THIS IS PART 2 PLEASE READ PART 1 IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY

Hoseok doesn’t mean to, but he accidentally spies in on Jimin. 

He’d meant to collect the “special jars of tea” Sk’jin had made, a glint in his neon-red eyes that suggested there were many reasons why this tea was “special”. So Hoseok had made his way towards the Kitchens, and close by, standing by one of the Lobby recliners was Jimin.

Of course it wasn’t odd to be inside the ship; Jimin could be here for a number of reasons. But he’s not sure what to think of Jimin quietly conversing, a NaviLet in his hands, with a projection above it. Hoseok cannot hear him over on the main communications line. He could be conversing privately to any one of them, but somehow, Hoseok knows he’s not. 

‘-nderstand. I know this is not ideal. But I know what I’m talking about. I cannot ask you to trust me, but please trust that I want this to end.’

He must have sensed Hoseok because he turns around, eyes immediately finding him. Hoseok feels slightly awkward and misplaced. 

Jimin doesn’t seem upset- nor does he seem guilty. Instead he looks strangely tired. 

Out of everyone here, even Sk’jin and Yoongi who were improving so much by being here, Jimin seemed to be the only one somehow diminishing.

He says something quietly, NaviLet dimming and projection collapsing immediately. He gives Hoseok a small smile that’s honestly just weary more than anything else. 

‘What’s wrong?’ Hoseok asks.

‘I was looking for something,’ Jimin tells him- Hoseok can’t tell if he’s lying or not. ‘But I can’t find it.’

‘Can I help?’

‘It’s…I’m not sure how the security footage system works here,’ Jimin tells him honestly, ‘Do surveillance footage get replaced or discarded?’

‘No,’ Hoseok frowns, glancing up around them to look at the cameras placed about the Lobby. ‘They’re compressed and archived with the rest of the logs. If you’re having problems with it, maybe Namjoon can look into them for you?’

‘He’s already tried, but he’s unable to find any footage from the day before he returned to us at Cuab-D2.’ 

Now that was perplexing.

‘Uh- maybe because the GI didn’t want to leave any tracks of their activity? This is a Yisheng ship- if they were compromised, surveillance footage would be incredibly incriminating.’ 

‘It would be,’ Jimin nods. 

‘Is something the matter?’ Hoseok asks again. 

Jimin doesn’t immediately respond. Instead he pauses, hesitant and a little uncomfortable, which is a little odd seeing as Jimin always carried himself with assurance and confidence. He spoke with clarity and authority, no stammer or hesitance. But like this, he seems almost apprehensive. 

‘What is it?’

‘When you found out about your father’s betrayal,’ Jimin begins tentatively, ‘How…how did you well, come to accept it.’

Hoseok understands Jimin’s hesitance. 

But he has an inkling as to why he would be asking him this too.

‘I think you’ve accepted it already,’ he answers.

Jimin’s expression doesn’t change. 

‘I think, more than anything, despite being shown the truth, and being told the truth, I desperately clung to the truth I believed in,’ Hoseok tells him honestly. ‘He was my father- the Being who raised me along with my mother. I loved him. He was the one who guided me through my training, telling me to always remember that regardless of what actions were taken, what words were being said and spoken, that every single Being in this Universe, held a belief unique to themselves; shaped by those around them, shaped by what they’ve seen, shaped by what they want to believe in, and by what they need to believe in.’

Jimin lowers his head at that.

‘And because of this, we cannot truly know who anyone is. We cannot always understand what they do, why they do it, and how they do it,’ Hoseok shrugs, ‘And I always thought, how ironic, how hypocritical it was of him to have told me that; to raise me like that.’

‘But?’

‘But it proved what he was saying,’ Hoseok leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest, hands forming fists.

‘So what do you then? After accepting that?’

‘You accept that your truths, your beliefs, are not going to be the same as everyone else’s,’ Hoseok says bluntly.

Jimin doesn’t even blink, staring down at the floor, clearly deep in thought. 

‘And there’s no way in knowing if your truth is the correct one,’ Hoseok shrugs, his palms warm, ‘But there are things bigger than your truths, bigger than your beliefs- bigger than what is easier.’

Jimin nods to that, giving him a small smile and saying, ‘Thank you.’

‘Should I be worried about who you’ve called?’

Jimin just smiles at him, shaking his head.

‘I will explain soon- before we leave.’ He tells him, ‘I…- Hoseok, you know that you’re incredibly brave right?’

Hoseok can’t control the laugh he lets out. But Jimin doesn’t seem offended, he’s smiling too.

‘I don’t think most Beings considered what I did as being brave.’

‘No,’ Jimin shakes his head, ‘I’m not talking about your actions, or what you had to do.’

‘Okay?’

Jimin just grins, shaking his head again.

‘Hoseok! It shouldn’t be taking this long to get the tea!’ Sk’jin snaps over on his Comm Device. 

‘I’ll get it!’ Jimin chirps, quickly sprinting past Hoseok towards the Kitchens.

‘I knew I could only trust you Jimin,’ Sk’jin responds.

‘Could’ve sworn you said you would only trust Jimin as far as you could throw him-‘ Namjoon begins but never finishes his sentence. Jimin is laughing, grabbing the jugs with an amused smile on his face. 

Hoseok glances down at the NaviLet Jimin had left behind. It’s still activated, he can make out the log of the call he had, the map he had projected on. It’s familiar as well, and Hoseok could easily reach down and check for himself. 

Instead he turns around, going to the Kitchens and collects extra cups.

It’s not the only time he does accidentally walk in on Jimin randomly doing things by himself. Not that he wasn’t allowed of course. But it was still somehow odd. And Jimin never looked guilty but there was always an air of secrecy. One that Jimin did not invite inquiry to be directed at him.

Hoseok catches Jimin speaking to Dehin; but Dehin isn’t quite speaking like his GI self, rather he’s clutching his head, body stiff.

Hoseok catches sight of Jimin with the GI like this several times. But it’s not always the same as with Dehin, or even Yyna, Nineti, Amad’la, Amic, and a few others. Some of the GI don’t seem remotely affected by what Jimin was doing. Later, he finds Jimin talking to Yoongi, the Human listening and nodding, a serious look on his face. They both spot him at the same time, and not wanting to look like he purposefully spied on them, Hoseok just smiles and walks away.

 

*

When they bring in the last of the OrTanks inside the ship, Hoseok senses a change in the air. 

‘Storm is pulling in,’ Yoongi remarks from above him on the Hangar ramp, gaze directed upwards. Almost immediately, they hear the rumble of thunder, a flash of light breaking through the sky. Hoseok notes how Yoongi’s hair seems to rise up into the air filled with static.

‘Humidity has been pretty low though,’ he continues, ‘We might not actually get any rain- just electric storm.’

‘I think we continue on the ship then, being out in an electric storm with HoverPorts could be dangerous,’ Hoseok ruminates. 

‘The trees could act as finials,’ Yoongi gestures to the forest before adding, ‘Anything from Sk’jin?’

Hoseok shakes his head. 

‘We’ll continue on HoverPorts,’ Yoongi sighs out, ‘I’ll meet you there- so far everything is going along as planned.’

‘Does that make you uncomfortable?’

‘No,’ Yoongi pushes his visor down, his tone harsh but not directed at Hoseok. ‘Just afraid.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I don’t think any of us predicted that there could have been survivors here.’

Yoongi, Jungkook, and the GI teams on the grounds lead ahead. Hoseok brings in the ship, following slowly. This time, they’re flying over clear indications of settlement and towns, all of which are decimated and ruined- most places just stretches of rubble and dust. 

About halfway, the storm arrives over them. There’s no rain, but the wind is harsh. Yoongi guides the others through the edges of the forest, where the trees shield them somewhat. Lightning branches out, lasting long and creating sparks all over their windows, occasionally causing glitches in their HUDs. 

‘I’ve set the babies up safely!’ Taeh’yung tells him happily. ‘I’m gonna play them some music! Do you have any suggestions?’

‘Uh- I heard that the wind-tunnel music from southern Kl’ang tribes are supposed to be really helpful?’ Hoseok replies. ‘Someone suggested it to me, for nightmares and things.’

‘Did it work?’

‘Never got around to trying,’ Hoseok laughs, ‘Pull it up, maybe it’ll work for the babies.’

‘Okay!’

Hoseok glances at the isotope trackers. The positions of the gold, blue, and pink dots change all of the screen, but it’s in a consistent pattern. It’s exactly like what Jimin said would happen, so Hoseok tells himself not to worry; or give into the urge to send a rescue party. 

‘Storm is changing from projected path,’ Yyna reports to him as another GI adds, ‘Head Pilot Hoseok, detecting spike in atmospheric electric charges.’

‘All right, let’s reroute,’ Hoseok nods at Yyna, ‘Keep us on track for Udāvana, but let’s avoid any unnecessary situations that might cause difficulty.’

‘Understood,’ the GI respond from their stations.  

‘We’ve found what appears to be a road,’ Yoongi reports, ‘I think these were used to travel through the towns, connect the cities through the forests- several go underground.’

‘According to the scans, there are no signs of collapse.’ Jungkook adds. ‘I’ll use the Blueprint to map our way?’

‘Yeah, that’s a good idea Kookie, send it straight to Lisai.’ 

‘We’re gonna take it to duck from the storm.’ Yoongi tells him.

Almost on queue, lightning breaks bright, thunder erupting loudly. 

‘Be careful,’ Hoseok warns.

Far below, he watches as Yoongi heads the teams and they disappear from the edge of the forest, slipping under juts of rocks just as the clouds intensify, reducing visibility. Hoseok doesn’t want to take them too low, directly under the storm, neither does he want to take them above because that’d be too high. He maintains them somewhat just slightly above the main storm. 

It would take them almost an hour at this speed to reach Udāvana according to the new adjustments made on the map. His screen makes a small beeping sound, signaling Jungkook’s transmission. 

It’s quite an elaborate network of underground tunnels, roads, and bridges. Like a network of veins, the Blueprint maps out a clear path ahead. 

‘Signs of struggle here too,’ Yoongi reports. 

Hoseok quickly switches his active viewing tab to Yoongi’s Iris. They’re moving incredibly fast, but Hoseok is quick to scrub through the feed, grabbing stills to pull up and project them overhead. There are no bodies here, but the telltale signs of struggle, battles, and destruction are evident. 

They were moving through a stretch of time that was undocumented, hidden, and forgotten. Everything almost felt fake- like this was some form of simulation for a particularly terrible training session. 

Hoseok checks again on the other’s location- it was still glitching all over the place, but the isotopes were still alight. He really hopes it works. 

‘Hobi! I’m done! The music did help!’

‘Yeah?’

‘I think it’s calming them down, they say thank you!’

‘You can…hear them?’ Hoseok frowns, but then remembers how Taeh’yung had been able to speak to Jimin inside his OrTank. But then again, Jimin wasn’t quite like the eggs or the New Borns. 

‘A little bit, it’s unclear, but feeling don’t need words!’

‘I guess so,’ Hoseok agrees, ‘Why don’t you come back up and we’ll-‘

‘-!’

There’s a worrying exploding sound, curses from Yoongi and yelling from Jungkook.

Hoseok turns his attention back to Yoongi’s Iris, momentarily relieved to find that he’s still on his HoverPort, no damages sustained to his being in his readings. 

‘What’s wrong-‘

‘There was a mine,’ Yoongi hisses.

‘Anyone hurt?’

‘No- but one of our HoverPorts is inoperable,’ Yoongi reports, getting off of his HoverPort. ‘I think this place was rigged. It might be a security measure.’

‘Or an alarm system,’ Jungkook adds.

‘I’m not detecting additional signs of life other than the teams,’ Hoseok reports back immediately.

Yoongi exhales noisily, clearly not liking how despite how things were going according to plan, this new revelation regarding clear evidence of survivors was heavily implying the reality of their biggest fears. 

Of Jimin’s biggest fears. 

‘It smells like…like sulfur,’ Jungkook says slowly. 

‘That’s old,’ Hoseok remarks, ‘If they’re using sulfur-based explosives, it’s at best just small detonations. Loud, effective as an alarm and deterrent.’

‘I’ll reverse our isotope-tracker to pick up on sulfur. Depending on how old they are, they probably can no longer retain a spark. We’ll be able to detect each mine going ahead.’ Yoongi mumbles, inhaling deeply as though to ground himself. 

‘Okay- but single file, slow,’ Hoseok warns. 

‘What’s happening?’ Taeh’yung demands, hair wild, limbs flailing extra hard. 

‘There were mines,’ Hoseok explains, ‘Down in the tunnels.’

Taeh’yung gasps, ‘That’s so cool!’

‘Just wear your Comm Device,’ Hoseok pleads, ‘It’s important!’

‘Right, right, sorry!’ Taeh’yung hastily reaches into every pocket into his clothing before digging out the small Device and placing it back on his ear. ‘I just wanted to be able to hear the babies without interference!’

‘Did you get anything from them?’

‘Hm,’ Taeh’yung reaches across Hoseok to hug Yyna, bumping his cheek against her stony one in greeting. ‘Not much? Hey Yyna, you okay? You look a little peaky.’

‘You sound unsure.’ Hoseok looks over the Megibīyan GI, wondering how she looked peaky.

Taeh’yung throws himself on the seat next to Hoseok, placing his feet up on the dashboard which Hoseok redirects away instantly.

‘It’s a bit more difficult to hear them now,’ he says in a matter of fact way.

‘I’m sorry buggy,’ Hoseok is sincere- he cannot imagine how it’d be to live life stripped of what made him Ngfy’widan; his very nature robbed of him, rendering him completely different.

‘I just have to relearn!’ Taeh’yung nods, ‘It’s important to sometimes forget, and then relearn what you thought you once knew.’ 

‘I guess you’re right,’ Hoseok smiles. 

The change is slight- Taeh’yung was still most definitely his slightly chaotic self, but in an odd way, he seemed much more whole. And while the shadows around him were somehow much easier to identify, liquid like dark forms shape around the Zhak’gri, ignoring the principle of light sources, it doesn’t coat his Being. Hoseok no longer hears layers of voices in some of Taeh’yung’s words, doesn’t see someone else in his eyes.

He appeared, quite entirely himself. And it was almost as though he was relieved. 

‘We’re finding more mines down here,’ Yoongi says quietly, ‘Some of them are inactive. We’re putting markers up on the geoscans just in case.’

‘Okay- we’ll probably arrive before you,’ Hoseok replies.  

‘Yoongi keep an eye out for more babies just in case!’ Taeh’yung implores.

‘Um, we will,’ Jungkook replies in Yoongi’s stead. ‘Don’t worry, we’re being very safe.’

‘Thanks Kookie,’ Hoseok says gently.

‘Have we um, received any news from the others?’

‘No, but you’ll know the moment we do, okay?’ Hoseok replies, glancing back at the trackers.

‘Yeah! They’re okay- Jimin will make sure,’ Taeh’yung adds in his best reassuring tone. Hoseok’s not sure who he’s addressing at the moment, so he just activates the safety straps over Taeh’yung before speeding ahead just a little bit more.

Udāvana is smaller than Saṁkrāna, but larger than Keldana. It’s also surprisingly not too damaged. There’s evident signs of aging and natural erosion, but other than that, there’s no indication of destruction that isn’t a result of nature. Udāvana was a somewhat important site for them.

Not just because this was where Yoongi and his team found Jimin, but rather, the reason why and how Yoongi and his team landed so specifically on this spot. Although the GLA-port was indeed located there, it had long been known it was barely functional- just there for namesake. And yet Yoongi and his team landed so close to the GLA-port, the location they were looking for, and instead were lead elsewhere, deep into the valley that spilt downwards from Udāvana, surrounded by craggy mountains that are definitely different from the canyons they had first seen.

Jimin also said this was the narrowest section of the crescent- it was why it wasn’t developed too much. The new geoscans show them that the valley was more like wide shelves, layering downwards before squeezing in through the mountain ridges from both sides of the planet, the water sources from around the upper Crescent region pouring down to a massive and tall waterfall into lake below.

This was also the area where Yoongi and his team died. And where Jimin was taken, triggering a series of events that would forever tie all of their fates together.

Hoseok spots a location for landing; another semi-circle formed by the buildings and forests. This seemed to be a repeating architectural pattern in Megibīya. But the semi-circle clearing is not empty.

Their ship suddenly shudders, tilting too much to one side.

Alarmed, Hoseok quickly takes over the controls, maintaining the balance of the ship.

‘Whoa, what the -‘

‘Dehin?’ Taeh’yung sounds worried, ‘You’re…are you okay?’

The GI, who was unnaturally stiff seems to regain his movement, and instead simply nods at Taeh’yung.

‘Hey-‘

There’s a sudden groan from Yyna, making Hoseok turn swiftly to look at the Megibīyan GI in worry. But her expression doesn’t show much. For one wild moment, Hoseok wonders if he had imagined it. He quickly checks up on everyone’s stats, looking down their health tab. But there’s nothing showing.

Taeh’yung looks worried as he removes himself from his seat.

‘Preparing to land, Head Pilot Hoseok,’ Yyna reports, sounding absolutely normal. Hoseok wishes he could contact the others about this.

There are large boulders and stone pillars that have fallen due to age and or erosion, wildlife that bloomed and withered repeatedly, roots of trees piercing stone and earth. But to the side, creating a telltale imprint on the stone of a not so stable landing, is a GLA standard transporter-ship.

This model was not made anymore- but Hoseok has seen the type in many countless field mission reports of past centuries. This one was popular some 1500 sols ago.

It seemed too unrealistic to think that this ship could possibly be the very one Yoongi was in, coming into Megibīya. But at the same time, also possible. Hoseok wouldn’t be too surprised if it were. Taeh’yung walks over to the windows of the Bridge, his thoughts clearly somewhere else.

They land carefully, noting nothing out of the ordinary- at least in this Megibīyan standard.

‘Anything buggy?’

Taeh’yung looks uneasy, his gaze fixated towards the eastern mountain region. Far into the misty distance Hoseok spies the narrow and high mountain ranges meeting. Jimin had told them that these mountain peaks were once covered in snow- but they’re bare now. The forests and trees here are shorter and smaller, less brown and fading than the gigantic trees they had flown past.

‘I-…I’m not sure Hobi,’ Taeh’yung frowns, ‘But the others are not happy. Something is wrong here.’

Hoseok doesn’t know what Taeh’yung means by that, but he doubles on their scans, checking every single input from their sensors as well. There’s no suspicious difference in the readings; no alterations or changes that was strange. The only thing different here was the lack of damage. He keeps an eye on all the GI’s health tabs. Nothing was showing out of the ordinary. But to be safe, Hoseok tells the GI to stay inside instead. A lot happened in this planet, and though they had not foreseen such an unusual development of un-sureness regarding the reaction of the GI being here, Hoseok doesn’t want to take any risks.

‘The mines,’ Taeh’yung says quietly, ‘Maybe…maybe it was a way of keeping something out?’

Hoseok looks around the place they’ve landed in.

‘It smells worse here,’ Hoseok observes when they both step out. ‘Especially through the forest.’

Taeh’yung looks at the forest, a frown between his brows.

‘Is something wrong?’

‘I don’t know,’ Taeh’yung tilts his head, not looking away. ‘I think…I think there’s something in there- around this area too, but more in there.’

‘Should we move on? Check the Talvana area instead?’ Hoseok offers.

But Taeh’yung shakes his head.

‘I think…I think this is…’ Taeh’yung stops himself, frowning as he looks around at him at figures Hoseok cannot see. ‘Shut up!’

‘What is it?’ Hoseok walks up to the Zhak’gri, goosebumps erupting over his skin as the air shifts around Taeh’yung, movement of things Hoseok has seen once in a waking dream, unhappy and disturbed.

‘They say we shouldn’t be here,’ Taeh’yung replies.

‘We’re out of the tunnels,’ Jungkook tells them, ‘We found traces of fights, collapsed tunnels; I think the inhabitants of Udāvana might have run to the tunnels to stay safe- the network is very big and would offer many places to hide.’

‘We’ve found another transporter,’ Hoseok begins, making his way to the old vehicle.

‘Pirates?’ Jungkook asks, ‘The same style as the other one?’

‘No- I think this is much much older,’ Hoseok replies before saying hesitantly, ‘I think this might have been what Yoongi came down in.’

There’s no response from Yoongi.

‘We might still be able to extract information from the ship’s logs,’ Hoseok continues, ‘I’m going to investigate it.’

It’s appeared untouched since the day it landed, which was odd. Especially if pirates were flying in, bringing eggs quite frequently. And even more so if it meant that Axudar was also frequenting this place in order to retrieve the eggs. How they would overlook a transporter like this, not even hidden or camouflaged in anyway was strange.

‘!’ Jungkook suddenly cries out. ‘Yoongi!’

There’s a strange scratching sound followed by a crashing sound over the Comms. Hoseok hears Yoongi’s breath catching and exhaling sharply in shock and pain.

‘Hoseok- Yoongi just lost balance- he crashed to the side I don’t think he’s injured but-‘

Hoseok quickly runs back to their ship, ‘Taeh’yung stay here- don’t go too far, Yyna, prepare the Medical Bay, Dehin, make sure we’re ready to leave the planet!’

He gets no answer- not even a ‘Understood’ from either of the GI.

‘I’m fine!’ Yoongi manages to get out- he did not sound fine, ‘I just- my head-‘

‘Um- Hobi, it’s not just Yoongi- some of the other GI-‘

Hoseok stops, retrieving his screen from inside his pocket.

‘I don’t think they’re okay,’ Jungkook stammers, ‘But the others-‘

‘Let the unaffected GI bring in those who are compromised,’ Hoseok orders, rushing back to the ship before calling, ‘Dehin! Yyna-!’ he stops short, coming across two GI, keeled over on the floor, in a strange state of pain.

Hoseok suddenly remembers what happened to Yoongi when he had first recovered his memories. How his health tab hadn’t shown anything out of the ordinary.

‘Jungkook was Yoongi showing any signs of pain before this?’ Hoseok demands.

‘No!’ Jungkook replies quickly, ‘I didn’t notice anything any different it just- they all just reacted so strangely once we got out of the tunnel Hoseok I-‘

‘Okay- wait, wait-‘ Hoseok orders, running upwards and coming across a few of the GI on the ground, as though randomly knocked out while others were unaffected. ‘Take them back- back through the tunnel, away from Udāvana. I think this place is affecting them in a bad way.’

‘I want to see my ship,’ Yoongi manages to grit out.

‘You’ll see it through the Iris,’ Hoseok orders firmly as he gestures to the unaffected GI to help those on the ground. ‘Administer pain-diffusers, put them in their rooms to recover.’

‘I’ll take him in,’ Jungkook says sternly, as though speaking to Yoongi though he was addressing Hoseok, ‘There was an opening to a broken clearing before we hit the mines- we’ll set up there.’

‘All right- I’ll fly us out there,’ Hoseok gets to the Bridge, finding a few GI hovering awkwardly over some of the others, including Dehin and Yyna, who were slumped to the floor or dashboards in a strange grip of pain. ‘I’ll meet you there- can you send me coordinates? Hey, set them up in their rooms and administer pain-diffusers. Do this to anyone who isn’t well.’

‘Understood, head pilot Hoseok,’ they reply in unison.

‘Yeah okay,’ Jungkook sounds like he’s struggling.

‘You okay?’

‘Just- just Yoongi.’

‘Yoongi stop being difficult,’ Hoseok snaps as he gets into the cockpit before realizing something.

Taeh’yung wasn’t there.

‘Tae?’ Hoseok looks around behind him- no lanky Zhak’gri behind him.
Where was Taeh’yung? Hoseok checks the scanner at once, finding his green dot in the geoscans map, putting him some ways ahead. Quickly getting out of the cockpit, Hoseok gets to the windows, wiping out one of the HUD tabs to see through.

‘Isolate Taeh’yung’s location and pull me a view to HUD unit uh, 15,’ Hoseok orders. The ships AI system pulls up a zoomed in view of the borders of the forest. Hoseok spots Taeh’yung’s figure some ways ahead, standing right at the edge of the forest.

‘Taeh’yung!’ Hoseok calls quickly, ‘Get back here!’

To Hoseok’s surprise, Taeh’yung does turn around- his expression grave, walking back towards him and the ship.

‘Okay- uh,’ Hoseok looks around at the empty Bridge, ‘Right, okay let’s fly out. Tae, tell me when you’re in.’
‘Almost there!’

Hoseok is only mildly alarmed that Taeh’yung was apparently a very quick runner.

‘Kookie? Everything okay?’

‘We’re moving,’ Jungkook reports back, ‘But um- what about the HoverPorts? Is it okay if we leave them there?’

‘We can get them back later,’ Hoseok replies, readying the ship to take off. ‘It’s not important right now.’

‘Okay! I made sure to lock them!’

Somehow it makes Hoseok smile at that.

‘I don’t like the forest,’ Taeh’yung says, making Hoseok jump. ‘There’s something wrong in there. Something bad.’

‘Is it- is it alive?’ Hoseok quickly pulls the Zhak’gri towards him, making him sit, ‘Everyone secure yourselves, we’re taking off.’

‘This is not alive or dead,’ Taeh’yung says seriously, leg bouncing as his feet tap nervously on the floor. ‘This is them.’

‘What?’ Hoseok does a double take at the Zhak’gri.

‘They left behind something in here,’ Taeh’yung tells him, ‘I can’t smell it right now, but I know it’s them- it’s the same with the Omhlophe- but the way this feels, it’s stronger. It’s them.’

Red Evil, Akramanese, Creveni.

Hoseok shudders, looking towards the still and misty forest. Despite it looking less forlorn and destroyed, Hoseok now understands why he had found this whole region unsettling. This was why Yoongi’s ship was still here.

‘Past the forest too,’ Taeh’yung tells him, gaze still towards the high ridges and peaks, ‘Past the mountains.’

‘I think we’ll need to change our plans now,’ Hoseok grits out as the engines start up, the whole air vibrating slightly, barely noticeable. ‘Once the others can communicate back to us- we will need to make a change of plans- we can’t stay here.’

Taeh’yung nods absentmindedly before mumbling, ‘We do not bring death.’

‘What?’

‘Just something I heard once before.’

Jungkook sends them their coordinates and Hoseok manages to find a landing spot that’s a bit of tight squeeze amongst the trees. He winces when a few fall from the force of their landing gear. He spots Jungkook by the tree line, his helmet and gloves off.

‘I’ll go help!’ Taeh’yung volunteers, spryly jumping up and speeding out of the Bridge in a flurry of limbs and fluffy hair.

‘Okay-‘ Hoseok begins, getting up and cursing when he comes face-to-face with Yyna, and then Dehin who was making his way into the Bridge, ‘For ’s sake!’

Yyna, nonplussed, doesn’t say anything.

‘Hey, answer me honestly, how are you feeling?’

Yyna looks blankly at him before replying, ‘Not understood, restate your mission.’

Hoseok nearly throws his hands up in the air when Dehin speaks up, ‘Strange, head pilot Hoseok, I feel strange.’

‘Strange how?’

Dehin places himself at the Navigation Table before replying, ‘As though database was expanding too rapidly. My mind, my body- I was overwhelmed. Much like a glass filled too much, too forcefully.’

He looked drawn out- skin pale and slightly clammy.

‘Thank you for telling me Dehin. We’re staying here until we get back into contact with the others, make sure you’re tracking everything on our scanners.’

‘Understood,’ he replies.

Hoseok rushes down, catching sight of the GI from Team A and B milling in. But no Jungkook or Yoongi. In fact, no Taeh’yung. Hoseok makes his way past the GI walking in, following them in the opposite direction until he’s outside.

Yoongi is sitting, Taeh’yung squatted down next to him. Jungkook is standing before them, arms crossed and a frustrated look on his face.

‘I’m fine,’ is what Yoongi is saying the moment Hoseok is at hearing distance. ‘See the other GI? They’re fine too.’

‘You don’t smell fine,’ Jungkook argues, ‘Tae! You can see it right?’

Taeh’yung doesn’t respond, just looking at Yoongi worriedly.

‘I know what’s there,’ Yoongi says, looking up briefly at Hoseok and adding, ‘I’m not pushing myself- I’m not feeling any worse than before, we all know I’m not particularly at my optimum and being here isn’t the main reason behind it.’

Hoseok understands why Jungkook is frowning down at Yoongi because he wants to do the same.

‘What’s in there?’ Hoseok asks instead.

‘It’s where the Red Evil created us,’ Yoongi coughs out, his skin clammy looking. He removes his helmet to reveal matted and sweaty hair. Jungkook screws up his face, his nose scrunching. ‘Just some of us here are affected- notice how some of the GI aren’t affected? It’s because they’re fully “incubated”- it’s us, the regurgitated, who are having issues. Jungkook isn’t affected either.’

Jungkook scowls at that.

‘It’s like, like a part of their ship exists there- maybe more. If what Amme said was true, the Red Evil abandoned a lot of us here when they left. They overtook this planet for an extended period of time- so it wouldn’t be strange if they built something here.’

‘This is not alive or dead.’

‘Wouldn’t the Yishengs have taken what was remaining here?’ Hoseok asks, remembering what Amme had said though none of them really want to take any recollection of any story as 100% factual.

‘Just because they did, doesn’t mean it’s truly gone,’ Taeh’yung answers instead, ‘The forest feels wrong. You cannot do what they did, and let Time take over- not when so much Memory is linked to this planet.’

Yoongi nods, as though in agreement with Taeh’yung despite not having gone close at all.

‘Okay- I think I’m gonna go ahead with Kookie, and some of the other GI who are unaffected going into Udāvana,’ Hoseok tells them, ‘Tae, stay here with the others.’

Taeh’yung nods up at him.

Yoongi looks like he wants to argue but he doesn’t, looking frustrated, and for the first time, afraid.

‘It’s possible that the…whatever is left behind in the forest, has stopped anyone who would be interested in the ship to check into it,’ Hoseok tells the Human. ‘You can keep watch with the Iris- I’ll try and access the system, see if I can retrieve any logs. If you see anything of importance, let me know at once. But I can’t have you, or any of the others, compromised by being near this area without knowing what it is, and what it does.’

Yoongi nods to that, looking defeated.

‘Also- depending on what we do find in the forest, or past it into the valleys below, we might have to reconsider our plan.’

‘Even though it seems to be working out completely as planned?’ Yoongi inquires, shaking sweat off of his hair with shaking hands.

‘This was not part of any hypothesis or possibility,’ Hoseok nods towards where Udāvana lay. ‘We will need to discuss this with the others first. Warn them, and the others…and-‘ Hoseok stops himself, looking down at Yoongi who glances upwards, ‘Maybe, it’s better for you, and the other GI to not be here- not just keeping safe at a distance, but to stay away.’

The tenseness of his body lessens a little, and Yoongi sighs out, giving him a stiff nod.

‘Yeah,’ he says quietly, ‘I think so too.’

‘Come on, let’s get you back inside- Tae, make sure he’s resting,’ Hoseok tells the Zhak’gri who nods eagerly.

‘Kook, I think we can walk down the distance, and pick up the remaining bikes.’ Hoseok tells Jungkook, ‘You’re good to go? Do you need to take a small break?’

‘No,’ Jungkook shakes his head at once, bouncing on his feet a little as though eager to get going.

‘All right, let’s make sure we have the updated map for the-‘
Then quite suddenly, there’s a small flash of light.

Hoseok stops at once, staring up.

In fact, it was almost as though everything had stopped.

It was not very bright- and it wouldn’t have been so noticeable if it weren’t for the fact that every thing around them – the mountains, the ridges, the trees, the forest, the sky- was all affected. Then the strangest thing happens.

A subdued yet starkly visible ripple of light erupts high overhead- visible more in part because of how the clouds of the storm ripple with the force, practically banishing it in an overwhelming surge of power beyond comprehension.

‘Oh!’ Taeh’yung suddenly says, standing as though he couldn’t help it, eyes wide as he looks up. Around him, appearing in a form so alarming corporeal, are the 4 figures he had seen by the dying light of the fire from the beach. Everyone can see it- it’s not just Hoseok. He can see how the figures appear to be shock, their forms and figures crouched as though unable to help looking upwards, but still cowed with some form of fear or awe.

‘Tae-?’ Hoseok wants an explanation. ‘Yyna, prepare the ship to leave-‘

Out of nowhere, Yoongi suddenly grasps his arm, he’s shaking his head at Hoseok, telling him to stop.

‘Jimin,’ he breathes out, eyes wide and clear, shining with a light from deep within.

‘What do you mean-?’

There’s a blaring shrill sound emitting from their Comm Devices; so loud, Hoseok could swear it nearly shattered their Comm Devices. Yoongi curses, ripping the Device off that won’t stop emitting the shrieking sound. 

‘What is it-?’ Jungkook asks, hand over his ear, face scrunched up. But Hoseok is staring at Taeh’yung whose gaze is fixed upwards, eyes wide and a grin forming on his lips. He turns to look at them, and at the same time all the figures vanish.

‘They did it!’

And then suddenly- the sky seems to implode, all space flickering around and over them- the sun now clear and larger than Hoseok anticipated- bright plumes of light emitting from it in a way Hoseok identifies with quasars. But that’s not the only thing that changes in this reality implosion- a massive accretion disk, with hues of blue, rose, and gold wash over this new expanse of space.

‘Oh,’ Taeh’yung holds his hands up, his eyes glowing bright green, ‘Oh!’

These colours seem to extend all the way towards them but it’s faint-

The sky returns to normal, the clouds above them reappearing and filling with colour that now seemed extremely dull. It’s also very quiet and Hoseok realizes that he had been hearing- hearing singing.

‘Aw,’ Taeh’yung whines, looking at his hands, back to normal with a put-out frown.

‘Our communications are down,’ Hoseok realizes, touching his Comm Device. He turns back to look at the ship. All of the power in it was subdued as well. ‘Taeh’yung what was that?’ he demands, turning around to ask the Zhak’gri.

Taeh’yung just beams, hands clapping, ‘She’s beautiful!’ he exclaims, ‘So beautiful!’

‘What- who?’ Jungkook looks a little scared, and mostly confused.

Their Comm Devices suddenly crackle, making them all flinch. It increases in volume then out of nowhere, their lines clean up, their ship powers back, and all of reality around them seems to settle back down again.

‘We got it!’ Sk’jin suddenly exclaims, loud and clear in their ears. ‘It’s working! We’re on our way back!’

‘Oh-!’ Jungkook’s eyes are wide, an even wider grin on his face. ‘It worked!’

‘It’s done!’ Jimin exclaims- he sounded relieved, ‘Hoseok! Are we ready for the transmission?’

‘Yes!’ Hoseok starts, catching up quickly, ‘Yes it’s ready-‘ he fumbles with the screen, pulling up their long-distance transmission boosters. ‘-we’re connected and ready!’

‘Do it now,’ Namjoon orders, ‘Let’s up.’

Hoseok taps lightly on the transfer initiation.

‘Jimin! Are you okay?’ Jungkook asks quickly.

‘I am, we all are,’ Jimin replies quickly, ‘Are you all safe? Has anything been triggered?’

‘No but um-‘ Jungkook glances at Yoongi a little hesitantly, ‘Um- some of the GI have become unwell.’

‘Is it Amad’la, I swear to Spaces I’ll drop-kick anyone who hurt her,’ Sk’jin threatens at once.

‘What do you mean?’ Jimin asks carefully, ‘Where’s Yoongi.’

‘I’m here sunshine,’ Yoongi replies, ‘It’s um- I think there’s something here, left by the Red Evil, and it’s been…not good for me, and some of the others.’

‘The regurgitated? Well, , that’s not good,’ Sk’jin comments.

‘We’ve moved away from Udāvana for now,’ Hoseok quickly explains, ‘Jungkook and I are going to investigate a ship that I think was the one that brought Yoongi here. It might still have intact logs and-‘

‘What?’ Namjoon sounds amazed before adding, ‘Okay, screens back online.’

‘And, we found eggs here,’ Hoseok tells them, ‘Eggs- actual pirates, I’m guessing the same set up as Khonen had with the Omhlophe.’

‘Are- are the eggs okay?’ Sk’jin asks hesitantly.

‘Three of them were, well- didn’t make it,’ Hoseok hesitates, ‘We’ve brought them all back in, all 8 of them. Taeh’yung says that they’re okay.’

‘Taeh’yung,’ Jimin calls, ‘What’s wrong?’

For a moment, Hoseok forgets that the others were also able to see them through the Irises on their own screens.

Taeh’yung seems oddly frozen, frowning as he squints, not looking at anything. The air around him vibrates almost angrily, agitated somehow.

‘I…I don’t think they were here to bring death,’ Taeh’yung sounds far away.

‘What? What’s he saying?’ Sk’jin demands.

‘Hoseok- take Yoongi back further now-!’ Jimin asks frantically, ‘Please-‘

Yoongi sways very oddly- Jungkook reacts immediately, arms going up as though to steady him.

But Yoongi rights himself almost at once.

‘Yoongi-!’

But then, almost as though the strings pulling him upright were abruptly cut, Yoongi crumples to the ground. 

*
 

‘I was thinking,’ Namjoon says to him conversationally after the sun has set, and the sky was slowly revealing a vast expanse of stars above them. The others were gathering up the vastly scattered ship itinerary while one of the GI had sighed and mumbled in a monotone ‘I hate mess’ to everyone’s amusement.

‘About?’

‘Axudar,’ Namjoon says slowly, ‘And also about how so many of Ndica’s disciples- those who believed in this twisted dreams he firmly believed in. We cannot say what happened during the Gaia Case was enough to quell those beliefs- seeing as how Camil seemed to be one of the countless Beings who was still following Ndica’s desires.’

Hoseok thinks back to the random questions Namjoon had asked him earlier that day.

‘What are you getting to?’

‘We’re greatly disadvantaged.’

‘That’s not new news.’

Namjoon rolls his eyes, ‘Yes. But what I’m saying is, we cannot possibly weed out who knows what, who believes in what, back with the Special Jury, or the Court even. Even within the GIU, the Venture Unit.’

Hoseok nods to that in agreement.

‘I’m…I’m just thinking things through,’ Namjoon tells him, ‘And I think…I think there’s something I want to do- which I think will increase the probability of our success- or at least, success of the mission.’

‘What is it?’

‘Ilya,’ Namjoon states plainly, ‘I’m considering sending him a rough idea of our plans.’

That made sense – Ilya was greatly involved, both voluntarily and involuntarily, with what they were trying to do.

‘If things don’t work out; we need someone to take care of the remaining eggs- ensure their safety. Ilya’s network, once they’re able to clear it out and secure themselves, would definitely be able to find more of the eggs, the New Borns, and provide them with security- or at least hide them away from the GLA Court.’ Namjoon explains.

‘Why didn’t you say something before?’

Namjoon hesitates, glancing over at Sk’jin who was listening to something Amad’la was explaining to him regarding the ship’s shielding system by the Hangar gateway.

‘I’m not sure how much Sk’jin would approve- or well…I’m not saying Sk’jin is incapable of looking past his personal feelings or relationship with Ilya in this matter-‘ Namjoon hesitates. ‘I think it’s also because I uh-…Sk’jin is…’

Hoseok waits, studying their Captain carefully.

‘You don’t want to hurt him?’ Hoseok asks slowly. ‘You think that maybe, somehow, this will upset Sk’jin?’

‘Not quite,’ Namjoon scratches at the side of his face, looking over to the sea instead. ‘I don’t know how to say it- I’m worried for him.’

‘In what way?’

Namjoon huffs out a small laugh before saying, ‘I almost considered plotting with Jn’young and Jimin to somehow knock him out and keep him with Ilya.’

Hoseok squints at Namjoon.

‘Sounds like you’re the one who needs to get their personal feelings out of the way.’

Namjoon snorts, ‘It’s not like that. I just…don’t think that Sk’jin is doing any of this with-…well-‘

‘With the right intentions?’ Hoseok raises an eyebrow. ‘I don’t think any of us are doing any of this, or started any of this with the “right” intentions.’

Namjoon huffs out in frustration, glaring at Hoseok, ‘I know that- stop trying to put words in my mouth.’

Hoseok raises both hands up, shrugging.

‘The process with which Sk’jin is here, right now with us, and all that’s happened to him- it’s something we cannot explain or hope to understand- at least not the true extent of it.’ Namjoon tells him with a sigh, ‘I am worried that what he wants to do- or what he’s hoping to do and achieve, won’t be what he need.’

‘So what does he need?’

‘Sk’jin thinks he needs to fulfil a promise- to uphold something he wasn’t able to do in the past. Something, most likely the circumstances that lead to his strange death, stopped him from doing so.’ Namjoon pauses, ‘Sk’jin wants justification for being alive right now.’

‘You’re worried this won’t help him?’

‘I know it won’t,’ Namjoon grimaces.

‘Isn’t that his decision to make?’

‘I know it is,’ Namjoon frowns at Hoseok, ‘That doesn’t stop me from worrying about him.’

‘So you’re saying you want to keep Ilya informed- also as a way of possible back-up?’

Namjoon nods.

‘Have you discussed this with Jimin?’

‘He was the one who mentioned it to me,’ Namjoon huffs out a small chuckle, ‘I think he’s planning something.’

‘I mean…yeah,’ Hoseok nods slowly, thinking back to when he’d been talking to Jimin, ‘Is that why you were asking me those other questions?’

Namjoon nods again before stating bluntly, ‘Axudar is too big. There’s too much we don’t understand- too much that’s suspicious and questionable. We cannot expect back-up from the GLA or the Special Jury- they would never want to invest in something so terribly risky- and for those who actually believed in Ndica and would want to continue to push his agenda, they will do everything they can to stop us.’

‘Ilya’s is the next possible force that could possibly counter what Axudar is trying to do?’

‘At least enough to help with the eggs and New Borns.’ Namjoon nods.

‘Well,’ Hoseok begins thoughtfully. ‘If this had been just a month ago, I think Ilya would have refused- alongside Jn’young, E’nid, and Jaen – but with how they have been effected, and with their own personal history, I think it’s safe to say they are probably making their own plans on how to tackle this force.’

Namjoon nods, listening intently.

‘I think we should definitely inform Ilya- as well as Jn’young,’ Hoseok says in agreement before nodding towards Sk’jin’s direction. ‘I also think, as this is an action that will directly effect our team and what we’re doing- Sk’jin should be informed.’

Namjoon sighs. It’s almost comical.

‘You want me to say it?’ Hoseok offers with a short laugh.

‘Can’t do that,’ Namjoon shakes his head, squaring his shoulders as he glances over at Sk’jin, who looks up at them, eyes narrowing with suspicion, clearly some heightened sense alerting him that he was being discussed. ‘As Captain I need to do this sort of stuff.’

Hoseok pats Namjoon’s shoulder.

‘Good luck.’

*

‘He’s not displaying any signs of actual physical problems,’ Hoseok sighs.

‘Is it the same as last time?’ Namjoon asks.

Hoseok pulls on his jacket, closing the front properly. He accepts the helmet from Jungkook as they step out of the ship.

‘Yeah, I think so,’ Hoseok replies, ‘Maybe this place, whatever is left behind by the Red Evil triggers the GI who are like Yoongi?’

‘The regurgitated?’

‘Yeah. Dehin had told me he felt like database was expanding too quickly,’ Hoseok repeats what he heard from the GI, ‘I think we might have to adjust our next steps.’

‘Sk’jin was saying that too, but I think Jimin should come down and check on whatever this is first before we contact Ilya again.’ Namjoon ruminates. ‘Are you heading back for Yoongi’s ship?’

‘We don’t know for sure if it is Yoongi’s ship,’ Hoseok reminds him. ‘We weren’t able to show him the ship- he kinda got out of it before we could.’

‘Does he think it’s his ship.’

‘Yeah.’

‘To be honest I’m not surprised,’ Namjoon says, ‘But even if it’s not his ship, it would still be good to check into what that ship is, and if the logs are still available.’

‘Ready to take off, Head Pilot Hoseok,’ one of the GI reports to him.

‘Great, return to Keldana and stay there,’ Hoseok looks back to the ship, raising one hand up to signal them. ‘We’ll be back within 2 hours.’

‘Understood.’

‘Buggy?’

‘I’ll keep everyone safe! You both have fun! Protect each other okay Kookie?’

‘Okay!’ Jungkook replies as he pushes his own helmet over his head.

Hoseok had let all of the regurgitated GI remain in the ship, ordering them not to participate in any of the ship’s activity, having them under observation in the Medical Bays. Yoongi had taken it the worst, and though he had regained consciousness, was worryingly weak. Hoseok requests for two of the GI to go along with himself and Jungkook to investigate Yoongi’s ship. They would walk through the tunnel and up to the remaining 4 HoverPorts, and then straight towards where Yoongi’s ship (still debatable) was.

The Yisheng ship takes off, making Hoseok lower the GI helmet visor down to avoid the dust storm that picks up as the ship lifts off.

‘Okay, let’s get going,’ Hoseok waves one last time before turning around.

‘We should be getting there in around 2 hours ourselves,’ Sk’jin tells them, ‘We were initially planning on maybe scouring the Crescent but I think that can wait until after we check out Udāvana.’

Hoseok hops down the smaller and steeper cracks that have spread on the ground, revealing the tunnels below. Jungkook follows after him and takes the lead.

‘So,’ Hoseok begins, ‘How was it?’

‘Unusual,’ Sk’jin replies honestly, ‘I’ve never seen anything like it- I can’t believe how…extraordinary it all is. I’m not saying that it was good, but it was understandable that Ndica was so relentless in his pursuit for Menigišiti and what they had.’

‘Did Jimin say anything else?’

‘No. But I think there’s no way we can take it back now,’ Sk’jin laughs, ‘They will definitely notice.’

‘Like we planned?’

Sk’jin sighs, ‘Like we planned.’

‘Don’t worry,’ Namjoon laughs, sounding quite delighted, ‘They won’t know what else is going to hit them soon- the Underverse is already exploding- there’s no way this won’t get out of hand.’

‘Well, we will need to figure things out when we get there about that forest,’ Sk’jin interjects, ‘Which will make me happier because as per usual no one listens to me-‘

‘-I listen to you!’ Taeh’yung complains.

‘I have never heard a more terrible or bold lie,’ Sk’jin scoffs.

‘Jn’young is saying that he’s just received a report from inside Šerdesas that the Court is in a massive flurry. This might be a lot faster than we expected.’ Namjoon remarks.

‘Then it’s just their next move now,’ Hoseok replies, ‘Anything from the GIU?’

‘Nothing yet- but I don’t doubt K’mara already knows now.’ Namjoon replies.

‘Just as planned!’

‘Please,’ Sk’jin pleads, ‘I’ll hear this in my dreams.’

‘You don’t sleep,’ Jungkook chimes in unexpectedly, grinning goofily at Hoseok through his open visor.

‘This disrespect!’ Sk’jin exhales noisily, ‘Just you wait you muscular hulk, I’ll kick your when I get down there!’

Jungkook is evidently laughing, his shoulders shaking with laughter as he walks ahead.

‘They’re becoming much more stable now!’ Taeh’yung randomly reports, ‘Amad’la is also awake now!’

‘Does she remember…things from the past?’ Namjoon asks tentatively.

‘No, she’s just a little confused.’ Taeh’yung replies, ‘Dehin is the only one who hasn’t woken up. But he seems stable. Yoongi keeps falling asleep though- but he manages to wake up.’

‘Thanks buggy, you’re doing a good job.’

Jungkook grins at the way Taeh’yung pleased giggling fills their ears.

‘Is Taeh’yung very old?’ he asks, touching his Comm Device, isolating their channel for a moment.

‘Uh, yeah I think so,’ Hoseok confirms, ‘Not quite how we understand age or time I think.’

Jungkook seems to ponder this seriously before asking, ‘Not like how Yoongi is old right?’

‘Yeah, it’s different,’ Hoseok nods, ‘But even in that, you’re like Yoongi, but you’re not like him again too.’

‘Time is strange,’ Jungkook observes.

Taeh’yung updates them on the GI’s health status every 10 minutes or so. He also informs them when they arrive back to Keldana. Hoseok has one of the GI retrieve the transporter Yoongi and Teams A and B had used to first depart from the Yisheng ship when they had arrived in Megibīya. 

Hoseok observes the tunnels- they’re wide, obviously used to quickly ferry items underground. There are tracks to the side as well on the domed ceilings. There are several alcoves, half-circles and quite deep. Clearly this place was once frequently used. Jungkook shows him where the first mine had been triggered. Hoseok can still pick up lingering traces of sulfur. It’s not a very powerful explosion, only chipping some of the already loose and cracked stones. It could very well have been a warning system attached later into this tunnel.

The tunnels are not exactly intact- deep crevices have formed through some of them, with some areas nearly entirely collapsed or caved in. Hoseok hears water coming through on one of the branching off tunnels. There’s a crevice so wide and deep they need to take running leaps to cross it. Hoseok realizes he’s probably least adept at it, seeing as how the GI cleanly make the jump, barely even running for momentum. And well Jungkook- he not only makes it over the crevice running on all fours, he lands quite a distance away, rolling onto the ground as he touches the ground. Hoseok just about makes it, grumbling under his breath at how Jungkook seems very pleased with his mark.

They avoid the other mines easily, though Hoseok wishes they could extract just one to examine the make of it. Hoseok could easily put together explosives if needed, but there were trained and known tactics and methods. By examining the mine, they would be able to at least reduce the number of possible explosive enthusiasts.

The HoverPorts are untouched where they were left behind when they exit the tunnels.

‘It’s not getting dark,’ Jungkook sounds confused, ‘Shouldn’t the sky have changed? The sun?’

‘Not here,’ Hoseok explains, ‘Megibīya is orbit locked- the sun won’t rise above that.’

They can barely see the sun now- hidden behind strangely twisting greyish clouds, covering most of the sky. The storm had eased somewhat, no more lightning suddenly flashing through the sky or behind the horizon.

‘We got the HoverPorts,’ Hoseok announces, ‘We’ll be at the transporter location in a few minutes.’

‘We’re not too far ourselves,’ Sk’jin replies back, ‘Damn, Yishengs really have been using their funds well haven’t they?’ 

Udāvana doesn’t feel different to Hoseok, but nonetheless it is twice as foreboding now that he’s here, and Yoongi and the other regurgitated GI are back in the ship. It makes Jungkook quite jumpy as well, his stance defensive the moment they get closer into the central clearing of the city, towards the aged transporter waiting for them there. They stop close by, and Hoseok stations the 2 GI to station themselves outside, and to keep a circling parameter around the ship, with their scanners to pick up on any activity.

Jungkook wheezes, shutting off his visor at once before he opened it properly. ‘It really stinks!’ he exclaims, exhaling forcefully.

Hoseok walks around the whole transporter first, observing the ship.

‘That’s it,’ Yoongi says quietly, ‘That’s the transporter we were in.’

Hoseok makes sure his Iris is stabilized, and that none of the straps over his jacket were blocking the view.

‘I don’t see any visible traps or triggers outside- I’m running a scan just in case,’ Hoseok says out loud, already retrieving his screen. Jungkook tails after him, imitating his steps and moves.

A few scans later, Hoseok doesn’t note anything untoward outside the ship. The entryway on either side as well as towards the back at the hangar gateway is shut. After this long, Hoseok isn’t sure if they can rely on the ship to still have a functioning gateway system. But it’s all right because Jungkook is able to pry open the hangar gateway enough for both of them to duck inside.

Whatever power once fueled this ship was completely gone- the air is stale in here, not the way it was outside, but in a way that suggested whatever air filtration was used here wasn’t functional anymore for a long time. Hoseok taps on the side of his helmet, Jungkook following suit, and the hangar lights up immediately.

Nothing seems touched or changed. The hangar, with many OrTanks and crates were still stacked up, attached to their frames and lifts, secured with straps and magnetic locks. There’s suspension tarps still draped over some areas, thick layers of dust over them. The floor, though metal, doesn’t make a sound when Hoseok steps on it as a result of intense dust.

‘Nothing’s…nothing’s changed-‘ Yoongi sounds dazed. ‘That’s the secondary hangar- further in, through that partition-‘ Hoseok steps forward and finds wide sliding panels, ‘-yes that one- that’s the primary hangar. That’s where we stored our weapons, communication devices, and screens. Past that is the seating bay that leads into the cockpit.’

Hoseok and Jungkook slide the doorway, waves of dust falling over them, and to their feet, a strange sticky sludge spills over.

‘Gross,’ Jungkook wails, taking a step back.

The seating bay area is flooded in about a 2-3 inch deep layer of residual life-support chemicals, air-filter mesh, and the main culprit, a burst pipe that probably siphoned out anti-inflammatory agents during an emergency. Hoseok guesses that at one point, long after the transporter’s system no longer could function or support itself, with strange changes of temperature, pressure, and prolonged exposure to the strange nature of this planet, the transporter’s internal hardware-based system simply eroded in on itself.

‘That was my seat,’ Yoongi croaks, ‘5^th to the left from where you’re standing.’

Hoseok enters the seating bay, counting the seats. He tries to ignore how there are clear indications of personal belongings still stored in the compartments below the seats.

‘Right next to mine, was Amic,’ Yoongi continues, sounding faint. ‘- we-…we couldn’t see what entering the planet was like. We could only catch flashes of red from the cockpit- we didn’t even know what we were getting ourselves into-‘

Hoseok stops at Yoongi’s designated seat. He can read a dusty 09-LW2 printed faintly on the headboard.

‘Yoongi?’ Taeh’yung sounds like he’s trying to wake the Human.

‘-Hoseok I think you can pull out the storage compartments below the seats,’ Yoongi sounds hopeful. Hoseok steps into the space before the seats, squatting down to look at the compartments. 09-LW2 is printed over it, much more clear and less dusty. But it’s congealed around the edges, and though Hoseok could have done it himself, he can practically feel Jungkook vibrating with eagerness.

‘Kook?’ Hoseok points at the compartment before stepping aside. Jungkook leans in, yanking with careful force, pushing aside the nearly solidified agents and liquid that’s coated the floors.    

‘Thank you,’ he smiles at the Vicitra even though he can’t see it. He imagines Jungkook’s smiling back.

There’s a bag inside- still very well preserved, not a hint of dust on it.

‘Do you want us to bring Amic’s back?’ Hoseok asks gently, pulling out a thin but strong drawstring square from inside his pocket and unfolding it, holding it up for Jungkook to carefully place the bag inside.

‘I think, considering everything, you should bring back everything,’ Namjoon suggests gently.

‘Yoongi’s asleep again,’ Taeh’yung tells them quietly, speaking in hushed tones.

‘Kookie, could you get them and store them up?’ Hoseok asks, hanging the youngling the drawstring, ‘I’ll go to the cockpit and try and access the transporter’s systems.’

Jungkook nods, already squatting down to pull out the next compartment.

‘Amad’la might have something worth looking into,’ Sk’jin pipes in, ‘She was the captain of their squad after all.’

‘Like pa?’

‘Hardly- besides, we’re hardly a squad. More like a -show if anything else.’

‘Jinnie! Jungkook’s listening!’

‘A good -show- is good fertilizer, Spaces.’

Jungkook is cackling behind him.

‘The system should be accessible if there’s power left in the cockpit,’ Yoongi tells him, sounding incredibly weak, ‘But I think you might just have to extract the motherboard and core.’

Hoseok had been suspecting that. Besides, it was possible that the method of accessing this outdated system might be beyond what the screen he brought could do. The windows are covered in dust, not much light filtering in. Kneeling in the squelching thick liquid on the floor and trying not to think about how gross it felt, Hoseok places himself before the cockpit dashboard and removes a glove. He feels for a slight catch in the otherwise smooth panels of the dashboard before he’s able to activate a small jutting metal lip and tugs down on it. With some struggle, and kicking aside the thick congealed liquid that’s incredibly stubborn (and probably impossible to remove from his clothes), Hoseok pulls at the panels that folds away from the dashboard and onto the floor.

Thankfully, none of the congealed oozing liquid had made its way down into the motherboard below. He gets no additional information or instruction from Yoongi so Hoseok proceeds to carefully extract the motherboards out. Deeper below, the core still lay intact as well.

‘I’m done,’ Jungkook tells him.

‘And we can see Megibīya now,’ Sk’jin announces.

‘The sun is shining?’ Jungkook remarks, sounding a bit confused.

‘Hm?’ Hoseok looks up, finding that the Vicitra has finished removing all the items from the seat compartments and was slowly making his way towards the cockpit, pushing up his visor, squinting at the dusty window.

‘What do you mean?’ Hoseok asks, looking back. He can’t see past the thick layer of dust in the window, and there’s very less light coming through if at all.

‘The sun- the light? Feels brighter,’ Jungkook frowns.

‘Are you guys done?’ Namjoon asks.

‘I’ve found the motherboards and the transporter’s core’ Hoseok reports back, glancing around the cockpit for anything he might have missed, ‘I think this is enough for now.’

‘Outside!’ Jungkook reaches forward to tug slightly on his sleeve, sounding excited. ‘Something’s happening!’

‘What do you mean?’ Hoseok frowns, lowering his visor at once and retrieving the TeorSer on his back.

Jungkook just excitedly sprints ahead, his shoes making rapid squelching sounds.

‘Jiminie is here,’ Taeh’yung sounds excited, ‘This is so cool!

Hoseok steps out of the transporter, looking up just as Jungkook runs out ahead of him, exclaiming excitedly as he looks up to the sky.

They had been on the ship earlier when they entered the planet, stepping out of warp, straight into a geomagnetic storm. But now it’s different.

‘All right, coming in now.’

The skies seem to ripple, colours of the quasar they had seen before echo in soft waves and every single living thing, every single construct and mass and space on this planet seems to tremble and sigh, welcoming and relieved. The air shifts, the wind somehow pleasantly changed from the chilly and decayed taint that wrapped Megibīya in a gloom of grey and stagnancy. There’s a change in the scent of the air as well- like sun warmed leaves, presenting them with a hint of growth; of life.

‘We’ve entered back into the atmosphere,’ Sk’jin tells them, ‘We’re coming down to the ship.’

‘Happy to have you all back!’ Taeh’yung chirps.

‘Wow,’ Jungkook breathes out, looking around him quite excitedly. Even the GI look around, as though they didn’t understand what was happening, expressing confusion in their own way.

‘Let’s get going everyone,’ Hoseok calls, putting back his TeorSer and pocketing the motherboards and core inside his inner-pockets. ‘Kookie, you okay with the bags?’

Jungkook simply swings them all to his back and gives him a thumb’s up before reaching up to lower his visor when he stops- eyes widening, posture rigid.

Quite suddenly, there’s a rumbling sound that comes straight from the forest behind them.

Hoseok spins around, checking all over the forest front for any sign of movement, activity- but he notices nothing. There’s another rumble- like the air was vibrating.

‘Angry,’ Jungkook grits out, ‘But- but just…just afraid.’

Hoseok squints at the forest and then back at Jungkook.

‘Come on Kook, let’s get going.’

*

There’s a strange light coming from the forest. Yoongi doesn’t remember how he got here, but he’s at the edge of that forest.

It reminds Yoongi of when he was last here.

Suddenly, everything is so much more brilliant. Like the missing colours of his memory now were able to reconnect. 

But Namjoon’s voice isn’t part of the original memory so he knows something is wrong. But he can’t quite pinpoint where it’s coming from.

The whole air around him pulses, flaring red stains everything slowly, colouring his dreams from a past life he couldn’t quite grasp. His feet hurt; he wants to sit down so he does. The forest floor is not the most comfortable, and Yoongi ignores that he doesn’t remember how he was inside the forest.

He ignores all of that, because all he can think about is how much he doesn’t want to be here.

He was not home. He was not where he needed to be. This was not where he should be. Yet he can’t help but move forward, as though forced to complete this journey. As though he had to.

As though something were incomplete.

But he doesn’t want to- he couldn’t. This wasn’t the direction he was supposed to go- not through this same wooded red-stained stretch of space that would dissipate into a strange void of white nothingness.

No. He can’t do that again.

He had to go back home.

He thinks he can hear Jungkook’s voice. That was definitely Hoseok’s voice too.

Oh, he was so tired. So so tired. Maybe he can close his eyes for just a moment- maybe that way he can get back home, but-

Something shimmers at him from the side.

Turning his head to the side, Yoongi blinks a little at the sudden lightening of the air around him. 

Jungkook’s voice, Sk’jin’s voice- they all fade away slowly. Instead, a familiar singing fills his mind. And Yoongi knows this song. He knows this voice. 

And at that moment, sunlight breaks through and the entire clearing is covered in warm light and colour. 

Their eyes meet, and Yoongi’s fear abates. 

‘Sunshine.’

*

Jimin wakes him up with a soft kiss.

For a moment, Yoongi wonders if he’s fallen asleep again, and he’s back there, in their home. Maybe Jimin did decide that they should just stay here – that Jimin is waking him up to watch the sunrise. 

His hand brushes through his hair, and Yoongi leans towards it. He’s there, in their bed. When he extends his hand out, he feels another body, warm skin under his palm. 

‘Yoongi,’ Jimin whispers, lips pulling away from his skin. Yoongi opens his eyes, leaning up to follow Jimin’s voice.   

The sound of the sea gently lapping up against the shoreline is the first thing he hears. The sun isn’t out yet, but the morning light is just bright enough to illuminate Jimin’s hair, the slopes of his face.

He’s kneeling next to him, a small smile on his lips. 

‘You want to go for a walk?’ he asks, head tilting a little.  

They would be leaving today.

Everything they had discussed the other day comes rushing back. Jimin’s silences, his questions, and how he took the time out to speak to every single GI, their foreheads touching; maybe he would now tell him, explain to him.

Without answering, Yoongi sits up and takes Jimin’s hand. 

Yoongi realizes that only Namjoon, Jungkook, and a few of the GI were still around the cold remains of the fire pit. He’s not surprised that Sk’jin wasn’t there, but he can’t spot either Taeh’yung nor Hoseok. 

Helping him up, hand in hand, Yoongi and Jimin walk over to the sandy edges of the shore, climbing up some of the flatter slabs of rock. 

They had been spending every dawn together, watching the sun rise. Yoongi doesn’t quite understand why Jimin does this. But he remembers this distinctly when he had been in Megibīya.  

‘Why do you watch the sunrise?’ Yoongi asks after a while. Jimin tugs quietly at his hand and they sit down on the cool rock slabs. 

‘Because after the winter, spring will always come,’ Jimin says softly, ‘After night, day is not so far behind. Nothing lasts forever- no darkness, no fear, no pain exists forever.’

Yoongi smiles at that, squeezing Jimin’s hand in his. Jimin’s finger still has the thin band of ink around it. 

‘Even if the moon wanes, it will still appear in the sky,’ he whispers softly, taking up their linked hands and kissing Yoongi’s knuckles. Yoongi leans in to kiss his forehead.

The skyline that rests above the horizon is lightening slowly, hints of gold leaking onto tiny wisps of vapor and clouds. The direction of the wind changes, sending a slight shiver down Jimin. 

‘I’m worried,’ Jimin says quietly. ‘And afraid.’

Yoongi waits for Jimin to continue.

‘I’m not afraid of doing this. I know what needs to be done.’ Jimin explains. ‘But there’s…this isn’t just an ordinary situation where it’s okay to simply not know to um, to wing it.’

Yoongi smiles involuntarily at the way Jimin seems unconsciously pleased at having grasped the metaphor. 

‘I think there were things Prat’tna didn’t tell Namjoon. I scrubbed through the surveillance footage and- it had all been removed. Or at least, never recorded. I checked all of the files, and even though I’m not very good, I did learn a lot from Lisai. I could find nothing.’ Jimin tells him, his free hand fiddling with the edges of his shirt. ‘If Prat’tna wanted to show me, or tell me all of this, he could have.’

Jimin looks out, eyes reflecting the growing light spreading over the horizon. 

‘What’s on your mind?’ 

‘A lot of confusion but-…based on what Namjoon has told me, from what he heard from Prat’tna, and how far the deception and control of the Great Council truly ran through Menigišiti.’

‘Do you suspect Prat’tna was involved in what happened?’ Yoongi asks, thinking hard about everything Namjoon summarized for them regarding his involuntary stay with the GI in Lowet.  

Jimin nods slowly.

‘There’s no evidence for it of course- all though it might explain why he did not wish to speak in person,’ Jimin replies, ‘Which is why I- I asked the others, if I could look into their memories. I believed that it would work- as it does with you, because of how and where we are connected.‘

‘What did you see?’

‘When-…when I touched the other…the other you- I saw into his thoughts and it was-…strangely empty. Only action- only recall. But I could still see what he had seen to that point.’

‘What was it?’

Jimin looks back around behind him before saying, ‘I think that…up until now, with everything we have heard, that we are being pushed to serve either one purpose, but both of which leading to destruction of a magnitude too big to comprehend.’

‘-you don’t think what Prat’tna or Amme said should be trusted?’

Jimin doesn’t nod, just tilts his head a little.

‘Trust and truths are tricky,’ Jimin says slowly, ‘If you believe one thing to be true, the life you live is your truth, but the life others lead is not your reality, therefore for you, it is not true. What are truths for you, Yoongi, may not be truths for me. What truth Amme witnessed, may not be the same for Ndica- or even K’mara. The truth Hoseok has lived is not the truth Namjoon has lived. What Sk’jin believes in, what he can trust in, is not the same as what Jungkook believes in- what he’s lived in his life.’

‘Is that why you always look uncomfortable when you say you can’t lie?’ 

Jimin nods slowly. 

‘Because I might believe in what I think is true- like when I believed that Menigišiti…when I believed in Menigišiti. I might see into someone’s mind, and see their truth. But clearly, so far everything has been showing me that the truth I once believed in are now all lies, layered over each other, delivered to me as a truth.’

‘And that’s not your fault.’ 

Jimin shakes his head.

‘It’s not about fault or guilt anymore- it’s…regardless of what has happened, and how it happened- I have innocent Beings who need to be protected, and my home that needs to be…’ Jimin closes his eyes. ‘What if Menigišiti now believes that it has been freed? Who am I, to push my truth onto them now.’

Yoongi can’t answer.

‘I’m thankful for your approach,’ Jimin opens his eyes, looking around at Yoongi with a smile. ‘I do not wish to become someone who believes they are a savior, with memories of a time that has long past forgotten me- and enforce my past truths into a present that no longer needs or wants me.’

‘What if their truth is…what if their truth no longer becomes a home for you?’

‘Then we will find another way- for the New Borns- at the very least, we can try and stop the atrocity taking place in Axudar- with Ilya and Jn’young.’ Jimin says firmly before he breaks out into a smile, fond and private. ‘I like our home.’

‘Yeah?’

Jimin nods, looking up and out over to the sea. He inhales slowly and exhales quietly.

‘I’m…if I asked you to…to remain here,’ Jimin asks quietly. ‘Would you stay?’

‘Only if you stay here with me.’

Jimin lets out a small choked laughter, though there’s no humor to it. 

‘Yoongi I-‘

‘I know.’ Yoongi whispers.

The sun is nearly entirely out of the sea, turning the endless stretch of water golden. 

Yoongi hears them before he sees them and doesn’t turn to look as Jungkook and Sk’jin climb up the flat rocks. Jungkook scoots up close to Jimin, ducking down to rest his head on his shoulder. Sk’jin comes to stand behind them. A minute later, Hoseok appears, shortly followed by Taeh’yung, and then Namjoon.

Jimin stands up, inhaling slowly and deeply. 

Then, turning his back to the sun, Jimin looks at all of them carefully.

‘As the Yemenifesi Ch’inik’eti, I was always sought after, to listen, to hear, to see and understand what was not said, what was not seen.’ Jimin doesn’t look away.

Yoongi stands as well, stepping back to look at Jimin properly.

‘There is a lot that was not said to me, that was not shown to me,’ Jimin continues, ‘And even now, this has become the constant in my life, constricting me, constricting us.’

No one says a word. The sun is now above the horizon, illuminating them all in what felt like an instance of trust, security, and unity. 

‘I know how to fix this,’ Jimin tells them quietly. ‘Because I see it now. I have been able to see it all now. And I know how worried we are. How we all know that there is no way out of this. But I understand now. And I know I can fix this.’

‘How do we fix it?’ Yoongi asks.

Jimin takes a deep breath, looking at each of them with overwhelmed emotions.

‘You trust me?’ he asks breathlessly, the Fate of his people, lost and forgotten, broken in defeat inconceivable and unimaginable. 

Yoongi’s heart swells; no one should have had this burden- decorative or performative; no one should have had to do any of this but here he was- lost. Lost, but trying to return to his people, trying to save those who would live lives in a future they cannot hope to have now.   

Namjoon hands Jimin the NaviLet.

‘Thank you,’ Jimin is almost inaudible but everyone hears him clearly. ‘Thank you.’

‘Tell us what we can do.’

He taps a few times on the NaviLet, the sun rising above him, light emitting from his whole being. Then he holds up the NaviLet, allowing a familiar planet, reshaped and re-mapped appears.

‘The ending started here, in Megibīya. And this is where we will change that.’

*

(Author’s Notes)

I’ve been seeing a lot of people do virtual hang outs and i

Don’t think even virutaly id be able to even look at any of the idols in the eye like

Moonbyul has done it and every single video I see im like

LUIHGLDFGHLSDKFHGLSDJFGDS and its not even me

There’s also gonna be one of jinyoung and hhahahahahahaha that man hurts me so much I would never be physically emotionally mentall or spiritually ready to even be at a digital space with him let alone irl I think I would genuinely just be Gone™

Once again T_T I am sorry for a delayed update everyone, I try my best to deliver fics at a somewhat consistent rate but

Yeah

Trying to change your life and enter the next phase of your adult life in the most financially balanced way, balancing debt, trying to make things work with your super weak passport in this capitalist society, with a pandemic raging on is just

A lot

I try my best to keep positive and to make things at a daily basis be fun and productive but damn, these weeks have just been terrible

Festa bangbangcon was super fun though and it really made my day!!! God I will never ever get over that Respect performance. How do I tattoo that into my eyelids. If you guys watched it, which performance did you enjoy the most?