‘What in Spaces just happened?!’ Hoseok demands as he bursts in, in time to witness Sk’jin sinking into his pilot’s seat, face buried in his hands. Namjoon is in a similar disposition but he’s quick to recover. The Bridge it lit up with the white light of warped space, the flare of it reduced and comfortingly familiar to Hoseok. At least here in warp space they were momentarily safe.

Namjoon stands up from where he’d been squatting, making his way towards the Bridge door.

‘Need to check on Yoongi-‘

Hoseok stops him, holding him back.

‘He’s being taken care of by Taeh’yung- he’ll be fine without any of us having to in.’ Hoseok says, grip tightening over the Kutsoglerin’s arm. ‘I need an explanation.’

‘So do I,’ Namjoon retorts, pulling his arm out of Hoseok’s hold.

‘We all need an explanation,’ Sk’jin says tiredly from the front. ‘And none of us have the answers- only Jimin does.’

‘Wait- how did this even happen? How is he awake? Since when?’ Hoseok demands, walking up towards Sk’jin who stands wearily.

‘You can both watch the moment it happened.’ The Khol’isa says instead.

Pulling up the surveillance footage from barely an hour ago, the three gather around the Navigation Table and watch.

Sk’jin’s back is turned to Taeh’yung who is crouched beside the OrTank. They can hear that he’s speaking- but it’s in a language none of them understand.

‘Lisai- can you translate that?’ Namjoon asks, sectionalizing that audio in particular.

‘Language unknown. No translations available.’ Lisai responds. Namjoon huffs in exasperation.

They watch as Sk’jin pushes Van Seulgaan back, only to be shoved back as well. And then suddenly Taeh’yung steps back from his kneeling position. Namjoon quickly zooms in on the surveillance here.

The Being in the OrTank- Jimin – opens his eyes.

And quite instantly the OrTank’s fixtures come apart, the side bars opening up like a blossoming flower and the liquid he was suspended in dissipating into the air like mist. It’s somehow entirely unremarkable. Maybe except for the fact that he seemed to be illuminated from within, blurry his outline momentarily. The Android guards are alert, aiming their TeorSers at Jimin and that’s also when Van seems to notice him. It’s an unassuming light- almost primitive, resembling the faint radiance of a candle’s flame. But it suddenly flares from the entirety of his being, solid and lingering. Taeh’yung is quick to act as well, a powerful ring of green light expanding from him, knocking out the entirety of the guards as well as Van.

They survey the footage a little longer until when Taeh’yung disposes of the Android guards and Van Seulgaan with little to no ceremony out of the ship.

‘Just like that?’ Namjoon is talking to himself.

‘It’s Taeh’yung- it has to be.’ Hoseok says at once. There was no other logical explanation. ‘He did say he could communicate with him-‘

‘But he said it wasn’t clear,’ Sk’jin argues. ‘Trust me on this- I don’t think this was Taeh’yung’s doing. Something triggered this event, and I’m pretty sure only Jimin has the answer.’

‘This feels odd,’ Namjoon says, as though he hadn’t heard them speaking.

He rewinds the footage and it’s not to the awakening- but rather to where Jimin is speaking to Sk’jin.

‘What about this is weird?’ Sk’jin asks a little slowly, as though severely judging the Kutsoglerin’s priorities.

‘You just complied.’ Namjoon looks up and then adds, ‘You don’t just comply like this.’

Sk’jin doesn’t even bother looking irritated at what Namjoon is implying, but instead looks thoughtful too. When Hoseok analyzes the footage properly again, he does find it odd, how Sk’jin somehow easily agrees to Taeh’yung’s and Jimin’s requests with little to no argument. Or how Sk’jin just simply drops a topic, his panicked frustration ebbing away in a matter of seconds.

‘It’s not-‘

‘It’s not Taeh’yung,’ Sk’jin says firmly. The conviction in his voice is solid. ‘I don’t know what I was thinking during these moments- when I watch them like this, it’s as though I don’t have any consistent thought- I only remember his words.’

‘Did you understand?’ Namjoon asks as he replays that one short section again.

‘Sk’jin, khognei tak in, kal to ang.’

‘No- I don’t,’ Sk’jin frowns before his eyes widen, leaning back a little as though astounded by the sheer force of his thoughts. ‘I know what this is.’

‘Sk’jin-‘ Namjoon is already standing up from his crouched form, as though ready to placate the Khol’isa.

‘This is hypnosis- it has to be.’ Sk’jin points down. ‘The symptoms all match up. That thing uses hypnosis-‘

Hoseok doesn’t feel like that’s right.

‘Wait,’ Namjoon cuts in, hand raised. ‘But that doesn’t explain the arena.’

‘What about the arena?’ Sk’jin demands, head swiveling over towards Namjoon. Hoseok wouldn’t be surprised if he started breathing out fire.

‘When you landed- it was as though the entire arena were caught in some daze- they were all…awestruck,’ Namjoon says with some hesitance, he’s already typing up something on the side of the Table. ‘This wasn’t just crowd frenzy- it wasn’t-‘

‘Hypnosis requires some form of eye-contact, a trigger to activate the hypnosis,’ Hoseok supplies, thinking back to how Yoongi had snagged the bells off of Sk’jin’s robes. Namjoon pulls up the live footage that had been streaming only minutes ago and rewinds it to the moment the Užkulisai lands and the moment Jimin apparently jumps off.

Namjoon zooms in on the crowds of the arena.

‘They look stunned,’ Sk’jin says slowly. ‘Caught in some…trance or something.’

Their eyes are wide, expressions similar to that of pious Beings reverently worshipping their Deity with all of their heart and devotion. This couldn’t be hypnosis.

But there was somehow literally no other explanation.

‘Is this something coming from him or is it just…Pompen trait?’ Hoseok asks. ‘Because you ran through and you were unaffected.’

Namjoon nods slowly.

‘We’ll have to talk to him,’ Sk’jin says flatly. ‘Just look at his behavior- does this look like someone whose been practically comatose for centuries? When I used to go into chrysalis I was disoriented for days, and that lasted a year max.’

It most certainly didn’t look like it. The Being walks around- well runs around- as though he knew the ship, as though he was used to the technology that was around him. Hoseok can’t be too sure, but whatever tech they had now surely had to be different from whatever time this Being lived in.

‘He also knew our names- well, mine and Yoongi’s,’ Sk’jin adds when no one speaks.

‘We’ll ask Taeh’yung about that- seeing as he’s the only one who’s able to communicate with him,’ Namjoon nods at the freeze-frame of the Being’s face. ‘But for now-‘

He pulls up a screen with the GLA News Broadcast as well as another screen for the Underverse. And just one look shows how much of a mess everything is.

‘They were all there?’ Namjoon asks him.

Hoseok nods, pulling up a holographic screen of his own. ‘Venture Unit is going crazy as well.’

‘You said Amme was there too right?’ Sk’jin asks with a slight frown. ‘I wasn’t expecting her to appear. She’s one of the last members of the Directory.’

‘Yoongi is involved- and I think she’s far more involved with our OrTank than we can guess,’ Namjoon says slowly. ‘After all- they were supposed to be in the combined care of the Yishengs and the Venture Unit.’

‘So you’re saying that she might be more involved in this?’ Sk’jin asks immediately. ‘Are you saying she placed Yoongi here for a reason and it’s because of the OrTank?’

‘I don’t know,’ Namjoon shrugs. ‘I don’t know anything. We need to talk to him.’

They stare at the flashing headlines across the multiple news channels. All of the Universe was focused on Pompa- immediate outcries of taking Pompa out of the GLA are the  most popular notion. Followed by confusion and shock because when Hoseok had released the live-feed, not only did it extend throughout the most of the GLA Universe, but the Underverse again. This brought out their Analysts, who were able to find the source of the channel distribution. By doing so, they were able to identify the ship as GLA property, and that too under the name of a high-profile Officer within the GLA. Many Beings from across the Universe, representing their planet or even System took to the channels, proclaiming their disgust at the corruption and blindness within the GLA.

The GLA never proclaimed that they were perfect. They had a few laws and regulations which were applicable and advantageous for all involved. But they made their mistakes. However the good that came from the GLA was always perceived strong and high enough to gloss over the “few” bad things they engaged in. Besides, the GLA had a good scapegoat in the shape of the Venture Unit.

But this.

This was exposing every single GLA organization.

‘I guess we’ve really kick started something,’ Sk’jin breaks the silence, waving one hand over the screens.

Hoseok isn’t naïve.

To start an avalanche, sometimes all you needed was to throw down a small pebble. And then everything would follow.

The screens display that a total of 8 planets and an entire System had already pulled out of the GLA. And this was only the first hour since the broadcast; which they hadn’t been able to shut down, and had resorted to physically block the satellite camera. Many Beings were already storming up GLA headquarter locations across the Universe, demanding explanations.

‘What did you do?’ Van Seulgaan had sounded so fearful in the footage. ‘What did YOU DO?!’

Had they just unknowingly cast the pebble?

*

They wait until Yoongi is stabilized. The moment he’s cleared and the moment Taeh’yung calls them, Namjoon, Hoseok, and Sk’jin pool downstairs, barricading the way out of the Medical Bay.

Yoongi’s bloodied robes are gone, instead dressed in a pair of clean looking clothes that Namjoon is pretty sure belonged to Hoseok. Hoseok too squints but decides not to ask, probably deciding that there was no point. The Human is stable, and the Medical Bay performing surgery. It smelled like disinfectants and blood but the Bay’s air-freshener system kicks in, cleansing the area.

Namjoon gets a better look at this Jimin, trying to place his species despite knowing that he wouldn’t be able to. Not when even the GLA database had come up empty.

‘So-‘ Namjoon is about to start when Sk’jin cuts in.

‘Explain now,’ the Khol’isa demands, towering over the shorter Being.

Jimin takes a step back, eyebrows furrowed a little, glancing over at Taeh’yung.

Taeh’yung says something, his eyes darting over to all of them. Namjoon recognizes protectiveness from the Zhak’gri, as though ready to defend the unknown Being if needed.

Jimin replies, a little hesitant, eyes darting around at all of them carefully. He doesn’t look scared- he’s careful though, but not out of fear.

Taeh’yung nods with his words, sometimes saying a word or two as though to encourage him.

‘I think we should all introduce ourselves first,’ Taeh’yung beams at them, walking up to stand next to Jimin.

‘Sk’jin,’ the Khol’isa says, though it sounds more like a warning than anything else.

‘Hoseok,’ the Ngfy’widan states clearly with a small nod.

‘Namjoon,’ he adds.

‘And I’m Taeh’yung!’ the Zhak’gri adds unnecessarily.

Jimin seems to find this funny and chuckles a little at the Zhak’gri before he speaks. Taeh’yung listens carefully, nodding before he translates. 

‘Right so- his name is Jimin,’ Taeh’yung begins. ‘He is from Ma‘ikelawī, the center of the System of Menigišiti. And he is the Yemenifesi Ch’inik’eti of his people.’

‘…is that supposed to mean something…’ Sk’jin asks carefully.

‘Yeah- he’s like, the prince- maybe even king. The words don’t really translate all too well into Standard,’ Taeh’yung replies easily.

Every head in the room snaps towards Jimin again who colours a little at the intensity of their stares.

‘…so he’s…royalty?’

‘Well- I think the better term would be…’ Taeh’yung struggles a little. Jimin says something quietly, a questioning tone to his voice.

‘He’s like the…protector? Defender? No that’s not it…-deity? No,’ Taeh’yung shakes his head, pausing to think. The silence continues on for far too long and Namjoon decides to break the silence.

‘We’ll just stick with prince for now?’ Namjoon offers, noticing how Sk’jin rolls his eyes, arms crossed.

‘Well yes- prince I guess.’ Taeh’yung nods before adding, ‘What would you like to know?’

‘First of all, what was he doing inside the OrTank? How did he get in there?’ Namjoon asks before Sk’jin can say anything. They needed to get some base questions answered first before they could proceed to other details.

Taeh’yung translates, words pulling and pausing as though he was listening to someone else speak and he was merely repeating the words. It does sound a little different than how Jimin spoke it, that was for sure. The language was purely tonal, the lilts of his syllables changing with every word, sounding oddly melodic.

Jimin’s expression darkens a little, looking melancholic and suddenly withdrawn. He nods once before he speaks.

‘I was on a diplomatic mission,’ Taeh’yung translates immediately, leaning in into Jimin as though to better hear him. Jimin looks at all of them as he speaks, earnestness and honesty apparent in his voice. ‘My sister who is the queen sent me to outer rim to meet with the GLA authorities. We were unsure of what the GLA meant- because they claimed that we had sent them a distress signal, but we had done no such thing. I lead my group of guards, as well as researchers, towards the Gateway. As our System was so well guarded, and we did not allow any to enter, we met at the Gateway. However, when we arrived there we would find out that it was all a trap.’

Jimin’s expression darkens even more before he continues, staring down at the floor, his hands clenched into tight fists.

‘The Gateway had been attacked- by a great Red Evil we did not recognize. They plundered the Gateway, and all her people. We were too late to help- I had left with the purpose of diplomatic negotiations, and armed only to escape or defend. Not for offence. We were stranded in the Gateway.’ Taeh’yung pauses as he listens to Jimin speak. ‘-and then we were discovered. Slowly, they took us one by one, until it was only me.’

Jimin looks away for a moment, to look down at Yoongi.

‘I was alone, running away- and then I met Yoongi-‘

Jimin’s words are met with stunned disbelief and shock.

‘Wait what-?’ Hoseok cuts in, disbelief etched on his features.

‘He’s lying-‘ Sk’jin rolls his eyes at once.

‘He can’t.’ Taeh’yung cuts in unexpectedly.

‘What?’

‘He can’t lie.’ Taeh’yung repeats. ‘It is against his nature- the Yemenifesi Ch’inik’eti do not and cannot lie.’

‘That’s a lie,’ Sk’jin points out. ‘Everyone lies. Children, before they are aware of truth and falsehoods lie. He’s a grown midget adult- of course he lies.’

‘No, Sk’jin,’ Taeh’yung’s expression is deadly serious. ‘There is no lie in his soul.’

Everyone stares at Jimin and then at Yoongi, their thoughts haywire.

‘Assuming he’s truthful,’ Namjoon ploughs on, wanting to get to the bottom of this story. ‘That’s impossible. I know what Jimin is talking about. The Bhumi Treaty is a known piece of historical data within the GLA- the results were never made public, but the GLA, and especially the Venture Unit Information Analysts know of it. The System of Bhumi refused to join the GLA, and so signed a Treaty to never interfere with the GLA so long as the GLA didn’t interfere with them- they were run by a regency…’ Namjoon pauses.

He spoke to Lmiura about this exact same piece of information when she had come to him in Dziko.

‘What do you know about the Bhumi System?’ Lmiura asks.

Namjoon sighs heavily in resignation, leaning back on the wall and crossing his arms over his chest as he replies, ‘It was never a part of the GLA- they had their own planetary regency that ruled the planets. They had surprisingly advance technology developed by the natives of the System- most notably a sort of “space-camouflage” that hid their existence from the rest of the Known Universe. They refused to merge with the GLA – even in Trade and Tourism. They signed a treaty with the GLA, declaring their own independence. Their only request was to be left alone and the GLA respected that as per the laws of the GLA. However, 8 centuries later, a distress signal from Bhumi was detected and the GLA sent a small platoon to check on the System. They picked up some refugees who refused to seek shelter from the GLA and instead accompanied them back to their home-System. The platoon, including the native ships were annihilated upon arrival without any survivors. The System of Bhumi was lost for a few sols before the GLA was able to enter and find it again, thus giving the GLA the first evidence on the existence of the Akramanese.’

‘Well summarized,’ Lmiura nods. ‘Now, let me ask you a question: for a System that had no contact beyond its own borders, and a System that remained purposefully hidden for so long, how is it that you think the Akramanese found them?’

Namjoon studies Lmiura’s expression, searching for something, anything.

‘You can’t be serious?’

‘I am- it was perfect. At the time, the Yishengs needed a vast scape for their experimentation- a place that the GLA wouldn’t enter or observe. When Bhumi signed that treaty, they signed their own death sentence.’

‘They knew who he was,’ Namjoon says at once. ‘They found him, inside the ship, with the other OrTanks, and identified him. According to Lmiura, the entire thing had been conducted as a result of the Yisheng Directory’s meddling- which was how the Akramanese got to them- they used his System’s “camouflage” technology to develop and create their own.’

‘But how is this connected to Yoongi,’ Hoseok points out. ‘Unless-‘

‘Unless he was really there, and he too was similarly captured,’ Namjoon adds, before turning to Jimin, ‘How did you meet Yoongi? Who was he?’

Taeh’yung rushes to translate to a confused Jimin who was just staring blankly at them.

‘He says Yoongi was there with another team- they arrived after the Gateway was overtaken. He was afraid that they were planted there to lure him out. Because the Red Evil had many aides and kept many enslaved minds to do their bidding. That had been their original downfall, which led to their stranding.’

‘Yoongi was part of the GLA?’ Hoseok frowns. ‘He has to be- if he was an Agent in the Venture Unit, we would have been able to find evidence of his participation. All Agents of the Venture Unit are archived, no matter who they were.’

‘He also says,’ Taeh’yung continues, ‘That after he decided to trust them, they tried to take him out of the Gateway, to at least give him protection from the Red Evil, and report the situation to the GLA. They were unsuccessful, and the team, similar to his own guards, were taken one by one. Yoongi was the last- and he died trying to protect him.’

Namjoon hears Sk’jin’s breath getting caught.

‘He couldn’t have died,’ the Khol’isa says slowly.

‘I’m going to make a guess here,’ Hoseok says grimly. ‘But the Red Evil he’s talking about- they were the Akramanese, weren’t they? Based on the first findings of the Venture Unit regarding the Akramanese, they were said to originate from Bhumi. But seeing as Jimin here seems to consider them an invading group- they probably were not from Bhumi.’

‘So then the Akramanese conducted this?’ Sk’jin looks skeptical. ‘They lured in the GLA and the Bhumians?’ 

‘Taeh’yung?’ Namjoon asks.

The Zhak’gri nods before translating. Jimin nods at the question before he replies.

‘No- we were not called by the Red Evil,’ Taeh’yung translates. ‘We were contacted through the GLA channel kept by the treaty-panel, which included my sister and myself. Which was why I left. Had we been contacted by another channel, we would have left with the armada. Our system is special and unique- and we would protect it to the death.’

‘Does…does he remember? The names of the Beings involved in the treaty-panel?’ Sk’jin asks carefully. Taeh’yung translates immediately.

‘Senator Enza, Yisheng Ndica, Zo Ingaal, and Admiral K’mara.’

Everyone reacts to the final name, eyes widening, curses being mumbled.

‘Why am I not surprised,’ Hoseok breathes out under his breath.

‘How did you communicate?’ Sk’jin asks, eyebrow raised.

‘Yisheng Ndica could speak for the Panel- he was able to understand us, as we were able to understand him, though his vocabulary was somewhat lacking.’

‘So-‘

‘Wait- we need to hear the end,’ Namjoon takes a deep breath, his mind reeling with all of this information. ‘What happened after- after Yoongi died.’

Taeh’yung translate again, his voice sad. Jimin’s head suddenly bows, looking pained as he speaks.

‘There was nothing I could do,’ Taeh’yung repeats softly. ‘We hid and hid for so long- it wasn’t just physical exhaustion. The Red Evil spread, tainting not only the planet but our very souls, our hearts. And we tried so hard to fight it. Yoongi tried so hard.’

To Namjoon’s disquiet, there are tears in both Jimin and Taeh’yung’s eyes. Jimin’s voice is watery, breaking every now and then.

‘After Yoongi died, I couldn’t do it anymore,’ Taeh’yung translates quietly, reaching over to hold Jimin’s hand. ‘So when they came for me. I didn’t fight. They tried to make me talk. To tell them the secret of my home. But I didn’t. I refused. When I tried to take my own life- they stopped me and put me to Sleep. And I was trapped. Sometimes I could hear voices- sometimes I could hear singing, whispers. It was always white- always empty. But somehow, always so full.’

Jimin finally looks up, looking them all in the eye.

‘I cannot explain to you what that was- where that was, but I was trapped, for a very long time. But I could almost wake at one point. I was able to hear. And I could hear your voices. All of your voices.’ Taeh’yung repeats. Jimin smiles, looking back at Yoongi. ‘And I could see your dreams. Your nightmares. And I knew I was close. That I could wake up. And then I heard Taeh’yung, and we spoke. He told me about you, and who you were.’

‘Didn’t you say he told you that we were supposed to take him back to his home?’ Hoseok quips up. ‘That’s how he knew- because if he is telling the truth, then it means he thought we were still the same GLA mission team that was with him before.’

Taeh’yung nods at that, ‘Yeap! I told them you guys were cool GLA people!’

Sk’jin grimaces comically at that.

‘All right- before anything, we need to redraw our trajectory,’ Namjoon announces. Sk’jin’s head turns sharply towards him, his expression dubious and questioning.

‘He’s from Bhumi- and he’s talking about his system- the one that’s hidden.’ Hoseok explains before Namjoon can. ‘If anyone knows a way in- then he should know.’

Taeh’yung starts to question Jimin immediately who nods at once in understanding before he replies, looking at them with a hopeful smile that doesn’t need translating.

‘All right- let’s go up to the Navigation Table,’ Namjoon says. ‘We’ll find a way to get in, and get him back to his planet.’

‘Namjoon-‘ Sk’jin frowns.

‘He doesn’t want to leave Yoongi,’ Taeh’yung interrupts as he translates for Jimin. And sure enough, Jimin hasn’t budged an inch.

Namjoon catches Sk’jin raising one irritated eyebrow at him, and then a very skeptical eyebrow at Jimin. Talent.

‘Well- we can’t bring the Navigation Table down here,’ Sk’jin says with blunt emphasis.

Taeh’yung says something again and Jimin’s expression takes on one that promises stubbornness. One that Namjoon doesn’t want to deal with.

‘It’s fine- I’ll bring the NaviLet,’ Namjoon intercedes before Sk’jin goes off again. He leaves the Medical Bay and isn’t surprised to hear Sk’jin follow after him.

‘What is it-‘

‘You know perfectly well!’ Sk’jin snaps as they climb up the stairs. ‘What we’re doing right now is beyond stupid! Going straight to Bhumi? Really?’

‘Look,’ Namjoon turns his head a little to address the Khol’isa. ‘The GI do not have any memories or any form of identity- so how does Yoongi still have his name? Why does Jimin know him by this name?’ Namjoon asks quietly. ‘No- this wasn’t random. Yoongi being the only GI agent with fully functional self-awareness and identity is not a coincidence- this was done on purpose. They knew- they knew who Yoongi was, and they knew who Jimin was. And they’ve purposefully sent them here together.’

‘And so us going and doing exactly what they sent us out to do is the correct thing to do?’ Sk’jin hisses. ‘What if this is what triggers another Gaia Case-‘

‘It won’t because we know,’ Namjoon argues back. ‘Didn’t you say you wanted to know what was happening too?’

‘I do! But what I’m saying is that we need more time! To better understand and analyze-‘

‘We’ve started something,’ Namjoon shakes his head. ‘And it’s going to catch up to us. And when it does, we’ll be stopped- and we will never know.’

‘Is that what you’re telling yourself?’ Sk’jin demands. ‘And don’t talk about Yoongi as if you care for him. Yoongi could have died- he would be dead if it weren’t for Jimin. How are you so blasé about this?’

‘He wouldn’t have died-‘ Namjoon grits out as they arrive at the Bridge.

‘Can you even hear yourself?!’ Sk’jin hisses. ‘I can’t believe you’re the leader of this group! Your reckless plans and pride nearly got someone from your team killed and you don’t even seem remotely ashamed?!’

‘For s sake Sk’jin you don’t think I know that?’ Namjoon demands, pulling out the NaviLet from under the Navigation Table a little too forcefully.

‘Looking at you right now I don’t think you do!’ Sk’jin snaps back.

‘And might I remind you that it was Yoongi who continued on with the plan- he was the one who said he wanted to fight. I didn’t make him- none of us did. He was the one who volunteered in the beginning!’ Namjoon argues back as they make their way out.

‘Yoongi is not normal!’ Sk’jin hisses, his footsteps loud as he follows him down the stairs. ‘He doesn’t think the same way like we do- he doesn’t see what-‘

‘Are you second-guessing Yoongi’s decisions? Because he sure didn’t seem unsure when he poisoned us all-‘

‘-he was under orders-‘

‘-like you? Like the rest of us-‘

‘We are- were under orders- what Yoongi did, his decision, was his own-‘

‘-which wouldn’t have happened if-‘

‘If what?’ Namjoon finally stands straight, facing Sk’jin head on. ‘Please tell me what else we could have done- please tell me my mistakes Sk’jin, I beg of you.’

Sk’jin glares at him, eyes fierce. But behind all that irritation, Namjoon sees something else. Fear.

‘Look-‘

‘Did you guys…’ Hoseok is standing by the doorway to the Medical Bay, eyebrows raised.

‘I got the NaviLet,’ Namjoon raises the device up as he continues to walk. Sk’jin had paused for a moment.

He leaves the two outside for a moment, trying not to think about it. Instead he pulls up one of the surgical tray-arms from the wall and balances the NaviLet over it.

‘All right Jimin,’ Namjoon says with a nod towards Taeh’yung to start translate. ‘I’m gonna show you a map of a System we call Bhumi. Tell me if you recognize it.’

Jimin nods as he listens to Taeh’yung translate his words.

Namjoon pulls up the map, expanding it so that it was in Jimin’s eyelevel. Sk’jin and Hoseok walk in, the former looking calmer and less agitated. Jimin scans the holographic map, eyebrows furrowed. He’s saying something to Taeh’yung who nods once more.

‘Bhumi,’ Taeh’yung replies to one of Jimin’s questions.

‘Bhu-Bhumi?’ Jimin repeats the word slowly, eyebrows furrowing before his eyes widen just a little. An expression flits across his features- one of pain and sorrow. He’s quickly asking Taeh’yung something who nods in understanding and the Zhak’gri is reaching across, tapping over the NaviLet. Namjoon would have never guessed that Taeh’yung would be efficient in matters regarding Navigation, or in all honesty, anything technical considering how scatter-brained the latter seemed. Namjoon was obviously wrong because Taeh’yung pulls up the customization tab for the map. But before he can explain what it is, Jimin exclaims out loud, reaching forward to shift the map.

For someone who was asleep for a long period of time, or something along that line, Jimin had an incredibly easy command over the technology in front of him. He slowly rotates the map, before pulling at the edges of the holograph, expanding it until he stood at the center of the holograph. He turns around in the spot slowly, the blue of the holograph highlighting his hair.

‘Menigišiti,’ Jimin says simply. Then he frowns, saying something to Taeh’yung who points at the customization panel on the holographic display. Jimin reaches up, touching the panel with a slight frown. Taeh’yung is explaining and Jimin nods. Then with a little more confidence he taps across the holograph and then adds 3 more planets. Then he steps away, shrinking the map a little so that they could look at it from around the map.

Jimin points at each planet, naming them easily. He reaches the outer most planet before he says : ‘Megibīya.’

‘Gateway,’ Taeh’yung translates. ‘It means gateway, in his language.’

‘So this is where it happened,’ Hoseok frowns, stepping closer. ‘He’s placed 14 planets here though- but we know that Bhumi has 11 planets.’

Jimin shakes his head at that and Taeh’yung translates for him: ‘I would know- I lived there. It is my home.’

‘Tae, ask him if he knows anything about the Akramanese,’ Sk’jin puts in bluntly. Taeh’yung nods and repeats Sk’jin’s question to Jimin.

‘Akramanese?’ Jimin repeats, looking thoughtful. But then, a few moments later he points at one of the newly added planets and says, ‘Akramana.’

‘Can he tell us more about this planet?’ Namjoon asks at once.

Taeh’yung relays the question and Jimin’s expression takes on one that’s a little confused and also suddenly dark.

‘It’s the planet where they met with the Treaty Panel,’ Taeh’yung says. ‘It was where they hosted the GLA emissary for the duration they were there.’

Namjoon studies its placement in the map.

‘How did they find it? How did the GLA come there?’ Hoseok asks.

Jimin pauses a little, eyes narrowing slightly as he regards all of them. Taeh’yung says something else but Jimin shakes his head.

‘He is not allowed to speak of the secrets of his System to those who are not born of their core,’ Taeh’yung translates. ‘But there are some ways of entering Menigišiti, that are not just through Megibīya. They were however all sealed and protected after the Treaty Panel left.’

‘Not at all suspicious or weird,’ Sk’jin says under his breath.

‘But can we get in?’ Namjoon asks, ignoring Sk’jin.

Jimin nods at that, and asks a question.

‘Where are we right now?’ Taeh’yung translates.

Namjoon minimizes the map of Bhumi and pulls up their current coordinates.

‘We’re here,’ Namjoon points at their moving dot. ‘We’re going here.’ he taps at Ch’dra.

Jimin nods, head turning between the two priority maps set up.

‘How long will it take to get to Menigišiti from this location?’ Taeh’yung asks.

‘It depends on which trajectory we’re taking,’ Namjoon replies, glancing at Hoseok. ‘It also depends on where we can safely dock to restock on fuel and other supplies.’

‘But if we’re going by a route we had first planned,’ Hoseok adds, ‘It would take us approximately 3 GLA months.’

Taeh’yung translates the information and Jimin nods in understanding.

‘We can access 3 different entrances- one is obviously through the Gateway,’ Taeh’yung says. ‘But there are two that should be unknown and still hidden.’

‘I think the Gateway won’t be advisable,’ Hoseok ruminates. ‘It’s the planet that’s exposed to the rest of the Universe despite the entire area being barricaded. We can’t risk going through.’

Everyone jumps when Yoongi’s Medical Bed beeps loudly. Jimin’s attention is instantly riveted, looking over the Human with apparent worry and fear.

‘It’s all right,’ Sk’jin says sharply. ‘It’s just the indication that the surgery was successful.’

Taeh’yung translates and Jimin nods, smiling at Sk’jin in thanks.

‘I have a few questions,’ Sk’jin continues, sending Namjoon a glare that dares him to interrupt. ‘I would appreciate some answers.’

Jimin nods as soon as Taeh’yung finishes translating.

‘What is this?’ Sk’jin asks, shoving a screen at Jimin. It’s playing the footage of the moment where the Užkulisai lands, and the people of Pompen are all at awe. Then the footage changes to the one from inside the ship, where Jimin himself is speaking to Sk’jin.

Namjoon is about to step in and stop this rather aggressive interrogation but Jimin ducks his head, looking sheepish and guilty.

He starts to talk, sounding somehow small and as though expecting some form of reprimanding lecture. Sk’jin looks livid.

Taeh’yung looks like he’s struggling to translate.

‘Uh- he says it was not done for the sake of manipulating you-‘

Sk’jin’s eyes narrow dangerously.

‘-and that there are no lasting effects,’ Taeh’yung continues, looking nervous on behalf of Jimin who continues with some difficulty. ‘It’s some form of hypnosis, but I don’t think that’s the correct word-‘

‘You ing hypnotized me?!’ Sk’jin hisses.

Jimin doesn’t understand what the Khol’isa is saying but he didn’t need to understand what he meant. His hands go up at once, stammering quickly and fidgeting where he stood.

‘It’s not hypnosis!’ Taeh’yung says at once. ‘It’s just- there’s no word I can use to translate this. It’s unique to him- to the Yemenifesi Ch’inik’eti-‘

‘That doesn’t mean anything to me-‘

‘Sk’jin-‘ Namjoon pulls the Khol’isa aside, whispering low and quickly. ‘Weren’t you just telling me that this entire situation would have ended with Yoongi’s death if it weren’t for Jimin? His actions, meaning his “hypnosis” of you lead to that. He wasn’t doing it for the purpose of misleading you or influencing you to do bad- he did it to save Yoongi.’

Sk’jin pulls his arm out of Namjoon’s hold with a glare.

‘Is that what you did with the crowd?’ Hoseok is asking.

‘The Yemenifesi Ch’inik’eti have the ability to bring…to inspire…awe?’ Taeh’yung tries. ‘Inspire something like…something like mindless amazement. To somehow sway masses, without question, and without awareness of thought.’

‘Oh right- that’s a totally not dangerous ability,’ Sk’jin snaps.

Jimin doesn’t understand, but he can guess what Sk’jin is saying because he looks a little angry as he speaks.

‘It’s not permanent- I can only use it for a short period of time. And only in moments of grave danger, or absolute desperation. I cannot use it like a weapon.’ Taeh’yung translates quickly.

Sk’jin rolls his eyes, clearing disbelieving.

‘Jimin,’ Hoseok calls, as he types along his own screen. ‘Do you recognize any of these Beings?’

Hoseok has pulled up the pictures of Special-Jury. Jimin studies their faces carefully, listening to Taeh’yung’s translation.

He taps on the picture of K’mara, and then at Amme.

‘Amme?’ Sk’jin’s shock seems to momentarily make him forget his anger.

Jimin says something to Taeh’yung who in turn asks him back a question. For a short moment, Namjoon feels distrust as he regards Taeh’yung. Was he truly translating everything accurately? Namjoon glances down at Yoongi for a brief moment, wondering if the Human would understand Jimin or not.

‘Amme was with the Yisheng Ndica,’ Taeh’yung translates. ‘She was only present, but was not part of the Panel.’

‘Well…’ Hoseok trails off, eyebrow raised at Namjoon.

‘Thank you, Jimin,’ Namjoon says as he takes a step back. ‘We’re going to plot the safest trajectory back to Bhumi- I mean, back to your System. If you have anything you want to ask, or know, please do not hesitate to come to any of us.’

Taeh’yung translates as much and Jimin nods, saying something in return.

‘He says if you have any more questions, then he will be more than happy to give you any information you deem is important.’

‘Feel free to do whatever,’ Hoseok adds, ‘He can choose any one of the free cabins.’

Taeh’yung is translating as Namjoon, Hoseok, and Sk’jin walk out.

‘I still think this is dumb, but I know you’re not going to listen to me,’ Sk’jin says as they make for the stairs.

‘I agree with Sk’jin,’ Hoseok adds. ‘We’re doing exactly what they want us to do.’

‘But they don’t know-‘

‘Spaces, Namjoon,’ Sk’jin sighs tiredly as they make it to the second level. ‘I think Van Seulgaan is a pretty good eyewitness, not to mention every single ing Pompen.’

‘I’m not defending this plan-‘ Namjoon starts, pausing on the landing.

‘Yeah? Then why aren’t you listening to me?’ Sk’jin demands.

‘You yourself told me that you wanted to see this through-‘

‘That was before he woke up!’ Sk’jin hisses. ‘Before he said what he said! Before we knew Yoongi is part of this far more than we could have ever thought! Before we realized how ing massive this thing is!’

‘Then you can leave!’ Namjoon retorts in exasperation. ‘If you don’t agree to this, you can just leave!’

Sk’jin glares at him.

‘You can get off on the next planet or Dock-‘

‘You know full well I am not going to do that,’ Sk’jin snaps. ‘I am saying we need to rethink this- come up with a better plan. Find out more information.’

‘And how do you want us to do this? Like I said before Sk’jin, if you have a better idea, please tell me.’ Namjoon huffs out.

‘While I agree with Sk’jin that we need another plan,’ Hoseok cuts in, clearly fed-up with their arguing. ‘We currently don’t have another plan. This isn’t even much of a plan. It’s a part of a plan we haven’t set in concrete. So if you both could put away your defensiveness and anger, I would appreciate it.’

Namjoon feels like he’s a child being chastised and Sk’jin too, frowns, glaring at the floor.

‘While it is our intention to eventually get to Bhumi, or whatever the it’s called, we need to be careful regarding everything. It hasn’t even been more than an hour since Pompa, we cannot come up with a concrete and exclusive plan. We’ve been relying too much on one set-up, and overreacting when something amiss happens.’ Hoseok states. ‘We need to create a flexible plan, one that not only has a plan B or C, but an endless supply. We use what we have, what we know, to our advantage, but we set nothing in stone.’

Namjoon and Sk’jin both nod at the same time at that.

‘So what we do now is concentrate on getting Yoongi conscious and well. Getting supplies and really stocking up on them to the extreme. And keeping a constant eye on the news. And then we come up with a trajectory, making our way, safely, to Bhumi. Our priority is safety, security, and secrecy.’ Hoseok pauses. ‘The GLA is distracted right now- and we can use that to our advantage. No matter how much priority the Special Jury will try to place on us- they cannot do it publically without revealing who we are- they can’t even put out a mass wanted-list or frame us for something else because the higher-ranking officers of every GLA organization as well as the Underverse will be able to guess what they’re up to.’

‘We could throw them off,’ Sk’jin offers. ‘Send false information around the Underverse, make it seem like we’ve been spotted somewhere. Because you can be sure as hell they’ll be actively looking for us- maybe not publically, but they will be scouring for us.’

‘Scatter their forces everywhere,’ Namjoon nods in agreement. ‘Distract them elsewhere and we make our move.’

‘We start there.’ Hoseok nods. ‘Then we make it up as we go.’

Namjoon is uncomfortable at that, and apparently so is Sk’jin.

‘Trust me on this,’ Hoseok says as he walks towards his Cabin, ‘No offence to the both of you but this is a mission. And we need to start thinking like agents.’

*

The news about the Pompen involvement with the Pageant is the only thing over on the GLA news broadcast in nearly every channel. Reporters from across the Universe are gathered there- while some even bring up the Alliance and some other shady trafficking pirate-networks.

Namjoon switches the screen to the ship’s surveillance footage instead, taking a short break. There was nothing about the ship in the stadium, nothing about the bright light. The entire Pageant issue taking up, rightly so, the news networks. They were covered for now.

He understands Hoseok’s point of view, and Namjoon is all too willing to take it up and apply it to their situation. But that didn’t mean he was comfortable with it. Namjoon always had a plan- always had a concrete goal, and was able to move within those confines because he knew exactly what to do and how to do it. But like this, it was difficult.

He checks the Medical Bay and finds that Jimin hasn’t moved away from Yoongi.

He had met and known Yoongi eight centuries ago. How long had they remained in that planet? Running and hiding from a force they were not equipped to fight, incapable of understanding because who could? There was so much Jimin’s story explained, but Namjoon has so many more questions.

Checking over at the cockpit Namjoon eyes Hoseok who is reading some Underverse communication line he had just hacked, clearly looking up information.

‘I’m stretching,’ Namjoon calls. Hoseok nods in reply.

Namjoon makes his way down to the lowest level and to the Medical Bay.

Jimin is sitting next to the Medical Bed, looking over at Yoongi’s still unconscious form. He’s humming under his breath. Jimin has Yoongi’s hand in his, gentle but firm.

It was hard to believe, that such a strange, long winded and stretched out reunion would have ever taken place. Namjoon still isn’t sure what to believe in. But Taeh’yung trusted Jimin. And Sk’jin trusted Taeh’yung. And oddly enough, Hoseok trusted Sk’jin. And Namjoon finds that he trusts Hoseok. So in one long twisted way, here they were, suspended in this not-plan-plan.

Jimin looks up when he notices Namjoon there.

They were without lies and falsehoods; according to Taeh’yung. Something that honestly just triggers a whole lot of distrust inside Namjoon. Because no Being in this Universe could be like this. But apparently Jimin was exactly that.

He smiles, calling his name, ‘Namjoon.’

Namjoon looks over at Yoongi. His health is improving at a great rate, though he was really using up a lot of medical supplies. Namjoon puts the supplies for the Medical Bay at highest priority.

Jimin smiles and holds out his hand, expression expectant.

Namjoon hesitates before giving him his hand.

Jimin’s touch is light but quick. He flips Namjoon’s hand around, pushing up the sleeves of his shirt. His expression is disturbed; pained almost. Then he’s on tiptoe, reaching up to touch Namjoon’s face. He doesn’t mask his feelings; he’s open and free with what he’s feeling.

Honestly, if living with Taeh’yung (even though it wasn’t too long) taught him one thing, it was not to fidget too much or be too shocked when he decided to randomly your face. Though when Jimin does it, it’s different.

He’s studying, reading, analyzing.

At this proximity his eyes really do look a lot like solar eclipses. Permanently stuck solar eclipses.

To Namjoon’s horror, Jimin’s eyes are filling up with tears. Namjoon has a feeling he’s able to see more than just the surface of his own skin. Namjoon doesn’t move or squirm as Jimin continues to check his limbs carefully; touching the bionic flesh lightly. He’s saying something, voice tight and wet. Taeh’yung’s head peaks in. He asks Jimin a question and the latter replies, voice wobbly.

Taeh’yung looks sad as well. But not in regards to Jimin. Because he’s looking at Namjoon.

‘What is it?’ Namjoon asks, a little unnerved.

Taeh’yung shakes his head, and doesn’t translate what Jimin says. Instead the latter rolls his sleeves down, gently his hand and then his face. He really has to tiptoe, reaching up this forehead. Namjoon squats down a little, and this gives Jimin the opportunity to kiss his forehead.

‘And I could see your dreams. Your nightmares.’

How much had Jimin seen? Jimin leans back a little and smiles. Namjoon tries his best to return it. What he isn’t expecting is the hug.

It feels almost as though Jimin is trying to hold him together- trying to channel all of his feelings towards Namjoon, as though hoping he would understand. But Namjoon’s not sure what the context is. But instead of questioning his actions, Namjoon hugs the shorter Being back.

‘Uh- it’s all right? Thank you?’ Namjoon finds himself saying.

Taeh’yung must be translating because Jimin nods into his shoulder before pulling away.

Namjoon is confused. And even more so when he finds Jimin doing the same to Hoseok a few hours later.

Jimin cornered Hoseok in the Kitchen where the latter had been fixing himself up something to eat. At first Hoseok thought Jimin wanted to eat and had offered his food. Instead of taking the proffered sautéed greens, Jimin took Hoseok’s face in his hands.

The Ngfy’widan actually took it better than Namjoon anticipated as he watched a little cautiously from the Lobby. Yoongi had done something similar to him before, so maybe Hoseok thought it was a Beings-Who-Were-Born-From-OrTanks sort of characteristic.

Hoseok had, for the fun of it, changed his face while Jimin was examining him. There was a lot of panicking, confusion, and then wonder, and then delight as Jimin understood what was happening. Jimin breaks out into laughter as Hoseok changes his face into a number of different sets, all intentionally unflattering. Jimin places his hand over his face as it undergoes change and his facial expression is priceless. But there was a point where Jimin took Hoseok’s hands in his. He gently traces the lines on his palm, making lines over Hoseok’s skin.

His expression is the same as when he was holding Namjoon’s hand. Pained, sad, and something Namjoon doesn’t recognize. What Namjoon doesn’t expect is Hoseok’s reaction.

He jumps, as though Jimin’s touch scalded him. But Jimin doesn’t let go. Instead he flattens the hand in his, and mimes something in the air. Judging by the stunned look on Hoseok’s face, it wasn’t making sense to him too. But Jimin is sort of satisfied- and he kisses his palm before he lets go. And then he’s smiling, gesturing to his face and then back at his own. He does this a few times before Hoseok guesses what he’s asking.

With an amused smile Hoseok’s face shifts into something that could almost pass off as Jimin’s face.

Jimin’s entire body is shaking as he laughs, clearly delighted. He then drags Hoseok over to Namjoon, gesturing again. Namjoon waits apprehensively and his apprehension is not for nothing because he never wants to see his face on Hoseok’s ever again.

Despite their rather rough “relationship”, Sk’jin stays put as Jimin “studies” him as well. He was still clearly distrustful, his posture stiff. But it was as though Sk’jin took this opportunity to study Jimin as well. They’re both studying each other, eyes piercing though the intent is completely different. Sk’jin had made rounds, checking up on Yoongi with his own eyes, when Jimin approached him.

Namjoon had held his breath in trepidation, ready to intervene in case Sk’jin flipped. But it’s not the case.

Jimin carefully runs his hands through Sk’jin’s hair, remaining for a while over his temples. He says something and Sk’jin has an unexpectedly melancholic smile as he mimes something at Jimin. Jimin is still studying his temples with great care and then lowers his hands. And then strangely enough, he places a kiss on Sk’jin’s temple. Even stranger, Sk’jin doesn’t protest.

Taeh’yung certainly didn’t mind. That was when you could hear Jimin speaking rapidly, asking questions and speaking a mile. Then they would both burst out into giggles, Taeh’yung tickling the Ma‘ikelawīan’s sides.

Jimin is given his own room, Cabin-06, but he rarely stayed there. He had looked through the chamber with great interest, feeling the pillows and mattress. But he stayed in the Medical Bay more often than not.

Yoongi was recovering slowly but surely. The fight, what with the long-term effects of the poison, had greatly drained and damaged the Human’s muscular system. His organs had, at one point, all failed. Taeh’yung and Jimin’s combined efforts, along with the Medical Bed’s operation system, pulled him through. All they could do now was wait for the Human to regain consciousness.

When they’re close enough to Ch’dra, Hoseok calls Taeh’yung and Jimin up for landing. Jimin’s eyes were wide and in awe as they entered the moon’s atmosphere. He doesn’t say anything, just sticking to the window of the Bridge despite warnings of remaining seated. In the end, Hoseok is the one who drags the Ma‘ikelawīan back, grimacing pointedly. Jimin smiles sheepishly before he acquiesces and remains seated until they land.

They land in Ch’dra and it’s blissfully void of any other ship. According to the latest news, every media-based organization was still over at Pompa to cover the situation. The GLA could do nothing to prevent this sudden surge of traffic and were barely making progress with investigations. They had created a perimeter around the planet’s borders but were barely maintaining it. Namjoon spares them no pity.

This also meant that the Special Jury were stuck there and Namjoon prefers that as well.

The moment Jimin sees Namjoon un-buckling himself, he flies out of the Bridge, Taeh’yung right at his heels. Sk’jin snorts when the two drop by the Medical Bay, carefully checking on Yoongi’s still unconscious form before scrambling away.

‘Children,’ Sk’jin snorts, rolling his eyes.

‘Do we just let them go out?’ Hoseok asks.

‘By all means, go after them,’ Sk’jin sighs tiredly, looking like he just wanted to sleep the day away. He would, if he could.

Hoseok pauses to think before he too leaves the Bridge. Namjoon spots him standing by the doorway leading out of the Bridge, watching Jimin and Taeh’yung run about in the strange glaring light from Ch’dra’s planet. They quickly stock up on supplies again, really keeping store with the fuel, water cells, and medical supplies.

Towards the evening, Hoseok takes the final trip to the Android-serviced Station and Jimin trailing him. The Ma‘ikelawīan doesn’t seem to care that Hoseok doesn’t understand him, and engages him in conversation. It’s mainly lots of pointing and Namjoon guesses Jimin is describing some landscape feature he’s seen before and was making a comparison. Hoseok tries his best to respond but it’s a little futile.

‘Pa! I’m gonna cook! Would you like some tea?’ Taeh’yung chirps across the line.

Namjoon is working at his station while Sk’jin carefully overlooks their next trajectory in the Bridge, the blue of the holographic map turned purple as they sky above them reflected the orange glare of volcano riddled planet they were orbiting.

‘Sure,’ Namjoon replies dismissively. He can feel Sk’jin’s irritation without having to look at the Khol’isa. It had been building for a while now, but Namjoon didn’t want to address it. His main excuse being it wasn’t his duty, and he had other bigger priorities. But after the 6^th sigh Namjoon looks up, one eyebrow raised.

Sk’jin raises one perfect eyebrow back.

Namjoon sighs in turn, and looks back down at his screen.

‘What are you doing?’ Sk’jin asks as little later as leans over the Table to look at the screen.

‘Setting up a new language reader,’ Namjoon replies. ‘This will provide Jimin with pictures- he’ll provide the name or word that describes that object and Lisai will store it, creating a new lexicon. And of course, vice versa.’

‘So like- a dictionary? But just for his language?’ Sk’jin asks for clarification.

‘It’s a language we’ve never heard before- with very very little similarity to the ones that already exist in the GLA database,’ Namjoon can’t help the excitement leaking through into his voice. ‘The only similarity this language has is with the root language of K’arishkhali and that’s only by 1.4%. Be recording and archiving this language, we can not only establish a new lingual branch into the GLA Database, but also understand the foundations of speech and vocalization.’

‘…that sounds exciting.’

It was actually. But Namjoon doesn’t know how to really express this to him because he feels like the Khol’isa might make light of it.

‘Are you still mad about the hypnosis thing? It’s not hypnosis, you know that right?’ Namjoon tries.

‘Oh- I know it’s not hypnosis. I’m all too familiar with that, won’t you agree?’ Sk’jin asks dryly. ‘Regardless of what it’s called; reverence, awe, whatever, doesn’t stop him from being dangerous.’

‘You’re worried he might manipulate us?’ Namjoon asks, looking away from the screen.

‘I’m worried about what he might be influenced to believe, therefore using his abilities to convince others,’ Sk’jin replies, tapping across the display map.

‘There’s not much he can get influenced by, realistically speaking,’ Namjoon frowns a little. ‘Not to mention the language barrier-‘

‘You don’t need language to understand emotions Namjoon,’ Sk’jin rolls his eyes. ‘In fact, language often acts as a barrier- a filter of sorts, to mask intent and purpose. Lack of it might reveal more than he’s ready to accept or understand.’

Namjoon seems to be thinking hard for a while before he goes back to the screen saying, ‘That probably won’t matter- we’re taking him to Bhumi- I mean to…’ he struggles a bit but fails at saying the real name, ‘-to Bhumi. He’ll return to his planet, and there…maybe that way we can complete what needs to be completed faster.’

‘I sometimes can’t believe the lies you feed yourself.’ Sk’jin says, looking up at him blankly.

Namjoon sighs out wearily.

‘They are not lies- I am trying to think optimistically here-‘

‘Optimism won’t get you far Namjoon- you need to be practical and realistic here,’ Sk’jin says calmly. ‘You said so yourself- he was placed on this ship for a reason. They want us to take him there. Why are we still doing this, knowing now his history and his supposed mission?’

‘HE’S AWAKE!’

They both jump, Taeh’yung’s loud voice suddenly pitching. And sure enough, Yoongi’s health tab lights up on the side of Namjoon’s screen where he’d kept it activated all the time. Sk’jin leaves without preamble and Namjoon sighs. Taking a moment, he reads Yoongi’s charts. Not just for a Human, but for a standard Being, Yoongi’s regeneration speed was incredibly high. It was almost as high as Namjoon’s and Namjoon wasn’t even really all biological. In fact, based on Namjoon’s studies of Yoongi’s health-tab from earlier on the mission, he found that the Human shared a lot of traits in cellular factors with him. Which was why he had immediately thought of giving the Human his own medication. It was a gamble, but it had somewhat paid off.

Namjoon understands Sk’jin’s point of view. He really does.

Because that’s how he felt.  

With a heavy heart, Namjoon makes his way down.

‘Is Yoongi awake?!’ Hoseok suddenly gasps.

‘Yeah?’ Namjoon is taken aback. ‘How do you know-‘

‘Jimin!’

Hurrying down to the lowest Level, Namjoon is in time to watch Taeh’yung hug the Human, pressing their faces together.

‘Yoongi- hey,’ Namjoon is all he can say when the Human looks over at him, eyes slightly disoriented but very much awake.

‘Hi.’ Yoongi says blankly. No tone in his voice to indicate how he was feeling.

‘Uh- how are you feeling-‘ Namjoon tries.

‘Wow, I really wonder how he’s feeling,’ Sk’jin cuts over. ‘You know, from nearly DYING!’

Namjoon has to take a literal moment to collect himself.

‘I don’t know,’ Yoongi replies and then follows it up with, ‘What is the situation of our mission?’

At this, Sk’jin sends him a glare- as though saying see? The mission is the only thing he’s thinking about- he’s not thinking for himself! Namjoon scowls back but before he can reply to Yoongi, Namjoon hears the door to the antechamber burst open. There’s an excited sound from Taeh’yung and Namjoon steps aside, somehow feeling a sense of anticipation for what was about to happen. He hears Hoseok’s warnings before he sees either of them.

‘-wait! Please be careful-!’

Jimin runs inwards, expression hopeful and bright, bringing with him sand and salt, slipping a little around the corner before he barrels in.

‘Yoongi!’

Jimin practically slides across the floors, hands lifted up to cup Yoongi’s face briefly before pulling him into an embrace.

Namjoon can’t help the smile on his face as he watches Yoongi stare about at them, his eyes the widest they’ve ever been. His jaw is a little slack, and his hands lifted up as though in defence before his chest. He looks so confused it’s somehow adorable. Even Sk’jin watches with a somewhat begrudging fondness.

Hoseok appears behind Namjoon. He’s panting, sweat pouring down his face.

‘He bolted for no reason- well, I guess I know why now,’ the Ngfy’widan pants before holding up a small packet, ‘Got the meds.’

Sk’jin takes the packet from Hoseok with a nod of thanks, ignoring Namjoon again.

Namjoon rolls his eyes, and shakes his head at Hoseok when he raises one sweaty eyebrow in inquiry.

Jimin is asking Yoongi questions, hands carefully touching his face. Yoongi is still stunned, eyes wide and unblinking as he gawks at Jimin. Taeh’yung starts providing translations though honestly, Namjoon is pretty sure it’s all going over Yoongi’s head.

And Namjoon is right.

Not only does it go over his head, Yoongi quite literally passes out.

His eyes roll behind his head and his body goes limp.

Jimin is gasping, fearful and worried as he calls Yoongi’s name a few time, gently shaking the Human. Taeh’yung is all over the Medical Bay, rambling in a bunch of languages. Namjoon hears Sk’jin sigh before he takes over the Medical Bed. When Namjoon makes sure Yoongi is all right, he regards Hoseok properly only to find the Ngfy’widan doubled over in suppressed laughter.

‘I’m glad you find the situation funny,’ Namjoon says with a short huff of a laugh. Hoseok just shakes his head, hand over mouth as he walks away. When Namjoon looks back inside the Bay and finds a half-hysterical Jimin being placated by Taeh’yung and his flailing limbs, while Sk’jin looks like he would rather warp straight into a blackhole than be there, Namjoon has to excuse himself to have a good laugh in the neighbouring Medical Bay.

*

Something was different.

‘Do you remember me?’

Jimin is hopeful as he sits close to Yoongi.

Hoseok is hopeful for Jimin. If Yoongi is able to remember, and he’s able to confirm that what Jimin is saying is true, not to mention information from a source that is hidden to them, they would definitely have a bigger head-start than the GLA. They would be able to make plans with more confidence.

‘What?’ Yoongi’s features register nothing but confusion.

Or not.

Jimin doesn’t look too disappointed or surprised. Hoseok has a feeling Taeh’yung might have told him the possibility of that happening.

‘Jimin,’ he repeats again, pointing at himself, and then in turn at Yoongi, ‘Yoongi.’

Hoseok feels like Jimin is trying to trigger some memory in Yoongi, reenacting something that might have taken place a long time ago. If what Jimin is saying is true.

They fill Yoongi in on what happened up until the moment he woke up. As usual he takes the news in all without limited facial expressions, looking at each of them in turn as they spoke. This seems to disturb Jimin the most. He’s watching Yoongi with a sad expression, features occasionally twitching as though controlling himself. Yoongi notices everything and with his usual blank gaze, studies Jimin as though wondering what was the matter. But amidst that blankness, Hoseok notices his ever present confusion. And not to mention something a little frenzied, like he was keeping something back with great will power.

Jimin leaves the Bay a little later, followed by Taeh’yung.

‘Is what he’s saying true?’ Yoongi asks after they’ve finished their summary of everything that’s happened.

‘It adds up to what we know happened,’ Namjoon replies. ‘We cannot be 100% certain.’

‘The sun is behind his eyes.’ is his next remark.

Everyone stares at Yoongi, before looking at each other in confusion.

‘Um yes. So, how are you feeling? Better?’ Sk’jin asks, walking around the Bed to pull up the tray of food he had brought for the Human.

Yoongi nods slowly in reply, looking down at his hands, flexing his fingers.

‘Yoongi look,’ Namjoon sighs out. ‘I’m-‘

‘Don’t say it,’ Yoongi jumps in unexpectedly, still not looking up from his hands. ‘I did what I wanted to do. By my choice, knowing exactly what I was getting myself into. It was necessary, so I did it. Do not apologize.’

Everyone in the room is stunned again.

Hoseok leaves the Bay eventually, followed by Sk’jin who carries the empty food tray.

‘So,’ Sk’jin says in ways of greeting. ‘Do you notice it too?’

‘It could be a fluke,’ Hoseok replies grimly, making his way up to the Bridge. They would leave within the hour so he was going to check over everything one more time to be safe.

‘With everything that’s going on?’ Sk’jin snorts. ‘No Hobi- this isn’t coincidence. And you know it.’

Hoseok grimaces at that before heading up the stairs to the Bridge.

Of course he noticed. It was so so subtle, and Hoseok thought he was imagining it. But he sees it in Sk’jin’s expression, as well as Namjoon. And most of all, in Taeh’yung.

Yoongi woke up different.

*

Yoongi blankly scans the screen in his hands, scanning over the headlines and news. Half of his mind is occupied with the news at hand, and the other half with the information he’s gained from listening to Jimin via Taeh’yung and the questions that came with it.

According to Hoseok, Amme herself had been there, arriving at Pompa after their messages had been sent. Amme had long declared herself stationed in Šerdesas, to remain there and be ready for any questions or inquiries the GLA would have for her. Her coming to Pompa meant something. That what they had uncovered had the potential to trigger something huge. To catalyze a reaction they could not foresee. 

Not to mention the fact that Amme had been there, to a location where Yoongi himself had been to. Had Amme known him before this? Had Zhoumi known of him? Had they singled him out? Orchestrated this entire “wakening” for this purpose?

What of himself did he know anymore?

Would he ever be able to remember, if what Jimin says is true?

Was his name Yoongi all along?

But other than these main thoughts- something small tries to wiggle its way up.

His thoughts feel different- in what way, Yoongi can’t explain. Because he doesn’t have the words for it either. His responses, his actions, seemed to come from his without second thought. A natural reflex- and only after he speaks or acts or sees or feels, he realizes it.

The way he replied to Namjoon’s attempt at apology. The way he couldn’t understand why his body felt so strange. The way his body seemed angled almost differently.

But most of all, the way he wanted to take Jimin and immediately hide him. It made no sense to him, now that we thought about it.

His thoughts are interrupted by movement at the doorway. They had hit warp a few moments ago, so Yoongi guesses they were now able to move. Most of them had announced they would try and sleep and the response from Taeh’yung had been a snore. It almost made Yoongi laugh. But he caught himself, and wondered why that would have made him laugh.

Jimin stands by the door, in his hands the screen Namjoon had given him to speak into to record and archive his language with added pictures so that everyone could better their communications.

‘Yoongi?’

Yoongi wonders if he should nod, gesture for him to enter, indicate towards the stool near the foot of his bed, or respond verbally. Whatever that thing was that was making him be different, was apparently not a permanent thing. But Jimin makes up his mind for him and walks up to him, forgoing the stool and instead sitting on the bed so that he could face Yoongi better.

They sit in silence together for a while. Yoongi somehow can’t face Jimin like this alone, and that unknown sensation comes back again. Making the pit of his stomach churn and clench, his chest constricting.

Jimin carefully takes his hands, unclenching his fists and then placing them over his own face as though telling Yoongi it was okay; that he could touch him too. Or at least that’s what Yoongi thinks- he could be reading Jimin’s actions wrong. He didn’t have enough experience- body language and motion, yes. But such simple and subtle gestures are lost on him. He ignores the small sudden thought in his mind telling him that he read Jimin correctly.

Unsure what to do, Yoongi’s hands remain rather stiffly over Jimin’s face.

Jimin smiles encouragingly, letting go of his hand before reaching up to draw Yoongi’s face closer into his hands. Yoongi mimics Jimin’s motions and touch.

His cheeks are soft and warm, as though the sun had just warmed it over. His eyelashes are long and a dark grey. The freckles on his skin vary in size and colour but concentrate over on the high-points of his face. Yoongi momentarily wonders if Jimin is uncomfortable with having his face held like this. According to what he’s read in Appropriate Behavior and Manners for the Distinguished Being of the Modern Universe touching Being’s faces was considered invasive and classified as a form of assault.

But Jimin doesn’t seem uncomfortable by it. In fact, he seems used to it. Was this a cultural trait from his home-planet? Was this how they greeted each other? How they introduced each other? Yoongi has heard of certain cultures that were difficult to adapt to across the Universe- such as that of the Anning, who greeted each other with kisses on the mouth, regardless of gender, age, status, and position.

Jimin stares right back at Yoongi, his oddly glowing eyes looking straight at him unabashedly and seeing more than what Yoongi had to offer. He allows Yoongi to feel his arms, touch his neck, study his feet. He closes his eyes, apparently enjoying the feeling of having fingers run through his hair. Yoongi carefully brushes through his hair, awed by the colour and light each strand seemed to exude. Out of water, his hair is wavy and longer, but the colour somehow richer and even more confusing. Yoongi can’t tell if it’s gold or silver.

Jimin has lowered his hands already, but Yoongi is stuck.

There was something different. Something entirely unexplainable and out of Time, but this Being’s presence seemed to him like the rising of the sun. Something he’d been waiting for, something he knew would come, something so known, and routine. Something ancient and timeless, but at the same time entirely new and beautiful.

‘Yoongi,’ Jimin repeats again, and then points at himself, ‘Jimin.’

This clearly meant something. But Yoongi just can’t figure it out.

Who was he to Jimin? Who was Jimin to him?

‘I’m sorry I don’t remember you,’ he says despite knowing full well Jimin doesn’t understand him.

Jimin’s hands move. He feels the texture of Yoongi’s skin; carefully thumbing over the soft skin under his eyes. He fingers his hair, as though checking the texture. He even his eyebrows gently and then his own, as though comparing them. He even peers curiously into Yoongi’s mouth, counting his teeth it would seem. His fingers follow the curve of Yoongi’s ears; he touches his own ear as well, and like with his eyebrows, seemingly comparing them. His fingers comb through his hair, feeling his scalp and frowning a little at the bumps he comes across- old scars and surgery wounds. Yoongi’s eyes close almost automatically, leaning into the gentle touch. He thinks he hears a soft sound, as though Jimin was smiling. When he does open his eyes, he finds that he was in fact smiling.

He continues to smile before he takes Yoongi’s hands in his, pushing up the sleeves and looking over healed over and old scars, lesions on his skin.

He asks him something, but Yoongi has no hope in understanding what he has to say.

‘I don’t understand,’ Yoongi whispers.

Jimin blinks a few times, clearly deep in thought.

‘Taeh’yung?’ Jimin says, and then rolls his hands forward. ‘Nak tuk?’

‘…Taeh’yung, tomorrow?’ Yoongi tries, also gesturing forward.

Jimin nods slowly, as though still unsure if Yoongi got his meaning. Then he goes into miming. He mimes falling asleep, and then waking up- then he does the rolling motion with his hand, looking at Yoongi hopefully.

Yoongi nods, giving him a thumbs up in hopes that he too could convey that he understood (hopefully) what Jimin was saying.

Jimin stares at his hand for a moment, then replicates the thumbs up as well.

They stare blankly at each other, Yoongi is unsure what to do. Should he say something additional? Jimin is just looking at him- he’s not expectant, not waiting for Yoongi to say something. He was just looking.

Yoongi really wants to call Taeh’yung even though the Zhak’gri was asleep, if only to understand what Jimin means by all this looking. But before he can do it, Jimin leans in close and hugs him again.

Yoongi might be wrong, but he feels as though Jimin might be trying to convey something to him. But before he can inquire via mime, Jimin pulls away, hands reaching up to cup his face again. He leans in close and Yoongi automatically closes his eyes at the proximity.

Jimin kisses both of his lids.

Yoongi opens his eyes when he feels Jimin’s hands slide away from his face. Jimin is looking at him again, his expression unreadable. Yoongi suddenly feels exhausted.

‘Mu tui,’ he says quietly.

Yoongi’s eyes immediately close and all he can see is sunlight.

(Author’s Notes)

I love Uhm Jung Hwa’s new song so much. And I found out that Suran composed the song!! Go queens!!

Well.

Net neutrality

Hahahaha

*sighs heavily*

But we can still do things. We can still continue to sign up petitions, email and post at the people responsible for this.

Speaking of whom

WOW I ING HATE THEIR FACES SO MUCH JESUS ING CHRIST IT MAKES ME SO ANGRY. WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED THAT THE VOTE WAS 3-2 AND THOSE WHO VOTED TO END NET NEUTRALITY WERE ALL MEN?? THE WOMEN VOTED NO OMFG ISN’T THIS ALREADY CLEAR THAT WOMEN SHOULD BE TAKING OVER WTAF

ALSO YOU AJIT PAI- MY HALF-INDIAN BLOOD IS SCREAMING AT YOUR . DON’T ING MOCK US BY MAKING STUPID VIDEOS AND TRYING TO BE RELEVANT. YOU’RE NOT -FACE, YOU’RE MOCKING US AND WE KNOW IT. SO TAKE THAT STUPID REESE’S CUP AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR

I’m sorry to my readers im really upset about this.

BUT WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS WON’T EFFECT OUR EDUCATION. ARE Y OU ING KIDDING ME? ARE YOU REALLY THIS STUPID?

Okay im done for real now.

I hope you all liked this chapter!!! See you next week!!!

i will come back to fix any typos or mistakes!!