When The Skies Fall

Bonded

Apocalypse, the only planet you had to have an invitation to enter. Seeing it from above its atmosphere was breathtaking. Though it was a small planet, it was one of the most well known. It was an oddity amongst its surroundings. Most planets in this galaxy were a shade akin to Neptune. Apocalypse was bright red, with rings of ice around it. It was an abnormal combination.

The ship was allowed passage through the skyport they had manufactured. No ships were allowed to land on the planet. Passengers had only minutes to depart the ship when it docked. There were at max thirty five other beings on the ship. They all knew why they were here. They had been chosen to participate in a ceremony, or ritual, whatever you want to call it. They were to be bonded to another person, made stronger.

Nova was shocked when she was invited. Evians were rarely chosen, they were too sheltered within their planet. The Royals kept them there for safety. At least that is what they told everyone. She had escaped. She ran far and fast. Now considered a traitor, even by her own family. Did she care? No. Did she wish the circumstances were different? No. The Royals didn't give a damn about anyone, much less family.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the refection of a window. Tan skin, blue hair, galaxy eyes, it was far from her true skin. It still surprised her, even after wearing it for years. She barely recognized herself anymore.

"Disembarkation will begin in one minute." The robotic voice caught her attention.

The passengers all began to line up, staying at least ten feet from the exit path. She was in the middle, patiently waiting. As they exited the craft they saw the other two platforms were being used. They seemed to hold the same number of passengers.

The platforms all connected to a large dome just below final layer of atmosphere. Though the platforms were covered and sealed, they were urged to move into the dome as quickly as possible. Nova took every chance she had to look out at the vast space surrounding her. She looked at the planet closest to them, Huron. It was a deep blue, with white ice formations scattered across it.

Her eyes were drawn to the structure of the platform. The dome was solid, but she couldn't tell what material it was made of. The room had seats like a stadium, but they weren't sitting in them. They were directed down to the bottom floor. There was a stage with a raised platform in the middle. A strange light shined down onto it. It hurt to look at but she couldn't look away. Neither could the rest of those in attendance.

"Please, gather closer to the stage. We have one final craft docking and then we will begin." A woman's voice chimed through the air.

Everyone here was from a branch of Military Enforcement. Some were in plain clothes, others were in uniform. Nova was in her P.T. gear. She had been pulled during training. They were told to pack a bag, if they were paired they wouldn't be returning to their current stations. They would be transferred immediately, according to the strength of the bond and the profession of those bonded.

Nova felt something stir inside her. Her bones began to ache and her skin was ablaze. She was flushed. Suddenly she was surrounded by a bright blue and white barrier. It looked like a mini galaxy. It was. The one she had run from, Oberon. The twists and swirls of the blue and white slowly faded into the planets that resided within.

Aries watched as the room went dark and a single being was targeted by a beam of light. Not soon after, he was also encompassed by the same beam. Around him, was a different galaxy. It was his home. He smiled as the planet he hadn't set foot in in years popped up in front of him. Earth, he reached out to touch it.

Both Nova and Aries were oblivious to the changes around them, and inside them. Until the bond began to sear its mark onto their left wrist. The pain snapped them out of their daydreams. The mark was a symbol that Nova didn't recognize but Aries, he knew it well. It was the infinity symbol.

The barriers lowered and the lights faded. The two who had been marked locked eyes with each other. They were clearly from different races. Being paired with someone outside your race was a rarity. The bond often used that as a binding point. For these two, it must have been something else.

Nova took in the sight of the human on the other side of the room. He was tall. He had broad shoulders that led into strong arms and a muscled chest. His eyes were a light blue, almost bordering on gray. His short hair was sandy blonde. His lips were a straight line. She could tell he wasn't pleased with her. She could almost feel his disappointment.

Aries was confused. The woman near the stage was definitely not human. Though she wore a humanoid skin, he could sense the disconnect between them in that area. She was very petite. She stood maybe 5'5. Compared to his 6'4, it was a hell of a size difference. She was beautiful. Her blue hair was pulled up into a tight bun. Her lips were pressed together. Her eyes looked like the view from the window. They were dark, but boasted a mini galaxy of white, blue and purple in them.

The two of them were pulled from the crowd and taken to a small door to the side of the stage. It was a separate docking bay. There were multiple ships. They all had a name and description of where they were headed on a sign in front of them.

"I'm Aries." His voice was gruff.

"Nova." Her voice was strong.

"You are not human?" He couldn't decide whether to phrase it as a question or a fact. So it came out as both.

"I am not. I am Evian." Nova debated on showing him her true form, the look in his eyes discouraged her.

"Interesting." Aries was unsure of Nova. He didn't trust her.

"Job?" She asked.

"Stealth and combat. You?" He looked her in the eyes.

"Engineer." She stated confidently.

He rolled his eyes. Nova rolled her eyes right back. She loved her job, she had trained nonstop to get to where she was. She knew he'd see her job as mediocre. Combat usually looked down on all other positions.

"Hello," there was a smaller bot in front of them, "you are meant to go to The Orion. Your ship is meant to have at least two more passengers. It is down at the end on the left. Please get comfortable."

"So, what do you specialize in?" Aries tried to seem interested. Engineering wasn't something he had much care for.

"Ship maintenance, satellites, and E.O." She saw the look on his face, he didn't know what she meant. "Explosive ordinance, I build and dismantle bombs."

"You build bombs?" Aries had a smug tone in his voice. Almost as if he didn't believe her. "You must be lying."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you being in Stealth." Nova separated herself from Aries. Sitting on a different side of the ship.

Aries stayed quiet. He hadn't expected her to have such a smart mouth. As they sat there in silence four more beings entered the ship.

"Nova?" One of the males spoke up. He wasn't human, he was from a planet called Pandemonium. He was a being made from a mountain. Basically, a breathing rock formation.

"Alex!" She jumped up and hugged him.

"Last time I saw you, you were working back in the Milky Way Galaxy. What's it been, 2 years?" They both sat down, keeping their conversation going.

Aries watched as the main door to the craft was closed. This was it. It was time. They were going to The Orion, the War Ship.