Max's POV

Three days after the events of Dronto, life had become very much normal aboard the Enterprise. We fell back to our daily routine of contacting other Rebels, sympathisers to our cause, acquiring weapons, supplies and personnel. We had eyes and ears in most of the Quadrants. Things have changed. The U.S.S Enterprise, the pride of the Federation, is no longer a exploratory ship, it is now part of the Rebel military. One would be amazed at its newest weapons- long-range photon torpedoes in the nacelles, plasma cannons and laser artillery weapons on the hull, phasers and bombers above the bridge. It is a sight to behold.

"Dammit" was the first word that escaped my mouth as I woke up and looked at the bedside clock. Quickly I donned my Nova Corps uniform and hurried up to the bridge. I paced down the hallway and rounded a corner as I crashed into someone. Grunts escaped both of us as we tumbled on the floor. I stood up to face a really angry Scottish man.

"Damn, laddie, watch where ya're going, will ya? Of what use are those goddamn eyes if ye can't even use them?"

Ladies and gentlemen, that's Montmogery Scott for you, the Enterprise's chief engineer. He's a really amiable man, but just don't get on his bad side.

I mumbled an apology and shot towards the turbolift, in no mood for a lecture. I pressed the "up" button and waited till it brought me to the bridge.

"What was so goddamn important that you had to waste my sleep?" I asked irritably as I entered the bridge. It was busy, with the ship's most qualified and trusted people working in sync. The navigators were silently taking us to the large planet looming in front of us, while others were maintaining the cloaking device that would render the ship unnoticed.

Kirk rolled his eyes." As much as I enjoy disrupting your beauty sleep, Max, I've called you here for something else entirely."

Beside me, Tania stifled a snicker. I gave her my meanest glare." What's up?"

Kirk turned and pressed a few buttons in his seat." We have entered the upper atmosphere of Arakia. It's a...Thanos-conquered planet. We received a distress signal calling for help from a small Rebel group here. Apparently, they blew up a few Chitauri barracks and arms factories. We are here to assist them and evacuate, if necessary. Max, you'll personally lead a landing party to the surface, access the situation and act accordingly. Let's hope we aren't too late."

Spock turned to Kirk." Captain, I would like to accompany Mr. Hunter in his mission to the surface."

I looked at him, incredulously." You, happy?"

Spock looked at me with his usual emotionless gaze." I was simply attempting to use your vernacular to express my idea."

Kirk gave us a communicator each."Meet Scotty at the warp core. He'll give you your disguises. Your team is waiting. Under no circumstances is there any connection to the Federation or the Nova Corps. Good luck."

The both of us took the turbolift down to the warp core where we found our team already assembled. Scotty happily gave out our disguises which we donned quickly. Stepping on the platform and checking our weapons, we instructed the technicians to warp us to the surface.

Our surroundings changed instantly, and we found ourselves in a big marketplace. It was teeming with populace, but the apparent tension in the people was clear. They hustled into their homes, shopkeepers hurriedly closed their wares and  downed the shutters. People pushed each other in order to get to safety first.

" Why are they all hurrying like this?" I asked as I looked around.

" The answer to your question, Mr. Hunter, lies in that direction." Spock pointed out calmly to me. I turned my head and saw a small army of Chitauri, weapons raised, headed our way. Cursing,we sped off in the opposite direction.

"Where did they warp us?" One of my men asked as we ducked around a corner." Where is the Rebel base?"

I took the map out of my pocket and pointed forward." There!" and we sprinted as fast as our legs carried us,hoping against hope that we were not too late.

Glen's POV

I crouched in my uncomfortable position against a fallen pillar, my weapon raised, as I awaited the call of Draxon. He's the leader of the local Rebels- Freedomers they call themselves- a short, sturdy man who commands immense authority. We have been stuck here for three days since we blew up the arms factory in Arma, and we're in dire need of assistance. A light rain drizzled over us as the other Rebels hid behind buildings, vehicles and trees near the front gates leading to the downtown district. The gates stood closed and barred, a small attempt to stop the Chitauri. I however, share Draxon's worry that it wouldn't stop the invaders for long.

Faint shots and shouts travelled on the breeze, drowned out by the the pitter-patter tapping of rain on the tin roofs of the nearby shops. My teeth chattered as I shivered.

I thought of the distress signal I sent into space. Hopefully, it was received by any of our allies. If not, then...

A blaster beam shot between the closed iron gate and into a nearby trash bin. I ducked. The enemy has arrived.

I looked up to the rooftops on either side of the narrow road but couldn't find the men stationed there. Rain fell on my face and I held up a hand to shield my eyes. I saw Draxon giving the signal, and I fired.

Several other blasts knocked a few of them down, their blasters shooting off to the sides. Some managed to get back on their feet, but fell to my and Draxon's blasts. Our snipers took out the front line.

A large sheet of metal came crashing down towards the ground, hitting it's mark and crushing the Chitauri below, knocking them out. Some managed to curl into metal balls before the sheet landed on them, some kind of self-defense, nothing like I've ever seen.

The Rebels across the street opened fire, but proved to be no match. The men on the roofs threw down large rocks, but the Chitauri got back up. In horror, I watched three of our men getting shot repeatedly until they stopped moving. Draxon jumped up to his feet and fired, but shots were fired in our direction and he ducked again. We are no match for this enemy. We're doomed.

A loud boom erupted as the nearest Chitauri group were blown to bits. The sky lit up with weapons fire as the aliens were fired upon. Stone and dirt flew across the ground as bombs detonated against the aliens. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small group of people making their way towards us, their weapons raised and hot. I shot at the Chitauri with renewed vigour. The signal worked. We were saved.

Max's POV

We ran till we heard the sound of gunfire." Shit we're late." I cursed. We brought out our weapons and ran. The gates had been breached and gunfire rattled. Cries of agony and anguish wrenched my heart. Sprinting, I used the grenade-launcher to blow the Chitauri to bits. The Rebels fired simultaneously,and caught between the cross-fire, the Chitauri stood no chance.

Relieved, we walked through the destroyed gates. Walking along the charred road, beside buildings riddled with gunfire, bodies lying bleeding and tended to, we walked up to the Rebels, who regarded us with extreme caution, if not to say distrust. We were met by a short sturdy man, who gripped his blaster tightly as his sharp pointed eyes seemed to penetrate our souls.

Spock stepped forward in his calm manner." Greetings Commander. We received your distreee signal and car as fast as we could. Although I regret that we didn't arrive sooner I'm glad to see most of you safe."

"Safe?" He spat." You're calling living in subjugation, being treated like slaves safe? Because of your timing, my men are lying injured and dying. What did you expect, we'll fall to your feet and thank you?"

Spock tilted his head." That was not my intention, Commander."

The man flared up, but before he could speak, another figure jumped from behind a pillar. The famaliar face surprised me, as it did to him. He responded first.

"Max?"

"Glen?" I spread my arms and did our bro-hug." How are you here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." He said, his face breaking into a grin. We shook hands. Glen went up to the angry guy and whispered something to him. I don't know what, but his demeanor changed and he became quite friendly.

"Come," Glen tugged at my wrists." Let's go somewhere safe."

****

Once we entered their headquarters ( which happened to be a well-protected, armoured warehouse), we sat down to the matter at hand. Glen and the short guy, who happened to be the leader of the Rebels, put us up-to-date of the situation.

" Every day the situation worsens." He explained as he showed us a hologram." Hundreds of people are taken away from their homes, snatched and forced to work as slaves. We live under martial law, where anyone who defies the curfews will die."

Glen explained further." I've been in contact with Kragil. He's stationed in the forest planet of Jara. They're experiencing the same."

I scratched my beard worriedly." The situation seems to be worse than we anticipated. What about the Chitauri? How many are stationed here?"

Glen pulled up a data log." According to these stats, two garrisons each have been stationed at each town. They certainly are cautious."

" Don't forget the Snatchers." Draxon, the short guy, prompted.

Spock leaned in, interested." Snatchers?"

"Brainwashed beings." Draxon spat." Every planet they conquer, they gather a handful of the indigenous species. They bring them to their Master, who brainwashes them completely. No memory, no identity, just a number, a rank, another link in the chain. Their ghastly golden eyes give it away."

We stood in silence. Draxon continued." And then of course, is that new monster."

Spock looked up sharply." What new monster?"

Draxon scratched his moustache." Rumour has it that Thanos has recruited a new being into his Black Order. He's a new player. Never seen him before. Did you not see the footage?"

Spock motioned for him to show." Please, show us."

Draxon typed a few commands into the holopad, and the scene changed." This was taken a week ago. London. They nearly had the Black Order running back to the hole they came from, but then this guy shows up and destroys the whole city. Here."

The scene shifted. We saw a burning city, people running in terror. Buildings were destroyed, statues were decapitated. People ran in fear of the unknown across a sea of blood and bodies. Looking closely, we discovered the cause of the terror.

He was dressed in black, wholly. His black breastplate covered his chest, and he weilded dark gauntlets. Tall and muscular, he strode forward with the confidence of someone who knows what he is doing. He had a mask on his face and the visor was pulled down.

We watched as he cut through the human ranks with calculated precision. He deflected any blaster shots fired at him with the blade of his sword. His demeanor was deadly and fearful. Still, he somehow felt famaliar. As if I've seen him before. His movements, his walk, his posture- all seemed famaliar to me.

"An Enhanced." Spock mused. I turned to Draxon." What is his name?"

Draxon was grim." Nemesis."

(cue drum roll)
Hey guys! Seeing you all after a long long time. I guess I didn't find time enough to update. Our annual scripts of Class 11 were shown and guess what- I came second in Commerce! I'm so elated. I'm in Class 12 now. Wow that's a mouthful.
Anyways it's great to be back with you guys. And here we see Glen back! People told me that they were missing the jolly cheerful Glen from " Galaxias: Rise of the Fallen." So I thought, let's bring him back! 2060 words.... longest chapter till date. Can we see the old trio of Steve, Max and Glen? Let's wait and see.
Please don't forget to vote and comment.