The sun is shining.

It’s warm. Maybe a bit too warm. But there’s a gentle breeze that blows about occasionally and the sweat on his skin cools. He fights the urge to yawn, instead opting to stretch his arms over his head. He blocks the sun with his hands for a while, rings of light burst through his fingers, light splitting into spectrums of colour for a fraction of a second.

‘Don’t look at the sun! You know that the eclipse is going to take place soon- do you want to fry your eyes?’

He snorts, rolling his eyes and looking over to the side.

‘So hand me those glasses and stop complaining.’

‘GUYS! HEY GUYS! COME OVER HERE AND CHECK THIS OUT!’

‘Please control your sister’s volume settings I swear to god the entire neighbourhood can hear her.’

‘Just because she’s AI doesn’t mean she has “settings” what the -‘

‘Don’t tell me you didn’t ask your parents for a remote control for her settings-‘

‘I was five let it go-‘

‘I SAID COME CHECK THIS OUT YOU S-‘

‘WE’RE COMING FOR ’S SAKE CONTROL YOUR VOLUME-‘

‘Siblings indeed you both swear so much-‘

‘Shut the up-‘

The floorboards are warmed by the sun and they’re dry under his bare feet. It’s a lazy afternoon and the urge to nap is slowly overtaking his senses.

‘Finally- come check this out!’

She just turned 13 last week and to celebrate turning into a teenager, she decided to chop off a majority of her hair, leaving it into a silky rather bushy bob of a cut below her ears. They had to salvage her hair, seeing as she had taken to the scissors herself. Their mother nearly had an aneurism at the sight of badly butchered hair and rushed her willful daughter to the salon to somewhat make it look better. She had a sparkly little star-shaped clip on her hair, pulling it back behind her ears that were recently pierced as well. He remembers buying the clip for her from an accessory store from the Mars Docks. It was made in Earth, but she still freaked out nonetheless.

She points enthusiastically at the floor. They had a large tree outside of their apartment unit facing one of the many parks that was grown and maintained in the Settlement Arc. Sunlight was pouring through the canopy of leaves and the floor was riddled with crescent shaped lights.

‘Isn’t this amazing?’ she asks, eyes wide and filled with awe.

‘It is,’ he admits before he adds, ‘Don’t let mum hear you swearing – she’ll blame me again.’

‘We both know she swears more than the two of us- besides, you aren’t even here long enough for me to learn your “wicked ways”.’ She rolls her eyes.

‘Yes well, I’ll be gone soon enough so you’re saved from my influence for another 7 years.’

She suddenly looks sad.

‘I’ll be 20 by the time you come back- that’s not fair.’ She frowns. ‘I’ll be old.’

‘If you think 20 is old what do you think I am?’

‘-ancient.’ She giggles.

‘You’ll be taller than your brother no doubt-ouch!’

He takes a seat next to her on the ground, ruffling her hair.

‘You’re talking as though you won’t message me every other day and like we won’t see each other through calls.’

She sighs, leaning into her brother.

‘Next time we meet I might even come to Tayi and surprise you.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Yeap- and I’ll be better than you- just wait.’

He laughs, throwing his head back.

‘It’s a deal.’

‘We should probably get going if we want to watch the eclipse properly.’

‘Do we have to- I mean, it’s not that great of a thing-‘

‘Don’t be a spoil sport and move your - am I right?’

‘He’s right.’

He huffs out a defeated laugh.

‘Fine- gang up on me then.’

*

Yisheng Amme’s quarters served as her office as well. And this is where Yoongi finds her. The entirety of her room, a tall dome ceilinged chamber, is covered in thick leafy vines. It’s warmer in here as well and the air thicker somehow.

Amme is sitting cross legged over some mats, on her lap is a great serpent like creature, its scales a deep red that almost seems black. It was probably her pet, a creature from her own dangerous planet. It coils about her, its strange blunt head regarding Yoongi with milky white eyes.

‘Did you make up your mind?’

‘What is the mission’s original objective?’ Yoongi asks, taking a seat in front of Amme. The creature bares its teeth at Yoongi- displaying 3 rows of sharp translucent teeth.

‘You will find it in the-‘

‘That’s not what I meant. This is a mission doomed to fail. Logically speaking, this is a collective unit of Beings who have no common ground, no shared view point, and all from clashing parties. This is a mission created to fail. What is the reason behind this?’ Yoongi clarifies.

Amme puts her hands together for a while and regards Yoongi carefully. The creature in her lap slithers away and disappears into the plants.

‘We are existing in a very delicate and dangerous position right now Yoongi.’

‘The Yisheng Headquarters?’

‘No. The Universe as we know it.’

‘I do not understand.’

‘What happened 4 years ago has triggered a genesis that could destroy everything,’ Amme says flatly. ‘And if this is to occur again, then we will not be so lucky as we were. As you are well aware, there are Beings within this committee who would probably want to use this technology in Bhumi for their own agenda. For what purpose or result, we can only imagine, but it’s clear that we cannot allow this to happen.’

‘Is it not a natural progression Yisheng? The cycle of life; we all live as predators until another comes and we become prey.’

‘And so is fighting for survival. Would you choose to witness the end of all Life as we know it?’

‘I know little of it. It wouldn’t be a waste, Yisheng.’

‘So are you refusing the mission?’

‘No. I just wanted to know why you would send these Beings to a mission that is obviously going to end in their demise and inevitable failure.’

‘And I believe that you would change that Yoongi,’ Amme replies. ‘These candidates that the other committee members have submitted were not random choices- they were not selected for their ability or skill- rather they were chosen for their connection to this mission and for their clashing ideals and goals. You are a Being with no direct goal or inhibition. By attending this mission you will make sure that the mission is a success- and that no one single member gains the upper-hand. These Beings have been brought in as pawns. To move about as their masters would.’

‘Is that what I am? A pawn?’

‘Yes. And no.’

‘Please explain.’

‘I did not lie when I said I would be sending you on a mission that could help you find the answers you’re looking for Yoongi,’ Amme replies quietly. ‘This is a mission that has been created to fail, there is no doubt in that. Everyone involved in your unit; the Ngfy’widan who killed his father, the Kutsoglerin who comes from a horrific past, and the Khol’isa pirate-lord who existed as nothing more than memory for centuries and now you, a GI agent with no cognitive memory. There is no possible outcome where your entire team could ever properly work together. However I believe that you can see to the success of this mission. And that you will find the answers to your questions.’

They sit in silence for a while. Sometimes Yoongi isn’t sure which of Amme’s eyes to look at. He settles for the first pair most times.

‘So while I fulfill your agenda against the others, I would be finding the answers to my own questions?’

‘Yes.’

The serpent-like creature approaches Yoongi and coils around him. Yoongi can feel the heat it emanates through his clothes.

‘The entire ship has been rewired to the precise order and command of the committee- the database network has been compromised and many of the other features such as security, firewalls, engine systems, ship controls, and archive systems have been redesigned to send a direct feedback of its records and changes back to each of the committee members.’ Amme informs him. ‘This information is of course hidden from the other crew members.’

‘Why are the committee handicapping the mission if so much depends on it?’

‘Because while they want it to succeed, they also want it to fail so that it might fail and be discovered, leading them to a much more public and easily controllable state of events.’ Amme explains. ‘Where they can use the panic and confusion of the masses to their advantage and gain control.’

‘You are telling me that while the other committee members have a second agenda regarding this mission, you do not, and therefore would like to see it succeed? Why should I believe you? You are a member yourself; you could be lying to me and have your own agenda.’

‘That might be true.’ Amme nods. ‘I could be lying to you. But I could be telling you the truth. I do not ask you to believe me Yoongi- I am simply asking you to see to this mission’s success as is stated in the mission objective. That is all I care about.’

Yoongi considers Amme. As a Yisheng, she was bound at a much higher, nearly spiritual obligation and duty, to the Universe. However well this might be translated over into some individuals, the actions of the Yisheng was to always preserve and maintain the balance of the Universe.

‘So we’ll be under constant surveillance?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why did you tell me?’

‘Because I want this mission to succeed. The true intentions of this mission, the true objective of this mission must succeed. Because we have to live.’

The serpent-like creature turns its head towards Yoongi again, staring at him balefully.

‘What is your answer?’

‘Mission accepted.’

*

“A Guide to Improve Communication Skills: A Quick Self-Help Book to Help You Expand and Develop Communication Skills!” by Dr. Prof. J.S. Sklien was of no help. Yoongi closes the screen on the final chapter of the book with a quiet sigh.  

‘All right so Sk’jin and Hoseok will oversee the cargo, I’ll look over the restocking and Taeh’yung will…will watch over the OrTank,’ Namjoon orders from where he sits. ‘And Yoongi will remain in the ship to keep an eye on our systems and on the channels.’

Yoongi doesn’t reply- not exactly knowing how to respond in all honesty. He’s probably read more than 500 books on the topic of communication and social etiquette and even listened to many programs designed specifically for agents or other Beings working in the emissary positions and or GLA status. But none of them were of any help.

He’s spent this entire time onboard the Užkulisai in perpetual silence that he knows most people would find awkward or uncomfortable under normal circumstances. In his case however, Namjoon and Hoseok seem to think he’s aloof and distant rather than lacking in the social etiquette department.   

‘Let’s land Hoseok.’

Yoongi taps along the screen in his hands, reading through the ship’s archives on fuel distribution, keeping note of where most of the fuel was being used up the most.

The Užkulisai used a lot of fuel for a ship her size- something Yoongi had instantly noticed and also something he had expected. Many of the gages and measurement systems regarding the fuel management of the ship had been altered and shifted purposefully to give the crew members an incorrect reading of the ship’s status. They were running very low on fuel and he’s glad that Hoseok had come up with his own idea about the fuel usage rather than Yoongi somehow interject or hint at restocking. He wasn’t sure how he would say it and he wasn’t sure how it would be taken in the first place.

That was something else he was going to have to discuss with Namjoon as well. If they don’t kill him first of course. No chapter in any book he’s read offered any sound advice on how to break a news of such weight. There were plenty of chapters on “How to Tell People Bad News!” or “Passing on Difficult Messages the Easy Way!” and none of them seemed to exactly fit Yoongi’s situation. Besides, he doesn’t think sitting the crew around at a table surrounded with aroma-therapeutic scents would help his cause. Besides, there were no fragrance-oils readily available in the ship and it would take a long time to order and have it delivered to the ship.

So Yoongi has thought long and hard on how to break the news to them. Luckily he didn’t have to instigate or guide their next steps to get them to this point. Yoongi guesses that all of them needed some time out, considering the direction Namjoon and Sk’jin relationship (or lack thereof) was headed, it was probably a good idea to head somewhere they could stay away from each other and not just inside the ship.  

‘All right, we can move out now.’

Yoongi hadn’t even been aware of the fact that they had landed already. He glances up at the camera situated right above him, watching over all of the Bridge from a high angle. There were more cameras planted all around the ship. It had taken Yoongi nearly a week to find all of them.

Hoseok eases the ship down to stand-by mode, rearranging the ship system’s to in-planet settings. The ship’s shield shimmers brightly once before fading away with the slightest twinkle.

Taeh’yung cheers as he gets off of the footstool, his borrowed robe fluttering behind him as he skips out. Finding Taeh’yung had confirmed his decisions in Grezma; further inspiring Yoongi to quickly come clean. He had even gotten time alone with Namjoon and had even gone out of his way to buy ingredients for food with which he hoped to get Sk’jin in a good mood for the moment he told the Khol’isa what he knew. But then everything else happened and Yoongi worked off his frustration as he laid waste to the K’it’y guards based there.  

‘See you in a bit Yoongi,’ Sk’jin chimes at him. Before Yoongi can think of a response the Khol’isa turns away, as though he hadn’t been expecting a reply anyways. Yoongi deflates a little in his seat, wondering if a he should have replied with ‘okay’ or ‘of course you’ll see me later- we live in the same ship’ or ‘in a while, crocodile’. The first one seemed the most appropriate- it was a word of confirmation that was casual and easygoing without sounding too formal or rude. And Yoongi has seen pictures of crocodiles and doesn’t think Sk’jin would appreciate the comparison once he finds out.

They leave the Bridge, making a lot of noise as they do so. It was often very easy to hear the crew members walking around the ship. The noisiest was Taeh’yung who had no care or heeded what his limbs made contact with. He was the definition of a storm as he skipped down the stairs, bare feet making extraordinary noise against the matted steps. Next was Namjoon who walked with a slightly heavier gait than the rest. Yoongi puts it down to his bionic built.

Sk’jin, though elegant and smooth in his movements, wasn’t as quiet as one would expect. There was times where he would make the most uncharacteristically clumsy move, as though miscalculating his own physical density or the proximity of an object. He also walked slightly tilted, as though permanently imbalanced in his core. Yet he hid these with exceptional grace, using them to his advantage and exuding something like effortless/lazy grace while in fact disguising his slightly skewed sense of perspective.

The most quiet Being after Yoongi was Hoseok. Which was to be expected considering what he had been before. Hoseok moved with unexpected grace and fluidity- a trait that reminds Yoongi of the GI agents. Hoseok’s physical appearance betrayed his real capabilities. He was a lithe and slim Being and at first glance didn’t seem imposing in the least bit. He was neither very tall or short- his built wasn’t heavy or spritely; overall Hoseok just seemed average in his physical capabilities. However after Grezma and the slave-ship, it only firmly confirmed to Yoongi of the Ngfy’widan’s lethality. Yoongi doesn’t remember the last time he worked so flawlessly with another Being in such a hastily thrown together situation as the one they faced in the slave-ship. It was as though Hoseok was in the same wavelength as Yoongi- moving and mirroring and supporting Yoongi’s every line of action and thought. Hoseok would be a terrifying opponent to have in a fight- so he would have to base his next few steps in anticipation of Hoseok’s instinctive abilities.  

He glances out of the large HUD windows, taking in the dry dark landscape a little absently. The massive lakes of acid glimmered at him from the distance in the horizon. This was a good moon to land on. It was perfect for discarding anything they might find that would potentially harm them. That would potentially harm him.   

‘Will you be all right using the Spardyti?’  he hears Hoseok ask Namjoon. He would have to make sure that the entire ship was fully shut down.

‘Yeah- I’ve driven one before,’ Namjoon replies. ‘It won’t be an issue. Just need to add some gravity-lifts and bring in the fuel cells.’

Yoongi gets up from his seat and exits the Bridge.

‘Yoongi could you activate the Spardyti controls?’ Namjoon asks, his voice a little strained. Yoongi activates the controls from the screen in his hands as he walks down the stairs to the Living Quarters.

‘Thanks.’

The cabins were all designed to look the same and to be the same. However Yoongi had taken quite a lot liberty in “redesigning” his cabin space. A manual search (meaning Yoongi took apart the entire room) lead to the discovery of 3 cameras, 4 microphones, and 3 sensors. He removed each and every one of them and basically separated his room from the rest of the ship. Judging by the faces of the other group members, they had no idea they were being spied on. He would need to inform them on that too.  

After carefully scanning through every inch of his cabin and deeming it clear, Yoongi had put back the walls, floor, and ceiling and unpacked the one thing he had brought with him.

His helmet.

Picking up the black helmet from on top of his table, Yoongi slips it on.

[UŽKULISAI SYSTEMS CORE]

[ACCESSING SYSTEM-LISAI]

[INITIATE OVERRIDE]

[INITIATE OVERRIDE]

[OVERRIDE SUCCESS]

                        [ENGINE CORE_ON/OFF]

                        [SYSTEMS CORE_ON/OFF]

                        [LIFE SUPPORT_ON/OFF]

                        [MASTER SWITCH_ON/OFF]

                        [MASTER SWITCH_OFF]

Removing the helmet, Yoongi hears the ship quiet down, the hallways fall into darkness where no natural light can permeate. Yoongi picks up the Heliord handle and makes his way down.

‘I think we should start with the bigger OrTanks first,’ Sk’jin is suggesting. He sounds healthy.

‘Right, let’s begin by-‘ Hoseok is obviously the first one to notice. Yoongi is surprised he hadn’t noticed the moment he shut down the ship.

‘What’s wrong?’

Communications goes down as Yoongi makes his way to Level One. Taeh’yung is there, sitting next to the OrTank. There is no light save for the strange green luminance that the Zhak’gri seems to naturally emit.

‘Yoongi?’ he quirks his head in question as though he knew that the sudden power loss wasn’t one of mistake or some systems reboot.

Instead of answering his unasked question, Yoongi taps at his own ear and holds out his hand in front of Taeh’yung. Clearly confused but still compliant, he hands Yoongi the Comm-Device in his ear. Yoongi crushes the little device between his fingers.

‘Thank you.’

Taeh’yung beams at him and wraps an arm around the OrTank, no questions asked. Yoongi makes his way out and finds Namjoon and Hoseok with their heads bent over the NaviLet and with Sk’jin looking down at them from a short distance. This was almost entirely too perfect.

‘What in Spaces is going on?’ he sees confusion and wariness settle on Hoseok’s face as he taps on the NaviLet as though in hopes of waking it up. The systems shutdown was catching up now and so all the system-communications from the Navigation Table was now shutting down. He looks up and Yoongi doesn’t find suspicion in his eyes- instead Hoseok goes back to the NaviLet as though he had other things to think about other than potentially faulty ship-systems. This might be easier than he calculated.

‘Wasn’t he supposed to be keeping watch inside the ship?’ Sk’jin sounds a little sleepy, as though by standing under the sunlight made him at ease. ‘Yoongi what happened?’

‘Did he start-up the ship?’ Hoseok doesn’t pay him heed, clearly dismissing the issue for Namjoon to handle who walks towards him, a questioning look in his expression.

‘I think we should begin with the last of the OrTanks-‘

Yoongi realizes just as he starts up the Heliord blade that they trusted him. It was the only reason why Hoseok would turn his back to him, disadvantaging himself. Why Sk’jin wasn’t regarding him with instant distrust and rapid calculation. It was the reason why Namjoon was walking towards him, a question on his lips and his attitude easy and open.

Yoongi is filled with guilt as he realizes that he’s manipulating their trust in him.

It’s easy calculating the speed in which the Heliord blade activates and he times it perfectly to extend over both Namjoon and Hoseok’s ears- destroying the Comm-Devices on their ears. Deactivating the device and activating it again, it extends over Hoseok’s hands, breaking the NaviLet into pieces. He reaches, so quickly he’s sure Namjoon doesn’t realize, over for the Kutsoglerin’s personal screen and crushes the device with just a single hand just as Hoseok’s instincts take over.

Just as Yoongi anticipated, Hoseok takes on the offence and is quick to disarm Yoongi through being disarmed was a part of Yoongi’s plan in the first place. The Heliord handle drops and while still held captive by Hoseok, Yoongi reaches for the other handle in his pocket and the blade seers into life and slices at Sk’jin’s ear. His timing is a little off, feeling a little disoriented by the sheer disbelief in Sk’jin’s eyes. As though he couldn’t believe Yoongi was doing what he was doing.

A green light erupts around Yoongi and he instantly drops the Heliord from his hand. He remembers what Zhoumi had said about but right now he had to show that he hid nothing on himself and so he strips.

‘Yoongi-!’ Sk’jin’s gasp is pained, incredulous, and confused. His ear is bleeding and Yoongi feels guilty again. He spots Taeh’yung near the Hangar gateway, looking confused but still trying to help.

‘What in Spaces-‘ Namjoon looks stunned. He doesn’t seem to realize he’s holding Sk’jin up, his stance protective. Hoseok is there just as quickly, placing himself in front of the two behind him. Tactically speaking, Yoongi would praise Hoseok’s quick thinking but he has no intentions of attacking them.   

Raising his hands over his head in the universally accepted gesture of “I have no weapons on me” and “I mean no harm” Yoongi hopes to convey his friendliness as such. Chapter 15 in “Building Better Relations in the Work Place!” had said that body language was extremely important. It clearly doesn’t work because the three in front of him are regarding him as though they thought he lost his mind. Which Yoongi doesn’t blame them for.

So rather than stretch out this strangeness and possibly get killed by Taeh’yung who was very unpredictable, Yoongi speaks up.

‘We are under surveillance. And we are being tracked. This entire mission was a set-up.’ He summarizes briefly.

A good introduction was key to captivating your audience’s attention. Something he read in “How to Improve Your Speaking Skills!”. That chapter might have been the best thing he’s read so far because everyone is riveted.

‘What the -‘ Sk’jin sounds even more confused.

Hoseok is regarding him carefully now, his yellow-ringed eyes calculative as he studies Yoongi’s previous actions.

‘How do you know this?’ Namjoon demands, still standing in front of Sk’jin.

‘Because Yisheng Amme told me.’ Yoongi replies, arms still up. The sun felt nice on his back. Pleasant and warm. Maybe a bit too dry. Taeh’yung is stepping out into the ramp now, still looking puzzled.

‘What?!’ Namjoon’s eyes are wide with confusion.

‘The Užkulisai-02 was designed and rigged to be used and operated for Mission 013-937619.’ Yoongi further explains. ‘Mission 013-937619 was also designed and orchestrated to fail 3 months into its operation where the objective of the mission, what it was carrying, where it was headed, and for what reasons it was issued would be revealed to the entirety of the Known Universe.’

‘What-‘ Sk’jin is so genuinely confused, he looks like he’s close to passing out again.

‘I am sorry for not revealing this earlier but due to recent events I was unable to inform you. Now that we have landed here where we can readjust the ship and make it completely-‘

‘And why the should we trust anything you’re saying?’ Sk’jin storms up to him, eyes burning, his entire body language exuding frustration and incredulity.

‘You don’t,’ Yoongi answers. ‘But you know you should. What with all that we’ve seen, and with the way nothing adds up. I know that all of you have had doubts. And now with his arrival, it’s apparent that the mission we were set out to complete is just a set-up.’

It’s remarkably quiet. Yoongi can see the way each and every single one of them is furiously thinking.

‘We were tricked. They knew what would work against us. They knew the exact right things to say, knew exactly what would make us agree to this mission, and they set us up.’ Yoongi explains simply. Amme might have said that she didn’t have her own agenda within this mission, but Yoongi didn’t believe her. He never believed her in the first place. And now even more so with his appearance.

Sk’jin is hissing, shoulders bunched and head low as he gesticulates violently in the air. Namjoon looks uncertain yet at the same time like he wasn’t entirely surprised.

‘in’ hell this ed up-‘

Taeh’yung’s attempts in placating the Khol’isa are both amusing and worrying as he hops around trying to face Sk’jin, pulling funny faces at him.

‘Namjoon, Hoseok, Sk’jin,’ Yoongi read in “Making Friends!” that continuously repeating a Being’s name familiarized your voice to them, therefore creating a better platform by which you could appeal to them. Nicknames were good, but in a serious situation, the writers had advised that the reader stick to official names. ‘Please.’

It seems to work, as Sk’jin stops his furious pacing and throws himself on the ground looking completely done with everything. He glares expectedly at Namjoon and asks: ‘So what do we now?’.

Namjoon doesn’t notice Sk’jin’s glare, instead he’s already looking at Yoongi.

As individuals, they all had their shortcomings within the team. However, one thing Namjoon didn’t lack was initiative.

‘Yoongi, put your clothes back on,’ the Kutsoglerin commands. ‘Taeh’yung you can remove the…whatever that is. We empty the ship, rewire everything and purge it. The closest station is no more than 30 minutes from here we can go on foot and retrieve what we need.’

The shield around Yoongi disappears.

‘The ship is in complete power lockdown until we clear it.’ Namjoon declares.

‘I’m sorry about your ear,’ is the first thing Yoongi says to Sk’jin who stares at him blankly for a whole 3 seconds before throwing a punch that Yoongi saw coming and could have blocked but he doesn’t.

Sk’jin’s fist lands squarely across his jaw, rattling his teeth a little. This probably wasn’t Sk’jin’s full strength but it still hurt a bit.

Taeh’yung squeaks, flailing as he puts himself between Yoongi and Sk’jin, arms thrown wide. Namjoon looks ready to pull back Sk’jin while Hoseok situates himself in between to put an end to any sort of scuffle.

‘No violence please!’ the Zhak’gri pleads, hopping about. ‘It doesn’t solve anything!’

‘You could have ing decapitated me you Earthian piece of !’ Sk’jin shrieks and adds in the same tone as he turns around storming off towards the ship, ‘Wear some in’ clothes!’

Taeh’yung glances back at him, a slightly amused but at the same time curious expression on his face.

‘All right Yoongi?’

Yoongi isn’t sure how to answer to that so he simply nods. He wears his clothes again, dusting them a little as they picked up a massive amount of the dark granular dust that made up the ground of the moon.

Holding up a hand and pulling his fist to form a thumbs-up, he says : ‘I’m a-okay.’

*

‘I keep telling you; don’t look at the eclipse directly like that- we need to get to the hill-top first you ing idiot-‘

‘-stop yammering- I’ll do what I want -face-‘

‘There are children here, will you two control yourselves?!’

‘Sorry-‘

‘-swearing in front of the children and lying my goodness you’re really something-ouch!!’

He laughs out loud, shaking his head at the two in front of him.

‘Come on! You want me to carry you?’

‘No- I can walk there myself!’ he declares stubbornly despite the way his thighs were burning and his feet were sore.

‘Atta boy!’

‘Can you carry me instead?’ she asks, looking tired and sweaty.

‘Sure thing kid; want some water?’

‘Ma already gave me some. I can drink at the lake.’

‘You sure? Don’t want you fainting about.’

‘I’m fine-‘

‘No attitude!’

‘Yes ma.’

She flashes a cheeky wink at him which he returns. They both knew she had too much attitude anyways- something she picked up from having too many older brothers around her all the time.

‘Where’s dad?’

‘Being slow- as usual.’ His older brother snorts.

‘I’ll go check on him. Might be his knees,’ he offers, already turning back around.

The landscape is amazing- wide winding valleys and a steady trickle of people moving upwards to the hill-top. The sky was a strange colour, because of the way the sun and the moon were dancing. A heavenly dance. He personally thought it was a bit too slow for a dance.

‘Be careful!’ their mother calls out after him.

‘I will ma!’

*

Sk’jin is still glaring at him, his ear covered in tissue-plast and ointment (carefully applied by Taeh’yung who treated the latter like he was a child) as they sit above the ramp of the Hangar bay. Taeh’yung was outside, dragging the OrTank behind him as he scuffled around the soil, creating mounds and structures with delight, talking animatedly to the Being inside the OrTank.

Sunlight seemed to have a visible effect on the Being, his form uncurling even more, as though trying to expose himself to more of the sunlight. Making sure to keep Taeh’yung and the OrTank in his peripheral vision the entire time, Yoongi turns his full attention towards the remaining crew members. He just told them about his last meeting with Amme and all that she told him.

‘Lal Haenoon told me something similar,’ Hoseok says, rubbing at his face tiredly. He’s procured a head-band of sorts, pushing back his hair from his face. ‘He wanted me to make sure that the “mission” would succeed because every other Being in the special-jury wanted their own agenda to be fulfilled.’

‘Lmiura said the same,’ Namjoon divulges. ‘She wanted me to make sure that the Venture Unit and the GIU didn’t interfere with the success of the mission- she said that you were probably working for their agenda so I had to make sure that none of you would succeed.’

Sk’jin looks like he wants to say something but he stops himself and instead says, ‘K’mara said no such thing- she offered me a deal, and I accepted.’

‘What?’ Namjoon looks like he wants to ask more but didn’t know how.

‘All of you were brought in because of this who Gaia Case thing and about making sure the “universe would be kept safe” or some other noble bull,’ Sk’jin scoffs. ‘Clearly, you can tell I’m not exactly the most legal or normal of Beings around. K’mara offered me new identification, a ranking officer title in the GIU,- basically a new life, if I agreed to carry out this mission.’

‘Couldn’t you have done that regardless?’ Hoseok asks carefully. ‘You’ve been off the grid for a … fairly long time I’m thinking.’

‘There aren’t a lot of Khol’isa out there,’ Sk’jin shrugs, leaning back on his arms. ‘’sides my handsome face stands out a bit too much.’

‘Considering the fact that they all basically said the same thing to each of us,’ Namjoon takes them back to the main topic at hand. ‘It’s obvious that it was all intentionally planned to make us agree, setting us up against each other.’

‘Or-‘ Sk’jin interrupts. ‘Considering I wasn’t told the same-‘

‘-because you wouldn’t have agreed to the mission if you were approached the same way we were,’ Hoseok says simply, ignoring Sk’jin’s irritated look. ‘Like Yoongi said, we were all tricked- very cleverly, to agree to go into this mission. They used our background against us. They used my guilt against me,’ Hoseok says easily before looking at Namjoon, ‘They used your beliefs regarding duty and obligation,’ he turns to address Sk’jin, ‘K’mara used what you needed to start over to get you to agree.’

Hoseok then nods at Yoongi, ‘And the same with you- Amme used something she knew she could manipulate you with something and she did.’

Hoseok sighs heavily, ‘This entire mission was designed to blow up in our faces and we were the scapegoats to take the blame while the GLA and the Venture Unit and the GIU clamor to “control” the mess.’

‘So what do we do next?’ Sk’jin asks a little forcefully. ‘I mean yeah, we figured it out and the “mission” didn’t fail- yet. Where does that put us? So what if we strip the ship down- so what if we switch ships completely and hide away from the special-jury; what do we now? And what even is the point anymore?’

‘We still continue with the mission,’ Yoongi states bluntly.

‘You can’t be serious,’ Sk’jin frowns. ‘You yourself said this mission was a farce-‘

‘-it was designed to fail but the main and real objective behind this mission is still extremely important,’ Yoongi cuts across. ‘You should know that- you have single handedly witnessed and lived through the result of-‘

‘-yes. And I don’t need reminding of it again,’ Sk’jin says curtly. ‘And neither do I want to risk going back to that-‘

‘-then what is he doing here?’ Namjoon butts in, gesturing towards the OrTank that Taeh’yung was now using as a foundation pillar to build a sort of sandy structure around. He clears his throat, sitting up a little before he continues.

‘So, fine- we now know how they wanted this mission to turn out, and how they were all just waiting for one of us to blow a fuse and jeopardize the  mission and get discovered,’ Namjoon summarizes off. ‘And let’s say we abandon the mission and we just run away from this. Technically, they wouldn’t have a reason to come after us. They could string together a bunch of other people who were involved in the Gaia Case and send them off on the same mission. But they won’t. And we won’t be able to hide anymore either.’

‘What do you mean?’ Sk’jin blinks in confusion. The Khol’isa seemed ready to warp off into the most distant remote system he could find and stay there away from this entire mess for the rest of his life, new identity be damned.

‘Because of him.’ Namjoon points at the OrTank again.

‘Why was he placed here- what is he doing here? What does he have to do with any of this? What is his purpose in this mission?’ Namjoon questions before he continues. ‘He’s clearly important.’

‘Important in what way?’ Hoseok asks.

‘In a way that suggests his discovery would trigger a huge eruption within the GLA,’ Namjoon says carefully. ‘Even if our mission were to be exposed as it is, revealing the true nature of the Gaia Case to the Known Universe and all that- his discovery would probably be a whole lot more effective in a completely different way.’

‘What are you trying to say?’ Sk’jin looks fed-up.

‘This Being isn’t connected to the Gaia Case as we know it- I think it has to do more with Bhumi and the treaty that barricades the GLA from entering the system,’ Namjoon replies thoughtfully. ‘You all know what the Bhumi System holds,- the history behind it and the treaty- what if this Being is connected to all of that?’

‘How?’ Hoseok inquires.

‘I don’t know,’ Namjoon shrugs. ‘But Lisai wasn’t able to detect his species or race- his age is off, his identity is untraceable. Yet his authorization code is the highest. ‘

‘Lisai is faulty-‘ Hoseok begins but then he pauses. ‘Do you think Lisai was purposefully altered to hide his identity from us in case we were to discover him?’

‘That, amongst other reasons,’ Namjoon nods but adds in an unsure tone, ‘But I feel like the GLA Database won’t have any information on him anyways. The Gaia Case discovered a lot of new and lost species of Beings.’

‘What if he’s from there?’ Hoseok asks with a frown. ‘What if he’s from Bhumi?’

‘Well there’s only one way to find out why he’s here. I say we wake him up- I don’t know, break the OrTank or something,’ Sk’jin throws out with a huff.

‘No,’ Yoongi says firmly. ‘He will be born when he’s meant to. Not out of force.’

Sk’jin rolls his eyes.

‘I have to agree with Yoongi on that one,’ Hoseok says slowly. ‘We don’t know what sort of Being he is- it’s too much of a risk to wake him up; for both us and him.’

They fall into silence again.

‘All right let’s consider this.’ Namjoon exhales, a permanent furrow appearing between his brows. ‘We know that it’s not only the special-jury who know about this mission. The Venture Unit Board of Divisions, the GIU Trifecta, Yisheng Directory, and a few of the GLA Head of Departments know the full extent of this mission.’

Hoseok and Sk’jin nod slowly, waiting for Namjoon to elaborate.

‘What if when this mission was first conceived; it was indeed created for the objective it was based on- to go to Bhumi, rid the System of every possible Akramanese technology or remains, and secure the surviving planets in there if possible.’ Namjoon summarizes briefly. ‘But what if there were individuals within this group of Beings who thought they should take a different route- the one where we all think each of the organizations we represent is trying to undermine the other and trigger some universal-scale calamity that could potentially retrigger the events from the Gaia Case.’

‘Then of course their suggestion would be shot down immediately,’ Hoseok counters. ‘It’s just not right.’

‘Which would then lead to internal conflict- they’re now all paranoid, suspicious of each other and their intentions,’ Namjoon nods.

‘So instead of further investigating amongst themselves- they decided to pack up all of their problems into another location- into us,’ Sk’jin says emphatically. ‘Then they send us on our merry way on a faulty ship and considering our fantastic group dynamics, we’d probably end up killing each other- and whoever rose as the victor would then win over the cause of whatever side they supported.’

‘But then Amme decided to put Yoongi in,’ Hoseok smiles grimly at the Human. ‘Maybe the Yisheng Directory can be trusted-‘

‘No,’ Yoongi says simply. ‘Because if we are to consider Namjoon’s theory and think of it as true, it still doesn’t explain him.’

‘You mean my baby?’

They all try not to flinch but it’s futile. Taeh’yung is standing next to the ramp, holding up the OrTank as though it weighed nothing.

‘Taeh’yung, you said you were involved with the Yisheng regarding the um…the process of moving Beings like him around right?’ Namjoon asks.

‘Yeap!’ Taeh’yung grunts a bit as he leaps up onto the ramp. ‘My little sleeping babies.’

‘You said…you said that they came from a different time,’ Hoseok says hesitantly. ‘What did you mean by that?’

‘Oh,’ Taeh’yung pulls up the OrTank and squeezes himself and the OrTank between Yoongi and Hoseok. ‘A bit like Yoongi actually.’

All heads turn towards Yoongi who shrugs and says, ‘I don’t know anything about myself. It’s the main reason why I came on this mission. To understand.’

Everyone deflates again.

‘Can you like…look into the past and see who he is?’ Hoseok tries.

‘It doesn’t work like that,’ Taeh’yung explains with a short laugh. ‘That’s not something I can do.’

‘So…what can you tell us about him?’ Namjoon asks, nodding at the OrTank.

‘Well-‘ Taeh’yung glances at the OrTank, the Being inside hovering around slowly, making to face Yoongi who sat next to the OrTank. ‘He’s been in there for quite a while but he’s overall quite young I think. He feels familiar to me the same way Yoongi feels familiar to me- the same way Jin feels familiar to me.’

Sk’jin raises both of his eyebrows in question.

‘From a different Time,’ Taeh’yung explains. ‘From long long ago.’

‘Okay how about I put this bluntly. Is he dangerous?’ Hoseok asks.

‘Being dangerous is solely situational isn’t it?’ Taeh’yung replies, shifting around where he sat until he lay back with his head on Hoseok’s lap. He squirms a bit before stretching his long legs out. ‘Anyone can be dangerous given the correct circumstances.’

‘Correct circumstances?’ Namjoon repeats quietly, sounding amused.

‘I meant-‘ Hoseok begins impatiently.

‘He’s not dangerous,’ Taeh’yung grins up at the Ngfy’widan. ‘He’s not going to…explode or like, be radioactive. He’s pretty…pretty normal. A bit like Yoongi.’

Hoseok glances over at Yoongi, wondering what aspect of the Human was remotely normal.

‘How can you tell?’ Namjoon asks.

‘The flow of Life-force,’ Taeh’yung shrugs. ‘It’s different in everyone, in every species, race. The way it’s structured inside each person- it’s like magic.’

Taeh’yung long fingers wiggle about as though casting some spell-effect in the air.

‘He’s been in the tank? Not born there?’ Yoongi inquires out of nowhere, watching the way the Being’s iridescent hair seemed to glow under the sunlight. His cheeks appeared rosy almost from the exposure to the light.

‘Not a lot of them were born in there,’ Taeh’yung explains. ‘Just like you.’

It’s the most facial expression anyone has seen on Yoongi’s face. His eyes widen, mouth opening slightly.

‘What do you…what do you mean?’ his voice is still the same though.

‘You weren’t born in there,’ Taeh’yung says thoughtfully. ‘You were…in there.’

Yoongi seems stunned into silence- or at least he was slipping into some thoughtful revere.

‘So…he’s safe?’ Hoseok asks, glancing over at the floating Being.

‘Pretty much,’ Taeh’yung tries nodding and fails.

‘Wait- how do we know we’re not being tracked the way Yoongi poisoned us?’ Sk’jin snaps. ‘How do we know that Being isn’t a living tracking device placed here. What if we just dump him here and-‘

‘No.’

Sk’jin’s eyes widen at Yoongi’s tone and the pure threat laced in his normally monotone deadpan voice.

‘There’s nothing on him,’ Taeh’yung pipes up. ‘Or I’d see it.’

‘Wait- you did something to me in Grezma,’ Namjoon frowns. ‘You touched my forehead-‘

‘Oh yeah- you had something in you-  a weird structure. I thought it was like, an accident or something, so I removed it from you- but I can see it in Jin and in Hobi too, so I guess it’s normal? I saw lots of it in the food!’

Every other head turns to glare at Yoongi who shrugs as though he couldn’t help his actions.

‘So we’re back to square one,’ Namjoon sighs.

‘What were you guys discussing?’ Taeh’yung asks from Hoseok’s lap.

‘What we’re going to do next,’ Sk’jin replies before Namjoon can. ‘Long story short, we’re ed.’

‘Ah…’ Taeh’yung blinks up at them with a confused expression. ‘So…you’re not going to be taking him back?’

‘Taking him back-? What are you talking about?’ Hoseok looks down at the Being intruding on his lap.

‘He said you were taking him back to his planet,’ Taeh’yung replies, eyes wide and innocent.

‘He spoke to you-?’

‘Taeh’yung-‘

‘WAIT JUST A MOMENT!’ Sk’jin literally screams, standing up. He aggressively points at the OrTank and then at Taeh’yung and then back at the OrTank and then back at Taeh’yung. He does this for a while before clearly giving up and sitting down again, taking a deep breath and forcing a smile.

‘Taeh’yung. Please explain what you mean. From the beginning; maybe from the part where you can talk to him hm?’ Sk’jin’s eyes are glowing red and his smile is beautiful yet slightly demented.

This does nothing to throw off Taeh’yung who sits up, hair frazzled.

‘It’s not like I can speak to him all the time,’ he clarifies, patting the OrTank. ‘It’s only been twice so far.’

‘And…and what did you guys uh, talk about?’ Hoseok’s voice is a little strained. Namjoon just watches on in complete disbelief.

‘He spoke to me first- it’s a little tricky?’ Taeh’yung scratches the back of his head. ‘He asked me if we were there yet. And I said I didn’t know. Before I could ask him more questions he drifted off again.’

Taeh’yung places his ear against the surface of the clear glass encasement.

‘Then the next time he spoke to me, he asked me the same question. And he stayed a little longer to explain that the ship was taking him back.’ Taeh’yung explains. ‘He said it was very important?’

Hoseok shiftily moves away from the OrTank, eyeing it warily. The Being inside is facing Yoongi, still in the same unconscious state of being. Yoongi is staring at the Being, as though trying to communicate with him or get him to talk to him. Sk’jin seems to be lost in thought, eyes unfocused and glazed.

‘This still puts us in square one,’ Namjoon cuts into the silence.

‘What do you mean?’ Taeh’yung sounds as though he thinks Namjoon has lost his mind.

‘What do you mean?’ Namjoon shoots back.

‘You have to take him back,’ Taeh’yung pats the OrTank.

‘I agree with Taeh’yung,’ Yoongi speaks up unexpectedly.

‘This isn’t about casting a vote-‘ Namjoon starts to say but Sk’jin quickly interrupts him.

‘I agree with Taeh’yung and Yoongi.’

Namjoon frowns across at Sk’jin who expertly ignores him, looking over at Hoseok who squirms from being under the spotlight.

‘I choose neither,’ he says slowly but firmly. ‘While I can’t agree on going to Bhumi based on Taeh’yung’s word- no offence to you-‘

Taeh’yung just smiles brightly to show that he took no offence.

‘-I can’t seem to think of any other plan of action we could take. I feel like I know too much yet nothing conclusive is coming out of it. I just don’t know what to do.’ Hoseok finishes, crossing his arms.

‘We’re a unit, a team- the votes are 4 for going to Bhumi,’ Sk’jin summarizes.

‘Four-?’ Namjoon frowns heavily.

‘His authorization code is higher than yours- meaning his rank is higher than yours- if he wants to go to Bhumi, then we’re doing that,’ Sk’jin points at the Being inside the OrTank.

‘You don’t even know if he meant Bhumi if what Taeh’yung is saying is true- no offence,’ Namjoon adds with a nod at Taeh’yung who shrugs in reply.

‘You said so yourself that this was connected to Bhumi-‘

‘I theorized- it’s not conclusive-‘ Namjoon corrects Sk’jin quickly.

‘It makes the most sense-‘

‘The most-!’ Namjoon actually stands up in his frustration. ‘Then fine,’ Namjoon throws up his hands. ‘Let’s all just continue with this mission despite knowing full well that this isn’t going to end well for any of us! We just found out that this entire thing is a set-up, a trap, and we’re still going to continue?’

No one replies. Sk’jin doesn’t look away, staring up at Namjoon defiantly. Yoongi is staring intently at the Being inside the OrTank while Taeh’yung looks a little dazed. Hoseok avoids eye contact and busies himself with one of the Heliord handles.

‘Fine,’ Namjoon turns around, walking away back into the Hangar. ‘Then let’s do exactly that!’

‘You could just leave,’ Sk’jin butts in, stopping Namjoon in his tracks. ‘It’s not like you have to stay. Besides, I can Navigate- pretty sure Yoongi can too.’

The air turns tense and Hoseok actually facepalms.

‘ off,’ Namjoon mutters, turning his back and walking away.

Sk’jin actually looks surprised at Namjoon’s reaction.

‘So…’ Taeh’yung looks unsure, looking at each of them for some conclusive statement.

‘We’ll take him to Bhumi,’ Sk’jin says with a tired smile.

‘Yay!’ Taeh’yung cheers and stands up, his long sleeves flapping as he exits the Hangar.

‘You’re really not helping your case out with Namjoon you know,’ Hoseok comments wryly.

Sk’jin shrugs dismissively.

‘Why…why are you making this decision?’ Hoseok asks carefully.

‘Why aren’t you fully against it?’ Sk’jin asks back at once.

Hoseok doesn’t know what to say. Sk’jin gives him a look as though saying that’s exactly what I mean.

‘Yeah- probably why Namjoon decided to stick around too,’ the Khol’isa laughs. ‘And also to say I told you so when the moment is right.’

‘Are you really just doing this to irk Namjoon?’ Hoseok asks incredulously.

‘I’m not making my decisions for petty reasons,’ Sk’jin replies with a heavy frown, still looking like his mind was elsewhere. ‘It’s just there’s something strange about this entire mission or whatever it is. I don’t understand it, and I want to.’ There’s a dark gleam in his eyes as he regards the Being inside the OrTank.

‘I hate not knowing,’ he says quietly.

‘So…so you would risk going to Bhumi in hopes of understanding this situation?’ Hoseok asks incredulously.

‘Yes,’ Sk’jin replies simply, his eyes glowing neon. ‘Because I made a promise.’

*

‘Mind your steps!’

‘I got it!’

‘I don’t think it’s a good idea to send him all the way down?’

‘It’s good for him- he’ll get used to the place.’ He sits back, lifting his feet up and groaning. His feet were sore. He glances up at the sky. They still had some time before the eclipse would properly start.

‘It really isn’t that impressive.’ He comments.

‘Not for you I wouldn’t think so,’ he wiggles his eyebrows.

‘Hey- I’m sensitive, don’t say things like that-‘

‘I understand what you mean. I’ve flown past nebulas and supernovas and black holes and nearly everything you could think of but-…but there’s something that will always captivate me about the solar eclipse.’

‘There’s a special tour just to watch eclipses; you should consider taking it up.’

‘No way!’

‘I am not kidding- I swear on- on…on my life!’

‘It’s not worth much then.’

 ‘Shut the up.’

They all sit in silence for a while, taking a short break. The wind is refreshing after all that climbing. Landing the ship had been difficult due to the wind-speed earlier in the morning, but right now it was god-send.

‘Any news?’

He looks away, a slightly pained expression on his face.

‘None.’

‘We’ll keep searching. There are a lot more known trajectory paths that lead to Tayi- we’ll track it and find it.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Don’t thank me until we get it done.’

‘You’re just saying that to sound cool.’

‘I am cool you ! I’m giving you the first watch for that comment!’

‘Mutiny! I call mutiny!’

*

Using the natural lighting wherever they could, the Užkulisai motley crew of Beings get to work with speedy efficiency. They first strip down the Spardyti, installing a new systems-core into her engines and computerized assets. Making sure that it was no longer connected to the ship and all surveillance and tracking devices were removed and destroyed, they leave it out to complete its installation process. Namjoon had left nearly 45 minutes ago to get supplies from the nearest station and Yoongi catches sight of him walking back, tugging along a long line of gravity-lifts loaded with fuel-cells and batteries as well as an additional lift with materials Yoongi had requested him to bring.

For a whole 5 minutes, they all had to seriously consider their next series of action. The Užkulisai wasn’t considered a large ship by most standard, but with a total of only 5 Beings available to essentially take apart and scour the ship, and then reinstall everything, was a daunting task.

They were still in the Hangar Bay, going through each OrTank and crate they carried, taking apart everything they could and scanning what they couldn’t. There was already a huge pile of devices and objects they deemed suspicious and was kept outside to be discarded.

‘Are any of these actually legit?’ Hoseok asks out loud to no one in particular, holding up a small tank

‘The is that?’ Sk’jin asks.

‘…some form of…organic uh tissue?’ Hoseok replies unsurely.

‘Organic is a rather broad term. “Organic” means any and all elemental compound containing carbon atoms in their molecular formula therefore both salad leaves and diamonds can be considered organic- in fact, diamonds are more organic than leaves.’ Is Yoongi’s extraordinary input.

‘…but i think salad leaves are a better option for consumption.’ Sk’jin replies somewhat slowly, exchanging an amused look with Hoseok.

They had all made the unanimous agreement to first remove all forms of tracking/surveillance devices all over the ship. It was easier said than done and Yoongi and Hoseok were tasked with the delicate task of retrieving said devices from between walls, floors, ceilings, and nearly every other object around the ship. Being the most experienced in such a field, the two work quickly though it’s exhausting.

Hoseok drags his feet out of the final cabin room, carrying a small crate of chips, surveillance devices, and lengths of chopped wires. Though they removed the physical hardware objects, the most important task of removing the digital manifestation of these devices was much more difficult and tasked to Namjoon. He’s sitting at the Lobby outside their cabins where he’s set up his own station of newly bought screens as well as an independent and wholly brand new connection to the GLA Database. He hadn’t moved from his position for the past 7 hours and Hoseok finds a large stack of mugs and cups and bottles set around him, all empty. The table is ringed with condensation prints from his drinks and Hoseok, not for the first time, wonders at Namjoon’s metabolism and how it could even exist in a functional homeostasis.

‘Is that the last?’ Namjoon asks, not looking up from his screen.

‘Yes- for the cabins at least,’ Hoseok drops the crate on the couch. They had been getting rid of all of them in the acid lakes nearby. There was something strangely therapeutic about watching the devices fizzle and spit out violently into nothing as the lake dissolved everything. A little frightening, but still cool.

‘Where’s Yoongi?’

‘Bridge.’

‘Ah.’ Hoseok sighs a little. Namjoon was a little curt with him, answering in monosyllables and not exactly looking at him. But then again- he was doing the exact same thing with everyone else so Hoseok decides not to feel guilty about it.

He makes his way up to the Bridge and he finds Taeh’yung there as well. The OrTank is standing rather precariously on one of the footstools and Hoseok is torn between going and placing it down on the ground or just letting it be. But Taeh’yung is making his way back to the OrTank. He notices Hoseok and waves enthusiastically as though he hadn’t just seen him an hour ago.

‘Hi Hobi!’

‘Hey,’ Hoseok smiles. It was somehow natural to just smile every time Taeh’yung smiled. He had that effect on everyone on the ship in varying levels. Hoseok has never actually seen Yoongi smile (or hold any other expression) so he doesn’t know if it’s the same with the Human.

‘I thought you were helping Sk’jin with the cargo?’ Hoseok questions the Zhak’gri.

‘We finished,’ he explains with a smile. ‘Thought I’d come and help you here!’

‘Where’s Sk’jin?’ Hoseok looks around the Bridge wondering if the Khol’isa was there in the Bridge.

‘He went to the lake,’ Taeh’yung explains, pointing out of the wide windows over at the distant glimmering line indicating the acid-lake.

Hoseok knows that most of the suspicion and paranoia he had in regards to his fellow crew members had all been choreographed by the special-jury. They purposefully played on their wariness and skepticism and used it to create this atmosphere of mistrust and doubt. But he still can’t help it.

He feels uneasy at the idea of Sk’jin going by himself to get rid of their junk at the acid lake. He knew that Sk’jin probably wouldn’t jeopardize their mission but at the same time he can’t guarantee it either.

Hoseok finds that he can’t make any more decisions based solely on his intuition because now, not only does he doubt the others and their intentions, he doubts the foundation by which he made those conclusions regarding each individual crew member.

The appearance of this Being clearly meant something else for both Sk’jin and Yoongi. All of their decisions seemed to be made in regards to this Being and seemed of utmost importance to them too.

‘Did you find anything interesting?’ Namjoon asks, appearing at the doorway, carrying a large screen and long loop of wires in the hook of his arm.

‘Nothing!’ Taeh’yung looks sad. ‘It was all exactly what was written in the inventory list.’

‘I guess that’s a good thing then,’ Namjoon sighs as he throws himself in his chair.

‘Did you find a new system for the ship?’ Hoseok asks.

‘Yeap- customized it as well. Based it off of the first model,’ Namjoon explains. ‘The ship should be able to fly by tomorrow evening.’

‘Gives us time to fix the outside,’ Hoseok looks out of the windows and up into the sky. The planet that Ch’dra orbited was glowing a dull orange in the watery blue sky.

There’s an ear-piercing metallic shriek and everyone winces.

‘Sorry,’ Yoongi says appearing from behind his chair, pulling on a piece of metal until it gave way and came off.

‘What is that-‘ Hoseok begins to ask but Namjoon suddenly jolts, his eyes opening wide as though he’d just seen a ghost.

‘What happened?’ Hoseok asks the Kutsoglerin instead, looking around at wherever Namjoon was gawking at.

‘He- he reacted to the sound.’ Namjoon points at the Being in the OrTank. ‘He flinched too.’

There’s a stumbling sound and Taeh’yung is leaping over a footstool, his eyes glowing green as he nearly slams into the OrTank.

‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry- everything is all right,’ he coos.

This wasn’t abnormal- Taeh’yung frequently spoke out loud to the Being inside. But what isn’t normal is Taeh’yung turning excitedly around and gesticulating at them, whispering loudly.

‘He’s talking!’

Before Hoseok can even take a step forward, Yoongi is already there, an almost wary distance of a foot between himself and the OrTank.

Taeh’yung takes his hand and places it over the OrTank.

‘Say hi Yoongi,’ Taeh’yung encourages.

Hoseok notices the apprehensive look Namjoon throws him.

It’s quiet. Utterly quiet.

‘Ah- he’s asleep again,’ Taeh’yung says, letting go of Yoongi’s hand. ‘He got startled by the sound.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Yoongi says unexpectedly, addressing the Being inside.

Nothing happens for a while. And then to Hoseok’s immense disquiet, the Being inside the OrTank smiles.

*

‘Hey dad!’

‘Oh! What’s the matter?’

‘You were taking long- thought I’d come check on you.’

‘You mean your mum told you to check on me.’

‘…that might have been the case.’

‘Glad to know you genuinely care for my well-being.’

‘Dad,’ he deadpans.

‘Just kidding,’ his father laughs, the yellow rings around his eyes gleaming. ‘So, are you excited to finally start up in Tayi?’

‘I think you’re both more excited than I am- I’ve been to Tayi many times dad.’ He scoffs. ‘It’s not all that great.’

‘If you say so,’ his father says gently. ‘But neither your mum or I will be there this time.’

‘I swear not to get drunk and get into trouble.’

‘That’s the least of my concerns if I’m being honest,’ his father chuckles. ‘Not a lot of us get around- I don’t want you feeling alienated.’

‘That’s the least of my concerns- here, give me that dad, I don’t want you throwing your back. Again.’

‘Literally just the one time that happened and you and your mother will never let it go-‘

‘Well, if we want to catch the eclipse and join in on the celebrations, then we need to hurry and honestly dad- you’re really getting older.’

‘Attitude young man!’ he scolds though there’s a twinkle in his eyes.

They walk up the ramps around the more unstable rock formation of the hill. Metallic ramps are situated everywhere, making it easier for the lifts to work. But for today, it was a holiday.

A celebration.

And a memorial.

‘You don’t have to worry dad,’ he says after a few minutes of silence. A few other Beings walk past them but he keeps in pace with his father.

‘As your parent I am always worried,’ his father replies. ‘What we do isn’t the most ideal thing- and I guess now I know how my parents felt about it too.’

‘Well- then you can also understand how I feel right now, don’t you?’

‘Well if one things for sure you can really work your way around words,’ his father grumbles.

He laughs heartily at his father’s disgruntled voice.

‘I’ll be fine dad- it won’t be any different than what you or mum did.’

His father pulls a funny face.

‘That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.’

*

Earth might have been destroyed but nearly every aspect of its recorded history was archived and saved within the GLA Database. Yoongi spent years digging through the eons of information, history, stories, and every little thing available to him from the planet where his DNA came from. Yet Yoongi still feels no connection. He had thought that by perhaps exposing himself to what Earth was, how the Humans there behaved, that he would be able to somehow rekindle or awaken some form of deeply grounded genetic memory or characterization that would help him regain a sense of identity, a realization of self.

‘I know you

I walked with you

Once Upon a dream.’

It’s an old old form of entertainment from Ancient Earth. He doesn’t really pay it too much attention though. Instead he watches as the Being inside seems to respond to the old melody of the tune. Yoongi notices that his readings were changing; his pulse increasing and his fingers twitching.

‘I know you.

That gleam in your eyes

Is so familiar a gleam.

Yet I know it's true

That visions are seldom what they seem.’

He saw dreams. That much was apparent. But what did he see in them?

‘But if I know you I know what you do

You'll love me at once

The way you did once upon a dream.’

‘Please talk to me.’ Yoongi pleads quietly. He spoke to Taeh’yung before. If they were both the same, why couldn’t Yoongi hear his voice? Why didn’t he choose to speak to him? He had smiled a few hours ago- but Yoongi wasn’t sure if that had been a result of his apology.

‘Oh!’

‘Oh- I’m awfully sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten you!’

‘It wasn’t that! It’s just that you’re a- a…’

‘A stranger? But don’t you remember? We’ve met before!’

‘We- we have?’

‘Of course! You said so yourself! Once upon a dream!’

‘What do you dream of?’ Yoongi asks quietly.

The Being inside doesn’t reply. He never does. Not that Yoongi is expecting a response per se. He’s just waiting.

‘Will you remember what you dreamt of? Or will you forget them?’

Yoongi wasn’t sure for the Being in front of him, but at least 40% of the known species throughout the Known Universe couldn’t remember a majority of their dreams 5 minutes after waking.

‘Are you the answer to my questions?’

The Being in front of him doesn’t respond. He’s Dreaming. The same way the others had been Dreaming. Probably the same way Yoongi had been Dreaming before he was woken up. But this Being was unlike him and unlike those he has seen inside the long tubes back in base. For one, his back was smooth, no indentation drawn down his spine unlike Yoongi’s and unlike the others who were inside the tubes. Yoongi also spotted light indications of aged scars and natural discolouration on his skin.

What did Taeh’yung mean?

There had to be no other explanation. They were created and birthed in those tubes, nursed and housed until they were fully grown and then put through Dreams so that they could Know. What did Taeh’yung mean by saying he wasn’t born in one of these?

It’s silent inside the Lobby.

The Užkulisai is a naturally silent ship. Yoongi has been on countless shuttles and ships before, but none have been as quiet as this one. He appreciates the silence, it’s soothing; almost like the Yisheng Headquarters. But now even more so with the entire ship in shutdown and most of the crew members in their cabins asleep. Namjoon’s newly installed system was picking up slowly but surely. So much so that internal communications systems, life-support, gravity-functions, and shield-systems were all fully installed. Lisai, or how Lisai was originally supposed to be, was also nearly fully updated, giving Yoongi the chance to watch these old entertainment mediums.

He plays it in the background more for white noise than anything else.   

‘My name is Yoongi. What is your name?’

Was this Being the reason why Amme told him he’d find the answers he was looking for? Because right now Yoongi only has more questions. Like why didn’t Amme tell him about this Being inside the ship? Or did she not know about him herself? If so, who was responsible for keeping him here?

Judging by the expressions of the other crew members, they had no idea either. Their reactions were genuine and completely authentic.

Music from the screen fills the Lobby, startling Yoongi out of his revere. He lowers the volume a little before looking back at the Being inside the OrTank. There’s the briefest hint of a smile on the Being’s lips, as though he was seeing something that made him happy. Or perhaps he heard the music?

‘What are you dreaming of?’

Yoongi places his hand on the OrTank cover.

‘Can you hear me?’

‘Yoongi?’

Yoongi isn’t one to be crept on but Taeh’yung was unique. Though the Zhak’gri was one of the noisiest Beings Yoongi has ever known, he had the uncanny ability to completely lose his presence time to time. As though what you saw of him right then wasn’t exactly where he was.

‘Taeh’yung.’

‘Not sleeping?’ the Zhak’gri smiles at him, taking a seat opposite him on the table. ‘Can’t sleep? Won’t sleep?’

‘All.’

Taeh’yung laughs a deep rumbling chuckle.

‘What did you mean?’

‘Hm?’

‘What did you mean by “a different time”?’

‘Ah,’ Taeh’yung nods in understanding.

He looks a bit more serious as he pauses before answering.

‘There are many things I don’t understand. Thing I can just know- things that I’ve seen; in here, and in here,’ he taps at his head and at his chest, over his heart. ‘So for most parts…I don’t know how to explain what it is I know- except that I know. Does that make sense?’

Yoongi shrugs.

‘Yeah…so…the best way to say it…would be…’ Taeh’yung struggles for a while, crossing his legs as he makes himself comfortable. ‘It’s like you came…from a different lifetime.’

‘A different lifetime?’ Yoongi repeats.

Taeh’yung nods, proud of himself, as though that explained everything. But it doesn’t.

‘What are you watching?’ Taeh’yung asks, already looking excited.

‘It’s from Earth,’ Yoongi explains. ‘It’s called “Sleeping Beauty”.’

Taeh’yung makes a sound of awe and then adds, ‘It’s rather fitting, don’t you think?’

He pats the OrTank fondly.

‘It is.’

*

Namjoon leans back on the wall of the Bridge, looking out of the massive window down outside. Sk’jin was pacing about the dark ground, pale robes fluttering in the strange orange-twilight that was apparently Ch’dra’s night light. 

Unable to sleep, Namjoon had the idea of maybe walking outside- he always felt better being in-planet. Felt a lot more stable and, no pun intended, grounded. But Sk’jin had claimed territory outside, pacing about here and there. Sometimes he would stand still for long periods of time, sometimes he would make short burst of pacing. Other times he’d just crouch.

What was he thinking? What was he even doing?

In the strange twilight, Namjoon randomly catches glimpses of neon red eyes. It’s a little frightening, but from this distance, Namjoon pays little mind to it. He had then decided to maybe work on the rest of the Bridge, but all that was left to do was to wait for the systems to finish installing.

He pulls himself off of the wall and turns his back to the window, away from Sk’jin’s pacing. It wouldn’t do him good if he was caught. Sk’jin might accuse him of spying or something else and another argument would ensue.

Making his way out, Namjoon nearly trips over Taeh’yung on the stairs, catching himself just in time.

‘Captain!’ Taeh’yung grins in greeting. ‘Whatcha doing?’

‘Just…just thinking,’ Namjoon replies and internally adds trying not to get killed falling down the stairs. ‘Thought I’d go for a walk but outside is currently occupied.’

‘Ah- I saw Jin walking around,’ Taeh’yung nods as he takes a seat next to Namjoon. ‘I’ve been wondering- for the Beings born on moons- do they consider the planet they’re orbiting at their moon or are they aware of the fact that they are a moon?’

Namjoon chuckles, glancing down at the Zhak’gri.

‘I don’t know- ask someone from a moon next time?’

‘I should.’ Taeh’yung nods seriously, like he was really serious about doing it.

‘What are you doing here?’ Namjoon asks in turn.

‘I kinda got stuck here,’ Taeh’yung grins. ‘Yoongi is in the Lobby downstairs and you were here- I didn’t want to disturb the two of you, you see. So I just sat here, listening and sightseeing.’

‘What’s Yoongi doing?’ Namjoon asks, taking a seat next to the Zhak’gri though he could guess what the Human was doing.

‘He’s watching over my baby,’ Taeh’yung bounces his knees about as though flapping them.

‘Is that…I mean, he’s been there for a really long time,’ Namjoon says with some concern, glancing down at the staircase. He had seen Yoongi sitting next to the OrTank, staring deep into the tube at the floating Being inside. It was strange, as though sensing someone else beyond the tube, the Being inside was angled facing Yoongi, not shifting around as Namjoon has seen him do so as he floats via surveillance. Seeing him smile earlier had been disarming.

Namjoon sighs out heavily.

‘Don’t worry,’ Taeh’yung says with a smile, leaning against him. ‘They’re just dreaming now.’

They sit in silence for a while.

‘By the way- it’s not like…it’s not that I don’t believe in what you can do…’ Namjoon starts off hesitantly. Taeh’yung look up at him from where he’s leaning on his shoulder with wide eyes.

‘I just…- everything that’s happening doesn’t…doesn’t make any sense to me.’ Namjoon explains, feeling a little lame. ‘I don’t know what to think.’

‘Then don’t think!’ Taeh’yung says enthusiastically. ‘Be like me! Just let things flow the way it’s supposed to!’

‘That’s the most reckless advice I’ve ever heard,’ Namjoon chortles.

‘But I’m still here,’ Taeh’yung states simply before sitting up straight again and reaching up to cup Namjoon’s face.

The Kutsoglerin freezes, unsure what to do. Taeh’yung squeezes his face a little, smiling in delight.

‘You have cute dimples,’ he states before kissing said dimples.

‘Uh-‘

‘You think too much. Four used to think too much too- he still does,’ Taeh’yung doesn’t let go of his face and honestly Namjoon thinks he might start sweating soon because he’s so not used to this. If he still had intestines, he guesses they would be coiling about the way he’s read in books.

‘Your Life-force is super strong- and so are you. So is your mind. Strong- a little dense,’ he adds.

Namjoon tries not to feel offended.

‘A lot like metal,’ Taeh’yung clarifies unnecessarily. ‘Metal is nice- it’s smooth and strong, and it can be malleable too. But metal can rust, it can break, it can wear off- you’re wearing a little. Don’t wear down. Okay?’

‘I uh- I’ll try-?’

‘Good,’ Taeh’yung finally lets go of his face and smiles even more brightly and gets up.

‘If I’m metal, what are you?’ Namjoon finds himself asking as Taeh’yung makes his way down the stairs with uncharacteristic quietness.

The Zhak’gri turns around, face strangely void of expression as he looks up at Namjoon.

Half of his face is bathed in the dim emergency light switched on around the ship, and the rest is in shadow. His eyes gleam a strangely ominous green as he states in a voice that sounded strangely layered.

‘I’m Nothing.’

*

(Author’s Note)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUNGKOOKIE MY SON MY CHILD YOU’RE 20 NOW NO LONGER A TEENAGER BLESS YOUR GOLDEN SOUL idc if in Korea they say 21, I follow modern Earth rotations as the basis for calculating age and years so HE’S 20

*coughs*

It’d been really cool if Jungkook popped in out of nowhere because it’s his birthday and that seems poignant but storyline

Hahaha

*laughs nervously*