3- Encounter

After the little talk I had with our dear new friend, I was too excited that I immediately went back to my place to prepare myself because I won't just pass this opportunity and not check what's happening down below.

There's a human civilization striving back at Earth, they have been living with those creatures and they survived. They are the hope we have been looking all these years. I might be acting on impulse, but I have to see for my eyes. I just can't pass up this opportunity or I'll regret not doing something when I could.

"Order the team to prepare my shuttle. I don't need a pilot, I'll drive myself. Also, prepare some extra weapons just incase" I ordered Dave, who was speechless but still nodded after I spoke. Trina was adamant at first, but she knows I won't budge even if she pools all her strength.

"This is wrong, you can't just go down there and scour the whole island without a slightest plan." Trina tries to stop me but I was too good at evading that all her advances were to no avail. "This mission is a suicide mission and you know that. We just got you back, please don't do this. At least wait a little, can't you do that?" Trina was already begging but my mind was already set to doing this.

"This had always been the plan. I hope you understand, I won't forgive myself if I still turn my back on this big." I had hopes that with the explanation I gave her, it would be enough for her to stop preventing me from doing what I had planned for such a long time.

If I'm to choose between planning this out or saving those people down there, I'd always choose the latter part.

Trina looks at me with her usual anxious face however, I waved her worry and proceeded to preparing my uniform. As hasty as I would usually get, I can't just go without wearing my official suit.

Each member of my team has their own modified uniforms or suits, as I like to call them, that is specifically made to adapt to our elemental gifts, thanks to Clark and Carlos and some of our chemical engineers. Even if we're not associated with the military personnel, still we needed the suits to be identified immediately and to also protect the people that are not like us.

There was one time when we used a normal military uniform and when we started fighting, mine melted away while for the rest of my team, they were either torn apart or burnt. So to avoid causing excessive use of limited materials for clothing, Doc and Clark came up with the idea of making the six of us our own modified and adaptable uniforms.

Since I usually move around, Doc specifically designed my suit a flexible one. It is also able to absorb most of my destructive capabilities, I can also extend my element without a problem using the suit. The rest of my team has their own and lucky for us, the suits are able to keep up with our abilities.

I already sent an instruction to everyone and they are all preparing their equipment's. Though Trina was still skeptical, she eventually just gave up and told me she'll be watching at the command center. My watch has been buzzing for a while and I already have an idea from who it was coming from, I am still mad at him but he is my Lieutenant and I have to report.

"For the record I am still mad at you and you still have no say on whatsoever I'm planning to do from now on. I am only answering your call because I have to report. And before you could even stop me, I am already decided and there is nothing you could say that will stop me from going back down." I took a heavy exhale after I spoke.

Rule no.1 on becoming a badass domineering captain, one's interest should be expressed properly without a doubt or question in mind. If I want Broody to accept my decision. I have to clearly state my intention without a sign of doubt or worry. Push my beliefs like it's the only option out there.

Right now, I don't care if he suddenly decides to stop me using his thousand personnel, right now, my only focus is to going back to Earth and witness the start of a new life.

"I am not going to stop you; I just want to remind you to still be vigilant with this matter. Things can happen unexpectedly and I don't want to witness you returning here with anger and sadness, again! Don't put too much hope on our new guy. He barely escaped death and we still do not understand how he survived all these years. Just be careful on your way back X, scout all you want but come back here as soon as you sense something out of norm. And this is not a request, this is a command from your superior. Insubordination will just cause the team deprivation. Do you understand what I'm saying X?" I could tell Broody was worried. Though he is commanding me to basically submit to his command, he is also pleading that I do exactly what he just told me to do. He is scared and I understand his reason.

"Just make sure to prepare places for the other survivors. I'll report back as soon as I get something. Bye" I answered.

After receiving instruction and preparing the necessary equipment's, I gathered the team to my shuttle. The shuttle has been assigned to me since I become the Captain of EL30. Since we can't really share everything with the military or even with the scouts, the superiors gave us this ship so that we can separately do our own missions and secretly do deeds for the leaders of the space station. I guess you could say, we definitely became the leaders' of todays', hounds. We fight when they order us to fight, and we go whenever they ask us to go.

"Jack check every system and engine, make sure that everything is ready for departure." I said to Jack as I was checking the shuttles weaponry. Jack immediately followed. Dave and Charlene will be piloting the shuttle as I will be in charge of the weapons. Doc will man the coms while Clark and Jack take turns on assisting whoever needs one.

The shuttle they gave me is not that small nor big, it has enough space to hold at least twenty people or more, depending on the amount of equipment we're bringing.

Dave whistles while he goes and do his usual ritual before flying. Charlene just stays calm while she checks her monitors.

"Capt. I think someone wishes to tag along" Dave informs me while I was checking the commanders chair, or as I like to call it, my throne. I look to where he was pointing and the scans we have outside the shuttle, and to my surprise, our little new friend is standing in front of my shuttle looking at all of us. I don't remember Doc telling me he has cleared Levi from the med bay.

I walked out of the shuttle and called for Doc before I face Levi. As far as I know he wasn't invited to this trip and I am not planning to bring an injured person even if they begged me.

"What are you doing here? You should be resting" Levi strides to meet me halfway. Doc was besides me as soon as he realized why I called him while going out of the shuttle. Levi looked a little restless and eager. He had a determined look on his eyes, like there is no other way but his and his alone.

"You have to take me with you" He started to speak.

"I strongly suggest that you don't. You still need more time to heal." Doc intervened before I could even say no to this guy. "You may look okay but even superheroes need some time to rest."

"You have to take me with you. This is not a question nor am I asking any of your permission. Whether you board me to your ship or not, I will keep standing here until you make allow me." Levi tells us like he was ranting kid being extra stubborn. Though I admire the determination he has in his eyes, this fiery emotion he's overflowing with, well I feel them all.

"X please?" Doc begs me as he already knows there is nothing, he could say that will make this guy get out of our faces. I managed to shake the emotions playing inside my head. I have to shake the feeling away and make sure that none of the other members could sense that feeling,

"Give me one good reason why should I bring you with us?" I tried to sound confident and in command, but I failed in so many ways, because Doc even looked at me with his confused face. I don't usually act the way I just did and I am almost stern with every decision that I make.

"I'm your only chance on finding the place you wished to see. They won't easily welcome you with open arms once you arrive on the surface. They'd rather see you burn or be eaten alive by those creatures down there. If they see you go down from the ship with me tagging along, they'll welcome you without doubts and they might even consider talking to you." Levi explained without flinching. He was sincere, I could tell from all the weird emotion his overflowing right now.

"Fine…" I spoke while trying my best to avoid the dirty look coming from Doc. I know his pissed I didn't agree with him but somehow, Levi has a point. He is my only lead to this civilization I'm hoping to find, he is also the only guide we have. He knows more about the land than anyone else on board with me. Doc can just cool off and I can just explain to him later when he can finally accept my apology.

"You can come with us, but only on one condition.' I pointed as soon as I saw the excitement starting to resurface on Levi's face. "You have stay behind me at all times, and when I say, all times, I meant every word. If you slip out of my view even for just a second. I'll set you straight back to the shuttle and we will never have this conversation ever again. Do I make myself clear?" I raised my commanding voice and before he could even try and fight me, Doc was already one step ahead of him.

I turned my back while Doc tries to stop Levi from advancing towards me. I didn't need to hear his response, I wasn't negotiating. When it is come to safety, his is my top priority right now. All my men are trained to defend themselves; they know when to fight and when to retreat.

I straightened my suit before entering the deck, everyone was already waiting for me inside, Doc was also besides Levi and his supposed to be deck assignment are now being occupied by Jack. I guess he decided to be on guard duty instead.

"Captain on deck." Clark said as soon as he saw me. All of them stood up to welcome me, which I do not usually enjoy but they are protocol and we have to show that we are not that rebellious to the system so here we are acting all civil like it's the normal thing we always do.

"Proceed to stations. Chanelle, you'll be mapping our way in, Dave steady as she goes. Everyone, prepare for departure" I ordered my team as I sat on my own chair. Everyone followed as I commanded. As I wait for my two pilots to fly us out of here, I could feel Levi staring at me from the back to where there's another available chairs for anyone.

I shouldn't even be bothered by the looks he was giving me, however, I am also receiving the murderous emotion he was harboring against me. My bet is, he was already planning his escape the moment he stop inside the shuttle. His whole demeanor changed and I have been feeling every piece of his emotions flowing like magma out of volcano.

I have a feeling he doesn't know I'm somewhat of an empath, because if he did know, he wouldn't be so reckless.

"Levi, I suggest that you stop trying to stab me in your mind. I may not see what's happening inside your mind but I could pretty much feel everything you are feeling right now. Doc kindly inform our dear friend about the whole team. It may be intel for him, but telling our secrets won't give us any harm than it already gave." I rather sound teasing but I was serious. I needed to focus as well on our way to Earth and if I keep my focus on what Levi feels, I'll never think straight.

I blocked all emotions and focused my attention at the task at hand, though I could hear Doc explain some things to Levi, Chan and Dave are already initiating the fly sequence.

I strapped in and waited for the shuttle to fly out of the station and lead us to Earth.

"All systems are good, engines are hot and steady. Scans are as clear as glass. We are good for re-enter.. Awaiting your orders captain?" Dave finished his scans and announces that we are clear to go. Earlier as we were mapping our way back to Earths surface, theres been some weird readings going off our scans that I had to decide to wait for a few more minutes before we scan the surface again. I wasn't just going to leave without giving the situation a chance.

Scanning the Earth's atmospheric condition are just one of the ways we measure whether it is safe to fly down Earths surface or not. Thought I should have retreated the moment the first scans showed some abnormalities, however, I do not wish to reschedule this flight without looking into more details.

Since everything checks out and I do not wish to prolong the agony and anticipation of seeing another group of human beings, the same human beings that could bring us the peace always wanted.

"Activate shields, initiating countdown. Everyone strap in, this one is going to be bumpy" I gave my signal to Dave and he immediately beamed with excitement as he drives us back to Earths surface.

When the countdown hit zero, the shuttles shakes as we enter the Earths atmosphere. It was bumpy and quite flashy too still thanks to the shields, the turbulence didn't last that long.

Chan deactivated our artificial gravity and redirected all power towards our blasters, just incase something unexpected happen.

Levi stood up from his chair when he saw we were approaching Zone Zero, I could feel his love for this place like it was his everything and now he feel at ease. He is home.