Falling Stars

Chapter 7: Homeward Bound

The Celestial Elimination Department's base buzzed with an unusual air of anticipation and excitement. The intense weeks of training had been grueling, both physically and mentally, pushing each member of the team to their limits. Now, however, the team was granted a rare reprieve: a short break to go home, see their loved ones, and recharge before the impending mission. The prospect of some time away from the base filled everyone with a mix of eagerness and a bittersweet sense of longing, as they knew this might be the last time they could see their families for a while.

Gabriel, Mark, Amelia, and Hank stood together in the hangar, awaiting the shuttles that would take them to their respective destinations. The mood was light, filled with the familiar banter and camaraderie they had come to cherish.

"So, any big plans?" Hank asked, leaning casually against a stack of crates. "Anyone going to do something crazy, like, I don't know, eat a whole pizza by themselves?"

Amelia laughed, shaking her head. "That sounds like something you'd do, Hank."

Hank grinned. "Guilty as charged. But seriously, I'm just going to hang out with my folks and my dog. They miss me, you know?"

Mark, who had been quietly packing his gear, chimed in. "I'm looking forward to some home-cooked meals. My mom makes the best lasagna."

Gabriel smiled at the thought. "There's nothing like a good home-cooked meal. My parents used to make this amazing roast chicken. It's been a while since I've had anything like that."

Amelia noticed a flicker of sadness cross Gabriel's face and gently touched his arm. "You okay, Gabe?"

Gabriel nodded, though his smile was tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Yeah, just... memories. You know how it is."

Hank, sensing the shift in mood, clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough of the sappy stuff! Let's make the most of this break and come back ready to kick some asteroid butt!"

The team laughed, the mood lightening again as the shuttles arrived. They bid each other farewell, promising to keep in touch and stay safe. Gabriel and Mark shared a ride, heading towards the same region where their families lived.

As the shuttle lifted off, the Earth stretched out below them, vast and beautiful. Gabriel leaned back in his seat, staring out the window at the endless expanse of blue and green. He hadn't been home in months, and the thought of seeing his parents again brought a mixture of comfort and anxiety.

Mark, sitting beside him, seemed lost in thought as well. After a few moments of comfortable silence, he turned to Gabriel. "Hey, Gabe, can I ask you something?"

Gabriel glanced at him, curious. "Sure, what's up?"

Mark hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I know we've all got our reasons for joining this mission. For me, it's about doing something that matters, you know? But I've been wondering... what brought you here? I mean, really."

Gabriel sighed, looking out the window again. "That's a loaded question, Mark."

Mark nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I figured. But... if you don't mind sharing, I'd like to know more about you. We've been through a lot together, but I feel like there's still so much we don't know about each other."

Gabriel smiled slightly, appreciating the sincerity in Mark's voice. "You're right. It's been a long road, and I guess I haven't shared much about my past."

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Before all this, I had a brother. His name was Alex. We were really close, did everything together. He was older, always looking out for me. We both joined the military around the same time, but Alex was always the adventurous one. He loved the idea of space, of exploration. He used to say that one day he'd be out there, among the stars, making a difference."