What's Behind the Curtain

Chapter 6

Reagan

I just have to say that is was Neyite who requested Sam, and boy, am I glad she did. For all of you Sam-haters out there, no, it's not the leprechaun, it's Sam Alexander. Neyite, I hope he's in character.

"Nova Prime, he's ready for departure,"

Nova Prime turned to look at the Nova Core soldier before her. "Yes."

"Okay! Uh...the location?"

She sighed. People were so incompetent these days. "If you didn't remember from when I told you, which was less than an HOUR ago, it is in the country America, Pennsylvania, in a town called Freedom. Our sources says they are heading to someone's residence, which is located in the suburbs of Freedom. Figure the rest out."

The soldier looked ready to bolt. "Thank you!" He ran off.

Nova Prime sure hoped this went well.

…

I watched the world go by as I stared out the windows of Peter's- uh, the car. The stolen car.

Before I knew it, we pulled into Madison's driveway.

"If I followed your directions right, and I did, so this should be your house," Rocket told Madison.

"Yeah, it is."

"Well, then whaddaya waitin' for? Get out!"

"Geez, you don't have to be so touchy about it," she grumbled.

Peter eyed Rocket. "You gonna do something?"

Rocket grinned. "Maybe...I'll see if this backwater planet actually has anything good to offer."

I exited quickly.

I thought of the billion ways Madison's family would freak out. None of them were good.

Madison rang the doorbell. Her mom answered.

The shock was written across her face as she saw five exhausted kids, including her daughter, and an adult who looked shockingly like Peter Quill.

Madison gulped. "I'm...home?"

…

"So let me get this straight...you crashed into their school?!" Madison's mom, who's name was Heather, was taking this better than I expected.

"Pretty much," Peter said, shrugging.

"Why?"

"Um...that information..."

"You could have killed us! Tell!" I elbowed him.

"Fine, fine...the Guardians and I are looking for an...item."

"What kind of item?" I inquired.

"I...shouldn't say. You know, there could be surveillance..."

"Stop stalling!" Pretty much everyone said.

"I'm serious!" But then he lowered his voice. "An...infinity stone."

Everybody except for me, Madison, and Katie looked puzzled. We just gasped. "OH MY GOD...how did you even know there was one hidden here?" I semi-yelled.

Peter shifted uncomfortably at the kitchen table. "I have my...actually, screw the act. I'm gonna be honest with you guys."

"Wait...you were lying about the infinity stone?" I cocked my head.

"Yeah... The real reason we came to Terra is because...well, it's kind of embarrassing...we had to crash land because we ran out of fuel..."

I cocked my head. "Why is that embarrassing?"

"I'm in charge of getting fuel when we stop to refuel. Last time, I, uh, got a little distracted..."

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure I know what he got distracted by.

"Okay...hey, does anyone else hear that noise...?" Madison pointed to the window.

We all strained our ears. I heard some sort of whooshing sound, and then a bang.

Peter froze. "No..."

"What?!" I asked in exasperation.

"I'm gonna go check that out..." Peter stood up and walked out of the house.

I heard shouts from outside, so I ran over to the window. I saw Peter arguing with some guy in a navy blue and yellow full-body suit with the Nova Corps symbol on it, and wearing a helmet with a red four-pointed star. He was hovering in the air, a blue glow surrounding him,which was probably not a good sign...

I vaguely recognized him...Nova, was it?

Time for me to intervene and possibly get myself killed!

"Hey!" I yelled at Nova. "You gotta problem?"

He took off his helmet and landed on the ground.

Oh...my...God...that is a...wonderful face... Snap out of it, me! The mystery boy had tan skin, black hair, and was wearing a Spider-Man t-shirt and cargo pants. I...wow...

"I...uh...was sent here to see the Guardians...what are you doing here? Why is a kid mixed up in this?"

I crossed my arms. "Look, whoever you are, I'm acting as Peter's…guide, in a sense. So whaddaya want with him?"

"Uh…Nova Corps asked…no, ordered me to come find you and ask you what the heck you're doing on Terra. So…what the heck are you doing on Terra?"

"Crash landed. Totally an accident. Hey, you got any spare parts?"

"Nope. Hey, kid, do you know who I am? If you don't, Pete's got a bad taste in sidekicks..."

A sidekick? You know, I've always wanted to be the sarcastic, cool, sidekick... "Yeah, I think so…uh…Nova, right? And I've got a name, you know! At least give me a cooler nickname than 'kid'!"

"What am I supposed to call you? Terran? Human? Person?"

He's so cute…I mean, "My name is Reagan."

"Cool." He grinned. "Sam. Sam Alexander."

"Hey! I know a kid named Sam!" He's not as wonderful as you, though, I thought.

"It's a common name. Which is why I also go by Nova. Super awesome code name, right?"

I giggle. "Yeah. Unlike Star-Dork over there."

Sam snorts. "Star-Dork. Nice name, dude."

Peter looked indignant. "It's Star-Lord."

"Way to be egotistical."

I smirk. "Burn!"

"Hey! Reagan, I thought you were on my side!"

Not anymore, Peter. I'm all his. "Nope. He's cooler than you. Seriously. You're, like, 80s Man, while he's Nova. Modern!"

"It's about time someone appreciated me. You guys have no idea how many times I've saved this planet!"

"80s Man conquers all!"

"No, he doesn't." Katie's voice came from Madison's front porch.

In unison, Sam and I shout, "Thank you!"

"Okay- Freddy conquers all!" Madison yells. It seems like our entire "gang" came out.

Andrew nods.

"All of you guys are so wrong. Nova conquers all!"

I point at Sam. "Jinx!"

He stuck his tongue out at me.

"When will you guys see reason? Loki conquers all. Plain and simple." Katie lifted her head.

(Hiddlestoners, stop screaming...)

I knit my eyebrows. "If all of you guys are real, then it's probably not best to mention Loki..."

"LOKILOKILOKILOKI!" Katie screamed repeatedly.

I rubbed my fingers to my temples. People.

"So...are you guys, like, a gang, or something? And if the answer is yes, I totally want in! I mean, at least I have a fangirl!"

Uh...yeah...I totally knew who you were before today...hehe...

"Yes. We are a gang. A super awesome one. No, you can't join." Peter crossed his arms decidely.

"What? No! Of course you can join! Please join!" I stared at Sam.

He pumped his fist. "Yes! So...what stuff do you do? And where are Gamora and Rocket? Not that I really want to see Rocket, but I do want to see Gamora..."

Peter eyed him. "They're fixing the ship out back."

"Cool!" Sam put on his helmet and flew to the ship.

I think I'm in love.

So...yay for Reagan! Are you a Ram (ReaganXSam) shipper? If you are, please leave a review or PM me saying if you are, and if you have any Ram-centric story ideas. Remember, if you have a second, or whatever measure if time you use, (Hey...there might be people on Xandar reading this!) please leave a review, favorite, or follow. RAM4LYFE!