It took President Cole and the entire battalion two days travelling through the terrains with their green military trucks. When they finally reached the rebels base camp, it was nearly sundown.
One of the watch tower guards quickly sounded the alarm. Within minutes, the rebels quickly assembled with their weapons at their sides in a line up formation in the square.
Pushing through the lines was Frank, dressed in his black armour with the emblem of an eagle on its chest plate.
Sensing that his sister was nearby, he moved his hands away, turning to Captain Leonard.
Tell the men to stand down. Theyve come in peace, he ordered.
At one command, all stood at ease.
All the vehicles stopped when they saw the wooden gates opened with Frank ahead of his army.
Alexis, who had been riding on her horse alongside Josef, trotted off which finally ended with a canter, carrying the white flag of truce with her.
Through her eyes, she saw her twin brother in a different light he stood firmly on the ground with the distinguish air of a commanding officer. Unlike their initial meeting a month ago, he looked more distinguished although there was a sense of wariness in him.
I carry with me a message from President Cole to speak with you, General, for her to negotiate a peace treaty, she said without dismounting from her horse.
She handed Frank a letter with the presidents emblem which he took his time reading it.
Hah! She has finally come to her senses, he barked sarcastically. Inform her that were most honoured with her presence in our humble home on the condition that only she, Josef and you are to escort her.
The rest will stay as they are. Otherwise, Ill not hesitate to defend our fortress, he said.
Alexis nodded obediently. Before leaving to meet the other party, Frank stopped her momentarily.
Its finally good to see you, Agent Maria.
For awhile, she dared to smile at him and turned away riding as swiftly as the wind to the army outside the rebellions gates.
President Cole, meanwhile, had expected the demands made by Frank. She nodded in agreement and called on of her generals to set up camp immediately.
Well in for a long haul. Be sure to see that no one enters our secured perimeters should the deal doesnt fall through, she said.
Turning to her escorts, she mounted a black stallion and rode ahead, hearing her heart beating like a drum.
Welcome Madam President!
Franks voice which was pretentiously loud irked Cole. There she stood among those whose lives she and the entire human race counted to defend their planet, only to abandon them at the last minute.
She considered every one of them traitors.
Thank you, General, she replied politely, surveying the crowd around her. The base camp was strategically placed near a huge mountain with plenty clean water supply.
Frank gestured her towards his tent which was the largest among the others. Come, all of you. Well be having a feast tonight and youll join us as we speak together, he said.
Captain Leonard, meanwhile, upon seeing Josef and Alexis, seized the opportunity to meet them while the two leaders entered the tent.
Well done, both of you! Id never thought to see the day when two different sides would eventually come to celebrate our first liberation feast, Leonard said excitedly. Theres not much to go on but well make do with what weve got, he added, handing them fresh small caskets of home-brewed elixirs to refresh themselves.
Ah, so thats the feast, eh asked Josef genuinely, taking their drinks. A master stroke on Franks part he should become one of Kapitolls politician once all of this is over, he said as he watched the dilapidating scene around them.
Leonard laughed. Oh, youre so funny, Josef. You know Frank doesnt have any aspirations except for us to be treated equally.
Ah well, we shall see the outcome of their discussions during tonights feast, eh said Josef, accepting the drink. Lets hope for the best, thats all Ill say for now.
Leonard nodded in silent agreement.
Ah, Ive almost forgot to tell you, Leonard whispered both to Josef and Alexis conspiratorially. Weve safely retrieved the serum which you promised us a fortnight ago.
Thank you, Josef, for making it happen.
Josef merely brushed aside the compliment with a gruff. Ive never broken my promises before. Why should I start now he commented.
While the others were dancing merrily and singing their own war song around the camp fires outside, Frank eyed Cole amusingly as he knew she was not accustomed to meeting the rebels on their own ground.
Now, youve asked for this meeting. What is it that you want from us he asked directly as he poured an elixir for her.
Not want to waste time, eh Frank she asked, taking the cup offered to her.
Frank laughed. Old habits die hard, especially now that were free from the Kapitolls shackles and see to our lives as we please.
They knocked their glasses together as a sign of mutual respect.
Frank downed his drink first while Cole observed cautiously. She finally decided to take a sip. It was a strong drink which sent her mind reeling.
Weve come with some conditions which we hope youll approve. The Sentinels are upon us. They know that were at war with each other and theyll not hesitate to overrun the only place we know as home, Frank, said Cole.
Seizing the letter which spelt out the terms, he read them out carefully and finally flung it across the table between them.
All five conditions combine our forces together to stop the aliens before they advance their weapons against us within a fortnight, and you with your people will be given the best medical care that we can provide, read Frank out loud.
He snorted. Do you take me for a fool like the rest of your stupid superhuman soldiers, Cole One of those who run amok after enduring horrendous missions and couldnt save your daughter from the bare clutches of their bare hands
He clutched his knuckles together and cracked them in front of her but Cole remained cool, knowing that he had a point.
She had privately ordered him to safe her only daughter when the Sentinels captured her during a skirmish outside a planetary system only known to a few.
Frank could not retrieve the child because she had been mutilated beyond recognition. He wanted to spare the president of the images which laid deep in his memories but was later retrieved during the mind-cleaning stage by the scientists.
Cole, furious then, had ordered an execution for Franks failure which he was ready to accept. But the other commanders managed to sooth her which gave Frank and his platoon time to leave the very place which they had called home undetected.
All we ever wanted after undergoing all those times which we spent as children or barely learned to walk was to be treated equally as humans. We wanted you to recognise a government of our own. Surely youve seen how my soldiers, who used to be part of those lab coats experiments, destroyed your precious Academy within minutes
None of our two simple demands are written here which only means youre either desperate to get rid of us like the elders before us, or youre simply playing a trick to pull us back into those dungeons which you call laboratories! he ranted.
But Cole was not easily intimated. We have proof of the Sentinels plans, Frank! Look here!
She started to project her palm forward where an image appeared with Alexis information displayed in the tent.
He stared at it, hearing the language which he understood perfectly. He also noticed the female Sentinel who urged her comrades to come to arms. She was one of his former targets and relished the act of massacring innocent lives by brandishing her sword on a creatures head.
He witnessed it awhile ago before he left the Kapitoll. In his attempt to stop a child from being innocently slaughtered, they started to engage in a battle, steel against steel in the murky mud stench with blood while his physical self attached elsewhere.
For the first time in his young life, he lost a battle and through a series of psychiatric phase, he was deemed temporarily emotionally incompetent.
He attempted to regain the little essence of himself, training his mind to ward off the horrible nightmares.
He still relived them every day.
The serum is with us now, Frank, just across the gates, said Cole in a gentle tone after a moments stillness. Also, in exchange for your cooperation, we shall grant you and the entire battalion full pardon of the recent attack at the Academy once weve succeeded. All we need now is for a temporary cease fire against each other.
Franks silence was deafening. How many more lives would he lead them to their deaths
Comrade, Cole continued soothingly, the enemy is on the brink of extinction and were their last hope for survival. Are you going to sit and wait in here while we do nothing
What do you say, comrade, one last battle to end all wars she asked.
****
The night was filled with hope when after six hours both Frank and President Cole appeared from the tent. They walked to a stage where both leaders could be heard speaking to the entire community.
The merry-making stopped as Frank raised his hand to speak.
Weve come to an understanding that the Sentinels intends to wage a final battle unlike the others which weve seen. Theres prove of this treachery and should we, the Rebels, stand aside and let the Kapitoll fight this on their own, we too shall be destroyed in the process.
President Cole has assured me that well be granted full pardon for our act against them should we combine our efforts to join this war. In return, well hit the skies with our best fighter pilots and use our mind-transcending skills to penetrate the skulls of these aliens once and for all!
The rallying cry broke out among the soldiers whose anger now turned towards the true force of their enemy. Tramping with their bare feet on the hardened ground while raising their swords upwards, their voracious voices and war cry lifted everyones spirits.
Finally, with the deal sealed, it was time to determine the ones who could still transcend through the wormhole like the olden days.
****************
A few hours at dawn, Alexis readied her horse in the stables.
There was a certain calmness within her when she brushed the horse down. Her chestnut mare neighed quietly with a tiny star at its forehead.
As she was about to place the saddle, she sensed someone was watching her among the shadows.
It was then Alexis shrieked. There stood Elisabeth in her black armour with laser guns slinging behind her.
She ran to hug the older soldier.
Ive wondered where you were, said Alexis. You didnt make an appearance when the announcement was made.
Elisabeths dark hair was tied in a knot which made her more enchanting. I had to scout a few areas in the forest for medicinal herbs. Some proved to be working on the invalids for awhile, she replied.
It was only when I came back late last night that I heard Cole provided the community with the serum which we had demanded repeatedly.
I went to check their vital signs everyone seems to have returned to normal for now, she smiled.
Then, she sat down on the straws with her legs stretched out. God, finding herbs is one thing but knowing that you can ride is another! she said.
Opening her rucksack, she searched for a silver necklace which she placed in Alexis palm.
Here. Take a look. Open the pendant.
As she did so, a small holographic image showed a distinguished woman with auburn colour hair dressed in a lab coat. Her striking smile was undeniable. She was Dr. Marcella de Selva, the original creator of the supersoldiers.
She was also both the mother to Alexis and Frank.
Shocked and speechless to her core, Elisabeth hugged the young soldier.
Youll do well. Youre now officially known as the Peacemaker for bringing both sides together. Youve earned it.
This pendant kept Frank sane throughout his times when faced with a crisis in his missions. He wants you to have it now.
Alexis was surprised. Why didnt he come to tell me himself she asked.
It was Elisabeths turn now to look sad. Hes in the crche now, immersing himself in one of the lower-ranked Sentinel subordinates. He wants to engage with the female Sentinel which you saw in your report. Hes been linked with the others as were speaking. He left with the battalion with the president immediately to the Kapitoll after the negotiations breakthrough.
The female Sentinel which he saw was the one who made him to whom he is today. The day he turned rouge.
Clutching it tightly to her chest, Alexis could not help but feel left out.
Reaching out to her, Elisabeth touched the younger ones forehead.
Your ships waiting at the docks now with Josef. Bring your mare along. Well fly together and gather with the rest of the fleet.
The fleet Alexis asked.
Yes, all the pilots are already stationed at the hangers when you left the Kapitoll. Theyre now waiting for your brothers orders. Hes leading both the land and air strikes today, Elisabeth replied.
Hell need all the help he can, little one. Help him to win this war before it even begins.
