Thula

Thula hadn’t felt this way towards someone for years. Countless years; beyond decades. Eons. This feeling, this… flutter in her stomach, it had been absent for so long it almost felt alien. It wasn’t something she should be feeling, not now. Especially not towards… you.

Yet here she was, thinking of you. Replaying the image of you in her mind. Thinking of the grace with which you fought against her on Thraxa, the sheer tenacity… the strength and self-assuredness of each of your blows. It was almost Viltrumite-like. You had unexpectedly occupied a corner of her mind during the length of her hospitalization and her rehabilitation. Once she was cleared for duty once again, she was almost certain she’d stop thinking of you. Oh… how utterly wrong she was.

This feeling, whether it was… admiration, or dare she even say… affection, it stayed with her, like an itch she couldn’t dare scratch. Eventually though, she couldn’t bear it anymore, so she did what once would’ve been unthinkable to her— lie to a superior officer.

It was surprisingly simple— she had simply told General Kregg she’d be heading off to one of the outlying sectors already under Viltrumite control, make sure the planets there were continuing to contribute resources to the Empire, and to weed out any possible brewing discontent. And he gave her his blessing to do so, deeming it a good idea since she had so recently recovered from the injuries dealt to her by Nolan on Thraxa. She left quickly after that.

And so, Thula began flying all the way to earth, just to see you again. She had to school herself into stoicism as she began crossing the void, in spite of the… giddiness she felt bubble up within her.

Maybe she’s become poisoned, just as Nolan was, she tells herself.

It was a nice, summery day in Chicago today. You had to admit, sitting on the back porch of your home—paid for with your hard earned money from the salary you had begun to receive from Cecil—was a refreshing change of pace, especially as of late. You definitely needed a break, especially after helping out Mark, and surprisingly his father by extension, on the planet Thraxa. You hoped your homeboy and his mom were doing alright now, considering his new alien half-brother you both took back from the bug-planet…

A low boom from high above broke you out of your reverie, causing you to glance up. A distinctly humanoid figure was rapidly approaching, and slowing down as it descended towards… you. Your backyard. After a few tense moments, the person becomes clearer to see— it was… that Viltrumite woman from Thraxa that you, Mark, and Nolan fought. Your eyes widen at the realization alone.

“Greetings.” Thula says to you as she hovers slightly above the ground, just a couple feet away from you.