid you and your company are going to have to evacuate the palace immediately.”

Dane raised an eyebrow, “Why what’s going on?”

“Nothing to worry about, the guard is moving to deal with it. But please, we need to evacuate you to your vehicles.”

Spitfire looked up through her red blood shot eyes, “What’s going on?”

Dane glanced over at her, “We have to leave, they’re evacuating the entire palace out to the parking lot.”

“Did they say why?” she asked hoarsely.

“No, but I guess we’ll find out once we’re out.”

“Alright,” she whispered and stood up.

***

Dusk sprung forward to swing with his crowbar. Jett simply grinned and backed up and vanished into thin air; his stealth system activated.

Dusk’s eyes widened as he lost his target. He turned rapidly looking for any sign of movement. Nightshade ran up, her dented brass knuckles still on her hands.

“Where is he?!” she yelled.

“I don’t know,” Dusk gulped, “He just up and vanished.”

“Well find him!”

A rustling behind them got their attention. The leaves moved of their own accord as something entered the forest.

“In there,” Nightshade pointed, “After him.”

She bolted inside followed rather uneasily by the rest of her team.

“Call out, if you find him, kill him on sight.”

Storm Cloud uneasily grasped a shotgun he’d acquired, “Cap I don’t like this.”

“Shut up and keep looking.”

Soon the Shadowbolts were spread out in the garden area and were invisible to each other through the thick foliage. They slowly moved through the forested area, every single crunch of a leaf or snap of a twig making them uneasy.

Suddenly someone screamed as sounds of violent and brutal strikes were heard followed by a sickening snap and another scream. A heavy striking noise followed that and the screaming stopped.

Charger looked around him and slowly moved towards the area where the sounds came from. He pushed through the flowers and trees and soon emerged on a stone path. Storm Cloud was unconscious, his legs and arms heavily bruised to the point where moving would be painful and one of his wings was broken.

Charger started breathing heavily as he looked around him. He reached into his shirt and pulled out his revolver and knife and held them in front of him defensively.

“S-Storm Cloud is down!” he called out.

“Alright!” someone else responded.

He continued to move slowly down the path. In the darkness it was a rather unnerving thing to do. Slowly he stepped over each stone, slowly bringing him farther into the abyss of uncertainty. Suddenly a stick flew at him from behind and hit him in the head, bouncing off harmlessly and landing on the ground.

Charger instantly turned around and screamed and fired blindly at nothing. His heartbeat accelerated as did his irregular breathing as he became more and more terrified. A calm yet eerily voice echoed through the trees, singing a perverted version of a nursery rhyme.

“Charger, Charger, Fly away home…”

He turned rapidly to find the voice.

“Your house is on fire… Your lover will burn…”

He turned again, aiming his gun trying in desperation to find the voice.

“The last one left standing will be a boy named Jett… Who’s pointing a gun and playing a game of roulette…”

Charger turned and started running towards the Cliffside edge of the forest. He bolted down the path, ignoring all the trees and plants.

Suddenly the loud noise of a gunshot pierced through the calm of the forest as a shotgun round impacted Charger in the side, knocking him to the ground gasping for breath and unable to fly.

Jett emerged from the forest, disengaging his Stealth, standing over Charger with a sadistic grin. He placed the edge of the double barrel shotgun on Charger’s face.

“It’s not… my fault,” he gasped.

“Your fault?” Jett giggled, “Yes, it is.”

He moved to pull the trigger just as Starry Skies tackled him to the ground, knocking the gun from his hands and sending it over the edge of the cliff. She raised her fists in a cry of rage to punch to the android, however Jett simply laughed and gripped her neck in a vice grip and lifted her off of him.

Her hands moved to her neck as she tried to pry the prosthetic off of her neck.

Jett grinned, “Consider yourself dumped.”

Without so much as a second or first thought he threw her over the edge of the cliff and watched her fall and painfully glide herself over to the edge of a cliff.

He grabbed one of the metal railings and pried a piece of metal off of it and hurled it down at her. She just barely had time to catch her breath and recover when she was forced to dodge out of the way of a sharp metallic pike. The metal embedded itself in the rock just a few centimeters from her position.

“Come on! Try!” Jett yelled as he ripped more metal away from the railing and hurled it down at her. Suddenly a Shadowbolt, Dusk, had tackled him to the ground again and raised his machete over his head and stabbed it down into the android’s stomach.

Jett grabbed his head and threw him off of him and pulled himself up. The blade was buried up to the hilt inside his gut. He walked over towards the edge of the forest. Twister, Hurricane, and Nightshade emerged from the trees.

Jett, his eyes hidden, laughed as he grabbed the handle of the blade and slowly pulled the blood stained blade out of his stomach. He let the edge of the weapon fall to the ground as he dragged it with him as he walked.

Twister pulled out a pair of revolvers and aimed them at the android and fired. The bullets bounced harmlessly off the android’s skull, simply peeling away the synthetic tissue where they hit exposing the metallic surface beneath.

Jett simply sped up his walking and then rapidly swung the machete at the girl, cutting her hand and knocking a gun out of her hand.

Nightshade bolted and raised her fists to strike him. Jett spun around and threw Twister into Nightshade’s incoming strike, breaking her cheek bone and knocking her out. Nightshade growled and threw Twister off of her.

Suddenly he was being gripped from behind by Hurricane. This time however Jett knew what to expect. He kicked downward and flipped himself over the flier and grabbed his shoulders and threw him back towards a tree.

He focused back at Nightshade who cracked her knuckles and rushed towards him. Jett banged his fists together before raising his arm in a strike. Nightshade did the same and pulled her arm back before thrusting forward.

Jett moved his head right to dodge the blow just as he struck forward, striking Nightshade in the shoulder. She spun around and flew towards the ground. She started to quickly pull herself up onto her feet.

Suddenly there was an intense pain in his left shoulder as Stratus bolted from the forest and struck him. Jett cried out.

Robot Freak!

Jett roared and spun around and gripped Stratus’ head in a vice. The Shadowbolt raised his arms to pry the android off of him. Jett simply gave an insane grin.

“Die…”

In an instant his electricity activated. Almost one million volts flowed through the Shadowbolt’s head. Jett grinned as he watched the electricity crackle. Finally he simply dropped the flier just as Nightshade got back up, holding her shoulder. She growled. Jett smiled as his jet pack opened up and accelerated him into the sky.

Nightshade snarled and took off after him followed by Hurricane who pulled himself up to his feet.

Jett focused on the ground, searching for Shadowbolts to hunt. Suddenly Nightshade catapulted herself into him, tackling him in midair. The two flew towards one of the second floor windows of the palace. Nightshade spun around and threw him into one of the stain glass windows.

Hurricane arrived.

Nightshade frowned, “Take care of him.”

He grinned, “Yes ma’am.”

Nightshade watched as Hurricane angled his wings and bolted into the palace after the android. Turning she bolted towards one of the nearby guard towers.

***

Rarely had Jett ever considered visiting some of the older palaces and castles back on Earth. Mainly because in his opinion he’d seen the one’s worth seeing when visiting his now mostly dead family in England. The Royal Family did keep all the grounds in good condition he’d admit.

The palace he was in right now was actually a balcony overlooking the dining hall. Furniture was still prominent up here with small tables for guests to sit at. Candles and candle holders decorated them. Tapestries and curtains lightened up the walls while old paintings and statues added class.

He pulled himself up out of the pile of debris that was once a table just as Hurricane dove through the windows at him. Jett rolled right to avoid a strike and jumped to his feet. Hurricane grinned, his fingers flexing around a crowbar.

The Shadowbolt cracked his neck, “You know, one of the reasons people like us, the ones with wings, are superior is because of our anatomy. Our bones are stronger, stiffer, and denser while also being hollow to cut down weight. Our muscles are specialized for flying, just like our organs. We can move faster and hit harder than everyone.”

Jett yawned, “That’s cool. Go write a fucking book about it.”

Hurricane grinned, “Books are for nerdy fucks like you.”

He rushed the android who ducked and head butted him in the stomach. He staggered back and gripped his crowbar and swung it. Jett raised his prosthetic to deflect.

Heavy swings from the cast iron tool scraped the Tritanium plating on his arm. Jett grabbed a nearby candle holder and swung it, hitting the Shadowbolt in the arm, knocking the crowbar away.

“Aaahh!” Hurricane yelled.

Jett snarled and thrust out with both his legs, throwing the flier off of him and onto a nearby table, cracking it in two.

He smiled and walked over to the table and put the candle holder on the Shadowbolt’s neck and began pressing down with it.

Hurricane began choking, reaching up and trying to grasp at anything.

“Ah, ta ta ta,” Jett smiled, “We wouldn’t want to disrupt things here. You know, I really took in what you said, about your kind being superior and there’s just one hypothesis I want to test.”

He grinned and leaned in closer, “Do you still die when I cut off your oxygen?”

Hurricane’s pupils dilated as he scrambled for something, anything, to help him get the homicidal android off of him. Finally his fingers found purchase in a discarded cane left behind when the palace was cleared out. He swung it wildly.

The wooden cane struck the android’s head and snapped. Not enough to do damage but enough to knock him away. Hurricane scrambled for the crowbar.

He jumped up once he had it, coughing, “Now I’m gonna kill you.”

Jett grinned, “I’d like to see you try.”

“Raaaahhh!”

He charged the android and swung the bar. Jett raised the cast iron candle holder and blocked the strike before lashing out with one of his own. It found purchase and hit his attacker in the elbow. Hurricane cried out and swung the bar again. Jett dropped the holder and caught the strike before falling back and flipping the Shadowbolt over him, wrenching the crowbar from his hands.

Hurricane skidded across the floor before scrambling up in time to duck again as Jett hurled the bar at him. It spun through the air before exploding a nearby stone statue, taking off its head and most of its upper torso.

Jett picked up the candle holder again and bolted towards his opponent. Hurricane stood up and flexed his wings and spun rapidly, knocking Jett into a china cabinet. Hurricane grabbed a nearby flag pole and swung it. Jett ducked just as the pole smashed into the remains of the cabinet. Jett saw an opening and took it, slamming the end of the candlestick into his foot.

Hurricane cried out in pain just as Jett grabbed him and smashed him into a nearby table, breaking it. He grabbed the candle stick and smashed it down just as Hurricane rolled out of the way. Hurricane quickly got to his feet and kicked the android in the side, sending him flying farther down the balcony.

Jett landed on his feet and hurled the candlestick at the Shadowbolt, striking him in the head. Hurricane fell to the ground. Jett grabbed a hardcover book from a nearby table and ran to finish off his target. Hurricane pulled himself up, abet some blood leaking from his head and dodged a punch from the android.

He himself countered with a strike that was blocked by the book Jett had grabbed. While Hurricane recoiled Jett used the book like a ram and slammed it into his stomach. Hurricane coughed and grabbed the android and hurled him into the wall. It cracked as he impacted. He quickly recovered in time to dodge a fist from Hurricane that smashed through the drywall he’d just been occupying. He quickly removed his hand and turned in time to see Jett running up to drop kick him out of a nearby window.

***

Starry Skies grabbed the first aid kit from the guard station and bolted back towards the palace. After realizing that the homicidal android was no longer raining metal down on her she quickly spread her wings and flew back up to the palace grounds.

Now she was flying back towards the palace, heading directly towards the garden. She didn’t even see the broken window on the second floor of the palace.

***

Jett looked around the destroyed mess of the inside of the palace. They had certainly made a mess of the place. He laughed as he wondered who would clean up the mess. Probably the same person who cleaned up all the destroyed things in Animes. Outside he saw a certain pink haired flier carrying a heavy metal case.

He snarled and stood up and began running.

***

Film Reel ran with her crew towards the side of the palace, the camera still recording.

“I’m Film Reel coming to you live from the Gala,” she said to the camera.

“We’ve been evacuated to the parking lot following an unknown incident,” she panted as she ran, “We’ll try to give you more information as so- Wait. Is that… Starry Skies?”

The Shadowbolt flew overhead heading towards the gardens.

Suddenly one of the stained glass windows up above them exploded as a figure accelerated out of it, a pair of small flames jetting off of his back. Starry Skies turned with a surprised look on her face. Jett grinned and punched forward, his fist impacting the first aid kit, causing it to shatter and explode all over the lawn.

“Whoops! Sorry!” Jett laughed as he tackled the girl to the ground, “I supposed you remember my promise I made you, don’t you?!”

His prosthetic opened up as a bladed weapon emerged. Without as much as a warning he stabbed her just below her diaphragm, the blade wedging in between her ribs. She felt the wind get knocked out of her followed by an intense pain.

Jett’s face twisted into a sadistic expression, “Ooh, I can feel your ribs.”

Starry Skies grimaced as he slowly began to twist the blade.

“I’m sorry, does this hurt?!”

Starry Skies cried out in pain.

“Okay, how about this?!” a million volts of electricity passed through the blade into her body, stunning her and soon rendering her unconscious. Jett laughed as he retracted the blade and threw her to the ground.

“Five down, Four to go.”

A pinging sound got his attention as a small round object bounced into his vicinity. He looked down, a pineapple grenade. It exploded at his feet in a flash of orange as the android disappeared in a cloud of fire and smoke.

Nightshade was panting, still holding her shoulder as Hurricane, Blueball Blitz and, Dusk landed next to her.

The smoke cleared and the android’s form became visible. He was down on one knee and slowly pulled himself up. Much of the synthetic skin on his right leg was blown away exposing all the servos and axels and cybernetic robotics underneath. Farther up his body and away from the center of the explosion were bits of missing skin torn away by shrapnel. Part of his face had a small square metal bit of metal embedded in it. His suit was in tatters, suffering many burns and tears in the fight.

He sighed and pulled out the small chunk of metal and dropped it onto the ground.

“Nice try,” he said, “You got pretty lucky there.”

“Shit, he’s still standing?!” Hurricane asked.

Blueball Blitz laughed as unnatural sparks flew over her hair, “Oh this is going to be fun!”

Her knives were suddenly in her hands as she and Dusk bolted for the android. Jett cracked his neck and started running to meet them. At the last second he jumped and dove forward, spinning in between the two. His left foot kicked out; breaking Dusk’s hand in the few tenths of a second it took him to pass by while his arms grabbed Blitz and flung her back around over him, breaking her arm.

Blitz however didn’t appear to notice as she landed like a cat though her arm was hanging at a rather odd angle. She still had her other knife in her hand. Laughing like a maniac she rushed forward with her good arm and began stabbing at the android.

Jett dodged her attacks before bringing his foot up in an axe kick down on her back, sending her flying face first into the ground, taking her out of the fight.

“Well that was far too easy,” he laughed and turned to deal with Dusk.

Dusk looked at his broken hand and the machete in his other and simply gripped the blade, spun, and hurled it at him before pulling out his gun and aiming it at him.

Though heavily damaged externally, the android’s brain still functioned perfectly as he caught the spinning weapon and rotated and shot it back at its owner before he could even get a shot off. Dusk pulled the trigger just as the bladed weapon hit him in the chest, just right of his heart.

His eyes flew open as the weapon fell from his hand as Jett rubbed a new bullet wound on his skull. Dusk himself simply collapsed on his side, breathing irregularly.

Jett laughed and turned just as Hurricane bolted towards him with his fists raised. His arms hammered down on the android with considerable force, knocking him to the ground. Just as he raised his fists for another strike, Jett’s arm opened up and the flier found himself face to face with an energy weapon. His eyes widened as he fell back to avoid getting shot point blank in the face.

***

Spitfire, Dane, Gin, Blaze, and Fleetfoot moved through the crowd pouring out of the palace. They were inside the parking lot now. Most of the other Wonderbolts were already at the limos waiting for them. The Princesses were outside, calming all the guests as they emerged.

Spitfire’s condition was still one of morbid depression and heartache. Dane glanced over at her and moved closer.

“Hey, it’ll be fine,” he said, “I’m sure he’ll come to his senses soon enough.”

Spitfire sighed, “I just want him to be happy, even if it’s not with me. That’s what love is right? Wanting the person you love to be happy no matter what? Even if you can’t be a part of it?”

“I’m sure he’s just unsure of himself right now.”

Fleetfoot walked up, “Either way he has to manage this evacuation. If I had to keep track of all these right snobs I’d be a bit unsure of myself too.”

Gin frowned, “Yeah, well I think for an android the job would be a bit easi-”

A loud bang got everyone’s attention. One of the spires of the castle exploded in a splash of blue fire. The top of the structure crumbled down upon itself.

“What the hell was that?” Blaze asked.

The sounds of multiple shots of an energy weapon were heard followed by one large pulse. The glass above the entrance to the lobby exploded as a white haired Shadowbolt flew through it with a stream of blue exhaust following him as he impacted the ground, rolling to a rather unceremonious stop.

Dane frowned, “Is that a-”

“Shadowbolt?” Spitfire finished.

“I was going to say energy weapon discharge but your answer works too,” Dane said.

Gin’s eyes widened, “Energy weapon?”

“The only person who carries one of those here is-”

Spitfire’s eyes flew open, “Jett.”

A large flash of blue light was seen coming from behind the palace followed by a loud explosion.

Spitfire started running back towards the palace.

Fleetfoot called after her, “Where the hell are you going?!”

Spitfire turned, “Jett could be in trouble!”

Blaze frowned, “Why do you care? He coldly rejected you.”

“That doesn’t mean I hate him!” Spitfire snarled, “Even if he turned me down, even if I can never be with him no matter how much I want to be, I still love him! And I need to make sure he’s safe. If you don’t want to come in with me that’s fine but don’t get in my way!”

Blaze shrunk down slightly in silence.

Dane bolted past her, followed by Gin, “You coming slow poke?”

Spitfire turned, “What?”

“If you’re going back there then we’re coming too. The bastard may sometimes be a heartless son of a bitch but he’s still our brother,” Gin said with a confident grin.

“And what kind of friends would we be if we didn’t back you up when you needed us?” Dane said, “Besides, someone’s gotta get through those guards.”

Fleetfoot ran forward, “We’ll do it! Right Blaze?”

Blaze sighed, “I suppose I got nothing better to be doing. But you better come back with my girlfriend alive and well.”

Gin put a hand to her heart, “Aw, baby, I never knew you actually cared.”

“Shut up bitch.”

Dane rolled his eyes, “Figures. Well let’s get on it!”

Fleetfoot and Blaze ran back towards the main entrance. Two guards were there making sure everyone was getting out.

“Excuse me sir,” Fleetfoot said, “I’m sorry to disturb you but just over there I saw…”

Blaze distracted the other guard with a similar story, allowing the three friends to slip back inside unnoticed.

“Come on!” Dane said, “Dining hall was this way and it led to the garden area! That’s where we’ll start.”

***

“All the old familiar things!” Jett laughed as he dodged a strike from Nightshade, “You fight just like her!”

“This isn’t over!” Nightshade yelled dodging a counter strike and jumping up to execute a flying roundhouse.

“I’d say it’s getting there!” The android laughed, “It’s down to just you. Everyone else has either been shot or stabbed or knocked out in some other way. How long do you think it’ll take for you to fall?”

“Just slightly longer than you!” She growled jumping up and delivering a drop kick to the android’s chest.

Jett flew back towards a statue garden. All sorts of statues from famous musicians to more abstract pieces.

Nightshade walked over and grinned, “Try these on for size.”

She pulled out two large lollipop like devices similar in appearance to old anti-tank grenades. She pulled the pin on one and whipped it in the android’s direction. Jett’s eyes widened and he bolted to avoid the incoming explosive. Even if it was a primitive weapon it still had potential to do damage. It hit the statue just a few meters behind him and exploded in a large cloud of fire, smoke, and stone debris.

Jett himself was knocked down by the incoming stone fragments and growled, grabbing the head of one of the statues and hurling it at Nightshade. Nightshade herself gasped and dove out of the way of the head, not even having time to watch it skip across the ground and impact and explode against a tree, before arming another grenade and throwing it at the android. It exploded only a meter from his position as he disappeared in a cloud of stone and fire.

Nightshade was panting heavily. Did she do it? Was he dead? She hoped so; she wasn’t sure how long she could keep this up for.

Suddenly the torso and head of a certain ancient wizard statue flew out of the settling cloud of dust. Nightshade sighed.

“Oh for the love of-” she dove forward as the heavy object impacted the ground behind her with a considerable thud, embedding itself firmly in the ground. She barely even had time to get up before one of the arms flew towards her, spinning like a saw blade. She dove right to avoid it as it bounced along the ground before catching itself and embedding into the lawn.

Jett emerged from the cloud of debris. Parts of his right arm were exposed, showing off all the robotics underneath. The left side of his chest was simply torn open revealing heavy metal plating underneath as well as power connections. The synthetic skin that remained was either heavily cut up by rubble or burned from the explosion. He looked like any soldier’s worst nightmare.

He roared at her in pure rage.

Nightshade raised her fists and prepared for another conflict. Suddenly she saw something. The side arm the guard gave him was still attached to his body! Hers was empty but if she could grab his she could win this fight! All she had to do was get in close.

The two bolted at each other.

***

Spitfire, Dane and Gin ran into the now empty dining hall. Plates of food and party decorations scattered the area. There were even still streamers and ribbons hanging on the statues and columns from before the evacuation.

“Where do you think he is?” Dane asked, “I don’t hear anything inside the palace.”

“Outside in the gardens is more like it,” Spitfire said with concern in her voice, “We better hurry. I don’t want him to get hurt or worse.”

“It honestly shouldn’t be too hard, just follow the destruction and sounds of violence and we’ll eventually find our man,” Gin said.

Suddenly one of the large stain glass windows on the far side of the room exploded in a shower of colorful glass. Nightshade that was grappling with Jett flew in and landed hard on the marble floor before flipping the robot over her as she landed on her feet in a fighting stance. The android himself flew towards the other side of the room, impacting one of the large stone statues of some ancient queen.

The statue cracked and collapsed down upon him just as he was starting to stand up, leaving only a pile of rubble.

“Jett!” Spitfire screamed in horror.

Nightshade collapsed back down on her knees, holding her shoulder, “Damn it… Finally.”

Dane and Gin ran up and glanced down at the Shadowbolt with some confusion mixed with interest. Spitfire however shot daggers at the girl.

“What the hell are you doing?!” she screamed.

“Revenge…” Nightshade seethed.

Spitfire snarled, “Revenge?! For what?!”

“He hurt you sister!” Nightshade yelled pulling herself up to her feet, still holding her shoulder, “He played you like a piano!”

“He did not play me! Believe me I know him far better than you think you do!”

“He still rejected you and hurt you! He broke your heart!”

“So what?! I still want him to live a happy life even if that’s not with me! So what if it hurt?! That doesn’t give you the fucking right to gang up on him with your goons like this!”

“Gang up on him?! He’s put all of them in the hospital at least! Some with life threatening injuries!”

“And you started all of this!”

“He nearly KILLED everyone on my fucking te-”

A rumbling noise on the other side of the room stopped the conversation. The remains of the statue stirred as a figure rose from the debris.

The head of the statue was crushed under a hard metallic fist as the figure pulled itself out of the rubble and screamed with inhuman rage.

Jett stumbled out of the broken statue. His red eyes focused on one target.

Spitfire gasped. Part of the android’s face was simply gone, exposing his jaw and part of the inside of his mouth as well as the robotic components beneath it. His right leg was totally exposed with nothing remotely organic remaining around it. His right arm also had flesh completely shredded off it. His chest was torn open exposing hard metal plating underneath it as well as some of the cybernetics that composed the android. What synthetic flesh that did remain was completely shredded with shrapnel or burned black.

“I’ll kill you!” he screamed as he raised his left arm. The familiar gun like device emerged and locked on to Nightshade as it charged.

Dane almost threw up seeing his brother’s almost undead like appearance while Gin simply covered her mouth.

Suddenly Spitfire was standing in front of Nightshade, having moved herself between her and the raging android. She held her arms up in a protective fashion as well as spreading her wings. Jett panted and continued to charge the weapon.

“Move,” he stated simply.

Spitfire, tears in her eyes, gulped simply uttered, “No.”

Jett’s face contorted, “MOVE!”

Spitfire flinched, “Jett… I can’t. You’re hurt badly. You’ve got to stop this.”

“Stop?! Stop what?!”

“This violence! This isn’t the real you! Just look at yourself!”

“Do I disgust you? They did this to me!”

“No, no of course not! But you’re damaged and hurt. You’re angry… I understand that but… this isn’t right! Jett Halsey doesn’t just fight like this for no good reason.”

“How could you possibly know that?!” he half laughed, “How do you what the real me is like?!”

“Because I fell in love with the real you! The you that’s funny, that’s smart, that’s entertaining and magical to be around. Not this… monster you claim to be. I know you must feel terribly angry at the person behind me but… that doesn’t give you a right to kill her just as it doesn’t give her the right to do the same!”

He laughed, “How could you possibly know what I’m feeling right now?! Do you have any idea what it feels like to be… this?! This machine?! This copy of a soul?! How could you possibly know that?!”

Spitfire sighed and gave him the most empathetic expression she could muster, “You’re right… I couldn’t. Those are experiences unique only to you and you alone. But that doesn’t mean you’re a copy, Jett, you’re no illusion. You’re not the echo you think you are. You said you wanted to have the opportunity to find out who you are. Well if you fire that shot, you’ll destroy the person you are now. Not the copy or replica but the unique identity you’ve forged through all your hardships and triumphs that are uniquely yours. You may not know just who you are yet, you may not know just what you can do, but it would be better to be a blank slated angel than a painted demon.”

Jett’s eyes continued to burn red, “She said I hurt you… Did I?”

Spitfire gulped before continuing in an almost whisper, “When you turned me down it felt like someone had torn out my heart and stomped it into dust. It hurt then and it hurts still… but I want you to be happy, even if it’s never going to be me.”

“I’m a war machine; it’s never going to be anyone. Those experiences you say make me unique are all double edged swords. I’m broken Spitfire…” He lowered the weapon, “I can’t feel anything posit-”

Nightshade, who had been watching with a certain disinterest in the conversation, noticed his arm lower and bolted out from behind Spitfire and tackled the android to the ground.

“You! You hurt my sister and then my team! And now you want her to be sympathetic to you?!” she screamed as she raised a fist to strike the android.

Suddenly, in the midst of the struggle, the weapon went off. In an explosion of marble and energy Jett was thrown in one direction and Nightshade in the other. Spitfire was knocked off her feet.

Jett groaned and pulled himself to his feet. A large crater was now in the floor where they had been fighting. Nightshade lay on the other side of the room, not moving. Burns covered her body.

Jett slowly walked over to her and glanced at her form, kneeling down; he tentatively felt her neck for a pulse.

Suddenly he jumped back in horror, the red in his eyes disappearing being replaced by the calm blue.

“Oh-oh god,” he cried standing up and looking down at his hands. He stumbled back away from her body. Spitfire walked over.

“Get away from me!” he screamed, “Oh god. What’ve I done?!”

His ‘breathing’ became irregular and increased. Energy conduits fluctuated heavily all over his body.

“Oh god… Oh god... I really did it…” he gasped as Spitfire approached her sister’s body.

Spitfire’s eyes widened, “Oh my! She doesn’t have a pulse!”

Dane ran over and felt her neck, “Oh god.”

Gin ran over, “What can I do?”

Dane looked up, “Go and look for the rest of her team, make sure they’re at least alive!”

“Got it.”

Spitfire turned to Dane, “Please. You have to help her!”

Dane grunted, “I’m trying to! Help me get this coat off!”

“Al-alright.”

The two pulled off the Shadowbolt’s tattered leather jacket and threw it away.

“W-what do we do now?”

Dane spat into his hands, “I’m going to try routing electrical power to my hands as a sort of makeshift defibrillator.”

He rubbed his hands together and then slammed them into the Shadowbolt’s torso, shocking her body.

“Will that work?” Spitfire asked.

Dane gave a nervous laugh, “Hell if I know. If Jett can reroute electricity to his hands to shock the living shit out of people then I can at least do that to save someone.”

He began shocking the Shadowbolt, “Come on!”

Jett looked over the scene in horror before turning and bolting towards one of the open doors.

“Jett wait!” Spitfire called.

Dane continued shocking the unconscious woman, “Come on damn it! Come on!”

Spitfire returned, “Jett just bolted! What do I do?!”

“I don’t know! I’m trying to save a life here! Just… Do what you whatever you want! Unless you have EMT training then you won’t be of much use here.”

Spitfire looked nervously towards the door, “I really can’t do anything to help?”

“No, you can’t! Go find him and keep him from doing something stupid!”

“What about Nightshade?!”

“I swear to you that I will save her. But right now I need you to go save Jett before he does something really stupid.”

“Are you sure?!”

“Yeah, there’s nothing you can do here anyway. Come on damn it!” he yelled.

“Alright,” Spitfire said softly, “Good luck.”

“Never wish good luck to someone who doesn’t need it!” he gave a confident grin.

Spitfire stood up and ran for the exit. She emerged on the side of the palace. She watched as the crowd down in the parking lot parted as a figure ran through it.

“Damn!” she yelled and spread her wings and flew after it.

***

“Yes!” Dane whooped, “Pulse baby!”

Gin ran up to him, “Well most of them are unconscious with head injuries but nothing too debilitating, however a few have broken arms, gunshot wounds and stab wounds.”

“Go get the damn guard!” Dane said.

“Alright, what’re you gonna do?!”

Dane slapped Nightshade in the face, “Get this bitch up and then leave. Get the guard and lead them to the injured and then meet me in the lobby. We’re following Spitfire.”

***

Spitfire panted as she landed. She’d followed the android’s trail perfectly but where she was eluded her. The android had run through a set of double doors that led down a flight of stairs.

Spitfire ran to follow him when her cell ran.

“Motherfucker whoever you are this is not the goddamn time!” she yelled looking at her phone. It was Dane.

She picked it up, “Yes?”

“Your sister’s pulse is back. The Guard is tending to her and her team now. They’ll be fine,” Dane said obviously relieved.

Spitfire herself breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good.”

“Where are you?”

“Where am I? I’m…”

She looked around. Runways, buildings, hangers…

“Back at base. I followed him all the way here.”

“Alright, we’re on our way.”

Spitfire hung up and the opened the set of doors and slowly made her way down the stairs. She was inside the old hanger Jett had repurposed. She opened up the second set of double doors to the hanger.

Behind them was a sight far more disturbing than everything she has just seen.

Jett was sitting on the runway with the guard pistol he’d received pointed directly at his head, the barrel resting underneath his jaw.

“Jett…” Spitfire said tears once again clouding her sight.

“Please… just go away,” he sobbed.

“Why? Why won’t you let me help you?” Spitfire asked as she slowly made her way closer to the robot.

“Because I’m dangerous…” he whispered, “Your sister is dead because of me. I’m a monster.”

“Jett,” Spitfire said, “You didn’t kill anyone. Dane got her heart beating again.”

“I shot someone with a shotgun! I stabbed people! I broke bones, electrocuted others, can’t you see that?!”

“Jett,” Spitfire said kneeling in front of him, “You’re not a monster.”

“Yes I am… Just look at what I did to those people!” he sobbed.

“And they’re going to be fine! Dane just told me the guard is helping them as we speak. You’re not a monster, you just need help.”

“How do you know that?! What kind of divine power is feeding this shit to you?!”

“Because I wouldn’t have fallen in love and still be in love with a monster!” Spitfire yelled, “The things you’ve been through were monstrous. You lost an arm, you lost your identity, you lost your family, you lost your world, no person should have to go through that!”

“I just want to go home and forget all this ever happened,” he sobbed still holding the gun.

Spitfire put an arm on his shoulder, “Jett, this his home now. Earth is gone.”

“And so will I,” he said pulling back the hammer.

“No!” Spitfire cried, tears streaming down her face, “No, don’t. Please…”

“Why?! Why can’t you just let me do this?! Why can’t you just let me die?!”

“Because I would be lost without you,” she cried, “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”

She stared into his sapphire eyes as they both cried.

“Please,” she begged, “Please…”

Jett’s finger remained on the trigger. He still refused to be soothed or to have the weapon removed. Suddenly Spitfire had an idea. A memory the two of them shared suddenly came back to her. Should she try it? If she didn’t she would lose everything. She had to try…

She cleared her throat, “You are my sunshine… My only sunshine…”

Jett looked up at her, still crying as she sang.

“You make me happy… When Skies are grey…”

Slowly her fingers moved up to the gun and gripped it with him as she slowly removed the weapon from his grasp.

“You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you… Please don’t take my sunshine away…”

She tossed the gun away and pulled him into a welcoming embrace just as Dane and Gin burst into the room. Spitfire cried into his shoulder as she soothed him.

“Please don’t take my sunshine away…”