SparksFly

It was deep in the calm space, some where far from the Milky Way that everyone came from. Humanity in its persistence keeps finding boundaries and pushing them further and further, pushing past their own moon, their neighboring planets, their own Galaxy. They often take for granted how far they have come. However when you're aboard a space shuttle, looking out the window into a massive sea of darkness lit up only by small balls of light hovering in the void, and you are filled with that awestruck wonder you will find that there is no other experience like it. You always think about that first time you saw your planet, gently spinning in its gravitational pull. All of the politics and complications with that tiny little fraction of life become nothing in the vast ocean of life. Out there in the void, new discoveries await every corner, and humanities drive to push that boundary further is never ending. Just as the morning sun rises every day, casting light to the lands to be explored, so too does the Star Fleet Carrier aptly named, "The Morning Sun." It is like a city in and of itself. The fleet could cast a shadow on the entirety of New York, traversing it requires using built in monorails, and sections of the ship are dedicated just to living like anyone would in a apartment complex. The Fleet has a simple mission, act as the command center for the NSO{Naval Space Operations} and main Voyager for Earth and her colonies. Consisting of over a hundred teams of Planetary Expedition Experts that they call Pioneers, she has been the heart and soul of Humanity and their allies expansion across the Galaxy.

You have heard of this ship before, but now you get to experience it first hand as you have been specialty picked for the formation of the 41st Pioneer Team.

Noah Hjalmer was called into the ships briefing area 4 weeks prior to the expected arrival of the expedition. He walked through the sliding doors, wearing his formal uniform. "Admiral Carter sir! "Noah said with a salute as he entered.

"At-Ease Sargent, you may have a seat. "The young, yet hardened Admiral said, waving his hand to the nearest seat. Other then the two of them, the room was seemingly empty. "Noah, I have called you in today because I want to offer you a proposition. I know that long ago you where striving to become a pilot so that you could join our Pioneer teams and make contact with new planets...particularly Cerberus. I told myself if the opportunity ever came I would put you high on my list but due to certain incidents you had, it would be hard to find a spot for you. "The Admiral was saying as he set a stack of documents in front of him.

"Such an opportunity just came up. Normally Pioneer teams would consist of a flight squad of 7 pilots, and 30 scientist, but Cerberus is no normal affair. So me and a the head of our Planetary research, Sara Downs, are constructing a special Pioneer team to specifically handle the expedition of Cerberus. Given that we cannot survey the land before making contact, Sara wants a team consisted of two escorts as protection, a pilot, and a mechanic. She wanted to keep the team small, and have a little bit of everything to be ready for whatever may happen."

"This..."Noah said as he looked through the documentations that he had. "Sounds fantastic, if not a little worrying. "His voice was husky and weathered, matching the warn face of the 30 year old man.

"I can assure you that nothing should go wrong this time, we are prepared for anything. I dont want to repeat history."

"Then what do I need to do?"Noah asked, getting straight to the point.

"Just choose who you want to bring from your squad, and I have a list of mechanics I think would be the best for you to bring a long too. I am leaving the choice up to you as you would know what would be best for your squad."

"In that case I want Clay as my pilot, he is a good pilot. One of the best. And I want Misaki to come too."

"Misaki?"Carter asked with a raised eyebrow, seeming to have a varying opinion on her.

"I know she has her anger issues, but she works good for me, and I wouldn't trust anyone else."

Carter shrugged, not adhering closely to the stoic mannerisms of a high ranking military officer. "So be it then..."

"As for the mechanic...I dont need to look through all these in detail to know that I want this guy."He said pointing to a man named Gunnar Hanson. "He is the only one listed with Military History. No offence to the scientist of yours, but if I am going to be baby sitting, I dont want to have to worry about more the one person. If this guy can handle himself in a fight, then I will take him over any of these others."

Carter nodded. "Sounds like a good choice. I will let everyone know about their enlistment into Pioneer 41st. And Noah, I just want you to keep in mind, I need you and your squad to do anything you can to protect Sara and yourselves, but she is the one leading this expedition. You will be getting orders from her."

Noah winced a little as he broke his composure slightly. His team was not going to take orders from anyone but him, especially if that person was not a leatherneck like the rest of them. Getting his squad to corporate would probably be harder then landing on Cerberus. "I will...do my best sir."

"I hope so. And Sargent one more thing. "Carter said as he took a long sigh and leaned against the table. "My father...put your father into the situation that lead to his disappearance. I have been fighting an uphill battle ever since I took this position to clear my families name and make all the wrongs right. I have stuck my neck out for you on this, many of my advisors said you are too close to this matter, and you might become emotionally compromised. But I want to help you, I know you want this more then anyone. Please, whatever happens down there...whatever you find, keep your cool, and don't make me regret this." He said with a deep sincerity. His eyes met with Noah's, and as much as Noah wanted to hide his emotions they cracked through his skin ever so slightly, showing that melancholy anger boiled inside him.

"I'll do my best sir. But I dont know how well I can promise my forgiveness."

Carter looked down at the table and pierced his lips, remaining silent for a second too long. Gaining the validation from others was not something he was seeking out, but he constantly felt like he was just expected to make all the same mistakes his father did. It was becoming a bit disheartening. "You are dismissed Sargent."

The weeks went by, and everyone involved in the assembly of the new team was notified, and sent to The Morning Sun to begin their departure soon. It was not only a few days away from the scheduled departure, and Noah and his team where working together in the hanger, getting their ship, a Jatayu-98, ready for flight. His pilot, Clay, was doing his checks over the ship to make sure things like his engine and landing gear where up to par, while Noah and Misaki loaded some supplies into the ship.
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"So any Idea why they call this planet Cerberus?" Clay asked with his Australian laced tongue.

"Well I heard it was just because if had three moons."Misaki said while she hulled a crate in.

"Like the three headed dog? Well that aint very creative now innet?"

"Well I have heard other people say some different things. The NSO have been very quiet on what they know transpired that day...some suggest they named it that because Cerberus is the guard to the gates of the underworld. So take that as you will."

"Uhhh...surly though that is just rumors right?"Clay asked with a bit of an unease.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."Misaki said as she walked back to gather more supplies.

"Dont start psyching each other out already. If we are going to get through this we need to be level headed. "Noah said

"Oy, I am always level headed...this is just a new kind of level for my head to go to I guess. "Clay said while tinkering with his engines. "Hey, you think God is all the way out here? Gracing us on our journey to Planet he may or may not have created?"

"If you believe it then I sure hope so for your sake."

Misaki watched as a man with a few robotic prosthetic started walking their way with intent on his face. "Who's that?"

Noah lowered his head from the inside of the hull and peeked through to see the man walking up. "Looks like our Mechanic finally arrived. Show some respect he is going to be in the squad."

"He better not touch my beauty...if I see one misplaced wire..."Clay muttered while his head and upper torso was deep into the side of the engine to clean its fuel injectors, his voice muffled slightly from the metal around him.

"Mr.Hansen nice to meet you finally. "Noah said as he raised his hand for a shake."This is my point man, Misaki Hytomi, and that pair of legs dangling from the engine is Clay Lachlan our pilot."Misaki remained a bit distant and didn't say much as she continued to load the supplies.

"A pleasure to meet you mate." Clay said as he wiggled out of the engine like a bird hatching from its egg. He was dirtied with oil and soot, but for Hansen that must be pretty normal. "Ah poor fellow, looks like we both bit off more then we could chew. "Clay said as he noticed he had a few prosthetic just like himself. "Dont worry, I wont be giving us a reason to lose any more limbs. I am a good pilot, one of the best." He said as he reached out for a handshake as well.

Even though Misaki was giving a cold shoulder, the group seemed welcoming enough, at least more then most Marine squads would be. Noah himself seemed to ensue a natural energy about him that was that of a highly motivated and endurance driven man, the rest of his team complimented the feeling as well and there did not seem to be much a weak link in his tight group.

“So how are ya feelin’ little brother?”

Cillian didn’t give himself much time to wonder exactly how he was feeling. As Jeremiah drove he was just staring out the window watching the rain illuminate off the neon lights along the road but there were no real thoughts going on in there.

“Just got here. Don’t know what to think.” Cillian responded. He spoke with a husky tone laced with a Irish brogue that wasn’t hard to pick up on.

“A lot of lights huh?”

“Yeah…must have gotten real popular since I have been away.”

“A lot of things have come and gone since you got locked up. How was it? In prison?”

“I don’t wanna chat about that…not right now at least.”

“My apologies.”

Cillian flew in here on a plane. Never set foot in one before and he had to admit he was happy to be back on the ground when it was done. He hoped he never had to fly again. When he landed he met V, and Jeremiah. They got him a new suit, and showed him to his new apartment, all paid for and ready to go. It was real nice of them but…that sorta thing always meant you owed somebody.

“You decide to tell me where we are goin’ now lad?”

“I’m taking you to a club, they call it The Curve.”

“Shitty name.”

“Well they got some jazz bands I figured you’d like it. We want you to meet the Don. He’s been dying to know who this guy is that they keep going on about that they just dragged out of the pen.”

“He wants to know if all the money was worth it.”

“Yeah, so show him it was.”

They soon pulled into this The Curve. Cillian made sure to not slam the door to Jeremiah’s Delahaye 135. It was his little baby, and he would be sure to whine about any little mistreatment to her.

Outside was a man smoking a cigarette. He was aging a little but not quite past the point of being called old and he was dressed in what had to be the finest apparel a man could have these days. He looked up at the two and extended his arms out to them, hugging them both.

“Just on time you two. How’s Chicago treating you?”

“Can’t say yet V…haven’t had to shoot anyone yet so I suppose it’s a bit better then New York.”

“Ay always the comedian.” V said with a short laugh as he slapped his chest. “You know you look like you got bigger since we last saw you. They got you lifting boxes or something at the jail?”

“It’s just what you have to do to keep people away from you in there.”

“Ah those animals. You’re above that, I’m glad we got you outta there. Cillian, you got your piece?”

Cillian patted his breast pocket with a slight metallic thump. His pistol was resting right in place.

“Good kid. Already slipping back into the job. Come inside, Narciso wants to talk.”

Cillian opened the door for them, allowing V and Jeremiah through. As soon as they walked through the door the music inside gently graced his ears. Not too loud, but there to be heard. Just the way the business men like it when they need to talk over some things. He followed close behind V, who led them to a fine round table with a good view of the show. Two men where sitting there.

Don Narcisso, the boss of this family, and his informant Rolando. Narcisso was gazing out at the stage before they approached. He was huffing on a cigar and his face was half obscured by a dark portion of the seats. He was old but lean and rugged, not the usual fat cat types Cillian had seen hogging on top.

“Welcome my friends sit down, sit down.” He spoke heavily in his Italian accent, and had a voice that was soothing but yet demanding in its power.

V and Jeremiah sat down on each end of the table and Cillian stood still at Vs end

“This the body guard?” Narciso asked to V

“He is.”

“Well I appreciate the dedication to your job but didn’t I say fuckin’ sit?”

Cillian swallowed any anxiety he had down his throat and took his seat next to V, looking around the table to gauge everyone’s attitudes.

“Have a Cigar Mr.Cillian.” Narcisso said as he took one from his case and handed it over

“Cillian doesn’t really smoke.” V said

“I didn’t hear him say that.”

“Well he doesn’t really ta-“

Before V finished Cillian reached over and took the cigar, and a flip lighter from his pocket to ignite it.

“See…the kid knows a good deal when he sees it. I offer you something you better not spit in my face. I heard a lot of things about you Cillian. It was ballsy doing what you did for your brother…and all those men you iced for us.”

Cillian looked him in the eye as he took a drag of the cigar. The smoke danced out his nose and waved along his face and then, he just shrugged.

Don stared him down for a minute after. The others got a little tense. It seemed for a minute that he upset him. This went on for an uncomfortable few seconds as Cillian stared back at him with an equally intense gaze, but suddenly Don smiled a little and pointed a finger at the Irishmen.

“I like you. I don’t give a shit if you’re Irish or what, I like you. You don’t talk much that's definitely something you knuckleheads could learn.”

“He is defiantly a man of few words…”Jeremiah said.”But as you can see he gets results

“Yeah but I still have one problem with you Cillian…” Narciso leaned forward and stared down Cillian with his cold gaze again before continuing.”We got you out of jail…we got you new clothes. We got you a nice home. And we will give you much more so…you know what I am laying out here?”

Cillian took breathed in the smoke of his cigar and brought his eyes back to him. His eyebrows furrowed a little bit he didn’t let any displeasure wash over his face. ”I owe you.”

“That’s the game.” The Don leaned back in his chair and took another puff of his cigar before tapping Rolando’s shoulder. “I’m done talking. Blondie, take it over.”

Blondie brought himself forward, raising his shoulders and preparing himself to talk. “We spent some good money on you because we have heard many great things, V himself would talk very highly of you and wished for your return, so Don delivered. We will not just let any of this be free of charge however...we do not consider you in debt for money...but you still have to prove yourself to us, let us know we made a sound investment. So for now Don has you in his pocket. Yes, you are still V’s body guard and you will answer to him, but if we call you and ask something of you we expect it to be done without question. If you ever even give us even a small hint of disagreement we will make sure you go right back to jail, or worse. Understand?”

Cillian took a look at his cigar, seeing he was already halfway through it before stubbing it out and placing it in his pocket so he could smoke it more later. He wasn't surprised by any of this. When you're in the mafia you always owe someone a damn debt, its how they keep you roped in. They do a lot of favors for you but none of it ends up being free. So he just looked at Blondie, and nodded.

“I need to hear you say yes.”

V looked at him with an annoyed face and clicked his cigarette ashes at him. “The fucker nodded that's all you're gonna get out of him.”

Blondie was about to snap back at him before Don leaned forward again. “Shut up you two the real show is about to start.”

Cillian turned himself over to the stage to see what they commotion was about. The jazz band started to play a fine tune as a red head woman took the microphone. She started singing, and swaying her hips to the groove of the song, and part of Cillian wanted to do so too, but he wouldnt so much as tap his foot as for some reason he found it embarrassing to show that he liked anything in front of these men. He could go on and on about her fine dress, the beauty in her face, and the elegance of her hair, but when a woman sings on a stage of such a nice club these things are to be expected.

He was more so drowned into the music than anything. Her harmonics resonated through him and he was hardly listening to the lyrics, just the eb and flow of the sounds and vibratos and how each note made his nerves tingle. Jeremiah must have noticed him staring a bit too much and he waved his hand in front of him with a chuckle.

“They dont have girls like that in New York, do they?”

Cillian snapped back to them and nodded slowly. “I need a drink.”

“Let me guess…”V said.”irish whisky?”

“Fuck you, Cognac.”

“Ah my bad. Blondie, can you go get this man a Cognac?”

Blondie stared at him with a ‘how dare you?!’ look but down waved a hand in front of him, and with no words he was up and heading to the bar.

“Oh and get me Tom Colins while you're there sweet heart!” V called out. “Cillian...I thought you didn't smoke?”

“Jail changes a few things.” Cillian said as he turned back to the stage, letting himself delve into the music once more.

"Oh trust me Earth isnt that much better. But they like to act like they are doing great, because their police force crushes absolutely any form of freedom there to make sure its all nice and clean. People just cant have it good anymore, you either leave things too loose and you get situations like this city, or you tighten them too much and now you are a borderline dictator. If I had to choose, I would pick this over anything."

Gordon was a rather reckless driver, it his sudden breaking at stop lights, ignorance to speed limits, and quick and jerky turns never really got them in a situation before, but it could be awful annoying sometimes. At least in a car chase he was very resourceful. Their home office and apartment were all strategically placed close by to the police office so they could always make a quick stop by when needed. He parked his car on the side of the road, making sure to avoid a parking meter even if it meant he had to walk a little further.

"Alright Shortstop you go ahead and just listen to the radio while I go in real quick. If I am not back in 15 minutes, call the cops."He said jokingly as he stepped out of the car, leaving it on so she didn't suffocate, God forbid. He stepped to the door of the station, his clean black oxfords making a noticeable clack with each step, and he took a deep breath at the door. He didnt really like the Police Station. The cops inside where not really mean to him, in fact they were about fifty fifty. Some of the cops loved it when he came in because it usually meant he was about to take a case off their hands and they often joked around with him, and some of the more honorable ones didn't approve of his methods and refrained from talking to him often. He just hated it because the atmosphere of the whole place just seemed disingenuous. Nobody really cared for there job or who lived or who died, there were a few for sure, but the whole place was fallen to the wayside mostly.

He pushed open the bullet proof glass door and walked over to the secretary."If the Chief or Gil is in, let them know Gordon is here."He said to the secretary before taking a seat and waiting on one of them to show up.

"Gordon!"A woman cried out. Gordon winced a little at the voice, knowing all to well who it was. He saw a short framed blond woman in police uniform in her mid 40s skip over his way. She had a wide grin on her face as she tied her hair back into a bun quickly before approaching. It was Officer Jade. She was a good officer, one of the few who really cared, but damn did she scratch his chalk board. She has a very obvious infatuation with Gordon and was always talking his ear out every chance she got, and Gordon wanting nothing to do with it. He had a way of being a bit too nice to women to be able to really just tell her off, so he always has this, 'please get me out of here face' when she was around that she never seems to pick up on.

"What are you doing in here?"She asked joyously.

"Turning myself in for murder."

Jade giggled at his response even though he said in a very passive aggressive manner."Silly. I guess you are here to pick up some cases hmm?"She asked as she sat by him

"Mmmhm."

"That is so nice! The city really needs more detectives like you and that cute little girl! Where is she anyways?"

"A much better place."

"A much better pl- wait...is she...?"

"In the car. Yes."

"Oh...oh okay, well, if you want a heads up I saw a bounty for a lost dog, you should look it up!"

"I need something a bit more profitable then a lost puppy, but I will make sure take a look at my local Chinese restaurant next time I stop by."

"Gordon that is..."

"Belligerent and racist I know, I am a terrible person why do you talk to me."

Jade just giggled again at his response and placed a hand on his leg."Because you are just charming I cant help it."

"Okay wow you have a hand on my leg lets just..."Gordon said as he gently grabbed her wrist and slowly placed it back on her own leg."Put that back where it belongs..."

"Oh Gordon did I tell you about my trip to the Red River last month?"

"Oh my gosh!"Gordon said in a forced expression of surprise."You did not, but I really dont need to hear it I can see how fun it was just based off that look in your eyes."

She started rambling off about her trip anyways. Gordon could not wait for someone to walk through that door and get him out of this situation, as every second was feeling like a eternity, he felt a new white hair grow with each syllable she pronounced. Calvary needed to come quick