章 140: A Mission To Mars
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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[▪︎1st July 2003▪︎]
[▪︎Pentagon, Arlington▪︎]
Up above in the sun-lit sky, a suited-up Invincible gracefully descends unto the ground, a small smile plastered on his lips.
The leaves on the surrounding trees sway slightly as the passing breeze rustles them, Cecil who is in his usual attire slips his hands into his pockets while Invincible walks towards us. Right behind us is the Pentagon.
"Hi, Guys. Cecil, you rang?"
Invincible stops in front of us as he greets us respectfully and asks causally, his eyes locked on Cecil's face.
"I've got a mission for you Kid."
Cecil says dryly. Invincible sighs slightly.
"What is it this time?"
He tilts his head.
"Since that invasion two months ago, our space program has become a major priority. The common belief running around Congress is that if we have reliable space travel capabilities, we wouldn't suffer future attacks.
"I don't like to say this but your father is part of the current climate of paranoia surrounding alien invasion that is sweeping the country.
Luckily, NASA was already developing long-range space shuttles and just needed government backing...and funding, which they got from investors."
He says the last part with a little drawl, plainly eyeing me from the corner of his eyes.
Invincible notices it and then looks at me, his head tilted slightly with confusion apparent on his semi-covered face.
"...What Cecil simply wants to say is that I'm part of the investors."
I shrug with a smile on my face, making Cecil frown while Invincible just nods his head in understanding.
Even now, Cecil is still not happy about my investment. A month ago, my company—V-Firm—invested a lot of money into the space program under Seraph's instruction since she's the one who manages it in the shadows. And I didn't even know of it until she told me.
A great move since in the last two months, she's been having fun manipulating the stock market to put me in control of a shitload of companies, her goal...to conquer the entire financial industry.
The funny thing is that she's just doing this for the heck of it...boredom can do that sometimes.
Naturally, Cecil noticed the conquering, and let's just say he wasn't happy about it...as evident at the moment. Because of his paranoia, he's been trying to subvert Seraph's efforts covertly, something about his lingering fear that I'm trying to gain too much power.
....As if I have that time...well I do but it's not something that warrants my attention.
"So the project has come together rather quickly in the last few weeks. We—as in mankind—are going to Mars and I want you to accompany the astronaut team and make sure they go and come back in one piece."
Cecil ends seriously, his face hard and stern as a rock.
After all, no one wants to be fucked up—both literally and figuratively—by brawny shapeshifting Martians...a scene I wouldn't want to catch if some of them are inclined that way.
...I'll have to tell Seraph to closely monitor Mars and their subterranean civilization. Maybe, I'll pay them a visit after Invincible is back.
"Oh okay cool. I also wanted to be an astronaut so this is like a dream come true."
Invincible's face brightens up, showing his pearly whites as an excited smile draws on his face...
"...There's a catch. It's important that people don't think that our space program is dependent on Superhumans, so you won't be involved in any official capacity.
"So you'll be outside the shuttle the entire time, I don't even want the astronauts to know you are with them unless it's an emergency.
"The second part of this is that this is a planned ten-day long mission, but you could be gone as long as two weeks. You'll be gone for a whole but I assume that since you're out of school at the moment, this won't be too much of a problem?"
He removes his left hand from his pocket to gesture as he ends in a low tone.
"Hmm, college starts in two weeks and a day so when do I leave?"
Invincible cups up his chin with his hand and asks, a little bit unsure.
"Soon...like in two hours type of soon."
I answer in Cecil's place, Invincible is stunned.
"Damn, that's soon. Then I'll have to head home and pack some supplies for the trip...Amber's gonna kill me for this."
Invincible sighs wistfully as he rubs his curly hair a little roughly, destroying its styled look.
Shaking his head, Cecil pockets again with a nonchalant look on his face.
"...If you're this worried about a girl then you should do your job and get back early."
Cecil scoffs, bringing Invincible's attention back to him. Invincible waves his hand in causal dismal.
"Yeah, yeah, I've got it, jeez... I better start going now. Then NASA headquarters right?"
Invincible inquires with a friendly smile as he starts hovering above the pavement ground.
"Yes, just fly over to NASA and hitch a ride on the ship. You should see it on the news when you get home. Don't forget to be incognito."
Cecil waves his hand in dismal as he turns to face me.
"Cool. I'll see you guys in two weeks. Pri——you Nevermind."
He waves us goodbye and starts—looking at me weirdly—but he shakes his head and stops, then he turns, making me arch an eyebrow.
"If there's something wrong just say it, Mark."
I say with a clear voice as in confusion, Cecil turns his head to look at Invincible. Invincible turns back to face me but on his face is a mixed nervous smile.
"...I heard you and Eve are...a thing now. I just wanted to confirm."
He remarks, a bit embarrassed as he tries to avoid eye contact. A smile blossoms on my face.
"She told you huh? Yeah, it's true."
I comment causally with a smile and it has an odd effect as Invincible's face becomes weirder.
"...But I remember my dad telling me that you and War Woman are together...."
"Yes, that's also true."
I smirk proudly and almost immediately, his face falls.
"...I see, thanks for clarifying. Bye-bye."
He comments grimly and ascends into the sky.
"...Lucky bastard."
He mouths quietly—almost a whisper—as he moves but my ears manage to catch it, making me chuckle as I turn to look at Cecil's mildly unhappy face.
"What?"
"...Yo——never mind."
He shakes his head, my smile deepens in response.
...It's not my fault he has no bitches....
"So, why did you call me here today? As you know, I'm a relatively busy man Cecil..."
I cross my arms underneath my bulky chest and ask seriously, towering over him. His face immediately hardens again as he raises his head slightly to look me in the eye.
"...What are you planning Prime?"
He asks intensely, his eyes squinted.
"What do you mean Cecil?"
I ask with a smile on my face.
"...Don't pretend Prime, we both know what's going on. You're ruffling a lot of feathers with your moves and some people aren't happy...not happy at all."
He says softly as he starts massaging his forehead, his face softening a little.
"...Well, I haven't done anything illegal so I don't think this should be an issue. If your 'friends' have any issues, they can take it up with me."
I comment nonchalantly in a meaningful manner, a cold smile on my face spreading across my lips.
Cecil just remains quiet and stares at me for a while.
After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, as a gentle breeze carrying the comforting aroma of the surrounding oak trees dances around us, he turns to face the entrance of the tall and long grayish rectangular building behind us.
"...I'll see you later Prime. See yourself out."
Cecil comments dryly and walks away, sending me a back wave as I watch his back.
...At least he isn't thinking about doing something stupid. Well if that organization does try to do something then, I guess they don't deserve to exist...
"Seraph, what are my Amazonians doing?"
•☆•
Check out Patreo.n/KingSeyer to read ahead.
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