by John Davis
As she glanced throughout the room, settling into her seat, Alicia quickly glanced into Jackson's direction. Only to discover he was staring back at her.
It was symbolic, if nothing else, of the distance that had grown between them within the past twenty-four hours. Though she longed for Jackson, Alicia continued to push him to his first wife. It was the best thing for him, and her love for him was a love that wanted him to do well.
No matter how shattered it left her in the process.
“We have grown used to merely surviving,” the XO stated, gaining the attention of a room filled with over two-hundred soldiers. “We have grown used to being the victims in this war.”
He paused, watching the faces throughout the room.
“That is about to change. I received word last night that we've taken an Ancient transport in good condition. The transport remains hidden outside of our city walls, and presents us with an opportunity to strike them.”
“How do we strike them with a single transport?” one of the soldiers asked.
“I will assemble a strike team of our very best. They'll be asked to do what we've been unable to do thus far. Board the mother ship of the Ancients and take the fight to them from within. Fight them on their home soil for once instead of our own. A move which our enemy will never expect.”
“Will the team be able to remain in contact with Washington?” another soldier asked.
“No,” the XO replied. “Once the team reaches the transport, it would simply be too risky. They'll be on their own at that point. It's a very dangerous mission with slim odds of success, so I will not be ordering anyone to see it through. Simply asking for volunteers.”
“I'll go.” Alicia said, standing to her feet without hesitation.
“You do realize that this is almost guaranteed to be a one way trip. A kamikaze mission of sorts?”
“Yes.” she replied.
“Alright, other volunteers?” the XO asked.
A small number of people stood to their feet, capped off by Jackson doing the same.
Idiot! What the hell are you doing?
The meetings were usually very quiet and formal. Alicia did the unthinkable by walking away from her seat and making way to the other side of the room. Confronting Jackson.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“You mean currently? At the moment?” he replied sarcastically. “Sitting down listening to the good general.”
“No, I mean volunteering for this. It's an idiot move. You don't need to be doing this and leaving a wife behind to worry about you.” Alicia said firmly.
“Well technically, I'd be an idiot to let my other wife go on this mission without me.” Jackson replied.
“Is there a problem?” the XO asked, stopping the meeting to question Alicia.
“No,” Alicia replied. “No sir.” she added, sitting down beside Jackson.
“You need to stay here with Katie in case this thing goes south.” Alicia pleaded.
“And you need to stay out of it,” Jackson replied, standing his ground. “You want to take yourself out of the equation and force me back to Katie. Fine. You want to show up late and sit across the room, making things awkward as hell. Fine. You want to toss everything we had like it was nothing. I can't do a damn thing about it. But you don't get to tell me how to live my life. Or, in this case, certain death.”
“I didn't toss anything Jackson,” Alicia pleaded. “I'm trying to do the right thing for once in my life.”
“Even if it comes at the expense of my own happiness?” he questioned.
“I just want what's best for you Jackson, that's all. I don't want to see you out there getting hurt. Possibly even killed. I'd rather see you here with someone else and know in my heart that you are safe.” Alicia replied.
“What's best for me is being able to choose what's best for me. Not having someone else doing it. Being out there getting hurt is a hell of a lot better than staying here and sitting on my hands worrying about you.” Jackson replied.
“Worrying about me?” she questioned.
“Yes,” he replied. “I'm still in love with you, and I can't turn that on and off like a light switch. Maybe you can but I can't. So if I can't be with you, I can at least go along to watch your ass.”
His comment drew strange looks from Alicia.
“I mean that figuratively, not literally. Not that I've never watched your ass, I'm just saying.”
“You are SUCH a meatball, I swear.” Alicia commented, finally breaking a bit to smile.
“Yea, well, it's been a long damn twenty-four hours. Sue me.” Jackson replied.
“Your wife showed back up after all this time.” Alicia commented, resting her back to the chair a bit and doing her best to listen to the XO's plan.
“Yea, I know. I love her, I truly do,” Jackson replied. “But emotionally I'm in a world of hurt right now. Just think it'd be best to get out there and start shooting at Ancients for a little bit. May help to clear my head.”
“So, you love me too huh?” Alicia asked.
“Of course, look at you,” Jackson replied. “You're gorgeous with a great sense of humor,” he added. “Not to mention the thoughts of someone else in this room being with you...makes my blood boil.” he admitted.
“Aw, that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.” Alicia replied with an eye roll.
“I just want us to get out there as friends and starting killing Ancients. I hate us being awkward around each other.” Jackson said.
“Yea, I have to admit. I do too.” Alicia replied.
“I don't know what the future holds,” Jackson said. “I just want us to get there together. As lovers or as friends. I don't want to lose you.”
“Sitting on the other side of the room today really messed you up, didn't it?” she asked.
“I can't believe you just stood up and walked over here in the middle of a meeting.” Jackson said with a grin.
“Really? Why not?” she asked.
“Do you have any idea how many guys probably stared at your ass?” Jackson asked.
“What?” she asked. “What is it with you and my ass?” Alicia demanded to know.
“Oh nothing. We're just like peanut butter and jelly.” Jackson replied.
“Well, my ass better be the peanut butter. Otherwise you and I have problems.” she replied with a giggle.
“So, is everyone on the same page with the plan?” the XO asked loudly, capturing both Jackson and Alicia's attention.
Each replied with a nod, though neither had the slightest idea of what was to happen next. Both their attack plan and relationship a complete mystery.
-
“Look woman, I done told 'ya,” Perk said. “This mission is important as hell.”
“I don't understand why you have to go? You always have to go.” Gretchen replied.
“Because woman,” Perk replied. “The luxury of sitting back at the fort depends on heroes like me out there slinging lead. It's what I do.”
“But I'll worry.” Gretchen replied, conceding to him.
“I know baby. That's what you do. Worry and look sexy as hell while doing it.”
Perk was the epitome of a long-term soldier. Single by definition, but ready and willing when the moment arrived. Which, in this case, it had.
He'd often times found it hard to remember Gretchen's name, even on the most sober of nights. Still, her curves were hard to forget. He took pride in no being able to find her in a phone book, though he could pick her ass out in a lineup, should it ever come down to it.
She belonged to Perk, and Perk remained single. At least technically. It was his way.
As the storybook soldier of fortune wrapped stone-gripped hands around her body, embracing the smooth warm of her skin, Perk appreciated every moment of it. Time well spent before heading out into the wastelands beyond Washington City's walls and marching into the thick of battle.
-
It was a spot Jackson had wen
t to many times before. Each time clearing his head and putting him back on track. The rooftop where he'd married Alicia. Every problem before this very moment in his life feeling secondary.
Jackson watched the horizon at night. Clusters of lights forming outside of their city as the Ancients did what they could to regroup for another attack. Neon lights above Washington City protecting them from anything attacking by way of air.
For so many years now, Jackson had simply fought back. A trigger-like reaction to being hunted as food by this alien beings. The Ancients had nearly turned him into a robot of revenge. Nearly. Alicia had shown him a different way. Her focus on the small things around them was a big reason for their romance. She had a way of appreciating things when all sense of hope seemed lost.
Jackson had grown to appreciate things like that. Mechanical lights above glowing magnificently. Billows of gray smoke piping from houses throughout the city, each providing a smell of simplicity. Reminding his of a childhood in which he cherished so dearly. Even the architecture around them – buildings which stood strong. Each designed in a time when mankind thrived.
Alicia had taught him to appreciate such things, providing an escape for the war-torn soldier. His love for her as strong as mankind's own will to survive.
Thoughts of days gone by, however, led him back to the same place. A marriage with Katie that, at one time, seemed like one of a storybook.
Jackson had loved his wife with every fiber of his own being – every single day of their marriage fantastic. They had been best friends, lovers and parents to be envied.
Jackson thought of his children – memories that instantly warranted tears as he remembered every detail. His two daughters, each of them his everything. From the days of their birth and through each birthday party, Jackson remembered them. Tears bleeding from his eyes with regret.
He had chosen to leave with a large assault force as the first wave of attacks began. Jackson was trying to protect his family. In crushing defeat, he had returned to find their small town decimated by the very enemy he'd hunted. His home burned to ruins, as were most of the others.
Searching for his wife and two daughters in the following months, Jackson had finally convinced himself they had been killed. Most of the town lay dead – a safe assumption that his own family had fared no better.
Jackson had grieved to the point of no longer wishing to live. Eventually crossing paths with the Rise of Allies, who showed him a better way. An approach that allowed him to use his anger for the Ancients to help others. Protect them. Every family protected by his own hands becoming an apology to his own.
The Rise of Allies had purposely crossed the paths of Jackson and Alicia, hoping to bring her into their resistance. They had never anticipated a love growing between the two – nor did Jackson or Alicia.
It simply happened.
Everything seemed to fall back into place for the battle-weary man until Katie reappeared. Shattering everything around him with a single glance.
Now it seemed as though Jackson fought within himself for the answer. A life left behind that he loved dearly – a life newly discovered and very comforting. Each of them providing the man with a sense of calm, although together they had proven to be crushing to his soul.
-
As they all stood in what had become a staging ground for military operations, Alicia began to understand the urgency. The Rise of Allies, which had quickly become humanity's last hope, was dwindling rapidly when it came to supplies.
No small run into a local town would do. They simply had been stretched too thin as survivors continued to pour in. Each of them following the hope that rumors held true. Rumors of a city being rebuilt in Washington – led by those who didn't fear the Ancients.
Partly they were true. They didn't fear the Ancients, if for no other reason than they'd fought them for so damn long.
Though the Rise of Allies hadn't rebuilt the city of Washington, as rumors claimed, they had indeed settled in for the long haul. Knowing any hope of victory would be many years to come.
They had formed a functional government. Handing out property based on how much the individual gave back to their war effort. A reward system of sorts, which greatly helped both Alicia and Jackson.
Each had given so many years of valuable service against the Ancient warriors, and both Alicia and Jackson were deemed invaluable. Therefore, they were to live the most comfortable life possible while not serving.
Each soldier within the ranks of the Rise of Allies would serve for three weeks with a fourth week of downtime. Some took the seven days as an opportunity to spend time with family, though most were without any loved ones surviving this cruel damn war. Including Alicia.
Her original team was gone, each having died in combat. Up until the very moment she stood there, looking upon the staging area with a bit of sadness, Jackson had been her everything. Her lover, her friend. Her single reason for continuing such a life of obvious doom.
Alicia began to smile a bit as Jackson approached, his wife laying into him over volunteering for such a dangerous mission. Especially given the fact that she'd just returned to him.
She saw her former lover pleading his own case – firing back at his wife while explaining to her it was his job. He was a soldier. Still, Alicia could easily see the hardened warrior of many years getting his ass handed to him in this argument. Without question, and that brought a smirk to her face.
WHAT a meatball.
“Problems at home?” Alicia asked, smiling all the while.
“Yea, no,” Jackson replied with confusion. “Hell, I don't know. Katie is pissed at me for doing my job, even though we'd have no home to live in if it weren't for soldiers.”
“She's just not military-trained, that's all. Civilians rarely get the importance of what we do.”
“Yea, I suppose.” Jackson replied.
“What else could it possibly be?” Alicia asked, though she paid little attention to her words, focusing instead on the XO running through the plan one last time.
“I told her about us.”
“You did what?” Alicia replied loudly, instantly blanking out the plan to focus on her words once more. “You idiot! Why did you do that?”
“Idiot...wow.” Jackson replied.
“Why in God's name would you tell your wife, who's obviously been through so much already, that you've been having an affair?” Alicia demanded to know.
“Because I wasn't having an affair,” Jackson defended. “At least I didn't know it at the time. Hell, I thought she was dead. I had every reason to think that. I'm not going to apologize for feeling something for you.”
“No,” Alicia replied. “But now I have to listen to our mission plan with a woman I've never met staring daggers into me.”
“Yea, well, I didn't think that part through.” Jackson admitted, hanging his eyes a bit with shame.
“Obviously.”
“Are you two finished?” the XO asked sternly.
“Yes.” Alicia replied.
“Not yet. Not if I have anything to do with it.” Jackson mumbled, only loud enough for Alicia to hear him.
Though she didn't show it, his statement brought a bit of joy to her. Alicia realized she hadn't been completely forgotten about, and though she'd never set out to be a home wrecker, she did love Jackson. Leading her to wonder exactly how much of a claim she had on him...on their love. Was she within her right to force him to choose? Or had she done right in the beginning by pushing Jackson back to his wife?
Time would tell.
“I'm sending four of my very best. They'll accompany Alicia, Jackson, Perk and Samantha to the location of our transport. Once they arrive, the four men I'm sending will stay put. You four will do your best to gain entrance in the Ancient mothership, get as close to their queen as you can, and take your shot. Then double time your asses back to the four men sitting tight. You should be able to get back here before the Ancients realize what is going on.”
�
��Take our shot?” Alicia asked.
“Once inside, Perk has been authorized to begin laying charges. If you find yourselves in the worst of situations, pull it and light the whole damn ship up. If all goes well, however, do your best to get close to the queen.” the XO replied.
“You mean an assassination attempt?” Jackson asked.
“Indeed.”
“And you think that will end the war?” Alicia asked.
“Maybe...maybe not. What it will do, however, is force them to reevaluate everything while making them understand that we are here to stay.” the XO replied.
“You damn straight we are!” Perk yelled.
“Why is he yelling?” Samantha asked.
“Because his girlfriend has an ass, and, well, I'm not quite sure to be honest.” Alicia candidly replied.
Her statement brought a smile to Samantha's face. The Asian woman was far more capable than most when it came to battle, which is why she'd be chosen for the mission.
Her physical features seemed to be what caught Alicia's attention, however, finely-detailed curves of tanned skin hidden beneath revealing clothing.
Eye candy, no doubt, but nothing more. Alicia's heart was set in stone for the first time in her life. Jackson was truly her soul mate. Even if the guilt of loving another woman's man had started to consume her completely.
-
“My queen, the fleet arrives.” Tahian said, bowing low to the floor of their mothership.
The ship was nearly a mile in diameter, stretching across in perfect circle and sitting near Washington on level enough ground. Since their latest push into the city which had proved tough to capture, the ship had nestled down and become a landlocked base of operations for their kind.
This dull silver of its exterior was littered with markings. Signifying its position in a much larger fleet, though humanity was none the wiser.