- Unnamed Mountain, Maine, Northeast USA, 2035 -

Marko and Angel made their way through the wooded area at a trot, trying to get to where the object was as quick as they could. Marko kept telling himself that this was clearly to make sure that the forest didn't catch fire because of the crash but if he was honest with himself then he'd have to admit that he was not only excited that something was happening but also extremely curious because it's not everyday things fall from the sky and don't immediately blow up everything in their vicinity.

After running for about 5 minutes the pair finally started seeing signs that they were nearing the landing site. The tops of the trees surrounding them were sheered off like someone took a sharp blade to them and swiped in one particular direction. Continuing on through the destruction they, quite literally, stumbled into the torn up path across the ground caused by the object's landing. Slowing to a walk, Marko could just barely make out the shape of the object. The object itself appeared to be made out of a pure black material but had scorch marks along the side, blocking out some of the only not-black symbols on the outside of the object. The thing had the shape of an airplane but with no discernible engines that could be seen on the outside and was quite angular. Even with most of it buried in the ground, you could tell that thing was pretty large. Possibly as large as one of those commercial 747's but much wider.

"Angel, girl, stay here and wait for me to call for you okay?" Marko said as he continued on towards the object. 'What the hell is this thing? It doesn't look like a Meteor or anything and it's too big for a drone or missile' He kept this line of thinking until he reached the side of the object. The thing was massive, with a length that seemed about 300 meters, a height of roughly 100 meters and the width that looked to be about 200 meters from wingtip to wingtip. 'Well it's definitely some sort of plane or ship judging but the design but it's absolutely massive. Not to mention it's made out of this obsidian-looking material so there's no real way to judge it's weight.'

Walking up to the side of the ship, Marko places a hand on it. For a moment there's nothing and Marko can't tell what type of material it is. All of a sudden there's a slight shock that hits Marko in the hand that's planted on its surface causing him to instinctively jerk it back. 'What the shit was that? Fucking thing zapped my ass.' He stares at his hand for a moment before ultimately deciding that there wasn't any damage done to his hand. 'Well, I got nothing to lose so let's see what that feeling was.' With that, he places his hand back onto the side and the feeling comes back. This time though, it stays and continues to pulse for a few seconds before fading out. Once faded though, a hiss could be heard. Looking around, Marko can't help the feeling of nervousness that builds up in his gut. Not that same type of feeling he would get before a battle, but the feeling of not knowing what's going on. About ten meters to his left, Marko spots where the hissing sound came from. Suddenly the section of the wall he placed his hand on melded back into itself and an explosion of bright blue light washed over him before everything receded into darkness.

*********************************

Markovious awoke to the unfortunate feeling of weightlessness, causing his stomach to toss and turn for a second before returning to normal. Opening his eyes was a difficult task at first, it was like his eyes were glued shut. Luckily he was able to open them after a few seconds but it didn't do him much good. Doing a quick evaluation of his situation and surroundings, all he could tell was that he was in a dark room, a very dark room. So dark in fact that the only source of light was coming from just below him.

"What the hell is this? Where am I?!" A slight feeling of panic and fear was starting to settle itself into Markovious' heart as he took a closer look around and realized that for one, he was floating and two, he was in a tank of some kind.

"Greetings Markovious Celestine, member of Planet 427195" said a mysterious voice that seemed to come from the fluid he was floating in.

"Please relax and do not panic, allow your rational mind to take control so we may discuss somethings, is that alright with you?"

Markovious took a moment to blink and allow himself to fall back into his training from years prior, allowing his mind to push aside the panic and fear for the most part and compose rational thoughts based on the situation he was in and the information he receives. Sensing Markovious calming and not replying to his previous question, the voice continued.

"Once again, Greetings Markovious Celestine of Planet 427195. I am Sentient Artificial Guardian Companion #100798632. In other words, I am what you call an Artificial Intelligence given sentience and commissioned to serve as a partner to members of the Galactic Guardian Corps. You are currently aboard one of their ships and are pending rebirth depending on your decision within the next few moments. Now, do you have any questions before we continue?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

After taking a short while to allow what was just said to sink in, Markovious thought up a few important questions and proceeded.

"Uh yeah you can say I have questions, can I just list them or would you rather we go one by one?"

"It is entirely up to you, though I should remind you that we do not have much time before your planets military arrives."

"Right, yeah that would make sense, okay, so who or what exactly are you and these Guardians you mentioned, and what are you doing here?"

"As previously stated, I am a sentient artificial being created to serve as a partner to a Guardian in the service of a galactic-wide agency known as the Galactic Guardian Corps. Guardians are the elite of the galaxy that acts as both a peacekeeper and diplomat. Guardians are meant to watch over and prevent massive events that could cause the stability of the galaxy to go into turmoil. They will also take action when acts of an atrocity of been committed, or if they witness something that goes against the Guardian Code. In addition, the Guardians also act as an Intergalactic rescue service, coming to the aid of stranded ships, planets in danger, or the inevitable extinction of a sentient species. They can also be called in as a third party if requested by peoples in war, as well as if a new sentient species has been discovered to conduct the first contact. To answer your second question, I am here to select a new partner."

Letting that all sink in for a moment, Markovious was having a tough time thinking about everything. Knowing that there were other sentient beings off of Earth, though thought to be possible, was hard enough but also finding out that there was a galaxy-wide group of beings dedicated to watching over everything and everyone was a whole different hurdle.

"Well, shit. Okay, so assuming I believe you, which I really have no choice not to considering my current position, why Earth? Surely there are other, stronger people out there, right? So why come here to a people who have barely started to colonize another planet?"

"You are correct, there are indeed hundreds of stronger species out there. However, the Guardian Code states that any Guardian needs to have extensive military experience, be of able mind and body, they must be fearless, courageous and have the willpower to do anything they must to uphold the Code. In addition, the must have no current ties to their current homeworld and be in the same sector as the previous Guardian."

"Right, okay, so I'm assuming Earth is in the previous Guardians Sector. I'll just go out on a limb here and say that you've chosen me as their successor?"

"You would be correct in that Markovious. I have linked into your world's global information circuit and searched for candidates based on the before mention criteria and out of the hundreds shown, I have chosen you based on my search through your mind. Let's skip past the part where you freak out about me being in your mind and get straight to the point Markovious as were are out of time."

Still shocked from knowing he'd been probed by an alien AI, Markovious could only nod in reply.

"Good, now the offer. Markovious Celestine of Planet 427195, do you accept the position of Guardian within the Galactic Guardian Corps, will you do everything in your power to uphold the Guardian's Code and treat every situation with discretion and fairness and to treat all peoples of the galaxy equally as per the Code?"

Thinking for a second, Markovious had to admit that while this was a crazy situation it was definitely better than sitting there rotting in his mountain cabin for the rest of his days. He was a Marine, a soldier of freedom for freedom. If there were a people who needed him, whether his own or another's, he would do everything he could to assist them. He was meant to fight, not to sit around all day getting fat. With this, Markovious made his choice.

"I accept" he replied with all the conviction he could muster.

"Very well, enrollment in the Galactic Guardian Corps accepted and completed. Rebirth will commence at the discretion of the S.A.G.C."

'Rebirth? I wonder what that is'

"Rebirth is when the Guardian is genetically enhanced to allow them to effectively complete their mission. In terms you are familiar with, it will make you Super Human and essentially immortal while also changing your physical appearance. This is mandatory for all Guardians as it allows them to be the best in the Galaxy. Please note that while you can take a lot of damage, you are not invulnerable and can still die. In addition to the genetic enhancements, you will be implanted with a cybernetic suite that will allow direct communication between you and any other Guardians, act as a universal translator, and allow me to reside within you so I may better assist with your missions. Yes, before you ask, there is a privacy mode. Don't be weird. Rebirth is the process in which you officially leave behind any and all attachments to your old world, so you will also need to select a new name for you and me when the process completes. Does that answer all of your questions?"

"I guess it does for now!"

"Very well, commencing Rebirth. The process will be completed en route to Guardian Ship 2256. Good Luck, and Welcome to the Corps, Guardian."