ToTS Chapter Five: Ghostly Past It had been hours since Stark had been wheeled into the emergency room. The sun had finally started to set over the horizon, illuminating the vast sky in varying shades of red, yellow, orange, and purple. As night descended down upon the Last City the life in the city showed no signs of stopping. Just as many ships could be seen flashing by the window, all racing to be somewhere. Just because it was night did not mean world stopped. It took around the clock operations to keep the city running and safe, the enemies never took a day off, because of this they couldn’t afford to do the same. Lily sat quietly in the waiting room hoping for any news about Starks condition. Nathan sat right next to her reading an article on suspected Fallen raid areas. Baldwin could be seen on the other side of the room with his arms crossed, he appeared to be asleep. Paige was nowhere to be seen; she had been called away from the room and had not yet returned. Lily stood up and stretched her legs, Nathan peeked up long enough to see what she was doing before returning to his article. She couldn’t sit anymore she had been sitting for hours and it was starting to drive her crazy. Lily started to pace back and forth; anything was better than just sitting she thought to herself. Just then a doctor emerged from the double doors on the other side of the room. “Good news, he will be just fine, he had lost a lot of blood and had some major internal injuries but it was nothing we couldn’t handle, when you’re ready who may come and see him. Just fair warning though, he is heavily sedated right now so he might not be himself at the moment but that will wear off with time.” said the doctor as he removed his blooded gloves, throwing them in a bin near by. Upon hearing this heavy burden had been magically lifted from Lily chest. For the first time in several days she was able to breath without the crushing weight of stress on her. Stark was going to be alright, he would not be leaving her side today. Hearing this Nathan for the first time put away his article and stood up. Walking over to Baldwin, Nathan firmly shook Baldwin awake. “Baldwin wake up, it’s done, lets go talk to our mysterious friend shall we,” said Nathan when Baldwin finally stirred. Still in a somewhat dazed state, “Yes, lets gets this over with so I can finish my report and we all can be on our way.” The three and the doctor were just about to make their way through the double doors when Paige came storming through the door she had left through earlier. “We have been ordered to wait until the Commander of the FOTC has arrived,” said Paige in a rather annoyed voice. “What? Why would the commander even be interested in him? I know I haven’t sent in my report but that’s because I haven’t gotten a chance to finish it,” said Baldwin with a look of confusion on his face. “This is rather interesting indeed, what could have sparked the Commanders interest so much that he would come here himself?” A look of interest could now be seen on Nathans face. “Trust me I tried to talk him out of it, I told him it was something that he didn’t need to bother himself with and that Baldwin would have his report in as soon as he finished. He would not hear of it, he said he was coming and that was that.” That weight that had lifted from Lily chest was slowly beginning to return. What was the problem, why could she not see Stark now, why did this Commander want to see him? The trio began to talk amongst themselves running scenarios by each other as to why the commander would come here. The doctor had returned to the emergency room through the double doors. This left Lily to stand there by herself; she had not felt this alone since that moment in the forest. Just when she thought the nightmare was over, another one starts. Would Stark and she ever be able to leave and go back to the way things used to be or would things continue to pop up and prevent that from happening. The discussion between the trio seemed to be intensifying. Voices were beginning to rise along with the choice of words as well. The three looked to ready to start fight with each other just than the same door Paige had come through opened up a second time. Through the door came a small escort of troops all decked out in black combat armor like that of Baldwin but slimmer fitting and compact but no less threatening. Each soldier held an assault rifle in their arms matching the color of their armor. From behind this fierce looking escort walked in a man in what appeared to be a non combat military uniform. The uniform consisted of a simple dark blue uniform with FOTC clearly visible on the right side of the chest. Under that in gold lettering “COMMANDER” was easily visible. The commander was an older gentleman, with a light white beard that covered his chin that then moved its way up his jaw line connecting with his turning gray brown hair. The three were no longer arguing but now stood at attendance in silence with their hands up in a salute fashion. “Its good to see you all again. How long has it been since we have all been in the same room together? It seems like only yesterday I was leading you three out on your first strike team, oh those were the simpler days. What I wouldn’t give to go out and do an old fashion raid of a Fallen camp, but alas those days are far behind me. Now my day consist of playing nice with politicians and mountains of paper work,” said the Commander has he walked up and addressed the trio by name. The tension in the room seemed to lessen a little has the trio released their salutes and relaxed their stance ever so slightly. “Commander you need not bother yourself with this one, I will have my report on your desk as soon as I am done with it. I know you’re a busy man running the FOTC, there is no need for you to burden yourself with task that could easily be handed by your subordinates.” Baldwin stated as he brought up is unfinished report to show the Commander. “I believe Baldwin is correct on this matter as well Commander, a man of your position has many duties and obligations that request your immediate attention. Humanity is in a tough spot and we need everyone's at their best doing their best if we ever hope to climb back up to our former glory,” chimed in Nathan as he stood off the side of Baldwin with his hands clasped behind his back. Paige looked to be biting at the bit, wanted to voice her own opinion but seemed to think it better not to say a word. She just stood where she was and just watched and listened. Everyone had seemed to have forgotten that Lily was in the room with them. She didn’t dare voice that she was there, afraid of what might happen as she did. She figured it was better to let the four of them talk about what they need to talk about and eventually they would remember that she was also in the room. “I hear your concerns but let me assure you that even though this may seem like an unimportant report to you it is anything but that. If I believed it was nothing I would gladly leave it in your capable hands, but alas this is not the case. I have a hunch on who this man might be, and to make sure it is him I have to do this in person and see him in with my own eyes.” Lily began to worry more and more as the conversion went on. Her breathing was starting to become heavier and her hands were starting to sweat as well. Why would the Commander being looking for Stark she thought. What had Stark done to warrant this kind of attention. Maybe coming to this city was not a very good idea anymore she began to think to herself. “What ever you think Stark has done you're wrong, you have the wrong person. Stark would never do whatever you are accusing him of, he is not that kind of person. Stark is the nicest most caring person I have ever met,” stammered Lily finally managing to find her voice, and more so her courage. “Paige, care to explain why you never mentioned that you had a second guest when you reported to me?” The Commander was now glancing over at Paige. For the first time Lily saw Paige actually shrink back. Paige had lost that spark of fire in her eyes that always seemed to dance around inside of them. What had replaced that spark was even more shocking, the brazen beauty of a warrior that was Paige had now been replaced with that of a timid girl. “Its…just seemed unimportant and must of just slipped my mind Commander, her name is Lily,” Paige began to bite her lower lip. “Ok, just make sure It does not happen again Paige, you should know better than that,” said the Commander in a rather easy tone, one of disappointment more so than anger. “Yes Commander,” was all Paige could manage to say. Lily now wished she had not voiced her thoughts. Everyone in the room from the Commander to his escort were now fully attentive to her presence. Lily would have given anything to vanish at that moment to escape their stares. They all just stood there and watched, waiting to see what this little girl would say next. “Im sorry, I didn’t mean to speak out or turn,” was now looking at the floor unable to meet the strong stares. “Nonsense, it shows great loyalty to speak up for those who can't do so themselves, you have nothing to be sorry for,” remarked the Commander. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did the two of you become acquainted?”