GDF (HotCider & SandDollar)

[HotCider]

(OOC Note: This is a solo game between me and SandDollar, continuing a RP we did on another website. It is closed just to us, but don't worry, I'm sure I'll see you in other games. )


Sergeant Hon frowned when Lana pushed the stretcher toward him. He raised his paw to stop its advance and peered past it at the officer who was stupidly climbing the barricade. What was she thinking?

Growling softly, the husky barked after her, “If you don’t see them anywhere around the bridge, you better sprint back here as though your life depends on it because it will! If anything happens to you, Miller won’t forgive us!”

Sergeant Hon stood into his were form and grasped the stretcher. He then quickly hobbled down the hall in the direction he saw the Guana officer and the scientists go. If he hadn’t been nicked in the leg, he would have gone to check and see if Michael and Vanessa were all right. He was much faster than any human. The Canaan followed the hall until he became nervous. He wasn’t sure where he was going anymore, and the seconds that sped by were making him nervous. He began hobbling faster, his fur beginning to frizz. It was then he saw the Guana officer helping two scientists into a pod.

“Hey!” Sergeant Hon called.

The Guana officer quickly drew his gun on him, and the husky’s ears nearly touched in fright.

“It’s me! What the hell man?” he growled.

The Guana officer lowered the pistol and stood back as the scientists closed the pod and launched.

“Sorry. There are still many pirates on this ship and they’re willing to fight us for the pods,” the lizard officer explained.

“What happened to those Armada guys?”

“They left. Possibly back to the proboscis.”

“What the fuck? Weren’t they sent to defend us?”

“Let’s not waste anymore time…” the Guana officer started over to the next pod and pressed the emergency button to open it. He glanced to Sergeant Hon. “Where’s Lana?”

Sergeant Hon slid his paw beneath Miller’s right arm and had to curl his left arm about his left side. “She went to go check and see if Michael and Vanessa were all right.”

“As much as I’d like to find her consideration admirable, with how little time we have to get out of here, I find her actions foolish,” the Guana officer confessed.

“Ugh, help me with Miller. He’s heavy as shit,” Sergeant Hon rasped. Even with his mutant strength, he could only heft him along until his arms began to burn intensely from the effort.

The Guana officer grabbed Noah’s legs and they carried him over to the pod, setting him inside.

Two minutes until self-destruct.

“Fuck! Lana you idiot!” Sergeant Hon snarled. “You have a pod for us right?”

The Guana officer walked over to the next and last one by Miller’s. He opened it and pointed to it.

Noah stirred, having been slumped over with his forehead resting against the console. He grasped the console with his right hand and pushed away from it, easing back against the backrest.

“What’s going on? Where’s Lana?” Noah wearily questioned.

“The ship’s about to self-destruct and she went to check on Michael and Lana. I don’t know if she’ll make it back or not but…”

Sergeant Hon took the Guana officer’s gun and set it in Noah’s lap. “We have to go. Pirates are stealin’ pods. If she’s not back in time, then I suggest you eject. She has two minutes, probably less than that now. See you Noah.”

Sergeant Hon and the Guana officer took the pod next to his and ejected.

Noah frowned. Lana was so stupid. He cleared his mind and swept the remaining minds on the ship. He hadn’t sensed Michael or Vanessa, and could only assume that they had left already. Lana’s search was going to be fruitless. He found her conscience and angrily shouted into it:

You moron! Michael and Vanessa are already gone. I just checked. Get your ass here before you die!

 

[SandDollar]

Lana heard the husky's warning, though didn't respond, knowing time was not on her side. It was foolish, she knew, but there was no way she would be able to live with herself if she didn't check and Michael and Vanessa happened not to make it off the ship alive. Besides, as long as she didn't waste any time, she knew she could make it to the pods.

She ran as hard and fast as she could, ripping her hair-fastening form the stub of a ponytail at the nape of her neck and letting the strands fall about her jaw. Soon, she was standing at the bridge, her brows furrowed as she looked for any sign of the two officers, though soon spotted an empty pod with a trail of blood leading to it. Whether both of them were alive, she didn't know, but it looks like they'd managed to escape.

With a second quick scan of the area, she decided to turn back and hurried towards the pods, but when the AI announced that only two minutes were remaining, she gulped hard and picked up the pace.

From the bridge, one of the remaining pirates hobbled from his crouched position within the shadows beneath the iron stairs. He followed behind Lana some distance, gun in hand as he dragged a wounded leg behind him. With a twisted grin across his crooked face, he watched Lana as she scrambled up one side of the make-shift barricade. He wasn't about to let her escape so easily. It would mean one more pod that would get him off this ticking time bomb.

Just then, however, she was startled by the angered voice that tore through her thoughts, demanding she get to the pods. Brows furrowing, she paused at the momentary invasion at the top of the heap, but before she could drop down on the other side, a searing pain ripped through her shoulder, propelling her off the barricade and to the floor on the other side with a pained cry.

"Fuck!!" she cried as she grasped the burning flesh, the strap of her bra having completely disintegrated. Lana rolled onto her side with a wince, using her other arm to push herself onto her feet. There was no time for pain. Not now, and luckily for her, the plasma bullet had done little more than skimmed the top of her shoulder, inches from missing her head.

As she staggered to her feet, Lana panted, running as fast as she could manage with her teeth clenched hard. She could only hope the pods weren't too far, for the ship was beginning to tremble impatiently as time came close to running out.

By the time she was ready to collapse and give up, however, she spotted the single pod ahead, her eyes wide with relief. Quickly, she dragged herself inside of it, nearly diving into her seat with a brief glance to Noah.

"We've gotta get out of here now!" She scrambled to strap herself into her seat, her hands fumbling as she trembled.

 

[HotCider]

We’ve gotta get out of here now!

Noah felt a wave of relief when Lana dove into the pod with thirty seconds to spare. He reached past her to the control console, while she fumbled with her seat belt and struck the button that closed the air lock and the pod doors. He then hit the launch button as the g-force of the pod rocketing from the ship had him leaned forward against her back. His teeth were clenched tightly within his mouth as he prayed for the pod to clear the ship’s blast radius in time.

Just as the round pod emerged, the clunky, pirate ship flashed before it exploded. Fire blossomed like a flower and the shock wave slapped the tiny ship, shaking it so violently, it felt as though it could crack any second. Simultaneously, the wave had carried the ship further away from the blast, and the two passengers were able to safely ride it out.

Once the pod had sank into the silence and darkness of space, Captain Polaris’s glowing face flashed before them on a holographic panel.

“Are you two all right?” he questioned.

Noah said nothing, figuring Lana could handle it. He was tired and relieved that it was over. All of it was finally over.

GDF HQ – Med Bay​

The Centari nurse walked through the infirmary, stalking about on deer-like hooves as she made her rounds to check on the officers. Lana’s shoulder had been wrapped; Michael was bedridden and looked practically like a mummy as Vanessa sat to his side keeping him company. Sergeant Hon and the Guana officer were in a different hospital on the ship where veterinarians treated their injuries. Noah was put inside a recovery tank filled with a green liquid. The liquid kept his tissue soft, his body cool, and killed any germs that were leading to his infection. He breathed through an oxygen mask while Dr. Noland stood over his casket-like hospital bed, scribbling ideas on a clipboard about getting him a new arm. They’d probably have to clone him one or give him a prosthetic.

 

[SandDollar]

When she was thrown back into the chair as the pod descended from the ship, Lana's eyes wrenched shut, her heart continuing to hammer, almost to the point of blocking out every other sound as they sailed into space. The orange halo of fire spread around them as the ship detonated only seconds after their departure. She could feel the pod trembling and leaping in the boiling flames, momentarily wondering if--this close to escaping--they'd be consumed.

To her relief, however, they were propelled forward and the ship safely emerged from the explosion, her fatigue finally washing over her. All she wanted was a hot bath and a massage...

Hearing Captain Polaris' voice, however, she snapped to attention, biting gently at her lip as she glanced to Noah.

"If you mean alive, then yes.." she replied, moistening her lips with a sweep of her tongue. "I've got a minor wound, but my partner needs serious medical attention as soon as possible."

The Medical Bay​

With her shoulder wrapped and the gash on her head cleaned, Lana clutched the silver thermal blanket around her shoulders and sat on the edge of the bed, peering over her shoulder at Michael and Vanessa, glad that they were both alive.

Glancing over to Dr. Noland, however, as he considered the options for replacing Noah's arm, Lana slowly rose up from her bed and made her way over to the tank, chewing at her lower lip. She didn't entirely know what to say, but it beat sitting by herself.

"I didn't think we'd ever make it out of there.." she murmured to Frank, her face stoic as she looked to Noah, relieved to see he was finally able to rest. Part of her wanted to cry, but for some strange reason, she couldn't manage tears. Perhaps she was just still in shock.

 

[HotCider]

Dr. Noland raised his eyes from the clipboard to gaze at the golden-haired officer. He hadn’t noticed until that moment that her hair was much shorter than when he last saw her. He was still using the cloaking device, having grown comfortable with it about his wrist. It gave him confidence and he was planning to actually slim down. Lana had brought him so much happiness on their date that he couldn’t stand to see the front she was wearing. Lana was never like this.

“But you made it. Everyone did. I don’t know what exactly went on out there, but everyone came out alive…” He then blushed a little, recalling some of the scientists having been murdered, “Almost everyone.”

“It’s good to have you and Miller back, and don’t worry about him. We’ll have him back in action before you know it. You should try and sleep Lana. I know it may be difficult, but I’ll stick around until you fall asleep if you want me to. The nurse can also give you some sleep aids.”

Who knows what nightmares she may have? The GDF had never faced such a dangerous enemy. Enemies like that were for The Armada, but who would have predicted the officers sent to make a simple arrest would get abducted? Frank had been so worried that he wasn’t going to rest until he knew his friends were safe and sound. With Noah’s injuries, he had a new objective: put him back together.

Two weeks of rest go by…

During the resting period, Noah had been moved out of the regenesis tank and was joined with his new arm. He was sitting on the edge of his hospital bed, a scar along his abdomen where his gun wound had been, and his new prosthetic limb that didn’t look any different than his right arm. He had his blue, work shirt on and unbuttoned, and his black khakis about his hips having yet to be zipped up and fastened. His grey eyes were fixed upon his left arm as he flexed his fingers and brushed them over the bed sheet. His arm functioned like a normal arm would. He could feel texture, but he couldn’t feel temperature. He could feel the electricity coursing through it, which felt like an endless tingling sensation he would have to get used to.

The prosthetic limb had been a better choice than the cloned limb. The cloned limb had came out so scrawny, he’d have to lift weights to get it back into working condition, and it was unattractive. It would have been awkward walking around the office with one puny arm and one big one. This new arm was just something to get used to. He’d have to accept that his old one wasn’t ever going to come back.

While he had been resting, he would have nightmares about getting shot by the fighter ship and losing his arm. Sometimes he’d dream that all his limbs were blown off, and he was lying in bed with nothing but a torso. He had dreams that the operation had taken place, and he’d watch the pirates remove his brain and the pirate captain laughing over him. What did they want with his brain any way? They had mentioned some sort of boss. It was so strange.

 

[SandDollar]

With a sudden gasp, Lana woke in a spasm, clutching her sheets to her chest as she lay stiffly upon her bed, her black tank top drenched in sweat as her heart thundered relentlessly against the inside of her ribcage. Her eyes pressed tightly closed again, a shudder rocking her entire body, until finally she rolled to her side and pressed her feet to the ground, sitting up with her arms curled about her stomach.

She'd been having the same horrific dream ever since stepping off that ship, and that night had been no exception. Lana could hardly close her eyes without feeling those hands upon her, and more than just one pair.

It always started off the same way; the side of her face forcefully met the cold, rough, metal floors, a weight from above pinning her down with her arms wrenched behind her back. She would scream and kick, but the more she struggled, the more hands, claws, tentacles, she felt upon her breasts, her ass, and forcing their way between her thighs. And every time, she'd awake with her own screams echoing in her ears.

Running her hand over the scars of her shoulder, Lana soon pushed herself out of bed and tucked a strand of short blonde hair behind the shell of her ear. It had taken some time to get used to, but with a bit of cleaning up, the style was beginning to grow on her. It was so much easier to take care of and required so little effort unlike the long locks that had required constant grooming.

After a brief shower, Lana dressed herself in the usual form fitting black pants which she tucked into her black, heeled boots and the deep blue button-up shirt of her uniform. It wasn't her first day back to work, even if it should have been, but Lana wasn't one to rest any longer than she needed to. Besides, returning to her normal routine had been somewhat comforting, even if her work load had been less than intensive. She figured she could use the extra days off when she decided to make that trip home, anyways.

Pulling on a black jacket over her shirt, Lana grabbed her badge from her nightstand, quickly fastened it above her left breast before she made her way out of her quarters and to the offices where her desk sat, surrounded by more than a few empty ones.

Lana had seen Vanessa a few times, but Michael had yet to return, as well as Noah, though she'd heard their conditions had improved to the point of almost a full recovery, and for this, she was relieved. Still, she knew they'd all been changed by the abduction. To recover mentally from that kind of experience, if possible, would take time.

 

[HotCider]

Noah’s hands moved down his uniform, fastening the buttons until he reached the last one at the bottom. He stood from his bed, grasping his pants and sliding the extra slack of his shirt within them. He just so happened to gaze across the infirmary at Michael’s back as he was looping his tie about his collar. There were multiple scars about his body that were striping him like a tiger.

Noah smirked and teased, of course he’d be the first one to, “Nice stripes!”

Michael paused and turned around to frown at Miller. “Nice arm, you got it programmed to wank for you?”

Noah cleverly smirked, “To Vanessa.”

Michael frowned deeply. “Well I hope you got it programmed to vibrate because I’m about to shove it up your ass!”

The two officers stared heatedly at each other in silence. The Centauri nurse was stalking back into the recovery rooms when she froze like a deer in head lights at the sight of the two officers giving each other death glares. The tension was so thick, she couldn’t resist holding her breath.

“Welcome back, man,” Noah said plainly as he returned to getting dress.

Michael leisurely turned back around to finish his tie, uttering over his shoulder, “Yeah, welcome back.”

The Centauri nurse stood there, blinking her purple eyes in bewilderment.

The Office

Once the two officers were dressed, they returned back to the work place. Vanessa had been quiet since Michael’s absence, but with his return, her eyes lit up as she sprang from her chair and dove straight into his arms.

“Michael!” she exclaimed.

Michael blushed, glancing about the office at the other officers before he wrapped his arms around her.

“I hope I didn’t worry you too much,” he told her.

Vanessa removed her face from his chest and gazed at his face and all the scars on his skin. Michael frowned softly, figuring that she might have no longer felt he was attractive. “The doctors said they weren’t going to go away…”

She wiped at the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes and she gave him a reassuring smile. “No, they’re fine. I’m just so glad that you’re all right. I was so terrified when…”

Michael smiled and rested a hand upon her shoulder. “It’s over now. There’s nothing to be scared of now.”

“I’d be worried about him scaring your family when you guys go to Earth,” Noah quipped.

Vanessa and Michael both frowned at the Martian.

“I see he made it all right,” Vanessa muttered.

“Of course, you think a ship of pirates can stop me?” Noah boasted.

The other officers were watching Noah as he made a big spectacle out of the retelling of the pirate incident.

“’Ship blew my arm completely off and ripped out my guts, but the plasma had cauterized my injuries. I kept on fighting, and they were sending pirates all at me, trying to steal my brain,” Noah explained.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Oh brother, someone shut him up that’s not even how it went.”

Noah glared at Vanessa. “Hell it didn’t. What did you do but scream and cry, flashing your tits all over the place!”

Vanessa blushed as officers were suddenly staring at her wide-eyed.

“You dick! I’m calling sexual harassment on that one!” she yelled.

“What? It’s true! Everyone was naked. We were all stripped down to our tighty-whities…ahem, except that someone wasn’t wearing-”

Vanessa flung a GDF handbook across the room, which nailed Noah right in the face. “Telekinetic powers and you couldn’t stop a book! Stop telling your glory-hog story, Miller!”

Noah grasped his forehead and glared across the room at Vanessa. “That’s assaulting an officer!” He then peered down at the book in surprise. Why hadn’t it stopped when he swore he willed it to?

“An officer can’t assault another officer!”

“Of course, she can you crazy bitch!”

The office seemed back to normal—at least almost.

 

[SandDollar]

Her brow had been creased, a hand pressed to her mouth as Lana examined previous case files that involved the pirates that had abducted them. There were several; all involving species of aliens that were capable of some mental capabilities like Noah’s, and most of those aliens never escaped. Her stomach turned when she saw the numerous ships of all shapes and sizes, every single one operating under the same common motive, whatever it was. Lana was determined to find out.

With her thoughts suddenly interrupted by Vanessa’s delighted exclamation, Lana quickly spun about in her chair, her eyes wide as she looked to the officer. Aside from the scars, he looked pretty good. She then noticed Noah who had appeared from behind the berserker, equipped with his new arm.

Quickly, she turned to lock the holographic screen, reducing it to the small device placed in the center of her desk. Rising up out of her chair, she quickly moved to join the others, a smile stretching across her lips. Her pace slowed, however, when the two lovebirds were reunited. As sweet as it was, it made Lana feel slightly awkward, particularly since she didn’t want to interrupt.

Noah interjected at that very second, causing Lana to wince as he managed to accomplish just precisely what she’d been trying not to.

With a roll of her eyes, the blonde released a soft sigh. At first sight, it really seemed that nothing had changed, especially as Noah began to brag about his ‘accomplishments.’ He was stretching the truth just a little bit, but he deserved more credit than what Michael and Vanessa were willing to give him.

Lana gave a shake of her head with a faint frown, her attention drifting away from the conversation. The office had gone from uncomfortably silent to this, and the three were already getting on her nerves. At least it was somewhat normal, but she was frustrated that she felt the way she did, particularly when no one else seemed to.

The sound of the book colliding with Miller's face drew Lana's gaze back up to the three officers, her brows drawing inwards. He didn't stop it. Had that been a choice or..?

Stepping up to Noah, she held out her hand to take the book from him.

"How's the new arm?" she questioned, leaning against his cubicle with her elbow as she reached to touch his arm carefully, mostly out of fear that it would hurt him. Her brows perked with slightly widening green eyes, however, when she lightly squeezed what felt like real muscles and flesh.

 

[HotCider]

Noah tore his eyes away from Vanessa to gaze at Lana’s hand upon his prosthetic limb. As she squeezed his arm, he felt a wave of tingling sensations pass ecstatically throughout it.

“It’s different,” he answered. “It feels like I have thousands of channels running through my arm, giving me this tingly feeling…”

He trailed off as his eyes moved to the handbook in her hand and for a moment, he seemed to focus on it. His brows knitted a little and his teeth clenched within his mouth. He was trying to jerk it from her hand with his mind, but it hadn’t been responding. His eyes widened in shock, the whites of them shining before he turned from her and marched right out of the office.

Science & Technology Sector​

The massive doors to Dr. Noland’s lab hissed and rolled open as the angry Martian stormed in.

“Frank!” he shouted.

Dr. Noland turned to see Noah was looking as healthy as ever. “Noah, how’s the new arm?”

Noah grasped the scientist by the throat with his bionic limb and replied sarcastically, “You tell me. What the fuck did you do to me? I can’t use my psychic power. Is it this arm? Because if it is, I want this damn thing removed. I wouldn’t be alive and standing here if I didn’t have what makes me a Martian!”

Frank’s eyes watered as he grasped Noah’s wrist and tried to pry his hand from around his throat. “Noah! Please!”

Noah angrily released him as Dr. Noland gasped for air and rubbed his throat soothingly. “Geez, will you stop doing that? I didn’t tamper with your brain. Just let me look…”

Frank walked over to his desk and drew from a pen holder a pen-like device that he began to pull apart like a scroll. A blue screen was between it and he held it up before Noah’s face as the screen presented a MRI-like scan. Frank stepped a circle around him, and upon coming before Noah, he clapped the device closed and informed with an irritable frown, “Your brain seems normal to me. Well, as normal as a Martian brain gets.”

Noah rested his hands upon his head, running his fingers back through his blondish-white hair. “Then why? Vanessa threw a book at my face, and I couldn’t even stop it. My brain isn’t responding to me.”

“Well before the scan, I thought the fever might have damaged your neurons a little, but you look normal—physically that is. Mentally, well…you guys have been through a lot. Maybe your mind hasn’t fully recovered.”

Noah was silent while he mused over the possibility.

“You ever think about seeing the psychologist? You’re very aggressive, loud, obnoxious…”

Noah glared at him and Frank jumped a little. “Well, you are! You didn’t even apologize for trying to choke me to death.”

The Martian’s eyes narrowed. “You know why?”

Frank arched a curious brow.

“Just before the mission, when you gave me that detox shot…”

“Did it help?”

“Oh yeah, it fuckin’ helped. I had so much shit coming out of my ass I could have launched like a rocket off the can!—in the middle of the fuckin’ battle ground!”

The corner of Frank’s mouth quirked in amusement and then he raised a hand to his mouth to hide his expression. He cleared his throat. “Ahem, that’s terrible Miller…” Frank snickered hard before he exploded with laughter. His eyes immediately welled up as he imagined it. “I’m sorry, Miller…”

Noah stared at him, watching him laugh with a twitching right eye and shrunk eyes.

Frank raised his arms to guard his face while he laughed, fearing the Martian would hit him. “I really am. I had no idea!”

Noah closed his eyes as he fumed in silence, wishing he had his harassing powers at that moment. He instead decided to ignore Frank’s amusement as he thought aloud, “What am I going to do? If the Force finds out that I can’t use my powers anymore, I don’t know what they’ll do.”

Sergeant Hon happened to be strolling by Dr. Noland’s lab when he overheard Miller’s remark. The Canaan froze, his ears erect, and eyes wide. He then quickly raced to the office before he was noticed.

“Well, they don’t know,” Frank reassured him as he wiped his eyes dry. “You should relax or something. Maybe take a vacation to rest your mind?”

Noah recalled wanting to take a vacation when Lana did. He said he wanted to go to Earth with her.

“Yeah, I guess that’s what I need. I’ve been in space for too long. Thanks Frank.”

Frank smiled at Noah. “Any time.”

Back at the office.

“Hey guys! Noah lost his mental powers!” Sergeant Hon announced.

Michael’s eyes widened. “You got to be shitting me.”

“No way!” Vanessa exclaimed.

The office was in an uproar of murmuring and relieved smiles.

“I overheard him talking to Dr. Noland in the lab. He said it himself!”

“That explains why he didn’t stop the book,” Vanessa mused aloud.

“Hell, this calls for a celebration.”

As soon as Noah returned to the office, he stopped upon seeing the many coworkers standing around waiting for him with smiles. It disturbed him a little, and he timidly peeked behind him to make sure there wasn’t anyone who they were actually directing their smiles at. It then hit him and it felt like a plastic bracelet had sprung off his chest. He glanced down at the vanguard at his feet and then gazed back at his coworkers with wide eyes. It was then they all began launching their vanguards at him, cheering and hollering. Noah raised his arms to guard his head and face from the bracelets that pelted him. That was it! Frank was right. He needed a break.

Noah made his way to the chief’s office and took shelter inside as the vanguards continued to sound against the windows like bugs. The chief gazed at the back of Noah, blinking his six eyes in surprise.

“Miller, you’re back. I see you have a new arm. That’s great,” the chief spoke.

Miller was frowning at the door for a moment and listening to the vanguards still hitting the glass.

“You, Officer Matthews, and the other officers on that mission are set to be honored by Captain Polaris and the entire Armada for your heroism in taking out that pirate vessel and rescuing those hostages. We haven’t had any officers in The Force show such bravery and-”

“That’s nice, chief. But I’m not here to talk about my accomplishments; I’m here to request leave. I can’t stand it here anymore. I need a break. A nice long break to mentally pull myself back together, and being here with these people…I can’t do it,” Noah confessed.

He then turned to face the chief. He walked over to his desk and released the clasp on his weapon’s belt as he set it atop of the chief’s desk.

“You’re not staying for the ceremony?” the chief queried.

“I’m afraid not. I need this. Right now. I need to get out of here before I snap on someone and put a stain in the fuckin’ carpet!”

The chief narrowed his eyes at him, but didn’t hold the profane language against him. The Martian did look like he was falling to pieces.

“I’ll postpone the ceremony until you return. I will approve of your vacation time, and I hope you feel better, Miller.”

Noah nodded. “Thank you, Sir.”

He remained before the chief’s desk until he dismissed him with a “That’ll be all.”

Noah then exited the office, frowning as he was pelted with paper balls as the officers continued to cheer. He hadn’t bothered to ask if Lana was going to be taking any vacation time. He hadn’t expected to jump on his so soon, but after noticing how the office had realized he didn’t have his powers, never-ending harassment was all he needed. His powers would never return under such an environment. The Martian went straight for his room to pack.

 

[SandDollar]

When Noah stormed off after focusing his stare on the book, Lana blinked and lowered her own gaze to look at it, idly chewing at her lower lip. Surely, he hadn't been trying to move it.. Nothing had happened. And yet, on that ship his powers seemed almost limitless. Maybe it was just the frequencies of the arm that he needed to get used to.

Pondering the thought a moment longer, Lana quickly moved back to her desk, tossing the book down unceremoniously onto Vanessa's desk as she passed by.

With a heavy sigh, she sank down into her own desk chair, crossing her arms over her chest. At first glance, everything might have seemed alright, but for Lana, nothing felt right. She was irritable, and not because of a certain visit from 'the red bandit.' Even if it was that time of the month, Lana was always level-headed and focused, but lately, it was just the opposite. Everyone around her was just bugging the crap out of her, especially Vanessa. Ever since they'd locked lips, things had been a little more than complicated. Lana was over it completely, but Vanessa seemed to resent it still for some reason.

Brows furrowing, she shook her head before rising to her feet a minute later, needing to clear her head.

"I'm taking lunch," she muttered to Vanessa over her shoulder, sliding her fingers back through her short hair before she walked out of the office and to her quarters.

Instead of taking lunch, however, Lana made her way to the fitness facility after making a quick stop by her room to change. A good, hard run would help her clear her mind and hopefully get a new perspective of what was really happening.

The office some time later..​

Showered, redressed and her hair already dried, Lana reentered the office, only to find the everyone in an uproar. She didn't know what she'd missed, but everyone looked thrilled!

Blinking in confusion a few times before she stepped through to her desk to continue her research, Lana heard a faint crunch with her next footfall. She paused immediately, shifting her weight off the foot and lifting it to peer down at the vanguard, simply tossed on the floor.

With a questioning glance to some of her colleagues, she bent to pick it up a moment later. No one dared to take their vanguard off with Noah around.

"What the hell..?" she muttered, soon spotting yet another vanguard another few feet in front of her, and another. They were everywhere! Was no one wearing them any longer?

And then it hit her..

"Vanessa, where's Miller??"

Barracks​

Vanessa had waved her off in the direction of the barracks with a faint grumble, and quickly Lana made her way to Miller's room. For a long few moments, she stood outside his door, her white teeth clamped down on her lower lip. She didn't know what was happening or what she would do to help, but she felt the need to at least check up on him. Still, she was debating whether or not she should just let him be..

Finally, sucking in a breath, she stepped up to the door and knocked.

"Noah? Are you alright?"

 

[HotCider]

Noah had a black suitcase upon his bed. He had changed out of his police uniform and was wearing a black muscle shirt with dark-blue jeans. He was folding shirts when a knock sounded at his door, a knock that hadn’t just been against the door but against his very being. He set the shirt he had been folding on top of the pile of other shirts in his suitcase and grasped at his forehead with his other hand. He rubbed it soothingly as he felt a wave of irritation and anger. Noah took a moment to just breathe. It was only Lana.

He kept the door between them as he frowned at the back wall of his room.

“I’m taking some vacation time to rest my mind. Frank said it’ll be good for me. My powers are gone because I’m incredibly stressed and apparently still suffering from the trauma,” he reluctantly explained. He went silent, curious to what she’d say about it. He did still want to go with her to Earth, but if she wasn’t planning to take any vacation time anytime soon, then he was just going to go back to Mars.

 

[SandDollar]

With her head lowered as she listened for a response, Lana pressed close to the door, her brows furrowed. For a few moments, he didn't say anything, but when he did finally speak, the female officer frowned faintly.

She remembered what Noah had said on the pirate ship, but she couldn't help but wonder if he'd meant it? He had certainly seemed genuine, but maybe the pain-killers had affected his memory a bit.

Her own response didn't come until some time later, her hand rubbing at the back of her neck outside the door.

"Well.. where are you going? I only ask because..." she trailed off, soon to shake her head in frustration.

"Damnit, Noah, can you just let me in!?"

Lana wasn't particularly fond of holding her conversation with the door. Cocking one hip to the left, Lana folded her arms over her chest, noting the tension in her shoulders and her chest with a twitch of her brow.

Forcing herself to take a deep breath, however, she lowered her arms again and closed her eyes momentarily, waiting for her partner's response, whether he let her in or not.

 

[HotCider]

Noah turned to face his bedroom door and stared at it for a few seconds. He had first tried to open it with his mind, and upon receiving no response, he crossed the room to it and pressed the button to open it. The door hissed open, revealing Lana still in her uniform, while he stood before her in his civilian garb. The Martian had unintentionally blocked the entrance of his room as he gazed at her short hair. He hadn’t noticed it until now, and without a word—although a compliment was at his lips—he faced his room and walked back to his hole-in-the-wall of a bed.

He recalled her question and frowned a little. She had put him on the spot. If he told her he was going to Mars, then Mars was where he would go. He had honestly seen enough of the place, and didn’t consider it much of a vacation. Scowling at his suitcase as though he didn’t want to admit it, Noah finally replied, “I wasn’t sure when you were going to take a vacation or if you were going to…”

“I still want to go to earth with you, but if you’re not planning to take off then, I’ll just go home.”

 

[SandDollar]

The door slid open finally, and Lana was about to speak when Noah just stared at her and her new hair cut. Subconsciously, she combed her slender fingers through it to make sure it wasn't messed up or anything, but when the Martian suddenly turned away without a word, the female officer blinked. Struggling for some response, she slowly stepped inside, glad to see he'd cleaned up since her last visit. It certainly smelled better, too.

Noting his internal struggle, Lana watched the blonde alien's back as he continued to speak. He seemed completely pissed off at the world, and after that performance by their fellow officer's in the office, she couldn't blame him.

Finally, he came out with it.

"Oh..." Lana's brows rose in surprise, her head racing. "I wasn't sure if you actually meant it or not," she admitted, scratching at the back of her neck as she switched her weight from one hip to the other, almost as if she were nervous.

"I mean, yeah.. yeah, of course we can go. I think we both need some time off."

After a moment, a smile slowly curled across her lips, though she fought to try and not let her excitement show too much. It would be nice to go home, but hopefully her mother would let her spend at least part of her vacation elsewhere other than her hometown.

Lana paled for a moment at that very thought. Oh, she could only imagine what her mother would think when she brought Noah to visit.

 

[HotCider]

Oh…

The response made Noah wince on the inside. He hadn’t been regarding her face, and so her tone of voice made it sound as though she hadn’t been expecting him to say what he did. Noah slightly frowned as he began to suspect that she may have wanted to return to Earth alone. He listened further and her response sounded so weak, shaky, and just plain old nervous and dishonest.

The Martian grabbed up another shirt, a burgundy one with long sleeves and began folding it.

“You don’t have to lie,” Noah said bluntly. Since when did anyone want to hang with him anyway? They hadn’t hung out before. Everything was just back to the way it used to be. His words dripped with hidden anger, “’Wouldn’t want to waste your vacation, I’ll just return to Mars. It’s no big deal.”

 

[SandDollar]

Her smile instantly fell as he spoke, hearing the anger in his voice, even if it was only faint. Lana wasn't sure what to say. She was only surprised, especially with how their relationship had started off. If someone had told her that one day her and Miller would get along, even be friends, she would have laughed right in their face.

"Noah, what are you talking about? I'm not lying." She stepped up to him and reached to grab his good arm, pulling him away from his suitcase and around to face her. "I'm just not used to this... To us getting along, so I was surprised. That's all."

A hand rose up to rub at the back of her neck, her eyes lowering a moment. "Especially now that we're back, everything's weird. I don't know how to explain it."

With a shake of her head, Lana raised her gaze to meet his, her own frustration clear on her face.

"Still, I would like it if you came with me."

 

[HotCider]

When Lana’s hand rested against his forearm, before Noah would have jerked his arm from her grasp and gave her a threatening glare, but he hadn’t, and he hadn’t taken notice of the change between them. Her fingers curled against his arm, and she easily was able to draw his attention. The Martian regarded her with a disbelieving scowl as she went onto explain how she hadn’t been lying. He wasn’t used to them getting along either. In fact, it was what had led to his snippy reaction.

Noah’s frown softened as she continued to explain. They parted and then began to unknowingly rise in his surprise at her confession. She wanted him to go with her. He was silent for what felt like a minute, but could have actually been a few minutes. He had been staring at Lana, his eyes on her haircut, while his mind busied over her request. Had things really been different? He even tried to think of how he should have reacted to this situation. What was the Miller thing to do? What would he have done and said before?

Her partner blinked as he came out of his mild coma. The situation was completely awkward. He looked away from her, hiding the embarrassment that was bringing a rosy tint to his cheeks. In fact, he turned his back to her so she wouldn’t see it. What the hell!

“Ahmm…well,” Noah attempted to break the ice. “I’ll have to stop by the Science and Technology lab to borrow Frank’s cloaking device and to get a false passport. I don’t want to get arrested as an illegal alien…but, uh, sure…” He managed to pull himself together through the awkwardness. He felt a wave of determination as he turned around and smirked at Lana. “All right then. I can’t wait to explore the origins of blonde and shrimpy Earthlings. Your planet better have good food—not going to wreck my vacation.”

Noah grumbled some as he returned to his suitcase to finish packing.

 

[SandDollar]

Watching Noah's expression change from a scowl to one of surprise and realization, Lana blinked, her lips parted as if she were going to say something, but she only waited for some sort of response. Still, nothing came, and she could only wonder if it was some result of the stress from their abduction or if he wasn't feeling well.

Awkwardly, she shifted her weight again to the other hip, glancing over her shoulder as if to preoccupy herself, but when she turned back, his absent stare finally broke as he blinked and turned away.

Thoroughly confused, Lana's brows knitted inwards and she raised her palms outwards, as if to say 'what the fuck?' And then he made some sort of sound resembling words.

His answer hadn't exactly been what she expected at that particular moment. From the old Miller, perhaps, but not the one who had just suggested they take their vacation together. And that smirk. Yeah, that was Miller, alright.

"Well, we wouldn't want that," she muttered with a roll of her eyes, taking a few steps backwards before she turned for the door. "I guess I'll let you get all that taken care of then. I gotta go ask Chief for the time off."

Her brows still somewhat furrowed, she stepped out into the hall to return to the office. She honestly wasn't sure what to think at that moment. One second, her partner was PMSing, and the next, he was nonchalant and aloof. What the hell was going on?

In any case, there was a lot to do in such little time, packing in particular, and on such short notice, there was no way she was going to be organized about it.

Lana's Quarters​

The chief had willingly given her permission to take the time off, but Lana sensed a mixture of suspicion and surprise on his end. He hadn't asked, but it didn't take a galactic trajectory analyst to put two and two together. Still, who would have guessed the two of them would ever choose to take a vacation together?

With her suitcase laid out on the bed, she placed her hands on her hips as she attempted to decide where she should start. Glancing about her room, she decided to pick out her outfits, laying out her clothes across the mattress.

With a concentrated perk of a brow, she folded up a couple pairs of her jeans and t-shirts; things she didn't really wear at the station, as well as both a casual and a formal dress. Other than visiting her family, she didn't know what they might be doing, so it was best to be prepared.

Once finished with her clothes and toiletries, her travel necessities packed away into her shoulder bag, Lana pushed hard against the top of her overflowing suitcase before securing it closed with a heavy, victorious sigh. With one last glance about her room, she made sure she had everything she needed and headed for the door, closing it behind her as she stepped into the hall. Now all she had to do was find her partner, wherever he was, deciding to start in Frank's lab.

 

[HotCider]

“You’re going to Earth!?” Dr. Noland exclaimed.

Noah dropped his suitcase upon the floor and answered, “That’s right. I’m going to need me a human passport and your cloaking device again.”

“But why Earth? Why not Venus?”

Noah was slow to respond as he actually considered Earth’s twin planet. The only difference between them was that the women were twice as hot, and in some cases, twice as ugly. Most of the models in Extraterrestrial Magazine were from Venus. Frank stared blankly at Noah as he looked to be actually meditating on his suggestion. The Martian then closed his eyes and fanned dismissively at the scientist. There was a perverse smile on his face and an embarrassed flush to his cheeks.

“Stop trying to change my mind. I made a promise to Lana on the pirate ship that I would go with her.”

“You can’t even control yourself in space. What makes you think you’ll do any better on Earth?”

Noah frowned. “What are you talking about? You act like I can’t keep it in my pants. It’s not like I’ve fucked every woman on this ship.”

Frank raised his hand and began counting off his fingers, “Joruka, Troa, that nurse, what was her name…”

“Stop!” Noah fearfully glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was in the lab with him and Frank. He then pointed a finger in the scientist’s face. “We will not have this discussion here.”

Frank crossed his arms before his chest and frowned. “Well, what about your appetite? Have you had Earth food before?”

Noah ran his fingers back through his hair as he tried to recall. “Uh…I don’t even think the Space Buffet had it. I guess not.”

“If you ever try something from there and like it, you’re going to put Lana in the poor house.”

Noah clasped his hands together and smiled innocently to Frank. “That’s why I was going to ask to also use your credit card again.”

Frank stared at Noah with a hard scowl on his face.

“So not Lana, but me. You want to put me out of the job.”

Noah threw up his hands. “Oh, come on. It’s not that big of a deal. It probably doesn’t even taste good. I may just be on a diet the whole time I’m there.”

Frank’s scowl remained as he raised his right wrist and deactivated the cloaking device. His thin image then dematerialized in a lowering curtain of sparkling pixels, revealing his globular form that was bound to his floating chair.

“I think I’m the perfect example of just how good the food on Earth is,” Frank stated.

There was a disturbed frown on Noah’s face. He had been so used to seeing Frank in his thin disguise that he had forgotten that he was actually a…well, to be it nicely, horizontally challenged. Was Earth food really that dramatic? Noah was lost for words just staring at him.

Frank sighed in exasperation and reactivated his device. “I want to hear this from Lana’s mouth. As a genius, even I know it’s foolish to send you to Earth. Why do you think Martians are banned from most places?”

Noah smirked arrogantly. “Because of our superior brain, strength, and looks...”

“Because of your mind controlling powers and because you devour everything in sight like a swarm of locusts.”

Noah turned his cheek dismissively. “Psh, you Earthlings are haters.”

 

[SandDollar]

A pair of faded jeans hugged her hips to perfect as she made her way towards the lab through the labyrinth of halls, a vibrant emerald tank top swaying and brushing across the toned skin of her abdomen. The ensemble certainly reflected her origin, but was far from Lana's usual choice in fashion, but, hell, she was going on vacation and the trip to earth wasn't exactly short, so comfort was necessary.

With her suitcase hovering behind her, guided by a handled extension, Lana positioned herself before the door, allowing the green light to quickly flicker over her frame with a brief greeting before the doors parted for her. Once inside, she let her suitcase fall to the floor, dropping the small duffel she had strapped over her shoulder next to it. The female officer heard the two voices conversing, stepping forward in her metallic sandals with a raised brow as she heard the two men, chatting as always like two little old ladies.

She didn't know what compelled her to stop and listen a moment, but a brow perked as she eaves-dropped somewhat, listening in on the debate which seemed almost snippy.

Finally, however, she rounded the corner, her arms folded over her chest.

"I'd say you'll have a fine time getting past customs. You're not a very good representative of your species based on that description," she interjected with an amused smirk, sliding her hands into her back pockets as she joined the two. Despite her previous confusion at her encounter with Noah, she was happy to be taking a vacation and eager to get home. It had been far too long since she'd last an Earth burger and she'd been craving one ever since they'd escaped that pirate ship.

"We hate being hungry," she shrugged, "so when a garbage disposal like you comes along, we tend to get possessive."

 

[HotCider]

Noah tensed a little when Lana suddenly joined the conversation. If he had his powers, he would have known she had entered the room long before he had laid eyes on her. Frowning off to the side, he shook off the sudden emotion of fear and startle he had felt. It was going to be difficult adjusting to his new, temporary life. If it wasn’t for his strength, he may have felt like Lana: Human. He returned to the conversation.

“Have you seen any other Martians around here?” Noah asked Lana, and then quickly answered. “No; you haven’t. I’m the best representative there is!”

He then stretched out his hand toward Lana in a talk-to-the-hand gesture he had learned Earthlings do except he was trying to playfully grasp and hide her face behind his hand.

“Who says I’ll even like your shitty food? I didn’t see it at the buffet,” Noah said. He then lowered his hand as he returned his attention to Frank. “So you’re making me a passport or what? I need a passport, your credit card, cloaking device, and a vanguard for the airport. Who knows if we’ll see some other telekinetic wannabes there?”

Frank sighed in defeat. Lana had confirmed that Noah was indeed going with her. He just hoped that she accepted any consequences if there were any. If Miller found Earth to be too mundane, then he may not cause as much trouble as he feared.

“I hope you keep a tight leash on him Lana,” Frank said as he stepped over to his computer to get to work.

The Galactic Space Port​

They were at the gate and as Noah’s luggage was going through the scanner, he stepped through the lethal weapon/race detector. The detector flashed green and spoke on an electronic voice:

Human. Welcome to the Galactic Space Port Mr. Brandon Williams.

The Martian whirled around, grinning largely at Lana in his human disguise. He had brown hair and brown eyes obscured behind purple-tinted sunglasses. He was wearing a rather vibrant-orange and white, pinstriped shirt with loose denim jeans. His disguise had been very human in his opinion. He picked up his suitcase and once she got through he quietly muttered to her, “Works every time” as though he had been the true genius.

 

[SandDollar]

When Noah outstretched his hand straight into her face, Lana leaned away and blinked furiously, a frown twisting across her lips at his immaturity. Swatting his appendage aside, she gave a roll of her eyes. Had she come across many other Martian's? No, but he certainly didn't behave like a being with such a description would, particularly the superior-brain part.

"You'll just have to find out for yourself. You're not going to believe me no matter what I say." With a shrug of her shoulders, she glanced to Frank with a slight "what-have-I-gotten-myself-into" look, biting down at her lower lip.

"Oh, believe me.. I literally am going to put a leash on him. Parents do it to their children on Earth all the time." She snickered at the thought of keeping Noah on a leash. She was sure Frank could whip one up with a password so he wouldn't be able to get out of it. Still, Lana just hoped he would behave at least somewhat well, but she was quickly realizing that this wasn't going to be much of a vacation... This was babysitting.

Galactic Space Port​

Lana was already exhausted, and they hadn't even boarded the shuttle yet. She swore he was just trying to humiliate her, particularly with how he was dressed. If she was lucky, he'd get beat up the second he stepped onto Earth's crust.

Tossing her own bag down onto the conveyer, she released a faint sigh and stepped through the scanner, glancing up only to see her partner grinning at her as if he'd just won some award for best costume. Again, the scanner flashed green;

Human. Welcome to the Galactic Space Port, Miss Lana Matthews.

"I can totally see why," she replied sarcastically when he whispered to her, thinking himself so terribly clever. Really, he was just drawing more attention to himself than necessary, but it did seem like a very human-like thing to do, she supposed.

Reclaiming her bag, she made her way down the ramp to the seating area near the gate for the shuttles back to Earth. To keep herself busy while she waited for boarding, she pulled her holographic tablett out of her carry-on bag before she sank into one of the plush, air-filled seats, crossing her long legs and settling into a fairly comfortable posture. She just hoped the wait wouldn't be long.

 

[HotCider]

Noah sat across from Lana and watched as she removed her tablet and got comfortable in her chair. From behind those shades, he looked as though he had been expecting her to entertain him. They were going to Earth after all. Did she have any advice or information to share? He narrowed his eyes at her as she tapped away on that stupid touch pad. Looking away from her, his eyes wandered over to a shop that had smelled pretty good. There were hot Gergin tentacles for sale. They looked like a pair of purple octopus tentacles, curled and sitting in a cardboard tray under a heat lamp. A few humans were standing around the shop, making disgusted and fascinated faces at the food, and even taking pictures.

They might have thought the food was gross, but to Noah, it was making his stomach growl. Standing, he moved his suitcase next to Lana, expecting her to watch it as he walked over to the café. He hadn’t had breakfast since he got out of the infirmary, and so the Martian leisurely went from one stand to other soon returning to his seat with a tray. On the tray were the Gergin tentacles, hot Gulu eggs boiled in their birthing slime, and a Uranus milk shake.

Several humans had followed the seemingly human and took seats behind him and off to the side. They felt the man was bold and had never seen a human eat such alien foods before. Unknowingly, humans didn’t eat those foods.

Brandon picked up a fork that had a button on it that when pressed sent ropes of electricity coursing along its prongs. He stabbed it into one of the Gergin tentacles as the tentacle then released a scream and went stiff in paralysis. The humans had jumped at the sound and watched wide-eyed as Brandon lifted the tentacle to his mouth and stuck one of the ends in. The limp six-inch tentacle dangled from his mouth as his teeth whittled at it, the tentacle becoming shorter and shorter until it disappeared into his mouth. He washed it down with a slurp from his shake and forked up a white, baseball-sized egg. The green slime dangled from it in thin ropes, causing the humans to nearly vomit as they clutched their mouths to suppress the temptation. The egg appeared rubber in form as it quivered to the slightest movements of his fork. Noah crammed the whole thing into his mouth and the humans hadn’t been expecting there to be a crunching noise as though he were grinding through the bones of the would-be creature inside.

 

[SandDollar]

Too distracted by her tablet to notice Noah’s expectant gaze upon her, Lana’s finger flicked upwards repeatedly, the screen scrolling rapidly until she finally paused. Her brows slightly perked in her sudden interest in a particular article, and by the time her partner had picked himself up to explore the novelty food items, she was already immersed in the second paragraph. She giggled faintly to herself at the comic content, not even noticing he’d left.

It wasn’t until the wafting, pungent smell assaulted her nostrils that she finally lifted her head, blinking in surprise at the heaping plate the Martian cupped in hand, taking no time in devouring it. Lana quickly straightened in her seat, her brows narrowed as she glanced at the gawking onlookers, setting her tablet aside and delivered a firm kick to his shin.

“Brandon,” she began, her tone doing nothing to hide her annoyance despite being slightly hushed. “I don’t really think that’s a good idea. That made you pretty sick the last time, remember?” Her head tilted aside slightly, her groomed brows furrowed with concern as she glanced to the plate, only to quickly turn her gaze away and press the back of her hand to her nose to shield it from the stench.

She’d tried Gergin once before, and to her great surprise, it tasted worse than it smelled. That, and the consistency was so chewy and tough, she simply couldn’t stomach it, even just one bite. And she didn’t even want to think about the eggs..

 

[HotCider]

Noah felt a sharp kick to his shin and glared daggers at Lana. His cheeks were full of the egg he had been munching as he heard her hushed explanation.

That made you pretty sick the last time, remember?

No. He didn’t remember at all.

“Are you kidding? I lov-”

He noticed the humans staring at him from his peripherals and felt nervous all of a sudden. He had forgotten that he was supposed to be human. Standing, Brandon eased his head over his plate and spat the chewed up egg back into its bowl. He then walked over to the nearest incinerating trashcan with his tray and dumped the contents inside. Setting the tray on top, Brandon walked back over to Lana, looking to be in a foul mood to have his lunch ruined. Before retaking his seat, he snatched up her tablet and sat across from her.

“Then maybe you need to start explaining some things,” he returned quietly and irritably.

How could he act human if he’s never been human before? He had only used the disguise for illegal activities, such as sneaking into buffets.