Chapter 4

Third POV

When they reached the ship the latter was thrown over the railing so that one by one they could board the ship. Green and Burk went up first before gesturing for the next one to climb aboard.

Tex climbed up the ship and was helped over the railing. The first thing he saw was that almost everyone he knew were on deck along with the CO, XO and Master Chief. He gave them his famous smirk before looking back down to see Angel climbing the ladder. He held his hand out to help her get on which she refused while giving him a look that said 'Does it look like I need help?'. He knew she was just playing with him.

Tom and Mike walked towards Tex and the lady that had come aboard after him. They thought that it was just the two of them until he heard Burk call out for the next to come up. Tom and Mike both knew that they wouldn't normally call out if it was for the crew. They looked at each other and then at Tex, whom wore a smirk on his face.

''My dear friends I would like to reunite you with someone close to us'' he said towards the crew. Tom knew it wasn't Kara, otherwise Green would have looked a lot happier. He couldn't think of someone else other than Kathleen.

Then they saw her. The one they all thought was dead. The one they needed the most at this moment. To find a cure against the green mist. They all thought Doc Rios had to do it on his own. They hadn't had much hope, until they saw her coming aboard. Doctor Rachel Scott. As if she has risen from the death.

The moment she set foot on the Nathan James she felt safe. She knew that they would protect her. And she was happy to finally be reunited with a crew that in the short time she had lived with had become dear to her. They had become family to her.

She looked up at Tom and Mike, both looking at her in shock. She walked towards them and stopped. ''Tom, Mike it is so good to see you again.'' She said with a warm hearted smile on her face. The next thing she knew Mike pulled her into an hug. Shocking herself and some of the crew. They all knew that the XO almost never showed any emotion. When he let her go Tom also pulled her into a hug. ''You're alive'' he whispered so soft in her ear that she almost didn't hear him.

A few moments later Wolf, whom stood next to Angel, coughed to get their attention. ''Caption, XO when we came upon them we not only found Tex and Doctor Scott. This young lady was with them. She is a trained SEAL'' Wolf started to introduce her to his superiors when the lady talked about interrupted him. ''The name is Angel Landloft. As said trained SEAL, more specifically former lieutenant of my own SEAL team.''

Tom shook her hand ''The name is Tom Chandler CNO, currently acting Captain on the Nathan James. This is Mike Slattery CO of the James, but since I am here XO. '' he introduced him and Mike to her. They both shook her hand. ''Ohh I know who you are. if I didn't I must have lived under a rock for the last few months'' she chuckled which put everyone at ease.

Tex put her arm around her. ''Rachel and I came upon her and her brother, Tristan, when we were on our way to St. Louis. But they warned us not to go there. To keep it short things are not going well at the moment in the government. We will tell you the whole story later.'' Tex told them with concern on his face. ''I also recommend if it is possible for Lieutenant Green to be there, because we also know the whereabouts of Kara'' he finished.

The last bit catching Danny's attention. He had hoped that she would be there when they found Tex, but unfortunately she wasn't. He didn't know what to expect, but he trusted that if it was bad Tex would have told him immediately.

Sometime later they all gathered in the wardroom, they consisting of Tom and Mike including the tactical team and Angel, Tex and Rachel.

They all sat down and Tom and Mike looked towards Angel and Tex. Tex gestured towards Angel to start talking.

She cleared her throat. ''My brother and I lived around St. Louis for a while, before we saw the changes they were making. I for a short time had a job as security there, so here and there I heard some inside information. We left the moment we heard that they were closing all the regional borders. Ever since than my brother and I have been on the run. I had a military contact within, but I haven't heard from her in over a month so I assumed the worst. Or that she did the same as Kara Green.''

When she said that last part that was what got Danny's attention. He looked at her with hope in his eyes. She gave him a small smile. ''Kara got out of there from what I heard and that's when we met up with her, the president and some reporter named Jacob. At the moment they are with my brother Tristan. They plan on keeping cover, since president Oliver is with them.'' She explained.

''We haven't heard from them since we went silent. We also won't be able to contact them.'' Tex told them. ''But believe me when I say that they have an mean operator on their team with Tristan. Not to mention this lady over here. The stories they told me and to see them fight. Wolf I think you got some competition here'' Tex joked at the end keeping the conversation light, since it was sure bad news that they told them.

Angel smiled at Tex compliment. It had only been a short time since they met. But she was grateful. She could feel the warmness, the feeling that they would fight together. He may not be Navy, Army or any of that, but he is a soldier at heart. She knew the moment they met.

''But the main reason we are here is simple. Keeping Rachel on land wasn't going to work.'' The CO and XO were ready to interrupt Angel, but she didn't let them. ''I know what you're thinking. Bringing her here is a risk itself. But given the circumstances that they don't know where she is. They don't know that she is here, ready to work on a cure. Is an advantage for us. I will take the blame, after all is was Kara's and mine idea'' Angel concluded with an hard look on her face. Ready to take responsibility.

Tex looked like he was about to protest, but Rachel beat it to him. ''I don't think there is the need. If I remember the most important thing at the moment is that I am here and can work with Doctor Rios.'' She said with an stern face.

The commanders looked at each other for a few moments, having what looked like a silent conversation. ''We are indeed happy to see you alive and well. And if you want to you can start as soon as you wish in the lab with doc Rios.'' Tom said while looking at Rachel, before turning to Tex ''I hope you will take your place back on the team?'' he asked.

Tex immediately nodded. ''Of course commodore! You know I am not one to back out a bit of action'' he answered with an wink directed at the Tac team. Whom chuckled to themselves. Happy that a friend of them was back.

Finally Tom turned to Angel, which she immediately noticed and sat up a bit straighter. ''We would like you to join us on our mission. I see that doctor Scott and Tex trust you which is enough for us.'' he started. ''you will train with the tac team and starting today. As we would like to see your abilities.'' He finished.

Angel nodded. ''It would be an honour. And I have nothing against a bit of sparring'' she said with an grin before adding ''If you're short an engineer just say it and I will help. Started my career as engineer like my mother.''

''Damn woman what more can you do?!'' Tex exclaimed with a surprised look. The rest of them had the same look on their face. It wasn't common for someone to be an engineer and a tac leader. After all it are two very different jobs.

They discussed some other things, before each went on their own way. Tex going to his old bunk which he shared with Danny. And Wolf would show Angel her new bunk.

What was going to happen next? Where would this adventure bring them? And whom will die?