Leonardo Hamato, Turtle of the Future

Ch 1 A Fond Farewell.

A tall dark skinned man in a white lab coat walked through a long brightly lit hallway with a purposeful stride. In his left hand he held a folder with several papers inside which he occasionally slapped against his right hand. He walked up to a silver door and placed his palm on a red panel to the side. The panel lit up and the door opened with a soft whoosh allowing the man to step inside a large room. He stopped just inside and looked around. The room was lined with several computers from one end to the other and each computer was on and emanating loud noises and colorful buttons lit up in synchronizing order.

In the front of the room was a large viewing window and directly in front of the window was another man with Reddish brown hair and goatee, wearing his own white lab coat. In his hands was a clipboard with several papers which he would occasionally flip and enter checkmarks as he scanned and read over the information the computers would display.

The dark skinned man walked over to him and huffed in annoyance, "I'm sure this is a question I don't need to ask but where is he now Dr. Chaplin?"

Dr. Chaplin looked up from his clipboard, "Good evening Dr. Stockman," Chaplin greeted with a light chuckle and handed him a headset with a microphone tip, "And you're right, you don't need to ask."

Dr. Stockman took the headset and watched as Chaplin flipped a switch, "He did request this time for flight training," Chaplin advised him as Stockman pressed a button on the base of the microphone.

"Dr. Stockman to Major Bishop, come in please," Stockman looked at Chaplin as he waited for a reply, "I don't care if they did have this time set aside, that turtle is going into space tomorrow and needs to get his rest." Chaplin grinned and turned away from Stockman with a shake of his head.

"We read you Dr. Stockman," A voice came over the microphone, "We're finishing up and be down momentarily."

"Copy that," Stockman replied, "Please advise Captain Hamato I wish to speak with him as soon as he lands."

"Copy that, Major Bishop out." The pilot of the large aircraft looked back at a large humanoid turtle dressed in a white space suit with blue trim, floating around in the back as weightlessness settled in allowing him to 'swim' and flip from one end of the craft to the other, "You heard Dr. Stockman, right Captain?" Bishop asked.

"He's such a killjoy," The turtle answered as the plane righted itself and started back toward earth. Several minutes later, Captain Hamato walked out of the plane and headed toward the shuttle's hanger bay where a very annoyed Dr. Stockman was waiting for him.

"Captain Hamato," Stockman called to him in a very irritated voice, "It is now eighteen hundred hours and you are supposed to be getting ready to go home."

The turtle pushed the hood of his flight suit off his head and Dr. Stockman looked down at a blue eyed turtle with dark green skin, "Jeez Doc," The turtle said as he walked over to the elevator, "I'm just trying to have a little fun before I go home," Before Stockman could respond the turtle continued, "And you don't have to go into 'that's an expensive aircraft and not a toy to be played in' speech again, okay?" He told him hotly as the Doctor sighed in resignation, "After all, I did clear my flight time with the Major first."

"Very well," Stockman muttered, "But you need to go home and get a good night's rest before you're flight tomorrow."

"Okay mom," The captain muttered sarcastically. He looked at the folder in Dr. Stockman's hands and noted the papers sticking out, "Are those papers for me?" He queried, anything to get away from the argument.

"Only if you really want them," Stockman replied as he followed him into the elevator. He started to hand them over but before the turtle could take them, Stockman quickly brought his hand up and away from him, "Are you sure this is something you want to do?" He demanded, "After all, you've only been with NASA for a little over nine years and…."

"Ten," Leonardo quickly corrected him, "But who's counting."

Dr. Stockman sighed, "Okay, ten years," They stepped out of the elevator and he handed over the papers, "But regardless of how long you've been with the space program, you realize you are a great asset to NASA and with the threat of war from the Kraang upon us, we still need you Leonardo."

Leo's face softened and he smiled up at his friend, "Thank you Baxter," He replied, "But you forget, I'm engaged and I've already promised Lotus that once I return from this mission, I'm all hers," They walked toward a locker room where Leo, with the help of Stockman, removed his suit and walked toward the showers, "In six months I'll return from my space mission, then we're going to get married, move back to New York City with my dad and start a family," He looked over at Stockman who was holding a towel for him.

Leo stepped out of the shower and began to dry himself off, "Besides, isn't this early warning monitoring system I'm installing on the space station and the new space craft I'm testing supposed to help in dealing with the Kraang?"

"It is but we need men who know what the Kraang are all about and you, Leonardo, are one of those men."

"I understand but you've got to understand that I've been with the Air Force for twenty years and I'm looking forward to early retirement, not to mention starting a family. After all, I'm thirty-seven years old and it's about time I settled down and started thinking about a future….a future with the woman I love and the pitter patter of little feet," With a light laugh, Leo walked over to his locker and put on his Air Force uniform, "And besides, it's the government and the EPF that's dealing with the Kraang, not us," He turned to Stockman with a hard stare, "They don't even want to hear what we have to say!" He clenched his jaw angrily as he placed his discharge paperwork inside a briefcase, "But I guess we should be grateful their at least having us upgrade the space station and looking into experimental space crafts." He muttered as he started toward the door, "That shows they have some common sense not to trust the Kraang."

Stockman nodded in understanding, "Yes, well the way they dismiss our reports and laugh at what we say makes me not trust them!"

Leo looked away from the Doctor with guilt dwelling in his eyes, "I do understand but what more can we do?" He asked as they headed toward the exit of the building.

"I suppose," Stockman nodded in agreement as he escorted Leo out the building, "Get a good night's sleep Leonardo," He said as Leo bid him a good night, "And please be here on time tomorrow….Captain," he implored firmly as he turned to go back into the building.

"Oh six hundred hours," Leo nodded at him, "And not a second after," The two shared a smile as Leo started toward the exit, "How bout you, are you going home now too?" Leo queried as Stockman started back down the hall.

Stockman looked over at Leo, "Not yet, Captain," He responded somewhat hesitantly, "I have, um... a few things to check out on the equipment you're taking to the space station."

"Okay, good night." Leo said as he walked out of the NASA building and toward the parking lot where a blue corvette currently sat waiting for him. After placing the briefcase on the passenger seat, he got the car in gear and drove off the base. The drive home was only fifteen minutes but on days like this, it always felt like hours. Although he looked forward to his solo mission, seeing his fiancée on the last night they would have together was always the hardest part of his job.

'But soon,' He told himself, 'Soon, I'll be done with all this and we'll start the life we've been dreaming about.'

Fifteen minutes later, Leo drove up to a white two story house just off Cape Canaveral and pulled into the driveway. He looked up at the top window and noted the lights were off. 'Strange,' He thought to himself, 'I thought Lotus would be here to meet me when I got home.' He got out of his car and walked up to the door, turning the knob and finding it locked, he pulled out his keys, 'She must be out doing errands,' He thought as he placed the keys in the lock. After a moment, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. He felt for the light switch and flicked it on. But as soon as the lights came on, several people jumped out from behind furniture and out of closets with a loud 'SURPRISE!' startling the turtle to where he fell back against the door. Taking a steading breath, he looked around at the various humans and mutants that greeted him with wide smiles and laughter and after a few seconds, he took a deep breath and smiled brightly as his eyes landed on a light green skinned female turtle walking toward him.

"Lotus!" Leo greeted her happily as she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips to his, "What is all this?" He asked after they pulled apart.

Lotus smiled at him and waved her hand at their guest, "This is a combination farewell and congratulations on your retirement party," She answered.

Leo looked around in awe at everyone who was there, "I don't believe it," he said happily as he saw a tall brown rat standing next to a slightly smaller grey rat and a tall white rabbit, "Master Yoshi, Sliver!" he ran over and gave the rats an exuberant hug, "And Usagi!" He yelled as he gave the rabbit a hug, "What are you all doing here?" He asked, "I thought you said you wouldn't be able to make it till after I got back from space?"

"That was Lotus's idea," Usagi said laughing, "Since we cannot be with you, we can at least wish you a fond farewell."

"Yes, she had this whole thing planned for you several months ago when you proposed to her and made the promise that this was to be your last mission," Yoshi told him as he placed his arm around Sliver's shoulders.

"You are looking wonderful Leonardo," Sliver told him, "All this warm Florida air certainly agrees with you."

"Thank you Sliver," Leo said, looking over at Lotus who had made her way to a small table where several glasses of champagne had been placed. She gave him a mischievous smile and made her way over to him with two glasses, one for each of them, "Lotus always was a bit on the sneaky side." Leo commented as she gave him a quick kiss.

"A toast!" Lotus yelled out after everyone had received a glass of champagne, "Here's to my space cowboy!" Everyone held up their glasses, "May his travel to space be safe and swift."

"Here! Here!" The guest yelled out.

Leo smiled at his friends and for the next few hours, greeted and mingled, sharing memories and talking about the future, "So how many children will you have?" Leo's co-worker, a large spiked turtle asked.

"Not sure Spike," He answered, "Probably two."

"Oh no," Lotus looked up at him with a twinkle in her eyes, "I'm thinking more like five or six." Leo gulped but laughed as Spike slapped his shoulder.

The party lasted till about ten o'clock and as it began to wind down, Leo looked over at Lotus and noticed her looking at him with a strange longing in her eyes, 'She's been looking at me strangely all evening,' He told himself, 'I wonder what's bothering her?'

He bid farewell to some of his friends then walked over to Lotus who was currently speaking with Usagi, "I'm sorry Mariko couldn't make it down here for the party," Lotus was saying as Leo walked up.

"As was she," Usagi responded as he took another sip of his drink, "But she will be here for the wedding," He nodded at Leo as he began to walk away, "She has already made sure of that."

Leo smiled at his friend then turned to Lotus, "Can I speak with you Hon?"

"Sure," Lotus said as Leo beckoned toward the sliding glass door at the back of the living room that led onto the lanai. He escorted her outside and they walked over to a railing that overlooked the beach. Leo watched Lotus stare forlornly out into the ocean and a soft sigh escaped her lips as a gentle warm wind blew off the water.

"What are you thinking about?" Leo finally asked.

Lotus turned to him and shook her head, "The wedding," She responded tiredly, "The guest list, the catering, the…." Leo placed his hand on hers.

"All evening, since I came home," He looked at her intently, "You've been staring at me with a strange look," He shook his head, "Almost as though there were a fear in your eyes," He squeezed her hand, "What's wrong Lotus?"

Lotus took a deep breath and turned from him, "I'm not sure Leonardo," She finally said, "But for the past few days, every time I look at you, I feel like…." Lotus furrowed her eye ridges and swallowed hard.

"Like what Lotus?" Leo coaxed, "Please talk to me."

"Like," Lotus shook her head, "It's like I'm not seeing you," Lotus turned back to him, "Like your fading away from me and there's nothing I can do to bring you back," She placed a hand on his cheek, "Does that make sense?"

Leo smiled at her and put his hand inside his breast pocket under his Air Force Jacket, "Sure it does," He reassured her with a smile, "You're just nervous about tomorrow," He chuckled lightly as he removed a small box from his pocket, "After all, this will be the first time since we've been together that I'll be gone for more than a few days," He shrugged, "And it's not like I'm going to be going somewhere here on earth," He nodded toward the sky, "I'll be up there, in space, unable to speak with you or come back on weekends or…." He took hold of her hand again and caressed it gently, "Touch you."

"Leo," Lotus shook her head, "I'm not sure that's it."

"Well I am," Leo said positively, "But just to reassure you," Lotus watched curiously as Leo opened the box and revealed two gold rings, "Let's get married now."

"Leo?" Lotus looked at him wide-eyed, "Are those our wedding rings?"

Leo laughed, "No, those aren't ready yet, these are just inexpensive replicas," He handed her a ring then placed a smaller ring on the front of her finger, "With this ring I thee wed," He began, "Under the moon, the stars and God, I vow to you Lotus Blossom, that I will love you to the end of time and be your friend, your lover and your husband till death do us part," He slipped the ring all the way on her finger then nodded to her.

Lotus smiled as she put the ring in her hand on Leo's finger, "With this ring, I thee wed," She looked deep into his eyes, "I promise to you Leonardo Hamato, that all my love, all my soul and all my life will be yours for now and always, till death do we part."

The two turtles leaned in and pressed their lips together in a tender kiss. Clapping coming from inside the house made the two pull apart and blush deeply as the few guest that still remained smiled widely at them. They looked up as Yoshi walked over to the couple, he gave Lotus a hug then turned to Leo, "I'm sure the real wedding will be just as beautiful my son," He told him as he placed his hands on Leo's shoulders.

"Thank you father," Leo told him with a wide grin, he looked back at Lotus, "I know it will be."

The large rat looked the turtle up and down and played his hands along the lapel of Leo's jacket, "I too am worried for you Leonardo," Yoshi confessed, "But know I am very proud of you and look forward to the future you two have planned."

Leo hugged his father and the three walked back into the living room. Usagi, along with Sliver, walked over to them. In his hands was a Polaroid camera, "I have an idea," The tall white rabbit said, "We cannot go to space with you but there is a way you can bring us along," He turned to Sliver and handed her the camera. Yoshi stood directly behind Leo who was standing in between Usagi and Lotus. The four smiled brightly as Sliver took the picture.

"Please take two Sliver," Yoshi requested, "I would also like one."

"Make that three," Usagi said with a laugh as the camera flashed two more times.

Several minutes later, they bid the rest of their guest goodbye and while Usagi, Yoshi and Sliver took guest rooms downstairs, Lotus and Leo made their way upstairs to the master bedroom.

The alarm sounded at five in the morning and Lotus quickly slammed her hand down on top of the clock to shut it off. She rolled over to nudge Leo awake, "Time to get up honey," She said with a yawn but was surprised to see Leo was not there. She looked up to see Leo walking out of the bathroom already dressed in his military uniform.

He sat on the bed and looked at her tenderly, "I forgot to turn off the alarm," He said apologetically, "I was hoping to let you sleep a little longer."

Lotus sat up and leaned back on her elbows, "Did you sleep at all?"

"Even though you tired me out last night," He said with a smile, "I don't tend to sleep prior to a space launch," He leaned forward and they kissed deeply.

After they pulled apart, Lotus looked up at him with a sad smile, "Oh Leo," She said as she stroked his cheek, "I don't want to lose you."

Leo gave her hand a reassuring squeeze then stood and smiled down at her, "You won't," He told her confidently as he started toward the door, "I'll see you later at the launch site." She nodded and watched him walk out of the bedroom.

Later that day, Leonardo, dressed in his Space suit with his helmet tucked under his arm, walked onto the launch site and toward the shuttlecraft. As he walked past the many workers, reporters and photographers, he noticed Yoshi, Sliver, Usagi and Lotus in the front, watching him with anxious eyes. He smiled and nodded in reassurance at them as he made his way to the elevator within the launch scaffolding.

Moments later, as he took his seat, the words Lotus told him yesterday came back to him. All night he had laid awake to try and push the feelings of uneasiness that were coming over him. Now he sat in his captain's chair, listening to the voice sounding over the speaker counting down his final minutes on earth.

"Twenty seconds and counting."

Leo removed the picture from the front of his suit and stared hard at the large rat, white rabbit and female turtle that looked happily at the camera. He shook his head as he noticed Lotus's eyes seeming to be filled with fear even through the forced smile that lined her lips. Leo sighed as he placed the picture back in the suit then laid his head against the headrest of his chair and stared up into the bulkhead of the shuttlecraft as he whispered a silent prayer.

"Ten…."

'Everything will be alright.' He told himself.

"Nine…."

'The six months will go by fast and we'll all be together again.'

"Eight…."

'Nothing will go wrong.'

"Seven…."

'I'll complete my mission and be home before we know it.'

"Six…."

'And then Lotus and I will get married.'

"Five…."

'We'll move to New York City and settle down.'

"Four…."

'We'll have kids, two or three….or maybe more.'

"Three…."

'And we'll live happily ever after.'

"Two…."

'I think everything will be okay.'

"One…."

'Please dear Lord, let everything be okay,'

"Blast off!"

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Hello to all my readers out there, I hope all is well and everyone is doing okay during the crisis we all face. With extra time on my hands, I thought I would jump on another story, please R&R and let me know what everyone thinks. I'm still busy with family and occasional work but I've been wanting to get this down for a while and hopefully I'll finish it within the year. And for those who will be celebrating, have a happy and safe Easter. Peace :)