Chapter Three.
A/N: A change of scene - and characters here, as we meet a group that we might refer to as "Proto-N7"s. Be sure to leave review if you've been reading so far, with your thoughts on the story so far. It's always nice to know that people really are reading what I write, and what they think of it.
If you've enjoyed our time with Quinn and Llewellyn, then don't despair, since they will be back. Eventually...
"We should – "
"Mackenzie, if you say 'we should be down there' one more time, I swear to God I will send you down there myself. Via planetfall."
Alec Mackenzie opened his mouth to retort – then closed it again. They'd had this argument four times now, and – though he hated to admit it – Spector was right: there was nothing they could do.
That didn't make things any easier.
He tugged self-consciously and somewhat ineffectually at his close cropped hair. Little more than a month ago, he would have had locks of wavy blonde hair to pull on – a nervous reaction that had always maddened his father.
Then again, a month ago he had he would not have been this miserable.
He bowed his head, forcing his hands into fists, and hiding them under his forehead – trying to conceal the uncontainable, unwanted shaking that had seized him.
"Oh hell kid, I didn't mean that. But... come on, you know I'm right: Command wouldn't have ordered us off-world if there was anything we could do down there."
The "there" hung in the air like a dirty word, issuing guiltily from Luke Spector's lips as he spoke again, in a much softer tone this time.
"There" stood in place of "Earth", a name that neither of them could bare to say.
"I know that," Alec replied, through gritted teeth, "It's just... my family is down there... Mom, Dad, my sisters... I-"
Something caught in his throat, and he looked up, face contorted with worry and pain. Spector sat across from him, resolutely not meeting Mackenzie's eyes. The older soldier was still wearing his full combat armour, that red and white stripe that had so enthralled Alec to begin with now looked brash and foolish.
The N7 cleared his throat uncomfortably. Luke was a joker, a wise-cracking warrior who courted as much irritation from his superiors as he did commendation. He could face down a ship-full of Batarian Pirates and still crack a smile.
And as such, he was utterly at a loss when it came to comforting the anxious young rookie before him.
"Listen, Alec... "He began uncertainly, searching for a vocabulary that he did not posses. He was saved this difficult task as the swish of the mess hall doors cut him short.
Captain Nathan Harker stood in the doorway, his stubbled jaw set grim and firm, as his steely grey eyes focused on Spector and Mackenzie. Harker too, worse his full battle plate and his personal N7 markings were evident.
'Suits him a lot better.' Alec thought, for a sour moment.
He had a point, in a way. Spector was taller, and athletic, with sharp green eyes and untidy black hair. At any other time, he would have had a self-assured grin plastered across his face – completing an image that leant itself more to a cocky, bright-eyed mercenary, than a Lieutenant of the Systems Alliance. Harker on the other hand, had the look a career soldier; broad and powerfully-built where his protégée was thin, with wide soldier's shoulders, and arms that had taken recoil from the heaviest of weapons and stayed steady. His hair was not cropped like Mackenzie's new-recruit buzz, but kept short and manageable; dark brown, but tending to grey at the temples; it grew above a shrewd, but trustworthy face. The face of a leader, thought Mackenzie – not for the first time – a man who had seen the wonders and the trials of the galaxy, but one who was still dedicated to its safety.
Harker spoke, in a customarily low, measured tone, "We're needed. War room."
Luke scrambled up immediately, heading over to join the older N7; but Nathan nodded him onwards, indicating for the LT to go on ahead, to leave him alone with Alec.
Mackenzie rose stiffly, the indignation that had come so easily during the last few days already asserting itself again. He knew what was coming, knew that Harker would try to deny him a chance to take to the field – sure that the Captain thought him too green.
It was to his surprise then, to find that Harker was grinning.
"You're expecting me to forbid you from coming along, aren't you?" the Captain raised an eyebrow, still smiling fondly at him.
"Well, yes." Alec glared back – 'expecting' wasn't as appropriate as 'daring', at the current moment.
The N7 Captain laughed outright, and Alec opened his mouth to protest – superior officer or not, he was damned if he was going to be laughed at, and then left to stew onboard, while Harker and the other went off to do... whatever this mission involved.
"Calm down Mackenzie. I'm not going to try and stop you from doing anything. It wouldn't be fair, and besides, I hardly have that right – I'm not your father, after all."
Even that should have hurt – should have been a painful reminder that his actual father was absent and in danger. But somehow, hearing these words, from this man, in this context, it made Alec feel much, much better.
"I – you're not going stop me?"
"No, I'm not. Even if I intended to, I wouldn't be able to make the order stick", he nodded softly out of the door, with a low chuckle, "I've taught Luke everything he knows, but I've never been able to get him to stay put when I tell him to. And Mackenzie, listen: you fought well on the ground, on our way off-planet. I'm not going to handle you with kid-gloves."
Gratitude coursed through Alec – making him feel more alive than he had in all the torturous time since they'd fled Earth. He was grinning like an idiot – but he didn't acre. All he knew was that was headed on his first true field mission – alongside N7 Veterans no less. Finally, a chance to strike back at the Reapers – the enemy that was holding his family, his planet, his species as hostages.
"I... thanks... Sir." He mumbled, eyes not quite meeting his benefactor's.
Harker frowned, showing the shadow of indecision for a split second, and then he was turning away, heading out of the Mess Hall.
"No need for thanks Mackenzie – it's nothing." He muttered.
Alec moved to the Captain's side quickly, touching him nervously on the arm, "It's not nothing, Sir. It's... it means a lot," His eyes met Harker's , full of youthful, earnest promise "and I won't let you down."
A/N: Hope you've enjoyed this introduction to the "other protagonists", as we'll be following their adventures for the next few chapters. Make sure you click that little button below and leave a review or two!