Project Earthbound part 2

"Tears of a Ghost,"

Humans are disgusting, disgusting creatures. They have the ability to make good things, good things for the benefit of mankind. From the most fundamental of things that should be of benefit turned so wrong.

For example, fire.

Combustion of air and friction given form; the idea of fire is to give light in the darkness, warmth, energy source, and a chemical reaction to provide survival in harsh conditions.

It's given a new definition with the twisted evils of humans.

Arson, a word made specifically for people who use these flames of life to destroy. Honestly, when people think of fire they think of all the destruction and devastation it can cause. The power of fire and the harm it can do, it's become so bad that the only time fire is seen nowadays it contains a body or burning a house down.

The harshness of it all is so despairing that one finds themselves confused. We are all born with a cruel heart, children must be taught how to behave it does not come natural.

So that's the only option then. Teach these children how to behave. Teach them what's right and what wrong all over again. A crash course of sorts for them to understand what they need to know. Show them discipline all over again. Only way to do that is to reteach them, ironically with a child.

"Shit we got a problem!" cried a man at the door of what appeared to be the front door of what appeared to be a lavish house.

"What is it?" a man responded coming down the stairs casually with a woman of the same complexion on his arm.

Before the man could answer a hand reached through the wooden door and grabbed the back of the man's jacket. He was then yanked right through the door. At this the woman screamed as the man ushered her back up the stairs as he suddenly reached in his pocket then slipped something in his mouth. He reached insides his jacket to pull out a handgun then held it up ready to shoot. Suddenly two thin tendrils shot out from the front door and latched onto the wall behind the man. Someone then propelled themselves through the air, and the man responded by shooting his gun but his aim was clearly off since it didn't detour the person. The person slammed the lace of their boot into the side of man's face as he went careening down the stairs. The person was about to finish the job when suddenly numerous man with heavy artillery came rushing into the foyer. The figure leaped onto the railing then began scaling upward avoiding the heavy bullet fire that was licking at his heels. He dashed around a corner avoiding the stray bullets. He glanced to see the woman was there cowering and then her eyes lit up in terror. The figure paid her no mind as he reached behind his back to pull out two handguns. When he clicked a button by the trigger a wire from the cartridge sinking into his arm and the wire began to glow. He cocked both weapons and checked them both quickly to make sure they would operate. He then heard someone approaching from around the corner in a hurry, so he quickly turned back to meet the heavy gunfire. He began shooting, but instead of regular bullets white bullets of light shot out with a high pitch whine. He leaped out over the stairs close to the high ceiling and began shooting down at the crowd. Each shot fired tagged a person on perfectly. He kicked off a pillar he fired another bullet to get the last guy. The figure lands near the front door in a crouched position low to the ground with his head down. He looked up to see the man, his target standing up adjusting his jacket on himself and rubbing his check where his boot connected. He saw there was no blood then smirked at the figure. The man wears a fancy white suit, white shoes, and a white vest underneath the fancy look.

"Not bad, everything I hear about you must be true. Able to fight armies all by yourself, and able to find ya wherever you may hide. A paper trail suddenly appears when you finally storm the place so I figured there ain't no point in denying whatever dirt you got on me. So, I guess only option I have is to kill you right here," The figure stood to his full height and he chuckled. "Wow you're not much taller than my kid, so that begs the question of how old you are,"

"Old enough," the figure responded raising his right firearm then shooting out a bullet. However, the bullet seemed to hit air and wither away into nothingness. The figure was surprised but clearly annoyed. After seeing this happening the figure holstered his left firearm.

"What's wrong Ghost, feeling inadequate?"

"No, I wanted to break my record is all, but guess I'll be off by a few seconds now," Ghost rushed forward toward the man who smirked as he held out his hand to unleash a rush of ice darts.

"PK Freeze!" The ice darts were as sharp as knives as the storm when flying toward Ghost. True to his name Ghost managed to move through the storm seemingly with no ice shard touching him. Ghost held out his gloved hand and suddenly it turned white and he punched forward right through the man's shield and into his gut. The man went flying back through a door making him land in a heap of splinters. He looked up to see Ghost with his gun trained on him.

"I suggest not moving Mr. Rays. This weapon is extremely painful, and can kill at close range,"

"So all my man are-?"

"Alive, as they need to be in order to give their stories,"

"So am I under arrest?"

"Daddy?" came a small voice behind Ghost suddenly. Ghost on reflex grabbed his holstered weapon and turned sharply to fire it.

"SARAH!" called the man on the floor in pure terror. The man pushed the barrel of Ghost's gun at his face as he moved to tackle the figure, but he was already responding to the attack. Ghost moved to the side then using both handguns, one for each knee. The man cried out in pain as he hit the floor harshly. Ghost stared down at him then looked over to the girl he unleashed his weapon on. She was on the ground staring up at him in utter terror. There was a sizeable hole right next to where her head had been. Ghost let out a shaky breath then slightly muffled as he looks down at the girl, and as they met eyes the little girl possibly only eight began to shake in pure terror. "Please…leave her alone….I won't fight…..just please….don't hurt my baby…." Ghost was relatively shocked to hear the expression of emotion from the cold man he had heard so much notoriety about. Suddenly the woman the man was with previously rushed to her daughter's side and held her close in a way to protect her. She held her so tightly and glared at him, gone was that fearful cowering woman, replaced with a ferocious animal ready to spring at any moment. "Please…don't hurt my family…"

Ghost felt conflicted, but didn't let it show. He pushed past it for the mission's sake. "I would.…no harm will come to your family," Ghost placed a hand in one of his jacket pockets then pull out a needle. "Hold still," Ghost commanded inserting the needle into the Rays' arm with little preparation. The little girl seemed to squirm as if trying to see, but the mother wouldn't let her. She continued to glare daggers at him. After taking a blood sample Ghost placed the vile into another pocket then looked down at the man and to his family. He met eyes with the little girl. "…I'm not the bad guy…" he said simply walking to the back door then leaving. Moments later, a SWAT team rushed into the mansion with weapons up and ready, but were thrown to see their work done for them.

"Did we surround the perimeter?" the lead officer asked placing a finger to his ear.

"Yeah, nothing in or out," confirmed the voice on the other end, and they sounded confident in this as well. "Why?"

"Seems like whoever did this, may be long gone…geez whoever they are they're inhuman,"

"Or very well trained and knowledgeable on military operations," came a voice from behind the officer. He turned back to see a man a tall strong man with a stern jaw. He wore a clear displeased look on his face while being decked out in what appeared to be Anti-PSI gear, and other tactical devices.

"Who are you?" the officer asked noting the fact the man was able to walk right onto the scene without anyone swarming him showed that he must have clearance.

"Captain Stacey, you don't need to know much of what I do, or how I do it. Just know you are assisting me," the man responded. The officer wore a clear frown on his face. Being in this business you gotta used to being talked down to by superiors and hold your tongue. The fact he even gave his name shows the man is at least cordial since Stacey could have just simply blew the man off.

"Captain Stacey, names Heart sir, James Heart,"

"Alright Heart, care to explain to me what you've got here?" Stacey asked surveying the scene stepping over body after body and shards of ice.

"We got a tip from an unknown source saying that there was going to be an attack on a Mr. Morrow, a big time entrepreneur making money off big box stores and such. Not knowing what we were in for S.W.A.T was called in, but we arrive on scene to a battle taking place. HQ tells us to bring in Mr. Morrow for questioning due to a very descriptive paper trail that points to some very underhanded type operations,"

"That same ol' shtick…" Stacey muttered.

"Sir?"

"Nothing, continue,"

"We swept the perimeter and we can't find a trace of anyone here, or who would've done this…like it was some sorta…"

"Ghost," Stacey finished for him. Stacey observed the damage and concluded that he was right on his assumptions. "Thank you officer for your help, that is all you can return to your duties," The officer turned to leave but hesitated for a moment. Stacey noticed this from the corner of his eye. "Something to add?"

"Only a question sir,"

"Just one," Stacey said deciding to throw the officer a bone for being cooperative.

"Do you know what did this?"

"No I don't, but I know that it isn't normal," Stacey answered simply and honestly. He has been chasing something that was smart, fast, cunning, and dangerous. Finding out all this information before anyone else could was also a curious feature. The Eagleland Military was arguably the best in the world, and to have someone doing their job better than them…was somewhat insulting. The officer seemed unsatisfied, but saw the annoyance on Stacey's face showing that he himself was not satisfied with the answer either. Leaving it at that he saluted him then went to rejoin his own man. Stacey study the scene a bit more before finding nothing else of use, however one of the ice shards caught his eye. He glanced down to see a red tint on the tip. He squats down for a closer look to see the red tint seems too dark to be paint, and there is no red paint on the walls. This could only mean it was blood. He noticed the man on the ground never had any gashes, and all injuries were from blunt force it appeared. Someone got scratch…Stacey smirked as he picked up the piece of ice. "Better get this looked at quick before the ice melts or the blood hardens," he said slipping it into a bag.

Farther out of the area a figure was walking out on the street. The figure appeared to be only a child with an ice cream cone hair style that swirled, black locks highlighted with blonde. It was an odd choice, but the boy felt he had to learn to live with it. He walked with his hands in his pockets strolling casually down the lit streets thanks to the streetlights. He wears a black shirt with one horizontal red strip on it, dark blue pants, and all red sneakers with black shoe strings. He glanced back hearing the sirens of numerous police and law enforcement vehicles. He watched with a bit of wonder as they go by with what appeared to be a boat load of apprehended felons. One of the cars did stop next to the curb of where he was, and he looked up at the dark tinted window for it to roll down. A cop with a thick mustache stared down at him.

"Kid, you know there's a curfew and you shouldn't be out this late," he said gruffly. The child seemed to be at a loss for words for a moment as if shocked that he was noticed. The cop grew suspicious of him instantly when the kid failed to respond. "What're you doing out here?" Noting the assertion in his voice the child moved to talk.

"I-I'm awful sorry officer…I…I completely lost track of time I didn't mean to cause any harm," the child bowed to the officer in apology. The officer was thrown by this type of attitude and supposed he was wrong to be suspicious. However, he noted the nervousness when the boy was speaking to him.

"Why so nervous?"

"I…don't…speak with people much…" he responded looking away. The cop found the reply odd, but assumed the kid had issues of some kind considering he was out so late.

"Where do you live?"

"That house right there," the boy said pointing to a house with an outside light still on as if expecting someone.

"Well get there and no more late night strolls ya hear?" the boy quickly nods his head as the cop ups the window and drives off. Once the exchange was over the boy sighed. Walked toward the house he indicated, but instead going there he got inside the car that was parked outside in front of it. Once inside the driver, who had been ducking down sat up and started the car. He did a u-turn then began driving down the street.

"Well, that was a nice save there kid," replied the driver with a smirk. "I thought you were gonna wet yourself for a second there," The boy did not respond to the man's teasing which quickly deflated the man's enthusiasm. "Ya know, if you talked to people more maybe you wouldn't have such trouble talking to them when it really counts," the boy instead turned his head to stare out the window. The man sighed as he knew when the boy did this there was no use talking to him anymore. He was used to driving the kid around wherever he needed to go. Able to drive just about anything with an engine, helicopter, train, race car, speed boat, you name it he can drive it. This set of skills makes him rather invaluable to the kid sitting next to him. Ron was his name, and that's all he would give. He never gave anything more or less than that, simply Ron. He was a shady character with a shady backstory, but shady people were the best kind of people in this business. Ron however would like to admit that no one is more shady than the kid next to him. He knew next to nothing about him, barely even knew what his voice sounded like. He knew the kid was powerful, real powerful. He's seen what he can do first hand, and when the kid really cuts loose. However, through all the faults Ron may have and he has been told he has a lot, it still felt wrong sending in a child. No back up, no reinforcements, and on impossible standards. The kid was powerful, but he can't be perfect no matter how damn close he is. And this kid is pretty damn close.

"Got your symbiont?" asked Ron. The boy simply held up a small container that looked like a wallet. When he opened it up it revealed a black and white substance on the inside of it through a glass prison. The boy closed it once Ron saw it and put it back in his pocket. Ron frowned at the complete antisocial stand this kid took. No matter how good he was at this; being this way was not healthy. Hell the kid didn't even have a name! He was always referred to as an 'it' by some people which confused him, kid by others, and Earthbound by the rest. On missions he was labeled Ghost a name he took to all too well, simply because it was expressive of him. Still none of those were names, and Ron had the bare minimum for names but at least it was something. "Kid, this had been the tenth mission we've been on together. Ya know that, we're practically partners you and I. Ya know what partners are right, they look out for each other. I'd like to think I'm much more than some guy that gets you from point A to B. A conversation is the least you can give me. Our last mission up in the mountains I got a few words outta ya, and I know you talk more during the missions than any other time. Wicked sense of humor ya got there,"

"I'm not funny…" the boy responded in a flat tone.

"Believe what you want kid, I just can't wait for the day you actually start giving me some idea of what actually goes through your mind,"

"I can answer that now," the boy said turning away from the window as they began leaving the city limits. "Power and the next mission, that is all,"

"More to life than that,"

"I doubt you are the best person to give me a lesson on life,"

"HA, see sense of humor!" Ron said with a smirk glad to get a conversation going. "It's funny because it's true,"

"The truth is funny?"

"Only when it's obvious, or relatable,"

The boy was silent at that as he turned back toward the window. Despite anyone or even what the kid says, Ron knows that the boy is very expressive of his feelings. He just has problem conveying them verbally partially because he didn't know how. Can't really say it's his fault, but he noticed a particular melancholy look the kid wore. He would've asked, but it seemed the kid was consumed in his thoughts. Ron began to increase the cars speed for a few miles as they rode in silence. Ron tired of the quiet decided to turn on the radio to his favorite radio station. It was a variety of all kinds of music, and currently some kind of rock group was playing. Ron instantly got into it enjoying the song immensely. The kid was indifferent to it, even going so far as to close his eyes to drive out the song. They rode for a while until they made a turn…onto a dirt road right off the highway. It was an extremely odd place to turn, but luckily the cars on the road were few and far between. Ron switched off his lights for the moment to make it seem like the car disappeared to anyone who drove by. Ron pressed a button on the wheel and suddenly the windshield of the car changed color as if they switched to night vision mode. The kid had noticed this and was a bit impressed. They rode until they reached a deserted part of a clearing in the woods. Ron cut off the car as both parties got out. It was only a few moments later that a couple of other car doors slammed shut and numerous people walked out into the clearing. One of them being the most distinguishable with their military uniform covered in medals. Ron and the kid both quickly click their heels together as they salute the man.

"At ease," he said Ron simply dropped his posture all together, but the kid kept his stance only dropping his arms to his sides. "What have you to report Agent Earthbound?"

The kid stepped forward. "Sir, I disabled the target and acquired the blood sample after he had taken the product,"

"Good, and were you seen?"

At this question there was some hesitation. "While in mission mode I was not, but while walking the streets as a civilian a police car did stop me. I convinced him my house was not far and he left it at that sir,"

"WHAT!" the general exploded in utter outrage. Despite the mission being an overall success that small tidbit of information seemed to set him off like a bomb.

"It was minor stuff General," Ron said stepping in.

"When I want your opinion I will ask for it understood!" he growled at Ron. Ron hated this same ol' shtick. No matter how well the kid performed there would be one small minor hiccup in what happened and the general would go ballistic. He would sometimes smack the kid around, talk down to him as if he wasn't worth the air he breathed, and even go so far as to put a few bullets in him demanding he not move. It was child abuse at its finest. He wasn't the only one who felt sick to their stomachs watching it, but there wasn't a lot anyone could do. When you sign on to this little club you're either in or dead. This is so off the radar that anyone and everyone was disposable and no questions would be raised. Ron watched as The General bent down to yell into the kid's face with the kid keeping the best stoic feature throughout the entire exchange. "Worthless piece of trash, why is it so difficult to follow the simplest of instructions! Don't be seen, don't talk to anyone, and complete the mission. So far you've only been able to do two of these things, and you weren't made for satisfactory results!"

"Yes sir,"

The General mashed his teeth as he glowered at the boy's stoic features. "Maybe a few rounds in the Combat Drone might teach you," He reached into the boy's pocket to pull out the decoy wallet container. "With no symbiont powers either, now get out of my sight,"

The boy saluted with a lot less vigor then before showing that the words had the desired effect despite no facial changed. The boy quickly walked away toward another group of military personnel and was escorted away. At this Ron turns back to the general who seemed to sigh. "Don't you ever get tired of that?"

"More than you realize," he responded grumpily ignoring the fact that Ron was being so informal to a superior. "Your job is done, take your vehicle and go to your quarters or wherever you crawl out of,"

"I'm the snake, well I suppose you could say that. But at least I'm honest about it, you're just playing coy like your some garden snake when you're really a cobra,"

"Leave now," the General responded.

"Come on Ross, why treat the kid like that?" The man stopped then glanced back at Ron.

"There are a lot of things about him you don't know,"

"Then clue me in Ross. I realized that you didn't wanna tell me before because I was deemed highly violate and untrustworthy…which is true. But I'm not heartless nor a monster I'd never talk to my most hated enemies like that, let alone a kid,"

"You may as well tell him Ross," another voice says joining them. They turned toward another man seemingly in his thirties with blonde hair and thick glasses. The man stood at the height of 6 ft even with a stern frame. He wears what appeared to be green sweats with black boots, and black shirt. "I thought you would've told him by now,"

"It's not for him to really know anything," General Ross responded gruffly.

"Maybe, but maybe he should know just what he's driving around, I mean who," the blonde quickly corrected.

"You were right the first time professor,"

"What is project Earthbound?" Ron asked.

"To be put simply, Project Earthbound is a…genetic creation made in a lab. The product is that young boy there,"

"So wait you mean-,"

"The kid isn't human," General Ross stated with arms crossed. "So therefore he is not limited by human limitations. Created by our very own Professor Andonuts,"

"He's…cloned from alien DNA," Jeff said continuing the discussion. "He may not be human, but that's only in the conventional means,"

"What so if this kid has alien DNA why does he look like a regular kid, and why'd you wanna make him look like a kid?" Ron asked.

"Well, the DNA incorporated for his creation was from multiple alien entities, but there was one certain strand that went further than the others. The only reason he can function is because that certain strand holds him together. It just so happens that this specific DNA strand was…quite special. It was what made the project look like a child in the first place,"

"Wow…alien DNA huh, kinda like that thing that attacked Fourside way back and the military couldn't throw enough weapons at it to stop it. I heard some kid stopped it, fought it tooth and nail," Ron looked at the two men curiously. "That true?"

"I was there for it," Jeff admitted.

"It was at this time that the world was woken up at the true danger PSI creatures had. It's no secret that the Eagleland military is supposed to be the best in the world. No one could tell by that battle,"

"But to be fair they were fighting what was an alien version of their super soldier,"

"So we got our own,"

"So alien child soldier…alright sounds crazy but I've seen the kid enough to know that actually makes sense,"

"Now that you have your answers go," General Ross said as he turned to leave. Jeff looked after the man as he walked toward Ron. When the General was out of ear shot Jeff addressed him.

"Thank you for actually showing some common decency toward Luke, I really appreciate that,"

"Huh, Luke?" Ron questioned.

"That's his name. He can only really open up to people once they know his real name. You'll have to forgive him if he seems distant he's rather shy too,"

"Okay what?"

"He's not human in the conventional sense, but he still has feelings. In fact I know for a fact that he has more humanity then most people will ever hope to have. I try and do what I can for him despite the General's views. It's hard for him and I know this is a lot to ask for but he's just a kid…"

"Okay, I get it Professor you want the kid to have some leeway,"

"Thank you for understanding," The man said with a smile as pats the younger man on the shoulder. He then turned to walk away leaving Ron to his own thoughts. "Ya gotta wonder…just how powerful this kid is though…"

Luke sat quietly. He was in some sort of containment unit that had no windows, one light bulb, and no other person. They were heading back to base probably. He was completely keeping his thoughts to himself he dare not even breathe to loudly less he set himself off on one of his episodes. The General informed him that any emotions he felt should be repressed and only released on missions. He sometimes felt far too much joy then he should have when he went on missions allowing some expression of himself. However, those instances were far too brief and didn't come as often as he liked. He began shaking uncontrollable as his thoughts began racing.

"Piece of garbage!"

"Not worth the effort!"

"Worthless!"

"Not fit to breathe!"

"Grovel in the dirt where you belong!"

"Worthless!"

"Damn useless weapon!"

"It doesn't seem to understand!"

"Worthless!"

"Worthless!"

"Worthless!"

"Monster..."

That one word stung so much, but not as much as the spiteful looks. Nothing could compare the amount of hate in the eyes of the people he's met on his "outings". So much hate directed at him and he struggled to understand why. "I'm not the bad guy…" he said in a low shaky voice. He also thought of the looks of pure terror he had given people. He wrapped his arms around himself trying to will his body to stop shaking. It wasn't working, and the harder he fought to suppress these emotions the more he was beginning to lose. Wounds that even he could not heal from were tearing him apart. He felt this sensation before, and it's been happening more and more recently. The professor explained to him that it was normally extremely unhealthy to bottle emotions. Those emotions can only be contained for so long until the bottle overflows and the emotions bust out. "I'm not the bad guy…" he muttered as he couldn't contain it anymore and he began to cry blood.