PART ONE: THE DESTINY OF ONE
The sun began to set on the horizon as he stared out at the ocean, not knowing really why he'd decided to return. Eleven years ago he vowed never to come back, but for some reason, he'd been drawn to its presence. The smell of the salt and fresh air was invigorating, and as a child, he remembered how much he loved it.
In the past things had been different. His name was Derek Giovanni, a young boy part Sicilian, part American, who idolized his parents, and dreamed one day of having their success. He had spent the first years of his life on Alameda Island, a peaceful community with no crime, no poverty, and no worries. But at age eight everything changed. Galactor came, and in the blink of an eye, everything was destroyed. His parents were killed mercilessly, and he was nearly killed himself. The life he knew was gone, replaced with a new identity, a new name, and a second chance.
Being so young, most knew the boy would have a hard time adjusting to a new lifestyle. To simplify the name change, he was called Dirk instead of Derek. The last name was a reflection of his personality, Daring, and was essentially a nickname given to him by his foster brother, Ace. Personally, he hated the last name, but knew in time, when Galactor was gone, he could use the name Giovanni again.
Walking the beach, Dirk couldn't help but reflect on the past. He had been playing in the sand, making a castle, while he parents sat watching nearby. Not paying much attention to his surroundings, he hadn't known there was any danger until he heard the shots, the screams, and the laughter. What happened after that still made him cringe, and continued to haunt him. The question had been tossed around in his mind countless times, but it never could be answered.
"I had my father's pistol in my hand. Why didn't I pull the trigger?"
It wasn't because he didn't know how to fire the gun, or that he didn't have the strength to use it. At age six, he received his first weapon, a 22-caliber pistol. He was reluctant to use it at first, because of its weight and awkwardness, but his father had insisted, expressing the importance. "Your weapon should always be your best friend. Treat it with respect, and someday, it may save your life."
Lost in thought, he failed to notice the plane, which circled slowly above his car. He had heard the rumbling of the engines, but at the time thought nothing of it. It wasn't until the plane's engines roared overhead for the third time that he took heed to the intrusion. Something just didn't seem right. Questioning his feelings, he reached for his pistol, then unzipped his pant leg to retrieve his shuriken. "Dirk, what are you doing? You're being paranoid again. It's just a plane, and it's anything but threatening."
Though he tried convincing himself he was in no danger, a knot formed in his chest, making him uncomfortable. It was a bad feeling, like the ones he'd get before going into combat. Focusing on the plane, which was now approaching again at a slower speed and lower altitude, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw the guns underneath. Quickly, all his doubts vanished as the reality of the situation set in. Helplessly, he watched as the plane began firing, ricocheting bullets off the hood and roof of the G-2. Though in obvious danger, Dirk was furious. "Not my car! Oh sh�".
His words were cut short as the car exploded, the concussion from the blast sending his body flying through the air. Crashing hard into a pile of rocks nearby, he felt immense pain, silence, and then darkness.
************
Circling, the pilot smiled as he looked down at the wreckage. He had succeeded, and his Master would be pleased. "Maybe with my accomplishment, I'll be promoted to second in command." The radio crackled as a voice began speaking. "Is your mission complete, and is the boy alive?" The pilot, surprised by the second question, answered hesitantly. "Alive? You wanted him alive? I blasted his car to pieces, but I don't know if he survived."
Anger rose from the voice at the other end. "You idiot! I specifically said I wanted him alive! Get down there and see if he's still breathing! If he's not, don't bother to return, or you won't be breathing either!" The pilot sighed, thinking, "There goes my promotion", then replied. "I will do as I am told Master. I will report back when I find something.
"***********
The pain in Dirk's head throbbed incredibly, but his vision was starting to return. He shook his head a few times, trying to clear the fog, then took a minute to look over his body. There was nothing major, just some bruises and cuts from the flying debris. Attempting to stand, the blinding pain overcame him and he fell back to the ground. He knew he had to regain control, but his anger, now replaced with a tinge of hopelessness, was making it difficult. "Great! This is just great! My car just got blown up, I can hardly move, and that pilot is probably coming after me. It sure was a brilliant idea to come here Dirk."
************
His body lay stretched out next to the rocks, silent and unmoving. Panicking, the pilot edged closer, and was relieved to see the slight rising and falling of the boy's chest. "Oh good, he's alive, and unconscious as well. This is going to be much, much easier than expected." Looking on, he wondered what made his Master want the boy so badly. Soon he would find out, and with any luck, he would be greatly rewarded.
************
Dirk heard the figure approaching, and he lay still. In his right hand he held the pistol, and when the moment seemed right, he would strike. Thoughts of death were present, but he quickly pushed them aside. There was no mercy here. It he was to live, he would have to kill. There was just no way around it.
The footsteps were very near him now, and he decided to act. Rolling to one side, he looked up to meet the face of his target, pointed the gun, and hesitated. Closing his eyes, he tried to remove the all too vivid picture from his memory. It was happening again, just as it had eleven years prior. Raising his arm, laughing, the pilot threw something in his direction. A sickening feeling came to his stomach, followed by a sharp pain in his neck, then everything around him faded again into darkness.
***********
At G-Force's secret underwater base, Ace paced nervously in front of Doctor Brighthead's desk. "It's been over a day. Something must have happened to him."
"Don't be so presumptuous. It's not uncommon for Dirk to do this. It's happened before."
"But he always tells someone where he's going. As second in command, he knows how important it is to be on call."
"Ace, I think you're taking this to the extreme."
"To the extreme? He took the G-2, and if Galactor strikes, we have no bird missiles, and we can't use the Firebird Mode!"
"If you're so worried about Galactor, maybe you need to be a little more forceful as leader of the G-Force team."
"Why? So Dirk can drive me even more crazy by doing even less of what I say?"
Doctor Brighthead laughed at the comment. "I know Dirk can be a one man show sometimes, but that's just Dirk. There are some things about him you just can't change."
"You're telling me! One thing is certain though. He'd better have a real good excuse, or he's going to pay heavily for trying to pull this stunt!"
************
As Dirk awoke in the cell, he realized two things instantly. One, his wrists were restrained behind him by a heavy pair of handcuffs, and two, except for his briefs, he was completely naked. The first made sense, but the second didn't. It wasn't until he heard Galactor's taunting voice outside the cell door that he understood. "Well, well, looks like the bird's been caged, and his wings have been clipped too."
Glaring intently at his captor, he said nothing in reply. Already, he could feel his body begin to tremble with rage. "Go ahead and transform young Giovanni, and while you're at it, try to call your friends for help. I'm afraid neither will work. Are you surprised I know all your secrets?"
Galactor had the upper hand this time, and Dirk knew it. Without his clothes he could not transform, and it was certain the cells walls rendered the signal from his transpower band useless. Through clenched teeth he forced himself to speak. "What do you want this time Galactor?"
"What I'm always after. The G-Force team, and control of the Earth."
"You'll never get that, with or without me here."
"You're wrong. This time you're doing it for me."
"What?"
"You will be the destruction of your precious team, starting with that annoying young commander Ace Goodheart."
"You touch him and I'll�." He stopped, knowing that in his current situation the threat was useless. "You're crazy!"
"Am I? Soon enough you will see, and then you'll believe."
************
Staring at the sea life outside the window, Ace unconsciously punched the wall, irritated by his second in command's actions. It had been three days, and he still had heard nothing about Dirk's whereabouts. Aggie stood nearby, trying to comfort him. "Cut a little slack, will you? It's Dirk's time off, and he isn't obligated to report in. He's probably so engrossed in a stock car race somewhere he just hasn't thought about calling."
"Hasn't thought about it? We grew up as brothers Aggie. He knows I worry about him when he takes off like this, and it should be common courtesy to let me know what's going on!"
"Oh Ace, when will you learn? Dirk cares for us all, but based on his childhood, he considers himself to be independent. He's�"
Ace interrupted, rolling his eyes. "Daring? I should never have given him that nickname. Who'd have thought Doctor Brighthead would actually put it on his birth certificate/"
They both laughed, easing the tension slightly. Though the G-Force team knew about Dirk's life before age eight, there were still many gaps that needed filled in. Even Dirk himself didn't know the whole story. It was fact that his parents had been killed for betraying the Galactor organization, but no one knew of his father's power and authority. Antonio Giovanni, if he was still alive, would be at the top of the organization, where Galactor himself now stood. And his son, Derek, would eventually inherit it all.
"Excuse me, do you know where I can find Ace Goodheart?"
Hearing the hurried footsteps and the calling of his name, he turned abruptly. "I'm him. What can I help you with?"
"We've got a problem on Level Seven. Some psycho is running around destroying the equipment in the control room, killing people, and claiming he's Galactor's head of command. He says he won't stop until he finds you."
"Me?"
"Yea. He says it's his duty to take out the G-Force team."
"Really? So why hasn't security taken him out?"
The technician fidgeted, not really sure how to continue. Ace grew impatient with the man's silence. "Well?"
"Uh, I don't know how to put this. This person who wants to see you�he's your second in command."
************
Ace was still complaining as he made his way to Level Seven. "This is crazy! There's got to be some kind of mistake. It can't be�." Reaching the main control room, he stopped mid sentence as the shock took over. "Dirk? What the�?"
Dirk stood patiently waiting, gun in one hand, shuriken in the other. His eyes were icy, and his clothes were stained red with blood. "Ace, it's good to see you old friend. You'll never guess what happened."
Looking around the room at the scattered bodies, he had a pretty good idea. "I really didn't think it was you. But now�"
"Oh, it's me all right. Finally, after all these years, I can be a Giovanni again. This is my destiny."
"What? Killing innocent people?"
"Innocent?" He laughed defiantly. "Far from it. All these years I've been on the wrong side."
"So this is how you avenge your parents? By joining the ones who killed them? What's gotten into you?"
"The truth, my friend. I understand now why they had to die. My father was head of Galactor, and knew the consequences of his actions. Had he defected, the whole organization would have fallen. His murder was necessary, to protect that from happening."
"And what about you? They tried to kill you too, or did you forget that?"
"No, and I understand that too. With father gone, that left me in charge. Some people didn't like that idea, so they tried to get rid of me. They failed."
Ace shook his head in confusion. "Oh, so that makes it ok?"
"They went against orders, and were punished for it. Galactor had them all executed."
"Really? And where did you get this information? I really didn't think you'd be dumb enough to believe it."
"It came from Galactor himself. He stepped down as supreme ruler, and handed it over to me. Even he recognizes the Galactor leadership as being rightfully mine. It was my birthright. It's where I belong, and where I should have been all along."
"I see. So what now?"
"I really didn't want to do this Ace. We spent so many good years together, side by side, and I thank you for all the memories. It's such a shame it has to end this way."
Before he could react, Dirk threw his shuriken, all hitting pressure points and bringing Ace to his knees. He was completely immobile, and could only watch helplessly as his friend approached. "Is this the way you repay me for our friendship? By killing me? You're a coward!"
He saw the pistol, then felt nausea, blood, and pain as he was backhanded with the butt end of it. "I'm sorry you don't understand. I can't change your mind, and this is the only other option. You must die like my parents, to preserve the power of Galactor."
Watching the pistol raise towards his chest, Ace closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "It doesn't stop with me Dirk. There will be others, and they won't stop until they find you. In the end, you won't win."
The anticipation was short, and as his body began to tremble with the thought of death, he heard the shot.
************
As he consulted with Computor, it was hard to hide the amusement. "Mighty Computor, Derek Giovanni is most certainly our best weapon yet. The plan is going along smoothly."
"Good, I am pleased."
"If I may ask, what are your plans for the young boy after he's completed the mission?"
Computor's laugh echoed throughout the chamber. "Do not worry Galactor. When he has destroyed the G-Force team, he will join them. There is no need for two leaders in the organization."
Galactor bowed and smiled, relieved by the response. "Thank you Master."
************
Slowly, he opened his eyes and exhaled sharply. His voice was weak and slightly disconnected. "Is he�?"
Hootie stood over Dirk's body, the gun still in his hand. His face was pale, reflecting both shock and sadness. "I didn't know what else to do. I thought he was going to kill you. I didn't know."
Ace nodded sympathetically, watching as Hootie's eyes began to tear. "He was going to kill me. You did what you had to do, and I thank you."
"What happened to him?"
"I don't know. He was talking crazy, saying he was Galactor's head, and that it was his destiny. It all happened so fast, and it doesn't make sense. Why?" Wincing, he tried to rise, but the pain in his arms and legs was too intense. "Now I know what it feels like to be a voodoo doll. Think you can get me some help Hootie?"
Watching silently as his friend tried to keep his composure, Hootie nodded. "Ace, are you going to be ok?"
Feeling his own eyes begin to tear, he looked towards the ground and replied softly, "I don't know. I just don't know."
************
As the red and white Cessna approached Alameda Island, Ace's heart was heavy. He hadn't wanted to come, but was obligated to fulfill Dirk's final wish. In the event of his death, he asked that his uniform, shuriken, and transpower band be burned, then scattered at the sight of his parents' deaths. Such a request seemed strange to Ace, but he knew his friend's reasons. It was his way of saying the fighting was over, and he could finally be at peace.
Looking out over the water, he replayed the earlier events in his mind. "What happened Dirk? I never thought you could betray Doctor Brighthead and us. Why?" No matter how many times he tried, he couldn't ease the pain. The emotions were too strong, and he found himself sobbing. "My friend, my brother, why'd it have to end this way? Why?"
Silent in mourning, he wanted to ignore the transmission that was coming through from Doctor Brighthead. As usual, it was very vague. "Ace, return to base immediately."
Wiping his eyes and breathing deeply, he responded, slightly agitated. "What's the hurry?"
"I'm afraid we have some strange news to report. I want you to return immediately so I can brief you on it."
"What's so strange that you can't just tell me now?"
The doctor was annoyed by Ace's defiance, but he understood. As a war hero himself, he had lost a lot of close friends, and it was never easy. "Ace, I know what you're going through, but I need you to focus. Just come back and you can see for yourself."
************
His mouth dropped open is disbelief. "What?! You can't find the body?"
The coroner shook his head nervously. "It was here last night. We came in this morning to begin prepping for the autopsy, and it wasn't here."
"How can you lose a dead body? That's crazy!"
"I don't know. We asked around but no one has answers. It's just gone."
Though still in shock, Ace couldn't help but laugh. Doctor Brighthead thought the reaction was odd, and eyed him curiously. "Something funny Ace?"
"Well, not really, but I couldn't help but think. I don't know how he did it, but even in death, Dirk managed to disappear on us."
************
Galactor pounded his fist on the examination table. "He failed us, G-Force's first in command still lives! I send him in to destroy one person, and he can't even get that right! Which one of you retrieved the body?"
Three guards dressed in the usual green attire stood nearby, none wanting to interfere with their Master's rage. "Speak up! Who took the body?"
They looked at each other, then one awkwardly stepped forward. "I did sir."
"And did you do as I requested? Did you let them know who took it?"
The guard did not respond, and Galactor threw his hands in the air. "Do I have to do everything myself? How is G-Force going to show up here if they don't know where the body went? It wasn't supposed to be difficult!"
"Master, you really wanted them to find our base?"
"YES! That was the whole point of you being obvious! Now go back and TELL them you know where the body went!"
************
The horrified screams echoed down the corridor. "Please stop them! Don't let them kill me!"
The two guards on duty sighed, shrugged, and looked at each other. "Great, he's at it again."
"Tell me about it. With all the nightmares that kid keeps having, it's no wonder he's not psychotic."
"How long do you think it'll go on this time?"
"I don't know, but it's your turn to check on him." The guard's face reflected amusement, then became grim with the afterthought. "Don't forget, the kid's very cunning. Don't go soft on him, or you may regret it later."
************
The man approached Ace's apartment door and knocked apprehensively. It was 11:30 PM, and he didn't know how an intrusion at such an hour would be welcomed. He had wanted to wait until morning, but his Master has insisted he tell the G-Force commander where the body was immediately, and he didn't want to face any consequences due to hesitation. Tapping one foot nervously, he waited for an answer, got none, and knocked again. Fidgeting, he watched as one minute went by on his watch before turning to leave. "Looks like no one is home. Oh well."
The blow was stunning, knocking the air from the man's lungs and leaving his vision hazy. "You'd better have a real good reason for being here at this hour. What do you want?"
Struggling to find his breath, the man raised his hands and shook them submissively. "Wait, no trouble�work at hospital�know where body went."
Though suspicious, Ace eased up a little. "Where? And why didn't you say something earlier, instead of sneaking around my apartment at midnight?"
"I didn't want trouble, and they told me if I talked they'd come back and kill me. It's really being weighing on my conscious though. I overheard them talking about returning to some island, to some base of operations nestled in the mountains. What was the name?" Deep in thought, the man furrowed his brows, then sighed. "My mind isn't good with names. Sorry."
"Alameda Island? Does that sound familiar?"
As if the name suddenly came to him, he snapped his fingers. "That's it! You know the place?"
"Yes I do, and it's where I'm headed right now. Thank you for coming forward. I will make sure you are rewarded for the information."
As the man watched Ace jump into his plane and start the engines, he smiled deviously. "So young, and so naive. Enjoy your flight young man. It's going to be your last."
************
Looking in through the cell door, the guard couldn't help but feel sympathetic. The boy was sobbing heavily, his body trembling from some unseen evil. "Please stop them. They're going to kill me too. I don't want to die."
"Hey kid, calm down. It's just a dream."
"Don't you see them? They're right there in front of me! They killed my parents, and now they're coming for me. This time I won't get away." As his breathing became more rapid, he was almost hyperventilating. "I'm going to die."
The guard reached for the cell key, then hesitated, remembering the prior warning. "The boy's very cunning. Don't go soft on him." He listened intently as the agonizing screams continued, then let compassion cloud his better judgement. "Look, you're fine. Nothing is going to happen. Just stop before you have a heart attack or something."
"You've got to help me. They're going to�." Playing on the man's emotions, he choked back the rest of the sentence, began convulsing, then forced his body to go limp. As the key turned to unlock the cell door, his thoughts were racing. "I can't believe this one's falling for it."
The guard approached cautiously and nudged the unmoving body with his foot. "Kid, you're not dead are you?" There was no response, and he nudged again, this time a little harder. "Hey, wake up." It wasn't until he bent down to check for a pulse that he realized the truth.
In one quick motion, Dirk kicked the man hard in the chest, sending him sprawling backwards. His head impacted with the wall, and before he could recover, the boy had him pinned helplessly to the ground with his legs. Nearing unconsciousness and seeing stars, the guard's final words were bitter. "They told me not to go soft on you, because I'd regret it later. I guess death comes to us all sooner or later."
Dirk's response was surprising, yet genuine. "Very few would show compassion in the face of the enemy, and I admire you for it. I could easily kill you, but I won't. I owe you that much."
************
The other guard was smiling when he saw his friend return. "What'd you do to the kid? He got quiet awfully quick."
"It was easy really.".
"Oh yea? How'd you do it?"
"Like this." Smiling casually, Dirk pulled his gun and shot the guard in the head.
************
The secret base was on the other side of Alameda Island, and since Ace had been told it was nestled within the mountains, he found it easily. As usual, the security was moderate, and it was no time before he penetrated the outer barrier and found himself inside.
Galactor watched the monitor screens with a bemused grin, admiring the predictability of the young G-Force leader. "Have a look around all you want, young fool. We already know you're here, and now the fun begins."
Turning to his guards, he issued the first orders of attack.
************
Passing through the cellblock, Ace was surprised by the number of guards lying dead or unconscious. His mind instantly brought hopes of seeing Dirk, but the reality of their last encounter was enough to convince him that the anticipation was pointless. Dirk was gone and he knew it, but somewhere in the back of his mind, since the body was not accounted for, he tried convincing himself that he was still alive.
It was always a circular argument, and always ended the same way, with Ace being angry with himself. "Impossible, he died right in front of you! And why? Because he was going to kill you! Get over it already. He's not coming back and sooner or later you're going to have to start dealing with it!"
************
From the main control room, a green clothed guard clenched his fists in protest as he eyed the security camera. To him, watching the leader of the G-Force team walk straight into an obvious trap was the farthest thing from amusing. It was irritating. Placing a small explosive near the reactor core and setting the timer, he headed off to his next destination, all the while cursing his first in command's naivete. "You idiot! Looks like you're on your own for now. I've got my own job to do."
************
The next room down the hall appeared to be an infirmary, thought Ace thought it more likely to be a morgue. The atmosphere was dark and heavy, and through the faint smell of antiseptic, there was an overwhelming stench of death and decay. In a separate closed off area to the right, he could see the bodies of numerous Galactor guards stacked against the wall, the age of each varying drastically. The ones on the top appeared to be more recent, while the ones on the bottom were clearly decomposing.
Covering his nose and mouth and shaking off the growing nausea, he quickly studied each body, making sure none looked familiar. Satisfied that none did, he turned his attention towards the other end of the room, where two covered bodies lay on an operating table. "I'm definitely in the right place. If they took Dirk's body, it's got to be here."
Pulling back the cover sheet on the first body, his eyes widened and he gagged. "Aw hell�wrong one!" The man had a very unprofessional and irregular slit running from the groin to neck, and the skin was pinned back on either side, exposing every part of his innards. Hundreds of little white maggots squirmed around hungrily, proof that the body had been sitting for days. With his stomach churning, he threw the cover back on, turned away, and vomited.
Expecting the worst, he yanked off the second sheet and exhaled sharply. The sight was relieving, but also distressing. His emotions twisted, and he didn't know if he wanted to scream or cry. Staring down at the motionless body, he allowed the finality set in. "Dirk, brother, you truly are dead."
************
As the guard casually entered the weapons arsenal, he nodded at the others and chanted "Hail Galactor!" They responded in the same manner, then went back to their prior business, completely unaware that they had just been duped.
Dirk checked the weaponry, found two pistols to his liking, then set up four more explosives. "Looks like my work's done here. Time to make my exit and blow this joint." He was amused at how easy it had been, but the pleasure was short lived as he recalled the one obstacle that still remained. "Oh great, I almost forgot about Ace. Why is he always throwing a kink in the plan?"
************
As he continued to stare at the body, Ace's mind lost track of place and time. What he thought was only a brief moment had been in actuality a few minutes, and where he was didn't seem to matter. For some reason, the reality of the situation was still refusing to settle in, and it was starting to become a burden.
Confused, he tried reorganizing his thoughts, but they all came back in the form of a question. "Why am I here when I have no reason to be? Why didn't that guy come to me at the morgue, and why when he came to my apartment did he have all the information I wanted? Why is Dirk's body here anyway, and why has this all been so easy?"
At the sound of approaching footsteps Ace's body stiffened. The guards seemed to be coming from every direction, and were quickly surrounding him. Closing his eyes at the realization, he cursed himself bitterly. "I can't believe you fell for it, you�"
The gunfire began, and as he dodged the onslaught, he used his weaponry and ninja training to take down the first group of guards. Breathing heavily, he had barely enough time to pause before the reinforcements began filing in. Ace eyed the second group, which numbered slightly under one fifty, and sighed. "There's too many of them! I really think they got me good this time."
Frantically looking for an escape, he spotted a darkened hallway near the north end of the room. Sprinting for it, he got half way there before a guard appeared at the entrance, screamed something inaudible in his direction, and began firing into the mob of Galactor guards. Bodies fell by the dozens, but Ace, seeing only the green uniform and registering only that the man was armed, pulled his own gun and fired. The man grabbed his stomach and crumpled to the floor, the blood from the wound already beginning to soak through the uniform. As his free hand reached up in a plea for help, he said something, but Ace's ears were ringing too badly to understand the words. Looking down sympathetically Ace replied, "I'm sorry", then turned and ran down the empty hallway.
He never looked back, but could hear the echo of rapid gunfire and footsteps behind him. Though he tried quickening his pace, exhaustion was taking over, and he felt himself beginning to lag. Up ahead the hallway branched out into a large room, and as he entered it, a feeling of dread overcame him. There was only one exit, and it was through the door he had just come in from. Watching as the guards began to file in, Ace surrendered and dropped to his knees.
***********
Galactor's laugh could be heard, and as he looked up, he was blinded by the glow of a giant spotlight. "Welcome young Goodheart. We've been expecting you."
"You mean you went through all this trouble just for me? I'm honored."
Annoyed with the boy's cockiness, Galactor turned to one of his best marksmen for retaliation. "Well, as they say, it's always good to start at the top."
A single shot rang out, and before Ace could react, there was white-hot pain in his left shoulder. Reaching over he saw the blood on his hand, but remained unfazed by the injury. "Start at the top? Is that why you killed Dirk first instead of me?"
Galactor's laugh grew louder and more intense, and his response was chilling. "I didn't kill your friend. You did it for me. Such a shame he was posing as one of our guards. Not too smart an idea while in the face of the enemy."
"I may fall for some of your tricks but I won't fall for this one! Dirk died while attacking me at our base, and your guards took his body from the morgue. I saw it not too long ago."
"Did he? And are you really sure it was him?"
As his head began spinning with the growing confusion, Ace felt nauseous. His mind was telling him to believe what he had seen, but his heart was telling him otherwise. "Look, I've got better things to do. If you're here to kill me, get it over with!"
"Ironic how things turn out isn't it? I've decided not to kill you. It will bring me greater pleasure to know that for the rest of your days you'll be suffering with the fact you killed your best friend."
"Stop it! You really expect me to believe you?"
"Want the proof? I'll give it to you." The lights darkened, and as the black spots started fading from Ace's vision, he saw two men toss a green clothed figure in his direction. "Go ahead, take a look. Actually, I think he may still have a few fighting words left in him."
As Ace looked down at the wounded man at his feet, visions of the guard in the hallway earlier flashed before his eyes. The man had been shot in the stomach, and it was obvious that the wound was severe. Eventually, with or without treatment, he would die. Inside his emotions were screaming, "Dirk, it can't be you. It just can't be!" Though his heart told him to find out the truth, his mind told him to remain focused. "This is all just a trick Ace. You saw Dirk's body at the morgue. He's dead, ok, he's already dead!"
Not getting the reaction he wanted, Galactor continued the prodding. "Since you don't seem to care, we'll go ahead and finish the job for you."
"I'm no fool, and I'm not falling for this one!"
As numerous guns pointed towards the fallen guard, the familiar defiant voice nearly stopped Ace's heart. "Galactor, go to hell!"
"Oh, so Derek Giovanni finally speaks? You're one stubborn young man, but also very, very stupid." Turning his attention to Ace, he laughed. "Believe me now? This hasn't turned out quite as I had expected, but its no matter. One dead G-Force member is as good as any."
Ace could barely speak, and as he squatted down next to Dirks body, the realization finally hit hard. "Dirk? Oh God, I'm sorry."
Dirk smiled, and forced a simple reply. "Nice shot."
In a rage rarely expressed, Ace reached for his boomerang and cut down the guards that stood around him. "I'll kill you for this Galactor. I'll kill every one of you!" Assuming an attack position, he looked down at Dirk, only to see realize he had risen to join the fight. Turning towards his friend he asked incredulously. "Dirk, just what do you think you're doing?"
"A bullet wound isn't going to keep me down Ace. If you're going out in a blaze of glory, I'm beside you all the way."
"What? You won't last a minute, now get down!"
"I'll be standing long after you're finished! Just tell me when you're gonna fire that pistol again so I can get out of the way."
Ace shook his head, wondering how his friend could be so sarcastic in such a serious situation. Pulling the gun he threw it in Dirk's direction. "Here, take it. It belongs to you anyway." Grabbing it in mid air, Dirk spun it once and began firing.
************
Galactor watched from above, furious with the slaughter his men were receiving. "There's almost fifty of you, and only two of them! How hard can it be?"
"But sir, those two have the fighting power of two hundred! We need to retreat!"
"Retreat? You'll keep fighting until none of you are left standing!" Seeing the usual agony of defeat coming, he then decided to make his exit.
************
Ace looked around at the bodies strewn everywhere. "What a waste of lives, huh?"
"Nope. The only good Galactor is a dead one."
Unsteady on his feet, Dirk opted to give way to exhaustion. Letting himself fall to his knees, he hunched over and placed his head to the ground. Ace moved towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You ok Dirk?"
He wished he could have sounded convincing, but it was impossible. Never one to cry, especially in front of others, he let the tears fall freely as the pain began to overcome him. "I'm tired, that's all."
Hearing faint echoes of shouts and running footsteps in the distance, Ace pulled Dirk to his feet. "Come on, the reinforcements are coming. We've got to get out of here."
"I'm not going to make it. You're going to have to go on�without me."
"I can't leave here without you Dirk. I won't."
"Why? It's over for me Ace. Can't you see that I'm dying?"
He felt his own eyes become wet as the guilt tore at his insides. "Yes I see it, and it's all my fault! All I saw was the green, and I didn't even think. I thought you were dead, but you were alive, and I�I�"
"Did what anyone else would have done in the same situation. It was an accident, and there's nothing you can do to change it now. You just have to accept it and keep going."
"How? I can't let you die Dirk. Not this way. Not because of me."
"And I can't let you die because you were too busy looking out for me! Now go!"
"Dirk�"
"Don't make me do this Ace."
"Do what?"
He felt the blow to his jaw, then found himself laying face down in the hallway. As the door in front of him closed, he cried out in confusion. "Dirk, what are you doing?"
Through the door's small window Dirk held up a triggering device and explained. "There will be a number of small explosions, then you have less than three minutes to get out. After that, this base and everything in it will be gone."
Pounding on the door Ace pleaded. "What? You can't do this to me! There has to be another way!"
"I have to do this. It's got to be this way."
Ace screamed louder and pounded harder, but knew his attempts were futile. "Don't press the button. Please�"
Dirk closed his eyes and hesitated a moment, then said his final words while starting the detonations. "I'm your little brother Ace, and I'll always love you. Keep me in your heart, and I'll always be with you. Don't forget that, ok?"
Hearing the explosions in the distance, Ace looked at his friend one last time before leaving and whispered, "I love you too Dirk. Take care, brother, and thanks."
************
The final explosion was deafening, sending towering flames high into the air, and littering the surrounding landscape with ash and debris. Through the smoke Ace stared in the direction of the base entrance, hoping to see what he knew was impossible. Dirk would not be coming back this time.
Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, he looked towards the sky and screamed Dirk's name. Then, as his eyes began to fill with tears, he smiled weakly and said, "Finally, you can be a Giovanni again."