Alexander drummed his fingers against the panel. His eyes moving over the controls of the ship's systems. He ran his gloved hand over the controls. The feeling of them sent excitement through him. At long last, he was a pilot!

The excitement swelled in him. He was the best pilot the UN had and he knew it. His skills were unmatched in any simulator, but he hadn't gotten much flying time outside of shuttles. He traced the pilot's seat with his fingers and moved around the bridge. Just as he was returning to the pilot's seat, one of the communicators he had one him went off.

"Yeah?" Alexander asked, but no one was on the radio. He cursed and grabbed the other one. "Sorry, Nihilum, I grabbed the wrong one first."

A soft chuckle came from the other end. "It's quite all right, Alexander."

"Yeah, screw up this mission, Alex," teased another, female voice.

"Don't call me Alex, Reva," Alexander hissed at the girl.

"Touchy much," she poked back.

"Enough, the both of you," Nihilum broke up the fight before it could start. "We don't have time for bickering between us. Reva, Barack should have just been reassigned to the Red Mars Project," he started.

"What? But, Nihilum, he can't go there. You said there was something Isaak had planned for those who go. His mother needs him here! She can't lose him as well." Reva continued on and on, sounding frightened out of her mind over this matter.

"Na, you're just scared you'll lose your boyfriend," Alexander cut in stop her from continuing with what time they had on the comm.

"Shut up," she hissed.

"I understand you're worried," Nihilum started in patient tones, "but we need more eyes and ears in the project than just Alexander. Barack, while not part of this group, is still like a brother to you, Reva. He will be able to aid my children."

Alexander scowled and leaned against a wall. Here they went of Nihilum's children again. Granted, Alexander couldn't blame the man for being worried about the four of them. There was something Isaak was planning for them and it could end up destroying everything. Or so Nihilum told him.

"This mission is vital to our future, Reva. The future of all our kind. Do you want it to fail?"

"Of course not," Reva stated.

"Then you understand why it was we needed Barack to join the mission despite the fact he's not enhanced."

"I understand, but still," she stopped herself for arguing with Nihilum. Her voice almost trembled with her emotions.

"Everything will be fine, Reva," Nihilum consoled her. "We'll see them all again, one day." He cleared his throat. "Once Barack's departed, bring his mother to our hide out. It won't be long before Isaak makes his move, both within the UN higher control and with the group of our kind he's amassed. I don't want her caught in the crossfire."

"Right. Understood." Reva's end went silent.

"Alexander, has there been any sign of Isaak's group yet?"

"No, but I only just arrived aboard the ship."

Alexander could almost see Nihilum nodding on the other side of the radio. The old man would be deep in thought then. "Keep an eye out for those few smuggled onboard," Nihilum told him. "I doubt they'll stay quiet for long after the launch."

"What am I supposed to do against them?" he demanded. "I'm alone here and even the smuggled group is going to be large."

"And meant only to strike unease into the hearts of the people. My children must show they're on the side of humanity."

"Great, do I go and say 'hey, side with both sides'? Or what?" Alexander scowled.

A soft laugh came from Nihilum. "Heavens, no. You are my eyes and ears on Mars, Alexander."

Alexander bowed his head. Strands of his hair fell into his eyes. "Is it really possible?" he whispered the question. "To create a world without hunger?"

"Anything is possible," Nihilum replied gently. "Never give into despair, Alex."

There was no annoyance when Nihilum spoke the nickname, nothing but a warmth which filled Alexander's heart. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, almost savoring the way Nihilum spoke the name. It was soft, almost caring.

"I won't," Alexander vowed.

"Good. Be safe, Alexander."

The link went silent. Alexander let out a long breath and hid the second communicator. There were so many dangerous on this mission to Mars. Death was a very real possibility. Yet, the gains far outweighed the risks. If Nihilum's four children could end up becoming the leaders he hoped they were, they could very unify the people on this project. Still, this was assuming whatever Isaak had planned didn't royally screw them.

Alexander sighed and looked at the bridge. It was a problem for tomorrow. Right now, he needed to focus on readying the ship for tomorrow's launch. There was preparing for the final system checks and more.

He moved over to the pilot's seat and took it. He felt a small smile appear on his features. It felt right to finally be seated here. Without Nihilum, Alexander knew he would never have made it into the UNASF let along onto the Red Mars Project as one of the top pilots. He started the system checks.

"So you're the newbie pilot." Another had entered the bridge. "Tch, I can't believe you were placed as lead pilot here. You have zero experience."

"But I can fly circles around you," Alexander retorted with a glare at the other pilot.

The man's eyes narrow and he stocked over to the number two's seat. It was just the two of them until tomorrow when the ceremony started and then the launch. This ship would soon be packed to capacity. Well, beyond it actually with the sacrificial lambs Isaak would smuggle onboard.

The second pilot's company was cold and angered. Alexander ignored the man. He was a better pilot than that man could ever hope to be as it was. The second pilot left to head for his bunk. Alexander didn't leave the ship. He had tasks to see to by Nihilum. Plus, it would be nice to see the ship before more people arrived onto it.

Alexander stretched and left the bridge. The ship was massive with more than enough space for the one hundred thousand who would be on it for the first trip. It could actually hold over twice that, but the first trip was for the vital personal. Most ships would launch the day following in a similar design to this one. Enough to get the other nine hundred thousand colonists to Mars. Those ships would return to Earth with the first resources which had already been mined while this one would stay behind and be loaded up over the course of seven months on Mars.

The ship was quiet then. A few of Lunar Security were at the entrance onto the ship. As Alexander passed, he watched one stretch and yawn. They then complained a little about this being as close to the project either of them would ever get.

There was so much hope for the Red Mars Project. So many needed to succeed. If this colony made it, more could be built up on Mars and humans could move there and expand again with little restrictions like Earth had been before Isaac Butler had taken control of the UN and unified the world under him. The wars over recourses had ended with this, but humanity was still struggling. There wasn't enough food to go around.

Alexander could see his childhood friends, living on the streets with him, as they slowly starved to death. The images were burned into his mind as raw as the feeling of stabbing hunger in his gut. Trash had been the only food source for any of them. He had been one of the only two to survive. The others had died not long after Nihilum had found them. The man had nursed Alexander back to a healthy state.

Alexander let out a low breath and stopped near the security office. He glanced into the dark office which would become a second home to him on the trip to Mars. He doubled as a pilot as well as a member of the Security Task Force under Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Nightlord.

Nihilum had told Alexander a great deal on his commander. Abel was a kind, gentle man who hide this from the world behind a wall of anger and rage. He would never let others see just how much he cared unless they threatened his sister. In which case this earned them full force of Abel's ire. Nihilum had told Alexander to never be off put by Abel or his temper. If anyone could change the world it was Abel and Lilith. Abel, though unknown by even the UN, was a natural leader, even if he could be a bit destructive at times. He acted out because it hurt so much when he tried to trust to only have that trust betrayed.

"Show him he can trust you without question, Alexander," Nihilum had said. "You will find none as loyal and strong as Abel. He must become the leader of the colony over Cain if all of you are to survive Isaak's plan."

Alexander had asked about Cain but soon learned the eldest of the Nightlord's was the one who focused far too much on his siblings' lives than anything else. Under his command, the colony would easily fall into chaos and right into the trap Isaak had set for them. The only ones who could keep the people safe was Abel and that was assuming Alexander could get him into such a position. He feared something would have to happen to the major for Nihilum to get his wish of Abel being the one to officially take command of the colony.

This would only hurt Nihilum because Cain was also his son.

Alexander shook his head. It wasn't his concern right now. Plus, Abel could have changed since Nihilum had last seen him. There was a chance the UN had stamped out whatever qualities were in him to be the great leader Nihilum saw in his youngest boy. Hopes were so easily smashed. Torn to little pieces on the wind. The only reason Alexander now stood on this ship was because Nihilum had hacked the UN's systems and placed both him and his wife into the project. There was no way to trace it, but still… the fact remained Alexander wouldn't be standing here without the man.

A small breath escaped Alexander. There was nothing amiss here.

He turned and headed for his quarters. Since his wife was also part of the prelaunch crew, they had been given a small room for just the two of them. Nihilum had gotten her in as a doctor, which was what he had gotten her into school for as it was. She wasn't highly ranked but still, the UN wouldn't waste anything. If a spouse of a member could be of use on Mars, then they were put to work.

Alexander entered the room. Not to his shock, his wife was waiting up for him. Her eyes narrowed a little as her gaze locked on his features.

"What?" Alexander demanded.

"You've a troubled look in your eyes," she commented.

"So?" He crossed the room as he stripped the coat of his uniform. He removed his shirt, placing both on small trunk at the end of the bed.

She sighed. "You were thinking about that day again, weren't you, Alexander?"

His muscles stiffened down his back. Then Alexander felt himself ease a little at the feeling of her hands on his back. Her fingers were cool and light against his skin.

"You don't need to think on it anymore, Alexander." She leaned into him. "Both of us are here, now, alive."

Alexander felt her hand move to his shoulder. He placed his hand over hers. "You risk so much by staying with us. By staying with me," he whispered.

"Hush."

"Celia," he started. His wife was a normal human, meaning she didn't have enhancements. She had stayed with Nihilum's group out of loyalty to the man who had saved her from starvation. And the only other option for an illegally born child was death. Celia had no way to know if she was legal or not. Nihilum had made certain she was placed into the UN data banks just to be safe. Still…

"Hush." She sank onto the bed, pulling him with her. Her lips pressed into his.

Alexander returned the kiss. Perhaps it didn't matter either way. She was with him for him not because of what he was. Though, he hoped his piloting skill was part of the attraction.

The next morning came all too quickly. Alexander rose early, only getting a few hours of sleep. He left Celia to sleep and headed for the ship. Today marked the day of the ceremony. Late last night, the others in the military would have arrived in several shuttles.

Alexander leapt to one side when a tall man appeared.

"Oh, sorry." It wasn't a man at all, but rather a boy in his late teens. He towards over Alexander. "I didn't see you there." There was a slight flush to his face to show he really hadn't.

"Just watch where you're going next time," Alexander grumbled. He moved around the kid then paused and looked back. "You're also a member of the security force?"

He nodded. His dark brown eyes locked on Alexander. "I'm Officer Barack." He held out his hand.

So this was Reva's crush. "Alexander Barvon, the best pilot you'll ever meet." He took the boy's hand.

Barack blinked. "Isn't that a little cocky?"

"Not when it's true." Alexander gave him a grin. "I must be off. I have preflight preparations to oversee. Wave at the lieutenant-colonel for me!" He waved over his shoulder as he strode off once more.

The rest of the time before launch passed in a frenzy of activity. The preflight systems checks ran while the pilots moved between each computer to make certain everything was going to work right. The last of the loading was also taking place while they worked.

"Shit, I wish I could be at the ceremony," grumbled one of the other pilot's.

"And miss this?" Alexander demanded. "No amount of speeches could ever replace the preflight checks."

The other pilots rolled their eyes and returned to work.

The launch didn't come soon enough to Alexander. He was ready to be off the moment the first of the preflight checks came back in the green. He waited on the others. Not every day would he be on duty as a pilot. He had to split his work between both piloting and security. He took his seat in the pilot's chair.

"Flight checks are in the green," the second informed Alexander.

"Systems are a go," the third stated.

Alexander checked to make certain everything else was in order. The crew as all board now, most heading towards the quarters. He nodded. All lights were green for launch. He took them out.

A grin spread across his face. While this ship took more than one pilot, it was nice to fly her. She moved through space smoothly. Such a beauty. His wife would be jealous.

(Author's Note: So, a little shorter of a chapter than the last ones. There wasn't much to go over in Alexander's first part other than setting the stage with him, so to speak.)