THE EXPLOSION: MEMORIES

By Matthew Smith And Kristy Harrington

CHAPTER ONE

Earth. UNATCO (United Nations Anti-Terrorism Coalition) HQ - United Nations, Two Years After The Attack On The Assault Ship Prospector.

Peter Wilkovich stood in front of the hologram of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Director James Harrison. "The new unit will be online with in a few days?" Harrison asked. Wilkovich nodded. "Yes. And I will be reporting directly to the general himself."

"Fine. Let's hope this idea of his will work. I don't like the idea of putting a transmitter inside the boy."

Wilkovich just shrugged. "He says it will work. I'm not one to argue with him, given his… abilities and connections…"

Harrison nodded. "That's perfectly understandable. How are the Commandos holding up?" he asked. Wilkovich shrugged again. He didn't much care for Harrison. The man made him nervous. "The commandos are being… silent. They're all very angry."

Harrison nodded again. "Fine. But do not let them escape. I will not cover you this time if you do. Those men are very dangerous." The hologram faded. Wilkovich breathed a sigh of relief. He might be the director of UNATCO, but that man held power far over his head. In Harrison's eyes, Wilkovich was a simple grunt. And nothing more.

(-)

Earth, New United Kingdom.

The thunder rumbled outside as the rain fell. It wasn't a heavy rain. But it wasn't exactly a light rain either. I stood, staring out the window, watching it all. There was a knock on the door. I went over and opened it. Fordo stood, waiting. "Hey, Matt."

"Hey Fordo. What's going on?"

"There's a call for you."

"Who is it?"

"Dunno. Just some guy. Asking for you."

I nodded. "Ok. Thanks." I followed him out of the room. I went down stairs and picked up the phone. "Hello?" I said. There was nothing. Nothing but a faint breathing. "Hello?!" I said, irritated.

Suddenly, whoever it was hung up. I frowned and check the caller ID. The number was blocked. Strange…

"Hey Fordo. Did he say who he was?"

"No. Just that he wanted to speak with you."

"That's the 6th time today. Next time, hang up on him. See how he likes it." I said. Fordo smirked. "Did you and Kristy have another fight?"

I blinked at him. "What?!" I asked flatly. He just shook his head. "Nothing."

I eyed him as he made for the door. Suddenly he ran into something. Something that he couldn't see. "Matt!" He said, annoyed. "Take the shield down!"

I shook my head. "No way. What do you think you know about me and Kristy?" I asked. He shook his head. "It's nothing. I was only joking. Take down the shield."

"No!"

There was a loud whistle. "Stop it!" Kristy yelled. We both shut up as she walked over to us. "Matt. Take the shield down. Fordo. Quit acting like a stuck up computer geek."

We both blinked. I took down the shield and smiled at her. Fordo rolled his eyes and walked out of the room. Kristy watched him leave. As he disappeared around the corner, I held my hand up and closed the door with my mind.

"Have you found out anything?"

She shook her head. "No. I can't lock in on their tracking signal." I nodded. "Well…We keep looking I guess." She nodded and turned for the door. "Kristy. Wait." I said. I wanted to say something to her. Ever since the Assault Ship, thing hadn't been right between us.

She turned and looked at me. "Yea?"

I looked at her and opened my mouth. But nothing came out. "Uh, nothing." I said. She nodded suspiciously, and walked out of the room.

(-)

That night, I sat, watching the rain. It was the raining season, and when it was the raining season, it hardly ever stopped raining. I got up and left my room, and went down stairs to the kitchen. I opened the fridge, looking randomly. I took out a cola and opened it, taking a sip. It was ice cold and refreshing.

I went outside, in an screened porch. The rain had a soft sound to it. It relaxed my mind, almost as if I was sleeping. But I wasn't. I couldn't. Not with the dreams I had.

They were more of, playback. Of the figure. Of the Prospector. Of that horrifying lab. The chains. The blood. The tubes. I couldn't handle it.

I had let everyone down. I had let Delta Squad and Omega squad down. I had let Alma down. And now I was living with that everyday. But I was also working to fix it. We were all working on searching for The Squads. Clymore had disappeared completely. There was no trace of him.

And Alma had disappeared with him. Thunder rolled overhead. It was so loud, I didn't hear Kristy sit down next to me. She cleared her throat. I jumped out of my seat, ready to fight. Then I saw her, and relaxed. She chuckled. I sat back down. "What are you doing up so late?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "You want to talk?" She asked. I took a sip of my soda and looked at her. "About what?" I asked. She sighed. "You and me."

I took another sip. "What about it?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. She shook her head. "Matt, I'm really sorry If I hurt you in anyway. I just need some time to think. With everything that had been going on…"

I nodded. "I understand. It's not like I was worried about it or anything." I regretted the words as they came out. I looked down at the ground. She got up. "Look, I'm sorry." I said, standing up and moving over her. "I didn't mean it like that. I just…" Suddenly the door swung open. "Matt! We got a hit on Scorch's Tracker!" Blazer yelled, rushing in. Kristy and I exchanged looks and we rushed inside.