20 Chapter V The Nebula Galaxy - Part 2

Days later. Time: 13:29

Planet: Genesis: Region: Lonely Island.

Day: October 25, 22,236

Still in a daze, Locus woke up from the hard cold steel plated ground. His vision was still blurry from the crash, unable to currently recall what had happened. He looked around and couldn't see Delta Team in sight. He barely was able to climb out of the black scorched walls, struggling to drag himself out. Locus leaned up against the wall to support himself, it was a tight escape as the exit was caved in from the landing. He wiped his helmet's visor to clear away the grime off and noticed a gleaming pure white light. He supported himself over to that light and crawled out to wonder what was beyond that light. The hot sun shined on his heavy armor as he climbed out and rolled onto the white sandy beach. Palm trees swung in the background, giving off a calm noise and sense of tranquility. A calm gentle breeze blew past him as he stared up at the sky, able to see the shining bright stars as it was daylight out. He took a moment to relax for just a moment and breath, something he barely ever did. A moment of peace was arousing his mind as he exhaled from his helmet, he felt like taking it off but he didn't know if he would die from the lack of oxygen or would be just fine. He simply laid there, remembering his first team members. Ava, Marcus, and Dawn.

Sometime long ago

"When are you ever gonna quit?" Ava asked Locus as she calmly approached him from a distance from atop a massive warship. Locus was gripping on the support rails as he stared out into the sunset, observing the quiet city of Liberty. "Why do I need to quit?" A curious question Locus thought as he responded coldly.

"To give yourself rest, there's enough Locust soldiers here to protect us from and to carry out your father's legacy," she said brushing away her hair as it blew on her face.

"I have to stay vigilant Ava, it's not my choice to quit and run. The world needs people like me to protect it from the forces of evil that divides us," he replied as he looked away from the sun.

A tear fell from Ava's face as she looked at him, he couldn't make out why she was sad. Suddenly she embraced Locus and hugged him, crying into his arms. She wept as Locus tried to comfort her. He took off his helmet and sat it aside and asked her to look at him. She was a mess, defenseless and heart broken. "Why do you cry like this?" She couldn't help herself, she went in to kiss him.

She kissed him for a good second or two and then released herself from him. "It's because I love you and I want you to have something worth fighting for."

Locus was speechless as she said those words, he never thought she felt this way before. Ava ran away as Locus tried to stop her, but she went on her way and not another word. Locus felt conflicted with himself, where he needed to set his priorities, whether with Ava's or Humanity. He simply sat on the ground and looked at the stars and wondered. "Ava…. Is this how you always felt?"

Time: 14:11

Planet: Genesis: Region: Lonely Island.

Day: October 25, 22,236

Locus came back to reality as he stared up at the sky, the bright blue sky reminded him of Earth, what it was before the attack. He sighed and fogged up his vision for a moment. His body rested comfortably on the warm white sandy beach. He thought he heard a muffled voice shout out his name. The voice got louder and louder until he looked to the side and saw a human soldier running towards him. His vision was still a fuzz, he couldn't make out who it was. "Locus!" The voice was clear and recognizable. "Lee." Locus said weakly trying to move himself up from the sand.

"You're awake, we thought the crash put you out for good," Lee told him, helping him move across the beach and towards the jungle.

"Heh, I never go out that easy," he remarked back. He was suddenly able to walk himself under the jungle trees. He sat down and was curious to where the others remained, "Where are the others?"

"They're scouting ahead, searching for a ride off this desolate place," he replied as he took off his helmet to breath. He scratched his head and gazed out at the bright blue ocean.

"Let's make our way towards them," Locus said as he climbed up from the ground and looked to find a decent direction to follow.

"I came from the east so we might as well follow back to where I came from," he said putting back on his helmet and followed Locus's path. The two traveled through the shaded jungle trees to find the remaining members of Delta Team.

As the journey progressed onwards, Locus and Lee walked next to each other side by side each holding their own weaponry. A bunch of strange bird creatures flew out of a nearby jungle tree, hastily Locus aimed his assault rifle at the pack of birds, but soon realized it was nothing to be afraid of. "Birds scare you?" Lee jokingly asked him.

"No, I thought it was Scar soldiers,��� he replied while he continuously scouts ahead.

"Some birds scare me," Lee said as he readjusted his weapon to fit more securely on his shoulder. "There are some birds that I saw earlier today that scared me, didn't want to mess with the mommas and their babies."

"That's like asking for a death sentence," He told him as he searches further beyond to find the remaining crew. "We don't want to mess with the wrong thing, it could complicate things."

A question came to his mind, something that he hadn't thought of in a while, "Hey Locus?" He paused, breathed and said outwardly, "If we don't make it back to the Autumn, I wanna ask you. Keep my daughter safe will you?"

Puzzled, Locus gave as his expression, he gazed at him and asked, "Why are you asking me of that, Are you not gonna make it?"

"It's my last request to make, I don't trust anyone else but you Locus. There's something special about you that gives me trust towards you" Lee kept quiet for the rest of the walk back to the others, Locus wondered what he meant by his words as he kept reciting in his mind what he said. The two men walked for several miles as they explored the island all while keeping an eye out for the Scars.