The journey had been long and arduous, but it was over. The operators of Rhodes watched the deserted hangar, completely devoid of life. Before them stood what had remained after the battle. Charcoaled vehicles, burning trucks and the corpses of fallen soldiers... all witnesses to the ferocity of the battle.
Matt watched these remainders, his gaze lost in thought.
"We did it, guys... I don't know how but we did it."
"Yes Matt, and it's thanks to you two that we made it." Spoke Ch'en. "If it wasn't for Edward, Alfred and you, we probably would be dead by now."
"Oh..." Let out Matt. "Well, you're welcome I guess..."
After that, no one said anything, an uneasy silence enveloping them. Only after a while someone decided to break this silence.
"Now that DiAngelo is dead..." Said W as she turned to look at the machine. "I guess there's only one thing left to do."
Everyone agreed, they only needed to activate the portal and... they would return to Terra. It was something to be happy about... yet the only thing they felt was a sensation of emptiness, like they were leaving a place they could call "home". Liskarm let out a deep sigh.
"Ok... let's do this then."
The vouivre walked towards the control board. There, she flicked some levers and introduced something on the console, until...
Destination set. Begin Ignition Protocol. – The machine came to life, its rotors began to turn at high speed and its lights flickered. – Establishing connection...
The rotors turned at even more speed... and then the portal appeared, the black sphere levitating above it. Kal'tsit looked at the operators and said.
"The portal's open. Go and day goodbye if you want, but we're leaving soon."
Amiya and the Doctor walked towards Matt.
"It has been a nice ride, buddy." Said the Doctor. "I wish you the best of luck out there."
"We'll miss you two..." Said Amiya. "I don't think we'll meet again, but if we ever come across again I let you know that Rhodes Island is always open for you."
"Thanks, my little bunny." Matt patted her head, to which she let out a cute yelp.
At that moment Ch'en approached them to say her goodbyes as well.
"Well, it's time for us to go on our separate ways, but it was nice to meet you, Will and Edward." She paused for a moment. "Take care of yourselves, ok?"
"Understood, Ch'en. I can't promise anything, but we'll try to not get killed." Replied Matt.
"You better keep your promise, else I'm gonna go there and kick your butt myself!" Said the lung frowning.
The boy let out a chuckle. "Sure!"
Apart from everybody else, Talulah was with Will, both making the most of the last moments they would spend together.
"Well, I guess is time to say goodbye..." Said the draco, her tone reflecting some sadness. "It hurts me to leave your side, but... I even if I wanted, I can't stay here."
"I understand." He said. "It's too risky for you to stay here, I agree in that, but perhaps I could go with you..."
"Sorry Will, but you can't do that." She replied. "You don't how hash and cruel Terra can be. If you went there... I couldn't bear if something happened to you. I don't want you to share the same fate as Alina; here you can have a peaceful life, without any dangers... that's why I want you to stay."
"I see... but that means I won't see you ever again?"
In response, Talulah cupped his cheeks and pressed her lips against his, giving him a gentle kiss. She then pulled back and said.
"Valery... you know that I love you. Let me say this: Someday, we'll meet again, I promise... Here, take this." She took off her Reunion armband and placed it on his hand. "A reminder that you're not alone and that I'll be always with you, no matter what."
Will accepted her gift.
"Thanks, Talulah. I'll hold you in my heart, always." With that said the two hugged tightly, feeling their affectionate embrace. However, at that moment, a siren was heard.
Attention. The gate will be closed in 5 Minutes.
Upon hearing this, Talulah let him off.
"I have to go... Goodbye."
Will watched as the draco walked towards the ramp leading to the portal, not taking his eyes off her in any moment.
"Everybody! To the portal!" Exclaimed Kal'tait.
The group went up the ramp, up until they were at the feet of the sphere. Momentarily, W turned back and, throwing a glare at the boys, she waved her hand.
"It was a pleasure knowing you! Chao~!" And with that she walked into the portal, vanishing in an instant.
One by one, the operators came into contact with the portal and crossed it. The last one to go in was Talulah. Just before crossing it, she turned back and looked at Will. The boy waved his hand at her.
"Goodbye, Talulah."
Talulah's lips curled into a smile, warm and sincere. After that, the draco turned her head forward, took a step forward... and at last crossed the portal, a flash engulfing the entire hangar. Upon reopening their eyes, the boys saw that the sphere had vanished.
They were gone.
"Hope you'll be fine out there..." Matt muttered to himself. "*Sigh* Well, it has been a wild ride, don't you think Will?2
"..." Will had his gaze fixed on the armband he was holding, seemingly lost in thought.
"Let me guess, you're thinking about her, am I right?"
"Yeah..." His friend patted him in the shoulder.
"Hey, don't be so sad. You'll meet your girl again, of that I'm sure."
"What makes you think that?"
Matt cracked a smile.
"Why? Because we have a shitty luck. I even bet that next week the Rhodes Island guys appear in our house yet again!"
Will let out a chuckle.
"Heh, you're so right..." He looked closely at the armband, the symbol of Reunion displayed on all of its glory. Holding it tightly, he placed it on his pocket. "When she returns, I'll be waiting for her..."
While he said that, Matt looked at his clock. Upon seeing the time, his eyes widened.
"Oh crap, we have only five-teen minutes left before the bombs go off. We need to get out of here as soon as possible."
"Alright then, run!" With that said Will and Matt fled the hangar.
/ /
Time later, the two boys escaped the complex. They made their way through the wilderness, walking among the trees and foliage of the forest. In the end they stopped a mountainside, from there they could see Mt. San Antonio, outlined by the Moon.
"*pant* *pant* At this distance we should be safe..." Panted Matt.
"Look!"
"BRROOOOM!" Suddenly, the sound of explosion rocked Mt. San Antonio. Pillars of fire rose from the hillsides, rising into the dark sky. The two boys watched dumbfounded the display before their eyes.
"Wow... it's beautiful."
"Yeah... destruction surely has some beauty to it..." Muttered Matt. He then turned to his friend. "Ok, let's go. We can grab a beer if you want."
"Oh, sure. Let'go then."
And with that said, the two friends vanished into the woods, leaving behind the burning Mt San Antonio, the fires plaguing its slopes illuminating the night...
X-X
In a dimly illuminated room, a group of high-ranking US officers and government officials were holding a meeting. There was an air of tension in the room, and everyone there was trying to keep his cool. Presiding over the table was an elder man, bald and with a thick beard. Everyone was looking at him with nervousness.
"Ok, gentlemen." Spoke the old man. "What's the situation?"
"Well, Mr. President." Replied a general. "The Mt San Antonio Complex has been completely destroyed. All assets that were inside, including everything related to Project Twilight have been lost."
"Also, we've confirmed DiAngelo's status as KIA." Added another general. "Be believe that those "visitors" were the ones who perpetrated the attack."
"What will be our course of action then, Mr. President?"
"Hmmm..." The man seemed lost in his thoughts, but after some minutes of deliberation he answered. "Very well... I want you to burn any evidence regarding Project Twilight or World Beyond Labs. DiAngelo acted outside the law, thereby neither me or the US Government didn't have anything to do with this nor knowledge about it, understood?"
"Yes sir." Replied the first general. "It will be done... But what about DiAngelo? How we're going to tell that the republican candidate is dead?"
A government official jumped in.
"We've already dealt with General Gomel and the rest of DiAngelo's clique. They know that we can trial them for treason, so we shouldn't worry about any movements from their part. Now, what worries me the most is the press..."
"We'll cover it up." Said the President, standing up from his chair. "I leave the matter on your hands. That's all, you may go."
Everyone in the room stood up and walked out of the conference room. One of them, however, stopped right before leaving and turned back
"Mr. President, I have a question. What do you think about the Senator's death? It wasn't a secret that DiAngelo, very likely, was going to be the next president of the United States, and that he was your rival."
The man sighed.
"It's true that his death will bring unrest across the country... but something tells me that it's for the better. We both know that he was... an unpredictable man at best, and only God knows what he could have done. He could have brought the US to prominence, as he wished, or... he could have doomed us all."
"I see, sir..."
The official said his goodbyes and left.
X-X
The next morning, Will and Matt found a roadside dinner and decided to enter. Now, the two boys were sitting in one of the tables, eating some fried eggs with bacon. From there they could see the TV at the counter, which was broadcasting the CNN.
"...The concerns of LA local residents are calming down as the fires declared yesterday on Mt. San Antonio are being finally put down. Yesterday, at 11:57 PM, a catastrophic explosion was reported on a chalet of the area. It has been confirmed a couple of hours ago that, among the victims, was republican senator Franchesco DiAngelo, candidate to the presidency. Many of his supporters have questioned the circunstances of his death, with some going as far as claiming that he was assassinated by the CIA. In reponse of these allegations, the White House released a statement early this morning denying any involvement. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen what..."
"A gas leak?" Said Matt surprised. "I expected them to say it was a terrorist attack or an assassination, not that they would cover it up..."
Will shrugged.
"Well, seems like the Government wants to bury this matter. I wouldn't be surprised; they already have enough problems here, like they're going to look for even more in a far-away world."
"Heh, you're right." Matt chuckled, but then he adopted a stoic expression. "Will, what are we going to do, now that it's over?"
"Honestly, I don't know, but I have one thing clear: At one point the future seemed to be dark and grim, but thanks to our Terran friends... now is brighter than ever."
