It was amazing how thorough Arthur was being with their plans. Alfred had never thought about cover stories or covering tracks, nah. He was just bold and ready to go full force. Maybe this was the balance, Arthur was the balance that he needed to go further in life. To get to where he needs to go - outside. It was happening. Really happening! Going outside, seeing with his eyes what the damage was, what he needed to educate people on, to let them know. The truth. Giddiness set in while they slipped out of the dorms, leaving Matthieu standing there with Kuma at his side. Although supportive, he was scared for his brother. They always planned on going to do this together, seeing his older brother go off with someone else for the first time, it left him anxious. Matthieu pulled at the hem of his sweatshirt before nodding to himself, he had to call the house and get an aid for right now. Protect the cover that Arthur and Alfred needed.

The duo walked up towards Alfred's dorm, it was daunting to see it as a worked over place, but they slipped in through the back. Alfred took a long hard look to Matthieu's bedroom, the door wide open, and the bed in shambles. Man, the reality of this all was hitting him a bit hard. Strangely enough there are no police or investigators in the house upon their arrival but there is a caution tape installed around the properly. Everything is the same inside the house, save for Matthieu's bed with both linens and blanket gone. The kidnappers really are in a hurry, they snatch the item without even checking if it's a real person or not. Alfred lead Arthur into his room - this is the very first time that he invited an Omega, aside from Matthieu and his father, inside his haven. It's a tad messy with his dirty clothes laying on the ground and some gadgets that can be found in the holoscreen commercials. Handheld toys, action figures, and books - surprisingly about the old world.

Interesting collection. Arthur thought as he run his fingers across the leather covering of the heavy books. Wondering if he could borrow a few if they ever come back alive.

Meanwhile, Alfred yanked out the travel pack. He tossed it on his bed, it was okay since the bedding was a mess from sleeping in it just a few night before. Then he kicked around a few items to get to his closet and began yanking out clothing, especially the nanofiber durability clothing he had in back. He stuffed them away, changed his clothing and began putting more items into the bag. Holochip batteries, spare hologlasses incase his breaks, a stuffed animal that he wrapped in a towel hoping it wouldn't be seen by the Omega (it was personal!).

Arthur wanted one of those bags, but it was rather expensive as it contain a certain material that can withstand an intense heat, cold and even water. Keeping the contents inside in the right temperature constantly. Quite useful if you're carrying perishables. Arthur opens the first bag to see what's inside and sure enough it is well organized by Matthieu. Yes, he can tell since a faint waft of scent greeted him. Besides, judging by Alfred's room, he's not the type who can organize a cabinet - let alone the items inside a bag at that matter.

"How long have you been hiding these?" First aid, pop tent, water filter, survival kit, blanket, sleeping bag, torch, and many others. Thankfully there's more space in the bag that was given to him and so Arthur proceed to moving his own items inside that bag instead. Alfred has his own with the same supplies, and he's now rummaging his wardrobe to get fresh clothes and other things he find important.

Once they were fully alset, Alfred pulled back and puffed out his chest. "Since I was thirteen!" but that was around the age of when they pick chosens. He had this planned for that long? "Mattie and I have always dreamed of the skies outside. Well.." He chuckled. "A bit more me than Mattie, he wants to study the history and reasoning."

"And your parents?"

"Well.. Hah, at first they think we've gone mad but eventually they let us do whatever we want, purchasing survival tools and stuffs. They thought we're just roleplaying since we're kids that time but really, we wanna explore and see the truth.. Your parents didn't let you - oh - right.."

"You're lucky you have a very supportive parents.. But do you really want to do this?"

"Arthur, like I told ya back in the dormitories, I'll follow you."

They gathered their items up and headed on out, Alfred letting Arthur lead their way to the 'vacation' they were heading towards.

Now with their backpacks on, they took a cab to the train station, just on time for their ride. There are few people taking the train as most of the residents are at home, keeping their family safe and waiting for the announcement as they tuned in the news. To avoid any suspicion, Arthur bought a first class ticket for the two of them to have their very own private cabin where they can comfortably relax throughout their travel. In the station they have their bags checked and the person who inspect it asked why they brought so much survival kit, a casual talk but it sure does cause Arthur's heart to raise. Arthur was quick enough to explain that he's new to camping and would like to experience it first hard with his fiancée, Alfred. "It's a celebration." Arthur added. "For our engagement." He smiled.

Alfred fell right into play, slipping an arm around his 'intended' with a huge smile. "Gotta please your mate, right?" He laughed brightly to cover up any suspicion and their story was bought, thankfully.

The baggage inspector even congratulate the two. With that settled, they quickly went inside the train and then into their cabin to escape any further questions from anyone. This would have been easy if Arthur is all alone but even though he refuse to admit it, he need Alfred's help.

"Just to let you know.. I want to live. Also, how in hell did you manage to get some blockers? Those are not sold in pharmacies for a reason.." They're all alone now, they can finally talk without worry. The doors automatically slide close and Arthur's mobile phone prompt that there were no microphone in their cabin. They sat on the comfortable seat, facing each other with their backpack next to them.

Alfred slouched in his seat and gazed out the window. "Of course ya wanna live! I do too, I gotta get back here and kick everyone's ass who tried to hurt my brother." Ah there it goes, Alfred's protection was overpowering sometimes, he even had a release of endorphins to go along with it, but he sucked in a breath through his nose to calm down.

"Once we get there and found out that we can actually.. Go out without expecting any health problems or aggressive monstrosity, we will head back to the capital and plan for our next step carefully. Perhaps bring more people with us to support our claim." If they can get back undetected that is.

"Mmm… Let's just say you're not the only one who can pal around DownTown… I also have the Capital to dance upon." He smirked. "They never even noticed."

Escaping the Dome take a lot of luck but returning without being spotted requires a miracle. Arthur is right though. If they want a longer exploration outside, they have to return and get the right equipment. Their supplies, tent and other things they have right now is not enough - if they wish to travel far, they need a car at least, air tank for emergency and more rations. Five days is enough. Including this day, they have four days left. At the fifth, they will sneak back again and assume that they do indeed came back from an adventurous vacation.

But getting out of the Dome, was it going to be this easy like Arthur had said before? Security might be laxed now, but what about later on? In a few days who isn't to say they increase it. They might come across the reason why those who step outside are never heard from again. Alfred's fists balled tightly at his side. No, right now he had a duty, a duty to science, and a duty to protect Arthur, and a duty to come back to his brother. "We're going to find the truth… We can build up the Earth again, we gotta give her a hand, clean up our fuckin' mess we left when we ran away to the dome to hide." He sighed some and looked over at the exhausted Omega.

"One step at a time. Alfred? I'll catch a few winks if you don't mind.."

"What?" Winks? Was he going flirting or something at a time like this?

"I said I'll take a quick nap."

"Oh… Yeah, go ahead and nap. I'll keep an eye out." He shifted in his own seat to relax. Not flirting then.

He does look tired and the injury on his forehead is still healing. Not fast like the Alphas but healing never the less and this requires a lot of energy. With lack of sleep, stress and worry, it's no wonder that the Briton look exhausted. With Alfred's permission, Arthur lay on this side on the long seat. He used the backpack as pillow and a forearm tuck under his head. He close his eyes and almost in an instant, his breathing went slow and his body relax as the train went on motion.

Alfred gaze on Arthur and took in what was there, sandy blonde hair that was messy, green eyes that were now closed, but eyelashes that touched his cheeks which were pale with a few… freckles? Were those freckles? Alfred leaned closer and confirmed it before leaning back. Interesting. Ah, there he had a cut too. That would take some time and energy to heal. Alfred opened up his pack and grabbed a band aid, leaned forward and stuck it lightly to the British Omega's forehead.

Their journey was only beginning, but Alfred couldn't help but wonder if there was ulterior motives for going outside the dome for this Omega before him. Surely Alfred could overpower him with ease, but Alfred was more interested in what was going on in his mind, what were his thoughts on everything happening in the dome, all the events, what to come and ways to prevent the collapse of their human society. Alfred believed there were others outside possibly. Able to live with Mother Earth, learning how to live as they did not only a few decades ago on the land, without a blister for protection. To be able to govern their own and not by one corrupt government, freedom.

Maybe they'll find a paradise waiting for them.

Maybe it will be hell and they could die.

But they needed to know.

On their way towards their destination, Alfred brushed up on plant facts, what plants are edible and what aren't. Wanting to make sure they were ready and safe. But as the time ticked down, Alfred's stomach churned with nerves. Arthur wasn't going to perch him outside and leave him - no no, he was going to go on his own before Alfred stopped him. Wait, what if that was all the plan?

"Tch-" Alfred held his head in his hands and sighed. It hurt a bit.

The moving of the vehicle, normally unfelt, felt like a rocket propelling him towards something that was growing more real by the second. Along with that came the growing fear. What if the outside was exactly as foretold, the horrors and extreme pain that could await them was startling.

Alfred's fingers gripped at his forehead, sinking nails into his flesh while he thought about the consequences that came with them deciding to embark on this experience. His stomach began to churn again and sent his head to spin some. Which definitely was not helping the headache that was continuing to throb. At this point he couldn't tell if it was from the attack earlier or if it was something else affecting it- maybe even stress. He sucked in a breath and tried to calm the nerves with some steady counting and even rubbing his temples, it was no use though.

"Arthur?" There was a hum from across the cart. Alfred looked up, Arthur was still asleep. Like a perfect doll, it was strange. He never really imagined people outside of the celebrities being so damn pretty, like, smooth skin, delicate eyebrows- no we already went through this not long ago. Although, it did feel strange that he was so focused on Arthur's physical attributes all of the sudden. Must be the neutralizer finally wearing off. Alfred hummed a little himself and leaned forward in his seat towards Arthur. they had neared their stop anyways, waking him now was a good idea. "Hey, Arthur.." He touched Arthur's cheek and instantly a pair of gorgeous green eyes were on him, boring against his skin.

Taking that as a hint to back off, Alfred pulled his hand back and settled in his seat. "We're almost there, but there was something I wanted to talk about.." Shit, this man was still tired and aside from the grumpy expression he was kind of cute while still sleepy. Alfred cleared his throat before going on again, "I was was wondering... what do we do if everything the government has been trying to tell us is true. I mean, it's a small probability, but there is still a slight chance. The acid rainfall, creatures that will attack, raging sandstorms, radiation, poisonous air molecules..." Alfred's excited face from earlier was not nowhere to be found in his feature. The man was terrified.

"What do we do, can we go home? What would we say? Where do we go from here..." Blue eyes gazed at the other, "Would you still be willing to be a friend, or are we just what this is... science, for the Earth.. for our people... What about the Omegas? Would you be in danger? Where would you go? Being a rebel still... What do we- what do I do?"


Gilbert is in complete shock as he watches the news unfold the real story. The number of casualties continue to increase as paramedics with their robo-medic assist them throughout the process. Law enforcers lead the civilians away from the scene and keep the crowd in control while others search for possible suspect of this shocking incident. He's with his friends at home when this happened and he's fully aware that his father went to the capital that early morning for a meeting.

"Zou can't go!" Francis tried again but this time, Gilbert is determined to head out there and look for his father. Ludwig is protecting an Omega he met at school whom he is certain to marry in the future. He can't leave his side now to help his older brother in search for their missing father. They tried contacting his mobile phone, his assistant, even his bodyguards but still to no avail.

"If something bad happens to him, I won't be able to forgive myself!" Antonio frown as he watch his best friend marches off but he quickly give chase right after he give Francis a knowing glance. The three of them will stick together no matter what, and will face any challenges together. With a heavy sigh, Francis reaches for his jacket then slip it on as he half-jog towards the exit door of the mansion.

"Mr. Gilbert, you're not suppose to be here." Gilbert and his friend took a cab just to get here then went on foot when the traffic is too much to endure. He had always kept that tracking device with him which was given by his father for emergency such as this one. Exactly like what the news showed, the area is filled with nothing but chaos. Mourning relatives, crying children that were separated from their parents and people, countless of people injured and asking for help. Gilbert's expression could not be painted at this point while his friends follow him with the same pained look on their faces.

"Where's vater?" He finally asks the bodyguard but he already knew the answer by just looking at the face of the man before him. However, he wanted to hear it, to confirm his guess and let the news sink into his very well being.

"Your father.. Sir..."


"Bruder." After Ludwig sent Feliciano home, he waited for his older brother in their house patiently. He would glance at the phone, hoping that it will ring to let him know that they're safe but as he stare outside through the window and watch the thick black clouds rising, he knew that there's something wrong. Especially now that his brother came back home alone and his face blank and eyes cold than ever.

"Luds.." By just hearing Gilbert's pained voice, the young man quickly took a few step forward to throw his arms around his older brother. Without hearing it, he knew, by the way Gilbert's shoulder shook and the warm tears cascade down to his cheek and then on Ludwig's shoulder. The young German knew that their father left the world and is now in a better place.


Arthur woke up from his nap but it wasn't enough to tame his foul mood. The stress is tearing his patience apart and his eagerness to see the real world didn't help. However, as soon as he heard Alfred's worry, it somehow tug a string inside him. Alfred may be strong, and smart but the worry and fear can get anyone, regardless of how powerful or influential they are.

"And if you're right, would you give up your research just because of what you've seen out there?" Arthur said with a firm voice while his eyes glued outside, observing the man-made forest as their train enter the forest zone of the Dome.

It was Arthur's understanding that suddenly brought Alfred back into his place. The Briton looked away from him, giving Alfred time to recover himself. He got too comfortable with Arthur, too… relaxed. Alfred was projected to marry someone else, no matter their connection or not. It was shameful for Alfred to show his weakness. Quietly he collected himself. "I was all set.. until things went to shit. I'm just worried… about my family's safety." Alfred confessed. That and he also never truly planned to come back, he was going to set up on the outside world, make a connection with Matthieu and send him back so that they could work from the outside and in the dome. Trying to fix and rebuild slowly. Seeing as Matthieu was not on this trip and the state of everything, they had to return sometime.

"We're the same.. You and I. Regardless of what we find outside, I will continue on with my research. I will revive the Earth even if I only have a zero-point-one percent success rate.. If I stop now, I have nothing else to do with my life. To be a normal person like everybody else with my very own family and mate - I can't imagine being content with that. I want to be more than just a breeder or a housewife. To contribute to this society, I wish to devote myself in restoring the world we live in rather than put more people in this world and drain what is left of this place."

"If the earth is really dead?"

The train slowly went to a stop and the person behind the comm announce that they have arrived to their destination and they will be advised to take the exit once the pressure has been stabilized. "If the world outside is indeed poisonous and can no longer support life, we'll head back and pretend that we know nothing. We tell no one as we continue on with our research until we find a perfect cure to reverse the damage. With our current technology, surely we can create a chemical that could cause a chain reaction, something that can eat up any harmful bacteria or neutralize the elements that drained down our planet's resources. With your intellect with mine, we can find something if we keep on pushing forward."

The comm announce that they can leave the train, all the while the door slides open automatically for their passengers. Arthur grab his pack then slip it on before he offer a hand to Alfred, who has yet to stand up and shake his worry off his system. "To keep it simple.. If you're still unsure what to do, just follow my lead until you find your very own path. I promised your brother that I will bring you back in one piece. As a gentleman, I never break promises."

If they found nothing, Alfred just felt like his dream would shatter, that everything would be mixed up and there would be no starting point for him anymore. It was a moment of hesitation with that realization, but Arthur was unusually steady for an Omega around a hesitant and concerned Alpha. Hopefully, Arthur could keep it up- but if he really did, could it mean that Arthur is also one whom was repelled and incompatible with Alfred? In a way that could be a good thing with the fact that Alfred have a mate waiting for him, however, it was a bit disheartening to Alfred to know that he held no full connection around another omega or beta, that his only healthy connections was his family.

He took Arthur's hand out of politeness and they left the car of the travel vehicle. The land was beautiful, fantastic really. Alfred looked around with wide eyes, taking in the wonders of the forested area, built by humans of course, but still breathtaking to him who usually kept in the city limits. Although, when he was younger, there was a school trip that took them out here to teach them about how trees and plants grow. It was always fascinating to him, which is probably why he was here now at this point in his life. In love with the living Earth and bringing her back to her former glory of everything.

The place is indeed empty, and there were no signs of any guards patrolling around. The locals are probably inside their homes, watching the telly with full anticipation for any news and update. If they want to slip out from the Dome, now is the right time to do it.

"There's no turning back. If you want to come with me, you have to put all your thoughts into this. Follow me if you wish, or stay if that's what you decide. I won't hold any grudge against you."

"I'll go with you. I'm already here, might as well go with a huge bang - I mean, not a huge boom or anythin', ya get what I mean?"

It's now or never. With a firm nod at the Alpha, Arthur walk deeper into the forest with his mobile phone showing a map. It's directing him to one of the door that will lead them to the exit.

Alfred lagged back a little. Arthur was right, if he had any hesitation it would be dangerous if Alfred went with him while like this. If he was upset or getting nervous, he could bother Arthur's own state. Become a danger to them if he wasn't up for fully taking care of Arthur- or looking out for. Alfred ran a leaf between his fingers, the smooth waxy skin seemed natural to him, even though he knew that it wasn't natural, theses were laboratory bred trees, the real ones were outside the dome. His gaze slid towards Arthur, noting the Briton moving carefully towards a denser area then vanishing behind some trees. With a look to his own hands, Alfred made his decision.

"No guards." Arthur whisper to himself as he stare down at his scanning device. It's rectangular in shape with an antenna on top of it. It's used to scan any body temperature, a heat detector device that was used during the war. Still used now but installed within the guard-bots. Speaking of guard-bots, they found none. Did they dispatch the bots into the Capital as well? Possible. The whole capital is in code red.

Carefully, Alfred followed Arthur, stepping over to the Briton's hiding place and squatting down with him. "How rare.. Do ya think they got dispatched somewhere?"

"They have yet to find the person responsible of the bombing, I'd take they lead the bots for a manhunt. This is good, we can slip through."

Arthur slowly approach the giant metallic door while ducked behind the bushes, just a few more pacing and he will reach the control panel when he suddenly thought about his family. About Alice, his older brother Alastair who is currently on duty when the blast occur. Then the twins - his mother.. His father. Arthur's movement lagged then went to a complete stop. He's hiding behind the tall grass but his eyes no longer locked at the door. There's worry on his feature and his heart beat wild within his chest. He wanted to give them a call, to know their situation but to do it now will only give off his location and render this mission over. He can't risk that - but.. Which one is important to him anyway? His family, or the world?

"Fuck me.." He muttered to himself after a painful thought but he drag himself out from the greens then went straight to the control panel after he pull up his hood to cover his face. His family will understand. For the sake of man-kind, he's willing to give up everything.

"Do you know how to get past it?" But Arthur was already hard at work. Instead of continually bothering him, Alfred looked around behind them instead, keeping a watchful eye out for anyone suspicious or anything like watch-bots. Oddly, there wasn't any of those either. They really did evacuate this area- how did Arthur know that was going to happen? He looked over to Arthur, that explosion, could it have been a part of the rebels and Arthur knew about it?

No, Arthur's goals included helping people and not hurting the general public, why would he allow such a thing to happen, especially while they were in the area. They had both gotten hurt as well. Alfred shook his head to chase the thoughts.

The Alpha remain quiet throughout the process, thankfully. Arthur used a universal key to unlock the door. He went through a lot of trouble to get acquire it but worth the wait and resources invested. It took awhile for the key to find the right code but it did the work. Both heard the metallic door unhinge with the sound of air pressure following.

"Shit.. you actually did it."

"This is it."

Slowly the door opened, and without a glance, both Alfred and Arthur jetted in and closed the door behind them, so not to be caught in the system alert of the door being opened. "Wait, a room? I thought it's the outside-"

"It's where they keep the suits. We'll have to go through the vacuum and then out." Arthur made a beeline for one of the lockers to pull out two hazmat suits, opens a drawer for two full face mask, and then oxygen tanks from the other room as if he knows this place, like walking about in his own bedroom.

"How'd you know all of-"

"Long story, I'll tell you later. Now hurry, Victoria can't block the cameras too long."

Alfred looked up and sure enough there are cameras around the room. "Who exactly are yo-"

"Someone who you shouldn't have trusted. Alfred, I can't tell you everything right now, we only have 10 minutes! But I assure you I'm doing this for everyone. Do you want to back out? I'll open that door for you and have you walk away."

Alfred press his lips to a thin line. Arthur is a one huge mystery to him and Alfred probably have himself thrown into an unknown danger but he can't just back out now. He wanted to see the world outside, to know the truth, to be free from all the lies and most of all, know about Arthur. With a groan, getting frustrated, he grab the hazmat from Arthur's hand. "Fuck it, let's do this but once we're out and breathin', you owe me an answer."

"IF we're breathing."

"I'm good with CPR." Alfred puts on the hazmat suit. "I'll make ya breathe."

"I rather die than receive CPR, thank you."