─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

SEASON 1 EPISODE 9

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Setting:

System: Alpha Centauri

Faction: United Colonies

Planet: Jemison

Place: The Lodge

☆☆☆

Y/n

Y/n didn't think she'd ever get recalled from a Vanguard mission, yet there she was.

She burst down the door to Jimin's room. Sarah had messaged Y/n stating Jimin had asked for her and it was an emergency. Apparently he refused to speak to anyone who wasn't her, which meant she had to give up her Vanguard mission. If it was a prank, Y/n made a mental vow to forget her Universal beliefs so she could beat Jimin up.

She closed the doors behind her. Jimin sat on his bed with his head low and his hands squeezing his knees. The second she placed her eyes on his broken form, she realized no jokes were involved.

"Jimin," she said. "What's wrong?"

He got up at the sound of her voice, and she spotted tears in his eyes. His mouth bobbed up and down and made wet clicking sounds as it did. A moment later, he gave up and didn't bother speaking. Instead, he did the last thing she expected him to do.

He ran forward and hugged her.

Jimin's trembling form held her, and wet stains touched her shoulder. Like Jimin, she wore a flight suit that she typically had on under her UC armor. The difference was hers was UC colors while his was navy blue and black.

If Jimin was sobbing, she didn't know. No noises came from him other than a sniffle here and there. It was more about the shaking of his figure and the way he refused to let go. It took five full minutes of standing and embracing for him to pull back, and when he did, she saw the way his eyes were covered with moisture.

"Oh, Jimin," she whispered before wiping his tears away. "What happened? What's going on?"

He backed away and plopped down on his bed. She sat next to him, but he didn't answer just yet. His gaze remained on the wall. From up close, she noticed how puffy his cheeks were. If she squinted, she could see his lips were swollen, too. Almost as if he had been chewing on them or rubbing them excessively.

His voice sounded parched as it left his throat. "I watched myself die."

"What?"

"The artifact. When I touched it, it showed me dying in Vladimir's arms." Jimin broke off and heaved. It sounded like it hurt. Almost like he was on the verge of a panic attack. "I don't know why I saw it. I talked to Barrett, he said he didn't see anything like that when he touched one. Y/n, what's wrong with me?"

Y/n smiled and stroked his hair. He leaned into her touch.

"A lot."

Jimin chuckled, but it sounded like a cough. "A Universal knows how to joke?"

"Well, a wise man once said he'd get wrinkles and gray hairs if he was depressed about everything."

He sniffled and laughed. "Okay, you have a point. Deep breaths. Happy thoughts."

"Exactly," she said as she twirled a strand of his soft locks. His breathing slowed, and she felt the way his chest rose and fell in sync with hers. "When I was a kid, my mom used to tell me to think about what's bothering you, then picture a foot."

"A... foot?"

"Oh yeah, a big, hairy foot," Y/n whispered before poking his side. He giggled at that. "Imagine that foot stomping on all your worries. Go ahead, close your eyes and do it."

Jimin sat up straighter and shut his eyes. "Mhm, yep. I see the foot."

"Are your worries gone?"

Jimin turned and met her stare. "A little."

She shushed him and placed her hand on his chest, right where his heart was. She felt each beat and rubbed her thumb over his shirt to calm him.

"We're here to help you, Jimin. What the artifact showed you is a good thing."

"It's good?"

"Well, maybe not good, but it gives us new information. No matter what, we're not going to let anything bad happen to you." Although it was risky considering Jimin (kind of) hated her, she decided to take his hand and give it a squeeze. "I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you."

He didn't take his eyes off her. For several seconds, he gazed at her without speaking. His hand tightened its grip on hers before he slipped away from her grasp and hunched over. His fingers went to his hair to pull at the strands.

"I believe you, just, fuck. I've never thought about it."

"About what?"

"Death," he said. His voice trembled as he spoke. "Maybe it's because I've spent so long avoiding death, I thought I was invincible. But seeing me dying in someone's arms... it was..." He pinched his nose and sighed, but it sounded like a squeak thanks to his closed nostrils. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to mine that artifact and get caught up in this mess. Constellation, the UC, pirates. I can't die, Y/n. My Ma, she can't lose me. She'll be all alone."

"We won't let that happen."

Jimin laughed, but it came out as a hiccup. "I thought the same thing, then I saw myself die. And it wasn't like I was dreaming, it was real. Everything felt so real. My life changed in a day. Now I'm fighting pirates, working with legendary space explorers, and watching myself die. I just want to be a criminal again."

"Hey," Y/n murmured, scooting closer. She kept going until their shoulders touched. "Don't give up. You've accomplished so much in such a short period of time. Believe in yourself, please."

He peered at her. For a moment, a fleeting moment, it seemed as though his eyes flickered down to her lips, but he brought his gaze up as soon as it happened.

"Why did you come back?" he asked instead of replying to her previous words.

"You asked me to."

"But... why?"

"Is it so hard to believe someone cares about you?" she asked, nudging his shoulder.

Although she said it jokingly, his lack of an answer made her amusement fade away. There were millions of words she could say. Instead, she let her actions show it by taking his hand. But it still wasn't enough. The physical contact showed her care, but for some reason, she felt the need to speak.

"Jimin, I care about you. I do. You're a member of Constellation, and I honestly consider you my friend. And maybe I admire you for having the courage to go up against pirates. Whether you're doing it for credits or for the greater good, you're still doing it. Please give yourself credit for that, and please, let me help. That's what I'm here for."

A soft smile spread across his plump lips. "I have to meet Hoseok soon. Will you come with me?"

She squeezed his hand, and she was amazed when he returned the gesture. He shifted closer to her. His second hand went to her thigh as if trying to keep her close to him. Her mind went numb from the proximity. The gentle touch on her leg made her body shudder and her heart expand inside her chest. They had been shipping together for several days, yet she hadn't notice how he smelled like peaches and had an extra crease under his left eye as if he had been hit there.

Y/n grinned and savored the sweet aroma radiating from his figure. They had to get moving, but she didn't want to. She wanted to feel his warmth. It was as comforting as a hug on a harsh winter day. So, she waited. For an extra greedy moment, she sucked in his calming presence. And then, only then, she willed herself to answer.

"Always."

☆☆☆

Jimin stormed back onto the ship.

"Jimin? What happened?" Y/n asked, and he did a circling motion with his finger she assumed meant to undock. She undocked from the pirate captain's, Hoseok's, ship and got them as far as she could before switching to the grav drive controls. Jimin sat beside her and folded his hands together, then pressed them against his nose. He peered at the screen before shaking his head.

"He wants me to go to Suvorov to join the other rooks for their final trial. Apparently most rooks don't come back, and..." Jimin rubbed his forehead and ran a hand through his hair. "Delgado will be there."

Delgado was a secret even to the UC Vanguard. He hid on the pirate's space station known as the Key. It used to be a UC station, but the pirates conquered it and, by extension, took over the entire solar system now named Kryx. Suvorov was the only planet in that system. It was an ice planet that had the Lock, an abandoned supermax prison. The Lock and Key.

"You must be doing good if you're meeting the Crimson Fleet's boss already."

"Or," Jimin said with a toothy smile. "Delgado knows I'm a traitor and wants to murder me personally."

"Or you're about to join the Crimson Fleet."

"I think the first option is more accurate."

"That makes no sense," Y/n said with a sigh. "Suvorov is too important to him, he wouldn't murder rooks there. It's easier to do it on the Key, where he controls everything. How much do you know about Suvorov?"

"Hoseok told me it's a frozen planet with deadly wildlife."

"Exactly why it doesn't make sense for Delgado to kill you there. It's too much of a risk to his own life. Suvorov can guide Delgado to Kryx's Legacy, he's not going to take just anyone there. If you're going to Suvorov, you've impressed them, don't worry."

Jimin buried his brows together. "Kryx's Legacy? The fuck is that?"

"Hoseok didn't tell you?" Y/n asked, and Jimin shook his head. "Well, based on our very limited intel, we believe Kryx's Legacy is a giant sum of credits the pirate founder was trying to find. His name was Jasper Kryx, hence why the system is named Kryx. He was a prisoner on Suvorov. Apparently he found the path to more credits than anyone's ever owned. I'm talking billions. Enough to buy out Benjamin Bayu."

"Since Jasper was a prisoner on Suvorov, they think he left some evidence of it behind?"

"That's the theory. Not much is known about Delgado or his plan for the Legacy, but if pirates get their hands on that type of money, they could overthrow the UC and Freestar. Combined."

"Shit," Jimin muttered.

He leaned forward and tapped the screen to set course for Kryx, all without Y/n's help. Although they hadn't known each other long, Jimin was a fast learner when it came to flying. He didn't give himself enough credit. Most took years to learn how to work a grav drive. Granted, Jimin wasn't great at it, but he was better than other beginners.

"I'll put on one of the unmarked suits and come with you. Maybe they'll let me tag along," Y/n said.

Jimin snorted as he strapped in and prepared for the grav jump. "You think pirates are going to let a random person tag along?"

"On a deadly planet like Suvorov? Yeah actually, I do. Maybe not all the way, but they could use me for the dangerous bits."

"Well, I guess it's worth a try. Only thing to lose is our lives, what could go wrong?"

Y/n didn't answer. Not that she had a chance to. The grav drive kicked in, and suddenly, they were zapped across space. They went from one side of it to the next within seconds. They had arrived in Kryx, and Y/n had to rub her eyes to believe what was happening before her.

Outside the glass of the cockpit window was the Key. It was a giant space station with the Fleet's skull logo spraypainted over the UC one. There were exposed wires and airlocks that would never work again. Many of the arms of the station were sparking and had no function anymore. The station was half-destroyed, and Y/n couldn't tell if that was due to the pirates doing a terrible job maintaining it, or if it could be traced all the way back to when Jasper Kryx led a revolt against the station. That was how the pirates captured it. Kyrx had been their savior. In a way, he had started the Crimson Fleet. No wonder why those pirate lunatics worshipped him.

Pirate ships floated around, but there was no chatter between the channels. Y/n made sure they were muted before she cleared her throat and turned to Jimin.

"Right to Suvorov, or are we stopping by the Key?"

"Suvorov."

Y/n hummed and piloted the ship. She figured Jimin needed a break after all he had been through in the past twenty-four hours. Seeing as he slumped back in his seat and shut his eyes, she could tell she made the right decision.

Suvorov appeared a bright blue and had many white streams dancing around, almost as if they were clouds. Y/n kicked it up a notch and increased their speed. It took five minutes of flight time, but soon enough they were passing other pirate ships and making their way to the surface.

"Here, Hoseok told me where to land, let me take over," Jimin said, and Y/n gave him full control.

Jimin landed the ship well with Y/n's guidance. Upon looking outside, she saw the pirates had set up camp and were in a circle, likely discussing how to get inside.

Y/n got up and went to the unmarked suits they had stored in the back. Jimin did the same. Gearing up was the hardest part of the journey. It gave her time to think about what was ahead. Pirates were there, just outside their door. Although she was wearing a helmet that wouldn't show her face, she feared they would recognize her. Vanguard pilots weren't particularly known by pirates due to them being ships, not faces, but that didn't ease her worries.

"You shaking over there, L/n?" Jimin asked. He had his suit on minus his helmet, which he held against his side. Despite how he was the one just worrying for his life, he had a dumb smirk on his lips that caused a dimple to appear on his cheek.

Y/n groaned. "Shut up."

"Hey, come on, think of a big, hairy foot-"

"Oh my God."

"Isn't that considered cursing by Universal standards? Uh oh, I'm gonna call your priest and tell him you've been a naughty girl."

Y/n shoved her way past him and grabbed her Breach shotgun. As soon as it was strapped to her back, she opened the ramp and pointed at it. He held a hand over his chest.

"Me first? Oh come on. Age before beauty, remember?" Jimin said, waggling his brows.

She ripped his helmet from his grasp and forced it on his head. "You're older than me, remember?"

Jimin stomped his feet. "Dammit."

Jimin led the way, and Y/n followed. She had heating in her suit, but it wasn't enough. The atmosphere was breathable. If they wanted to, they could have come out without their suits; however, seeing as the temperature was in the negatives, neither of them dared venture out without protection.

The surface was as icy as Y/n was expecting. Luckily, her boots kept her in place. They had spikes on bottom that stuck to the terrain and propelled her forward without difficulty. Jimin slipped a couple times, but Y/n managed to keep him upright. The last thing Jimin needed was to trip in front of a bunch of pirates. They'd either laugh or gut him for being incompetent. Y/n didn't want to take the risk.

They made their way over to the pirate camp that was really just a tiny fire that died more by the second. There had to be a dozen pirates. The gusts of wind flying past them made visibility low, meaning Y/n had no idea what the rest of the surface looked like beyond what was in front of her. There could be hills, frozen lakes, frozen ecosystems, and lord knew what else. She had a feeling she didn't want to know.

"Who the hell is this?" a male voice said. He had a crimson spacesuit but no helmet on. He stood and held a sharp knife toward Jimin. "Hoseok didn't tell me you'd have a friend."

Jimin stepped in front of her. "Her name is Calista Hemmington. She was an underground fighter on Neon, expert with shotguns and close-quarter combat. I heard Suvorov is dangerous. We could use all the extra help we can get, right?"

The man huffed. "Ah, what the heck, I'm only sending us after the most important treasure in Crimson Fleet history. What's the big deal if a stranger tags along? No biggie!"

"We're all strangers, but what matters is I'm vouching for her. Have I ever done the pirates wrong?" Jimin asked. His voice was muffled by his helmet and the wind, but he spoke with enough authority that it was almost like his voice echoed. "You know who I am. You know I have history with the Fleet. I brought us help, help that will keep you and I alive, so maybe a 'thank you' is in order."

Did Jimin have a death wish?

Y/n didn't know what Delgado looked like, but based on the way the man was speaking and holding himself, she could tell he was the pirate leader. He had a hunched posture and wide shoulders. If he stood up straight, she was sure he'd tower over Jimin. As is, he was about eye-level with Jimin.

"Hoseok knows your history with the Fleet. Once he gets here, he'll decide if she stays or not."

Y/n decided against pleading her case on the off chance they recognized her voice. Instead, she pretended she couldn't speak and stayed in the background.

"For now, I will give you a basic rundown. My name is Delgado," he said. He came closer to Jimin and straightened his posture. He did, in fact, tower over Jimin. "If you pass this final trial and, ya know, don't die, you're in the Fleet. Though I must say, rook, you're off to a rocky start."

"I did all your jobs flawlessly, both the trials and on Neon when I ran with your partners. This will be no different."

"Oh-ho, we got Mister Confident over here. Ya, ya, no one cares. You can suck your own dick later, we're here on important business," Delgado said with a hand wave. His dark brown hair sat atop of his head like a brick wall. It was thick yet brittle, and not a single strand bothered falling in his face despite the weather conditions. It was as if he had glued his locks to the top of his head. "We're one klick away from the supermax prison the UC called the Lock. Once we get inside, I'll tell you more about our plan. On the way, we're going to encounter the scorpions here. Grylloba."

"Maybe we should have someone with a big ass shotgun watching our backs," Jimin said. His head was covered, but Y/n could practically hear his smile.

Delgado clicked his tongue and went back to hunching over. His mustache made him seem like a comic book villain thanks to how bushy it was. It covered his entire upper lip and part of his lower, too. Unlike the other pirates (all of which were showing their faces), Delgado had no bags under his eyes or even wrinkles on his skin. There weren't any blemishes, dark spots, scars, or acne. If anything, he had a baby face that contrasted his mustache and brittle hair.

The next ten minutes were awkward to say the least. Y/n stood off to the side while Jimin paced back and forth and didn't bother introducing himself to the other pirates. By the time Hoseok showed up and parked his ship next to Jimin's, the pirates were shaking either from the cold or anticipation.

Hoseok approached and, like the others, had no helmet. His wavy hair bounced on his head, and he chewed on what Y/n assumed was a piece of gum. As he passed her, he blew a bubble in her face, and she had to force herself to stay calm and not show a reaction.

Hoseok joined Delgado's side and crossed his arms over his chest. "Who's the stranger?"

"Some fighter chick from Neon. Jimin claims she'll be good for us," Delgado said with a chuckle.

Hoseok shrugged. "So we throw her to the grylloba when they attack. Not a bad plan."

Delgado's lower lip dropped, and he snapped his head toward Hoseok. Hoseok grinned and blew another bubble. He popped it right in Delgado's face.

"She can tag along until we get to the Lock, then she goes back to your ship," Hoseok added before circling his finger in the air. "We don't have time for this, let's get moving."

Jimin nudged Y/n's shoulder. Squeaky laughter left his helmet, and she couldn't help but join in. They were quiet as to not alert the others, but she had to admit it was funny. For years, Y/n had seen Delgado as a mysterious shadow pulling the strings and causing chaos to thrive in the dark spots of the galaxy. However, after meeting him, she realized he was just another man. Hoseok had put Delgado in his place. That didn't make Hoseok or Delgado any less terrifying, but they were more human than she had thought. That meant they were beatable.

The trek to the Lock was daunting to say the least. Upon closer inspection, Y/n realized they were walking on an icy river. The entire planet was one giant frozen body of water. That meant one crack or bullet to the ground could be catastrophic. Y/n's aim was impeccable with a shotgun, but the spread was hard to control. If it went haywire...

"This way," Delgado called. He used his hands to signal them forward.

Hoseok went first and had an AA-99 on his shoulder that he held up with one hand. The rifle weighed more than Y/n's spacesuit. Years of weight training had never prepared Y/n to one-hand a rifle like that. Even her shotgun, which had been her companion for years, needed two hands, not one. And her Breach was far lighter than an AA-99.

"Stop," Hoseok said only halfway down the path. He swung his rifle forward and glanced down the scope. "You hear that?"

Silence followed. The wind brushed by and caused Y/n's ears to ring. The freezing temperatures made her suit's heat feel like nothing by comparison. Clumps of snow and ice blew by and banged off their armor. However, through the orchestra Mother Nature conducted, Y/n heard a rumble. No, more like felt it. It trembled on the ground until black beasts sprung free from the piles of snow scattered around them.

Hoseok cheered and fired away, but the issue was the grylloba were small creatures with giant stingers that could sting whoever was unlucky enough to be nearby. That meant their foes were close to the ground. They'd have to aim at the ice if they wished to exterminate the pests.

Y/n staggered back and knelt to get a better hold of herself and her aim. There were a dozen grylloba, and they were disgusting monsters with drooling mouths and beady eyes hidden behind their armor-like skin. They had eight spider-like legs that made 'swish swish' noises as they marched across the ice. They were speedy and agile, but their weakness was their range of attack. Y/n took advantage of it by firing at the nearest one, but as soon as she did, the surface rumbled again.

"Shit, another pack!" Delgado yelled, and as if on cue, more grylloba pranced out of their hiding spots and circled the group of pirates.

Hoseok let out yet another cheer and bounced around as he fired. Then, when he spotted how many grylloba had joined the party, his laughter came out like a howl. He rushed over to Y/n, and before her or Jimin could react, Hoseok grabbed her with one hand while holding his AA-99 in the other.

"Hey!" Y/n shouted, but it was no use.

Hoseok tossed her in the middle of it all. "I told you, Del! She could be useful!"

Hoseok cackled and fired at the ones behind them. Most of them were by Y/n, and the pirates all seemed to agree to shoot the ones nowhere near Y/n. She had to battle ten of them on her own. Ten.

Y/n got to her feet and saw the beasts hiss and growl at her. One second passed. Two. Three. She watched them scramble around as they made their way over to her. Time slowed. They came closer. Then, two of them lined up.

'Bam!'

Y/n took the opportunity to fire and down both of them at the same time. The other eight weren't deterred. If anything, her actions fired them up more, and it didn't help that Hoseok's echoing laughter seemed to act as beacon for them.

As soon as one got close enough, she kicked it and shot the one behind it. While the kicked one thrashed around on its back, desperately attempting to get back on its stomach, Y/n managed to kill two more. Five left.

Ammo only lasted for so long. Reloading was a chore she didn't have time for, but she had no bullets in her mag. Taking a risk, she jumped back and reloaded at the same time, but they lunged at the opening. One closed the distance in less than a second, and its stinger lowered and lowered. It came dangerously close to her chestplate, and with the momentum it had, it would easily crack her armor and kill her. But a miracle came.

A hand reached out and grabbed the creature by the neck, throwing it back and letting it join its friend that was still struggling to flip itself over. Y/n panted and stared as Park Jimin defended her. Although he had a pistol that didn't do as much damage as her Breach, he insisted on staying in front of her as the monsters pounced.

He shot each one that came close. They took three bullets to kill unlike the one it took with Y/n's Breach. Still, Jimin killed them by the time she finished reloading. A hush came after the last one died, and Jimin took off his helmet as he snapped toward her.

"Are you okay? Did it hurt you?" he asked in rapid fire. She could barely keep up with what he was saying, and it only got worse when he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. "Did it break your armor? Any injuries?"

She somehow found it in herself to nod. "I'm okay."

Before Jimin could reply, Hoseok whistled and pushed his way between them. He had a half-smile that was deformed by his attempts to chew his gum while smiling.

"Parkie, why didn't you just say she was your girl? Maybe I wouldn't have thrown her if I knew that."

Jimin poked his tongue against his cheek. "We need to move before more of them come."

"I couldn't agree more," Delgado said as he took the lead. "Your woman can go back to your ship now. It's right up here, and I'll be damned if I let some stranger see the Lock."

Y/n squinted and, through the misty wind, saw a hint of yellow, or maybe orange, up ahead. She couldn't tell the shape of the prison. Not that it mattered. From what she knew, most of it was underground. It was likely shaped like a bunker with maybe some guard towers outside.

"I'm vouching for her. Let her come with," Jimin said. His tone dipped an octave lower than usual.

Delgado shoved Jimin. "Ay dios mio, you listen to me. I say she goes back. Stop wasting my time!"

The pirates took off and didn't bother waiting for Jimin. Their footsteps faded away and were overpowered by the harsh environment. Jimin looked like he wanted to speak, but she held up her hand to shush him.

"I'll be fine. Jimin, you can do this. Go."

The wind rushed by them and covered Jimin's face in snowflakes. His hair waltzed by his head, and little bits of snow tumbled down his locks. Moisture coated his face. She couldn't tell if it was sweat or dried ice, but it made his cheeks appear rosy and youthful. His nose dripped with the water caking him. By the time two drops fell from his skin, he nodded.

Then, he left.

☆☆☆

Upcoming Location:

System: Kryx

Faction: Crimson Fleet

Planet: Suvorov

Place: The Lock, supermax UC prison

☆☆☆

𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭:

The Crimson Fleet is a relatively new faction formed in 2241 by Jasper Kryx. With the faction being less than ninety years old, they are yet to make a massive impact on the galaxy and only own the Kyrx system.

Jasper Kryx's location is currently unknown, along with if he is alive or not. Rumors say Kryx found his Legacy and left a trail behind for the next generation of pirates to find him. Co-leaders of the Fleet, Delgado and Hoseok, have vowed to find him and bring home the Legacy, and hopefully Kryx along with it.

☆☆☆

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

SEASON 1 EPISODE 9

𝐄𝐍𝐃

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

☆☆☆