So I was scrolling through my 'documents' file, and I stumbled across a word doc that was titled "Dropped SBT FF" So I decided to open it up- read through it, started fixing some of the issues that were bugging me, and before I knew it... I went through the whole thing, gave it an ending, and it's ready for posting! Enjoy.
Lance paced through the hallways of the Lunis' two story in Sherman. Octus had received a transmission two days ago that the Mutraddi occupation had been lifted in Galaluna, and that capital city had been freed. The King sent a personal message to the trio that they could return.
Three years, three long years… he thought to himself. Ilana was upstairs packing her things. Lance planned on bringing a few Earth shirts and jeans for comfort clothing, his guitars- of course, and maybe a few pictures. Other than that, he was bringing only his old Galalunian combat uniform and his Manus armor.
When he, Octus, and Ilana landed on Earth three years ago in an escape, they wanted nothing but to return home. Lance knew their mission was to stay hidden among the Earthlings, who at first, he despised everything about. Now that he was leaving, he almost wanted to stay… their culture, which he first viewed as primitive and revolting, he now saw as a simple but interesting way of life. As put by Ilana.
He'd have to leave a lot of things behind. His daily routine would revert back to his military lifestyle, and he'd probably be deployed somewhere in the fight against the Mutraddi remnants. The Lunis' had told their Earthly acquaintances that they were moving out of the country on account of their father, Mr. Lunis' work. They parted with their friends, Newton/Octus had to say goodbye to Kimmy, and eventually, he persuaded her to move on. Only barely was he able to persuade his companion Meat to do the same.
Lance parted with Kristen, who he'd never really gotten to know, but appreciated seeing or talking with on occasion. Their neighbor, Barb, had insisted on throwing them a farewell block party, which Ilana gladly supported. Lance was forced against his will to attend. Although he didn't show it, he would miss Sherman. Everything would be different.
For starters, Galalunian days lasted seven hours longer than the twenty four hours Earth days. He'd have to go back to being a Corporal, unless of course he was promoted when they returned, but he doubted much would change- he'd still be enlisted. He stopped his pacing.
"Lance, will you come up here, please?" Ilana said from upstairs, her voice muffled through the ceiling. The corporal trekked up the stairs and opened the door next to his own bedroom.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"Will you help me take this stuff downstairs, I have everything packed, but I don't want to be late." She said directing his view to a stack of five tightly stuffed suitcases.
"Planning on bringing the entire planet with you?" Lance asked sarcastically. He didn't really laugh at his own joke, and he sounded too much like himself that it didn't seem Ilana could tell if he was serious or not. He went and picked up two of the bags and lugged them downstairs and into the driveway. After another trip, he and Ilana had everything outside waiting on the concrete.
"Thanks Lance."
"No problem…" They both stood silently on the empty driveway. Now all there was to do was wait for Octus to come back with the van. Lance looked up aimlessly and admired the sky, the clouds, the leafs in the tree out front. And the birds, which he first thought were an annoying species of flying, feathered vermin, but now he thought were quite nice.
"So, we're finally going home…" He said trying to spark a conversation. They would be waiting for a while, as Octus was out setting up a beacon to activate the rift gate.
"I can hardly wait, it's odd… I really think I'll miss Earth, but I can't wait to be back on Galaluna…" Ilana said almost ecstatically. A cloud overhead soared further through the sky, and the sun shone brighter and looked into Lance's eyes through the leafs of the tree. He squinted. "We'll have to come back and visit," Ilana said brightly.
"Yeah…" Lance chuckled, with more somber in his breath. They walked over to the grass, and he sat down next to Ilana against the thick oak tree. He knew to full extent that once they returned home, he wouldn't be able to address Ilana the way he could on Earth. She would strictly by Princess, My Lady, Your Highness. He wondered if they'd even talk afterwards. Surely she'd have many responsibilities with the kingdom's recovery from the war. He'd probably have duties of his own. She'd probably marry. Lance bunched up a handful of grass and pulled at it.
During their time together... his mission to protect her became more than a job, but a purpose… he didn't fight for her because his planet depended on it, but because Ilana was the one thing he found he couldn't live without. He wasn't sure if he loved her, but he knew he felt something. She was the strongest, kindest, and most outgoing person he'd ever met. More than anything, he found that she was the reason he woke up- that he kept going and didn't just stay in bed all day. Before, on Galaluna, he woke up and carried on because he was ordered to... but on Earth, there was no one giving him orders. In a way, she made him take more responsibility for himself. He really didn't want to leave their life on Earth behind.
He'd miss the lazy days reading by the fire. They'd sit together for hours with their noses in separate books, not saying much of anything until Octus had dinner ready, and it was time for them to take a break. He'd miss having to stay up late to watch Ilana's television shows with her, and then having her pass out from exhaustion, and then having to carry her upstairs to bed only to have her wake him up early so he could explain what she missed. Strangely enough, he'd miss the ridiculous parties and concerts Kimmy dragged them and Newton to. He'd even miss the obscenely late nights spent studying together. Ilana would wait patiently as he tried to comprehend Earth logic. Occasionally, he'd even help her out with a history essay or two, but he was only good at the battle analysis ones.
He'd miss Octus. Or Newton, or... dad.
Three long years... yet not long enough. Truthfully, he didn't want to return home. He didn't want Ilana to go and have responsibilities, and he didn't want to have responsibilities. And he didn't want her to forget him. He knew their experiences here would fade away eventually, and they'd drift in separate directions. He didn't want to be someone she reminisced of every so often. He didn't want her to be someone he saw at a distance in a formal gathering. He didn't want them to be so busy on Galaluna that they wouldn't have anything to relate to anymore. He didn't want to go from their bond, with Titan, to... that.
He wondered what would happen to Titan. Whoever Ilana would marry, most likely for the sake of the kingdom, he would most likely have a Manus armor... Lance pained at the thought of some other man forming Titan with Ilana.
He wanted to stay on Earth forever, but he knew Ilana wanted to be home more than anything. And he'd never keep her from that. On the bright side, now that they could go back, he didn't feel threatened for his life. Mutraddi wouldn't be sent any longer, but he didn't let he guard down. That made him think- on Galaluna, Ilana would have a squad of bodyguards that far outranked him in status and in skill. Lance was gifted, but as much as he hated to admit it, her old guard could have bested him any day. Out of a whole planet full of decorated heroes who fought the Mutraddi on Galaluna those three years, there were bound to be soldiers better fit than him. She wouldn't need him anymore.
On one side he felt empty and depressed, knowing he had served his purpose. On the other hand, he had completed his mission, and he could rest easy knowing Ilana would be safe back home. He didn't need to worry about anyone hurting her. Surely Galaluna would learn from its mistakes, and under Ilana, could become one of, if not the most, powerful and prosperous planet in the known galaxy. He glanced over to his side, and watched Ilana, who rested with a relaxed posture under the shade of the tree in their front yard. The wind blew gently as she looked off into the sky above the rows of tiled roofs of Sherman drive.
Lance leaned back against the tree and let its leafs and strong branches cast shade over him. Ilana's shoulder brushed up against his, but neither of the two withdrew. The Corporal smiled.
He didn't know what the future held. In a matter of hours, Octus would pull up in the family van, they'd drive off somewhere and form Titan for the last time, and they'd be back on Galaluna. He didn't know what would happen after that.
Ilana rested her head on his shoulder, and they watched the giant white clouds sail through the sky from under the shade. For now, this was just fine.