Sk’jin looks incredibly unwell. His skin is dull, his eyes slightly glazed as though fevered, and even his posture is weakened; as though he didn’t possess the energy to stand straight. However his expression is defiant and undaunted as he leads Namjoon into the Lobby outside the Hangar Bay. The Khol’isa takes a seat, exhaling out as though relieved to be sitting down. Namjoon doesn’t sit down and instead stands in front of him, arms crossed.

He had wanted to take a shower and hold a discussion with the Khol’isa in question, Yoongi, and the Zhak’gri but in light of recent discoveries- that was going to have to wait.

‘I’m setting up our trajectory to open-space,’ Hoseok announces. ‘I’m keeping watch over the broadcasting channels as well as underverse channels just to stay clear.’

‘Thank you Hoseok,’ Namjoon says before addressing the nonchalantly lounging Khol’isa. ‘What do you know about this?’

‘Would it hurt you to explain your questions?’ Sk’jin asks back tiredly. ‘When you mean “this” do you mean our mission? Do you mean my ability to pilot? Or how I know Taeh’yung? Or about the lovely parcel in our cargo?’

Namjoon wills himself not to snap.

‘You weren’t surprised to see that OrTank.’ Namjoon states, staring at Sk’jin for any reaction. Sk’jin’s impassive expression is extremely impressive.

‘No I wasn’t.’ Sk’jin shrugs then adds. ‘But I sure was when I first saw it. I thought you were here to ask me questions but all I’m getting are statements. Are we done? I think I want to go nap for a while.’

Namjoon wonders if there was ever a time where Sk’jin wasn’t the most infuriating Being alive, this side of the Universe.

‘What is he? The Being inside the OrTank?’

‘I’m just as lost as you are. But judging from Yoongi’s reaction, shouldn’t you be asking him that instead?’

‘Yoongi wasn’t the one who knew about it.’ Namjoon says tersely. ‘Sk’jin, stop lying. There’s no going around this.’

‘But I’m not lying Namjoon,’ Sk’jin replies serenely. ‘I do not know who that Being is, or what he’s doing here, or how he’s here. All I know is that none of the special-jury members thought to tell us of his existence and have given him the highest authorization code aboard this ship- even higher than yours by the way.’ Sk’jin lowers down on the seat so that his head rests on the back of the couch. ‘Like I said, I only found out about-‘ he glances at a non-existent screen in his palm and says, ‘-5 hours ago, so honestly Joonie, I’m as lost as you are on this one.’

Namjoon doesn’t say anything, studying the Khol’isa in front of him.

‘Look if you don’t believe me, just check the surveillance footage- I know you have them fed to your NaviLet directly.’ Sk’jin yawns, closing his eyes as though readying for a nap.

‘Surveillance footage means nothing,’ Namjoon states. ‘There is no-‘

‘Oh of course,’ Sk’jin opens one eye, sighing dramatically. ‘I could have staged all of that- the moment none of you were on the ship. How convenient yes? I took my opportunity, being the healthy and kind-hearted Being that I am- and plotted out some unfathomable plan about smuggling in some strange Being aboard the ship and simultaneously rescue your . Yes, a fine thing to do indeed.’

He goes back to closing his eyes. Normally Namjoon isn’t one to go seek out an argument or start up stressful triggering topics but here he was, arguing with the most obstinate Being he’s had the misfortune of meeting. 

‘You’re still here? Spaces, Joonie I didn’t know you would miss me this much,’ Sk’jin mumbles, opening one eye sleepily.

‘How do you know Taeh’yung?’

‘I’ve known Taeh’yung for a while now,’ Sk’jin replies easily, with a badly suppressed yawn. ‘T’s just how it is y’know?’

‘I don’t. Clarify. Now.’

‘Monosyllables. I do love those,’ Sk’jin sits up just a little, obviously sensing that Namjoon wasn’t about to move away. He leans on his arm against the back of the couch, gazing up at Namjoon lazily.

‘Look- Taeh’yung helped me out when I was stuck. I pretty much owe him all of this,’ Sk’jin shrugs, gesturing to himself. ‘Kid’s weird, but he’s nice- and he can be trusted- though that probably means nothing to you. I’m pretty sure you weren’t looking for my approval and now you just doubt Taeh’yung even more. But seeing as how he knew Yoongi too, why not actually ask Yoongi hm?’

‘Stop diverting the subject towards Yoongi,’ Namjoon sighs out tiredly, sitting down on the table in front of Sk’jin. ‘Look- Sk’jin, I’m trying really hard to understand what any of this means-‘

‘And what makes you think I’m the one who knows the answer behind everything?’ Sk’jin side-eyes him sleepily. ‘You’re asking the wrong Being all the wrong questions. Besides, isn’t it too easy?’ Sk’jin adds. ‘Of course all of you suspect me. It’s easy enough to see that. It’s easy enough to conclude that it’s me too. But isn’t it too easy? I thought you were smarter than that.’

‘Sk’jin look,’ Namjoon is exhausted. ‘I am not accusing you of anything-‘

‘Oh? Sure felt like it,’ Sk’jin gives him an unimpressed look.

‘I am not accusing you of anything,’ Namjoon repeats firmly. ‘I just want answers. Will you please just answer my questions without playing games with me or trying to twist my words.’

‘While I’d love to play games with you Namjoonie, it’s honestly not worth my time,’ Sk’jin grins at him. ‘And I am doing exactly what you want me to do. I am answering your questions. You asked me who that Being is inside the OrTank, and I replied saying that I don’t know; which is the truth by the way. Then you asked me who Taeh’yung is and how I know him. While I don’t exactly know who or what he is- I mean I doubt he knows it himself, I met him some sols back and he helped me out of a situation. I haven’t met him since until today. Do you have any more questions or can I finally go and maybe sleep?’

‘How did you learn how to pilot and why did you lie about it?’

‘Honestly Namjoon- how is that even a question,’ Sk’jin rolls his eyes, looking disappointed. ‘I was the pirate-lord of one of the biggest and strongest pirating clans for nearly a thousand years- you tend to pick up on skills during such a time.’

‘But why did you lie about it?’

‘Namjoon, honey, have you met yourself?’ Sk’jin raises his eyebrow appraisingly. ‘You already decided that you didn’t like me- probably because I’m Khol’isa like K’mara- which by the way, is really racist of you- and also probably because of my stunning good looks. It was just simply self-preservation.’

‘Self-preservation.’ Namjoon echoes, disbelieving of Sk’jin’s claims.

‘Yes. If you had known about my piloting abilities since the beginning, you would have probably reduced my authority aboard the ship to nonexistent. Don’t deny it.’ Sk’jin says dismissively. ‘Honestly, the way you’re handling things- I’m surprised we’re actually at this point in our mission.’

‘Don’t act like I’m the only person on this ship who is causing issues- I am hardly the problem here-‘

‘Oh and I am?’ Sk’jin spits back with unexpected aggressiveness. ‘Your lack of communication and inability to see past you own preconceived notions is immature and honestly a disgrace to your profession-‘

‘Don’t bring this up again,’ Namjoon stands up, glaring down at Sk’jin. ‘I already spoke about that and I apologized for it but-‘

‘-oh and such a noble thing to do-‘

‘-but it wasn’t as though it was entirely my fault- had you been more honest-‘

‘-I am honest Namjoon- the most honest Being on this ship and you would have seen that from the beginning had it not been for your insufferable pride-‘ Sk’jin spits out, sitting up.

‘-my pride-?’

‘-and your oh so brave and noble attitude- you’re no better than the rest of us- we’re all expendable here- don’t you see? Did you really think this mission was all they stated it would be?’ Sk’jin too stands up and point at the Hangar Bay. ‘That Being in there- this ship- this entire mission- did you really just accept it the way Lmiura presented it? What did she do that made you so stoic in your trust over an assignment created by some of the most untrustworthy Beings in this Universe? Did she your ego, made you feel like you were important or did she something else-‘

‘You are toeing a very thin line here,’ Namjoon all but growls, stepping straight up towards Sk’jin. ‘I have every right to doubt you- you were placed here, by K’mara as her spy, we both know this. Don’t deny it. Did you really think I bought anything you said? A “region expert”? That’s utter bull and everyone here knows it. And seeing as you can’t seem to let go of the past- your complete lack of participation in informing us about your criminal record and leading us on to Orvan and now here we are- possibly completely alienated and isolated from both GLA Docks and outposts- getting us stranded in the early phases of our mission. So if it’s my pride that’s trying to make this less than ideal mission work then you’ll be damn sure I’m going to continue behaving like this.’ Namjoon huffs out a humorless laugh. ‘You didn’t think it never occurred to me? You thought I’d just follow in on whatever orders they had- no Sk’jin; I am here for the same reasons like you- for the same reasons why K’mara made you her little to report back to her-‘

Sk’jin seems to snap.

‘The same reasons as me?’ Sk’jin seethes out. ‘I think the not you little -‘

‘Then care to tell me why exactly you’re here?’ Namjoon glares down at the Khol’isa under his nose. ‘Or why you were making calls to someone in a language that just so happens to not be included in Lisai’s directory of languages- maybe then I’ll “trust” you. Or maybe you can explain why Lisai’s directory is compromised and the databank is missing entire sections of information-‘

‘I owe you nothing- I could have left all of you back there,’ Sk’jin hisses, pushing Namjoon back, his eyes flashing bright and red. ‘Now that I think about it- maybe I should have done-‘

‘And this is coming from the same Being who told me to believe in him,’ Namjoon laughs humorlessly again though his eyes are ablaze with fury. ‘I did not choose this- I did not want to be the Captain of this ed up mission- but I felt that it required me to-‘

‘-oh of course! Of course!’ Sk’jin laughs, throwing his head back. ‘You would sacrifice your comfort and quiet lifestyle for the good of the Universe- thank you for honoring us with your magnanimous heart-‘

‘-you keep lecturing me on all of this- like you knew any better- just because you were a big fish in a small pond doesn’t make you the biggest or the best; doesn’t mean you know . You were a pirate-lord for longer than all of us combined have lived- what’s so great about that huh? You lost it all anyways-‘ Namjoon is vaguely aware of Sk’jin’s expression shifting in a way that triggered warning bells inside his head but he can’t stop. ‘-and seeing the way you are, I wouldn’t be surprised if you lost your standing because you got all of your network killed because of your arrogance and inability to foresee the dangers you seem to thrive on-‘

Sk’jin shoves him backwards harshly.

‘Don’t-‘

‘-maybe you forgot to inform them of something important,’ Namjoon recklessly continues. ‘Maybe you forgot or maybe you just didn’t tell them because they didn’t ask you-

There’s a strange pulse in the air around them and Namjoon is hit with a wave of nausea. Sk’jin is trembling where he stands, his entire being appears strangely luminescent and a strange red glow emanates from near his temples.

‘Do not tell me,’ Sk’jin’s voice is low, his features morphing horrifically. ‘You know nothing! NOTHING!’

The air around Namjoon pulses again and Sk’jin seems to somehow appear taller, his features stretching and his eyes burning red and Namjoon can’t look away. Namjoon is horrified by the change taking over Sk’jin’s features- there’s a strangely dangerous and ethereal beauty to Sk’jin- one that could kill.

‘Jin!’

All sound is distorted and Namjoon can’t look away, his body is frozen and his chest feels compressed as though pressured in a way that makes him believe that if he had actual lungs, he would be struggling to breathe. Sk’jin lifts his hand, as though reaching for him and Namjoon knows he should move but his legs refuse to cooperate. Was this the Khol’isa’s abilities? Was this what made them such a formidable and deadly species of Beings?

‘JIN!’

Taeh’yung appears out of nowhere, entering the strangely warped bubble Namjoon and Sk’jin were trapped in, breaking the strange pressure in the air. The Zhak’gri steps forward in front of Sk’jin, blocking him from view.

Namjoon falls backwards against the wall, panting heavily as though starved of air. His limbs feel strangely disconnected from his body and he slides down the wall.

‘Hey, it’s okay Jinnie, don’t use your energy like that all right?’ Taeh’yung has the Khol’isa wrapped in a hug, unafraid of the still glowing Being in his arms.

Sk’jin’s eyes bore into Namjoon’s- and the Kutsoglerin still can’t look away.

‘You- you know nothing-‘ Sk’jin grits out before his eyes roll backwards into his head and his entire body slumps against Taeh’yung.

Cold shivers run down Namjoon’s back, the hair on the back on his neck rising.

‘Jin? Babe? Oh no- how long has he been like this?’ Taeh’yung asks, looking back at Namjoon as though he hadn’t just interrupted what was no doubt going to be the horrific end-result of Namjoon’s recklessness.

‘He’s been unwell for a while now.’

Yoongi is standing by the entrance to the Lobby, as though he’d been there the entire time. Maybe he was, Namjoon can’t be sure. Yoongi doesn’t seem to have any opinions regarding what just happened- he doesn’t even seem interested, let alone inclined to judging Namjoon.

‘He just needs a little sunshine in his life,’ Taeh’yung smiles at them as he maneuvers Sk’jin around as though the Khol’isa hardly weighed anything. Lifting him up in his arms, Taeh’yung makes his way upwards.

‘The Medical Bay is this way,’ Namjoon finds himself saying, pointing behind himself.

‘Oh- no need for that!’ Taeh’yung beams. ‘I can do it.’

‘Wait- Taeh’yung,’ Namjoon frowns; he would stand but his limbs are still protesting. ‘You can’t just-‘

‘It’s all right,’ Yoongi cuts across, walking over to Namjoon. ‘He’s done it before.’

Taeh’yung just nods and walks up the stairs calling back with a cheerful, ‘He’ll be as good as new soon!’ and disappears to Level Two.

Yoongi sits down in front of him, legs crossed. He slouches forward, his spine curving in a way that probably wasn’t very good for him.

‘How do you know Taeh’yung?’ Namjoon asks tiredly.

‘I saw him in the Yisheng Headquarters,’ Yoongi replies directly. ‘He was involved in the Gaia Case. Then I met him again in the Mars Dock. He was part of the team responsible for handling the remains of the evidence left in that area.’

‘You knew Sk’jin before any of this, didn’t you?’ Namjoon asks with a sigh, feeling the urge to sleep for a week.

‘Yes. He was closely linked to the Beings involved directly with the Gaia Case.’ Yoongi replies. ‘I spoke to him once. He was different then. Now that I see them together, I believe Taeh’yung helped Sk’jin.’

‘What does that mean?’

Yoongi pauses, his expression is blank as ever. Sk’jin’s words from earlier rings in Namjoon’s mind.

‘And what makes you think I’m the one who knows the answer behind everything? You’re asking the wrong Being all the wrong questions.’

‘It’s not in my place to say.’

Namjoon carefully regards Yoongi. He thinks back to the Flotsam and Jetsam back in Grezma, how the Human didn’t seem fazed or confused by the fact that Lisai, an operating AI system, didn’t have a language in its database.

‘Yoongi.’

‘Yes.’

‘Were you aware of Lisai’s faulty database?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Namjoon feels a faint flare of irritation at this revelation but it subsides quickly. He was just too tired for this.

‘I thought you knew,’ Yoongi replies simply. ‘I noticed the first time I boarded the ship and used a screen. I wasn’t aware that none of you realized.’

Yoongi’s assumption made sense to an extent. It seemed like the kind of thing an Information Analyst would have figured out. Or even a Venture Unit agent should have figured out.

‘Why are you in this mission? And not because you were assigned or whatever- what made you decide that you wanted to be part of this?’ Namjoon asks, sitting up properly.

‘Because Yisheng Amme told me I would be able to find the answers to my questions.’

‘What questions?’

‘About everything.’

Namjoon sighs. Well that was helpful.

‘What do you know about that Being inside there? This isn’t the first time you’ve seen someone like him?’

‘Yes and no.’

‘What does that mean?’ Namjoon is really exhausted at this point; he wonders what in Spaces Taeh’yung is doing. He knows he should probably go check up on it- see what the Zhak’gri is really doing. But after everything that has happened and everything that has transpired, Namjoon finds that he’s quickly losing any inclination to really care at all.

‘I saw many like him,’ Yoongi replies, turning his head towards the direction of the Hangar Bay. ‘But he is like and unlike them. Like and unlike me.’

‘Is that how you were before?’ Namjoon asks, gathering the will to stand up and make his way upstairs and at least take a shower or something. Yoongi is still splattered in blood but he doesn’t seem to care.

‘I don’t remember.’

‘So is that one of the reasons why you’re in this mission? To maybe find out more about yourself?’

‘Yes.’

‘I see,’ Namjoon sighs one more time and struggles to his feet. Yoongi does the same, mirroring his actions.

‘Do you trust Taeh’yung?’

‘I do.’ Yoongi’s reply is immediate and firm.

‘What about Sk’jin?’

‘He wasn’t lying to you.’ Yoongi replies. ‘There was no lie in his eyes.’

‘Namjoon could you come up to the Bridge? We need to set course.’ Hoseok chimes in, sounding exhausted.

‘Just set it to wherever for the moment- put the ship on auto; get some rest Hoseok,- we’ll make a plan as soon as Sk’jin is well enough,’ Namjoon replies before addressing Yoongi. ‘Thank you for coming back and getting me out. I realize how easy it would have been for all of you to simply leave me behind. I am grateful that you didn’t.’

‘It was not my decision alone.’ Yoongi steps back, clearly headed towards the Hangar again. ‘It was a group decision.’

‘Either way, thank you.’

Yoongi doesn’t reply to that and walks away.

Trudging upwards, Namjoon makes his way towards the Living Quarters. He glances over at Cabin 01 and wonders if Taeh’yung and Sk’jin were all right. He contemplates for a while, wondering if he should knock and inquire after the health of the Khol’isa. But after that explosive reaction and argument, Namjoon guesses he should probably make himself scarce around the Khol’isa.

Typing in his password, Namjoon enters his room with a sense of relief. His joints were starting to hurt a little, nothing too serious or distracting but it was better to be safe than sorry. He accesses the drawer over his bed and pulls out an oblong box. Picking out a white and blue pill and a dotted white tablet, Namjoon swallows them dry.

Making quick work of his clothes and discarding them down the shredder-chute, Namjoon checks over his body with a trained eye.

He’s grown used to his body- he doesn’t remember a time where he hasn’t looked like this. And perhaps that was for the better. He’s known many Kutsoglerin who haven’t been able to cope with the cruel afflictions casted on them. Namjoon doesn’t accept or appreciate what has been done to him, but he lives with it because he knows that there’s no other way to it. With practiced moves, Namjoon reaches behind his back and slowly undoes the latches that attaches the bionic case that makes up his back. Adjusting the wired mirror, Namjoon scans his exposed back for any misalignment or damage.

Namjoon stands under the shower longer than he normally does, allowing the hot water to wash down all of his bionic joints. Sensory perception was a strange thing for Namjoon; what he knew registered as pain wasn’t quite so for him. He carefully washes over his cuff-links, staring at the permanently reformed flesh on his wrists.

Were the Yishengs already taking care of the working-slaves? Would they be able to subdue and take over the slave-ship? How connected were they to the Venture Unit? The slaver from Raksane Tayi was no doubt a high ranking officer within the GLA- how many of them were involved in this? Still involved in the Alliance? Would Orvan finally be liberated or would their strange economic trade continue to flourish and her people living under the cruel reign of terror that they’ve come to accept as normalcy?

But what even constituted of normalcy anymore? The Orvanan knew no other life than the one they were living right now- they knew of no other culture except for this reality of slavery- would they even consider it slavery?

Namjoon stares down at his hands- one of the few original parts of him that remained. A constant reminder of what he was- where he came from. If Namjoon didn’t have these subtle reminders of himself, and what he looked like, would he consider his current body the same way he viewed it now?

What about the Orvanan? They were now living this lifestyle of slavery for over 700 sols; would they even begin to understand what freedom outside of their planet meant? What it felt like? Or would it feel strange- would it feel wrong, like something they couldn’t accept or even begin to understand.

Suddenly feeling indescribably exhausted, Namjoon leans back on the cold tiles of the shower stall.

So much happened in such a short period of time, each event transcended the former and none of these events made any form of sense or had a logical sound explanation. Everything that has happened since they left Šerdesas was a chain of events leading to this chaotic and tense position where Namjoon finds himself utterly lost and confused.

The Being inside the OrTank was purposefully kept there. None of them had reason to carry onboard a living Being inside an OrTank. Not to mention the cargo had already been placed inside their ship before any of them had even gotten in.

What was the reason behind this placement? What was this Being, who was this Being? Why was he placed in here? Was he dangerous? Was he a living biological weapon intended to destroy all of them? If this was a birthing tank of sorts then there would be a birthing date and they wouldn’t be able to stop it. What would happen?

But most importantly why didn’t the special-jury inform them of this? Who in the special-jury was responsible for his? Was it just one of them? Or was it all of them? Was this Being part of their mission? Sk’jin had said his authorization code had been more powerful than his own- that meant at least one of the special-jury members knew of this Being. Were they meant to discover him? If so why?

‘We’re all expendable here- don’t you see? Did you really think this mission was all they stated it would be?’

What could this Being possible mean in relation to the mission? Or was the mission simply made up and this Being was in fact, the main objective of the mission?

All Namjoon knows is that none of the special-jury could be trusted.  

By the time he leaves his room, he hears Taeh’yung’s loud laughter ringing across the ship. There are other voices as well, they’re all speaking rather easily and casually. It’s odd, in contrast to the turmoil and apprehension mounting inside of Namjoon. A little wary and unsettled, he makes his way downstairs again.

The OrTank with the floating Being is tilted backwards against the Lobby couch next to Taeh’yung who was dressed in Sk’jin’s robes and his hair is sopping wet. Sk’jin himself is sitting on one of the larger single couches. Namjoon does a double take because the Khol’isa looks incredibly healthy again. Though his normal attitude of general vain cockiness is absent and he seems strangely subdued. Namjoon had checked the surveillance and followed the footage from when Sk’jin sensed something off, up until he made his way to the OrTank. He hadn’t opened the device, staring down at it, his entire body stricken with shock. Due to the high quality footage of the cameras installed all over the ship, Namjoon was able to very easily study the Khol’isa’s face and found only genuine confusion and wariness in his eyes. He also saw the way Sk’jin was very obviously unwell, his feet dragging, and his breathing strained. Every time he spoke into the Comm-Device he would take a moment to collect himself. But now here he sat, looking remarkably healthy. His eyes are bright and his skin glowing again.

Hoseok is also there, laughing in response to a story Taeh’yung is excitedly narrating. The Ngfy’widan laughs freely, tossing his head back. He’s got a towel around his shoulders and he’s holding an empty tray in his hands. Namjoon notes cups on the Lobby table. As usual, Namjoon doesn’t spot Yoongi at once who was sitting next to the OrTank, staring at the floating Being inside.

The Being inside is turned towards Yoongi. Namjoon is pretty sure the Being inside is soundly unconscious- it was slightly disconcerting to see the way he was attuned to Yoongi- or was he just like that with any single Being?

‘Namjoon!’

Taeh’yung gets up at once, jostling the OrTank that Yoongi instantly steadies, his eyes never leaving the object.

‘You smell nice!’ is Taeh’yung’s greeting, sniffing him enthusiastically.

‘Uh yeah that’s great-‘ Namjoon fidgets, edging away from the overly enthusiastic Zhak’gri. He catches Sk’jin’s eye and can instantly tell that there was no way in hell he was going to come out of this in the Khol’isa’s good books. Not that it mattered to Namjoon but considering the mess of the situation they were all in and they would need team effort and collaboration to figure things out, he was going to have to make an effort to at least pacify their non-existent relationship to one that didn’t always lead to a violent shouting match.

‘Sk’jin I am sor-‘

‘You’re here. We need to discuss what we’re going to do next,’ Sk’jin talks over Namjoon before he even has the chance to finish what he was trying to say.

‘It’s safe to say in light of recent discoveries that we need to reevaluate our mission and how we’re going to approach it,’ Sk’jin continues. Without his vain façade on display, Sk’jin is an entirely different Being. Everything about his body language has changed, his facial expression which was normally one of serene yet contemptuous beauty was now statue-like: beautiful, daunting, and cold.

Namjoon can feel the curious look Hoseok is giving both him and Sk’jin while Taeh’yung stares unabashed at both of them, mouth slightly open.

‘I feel like we need to pool our cumulative information and resources and plot out our next move,’ Sk’jin continues. ‘While GLA Docks are entirely out of the question, our only chance is with a limited amount of outposts.’

‘I agree; we should,’ Namjoon says as he makes his way towards the Lobby, standing next to the single couch chair opposite the one Sk’jin was sitting on across the large flat table in the center. ‘But before that I wanted to say that I’m sorry-‘

‘I’ll say this once,’ Sk’jin states flatly. It’s uncanny how emotionless and unresponsive his attitude is towards Namjoon. ‘I have no interest in hearing what you have to say outside of the mission and fulfilling the objectives of said mission. I don’t care what you have to say, what you think, what you feel, or what you’re going to do. We’re here for the mission and that’s the only reason why I am here. So as I was saying, most outposts are out of the question, however if we are able to weed through the list carefully, find out who the governors are, and possible even change ships or at least alter its appearance and digital ID, we should be able to use outposts safely. If not, we will have to go in-planet in a non-GLA system and use private Docks which will be expensive and time-consuming, and raise a lot of questions.’

His statement is met with silence for a while before Hoseok speaks up.

‘Private Docks are normally used a lot by Excavators and their guilds- I was thinking about this and wondering if we could disguise ourselves as Excavators; I’ve dealt with Excavators before and I know which channels they use. If we can mimic their usual way of business transaction and approach to outposts and in-planet docks, we could create a pretty stable and full-proof disguise.’ Hoseok glances at Namjoon, one eyebrow subtly raised in question. ‘Creating a new digital ID for the ship should be easy right?’

Namjoon pauses a while before answering.

Taeh’yung is looking at him with wide eyes whereas Sk’jin regards him with zero attentiveness or response.

‘Yeah it’s pretty simple – we just need to maybe adjust the Užkulisai from the outside- it’s a new model so it stands out,’ Namjoon huffs out  dry laugh. If the special-jury were instigating something more than just this mission, they sure did an excellent job of making it difficult for them to simply blend in with their environment by giving them a one-of-a-kind ship.

‘I can help!’ Taeh’yung offers brightly.

‘Are you trained in mechanical engineering?’ Hoseok inquires curiously.

‘No! But I like to take things apart and put them back together.’

Taeh’yung says this with such an earnest expression Namjoon is almost inclined to agree but he stops himself. He glances over at Sk’jin surreptitiously and finds that the Khol’isa has an uncharacteristically fond smile on his face as he looks at Taeh’yung.

‘Oh- I uh, I see,’ Hoseok replies somewhat confused before addressing Namjoon again. ‘Where do we head then?’

‘Well first we need to clear a definitive path towards a Dock we know is safe,’ Namjoon sits down, noting that his joints didn’t hurt anymore. He looks around for his NaviLet before he realizes he should probably get a new one from the Navigation Table when it’s handed to him.

Namjoon had again, forgotten about Yoongi- apparently so did everyone else except for Taeh’yung who sits next to the Human, throwing an arm around him.

It’s strangely bizarre, seeing the Human in actual contact with another Being without it being a hand-to-hand combat move or reasoning. Namjoon suddenly remembers how Yoongi had essentially poisoned all of them just to track them without their notice and he suppresses a shudder.

‘Thank you,’ Namjoon says a second too late. But Yoongi doesn’t seem to mind. Or care. The correct term would probably be notice but Namjoon goes back to concentrating on his NaviLet for the time being.  

‘How’s are fuel stock? Food? Energy?’ Namjoon asks.

‘We’re all right for another week for sure,’ Hoseok replies a little hesitantly.

‘A week? But I thought our calculations had us good for another fortnight or so,’ Sk’jin frowns a little.

‘Well that’s what I thought too- but I put into consideration this fellow here,’ Hoseok nods at the OrTank.

‘I don’t know how he’s being fueled or how his uh OrTank is being powered but if-‘

‘Nothing powers it,’ Yoongi speaks up. ‘He’s suspended inside independently off of his own Life-force.’

‘What do you mean?’ Sk’jin asks, a crease appearing between his brows.

‘Do you remember that place?’ Taeh’yung asks the Khol’isa. ‘It was all white and there were voices everywhere-‘

‘Yes,’ Sk’jin replies tersely, looking uncomfortable.

‘That’s this.’ Taeh’yung gestures to the OrTank. ‘Just contained.’

Sk’jin glances over at Yoongi who nods.

‘I see. So the OrTank isn’t really powered by anything?’ he asks.

‘Nopes!’ Taeh’yung pats the surface gently as though afraid of waking up the Being inside. ‘It’s just all him in there.’

‘What does that mean?’ Hoseok asks glancing over at Sk’jin.

‘These are Beings cultivated and preserved the same way the GI were cultivated and created,’ Yoongi explains.

‘So that makes him a GI agent?’ Hoseok asks slowly, his tone confused.

‘No. It makes him free.’ Is Yoongi’s extraordinary reply before he adds, ‘The GI were formed as a result of the Yishengs cultivating entire species of Beings from all around the Universe to harness them in their raw and true potential and to manipulate them for their own use. The Gaia Case touches on the subject of the GI experiments briefly but were overshadowed by the other parts of the Case.’

The discovery of the GI had been one that nearly crippled the major organizations with fear. Upon realizing that such a powerful and secret force beyond the control of any of their reach existed with agents who had no personal objective that could be manipulated, the major organizations had done all they could to obtain the GI agents.

‘But…but aren’t all the agents compromised? I mean,’ Hoseok glances at Namjoon for clarification. ‘A majority of the agents were all detained and kept under observation by the Venture Unit right?’

‘That’s what has been said,’ Yoongi replies calmly. ‘The GI agents who were released for duty- the ones who were birthed were all terminated the moment the GIU arrived in Šerdesas. There were some who survived. But they weren’t able to Sleep anymore, and weren’t able to process sentient understanding of their surroundings or their own placement in the universe. They fell into a vegetative state of being and are now being kept in the Yisheng Headquarters under surveillance.’

‘…wait what about the others?’ Sk’jin asks, frowning heavily. ‘Weren’t they being watched over by the Yishengs? What does the Venture Unit have to do with this? I thought they were given the GI?’

‘The Beings found after the Gaia Case were sent to the Yisheng Headquarters and are watched over by both the Yishengs and the Venture Unit.’

Namjoon doesn’t have a good feeling about this. He glances over at the Being inside the OrTank and then back at Yoongi before looking back at Sk’jin. The Khol’isa’s eyes are narrowed and calculating, as though processing what Yoongi had just said.  

‘Have any of them woken up?’ Hoseok asks, his voice laced with trepidation.

‘I don’t know,’ Yoongi replies blandly.

‘So what does he have to do with this?’ Hoseok asks, gesturing to Taeh’yung. ‘I am trying to understand this but I can’t make sense of it.’

‘I met Taeh’yung before the Gaia Case was even called that,’ Sk’jin interjects. ‘He was able to help me out of a difficult situation and saved my life.’

Taeh’yung beams at the Khol’isa, sending him a wink that Sk’jin returns.

‘I met Yoongi before I met Taeh’yung; we helped each other- more like together we helped someone,’ Sk’jin surmises.

‘And I met Yoongi here in the Mars Docks! Well I saw him a few times before that but actually only ever really met him in the Mars Docks- I was helping out the Yishengs with my babies,’ Taeh’yung pats the OrTank. ‘Like him!’

‘Helped you out of a difficult situation?’ Hoseok repeats carefully.

‘It’s something from my past I’d rather not discuss Hoseok,’ Sk’jin replies carefully. ‘I can assure you it won’t affect our mission.’

‘So that’s out of the way,’ Namjoon sighs out before addressing Taeh’yung. ‘Where do you want us to drop you off? I can’t guarantee where we’ll be able to go-‘

‘Can I stay?’

His request is met with extraordinary silence.

‘Taeh’yung,’ Sk’jin begins hesitantly. ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea-‘

‘But I swore that I’d always watch over my babies!’ Taeh’yung insists. ‘And here he is! I found him; and you and Yoongi! This is a sure sign! They’re telling me to stay as well.’

‘They?’

‘The others,’ Taeh’yung taps at his head and both Namjoon and Hoseok grimace in discomfort, unsure how to read into this.

‘Besides, I can help you guys! I’m pretty useful,’ Taeh’yung lifts his hands up, fingers forming ‘v’s, smiling brightly up at them.

‘I can agree to his statement, he would make a valuable addition to our mission.’ Yoongi chimes in unexpectedly.

‘I agree as well,’ Sk’jin adds seconds later. ‘Especially now that he’s here,’ he gestures to the OrTank. ‘I think we’ll need Taeh’yung involved.’

Namjoon glances over at Hoseok who is studying Sk’jin intently before looking over at Yoongi and then Taeh’yung. Namjoon already knows what he’s about to say and sighs inwardly.

‘You can stay,’ Namjoon resigns. ‘Sk’jin or Yoongi will inform you on our mission so you know what we’re going to do.’

‘Yay!’ Taeh’yung cheers, throwing his hands up and promptly goes and throws himself at Sk’jin who laughs in amusement.

‘However I think I can speak for almost all of us in saying that we know nothing about you or what you do and what you can do,’ Namjoon interjects. ‘What is it that you do? What have you been doing all this time?’

‘Ah, which do I answer first,’ Taeh’yung scratches at the side of his neck as he settles against Sk’jin comfortably. ‘Well all right, so I’m the fifth generation “Zhak’gri”- I don’t like being called that, so I chose my name for myself. I don’t know how to explain what I do- I can see it- but I don’t know how to really explain it. But someone sort of explained it to me before, so here goes.’ Taeh’yung clears his throat, his expression taking on a mild and serene expression and his voice is higher and softer as well. ‘Yishengs use the continuum of Life-force and take it and are able to work in the width of its spectrum of allotted time and space. A Yisheng redirects and corrects the forward flow of the cycle of continuum. But the Zhak’gri are able to go back in the cycle of continuum and displace certain events without repercussions in the time loop.’

Taeh’yung expression serene expression drops and adds with a shrug, ‘Or something like that.’

‘Wait- come again?’ Hoseok is understandably very confused.

‘They displace links in the Life-force cycle . An acceleration to link loops within the same continuum.’ Namjoon explains. ‘This is if you’re basing your theory on the Yisheng Code- did a Yisheng tell you that?’

‘Yeap!’ 

‘That’s a little like time-manipulation isn’t it?’ Hoseok ruminates uneasily.

‘Not exactly- I don’t really know to be honest,’ Taeh’yung shrugs again. ‘I can see what I can do- but I don’t know what it is exactly.’

‘So what have you been doing lately?’ Sk’jin asks.

‘Well after I finished my job in the Mars Dock, I wandered around for a while you know? It kinda felt odd to not do something- so I thought I’d visit a friend of mine for a while and he told me about this slave-ship.’

‘A friend?’

‘Yeah! He’s really nice and bright! He visited me in Teronko’ng Prison and I helped him out there! He was really sad about what was happening. And I don’t like seeing anyone sad; so I went to see if I could do anything to help.’ Taeh’yung rambles.

‘And then you got caught?’ Hoseok asks tentatively.

‘I wanted to get caught,’ Taeh’yung explains looking serious all of a sudden. ‘They’re a very expansive network and very well organized. I couldn’t just go and blow up their ship without killing so many innocents- besides, that would get rid of only one small part of a much larger system. I wanted to understand where it was coming from, so I managed to get myself captured and sent up to Grezma to get picked up. Then I met you!’

Taeh’yung beams at Namjoon.

‘So I just want to say thank you for helping me out! My friend won’t be sad anymore!’

‘Uh-‘ Namjoon doesn’t know what to say.

‘We need to set-up the ship,’ Yoongi interjects out of nowhere. ‘We shouldn’t waste time in dead-space.’

‘Right,’ Namjoon nods.

‘Let’s go set-up then,’ Hoseok turns to address Namjoon. Namjoon nods wearily, following after the Ngfy’widan.

Looking back, Taeh’yung has seated himself across Sk’jin’s lap, listening intently with wide eyes as Sk’jin starts telling him their mission.

Neon-red eyes find his and Namjoon shivers at the strange hollowness he finds in the previously fiery taunting eyes.

*

Namjoon looks exhausted.

Not in the sense of being physically exhausted but he just looks drained. He looks like he feels powerless and it’s quite apparent from the way he carries himself. Hoseok wasn’t there for whatever argument Namjoon and Sk’jin had. Again. But he guesses it didn’t end well considering the way Sk’jin was treating the Kutsoglerin. But at this moment, interrelationships between team-members was far from Hoseok’s immediate train of thoughts.

‘Anything from the news channels?’

‘Nothing,’ Hoseok replies. That was to be expected. For something as serious and intricately connected to the Alliance and possibly with many high ranking officers within the GLA and Venture Unit, news like this wouldn’t make it to the general GLA Broadcasting Channels. Hoseok had quickly dived into the underverse channels as well but there was no news there yet. That wasn’t a surprise either. To prevent any form link-up, all of the other possibly connected parties would instantly cut off all ties and that normally meant communication lines were the first to go.

‘This was a set-up,’ Namjoon says without preamble, sighing as they make their way up to the Bridge.

‘The OrTank you mean?’ Hoseok asks, not looking back.

‘Yeap.’

That much was obvious. But the main question now remained why they weren’t informed about this Being. And also who this Being was. It was true that during the Gaia Case, a large number of Beings were found, cultivated and created as a means of creating some form of “stock” or “preserve” of Beings to be grown and raised in another universe of sorts. Species and races that were extinct or erased from the Universe were found and had caused a great stir in the inner most circles of the main organizations. Whether these Beings were friendly, “natural”, and safe were questions that couldn’t be answered. So they had been put under observation, with all sorts of top-secret research facilities from every organization chiming in to figure them out.

So what were they doing now with this single OrTank with this particular Being? Hoseok had obviously run a scan through the Being, trying to identify the Being inside. But Lisai’s directory came out blank. And Hoseok doesn’t know if this Being was truly and alien or if this was Lisai’s faulty database working up again.

‘What do you think this means?’ Hoseok asks as they step into the Bridge. The HUD windows are white as they jet through warp-space with no particular trajectory set out.

‘I don’t know,’ Namjoon sighs out as he makes his way to the Navigation Table, activating the column listlessly. ‘I don’t know what any of this means anymore. This mission- or well, what we thought this mission was supposed to be, what we’re carrying, what we found- every single one of us- I don’t know what any of this means anymore.’

‘What did you and Sk’jin talk about?’ Hoseok asks as he leans on the Table, facing Namjoon who sinks down into his chair.

‘He discovered the OrTank while we were in the slaver-ship,’ Namjoon explains, tapping along the NaviLet. ‘It’s why he wasn’t surprised. And I don’t know if he would have told us about it had Taeh’yung not “sensed” it or whatever.’

‘How did he discover it?’

‘He was trying to update Lisai’s language database,’ Namjoon snorts like he thought it was ironic. ‘He tried to use my authorization-code but it wasn’t high enough.’

‘Wait- so that Being inside the OrTank- his authorization-code is higher than yours?’ Hoseok interrupts.

‘Yes,’ Namjoon leans back, rubbing at his face tiredly. ‘He was placed here purposefully. And I have a feeling we were supposed to eventually discover him- or maybe that’s just me overthinking all of this. I don’t know what to think if I’m being honest. I don’t know what agenda this Being has by being here. I don’t know why the special-jury failed to mention his existence. I don’t know if Sk’jin should be trusted in what he says; Spaces I don’t know if any of you should be trusted in this-‘

‘So what you’re saying is that there’s more to this mission than just delivering and fixing up planets?’ Hoseok asks bluntly.

‘Yes-‘

‘Wasn’t that obvious from the beginning?’

Namjoon stares at him blankly for a fraction of a second before huffing out as though mildly irritated and saying, ‘Yes of course it is- there was obviously more to this than they let on. It’s just this Being being here doesn’t make sense- nothing adds up. This mission itself doesn’t add up either. We’re trying to go to a System that could possibly contain technology that could potentially be used to manipulate the entirety of the universe and we have to destroy it while also “renewing” their planets? And all of this in secret? And now with this Being in the picture, what does it even mean anymore?’

‘Forget the mission for a second,’ Hoseok interjects, crossing his arms. ‘This was always going to be more than just a delivery mission- but I could never figure out what other purpose we would be serving if not for this mission’s objective- but his appearance is just…it’s just throwing me for a loop. I don’t know what to think.’ Hoseok squats down, leaning back on the Table. ‘Look- when you’re made into a team for any mission,- no matter what type of mission, what sort of Beings are involved, they will always put into consideration team dynamics. None of us have ever been put into a team together- I don’t even think Sk’jin has been alive for the past few centuries to be put into a team. Yoongi is just…Yoongi- and then there’s the two of us- we were never intended to mix well. We can’t. Our backgrounds are vastly different- it’s like they purposefully put us together knowing we would never be able to tolerate each other or cooperate with each other while dangling what seems like an extremely dire situation to the outcome of our mission’s success. Our mission which as we now know is possibly just a dunce and the real reason for our departure is something else.’

‘What are you trying to say?’ Namjoon asks carefully.

‘What if they’re using our differences to hide the real purpose of this mission?’ Hoseok asks back. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way Namjoon but you’re not an agent; I know you’re undoubtedly intelligent and I’m not saying you don’t know what’s happening- but you were never in a position where you questioned every single aspect of your surrounding based on your immediate action.’

Namjoon shrugs like he takes no offence to it and asks, ‘So what do you, as an experienced agent suggest we do?’

Hoseok studies Namjoon for a while before answering.

‘I have a proposition and I don’t think you’ll like it,’ he says flatly.

Namjoon gestures for him to continue.

‘I suggest we dock in-planet; maybe in one of the cultivation-projects; there’s a system not too far from here with young planets. We could disguise ourselves as Excavators wanting to claim the planet first to discover any possible artifact and all that Excavator .’

‘For what purpose would we be doing that?’ Namjoon asks curiously, clearly sensing a deeper purpose to Hoseok’s suggestion.

‘I want to test out the things we’re carrying,’ Hoseok thumbs behind him. ‘See if they’re actually real or not. In fact I want to go through every single crate and OrTank and any other thing we’re carrying in our Hangar somewhere on a planet where we can dispose of it if necessary. I also want to take apart many of the components within the Užkulisai and see what all has been modified- check for trackers, check for rigging.’

Namjoon nods slowly, eyes narrowing a little.

‘That should give us time to adjust the ship as well, change up the exterior,’ Namjoon says slowly, his fingers slow down over the NaviLet as he thinks.

‘How much time would it take to create a new digital ID for the ship?’ Hoseok asks.

‘A day or so,’ Namjoon replies, ‘I’ll need to find a hub through which we can register the ship- I guess it’s good we have Taeh’yung on board- we can register the ship using his identity.’

‘Does he have any on him? Wasn’t he in Teronko’ng- that would make it extremely impossible to use him.’

‘We can give him a new one,’ Namjoon shrugs, looking back at his NaviLet. ‘Do you have a hub-line we could use to register the ship in?’

Hubs were like license registries through which independent ships or shuttles could legally register themselves as new ships within the Trade System. They were generally difficult to access, being set-up in offices within the Immigration Offices in GLA Docks. However most high-ranking officers within the GLA could directly access hubs. Or better yet, most Venture Unit agents knew of several hubs through which they could register their ships if needed, depending on their mission.

‘I do but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to use anything that could be traced back to me,’ Hoseok grimaces. Grezma was leaving a bitter taste in his mouth and he doesn’t think it’s going to go away easily either. ‘I used several before and have access to a bunch- but they could get traced back to me because they’re agent-specified hubs.’

‘The same with me,’ Namjoon looks up, one eyebrow raised. ‘What about Yoongi?’

‘I don’t know how the GI agents registered or used their shuttles- if they even had any need to register their Transporters through the International Space Registrar Laws,’ Hoseok muses.

‘Well I’ll go ask,’ Namjoon tiredly stands up but Hoseok stops him.  

‘No I’ll go. I’ll also check on Sk’jin and Taeh’yung- probably have to give him a Cabin and input a new set of codes for him as well,’ Hoseok slides out a screen from the slim column of the Navigation Table. ‘He’ll need a screen too.’

‘What do you think of Taeh’yung?’ Namjoon asks as Hoseok sets up the screen to connect with the rest of the ship.

‘Honestly I don’t know.’ Hoseok replies bluntly. ‘I’ve never met someone like him before. And I did some research as well- Zhak’gri right?’

Namjoon nods.

‘Just sounds incredibly strange.’ Hoseok confesses, unsure what to think of. If what he said was true, and what Namjoon said was true, then Taeh’yung was a living walking breathing relic of a past so ancient, it was unfathomable. And based on his own explanation of his abilities and identity, it would seem like Taeh’yung didn’t know much about himself to start off with. Just how was he even still around?

‘What do you think?’ Hoseok asks instead.

Namjoon just shrugs.

‘At this point I just don’t care anymore,’ he sighs. ‘I don’t care who he is. I don’t care who or how he came to know Sk’jin and Yoongi- their past, their objectives – that Being inside the OrTank. I just don’t care anymore.’

Namjoon almost looks like Sk’jin. Fed-up and resigned to this confusion. They were both withdrawing into themselves, away from everything except for the mission.

They were never trained for this.

Sk’jin and Namjoon were both incredibly capable and intelligent strategists with exceptional individual skill. But they both lacked in experience of being directed and controlled by a mission objective. Hoseok could tell from the beginning. Sk’jin was used to the way he lived before- when he was in control and he made the decisions. He was used to a time that no longer existed, used to a way of living and conducting his actions in a way that was backed up by countless pirates and heavy armoured ships and shuttles.

Namjoon came from a purely behind-the-screen background experience. He’s never worked the field before though he no doubt felt like he’s been doing so all his life. But Information Analysts worked alone. And they singlehandedly controlled and plotted the outcomes of their cleverly planned out strategies and plots, controlling everything from beyond a screen that distanced them from the messy reality of working and living within a mission field.

And it just so happened that the two of their personalities clashed in this way, resulting in this uncomfortable and strained grudging “relationship”.

‘Right well, I’ll go down and talk to Yoongi,’ Hoseok frowns a little to himself, remembering the way Yoongi wouldn’t move away from the OrTank. He hadn’t even cleaned up or anything, simply staring at the Being inside. That Being in there meant something to Yoongi, something Hoseok didn’t and would probably never really be able to understand.

‘What was the system you were telling me about? I’ll input the coordinates and set up a trajectory,’ Namjoon cuts into his thoughts.

‘It’s called Prāyōka,’ Hoseok turns a little to access the Table better, tapping onto the surface. ‘It’s 4 days from here- there are a few planets in the system- all of them are habitable but I think we should aim for one of the moons instead.’

Namjoon pulls up the system and information on it and says, ‘Right, I’ll start checking on it. I’ll take the first watch on the Bridge.’

Hoseok nods and makes his way out. He spots Sk’jin in the kitchen, listening to Taeh’yung who seems to be deeply invested in recounting some story to the Khol’isa. Sk’jin simply smiles and nods, his attitude towards the Zhak’gri a complete change to how he normally treated the other crew members. Hoseok would probably put down the change to that of respect. Similar to the way you would when addressing or speaking to someone of a higher rank than yourself.

Yoongi isn’t anywhere around Level Two and Hoseok has a feeling he’d be with the OrTank that Namjoon had explicitly ordered them not to move out of Level One. And Hoseok is right.

Yoongi is still sitting on the Lobby couch, his entire body turned facing the Being inside the OrTank. He still hasn’t cleaned up, and the couch where he sat had some stains on it that looked suspiciously like bloodstains. Yoongi is still splattered in blood though it’s dried off now. The Heliord handles are still attached to the side of his working-slaver trousers.

‘Hey Yoongi.’

Yoongi looks away from the OrTank.

‘I wanted to ask you if you knew any hubs we could use to register the ship under a new digital ID,’ Hoseok explains briefly. ‘Namjoon and I can’t use ours – it could get tracked back to us.’

‘I do,’ Yoongi nods. ‘I can set it up for you.’

‘Thanks- just make sure it won’t get traced back to you or to us,’ Hoseok adds though he’s sure Yoongi knows this.

The Human simply nods before staring back at the OrTank.

‘Uh- maybe you should wash up? It’s probably not hygienic staying like that,’ Hoseok suggests.

‘Do you remember your dreams?’ Yoongi asks instead.

‘Not all of them,’ Hoseok replies, somehow used to Yoongi’s inconsistent conversation skills.

‘Do you remember your first dream?’

‘I don’t think anyone can remember their first ever dream,’ Hoseok chuckles a little.

‘I remember mine,’ Yoongi states.

‘What did you see?’

‘I don’t know.’

Hoseok pauses for a bit, wondering how to ask the next question without coming off rude.

‘So…how do you know you remember what you say, if you don’t know what it was that you saw?’

‘I remember what I saw, but I didn’t understand what it was.’ Yoongi clarifies. ‘Does that happen to you?’

It’s happening to me right now, Hoseok wants to say.

‘Not always,’ he says instead and adds, ‘Go clean up Yoongi- he’ll be all right here.’

To Hoseok’s surprise, Yoongi listens to him and gets up. He places the Heliord handles on the table and just like that makes his way upwards.

The OrTank is unexpectedly light. Hoseok had thought it would be incredibly heavy but it weighed no more than an average Being. Whatever fluid or gas the Being floated in clearly didn’t weigh much. Hoseok settles the OrTank on the ground instead of leaning back awkwardly on the Lobby couch.

‘Who are you?’ Hoseok mumbles under his breath as he squats down to regard the Being inside the OrTank. Hoseok has seen the way the Being inside shifts slowly, facing Yoongi every time he sat close enough. The Being doesn't shift to turn to face Hoseok and somehow Hoseok thinks he prefers that. He repositions himself to look at this Being properly, studying his features which weren't so different from his or Yoongi's.

Hoseok understands why Yoongi stares at this Being as though riveted. Though his eyes aren’t open and he’s clearly asleep/unconscious, there was a strange connection; as though the Being inside was watching you, was studying you. Hoseok almost feels as though his eyes might open at any time and the thought of it somehow frightens Hoseok.

He quickly steps away from the OrTank and makes his way up, determinedly not looking back at the OrTank.

*

Taeh’yung is an unexpectedly refreshing change within the ship. Namjoon isn’t sure if it’s because it’s after what happened in the slave-ship or if it’s the sudden lift of tense and badly hidden animosity he normally receives from Sk’jin.

He fits into the dynamics (or at least creates one) of the ship and could be found all over the ship, doing the strangest things. In the past  days, Namjoon has come to learn that the Zhak’gri enjoyed walking around barefoot, liked to wear other Being’s clothes, had no concept of personal space, and had many stories to tell. Usually, Hoseok and Yoongi were the ones who would indulge and listen to the Zhak’gri and his ramblings that sometimes went from sweet child-like storylines to carnage and death in a span of seconds while smiling the entire time.

Namjoon was right. Taeh’yung fit all too well with the rest of them and Namjoon doesn’t know if that makes him relieved or not.

Taeh’yung also had the complete inability to stick to one subject at hand. Sometimes he spoke as though he was addressing someone else entirely but it was only momentary. Then he’d go back to whatever narrative he was enthusiastically reenacting.

There was no change in the Being inside the OrTank. No sign of waking up, no movement, nothing. They had conducted scans they felt were secure and safe enough on the OrTank but they received no information or data on the Being. Even his age was confusing. While the scan used to read his internal biological system reported his age at approximately 1450 sols, the scans conducted on his exterior, accounting for the state of his hair, skin, and nails, put him at no more than 250 sols. Wondering if the scans were faulty, Hoseok had volunteered himself to be scanned and his readings had come out accurate on both scales. They were able to attach a screen that read the Beings health-tab over his OrTank. Through the sensors placed all over the OrTank, they were able to record and watch the Being’s heartbeat, brain-wave patterns, and nervous frequency. While his heart rate was very low, like a hibernating creature’s heart rate would be, his brain-wave patterns were extremely active.

‘He’s dreaming,’ Taeh’yung had said fondly, looking at the Being inside.

His brain-wave patterns did suggest that he was dreaming. Sometimes his heartbeat increased, and you could see his eyes moving behind his eyelids.

But perhaps what was strangest of all in this was the Being’s reaction to each of them individually.

When Sk’jin was closest to him, the Being seemed to be at ease, his heartbeat easing to a slow lull and his nervous frequencies settling down, as though he were falling deeper into sleep.

When Hoseok was close to him, there was not much change in his heart rate or in his brain-wave reading- rather his nervous frequencies seemed to increase and his fingers twitched several times as well. This seemed to unsettle the Ngfy’widan a lot and chose to avoid staying too close to the OrTank.

His reaction to Namjoon was subtle- like an acknowledgment. It was strange; Namjoon couldn’t describe it but he knows that everyone else felt it too. It was as though the Being inside the OrTank was aware of them, even in his sleep. His reaction towards them was a responsive one. And he seemed to respond the most to Taeh’yung who spoke to the Being as though they had been friends for centuries already. His heart rate, brain-wave pattern, nervous frequencies all pitched up whenever Taeh’yung was around.

But the strangest reaction was most probably with Yoongi.

The unknown Being seemed to actively move in accordance to Yoongi’s actions. If Yoongi stood to the right of the OrTank, the Being inside would slowly but surely drift to face the Human. If Yoongi placed his hand over the glass of the OrTank, the Being inside would raise his hand against the glass as well. His brain-wave pattern would spike, as though he was seeing multiple dreams. Unlike Hoseok’s wary reaction, Yoongi’s was one of utter awe and fascination. He spent a majority of his time in front of the OrTank. Sometimes sitting idly next to the OrTank, perusing his screen or watching something on the large entertainment system, or sometimes simply staring at the Being as though waiting for some form of reaction or response.

‘Approaching Ch’dra in 4 minutes.’

Namjoon shakes himself out of his revere.

The Prāyōka  System was a young one, with a large sun and even larger habitable zone for her planets and their moons. They were closing in on Ch’dra, the moon of a volatile and volcano-riddled planet that seemed to glow even from this distance with all the lava that boiled on a majority of its surface. Though the planet was uninhabitable, it was a rich source of sulfur and many mining companies were settled in its moon. Scarcely populated and that too only by mining companies, a majority of the population was mainly Cyborg, Android, and possibly a handful of officers scattered about to supervise. They had purposefully chosen a dock that was populated only by Cyborgs so as to give themselves all the privacy they would need.

The moon Ch’dra still had a Dock where many Excavator Guilds came to temporarily dock or repair their ships. Which was what they had disguised themselves as for this trip.

‘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 adds rather lamely but Taeh’yung gives him a bright thumbs up from behind him where he’s strapped onto a footstool. ‘And Yoongi will remain in the ship to keep an eye on our systems and on the channels.’

Everyone mumbles their agreement in varying levels of enthusiasm and stress.

‘Let’s land Hoseok.’

Ch’dra has an easy atmosphere, one that doesn’t burn too much as they enter the moon gently. It was a beautiful moon, with large circular lakes of clear blue liquid (which were actually pools of acid) dotting its oddly flat terrain. According to what Namjoon had read, safe water was available but it was underground and had to be mined. This factor had removed Ch’dra from being listed as a potentially habitable planet as it would be too much of a hassle to create a hydro-system avoiding all the underground pockets of acid as well. Not only that but the soil in Ch’dra was mainly infertile due to the salt excess from the acid pools. So when they land, the landscape around Ch’dra is a massive expansive stretch of granular dark grey soil, occasionally interrupted by larger pumice-like boulders.

‘All right, we can move out now,’ Hoseok calls as the ship is stabilized after landing. Taeh’yung whoops and bounds out of the Bridge excitedly.

‘See you in a bit Yoongi,’ Sk’jin calls out to the Human who doesn’t respond but that was to be expected.

‘Will you be all right using the Spardyti?’ Hoseok asks as they make their way down towards the Hangar Bay.

‘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.’

Hoseok nods, making his way inside the Hangar and opens the Hangar gate as Namjoon slides into the Spardyti.

‘Yoongi could you activate the Spardyti controls?’ Namjoon asks as he releases the magnetic safety strap.

The Spardyti dashboard lights up a few seconds later.

‘Thanks.’

It’s always delightful to feel natural air rushing about you no matter what planet you’re on. The air is a little dry and feels a bit gritty but it’s a definite welcome. Namjoon catches sight of Sk’jin standing outside already, his face turned up towards the sun, eyes closed. Taeh’yung might have “healed” the Khol’isa but Namjoon can’t be too sure about it. Namjoon stops the Spardyti just outside of the Hangar gate.

‘How many?’ Hoseok calls as he drags out a gravity-lift.

‘I think 3 should be enough,’ Namjoon replies, taking one of the lifts from Hoseok and easing it into the back of the Spardyti.

‘All right so here,’ Namjoon hands Hoseok the NaviLet. ‘The entire inventory list is on that, I’ve made it so that you can just check off the list according to the serial number on each of the cargo.’

Sk’jin approaches them as well, looking radiant under the sunlight and a lot happier than he has in days.

‘I think we should start with the bigger OrTanks first,’ Sk’jin suggests, shielding his eyes as he squints down at the screen in Hoseok’s hands.

‘Right, let’s begin by-‘ Hoseok stops abruptly.

‘What’s wrong?’ Namjoon asks then he hears it too. The Spardyti quiets down, the dashboard darkens. A small sound suggesting that his Comm-Device shut down rings in his ear. The gentle hum of the Užkulisai also quiets down and the turbines on the wings of the ship stops as well.

‘What in Spaces is going on?’ Hoseok taps on the NaviLet a few times before he does a double take, staring behind Namjoon with a befuddled expression on his face.

Namjoon turns to find Yoongi walking out of the ship, headed towards them.

‘Wasn’t he supposed to be keeping watch inside the ship?’ Sk’jin questions, looking confused before raising his voice, ‘Yoongi what happened?’

‘Did he start-up the ship?’ Hoseok ruminates as Namjoon steps forward to talk to the Human. Hoseok turns to address Sk’jin again.

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

A familiar hum suddenly fills the air and Hoseok moves instinctively.

The NaviLet in his hand burns into bright pieces as something incredibly hot sears over his ear. Hoseok hears Namjoon gasp in shock and Sk’jin stumbling.

Hoseok reaches back, grappling Yoongi who was still holding up the Heliord in his hands and twists his wrist, making him drop the weapon onto the granular sandy floor. But before Hoseok can even begin to try and apprehend Yoongi, the Human is moving already- straight for Sk’jin.

Another Heliord blade burns up in the air and it flashes and slices across the air right around Sk’jin’s head.

A green bubble immediately erupts around the Human who nonchalantly drops the Heliord onto the ground and then proceeds to strip.

‘Yoongi-!’ Sk’jin gasps as he stumbles and falls back, his hand automatically clutching his ear, his expression slightly pained. There’s blood seeping through Sk’jin’s fair fingers.

‘What in Spaces-‘ Namjoon pants out, helping Sk’jin stand up as Hoseok stands in front of the two of them. Taeh’yung appears from near the Hangar gateway, his hands glowing green and a quizzical expression on his face.

What was Yoongi doing?

Standing in just his underwear Yoongi finally turns to address them, hands raised up above his head as though to show he held no weapons. Hoseok can’t help but notice the intensity of scars and discolouration all over the Human’s body. Not a single inch of his skin was left unmarred.

‘We are under surveillance,’ is his extraordinary statement, unfazed by his near complete ness. ‘And we are being tracked. This entire mission was a set-up.’

‘What the -‘ Sk’jin still sounds like he can’t believe what just happened.

Hoseok carefully studies what Yoongi just did. The ship shut-down. He just destroyed the NaviLet in Hoseok’s hands, including all of their Comm-Devices.

‘How do you know this?’ Namjoon demands.

‘Because Yisheng Amme told me.’

‘What?!’

Taeh’yung approaches them cautiously, peeking over Namjoon’s shoulders.

‘The Užkulisai-02 was designed and rigged to be used and operated for Mission 013-937619.’ Yoongi states. ‘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 sounds stricken, barely grasping for words, his eyes flashing red.

Yoongi stares at them steadily.

‘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 hisses, storming up towards Yoongi.

‘You don’t,’ Yoongi replies simply. ‘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.’

No one speaks.

‘We were tricked,’ Yoongi says simply. ‘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.’

Sk’jin curses in a jumble of his own language, walking away, anger obvious in his movements. Namjoon is still staring at Yoongi, studying the Human intently.

‘in’ hell this ed up-‘ Sk’jin is seething furiously while Taeh’yung jumps around trying to placate the Khol’isa.

‘Namjoon, Hoseok, Sk’jin,’ Yoongi addresses them steadily. ‘Please.’

Sk’jin pauses in the middle of his angry outbreak before sitting down on the ground, clearly done with the entire situation. He glances up at them and says, ‘So what do we now?’.

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

Namjoon glances back at the Užkulisai with a dark gleam in his eyes.

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

*

(Author’s Note)

Wow two weeks into university and I want it to end already this is a great start guys, I love life, I love university, why am I doing this? Oh right, so that I can get a job in the future so that I can eat, have a roof over my head, and have access to wifi.

So yes! I will only be updating every two weeks from now on! I could probably do weekly updates but I don’t want to compromise the quality of my chapters ehe, so yeah

I want to say I hope this chapter clarifies things but I know that’s a lie but hey! Taeh’yung is officially a part of the Užkulisai! Yay!

I also just found out that Hansol from Toppdogg just came out as aual and I feel like I could cry

This is such a big deal omg. While I don’t know the band all too well, I did read articles about how fans were worried about him some time ago and how appeared to be suicidal and oh god this is such an important news omg bless his soul that was such a brave thing to do oh my god. As an aual person myself, this really hits me hard. I really REALLY ING hope he’s not given a harsh time for this. Oh my god I’m shook, legit wow.

Most people won’t really understand what this would mean to other aces – it’s different from coming out as any of the other lgbqt but at the same time similar.

Most times people ask you if there’s something wrong with you, or that you probably haven’t met the “right person to ” or something along that line and to come out and just very honestly state that you’re aual and don’t want anything to do with is just- god I don’t even know what to say.

But yes! YES! Go Hansol! Embrace it, be proud of it, and anyone who thinks otherwise! #REPRESENTACE

also this was beta-d very quickly so please excuse any grammatical errors.

See you in the next update!!