The plane landed on a sleek black runway. It was calm unlike most of the world.
"Welcome to base ASB." The pilot said.
"What does ASB stand for?" Jax asked.
"American Secret Base."
"You couldn't come up with anything better than that?" Jax laughed.
Aria looked out the Window. "It's just a watch tower and two guards."
"That's the distraction, and it works." The pilot laughed.
They flew past the guards and what Aria saw was amazing.
Soldiers marching in order on the runway. Houses, apartments and more. It was practically a giant city.
They exited the plane and soldiers in black uniforms saluted them.
"Aria, I'd like you to meet your new squad." Winston said gesturing to the soldiers. "The black uniforms represent you."
Jax gave them all dirty looks and kept moving.
Aria greeted all of them. "At ease."
All the soldier's bodies became relaxed.
"Thank you for trusting me with your lives." Aria smiled gratefully.
"We believe that you will lead us through this tough time ma'am." One soldier said.
"I will, sergeant?" Aria asked.
"Sergeant Vi, Hayden Vi."
Aria nodded and walked off to find Jax.
"We're placing you in Aria's squad." The general said.
Jax looked towards Aria's direction and smiled.
The general looked and waved awkwardly. "Nice to meet my almost sister in law in the flesh."
"Wait, what!" Jax gasped.
"I'm Kelvin's girlfriend, almost his wife." The general smiled. "Lucia Taylor."
"Carlos Jaxon." Jax shook her hand with a hint of disgust on his face.
"I'll show you to your rooms." Lucia said.
Jax and Aria were sent to a small residential area. About a twenty-minute walk to the main base.
"Did you ever learn to drive?" Jax asked.
"Never needed to, until now." Aria said as she stared at the black car that sat in their garage.
They heard the door open as Gia, Winston and Karyn all walked into the house.
"Who's ready to party!" Winston laughed.
"Why?" Jax asked.
"Well, look outside." Karyn said.
Outside, Aria's squad sat on the street eating.
"Your sergeant wanted to have a welcoming party, and he decided to cook some food with his wife for you, and the team." Gia said. "I'm so glad you joined us!" Gia hugged Aria so tightly that Aria could not breath.
Jax opened the door and greeted them all.
Aria joined them and sat with a small group of men.
She overheard Jax's conversation, however.
"Bro, you should totally do it." One of the soldiers laughed.
"I don't know Xavier." Jax sighed.
"Carlos, you just met us, and you've made eight friends all ready." Hayden punched Jax's arm lightly.
"Yeah, but I've known her for years now, and I still don't know what to say." Jax said.
"I had to carry my wife down a flight of stairs if I were to marry her, remember that Janna?" Hayden said to his wife.
Janna nodded. "Father didn't want me to marry a soldier just in case he was weak, now he's a sergeant."
Hearing this made Aria blush slightly.
"Hey Jax, she's staring at you." Xavier said.
Jax looked away.
Aria laughed and continued to eat, but she could not help but wonder why Jax had not expressed his feelings more often. There were slight glimpses of his true feelings, but to the extent that Aria would ever question it.