Well, here it is. The rewritten chapter 1, so to those of you who stuck around when this was first released in 2017, thank you for coming back, and to those who are just now hopping on, enjoy the ride.

Chapter 1: "How did this happen?"

"Y'know on second thought, aliens probably would've been better than this, probably would've made a lot more sense too,"

was one of the many thoughts that had been going through Connors mind right now, along with one thought that rang through his mind more than any other.

"Please don't die, please don't die, please for the love of God don't die."

Over and over again this one thought echoed in his mind as he applied as much pressure as he could onto the wound left on her side by a stray bullet that happened to find it's mark. Blood continued to gush from her wound as Connors, with all the strength he could muster, and with no lack of desperation, attempted to keep her blood within her body, exactly where it belonged God damn it. The sound of gunfire graced his ears as he became aware of his surroundings once more, the sight of a nearby medic prompting his next actions. Taking in a deep breath, he'd scream,

"Medic!"

As soon as the scream left his mouth a new thought made itself prevalent in his mind as he gazed once more at the wounded girl in front of him, her breathing becoming more labored with each ragged breath.

"How did this happen?"

And just like that, the jarring and utterly bewildering events of the past month flashed through his mind in vivid detail as he mentally recounted all that's happened, and that has led to this singular, pivotal, and dreadful event.

Seattle, WA
15:00, November 14th 20XX

It's been a long, long day for Connors as he did his best to shake off the exhaustion that kept gnawing at him with each passing moment. The seductive tendrils of sleep tugging at his eyes as he willed them to stay open. He gazed upon his surroundings as he made his way out and into the airport after a long and sleepless flight. You see, sleep never came easily to Connors while on a flight, no matter how long it may be, and he was currently experiencing the unfortunate side effects of the ever notorious "jet lag." That fact becoming ever more apparent to him as a yawn escaped his lips, his eyes clamping shut on instinct.

Opening his eyes once more, he'd make his way to baggage claim, glancing every now and then at the occasional kiosk, and shaking away the grogginess of the long 9 hour flight. Arriving at baggage claim, he'd reclaim his luggage, a singular wheeled duffel bag. Carrying the bag by one of its straps he'd make his way out of the airport, his eyes would settle on a blue GMC Terrain waiting outside. His phone would vibrate in his pocket, setting the bag down he'd take a glance at the notification.

It was a simple text from a number in his contacts, that read
"I see ya, I'm over here!"

Attached to the text was a photo of Connors and his bag, and judging from the point of view, was taken from directly where the GMC Terrain was. Doing his best to hide the smirk slowly beginning to tug at his lips, he'd approach the vehicle, bag in hand before its window would roll down. In the driver seat was a beautiful young woman, with short cut brown hair dyed blue at the tips, her green eyes seeming to have a certain sparkle to them as she looked at Connors with that ever present smile on her face.

"Heya Connors! It's been awhile huh?"

Connors efforts to hide his smirk all but fell apart when he saw the woman, and he smiled ear to ear at the woman who he'd known as one of his closest friends in life.

"Indeed it has been Nat. Let's grab something to eat shall we? Haven't had anything since I left Seoul."

He'd say, before Nat would respond in kind

"Sounds good, I know a great BBQ place not to far from here. Put your bag in the back and hop in!"

Connors would happily oblige. As promised the aforementioned restaurant wasn't too far, it was only a 14 minute drive, which was nothing to Connors when compared to the 9 hour flight from Seoul to Seattle that he had just gotten off of not 38 minutes ago, and Nat certainly wasn't lying about the food being great either, it was delicious, it may have not made for a proper breakfast given the timezone change, but that didn't deter Connors not one bit, no he savored the food with each bite.

A TV would be hung on the wall in the restaurant that Connors had only just now taken to noticing. A news broadcast was displayed on the TV as a reporter rattled on about the events that had captured the world, and the nations interest as of late. The ticker in bold white on red displaying the words

"War in Korea finally over, Allied Forces establish Peace on the Peninsula."

A cold and impassive stare would settle on Connors face as he looked at the TV, before the sound of Nat trying to get his attention finally reached him. Gazing back at the woman in front of him, he'd give an awkward smile,

"Sorry, what was that again? I kinda spaced out for a minute."

He'd say, Nat would give a huff before repeating herself for what felt like the 3rd time,

"I said, would you be up with hanging out with me and the guys later today? It's been almost a year since we've all last hung out with you. I was thinking we could go get some drinks, have some fun around the city, y'know, the usual?"

That gnawing feeling of exhaustion came back full force right then and there, reminding him that he hadn't caught a wink of sleep on the flight. A sigh left his lips as he set himself to shoot down her idea, but all such resolve melted when he looked up at her. Her eyes held an excited, and expectant look on them, and so he caved in.

"Yea, sure why not. Sounds like fun."

He said. Even after 4 years of being in the Army, he still held a weakness for Nats smile, he figured that was something that would never change. The two would finish their food, with Connors and Nat catching up and trading stories with each other. Eventually, they'd set out again, with Nat dropping Connors off at his apartment situated deep within the city. They had settled on a time for when the whole friend group would hang out once again, around 6 pm, so he had some time to unpack, and hopefully sneak in a nap before heading out.

The apartment was relatively cheap, and had a decent view of the city streets. Walking through the apartment to his bedroom, Connors would set his belongings down on his bed before beginning the ever tedious task of unpacking and stowing away his belongings. After what seemed like 20 minutes of unpacking, Connors would settle on his bed before laying down on his back.

"4 years, 4 long years and I'm finally back. I thought this day would've been a long time coming, but looking back it seems like only last month I was at the recruiters office."

With his head resting on his pillow, he'd close his eyes as he felt himself relax and slowly give in to the temptation of sleep.

"It's good to see that some things just... don't... change..."

And with that final thought finished, he'd slowly succumb to a deep and peaceful sleep.

The sound of his phones obnoxious ringtone graced his ears as Connor groggily woke up from his nap, looking out the window by his bed he'd see the city lights as they lit up the night sky.

"Huh, it's night already... wait"

"Oh no."

He said as he slowly recalled that he had plans with Nat and his friends today. Frantically he'd grab his phone as he recognized the number calling him, and checked the time.

18:17 PM

Answering the call he winced in guilt as he prepared for Nat to scold him,

"Connors, it's 6:17, where are you?"

Sheepishly he'd reply,

"Hey, yea, sorry I fell asleep and didn't set an alarm, give me 20 minutes and I'll get ready and head out."

"Better hurry up man, everyone's waiting on you!"

Nat would say before continuing,

"Man, you should've said you were tired, we could've rescheduled for tomorrow and I wouldn't have to drag everyone out like this."

Connors felt the ping of guilt sting a bit before he'd reply,

"Yea I know, but I'll be there, just give me a few minutes."

"I'll see you when you get here."

Nat would say before hanging up the phone.

With that, Connors sprang out of bed, took a shower, got dressed, and sped out the door in record time. Exiting the apartment building he hitched a ride in a taxi that would take him to where Nat and the rest of his friends had agreed to meet up.

Said meeting place was of course none other than their favorite bar in the city, and waiting outside for him by the entrance were all of his friends who he had kept in contact with ever since he went off to join the Army and fight in Korea when the war started.

"Connors my man! It's good to see you again!"

One of his friends called out upon seeing him,

"Look at you, looking all spiffy with that regulation haircut!"

He'd joke,

"It's good to see you again too Sam."

Connors couldn't help but let a smile befall his face once more as he greeted his friends. Their little friend group wasn't a big one, but it was close knit, and they knew each other like family. The now named, Sam, pulled Connors into a hug, with Nat joining in. Sam would turn his head towards the 3rd attendee of this little get together, before beckoning him to join in on the hug as well.

"Come on now David, join the hug! It's been awhile since we've all been together like this."

He'd say excitedly, his warm and friendly tone not once leaving his voice.

David, would proceed to roll his eyes in response, before a reluctant smirk graced his features as he hesitantly joined in on the group hug. The night then went on as Connors and everyone reconnected with one another after so long of him being gone. They drank, laughed, and shared stories, and as the night drew to a close and they all decided to spend the rest of the night at Connors apartment, and not too long after that Connors found himself passed out with his head resting on Sams shoulder as he, David, and Nat continued talking long into the night.

Sam and David would quietly talk to Nat, so as to not awake their dear friend,

"Damn, he's pretty exhausted huh?"

Sam would ask as he set a blanket over his friend.

"Yea, I should've noticed when I picked him up from the airport, what with the bags under his eyes and all. Looked like he didn't catch an ounce of sleep on the flight here."
Nat would reply in a hushed tone, her concern and care evident in her voice.

"Well that's Connors for you, always putting his friends over himself. I still don't know why he went off to join the Army, you got any clue Sam?"

David would ask, curiously.

"I don't know much, but from what little I do know, he wanted to get away from his parents. Things started falling apart at home and so, I guess he just needed to get away from it all for a bit."

Sam would answer the best he could, but the truth was, he didn't really know anything about Connors motivations for joining the Army. He never was the one to explain why he does things.

Sam would find himself gazing at the glass of liquor on the table in front of him, when he noticed something off. The liquid was starting to shake a little, and Sam slowly felt his surroundings start to become ever more uneasy as he felt his sense of balance begin to feel off ever so slightly.

"Hey guys, maybe I'm just drunk or something but uh, do you guys feel the ground shaking?"

Before anyone could answer, the shaking got much, much worse, as it became clear to everyone, that it wasn't the alcohol causing it. Lights flickered, glass cups shattered, and sirens went off as a powerful earthquake swept through the city and lasted what felt like hours, but may have merely been several minutes.

Finally, after it had passed, the sound of car sirens could be heard harshly piercing the night air, and unbeknownst to the people of this city, this wasn't just a mere earthquake situated in Seattle, it was an event that rocked the whole nation, and would go on to change the course of history forever, as everything they had known to be true, was called into question in just one night.

Onlookers would look on to the night sky in bewilderment, confusion, and most notably, fear, as their moon that was once whole, was now replaced with the mosaic of a shattered moon and it's remnants.

(A/N)
I know, it's short but in my opinion, leagues better already than what I had originally written, and for me that's enough. It baffles me that I still wish to complete this story so long after I had attempted to start it. I hope you enjoy, no promises on when exactly the next chapter will be out, but I aim to finish it within two weeks.