‘I’m happy that you came.’

Term: Happy. Cheerful. Merry. Delighted. Pleased.

‘Mission statement.’

‘Well…this is…an assignment I’m giving you. To do on your own. Do you think you can do that?’

‘Mission accepted.’

‘Good…I want to be able to talk to you…understand what…what you are.’

Term: Understand. Perceive. Know. Aware. Realize. Discern.

‘I’ve been doing some research- but I haven’t come across…well, I haven’t come across anything that explains anything to me- and Tlun’hla didn’t answer any of my questions…I hope you can help me.’

Term: Help. Aid. Assist. Cooperate. Back-up.

‘I don’t know where you go back to- or where you come from. But I think…I think it would be better if you did this somewhere that wasn’t where you go back to. You can check the files here if you choose to. I won’t be home until after tomorrow, so you can stay here if you want.’

Term: Want. Desire. Need. Wish for. Hope for.

‘So here is the “mission”- I noticed that your helmet has a port that’s similar to the ones on Androids- I’m not too sure what’s going on but I think this might help you- and it will help me understand too.’

‘Mission received.’

‘All right then- I’ll be going now. Make yourself at home all right?’

Term: Home. Residence. House. Address. Dwelling. Abode. Habitation.

[RECEIVING DATA]

[NEW SOFTWARE DETECTED: PROCEED/ CANCEL]

Proceed.

[ANDROID CORE CODE]

Read.

[COMPATIBLE WITH HYPER-DREAM SUBJUGATION COMPONENT “E”]

Proceed.

[DOWNLOAD?]

…Yes.

[SOFTWARE ILLEGAL: OVERRIDE/CANCEL]

Override.

*

‘This is Head-Pilot Hoseok of the Užkulisai-02. Authorization Code 0182-9914-8107, docking at the Yisheng Hangar Bay code YSH-022-183. Are we at green?’

‘This is Officer Nir of the Šerdesas Space-Traffic Control. You are at green.’

‘Thank you,’ Hoseok replies, turning to look up from the -pit, giving Namjoon a nod.

‘Captain’s log. Everyone report.’ Namjoon barks out from the Mast.

‘Sk’jin reporting in. Khol’isa. Communications Manager. Authorization code 1181-8292-0334.’

‘Yoongi. Raksane Tayi. Defense Specialist. Authorization code 4293-5110-3109.’

‘Namjoon. Kutsoglera. Captain and Navigator. Authorization code 8255-2761-0090. Let’s get moving.’

Hoseok activates the engines to full and the collective atmosphere of the entire ship is charged with the change in motion and movement that is triggered the moment they’re in the air. The take-off is entirely smooth, no heavy pull-back, no drag in the wings, and no atmospheric compression in Hoseok’s ear. Cabin pressure was maintaining flawlessly, their own internal gravity mechanism working to detach them from Šerdesas’s gravity pull, and the Beamers were practically purring. Hoseok eyes all the stable system checks with a relieved feeling, though briefly wondering why he felt apprehensive to start off with.   

The forest around the Yisheng Headquarters blurs out into a massive blob of green before patching off into smaller segments before giving way to mountains and then massive stretches of the capital city.

Hoseok notes how Yoongi is staring down, watching with what Hoseok guesses is fascination.

‘Šerdesas always looks pretty neat from up here doesn’t it?’ Hoseok wonders if there’s any point trying to strike up a conversation with the former GI agent.

‘This is the first time I’m seeing it,’ Yoongi replies.

‘…really?’ Hoseok asks, feeling stunned. The GI used to be facilitated in the Yisheng Headquarters or in one of the large Venture Unit Motherships that patrolled unchartered space-borders. Hoseok is pretty sure Yoongi has travelled in and out of Šerdesas many times already.

Of course now the whole bunch of them were situated in the new Venture Unit Headquarters here in Šerdesas though Hoseok himself has never been there. He’s not too sure about what goes on in there.

‘Beamers are holding, all systems are at green,’ Sk’jin calls from his corner.

‘Approaching Šerdesas’s exosphere at 15000 knots, please brace for impact.’ Hoseok calls out, quickly eyeing the screen indicator for safety belt activation. All 4 were set to green.

The sky over Šerdesas was famed for its mauve hues, interlaced with an consistently visible canopy of stars and an asteroid belt that stretched nearly all the way around Raksane Tayi glimmered even during daytime.

‘Activating filters and deflection shields,’ Hoseok comments.

‘We will be leaving Šerdesas in 5…4…’ Namjoon starts counting.

‘3…2…and 1.’

There’s barely any drag against the atmosphere of the Šerdesas as they pull out entirely. The massive planet eclipses downwards, creating a magnificent contrast of glowing lights rimmed with a faint golden light blushing with mauve from the core against the backdrop of space.

‘Checking all systems-‘ Hoseok calls out, glancing over at every screen. ‘And we’re clear.’

Sk’jin cheers from where he sits and undoes his safety belt before quickly making his way down to the tower-mast. He sits next to Yoongi and starts engaging him in conversation.

Hoseok watches as Sk’jin goes on a seemingly endless chatter about food of all things, asking Yoongi his favorites, his dislikes, and isn’t in the very least perturbed by the fact that Yoongi doesn’t always respond except for a nod, a shake of head, and a shrug.

It was hard to believe anything Sk’jin did. Even if it weren’t for this mission, Hoseok feels like he would probably question everything about the Khol’isa just because of his personality. So now with him apparently “befriending” Yoongi, Hoseok can’t help but take the entire action down to darker motives.

The GIU, meaning Admiral K’mara, had been extremely disappointed when they lost custody over the remaining GI operations. So any study, information, or analysis conducted and based on the GI was strictly Venture Unit property, the GIU were kept out of loop. And knowing the nature of Lal Haenoon and K’mara’s relationship, it was a given that the Venture Unit were being purposefully obtuse when it came to sharing that data.

The GIU were a highly trained, military unit under the GLA. If they had agents or soldiers from the GI then their efficiency and overall potential as a task force would increase exponentially. So while it made sense that the GIU should have been granted custody over the GI, they were handed over to the Venture Unit so that they could be studied and basically locked up, never to be “used” again.  

And seeing as how Sk’jin was a direct member of K’mara’s inner circle- what if all he was doing right now in regards to Yoongi was to somehow rope the Human in and have him voluntarily hand himself over to the GIU? Yoongi was a live Being, no matter how dubious his past or creation was, and that meant he instantly had his own rights as an individual. And seeing as how he had his own authorization code and was a legal citizen of Raksane Tayi, it meant Yoongi was a Being free to choose and do whatever he wanted.

And being the only “operative” GI agent awake, what if Yoongi does decide to “choose” the GIU over the Venture Unit or Yisheng Directory, and his word is taken as statement to represent all of the other GI agents and they’re handed over the GIU? Hoseok shudders to think what sort of power K’mara would have if they were handed the GI.

So was that why K’mara had Sk’jin placed in the mission? To somehow lure Yoongi to his side?

‘-about you Hoseokkie?’ Sk’jin asks, turning to look up at Hoseok with a beautiful smile.

‘Sorry what was that?’ Hoseok asks after a few seconds of realizing he’d been too caught up thinking.

‘Yoongi and I were discussing our favorite foods!’ Sk’jin explains. Hoseok hears Namjoon snort faintly behind him. ‘Do you have a favorite?’

‘Not particularly no,’ Hoseok replies.

‘Just like Yoongi then!’ Sk’jin nods thoughtfully before addressing the Human again. ‘Don’t worry! I’ll help you figure out what food you like or not.’ Then he glances higher up, a smirk on his face as he addresses Namjoon.

‘What about you Nammie? What do you like to eat?’

‘I don’t eat,’ is Namjoon’s simple reply.

The look of surprise is probably the most genuine expression Hoseok has seen on Sk’jin’s face while addressing Namjoon. It seems like Sk’jin has no further question and he turns away, discussing variety in drinks now to Yoongi.

Hoseok has never heard of the Kutsoglerin not eating. It seemed odd that they wouldn’t- they certainly weren’t amongst some of the solar-synthesis dependent species who didn’t have to absorb their nutrients from food but rather only from sunlight. From all that Hoseok remembered about their dietary habits was that they had one and that was it.

Hoseok wonders if it might be prying if he were to ask. He might have to wait for Sk’jin to pry but for now he keeps mum.

‘We will be approaching warp-zone in 18 hours. Has everyone filled in their schedule details?’ Namjoon asks as he starts up the captain’s archive.

‘Filled and sent in!’ Sk’jin waves his hand from the front, and Hoseok swears again that he hears bells.

‘Sending mine in now,’ Hoseok replies, tapping on his screen to the side.

Yoongi nods his confirmation before he suddenly reaches out, hand slipping inside Sk’jin’s sleeves and pulls out a tiny silver bell strung up on a silk ribbon.

Sk’jin doesn’t realize what Yoongi has done until he finds himself staring at the little bell held up by Yoongi’s fingers.

Hoseok nearly laughs out loud when Sk’jin jerks backwards, falling back on his . But Hoseok’s laughter dies in his throat as he notices Sk’jin’s expression. He’s alarmed yes, but there’s an immediate hostile defensiveness in his posture, his eyes flashing neon red. Everything about his stance suggests that he’s about to set into action. But there’s hesitation as well. And most of all, there’s that same expression again- one of fear, that flashes briefly in Sk’jin’s eyes. The atmosphere inside the Bridge becomes heavy and the hair on Hoseok’s neck stands on end as Sk’jin crouches, looking every bit like he was about to lunge at Yoongi.

‘Sk’jin-‘ Namjoon’s voice is a warning as well as a reprimand .

But it’s gone as quickly as it comes and Sk’jin whines from where he’s fallen over, failing in pulling himself up.

‘Yoongi!’ Sk’jin scowls comically. ‘You just don’t reach into someone’s sleeve and yank out a part of their wardrobe- why did you do that?’

‘It was noisy,’ is Yoongi’s reply as he places the bell carefully to the side as though he didn’t want anything to do with it.

‘If it annoyed you then you could have said so,’ Sk’jin scolds as he takes up the seat next to Yoongi. ‘We’re a team! We’re going to live together for a long while! If I’m doing something that annoys you then you should tell me and we come up with a compromise! I’ll do the same for you.’

Hoseok can’t help but glance over at Namjoon. The Captain is watching the entire situation with sharp eyes, unmoving and rigid. Namjoon probably had the same thoughts and conclusions regarding Sk’jin’s “friendly” behavior. And as Captain it was an even bigger problem for him. Namjoon looks down briefly at Hoseok before looking over at the pair in the tower-mast.

‘Our schedules are completed. I hope you all familiarize yourselves with it so that we can proceed smoothly,’ Namjoon lifts his screen in ways of showing their new schedule.

Hoseok isn’t surprised when he finds that Namjoon would be the first to go on watch-duty at the Bridge. He would then be exchanged with Yoongi 11 hours from now. Then after Yoongi, Sk’jin. Though Hoseok doubts Namjoon would allow the Khol’isa to man the Bridge by himself. That too right after they hit warp. Then after Sk’jin Hoseok’s round ensues. He had quite a bit of free time and guesses he should take that opportunity to familiarize himself with the rest of the ship.

‘Perfect! I’m going to go check the additional facilities available,’ Sk’jin says, standing gracefully. The sound of bells are absent and it’s with mild alarm that Hoseok realizes that bells, or at least the sound they produced, were often used in hypnosis.  

Yoongi too gets up and follows Sk’jin out.

Hoseok glances over at the dashboard at the tower-mast.

The little bell is no longer there.

*

[TEMPORAL LOBE FUNCTION AT MAXIMUM]

[SYSTEMATIC FUNCTIONS AT MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE]

[OVERDRIVE]

[OVERDRIVE]

[OVERDRIVE]

[OVERDRIVE]

[SYSTEMS CRASHING_PROCEED Y/N]

[SYSTEMS CRASHING_PROCEED Y/N]

[SYSTEMS CRASHING_PROCEED Y/N]

[SYSTEMS CRASHING_PROCEED Y/N]

[SYSTEMS_ - _]

_

_

_

_

SETTING UP INTERNAL AUGMENTATION_

_EXPANDING_

_EXPANDING_

_

_

_ANDROID CORE DOWNLOAD COMPLETE.

_INSTALL? Y/N_

/-Y_

_

_

_

The floors are cold. Temperature status at 14 degree Celsius. Dark grey, lined lightly with a lighter grey. This is some form of marble. Used commonly for flooring.

_

The air is moist. The room atmosphere setting is customized to increased humidity. There is condensation forming along the window panes. The air smells like bath salts.

_

The lights are dim. It is evening. The weather forecast predicted clear windy skies. There is a wind-chime made from aluminum carved with Long-Huo symbols.

_

There is pain; -

_

[HARDWARE MALFUNCTION- PROCEED Y/N_

HARDWARE OVERDRIVE

HARDWARE OVERDRIVE

DO NOT DISENGAGE

DO NOT DISENGAGE

DO NOT DISEN_-_]

It’s a frustrating sound. One that bores into his brain. His head is pulsing, sensitivity to the point of immense pain. There’s a disgusting bitter taste that burns upwards and into his mouth. He spits it out, half-expecting something vile and hot to spew out of him. But it’s just air. Is database disengaged it’s not it can’t database is function it’s not functioning there are no algorithms there is no database-

The harsh ringing of the wind-chime grates into his ears and his entire body shudders, trying to cope with the information overload that it can’t process fast enough.

Database is overloaded.

Database is crashing.

He’s sensing too much, seeing too much, hearing too much, feeling to much-

His entire body lurches as his chest burns- he’s on fire and he’s burning burning burning burning-

It’s just forceful contractions of his chest as he breathes in too much too cold too sharp to much-

Yoongi picks up his TeorSer and without looking fires at the wind-chime hanging outside the window. The glass cracks slowly for a few seconds before turning entirely white and shuddering into fine bits of glass. The sound is momentary but it doesn’t stop Yoongi from keeling over, throwing up bile onto the cold floors.

It’s utterly blank- just like when he goes to Sleep. But when he sleeps he sees Dreams. And when he Dreams he just Knows.

Right now he doesn’t Know. This was not a Dream, and he was not in Sleep.

There’s another sound- it’s a strange sound. Short, but repetitive, and…and Alive. And database calls it-

Coughs. These are coughs. Breath. Breaths. Breathing.

Stay low, allow your body to cope.

Body. Hardware. Database.

Allow yourself to feel.

There’s a rushing sound. Database identifies it as the sound of traffic and environmental feedback loop, triggered by the continuous motion and movement of both Beings and automated objects that interweave themselves into this Space.

Space. Where was he? Space. Mass. Time. What was he in this?

With shaking hands he removes his gloves. They’re ghostly and pale. Heavily scarred and some sores are still bleeding. Did he not Sleep? Why was he wounded?

He’s still coughing. Coughing so hard, so much, he’s dizzy he’s falling he needs to take off the mask take off-

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Where was he?

Šerdesas. The Capital Planet of Raksane Tayi. Zhoumi commissioned him with a task. Mission statement. Mission accepted. Good luck.

Sit down.

‘I’m sitting.’

It hurts, but the pain ebbs away at once. There’s a burning sensation but it goes away. He needs water. His database supplies him with this. His mind supplies him with this.

He needs- he needs- what does he need? He needs something. Mission statement. He needs mission statement so that he can accept and complete and then Sleep and then Dream and then Know.

He doesn’t Know. He doesn’t Know anything.

*

‘Nammie, would you like to join us? It’s almost Yoongi’s turn to head up. Come have a drink!’

Namjoon had spent a majority of his time carefully reading any information available on each of the Docks they were going to touch base on. With a mission like this, you couldn’t be too careful.

At the sound of Sk’jin’s voice he glances over at the screen of his private NaviLet.

Previously, Hoseok had been walking around the Hangars, checking up on equipment, familiarizing himself with the Transporters, reading up the manuals. Yoongi had spent a majority of his time sitting extremely still, staring at the large entertainment screen, watching what appeared to be Earthian movies. Namjoon hadn’t been aware that there were stocked entertainment sources from Earth available for watching in the GLA database. Yoongi had barely moved, watching the screen in a manner so still that Namjoon had to make sure he hadn’t just died or something.

Then there was Sk’jin. He had spent a good time going through the laundry room, checking each washer and UVpresser with apparent interest. Then he’d gone through every nook and cranny of the Lobbies, checking each storage cupboard, flipping randomly through manuals that were placed around. He even goes through every MedPod, as though keeping track of what was in each of them. Then he pattered towards the Kitchens and to Namjoon’s bewilderment, started cooking.

When he had checked the NaviLet earlier, he found Sk’jin employing Yoongi, who was deftly chopping something on a board on the long Kitchen island counter. Not sure why, but the entire activity had irritated Namjoon.

And now, Hoseok is there too, listening to something Sk’jin had to say and nodding as he stirs a pot. 

‘Surely you must drink something?’ Sk’jin asks, his voice irritatingly saccharine in a way that was definitely fake and definitely done on purpose to get under Namjoon’s skin. And to Namjoon’s exasperation, it works. A little too well. And Namjoon knows that Sk’jin knows that it works.     

Namjoon doesn’t grace Sk’jin with an answer but instead checks on the auto-pilot one more time.

‘Lisai, keep an eye out for me will you?’

‘Of course Captain.’

Namjoon takes the Lifts this time and when the doors open, his nose is assaulted by an assortment of aromatic smells.

‘Captain, how nice of you to join us,’ Sk’jin smiles from the dining table, waving his one arm gracefully as he beckons Namjoon over.

There’s a massive spread over the table, bowls of fruit, honest to goodness meals made from scratch, jugs of an assortment of drinks, and even an entire cake.

‘So, do you think flying is more, anti-gravity? But then what about speed?’ Sk’jin asks, clearly carrying on with whatever conversation he was having with Yoongi and Hoseok as he peels a fruit with a delicate looking knife.

‘Anti-gravity means that you will simply drift away from the surface of a planet- carried around by like, the wind, maybe bumping into other stuff. Defying gravity doesn’t necessarily mean you can fly.’ Hoseok replies thoughtfully as he chews on his food.

‘Anti-gravity and motorized-motion engines for direction and speed. Air-pressure tanks for lightness,’ Yoongi suggests.

‘That does make sense,’ Sk’jin replies thoughtfully before popping the fruit into his mouth. Namjoon feels that surge of irritation hit him again. He eyes Namjoon as he approaches them and a wicked glint takes over his eyes. Namjoon wills himself not to feel defensive or apprehensive as he was wont to do around the Khol’isa.

Namjoon scans the tables and feels another tickle of irritation take over him.

‘Would you like to try anything?’ Sk’jin asks, peeling another fruit with the carving knife that looks strangely threatening in Sk’jin’s elegant hands.

Namjoon walks past the table and opens the large pantry-fridge and takes out a bottle of ionized water instead.

‘Yoongi, you’re up in 15 minutes,’ Namjoon addresses the Human AI who was staring very hard at a cup of tea.

‘Accepted,’ Yoongi replies as he picks up the teacup carefully.

His actions catalyze a great amount of attention from his dining mates. Hoseok is watching the Human carefully and so is Sk’jin who notices Namjoon watching them watching Yoongi in turn.

‘Ah you see- Yoongi has never really had any food from Earth, so I looked up some recipes and got help from Hoseok, who by the way is an amazing cook!’ Sk’jin beams at the Ngfy’widan.

‘I once had to infiltrate an illegal weapons trade by posing in as a cook,’ Hoseok shrugs as though it explained everything. Sk’jin raises one perfect eyebrow in question but doesn’t voice his thoughts. Yoongi is still staring intently at his cup of tea.

‘So I thought it would be nice if Yoongi were to have an idea of how food tastes like from Earth! It’s not authentic but the ingredients we had made excellent replacements for some of the Earth-based ingredients.’ Sk’jin points at a pot. ‘Like this one. It was supposed to have…what was that vegetable Hoseokkie?’

‘Onion,’ Hoseok replies over a mouthful of food.

‘Right- that. We don’t have any onions, so I had to make do with huahm. It’s almost the same in terms of genetic make-up,’ Sk’jin explains like it’s something important that Namjoon should definitely know. ‘Except it’s red, so the soup came out rather ruddy instead of a “light golden broth”. But it tastes all right.’

Yoongi takes a tentative sip of the tea and once again Hoseok and Sk’jin watch him keenly, actually leaning in to check his reaction.

‘…is that any good?’ Hoseok asks while Sk’jin leans in even closer, nearly dipping the extending collar of his robes into the aforementioned soup.

‘It’s refreshing,’ Yoongi replies after swallowing.

‘Excellent!’ Sk’jin exclaims before turning to address Namjoon again.

‘What about you Captain? Is there anything from Kutsoglera that Hoseok and I can cook up for you?’ Sk’jin asks, tone innocent and friendly but there’s a dangerous flash of red in his eyes.

‘Yoongi I believe you should start making your way to the Bridge. Communications Manager, can I have a moment with you?’ Namjoon asks, a polite smile on his face.

‘I’m taking my tea with me,’ Yoongi announces as he picks up the teapot and teacup and walks away.

‘Of course Captain, I am yours to command,’ Sk’jin replies with a graceful nod of his head before turning to address Hoseok. ‘I think you add sugar to the tea- maybe Yoongi will appreciate it?’

Hoseok, who obviously knows when he’s being dismissed and is unwanted, quickly departs, holding a bowl a sugar cubes. Though it’s not before shooting the both of them with a quick searching look of wariness.

Sk’jin continues to sit, leaning back leisurely and now watching the framed view of space beyond the large kitchen window with ease and little regard to Namjoon. Namjoon waits a total of 11 seconds and it’s like Sk’jin knows because his eyes snap from the window to bore right into Namjoon’s. And this time Namjoon doesn’t back down.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Namjoon asks at once.

‘I don’t understand your question Captain,’ Sk’jin replies glibly.

‘Then let me make myself clear,’ Namjoon continues. ‘Why are you treating Yoongi in this manner? Are you trying to gain his support? Are you trying to get him to your side?’

‘Captain. Namjoon. Sweetheart. Please,’ Sk’jin puts up a look of pity and says in his most patronizing tone: ‘Have you ever heard of “being polite” and having “normal conversations”? We’re going to be stuck in this ship- the four of us- for a good sol or so. Unlike you, I do believe most of us would do well with some conversation instead of brooding and thinking about how to prevent a mutiny when there isn’t any. Yet.’

Namjoon takes a slow calming breath.

‘Besides- I quite like Yoongi- he seems to be the most level-minded Being on board the ship other than myself. And I do feel for him- his home planet was destroyed in front of his very own eyes. I understand what he’s going through- in fact I do believe we all know what that’s like, isn’t that right?’

Namjoon grits his teeth as Sk’jin looks up at him with a slight tilt of his head. It causes the rosy strands of his hair to part elegantly around his forehead in an effortless display of beauty and grace. It’s meant to be a distraction, Namjoon knows, but all Namjoon can see is the challenging goading look in Sk’jin’s eyes.

‘He prioritizes the mission and doesn’t do anything to obstruct the rather nonexistent camaraderie on board,’ Sk’jin continues, pushing back his hair with a fair hand and adding with a short laugh, ‘Of course I think it’s fair to point out that he isn’t adding to it either-‘

‘Stop it. I don’t know if you genuinely think that what you’re saying right now makes sense but let me tell you right now that it doesn’t. I did not want to have to address this so bluntly but I’m finding that I have to.’ Namjoon cuts across, a heavy frown settling on his face.

‘Fine, do tell me what it is that I am apparently doing that isn’t working because you are “aware” of everything that is going on,’ Sk’jin leans back, arms crossed, looking up at Namjoon with a defiant expectant expression.

Namjoon has never felt so entirely demeaned in his entire existence. He’s never had to deal with someone like Sk’jin before.

Sk’jin lifts one eyebrow, challenging him. He has a smile playing at his lips; he knew exactly what he was doing and he knew exactly what Namjoon was going through as a result.

If that was so. Then Namjoon wasn’t going to back down or give Sk’jin what he wanted.

Two can play this game and Namjoon is a fast learner.

*

The air is fresh, faint traces of pollutants lingering- just the smallest hint of carbon, a little bit of heated hydrogen, but all together clean. But it’s never been like that. At least database has never said so. Or maybe it’s never been a point of relevance. He also knows he should probably step away from the ledge. But he doesn’t know why.

It hurts.

Database never said so either before. Database says it’s not relevant to what he does. In Sleep he wasn’t aware of pain. The Dreams never highlighted this either. But it does. It hurts. Everything hurts. And though database is telling him to drink water, to obtain medical aid, and he’s well aware of how to do this, how to proceed and medicate himself, reduce the pain. He doesn’t know why he has to do this.

There’s blood.

A result of being wounded. A result of standing bare feet on top of shattered glass. Database tells him he should avoid this but he doesn’t. He doesn’t know why he has to avoid this.

It’s cold.

He shivers. Database tells him that it’s because he’s shed his protective gear, insulated to grant him warmth and layer his body with protection. But it was heavy. It was uncomfortable. 25 GLA kilograms, database informs him. But there is no noteworthy archive every describing this to him before. Archive search leads him with no results found. Why had he felt the need to shed his gear when he felt uncomfortable? What made him do it?

There is a light growing.

It’s the sun rising. Database informs him on the matter of astronomy in full detail. It is no longer information worth processing because what he was seeing now just is. This was dawn, watery violet sky giving way to rose clouds tinted with gold, database likens this with every sunrise noted in archives. The only difference is that this time there is colour and everything is bigger. He has to watch. He must watch. He doesn’t know why, but he has to.

They are countless, stretching endlessly, housing life and existence and-

Database tells him this is called sonder. And that just as he looks up into the stars, from those stars, countless others were looking down at him. And he was there. He was here. And so were they. And he would continue to be. He would be-

Memory.

There is nothing but Memory.

The sun rises and for the first time in his life, Yoongi is aware of its warmth on his skin.

*

Hoseok takes a deep breath and it smells like bull.

He glances over at Sk’jin who is apparently very invested in the state of his cuticles, and at Namjoon who is reading a book and then at Yoongi who is borderline obsessed with a tea-strainer.  

It was almost towards the end of Yoongi’s watch in the Bridge. And just as he suspected, Namjoon wasn’t going to allow Sk’jin to remain alone in the Bridge.

For a vast majority of Yoongi’s stay in the Bridge he was left almost entirely alone. During this time, Sk’jin had apparently showered and changed, exchanging his pale green robes for lilac ones with the slightest detail along the hems of his sleeve in muted gold. Hoseok noted that he was barefoot. Namjoon too had a change of clothing to something more comfortable, though again everything he wore covered nearly every inch of his body, showing only his hands, some neck, and his ears. Only Yoongi remained unchanged and unmoving, fiddling with the tea-strainer.

Hoseok had caught up on some sleep, customized his room to better fit his comfort and taste, and found a variety of clothing in his closet. Then he proceeded to set up surveillance within his own room. After “innocently” testing out the other surveillance system and finding a very tight knit external security system with a hair-trigger firewall that had Namjoon’s name written all over it, Hoseok wisely decided not to attempt hacking over it. As an Infiltrator, Hoseok had also learned how to hack, recode, reconstruct, and replace digital barriers. But this would be futile. Especially when it’s been made by someone of Namjoon’s skill.

Hoseok hadn’t seen Namjoon or Sk’jin after that luncheon. They had both retired to their own cabins and as far as Hoseok knew, didn’t leave until after Hoseok himself turned in for the day. But now they were here and there was this odd “peace” inside the Bridge.

Hoseok doesn’t know what the Kutsoglerin and the Khol’isa might have discussed but it was clearly not resolved. Hoseok is reminded of how his parents would sometimes get into a disagreement but neither would admit to their faults and would uphold an injured air or would both passive-aggressively play victim against each other, dragging anyone around them into their war of snide comments.

‘Hoseokkie,’ Sk’jin smiles at Hoseok, looking up from his perfectly shaped nails. ‘Are you well rested?’

‘Yes…the bedding is really nice,’ Hoseok replies as he makes his way past the Khol’isa who nods in agreement.

‘You’re just on time Hoseok,’ Namjoon adds, looking up from his book to smile at Hoseok. ‘You may stand down now Sk’jin.’

‘Oh not at all Namjoon,’ Sk’jin smiles though Hoseok sees the slightest hint of suspicion in his eyes as he addresses the Captain. ‘I should remain at my station. Lisai’s schedule has me manning the Bridge as of now, after all.’

‘That won’t be necessary Sk’jin- this is the first time we’re entering warp with the ship- I’m sure Head-Pilot Hoseok wants to be there for the first few hours,’ Namjoon glances at Hoseok. ‘Isn’t that right Hoseok?’

Namjoon is actually correct. This was the first time Hoseok would be taking this ship into warp and he wanted to be there for at least the first set, to observe the frequency and keep note of any changes within the archives sent from the engines so that he would be able to remember a comparative sample the next time they launched into warp.

Hoseok really feels like he’s stuck between his parents who are bickering and trying to get his support just to egg on the other the wrong way. And while Hoseok has no intention of playing mediator or middleman, he really hopes this doesn’t last long and they can settle their differences long enough for them to complete this mission without Hoseok fearing for a sudden show of TeorSer fire.

‘There is no real immediate need for you to be at your post while we’re at warp Manager Sk’jin,’ Namjoon explains, smiling up from his book though his eyes don’t quite reach his eyes. ‘Considering the fact that we will be at warp for 3 days before we arrive at Orvan’s space-borders, I relieve you of your duties until then. Didn’t you say the seats were hurting you? I wouldn’t want someone of your importance to suffer so needlessly when you could be resting.’

Sk’jin’s expression is blank and honestly Hoseok feels a little terrified. Namjoon is still looking at Sk’jin with that smile.

The Kutsoglerin had clearly snapped and this was now a result of it. Who knew that the grim, serious Information Analyst could be equally, if not more, petty than Sk’jin.

Sk’jin stares hard at Namjoon before he takes a step back and replies with an equally fake smile, ‘That’s very kind of you Captain. We are so lucky to have you leading us in this mission.’

‘Oh no Sk’jin,’ Namjoon replies, not looking at Sk’jin as he glances down at his book, making himself comfortable. ‘We’re so lucky to have you here.’

Sk’jin, who had been walking towards the exit, pauses mid-stride. He glances back at Namjoon who is apparently very interested in the book he’s reading and Hoseok himself is able to do some of his own reading as he sees Namjoon’s death lettered in Sk’jin’s glare.

‘Sleep well,’ Namjoon calls before very realistically looking apologetic and saying, ‘Oh- that was insensitive of me.’

Hoseok winces internally. It was a sensitive topic for the Khol’isa- the nature of their autophagocytosis robbed them of the need for sleep. Which if viewed in one angle wasn’t too bad a loss, but for the Khol’isa it was of a wholly different nature. Many Beings considered them cursed- never to be at rest, but never attaining the full “luxury” of immortality. They were stuck, in a hopeless loop of existing within their own minds without relief or any semblance of sleep. Their autophagocytosis reconstructed them, but didn’t grant them sleep, not even in the form of hibernation. This made them succumb to madness and a massive suicide epidemic had struck the Khol’isa at one point after leaving their planet.

Hoseok can’t believe Namjoon would bring that up.

Sk’jin turns and storms off.

Hoseok takes a seat, eyeing Namjoon from the corner of his eyes. There’s a genuine smile on Namjoon’s face, shoulders bunching just a little as though delighted at himself. He turns the page of his book and continues to read.

‘Hoseokkie, are you ready to initiate warp?’

Still not used to the nickname coming from someone like Yoongi, Hoseok starts a little as he regards the expressionless Human in front of him.

‘Yoongi did you know about the bell?’ Hoseok asks instead as he makes himself comfortable. Yoongi simply looks at him, as though waiting for him to clarify what he meant.

‘…I mean- Khol’isa use hypnosis as means of manipulation. Bells can be used to act as a trigger medium for hypnosis,’ Hoseok explains.

‘I did not know that.’ Yoongi replies, turning back around to face the HUD window.

‘Don’t worry about the bells Hoseok,’ Namjoon calls from his seat. ‘The Khol’isa can only use their hypnosis on Beings who have been intoxicated or have been medicated with certain hallucinogens. Methods like bells, metronomes, and other sound-induced trigger mediums are useless.’

Hoseok feels a little relieved at that as he activates the warp-engines.

‘We’re entering warp in 20 seconds,’ Hoseok calls. ‘Everyone strap yourselves in.’

Glancing down, Hoseok notes that all 4 indicators blink at safety-on.

‘So if you didn’t know about the hypnosis thing…did you really grab that bell because it was annoying you?’ Hoseok asks as the engines calibrate to 75%.

‘No. I just felt like it.’

The stars pull into thin bright streaks as they erupt through space at the speed of light, Namjoon’s appreciative chuckle filling the Bridge.

*

When he wakes up, he is disoriented.

Because he sees too much. Every hue, shade, tone. It’s a riot that bears down on him and crushes him. But within this chaos is something that he cannot formulate- something he cannot comprehend.

There’s movement in this riot of stillness but Yoongi doesn’t know what to call it. It’s so chaotic but it makes sense. A sense that Yoongi cannot name except something in his mind is telling him that this was all normal.

The sun is still quite mellow- it was still morning. There’s a distinct sound of something- something that Yoongi has never registered before but he identifies as a bird chirping.

Slowly, Yoongi looks away from the sky and a little lower.

It’s small, its plumage is mainly a soft brown but with hints of soft pastel blue around the chest and tips of its tail feathers. It looks down at Yoongi, twisting its little head as though hoping to see all of Yoongi better.

‘Who are you?’

Yoongi’s throat protests. He’s not sure if what he said was even correct. But the words just came out of his mouth, rolling off of his tongue like it had done so since he was. Like he’s been able to speak cohesively his entire life. Like it was natural.

Being: 1.73 meters.

‘I am 1.73 meters in height.’

The buildings that stretch upwards to the sky seem to go on forever, blending into the golden light of the early morning sun.

GLA ??. Male.

‘I am male.’

There is a voice speaking indistinctively – someone is talking on their Comm-Device, some level above Yoongi. He’s laughing, the light scuffing of bare feet against floor tiles.

Human.

‘I am Human. I am from Earth.’

Earth, the Blue Planet, home to all Humans. Gaia, Mother, Precious.

Name: Yoongi.

‘My name is Yoongi.’

Shine, luster, gleam, glow. Light. Light imbibes the entire spectrum of colours. All colours reflect into life.

Yoongi looks up at the little bird.

‘Who are you?’

*

‘And we are pulling out of warp in 5…4…3…2…1!’

The stars edge and part, creating depth and space between the lights that they pull out of.

‘Entering docking channels and ready to report our broadcast,’ Hoseok announces, turning to give Sk’jin a nod who smiles in return and starts tapping along the screen on the Communication Board.

The stars are no longer stretched and they were now flying at standard non-warp again. The Užkulisai-02 was an absolute delight to pilot and Hoseok feels like he’s gotten a complete hang of it now. The planet that they were approaching was Orvan, a small planet off of the the Trunga System. It had 3 moons orbiting it and one of them had been transformed into a Dock which was where they headed. Orvan was a pleasant orange to look at from this distance. It’s atmosphere was rich in ferric oxidants, giving the planet a wash of orange from the distance. There was nothing particularly note-worthy about Orvan or the System that housed her, so it made perfect sense that Namjoon chose this planet to claim their pass.

‘There’s an incoming message Head-Pilot, shall I patch it along?’ Sk’jin calls out from where he’s sitting.

‘Please patch it along, Sk’jin,’ Namjoon replies, his voice dripping with feigned politeness.

Sk’jin does no such thing, completely ignoring Namjoon.

Namjoon glares at the Khol’isa and then turns to look at Hoseok, one eyebrow raised.

Hoseok thinks he might lose his mind from all the passive-aggressiveness inside the Bridge. This had continued on since they hit warp and it got worse and worse. At one point Namjoon seemed to be outdoing Sk’jin in passive-aggression, but Sk’jin would rise to the occasion and Namjoon would be left silently fuming. And Hoseok was popularly used as a sort of unwilling and forcefully involved third-party member. Yoongi used his lack of presence to his full advantage and was missing the entire time. Like he had some additional sense that kept an eye/ear out for the beginnings of any passive-aggression and just like that, he was gone.

‘Please patch the message Sk’jin,’ Hoseok answers wearily.

‘Patching through,’ Sk’jin sing-songs.

‘This is the Orvan Space Border Patrol. You are hereby under arrest and will be subjected to questioning. Please proceed peacefully or we will use force. Thank you.’

Namjoon looks down at the Navigation Table with a blank expression as though questioning what he heard was real or imagined. Then he whips around looking at every member.

‘What?!’

‘Ah- that’s probably because I have a criminal record there.’ Sk’jin pipes in calmly.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Namjoon sounds murderous.

‘Oh, I do believe I heard a murmur- must be something wrong with my Comm-Device. I wonder what that voice said?’ Sk’jin looks around, an expression of confusion as he taps lightly at his Comm-Device.

Namjoon bristles briefly, expression darkening significantly before he speaks again, ‘What do you mean you have a criminal record?’

Sk’jin’s expression goes from bewildered to confused again, looking around as though he heard an insect. He even lifts his hands in the air as though ready to swat out whatever it was.

‘Oh wow- that sounded so clear! Did you hear that Yoongi? I swear that was a voice but I can’t be too sure-‘

‘Sk’jin, explain what criminal offence you have committed before we’re forcefully boarded!’ Namjoon orders sharply.

‘Again- that voice-‘

Hoseok can practically see Namjoon’s patience breaking as the Kutsoglerin stands up, his eyes narrowed as he stares at Sk’jin who is now looking around for an insect in earnest. Hoseok doesn’t know if this classifies as petty, brave, or downright idiotic.

‘Communications Manager Sk’jin is wanted in Orvan for Class 2 Arson, Class 3 attempted murder, and Class 2 defamation of the Prime Minister of the Orvan State of Tui.’

‘Thank you Lisai,’ Yoongi says quietly from the side.

‘Look, in my defense that prime minister was an ,’ Sk’jin puts up his hands as though in defeat.

‘Arson? Attempted murder? Care to explain?’ Namjoon frowns, glancing out of the HUD window and Hoseok does the same. There were no approaching lights. Yet.

‘Not really, no,’ Sk’jin shakes his head delicately before getting up to walk over to the Communications Board. ‘Let me handle this.’

‘What-‘ Namjoon is already standing up and looks like he’s about to physically stop Sk’jin when Yoongi, who Hoseok swore was sitting in the tower-mast behind him, is there, stopping Namjoon from moving with a barely there touch on the Kutsoglerin’s arm.

‘I repeat. This is the Orvan Space Border Patrol. Your ship registers a Being with past criminal offence in our borders. You are hereby under arrest and will be subjected to questioning. Please proceed peacefully or we will use force. Thank you.’

‘What do we do?’ Hoseok asks, ready to fly the ship away at once, readying warp engines.

‘If we fly away they’ll come after us and the space-border patrol from every system will have a red-light on us,’ Namjoon replies at once. ‘I will not risk our mission-‘

‘This is Communications Manager Sk’jin of the Užkulisai-02, and you are Officer…?’ Sk’jin speaks up, voice smooth and charming. Namjoon stares incredulously at Sk’jin.

‘Sk’jin what in Spaces are you doing-?!’ he begins hotly, walking over to Sk’jin who holds one hand up to stop Namjoon, not looking at him but tapping along the screen deftly.

‘This is Officer Lieutenant Rimma of the Orvan Space Border Patrol Unit.’ The voice speaks up again. Hoseok looks out and he spots distant lights gleaming at them, growing stronger and larger with every second. The Patrol would be here in less than a minute. What was Sk’jin playing at?

‘Officer Lieutenant oh my,’ Sk’jin exclaims, letting out an airy breathy chuckle. ‘That’s quite the title there Rimma, how befitting of someone of your devotion to duty!’

‘…thank you…’

‘Indeed! But I’m afraid even the best of us make mistakes- and I believe that this may be it Rimma, I believe you have wrong information,’ Sk’jin says with a soft hint of regret.

‘We are not mistaken Manager Sk’jin.’

‘I’m quite sure you are,’ Sk’jin replies blithely, tapping along his screen, ignoring Namjoon who is nearly breathing fire down his neck. ‘We are merely a humble trade-ship, just making dock for 1 hour in order to obtain our pass. I really hope this hold-up won’t cost any of us too much of our time.’

At this Yoongi turns away from the approaching view and blinks in a way Hoseok guesses is amusement.

‘I have performed another scan. You are correct Manager Sk’jin. On behalf of the Orvan Space-Border Patrol, I apologize for causing you any inconvenience. Welcome to Orvan. Have a good day.’

‘Thank you Officer Lieutenant Rimma,’ Sk’jin taps on the screen and places it back on the table.

Hoseok glances out of the window and finds that the approaching light has completely stopped and actually becomes smaller.

Sk’jin takes a deep breath, smiling happily as he still ignores Namjoon.

‘What did you think Yoongi?’ Sk’jin addresses the Human who was now making his way down to the tower-mast again. ‘My skills in negotiation shouldn’t be underestimated. Right?’

‘You just bribed the officer- that wasn’t negotiation- anyone can do it!’ Namjoon snaps before Yoongi can reply though Hoseok thinks it’s highly unlikely.

‘Actually you would be surprised that bribes don’t always work when anyone does it- right Hoseokkie?’ Sk’jin asks him with a bright smile. ‘You need to know who can be bribed, how to bribe, and what sort of medium to use while bribing- it’s a fine delicate art. Not everyone has this ability.’

Sk’jin has a genial suggestive smile on his face and Hoseok wonders if the Khol’isa has a death wish of sort. But moving past that, Sk’jin is correct. Blackmail, bribery, threats- they all had to be planned out carefully and with a lot of time and dedication. What Sk’jin just did was extremely risky but had luckily paid off. Hoseok glances over at Sk’jin’s screen and isn’t surprised to find that he was on the Orvan space-border patrol index. If Sk’jin has been here before and with such charges against him, then he clearly knew his way around their systems. And seeing as most planetary systems rarely changed, it was fairly easy for Sk’jin to simply obtain the officer’s ID and easily send him some units.

‘Negotiations are generally futile. Any bribe can be bought over by putting a higher stake. If you really wish to clear the path, I suggest we enter the Dock, clear the officers, and remove all history concerning Sk’jin’s criminal history in Orvan.’ Yoongi chimes in, to the general stunned silence of the Bridge. To everyone’s intense alarm, Yoongi activates the weapons dashboard.

‘Yoongi! That’s so sweet of you! Thank you!’ Sk’jin exclaims, expression turning almost fond as he smiles at the Human.

Hoseok doesn’t think there was anything particularly “sweet” in Yoongi’s statement. Maybe the Khol’isa had a different way of viewing compliments.

‘No one is attacking any official GLA Dock!’ Namjoon sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, brows furrowed as though fighting off a headache. ‘Yoongi disengage now!’

‘It would be simple-‘ Yoongi is starting to say but Namjoon quickly jumps in. Hoseok can’t help but find it amusing when Yoongi looks down at the dashboard, his posture forlorn. Or at least Hoseok guesses it is. Either that or he was just projecting.

‘Again- we are not going to engage in attacking or attempting to attack or scheming on how to attack any GLA Dock or Port from here on within,’ Namjoon puts a hand down firmly on the Navigation Table, looking at Yoongi grimly. ‘While your intentions are…surely very touching, we cannot afford to jeopardize our mission just because someone had too much fun in the past.’

‘It was fun,’ Sk’jin sighs out as though reminiscing. ‘The look on his face was priceless- wish I could somehow obtain a video of it and have it play on loop every time I feel down.’

Against his better judgment, Hoseok has to ask, ‘What happened in Orvan anyways?’

‘Orvan has quite the black-market for slavery,’ Sk’jin replies looking genuinely surprised at Hoseok’s question. ‘You didn’t know?’

Sk’jin doesn’t sound condescending- he sounds sincerely surprised.

Hoseok thinks hard as he glances at the approaching planet. Again, Orvan wasn’t known for anything in particular. They had a strict government system, mainly autocratic but nothing that toed past the limitations set up by the GLA Treaty on Internal Planetary Governance. The GLA had set up laws and orders that could be implemented into every planets governing system- so you still maintained your original government ruling but with the interjection of the GLA order. This was the deal every planet/system had to agree to when they agreed to be part of the GLA Known Universe. Generally speaking, this wasn’t a bad Treaty or compromise for most planets. However there were some who disregarded the GLA’s attempt of unification under a peaceful treatise that would benefit all living Beings. There were some planets and systems who refused to partake with the GLA and there were some who refused but due to majority vote, had to concede to the GLA’s Treaty. And Orvan had been one of them. But that was all Hoseok knew. He hadn’t known anything about a black-market dealing with slavery.

‘Are they enslaving and selling their own people or other Beings?’ Namjoon asks as he types rapidly across his screen. He also looks surprised. Just like Hoseok, he had no idea about it. Namjoon is also frowning, though Hoseok thinks it’s because Sk’jin answered his question and not Namjoon’s despite being the same question.

‘Their own people,’ Sk’jin replies easily before adding, ‘Huh, guess the Venture Unit is involved in this one if none of you know about it.’

Hoseok immediately feels defensive but knows that Sk’jin is probably right- if the Khol’isa was telling the truth about Orvan.

‘Probably one of the Heads if you don’t know about it,’ Sk’jin nods his head at Namjoon who grimaces in response.

‘What were you doing in Orvan that you knew about their illegal trade and clashed with their prime minister?’ Namjoon asks instead.

‘Honestly I don’t remember much of the details,’ Sk’jin yawns. Both Namjoon and Hoseok roll their eyes at the obvious lie.

‘Besides, that was like, 800 sols ago, that is probably long dead. Well he should be, because I poisoned him,’ Sk’jin shrugs before settling down again on the foot-up, picking up his screen.

‘…is that the Class 3 attempted murder,’ Namjoon asks, looking confused.

‘Oh no-‘ Sk’jin laughs, looking up from his screen. ‘That’s a different story- an exaggerated one mind you. All I did was suggest that the prime minister should be killed. I didn’t actually do it.’

Hoseok studies Sk’jin’s indignant expression warily. The Khol’isa were infamous around the Known Universe (with the exception of Yoongi) for their ability to hypnotize anyone who looked into their eyes for long periods of time. So maybe Sk’jin’s suggestion wasn’t met with too much exaggeration on behalf of the Orvan government.

‘But you haven’t been charged of that in your records,’ Namjoon points out.

‘Of course I haven’t- because I framed his wife - she was an too. Hope she rotted to death,’ is Sk’jin’s eloquent reply.

Namjoon just blinks in reply, clearly trying to process all of this information. The only thing Hoseok can think of is ‘how did he get into the GIU with such an extensive criminal record?’.

‘Are there any other planets within our trajectory that you may have a criminal record in?’ Namjoon asks through his teeth, sitting down with a lot of determination, gripping the arms of his chair as though to prevent himself from getting up and maybe punching Sk’jin on the face.

‘Oh yes, thank you for reminding me.’ Sk’jin gets up from his seat and walks over to the Mast.

‘And why didn’t you care to inform us about this?’ Namjoon demands.

‘Well, you didn’t ask me,’ Sk’jin replies with a maddening air of someone innocent being interrogated for a crime. ‘You asked Hoseokkie. You didn’t ask me or Yoongi. Right?’ Sk’jin turns to address Yoongi who nods in reply, still staring out of the HUD window.

Was he actually being a little sullen? But Hoseok has other things to address besides Yoongi’s personality.

‘Sk’jin one moment,’ Hoseok calls before the Khol’isa can access the trajectory. ‘Why are your criminal records still valid and activating? Your identity and past records should have been completely wiped out and renewed. This is a GLA issued mission, no matter how covert, I would think Admiral K’mara would have settled it for you.’

That’s what happened to Hoseok and he can safely assume to Namjoon too. He’s not too sure about Yoongi but considering he didn’t really exist up until 4 sols ago, the Human probably had a pretty clean slate. Officially.

‘I mean yes that would have worked but-‘ Sk’jin pauses, looking up at all 3 of them incredulously before saying, ‘Wait a minute, do you mean you don’t know anything about the Khol’isa Treaty?’

‘I know about it-‘ Namjoon begins but Sk’jin cuts him off at once.

‘Well you clearly don’t if you thought my criminal records were entirely clean,’ Sk’jin says smoothly. ‘Due to our nature and the methodology of our species biology, we are technically reborn every 700 to 800 years. And though we are born with our former memories and personality again, the GLA stated in our Treaty that we obtain a new status of identification however still maintaining any or all previous records made during our “previous lives”.’

‘That doesn’t make sense,’ Namjoon frowns.

‘Oh no. It does,’ Sk’jin replies with a smile as he pulls up their trajectory, walking into Namjoon’s personal space. ‘You see, the GLA didn’t, and still don’t, trust the nature of the Khol’isa- as a result, they want to continue reminding us of our past- by stripping us of our former and legal identity but inflicting us with any continuous history we may have made without the chance at complete reformation. It’s a cruel method, considering everything- but that would be insensitive to mention wouldn’t it, Captain?’ Sk’jin is leaning over Namjoon, bent at a strange angle that reminds Hoseok of something reptilian.

Namjoon squirms in his seat for a second before getting up and leaving the Mast so that Sk’jin occupied his vacated seat with relish.

‘So…what you’re saying is, we need to reroute our entire trajectory- to make sure you don’t get arrested?’ Namjoon asks gruffly, leaning back on the other side of the Navigation Table.

‘No, what I’m saying is we need to reroute our entire trajectory so that our cargo doesn’t get compromised and our mission jeopardized by space-border patrols,’ Sk’jin replies smoothly.

Hoseok can see a vein popping in Namjoon’s temple and wonders if maybe he should get him some medication from the Medical Bay. Maybe that would help relax the Kutsoglerin a little.

‘And you failed to mention this from the beginning because?’ Namjoon asks through gritted teeth.

‘Why, I thought you all knew,’ Sk’jin exclaims and Hoseok isn’t sure how genuine Sk’jin’s expression of indigence is. ‘You were both part of the Venture Unit, very intimately involved with the Gaia Case- I assumed you all knew. Did you know Yoongi?’

Yoongi nods in response.

‘See? Yoongi knew,’ Sk’jin smiles benignly at Yoongi.

‘Then why didn’t you point out that we were headed towards a planet that you were wanted in?’ Namjoon asks. ‘That too, the first planet?’

‘I thought you had a plan,’ Sk’jin replies and this time Hoseok knows that Sk’jin is faking the surprised clueless tone in his voice. ‘You were so confident and ready to lead, I automatically thought you knew and I thought to myself ‘wow this guy really is a Captain!’ and put my trust wholeheartedly in your leadership!’

‘You talk differently.’ Yoongi interjects out of nowhere, fiddling with the tea-strainer.

Sk’jin looks surprised, blinking rather blankly before asking, ‘What do you mean Yoongi?’

‘Last time I heard you speak, you spoke differently.’ Is Yoongi’s reply.

Hoseok and Namjoon both swivel their heads around to look at Sk’jin. Whatever Yoongi meant, Hoseok cannot determine by looking at Sk’jin’s reaction. Because the Khol’isa instead looks thoughtful as he rubs at his temples with his fair hands, nodding as he says, ‘It was a different time.’

And to that, Yoongi simply nods, as though it made perfect sense.

Hoseok catches Namjoon’s eye and feels better in knowing that it’s not only him who has a hard time understanding any of this.

‘I was surprised too when the space-border patrols contacted us,’ Sk’jin continues like Yoongi hadn’t interrupted their conversation. ‘I mean, I guess I would have mentioned it before but, seeing as I was bid by my Captain to rest, that’s what I did. I assumed he had taken care of everything.’

Hoseok wants to groan and slump over the dashboard. Of course Sk’jin would take this opportunity to hound over Namjoon.

‘This is Orvan Dock TYL-02-5110. Launch-ring 41G is open for you. Welcome to Orvan.’

Hoseok sighs out in relief at the interruption.

‘Thank you. Right- we’re docking soon. Everyone please return to your seats so that I can dock us,’ Hoseok announces.

Sk’jin doesn’t move from the Navigator’s chair and has an expression that clearly says ‘make me’ as he smiles at Namjoon. With a grim expression Namjoon moves away from the Mast and throws himself into a seat next to Hoseok.

‘Who’s getting the pass?’ Hoseok asks as he follows the guide-lines that glow along the HUD window.

‘I’m going,’ Namjoon replies. ‘It won’t take long- depends on the line but I doubt there’s much of a line.’

‘I’ll be stepping out too! I need to pick up some items from the Flotsam and Jetsam,’ Sk’jin announces from where he’s sitting.

Namjoon looks like he wants to disagree but he relents. Probably didn’t want to argue.

‘Want to come with me Yoongi?’ Sk’jin asks.

‘No.’

‘All right- do you want anything from the Dock?’ Sk’jin asks, unperturbed by Yoongi’s monosyllable replies.

‘No.’

‘Hoseokkie? Anything?’ Sk’jin inquires.

‘No I’m good, thanks Sk’jin,’ Hoseok replies.

‘Not at all,’ Sk’jin replies.

The Orvan Dock is like any other standard dock. Immensely tall in height, shaped like a titanic needle surrounded by innumerable hoop like rings that lock incoming or docking ships in a protective magnetic field before guiding them inwards into a Hangar Bay. The Užkulisai-02 settles in smoothly, passing through the pale blue Atmoshield and safely into the public Hangar.

‘Come on Captain, let’s go,’ Sk’jin sings blithely as he stands, brushing down the front of his robes as though in preparation. Namjoon doesn’t acknowledge this but simply walks out of the Bridge, followed by a smirking Sk’jin.

Hoseok watches from the surveillance screen he pulls up on his dashboard as the two exit the Užkulisai-02.

Namjoon has wide purposeful strides that radiate strength and impose an eye-catching aura around him. Sk’jin more or less glides smoothly alongside the Kutsoglerin, hands behind his back, robes fluttering gracefully at his wake.

‘Ugh, Spaces,’ Hoseok groans, slumping down on his chair and rubbing at his face.

‘Tea?’

Hoseok sits up as though electrocuted because Yoongi is there, holding a cup of tea feet from Hoseok’s face, expression neutral.

‘Spaces Yoongi,’ Hoseok gasps out. He didn’t hear any movement, no sound of motion, no change in the air around him. Yoongi just materializes out of nowhere. With a cup of tea.

‘It’s relaxing,’ Yoongi adds.

‘I-‘ Hoseok looks down at the glass cup filled with a deep reddish liquid that’s steaming lightly. Where in Spaces did Yoongi pull this out from?

‘Um- thank you,’ Hoseok says as he takes the glass cup.

‘You’re welcome.’

*

Black hair, dark brown eyes, pale skin, small mouth, complete set of teeth, 206 bones, 198 broken and knitted, infusion with carbon alloys.

Yoongi stands in front of the mirror, analyzing himself in the full length mirror. There are bloodied footprints that follow him. He registers the pain but isn’t quite sure if he should ignore it or treat it just yet. For now it’s making him realize. And he wants to realize more.

Carefully he lifts a hand and brushes through his hair. He has scars around his face.

He doesn’t know where he got them from. Doesn’t remember from where. None of his Dreams had any explanation or source for these scars. They were just there. He follows the beginning of one scar and he pulls away the layer of clothing he had been wearing.

He knows that this isn’t normal. The layered scars, old and completely healed but layered and layered and layered. Burns, lacerations, permanent discolouration spread across his entire body.

He stands entirely , unsure of any and everything he was looking at. There are sutures and scars- places where operations were conducted. His back has a long hollow line that looks like it’s been scooped into his flesh. But it’s not raw- it’s not bleeding- it’s just there. And out of all the wounds and scars that colour his body, this feels the strangest to Yoongi.

*

Namjoon is grateful that there are only 2 other people in line in front of him.

The GLA Immigration Office is the same here as it is everywhere else. Large, white, chrome, a sterile feeling that comes from Medical Bays but not in a way that suggested hygiene.

Namjoon isn’t quite sure why but he feels a sense of nervousness as he hands over his pass-card towards the Orvan officer. Orvan’s were rather anthropomorphic in appearance, with large eyes set wide apart, a small nose and an equally small mouth. They were built petite and slender.

‘Welcome to Orvan, please enter your authorization code and ship license code,’ the female officer smiles at Namjoon.

Namjoon types in the required information as the officer types along her own screen, scanning the pass-card. Namjoon half expects an error but everything turns out fine. No alarms, no sudden ambush from the Immigration Task Force.

‘All clear, have a good day,’ the officer offers back the pass-card and that’s when Namjoon notices her wrist.

There are deep welts around the slimmest part of her wrist. And Namjoon knows those welts, can feel them on his own wrist. He can’t help but glance over the officer one more time. He realizes it’s not the best thing to do because the officer seems to realize his gaze and looks extremely uncomfortable and afraid.

‘Is something the matter sir?’ she asks, voice shaking and taking her hand away at once.

But before Namjoon can say anything, there’s a hand on his shoulder and a voice saying, ‘There you are, I almost got worried!’

Sk’jin smiles at Namjoon briefly before pulling him away with more strength than Namjoon thought the Khol’isa was capable of and steers him away.

‘It’s impolite to stare Namjoon,’ Sk’jin says conversationally as they walk across the atrium. ‘And it puts other people into danger.’

‘What do you mean? Was she-?’ Namjoon begins to ask, shaking his shoulder out of Sk’jin’s hold.

‘It’s a dangerous place out here in the universe Namjoon. But often times the most dangerous place is right here wherever you are. And you cannot afford to let it consume you.’ Sk’jin replies as he tosses him a large bag. ‘Carry that for me will you? I just did my cuticles.’

The bag is disproportionately heavy to its size and appearance and makes Namjoon stumble backwards a little, colliding with an Orvan civilian.

‘Oh- sorry-‘ Namjoon begins as the Orvan stabilizes him with an amused smile on his matured face. But then Namjoon notices his wrists as well.

‘It’s all right,’ he smiles and walks away.

Namjoon stops and looks around. He doesn’t care if he’s being obvious but he stares hard at every wrist, bare neck.

‘Nammie! Get that tall moving!’

Scowling, Namjoon makes his way towards Sk’jin who is skipping backwards.

What was Sk’jin doing in Orvan in the first place?

*

‘Okay and we’re good to go,’ Hoseok announces from the -pit as they enter warp again.

‘We’re good until we get to Avasana – but after that we’re changing direction entirely,’ Namjoon says from where he’s seated.

‘I feel like that was aimed at me but I can’t argue you if that was your intention,’ Sk’jin pipes up.

‘It was,’ Namjoon replies, pulling up the 3D holographic map.

Hoseok glances over at Sk’jin and Namjoon with some skepticism. They had both seemed entirely too polite, without seeming all too fake, after they returned from the Dock. Did something happen?

‘Right well, I guess we should all band together to make this,’ Namjoon gestures to all of them. And now Hoseok is truly surprised and apparently so is Sk’jin who gives Namjoon a rather confused look.

‘Yoongi-‘ Sk’jin begins to call but the Human is standing behind him, carrying a tray with a glass pot filled with tea and glass cups with saucers. And for some reason Hoseok cannot understand, an onion is on the tray too.

‘Oh- I see you found the onions,’ Sk’jin says the moment he recovers well enough to speak. ‘It was difficult but they luckily had some in the Flotsam and Jetsam. Pretty expensive though.’

‘There was no need to spend your units on it-‘ Namjoon begins as he accepts a cup of tea from Yoongi.

‘Yes I know that’s why I spent yours.’

Namjoon’s expression is murderous again and Hoseok guesses the geniality in the air was only going to survive for a maximum of one hour.

‘How do you like the cabins Yoongi?’ Hoseok asks, hoping to change the subject as they gather around the Mast, all sipping tea. It probably painted an amusing picture Hoseok ruminates.

‘They’re comfortable.’ Yoongi replies before taking a sip of tea.

‘Are the pillows all right? I used to have problems with pillows before,’ Sk’jin says thoughtfully as he blows on his tea. ‘It needs to be the perfect height otherwise I get neck cramps.’

‘Of course you would,’ Namjoon mumbles as he too takes a sip of tea.

It’s Sk’jin’s turn to glare at Namjoon who starts setting up a blank blue-print for their new trajectory.

‘I’ll need all of you to fill out the planets that you think you might have some issue with, or that have issues with you,’ Namjoon says as he activates 3D screen in to float out in front of Hoseok, Sk’jin, and Yoongi. ‘Then we can filter them out and plot out a trajectory without any hiccups.’

‘Oh boy,’ Sk’jin chuckles under his breath as he places his cup down, ready to type.

‘I don’t think Yoongi would have any but just in case you have doubts about a planet or a dock or a system as a whole, please put that down,’ Namjoon nods at Yoongi.

‘Yes boy.’

Sk’jin manages to cover his laughter into a coughing fit, turning his back to them to recover. Namjoon has his eyes closed, clearly reigning in all of his patience.

‘Oh Yoongi, no it’s not like,’ Sk’jin says as he recovers. ‘Saying “oh boy” is an expression used when you want to relay your excitement or surprise- it’s not a nickname. It can be used sarcastically too, which is what I did.’

‘I see,’ Yoongi replies.

‘You should come up with your own nicknames for us then,’ Sk’jin smiles supportively at Yoongi. ‘You don’t have to use mine.’

Hoseok can list at least 10 different reasons why this wasn’t a good idea in any shape or form.

Yoongi pauses at that. Then turning his dark eyes towards Namjoon he says, ‘Joonie.’

Sk’jin has this badly suppressed smile on his face while Namjoon tries to smile but it doesn’t work and instead nods his “thanks” at Yoongi, who then turns to look at Hoseok.

It’s a little disconcerting, looking into Yoongi’s eyes because it was like looking out into space. Fathomless, unknown, and unpredictable and entirely blank at the same time.

‘Hobi.’

Hoseok swears that if he hadn’t seen Yoongi’s mouth move, then he wouldn’t have believed the Human of saying that.

‘That’s adorable,’ Sk’jin grins at Hoseok with an expression that Hoseok likened to his mother silently telling him to thank his aunt for the weird birthday present he’d received.

‘That’s nice Yoongi,’ Hoseok smiles at Yoongi who nods in return.

Hoseok doesn’t know if this was some strange conditioning set out by Sk’jin’s treatment of Yoongi but there’s an almost nurturing response that comes out of Hoseok in regards to Yoongi. Like the Human was a child of sorts and he needed to be indulged and protected. Which Hoseok knows is not true because Yoongi had more or less set out a working plan on how to completely obliterate an entire Dock of officers and ships in under 10 seconds.

‘What about me?’ Sk’jin leans in, expectant smile on his face.

Without even pausing to consider, Yoongi simply says; ‘.’

Namjoon chokes violently on his tea, unable to contain his laughter as he turns around away from the Table, coughing and laughing. Hoseok can’t control himself either, sniggering as Yoongi is ever blank and Sk’jin looks stunned.

Then Sk’jin ends up laughing too, covering his mouth as he tosses his head back, laughing in earnest.

For a moment- it almost feels normal.

*

The insulated bedding was always set to a degree that was never too warm, or never too cool. It was designed to host the Sleeper in a temperature resulting from the calculations of the environmental temperature and the Sleepers body temperature. But Yoongi has always found it cold, unable to rest. He stares at the blank ceiling wondering why he has only really thought about this now. He never knew it had been cold. He had never known that it was uncomfortable. It didn't bother him before.

Database had never registered it before.

But this bed was warm and comfortable. And he knew he could lay back and rest. And sleep. And maybe even dream.

But dreams were made of Memory. And Yoongi has no memory.

Memory memory Memory memory Memory

What was memory and how did you remember?

His recognizes his hands- but only because he is actively aware of it. Awake in the idea of seeing what he knows. It corresponded to what he saw, what he felt. Was this memory or was this Memory?

The food on the table wasn’t the best but it was hot and it was something entirely new. Or was it new? But it was different from what he was used to. Or what was he used to? Everything has always been intravenous. Controlled, maintained. Cold.

All that he can perceive tells him that he should know. That he should be able to recall. The taste of food, the sense of flavor, the richness of flavor. Database salt database sweet database sour database bitter database spicy database milky database -.

He didn’t know. But he knew what he should do with the bowls inside the fridge. He knew how to take them out, placing them over the heating pads. He knew what utensils to choose. And he knew that there was too much oil. Too much salt. But what did that mean to him? Did he like it? Did he not like it? What he should like, what he would like. But there is no recollection- only vacancy shaped in the memory of the Memory he knows he should have. There is no recollection.

So what has been doing until now? What has been doing, and why has been doing it?

Mission statement.

What did that mean?

The electric hum changes. There is a click. A door is opening. A shift in the air as pressure changes.

There are footsteps. Tentative and careful. Light.

The brush of fabric. The faint inhale of a gasp. Hurried footsteps walking around. There is weight at the heel of the foot. Alert. Wary.

The footsteps makes clear rounds. Searching. Looking. Expecting. Fearing.

The door slides open and Yoongi can smell air-coolant preserves, heated hydrogen, and the faintest hint of mint. Zhoumi looks unsure, glancing at Yoongi who has settled on top of his bed, arms neatly folded over his middle, eyes wide open, with feet that are still bleeding because of the embedded shards of glass under his feet.

‘Yoongi?’

This is his first memory.

And he is himself.

*

(Author’s Note)

Not to be but I literally couldn’t write last night because Yoongi’s So Far Away with Jin and Jungkook kinda killed me and I literally had to take a break.

So I’m sorry I didn’t update this during the time I normally would. If you want to blame someone, please BLAME YOONGI WOW OKAY I’M DONE.

JIN RAPPING NEEDS TO BE A THING “I DON’T GIVE A I DON’T GIVE A ” OH MY GOD I AM HEALED I AM RICH I AM DEBT-FREE KIM SEOKJIN PLEASE OMG (also someone give Yoongi an Oscar for that top-class acting in the background)

4 o’clock made me cry. My moonchild Taehyung, moonchild Namjoon I need a moment brb

OKAY BUT UM HOSEOK DIDN’T DO ANYTHING AND IM SCARED BECAUSE HIS MIXTAPE

If it drops this week let it be known that I am going to die because Hobi is my special child and I will protect him till I die.