As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow around 6 pm, Mike bid everyone farewell. The somber atmosphere outside was palpable, weighing heavily on their hearts.
Stefan's eyes were already brimming with tears, his voice cracking. "Mike, man..."
Mike wrapped Stefan in a reassuring hug. "Hey, tough guy, no tears! I'm not leaving forever. I'll be back before you know it," he said.
Stefan's face contorted in a sob. "I'll miss you, man... so much," he said. "I trust you, man. Go over there and kick their mother's asses!"
Mike chuckled, releasing Stefan. "Trust me, I'll take care of business. Whoever needs their asses kicked will definitely get it kicked."
He turned to leave but was pulled back by Rachael and Christina, their faces etched with worry.
"Mike, wait!" Rachael's voice trembled.
Christina grasped his arm, holding tight.
"I really have to go now, guys," Mike said, his tone gentle. "Dammit! You're making it look like I'm going forever. I'm definitely coming back! I promise!"
Rachael's eyes welled up, tears spilling over. "Please, make sure you come back to us."
Mike's voice filled with conviction, he nodded firmly. "I'll return in one piece, I promise."
"Enough of your emotional goodbye!" an unfamiliar voice boomed from the street, shattering the intimate moment.
Everyone swiveled, their eyes locking onto a tall, young man emerging from his car. He strode toward them with confident swagger.
Mike's nostrils flared, sensing something familiar. "He smells familiar," he murmured.
The man's expression turned mock-offended. "What?! Smells familiar?! What am I? A chicken?" he grumbled. "You don't recognize me? I'm hurt."
Stefan raised an eyebrow. "Who's this guy?"
Djuma's gaze pierced the man's mind. "Raymond Woods, former soldier, newest NPS agent."
Raymond's eyes sparkled. "Wow, you've done your research! I'm impressed," he said. "After knocking me down you still searched to know more about me, this is frustrating!"
Mike's eyes widened in recognition. "You're...the agent I knocked down?"
Raymond chuckled. "The infamous batboy. I'm still recovering from that humiliation."
Mike extended a conciliatory hand. "I apologize for my rudeness that day. I was out of my mind," Mike said and extended a conciliatory hand. But Raymond's smirk hinted at underlying intentions.
"What are you doing here by the way? I thought my surveillance was canceled when the first spy surveilling me left. They sent another one already?" Mike quizzed.
Raymond's eyes locked onto Mike. He smirked and lurched toward Mike but Djuma Intercepted, positioning himself protectively between Mike and Raymond.
Raymond's grin broadened. "Batboy's got a Hawk-y guardian! Impressive."
Djuma's stance remained unwavering, his gaze warning Raymond to maintain a safe distance.
Suddenly, Djuma's eyes blazed with an ethereal glow. He swiftly turned away from Raymond, his gaze dropping.
"What's wrong with him? Scared of me already?" Raymond mocked.
Christina's anger boiled over. "What do you want, you arrogant jerk?" she demanded.
"Shut up, bitch! I'm not here for you," Raymond sneered.
He pivoted back to Mike. "Show me what you're made of, batboy. Let's see if you can take me down again."
"We're too late, my Jyuran," Djuma's whisper was urgent. "The colony has arrived. We must leave now."
Mike's eyes widened. "We can't delay!" He turned to Raymond. "Sorry, but I have no time for this. Urgent matters demand my attention," he said and took off his clothes.
"Are you fucking with me?! You think I'm going to let you… Oh my God!" Raymond's taunt died on his lips. His eyes widened in horror as Mike and Djuma transformed before him.
"God have mercy!" Raymond screamed, stumbling backward.
His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, paralyzed by fear.
"What in heaven's name are you people?" Raymond's terrified scream echoed through the air.
Mike and Djuma stood tall, their transformed bodies radiating an otherworldly power.
"They're mere kilometers away," Djuma said, levitating above the ground. "We can still prevent the impending disaster."
Raymond, cowering on the ground, begged for mercy. "Please, don't kill me! I was wrong, I promise I'll never come near you again. Just please….spare my life!"
Mike's expression softened. "I'm no murderer. I've never taken a life, and I won't start now," he said, and with a reassuring smile, he levitated and addressed his friends. "Until we meet again, mes amis."
With a final goodbye, Mike leaped clumsily into the air and soared into the sky, followed closely by Djuma. Their figure dwindling out of sight.
Stefan's brow furrowed. "Something's off, don't you guys notice?" he observed. "What could have triggered Mike's sudden panic?"
Christina and Rachael exchanged a knowing glance. "They're here!" they exclaimed in unison.
Stefan's expression turned grim. "Exactly! Their diversion plan failed. Combat is inevitable," he said. "Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Absolutely!" Rachael and Christina replied.
Rachael dashed into the house and Christina turned to Raymond, her gaze commanding. "We need your car. Our world is at stake."
Raymond's eyes remained fixed on his car, now commandeered by Christina. "Oh... my car..." he stammered, struggling to process the chaos.
Still shaken, Raymond nodded feebly and handed over the key.
Christina took the car and reached for the car, her expression brooked no refusal. She would take the car, with or without his consent.
Stefan turned to Raymond, concern etched on his face. "Are you really staying here? Real monsters are on their way to our planet."
Raymond rose, his gaze locked onto Stefan. "And...where are you guys going?" he inquired, confused.
Rachael emerged from the house, backpack slung over her shoulder. "To kick their asses, of course! We can't let merciless aliens destroy our world."
Raymond's confusion deepened. "What's with the stuff jingling in your backpack?"
Stefan opened the car door. "Weapons to fight them," he chimed in.
Raymond's eyes widened. "And what about those two... monsters we saw earlier? You're fighting them too?"
Rachael bristled. "That's my brother you're calling a monster! Wouldn't he have killed you if he was?"
Stefan entered the car. "Bye!" he said and waved.
Raymond's face contorted in fear. "Dammit! Wait for me!" He sprinted toward the car.
"I'll drive," he said, panic lacing his voice. "I don't think I can stay alone tonight. I'm totally freaked out!"
"Suit yourself," Christina said, tossing the car key to Raymond.
He caught it deftly, his eyes wide with concern. "You guys are either extremely brave or utterly insane. How can you consider fighting...that?"
Raymond slid into the driver's seat, his eyes darting nervously between the group.
"Whatever! I'm leaving immediately I drop you guys, I can't get involved in your suicidal tendency. I'm the only one my mother got, okay?"
The group chimed in unison, "Yes, soldier!"
"Now drive!" they urged.
Raymond hesitated, "Where to?"
"Just drive!" they insisted, their voices firm.
Perplexed, Raymond glanced at Stefan and Rachael in the backseat, then at Christina beside him. "Seriously?"
Christina's eyes sparkled as inspiration struck. "I have an idea!" She double-tapped her neck, where her Lav communication device was implanted.
"Mike, do you copy?" she asked, awaiting a response.
After a brief pause, Mike's worried voice crackled through. "Yes, I do. Is everything okay?"
Christina announced triumphantly, "It worked! He replied."
Rachael and Stefan exchanged relieved glances.
Raymond's confusion deepened. "Wait...What?! Who replied?"
Christina focused on the conversation, ignoring Raymond's query. "Nothing's wrong, Mike. We're en route. What's your location?"
"Please reconsider, guys. It's not safe," Mike's worried voice crackled through Christina's comms device. "I can't risk endangering any one of you guys."
Christina's resolve remained unwavering. "We won't take unnecessary risks, Mike. We can't sit idle while you face danger alone, please, please, please."
"Please share your location," Christina urged.
Rachael leaned in, anxious. "What did he say? Did he share his location?"
Christina nodded. "Yes, after some reluctance and grumbling for ages. He's near Cape Town."
Raymond's frustration boiled over as he could no longer bear the silence reception he's receiving. "What the hell is going on?! Who are you talking to without a cellphone?!" he shouted, shattering the tense silence.
"There's a device in her neck that automatically connects to my brother when activated," Rachael's explanation was a matter-of-fact. "It's... complicated."
Raymond rubbed his eyes, incredulous. "Oh my God, I think I've entered a sci-fi movie."
Stefan's focused tone cut through the chaos. "I think I know where Mike's heading." His eyes scanned the map on his phone.
"NASA headquarters," he announced, his voice firm.
The group's response was unanimous. "Go now, soldier!"
Raymond's hesitation vanished. He started the car, and the vehicle sped off into the night, racing toward the unknown.