In the year 2394, Humanity built an artificial planet called HEAVEN, humans with power and influence fled to escape the dying earth while the weak ones were left behind. By this era, earth already started to decay, every resource was drained by humans to construct their artificial planet, today 2398, Gaile and Kael moved like shadows in the dark.
"Two inside, I'll take the rest" Gaile muttered while scanning for any threats
"Two juggernauts for me?" Kael responded
Gaile looked at Kael in disbelief "What? You have any problems with that?"
Kael brushed it off, both of them moved like shadows Gaile took the guards outside one by one, while Kael faced the two juggernauts head on.
The fight was brutal and loud, the noise attracted more guards, forcing them both to take cover behind a broken block of concrete.
"Damn, these people are really getting on my nerves" Kael said while he fired back
"We need to finish this fast, the data is still inside the room" Gaile muttered
A guard with an RPG fired a rocket towards them, Kael saw it approaching, without hesitation he shoved Gaile towards the lake— and was caught in the blast, Kael lost his consciousness as he fell towards the water.
Kael woke up in his bed, his chest was covered in bandages. Gaile had been taking care of him while he slept, now she is asleep in the chair beside him, waiting for him to be awake.
Kael gently shook her awake. When Gaile opened her eyes, she was so excited that she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, completely forgetting about his injuries.
"Ow! Ow!* Kael chuckled, hugging Gaile gently
"Oh I'm sorry! I'm just excited!" Gaile said, still
Holding him tightly despite knowing his injuries
"So... How many hours have I been out?" Kael asked
Gaile went silent before answering "Well... You've been out for three days*
"What? I've been out for three days? That's actually crazy!* Kael responded in a shock
The door swung open with a cream and Jake stepped inside, hands casually in his pockets
"Miss me?" He said with a smirk
Gaile stood up "why are you here Jake?"
"Oh, don't be hostile, Gaile. I'm here to look out for Kael, but it looks like he's already in good condition" Jake replied
"Look out? Or another mission?* Gaile snapped, her friend had just woken up and she wasn't about to let Jake throw another mission at them so soon
"Whoa... You need to do this if you want to go up there" pointing toward the sky at the artificial planet, HEAVEN
Kael and Gaile couldn't refuse the mission, they were saving every credit to reach HEAVEN, refusing this mission would only delay them further.
Without hesitation, Kael turned to Jake.
"Give me the details..."
Gaile couldn't believe it. He was willing to do anything just to get to HEAVEN, just to meet his mother...
"Are you out of your mind Kael?! You just woke up and you're already taking missions!" Gaile shouted, she's furious in his reckless decision
Kael reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder "Gaile, if you're scared you don't need to come with me."
His touch seems to calm her. She met his gaze and said "I'm not scared! I just care about you."
"Don't worry about Kael, he'll be partnered with me" Jake said, sending the details straight to Kael HUD
"What?! I should be the one who will be partnered to hi-" Gaile began but was interrupted
"I already assigned them to this mission, Gaile, both males are needed" their team captain said, stepping into Kael's room unnoticed
"But captain! Kael just woke up!" Gaile insisted, trying to keep him from leaving
"My decision is final, I also assigned you to be partnered with Rose" the captain said, dismissing her argument. He left the room and Jake followed him, leaving Gaile and Kael alone
"I'll leave you for now... Get rest." Gaile left the room, leaving Kael alone
On the day of the mission, Jake and Kael geared up on one side of the hangar, while Gaile and Rose prepared on the other.
Kael stood at the edge of the platform, his armor half-secured, HUD flickering with mission data Jake had sent earlier. His chest is still aching beneath the bandages, every breath was a reminder that his body still wasn't ready.
Across the hangar, Gaile is adjusting her gear with sharp, angry movements. Rose standing beside her, calm and unreadable, checking her weapons with mechanical precision.
Gaile glances up, her eyes meet with Kael's
For a moment, the noise of the hangar faded
The two of them had faced death together more times than they can count. Tonight is different, not because the mission was harder, but because they would not face it side by side.
Kael was the one to break their eye contact, he hated how her gaze made his resolve waver.
Jake clapped his hands "transport is ready! Try not to pass out mid-drop!" Jake chuckled
Kael scoffed "worry about yourself."
"Being cold huh? Did Gaile get mad on you?" Jake chuckled, but Kael brushed it off
"This is team alpha, we are ready for deployment" Jake radios his command to the pilot that they were ready to be deployed
*The deployment will take time, you can still roam around* Jake said
Without a second thought Kael went to Gaile,
"So this is it," she said, after Kael stopped infront of her
Kael nodded. "Looks like it."
She crossed her arms, jaw tight. "You're still not fully healed."
"I don't need to be," he replied quickly.
"That's a lie."
He sighed. "Gaile-"
"Don't." Her voice dropped. "Don't say you'll be fine. You always say that"
Kael hesitated. "I have to do this"
"I know," she said. "That's what scares me."
For a second, Kael almost reached for her hand. Almost asked her to stay. Almost told her the truth—that every mission without her felt wrong.
"Strike Team Alpha, prepare for deployment."
Jake stepped back toward the dropship "That's us"
Before leaving, Kael glances back "I'll be back"
Gaile didn't answer. Her eyes were locked on Kael
"Don't do anything stupid!" she shouted
Kael smirked faintly. "You know me."
Kael finally reached the ship. The doors sealed shut behind him, and moments later, the thrusters roared to life, lifting him away from the hangar.
Gaile watched him go, she didn't wave,a he didn't call out his name, she simply stood there, fists clenched as the ship flew away
Heaven glowed brighter than ever above them. And something was starting to go wrong somewhere between Earth and the sky.