PREQUEL 1

Tasuku's Departure

(Two years before first contact.)

The air tasted of dirt. A stagnant, filthy kind of sensation that left one with a bad taste in their mouth. A thick haze of dust and exhausted covered the ground, glowing with what little light the sun cast forward as it lowered on the horizon. It was an ethereal kind of sight. Like something exaggerated in a romance novel. In reality, the fog merely added to the melancholy of the situation at hand as a ten year old Naota Nandaba stood with his grandfather and older brother Tasuku.

The young Nao was struggling to fight back tears as the realization dawned on him; this was, most likely, the last time he'd see his older brother, his idol. As he looked over, he noted with irritance the scowl adorning Shigekuni's wrinkly face. He shouldn't be here... The words echoed over and over in his brain until it was all he could think. His grandfather wasn't here to support Tasuku like he was, wasn't here to say goodbye. He was here to purely to make Tasuku feel as guilty as possible about his decision.

"Rngh... You know this was probably the last year we go to finals..."

Tasuku's cyan eyes rolled in their sockets. His annoyance could be felt for yards. "This again, ojii-san? We've already talked about this! You can be pissy all you want, but fact is this will be good for me. The team will do fine without me and you know it." His hand came up as he waved toward Naota. "Besides, you have Nao here. He's the real prodigy." The sincerity in his voice as he smiled at his little brother was almost enough to break Naota right there. His eyes slowly lowered to the ground as he tried to distract himself.

"Pheh. That kid may be good, but he has no drive! He only plays well for you!" An irritated growl rumbled in his grandfather's throat as Tasuku merely shrugged. "He'll grow out of it, Jiji..." Shigekuni didn't even bother arguing, instead mumbling a few doubtful obscenities under his breath.

As the sun finally set completely and the last of its light disappeared, the runway erupted in ultra-violet, blaring brighter than the hottest day in summer. A dull roar was heard as the engine of the private plane that was to take Tasuku to America to begin his new life and career kicked on. Silence fell between them as the plane pulled up a few yards before them. Maybe they believed the engine would drown their words. Wishful thinking at best.

Tasuku turned, his bat slung across his back and his duffel bag in his right hand. His light-brown hair, short as it was, flowed with the air, and with the light at his back and the fog on his heels, he glowed gloriously. Every bit the man his little brother wanted to be.

Naota's eyes remained glued to the ground as if counting pebbles with intense focus as his brother and his grandfather exchanged words. He couldn't hear them, didn't want to. Surely they were meaningless phrases and promises, "We'll miss you", "I'll write", "Keep in touch". Pointless lies...

After a long moment he approached Naota, placing his hand on his shoulder. Slowly his eyes rose, staring up at the older sibling with such intense despair and anger. How could he do this? How could he leave him all alone, the only person in his life that was a real adult, was really there for him, was everything he wasn't...

"You okay, kid?"

No response. Just the darting of eyes to the side, trying to avoid his powerful gaze as he fought back tears. The hand on Nao's shoulder squeezed softly, as a sympathetic chuckle escaped Tasuku's lips.

"Me neither, bro." Silence for a moment, and then: "Wanna come with?"

Naota's eyes grew wide and instantly looked back up. He was shocked, wishing so badly that it could happen. The tears flowed free down his cheeks at this point, and he sniffled. As much as he wanted it, it just simply wasn't possible. Another squeeze at his shoulder.

"Know what? Forget it." The words weren't harsh, even though they stung like a slap to the face. Nao knew he was teasing to lighten the mood, but now wasn't the time. "Cause you're still just a kid.

"Save it for next time."

The bat bag slung on his shoulder fell and he unzipped it, reaching in and grasping the black-rubber handle of the cherry red bat. The words 'Mabase Martians' were inked on, as well as his name on the opposite side. Gently he pressed the shaft to Naota's chest, and Nao's hands instinctually moved to hold it.

The metal was cold, so cold even in the blistering heat of the mid-summer night. His knuckles were turning white with how hard he was gripping the bat, growing harder as Tasuku picked up the bag. With one last silent nod at Shigekuni he turned, heading off toward the plane as they turned, heading back to the car. It was time to go home, back to the monotony his life, the irritating so-called 'grown-ups', and the expectations everyone held for him as his brother's replacement.

His dark blue eyes watched the plane as it took off, never leaving it until it disappeared into the night sky, and out of his life completely.