Legend of the Seven

Aiden's Requiem

"Can't believe she's making us wait!" Quake says, "I didn't even vote for her."

"Of course you didn't, she didn't have a presidential election." Spectrum responds.

"And she's making Director Jones wait, not us." Aviator says.

Team Six, General Beggingson, Dr. Kabeer Wong, and Director Jones are all sitting in a makeshift conference room underground. They've been waiting on President Gertrude Pond's call. Unfortunately, the President just texted to push Jones' debrief back by 30 minutes. She was the President, she could do that. For now, the group sits bored.

"How about I tell a story?" Fire asks.

"Which one haven't we heard before, Old Man?" Wave asks with a laugh.

"The story about why I became Fire." Fire answers, as he pulls out an old letter.

-*-*-

Aidan's POV

I had been feeling frigid as of late. Each day was getting ever colder.

The chill has no relation to the Cold War. I was well versed in the propaganda. It became the highlight of my day to compare the publications from the press to my insider knowledge. The whole world was mad, hearts hung on an imaginary cliff of danger. The human race enjoyed fighting way too much. And for what? Intangible ideology? Greed?

In a daze, I leave my thoughts. The source of this disorganization stemmed from a nightmare less than three days ago. It culminated with my prior feelings of a disregard of war. If Soviet Russia and America wanted to go at it, they can do so without my involvement.

I flip through the pages of the newspaper but it all reads the same. The Soviets were evil and had to be stopped by good old Uncle Sam. It sickened me to believe I had once fallen in love with the romance of war. I followed in Dad's steps and became a soldier. But war did not live up to my fantasy. It was not a legacy builder but rather a waste of society's talents. All the horrors I have seen. All the horrors I had done. I wanted to put my strength to good use but...

BREAK!

Eyes snap open. Jump into a combat stance. Quick glance around reveals no enemies. Then, I see Mom standing in the middle of the kitchen, staring at the door. Standing in the doorway are two uniformed men. The blood congeals in my heart, forcing me to hyperventilate.

-*-*-

Overall POV:

Days ago, somewhere across the Pacific...

"Close shave boys." Colonel James Donald said. He sat in a cockpit with two others. Gauges and buttons were lit up. The blue sky was cloudless, perfect weather for flying. That was the only perfect thing.

A few minutes prior, the crew were under heavy gunfire. Their mission was supposed to be a simple success. Fly over some seemingly barren land close to USSR borders, take some pictures and return. Someone skipped the part about a nearby anti air defense system.

In what seemed like nothing short of a miracle, the crew escaped. Heading back home, flying over the Pacific.

"Gimme a system check, Jack." Colonel James spoke.

"We barely made it out. Every system is in the yellow." Jack responded.

"I'd say we should count our stars." McLean, the second man, said.

The cockpit gets suddenly besieged by an ear splitting alarm.

"We are leaking fuel and just lost an engine." Jack said. Beads of sweat formed on his brow.