Noah's Story
Three days earlier on the secret world of Xanadu, a blue haired boy ran through the multicolored forest near the place where he had been living. He didn't call it home because no matter how warm and kind the woman who was taking care of him, it didn't feel like home.
True he had almost no memory of what happened to him before he came to Xanadu, just memories of extreme cold and pain that caused him to wake up shaking at night. Technically this was the only home he had ever really known in this short time of conscious living. And Ariel who had become more than a teacher, almost like a mother to him was so wise and understanding. Noah had nicknamed her 'Grandma Ariel' in a teasing fashion.
Ariel had taught him so much in these past few months. Not only had she nursed him back to health, but she had helped him get a hold of his growing psychic powers. So far he had gained a sense of empathy and an occasional premonition flash. It was not much by the standards of most of the inhabitants of Xanadu, but according to Ariel he had made great progress in the short time he lived there.
However it was Xanadu itself that made the boy feel uneasy. True it was peaceful and contented, but for some reason that peacefulness made him feel uncomfortable. For some reason he felt that he wasn't used to the quiet and the tranquility. He often had urges and desires for some kind of action.
Although he knew better than to go around instigating fights with the other citizens of Xanadu he had become known for the occasional harsh word or even mild prank. Once he had accidentally knocked over some meditation stones while trying to leap over them. So what if they had been standing perfectly aligned for seventy years? It was no reason for that alien to blow a gasket.
Even though he was a psychic, deep down Noah knew he wasn't like the others that lived here. It was not just the emotions he sensed from the other inhabitants of Xanadu saying he didn't belong. It was if the very planet itself spoke in a condescending way that he was not quite what it was looking for in a tenant.
Coupled with the fact that he had no memory of his previous life, things were just too frustrating for him. And when he was frustrated he had to fight.
So instead of fighting actual enemies he would run into the forest and fight imaginary ones. This was an exercise suggested by Grandma Ariel. Especially since even his pretend fighting made the other aliens on this planet nervous.
Noah never questioned where or how he had learned to do flips and twists with acrobatic grace, or martial arts kicks and fighting techniques. He had just woke up born knowing how to do them.
He was glad he did. It felt so right, so natural to do these things.
"Have you vanquished the enemy yet?"
Noah stopped and looked at Ariel casually sitting on the rock. "If the enemy is myself I have a long way to go," Noah replied, remembering a previous lesson in anger management that didn't exactly work out.
"Oh Noah, you're still unhappy here," Ariel sighed.
"It's not that I don't feel grateful for you taking me in or your lessons," Noah said. "But…"
"You feel you do not belong here," Ariel said.
"What's wrong with me?" Noah asked. "Why do I always want to fight?"
Ariel sighed. "Sit down Noah. I think it's time you learned about your past."
Noah obeyed. Ariel let out a breath. "When we found you…We learned that you were a genetic mutant. You were created to be a living weapon for Earth. A solider. However for some reason it was decided that you were to be a guinea pig for their experiments. They tortured you and kept you in suspended animation for years before we found you."
"That's why I don't remember anything," Noah realized. "There's nothing to remember."
Ariel was about to say something when some figures appeared over the horizon. "Oh look here comes the Happiness Brigade," She snorted. "What did you do this time?"
"Nothing! I swear!" Noah said.
"Ariel," A green haired female alien with white skin spoke. "The Council of Thought has decided perhaps it's time to evaluate your pupil."
"Evaluate?" Ariel frowned. "Sari you can't be serious. The boy has barely begun his training."
"Ariel the council feels that it might be in the best interests of everyone that the boy leave Xanadu," A tall alien with a high forehead and black robes spoke.
"Best interests my foot!" Ariel snapped. "I keep telling you that you don't have to be afraid of the boy! He's no threat to you! I mean you didn't complain this much when I brought Niko to Xanadu!"
"That was different," Sari said. "Niko was very young and had much potential."
"This boy has just as much potential as she did!" Ariel defended.
"Yes potential to be a weapon," A third alien with three eyes said.
"That's not his fault, Denen!" Ariel said hotly.
"No one said it was," Sari spoke. "Ariel no one is questioning that you have done wonders for the boy. He has improved under your care and his mental abilities are beginning to flourish."
"More rapidly than we expected," Denen frowned.
"What exactly is this test?" Noah said. "I'm not afraid to take it!"
"Very well…" Sari nodded.
Before Noah realized it he was transported into a cold vortex. "Where am I?" Noah asked. Hazy ghosts swirled around him. "What's going on? Stop it!"
He felt his mind being invaded. "STOP IT!" Noah screamed. He sent out a mental blast.
He heard a yell. The next thing he knew he was back in the forest. "Oh come on! How fair was that?" Ariel yelled at the three aliens. "He's been through a traumatic experience! Of course he was going to use his powers against you!"
"Ariel I know you want to help the boy but we just can't risk him staying here," An alien shook his head. "He's too dangerous."
"He didn't attack anyone! He was defending himself!" Ariel barked.
"Yes but what about the next time?" Sari asked. "That is what the test was about."
"It's an unfair test!" Ariel snapped. "You deliberately provoked him! You'd already made up your mind before it started!"
"Ariel you may be the council's lead voice but you are not it's mind and body!" Sari told her. "I know this sounds harsh to you but Xanadu has already had far too much contact with Earth as it is. And we all know there are many on Earth who would not hesitate to exploit our powers if they got access to them."
"So by sending that boy back out there where others can have access to his gifts? How is that any different?" Ariel snapped.
"It's not just that, it is the influence of these outworlders," Denen said. "You have always had a temper Ariel but lately it's become even worse."
"So I'm tainted now? Is that what you're worried about?" Ariel said bitterly. "Why you…"
"Ariel don't," Noah stopped her. "It's not worth it. If they want me to leave. I'll leave. Don't get yourself into trouble over me."
Ariel seemed to debate but thought better of it. She nodded and the aliens left. "How could people with such big brains be such small minded…" She grumbled.
"It's all right Grandma Ariel," Noah smiled. "I don't belong here anyway. I belong out there."
"You're right," Ariel sighed. "Fortunately there is a place for you to go. You can stay with my pupil on Earth."
"I'm sorry Niko I did my best but those stubborn paranoid fools on the Council…" Ariel sighed. She was speaking to Shane and Niko in the other room while Noah was in the living room with Zach, Eliza and Doc.
"It's not your fault Ariel," Niko said. "Noah can stay here. There's no problem."
"There is a problem bringing him here!" Shane barked. "Lorelei might recognize him! Not to mention Commander Walsh!"
"Goose she's confined to quarters most of the time," Niko said.
"Please so is Bubblehead but he gets out!" Shane snapped.
"As far as anyone is concerned Triton is dead," Niko said.
"She could remember his scent!" Shane said. "Her sense of smell was always extremely good!"
"Aren't there scent erasing lotions?" Ariel asked.
"Well yeah but…" Shane let out a breath. "I suppose that would work. But I don't want him to remember Lorelei or his past if I can help it. We could just say it's sunscreen."
"Goose…" Niko frowned. "You mean…"
"He'd have a better chance of survival if he doesn't remember Wolf Den at all," Shane said. "Or me. The least he knows the better chance he has of fitting in."
"Goose, he already knows that he is a mutant built for combat and has remembered his fighting skills…" Ariel told him.
"But he doesn't know how he got them," Shane pointed. "Right? He just thinks he was programmed with them. It's just going to be harder for all of us if he…I hate it too but it's for the best."
"Goose..." Zach began.
"You don't know Lorelei like I do Zachery!" Shane protested. "She was always nuts! Hell, she makes Kilbane look like a freaking diplomat! If she even suspects what Noah is, she won't wait for any orders! She'll tear him apart with her bare hands! Even a look of recognition from Noah would doom him!"
Ariel and Niko exchanged looks. "Goose I'm sorry. I promised to keep the boy safe…"
"I'm not blaming you," Shane said. "In fact I owe you a lot. I just wish…"
"So am I staying here or what?" Noah walked into the room. He was dressed in a brown and green outfit and his long blue hair was held back by a thin brown cord.
"Impatient as ever," Ariel raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Ranger Niko will be continuing your training here on Earth."
Noah looked at Shane for a moment and realized something. "You're like me aren't you?"
"Yeah," Shane sighed. "I am."
"Ranger Gooseman helped rescue and find you," Ariel said.
"So he's a Supertrooper but not…?" Noah was confused.
"Listen…" Shane let out a breath. "The only reason I'm tolerated in the Galaxy Rangers is because I'm considered too valuable. Until recently they made me hunt down renegade Supertroopers. When I didn't bring any in, they thawed out an insane Supertrooper to hunt them down. Do you understand what I'm saying? They won't care if you're sane or not."
"I'm a failed experiment that is supposed to be dead," Noah caught on. "I must be careful. I understand."
"It's best that you stay with Niko," Shane explained. "If you stay around me too long it might be a threat to your survival."
"I still say you are being paranoid," Ariel sighed. "But in this case I understand it. All right Noah, you be good. All right? Try not to get into too much trouble."
"I will be fine," Noah said, embarrassed as she hugged him. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"It was my pleasure," Ariel smiled. Then teleported away.
"I'll never get over how she does that," Zach remarked.
"Ranger Niko I need to…" Walsh began as he walked into the room. "Who is that?"
"Commander Walsh this is Noah," Niko said quickly. "He's from Xanadu as well. He's going to stay with me for a little while as part of a mentoring program."
"I see," Walsh gave Noah a careful look. "This won't be affecting your duties will it Ranger Niko?"
Something made Noah stand straighter, stiffer. "I will not be a nuisance nor will my presence impact her performance, Sir!" Noah said. "I will obey regulations, Sir!"
Walsh seemed almost taken aback. "I see…" Walsh said. "Very well. I see no harm in you watching the child for a while."
"I am not a child, Sir!" Noah said quickly. "I am a…" Then he stopped, realizing that he almost gave away his secret within the first minute of being there. "I am a student of Ariel, Sir!"
"Rather well trained isn't he?" Doc said jokingly.
"He's been studying a bit about military protocol," Niko said quickly. "He wants to behave properly while he's here."
"I see…" Commander Walsh raised an eyebrow. "Ranger Niko I wanted to ask you if you would take the early patrol tomorrow with Harford. However if you're busy with your pupil…"
"Uh I can watch the kid with Goose," Zach said quickly. "It's no trouble. We only have some light paperwork tomorrow."
"Very well," Walsh nodded. He gave Noah a look. Shane cringed inside when Noah immediately snapped to attention and saluted. "Carry on." He left the room.
"What the hell was that?" Zach was stunned. "I've seen drill sergeants act more relaxed than that."
"Yeah you almost got your goose and our Goose cooked!" Doc said.
"I'm sorry I just…" Noah was shocked. "I just couldn't help myself. I don't know why I acted like that. It was like I was compelled to act that way."
"It's the conditioning…" Shane realized. "Subconsciously you're still…It's all right. I behaved like that too when I was first out of…When I first became a Galaxy Ranger."
"You mean whenever he's around Commander Walsh he's gonna…?" Doc began.
"We'll just have to keep his contact with him to a minimum," Niko said. "But Noah, remember you're from a peaceful world. A world that doesn't have military regulations."
"I'll try to remember that," Noah let out an annoyed breath. "Wait…Why was it him that I reacted to that way? Why…?"
"I guess it was because he was a commanding officer," Shane said.
But something in the way he said it didn't satisfy Noah. "Why do I have the feeling you are hiding information? You do know another reason why I reacted like that don't you?"
"Goose…" Zach sighed.
"All right," Shane let out a breath. "Commander Walsh was in charge of the Supertrooper Project. Even from the test tube we were conditioned to obey his orders. You probably are reacting to your subconscious programming. He didn't know about your…situation. He was told that you were no longer viable. That's how you were stolen and transported to that lab."
"I see," Noah nodded. "That makes sense now."
Zach was about to suggest something else but Shane stopped him. "We'd better get back to work. Niko…You'll watch him right? Until morning?"
"No problem," Niko said. "The couch has a fold up bed in it. He can sleep on that."
Shane nodded and left. Doc and Zach gave Niko a look that meant: We'll get to the bottom of this and went after him.
"Okay Gooseman, what's the real story here?" Doc asked after catching up to Shane.
"Come on Doc you saw what happened!" Shane said. "He almost gave himself away to Walsh and he didn't even remember everything! If he knew…"
"He'd be less likely to slip up again," Zach pointed out.
"Gooseman if I didn't know you better I'd say there was another reason that you're ashamed to tell us about," Doc raised an eyebrow.
"Well then you don't know me at all do you?" Shane barked and stormed away.
"Whoa, touchy," Doc blinked. "What is that all about?"
"I don't know. No one can ever figure out what goes on in Goose's head," Zach shook his head. "Not even Goose."
Noah spent half of his first night on Earth in a fitful state. In his dreams dozens of different shadowy images flitted back and forth through his mind. The cold of the cryo stasis chamber. Orders being barked. Images of young children fighting each other, being trained as soldiers. Commander Walsh giving orders. The feeling of annoyance as a small child followed him through a simulation, slowing him down. And another pair of green eyes staring at him.
The eyes shifted and the image of a golden scaled mermaid with long hair reached out to him. More images of pain and death. Of water washing over him. A military base that seemed so familiar.
Noah woke up covered in sweat.
"Noah? Are you all right?" Niko came out of her bedroom. "I sensed you were…"
"I'm fine," Noah sighed. "It's just…Nightmares. Nothing more. I'm all right."
Niko tried to get him to talk but he refused to share anything. She returned to her room and after a while Noah managed to get back to sleep.
Dreams are dreams. He told himself. They don't necessarily mean anything.
But some part of him didn't believe it.
The following morning after breakfast he went with Zach and Goose to the robo steed stables. "Maybe a good ride is what the kid needs?" Zach asked.
"You actually ride these things?" Noah blinked at all the robotic horses.
"Yes, my horse's name is Brutus and Goose's is Triton," Zach pointed the horses out to him.
There was something about that horse that fascinated Noah. "Triton…" The word rolled off his tongue.
Shane picked up on it. "Uh Zach maybe this isn't such a great idea?"
"Why? Oh…" Zach realized it as well. Noah was just staring at the robo steed.
"Triton…Triton…" The boy seemed to be in a trance. He felt as if he was on the verge of remembering something important but could not understand what.
"Uh Noah maybe…" Zach began.
"Captain Foxx! Goose!" A ranger shouted. "There's been another incident in Q-Ball's lab! Something about Bubblehead, Commander Walsh and peanut butter!"
"Oh for crying out…Come on!" Shane barked.
However Noah didn't follow them as they ran out. The two rangers were too distracted to notice at first. Noah just stared at Triton. Triton gave him a look. "Do not think you can ride me. Only Shane Gooseman can."
"I do not wish to ride you," Noah bristled. "I just…You interest me. I don't know why."
Triton accessed his sensors. "My sensors indicate you are very much like my rider, Shane Gooseman. You seem to be a Supertrooper like he is."
"Just don't say it aloud out here," Noah grunted. "What…What do you know about Goose? Can you tell me about him?"
"I thought you said you were a friend of his?"
"I am. It's just…He's so distant from me," Noah frowned. "Not that he's afraid of me. He's afraid for me. I suppose being a Supertrooper too he doesn't want to see me frozen again. But then why…"
He heard someone coming. Two Rangers sauntered into the stables and saw him. "What do we have here, Sanders?" One of the men sneered.
"It's that blue haired alien brat Niko's babysitting, Ares," The one called Sanders snickered.
"Bad enough we already got mutant freaks and aliens running around here," Ares growled. "Hit the road freak!"
"I'm not bothering you!" Noah growled.
"Yeah you are…" Ares snarled. He reached out to grab the boy. Without thinking Noah pulled a maneuver that soon found Ares on the floor. "Why you little…"
"Why I'll teach him some manners!" He grabbed Noah.
"Let me go!" Noah shouted.
"I'll let you go all right! Into…" Sanders began when suddenly he was knocked down from behind. Triton had broken out of his stable and went to help Noah.
"Are you all right?" Triton asked.
"Fine," Noah said.
"Why you stuck up tin can…" Ares pulled out a blaster.
"Get on my back!" Triton shouted as Ares fired.
"But you said…" Noah yelled.
"Just do it! I can override my programming in emergencies…" Triton shouted. Noah grabbed on and barely managed to hang on while Triton galloped out of the stable. The next thing Noah knew he was riding along the canyons and valleys near BETA Mountain.
Noah could not believe how beautiful the wild was around him. He felt free and wild as he rode Triton. Suddenly Triton began to buck and Noah fell off startled. He fell down a hill and the next thing he knew everything went black.
"Triton you're only supposed to let me ride you!" Shane's voice was heard as Noah regained consciousness. "How could you simply just decide to let him do it?"
"He did not reprogram me if that is what you are accusing," Triton said. "I'm not really sure why. I just felt like I could override my programming. Besides there was not exactly any other solution to the situation other than attacking Captain Ares."
"I suppose not," Shane let out a breath. "You awake kid?"
"Yeah…" Noah sat up. "What happened?"
"Triton's programming kicked in and knocked you out," Shane looked ticked off. "Noah why didn't you come with I when I told you to?"
"I didn't hear you," Noah said. "Why didn't you notice that I wasn't going with you?"
"You always have to have an answer don't you?" Shane grumbled.
"It was not my idea to take a joyride!" Noah protested. "Those two Rangers attacked me for no reason!"
"Don't worry about them," Shane said. "As we speak Commander Walsh is tearing them a new one."
"A new what?" Noah asked.
"A new…Uh, never mind," Shane waved. "Niko would probably kill me if I told you. Let's just say it'll be a while before they do that again. But still you shouldn't have stayed alone. I knew this was a mistake."
"Because you hate being around me?" Noah asked.
"I don't hate you," Shane said softly. "I just don't want to be the one to ruin your life. I'm a threat to you."
"If that is true then why did you bother saving me?" Noah asked. "You know what I think? I think you've been around these humans so long you doubt yourself and what you are."
"I can't deny that," Shane said. "Come on, get on my back. I'll carry you up."
"I can do it myself!" Noah protested, trying not to wince in pain. "Ow!"
"You twisted your ankle didn't you?" Shane asked. "I'll help you."
"I said I can do it myself!" Noah snapped.
"No, you can't," Shane said. "I'm carrying you and that's final."
"You can't order me about!"
"Yes I can, because I'm bigger than you are! Just get on!" Shane grabbed him and helped him on his back. "Now hold on!"
"This is ridiculous," Noah muttered. He picked up Shane's scent as he was carried. He felt something trigger inside him.
"Noah? You okay?" Shane asked.
"Something about all this…It's so familiar…Like it's happened before…" Noah said softly.
He closed his eyes and was assaulted with an image. No. A memory.
A jungle terrain. Two boys walking through it. "Why did I have to get paired up with you?" The older blue haired boy in full battle gear snapped at the five year old blonde haired boy behind him. "I can't waste my time looking after your butt every hour of the day!"
"Sorry Triton!" The five year old boy with green eyes apologized as he tried to carry a backpack that was too heavy for him.
"We should have caught up to the others hours ago!" Triton groaned. "That's it! I'm not wasting any more time! I'm gonna have to carry you!"
"I don't need to be carried! I'm not a baby!" The younger boy protested.
"Shane Gooseman don't argue with me! I'm carrying you and that's final!" Triton snapped.
"I can do it myself!" Little Shane protested.
"No, you can't!" Triton snapped.
"Can't make me," Little Shane pouted.
"Oh yes I can! I'm your superior officer and you have to do what I tell you! Besides," Triton smirked. "I'm bigger than you are!"
"You won't always be!" Little Shane barked.
"Well I am now and that's all that matters!" Triton playfully tapped the younger boy on the forehead. "Now shut up and get on my back."
"Okay," Little Shane reluctantly climbed on.
"Finally…" Triton grunted with the weight but was able to still run with the boy and the backpack on him. "Just hang on. We'll catch up to the others in no time…"
"I…I remember now…" Noah whispered. A tidal wave of memories hit him. "Shane…?"
Shane stopped and let Noah slide down. "Noah?"
"No…Not Noah…Triton…I'm Triton and I'm a Supertrooper from Wolf Den! I remember now!" He wobbly stood on his feet, staring at him in horror. "Goose you're….And I…HOW LONG WAS I FROZEN IN THERE?"
"A long time," Shane sighed.
"Exactly how long is a long time?" Noah snapped.
"About fourteen years," Shane said softly.
"Fourteen years?" Noah gasped. "You were only seven when…That makes you…"
"Yeah…" Shane said sadly. "I told you that you wouldn't always be bigger than me."
"Is he all right?" Triton walked over to them.
"Yeah Triton he's…" Shane began.
"Wait…You named your horse Triton after me?" Noah was stunned. He was trying to wrap his head around the situation in a tactical manner as he had been trained to many years ago. "Hold it! You knew! You knew and you wanted to hide…."
"I'm sorry," Shane sighed. "I should have told you but…I thought you were better off not knowing. Not remembering the hard life you once had. And…I wouldn't ruin your life again."
"Again?" Noah asked. "What do you mean by again?"
"I know you weren't happy about babysitting me as a kid," Shane said. "I slowed you down. I just didn't want to be a burden again."
"I did call you a burden didn't I?" Noah sighed. "I never really meant it. Most of the time. You weren't that bad…I…I can't believe you're grown up and I…"
"I guess you're not the only one who's changed," Shane said.
"Is that the real reason why you didn't want to tell me the truth?" Noah asked.
"Part of it," Shane let out a breath. "The other part is…I really am nothing but trouble to other Supertroopers. No matter how hard I try all I bring about is destruction."
"Why do you say that?" Noah asked.
"It's a long story…" Shane sighed.
"Then tell me," Noah looked him in the eyes. "Or better yet, show me."
Shane debated for a moment. "You're not going to like what you find in there."
"I don't expect to. Just let me in. I need to know your side of the story. All of it."
"All right," Shane let a deep breath. "Just be…careful in there. I've had a few bad experiences with telepaths lately."
Noah nodded. He slowly delved deep into Shane's mind and memories. The story of what happened with Shane during Wolf Den's training. Max, the genetic enhancer…Wheiner and the disaster with X-Factor. Shane being alone and struggling to find a place for himself. Entering the Ranger Academy and being forced to become a bounty hunter on his own kind. His battles with Kilbane and the other Supertroopers. His friendship with Niko, Zach and Doc. The battles he had been in. The hardships he suffered. The joys of his life. Changing into different forms. Falling in love with Niko. His first meeting with Cheyenne and the discovery of others of his kind. His capture and torture by the Queen of the Crown. Getting rescued and discovering his healing ability.
These images and memories stirred quickly until Noah broke off the contact. "I think you get the picture," Shane took in a breath.
"You've…Experienced a lot," Noah said.
"Understatement of the year," Shane groaned.
"It's all become clear now," Noah thought. "Wolf Den…What Wheiner did…What you did…No wonder you're afraid of hurting me."
"I'm not going to apologize for what happened at Wolf Den," Shane said. "I got over that. It's after Wolf Den that bothers me. What I did to Stingray…"
"Was a calculated risk," Noah interrupted. "You had no choice but to try that. It's not your fault completely. Maybe if you had some real training in your…new talent. But…Even then there was no guarantee it would work anyway. It's your emotions for Darkstar that are clouding your judgment. You always did have a soft spot for her."
"Look it's just…" Shane let out a breath. "I lost you once before. I don't want to lose you again. Or anyone else. Triton I…"
"Yes?" The horse spoke.
"Not you," Shane said. "I meant…"
"It's all right Goose," Noah stopped him. "I'm not…I've changed. I can feel it inside. I'm not Triton anymore. I'm Noah. Call me that."
"Right," Shane nodded. "Look Noah, you protected me when I needed you. And now it's my turn to repay the favor. Okay?"
"I'm not totally dependent," Noah raised an eyebrow. "I can protect myself but…I see what you mean."
"Well I am bigger than you now," Shane smirked. "And stronger…"
"You're enjoying my predicament aren't you?" Noah growled.
"A little," Shane admitted. "But I admit it's nice to have you back in my life."
"It's not so bad having you back," Noah smirked. "Now that I remember everything. Of course I could have done without remembering some of our training incidents. Particularly the flame thrower incident with Kilbane."
"I remember that," Shane chuckled. "Kilbane put half the team in the infirmary for a week and he spent two in the stockade!"
Noah smirked. "Wait…I remember from our mind sharing…"
"There's a clone of Kilbane, his name is Ryder," Shane nodded. "But don't worry. He's not half as arrogant as the original. He's a pretty good kid. He really cares about his sisters because they've been through so much together."
"And Cheyenne…" Noah said. "I think she's calling me. I want to see her."
"I think I can arrange that," Shane smiled. "Just remember we have to be careful who we talk to and trust. It's dangerous for you to be here."
"We're Supertroopers, Goose," Noah gave him a look. "Our lives are always in danger from the moment we're decanted. We live for danger. We thrive in it. I taught you that."
"You did," Shane smiled. "We'd better get back."
"All right," Noah nodded. He let Shane help him up on Triton. "I'm not angry at you now that I remember everything, Goose. After getting a glimpse into your deranged mind I know you were just trying to protect me."
"But I should have trusted you," Shane let out a breath. "It's hard to get rid of old habits. That's another reason I thought you were better off not remembering."
"Good plan but it didn't work. My body remembered my training even if my brain didn't…" Noah said.
"Are you going to be all right?" Shane asked.
"I'm still a little disturbed by all this…" Noah said. "But I'll adapt and adjust. That's what a Supertrooper does. That's what you did. For what it's worth Goose I'm…Impressed on how you grew up."
"Thanks," Shane smiled. "That means a lot to me."
"Perhaps we've both gone soft?" Noah sighed. "I don't remember being this...emotional. Or tolerant."
"You get used to it," Shane smiled. "Let's go home."
It was strange. Even though Noah was forced to keep his past a secret he felt comfortable with his new identity.
This place was dangerous and one slip could cost him his life.
He was just as much an outcast here as on Xanadu. Maybe even more.
But it was home.
And that suited Noah just fine.
