XANTHEON

Created by SHEPHERD AKARA ©

Founder of SKYBREED ENT ©

The aircraft hummed with a serene elegance as it cruised through the blissful skies, effortlessly slicing through the ethereal expanse with weightless precision.

X6-878, one of Jasper's sleekest and lightest designs, flaunted aerodynamic brilliance, defying the laws of physics with its soothing grace.

Yeva, her patience waning, repeated the age-old question, "Are we there yet?"

Knox, ensnared by boredom, fiddled with his fifteen-centimeter tantō within the aircraft's intricate luxury.

With a flick of her flexible brunette grace, she swapped seats with a speechless masked F.O.R.N.A.X knight, her mesmerizing body language stealing the coveted spot next to the daring blonde.

"Thank you, Robbo-head," she teased, leaving the speechless knight to his fate.

Curious about Knox's thoughts, Yeva inquired, "Hey big guy, what's on your mind?" Knox, his sigh calculated for effect, replied, "Thinking of Moscow.

If we break in from above, gain aerial advantage, we could stun Dimitrov's henchmen and take him by surprise..."

"Relax, Knoxy," Yeva consoled her best friend. "General Sirius hasn't given the orders yet."

"We must be prepared at all times," he said, bluntly.

"Indeed," she agreed. "You're always ready... Do you remember, in Iraq, the first words you spoke to me?" she asked with a captivating gaze.

Knox looked deep into her eyes, allured by her charm, and held her hand.

"Put down the weapon... there's no need for violence."

The memories flooded back, vivid and clear—the golden sun, the lush green palms, the ancient citadels.

"Yeah," she chuckled, "after having my butt kicked."

"Naah, you were the one who beat the crap outta me," Knox joined the laughter.

"The burning desire within to perforate you with my AK," she smiled beautifully and continued, "You'd already taken out my entire crew. So fast, so strong, I underestimated you."

"They were terrorists!" Knox laughed it off.

"They were friends!" Yeva protested.

"Really, this is how you wanna play?"

"How could I have known I was merely a pawn in the grand scheme of the world's greatest psychopath? I was only a girl."

"A damn pretty one. At first sight, I was overwhelmed by your potential. A diamond in the rough; an angel, hiding behind the mask of a killer."

She kissed his hand in love's enchanting delight.

"One more question," Yeva Aleksandrova said.

"Shoot!"

"Why didn't you shoot me, first chance you got? I know you spotted me from that rooftop. You've got clearer vision than a preying eagle."

He put a finger on her cheek. "I look at you and I see a kid full of passion... a prodigy fighting for a lost cause... on the wrong side of war.

I was given specific orders, though; 'shoot whatever moves.' But just one look at you, and a thought crossed my mind...

Liberation."

"How were you so persuasive?" Yeva inquired once more.

"I wasn't. Deep down, you always knew you were being used by that lunatic," Knox said.

"And now we're on the chase all over again? All these years, yet we fail to capture him," the brunette lisped.

"We will, this time," the young blonde captain assured Yeva. "Bring him to justice."

Their gazes locked, and they drew nearer, their lips inching closer to share a delicate touch of empathy.

Created by SHEPHERD AKARA ©

Founder of SKYBREED ENT ©

"We're here, guys," Jasper Ford's words interrupted the moment, stealing their kiss.

The pristinely gifted pilot flaunted his marvelous skill as the aircraft descended to lower altitudes with a mellow grace.

"Welcome to the Xantheon, ladies and gentlemen, the metal scientist uttered.

Behold the marvel, a colossal vessel born of uncanny engineering, seated majestically atop the grievous abyssal Atlantic.

Xantheon, the scientists called her—a titanous airborne aircraft carrier; the mobile headquarters of F.O.R.N.A.X.

The colossal disc-shaped vessel, an extraordinary spectacle of military might, eclipsed the land of Georgia in sheer magnitude. Its formidable presence resonated with an imposing aura, reminiscent of the legendary heli-carriers of old.

Adorned in a resplendent shielded constructive armory, it stood resolute as an impregnable fortress, designated as the sanctum of F.O.R.N.A.X.

Within its vast expanse, a labyrinth of chambers and corridors housed an astonishing fleet of aircraft, numbering in thousands, each a testament to the unparalleled prowess of the agency.

Unfathomable technology, born from the minds of visionary geniuses, permeated every inch of this celestial behemoth, granting it an unrivaled advantage in the realm of warfare.

Through the enigmatic art of space-jumping, the grand vessel was capable of transcending the boundaries of mere mortal understanding, traversing the cosmos with a speed that defied the limits of human comprehension.

A symphony of hypersonic motion resonated through its massive hull, a testament to the boundless power it wielded.

Within the heart of this titanic carrier, a league of laboratories teemed with the finest minds Earth had to offer.

Day and night, their tireless efforts pushed the boundaries of knowledge, seeking to unlock the secrets of the universe and harness them for the betterment of humankind.

Yet, this floating bastion was not merely a haven for intellect and discovery. Its colossal halls echoed with the resolute footsteps of a legion of specialist combatants, numbering in hundreds of thousands—'The Vanishing Soldiers.'

Also called SHADOWBORNE…

Armed with the latest weaponry and an arsenal of unimaginable potency, they stood as an indomitable force ready to face any threat that dared to challenge the world.

"The Citadel of knowledge," Jasper muttered beneath his breath. Despite playing a key role in its design and creation, he was still awed by the gargantua of the Xantheon.

"Home," Knox said with a smile.

X6-878 had become a spec, a mere flea compared to the aircraft carrier as it landed rhythmically.

Waiting patiently beside the tarmac and surrounded by a troop of Vanishing Soldiers was Zara O'zara, a brilliant diplomat serving as a secretary to the Director of F.O.R.N.A.X.

She was a black beauty, a slender African-American in her mid-twenties with eyes darker than charcoal and lustrous skin bearing the shade of mahogany.

Suited neatly with thick woven hair, she warmly welcomed Knox's five-man crew.

Jasper Ford was the last to descend from his sleek airborne craft.

The bulletproof glass doors slid shut robotically. Zara was full of smiles as he approached her.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Professor Ford. Your reputation does indeed precede you," she greeted the genius scientist with a handshake.

"Pleasure's all mine, Miss..." he paused momentarily, slightly distracted by the strength of her grip.

"Zara... Zara O'zara," she replied with a broad grin, ear-to-ear. "General Sirius awaits your presence."

"Alright then, let's move."

Soldiers from every corner saluted their blonde captain, hailing his bravado and bravery, which had led them to countless victories…

Knox, the embodiment of both modesty and nobility, reciprocated the cavalry's salutes with an undeniable charisma that spoke of his leadership.

As the team ventured towards the towering edifices of the Xantheon, a familiar voice emerged from behind, jesting at the expense of the British commando.

"What took ya?"

Nye Norvak, hailing from Australian heritage, bore a conspicuous accent that immediately marked his origins.

His imposing figure, a testament to dedication and relentless training, was adorned with a dark beard meticulously groomed beneath his chin.

At thirty-two years old, Norvak possessed coffee brown eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of countless missions, while tattoos adorned his thick, sleeveless arms.

He and Knox had been comrades, rivals twice over, and competitors thrice, yet Norvak was the sole individual audacious enough to critique his captain.

"Took ya long enough to bring over the less important pilot," Norvak taunted Knox with a handshake.

A hint of sarcasm danced in Knox's retort. "Oh, I was only gone for... thirty minutes?"

"More like thirty months," Norvak jeered, his voice playfully hoarse.

"Says the Australian named Norvak. Where are your parents from, Dimitrov's bathroom?" Knox retorted in kind.

"My father's roots trace back to Serbia. Aye, he settled in Sydney where he met my mom. And... here I am today."

Knox, teasing aside, implored, "Okay, let's cut it with the Soviet jokes."

Took barely twenty-four hours to convince the greatest mind on the planet to join our team. Never thought I'd be so happy to see your dumb face again," the blonde sniper expressed, his satisfaction evident.

A fierce stare-down ensued between Norvak and the British commando, both warriors locked in an unwavering contest of wills.

Captain Brandon interjected with a puff of breath, causing Norvak to blink and concede.

"You cheated," Norvak grumbled, his defeat not sitting well, though their laughter soon mended the rift.

Created by SHEPHERD AKARA ©

Founder of SKYBREED ENT ©

"Welcome back, old friend," the burly combatant warmly embraced the fanciful knight, cementing their camaraderie.

Yeva, however, rolled her eyes, her patience waning in the face of the male ego's theatrics.

"Ah... Aleksandrova..." Norvak's eyes alighted on her. "The charm of F.O.R.N.A.X, beautiful as a desert flower... if you catch my drift."

Unamused by his allusion, Yeva, the Ukrainian ex-Navy SEAL, issued a stern warning.

"If you're referring to our time in Iraq, then you're completely insane."

"Oh, come on, don't want lil Knoxy here to get jealous, do ya?" the Serb jeered.

"Trust me, I'm going to kick your balls again. This time, they'll pop," Yeva asserted, her confidence unwavering.

"Don't see a problem with that," Knox chimed in, his typical dry humor breaking the tension. "The man wasn't going to have kids anyway."

The sniper's words ignited a fit of high-pitched laughter from Yeva, her amusement clear to all who heard.

As the crew continued their journey, a sense of camaraderie prevailed, and they made their way to the high-speed elevator.

It propelled them to the uppermost floor, where General Sirius awaited the arrival of the reluctant billionaire.

Created by SHEPHERD AKARA ©

Founder of SKYBREED ENT ©