Of course, since this is a new story more disclaimers! I'm writing this for pure enjoyment, and haven't made a single buck off of it. I'm using the characters for entertainment purposes. Also this episode will feature a lot more than just The Shield and the constant mentioning of AJ Styles.

So for those who've not read Operation: Origins, this is episode two of the Chronicles of the Shield series. Before reading this one I'd very much suggest reading that one before reading this episode or nothing is going to make sense. Also this episode is going to be from Roman's point of view, I'll give a warning if that changes.


The City of Cassiopeia

I looked over to see that Seth had drifted off into sleep as we made our way from the Astros station. I took a look in the back seat momentarily to see that Dean had also fallen asleep using our stack of bags as a pillow. My priority was getting the two of them away from Astros with my argument with Lorken still fresh in my mind. I have a disgruntled groan as I could feel a cloud of exhaustion cast over me, but we were still a couple hours from our destination. My head was swirling with doubt and beginning to cloud my mind if this whole project was worth it in the first place? The Alliance had put so much money into the project for them to just stop so sudden. I was having trouble thinking straight. I needed to stop and rest soon, so I could at least clear my head. Although the Desmond had to reassure me this wasn't my fault, I still couldn't help but feel like it was.

We were headed to a town south on the westernmost part of coast of the Celestial Providence to lay low for a couple days before heading to the training facility in Pegasus. Heading there right away would seem too obvious, to Lorken's suggestion we agreed heading to Cassiopeia first to refuel. I don't know why I was even listening to Lorken he was the center of my current frustration. Perhaps he knew and it was why he was helping us.

I saw the bright lights of Cassiopeia on the horizon and sighed in relief, feeling that I'd have my moment to rest. I pulled into a parking garage of one of the many hotels around the area. Cassiopeia was known as a vacation hotspot for how close it was to the coast but for us this would a hiding spot until we were safe to head out to Pegasus. I looked at Seth and Dean hating to wake them up for how peaceful they looked, but it had to be done. I reached over gently shaking the youngest hoping he'd stir.

After a few minutes of light shaking and saying his name he finally groaned peeling his eyes open, and giving a loud yawn. He stared at me with drooping eyes looking like he was about to head back to sleep. I don't know how much sleep Seth had gotten after the talk we had in our office, but it seemed like he didn't get much. I'd let the younger man slowly wake up on his own while I turned to the Atlean. He looked so comfortable clenching onto the pile of bags like they were pillows. I sighed realizing getting these two up might be a task in of itself.


My argument with Lorken was fresh in my mind.

"We need to talk now." The emphasis on that last word made me cringe. It wasn't often did Lorken used that tone of voice with me. We were on mutual levels of respect for one another, and normally when he threw on that commanding voice to talk to me it meant he was most likely cleaning up another one of my messes. Hardly did Lorken and I see one another, but he was often the mission advisor for my team back when I was apart of Colonel Styles' unit so that didn't keep us from talking. I hated to leave Seth like this especially when I wanted to lay everything out on the table for him. I had to let that sit in the back of my mind for now as I focused my attentions on Lorken.

We left my office going down the hall some to his. I knew that no matter how little or great the situation of the matter was we always ended up yelling our lungs out in the end. He probably didn't want to cause a disservice to Seth, at least he had enough class as to not start an argument in front of someone who was far out of the loop, and I'd rather keep it that way. Seth nor Dean needed my burdens, it was the last thing I wanted weighing down on their minds.

I entered the still open door of Lorken's office with him not too far behind. He closed it behind him locking it, and it was probably for the better. Neither one of us needed someone walking in as we were more than likely going to start yelling at one another after five minutes of talking. The Brigadier General's office was similar to mine. The same dark blue walls, with a red curtain on the large wall sized window. He kept his prized possessions on smaller stands spread throughout the room up against the walls, and in the corner behind his desk a tall white lamp emitting a calming pale blue light. Although what happened between Desmond and I was everything but calm.

I watched Desmond hastily sit down in his chair, elbows rested on his desk hands on his head wiping some of the sweat from his clean shaven head. I had seen Lorken distressed before, but never like this. It made me want to reach out, place a hand on his shoulder to comfort him but I knew he'd only see it as pity. He always hated being comforted in dire times, since we met he said a lot how he needed to be the strong one to hold the burdens of his family, when I thought about it more it made me realize why my attachments to Seth and Dean were so strong. They too carried baggage, but they weren't so negligent on why they carried them. I hoped Desmond and I could get this over with quickly, seeing him look so defeated wasn't pretty. The man held himself high in prestige, and looking so distraught wasn't fitting for that image he liked to maintain.

I sat down in the chair in front of his desk, "You're making me anxious Desmond. What is going on?" I pulled the band out of my long tress fixing it back up into a neater bun. He began with a sigh, which wasn't comforting at all. I needed to keep myself busy as he collected himself, the more he sighed the more power it took to keep myself from walking up and slapping him in the face and telling him to wake up. I'd done it in the past, and it happened more frequently than it probably should and every time Desmond was always thankful. But I couldn't anymore, not if I didn't want to break his neck anyway. The thought made me instinctively put a hand on my arm again fingers brushing over smooth skin in between the healing welts.

One last exhale from Lorken emitted from his smaller frame, "I just got off the phone with High General Bristol…" he started taking a long pause. If he was talking to the High General it was serious, beyond serious. Now I understood the hesitation, worry, and probably even fear that was imbedded deep within him. We were talking about the second in command of the entire Alliance military, the man who worked directly under the prime minister of the entire Falishian Alliance. I could feel myself starting to sweat now. I needed to know what happened, what caused the sudden turn of events in our small research facility. "He's shutting down Project: Taladen. All the test subjects are going to be moved to a maximum security prison ward in the Solaris Providence, away from Astros. They're scared some going...rogue."

That was all I needed, I could have felt my heart sink down into my stomach and the color leave my face. Why? Why was all of this happening? "This wasn't because of what Dean, Seth, and I caused in the city was it?" I needed to ask, I'd certainly hoped that wasn't the case. I knew there was going to be some sort of repercussions from that incident but to shut down the entire project for that one time? There was just no way our little stunt could have caused them to grow scared. Something else must have happened. The military funding that went into this was far too great for them to suddenly say this wasn't the direction they wanted.

"No," he gave me a quick short answer. Desmond was aware of the incident because I had told him. He was skeptical at the time I told him, but he knew me enough that I wouldn't let something like that get out of hand. I was Special Ops, covering tracks was something I did best. "The High General knows about that, and actually praised you and your team for it. But something else happened, and I should have told you right away but I didn't want it weighing you down as you worked with your new team." Although I will probably be eternally grateful for the gesture, I think he had forgotten that I too was an overseer of this facility. "The subject you ordered to have moved due to instability...he's escaped, and now they're worried that others might try and do the same."

I opened my mouth to say something but he held his hand up to cut me off. He had more to say, "Before you ask about retrieving him I need to let you know...we have reports that Ursa Minor has been destroyed. Entire buildings leveled, homes destroyed, bodies in the hundreds unaccounted for, I've seen the photos Roman...it's beyond ungodly. I…" There was a complete hesitation in his voice which caused me to hold my own breath. "I can't describe it." He placed his hands over his face, his voice sounded like it was gonna break. I dared not ask for the photos myself, if the normally calm Desmond Lorken could be reduced to this kind of distress just from pictures. I dare not think what they'll do to me.

"The media's been covering it up with a terrorist attack," He continued, slowly lowering his hands. "by enemies from the Leviathan Providence, and that's the story we're going with for now. But we're well aware it was him, and probably headed west towards Ursa Major, there's already been an evacuation order for the city." I leaned back in my chair, eyes widened processing what I had just heard.

I remember the order I made when I wanted that test subject out of the facility. I was going to transfer him to another research lab in the Asgard Providence, a small city dedicated to scientific research on the west side of the providence called Freya, in maximum security with a team that'd be dedicated to him. It was the same test subject that had to be held down during his experimentation due to the violent reactions his body was giving out. I caused this, it was my fault that the people of Ursa Minor no longer had a home. It was my fault that people just died because I had gotten cold feet for even just a moment. I placed my hands on my face trying not to show the deep guilt that filled my head. "Dear-" I couldn't even muster words to say. What could I say knowing that I had just gotten people killed.

Desmond saw the pained look on my face. He knows what I was thinking, and he couldn't help but probably feel responsible as well. It was something we had both agreed on and I wouldn't have given the order if he didn't agree with it, but was still my idea originally. "Roman. You can't blame yourself, neither one of us expected this. But they're worried others might go rogue, the High General asked me about Black-err Rollins."

Oh no...that wasn't going to sit well. My guilt suddenly turned to anger and like a switched flipped inside my head. My hands suddenly became fists and I slammed one down into his desk cracking the hard wood slightly. I looked deep into widened hazel colored orbs that looked a bit shocked that the hardened wood cracked so easily. "I thought his records were wiped!" I shouted, I watched as Lorken flinched at the sudden raise in my voice. I prided myself as a pretty calm person most of the time but I did have my moments, especially on matters I knew were off. "Seth is a good person! What's going to happen to him? What about Dean!? His abilities aren't even destructive, nor does he really have it in him, he's a medic for god sakes!" I don't understand why I was outbursting like this but I had to. Clearly he understood that I was trying to bond with my new team and I couldn't bear the thought of losing them now.

"Ambrose would be handsomely rewarded for his expertise on this, and be deported back to Atlas probably under the premise that he'd not be able to leave...and Rollins," he paused for a second. I watched his body stiffen at me tightening my fist knuckles turning white. "I'm sorry Roman, he'd probably be executed as originally planned." he finished his sentence quietly. He knew I wasn't going to react well. Every horrifying thought behind swirled my mind, I couldn't think straight my mind was focused on what I could do to get Dean and Seth out of this situation.

"Desmond! You have to help me!" I shouted some more at him. I wasn't sure what I was even saying anymore. My thoughts only focused on what might be if I didn't leave with my partners. The Brigadier General remained silent as my fist came down again on his desk cracking the hardened Oak more. But this was an argument between Desmond Lorken and Roman Reigns, and it wasn't us when we weren't yelling until we were blue in the face. The look on of grimace on his face said that he was tired of me breaking his desk.

"What do want me to do Roman! Do you want me to place a convenient transfer?" he shouted back at me. Suddenly the air between both of us was still, that was a good idea. That was about the only thing we could do. Lorken knew that I was desperate to save Dean and Seth, perhaps putting in a transfer was the only way we could pull this off. It'd definitely raise suspicion but I wouldn't be a very good Special Ops agent if I didn't know how to cover my tracks, and Lorken was good at helping me do so. He must have noticed the spark of hope in my eyes as he sighed in defeat. He said it not me, but I think he realized that a convenient compromise was found "Head to Cassiopeia, lay low for a couple days and then head out to Pegasus. Since they're already going to be labeled under Special Ops anyway, might as well head for the training center."

I took a few breaths a calmed down before speaking. When ever I got riled up like this it always took me a while to calm down. He remained quiet as he let me collect myself for a few minutes, especially now that my normally controlled temper was backed by indomitable strength. After a few minutes that felt like hours I finally was able to relax. "So the usual then?"

Desmond smiled at me nodding, "I'll take care of the paperwork, just get you and your team out of here. You just have to promise me one thing Roman." I looked at him curiously, although I should have expected there to be a catch to this whole thing. I waited patiently on what he wanted to say next. "Promise me you, Rollins, and Ambrose will be the best damn team out there. Prove to the Alliance-no the world that you three aren't the dangerous experiments that it wants to label you as. Leave tonight Reigns, I'll have Cassandra take care of everything else"

I turned to the door reaching for it, before turning around one last time to face Desmond, "I owe you for this, even if you never do me another single favor ever again." I turned to leave his office to get back to my own quarters and gather my things.


It was a miracle that I was able to get both men out of the jeep and into the hotel room. It was nothing fancy but just big enough to room the three of us. I sat up in bed to look over that the two had made little struggle on the fact they'll have to share a bed for a night or two. I had to make a strong point the night before that neither one of them could bed with me, lest they wanted to risk ending up in the wall the next morning. I wasn't sure if I was capable of controlling my strength in my sleep.

Both of them looked so peaceful with their backs facing one another and a pillow thrown between them. It was both amusing to look at and a reminder of what I had promised Lorken last night. I was a man of my word and would continue my journey with Seth and Dean. I looked out through the small crack in the blue curtain of the window seeing the bright sun beating down on the peaceful city. I figured with the two of them still asleep, would be a good time to get out into the city and clear my head some. I know I needed it, and I didn't want them to see an ugly side of myself. I quickly threw on a pair of jeans, and a tank top and headed out the door after throwing my hair in a messy bun.

I took in the coastal air of the big city. The smell morning breeze and the fresh air was certainly something I needed to clear my head. I could already feel myself getting relaxed, perhaps this was why Lorken suggested we retreat here first. I looked out to the south seeing the beautiful blue ocean with the bright sun radiating off it's surface causing it to shimmer brightly. A calming sight as I watched another wave crash into the shore. I looked to the east, the downtown street was laid with small restaurants and dinners with their outdoor settings, and tourists lining the streets taking in the morning air.

I turned into the city to find a pharmacy in hopes to stock up on bandages and other supplies that Dean might need for medicinal purposes, last thing I wanted was to not grab something he might need. Although the training center might have everything we need, I think it's important to keep our own stock just in case. But even all the shopping in the world, it still couldn't take my mind off what was going on. It was so sudden, it happened from out of nowhere, and despite Lorken reassuring me that we couldn't predict what was to come. I still couldn't help but feel responsible.

"You done thinking?" called a gruff voice from behind. It snapped me from my thoughts causing me to look behind me. Of course it belonged to Dean of all people wearing his charismatic grin. I looked around to see if I could find Seth anywhere but I figured he'd show up later. At least I hope, last thing I needed was for him to get lost in a city he has no idea where he was. I think the Atlean knew what I was looking for with the way he suddenly spoke up, "Seth went to go explore the city. He took an interest in those restaurants in the main road." I opened my mouth to say something, but I think he noticed the look of panic on my face. "Easy big guy...he's a perfectly capable adult who can handle himself. He didn't just show up at Astros and got caught, he's been there for several years beforehand. So before you panic, he'll be okay."

I think I began to lose count just how many times he's gone on these tangents, but I wasn't gonna deny he was probably the most observant of the three of us. There were times where Dean was completely unreadable and there were times he wasn't afraid to voice his thoughts. I respected that trait about him, but I feared where it was going to get us in the future, hopefully no where we wanted to be. I wonder if Seth thought the same thing, he was more unreadable than Dean...although he always has this look of concern on his face. We'd have to work on that.

Dean helped me grab of the rest of supplies he thought we might need. We headed back to the hotel room to drop off the supplies before heading out to meet with Seth. We chatted up a storm the entire way. I told him a bit about my childhood and growing up on the island, how close my family was, and in turn he told me about all his times when he used to be bodyguard back in Atlas. It sounded like he used to work for some interesting clients back then. I couldn't help but notice he avoided a lot of subject pertaining to any kind of family or even the doctor that mentored him. It was probably best to leave it alone for now, I didn't want to rip open old wounds and have him become distant so suddenly.

We made it to the main road looking around, he couldn't help but be in awe of the beautiful ocean sight. It didn't occur to me until now that he's probably never seen the ocean since seemed like he's never left Atlas before coming to Astros. Atlas was on the very east of the Celestial Providence and the last checkpoint before entering the Asgard Providence, and besides the small towns between there and Astros there was only desert.

We started down the concrete sidewalk that lined the cobblestone decorated road. This wasn't my first trip to the tourist town but every time I was here it was breathtaking. The city was so different from any where else I've been in the Celestial Providence. Every building straight down to the small owned souvenir shops were decorated in some sort of shimmer or even neon lights to liven the place. Most of those beautifully decorated buildings on this strip of road we walked.

We stopped to nearly resturant along the way to see if we could spot Seth from the window or on one of the outdoor settings. We probably had to have passed three or four (I lost count) restaurants and still couldn't find him. I know Dean told me not to worry but I couldn't help it at this point. The two-toned man didn't have a way of communicating with us. I tried to calm myself, and not be overly worried but this was hard as hell. All I heard was chuckling from my side, as Dean was laughing boisterous at me. I think he saw the panic and worry that consumed my being.

"You don't listen very well do you?" he said in between laughs. When I opened my mouth to speak he just laughed even more. Was he mocking me for acting like an older brother? Or was I a bit too overbearing? "I told you to stop worrying, the more you act like this the slower he's gonna come out of his shell. You'll do all three of us a favor by just relaxing." I could help but crack a smile at how much emphasis he put in that last word. He put his arm around my shoulders as a comforting gesture, causing my shoulders just to slump a little. He turned his attentions away from me for a moment, "Speak and he shall appear," he said looking down the road some.


I squinted to see the figure in dark clothing appear. I shouldn't forget that his eyesight was keen and his hearing sharp, but with after watching over so many test subjects I must have lost track. Deep down I felt a little bad considering he is one of my partners. The next I saw coming into view was the patch of blonde hair in that dark tress tied back in a neat pony tail. Of course Seth would find the right opportunity to show up. "I told you not to worry," Dean spoke up once more.

He gave the two of us a blank look in those deep chocolate colored eyes, "Am I missing something?" I always felt bad that Seth seemed always a bit out of the loop. But I guess Dean proved a point seeing as he was here completely fine. I hung my head a little feeling ashamed, perhaps I really was overbearing. The ex-assassin looked between us still bewildered, "I can go, if you two need to talk more." Leaving not much room for discussion he tried to walk past us when I grabbed his forearm, a small yelp was emitted from the smaller man in response.

He jerked his arm out of my grip giving me a glare. I wasn't sure if I nearly crushed his arm with my strength or I grabbed where he was still healing from the experiments. Either way, with the way he was looking at me it obviously didn't feel good. There was an awkward silent stare down between Seth and I as I let go of his arm. I was about to say something until cut off by Dean, whom I hadn't noticed that he shifted to between myself and the smaller man. The Atlean smiled at the two of us, obviously trying to ease the sudden tension. "I'm starving!" he said arm around both my shoulder and his beginning to drag us down the road. I'd have to apologize to Seth later, it's the least I could do.


We continued down the street with Dean eventually releasing us, finally understanding that we had the ability to walk on our own. I'm sure Seth's mind was about as clouded as mine, but I wondered about the Atlean. He was grinning with his hands tucked behind his head looking like he didn't have a care in the world. I wondered if he was bothered by the suddenness of everything.

"Hey," spoke up the youngest man stopping in his place, causing us to halt as well. We turned our attentions to him as he was pointing out a coffee shop to our right, and I could see why it had caught his attention. If there was any building on this street that was a perfect representation of the city of Cassiopeia this was it. It was painted a dark purple with pale blue pieces of glass embedded in the wall giving it that perfect glimmer as the sun hit it at it's peak in the afternoon light. It was a bit blinding, but once you get past it you began to appreciate it's beautiful shimmer.

I took a moment to look into the window to see if the inside looked at brilliant as the inside, where it didn't have the same glimmer it did look to have the same air of an calming atmosphere. The walls were light blue with framed pictures both black and white and color showing almost a history of the place as well as various musicians that once played in front of the place. There were sets of black colored booths and hugging the walls were light wood colored tables looked finely finished and cleared to perfection.

The place looked fairly empty aside from the four women inside that all looked like they worked there with their matching uniforms. They all wore a purple blouse that matched the wall of the building and dark blue skirts. They all looked like they were working hard to keep the place nearly kept and polished to perfection straight down to making the various plants hanging from the ceiling were freshly watered. There was even a bar to the left of the entrance as if it was trying to attract all kinds of customers. This place just seemed so different from the rest of the restaurants

I hadn't noticed but Seth was the first to reach for the door, once more leaving very little to discussion. But I guess there wasn't much to discuss when the three of us were already attracted to the outrageously decorated building. I figured this would be a good as moment as any for Seth to take the lead and be the one who lead us around for a change. Like a curious cat, he was exploring new surroundings, and who wouldn't? This place was an absolute paradise, and was worth discovering every inch of the city. The atmosphere here was vastly different from the sights of the research facility. Seth pushed open the door jingling a little bell that hung above it and walked inside with Dean and I not too far behind.

The four women seemed to have all attentions on us as we walked in. We were first greeted by a rather energetic fiery haired girl, and following up on her greeting with an equally energetic one was a dark haired girl with a pony tied to the side of her head. To say that we were a bit taken back by their explosive energy was an understatement, but the amused look that held Seth and Dean said that they accomplished their goal. I looked up at the other two women who were also both holding gracious smiles.

The taller woman was behind the bar cleaning a glass was blonde with beautiful blue eyes, patted the bar obviously inviting us to have a seat. The last woman was a bit shorter, with slightly darkened skin, and long fuchsia colored hair, she picked up the tray that was next to the table she was standing by and walked into the back as the two who greeted us at the door practically dragged us to the bar.

We sat down at the dark wood colored bar as the blonde haired woman placed a glass bottle full of beer in front of each of us. "Relax a little," she said in a very calming voice. Had she noticed the tension between us too, was she just like Cassandra, intelligent and observant.

I felt a sudden elbow dig into my side almost forgetting that Dean had decided to seat himself between Seth and I. "The big guy doesn't relax very well. I've been barking up that tree all day." he said proudly lifting his beer and downing almost the entirety of the dark ale down in one gulp. Of course he'd speak his mind, he had no trouble in doing so. Although he was joking it seemed like Dean had no idea what was running through my mind.

I looked a little past Dean to once more see large chocolate orbs looking around. Seth always the observant of his surroundings. I felt like that trait was going to be incredibly handy once we started on some of our special ops missions. Made me think we probably should have given him the ability to have that incredible eyesight and hearing. He looked back up at the bartender once more, "This is also a coffee shop?" he questioned. There was a barista on the opposite end of the place, was interesting to say the least.

"We try not to limit our customers, we want to attract all kinds of clientele." she responded to Seth's question. "It's not stopped working, our small place seemed to attract you three," she chuckled. She looked between the three of us before placing another beer in front of Dean who instantly took it upon his lips. If there was someone who was good at relaxing it was him. "A calm collected soldier, an Atlean who's not afraid of what people think of him, and an eloquent gentleman who's obviously never been to Cassiopeia," she chuckled again. "You three are just like my sisters and I, we all came from different backgrounds but we manage to make it work to run our small place, and well...take a look," she said pointing out all the memorabilia around the small restaurant.

"We started this place together because we all had one goal, we wanted to make the visitors of Cassiopeia have a great time that they'll remember for a lifetime," spoke up orange haired girl. I couldn't help she had an accent unlike the other three girls, from the way it sounded she was definitely from somewhere east, possibly outside the Alliance. "Sometimes it just takes just something as small as a dream to achieve something greater, we're so proud of the small place we've got here."

The fuchsia-haired girl came back each with three plates of food on her tray and placed one each in front of us. Each plate was a hearty burger with a side of golden fries freshly made by the steam and the juice still oozing off of it, stacked with the works of fresh cut red onions, tomato, and lettuce, and cheese melted to perfection. These girls certainly knew how to take care of their customers, I knew I ended up skipping breakfast because of my overbearing worry for Seth but I was unsure about the other two, and sisters? These girls didn't look like they were related.

"Sisters! You girls must be close!" exclaimed the Atlean polishing off yet another beer. He must have noticed the same thing about them not looking the same. "I hope we can have a bond like that one day too. It'd be pretty sweet to one day be able to call these two brothers, but we're just getting started. Oh, yeah I'm Mox-I mean uhh Dean by the way." he said introducing himself, almost slipping up and calling himself by his old alias of Moxley. He thumbed over and pointed at the two of us, "He's Roman, an uptight, overbearing, yet oddly friendly soldier and muscle man, and this is Seth he's been under a rock for so long I think the rock is still begging him to come out, but he's as heartwarming as they come."

Seth stifled a laughter at Dean's description of us. He couldn't have been drunk off two beers could he? Or was he just enjoying the relaxing atmosphere the girls were getting out for us. It was just like being under Cassandra's care once more, and like before I could suddenly feel my body relaxing. My shoulders slumped, knots untwisting from my back. I finally reached out and took that beer that was set in front of me what seemed like half an hour ago. Just like how Dean polished off his last beer I decided to do the same. I drank the entire thing in one gulp, I looked over at Seth who looked like he was done being shy and did the same.

The bartender pointed to herself, "You boys can call me Charlotte," she said politely introducing herself. She even had a beautiful name to match her captivating looks, and her charming smile. She began to point at her sisters starting with the orange haired woman, "That's Becky, she's normally our hostess" she moved to the brown haired girl, "she's Bayley, she runs the barista, " and lastly she pointed to the smaller girl, "And she's Sasha, our head chef and our server. Also don't worry about the bill, all of this is on the house."


"You have such a lovely place here, Miss Charlotte, but I'm surprised to see it empty." Seth said before working on his meal some more. The ever observant Seth Rollins had pointed out what I was thinking myself, especially as Becky talked about wanting to take care of their customers, and they couldn't have been unnoticable since some of the photos showed they'd have small bands play in front of their little restaurant.

All four of the women seemed to grow quiet at Seth's question. "It's because of the terrorist attack on Ursa Minor," Bayley spoke up after the drawn out silence. Didn't surprise me that news traveled fast. How quick did the media jump on it, I guess anything to draw attention away from the military especially Project: Taladen. "With the evacuation of Ursa Major everyone's now headed east towards Atlas, away from the threat." The sudden drop of sadness in the energetic girl's voice was enough to send another bolt of guilt through my being. I began to grow uncomfortable, once more guilt began to consume me.

This was my fault…

This was my fault…

This was my fault…

Suddenly the meal began to taste like ash, and my stomach felt like it was about to send back up everything I had just eaten.

"Hey!" spoke up Bayley through the lingering stillness that hung around the restaurant. "You shouldn't worry! We'll bounce back like we always have! So you and your brothers should do as Charlotte says and relax." The brunette seemed to be exactly like Dean in many traits, that high energy and that sense of letting their voice be heard. "You guys should stick around until sunset. The view is gorgeous."

We looked at one another, trying to figure if that was a bright idea or not. I didn't have a problem in it really, we were still stuck here for at least another day or two. I'd say it'd give Seth another chance to explore the city as well, see what life is like outside of Astros and the same would go for Dean as well, the only cities he knew were Astros and Atlas. Who wouldn't want to know more about Cassiopeia, this was a paradise!


Just as requested we stayed enjoying the company of the girls. They kept the drinks coming, and soon we could feel the tension starting to lift. I couldn't recall how many I had at this point, but I tried not to let myself or my companions to get carried away. This sunset of Bayley's wouldn't be as enjoyable or rememorable if we were too inebriated.

As the day carried on into the evening, other customers started pouring into the restaurant looking to get some early dinner. It was that moment that just before the girls began to turn their attentions on them Becky had brought us up a flight of stairs to the roof of their building, saying nothing and only leaving us with our thoughts and one another's company, as it's always been since we first met.

Dean who's always been the first to initiate the conversation just sat down on the edge his long legs hanging off the side. With not much to say Seth and I followed in suit the younger man sitting himself between us, as still silence lingering. But it wasn't that awkward silence we were used to, it was a comforting one to say the least. It was a still moment where nothing had to be said, we could just blissfully gaze off into the sight before us. We began to stare out into the distance of the ocean as the sun began to dip down into the horizon. Slowly the sky began to light up a pale pink and the ocean shimmer radiating orange.

"They weren't kidding." spoke up the Atlean, his jaw practically hanging in awe of the beautiful sight that lie before us.

I turned to look at Seth whose hands were clasped in front of him, his thumbs twiddling. But he looked rather focused on the sunset. As the sun began to dip more behind the horizon and sky grew darker I could tell there was something on his mind, he seemed hesitant, even Dean turned his attentions to the youngest man.

His question unsure, and yet so curious. It'd stick by us forever until we had an answer.

"Are we brothers?"


So this chapter goes on a lot longer than I had anticipated. I was thinking about cutting it in half, but then I'd have ended up with two incredibly short chapters. I don't know about others but short chapters somewhat bother me. If it's too long do drop me a line in either in a review or even a PM and if there's enough feedback on making it shorter than I'll see about cutting it down. I know that there's a lot to take in from this chapter.

~CrisisExceed