Visions of Destiny

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As they soared skyward, Jason fixated on the window, its reinforced glass revealing the shifting hues beyond. Once cerulean heavens now darkened ominously as their vessel pierced the stratospheric layers. Sunlight, once a gentle embrace, now refracted into harsh beams. The weight upon them, oppressive as a mountain's embrace, reached its zenith before plunging into silence.

"No matter how many times you embark, the sensation never wanes," Captain Brad muttered, his voice tinged with annoyance.

For Jason, it felt as though a vital part of his being had been severed. Weightlessness engulfed him, releasing the burden from his weary frame. He turned, releasing the restraint of his seat belt.

Beyond the portal, the void of space beckoned, juxtaposed against the spherical expanse of their home world. Three colossal entities orbited, a testament to human ingenuity. Brad followed Jason's gaze, elucidating, "Behold the marvel: I-CA Central Command, newly erected. Nestled within the upper echelons of the atmosphere, it oversees the Northern Hemisphere."

Five imposing structures loomed like sentinels, piercing the planet's surface. They dominated the vista, visible even from the vastness of space, housing the nerve center of Earth's naval might: the I-CA Central Command.

"Since your departure, the I-CA's political landscape has soured. With no one to temper their ambitions, rival factions vie for supremacy. The Central Command stands as their testament, a beacon of power," Brad explained, his tone tinged with sympathy.

Jason stood in silent contemplation, his expression unreadable as the planet dwindled in the distance. The ship shuddered as deceleration thrusters engaged, signaling their approach to their destination.

[Captain, nearing I-CA High Command.]

Brad and Jason made their way to the cockpit.

[I-CA High Command, this is ES-25 carrying vital cargo. Requesting permission to dock.]

The commodore's voice crackled through the radio, echoing their intent to the High Command. 

Four hundred thousand kilometers vanished within hours, a testament to humanity's boundless ambition.

Within the cockpit, anticipation thrummed as they awaited the High Command's response, destiny awaiting at their fingertips amidst the vast expanse of the cosmos.

[ES-25, acknowledged. Proceed to landing bay 05 for docking.]

The High Command's directive crackled through the ship's communications.

With a graceful glide, the Escort ship veered towards the I-CA High Command base nestled within the lunar surface.

The moon's scarred visage greeted them, its craters like ancient wounds etched upon its face. Within one such crater lay the I-CA High Command base, a testament to humanity's advancement. Unlike conventional structures, it was seamlessly integrated into the crater's foundation, sprawling beneath the lunar surface.

As ES-25 approached, its primary engines dormant, the vessel maneuvered skillfully, guided by secondary thrusters. Suddenly, a brilliant beam of light pierced the darkness, momentarily blinding Jason as the ship descended into the cavernous landing bay. With a gentle thud, ES-25 settled into place, docking tubes extending to secure its berth.

"[ES-25], docking sequence complete. Air pressure stabilized. Welcome to the High Command base," echoed the voice of the High Command over the radio.

"Let's proceed," Captain Brad urged, nudging Jason towards the upward hatch.

Navigating in zero gravity proved disorienting for Jason, his movements awkward and unsteady. Captain Brad observed with amusement, suppressing a chuckle at Jason's antics.

After a series of ungainly maneuvers, Jason finally reached the airlock, where Captain Brad tossed him a pair of gloves and shoes.

"What are these?" Jason inquired.

"Magnetic attire, my friend. They'll keep you grounded in low-gravity environments. Straight out of the pages of fiction," Captain Brad explained, activating the magnetic force of his own footwear, anchoring himself firmly to the base's surface.

"How does it feel?" Captain Brad grinned, tugging at his securely anchored shoes.

Amidst their banter, the commodore, who had been silently observing, couldn't help but chuckle at their antics, a moment of levity amidst the gravity of their mission.

"You always make a fool of yourself, Captain," the commodore chided in before tapping the heels of the magnetic shoes with his hands and they were deactivated. 

"Hahaha. I tend to forget how these babies were turned off!" Brad laughed sheepishly.

"Let's proceed, Rear Admiral Valerie has been expecting us," the commodore directed as the airlock doors opened.

Guided by the commodore, they made their way through the base. On the other hand, Jason carefully observed one of the constructs that his friends had invested their efforts into. He remembered those times when they all fought together on the frontlines, sharing all the joys and sorrows. Suddenly a face full of youthful vigor flashed past and his eyes turned moist.

"We are here," the commodore's voice snapped him back to reality.

With a stoic expression, Jason stepped into the command center. Before him was one of the most veteran officers of the I-CA Naval Command and the commander of the base Rear Admiral Amelia Valerie, dressed in her uniform with two golden stars, seated behind her desk. The aura of authority along with the calmness in her demeanor made her feel peaceful yet dangerous. 

Sensing their presence, Valerie's gaze turned towards them. Instantly Jason felt a sense of peacefulness and calm as they made eye contact.

"Vice-Captain Jason, it's a pleasure to meet you," she began, saluting towards Jason.

"No need for formalities, Rear Admiral. The pleasure is all mine," Jason replied. 

In the annals of the I-CA, Rear Admiral Amelia Valerie, renowned as the 'Annihilator', wielded unmatched prowess. From the legendary Evo Squad to her ascension as a Rear Admiral, her valor in the Reboot era resonated. Unbacked by prominent factions, she commanded respect in the Naval Command. 

"Since we are running low on time, we shall continue with the objective in hand," Valerie commanded, pointing towards the sofa on the side as she proceeded to take a seat.

Once everyone was seated she continued. 

"Vice-Captain Jason," she began, her words carrying weight, "you–" 

"Just Jason," he interjected sharply, his tone slicing through the silence.

"Then Jason," Valerie acquiesced, her gaze unwavering, "you've perused the report from Captain Brad. What's your assessment?"

"Before I render judgment, I will require an in-depth report of the situation, right from the beginning," Jason declared, his eyes locked with Valerie's.

Sensing his unyielding resolve, she pressed on. "I anticipated your need for depth. But remember, I merely followed orders." 

"Proceed," Jason nodded, his curiosity piqued.

"Alright. To be frank, the deep-space probe was not actually a probe. It was supposedly a recon to establish a Forward Operating Base for the I-CA Naval Command in order to mine resources from beyond the belt, jointly proposed by the CL and the Legion. The Flagship of Legion departed for the construction of the same. It was a huge step for Humankind," Valerie explained, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"So you are telling me Diane knows of this plan and she was the one who commanded the Oracle to sortie?" Jason's brow furrowed in confusion.

'That's weird, why would she do that? Has she changed after that incident?' Such thoughts wandered in Jason's mind. 

Noticing his confusion Valerie continued, "Your assumption is flawed," she corrected, her patience wearing thin, "Admiral Diane didn't merely 'command' the Flagship to sortie, but she herself undertook the task. She was onboard the Flagship–"

Once more, Jason cut her off, his expression fraught with concern.

"Was? You said 'she was onboard'. What do you mean by that?" he demanded, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Allow me to finish," Valerie snapped, her demeanor growing frosty. "You'll have your answers in due time."

Jason scratched his head in embarrassment, as he lost his composure.

"Admiral Diane and the crew of Flagship Oracle were onboard the vessel when we last made contact," Valerie revealed, her gaze like ice, daring Jason to interrupt.

Jason closed his mouth abruptly, understanding the silent threat in her stare. 

"Before communication ceased, they transmitted this," she continued, tapping the table, conjuring a holographic projection. 

"What in the world…" muttered Brad, his astonishment breaking the tense silence. The commodore, privy to only so much, had long since departed.

Jason studied the blurry image with intensity, his mind racing with possibilities. After a moment, he turned to Valerie.

"It's what I feared," she confirmed solemnly, her voice heavy with foreboding.

"Impossible," Jason exclaimed, rising from his seat in shock. "According to the known timeline it is too early for this." 

"We share the same belief," Valerie replied, her voice measured, "According to Central Command's speculation, it could be a remnant left behind by them."

"And what of Admiral Diane?" Jason inquired, his tone steadier now.

"We suspect she ventured into a black zone, cutting off communication," Valerie explained.

Black zone was the area of space which was devoid of any medium for wave propagation. Although the principles behind it were unknown, it did exist.

"Knowing Diane, she would definitely try to explore that thing," Jason murmured as everyone listened.

"That's precisely why we need you guys back," Valerie asserted. "We can neither afford to lose Admiral Diane nor the Flagship Oracle." 

"Have you dispatched anyone to assess the situation?" Jason's question was firm, his resolve evident.

Valerie sighed heavily and continued, "We cannot risk diverting our resources. Our vessels are currently engaged in monitoring the movements of the other I-CA factions. Any interference could ignite conflict anew." 

Suddenly, a surge of pressure emanated from Jason, his demeanor shifting like a predator scenting prey. Even if it was only for an instance, Valerie and Brad felt chills run down their spine.

"So you want me to make contact with the team for this?" Jason asked. His attitude which seemed jolly and happy had turned cold in this instant.

"Yes, we require your expertise," Valerie replied fearlessly, without being bothered by his cold attitude.

"I understand," Jason responded tersely. "So, this was your true intention all along. Bringing me here under the guise of seeking my opinion on the deep-space probe signal."

"Vice Captain Jason like I said before, I am just following orders," Valerie justified.

In response, Jason nodded curtly and strode towards the exit. 

"They may not have much time," Valerie called after him urgently, her words hanging in the air.

Jason's words cut through the tense atmosphere like a blade.

"You need not remind me of the urgency," Jason stated, his voice laced with a raw edge of frustration. "You think you can dictate our actions just because we refrain from harming you? You and your superiors are mistaken, Rear Admiral. It was true then, and it remains so now. If not for the Captain's orders, there would be no factions tearing apart the I-CA senate today." 

With that, he left the command center. Valerie did not try to stop him after hearing the last sentence. She looked at Brad, who understood her intention and followed after Jason catching up to him quickly.

"So, where to now?" he asked, trying to be as polite as possible.

Jason did not answer as he kept moving. Soon, he reached the observation corridor. His steps paused and he looked at the planet and the satellites in front of them. Brad did not disturb him as he thought he was deep in though and mulling over something. After all, the decision was not so easy to make. Minutes passed in silence before Jason spoke.

"Umm, Captain," he said, his eyes still glued to the screen.

"Yes?" Brad enquired fearing for the worst.

"Where is the canteen?" Jason turned and asked while scratching his head in embarrassment.

Brad felt something inside him shatter at the question. Jason could feel the image of himself shattering inside Brad's mind. Nevertheless, he managed a laugh, leading Jason to the canteen.

Inside the canteen, Jason had a huge plate in front him filled with different kinds of meat, some grilled, some dipped in gravy, some fried. Beside the plate there was a huge bowl filled with soup which let out steam. After clasping his hands and offering his prayer, Jason wolfed down on the contents of his dish. 

The sounds of gulping and chewing reverberated in the silence of the canteen. Brad looked at Jason who ate as if he was hungry for god knows how many years.

"The dishes here are made from the meat of the Terra-formed creatures," Brad explained between bites. "They carry huge amounts of nutrition and energy for people like us." 

'Oh dear, for how long was he hungry? It is now that I remember that no matter who it might be, delicious food can always be a source of temptation for the person.' Such thoughts occurred in his mind.

Soon the dishes turned empty and Jason moved towards the soup.

"So, what after this?" Brad asked.

After a huge slurp, Jason kept the now empty bowl back on the table.

"As far as I know the Captain should be at the base," Jason replied, patting his stomach in satisfaction.

"Hmm, which base? There are many on the planet and how come I never heard of such a thing before?" Brad asked in confusion.

"Not an I-CA base, but the team's base," Jason clarified with a smirk.

"So we go there and get him then?" Brad questioned.

"That's a big no. We cannot enter the area around the base by any means." Jason replied. "I will contact the Captain and get in touch with you. Just leave me back where you found me."

Hours later at GP-1151, the 'Antique' shop. 

As Jason entered the shop, he found it transformed from its previous state of disarray. Lieutenant Ray and his team had meticulously cleaned and restored it, making it shine like new. The once dilapidated glass cabinets now gleamed, and a sturdy wooden boundary replaced the old fence. Even the streets surrounding the shop had been tidied, devoid of any trash.

Scavenging through the shop, Jason finally located what he sought: a small black satellite phone from the pre-apocalyptic era. Blowing off the dust, he powered it on.

"Mmm, let's see," he muttered, punching in a string of numbers.

"Hello? Yes, this is me." Jason spoke into the phone, his tone urgent. "What do you mean, who? It is me Jason. Ah yes. Where is the Captain? Oh, okay. It's an emergency, we will talk afterwards. I need a pickup. What do you mean why? I am the Vice Captain goddammit. Show some respect, will you! Hmm, yes. No, not there. I changed my location again. Hey! It's not trash okay. Umm, that I don't know. Just trace the location, will you? Yeah it's urgent. Something happened to Diane. Okay." 

"There, it is done," Jason concluded as he set the phone down.

Meanwhile some place on Earth. Inside a clandestine laboratory, a skinny man wearing glasses was working on something when suddenly he was interrupted by a communication request.

[Lucifer, a communication request from Vice Captain Jason's unit.] A voice which seemed like a combination of male and female reverberated in the lab.

The man, Lucifer, adjusted his glasses and activated the communication device.

"Hmm, Vice Captain Jason? Put it through." Lucifer pressed a button on the device in his ears.

"Hmm. Who is this 'me'? Yeah okay, why did you call? Captain is busy training. Why? Pickup? Why? Alright, alright calm down. I rarely have anyone here to chat with me, I was just kidding. Are you still in the same city? I see your profession of trash collector did not work out there. Okay, okay, so where? Sheesh, alright. Hmm. Alright." 

After the call, Lucifer sighed, a hint of coldness flashing across his features. The laboratory briefly stirred with unseen forces before returning to stillness.

"Aria, get me the Captain," Lucifer ordered.

[Right away.] This time the tone of the voice felt cold and eerie.

"Captain, Vice-Captain Jason called. Something happened to Diane. Yes, I am sending a pick up towards his location. Hmm okay." 

On the same location, elsewhere, a few minutes before. Two people were exchanging moves rapidly. Barrages of fist and kicks rained down on each other as they blocked the blows and retaliated with their own. The speed of attacks being exchanged was too fast. Just then the same voice mixed with male and female tone stopped them.

[Captain, it's Lucifer.]

"Go ahead," the man with the black hair commanded as they stopped. Steam emerged from their bodies, evaporating the sweat.

[Captain, Vice-Captain Jason called. Something happened to Diane.]

A terrifying aura permeated in the surroundings as soon as he heard the sentence.

"Did you send the pickup yet?" the man inquired, taking a deep breath and regaining his composure.

[Yes, Captain. En route to Jason's location.]

"Notify me upon his arrival," the man uttered, turning his gaze towards the other man.

The other man had shoulder length white hair and his muscles seemed to be made of steel, firm and solid.

"Let's go another round, Uncle James," the man suggested, and they once again resumed their intense sparring, each movement charged with determination.