We held our breath when the clouds began to form

But you were lost in the beating of the storm

And in the end we were made to be apart

In separate chambers of the human heart

Neither of the regular humans could tell much difference between things. Or other human beings or whatever beings in general.

It was some sort of natural flaw within. And many times Nate has witnessed this flaw to land upon himself. He always could slip inside places he wasn't supposed to be or be somewhere it seemed everyone knew him except they didn't really.

It took him seven days to figure out there possibly was a guy who was looking close enough alike for this combine with the fluke of humanity and he was accepted. That was one of things he hoped to rely on when he will go in.

And so far everything seemed to go smooth on both camps. The organizational part of the event holders was like a huge show with exceptional service portrayal and his part was like well oiled machinery of knickknacks. He knew his place on the main task and he knew what his personal agenda was. Yet he missed key part in this whole thing by a mile. There still had to be loads of transportation issues to solve and manage. But so far it only touched the meals and dance halls to be sorted out as the washrooms and where and what was supposed to say what and why that crowd was to stand beside this art and the other crowd to some other artsy shit.

Do you know what's worth fighting for

When it's not worth dying for?

Nate spend so much time going over the blueprints of the building and some fresher scans he managed by himself to know the inside of it and he even made routes to fit any situation possible. He just had to herd some shit and then grab more and disappear into the darkness.

It took seven days of almost constant nebulizer action before Nate realized he had no actual clue of what he was supposed to do. And now was too late. He'll have to improvise and possibly die to make everything happen.

He was the escape unit, the runway pod. His job was to get specific crafts and wait up for the gang springing out with shinies and lead the way out.

He was ready mentally. With every single detail he could face with in mind Nate knew initially he'd be capable to get them away even if he skimmed off some secret plan Roland strictly said no to. Just had to see from afar the continued preparations and possibilities of something changed or added so he was still sitting opposite side of the street and watching over.

Like humanly possible he used all his patience to maintain the position so he stayed invisible and free. And he manned it out day by day.

It was very last week. It was passing by in a slow manner and he wasn't much far from being done with the job for long time. But something felt like he also might fall victim to his own greed and need and the whole thing could go poof.

Which was jarring thought to have when stakes were so high.

Nate also was fighting the longing sensation that never left him. It's origins were more than clear but he wasn't going to lay his cards on the table yet. Of course the Gala will host major amounts of people and most of them will know the thief and they will not be pleased. He risked security throwing him out if they saw him sneaking around and even arrest upon some hair pulled imaginary. They just could.

He tried to order himself to pull all that thinking away and concentrate on the important task. But while having to breathe through nebulizer for almost half an hour straight Nate had to also consider the worst case scenario. It wasn't just him alone, Roland's team of knickknacks also was to count in on unpredictable. He didn't even know any of them. All he ever cared was the good money for his service that supported his medical bills and left over but for food or meds. He cared less for anything else.

Does it take your breath away

And you feel yourself suffocating

Does the pain weigh out the pride?

Aside the only person left in his life he couldn't care less. Noel.

While pretty fierce and distant in appearance in later years he used to be pretty much wildest flower in their bunch. Even by Samara's standards. Well Nate wasn't a mop either. He valued his wilderness to a level rarely witnessed in humans and honed the skill. Whenever they came from had never left them.

As the saying went about not getting the place you come from out of your blood.

Pretty much most accurate thing in his life.

But it wasn't just Samara. River was one of them too. She was like little sister for them but something bad happened and she was no longer there.

And if that would be all.

Mara. Another girl from their little camp. And one so full of dark she was feared among others. Gifted with dark power and mysterious nature she pretty much was somewhat far away from their little group and didn't bother them.

If only they would know.

The dark that was there was always like a shadow even years later. Nate felt it even now as he was sitting on his small mattress and breathing in the fumes the machine produced. Mara was force and she was incredibly independent. Also incredibly strong and full of some power he couldn't tell.

She was the one to cause the force field go off. He sensed her darkness lurking. And he knew she did it because they were about to steal something too much for them to deal with. But he saw her dark cloak fly past for a second before his brain frizzed out.

And this event was leaving him on edge all the time. Because for sure the Starfleet will attend and the government and military of all kinds. They will be there and they will have their eyes all over the place because half of the guests will be doubling as security detail or observation agents. It was drill especially in such happening.

The most important piece of the planet's social scene. Even more so after the Earth joined their colony.

Colonial systems had this tendency to over saturate the meaning of taking in more folks or even saving other planet inhabitants. It showed them in very pleasant light to all kinds of cosmic federations and some would possibly strike up some deal.

Politics in the purest game of calculations.

Nate knew the planet will throw every labor and penny to this and involve anyone that has any idea to help out. Like now the catering company.

There was this lady who commanded many men in what order they should go in and distribute the meals and snacks and what was important to make on the location as not all foods will be brought in ready.

The man had spent long time observing the caterers debating over details and he could tell the woman held her ground well and fought for her plan and generally did amazing organization work.

So far she was mostly the only organizer he'd seen. There were a host somewhere that sometimes came up and asked something but from the looks she was main event planner or at least food part. He strained to see any other planner staff or maybe another host but they didn't come from the side he was perched.

The problem was he couldn't really see the building from the other side. There was another building close next but it was secured and locked down. He could do his Shadow stuff but it was big risk now that he had some days left and he saved the energy for the big day.

With a sigh the young man stared at himself in the tiny mirror on the stool next to his mattress. The piercing blue eyes stared back at him and the man stared back. Everyone told him his eye color was incredible. He just shrugged in response.

The tousled long-ish dark hair had some tangles but mainly consisted of impressive curls that made him look almost aristocratic.

And being honest he couldn't deny that he looked good for a trash. Which he knew he was. He could've been some respected folk instead he jumped to crime and now had to fight for his own life by committing said crime. So trash he was.

Just for a moment there he saw the woman meeting up with a man in a suit. Husband most likely, judging by the kisses and smiles. The man was also good looking and while the suit lacked particular style points still wasn't too bad. Neat looking and holding his stance. Sure he screamed government. Probably some military or law enforcement person if the certain bulge by his side was to suggest something.

But he was too civilian looking so most likely some agency of law enforcement because military usually were more stiff and carried themselves in a very specific way.

Each agency held their own unique way of stance and general appearance. Like certain air of authority suddenly became palpable.

And he also was assigned a car of typical Earth household. Meaning they most likely belonged to the group that was siphoned off the failing planet some time ago. Earth had once held life now it was almost completely destroyed. But it was predicted millennia ago and for many years and decades people were preparing. They learned what their ancestors centuries ago knew. That there were life out there.

Well he knew that all along but seeing it was like actual proof.

Just as the saying about leopards and their spots. Or maybe they were tigers?

And you look for a place to hide

Did someone break your heart inside

You're in ruins