Well here is the first actual chapter of the story since the previous was the prologue. I know it's been a little late but I'm actually on vacation and not in my own country so I've actually had to look for time to finish it up. I do hope you enjoy it and I'll try to have the next chapter ready earlier this time.

LD: I do not own Independence Day.

Chapter 1: Welcome to Earth.

"Dr. Okun I have to say I didn't expect you to come to my home at five AM much less to tell me this" David said as he looked at the Scientist who was seating on the living room being served a cup of coffee by Catherine. "I knew you were interested and were trying to extract more information from the downed ship. But you've never told me much about what you were doing, in fact if I recall correctly last time I asked you about it you told me you would inform me properly when you got results. Now you want me to ask the UN Secretary General to deploy more forces to Congo to secure the ship because there is a risk of losing the ship and the information on it."

"Something unexpected has come up. It seems Umbutu is not completely in control of his people, some resent him because of his cooperation with the UN, some are spying on the camp, and some seek the information on the ship for their own personal gain." Okun said. "Imagine what one of those crazy warlords could do with the information and technology the ship can offer, you know that on their minds there's only their own benefits and that they see the UN and the ESD as enemies. If we do not prevent that possible scenario we won't be able to prevent similar scenarios in the future we can forget the counterattack against the aliens because for the first time in many, many years our enemies will be human once again not to mention that the loss of the ship and information will a catastrophic event on it's own."

David sighed, Bracken Okun had a point, humanity had to stand together, there wasn't any times for tribal disputes or rebellions, no matter how long their estimations said it would take them to launch a counterattack, he'd told the Secretary General two years, but it could be less or more time depending of how they played their cards every single day.

"I will see what I can do about it, but it will take time." David said. "Especially with what is happening today."

"I understand." Okun said and then he seemed to remember something. "That reminds me, the Sphere has said the Resistance can help us obtain the information from the Ship much faster, perhaps you should also report that to the Secretary General."

Both men sipped on the coffee as Catherine observed Okun atentively. They had grown very close during the year Okun had been awake. After the attack of 2016 the UN decided that having someone like Catherine around could be really helpful, in fact she was working on a project of how the minds "touched" by their alien foes evolved after they had been released from their control and how much information they shared with them during their link. It wasn't all that different from what Catherine had been working prior to the attacks and it helped her original work but she shuddered thinking of what she could or could not include. She had heard some rumours about the plans the UN had of forcing people to connect with the aliens just to extract information and seeing how most people touched by them were affected differently in not necessary a good way afterwards she preferred to delay her research as much as possible. She was now serving more as a therapist for ESD personnel after the war of 2016 although Okun, who had been one of the ones who suffered the most had also been one of the few to refuse her help while not refusing her attempts at forming a good friendship. That was why Catherine felt she needed to chastise Okun for what seemed the millionth time since she knew him.

"How long have you been awake?" She asked through narrowed eyes. Okun looked at her briefly before averting his eyes. I've been busy, I do not have time to sleep.

"Brackish" She said sternly. "You promised me you would go to sleep yesterday after our dinner."

"I couldn't I had much to do my dear, as you know the events in Africa required immediate attention." Okun tried to defend weakly.

"Don't think I don't know what you are doing" Catherine said glaring at him. "You are punishing yourself because of what happened to Milton. You think you are to blame for this."

"I think I've told you many times I don't need a therapist Catherine!" Okun shouted indignantly as he began to head for the door. "Now if you'll excuse me I have matters to tend to."

"Those matters can wait until tomorrow." David, who'd been watching the exchange in silence said. "Now you will remain here and sleep on the couch." Okun opened his mouth to protest but he was silenced by a movement of David hands. "That's an order so unless you want to spend the night on a cell wasting your time I suggest you take my invitation."

Okun indignantly and mumbled softly. David then looked at Catherine who was smiling at him lovingly.

"Let's go to the bed, I have to be up in two hours and I almost haven't slept tonight." He said as he moved himself back to the bedroom with her following.

"Thank you my love" she said as soon as they were out of Okun's hearing range. "I'll perhaps find a way to compensate you."

And for what had to be possibly the very first time in the history of their relationship he refused such an offer.

"Not today, I'm too tired." He said as he entered the room leaving her with a shocked expression. It wasn't for long though as "I'm holding you to that promise tomorrow" sounded from the inside making Catherine chuckle and roll her eyes before entering the room herself.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Independence Day)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The Five members of "Legendary Squadron" Dylan, Jake, Rain, Patricia, who'd returned to being a pilot after the tragic death of her father, and Charlie sat in the briefing room chatting amicably among themselves as they waited for the Director of the Earth's Space Defense, to make his appearance. They were used to David Levinson's lack of punctuallity, as director he had much to do and not really being a military man he often forgot he had to brief the pilots, mainly because didn't have many missions that year, only a few training flights and a scare with a stolen alien ship which was flown over the ruins of Washington, with the location being the reason the US government had requested that "Legendary squadron" took that foe on themselves even though it turned out to be just a prank in which the perpretators would spend some time in jail.

When the director finally entered the room he looked like sleep had eluded him all throughout the night and not because he was having fun precisely. Keeping their thoughts to themselves they saluted him and waited for him to speak.

"Sit down" He said simply and they all obeyed. He'd given up on telling them it wasn't necessary for them to salute him, because he knew they would argue that he was the Director and their commanding officer. After Adams "Promotion" David had been left in charge of both the military and the research branches of the ESD, something he wasn't really grateful for, he had the help of some of ESD Colonels normally, but they usually stood by his side and did little more during the briefings while only acting active during the operations. David pushed all those thoughts aside as he noticed everyone staring at him, waiting for him to begin. Using the computer he had on his desk he passed an image to the screen behind him. Some kind of large ship, long, armed with cannons and several propulsors on it's back. It had what she seemed to be the ship's pertruding from it's main body like a periscope or more like the bridge of a cargo ship, the main body seemed seened like a a giant submarine, three submarines, the main doubling the size of the other two whick were attached to the back half of the main body each at one side or so it seemed from their perspective. It was also colored in a dark grey

"This is the Space Frigate "Night Huntress"" The ship the resistance fighters have come in and is currently awaiting you near the Luna 2 Base. "Your mission as you know is to serve as escorts to it and bring it down here. The sphere is in charge of communicating with it's crew so you won't have to do so yourselves, besides the frequency their communications operate is not someone your comm systems can reach yet."

"Isn't that a little bit dangerous, I mean if we are not careful with our every move they could think we are attacking them." Charlie said. The probabilities of that happening were slim but a voice in all the pilots head associated everything alien related with something bad, although given the good the Sphere was doing for humanity as a whole they were willing to give this resistance the benefit of the doubt.

"They are coming with good intentions Charlie if you don't fool around or try to show off your piloting skills to them everything will be fine." David said as he threw Jake a pointed look.

"What?" Jake asked defensively even though he knew what that was about.

"Much is expected from you." A voice sounded as a man on his fifties, even though the only sign of age was the greying of his black hair, dressed in a military uniform, a dark blue uniform from the USAF. "And we know you won't disappoint."

David looking at the man and his eyes opened wide "Mitchell what are you doing here?"

"Nice meeting you again Doctor Levinson" General Mitchell spoke as everyone looked at him. "You have been requesting a military officer to help you run this place and you got yourself one." He then looked at the pilots. "What are you waiting for get to your Fighters?"

The pilots had many questions but decided their questions could wait until they returned from their mission. Saluting the new arrival who just nodded the five of them ran out of the briefing room to finish getting prepared. Once alone in the room he looked back at David.

"I've been asking for a commander of military operations for a year." David said. "What made Washington change their minds?"

"It wasn't Washington it was Geneve. The Secretary General wasn't really pleased with your estimations. Two years is too long to launch a counterattack, he called president Adams who called me. Both of them want to launch the first wave of the Counterattack next year at the most, 2018."

David huffed, typical political strategy, nodding with your head as if you agreed to everything someone told you and then stabbing that someone in the back.

"The Sphere has adviced us until Earth's defenses are fonctionning again." David protested. "We are in the middle of that we haven't even had time to look at the plans for possible space ships to build most of which require material or technology we don't have yet."

"We are already working on that not to worry although I will have to speak to the Sphere and the rebels for them to hurry the delivery of those materials." Mitchell said. David processed the words he'd just heard.

"You are already working on the ships?" David said. "Why wasn't I informed of that?"

"The UN security council does not respond before you Doctor." Mitchell said. "You've kept some secrets from the higher ups and conducted independent operations over the years, even right before the second alien attack and during it's aftermath too."

David looked at the man, it was clear that the UN had at least some knowledge of Okun's activities in Africa.

"Anything else?" David asked trying as hard as he could not to glare at the man who was supposedly his new colleague.

"We are holding the competition to decide the builder of the new fighter in 8 months." Mitchell added and David could swear he was smirking. The New Fighter who would substitute the H-8 was a greatly debated topic between David and the Security Council. With the prospect of Deep Space Battles just the H-8 fighter could not be enough even if they improved it, at least according to the Sphere, so the UN decided that while H-8 would be improved to try and make it usable in Deep space a new fighter would be built, one usable, in deep space battles as well as orbital and planetary battles. So far several enterprises were working on prototypes for this new fighters, especifically two different groups of aeronautical enterprises were working on two different prototypes. However as far as David was concerned neither of those groups were finished even with their prototypes yet.

"It's too soon." David said.

"That's not our problem." Mitchell said but then he seemed to reconsider. "I think we could find some incentive, economic perhaps, for them to finish the project in time don't you think?"

This time David did glare he didn't like what Mitchell was saying not only because it went against what the Secretary General, that traitor, had said of prioritizing the rebuilding plan over everything else and not having enough budget for the ESD's demands but also because it was making the same mistake that killed his good friend Steven Hiller. Ignoring his glare Mitchell added.

"Let's discuss this another moment." Mitchell said exiting the the room . "We have some aliens to receive."

David just glared at him until he managed to recompose himself. It was true that he didn't want to keep managing the ESD without someone like Adams who always turned out to be a great help but he had the sneaking suspicion Mitchell would be more of a pain in the ass. With that thought in mind he followed General Mitchell to the main control room.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Independence Day)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The members of "Legendary Squadron" flew their H-8 Fighters out of the atmosphere and headed for the moon where their guests waited for them. The control tower informed them that they had stopped their engine near "Luna 2" Moon base a few hundred miles away from the old Moon Base. The squadron flew in formation and maintaining radio silence, everyone really alert, prepared for whatever happened. Dylan "Legendary 1" Flew at the point of the formation with Jake at his right side and Patricia to his left with Charlie and Rain flying beside Jake and Patricia respectively.

"Be ready guys we approaching the moon" Dylan spoke through the radio.

"Roger" responded the rest of the squadron in unison as the allied ship came into view more impressive than how it had seemed on a screen although that wasn't really surprising. The ship turned it's engines on and approached them and like they had practiced the maneuver a thousand times with the aliens "Legendary squadron" assumed it's position as their visitor's escorts heading for the Earth.

"Earth Space Defense this is Legendary Squadron" Dylan reported. Our friends are under our protection I repeat our friends have arrived and are under our protection."

"Good Job Legendary Squadron" Sounded the voice of one of the control tower operators. Escort them back

"Copy that" Dylan said as he observed the ship. It had to be at least a km front to rear, and the scary part was it wasn't as large as their foes ships.

"Dylan" sounded the voice of Jake. "We are entering the atmosphere"

"I can see that" Dylan replied with a chuckle "But thanks for the update." He added truly thankful his friend helped him keep his head on the mission.

"Well this was a short and boring mission." Charlie said, disappointment clear on his voice as they initiated the approach to the ESDHQ.

"Enjoy them while you can Charlie." Patricia said. "Because once we strike back at those bastards we won't have any of these."

"She is right Charlie" the voice of Rain sounded. "Plus take into account I intend to turn you into a hand to hand combat master before our counterattack begins." Charlie shuddered and made his discomfort clear through the radio making everyone laugh.

"Ok that's enough" Dylan said with humor still present on his voice. "Let's break away and go to the hangar, our friends are initiating their descent."

"Roger that" Replied the rest of the squadron again as they maneuvered towards the hangar.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Independence Day))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sometimes first appearances could be deceiving, sometimes things weren't what they seemed and David had always had been a firm subscriber of that saying. However as he looked at General Mitchell he was more and more sure the years had turned a strict but normal military man into a fully developed asshole after spending only little time with him after years of separation. They had spent their time on the control room in silence as the first part of the escort mission took place, thankfully "Legendary" Squadron knew what they had to do and not many commands or communication from the control room were necessary and Mitchell didn't do much ordering around, he just observed how things worked.

For those few brief minutes until the middle of the escort operations when they decided to head for the jeeps David had almost reassessed his opinion, but that urge didn't last long as they encountered Doctor Okun and the Sphere heading for the convoy as well. And Mitchell decided to speak again.

"Dr. Okun" Mitchell spoke in a tone of voice that held disdain for the man before him. "It's nice to see you again when you are not napping." He added with no humor on his voice whatsoever

David observed Mitchell, completely dumbfounded. He'd known Okun and him didn't get along when he was commander of area 51 but referring to Doctor Okun's 20 year coma as a simple nap was just cruel. Especially when, even if Mitchell didn't know it, Okun didn't sleep much nowadays.

"General Mitchell" Okun greeted the General ignoring his tone and attitude. "Nice to meet you again" he said obviously lying. The General nodded and observed the Sphere who was being carried around by some technicians and protected by some guards.

"So that's the Sphere." Mitchell said with only a hint of interest present in his voice.

"That's the name you humans have given me." The Sphere replied obviously sensing the hostility Mitchell was emitting. "Nice to meet you General Mitchell." At the sound of the Alien being's voice Mitchell nodded again and continued to walk.

"He is... an interest individual" the Sphere said and David sighed as he and Okun got moving as well.

"It's a way to describe him" he said.

"Director Levinson." A guard interrupted. "Our friends have arrived." He informed him just as they got out of the complex and saw the ship landing just as "Legendary" squadron headed for the hangar again just as a convoy composed of several hammers and military Truck parked near the entrance and they all got in. Okun got on the truck as the technicians loaded the Sphere on it and David got on the first hammer with General Mitchell and after the Sphere was on the truck the convoy initiated their way to meet the aliens.

David and General Mitchell were driven in silence, something David was grateful as he cared for small time with the General as much as the General did for small talk with him. After driving for a mile they detected were they were supposed to head as a ramp descended from the ship and touched the ground.

"Dr. Levinson let me do the talking when we arrive." The General said in a particularly cold and professional voice that seemed to hide something.

"We actually thought we should have the Sphere do the talking." David said. "Since we don't have any knowledge of their language and the or any translation device available."

"I'm not asking you what you planned to do David." Mitchell said. "I've been told by both the Secretary General of the United Nations to handle this meeting and I will handle it as I see fit."

"With all due respect" lied David "I don't think you can do it without at least the Sphere's translation's skill not to mention she has been the only one in contact with the aliens since planning this meeting."

"That's what worries me." The General said making David roll his eyes. He had understood that skepticism from the higherups in the days following the 2016 war and alien attack from Anderson and the UN. But a year after it's arrival the only thing that being, that alien had done nothing but help the human race and it was clear the Sphere meant no harm. Although they were those who still saw it as a threat due to it's alien origins

"So what do you propose we do?" David asked truly curious about the answer. "It's not like we have a plan B to talk with this aliens for the OBVIOUS reasons I have given you"

Mitchell sighed in frustration after seeing his point just as the cars parked in front of the landing ramp of the ship. Several aliens were seemingly outside already waiting for the human hosts, their appearance seemed reptillian, bypedal reptylians it seemed with tails and all, taller than the humans and all of them wore armors of black metal and what seemed like helmets that covered their head and faces and armed with weapons similar to those of the humans although those closer to the ramps seemed to have large bladed weapons for close quarter combat. At least those were the most prominent for there were several other types of alien soldiers all dressed in similar armors only distinguished by their shapes or some other body characteristics.

The human soldiers of the ESD didn't wait any time as they got out of the cars and and observed the new arrivals checking for any suspicious movements and the technicians unloaded the Sphere from the truck.

"Tell the Sphere that she'll act only as a translator then." Mitchell said as he got.

"Yes sir" David mumbled in reply not really seeing the point of continuing the argument and getting out he approached Okun to tell him the news.

"What do you mean he only wants the Sphere as a translator?" Okun asked angrily as soon as David told him new. "The Sphere organized this meeting with the Resistance! No she is the Resistance! How do you think the Resistance will take it if they see we have reduced the Sphere into a damn translator!"

"Keep your voice down" David said. "Look I don't like this either but the UN has put him here so for now we will have to follow his rules for a while."

"Doctor Levinson is right Doctor Okun." The Sphere spoke. "The General is not the first being to distrust me among the races of the Resistance. For the sake of our victory I will be just his translator today."

"Thank you" David said smiling at the Alien being.

"The representatives are here" the Sphere spoke clearly moving on from the conversation. David and Okun turned towards the ship to see what she was talking about as the largest yet of the aliens that had come out of the ship, it seemed to belong to the reptillian race. He wore a black armot but his face a mix of a a lizard's, with reptillian eyes sharp teeth and green scales, and a human as it's facial structure a was in the middle between the human and a lizard, oddly similar to one of the villain's that appeared in the amazing Spiderman movies, the only one of the first, ironically called the lizard. Behind him other aliens from other races marched towards the humans, also with their faces exposed, surely representatives of other different races

"It's time" David said as he reached Mitchell's side with the Sphere and Okun more to himself than anybody else. Mitchell seemed to hear him and nodded, seemingly less confident in himself than before.

"Welcome to Earth." He said as he approached the aliens.