Inside the Escort ship Jason gazed outside the window as they rapidly ascended. The blue skies were turning darker as the ship pierced the layers of the atmosphere. The rays of the sunlight which would feel like a caress of warmth under those blue skies were turning sharper and sharper. The sense of weight that crushed their bones on their seats reached a peak and then everything went silent.

“You can never get used to this feeling, no matter how much you travel.” Cap. Brad said annoyingly.

Jason felt as if he had lost an integral part of his body. The feeling of weightlessness took away the pressure from his shoulders. He turned his head and unbuckled his seat belt.

Outside the windows one could observe the darkness of space and the spherical blue surface of the planet with three huge objects floating in an orbit above it.

Cap. Brad noticed the direction in which Jason was looking at and explained..

“Doesn’t it look wonderful? That is the I-CA Central Command constructed recently. Located at the center of the human territory piercing directly into the upper atmospheric sections as it covers the entire northern hemisphere under its range.”

Five huge structures which seemed like thorns piercing through the planet with each of these structures being so enormous that they could be perceived from space itself. These gray structures on the white surface of the northern hemisphere comprised the I-CA Central Command, the base of operations for the Naval Command on Earth.

“The current political situation of the I-CA has deteriorated after you guys left. Without anyone to keep them in check, the two external factions fought to gain maximum benefits for themselves. The I-CA Central Command was created under the lead of the two factions as a display of their superiority. Though it is currently under the control of the Academy.” Cap. Brad continued further. There was a hint of pity in his tone.

Jason stood there listening silently without any change in the expression observing the planet moving further and further away. Igniting the deceleration thrusters the ship shuddered a bit as it was aligned towards its destination.

[Captain, approaching I-CA High Command.]

The commodore’s voice sounded from the radio. A distance of roughly four hundred thousand kilometers was covered in a mere couple of hours.

Cap. Brad and Jason moved towards the cockpit.

[I-CA High Command, this is ES-25 carrying priority package. Requesting permission to board the station.]

The commodore radioed in the High Command.

[ES-25, acknowledged. Please proceed to landing bay 05 for boarding.]

The High Command responded.

The Escort ship started moving towards the I-CA High Command base on the Lunar surface.

The surface of the moon was filled with craters of varying diameters. Built inside one of such craters, the I-CA High Command base was one of the first marvels constructed after humankind took a deep leap in their level of technology. Unlike other constructs, the base was constructed using the crater as the foundation. It covered a greater area under the surface of the moon.

As ES-25 reached the crater its primary engines were already offline, using the secondary alignment thrusters it dived into the darkness when suddenly a huge beam of light ascended from within the darkness. Jason closed his eyes in reflex as the ship entered the landing bay. Once inside it landed with a barely thudding noise as the docking tubes connected to the ship.

[ES-25, docking tubes connected. Air pressure is stable. Welcome aboard.]

The sound echoed from the radio.

“Let’s go.” Cap. Brad patted lightly on the shoulder of Jason as they floated towards the upwards hatch of the ship.

Traveling in zero gravity felt a bit weird for Jason. He struggled a bit to adapt. Cap. Brad watched from the sidelines trying hard to contain his laugh.

After performing different types of weird postures and flipping for a number of times Jason finally reached the airlock.

“Here wear these, they will help you from showing us a wonderful performance inside the base.” Cap. Brad said, tossing a pair of hand gloves and shoes.

“What are these?” Asked Jason.

“These will help you stay on the ground in such environments. The infamous magnetic shoes from the world of fiction.” Explained Cap. Brad as he swiped his fingers on his tactical watch and activated the magnetic force of the shoes attaching themselves to the surface of the base.

“How is it? Wonderful, ain’t it?” Cap. Brad said while pulling at those stuck shoes.

Just then the commodore who stood behind them all the while chuckled.

“You always make a fool of yourself, Captain.” Saying so the commodore tapped the heels of the magnetic shoes with his hands and they were deactivated.

“Hahaha. I tend to forget how these babies were turned off!” Cap. Brad said, letting out an embarrassed laugh.

“Let’s go, Rear Admiral Valerie has been expecting us.” The commodore said as the airlock doors opened.

The commodore guided them towards the office of the command center. On the way Jason carefully observed one of the constructs that his friends had invested their efforts into. He remembered those times when they all fought together on the frontlines, sharing all the joys and sorrows. Suddenly a face full of youthful vigor flashed past and his eyes turned moist.

“We are here.” Just then the voice of the commodore dragged him back to reality.

With his face now devoid of any expression, Jason stepped into the command center. Before him was one of the most veteran officers of the I-CA Naval Command and the commander of the base Rear Admiral Amelia Valerie, dressed in her uniform with two golden stars, seated behind her desk. The aura of authority along with the calmness in her demeanor made her feel peaceful yet dangerous.

Sensing the door being opened, R-Ad. Valerie’s gaze turned towards them. Instantly Jason felt a sense of peacefulness and calm as they made eye contact.

R-Ad. Valerie stood up as she moved towards them.

“Vice-Captain Jason, it's a pleasure to meet you.” She said, saluting towards Jason.

“No need for formalities, Rear Admiral. The pleasure is all mine.” Jason said.

The name and deeds of Rear Admiral Amelia Valerie were not unknown to him. The entirety of the I-CA knew her under the moniker of ‘Annihilator’, one of the fiercest and powerful soldiers from the Evo Squad who was later promoted to the ranks of Rear Admiral for her military merits on the frontlines during the decade of Reboot. She was also one of the officers in the I-CA Naval Command without the backing of any of the major families or organizations.

“Since we are running low on time, we shall continue with the objective in hand.” R-Ad. Valerie said, pointing towards the sofa on the side as she proceeded to take a seat.

Once everyone was seated she continued.

“Vice-Captain Jason, you--”

“Just Jason.” Before she could continue Jason cut her.

“Then Jason, though you must have gone through the report handed to you by Cap. Brad. What do you think about it?” R-Ad. Valerie asked.

“Before I reach any conclusion I will require an in-depth report of the situation, right from the beginning.” Jason said as he looked at R-Ad. Valerie in the eyes.

Sensing his gaze without any intent of backing off, she continued.

“I knew you would want to get into the depth of the matter. But before I begin you must remember that I was just following orders from my superiors.” She instructed sternly to which Jason nodded in affirmation.

“Alright. To be honest, the deep-space probe was not actually a probe. It was supposed to act as a Forwards Operation Base for the I-CA Naval Command in order to mine resources from beyond the belt, jointly proposed by the CL and the Legion. The Flagship of Legion departed for the construction of the same. It was a huge step for Humankind.” R-Ad. Valerie said, with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.

“So you are telling me Diane knows of this plan and she was the one who commanded the Oracle to sortie for the same?” Jason asked with a frown on his face.

That’s weird, why would she do that? Has she changed after that incident?

Such thoughts wandered in Jason’s mind. Noticing his confusion R-Ad. Valerie continued.

“You are mistaken, Jason. It wasn’t that Admiral Diane ‘commanded’ the Flagship to sortie, but she herself undertook the task. She was onboard the Flagship--”

Once again, Jason cut her which caused the face of R-Ad. Valerie to twitch in irritation.

“Was? You said ‘she was onboard’. What do you mean by that?” Jason asked anxiously.

“Please don’t cut me further. You can ask your questions once I finish.” R-Ad. Valerie said coldly.

Jason scratched his head in embarrassment, as he lost his composure.

“Admiral Diane along with the crew of Flagship Oracle were onboard the vessel when we had the final contact with them.” She stopped and looked at Jason, who closed his open mouth noticing her cold and ruthless gaze which said to him that she would definitely attack him if he uttered even a single alphabet.

“Before we lost contact the final message which they transmitted was this.” She tapped the table and a projection popped up in front of them.

“What in the world is that?” Cap. Brad who was sitting on the sidelines as he listened to the both of them talking, spoke subconsciously. As for the commodore he was not qualified to know the details and thus he had already left after guiding them.

Jason looked deeply at the blurry image in the projection. After gazing at the few seconds he turned his head towards R-Ad. Valerie.

“Yes, it is what you think it is.” She said in a grave tone.

“Impossible. According to the known timeline it is too early for this.” Jason said as he stood up from his seat in shock.

“Yes, we too believe that it is too early. So our guess is that it might be something which was left behind by them.” R-Ad. Valerie said slowly.

“What happened afterwards?” Jason asked, calming himself down a bit.

“We believe Admiral Diane ventured into a black zone and thus lost contact with us.” R-Ad. Valerie said.

Black zone was the area which was devoid of any medium which could be used as communication. Although the principles behind it were unknown, it did exist.

“Knowing Diane, she would definitely try to explore that thing.” Jason mumbled, which could be heard by everyone.

“That is why we need you guys back. We can neither afford to lose Admiral Diane nor the Flagship Oracle.” R-Ad. Valerie said.

“Did you send anyone to confirm the situation?” Jason asked firmly.

-Sigh-

R-Ad. Valerie sighed and continued.

“We cannot afford to do that. All our vessels are currently focused on the movements of the other two factions of the I-CA. If we move them then those guys will try to destroy each other again.”

Suddenly a huge surge of pressure emanated from Jason just like a predator as his pupils turned a bit red. Even if it was only for an instance, R-Ad. Valerie and Cap. Brad felt chills run down their spine.

“So you want me to contact the team for this?” Jason asked. His attitude which seemed jolly and happy had turned cold in this instant.

“Yes, we need you to do that.” R-Ad. Valerie said so fearlessly, without being bothered by his cold attitude.

“I see. So you brought me here for this and all that thing about knowing my opinion on the matter of the deep-space probe signal was just to lure me here.” Jason replied.

“Vice Captain Jason like I said before I am just following orders like a soldier must.” R-Ad. Valerie justified.

In response Jason turned around and left, moving towards the exit.

“They might not have much time though, Vice Captain Jason.” R-Ad. Valerie said hurriedly.

Jason stopped in his tracks and said.

“You of all people need not tell me how much time they have. Just because we do not want to harm you guys, you think you can command us however we want? You and your superiors are mistaken, Rear Admiral. It was so during that time and it is so today. If the Captain did not order us to stop, there would have been no factions in the I-CA senate today.”

Saying so he left the command center.

R-Ad. Valerie did not try to stop him after hearing the last sentence. She looked at Cap. Brad, who understood her intention and followed after Jason catching up to him quickly.

“So where to now?” He asked, trying to be as polite as possible.

Jason did not answer as he kept moving. Soon he reached the observation corridor. His steps paused and he looked at the planet and the satellites in front of them.

A few minutes passed by. Cap. Brad did not disturb him as he thought he was deep in though and mulling over something. After all, the decision was not so easy to make.

“Umm, Captain.” Jason said, his eyes still glued to the screen.

“Yes?” Cap. Brad enquired fearing for the worst.

“Where is the canteen?” Jason turned and asked while scratching his head in embarrassment.

Cap. Brad felt something inside him shatter after he heard his words.

Jason could feel the image of himself shattering inside Cap. Brad’s mind.

“Hahahahaha.” Soon Cap. Brad started laughing and walking forward.

Jason hurriedly followed him, in case he was lost again.

Inside the canteen, Jason had a huge plate in front him filled with different kinds of meat, some grilled, some dipped in gravy, some fried. Beside the plate there was a huge bowl filled with soup which let out steam. After clasping his hands and offering his prayer, Jason wolfed down on the contents of his dish.

The sounds of gulping and chewing reverberated in the silence of the canteen.

Cap. Brad looked at Jason who ate as if he was hungry for god knows how many years.

“The dishes here are made from the meat of the Terra-formed creatures thus they carry huge nutrition and energy for people like us.” Cap. Brad said as he chewed on his food.

Oh dear, for how long was he hungry? It is now that I remember that no matter who it might be, delicious food can always be a source of temptation for the person.

Such thoughts occurred in his mind.

Soon the dishes turned empty and Jason moved towards the soup.

“So, what after this?” Cap. Brad asked.

-Slurrrpppp-

After a huge slurp, Jason kept the now empty bowl back on the table.

“As far as I know the Captain should be at the base.” Jason said, patting his stomach in satisfaction.

“Hmm, which base? There are many on the planet and how come I never heard of such a thing before?” Cap. Brad asked.

“Not an I-CA base, but the team’s base.” Jason said, smirking.

“So we go there and get him then?” Cap. Brad asked once again.

“That’s a big no. We cannot enter the area around the base by any means. I will contact the Captain and get in touch with you. Just leave me back where you found me.” Jason said.

After a few hours at GP-1151.

The ‘Antique’ shop.

Jason opened the doors as he entered the shop. After he had left, Lieutenant Ray had ordered his men to clean the shop, so now the shop shined as brand new. The glass cabinets had been restored to their original condition. In fact the fence surrounding the shop was changed and now in its place was a wooden boundary. The streets surrounding the shop were cleaned too. There was not even a trace of trash anywhere near the shop.

Jason scavenged the shop and finally found what he was looking for. A small black satellite phone from the pre-apocalyptic era. Blowing on it he turned it on.

“Let’s see, what was it? Ah yes!” He mumbled and entered a string of numbers.

“Hello. Yes, this is me. What do you mean, who? It is me Jason. Ah yes. Where is the Captain? Oh, okay. It’s an emergency, we will talk afterwards. I need a pickup. What do you mean why? I am the Vice Captain goddammit. Show some respect, will you! Hmm, yes. No, not there. I changed my location again. Hey! It’s not trash okay. Umm, that I don’t know. Just trace the location, will you? Yeah it’s urgent. Something happened to Diane. Hmm. Okay.”

A few strings of sentences were uttered by him, while conversing with the person on the phone.

“There, it is done.” Jason said as he placed the phone on the table.

Meanwhile on the other hand.

Some place on Planet Earth. Inside a laboratory, a skinny man wearing glasses was working on something when suddenly.

[Lucifer, a communication request from Vice Captain Jason’s unit.]

A voice which seemed like a combination of male and female reverberated in the lab.

The man, Lucifer, pushed his glasses on his neck and mumbled.

“Hmm, Vice Captain Jason? Put it on.”

Lucifer pressed a button on the device in his ears.

“Hmm. Who is this ‘me’? Yeah okay, why did you call? Captain is busy training. Why? Pickup? Why? Alright, alright calm down. I rarely have anyone here to chat with me, I was just kidding. Are you still in the same city? I see your profession of trash collector did not work out there. Okay, okay, so where? Sheesh, alright. Hmm. Alright.”

Once the call was disconnected, he sighed as a hint of coldness flashed past. The materials in the laboratory were lifted up in the air for that brief moment and then everything returned to silence.

“Aria, get me the Captain.”

[Right away.]

This time the tone of the voice felt cold and eerie.

“Captain, Vice-Captain Jason called. Something happened to Diane. Yes, I am sending a pick up towards his location. Hmm okay.”

On the same location at a different place a few minutes before. Two people were exchanging moves rapidly. Barrages of fist and kicks rained down on each other as they blocked the blows and retaliated with their own. The speed of attacks being exchanged was too fast. Just then the same voice mixed with male and female tone stopped them.

[Captain, it’s Lucifer.]

“Go ahead.” The man with the black hair said as they stopped. Steam emerged from their bodies as the sweat on their body evaporated from the resultant clash of their bodies.

[Captain, Vice-Captain Jason called. Something happened to Diane.]

A terrifying aura permeated in the surroundings as soon as he heard the sentence.

“Did you send the pickup yet?” The man asked, taking a deep breath and calming himself.

[Yes, I am sending a pick up towards his location.]

“Inform me once he reaches the base.” The man said as he turned his gaze towards the other man.

The other man had shoulder length white hair and his muscles seemed to be made of steel, firm and solid.

“Let’s go another round, Uncle James.” The man said as they once again began exchanging moves. This time it was a lot fiercer.