Chapter Text
The soldier spied the sentinel on the floor, guide kneeling next to him, through the cracked open doors. The guide was clearly working on guiding the sentinel out of the zone the soldier had forced him into. The guide was smart, the soldier had to admit that. He had tried to protect himself and sentinel through blocking off the other exits while he was incapacitated through guiding.
It wasn’t much space, but it would have to do.
Pulling out one of his utility knives, the soldier shut an eye and aimed for the sentinels chest一 the guide would be left defenseless without the sentinel一 and threw the blade.
It was a one-in-a-million, no. One-in-a-trillion shot. The knife barely slid through the almost-closed doors; just in time to hit the kneeling guide in the stomach.
The soldier cursed, and then ran back to the rendezvous point. He was about to have a very angry sentinel on his heels.
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
Two years earlier…
“Ship spotted, sir. The information led us right to it.” Seokjin broke his attention away from the dusty planet hovering outside the window for a moment and tilted his head at the low level navigator, acknowledging his work. Not completely turning away from the window he was staring at, he tapped into the mental bond Yoongi had forged between him and the rest of Bangtan.
He allowed himself to savor the warmth of the bond, the intimacy of his mates’ minds around his own. Their thoughts swirled like the eddies of a river around his own.
Stars, he would never trade it for anything else.
There was work to do though, so he pushed his feelings of urgency at the mission through the bond. Suit up, let’s not put the years of work to waste. Feeling the acknowledgement from his mates, Seokjin turned fully away from the window to go and make sure his own gear was in order. Normally, he didn’t board the target himself, but something was telling him otherwise.
It was odd. Of course, Seokjin had the option of asking his mates to do the tedious, messy, on-the-ground-work for him. They all had their strengths in Bangtan, and his tended to be staying on the ship and charming the higher-ups. Not that he couldn’t get the manual labor done just as well as his mates, he just didn’t favor it as much as the more diplomatic work he did. Physically going on the mission was always so dirty. Sometimes though, there was just a push from his instincts. Call it fate, call it luck, whatever.
They didn’t tend to be wrong, though.
Even though Seokjin considered himself to be logical and scientific, he would be damned if he didn’t listen to the pull his soul put him through. That's how he almost lost the chance of meeting Yoongi. If they were nudging him to actually be present on the mission? So be it, Seokjin would be there.
He did hate to get his hands dirty, however. Blood could be such a pain to wash out.
☆
Yoongi stared out the window of the spaceship, watching what was visible of the mesmerizing patterns of dust swirling in the high atmosphere. The moon they were parked partially behind obstructed it mostly, which was a shame.
It would be beautiful, if it wasn’t so fucking dry .
He was cuddled up to Taehyung on the couch, tucked into the young sentinel’s arms as they waited for their mates to finish getting ready. The proximity calmed the guide, and he savored the connection to all five of his mates.
At least one of them wouldn’t be protected by him for this mission. As much as he hated to admit it, the idea of a potentially unprotected mate hurt terribly.
The dust continued to undulate in the winds, distracting Yoongi from the pending anxiety of the mission today.
Why the Jeons had chosen such a godforsaken planet to build their empire out of was beyond him, but maybe the desert served to their advantage. Afterall, he certainly didn’t want to go down there and do the hard work of trying to root out the family from whatever cave they were hiding in.
Yoongi sighed, fists clenching at the remembrance of the horrendous acts the Jeons had put on in the name of wealth and power. So caught up in his thoughts, he was only distantly aware of Taehyung untucking his fingers and smoothing out his hands.
Bangtan and their subsequent six members weren’t generals. They weren’t princes, or political leaders in the way that one might expect. Instead, they functioned essentially as a special operations team, a surgical scalpel hidden safely in the sleeve of the empire.
They were what every soldier aspired to be to the empire. They were trusted for their skills, and for good reason. Fast, precise, and above all: discreet. Five out of the six members were sentinels, powerful ones at that. In the history recorded since the Empire’s establishment, only few could match. All of them had stood alone.
Bangtan, however, was five sentinels put together. And with them? A guide with power to match. Treasured beyond belief by Bangtan, he was the oil that kept the machine of Bangtan running. Without him, the group would logistically fall to pieces, fail to operate, or would be forced to entirely use auxiliary guides that had no hope of matching the strength of the sentinels for any extended period of time. Yoongi, or Agust D, as he was known publicly, was the only guide able to bond with all 5 sentinels without dying or going insane— so the public thought.
In reality, Bangtan was forced to use auxiliary guides. Yoongi, while an incredibly powerful guide, could only be in so many places at once: both mentally and physically. In a group that requires discretion, and with so many sentinels to one guide, Yoongi’s mind could only stretch so far. Oftentimes, it left one or two Bangtan sentinels alone, without the mental protection needed if they were to zone. Yoongi simply wasn’t close enough at all times.
Thus, auxiliary guides. As much as it pained Bangtan, and especially Yoongi to rely on them, they were forced to. Personally selected from the ranks of guide soldiers by Bangtan members themselves, they were all known to have been extremely capable, skilled, and overall able to handle any sentinel thrown at them.
Well, almost any sentinel.
Those who were picked for Bangtan tended to survive a year or so, but honesty? Not by much, and mostly with extreme effort given on Yoongi’s behalf. None tended to last very long beyond that, despite their best efforts. At the moment, they needed yet another guide to replace the one they had just released from service.
Yoongi shuddered at the memory of the screams during Hoseok’s last zone.
The guide however had long theorized that their group wasn’t complete. Quite frankly, it didn’t make sense for so many sentinels to be bonded to just one guide, especially when that guide’s power didn’t encompass all of them at one time.
What would make sense is if there was at least one other guide out there. One that was a true match like Yoongi. Guides, when working together, have the power to amplify each other’s abilities to incredible lengths. The bonds forged between the same sentinels would strengthen them, make them elastic, so that the guides could reach any sentinel from any distance.
Essentially, the lack of range signaled to Yoongi that their bond wasn’t yet complete.
However, the science behind that was… sketchy, at best, and completely ignored at worst. Sentinels, having the power in the galaxy, dedicated their time and efforts into strengthening sentinel powers and bloodlines. Guides were given away, considered to be below sentinels entirely.
Science reflected that, regardless of what Yoongi thinks about that ideology.
The guide continued to gaze out the window, thoughts turning to the Jeons themselves.
One of the projects that Bangtan had been put in charge of years ago was to root out the Jeon criminal empire. Known underground for their lucrative trade in all manner of illegal substances and dangerous objects, Bangtan was ignoring that for today in favor of their more notorious reputation: their slave trade.
Beyond just trading “regular” creatures and other sentient beings, they were specifically known for their illegal guide trade. Guides were in high demand, but rare. Oftentimes one guide was paired with two or three sentinels at once, that’s just how skewed the ratio was. Yoongi was the extreme example with 5 sentinels all permanently bonded to him.
All guides, however, need to be registered with the government by the time they turn 16 solar years. Most tended to be put on the radar at birth, as there was a standard blood test in place to make sure fewer guides slipped through the system. Most actual guiding ability showed up by 8 standard solar years, and only the latest showed up past 12 regardless of species.
When the guides turned 18, they would be sent off to the government academies. From there, the guides would be matched up with sentinels of similar ability and species, as well as just compatibility in general.
That being said, while they were in high demand, the prejudice against guides was widespread across the galaxy. Many were simply viewed as little more than objects, a pretty little thing to decorate a sentinel’s arm. Essentially, useless beyond what services they provided to the sentinels they were paired up with.
Given how much resentment simmered at the government for taking away the potential choice to match guides to wealthy sentinels and advance familial ties was why the guide trade flourished. The guides would be handed off to the Jeons, they would forge papers about how the guide had passed away or was mistakenly labeled, the Jeons would make sure the guide made it in one piece to the paying sentinel, and then made sure the bonding was set in place before leaving.
Additionally, the trade flourished because many guides… disappeared… from the arms of wealthy sentinels. Everyone knew what went on behind the scenes, but the sentinels then needed new guides to sport. The Jeons were more than happy to provide their services.
The guides don’t tend to have a say in the process. Particularly since bonding isn’t just one way on their end. Sentinels have the mental abilities to reach out and force a bond, mostly though, when the guide was weaker mentally or weakened unnaturally.
It’s incredibly traumatic for the guide involved, however so long as they were bonded, they weren’t able to escape. The sentinel would track them down, that’s what they were wired to do with bonded mates. Neither could they break the bond on their own, that required a great deal of medical intervention and the active consent of both guide and sentinel.
Physically, mentally, socially, the guides would be trapped.
This lucrative trade was the main reason Bangtan had spent so long trying to target the Jeons. The family was notoriously good for sweeping away their tracks, even as big of an empire as they were, so it took a great deal of effort on Bangtan’s end to make sure they had the right ships and routes tracked.
It had taken five solid years. Five years of scanning over manuel ship tracking records, five years of interrogations, five years of blood, sweat, and tears.
Hence, the mission today. It was simple: position their operations ship just outside the moon orbital of the planet the Jeons were hiding out on. Board and trap several members of the Jeon elite within the guide and slave trading they engaged in. Prosecute them for their crimes. The blow would be efficient and severe, if they could execute it properly.
If there’s one thing to know about Bangtan, however, is that they always executed it properly.
Yoongi frowned, watching the dust swirl around in the atmosphere of the planet. He knew just how much life-long pain the Jeons caused to guides who didn’t have a say in their lives. Yoongi was thankful that while he didn’t technically have the choice beyond what the military threw him towards, that he was matched with his perfect mates. The ones that fit to him and his guiding strength perf一well, almost perfectly.
There was still the issue of range though, that other guide Yoongi theorized might be out there.
He wondered if they might potentially even be living on the planet currently below him.
Unease and curiosity knotted his stomach. Something about this was giving him a bad feeling. Today was going to be risky, and he wanted this stars-forsaken mission over with.
☆
Seokjin tugged on the blaster-belt before tightening it, the buckle clicking into place. A warm, familiar figure hugged his back, and he leaned into the warmth that he instinctively knew as Namjoon before turning himself around in his mate’s arms. The tall sentinel softly kissed the older, twice and thrice before pulling away.
“You don’t have to come with us, hyung,” the tall sentinel whispered, pulling Seokjin ever so slightly closer. Seokjin sighed, before kissing his younger bondmate back again.
“I know. I just have this feeling ,” he trailed off, looking to the side of Namjoon. His mate nodded seriously, wanting to make sure his oldest lover was heard. They stood in silence for the moment, looking out one of the side windows and onto the desert planet below.
Wustenei was a fucking desert, that was for sure.
“The Jeon ship hasn’t taken off yet, but it should within the next half hour.” Seokjin murmured, eyes focusing on the planet as though he could personally listen in on the happenings of the Jeon ship planet-side.
Space and its genuine emptiness prevented that, but it might be worth a shot on the ground. Seokjin looked back at Namjoon.
“You’re ready?”
“Always.”
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.
Jungkook panted as he boarded the ship, wiping the sweat off his brow. The ground swam in front of his eyes, but he was thanking every god he knew when he realized his family clearance hadn’t been stripped from him yet.
It was only set to a low level, given his guide status, but it was enough to get him situated in one of the sleek metal spaceships his family owned. One that thankfully, wasn’t heading to another Wustanei port. He wanted off this stars-forsaken planet, and he wanted it now .
His gaudy wedding attire made him stick out though, so he needed to change, and soon. Keeping his head down, Jungkook walked towards where he hoped he remembered the nearest supply closet was, desperately praying that he would neither run into someone nor immediately be caught.
Or that, you know, the closet was where he remembered it.
His memory didn’t fail him for once, even as his head pounded and the ground wavered in front of him because of his still-drugged state. Jungkook just about collapsed in relief at the sight of the rough fabric of the spare cleaner’s outfit in the closet with the cleaning supplies.
The weight lifted off his shoulders as he stripped off the suit, the jewelry, and the godforsaken marriage ribbon was possibly the greatest feeling in his life so far.
Water trailed down his face as he allowed himself the luxury of cleaning off the dust on his face from the desert outdoors, using the water faucet in the closet. Greedily, he cupped some and drank, absolutely parched from walking so long in the desert. Who knows when he might have easy access to water like this again?
He paused for a moment, staring at the water in his hand as he let himself breathe. The watch on his hand told him it was early morning, and he felt lightheaded, and not just from the lingering effects from the drug. Has it really already been a whole day since this nightmare began?
Lost in thought, Jungkook completely catapulted to the side of the closet as the ship shuddered and pulled up from the ground. Nausea rolled in his stomach, both from the ship-sickness and leftover remnants of earlier this evening as he barely kept himself from puking into the bucket in front of him.
His hip throbbed, likely bruised from the impact. Jungkook cursed, he didn’t need to be more impaired than he already was. Bile rose in his throat as the ship shuddered up through the windy, dusty atmosphere of his formerly-home planet.
Another particularly harsh spot of turbulence, and Jungkook’s stomach rolled again. He closed his eyes, hoping it would pass sooner than later.
It was going to be a long trip.
☆
The ship had been cruising comfortably out from the atmosphere for only a little while when it began to violently heave back and forth. Shrill alarms blared, and distantly he heard the yelling of crew members in the background.
Jungkook, having peeled himself off the ground of the closet by that point, plastered himself to the wall, desperately trying to keep himself upright. Panic began to build in his chest as the guide heaved for air.
As soon as it started though, the ship stabilized itself, although the alarms kept their screaming up.
The distant yelling began to grow closer, and closer, until the thudding of boot steps interspersed with screams alerted the guide to the running soldiers right outside his closet .
Jungkook’s blood went cold at the distinctive zing of military-grade blasters.
The guide’s chest felt tight, he couldn’t get enough air. Distantly, he was aware how he was hyperventilating, the room around him spinning as his heart thundered in his ears. His head still pounded. Tears welled in his eyes, and it was all he could do to not sob and potentially give away his position.
It was all too much. Why couldn’t he catch a fucking break?
So caught up in trying to steady himself, Jungkook missed it when the ship went quiet, and when the door to his closet slowly opened.
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.