Artificial Earth

14

THE SKY ABOVE WAS CHAOTIC, FRIGHTENING. Dark clouds marched forward, like a vast army headed to war. Lightning and hurricane winds continued their onslaught on Marble City and the other districts nearby as the storm pushed on ahead.
Inside the "Argonaut", Peter and Allan were busy trying to establish communication with Artificial Earth's Primary Defense Center, Jiro and Kathy were checking the medical equipments and laboratory while Maya and Bone were sitting upfront, behind Grey and me who were riding shotgun next to Connor who was driving.
"How's your hand?"Grey asked, trying to create small talk.
"It"s feeling better..." I replied, looking at my plastered wrist. "Doctor said I could take the bandage off in three days."
"That's good." he said.
Grey had totally fogotten that he already asked me that question before, and that I too already gave him the answer.
"Yeah, I'm dying to take it off, It feels heavy...and itchy too."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
Grey hesitated for a while, looking nervous.
"Ummm...I...ummm.....you see...It's ummm.."
"What?"
"Would you...ummm...like to go out with me?"
Conner, sitting in the driver seat next to Abby side-glanced then looked back straight ahead, smiling.
"We always go out." I said, confused.
"No, I mean...on a date." Grey corrected.
"Seriously?" I asked, surprised.
Grey nodded.
I sat there quietly staring at Grey for who knew how long. Then I started laughing...then I laughed some more. Grey was staring at me, perplexed, while Conner kept side-glancing my way, thinking maybe I'd gone crazy. I can't blame either of them though, my reaction wasn't really what you would call normal. The last few spasms of laughter finally subsided and I was able to sit straight again.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
I suddenly burst out laughing again, tears began to stream down my eyes, I held my belly and leaned forward stomping my feet. This time I was sure Conner had made up his mind whether I'm crazy or not.
"I...I...'m..so..so..sorry!" I said, laughing again. Grey was silently watching me as another bout of laughter followed. Honestly, I really don't know what's come over me. It's just that I can't help myself.
"You done?" he asked.
"Y-Y-Yeah." I replied, trying to reign in the last remaining fit of laughter.
" I'm really sorry Grey..." I apologized.
"It's okay."
"No It's not.."
"Abby, It's okay."
Grey sat silently for awhile, staring at the window ahead. I was still thinking of what to say when I remembered that the three of us were not alone, Maya and Bone were sitting behind us and probably heard everything. Witnessed everything. Guilt seeped in making me feel uncomfortable.

The Inside of the trailer housed the most sophisticated and advance technology on the artificial planet. It was divided into four sections... communications, medical, laboratory and weapons division. (E.A.R.T.H'S Mobile Research Facility).
Jiro Hasegawa was meticulously inventorying the supplies and the instruments inside the laboratory. Dozens of glass cylinders were stacked and lined up on one area, each of them containing various chemicals and solutions. A super high powered microscope was on top of the table while beakers and test tubes were neatly placed on styrofoam boxes underneath it.
Jiro was born in Okinawa, Japan. Their family migrated to the United States when he was only four years old and had an older sister who died two years after due to pneumonia. His father was an engineer working for a construction company and his mother was a school teacher. He's thirty-four years old, five-foot seven inches tall short black hair, brown skin and with eyes that looked like crested moons.
"How's the lab?" Kathy asked, walking in.
"It's great, everything's in order. How's medical?" Jiro asked back.
"Amazing! Can you believe?...you could even conduct major surgical operations back there..." Kathy excitedly replied. "I got to get me one of these someday."
"I'd want to get me one of these right now.." Jiro said.
They both laughed.
"Hey..have an idea..." Kathy said, taking out her cellphone.
"Why not we take a selfie right here.." she said, holding out her phone.
Jiro moved closer to Kathy and smiled at the camera holding two fingers up over Kathy's head. Kathy smiled back at the camera holding the cellphone in one hand while extending her other hand doing the same with Jiro's head.

Allan and Peter were sitting in front of the communication equipment. An array of technical gadgetry lay before them, panels, buttons, radar satellite monitor, weather monitor, sensors and sreens, digital video overviewers and a lot more.
"Wow, look at this stuff.." Peter said, admiring the collage.
"I know..." Allan said sagely.
"What's this here?" Peter asked.
"No..no..no. No touching please."
"Ooops, sorry."
"Okay, here we go..."
Allan touched several items on the screen. Video monitors came to life, showing various information and data including images and videos in real time.
"The Defense Centers Communication Link." Allan said, touching the screen.
"They have a state of the art equipment back there much like ours....difference is...ours is much more advance. I can't patch a direct connection because of their firewall, so we need to hack our way through."
"Is that even legal?" Peter asked.
"Nope, but given the circumstances, I'm sure they would make an exemption." Allan replied, touching another series of items on the monitor.
"You see, their firewall consists of millions of blockers, diverters and crashers...each of those are protecting the central core. Codes overlaying other codes forming an intricate matrix. All we have to do now is decrypt each code and get past the security." Allan said.
"And how long will that take?"
"At best, two to three hours."
"I better get us some coffee then.." Peter suggested. "How would you like yours?"
"I'd take black. Sugar but no cream.

Jasper and his team were inside the black van in front of the Argonaut.
Matt was driving and Jasper sat across from him, Hedges and Brian were at the back unloading the contents of the large rectangular cases they brought with them.
"So what's the story with you and the professor?" Matt asked, side glancing.
"No story." Jasper replied, looking straight ahead.
"Oh Come On...I saw the way you looked at her."
"What do you mean by "the way I looked at her?"
"It's pretty obvious man, you liiike her." Matt teased. Hedges and Brian laughed.
"I don't."
"Yes you do..." Matt insisted.
"No I don't."
"Yes you do." Hedges and Brian both said at the same time.
"You guys are crazy." Jasper said.
"What's so wrong with the professor?" Matt asked, side glancing.
"You guys stop that." Jasper said.
"What?" Matt said, "Youre healthy, single...and she's..."
Jasper took off his cap and hit Matt on the shoulders with it.
"Ooow, that hurts man.." Matt said, faking pain.
"You guys better focus on our mission, make sure those people come back home safe." Jasper said, changing the subject. Smiling.

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Authors Note

I hope you guys are enjoying the story.
Sorry for the delay, had a few things to attend to.
Have yourselves a nice day.

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