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Chapter 2: Strange Reunions
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"Too slow Sasuke! Come on, already!" Sasuke ran after his guard at the lush beaches of the resort world, Tyrador IX. It had been Sasuke's promotion to Brigadier General, a rank that was awarded to him for capturing the leader of a large smuggling ring within the confederate core worlds. And so the Uchihas were spending their time at the Elsecaro, basking in it its pristine emerald beaches and enjoying its exotic foods.
Along with a contingent of the Uchiha's elite, the aristocracies from their clan have descended upon the core world's luxurious resort destinations. And Sasuke didn't regretted it one bit. The warm white sandy shores were a treat on his tired feet as they slowly made contact with the cool pure waters; his bare white chest kissed slightly by the planet's star as he ran after the tanned man.
"Wait up, Naruto!" A warm smile was on the general's face as he took in the sight of his lover. Though they weren't public yet, Sasuke's family at least knew of the two's budding relationship. Though the concern for heirs have been brought up multiple times before, terran technology have advanced well enough that his parents thankfully didn't push for a female partner. If children will be brought up again, there's always artificial insemination at the confederate gene clinics that they can avail of.
So Sasuke and Itachi were left alone to choose their partners regardless of genders. And they were pretty open about their partners, too. Kissing them, holding hands with them, in public was no big deal, even when confederate laws were still strict on the issue of marriage. Marriage in the eyes of confederate laws have always been purely a political affair, and so the customs of old prohibiting the union of same sex was never tampered.
Though Sasuke and Naruto paid it no mind. They were content to live their lives together. As long as they have each other, they're content.
"Got you!" Sasuke hugged Naruto from behind as he finally caught up to the tanned marine. Naruto grinned mischievously and slipped away from the man's hold before splashing him with the beach's cool and clear water.
"Oh no you don't, teme!" Naruto's laughter rang through the air as he ran away from Sasuke again. "You can't catch me!"
"You should be catching me, dobe. I already caught you." Sasuke rolled his eyes, a playful smile was still on his face, but nonetheless came after his guard.
"Haha! Slowpoke!" Naruto turned around only to have his lips caught by Sasuke's lips. Naruto's eyes widened in surprises but leaned into the kiss, anyway, deepening it as his strong arms made their way up Sasuke's neck and pulled him closer.
"You taste good, Naruto." Naruto grinned as he pulled away from his pale lover, out of breath but content. "So do you, S'ke!"
It was Naruto who captured Sasuke's lips this time and kissed the man deeply.
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Sasuke woke up with a jolt, a gloved hand touched his lips as the memory two years ago replayed in his mind. That had been one of the most memorable moments of their lives. And the kiss from so long ago still felt hot on his lips even until now. A soft sigh escaped Sasuke's lips as he stared at the picture on his desk.
A pair of electrical blue eyes and a huge grin looked back at him; the picture showing the face of his old lover with that shoulder length golden hair of his. It had been a year since their miraculous escape from Tarsonis and Sasuke still can't let go of his old lover, still hoping that maybe he'll find him somewhere, even when reports have told them how devastated Tarsonis really was after that attack.
At this time, much of the confederacy have been destroyed; hunted down by Mengsk's new Dominion or by space pirates, hired by enemies of old who held a grudge.
But Itachi had been smart. He knew that no system of power held forever. Even before the fall of Tarsonis, he had been clandestinely negotiating with the Umojan Protectorate, knowing that if a new power were to be formed at the expense of the confederacy, Umoja would be the only neutral party for an aristocrat to run to.
Though the Umojans weren't particularly fond of the aristocracy, it appeared that Itachi have found himself a lover among them, in the name of Shisui, giving him some leverage in arranging for the clan's settlement within the protectorate's political sphere.
And now they're at the edge of the Umojan capital, freely operating as a semi-independent body despite the collapse of the confederacy after the fall of Tarsonis.
That was how Sasuke was able to maintain command of his contingent of army, despite the newly established dominion rule. And even when the confederacy was no more, the Uchihas were still allowed their degree of autonomy, operating their own police force and fleets.
They barely survived the brutal attack of Tarsonis and had been reduced to contractual military service under the banner of the Umojan Protectorate just to maintain the lavish lifestyle that they were used to. And now with Mengsk in power, Itachi and his parents, too have been working to establish their presence in the good graces of the newly crowned emperor.
Naturally, Sasuke's army had been used a number of times since then, both at the service of the fledgling dominion and the Umojan protectorate against both Protoss and Zerg. They are in one of their assignments now, in a way operating both as an independent police force and a mercenary in the service of the aristocracy and Umoja's ruling party.
The Uchiha's penchant for the Sciences have also propelled them at the forefront of Umojan politics, and thus Sasuke and his men have been equipped with the best military firepower that the highly advanced government can offer. But because of their status, they are also left to deal with the more dangerous mission.
One of which includes the present.
"General Sasuke, the protoss advances to the east. It won't be long until they break through the Zerg's hive and then they'll march straight through the camp." They have just recently landed on Brontes IV in an assignment to aid the local government's Hammer Strike Force, a militia team formed by the local civilian authority to deal with the local Zerg threat and any terran outlaws in the area.
The camp that they're staying in was not yet fully established and they would have to abandon the mission if they are to survive. Sasuke gritted his teeth. He didn't want this mission to end in a failure. But if they run the risk of being overrun they will have to fail the mission and abandon the planet altogether.
"Are the Protoss engaging the Zerg troops?"
"Yes sir, they have been preoccupied with the Xenomorphs. But it would appear that the Zerg is winning. Either way, one will come after our camp after the battle. Our analysts have estimated that one side will eventually win out in a matter of three hours."
Sasuke groaned as he picked up the photo on his desk and cradled it to his chest.
I guess I'll have to resume my search for you later, Naruto.
"Prepare to move out captain. We'll be avoiding both the protoss and the Zerg if we can. I want this camp ready to move within two standard hours."
The captain's eyes widened.
"Sir… that's not just possible, sir."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "And why is that soldier?"
"Much of our equipment are still in disrepair following the attack from last night. Even our tanks are not equipped to defend us out in the open. We don't have enough vespene gas to lift off our command center either."
"Then buy enough time until we can harvest the necessary vespene to do so. Last time I checked, you are here to obey my orders soldier, not give me excuses."
"Of course sir. Our SCVs are already hard at work in the repairs. We'll still make it pretty close at the allotted time frame."
"Then prepare everything to evacuate this base. No pay is worth our lives, soldier. I'd rather this mission end in failure than us losing all our lives."
The captain merely nodded, completely aware of the predicament they're in. However, it turns out that their worries would not end there. The problem with estimates is, they are just estimates, not certainties. The conflict between Zerg and Protoss only lasted mere minutes rather than the predicted three hours. The Zerg force have overpowered the protoss far quicker than they can harvest their vespene and do the necessary repairs. Hence, Sasuke found himself staring at the advancing wave of Zerg upon his camp, and as if on cue, his computer sprang to life.
"ALERT, ZERG ORGANISMS ON APPROACH. EVACUATION PROCEDURES IS RECOMMENDED." The computer adjutant's voice rang through the general's office as it showed him the dots on his screen, signifying to him that a battle in the camp would be inevitable at the speed that the aliens are approaching.
"Captain, we won't make it will we?"
The captain gulped as he looked at the console and saw that the vespene required to fuel the command center is still at 50%. Even if they lift off now, they won't be able to get very far.
"Affirmative sir." Was the shaky and uncertain reply.
"Then what the hell are you waiting for! Battle stations, you fools! We might as well make a stand if we're trapped like rats anyway. "
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Adjutant, relay emergency defensive procedures to our men on the battlefield. It appears we can't avoid a fight this time." Sasuke said, turning to the computer this time.
"Order accepted. Disseminating directives to the front lines." The computer's voice again rang hollow as Sasuke rushed to his locker and pick out whatever weapon he can find. He rushed to his personal armory, hoping to don his CMC combat armor before the attack hits but he never made it.
Soon, the Zerg force was upon the command center. Distant gunfire could be heard through the office and Sasuke looked at his screen cursing at the situation he's found himself in. Is he to be trapped like a rat in this former confederate fringe world?
Sasuke was getting desperate. He shot at a Zergling and a Hydralisk that's coming after him. Now if he can just get to the space suit, he can probably make it. But no, more and more Zergling streamed in from the office entrance as the defenses outside gave way to the incoming attack, the tides of flesh and blades relentless against the small team of Umojan Marines and Uchiha Police manning the defenses.
Sasuke finally made his way to the armor room, a pair of Zergling hot on his heels as he shot back at the incoming attackers. He was about to don his armor when a new message rang through the PA system.
"ALERT! CLASS 11 PSIONIC WAVEFORM DETECTED. AN IDENTIFIABLE LIFE FORM IS INBOUND. CAUTION IS ADVISED."
Class 11? The highest in the psi-index is 10. What did it mean by class 11? Could it mean that a telepath is out there? What's more this telepath is beyond your typical ghost. Is it hostile? Sasuke had to punch a Zergling off of him as he was pinned down to the floor. Another one would have followed and so Sasuke closed his eyes in acceptance.
Thinking that this is his end, his mind drifted yet again to Naruto; his old lover. Sorry Naruto, it seems that I can't fulfill my promise to you. I'll probably die here unable to search for you.
But the sharp claws of the Zergling never reached him. He opened his eyes to see the Zergling tossed to the side, but his relief would be short-lived as a towering figure appeared before him. It occurred to Sasuke that this figure was the one who threw off the Zergling from him.
"General Sasuke, it's a miracle, a group of separate zerg force chased away the attacking zerg force. I know it sounds crazy but this new zerg force appears to be protecting the camp." The lieutenant's voice came through his communicator device.
Sasuke looked up to the towering figure before him and his eyes widened in recognition.
"No… it can't be."
He find himself staring into crimson red eyes, but the golden locks were unmistakable, along with the whiskered marks on the slightly ashen face. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the dark and hard wings protruding from the figure's back but said nothing.
"I've finally found you Sasuke." A huge grin appeared on the figure's face.
"Naruto!"
Sasuke ran up to hug the man but realized immediately that this is not the Naruto that he remembered. The figure before him is more muscular and taller, with armored carapace running rough his body.
"What happened to you? What have they done to you?"
"Relax Sasuke, I'm here to help you. I've sent my brood to attack the renegade zerg here. So maybe you can find a way to get your men to stop shooting at my little guys?" Sasuke was snapped out of his confusion, before understanding what Naruto's getting at, and he immediately ran to the console as he punched in some numbers and letters to be sent to every unit in the allowance.
"Adjutant, disseminate new friend or foe codes to all units."
"Command accepted. Disseminating new IFF codes to all units."
Sasuke turned around, to see Naruto breathe a sigh of relief.
"Now I can focus driving away the enemy's brood."
"Can we talk Naruto? I didn't expect to see you like this." Naruto just smiled. "On it Sasuke. In fact, I'm here to offer you an alliance, love." Naruto said as he sauntered nearer towards Sasuke.
"Or should I say, general?"
"Can the formalities, dobe. I'm… I don't know what to say to be honest. I'm just so happy to see you right now."
"You're lucky our goals are the same, teme. We'll talk later after I took care of the stragglers. There's still a few hostile brood members skulking in your camp."
Sasuke only nodded numbly. But he was far too relieved to be shocked at the appearance of his Naruto. He'll sort it out for later. For now, he have an army to command and a battle to win.
Plus
His lover had been returned to him.
Sasuke could only smile at the thought.
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A/N: My apologies for the length. I'll give it a better chapter next time. But I felt like it's okay to end here. As always, feel free to tell me what you like or don't that wek.