Beyond Good & Evil—Almost There

Jade looked out the wide windshield of her uncle's starship, the Beluga, and looked over the vast environment of Hillys. The sight was just breathtaking, seeing the high expansive hills, bustling city and wide oceans that led to God-knows-where, even from so high up in the air.

Jade was caught up in her thoughts, remembering what had been happening over the past number of weeks. There had been frequent invasions by the DomZ, the Alpha Sections hadn't been doing a very good job at insuring the safety of the planet's inhabitants—it was later discovered that they were working with the DomZ aliens—and the kidnapping of her uncle Pei'j, the orphans at the southern lighthouse and all the citizens that have ended up missing—within a few days in shocking numbers. How did it come to all of this?

The DomZ are looking for her. The reason for all of those invasions has led her to believe that they want something from her—but what? She doesn't understand what they are talking about, as they have been speaking in a language unknown to anyone but themselves. Everyone calls her Jade, but the strange aliens call her by the name of 'Shauni.' Jade has a hunch that she has something that they want, but they never tell her what it is. What she herself wants is answers.

But how was she supposed to keep track on their actions when so many other events have been happening before she can even make her way to the scene of the crime? They keep getting one step ahead of her, and yet the possibility of finding the abducted citizens, the orphans and her uncle Pei'j seems almost impossible.

At least she wasn't alone—she's been a valuable addition to the IRIS Network and she has Double H by her side whenever she needs help the most. She was lucky that he was able to persuade her to keep pressing forward when she was about to lose all hope.

These thoughts had been spreading all over Jade's mind; it was almost as if she didn't know where she was until Double H came to see how she was feeling.

"Miss Jade?"

She was snapped back into reality and looked over to Double H in the passenger seat. It was sometimes hard to read his face, but she was able to see that he was concerned of her. "Don't worry, Double H. I'm fine."

Double H saw that Jade was still showing a hint of stress in her bright green eyes, though he took her comment as a sign that she was trying to stay as composed as she could. That was almost enough for the former soldier to stop worrying about the young woman's condition.

Jade got back to the controls of the starship, steering it over to the side and heading over to a small island that showed a puff of smoke from an old motor. "We've got enough pearls for the stellar motor, so let's go get it at the Mammago Garage," she said calmly.

"You're absolutely right, Miss Jade," Double H responded firmly. "There's no other way to get to the moon from here, even with so little time to spare."

Jade knew this all too well that time was very short. Just think of how much more time she would have had if she wasn't a target of the DomZ. It was hard to imagine this; the memory of being nearly entangled by one of the DomZ invaders at the lighthouse was just unforgettable, especially for when it was only weeks ago when it seemed like it had happened only yesterday.

Purchasing the stellar motor would be more than simple—but the next task would require both Jade's and Double H's vigilance, along with their strength, if they are ever to go on with their biggest mission yet. One mistake could mean the end, so they cannot let the enemy go any further than they already are now.

"Almost there…"