August 20th, 08:40 PST

Dawn passes by, with the sun shining brightly more than ever. Their rays are reflected brightly in Logan's sword and some of Seiner's boxes. The shining brightness of these objects was enough to reflect the rays of light in most of the room. Bright enough to awake the people present in the cabin. They look tired and has taken aback from the sunlight. Yet, despite that, they're still pleased in seeing such beautiful sight of any place in the universe.

Soon they packed up and continued, the group walked miles and miles from the designated place, they seem tired but they are well determined to reach the base.

1 hour, 10 minutes later.

"So this is the place huh?" Seiner asks.

"If my memory of the coordinates serves me right, yes," Jackson says.

"Goody good! Now finally we can see the remaining jolly people in the world! And then kick the Zlocan sorry butts with their sorry regrets!" Tany said.

"Better yit, we can celebrate by drinkin' a lot of scotch!"

"Logan, are you sure that these humans we are about to encounter will accept me? What if they think I'm a sp..spy?" Amira says as she stood beside him.

"Don't worry, we'll convince them that you are a different alien from the Zlocans."

"Don't get so naive Logan, if a common dude could try to accuse her of that, imagine how higher-ups will..." Andrei replies.

"Still, I'll try."

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's meet up with the rest of mankind now!" Eddie says as he started to run towards the base.

"Eddie! Wait for us! They might suspect you!" Malak says as she and the others too started to run.

They run as fast as they could until suddenly, a bullet grazed the ground, just a few steps from Eddie's foot, likely coming from a sniper rifle.

"DON'T MAKE A QUICK MOVE OR ELSE," a familiar voice says on the megaphone.

"Wow wow wow! What the flipping hell? Why would anyone shoot at me?! Hey, asshole! I'M HUMAN! NOT AN EVIL ALIEN, GET IT!? CAN'T YOU SEE DIFFERENCE FROM THE SKIN?!!!"

"WANT TO LIVE? OBEY MY ORDERS, I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HUMAN AND AN ALIEN, YOU ARE TRESPASSING WITHOUT PERMISSION IN THIS ZONE! AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT A SPY EITHER!"

"That voice...hold on, let me handle this!" Jackson says as he steps Eddie aside.

"Hey Hey! What did I teach you a long time ago man? About not shooting towards friendly people unadvised?!"

"THAT VOICE? IS THAT... THE ONE AND ONLY LEGENDARY SEAL?"

"And that is the one and only greatest army man I ever knew in my whole damn life?!" The one who dragged me and my men from extinction and repaid the favor during the war?!"

"AND THE ONE MAN WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO A GODDAMN JOB RIGHT?! WHY ITS YOU! JACKSON GODDAMN BAIRMAN!!"

"JOHN M.B GODHELL WALKER! NO TIME NO SEE EH MAN? STILL TRYING TO BE THE BEST PATRIOT?!"

"AND ARE YOU TRYING TO CHEAT DEATH A LOT OF TIMES EVER SINCE?!"

"YEAH!!!" says both men in unison at the top of their lungs.

"They... know each other? How unexpected," Seiner says.

"That is unless you are in the armed forces comrade," Andrei says to him.

"SO TELL ME, MY GOOD O'L JACK? DID YOU HEARD THAT A LOT OF ZLOCAN ACTIVITY HAS STARTED TO DWINDLE RECENTLY?"

"Yes! I know that because these people and I were the ones responsible for it!"

"THOSE PERSONS THAT ARE ALONGSIDE YOU? THOSE COSPLAYERS? ARE YOU SHITTING ME AGAIN?!"

"No sir, he's telling you the truth! We are the ones you must be looking for!" Logan says as he steps in in front of Jackson.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?"

"I am Logan Preaker, leader of the Earth Warriors, the ones who are willing to the fight the Zlocans and the Inquisitors! He fights with me, and soon we will fight with you!"

"INTERESTING...ALRIGHT, EARTH...WARRIORS OR WHATEVER SUPERHERO NAME YOU HAVE, STEP FORWARD TO THE ENTRANCE, I WILL INTRODUCE YOU TO THE UEF. AND ANOTHER QUESTION."

"Yes?"

"TO THAT...YES, YOU'RE HEARING RIGHT, THE ALIEN GIRL...IS SHE A SPY OR NOT?"

"Definitively not! She's from another race, destroyed by the Zlocans!"

"TELL ME...HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN HER?"

"Almost a week?"

"A WEEK!? HAS SHE DONE SOMETHING UPSETTING?"

"She was accused of being a spy by our teammates but is solved now!"

"CHECKED HER BACKGROUND?"

"ALMOST! But please sir, there's no need to go overload in checking a foreign being, trusting her is the best thing she would like to get!"

"HMM...I'LL CONSIDER MORE OF IT, BUT SHE CAN PASS NOW."

A brief static feedback could be heard, indicating that the mic that John was using is now put down.

"Understood. So, see Amira? I convinced them that you are not one of them, at least...for now, I believe, hopefully."

"Still, my dearest thanks, Logan," Amira says as she caresses Logan's cheek. This made Logan's cheeks glow a bit of a reddish color, stepping back for a bit while chuckling in a lighthearted manner.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Don't you think...that's a bit early...?"

"Such love birds I see?" Malak asks amusingly.

"Love birds...us? Uhmm......." Both Logan and Amira ask in unison as they first turn to each other and stare for a brief while.

"Come on now, it's not that hard to deduce, hmm?"

"Could be a touching one for everlasting years though?" Lucy asks.

"Moving on, please?" Amira asks embarrassed.

"Yeah, let's not waste any more time on this and let us get moving!" Jackson says.

The group approached the gate of the base, which was the size of the Berlin Wall. After a moment of silence, the gate opened, revealing Walker himself.

"You already know my name so I'll keep this brief, I'm the main commanding officer of all ground troops of the United Earth Forces, or UEF for short. For the ones who never heard of us let me explain. When the Zlocu managed to conquer must of our planet in two weeks, it became clear that having many nations around the world, even powerhouses like NATO or the SCO fighting alone against the aliens would not work, their numbers are too big for us alone to handle it. In response, the remaining governments on Earth decided to unify all military alliances around the world to turn it in the organization we are now."

"That easily?" Seiner says.

"Yep, quite unfortunate indeed. Still, if anything, seeing you here could lead us in seeing what else we can have for the war. Now, all of you will accompany me in the truck so I could lead you to my office while seeing what we have in store in battle. Sounds good?"

"Yes!" The Earth Warriors say in unison.

"Well, follow me."

Entering the truck, he then drives off from the main gate while taking it across the complex. Inside, they saw things like many would expect from a military complex. Tanks, soldiers, planes, even new generations machine walkers, it didn't matter how modern they are. All it matters is to fight. Nothing more, nothing less.

The truck later exits the structure and goes driving around the base until they stop at the command building.

"Now, I will show you the ones who are leading this brave group to victory, hop off now!"

"Wow man, these UEF guys surely are really surprising makers, the Zlocans are definitively going rock bottom with these weapons that they have!" Eddie says.

"I rather differ Eddie, there's always something stronger than a gun in wars, this one is no different," Amira says.

"And that is?"

"You already know it," Logan says while glancing at him.

Eddie pauses for a moment, then nodded briefly before moving on.

The group follows Walker in the building where they go to an elevator, after a few minutes waiting, they go inside a room, it seems to be Walker's office. Unusually a large one, with a handful of portraits hanging on the walls and some desks around as well.

"For some colonel like you, you seem to clean up nicely for a stressing war like this. Can't argue with it though." Malak says.

"Do I look like a nerd at all?"

"Rhetorically speaking...maybe."

"Well, anyways as you can see. I'm the ground command officer of this alliance. The one who's running the bones for us is a Commander known as Hans Kaufer. A fine German gentleman I must say. With almost over forty years of military experience across the globe. Of course, even he needs others to do the rest of the work on his behalf, hence why he enlisted high-ranking officers for each continent. America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, you name it."

"Officially ranked?" Andrei asks dryly.

"Hell no. You think they're random actors hired for grandiose performances worthy of millions?

"Well, they surely could have to spend it on the costumes. Who knew they'll look at conventions."

This makes the others chuckle in response from his dry humor. John, of course, being the exception as he only stares at him, smiling hardly while his eyes narrow.

"Now listen to me you little shit...this is boot camp, not a goddamn retro-convention. The ones on board are the best of the best of the greatest best officers of the goddamn military, looks be DAMNED. And as you may know, I'm mostly lenient but I could ensure that tongue of yours is properly trained for authority figures. Or if that won't work, then I'll-"

But before he could continue, a beeping noise started to ring. It comes from John's desk. The computer to be exact.

"What now?" John then clicks on one of the buttons of the computer, the sound stops and the computer shows on screen a person which is none other than Hans Kaufer.

"Greetings Colonel John."

"Commander Kaufer, god, did you knew that I was about to call you so I can show it to the folks I found?"

"Why yes, I presume. Anyways, have you found the 'force' we are looking for?"

"Yes sir, these are the ones." he points at the Earth Warriors, Kaufer gives an incredulous look on his face.

"Are you trying to get a really good promotion Colonel? All that I'm seeing are cosplayers that lost their track."

"Absolutely not sir, Jackson is part of them, I know him for a long time, which means that THEY are the one we're looking for."

"If that's the case, then show me the leader of such group."

"I am sir!" Logan says.

"You, young man?"

"Yes, I'm Logan Preaker, and we, the Earth Warriors will be of great support to you all."

"Earth Warriors? Interesting name. Tell me Logan, who are the other ones accompanying you?"

"Sure, this guy is Seiner Butch, the brains of the team, this one is Amira Dhorian, a friendly alien that comes from planet Sorania, which has been destroyed by the Zlocans, this gal is Tania Maestas, the goofy but formidable magician, you already know Jackson Bairman though, this one is Lucy Henderson, the Scottish reporter but with fists with great pain, this one is Malak Al-Zadi the modern Persian warrior, this one is Eddie Wolfen, the retired cop from California and this guy is Andrei Olegovich, the Cossack shape shifter, Our appearances may not impress you but we hold a lot of potential for you."

"It is indeed, young man. But keep in mind that in most unusual moments like this, it's that physical demonstration of people like you should be shown to us. And given the dire situation, I must say a great display of strength from you is needed. Colonel John, at two hours time, you'll begin testing the people you consider unusual for battle and see if they're enough for combat. Send it to me and I'll see if they're capable enough for our next operation."

"Operation? Which one?" Eddie asks.

"Home Alone. The first step in retaking the States from Zlocan hands. We've already attempted in breaching the defenses of the southern cities which as of now, has inflicted losses on our side. We're trying to find ways to break through, but it appears that you guys are the ones who could give us the spark to victory. To inspire people to keep on fighting no matter what. But as I have mentioned before, a little testing is needed."

"I see now. Still, we won't let you down, Herr Kaufer. It's our most united will that will allow us to break through any obstacle," Logan replies.

"Indeed. Oh, I almost forgot. The Alien being...can you get a bit closer?"

"Me?"

"Yes. Just checking you clearly."

She then approaches near John's desk while he steps backward from her.

"Hmm, for all things considered in the world, there are indeed more curious things in the Universe. But with every curiosity comes the need to be careful, because, in any moment, a danger could emerge from such curiosity and endanger innocent ones. Do not take this harshly, but I believe you could need some extra testing as well."

"T-T-testing...?" she asks nervously.

"Just checking up how you can be trustworthy, don't worry too much about it, young being. But at the same time, we could learn more if the Alien races out there could provide us with a greater insight of them in years to come once it all ends. Colonel, I'm giving you the responsibility to handle every activity carried out with her. At the same time, however, in any case of difficulty beyond your reach, then speak to me and I will see what I can do. Is it clear?"

"Affirmative."

"Good. Remember, a time for hope is needed. Make use of it to make it real."

By saying these words, the screen then turns black, indicating the transmission from Kaufer has ended.

Despite the commander's reassuring words, Amira still felt uneasy about what's to come to her as she clings to Logan.

"Hey now. It's gonna be some checking on you and see what you can be made of, alright? No need to be scared," John says reassuring her.

"But-but..."

"I said don't be scared. That is all you need to stay calm."

"Just be sure of it, Colonel. Just please be sure of it." Logan says interrupting, his voice turning a bit sterner, which makes the rest of the team turn their attention to him.

"Do I make myself clear, young man? He stated it clearly, she's now my responsibility even though you met her first. It's my responsibility from now to check every aspect of her, and my responsibility for her well-being. If you like to...then feel free to share such responsibility under my command."

Logan simply responds by staring at him, frowning while pressing his fists tightly. The others look at him worriedly, is he really gonna lose it?

"Promise me please..." he says in a whispering tone this time.

"I said don't worry about it, that is all. Now, to move on from this, allow me to check on your barracks, shall we?"

The group then follows John leads which outside his office. It's a normal approach, at least on the surface. Amira is clinging again to Logan's arm, holding it tighter than ever.

What could possibly happen next? Could the relations between Alien species improve at all? Or is it another signs of Human mistakes repeating once more?