For worse...or not...

I stood there with others with horror, but because of the panic we couldn't move. Agents took their position and prepared to open fire. Through the dust I heard shouts like:

"Is that alien motherfucka came back again?!"

"I've trained for this...as always..."

"I'll do this for you...''

"Tell my wife...I had another wife...and she's her sister..."

I released Shaundi from embrace but held her hand tightly. We walked a little closer to see whole view. Debris of the ceiling filled the ground and all the corners. Some chairs were ripped off from their places. Scared people were hidding behind some of them.

Finally when dust in the air dispersed a bit, I saw the lines of some kind of aircraft, but I was surprised because no one of that aliens, particularly Zinyak hasn't landed so far. I imagine his first words.

"Hello humans."

His voice echoed inside my head like ice cold water.

However, I began to recognize the shape of unknown aircraft.

VTOL...

Wait...VTOL!? Really?! And not only one... more than one...

"What the hell is going on?"

I heard the agents giving one another the order to be ready when the enemy shows up.

"What if those VTOL'S are not enemies? I have to find out."

But before I could order them not to attack another familiar voice shouted from closest VTOL.

"Hey kid! Been a long time! How ya doin'!?" It's was a man's voice.

" Go to hell, Burt! Is that you?!" I shouted back in disbelief.

"Who else could it be!?" he yelled back.

I smiled at his answer.

"Well, we expected someone else to come but not you, Reynolds!"

I heard him laugh as he landed lower.

Others behind me and Shaundi relaxed and came forward to see our unexpected visitors.

He landed inside conference room and got out of the VTOL.

Shaundi let out my hand and just nodded.

I came closer to shake hands with Burt. Agents were still in attack position.

"Gentlemen, put your guns down" I ordered them and they obeyed.

"You still look that young as I remember, son." he said.

"The same goes to you." I said and we both laughed.

"Well, I can't say that about myself. I'm not that young. Soon I'll go to retirement." he caughed a bit. "But before I die I want to spend my remaining life as much as I can... To be young for a bit...To do crazy and important things like..."

"...visit us in this unusual way" I joked as a showed with my hand all the mess he and his friends caused here.

"Hahah... Good one..." Burt patted my shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah... What you were doing anyway? And VTOL'S. What's up with them?" I asked him now curiously.

"Oh, VTOL'S? It's just a training programme for my agents. And for me. We were just flying around and began practice with swarm missiles until..."

"...you destroyed our conference room." said Shaundi as she walked up to wrap around my arm.

"Hm, it's only an accident, that could happen to anyone, Shaundi. Young lady, you grew up so much. I can barely recognize you." Burt said as he kissed her palm. Shaundi just blushed. "You're very lucky guy to have her by your side." he smirked to me. I just grinned.

"Yeah, I am..." I said as I kissed Shaundi's cheek. She giggled.

"Anyway... I came here to offer you a job. Dangerous one..." Burt said to me.

"Job? What kind of?" I asked a bit confused.

"I'm sure you familiar with surname Pryor?"

Killbane...What he did now?

"Burt, let's go to talk somewhere private, okay?" I asked him and Shaundi let my hand.

"You don't want to discuss here with others, do you?"

"No. I already own them an explanation about one asshole... I tell them everything later."

"Oh, I see, let's go then."

We left others and went to my intacted office.

"Sooo... Shaundi, where did they go?" Pierce asked her.

"To discuss the problem..." she said as she turned to face the rest of the group.

Pierce's eyes widened with fear.

"I knew it! It's about that prick, righ-" Pierce was cut off by Asha.

"Pierce, shut up!" she yelled. Pierce just stepped away from her. "What is it, Shaundi?" Asha asked her.

"It has nothing to do with Zinyak. He's not a main threat. It's another person and some of us know him very well..." she finished.

They all looked at her with confusion in their faces and wondered who it might be this time...

After a brief pause Pierce spoke.

"Johnny, what did you say about beer?"

"You want some?" Because I..." Johnny didn't finish his words as he saw the person he was looking for.

Josh Birk appeared on the other side of conference room with horror in his face. He overlooked the room with aversion. His clothes were a bit ripped from the fight with Johnny.

He started to yell in the air.

"ZINYAK! WHERE ARE YOU?! COME ON OUT NOW AND FACE YOUR DESTINY, YOU COWARD! I AIN'T AFRAID OF YOU! YOU HEAR ME?! NYTE BLAYDE FEARS NOTHING!" he roared in deep voice.

Shaundi just placed her hand over her face and mumbled. "Idiot."

"Pierce?" Johnny said as he cracked his neck and knuckles.

"Yeah?" he responded.

"I'll buy as much beer as you want if you help me to catch this asshole..." he looked over Birk as he was his prey.

"Deal, bro." Pierce did the same as Johnny.

They slowly started to walk towards Birk, along with the podium where Kinzie was standing.

"Hey Birk!" Johnny shouted.

Birk's eyes widened again as he heard Johnny's voice once again and saw Pierce coming along with him. "Shit. Not again...I thought I ran away from him...Female bathroom was a wrong place to hide..."

"Zinyak won't come you fool, but..." Pierce started and let Johnny finish his sentence.

"...I will gladly take his place..." Johnny ended as his face was full of devilish happiness.

Josh began to step backwards and just shrugged.

"Guys...Two against one... It's not fair. Why we can't forget everything and live together in peace? ..."

"Oh, yeah? THEN COME HERE AND I'LL SHOW YOU THE PEACE YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

With that words, Birk turned around and ran down the hallway screaming like a little girl again. Johnny roared and went to chase him along with Pierce.

"I SWEAR BIRK, THIS TIME I WILL KILL YOU!" Johnny howled with anger. Pierce just laughed.

"It's so good to hear you again, Johnny!" he shouted.

"What can I say, I just love murderin' fools like that one!" Johnny shouted back.

They both punched a brofist and went after Birk.

"So this is it, right? No Zinyak, no aliens, no simulations or nightmares?" Kinzie asked the remaining group. "Oh, I'm gonna miss the whole hacking thing back in the ship..." she let out a deep breath.

"What about me?" asked a low voice.

We all turned around and saw Oleg standing with his arms crossed on his chest.

"Oleg!" Kinzie shouted as stood up and ran towards him.

He caught her and lifted from the ground in a bone crushing hug.

"You okay Mousey?" he asked her lovingly.

"Of course I'm" she smiled back to him.

"You guys need a room or something?" Shaundi asked them while laughed.

Kinzie just showed her tongue and Oleg turned around to walk away from the group. He lifted her on his shoulder.

"Just watch your head..." he said.

Kinzie giggled and placed her hands on his shoulders for hold. Soon they both disappeared from sight.

There were only Matt, Asha, Keith, Ben and Shaundi standing in demolished conference room now.

"I think now we can dismiss now, right?" Keith asked. "I'm kinda concerned about that bill I choose earlier. If you excuse me." he said and left us.

"And I'm a bit hungry. That waiting took a lot of energy, you know..." Ben joked. We all laughed. "I think it's time to visit canteen. Who's with me?"

"Me." Asha responded. "Matt?" she asked.

"Sure." Matt replied.

Shaundi was still standing in the same spot and looked over the room.

"Shaundi? What about you, girl?" Ben asked her.

"You go. I'll catch up with you later." she waved with her hand.

"As you wish. Don't take too long or steak will be cold soon." Ben jokingly warned.

"I won't." Shaundi replied with a smile.

"See you soon then." Ben ended and the three of them left her alone.

Shaundi just stand there for a while. She saw agents collecting debris from the ground. She smiled and thought for herself. "So Zinyak didn't show up. And the Boss really knows why. But what about Killbane...? I can't bilieve that he's alive now. Of course, because we turned back the time. But what he's up now this time? I'm sure we will find out...But, did he really kissed me on the cheek?." Shaundi blushed again. "Oh..and his embrace...so protective. I never felt so safe being with him...He's been always very protective of me since the day we met... He always saved me from trouble...My guardian angel..." Somehow she became anxious. "Oh, and why he didn't kiss me properly, hm?" she said to herself while looking to the one spot on the wall.

"Excuse us, ma'am." Two agents came behind her. "Mister King asked to look for you. He and others are waiting for you in canteen. He said that your steak is getting cold..." one of them said with a smile.

"Tell him I'm coming..." she replied.

"Yes, ma'am." And they left.

Shaundi sighned and turned around. "This isn't over, Boss..."


So...secret is finally revealed, but what about new problem? Read & Review what you think about this story so far... ;)