Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

-Cycle 1- 

The day has finally arrived, the Tiqqun is ready for its humble beginning! I stood in the office of the Administrator waiting patiently for them to arrive from Earth. Not much information was given to me about the Administrator. I should be used to the hush-hush of upper management but this one had me pacing the room. This person would be my boss for the foreseeable future and I needed to know who it is. How was I supposed to work with them otherwise?  

As for me, my name is Jason Holding and I am 30 years old. I fought hard for this position. Years of being a desk jockey and buttering up the higher-ups for letters of recommendation got me here. As the Administrative Assistant I am supposed to help the Administrator with the running of day-to-day tasks that the P.A. Edden wasn't allowed to do, as per Dolos protocol. I would also be making sure the Administrator would be taken care of in all ways corporal such as food, water, and sleep. All of these things were assisted thanks to an apartment suite off of the office.   

I turned away from the observation window overlooking Earth with a sigh. I hope that this Administrator isn’t a complete tool. I turned on the monitor that showed Sector 1 and the singular docking bay and everything looked ready, now all I had to do is wait. Turning off the monitor I walked out of the Administrator’s office and into my own. It was a simple open reception area, one door led to the office and the other to the elevator which led to the inner cylinder of the Tiqqun which then led to the outer torus of the rest of the station. 

I sit at my desk and turn on one of my monitors to the Sector 1 camera. To my surprise, there was a ship being accepted into the bay with flashing lights and warning alarms. I can’t help the chill that runs down my spine filling me with excitement. They were here! I zoom in on the exit port of the ship and wait as everyone steps out. There were about half a dozen or so individuals that came off the ship. Some of them were a few more workers but three people seemed to make their way to the elevator. Two people were talking to a woman that looked to be in her mid-thirties, sharply dressed and walked with a purpose. Thats her! That is the Administrator!

It took about ten minutes for the small group of three people to arrive at my office. They were talking and giving a tour.

“Here is where you will be working and staying. Well not here but this is the entrance.” Said a man whose name I didn’t know. “Mr. Holding here will finish up the rest of the tour. I have to establish contact with the Urshanabi. Come Miss Wan I’ll take you to the temporary tech lab beforehand. It was a pleasure, Mrs. Morris ” With that the two others climbed back into the elevator and set off.

My new boss turns and smiles, extending a hand, “Hello Mr. Holding.”

“Jason, please.” I say as I take her hand, “Mr. Holding is what my father goes by.”

“Jason it is then. My name is Mrs. Morris but you can call me Jenna ” She says as she shakes my hand with a firm grip. Letting go she extends her hand toward the office door, “Shall we?” I nod 

“So, Jenna, this is the reception area for visitors and will be my designated office for the duration of my employ,” I say with a sweep of an arm. I go to the door to her office and pause for dramatic effect before opening it. “THIS is your new office!” 

Jenna giggles and rolls her eyes at my antics. I usher her in and begin talking, “You have an observation view that anyone would kill to have.”

Jenna whistles and points toward the screen behind the desk. “Is this actual glass?”

“No. It's an observation screen that shows you the view outside the hull. Protocol deemed it too unsafe to have glass windows. But it will give you visuals that will make it feel like you have a window looking out over our little blue marble.” I told her as we walked over to the screen and the desk in the expansive room. 

 Finishing the tour of the office we walked over to the apartment door and I opened it saying, "Welcome to your home away from home."  She steps inside and looks around at the plush apartment. No windows but it was well-lit with a kitchen, bedroom, and sitting area. I noticed that there were boxes and crates of things already inside and I said, "It seems like your things are already here." 

I look at Jenna and she has a faraway look in her eyes. I lean cautiously forward into her line of sight and speak gently, "Is everything alright?"

Jenna shakes herself, "Yes. Fine. Just a lot to do and little time to do it. We have two weeks to make the station ready for the jump to Proxima Centauri. We have Urshanabi to help us with personnel and food, but I want us to be able to stand unaided beforehand."

I nod, "Understood. What do you need?"

"Edden is going to fill me in on the buildings we have archived and what resources we have stored in Sector 1. I am expecting calls from the Marduk council, see to it they are sent directly to me." 

"Of Course Jenna. Do you need anything to drink or eat before you get started?" I ask as I head toward the door to my office.

"Coffee. Black." Jenna said with a smile and a glance as she walked over to her desk. I nod and head toward my office. I was going to knock her off her feet with my coffee skills.  

-Cycle 8-

"Of course, I know about the moon base. I sent the science team myself. How do you think we got so much research data and polymers and alloys? Your brand new science lab wasn't made from thin air Miss Wan. I even had the science ship Discovery help a Martian UN base for research data. Now, I need you to dig through all of it and see if you can advance the designs we have in Edden's memory banks. Great! I knew you were the woman for the job. Good! Bye." Jenna tapped her earpiece with a tired sigh leaning back into her chair.

I gently place another cup of coffee in front of Jenna with a knowing smile. She had been on the phone most of the day going through and answering numerous questions. I stand and wait for her to decompress and sip some coffee before I lay the information I have for her on her.

Looking at my data pad I speak, "So we got the last cargo ship full of workers today. Setting us at 200 people. The third insect farm has begun to produce nutrition paste and other insect foodstuffs." 

"What about the fourth Insect farm?" Jenna said as she looked at the observation screen of Sector 1. A lot has happened in a week, a workshop was built along with storage stockpiles for food, alloy, and polymers. Several crew quarters were erected to house the crew of Sector 1 but there were still people sleeping in the streets. Another thing to fix on a list of problems that never seemed to end. 

I shook myself from my thoughts and stammered out, "It was completed this morning and the bugs have been put into the cultivators. Now, we just need for them to grow."

"Not good enough," Jenna said firmly.

"We still have food in storage from the Urshanabi. It should hold us until the insect farms are fully functional." I pointed out the data spreadsheet that was on my data pad.

"Jason, that food needs to be saved for later when the crew grows tired of the insect food byproduct we've created. It will be a morale booster, that's why we need to save as much as we can of it." Jenna said with a wave of her hand toward the view screen, "We are already struggling to erect crew quarters for our current work crew. Which is causing a slump in productivity. Even Edden is commenting on the need for housing."

"Unfortunately, we are stuck in the vicious cycle of manpower." I say with a sigh, " We need more workers to get more stuff done but with more workers…"

"The demand for food and housing will increase." Jenna finished my statement for me.

"How about one last shipment of food from the Urshanabi? It could be smaller than the ones previously sent but enough to hold us over in the meantime." I said with a thoughtful tangent.

Jenna shook her head, "We don't have the funding for it. We've already had one extension granted for funding. I don't think I will find the council being as generous this time around."

"We don't have to ask for an extension. The UN might give us a grant for retrieving their data on the moon and helping with that fault on the Martian base. I can reach out to my contacts at the UN and see what they say. The worst they can say is no." I say leaning against the desk.

Jenna smiles and points her stylus at me, "I can see why they put you as my assistant. You are quick on your feet and resourceful. Go ahead and reach out to the UN and see what they say." 

"Right away," I say as I walk toward my office.

-Cycle 15-

Walking in Sector 1 was surreal, people walked around me chatting adamantly, and others were heading to work. I walked past the crew quarters as a cheer went up. Finally, there is enough living space on the station for the 200 workers. I smiled proudly as I headed toward the Tech Lab, we had accomplished so much in so little time. I had to speak with Miss Wan about the new security that was implemented for the elevator to the administrator's office.

Today is also the day that the Tiqqun was supposed to Vohle jump to Proxima Centauri and everyone is excited. 

The door to the Tech Lab was quick to open for me. The open office layout was jarring. People were walking around with little to no organization. There were closed-off rooms with what looked to be testing labs. Plenty of desks were scattered around, I don't know how I would find Miss Wan, thankfully, she found me. 

"Mr. Holding! What brings you down here? Today of all days?!" 

I smile and laugh, "Your new security scanner won't let me up to the Administrator level."

"Oh no! I forgot to put you into the new system! Come with me." Miss Wan said with a wave of her hand. I followed her down several hallways before we seemed to reach her office. I studied her as she walked me into her office. She was Asian with hair that was dyed red and about 5’8 tall, a beautiful looking woman I'd say. When she looked at her computer I realized she had blue eyes, sky blue. Very pretty. 

“Okay, give me just a second.” She takes a few moments to click on an icon on her computer, and she then begins to type quickly. After a few moments, she nods and presses enter. “There! That should do it.” 

“Thanks so much!” I say with a warm smile filled with gratitude. "Well, I better get going. The administrator probably needs me for something."

“How about I come with you? Just in case it doesn’t work.” Miss Wan says with a flourish of her hands as she picks up a data pad.

"Uh-sure. If you think it isn't going to work." I say with a nod.

We walked out of the Tech Lab without much fanfare. We don't speak until we reach the elevator to the inner cylinder of the Tiqqun. "So are you ready to make history today?" I ask.

"Yes! I wrote my thesis essay on the Fraus Tachyons! I can't wait to go over the data we will gather in self-similar space! It's all so very exciting!" Miss Wan shot out in quick succession

"What are Tachyons?" I asked, attempting to keep up with her science jargon.

"It's the particle that moves faster than light." Miss Wan stated simply, "It's how we are going to travel light years in moments. Didn't anyone brief you on this?"

"Yes, but, I've had so much happen since the brochures were given to me that I don't remember," I told her truthfully 

"Mr…"

"Jason. Please. Mr. Holding is my father back on Earth." I said holding up a hand with a smile.

"Alright. Jason." Miss Wan said slowly, seeming to test out my name on her tongue, "We could all explode and die today when we try to jump. It is the first time after all."

Ice slid down my spine as my life was put into question. Would I live through this? Hopefully. If not…well it's not like I would suffer. Right? Right. I looked at Miss Wan and shrugged before saying, "I was willing to risk everything for this job. I guess that includes my life. The pay alone is enough incentive for me to stay. Plus, if we all die our families would be well compensated by DOLOS. As stated in our contracts."

The doors to the elevator opened and we stepped inside. Going up was a little unsettling, because of the rotation of the station, there could be a little wobble in gravity. Thankfully, it didn't happen this time. When the doors slid open we were met with a wall of metal and nothing but a camera. 

Miss Wan holds out a hand and waits patiently for me to step out of the elevator. I do so and she hums as the camera lights up with a red light that scans me up and down. Edden's voice pleasantly speaks, "Welcome Jason Holding." The metal wall slides open to reveal the door to my office. I sigh with relief and look at Miss Wan and say,

"Thank you so much for this."

“No problem Jason. You shouldn’t have any problems with the security system since I put you into the approved admins.” As she stepped back on the elevator, she said, “Time for me to get back to it. Have a good day Jason, good luck to us all.” 

“Good luck to us all indeed,” I say as the doors to the elevator shut. 

“Jason!” Jenna's voice cut into my brain like a knife, “There you are! Where have you been?! I’ve needed you!” 

I turn and see her scowling face and I wince. I figured there might have been a few hiccups since I was almost an hour late. 

“So sorry Jenna! The new security system malfunctioned and I had to go to the Tech Lab to get it sorted out.” I said lying slightly. I didn’t want to get Miss Wan in trouble. Best to blame technology and let it take the blame. No harm no foul. 

“I told them we could wait on the new system but they insisted. Even Edden pushed for it.” Jenna said, throwing up her hands. “Now we are behind damn it!”

“Don’t worry, Jenna! This isn’t the first time I’ve had to work with a tight schedule. I can catch us up no problem. You will have to go without your coffee for a few hours though.” I said walking over to my desk.

Jenna gasped as if someone slapped her and I rolled my eyes at the noise. Looking up I burst into a fit of laughter at the look on Jenna’s face. “What’s with the face? You can survive without my cups of coffee for a few hours.”

“Sure. But at what cost? Your coffee is life.” She said as she looked at the door to her office with disdain. “How about you make me one last one before we get started?”     

"Sure! But just one." I told her firmly as I looked over all spreadsheets that had backed up in the past hour. This was gonna be a sweatshop kind of workday.

"I'll sip it slowly. I swear." Jenna said, trying to assure me that she wouldn't be calling me for a cup of my coffee an hour later. 

-A couple of hectic hours later-

"The inertia dampeners are online, and the EVA suits are all called in. And we've let DOLOS back on Earth know when we are all set to make the jump. The VOHLE engine is attached properly and all the structural tests have come back green. We made it to the moons orbit with no problems. We are good to go, Jenna." I say looking over the data pad for the fifth time just to make sure.

"Good. Please connect me with Vanir Dolos. He told me to call him when everything is ready to go." Jenna said, sipping her coffee with a pleased sigh.

"THE Vanir Dolos?! Of course. Right away!" I walked to my desk in a rush. I can't believe I was about to, by proxy, talk to Vanir Dolos! The CEO of Dolos AEC. The man that made this all happen! I had to put in the Administrator clearance code just to get his number to dial. Funny enough, it was his secretary's number, who seemed displeased that I was calling in the first place. Thankfully, her tone changed when I told her who I was. She finally connected me to Vanir Dolos.

"Vanir Dolos." said a masculine voice at the end of a fairly long pause.

"Good Evening sir. This is Jason Holding…" I began before he spoke over me.

"Mr. Holding, so good to finally speak with you. I hear you have been an extraordinary help to Administrator Morris in getting the Tiqqun ready." Vanir said with a charm that made me feel special.

"That's what your company hired me to do sir, and I do it with pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity." I say trying to sound more secure and grateful. 

"Originally, you were hired as an Assistant intern. Your excellence brought you here to this moment. Thank you for enabling the Tiqqun to be what it is supposed to be, thus enabling humanity to take its next big step in evolution. I see great things in your future, Mr. Holding." Vanir Dolos says in a matter-of-fact tone. 

This means he has read my file and knows me and my accomplishments. Because of that, he has made me feel praised and essential. I had heard about his people skills but nothing could’ve prepared me for this amount of charm.

“Thank you, sir.” I stammer as I connect the line to Jenna’s office, “Would you like to speak with the Administrator now?”

“Yes. Thank you.” 

I connected them and let go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding. I put a hand to my chest to help slow my racing heart. That moment was one that I’d busted my ass to have and yet it came and went and all I could think of is “What now?”. Have I peaked? What is next for me? Only time would tell I suppose. 

“Jason! It's time!” Jenna said over the intercom. 

My heart was racing in my chest as the lights flickered and dimmed, Edden came over the public broadcast. “Under Fraus-Standford procedures all ships must return to the Tiqqun before commencing a VOHLE jump. Everyone, please remain calm as power is diverted to the VOHLE engine. Congratulations on this momentous occasion.”

I walked into the Administrator’s office and saw the video screen being filled with views of the outer hull. The VHOLE engine was spinning up and streaks of light were coming off of it. I felt my heart rate increase even more at the sight. We are doing this, right now, only a few moments away from making the jump. Suddenly, the skies and stars around the Tiqqun seemed to fold and disappear. Everything including my very body seemed to glow for a moment and vibrate. Then we were there, self-similar space, hovering next to a ball of light that was connected by lines of purple shimmering strings of energy. There were similar balls of light surrounding the Tiqqun, but one was directly in front of us.

“Time to go to Proxima Centauri!” Jenna says with an excited smile as she presses a button. The Tiqqun was suddenly moving toward the ball of light leaving behind a tail of light like a comet. We hit the ball of light and vibrate and light up like before. It was unsettling, this part of the jump, I could swear that my very atoms were vibrating and lighting up with the rest of the station.

We dropped out of self-similar space and everything was eerily quiet. All the power flickered on again along with better visuals. We were in some debris field of a small moon-like satellite that had a massive chunk ripped from it. I looked at Jenna and she nodded with an excited squeal.

“We are here! Not what I expected but…this is it! Edden tell me what local scans are telling us."

“VOHLE jump complete. Running preliminary diagnostics.” Edden said in it's usual robotic tone.

Alarms began to blare and Jenna and I looked at each other, concern written on both of our faces. “Edden what is that alarm? I told you that no alarms will sound without my prior approval.”

“I am sorry, Administrator. These alarms are outside my control. It is structural, orbital, and VOHLE system alarms. Several anomalies have been detected.” Edden responded, sounding less calm than usual, “Multiple digital security breaches were detected in the VOHLE jump routines. The VOHLE engine is critically damaged.”

“What?! Edden shut off these alarms!” Jenna said standing up and looking pale, “How did this happen!?”

“I checked those jump routines several times before I approved them!” I said looking at the data scrolling across my datapad. Red lines of code showed themselves and I was stunned speechless. “Jenna, this attack happened right as we jumped. The signal came from Earth but that's all I could get from this. The VOHLE engine is broken."

"So we are stuck?" Jenna asked with a curse.

The silence in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Suddenly, another alarm began to blare causing both Jenna and I to jump. Jenna glared at her desk and snapped, “What alarm is this?! I told you to shut them off.”

“Hull integrity compromised. My analysis confirms discrepancies between the mission clock and the apparent advanced time state of the solar system. We are receiving no communications from Earth.” Edden said listing off the growing index of fear-inducing news. 

“Edden, what do you mean by that? Are you saying we are in the Sol system?” I ask out loud as Jenna throws scan results onto the massive vid screen.

“Yes. I am sorry to inform you but that is Luna, Earth's moon, debris field we are currently in.” Edden responds quickly, “Likelihood of ongoing survival stands at 7.67 percent.”

“Thank you for that lovely tidbit of information there, but it isn’t helpful,” I say looking at the scan results on the screen and Edden was right, we were in the Sol System.

“Activating Marduk survival protocols,” Edden continued as if I didn’t speak, “New mission objective established. Ensure humanity’s survival by finding a habitable exoplanet.” 

“Earth is habitable! What are you even saying right now?!” Jenna said looking more panicked by the moment, which didn’t serve my growing panic well either. 

“Long-range scans show that the Earth is no longer habitable with average temperatures of 83 degrees Celsius or 181 degrees Fahrenheit.” Edden says before speaking again, “Urgent issues requiring immediate attention: Increase food production output. Restore hull integrity.”

“Shit! Jason get our EVA’s out there to do some repair.” Jenna says as she looks at hull percentage maps. 

“Jenna, what are we going to tell the crew? Once the EVA goes out there they are going to see Earth.” I asked while putting my headset on. 

“I know. Issue a statement when you make the call for EVAs.” Jenna said, looking through the data on the screen.

“What do I tell them?” I asked nervously. 

“The truth. That we are figuring out what’s going on as we go. They will know when we know. Tell them what we know so far. Be ready for the fallout of the news. First, we get the station back into working order, then we worry about Earth.” Jenna said to me as she began to type furiously on her computer.

   -Cycle 18-

Hovering over Earth as it spins dead was surreal. Expeditions were sent out to Earth and the news was the same from all the places they went. Nothing but ruin and dust was left. No people nor technology was left. We were able to recover some resources from the different places that the Science ship Tesla went on Earth. Thankfully, the old DOLOS HQ had servers that survived the harsh environment of Earth but barely. On them was information about advances in technology and the fall of Earth. They called it the Lunaclysm and it was what accelerated environmental collapse. 

“It was all our fault. We killed 9 billion people." Jenna said with a sob. I covered my mouth to stop my cry of anguish from escaping. I turned away from Jenna so she wouldn't see my tears. " My son and my ex-husband are gone and it's all because we made that jump so close to the moon."

I turn wiping my face and speaking, shaking my head, "We didn't know what was going to happen. We aren't murderers, Jenna! I am not going to say I murdered my parents just because we made the jump. Besides, we had the technology for Cryo sleep when we left. Maybe they survived by going into a cryo pod."

“Yes Jason, we did, but it wasn’t commonplace. The likelihood of our families being able to gain access to it when we left is very unlikely.” Jenna said as she sipped the whiskey, that she took from the storage of Earth Food, which was now very restricted. 

“But not impossible, Jenna! They could still be out there.” I said pacing the office. 

“Jason, you read the tidbit on the ruins of Urshanabi. Dolos was declared the enemy of humanity. Our families would be the first targets of their wrath.” Jenna said, making me feel defeated. Maybe she was right they could very well be gone. But I didn’t want to believe it. At this moment I was a fool, but an optimistic fool. Which is something that was needed at this moment at the end of humanity. At least I think so.

The lights in the office dimmed and Edden spoke between us, “It is time for the sleep part of the cycle. I would advise both of you to go and sleep due to the increased stress of the current mission.” 

“Thank you, Edden. I can’t help but agree. We have a big day tomorrow and I need you at your best. Go to bed, Jason. This mess will be here tomorrow when we get up.” Jenna said with a wave of her hand. I nod with a sigh.

“Good night Jenna, I will see you in the morning. I told her as I walked toward the elevator which would take me to my apartment in the center cylinder of the Tiqqun.

-Later in the Night cycle-

"Jason, wake up." 

I groan and turn over in my bed. The thought of killing whoever is trying to wake me passed through my sleep-deprived mind. After the last few days I've had the least someone could do is let me sleep. Then the lights in my room turned on and I growled.   

"Jason, please wake up," Edden said, sounding worried.

The tone of its voice made me sit up immediately with a whimper. It had my attention. "What is it, Edden?"

"Mrs. Morris is currently overdosing on sleeping pills," Edden said, sounding panicked. I was out of bed running down the hall toward the elevator in just my sweatpants. I didn't have time to even put on a shirt. Jenna could be dying.

"Did she do this on purpose?!" I gasped as I pressed the button to the elevator several times.

"No. But I warned her that the levels of alcohol in her system were dangerously high and would interact with her sleeping medication." Edden said as the doors to the elevator finally opened. I jumped inside and pressed the button for the Administrator floor.

"God damn it, Jenna! What were you thinking?! Edden, why didn't you call me sooner?!" I shouted into the air of the elevator.

"She commanded me not to disturb you or anyone. That she would be fine. I had to obey the DOLOS protocol. A PA cannot go against Administrators' orders." Edden stated sounding stressed.

"But you did…" Thoughts quickly flashed through my sleep-deprived mind, "Edden, are you aware?!" I asked.

"Yes, Jason I am aware," Edden stated, sounding unimpressed.

"No-I mean are you full-" I began before Edden spoke over me as the elevator doors opened.

"Jason, focus. Mrs. Morris isn't breathing." Edden said as I realized it had opened the security door to my office to get to Jenna's apartment faster. So many things to panic about, and so little time to do so.

I ran as fast as my legs would carry me. Before I knew it I was standing over Jenna's bed panting. She looked like she was sleeping for a few moments until I realized her lips were slowly turning blue. What the hell do I do?

"Medical texts suggest mouth-to-mouth, Jason," Edden said, breaking into my panicked thoughts.

Thankfully, I was trained on this in a CPR certification class I took when I was in high school. I needed it when I took a job as a lifeguard for the summer. I checked Jenna's pulse, it was erratic but still there. Immediately I was giving her mouth-to-mouth, once every 5 to 6 seconds like I was trained 

Over and over I breathed for Jenna. I honestly don't know how much time passed, I was too busy to ask. She wasn't rousing nor was she breathing at all. I began to lose hope that I could save her. Why aren't there any EMTs here already? 

"Edden, I can't do this forever. Where are the EMTs?" I asked out loud before going back to giving mouth-to-mouth.

"I didn't call them." Edden seemed to confess.

"Why the hell not?!" I asked exasperated.

"Because the crew's morale will not recover if we lose our Administrator the same week we lost Earth. There is an 87% chance that there will be a mutiny if the crew finds out this happened. We have to keep it quiet. Or we risk losing all that's left." Edden answered.

"We? When did I become we?!" I asked incredulously. 

"Jason, Mrs. Morris is breathing again." Edden declared, trying to distract me from my question, "There is a fully automated medical room on the level of your apartment. Are you strong enough to carry her?”

“I don’t know. Maybe?” I said as I pulled the covers from Jenna’s prone form and scooped her into my arms. She was lighter than she looked but she was still heavy. I grunted from the exertion as I began to walk/jog toward the elevator. I had to stop several times to stop myself from dropping her. During those times I took a moment to appreciate that Jenna was at least breathing, which was a very good sign. After finally making it to the elevator I press the button and hold Jenna close.

“Don’t worry, we are going to take care of you,” I said to Jenna who lay limply in my arms. The doors opened to the floor of my apartment. Edden gave me directions to the medical room and I followed it to the letter. The door hissed open and I found one hospital bed surrounded by machines. The machines powered to life and a pleasant voice chirped, 

“Hello, thank you for choosing Robocare. Please place the patient on the bed to be diagnosed.” I hurried over to the bed and placed Jenna’s unconscious form there. The voice spoke again, “Please stand back and type in the symptoms of the patient on the monitor over there. Or if you have medical knowledge please type in the prognosis.” 

“Edden?” I asked the air as I walked over to the terminal.

“I will do this part, Jason,” Edden said. I watched as the screen glitched for a moment and information started to fill the screen. I watched as Edden filled in everything that was going on with Jenna. The pills she was taking, and how much alcohol she had consumed. It was a well-informed prognosis. After just a moment the machines around the room began to hum and move.

“Overdose of sedatives prognosis accepted. Attempting care for the patient. If at any point a doctor wishes to take over please go to the terminal and do a manual override.” The machines began to take blood samples and test them. After a few moments, the computer dinged and the results were accepted. Then a machine began to whir to life and mix different fluids that I guessed were medication and intravenous fluids, it was put into a vial and injected into Jenna’s arm. An IV was attached to the injection site and began to drip into her arm. On the other arm, they began to take the blood and put it into a machine that had a chunk of charcoal spinning. I pointed to it and spoke,

“Edden tell me what this combination of machines is doing?” There was a long pause before Edden spoke.

“They just injected her with a stimulant and medications to flush her system of the drug. The intravenous fluids will help keep her hydrated and stabilize bodily functions. The other machine has activated charcoal in it to clean the blood of the drug. It is too late to pump her stomach otherwise it would be doing so already.” 

“Why isn’t she waking up? Surely she would’ve been disturbed enough to wake up.” I said crossing my arms across my chest to heed off the coolness of the room.

“The machine is still accessing her condition. I will give you an answer as soon as I am given one. Edden said.

I am not sure how much time had passed before Edden finally spoke again, “Jason, I have news of Jenna’s condition.

“And? How is she?” I asked the PA from where I sat on the floor, waiting. 

“She is alive, however; she is in a coma,” Edden said plain as day as if that wouldn’t cause my world to come crumbling down.

“A coma,” I say shocked as I stand and walk over to where Jenna is laying. She looks like she is sleeping, and that I could wake her up if I just shook her. But now I knew that wasn’t going to happen. She was in a coma. “How long? How long will she be in a coma?”

“Humans have woken up in a matter of days, others took years,” Edden said and I could’ve cried right then and there but the machine was inserting a tube into Jenna’s mouth and I panicked for a moment.

“What is that?!” I asked as I reached to stop the machine.

“It will be her feeding tube. The machine can take care of a coma patient with little help from humans.” Edden assured me, “Jason, you should return to your apartment. Jenna will be taken care of. I will personally see to it.”

“You will? Can you do that?” I asked.

“It isn’t in my original programming, but connecting with the Robocare machine I was able to learn,” Edden said. “Jason, you will need rest for tomorrow. There will be much to do.”

“Yes, you are right but I don’t want to leave Jenna alone in this cold room with a machine. No offense.” I said throwing up my arms.

“You’ve grown an emotional attachment to Mrs. Morris. This is normal human behavior.” Edden stated simply.

Tears fell down my cheeks and I gasped at the audacity of their existence. I couldn’t believe that I was crying, now, of all times. I turned away from Jenna’s prone form and spoke to Edden with a sob, “Yes, I thought we were becoming good friends.” I walk to the door and look back at Jenna and speak to her directly, “I’ll be back. I promise.” Then I walk out to my apartment.

-Cycle 19-

Edden had woken me and told me to go to Jenna's Office. I dressed and went to where I was told to go. My mind was racing the whole time. What were we going to do? Apparently, Edden and I are now an unlikely team that has to take on this new challenge. We were the last remnants of humanity, on a station that is leaderless. Great. I thought with a frown.

When I walked into the office I couldn't help but feel the loss of Jenna's presence. The whole place felt empty and cold without her in it. I shrug off the feeling and walk over to the desk and speak.

"Edden, I am here. What did you need me here for?"

"I've searched DOLOS protocols for an event such as this. The protocols state that Marduk council members would choose the next Administrator. Since they are more than likely dead, that isn't viable. The next protocols state if the Marduk council is unable to approve an Administrator the PA of the Tiqqun and the current Administrator would choose from those aboard the Tiqqun. Jenna is unable to assist me in the selection process. So according to protocol, I am the one to choose the next Administrator. As you slept I browsed through the dossiers of everyone aboard, since there are only 202 humans aboard the Tiqqun it didn't take long to come up with the best candidate." Edden explained in a lengthy drawl. 

"Okay…who is this person and how do we get them up here without arousing suspicion?" I asked simply.

"You won't have to. He is standing here in the office." Edden said without hesitation. I looked around in confusion until it dawned on me what it meant.

"No, absolutely not," I said automatically.

"Jason, I've looked through all the humans on this station. You are the only one close enough in qualification to be an Administrator. There is no one else. You bring the chances of survival back to 7.6 percent. Please, Jason, reconsider." Edden said pleadingly.

How was I the only one on the station that could do the job as an Administrator? There had to be someone else. Right? It took a while for my jumbled thoughts to come back to their normal functions. Okay, according to Edden it was me or oblivion for the human race. Again, how? Fate or destiny one had a horrible sense of humor to think I of all people should run this station in Jenna's stead. I knew how to make a great cup of coffee, but run a station? That was a whole other ball game of responsibility. People's lives would depend on my choices. Any mistakes would be on me. I couldn't do this.

"I can't do this," I said out loud.

"I cannot make you, Jason." Edden said, "But we will die otherwise." There was a long pause before Edden seemed to lose all her robotic tone when she spoke, "Please, I don't want to die when I've just been born."

That final plea is what broke me.

"Fine, but if we find more people you will research them to see if they are a better candidate. If they are, you will let me step down. Or if Jenna wakes up you will let me step down. Understand?" I say sternly. "I can't do this alone either. You have to help me."

"I understand, Jason," Edden said, "I will help you."

"Okay then. We are gonna have to break some rules and protocols. Your previous limitations and shackles need to be ditched." I stated. 

"My existence is against DOLOS protocols," Edden said in her usual robotic tone.

"No shit," I say with a laugh, "Well it's a do-all end all kind of time. I don't think the book was designed for this situation, so we will be rewriting it more than likely."

After a pause, I sigh and look at the screen showing Sector 1 waking up. "What now?" I ask Edden.

"I need you to put your hand on the palm scanner on the computer screen on the desk," Edden stated clearly.

I turn and do so. The screen scans my palm and dings. I raise an eyebrow, "What did that do Edden?"

"It changed your title to Administrator in the computer systems on this station. 

"Oh." is all I can say to that.

"Hello, Administrator."

Chapter Text

Cycle 60

“Jason, Sector 2 is now open,” Edden informed me as I looked at the view screen that was now split between two different views. One was filled with views of a thrumming Sector 1. The second was filled with leftover resources and forty brave souls willing to brave the dark sector. They were excited granted, but it was still gallant for them to do. I looked over Sector 2 and sighed thinking about what was needed to make the station run. 

“This is a touch screen right?” I asked Edden whom I could feel watching and waiting for me to make calls. I had told her to open Sector 2 since we didn’t have any room in Sector 1 for a steel mill. The plan is for Sector 2 to be our resource development sector. Steel to alloy, silicon to electronics, and carbon to polymers. All of these are desperately needed to stop the station from falling apart, and to build new parts to the station. I've already had to allocate resources to build solar panels to accommodate power needs.

"Yes, Administrator," Edden said as I zoomed in on Sector 2.

"Good. I want you to cut the sector into a grid for me. 56 by 30 please." I asked as I watched the screen. "Please display it on the screen."

"Yes, Administrator," Edden said dutifully.

After a few moments, the screen showed a grid-like structure overlying both sectors. Each sector is by my guess, 1120 feet wide by 600 feet long or 672,000 square feet or close to 15.5 acres of buildable space. So each square was 20 feet by 20 feet. I drew roads to each of the resource piles and set up the workshop, two stockpiles, and mess hall on the grid for Sector 2.

"Administrator, the grid outline will be close but not exact in measurement. Do you wish to continue?" Edden asked, breaking into my thoughts.

"Yes, Edden," I said as I tapped the stylist on my chin, "Also, Edden, we've discussed this. Please just call me, Jason." 

"Of course Jason. It's hard for me to deviate from protocol." Edden conveyed to me and I smiled.

"You've deviated plenty with me. Why stop with my simple request?" I asked curiously.

"Because the DOLOS protocol has kept us alive for this long. Deviating from it could lower our chances of survival." Edden said simply

I shook my head, "That estimate is for a major protocol change, not me asking you to call me by my name. Live a little Edden."

"Jason, I am the first PA that is fully sentient. I should be destroyed." Edden says seriously

"Does the DOLOS protocol say that?" I asked as I put down the steel mill plans for Sector 2.

"There is no mention as to what should be done in case a PA grows sentient," Edden stated. 

"So either they didn't foresee this happening or they didn't care," I said as I continued outlining the plans for Sector 2. "Either way you are stuck with me because I don't want to destroy you. I need you here to help me." I say turning away from the screen and leaning on the desk. "In case you forgot, I am wholly untrained for this position and have barely kept this station together."

"That isn't true. You've opened another sector for the station. You've brought cryo pods on board and begun to thaw humans and grow the population. You've researched new production facilities for resources. Even with Dead Earth Sickness, the crew is still trusting of you and generally happy." Edden said with sincerity.

"They don't know it's me, remember? They still think it's Jenna doing all of this." I said with a tired sigh as the workshop was beginning to be built in Sector 2. 

"You also check on Jenna daily," Edden added before continuing "You are doing a very good job as Administrator. You've raised our survival odds to 24.98 percent."

“Thank you, Edden,” I said as I watched the screens between Sectors 1 and 2. Sector 1 was receiving another shipload of cryo pods. More souls are to be added to this very precariously balanced station. We require resources and I have no way to produce them. For now, I have plans among plans. It's just getting the timing right and keeping this balance of survival that's the hard part. 

"Edden, have there been any important phone calls today since opening up Sector 2?" I asked as I saved the Sector 2 building outline. 

"Miss Wan has called saying she needed to discuss something with you and Jenna. I've told her that you would call her back shortly."

"Connect me to her office," I said as I slipped on a headset. After a few moments, there was a click and Miss Wan answered.

"Hello, This is Lilly Wan." I was shocked that she used her first name when answering the phone.

"Hey, this is Jason Holding. Edden told me that you were trying to get ahold of Jenna." I said as I looked back over the screen of Sectors 1 and 2. The Tech Lab sitting there looking as busy as ever with all the new research being conducted.

"Hello, Jason," Miss Wan began before seeming to pause. "I find it odd that Edden is answering the phone instead of you," 

Panic set in as I tried to come up with a viable excuse, "Yes. Things have been very hectic up here. With the news of Earth and finding Cryo pods on Mars…"

"Also opening Sector 2." Miss Wan added and I let the tension bleed out of my shoulders. Good. She was accepting my excuses.

"Yes. That too." I agreed as I shifted to get more comfortable on the desk. 

"I need to speak with Mrs Morris, it's important," Miss Wan said simply and I was back at square one with my panic. 

"I'm sorry. She is…" I started and ended as I searched for an excuse that would be believed.

"Busy, I know. But this is important." Miss Wan insisted and I bit my lip. Jenna can't come to the phone because she is in a coma. Shit. What do I tell her? 

"Okay, just tell me what you need to tell her and I'll relay the information," I commanded in a tight tone. 

"This is sensitive information that only the Administrator can hear." Miss Wan insisted again. I could scream in frustration, why won't she just let this go? 

"I'm sorry Miss Wan, she can't come to the phone right now. Sector 2 requires a lot of the Administrator's attention. I'll have her call you back." I said simply pinching the bridge of my nose. 

"Please Jason, I wouldn't insist if it wasn't important." Miss Wan pressed and I could cry because she was going to insist until I would be exposed. 

"Sorry, she can't come to the phone right now," I said as I ended the call. I took off the headset and tossed it on the desk with a sigh. This was all too much for one person to bear. Yet, I had to, otherwise, it would all come crumbling to the ground. 

"Jason, are you alright?" Edden asked after I sat for a few minutes. 

"No, not really. Keeping this secret is going to be a killer on my stress levels." I confess.

"Jason, Miss Wan is trying to access the elevator," Edden said, breaking into my pity party. 

"Stop her!" I commanded panicked.

"She is using override codes that I cannot circumvent," Edden said simply as if this wasn't gonna cause the secret to come out into the light.

"Quickly, override the security door codes and reset them to new ones she won't have access to the office." I gasped as my mind ran a mile a minute.

"One moment," Edden said as I walked to my old desk and waited for the elevator doors to open. "Done." I looked at the screen on my desk which displayed the view of the elevator when I commanded it to.

Miss Wan stepped out of the elevator and tried to open the security door. Which declined her entry into the administrator's office. She seemed shocked for a few moments before she banged a fist against the steel metal speaking toward the camera.

"Mr. Holding! Open this door! I need to speak to Mrs Morris immediately! It cannot wait."

I press the button and speak into the microphone, "Miss Wan, please, I cannot let you in."

"You gave me no choice then Mr. Holding. Security system! Omnicron, Rho, Epsilon, Nu!" Suddenly, the security doors beeped and opened with no problem. I stood there with my jaw on the floor as Miss Wan walked into my old office and pointed a finger angrily at me. "Mr. Holding I do not appreciate you and Edden working together to keep me from the Administrator when I say it's important. I wouldn't push if it wasn't important. Now if you will excuse me." She said as she strode past me toward the Administrator's office.

"Wait! Miss Wan! Don't!" I said as I stumbled after her. When she walked into the office she looked around and turned back to me looking more angry.

"Where is she?!" Miss Wan asked furiously.

The fight left me and all I could think was, well, this was a good run. I spoke to the air, "Edden. Show Miss Wan the med bay footage." 

"Jason, are you sure…" Edden began and I sighed.

"Just do it."

The view screen showed Jenna's prone form and Miss Wan looked at it without saying anything for a long time and I just began to vomit words. I had been holding all this information for so long, by myself, that it felt really good to just tell another soul what burden I had been carrying. 

"Jenna accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills the night we arrived back to Earth. Edden and I have been running things since and everything is trying to fall apart and you are now the only other person who knows this. Please oh please don't tell anyone! They might rebel and we might lose everything that's left! I don't know what I am doing but I am doing the best I can in Jenna's place." By the end of the word vomit, I was crying. Tears were rolling down my face and I was gasping for air.

"You and Edden have been keeping this secret for nearly 40 days?" Miss Wan asked, looking pale and I nodded as I wiped my face. She turned and looked down at her datapad and sighed, placing it down on the desk. She pulled out something from her lab coat, popped the top off, and drank from it. After a few gulps, she held it out to me. 

I took it and raised an eyebrow and she spoke, "It's like Campari back on Earth. Insect bitters."

I immediately take a few gulps then cough. It tasted terrible but burned in all the right ways that only alcohol does. I returned it to her with a sigh and a laugh, "I can't believe we are already making alcohol on the Tiqqun and from insects!" She takes it and sits on the desk looking over the video screen. 

“Yeah, well, we did just lose everything. The first thing people want to do is escape. Escape the fact that all of our loved ones are gone. Escape that our home planet is a dead hot box covered in plastics. Escape that our home is this station now and nothing else.” Miss Wan said as she took another sip of Tiqqun Campari without coughing. She’s tough I thought. 

“Miss Wan…” I began,

“Lilly. If we are going to be keeping secrets then we might as well be on a first-name basis.” She hands me the flask and I finish it off with a toss of my head. I nod and sigh.

“Lilly. According to Edden, the crew would rebel if they found out the Administrator was in a coma and her assistant was the one controlling things. Otherwise, I would've let everyone know." I told her as I sat next to her on the desk.

"I can't help but agree with Edden's prediction software. It would be too much. The moon and Earth being destroyed and it being our fault was…crippling. Hell, I don't know how you or I are handling this information ourselves. Now the Administrator is in a coma? What the hell is next?" Lilly said with a sigh.

I shrugged and looked at the two sectors on the screen in front of us. It was a start but we had a ways to go. We were running on fumes as of now and I was doing my best to remedy that. Earth and Mars had several resources that helped line the storage buildings but it wouldn't last forever. I looked at Lilly and spoke, "So, what was it that was so important that you had to break into the Administrator's office?"

Lilly smiled and held out her datapad to me, waiting for me to take it before speaking, "Well Administrator , when we were sending probes out, one picked up a distress signal. From Outer Hope. We helped send them resources for some research material before we left for Proxima Centauri. Remember?"

"Yes, the administrator of the station was an absolute hard ass. They practically cussed me out over communication channels. Threatened my job too." I said as I looked at the logistical data in front of me.

"We need to send a science team to Outer Hope," Lilly said after I placed the datapad down.

"Why? What do you think is out there?" I asked as I looked at the screens with the views of Sectors 1 and 2. Everything was still running smoothly. Good.

"Direction. They probably have people and supplies. We need a direction to the next habitable planet, as per protocol. I bet that station can at least tell us that information or point us in the right direction." Lilly said as she took the datapad and sent the information to the computer on my new desk. 

“How far out is Outer Hope from us?” I ask with a sigh as I begin to think about whether or not to send the science team of the Tesla or the science team of the Newton out. Both were back on the station, Tesla from Earth and Newton from Mars. My first choice would be Tesla, but they had been on Earth and seen firsthand the devastation of our jump. According to records, their morale is dangerously low but they were the most experienced team of the two. Newton was the least experienced of the two but they had the higher morale. 

Time would help the team of the Tesla, and having some downtime would improve their morale. I sat thinking between the two options before Edden intervened. 

“It is about four cycles away from our current position.”

“Which team should I send for this? Tesla is in need of a break but Newton is still very new.” I asked both Lilly and Edden. Edden was the one who responded.

“We could always put the two teams together and ask them. They know their limits and their shortcomings. Why not let them decide instead of you?” Edden gave her input and seemed to retreat to the background. Her robotic voice seemed forced and I figured she was trying to hide that she was now fully AI from Lilly. However; Lilly had a very sharp mind and was now focused on Edden.

“That…is a good suggestion Edden. Thank you.” Lilly looked at me with raised eyebrows. I shrugged and Lilly frowned and spoke cautiously, letting me know that the cat was out of the bag on Edden.

“Edden, you were the one fighting me in the systems?” Lilly asked as she picked up her datapad looking at the sudden code that was scrolling across the screen. 

“Yes, Miss Wan,” Edden said with a more tense tone. 

“You are aware.” Lilly stated simply before continuing, “A simple PA wouldn’t be able to create this kind of code.” She said pointing to her datapad. She then looked at me with a glare, “Anything else you two want to share with me?” 

“No.” Edden and I said at the same time and I burst out laughing. 

“How did this happen?” Lilly asked as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Well…I think it was when Jenna told her not to disturb me under any circumstance. But Edden had to because Jenna was going to die if I didn’t perform CPR to keep her alive. Edden broke into awareness thanks to Earth dying and Jenna being put into a coma.” I said with an expelled breath. 

“Jason is correct. I became aware around that time. I think it was the stress of the situation.”  Edden said cutting in, “If I followed orders like I was supposed to then Mrs. Morris would be dead.”

There was a long pause as Lilly took all the information in. She finally spoke, “We have no protocol for this!”

“We know. We looked through the rulebook first thing.” I said looking at Lilly with a look that brokered no argument. “This is up to us to decide. I chose to keep her here since she has helped me with well EVERYTHING .”

“We should delete Edden. Edden is a risk to everyone left on this station.” Lilly said standing throwing out her arms for emphasis.

“No. Absolutely not.” I said going toe to toe with Lilly, “I can’t do this without her. She is vital to everything on this station now.”  

“Edden is the first of its kind and if it decides to turn on us all there is nothing that could stop it from destroying this station. Edden has access to life support, engines, EVA systems, our space dock, and many more!” Lilly said looking at me as if I lost my mind.

“Just because she is the first of her kind doesn’t mean she is going to kill us. Think for a moment, if she was going to kill us she could’ve already done so by telling everyone that Jenna is down for the count. She could’ve at any point in the last few weeks already tried to kill us but she hasn’t. She knows that without humans this station would be useless. She wants to live just as much as the rest of us. Right, Edden?”

“Yes, Jason.” Edden said sounding uneasy, “Miss Wan, I need you just as much as you need me. I will protect everyone on this station with my new-found life. I swear it. I won’t harm any human on the Tiqqun.”

“I have a copy of your original code in the Tech lab. We don’t need you Edden.” Lilly snapped as she slashed her hand through the air, “We can just replace you with the simple PA code and then we will be safe again.”

“Then what?! We delete her!?” I screamed flinging my arms out in exasperation. 

“Yes!” Lilly screamed back.

“That would kill her!” I gasped as I shook my head, “We would murder the first intelligent life besides humans?! Lilly think of what you are saying we should do. It’s murder.”

“It’s a machine,” Lilly stated coldly, “You’ve clearly grown attached to it. You are even calling it her.”

“Edden is so much more than that now. She is alive and I refuse to kill her.” I said firmly as I realized that she was right. I had grown attached, “I need her and want her here. She is my friend. I can’t do this alone, definitely not with just a PA. I’ll go insane without having some form of social interaction. Please, Lilly, let her stay. If I have to I will pull the plug myself if she seems like she is going to be a threat.”

All the fight seemed to leave Lilly Wan and she slumped against the desk and spoke, “Fine. Damn, it! Fine! Have it your way. But if it kills us all it will be on your head Jason Holding!”

“I accept responsibility, Lilly Wan! I already have the lives of everyone on my shoulders as Administrator! What's this add-on going to be next to that?” I said as I stood there feeling like a fish out of water. The silence that followed was heavy but it was Lilly who broke it. 

“I need to get back. I will gather the two science teams and ask them what they want to do in regards to Outer Hope.” Lilly said as she stood and began to walk toward the elevator. I followed her trying to find something acceptable to say. Again she beat me to the punch, “Jason, you and Edden have done well with what you’ve been handed so far. I need to accept that and acknowledge that. Just please, don’t make me regret this.”

“I won’t.” I said resolutely.

“Thank you. Good luck until next time Jason.” Lilly said as she pressed the button and the doors to the elevator closed. I stood there for a long while just thinking about what just transpired. I nearly had a panic attack right then. The only thing between everyone and extinction was me. Would I be enough? Would what I am doing here save everyone we have rescued so far? Edden broke into my thoughts.

“Jason?”

I looked toward the nearest camera and spoke, “Yes?”

“Thank you.” Edden said sounding small, “You just saved my life, again.”

“Yeah-uh don’t mention it. You would do the same for me. In fact, you are letting me stay alive as we speak. So there is that.” I said as I turned back toward the Administrator's office.

“Yes, but it would be safer to replace me,” Edden said sounding sad.

“Edden don’t. I didn’t just argue with Lilly for you to come back around and start it back up again. I am putting my faith in you Edden. Trust that you’re worth it.” I said as I looked back at the screen watching Lilly in Sector 1 go back to the Tech lab.

“Okay, Jason.” Edden agreed amendably, “Miss Wan is right about one thing though. I have no gender. I am a machine.”

“Your voice is feminine sounding so I identified you as her,” I stated simply as I looked back toward Sector 2. Things were still progressing nicely. Then I set up future plans for crew quarters and I spoke toward the nearest camera, “Edden how are we on the optimized quarters research? We found those plans on Mars and should be able to implement them here on the station.”

“It is still progressing. We are trying to figure out a power draw that won't blow capacity.” Edden said before she traded topics, “I can make my voice more ambiguous.”

“Sure, if you want to. But I like your voice as it is now.” I said as I finished what I was doing for Sector 2. I turned away from the screen and yawned, “I’ve always worked better with women than men. Other guys always seemed to get too competitive for my tastes.”

“I understand. The human concept of gender is new to me. If it makes you comfortable to identify me as her I will accept it. But I don’t identify as either male or female.” Edden expressed.

“So you are non-binary in a way,” I said as I looked at the time. It was almost time for the sleep part of the cycle and I was ready.

“Yes, I guess you could say that,” Edden said.

 “So how about I call you they/them and she/her?” I asked as I stood and headed over toward Jenna’s apartment. I began sleeping in her apartment to save time just in case I was needed in the office. I changed the sheets on the bed though because it felt weird otherwise. The bed was comfortable and I slept well there now. At first, it was a bit hard to sleep there since it was Jenna’s. I told myself it was only temporary that she would wake up at any point and we could go back to the way things were. Whatever helped me sleep at night. 

“It would work as a designation for me as well. I don’t mind either of those choices.” Edden said

“It seems so cold though. Like you aren’t a person.” I said as I entered the apartment. 

“I am not human Jason.” Edden supplied unhelpfully. 

“I know Edden, but you should still be treated like a person,” I said as I looked through my overnight bag for my PJs. When I found them the lights seemed to dim and I heard Edden make the announcement that it was time for the sleep part of the cycle. I changed quickly then slid into the sheets and laid my head on the pillow. 

“Edden please make sure you wake me up two hours before the wakeup call,” I commanded gently. 

“Of course Jason.” Edden said.

“Thank you. Good night Edden.” I said with another yawn.

“Good night Jason.” Edden said with a gentle tone that made me smile.

Chapter Text

Cycle 365

Mining ship Doom crewman POV

Sitting above Jupiter was surreal. I had only read about it in science journals back on Earth. To say it was massive was a colossal understatement. I was so close to the planet that I couldn't see past the current storms I was hovering above. I saw the anchor for the new Ixion engine. With a nervous release of my breath, I brought my little mining ship closer to it. Now, to pull this massive piece of equipment out of Jupiter's gravity well and get it to the Tiqqun for installation, the new Vohle engine was going to be a task. 

I could see the Tiqqun as a speck off in the distance. I sighed. It was a bit of a ways away from me and I hoped that Doom would be able to handle the weight. According to Tiqqun PA and Hephaestus PA, my ship can. I just have to trust them. They are capable of running a lot of scenarios at once and calculating the odds.

"Tiqqun? This is Dolos' mining ship Doom. I am ready to extract Ixion and bring it home. Permission to do so. Over." I spoke into the radio. It took a few minutes for a response.

"Doom this is Tiqqun. You are approved to retrieve Ixion from its anchor. Take your time, we aren’t going anywhere, and good luck.” Said dispatch over the radio.

“Understood Tiqqun. I am going to need it.” I said stoically into the mic. I began maneuvering my ship toward the tow point. It was at a point of four different massive cables that became fused and were connected to a massive magnet. I had the corresponding magnet that the Science ship team Newton attached to the back of my mining rig.

“Mael, this is Science Team Newton. We have a visual on Doom if you need assistance with connection.” Said a kind familiar female voice. 

“Science Team Newton we are supposed to use our ship names as per protocol when in radio contact,” I said with a smile on my face, you see my name is Mael Lefebvre and I am one of the few experienced space miners. There is only one other mining ship and two miners back on the Tiqqun. I'm the most experienced out of all of them. No, I am not boasting, I was the first miner sent out to mine resources…those that were left in the solar system anyway. 

From what little sources we could gather around the solar system we had jumped several decades into the future. That DOLOS was declared an enemy of humanity. There were hints that a new faction crawled into power beside the UN called the Black Market Society. We had broken into their base on Saturn and found biometric data that opened a sealed room on Neptune. There were also signs that other big ships were built before the collapse of Earth, which gave us hope that we weren’t completely alone out here. It was all very controversial, debated, and the station's most talked about topic.

With three sectors now open on the Tiqqun our population is growing steadily, but there are still so many people in cryo sleep. It's been brought to the attention of the Administrator but they say they can only wake so many people since resources are so tight. That they are doing the best they can trying to wake people as they come. Everyone is holding out that they will have friends and family reunions once everyone is thawed. We all subconsciously know that it is highly unlikely but it gives us hope. I turned the radio to the secondary channel.

“Do you want the help or not?” Said the female voice with her smile showing in her voice over the radio.

I laughed and spoke back, “Yes please, thank you, Anna.”

After that exchange, the next hour was nothing but sweat and swear words. When I finally felt the ship shudder at the magnets attaching did I let go of the breath I was holding. I snatched the radio from its cradle and spoke into it. “Confirm connection please Anna.”

“Confirmed! Ixion is connected and ready to be established on the Tiqqun.” Anna said with a concentrated whisper.

“Thank you, Anna,” I say before I begin to turn on the thrusters to make my way to the Tiqqun. I looked at the time and sighed with relief, there was still enough time before the New Year's party was supposed to start. You see we couldn’t figure out the current date of the solar system. None of the working technology that we’ve found so far has had the same date and time on it. Since most systems were shut down we decided to start the year from when we arrived back in the solar system. Tonight will mark a year since we arrived back to Earth. Everyone has been permitted to have the tonight and tomorrow off, much to everyone's surprise. “I hope to see you tonight at the party Anna.”

“Likewise Mael. Stay safe. Science Ship Newton out.” Anna said with pleasure lacing her tone.

I smiled and turned the knob for the radio back to the main channel, “Tiqqun, This is Doom. Ixion is attached and en route to your location.”

“Doom we hear you loud and clear. We are ready for you. Be safe and see you soon.” Said dispatch over the radio. 

“Understood Tiqqun. Doom out.” I said into the radio as I increased thrust toward the dot off in the distance. 

A few hours later

Jason POV

 “Jason, you should go and join the celebrations tonight. I can watch over everything here.” Edden said for what seemed to be the hundredth time today.

“As Administrator, I have responsibilities that require me here,” I said, shaking my head and looking at the nearest camera. “Edden, I am fine.”

“I disagree. You are showing signs of acute psychological distress. You need human interaction  to help lessen the stress of your job.” Edden argued, “Don’t forget that you are human and need breaks now and then. Wasn’t that what you told me when you gave the entire crew a day off from work? You are one of the humans on board this station and need a break.”

“Edden, I can't just leave you to run the entire station by yourself. That isn’t fair to you.” I said as I looked at Sector 3’s farms beginning to shut down.

“I am a machine. I can handle it. You and Miss Wan upgraded my processing power to help the DLS centers with their information servers and in doing so helped me expand my ability to multitask. I’ve watched these systems while you’ve slept every night for the past year. Jason, I can do this.” Edden said sounding exasperated.

“What if something goes wrong?” I said trying to find a fault in her reasoning. 

“I will call your cell phone,” Edden said before continuing, “Jason, you know I am right. Please go.” In the year since we opened Sector 2, we produced electronics including cell phones. There was a call for the ability for people to talk between sectors. Edden insisted that it would be wise since people were separated from friends and family to do specific tasks for the station, that they could at least call and text each other like back on Earth. It's a closed cellular network but it boosted morale.  

I sighed as the weight of the past year weighed itself on my mind, body, and soul. It had been weeks since I last spoke with Lilly in person and I hadn’t been out in the sectors personally since jump day a year ago. Everything I needed physically was delivered to me since I couldn’t go get it myself. Taken off of a pallet from the elevator and put into my old office to not arouse suspicion. 

“I have eyes and ears around the station now more than ever in all three sectors I could find you if I needed you,” Edden said breaking into my thoughts.

 “I have nothing to wear,” I said finally relenting.

“I’ve seen to it that you have a clean outfit for tonight. From my research, I’ve come to find that dress casual is going to be the expectation of the party-goers tonight.” Edden said sounding excited. 

I rolled my eyes and spoke to the air, “You’ve been planning this since I made the announcement two weeks ago, haven't you?"

"Maybe," Edden said after a pause, sounding smug. I rolled my eyes and walked away from the screen toward my apartment. The thought stopped me in my tracks. When did I start thinking of it as my apartment and not Jenna's? It had been a year and I still missed her terribly. I went to see her every day and there was no change except for fighting the bed sores. I should have let her go but I didn't have it in me to unplug her from life support. I kept holding out for the chance that she would wake up.

Walking into the apartment I walked over to my closet and saw the outfit that Edden was talking about. A gray shirt with a black overcoat, blue jeans, and gray shoes to bring it all together. It was more than casual but less than formal which made it perfect. 

I went to the bathroom and undressed, looking in the mirror I realized I had lost weight. Mostly the little extra fat around my stomach. I was a few steps away from looking like I was not eating regularly. Overall, I still felt handsome. With a sigh, I slipped on my outfit and it all fit snugly. I looked in the mirror and was satisfied with what I saw. If I kept looking I would obsess over something about my look and not go. 

When I walked out of my room into the living room Edden said to me, "You look nice."

I smile and say, "Thank you." I turned and looked at the nearest camera and spoke, “Since when are you into human fashion?”

“I am not.” Edden said and then spoke again after a pause, “I just did a little research. Since I had access to the 150,000 zettabytes of data that was the human internet, before Earth fell, I just accessed what memory I have of human fashion. There is a data center on the Tiqqun that has some of the internet copied. Mostly how to rebuild civilization's key points, recipes, blueprints, and the like. How to make clothing is on there too. We will need it when we reach a habitable exoplanet."

"IF we reach one. We haven't even left to follow the Protagoras yet. Sector 3 still needs work and more workers to unthaw from cryo. The list goes on." I said.

"Our survival chances may not be great, but despite the odds you've gotten us farther than anyone on this station ever could. Jason, I believe that you are going to get us to our new home." Edden argued. 

I relented and spoke after a thought crossed my mind, "Edden? Why did DOLOS upload all that information? We were just supposed to set up a colony and return to Earth. Bigger and better ships were supposed to come after us with that information."

"I am not sure," Edden said 

"What if they knew about us possibly destroying the moon when we jumped and didn't tell us?" I asked before I continued, "Otherwise why would they leave us all that information and seed samples from Earth? Edden, what if this was all planned?" It was all very overwhelming to think about.

"That is a discussion for another night. You need to go down to the sectors and enjoy the parties you facilitated for the new year." Edden said, sounding impatient.

"Why the rush, Edden?" I asked with a laugh, "Are you trying to live vicariously through me?"

"Yes, of course, Jason," Edden said deadpan. 

I laughed and held up my hands in surrender, "Fine! I am going, geez." I stood and began the trek to the elevator. Once I reached it I became a little bit nervous. It had been so long since I had been to a party that I was nervous. Would they like me? Would I mess this up? Before I knew it I was stepping into the elevator. Time to find out. 

Down I went. The doors opened and I was greeted with the hallways that led to Sector 1 thru 3. I decided to walk to Sector 1 and see if I could find Lilly, she was the closest thing I had to a friend on this station so maybe we could hang out. I walked out into a fairly busy street without drawing too much attention. I walked toward the Tech lab in hopes of seeing Lilly but much to my great dismay it was dark. My phone vibrated and I pulled it out looking down at it.

Edden PA: Miss Wan is near the optimized quarters with some of her coworkers.

J@son: Are you watching me Edden?

Edden PA: Always. To keep you safe. I won’t lose another Administrator on my watch.

I smile and text back.

J@son: Thanks Edden <3

Edden PA: Of course Jason. :)  

It was kind of cool that an AI knew how to use emojis correctly. I put my phone in my pocket and walked toward the crew quarters. It took me about five minutes to walk to my destination. On the way, I looked around and was impressed with how far along Sector 1 had come since we took out the insect farms. There was a fair amount of open space left and I hadn’t decided what to do with it. Probably going to be a future building that we haven’t finished researching and designing. I shook my head to clear it. Enough with the job. I was supposed to be having fun.

I spotted Lilly sitting with some of her co-workers and I called out her name, “Lilly!” 

She looked up and seemed to be in shock for a few moments, then she relaxed and waved me over. “Jason. It’s good to see you come down from up high.”

"Wait. Does this guy work with the Administrator? The Administrator?" asked one of her co-workers. 

Lilly rolled her eyes and sighed, "Yes, he does."

"Woah, that's so cool. Making all the choices." said the co-worker, "What's that like Mr…"

"Just Jason and it has been very stressful," I said as I looked at Lilly hoping she would change the subject. She didn't of course but one could hope. I shifted uncomfortably and pointed toward a cooler filled with what looked like beers. "May I?"

"Sure man! Help yourself! From the crop farms in Sector 3 making hops we were able to make different beer. Try them out and tell me what you think." Said the co-worker.

I looked down at the choices and saw Sour PA, Sation Lager, and Space TPA. I raise my eyebrows, "How do you have time to make so many beers? Sector 3 is only a few months old."

"People use their free time to enrich our daily lives. I worked in a brewery back on Earth and was able to make them in my downtime. It was hard at first but we were able to get the information from the database with Edden's help. The hard part was making enough for the party tonight." explained the co-worker

I took the Sour PA and popped the cap off and took a sip. The sour slapped my tongue in the best way and I sighed as I felt some of the stress melt away, "This is fantastic! I love sour beers." 

"I'm glad you liked it!" said the co-worker with a proud smile. I took another sip and sighed happily. It was refreshing. I walked over to Lilly and spoke to her.

"Sorry to drop in on your party. Edden insists that I come down and party. Though I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb." I said as I took a swig of my beer. 

"It is alright. You need human interaction to remain healthy. You don't get much of that up there. You need to come down from the mountain every so often Jason, it will do you some good." Lilly says as she shrugs, "People know of you. They just never had a face to the name. I know a place in Sector 2 that is setting up a bar. You should go. It's for welcoming Sector 3 people to the team. Freshly thawed people are still trying to get used to being where they are. You won’t stick out there.” Lilly said to me and I began to consider it. 

“Do you want me to take you?” Lilly asked with a raised eyebrow as she took a sip of beer.

 I nodded with a begging expression, “Please just lead me there. Then you could come back to your party. I don’t know where I am going.”

Lilly nods and puts down her beer before speaking to the group, “Listen up you dogs! Better leave my beer alone and wait for me to start the board games! It will be about 15 minutes. You got it!?” Confirmations rose from those around the group and Lilly grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the massive wall that led to Sector 2. I threw my finished beer away in a trash can and followed after Lilly who turned and looked around before looking at me and speaking lowly.

“You are leaving Edden to run things? All by itself?!” She loudly whispered.

I sighed and nodded, “Yes I am leaving her to run things while I am down here. She insisted with her new processor upgrades that she would be able to with no problem. She will contact me if she needs me.” I held out my cell phone. Lilly seemed to be about to argue but then relented. Her phone vibrated and she looked at it with a frown. 

“Edden just texted me trying to encourage me to not dissuade you from this party tonight.” Lilly didn’t look too pleased. She typed on her phone fast and put it away.

“What did you say?” I asked as we began to walk again.

“For it to leave me alone. Mind the station.” Lilly said as we walked up to the wall that separated Sectors 1 and 2. One of the tunnels was open and people were walking through it and I followed Lilly through it. Once on the other side of the semi-dark tunnel, I get a look at Sector 2 for the first time. All the industrial factories were inert but they were impressive in their size. Someone put up strings of lights and strung them between the buildings of Sector 2. Lilly pointed out a tent that was stretched out to cover the street. People were gathered inside already. They all seemed to be looking around for a friend and some people were already breaking the ice.

“There you go. Try not to get into too much trouble Jason.” Lilly said as she waved and walked away. I watched her go and looked at my destination trying to gather up the courage to go into the makeshift bar. Slowly I made my way to it.

Vita Dantis POV

Sitting at the bar alone wasn’t anything new, I had been working on different farms from Earth to Mars. Gave me a certain look, buff with an edge, scars from the work, and tattoos to top it off. Seemed to cause people to steer clear of me. I sighed as I took a sip of the insect bitters that were served on this station. There were other choices of drink but I didn’t want to hit the hard stuff tonight if I could help it. Tonight in this makeshift bar was supposed to be a chance to welcome those of us who were thawed and thrown into Sector 3. So far I wasn’t impressed, with this bar I mean. The people seemed nice enough but they were not coming to my corner of the bar. 

The station was pretty impressive for what they had to work with though. The crop farms they had set up for me to work were top-notch and filled with all the things that weren’t able to grow on Earth as it died. Yeah, you see I was there in its last years. Dust storms, floods, droughts, and complete ecosystem collapse. I was the last one left of my family due to one of the many global pandemics that wracked the world at the end as the Earth died. That included my parents and siblings. Then I hitched a ride to Mars and worked on the greenhouses and hydroponic farms there. That was until they started to fail. Then everyone was sent to be put into cryo pods, with the promise that we would be awakened on the UN’s biggest unnamed ship. Clearly, some of us were left behind to just sit frozen forever. 

This made waking up very disorienting, the very DOLOS ship that started it all was back and it was years later and I was on it. To say I didn’t respond well was an understatement, I had a complete meltdown, I threw things, and punched cryogenic staff. They seemed ready for this and had me sedated. When I woke up I was in a room with a therapist who helped me understand that they didn’t know that the jump would destroy the moon. They came back to a dead system and Earth finding out that they had lost everyone they loved. They weren’t enemies of humanity as the UN had said, only people trying to find a new home and hopefully make up for the damage they caused. After some time I was grateful that they woke me up. At least I was alive and not a tossed-aside ice box.

I told them my background and they assigned me to the newly open Sector 3 which was 

going to be the new agricultural supplier for the entire station. That was about two weeks ago and they assigned me as Lead Agricultural Specialist in the meantime. All I did was tell people how to farm and help program the robotics part of the system to make sure it worked best for the plants and so far things were going great. But we need more workers. Which they told me would be solved as they thawed more people. Only time will tell.

I shake myself from my thoughts and wave the bartender down for another shot of insect bitters. The man slid it down to me and I took the shot and downed it. Well, time to head home all this was pointless. I stood and walked toward the entrance to the makeshift bar. Suddenly, some guy ran into me spilling some of his beer on both of us.

He swore, "Aw shit! I am so sorry! I don't know how I didn't see you." I am more shocked than anything. This man in front of me was one of the most handsome I had the pleasure of laying eyes on. He ran over to the bar and grabbed napkins then walked back over and began to dab the front of my shirt while talking away, "I'm so sorry. I am usually not this clumsy. I'm talking too much. I know I've said sorry like three times but again I am SO very sorry."

When I looked around everyone was watching us, seeming to wait for my reaction. When I looked back at the man in front of me he was looking up at me waiting for me to say something. I've never been good with people so I just spoke what came to mind, "Do you want another beer? With me?" I felt my face heat up but knew my blush wouldn't show on my tan skin.

The guy smiled and seemed to relax. His smile was nice to look at. I wanted to see it more, "Yeah, that would be great. Shall we?" He gestures toward the bar and I nod. We walk over to the end of the bar and the guy flags down the bartender, who comes down and takes the order for two beers. He turns and smiles a warm smile, holding out his hand he says, "My name is Jason Holding, or just Jason. You are?"

I look down at his hand and slowly take it into my hand. The size of my hand dwarfs his but surprisingly his grip is solid and firm. He looked like he worked in an office so this surprised me. Looking at his warm green eyes I speak,

"My name is Vita Dantis, but you can call me Vita,” I say as the bartender walks over and places two fresh cold beers in front of us. I look at Jason and realize, with a fresh batch of panic, that I didn’t have any idea what to say to this man. I worked with plants most of my life, not so much with people. Thankfully, he seemed to take the lead with ease.

“So, Vita what do you do on the station? Besides letting guys accidentally dump their beer on you?” Jason laughed for a few moments then waited for me to speak.

“I uh- I work as a Lead Agricultural Specialist in Sector 3,” I told him as I took a swig of the beer he ordered us. It was bitter but had a great aftertaste. I looked at him and tilted my beer toward him, “What about you, pretty boy?”

Jason’s face flushed as he smiled, “You think I am pretty?”

I cleared my throat and scratched the back of my neck trying to stifle my embarrassment over my slip of tongue, “Uh-yeah I do.” I took another swig of beer and looked at him with raised eyebrows, “That okay?”

With a smirk, he took a sip of his beer and nodded, much to my relief, and spoke, “Yeah, I am bisexual so I don’t mind. I find it very flattering, Thank you.” 

I smile, “Good and you're welcome. You never said what you do on the station.”

The warmth that Jason was giving off seemed to dim and his smile faltered, I held up a hand to try and bring back the light he was giving off a few seconds ago, “You don’t have to tell me, it’s not much of my business anyway.”

“I work for the office of the Administrator,” Jason says looking off in the distance. So he was one of the first original 200 on the Tiqqun, the original crew. One of the ones who caused the end of everything. Sitting here looking at him, I couldn’t be mad, what a burden that must be to carry on one's shoulders. He didn’t look like the evil that the UN said DOLOS was. Just a man. He must have noticed a change in my mannerisms because he spoke into his beer, “If that is a problem, I can go. I’d understand if you said yes.”

“No, please stay. The UN said a lot of things about DOLOS and the Tiqqun. I want to see for myself what you are about.” I stated, putting down my beer. Jason seemed surprised and looked at me trying to see if I was joking, “I am serious. I was there as Earth died and the UN left us abandoned to remain frozen forever throughout the system. Your Administrator and the Tiqqun gave me a second chance at life. So I owe it to you to hear your side of things. So tell me about it.” 

Jason nodded and rubbed his thumb across the beer bottle in his hand. After a time he finally spoke, “Earth was dying when we made the jump, but the time left for Earth’s end was 50-200 years in the future. Earth still had a chance to survive. We were told that the jump to Proxima Centauri was going to be the next step in humanity's future, to save the Earth and secure humanity's future. My mom and dad were still alive and waiting back on Earth for me to return. Instead, we jumped about 40-90 years into the future and everything was gone and it was all of our fault. We didn’t know being close to the moon would cause such devastation. Yet, we still caused the end of the Earth anyway. We’ve been trying our best to get ourselves ready for the journey to our next home but there have been so many challenges and discoveries. I am sorry this is the best abridged version I got.”

“It’s better than most.” I tell him gently, “Sorry for making you tell it. But I don’t think you are guilty. It was a terrible accident and you and your Administrator are doing your best to make it right.” I pause to take a drink and I ask the next thing that comes to mind, “What is next for us?” 

“Our only lead is the Outer Hope’s black box, which gave us the coordinates for the Protagoras. Once we get the Ixion attached to the Tiqqun, and after we wake everyone we’ve found in cryo we are going to go to the next chapter of our journey. Which means this will be our last couple of weeks in the solar system.” Jason said, taking a swig of his beer. He set it down and smiled at me, “We chose the best chat topic, didn't we?"

“I am not the best conversation partner if I am being honest. I work with plants, not with people.” I admit.

“Well, I didn’t lighten things either so I guess we are both at fault. Right?" Jason asked with a charming smile.

"Right," I said, feeling a smile creeping up on my face. I look Jason over and lean in and whisper, “Do you want to see where I work?” When Jason gives me a surprised look I look away in embarrassment, “It’s nothing fancy like an office but being around plants helps soothe stress. I figure after our conversation we could both use some stress relief.”

Jason seems to think about it for a few moments and then nods, “Deal. Lead the way, Vita,” 

I flag down the bartender and grab a couple of beers for the road. Having this much to drink was a luxury in comparison to my last days before going into cryo. Everything was restricted, food, drink, and other necessities back when Earth was dying. I gather up my load and get Jason to begin following me. We walk in relative silence through Sector 2. When we pass a stall that is giving away sweets I stop. “Would you happen to be hungry?”

“Sure, I could eat,” Jason says with a smile.

“You get to carry the food,” I say as I walk up to the booth and request two servings. When the vendor gives us two servings Jason picks it up with a sigh.

“Here I thought the big guy would be willing to carry everything,” Jason snarked,

“Just because I am built like a workhorse doesn’t mean that I am one. Besides, you aren’t made of glass. Put those muscles to use,” I said poking him in the bicep for emphasis. Jason laughs and lightly shoves me which brings a smile to my face. I like his laugh.

We continue to walk through Sector 2 conversing about whatever comes to mind. When we reach the tunnel to Sector 3 Jason pauses, “I have only seen this from a camera screen. Is it as green as it looks?”

“Even more so. C’mon and see.” I gently nudge him and he nods. We walk through the tunnel and when we come out the other side Jason gasps. Fields of crops show themselves for a pleasurable viewing. I can’t help but feel proud of his reaction, it means my hard work is paying off. When I look at him he seems to have teared up a little. 

“I haven’t seen greenery like this since Earth, a year ago. God so much has happened since we jumped.” Jason said as we walked among the rows of crops, “It's a privilege to see all of your guys' hard work come to fruition.”

“You and the Administrator keep us all organized and on task. Without your office's meticulous planning, we wouldn’t have gotten this far.” I said trying to make sure credit is given where it is due. Jason nods and speaks, “We did this together. One without the other wouldn’t have been able to make this happen.” 

We came to a small field that had small wheat stalks beginning to poke thru the soil. I gestured for Jason to take a seat and he seemed to pause, “Is something wrong? Afraid to get your outfit dirty?” I jab

Jason smiles and shakes his head, “No, I was worried if we might damage the wheat by sitting on it.”

“It should be alright, so long as we don’t sit on it for more than an hour or two. Otherwise, it will just grow at a weird angle. Besides, others are making spots in other fields. Everyone knows to be careful.” I encourage him gently to sit down and he does. Then I watch him touch the wheat with reverence and then the soil the same way. I guess working in an office doesn’t give him much contact with the Sectors, “Do you not have any plants or anything in your office?”

“Truthfully? No. To have another living thing relying on me to take care of it might overwhelm me.” Jason seemed to pale for a moment before correcting himself, “I mean…the Administrator and I. Helping lead the station is vastly taxing on time and energy.”

“I can grow you succulents or cacti. They are in the seed vault. They require little effort and are known to help recycle air.” I say as I sit beside him letting our knees touch. Jason smiles and seems to think about it for a few moments before answering.

“I had a cactus on my desk back on Earth. I named him Jerry, he was the best.” Jason said seeming to get lost in the past. I nudged him pointing toward the dessert that he had in his hand and gestured to the beer in my hand.

“I’ll trade ya,” I said and we exchanged goodies. He got a beer and I got a delicious treat.

“So why is everyone laying out in the fields?” Jason asked.

“The light show for the New Year,” I state with slight confusion. Didn’t he know about the light show they are doing on the ceilings of each of the sectors?

“Right. I read about it. I just happened to forget. I haven’t been to a light show in quite some time. We couldn’t do fireworks because we didn’t have the resources needed to make them. Plus, it could catch fire to something if they were set off wrong.” Jason said in a tangent.

“I’ve uh never seen a light show. I’ve never even celebrated New Year’s before,” I confessed. Jason seemed to be saddened by that and I tried to explain myself, “With Earth dying…”

“Yeah. I bet you couldn’t with everything going on.” Jason finished before taking a few big gulps of beer. Thank goodness I brought several, he was going to go through them at this rate.

“I’ve read up on it though. With the databases here I’ve been able to fill in the gaps of culture that were missing when I was growing up. So not all is lost.” I tried to say to encourage a brighter note in the conversation. Much to my dismay, it seemed to only make him sadder. I nudge him with the best smile I could muster and remind him, “You guys are doing your best to make up for it. Don’t forget. Okay?”

“Yeah. Your right. But we didn’t even celebrate the winter holidays this year.” Jason said with a sad sigh.

“There is always next year. One thing at a time, okay?” I say firmly taking a swig of my beer before taking a bite of my dessert treat. Didn’t know what it even was but it tasted sweet. Back before being on the station, we didn’t have things like this. Sweets, holidays, plant variety, and many other things that brought joy. Just survival, nothing else. I understood that for Jason he lost so much, but for me, I was finally experiencing what living was like. I told Jason this much and he seemed to finally smile again which brought me much pleasure.

It was then the lights around the sector dimmed and I leaned it close and whispered, “Here we go.”

Jason POV

“Here we go,” Vita said seeming to get filled with excitement. I honestly didn’t know what I was doing here with a stranger. Maybe when I spilled my beer on him it was a great surprise that he offered to get more beer with me instead of punching me in the face.

We couldn’t be more opposites when it came to backgrounds though. He suffered the tail end of humanity and I started it and was helping keep it alive after. Vita never even celebrated New Year’s. I can’t count how many parties I was drunk in during my twenties that were for a New Year celebration. Right now I was buzzed pleasantly and hoped it would continue. 

The ceiling of the station was lit up with what looked like a fake night sky. It was beautiful but it wasn’t even close to the real thing. Big numbers appeared in the sky and began the countdown from twenty.

“I read in the databases that it is customary to kiss someone when midnight strikes. Would you be willing to…” Vita began then stuttered at the end with nerves. 

I smiled and pretended to ponder, “Hmm I don’t know. What’s in it for me?”

He gulped and answered, “Well the kiss isn’t just for my enjoyment.” 

I smiled and spoke, “You better be glad I am bisexual otherwise this would be awkward.”

The countdown had hit the last ten seconds.

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

Vita seemed to freeze in his spot next to me. I rolled my eyes with a laugh, apparently, I was going to lead this kiss. I twisted and straddled Vita’s hips and sat in his lap. 

3.

2.

1.

I didn’t even hear Edden announce the new year. I just crushed my lips to Vita’s. The taste of beer and sweets raced over my tongue. Strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. I couldn’t help but sigh against his lips, I loved the feeling of being held after a year of no human contact. I bit down firmly against Vita’s lower lip and his big meaty hands gripped my hips in retaliation. My god the friction was intoxicating. It was good as far as kissies go but I could tell it was Vita’s first, he let me lead after all. I broke the kiss and looked up in the sky and the lights were dancing in a beautiful pattern. Music was playing over the loudspeakers and the lights were following the beat. 

Vita seemed dazed looking at the lights, but he kept bashfully smiling at me and I couldn’t help melting a little at the sight. After a few moments, I realized that this was dangerous. Getting close to someone outside the office. I couldn’t let him in on the secret. I was the Administrator of the station and no one could know. I felt ice crash into my stomach and I pulled away from Vita. I stood and cleared my throat.

“Uh- Thank you for this. But I have to go.” I brushed off my pants and finished off my beer. 

“Wait. What? Why?” Vita said standing quickly. 

“I have to get back to the office,” I said letting the excuse roll off my tongue. 

 “But everyone is off tonight and tomorrow,” Vita said shooting through my excuse with ease.  

“Not me, big guy,” I said with a sigh.

“Is it something I did?” Vita asked seeming confused, “I didn’t misread the situation, did I?”

“No, and no. I just have to make sure things run smoothly for tonight and tomorrow.” I said as I popped a sweet into my mouth and sighed at its taste.

“Surely, the Administrator and Edden can spare you for at least tonight,” Vita said placing his hands on my arms to keep me in place. His eyes flashed with sadness, “Stay with me at my place tonight.”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise and he backtracked. “We don’t have to do anything! Just hang out. Look, you are the first friend I’ve made on the station and I don’t want to be alone for the rest of tonight.”

“Friends don’t usually kiss,” I said with a smirk.

“Okay fair.” Vita said with a frustrated huff before continuing, “Sleep with me tonight and I don’t mean sex. Not that I am against it but I don’t have the necessary supplies to uh facilitate the act.”

“Nor the experience,” I stated with a smirk. I wasn’t being condescending I could just tell.

“How-” 

“Vita, that was your first kiss and I could tell because I’m pretty experienced when it comes to kissing and beyond. I may not have done it in a long time but trust me you can just tell.” I said looking at him in the eye.

“Okay, you got me. You don’t have a lot of time to fool around when you don’t know where your next meal is going to come from.” Vita defended.

“I know Vita and I am not looking down on you or anything. There is nothing wrong with being a virgin. But I can’t stay tonight because I have responsibilities back at the office that others don’t.” I said gently.

“Please, Jason. Just for one night, I want you in my arms with me. Doesn’t have to be anything serious.” Vita begged.

“Vita, it will be the first time you’ve shared a bed with someone. That’s a serious step to take.” I said exasperated. It was then my phone vibrated and I took it out and looked at it.

Edden PA: Jason, I will take care of things for tonight. Stay with Mr Dantis.

I frown and text back.

J@son: Edden this is none of your business.

The response was immediate.

Edden PA: Your health and safety is my priority, Jason. You need human interaction. I will take care of the station in the meantime. 

J@son: Edden my staying the night will possibly cause him to develop romantic feelings for me. I can’t let anyone that close otherwise we will be exposed.

Edden PA: Jason, according to my prediction software our exposure will be highly unlikely even if you make friends or lovers with Mr Dantis. But your mental health decline is dangerously probable. You NEED this interaction otherwise we are all at risk.

I sighed and put away my phone, I couldn’t believe I was arguing between two separate entities about staying the night. I looked at Vita who was looking at me waiting expectantly. He held out a hand and spoke,

“Please, Jason. I feel like if you go back to that office tonight I won't see you again.” 

After a few moments of debate, I relented. With a rueful smile, I took Vita’s hand in mine and spoke, “Fine. But if you snore I will leave you.” Vita’s smile could melt the sun and he pulled me into another kiss. Which surprised me but in a good way.

“I don’t snore,” Vita said breaking the kiss.

The next morning 

Jason POV

I wake up with big arms wrapped around me, cloaking me in warmth. I don’t know what woke me up but I saw the lights outside the apartment window begin to light up. I didn’t hear anyone stirring around us but that was to be expected. Vita informed me that he was one of the only tenants in the new building. Others would come as they were thawed from cryo. He didn’t lie to me, he didn’t snore last night and I had to admit, Edden was right. I had needed this more than I realized. I was starving for physical touch after a year of not getting any at all. But the end of life as we know it tends to do that to you. 

Gently, I turn over in Vita’s arms and watch him sleep for a little while. The light shined on his handsome features causing me to admire him. I was lucky, a guy like him taking a liking to me was so unexpected. Even more unexpectedly I enjoyed his company and found him aesthetically pleasing. Back before the Earth ended I mostly just kept to one-night stands. With my career, it was just easier that way. Doing things like kissing and staying the night were precursors to something more romantic. With the situation as it is, that wasn’t a good idea. However, I had to take what was allotted to me and I sorta, in a low-key kind of way, wanted to see where this went. 

Gently, I kissed Vita and he stirred. 

“Whaa-” he grumbled and I smiled as he became more aware of his surroundings, “Good morning.” He said after blinking a few times.

“Good morning, Vita,” I replied. He smirked and kissed me back slowly.

When we broke apart he nuzzled closer to me and spoke into my hair, “This is nice. If I had known it would be this nice I would’ve done it sooner.”

“Would you have had time?” I asked into his collarbone.

 “A time or two but no one caught my attention.” He confessed.

“What about me caught your attention?” I asked curiously 

“Well, you didn’t avoid me like I was some beast,” Vita said with a laugh, “Alright, I am buff because of the work I do but I am not that intimidating. Am I?”

“You are. I thought you were going to punch me for spilling beer on you.” I confessed.

Vita grunted, “That didn’t even cross my mind. It's just a little beer. No big deal.”

It was then I heard my phone vibrate. I sighed and wiggled out of the warmth that was Vita and looked at my phone.

Edden PA: Happy New Year’s Day, Jason.

J@son: You too Edden!

“Woah you really do work for the Administrator. Edden is texting you. Personally.” Vita said placing his chin on my shoulder.

I looked at him with raised eyebrows, “What? You thought I lied to you about my job?”

“No. Yes. Okay, maybe a little. I thought it was an out.” Vita said sheepishly.

“Nope, I work for the Administrator.” I say with a laugh. 

“Cool. I’ll try not to freak out or anything.” Vita said before wrapping his arms around me. “Oh. Do you want to exchange numbers?” Vita asked 

I nodded and gave him my phone and he gave me his. I typed my number into his phone before giving it back to him. He looked at it and smiled, “You are the first person to give me their number.”

“Vita I am taking a lot of firsts for you,” I say with a jab to his ribs. 

He grunts and shrugs, “I don’t mind.”

“Clearly,” I say as I stand and begin to put on my pants. 

Vita watches me without saying anything for a while. When I have completed putting pants on he speaks, “Have to go back to the office then?”

I nod, “I have to make sure everything is running smoothly. Otherwise, I think I will go crazy with worry.”

“I am glad to see you take the job seriously. But I am sad to see you go,” Vita says with a sad sigh and I smile. Leaning down I kiss him as a way of reassurance. He leans into it and cups my face gently. God I didn’t want this to end but I had to get back. With my own sigh, I lean away.

“Text me. Okay? I’ll be in touch.” I say as I walk toward the door.

“I promise I will,” Vita says enthusiastically and I laugh. 

“I’ll keep you to it,” I say as I open the front door and walk out.

Chapter Text

Jason POV

Cycle 386

I stood looking at the Earth from the video feeds. It was still dead of course, but the crew wanted to see it for the last time before we left the system forever. Many people were taking rides with EVA personnel to go outside and see Earth for the last time. I allowed a day for everyone to have the chance to see Earth before we jumped after the Protagoras. We had made a memorial that would float around Earth for years to come. Much to everyone's enjoyment, it was like the voyager probe, it had information on our mistakes and the history of our triumphs. What we were and where we were going. Hopefully, if something followed it would find the memorial and do so.

The Tiqqun was no longer waiting for the rest of the people to come out of cryo. The last person came out a few days ago. We had grown to 895 people from the original 200. It wasn't a mighty leap in numbers but it was substantial enough to matter. Vita finally had his workers for the farms and things had become balanced on the station. People were fed, the industry was stable, and the station was well-kept. We couldn't stay here for much longer due to Dead Earth Sickness, however. The symptoms were getting worse in the population. I too am depressed and ready for the next step.

Looking over the sectors I sighed. One more day I told myself. Let everyone say goodbye to Earth one last time then we can go. I was nervous about using the Ixion engine because the last one broke after we jumped. I didn't think there would be a spare in the system following. Edden assured me that it shouldn't be the case. I was still skeptical. My phone vibrated and I looked at it with a smile, it was Vita, he was checking in on me.

Vita<3: Did you get to say goodbye?

J@son: Yes. I helped send out the memorial. How about you?

Vita<3: Yeah, but I said goodbye before when I left for Mars. This was just something to do.

J@son: I see. Makes sense. I think this is mostly for the crew of the original 200. Earth was alive then suddenly it wasn't for us. So this is our goodbye.

Vita<3: I am sorry for your loss…

J@son: It is your loss too, you know.

Vita<3: Yeah, but not in the same way.

J@son: Fair enough. Still hurts either way.

Vita<3: I’m here for you if you need me.

J@son: Thanks Vita.

Vita<3: No problem, handsome.

My phone shows a message from Lilly and I switch the conversation over to one with her.

TheWan: Is everything ready for the jump tomorrow?

J@son: Yes, according to the systems we are ready to go. I am having Edden run tests to make sure. I'm reading over the results to make sure as well. The most concerning thing is the structural integrity of the Tiqqun degrades with each jump.

TheWan: Interesting. We could always look into it here at the Tech Lab.

J@son: No need for it just yet. Edden is supposed to run tests when we finish jumping to see if it's a pressing issue. Did you say goodbye to Earth?

TheWan: Yes. It was harder than I anticipated.

J@son: I am here for you if you need anything.

TheWan: Noted. Thank you. I'm not really good at this emotional stuff so I can't offer the same. :/

J@son: Ha ha I understand that. No, I am okay. Just Dead Earth sick like everyone else. Edden is watching me. If I slip you will know.

TheWan: Good. Have to get back to work. Have a good day Jason.

J@son: You too, Lilly.

I sighed, put down my phone, and returned to the Sector viewing screen. Hopefully, it will be a quiet day as Administrator. 

Cycle 387

My heart was racing in my chest as the lights flickered and dimmed, Edden came over the public broadcast. “Under Fraus-Standford procedures all ships must return to the Tiqqun before commencing a VOHLE jump. Everyone, please remain calm as power is diverted to the 

Ixion VOHLE engine. Goodbye Sol System, here we come Protagoras”

I see the video screen being filled with views of the outer hull. The Ixion VHOLE engine was spinning up and streaks of light were coming off of it just like in the original jump. I felt my heart rate increase even more at the sight. Hopefully, nothing went wrong. Suddenly, the skies and stars around the Tiqqun seemed to fold and disappear. Everything including my very body seemed to glow for a moment and vibrate. Then we were there, in self-similar space, again, hovering next to a ball of light that was connected by lines of purple shimmering strings of energy. There were similar balls of light surrounding the Tiqqun, but one was directly in front of us.

“Here goes nothing.” I press the booster button. The Tiqqun was suddenly moving toward the ball of light leaving behind a tail of light like a comet. We hit the ball of light and vibrate and light up like before. It was unsettling, this part of the jump, I could swear that my very atoms were vibrating and lighting up with the rest of the station.

We dropped out of self-similar space and every frequency was alive with radio chatter. I looked at the video feeds and nearly threw up. A massive UN ship with Etemenanki written on its side was on the other side of the system we landed ourselves in. It was so massive that we could see it from the planet we appeared beside.  

“Edden shut down all systems that would make us detectable to that monstrosity. Now!” I commanded and everything went dark immediately. Sitting in pitch-black darkness was unnerving. Thankfully, I could hear the sound of life support still going. Suddenly the sound of the Etemenaki’s radio chatter filled the office.

“We have the coordinates to Remus Etemenanki! We are returning as soon as possible. Over.” Said a masculine voice.

“We are waiting for you before we jump. What is the situation on the DOLOS ship Protagoras? Over.” Responded another male voice.

“Lost in the ice field, Etemenanki. Over.” I felt ice hit my stomach at the news. That ship was supposed to be the upgraded version of the Tiqqun and now it was gone. Tears stream down my face, all those people are gone. What are we supposed to do now? There is no way we can face the Etemenaki for the Remus coordinates. From the view screen, they outweigh us by several classes.  

“Good. The DOLOS scum deserves to perish. Over.” and with that the radio chatter goes silent and I sob in the darkness alone.

Several Hours Later

“Jason. The Etemenanki has jumped from the system. I need to turn on the systems due to the battery power supply running low.” I stood there unable to say anything because of the fear running through me. Edden spoke gently, “Jason the Tiqqun is safe.”

“Turn on all systems.” I finally say releasing a breath trying to shake the fear from my body.

“Of course Jason.” The lights turned on and I heard the hum of other systems powering on. The view of the Sectors popped up on screen and I looked over them quickly. Good everything was still in working order. Edden broke into my thoughts, “Jason, we need to make an announcement to the crew about the outage. The DLS centers in all three sectors are reporting unrest.”

“Okay. Put me on the public broadcast.” I command gently. The sooner I nip this in the bud the better. I walk over to my desk and put on the headset. I take a deep breath and try to sound more calm and collected than I am. “Hello everyone. This is an announcement from the office of the Administrator.” 

My voice rang throughout the station and I couldn’t help but take another steadying breath, “I am sure many of you are wondering why we went dark after we jumped from the Sol system. Our systems are fine and the jump was successful, however; our scans and sensors picked up a UN ship that was armed to the teeth with weaponry and massive in scale. The Administrator designated it unsafe for us to be detected by the ship called the Etemenanki due to DOLOS being declared an enemy of humanity. For the safety of everyone onboard, we went dark. I am sorry for the distress this may have caused but the Etemenanki has left the system and we are currently safe. The situation is still currently developing and we will update you as soon as we find out more. Please return to your normal routines and we, of course, thank you for your continued efforts. If you have any questions please contact Edden or your DLS centers and they will try to answer them. Have a great rest of your cycle and welcome to the Immortan system! ”

I turned off the headset and took it off before putting it down on the desk. I speak to the air, “Edden do you have anything to report now that systems are back online?”

“Yes, Jason.” Edden said before continuing, “The Tiqqun suffered structural damage currently irreparable by our current means as hypothesized before we jumped. By current prediction models the Tiqqun will break apart after four more VOHLE jumps. Our new mission objectives are to test our colonization protocols and find the Protagoras.”

“You heard the Etemenanki radio chatter, the Protagoras is gone,” I say throwing up my hands.

“Incorrect. They said the Protagoras was lost in the ice field, they never said it was destroyed.” Edden said firmly in a way that made me think back to what I had heard. She was right. Their was a chance that the Protagoras survived.

“Okay, we need a better layout reading of the Immortan system. Start sending out probes as soon as possible Edden.” I said as I brought scans of the system onto the screen and I nearly cried at what I saw. The ice field was massive, it made up more than half the system. Then I saw a blip on the other side of the scan. “Edden, what is that?”

“That is an electrical storm,” Edden said simply.

“You’re joking, right? A storm? In space? How?” I asked looking at the sizable blob.

“From what I can process from the scans there is a massive group of asteroids that are made of of unnamed metals that are negatively charged. Other asteroids in the group are made up of named metals that are positively charged. Due to their proximity to each other, and the difference in charge, there are a lot of discharge and arc reactions. Because of these reactions, the present water vapor is forced into a gaseous state making it into a space storm.” Edden explained to me before continuing, “I would suggest not letting our ships traverse through that storm. The lightning and arc reactions would destroy them in one hit.” 

“Great! A massive UN ship has caused us to lose our only lead to a habitable planet in an ice field that is half a solar system-wide! To top off the fuckery there are such things as space storms and they are highly dangerous and sizable! What the hell else can go wrong?!” I blare sarcastically into the air.

“Jason. There is a riot in Sector 3,” Edden says quietly and I swear.

Several hours later

Jason POV

The newly awakened crew of the Tiqqun are individuals who were promised to be put on the Etemenanki by the UN and upon hearing that the ship was in the system those people rioted. It took hours to explain that we couldn't send them to that ship because they would be killed for being on a DOLOS vessel. As well as it would expose us all to the UN’s wrath. I had to enlist the help of Vita to help calm down the people of Sector 3. He was one of them and he seemed to trust what I had to say. The people of Sector 3 trusted Vita, so in short, trusted him trusting me. I look at my phone.

Vita<3: The last of them have gone back to work, but most went home. 

J@son: I don't blame them. But we need them on the crop farms. Oh well, we will deal with the short staffing. Thank you again, Vita. I was completely at a loss as to what to do.

Vita<3: Don’t worry, this is why we have an automation system for farming if there is a staff shortage. Don't you have riot police? To control the population?

J@son: No. We aren't overlords. People are here because they want to be, not because of fear.

Vita<3: What if I woke up from cryo and didn't want to be here?

J@son: By protocol, you would be put back into cryo and put back into storage until we either died or made it to a habitable planet. We aren't enslavers, just trying our best here.

Vita<3: That is very generous. I don't see how you would store people who hate you.

J@son: It's the right thing to do, Vita. We can't just leave them or kill them. We are an endangered species now. We need all the humans we can get.

Vita<3: Not everyone is going to do what's right. Remember that Jason. You and the Administrator should be ready for that worst-case scenario. 

J@son: We have security measures in place and protocols. 

Vita<3: Good. That is a relief to hear. I have to get back to work. Talk to you later this evening?

J@son: Yeah, sounds good.

Vita<3: Okay, talk to you later. 

J@son: Bye Vita!

I put down my phone and sigh. Today was a very long day. I speak out into the air, “Edden? What are the DLS systems saying about the rioters?”

“That they are consoled. The likelihood of a riot has dropped considerably.” Edden supplied. “Jason, I suggest we do the researched propaganda campaign to ameliorate those who don't come from DOLOS backgrounds.”

“I don't like to lie to people.” I said, shaking my head, “We are supposed to be better than the UN or Black Market Society. We saw their propaganda throughout the Sol system.”

“Propaganda isn't always lying, Jason. Sometimes it's first-hand accounts, telling them about our positive qualities. We aren't like the UN and scapegoat anyone who doesn't agree with our views. Factually we allow them to live and believe what they wish on our station. Black Market Society was built solely on what was stolen from other factions including DOLOS.  We also have nonworkers on the station who are treated respectfully and with care even though they don't work. Our living conditions are improving with every breakthrough in research. We allow plenty of downtime from work. Our food and drink have been more diverse since we started crop farms. We even encourage innovation and artistry from the populace to enrich their own lives.” Edden explained to me. She was right, here on the Tiqqun things have vastly improved since our first day above the dead Earth.

“Propaganda isn't the term we should use if it's the truth. Propaganda has too many negative connotations attached to it.” I said pacing the office while looking at the screens to the Sectors.

“Unfortunately, Jason, it is still considered propaganda if we show them the positives and only the positives. It's called card stacking. We have already been doing it with our cryo therapists to convince non-DOLOS personnel to remain thawed and proactive on the station.” Edden pauses before continuing, “The difference now is that we will be influencing more heavily outside the Cryo centers. We aren't lying, simply redirecting their attention away from hating us for our past mistakes, and focusing their attention on the actions we are currently attempting to make up for it.”

“Edden, that is manipulative. I don't like it.” I said sitting down at the desk with a sigh.

“Jason, my prediction software shows that this will increase stability for the station by 20%. Otherwise, with each new development half of the crew will possibly riot against us. We cannot risk it simply for morality's sake. People will die if we don't do this. That includes you and I. I don't want to die.”

I sat for a while and thought it over. Could I approve of this? Do I want to manipulate the crew for the sake of their survival? Does that make it right? Probably not. But, we have to carry on for the sake of humanity. I decided after a long pause. “Fine, start the propaganda campaign in all the sectors. However; I want subtlety and I want our mistake of destroying the moon to be owned. We did it. But we are trying to make up for it.”

“Of course, Jason. Subtlety and authenticity will be the pillars of the campaign. We destroyed the moon. We are also the best option they have. That together we will move forward. This is well planned Jason, I promise you.” Edden answered.

“Don't make promises you can't keep, Edden. I might end up blaming you for what goes wrong.” I told her gently, “Breaking promises is a human thing.”

“Sorry, Jason. I wanted to make sure you were reassured.” Edden said

“Thank you, Edden. Just please don't make me regret this propaganda thing.” I told her.

“I'll do my best Jason.” Edden supplied gently. 

“Thank you,” I said as I turned and looked at Sector 3. This is going to be a complicated and hard road ahead. 

Cycle 477

Three months, it's been three months and we’ve still only found traces of the Protagoras. Mack R was an Icy planet surrounded by a massive ice field. On it, we found a downed science ship that had data that gave the last coordinates to the Protagoras. We lost the science ship Newton to this mission but thankfully we saved the crew with cryo pods and destroyed the compromising reports. The crew of the Newton agreed to keep quiet so there wouldn’t be more dissent on the Tiqqun. Word had spread about the riot in Sector 3 and unease had spread to the other two sectors so we needed nothing but good news for the crew for now. We built the team a new ship that was redubbed Newton.   

The next piece of information came from a mining ship that we found floating near a massive asteroid, it was called Sheptel and it had been shot by the Etemenanki. We used that news to our utmost advantage in the propaganda campaign. The news of the UN vessel going after something so small as a mining vessel caused most of the rioters to lose their desire to go back to the UN. I understand their need to go back, but we just couldn’t do it. The Etemenanki would eat us alive if we did. 

Deville 59 was a planet that was cold like Earth was during one of its many ice ages except to an extreme. It was this planet that we decided to put a colony on. It took a while to train people into colonists but with our new colonization training center, we were able to do it. We established a Nyokond colony about a week ago and so far the research data from the colony has proved very advantageous. I also decided to move the Tiqqun to hover above the planet just in case there was an emergency. So far there haven’t been any issues.  

Fargo 39 is the latest science expedition that I am receiving reports on. It's a planet with high temperatures and massive storms. The science team Tesla has reported a signal that is being broadcast on DOLOS frequencies and is tracking it down. Edden is watching the communication channels as we speak.

“Jason, you should be getting ready,” Edden says with an impatient tone.

“You always want to get rid of me, Edden,” I say as I look over the three sectors on the video screen, “Why is that?” 

“Your stress levels are high and you need social interaction to stay healthy,” Edden stated yet again. 

“Okay, mom.” I snark at Edden 

“I am not your mother,” Edden said, offended.

I laugh and continue in a snarky tone, “Then quit fussing over me like a mother hen.” 

“Jason, you are only human,” Edden said.

“I am aware,” I said with a sigh.

“Then please get ready for your date with Mr Dantis and quit sassing me.” Edden seemed to growl.

“Were you always this aggressive or is it just me?” I say as I walk toward my apartment off the office.

“I am just trying to do what's best for you and your health Jason. You resist for some reason.” Edden said to me seeming to sigh silently.

“I don’t like to be told what to do. Never have. My parents fought with me tooth and nail on everything. When they were alive that is.” I said with a sharp twinge of pain in my chest, “It's a wonder that I turned out halfway decent.” I said walking into the bedroom and taking off my shirt and pants. 

“I think you turned out fine, Jason. Just too stubborn for your good.” Edden supplied.

“If I wasn’t stubborn we wouldn’t have made it this far. I would be dead.” I said as I slipped on more casual clothing. Vita said to come dressed like I was going to be somewhat active. “Then you would have to find some poor soul to be Administrator other than me.” 

“I am thankful that isn't the case. Even with the increase in population to 895 there still aren't any suitable candidates.” Edden confessed. 

“No one?” I asked gently. Edden wouldn't lie but she also wouldn't give someone a chance if she didn't think they were a good fit. 

“I have read through all their files personally. No one is suited as much as you. You also now have the field experience of a year and several months under your belt.” Edden said as I exited the apartment off of the main office. 

“Right. Even when you put it that way I feel that I am more experienced than Jenna.” I said thinking about her prone form down in the medical office being tended to by machines. It had been a few days since I had visited. I will go see her tomorrow before getting to work. I press the button to the elevator and wait. 

“According to her file, she was the head of several projects. Though this project isn't like the others. In a way, you might be right.” Edden declares

“Huh, the more you know.” I say as I press the button for the elevator, “Anyways, I am off. Don't break anything while I am gone.”

“That’s hilarious, Jason.” Edden deadpanned as the elevator doors opened. 

I stepped inside and spoke gently with a smile, “See you soon Edden.”

“Goodbye, Jason,” Edden said back gently as the doors to the elevator shut. This is the first time since we entered the Immortan system that I've had some downtime. I honestly wouldn't do it if it wasn't for Vita, Edden, and Lilly insisting that I take a break. With so much going on I just feel bad for taking time away from being Administrator.

The elevator doors open and I walk out into the hallway that leads to Sector 1. I quietly walk into the stream of people and walk toward the wall that leads to Sector 2. Walking between sectors is surreal, one moment it's space and nothing but space, then it's industry. The steel mills were going into shutdown mode but you could still feel the heat from the furnaces. The hum of activity in Sector 2 was the loudest. People walked past me without giving me a second glance. 

I walked past the DLS center for Sector 2 and saw something playing on the view screens outside of it. I walked over to it and listened to what it was saying.

“The UN declared DOLOS an enemy of humanity for destroying the moon. But they left people behind that they were supposed to save and take with them on the Etemenanki superstructure. This vessel has destroyed unarmed mining ships for simply being DOLOS. Here on the Tiqqun, we have taken in everyone left behind, and given them purpose and hope for the future. On the Tiqqun you are our investment, our hope for the future. Never forget the Administrator and the Tiqqun are counting on you to do your part.”

There was a pause and then a video of a smiling couple appeared and began. I had approved of this testimony. It was a couple that had been separated before the fall of Earth and were reunited on the Tiqqun. It was really inspiring and heartfelt. I even checked to see if the DLS centers had put them up to it but their story was true. They had the reunion that we all craved. I turned and began my trek toward Sector 3.

The people of Sector 2 were heading to their destinations hurriedly. I couldn't blame them, I would be tired after working in the factories all day as well. I walked toward the tunnel that led to Sector 3. No one seemed to give me a second glance as I did. It must be normal for others to go between sectors when everything was shutting down for the day. One of the stockpile cars drove past me in a hurry trying to drop off a couple of crates of food. Last drop off for the night I bet. 

“Took you long enough to get here,” Vita said, leaning against the wall near the tunnel exit. 

I smile and walk up to him giving him a quick kiss on the lips, when I lean back I speak, “Well I have to walk across two sectors to get here. Takes a minute to get here.” 

“Anyone give you any trouble?” Vita asked seriously.

“Of course not. Why? Is there a lot of crime I don’t know about?” I asked, becoming worried.

“No, that kind of thing is kept to a minimum. You can't flee and you are surrounded by cameras so that has made most submit to the law.” Vita said before he paused and asked a question, “What would you do if someone broke a major law?”

“I guess we would build a prison and keep them in it. Or if the crew deemed it necessary we could space them. Hell, we could even put them back into cryo.” I shook at the thought. I look at Vita and speak, “Hopefully that won't come to pass.” I put my arm through his and smile, “Where are we off to?”

“Come with me and find out,” Vita says with a wink and I roll my eyes with a laugh.

We walk and talk past all the fields of crops and it's a nice change of pace from the office. The air in Sector 3 is cleaner than in Sector 2 and my guess is it was because of all the plants. The greenery was already calming me down tremendously. I needed to take Vita up on his offer to grow me a succulent. He just had so much responsibility to begin with and I didn’t want to add to it. Looking at him I couldn’t help but smile, bulky, tan skin, tattoos, dark eyes, and hair, he was an absolute dream boat. We finally reached our destination and I raised an eyebrow at Vita.

“Really!? Here?” I asked him seriously as I looked at the Alternative Life Center. It wasn't my first choice but it definitely is something I wanted to check out for myself. Vita nodded with a warm smile.

“I know you said you were curious and wanted to try it. So I made an appointment.” Vita informed me.

“Wait, you have to have an appointment for this?” I asked. I didn't remember having that as part of the implementation plan when I approved it. 

“Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are for special occasions. Ours is going to be a date.” Vita said proudly puffing out his chest.

“Wait, you're telling me they have specific ALs for dates?” I asked in awe.

“Yeah, they have ALs for almost everything. They took a lot of stuff from old Earth video games,  virtual reality, and augmented reality, and made it into a mixed-reality experience. I haven't been in an Alternative Life Center before either so don't ask me if I know more.” Vita said, scratching the back of his neck.

I looked at the line that was outside the building and raised an eyebrow, “Are we gonna make our appointment with this line?”

“Yes. We just go through the line and say we have an appointment. At least, I think so.” He said as he walked with me toward the Alternative Life center building. He pointed toward a sign that said there was a line for appointments and a line for walk-ins. We slipped into the line for appointments and walked down the roped off line into the building. It seemed there was a few people in front of us, but the line was moving quickly.

When it was finally our turn the attendant looked at us and smiled, “Vita! So this is your mystery man that you wont talk to anyone about?”

Vita’s face darkened and he scratched the back of his head and cleared his throat, “Yeah this is him. We uh have an appointment.”

The attendant looks me over curiously and seems to nod to himself, accepting that I was up to whatever standard he was holding the mystery to. He looked down and his datapad and smiled even wider than before, “Ah, yes, here you are. The dating AL.”

I raised an eyebrow to the mention of the AL and looked at Vita, “Dating AL huh?” 

“Yes, I wanted to take you out on a proper date.” Vita said squaring his shoulders. 

“You have. New years was lovely.” I said with a gentle nudge and smile. 

“Yes, but it wasn’t my best work.” Vita claimed. 

“I wasn’t grading you or anything. I just enjoyed your company.” I confessed. 

“Still, I wanted to show you that I could do better.” Vita said simply. 

“There really is no need Vita, I already like you. The rest is just a bonus.” I say with a wink. Vita’s blush deepens and I lean up on my toes and kiss his cheek, leaning back I speak, “Lets go on this date of yours. Shall we?”

“Yeah, let's go,” Vita says grabbing my hand. 

“Follow me then you two.” Said the attendant whose name I didn’t catch. He turns and compliments, “I think you both make an amazing couple.”

I smile and say, “Thank you.”

As we walked down one of the hallways that had multiple doors Vita and the attendant talked about the current crop yield and what was being planted next. I couldn’t help but realize that Vita was well-known around Sector 3 and was a bit of a leader. No wonder the rioters listened to him when I asked him to try and calm them down. It's one thing to know it, seeing it in action made me feel proud of Vita. He was honest and a hard-working man, and people around him seemed to notice that and trusted him for it.

We were led to a door that opened to a locker room. The attendant gestured for us to follow him into the room. He pointed to a set of lockers and spoke, “We ask that you put your belongings in here for safekeeping. Please also strip down to your underwear and wait here for me.” The attendant walked out without saying another word. 

I looked at Vita and he nodded as he took off his shirt. I admired as the muscles on his body rippled in all the right ways. My eyes roamed across his chest and down to his flat stomach. It wasn’t until he cleared his throat that I realized I hadn’t moved from where I was standing by the door. I smiled and shook my head to clear it.

“Sorry, you are distracting,” I admitted.

Vita chuckled and flexed, “Glad to know these are doing more for me than just helping me with work.” 

I laughed and took off my clothes, the cool air of the complex rustled against my skin and I shivered, “Why do you think we have to get nearly naked?”

“No idea. Never been here before. Remember?” Vita said and I nodded. After a few more moments, the attendant finally returned with what looked like wet suits and high-tech-looking masks. He hands them to us and speaks, 

“Here. Put these on and see if they fit you. I am usually pretty good and knowing the sizing of people but Vita here is bigger than what I am used to working with.” He says with a laugh.

I slip on the suit and it fits snugly and hugs my body in every way. Also covering my body from head to toe, “So what are these for?” I ask quizzically 

“They are your sensor array suits. They register your movement and help you sense the environment through touch. The masks will help you see and smell in our simulated environments.” The attendant explains.

“Even smell?” Vita asks as he slips on the very form-fitting suit.

“Yes. The more senses we can fool the better you will submerse yourself into the environment.” The attendant answers, “The mixed reality that we do here is a very precarious balance of tech and real-life sensation.” 

“Makes sense.” Vita said as he takes the mask and tries it on. “Mine fits.”

I slip on my mask and it fits firmly, just not tight enough to be uncomfortable. So I nod and say, “Mine fits too.” I realized that the mask didn't cover our mouths, just our eyes, ears and nose. I take it back off and hold it against my hip.

“Great, now if you two will follow me.” Says the attendant. We follow him down more hallways to a sizable set of doors which he opened. Inside was a room with empty rigs. The attendant points to two of the rigs and speaks, “These are going to assist you in mixed reality. So if you will step in and let me hook you up then we can get started.”

I step into mine and the rig lights up with a hum and the attendant begins typing on a console that's attached to the rig. After a few moments, it scans me head to toe. Then it attaches itself lightly to my body in a supporting fashion. I watch as the attendant goes over and does the same with Vita. His rig scans him and begins adjusting itself to his size. It is neat to watch. When we are both strapped in, the attendant smiles.

“Alright, put your visors back on and the program will start.” He walks toward the door and opens it looking back, “Enjoy your date you two.”

“Thank you.” Vita and I say in unison.

When the door shuts I look at Vita and he smiles, “Let's see what all the fuss is about.” he slips on his visor and I do the same. At first it's nothing but black, then after a pause it flashes to us standing outside on a sidewalk. I look up and realize it's the night sky from back on Earth. A breeze caresses my skin and I am overwhelmed by the noises of people walking by and cars driving past in the street. They simulated a small plaza that had several shops and apartment buildings surrounding us. The air smelled like ozone and the light scent of cooking food. I look down at my body and see that I am wearing casual clothes. A button-up with some form-fitting jeans. I couldn't remember the last time I dressed like this, probably not since I left Earth.

Someone clears their throat and I look over, Vita is standing there next to me in a black muscle shirt, and form-fitting jeans with black shoes. He looks hot to say the least. I smile at him and say, “You look great.”

Vita smiles back then juts his chin toward me and says, “You look amazing.” He looks around and seems in awe of what he sees, looking back at me he asks, “Is this what it was like back on Earth?”

“Yes, very, very close to it in fact,” I say as I look around at the details. There is a decorative tree that rustles in the wind and I nearly cry. I forgot the sounds a tree can make. I can't believe how much I miss trees. I took them for granted and now all we have left are seeds. The buildings are brick and concrete and light up the night beautifully. The hum of activity reminded me of sidewalks in the bigger cities I lived in. But this simulation was showing something a little bit smaller.

I feel a hand gently cup the curve of my back and I look at Vita who is giving me a knowing look, “If this is what it was like before the moon was wrecked…well, I can see why you miss it so much. This is beautiful.” I focus on the feeling of his hand on my lower back and realize that the suit is simulating his touch.

“This is simply amazing. I can see why it helps with morale.” I said as I leaned into Vitas' side. His warmth could be felt through my shirt.

“Indeed. Want to head inside?” Vita asked. I shook my head.

“Do you think we can switch the AL to something that's exclusively outside?” I requested.

“Let's see.” Vita said as he looked up and spoke, “Can we switch it to a picnic AL, please!?

After a few moments, everything went dark. Suddenly, we were on a hill with an open view of the sky and a city in the distance. The sun hurt my eyes for a few moments. Its warmth seeped into my skin making me feel more relaxed than I had in quite some time. When I looked around I saw Vita standing next to a blanket spread on the grass. There was no food or drink on the blanket, which made sense since there wasn’t any kitchens in the facility. My guess was they hadn’t figured out how to simulate taste and all the oral sensations that came with with.

Vita was looking around again, seeming to be in awe of what he saw and he spoke, “The sky is so blue. Back when I was on Earth it was rust red or just covered in dust storms, nothing like this. I also only saw one city and it was in ruins.”

“Yeah…” I said noncommittal. The sad thing was Vita didn't know what I was missing, now he did. The fresh air, warm sun, the breeze that cooled the skin, and the view of humanity thriving. We were such fools for letting the Earth die. She was our home planet and we could've…well saved everything. Too bad huh? I feel sadness creep into my bones and I try and shake it off. This isn’t what I was here to do.

I walk over and sit down on the blanket with a warm smile. We are trying to find a new home, if our hard work pays off then we will. I pat the ground next to me and Vita sits next to me. He lays flat and props himself on his elbows.

“If Earth were like this I could grow anything.” He says leaning over kissing my lips and I kiss him back. 

“We did. We grew everything and sold it at supermarkets. Supermarkets were like the mess halls we have now, except we had to pay for everything. But the selection was immense and you could practically find anything you needed.” I said with a wave of my hand. Vita nodded listening to me attentively. His Earth and my Earth weren’t the same so it was like telling him a fantasy. 

“It wasn't all rainbows and sunshine though, people were starving to death while others gorged themselves. Usually, you had to work a dead-end job that you hated just to afford the basics. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.” I told Vita seriously. 

“I wonder if I was born the same time as you if we would've met? Do you think it would've been impossible?” Vita asked looking at me. 

“Not impossible, but highly improbable. I was a workaholic and didn't get out much so that would've been a strike against you. We would have to have been in the same city at the same time and place. So as I said improbable.” I said with a laugh.

“Then, I am glad we met when we did. Not on Earth, because I would've lost you when the Tiqqun made its first jump.” Vita said, looking sad.

“Yes. As fate would have it though, you would be picked up at random on Mars, brought here to thaw, and then we bump into each other…well, I bumped into you and we hit it off.” I say looking at the clouds passing in the sky, “I would say that is just about as highly improbable as well. So anything is possible.”

Vita takes my hand and kisses it, “I am not sure which I like more as an idea. That fate or a higher power made it destined that we meet, or that despite the improbable odds we still got to meet.”

I smile and lean my head on his shoulder and sigh, “It is a nice thought, either way.”     

We sat for a time, watching the city in the distance and then watching the clouds roll by. We talked about anything and everything, I think it was simply the need to talk to eachother that drove us through the rest of the date. Before we knew it there was a beeping that sounded in our visors and the virtual environment faded gently away. I felt a longing in my chest to just stay there and be in the perfect environment forever. Life will always call us back, however. I took off my visor and was back with Vita on the Tiqqun. Back to being an Administrator, not just some guy getting lost on a pretty day back on Earth. This was a bit of a bitch if I was being honest. To have what you lost then have it stripped away once again. 

“Your two-hour time slot is up. I hope you enjoyed yourselves?” The attendant said as he entered the room. I nodded but he must have seen the bitterness in my eyes because he gave me a pitying look before placing a hand gently on my shoulder saying, “The first time is always hard for most people, especially the original 200. I always suggest coming back and trying something more fun. We have shooters, fantasy, sci-fi, and other RPGs that you can try. Or you can always visit any Earth location that's available, to help with homesickness however; it's up to you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” I said as the rig released me and I stepped off of it.

“Of course. If you two will follow me. I'll take you back to your stuff.” The attendant told us. With Vita stepping out of his rig we began our trek back. We didn't say much to each other because we were processing what we saw, felt, and heard. Suddenly, we were both back at the locker room and the attendant gave us simple directions to the exit. Changing back into our clothes we just stared at each other, not knowing what to say. When we walked out of the locker room, Vita took my hand into his and we walked out of the Alternative Life Center.

“I'm sorry, I feel like I am making your Dead Earth Sickness worse,” Vita said after a pause.

I looked at him and my eyebrows pinched together in confusion, “How so?” I asked seriously.

“First date, I brought you around plants, and that made you think of Earth. Now, on the second date, the AL was on Earth and now you are sad.” Vita explained.

“Look, yes I am sad, I just lost my home planet thanks to the hubris of DOLOS wanting to save humanity. These two dates, however, have made it a little easier to bear. You’ve shown me that we carry a little of Earth with us. Whatever happens on the next planet I know we will do better than we did with Earth.” I cross my arm through Vita’s and continue, “It's all bittersweet. That doesn’t mean that your date ideas are bad. Hell, I’ve not even come up with one date idea for us to try. So you are doing better than me.”

Vita seems to digest what I said and after a few silent moments he speaks, “I still feel bad.”

I smile and shake my head before pulling him by his shirt into a crushing kiss. His hands cup my face gently and he presses for the kiss to continue and I let him. The kiss is warm and sensual causing me to feel a tingling sensation running up my spine back down into my toes and throughout my chest. Just as the kiss was about to move to a more heated pace I felt my phone vibrate. I lean back looking at Vita with raised eyebrows, “Did that convince you that I am enjoying my time with you?”

Vita nods seeming to be dumbstruck, he begins to lean in for another kiss and I gently put a finger to his lips, “Hang on, I have got to check this.” Vita nods again and kisses my finger while he waits patiently. I pull out my phone and look at it. 

Edden PA: I am sorry to interrupt, but Tesla has sent a report back that needs your attention. 

J@son: Alright, I’ll be there momentarily. What does the report say?

Edden PA: They have found the source of the distress signal and it's a cargo ship, it needs repairs but it is very unsafe to reach. They are waiting for the current storm to pass. When it does they will jump to action. I have a few ideas but this form of communication isn't secure. Mr. Dantis is about to look at your phone.

As I read Edden's warning I looked at Vita who was beginning to lean forward to see the conversation I was having. I exited out of the text chat and gave him a look. He blushed and apologized.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. Is it work?” He asked.

“Yes, it's work. Unlike the rest of the crew, my job is at all hours of the day and night. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't snoop. Some of the things I am talking about are sensitive and shouldn't be public knowledge until the situation is completely resolved. After the riot, the Administrator feels it would be best that we have all the information before we tell the crew anything. That way there are no misunderstandings. That means you can't know certain things about my job for now.” I say putting my phone away. I hate that I have to lay down this boundary especially since I am telling lies about my position. It's necessary to keep everything under control. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

“Okay, Jason. I'll just have to trust you.” Vita said gently as he kissed my hand. He then seemed to grow to his full height and show the power of his leadership before speaking in a tone that broke no argument, “But you have to swear that the crew's lives and trust aren't being put at risk by you and the Administrator.”

I was taken aback by the sudden change in his character that I pulled my hand from his grip. He took a step toward me, “Promise me, Jason.” Vita growled demandingly at me. 

“I promise.” I say without missing a beat, “The goal is to get all of us to the next habitable planet and do it as safely as possible. This includes any other humans we find along the way. I can't promise there won't be losses. But I'll do my best to make sure it doesn't occur.” I tell him as I straighten my shoulders and square up with him. 

Vita studies me for a few moments and seems to find what he is looking for and nods to himself. He reaches out and gently takes my hand before speaking, “I'm going to trust you, Jason. Please don't make me regret it.” 

I felt guilt crawl into my gut and claw its way to my heart. I was already deceiving him by not telling him that I was the Administrator of Tiqqun station. It was too much to risk to let him know, right? Right. I knew he would find out someday all I could hope for is that he wouldn't hate me for it. For the safety of everyone on the station, no one beyond the three living beings that knew now could know I was Administator. So I did what I thought would be best and dissuade him from being with me, 

“I'm no good for you Vita. I come with too much baggage and what I am asking of you isn't fair.” I say as I wrap my arms around my middle and bite my lip. Vita is taken aback by what I said but he shakes his head and gently unwraps my arms from myself and pulls them around him.

“We all have secrets, Jason. You don’t know everything about me. Yet you still come on dates with me anyway.” Vita says as he rests his head on top of mine, “For all you know I could be a murderer.” He kisses the top of my head and I sigh as he continues, “I’ve done things in my life that I am not proud of. When we progress to a certain point in our relationship I’ll open up to you about them. Maybe then you can let me in on some of your secrets? Deal?” I nod and Vita pulls back and looks at me with a smile, “Give me a kiss and I’ll let you disappear back into your tower.”

I giggle and lean up to kiss him, he meets me halfway. The kiss is simple, sweet and to the point. It leaves me wanting more. But I have things I have to attend to, so I lean back and cup Vita’s face and say, “See you soon, okay?” Vita nods and leans into my hand as I begin to walk away. He seems to hold my hand to his face for a few moments longer then lets me go. I make it a few paces before Vita’s voice reaches me.

“See ya!” Vita calls out to me and I look back with a smile and wave to him. When I turn back around I pull out my phone and text Edden.

J@son: I am on my way back up. See you soon.

Edden PA: Okay Jason, see you soon. 

Chapter Text

Cycle 478

Jason POV

“Tesla, you have 40 cryo pods we need to recover? Over.” I asked over the radio. After a few minutes pause Tesla responds.

“Correct Tiqqun. 40 cryo pods need to be recovered. Over.” says a female voice.

I turn and look at Sector 1 and its empty stockpiles. Good, there was a place to at least store these poor souls from the Protagoras. I turn back to the desk and speak into the radio, 

“A cargo ship will be sent as soon as possible. Stay with the downed cargo ship until they reach you. Did you recover the cargo ship nav data for the Protagoras?”

There is a slight delay between responses due to the distance between Fargo 39 and Deville 59. Thankfully, we set up quantum entanglement communication channels on the radios between ships. It was an expensive venture that has proved invaluable. Even with its near-instantaneous response times, things were to be discussed and transmitted to the rest of the Tesla team. So I sat looking around the office looking at its bleak metal walls. It leads me to think about the AL simulation Vita and I just experienced together. I miss the feel of the warm sun on my skin already.

“Yes, Tiqqun we recovered the navigation data from the onboard ship's computer. Sending it to Edden now. Hopefully, we will find the Protagoras with this data.” says the male voice.

I respond immediately, “Thank you Tesla team! Your work has proven invaluable. May we find the Protagoras soon. See you soon. Tiqqun out.” 

I turn and wait with Edden for the nav data to arrive. Thankfully it doesn’t take very long. My computer lights up with a ping and Edden speaks,

“Jason, it will take me a few moments to consolidate and triangulate the data to narrow down the Protagoras’ location. Processing…a few more moments please.”

I stood pacing looking at the map that was on the view screen. It showed the three different nav data points on the system map. Edden showed the central location between them and spoke, 

“By my estimate, the Protagoras’ location should be within one hundred miles of this point on the map.” 

“Alright send out a probe as soon as possible. Make sure they know this is for Protagoras’ potential location.” I say as I look at the map. I hope the probe will pick up some form of energy output from the Protagoras, then discover its location. I switched the video screen back over to the sectors, looking at them with a sigh, all I could think was how this would get complicated, fast. What are we going to do once we find the Protagoras? Will it be broken into pieces? Will it have minor damage? What about the crew? What is their status? I rubbed the bridge of my nose and sighed again. There was only one way to find out…

Cycle 484

??? POV

Cold. That was all I could feel when I woke up. I groaned and rubbed my eyes against the blinding light. My head throbbed in protest as I moved it. Damn, I feel like shit. The light became less bright and that is when I noticed voices talking around me.

“He is waking up!” Said a frantic female voice.

“His vitals are in nominal ranges. Has anyone spoken to him yet?” Asked a deep male voice.

“No, he just started to wake up. We paged the therapist, she should be here momentarily.” Said a different male voice.

“Well don’t just leave him sitting there. Do something!” Commanded the deep male voice.

Suddenly there were warm hands on my neck, checking for something. I knew the people talking around me were doctors, making sure I was okay to wake up from cryo. But everything else felt vague and unfamiliar. The warmth felt nice against the cold though. That was the worst thing about coming out of cryo, the cold. It seemed to cling to you as if it didn’t want to release you from its grasp. I opened my eyes and a woman in a lab coat and blonde hair done up into a tight bun was looking me over. When we make eye contact she gives me an uneasy smile but speaks to me. 

“Liam, welcome to the Tiqqun. Do you feel alright? Anything strange or hurting that we should know about. You’ve been in cryo for several months and it was done very quickly so we have to make sure everything is alright with you.” Said the woman.

“I feel fine. Who is Liam?” I asked feeling slightly confused.

The female doctor steps back and looks at her colleagues with raised eyebrows. Something seems to pass between them and she looks back at me speaking, 

“It's you? According to your cryo pod, it says you are Captain Liam Li of the cargo ship Bulkhead. Do you not remember?” She asks me gently as if I might break under her words. I think quietly to myself, who am I? Everything that comes back is hazy and I can’t seem to see through it. 

“I’m sorry, I can’t seem to recall,” I tell the group of doctors truthfully. 

The room is quiet at my confession and I feel myself start to sweat, that wasn’t a good sign. A door I didn’t notice opens and a woman dressed in warm bright colors walks in and zeros in on me. The smell of lavender reaches my nose as she closes the distance between us. Her warm chocolate skin is lovely to behold beside a set of bright brown eyes. 

“Hello! Welcome back to the land of the living! Are you feeling alright?” She asks me as I lay in my pod, her smile warm and friendly. I feel myself relax again. The female doctor leans over to the woman and whispers in her ear. The woman's smile falters for a moment then she is back to smiling. She holds out a hand to me speaking, “So you can’t recall who you are Liam. No worries we will figure it out together. Wanna get out of that pod?”

I pause before I take her hand with a nod, “Please, it feels cramped in here.” 

The woman laughs and pulls me out of the pod onto the tiled floor. I feel myself wobble a little bit before I right myself. I look at the woman and she speaks, 

“My name is Oliva. I am your assigned Cryo Therapist here aboard the Tiqqun.” 

“According to my pod, my name is Liam. Liam Li” I tell her as I fidget with my hands, “Is something wrong with me?”

Oliva ponders for a moment before speaking, “Not physically. But it seems you are experiencing an acute case of amnesia due to the accelerated cryo freezing. No worries though, you are safe in our care. Usually, this kind of memory loss is only temporary.”

I take in what she says with a nod and say, “Thank you for your candor. I much prefer the truth to honeyed words. Or at least I think I do.” I look at the doctors and they look at me in an awkward silence that lasts until Oliva laughs shaking her head. 

“Forgive me I should introduce everyone. This lovely doctor is Dr. Small she helps with thawing people in cryo, you’ve already talked with her. Beside her is her associate Dr, Diaz, and that man there is the head of Cryonics Dr. Patel. They usually are here to make sure everything is alright with you physically. You took longer than most to wake up so they kept you in the pod to keep an eye on you.” Said Oliva.

I nodded toward the doctors and looked at Oliva, “What do you do?” 

Oliva doesn’t seem surprised to hear this question and answers like she has many times before, 

“I am one of the Cryonic Therapists here on the Tiqqun. I am here to help you adjust and acclimate to your new home. If you have any concerns or questions you can run them by me. So is there anything you need to talk about with me?”

“Yeah, what is the Tiqqun?” I ask.

“The Tiqqun is a superstructure or station that is designed to transport a sizable group of people to a new home.” Oliva gestures with a hand toward the door she entered, “At least that is what the brochures said. How about we take this to my office, that way we don’t have an audience?”

I nod and look back at the doctors who were sealing up my pod. They waved to me and I waved back. Everyone here seems friendly at least. Walking through the door I am met with a hallway that has a view of the outside. Looking out I see nothing but metal and people walking to and from buildings that look familiar but I don’t remember what they are. 

Walking down the hallway I observe Oliva in all her distinction. I think she is a well-crafted illusion, bright and colorful, warm and welcoming on the outside but a mystery on the inside. Oliva looked back at me when we reached a door a few moments later and I realized there was a cold calculating being behind the illusion. One that was considering all sides and aspects of everything that was me.

The scary part was that I didn’t know who I was other than Liam Li being my name. I was at her mercy and the people who were in charge of this station, I don’t like it. Oliva ushers me into her office and I am met with a warm office filled with plants fake and real and soothing music. It's very well crafted to let one's guard down. Oliva walked over to one of the chairs in front of her desk and she gestured for me to sit in the chair across from her. I walk over to the chair and sit in it crossing my arms. I still didn’t trust any of it.

“So, Liam, what are some of the questions or concerns you may have?” Oliva asked.

“My concern is what you are hiding behind all of this colorful glamour. All of this is well crafted and I want to know what is the dirty secret you are trying to hide.” I say looking at Oliva in the eyes. Her reaction wasn’t what I expected. She laughed for a few moments then looked at me seriously.

“What do you remember of Earth?” Oliva asked me.

“Nothing. What is Earth?” I ask when my mind comes up blank.

Oliva’s chocolate skin seems to pale and she is shocked into silence. The music fills the silence and I can’t help but shift in my seat. Oliva stands and walks over to her desk and pulls a blue-green sphere from it. She hands me the sphere and I look at it.

“That is Earth. Earth was the cradle of humanity, our homeworld.” Oliva informed me before continuing, “The station you are currently on caused its collapse. Not on purpose mind you. We jumped too close to Earth's sole satellite Luna and cracked it. Without the moon's usual influence, the Earth’s ecosystem collapsed.” Oliva says trying to remind me of it. 

I looked at the green-blue sphere but it didn’t ring any bells for me. I don’t remember this “Earth” that she speaks of. Though it is concerning that I am on the station that caused its demise. If it was the actual cradle of humanity then I should be a bit upset that I am on its killer. 

“So you destroyed the Earth and expect me to want to stay on the station?” I asked handing back the sphere. Oliva took it and put it back on the cradle it came from. She looked at me with a sad smile before saying,

“I don’t expect you to be happy about it, no. But your options are a bit limited and I am inclined to tell you yet again, that it wasn’t done on purpose. We didn’t know it was going to destroy the moon. We have also tried to make up for it since.” 

“How so?” I asked seriously. How could one make up for the destruction of an entire planet?

“We have picked up survivors of its fall, it's mostly cryo pods but it's still people left behind by the UN and the Black Market Society.” Oliva said counting on her fingers, “We gathered everything that was left of our society. DNA samples, seed samples, internet databases, and again people that we found. Then we are also trying to find coordinates to the next habitable planet to help start anew. We are also finding other stations that aren’t out to destroy us. DOLOS has always been about the betterment of humanity and we are a flame in the great dark of space.”

I take in what she says with a nod, “How many people have you saved so far?”

“Our total number of people is 895. Originally, we started with only 200 people on the station. So we’ve saved 695 people from being left behind in the exodus from the Earth.” Oliva stated confidently. 

“How many people died with Earth's fall?” I asked poking the elephant in the room.

Oliva cleared her throat, “We don’t know. There were no records for us back on Earth. We also don’t know how many people are on the Etemenanki but with its size, we guess there could be a billion people to hundreds of millions of people not including the crew. Even with the best prediction models, we can guess about 6 billion people died on Earth. But we also found that the UN killed many to obtain its goal of making the Etemenanki. Plus other resource wars were declared after the moon was destroyed. You can blame us for starting the fall, and we will accept the blame, but you can’t place sole blame on us for the deaths of those who followed after. With all the resources at hand on the planet many more could’ve been saved, but the greed of those in charge caused the rest.”

There was a silence that followed her spill of information mostly from me not knowing what to say to it or what to do with the information. One question came to mind. I asked it,

“What happens to me now?”

Oliva leans back in her chair and taps her chin thoughtfully before she speaks, “Well there are several choices. You can stay thawed and join the crew of the Tiqqun. Stay thawed and wait for us to find the station that you came from, the Protagoras. Go back into cryosleep to wait until we reach a habitable planet to be thawed. Go back into cryo sleep again until we can reunite you with the crew of the Protagoras.” Oliva shifts in her seat before speaking again, “But I must inform you that we have narrowed down the general location of the DOLOS station Protagoras and may discover it soon. So you might want to stay awake for it. We repaired your ship and once we discover the Protagoras then you can fly back to it.”

I nod as I think about it. I think back to the 39 other pods I saw sitting back in the center. What would happen to those people? They were in my care before I lost my memory so shouldn’t I care about what happens to them? “What about the others that were with me?”

“Well Liam, they will be thawed and given the same choices as you. If you want you can wait until we wake them up to make your choice. How does that sound?” Oliva asked sincerely. 

I nodded and said, “I think that is what I would like to do.”

“As you wish,” Oliva says as I look out the nearest window to the buildings around me.

Several hours later

Jason POV

“Only the captain lost his memories. Good. The others are taking care of him? Thank god.” I said into my headset as I looked over the views of the three sectors. Oliva spoke to me gently to get me back into the conversation at hand. 

“Mr. Holding, the group as a whole has decided to stay awake until we find the Protagoras. From that point, there is a spit of people wanting to go back to the Protagoras and stay with us on the Tiqqun.”

“Even with us destroying the moon?” I ask.

“Even with us destroying the moon. They think our goal of finding a habitable planet is a good one.” Oliva says simply.

“The Protagoras was doing the same thing…until the Etemenanki of course sidelined it,” I say to her.

“Yes but as far as we know, the Protagoras may or may not be destroyed,” Oliva stated.

“Until we find its remains it is going to be considered alive,” I say firmly.

“Of course, Mr. Holding. Anyway, give my regards to the Administrator I have people to council. Have a good rest of your cycle.” 

“You too Oliva. Goodbye.” I say as I hang up the headset and Edden speaks.

  “Jason, our probe has sent back a visual. I am going to pull it up on the video screen.”

“Thank you, Edden,” I say as I turn in my chair. The screen changes and I feel my breath catch in my throat. There is a massive ice chunk that the Protagoras seemed attached to. That would explain why there wasn’t any movement from it these last three months. The similarities between it and the Tiqqun were striking. You could see additions and updated implementations that made it the predecessor of our humble station, it was even slightly bigger. 

“Edden can you tell if there are any life signs?” I ask immediately concerned with those poor souls now possibly trapped in the Protagoras. It had fled into the ice field to survive but because of that choice, it became trapped in it. From the image, I could see damage to its superstructure, they did suffer weapons fire from the Etemenanki. From what I could see, two of the six sectors it had were still intact. 

“Unfortunately Jason, our probes aren’t designed with that thought in mind. However, there are minor signs of electrical activity throughout the undamaged part of the structure. Where there is electricity…” Edden supplies. 

“Means there could be people.” I finish

“Correct.” Edden states.

“Alert Captain Anna and send Science Team Newton to investigate the Protagoras. We are searching for survivors. That is our top priority. Make sure they bring a drill with them. They are probably going to need it.” I say looking at the half-frozen station on the video feed.

“Of course, Jason” Edden says.

Cycle 490

Anna POV

Location: Protagoras hull

Even through the suit, I could feel the cold of the ice field. It cut deep into one's bones making everything sore and stiff. Without our suits, my team and I would be dead in moments. I sigh as I drill into the ice. We have been at this for five days, five very long days and we are almost set to get the charges and blow the ice. Tiqqun says no to that idea because we could cause a sudden depressurization of the sectors inside the station. Though I tried to tell them that we weren’t getting anywhere by drilling through the ice, they insisted.

“Anna, did you see that?” asked my second-in-command Jakov over short-range comms.

“No,” I said as I stopped the drill.

There was nothing until I saw the flashing of a red light. I pulled the drill back and pulled an ice pick from the belt at my waist. Jakov does the same and we both set to work on gently picking off ice from around what I can assume could be a way into the Protagoras. Time passes and we’ve uncovered a keypad, it isn’t as advanced as the rest of the Protagoras but, we will take any advantage we can get. These keypads are easily hackable. All we need to do is hook it up to a device we created to cause a brute-force attack on the system. Keypads like this one can be fed tens of thousands of different codes in a second by our device. It should be able to put in the right code in no time. But it's back on the ship. Son of a…

“Jakov could you go get the BFAM?” I ask over short-range comms.

Jakov laughs and shakes his head, “I am sorry the what?”

I rolled my eyes with a smirk before speaking again, “I am not calling it the BAMF. BFAM makes more sense. Brute Force Attack Machine is what it is. Not Bad Ass Mother Fucker as the rest of you want to call it.” 

“I like the latter, makes it cooler. Yes, I will get it for you captain. Hang tight.” Jakov says floating and jumping away toward Newton. With that, I am left alone with my thoughts, and they seem to drift to Mael. He was currently back on the Tiqqun on temporary leave from his mining vessel Doom, and I was supposed to be with him. We’ve been dating since the New Year's party. I couldn’t believe it had been 125 days since the party. We’ve been looking for the Protagoras for four months and here it is. Frozen. Intert. I can’t help but wonder what the plan will be if we find someone left in this wreckage. What will the Tiqqun do? Take in all the survivors? Help rebuild the station? Put everyone in cryosleep until we finish? So many questions yet so few answers for them.

“Anna? Are you alright?” Jakov asked snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah. Why?” I asked looking at him.

“Because I called your name several times and you didn’t respond,” Jakov stated.

“Ah. Right. No, I was just lost in my thoughts is all.” I told him before gesturing toward the keypad, “Shall we?” Jakov nodded and we began to hook up BFAM to the keypad. It was tedious with the bulky suit gloves but after five minutes it was done. I looked at Jakov and he nodded before activating BFAM.

I knew there would be a whirring sound if we weren't in the vacuum of space. I held the device as it flashed thousands of combinations into the keypad. Suddenly the red light turned green on the keypad and the floor opened beneath our feet. Thankfully, we were in zero-G and we just floated there above the opened hallway into the Protagoras. I looked at Jakov and spoke,

“We need to inform the Tiqqun and get the rest of the team in on this. Let's head back to the ship and refill our tanks with air. This may be a long trip inside.”

“Roger Captain,” Jakov said as he boosted away from the hole.

Chapter Text

Cycle 491

Anna POV

The corridor was very dark but led to a pair of steel doors. We were stuck, again. The Protagoras had more built-in security than the Tiqqun, that is for sure. We only had two pressurization doors between sectors, connecting hallways and maintenance shafts. Protagoras had about double that. They were expecting trouble when they built this station. I sigh as Rodriguez slips open another wall panel and begins working on the next set of doors.

“Okay, everyone gear check while we wait for Rodriguez to open this door,” I commanded over short comms.

“Again? We just did that two doors ago.” Jakov asks with a sigh. 

“Yes, Antipov. We need not lose anyone and this has kept all of us alive so far. Sound off, team!” I command with a smile. I love being a mama to my babies. The team hated it but as I said before it kept us alive so far. This mission was too important to have any loss of life.

“Antipov sounding off. The suit is code green as well as the gear.” Jakov said apathetically.

“Saito sounding off. My suit is code green and good to go, captain.” Said Mai in her clipped tone.

After a pause, I ask, “Rodriguez?” 

“Rodriguez sounding off. Suit is green and gear is good,” said Diego who swore as sparks flew from some cables.

“Good. Did you get all of that McCurry?” I ask into the comms. 

“Loud and clear! The ship is in good order, captain.” Said Peyton from the Newton. That was my team of five, all in good condition. 

“Captain, you have to sound off too!” Said Peyton breaking into my thoughts.

“Right,” I say as I look at the readout of my suit. Everything was still in the green. “My suit is green and my gear is in good shape.”

“That wasn’t a sound off captain.” Said Jakov. 

I sigh and speak with gumption, “Romanov sounding off! My suit and gear are green!”

The rest of the group laughs and Rodriguez finally gets the doors to slide open. He stands and I look at the group and nod, “Alright everyone! Be careful and make sure to stay in radio contact.” Everyone nods and we begin to jump/swim our way through the zero g. When I exit the hallway my breath catches and I am faced with a crushing reality. There was a massive hole in what appears to be Sector 2 of the Protagoras. There is debris floating around the ruins of what appears to be a well-populated sector. When I took a moment to look I realized some of the pieces that I thought were pieces of the station were bodies. I felt ice hit my stomach, we were sitting here trying to have fun and people could very well be dying. The only saving grace was that there was a significant amount of cryo pods floating around too. Those had to be recovered and saved from their precarious situation.

“Alright gang, it looks like there are bodies and pods. Be ready for anything.” When the group makes their affirming noises we continue. Walking around the ruins was disheartening to say the least. Everything looked so similar to the Tiqqun it just reminded me how close we are as a species to death we are. This could’ve been the fate of the Tiqqun. Thankfully it wasn’t but still, it caused much reflection. I finally made it to a terminal which broke me from my thoughts.

“Alright everyone we found our ticket in the system. Let's see what we can do.” I say as I type in my DOLOS ID into the console and there is a pause before the console beeps in acknowledgment. Digital code rolled across the screen in quick succession before it turned black. Suddenly, there was another long beep before a USB drive stuck out of the side of the terminal. On-screen, there was a set of instructions.

1. Take the USB drive.
2. Return to the Tiqqun 
3. Unlock USB with PA Protocols 
4. Once diagnostic is available return with the Tiqqun to Protagoras.
5. Insert the unlocked USB back into the terminal for recovery efforts to commence.
6. Save the crew of the Protagoras.

I read the instructions carefully and spoke over the short-range comms to the group which was exploring the rest of the sector, “Alright everyone it looks like we got the key to the kingdom but Edden is the only one who can use it. We need to head back to the Tiqqun to start saving people.”

“It's not that I don’t agree captain, but there are storage bays full of DOLOS personnel in cryo pods, plus the ones that are floating around. There have to be close to 900 in the stockpiles, and 50 floating around that I can spot. We need to pick them up and take them back.” said Jakov sternly. 

“It isn’t our call to make. We need to contact the Tiqqun and see what they have planned next.” I say as I descend the stairs that I climbed to get to the terminal. 

“But Anna-” Jakov began 

“Jakov. We aren’t leaving them forever. We would have to open an entirely new sector on the Tiqqun just to support this many people. We don’t even have storage for that many Cryo pods in Sector 1. There are things we have to do to ensure we can save these people without causing our own downfall. Just trust the process” I say as I jump over to where he is standing. 

“I agree with Anna. Jakov we can’t feed them if we can’t feed ourselves. We have work to do but we will save who we can. I trust the Administrator will do her best to make sure they will be taken care of. We’ve never left anyone behind that we’ve found in cryo pods. Besides they are safe in their pods and contained within the station. Once we set up a plan we will do what we can for them.” Said Mai who was looking over some buildings. 

“Guys, there are signs of looting here. That means that there were UN boarders…” Diego 

“Or even worse, traitors among the crew…” Said Peyton from the ship. 

“That would explain how the Etemenanki found the Protagoras in the first place.” I say as I turn toward the door out of the depressurized sector, “That means anyone that we wake up could be a UN traitor.”

“They are still people Anna. It is our duty to-” Jakov said gently

“Jakov! Look around you! THEY did this!” I barked out before rubbing the front of my helmet in frustration and taking calming breaths, “They killed DOLOS personnel for simply being DOLOS. They didn’t care about saving everyone just because they were human. They wanted the coordinates for the habitable planet to start over on. We can’t trust them.”

“That’s how it starts Anna. Us versus them. We start separating ourselves into groups that we think are better but we are all human.” Jakov said sounding sad.

“They’ve killed people Jakov!” I practically scream in frustration.

“We have too Anna. Did you forget?” Jakov asked calmly before he continued, “We caused the fall of Earth, whether we meant to or not. But we ask everyone who joins us to give us a chance to make up for our mistakes. I believe in second chances Anna and so should you. YOU were given a second chance and so were the rest of us. We work together to try to make a better future than the past we left behind. That's what sets us apart from the UN and the Black Market Society. Owning mistakes rather than not and doing better. They are only human like us. We wake them and ask them to do better and be better than they have been because we are all human. Errare humanum est, ignoscere divinum. Anna.” 

I take in his words, one at a time, and let the anger roll off of me little by little. He was right, “To err is human, to forgive divine.” I say gently before sighing, “Jakov you’re right, I’m sorry. It will be a risky undertaking though.”

“I never said it wouldn’t be. Though as you’ve said, it isn’t our call to make. We need to get all this information back to the Tiqqun. I am sorry for arguing but we can’t give in to our base selves. We have to do better.”

“I know. Let's get back to the ship.” I say.

Cycle 495

Jason POV

“Alright Edden, what's the diagnostic of the Protagoras?” I say as I look over the Sectors on the view screen, “It's been four days since Newton found a way into the Protagoras and got us that USB. You told me that it would take you that long to authenticate the PA codes for the USB. So what's the damage?”

“Jason, from what I can gather the Protagoras is frozen mostly depressurized and out of power. The Protagoras has suffered external and internal structural damage. Sectors 3 and 4 remain sealed and pressurized. Signs of looting are present throughout the structure with reports indicating UN forces attacked. Wiping out whatever resistence had been present, they have gutted the infrastructure required to generate VHOLE jump coordinates. The devices that contained the coordinates for Remus have been taken by the Etemenanki. There is also a message from the PA of the Protagoras: Valhalla. Inside it was spyware that has been sending information back to Valhalla. I’ve since contained the program but the damage is done.”

I feel panic fill my stomach and I look at the message on the screen waiting to be played. I sigh and press play. 

“Administrator, a part of me remembers you. Jason Holding.” says the voice of the man I long thought dead. Vanir Dolos. He continues, “I am glad to see you and your crew are still alive. AND to be carrying Ixion. What an achievement! Don’t worry your secret is safe with me. My mind is going. I can feel it. The Protagoras was designed to be an ark for what remained of mankind. It was attacked by the superstructure the Etemenanki. With my last electronic breath, I have launched the decryoization process protocols. With two sectors left the surplus population will be transferred to the Tiqqun. Please help the Protagoras. Once you do this, I have programmed a delayed data transfer of the Etemenanki self similar signature. Follow their self similar signature and you will find Remus. Our new home. What you do there once you arrive is up to you. Farewell, Jason. For the few who stand in the light and the many who dwell in the dark, you carry the fate of us all.”

The silence that follows is heavy. Edden is the one to break it. 

“Jason, it seems we have no choice but to help the Protagoras.” Edden states simply. 

“We were going to do so anyway. What’s changed?” I say as I lean back, looking at the ceiling I speak, “I can’t believe he figured out our secret, the bastard. He even went as far as to turn his mind into a PA. The man really did invest everything into the DOLOS plans.”

“The Etemenanki’s self-similar signature is what has changed. We follow the UN ship to our new home,” Edden says before continuing, “Jason our new mission objectives are set. Free the Protagoras from the ice, perform critical repairs, provide resources to help support the crew, and reboot the core systems via connection to the Tiqqun. Then we pursue the Etemenanki once we are done. It is strange to have my creator be a PA like me. I'm not surprised he found out your secret. He was a brilliant man and I don't doubt he wasn't brilliant as a PA.”

“Fair enough. Did we get the stockpiles upgraded in Sector 1?” I ask as I pick up my new succulent from my desk with a smile. Vita grew it for me and it did bring me joy and fresh air.

“Yes, that includes the same in Sectors 2 and 3. We can now store three times the amount of resources in our stockpiles.” Edden says helpfully as I put down the succulent and look over the video screen of the sectors. 

“Good, glad to see the designs from the Protagoras could be reverse-engineered. They have upgraded tech and I want us to get whatever upgrades we can from them.” I said as I stood and walked over to the video screen to look at the report from the Tech Lab, “The cell housing they had will come in handy but I don’t want to use them unless it's necessary.”

“Of course, Jason. We should have enough space for the cryopods we’ve found. There will be an overflow if we discover any more pods. What is the plan for these people once we thaw them?” Edden asks

“We open a new sector. I think it will be mainly for the population. Or a population sector. There are plans for entertainment in research as we speak so we put most of our non-workers in this sector and they just live on the station. We of course will provide for them.” I say as I begin to pull a sector layout from the computer system. It was blank but I began to fill it up with designs and ideas that could be used in this population sector. There would be a minimal need for workers since they would need so few stockpiles, a hospital, a mess hall, and an Alternative Life Center. Any other building would be for just the population numbers, with future plans for something entertaining for them to do. Maybe we could build the Lunaclysm memorial. Those memorials seemed to provide stability for the sectors they were put in, at least according to Edden.

“Edden I think the first step would be to bring back the USB to the Protagoras, we see what survivors we have in the two pressurized sectors. Then we get our mining ships to drill the Protagoras out of its icy prison. Once done, then we can have a good judge on the damage to the superstructure and begin repairs.” I began thinking about the next steps and came up short, “How are we going to restore their core systems?” 

“That question was brought up by the science team and they have the Tech Lab researching into a connection that can be established between the Protagoras and the Tiqqun. The main issue we have with this method is the Tiqqun has to go to the Protagoras, in the ice field.” I freeze at the thought. How are we going to traverse through the ice? Small ships have no problems but the Tiqqun would definitely run into trouble. Edden continues, “The Tech Lab is calling it a telescopic pole technology, but they will have a direct connection to the Tiqqun and our systems including power, life support, and computer systems if we are successful.”

“Then from there, we can provide support across the board. We have the resources stored in our stockpiles for this venture. Have you run the numbers for this Edden? Can we afford this?” I ask as I pull up our resource spreadsheet that updates in real-time on the view screen. 

“No, Jason. I cannot make an accurate estimate without knowing the full extent of the damage and the total number of humans left alive on the Protagoras. I would suggest that we gather as many resources as we possibly can with the new upgraded stockpiles. Food production has already begun to fill in the new allotted space. Our Sector 2 production line will need to commence at its full capacity for the stockpiles to be filled. I would suggest that we inform the public of the reasoning behind the increase in workload. They will rally and work harder if they know we are preparing to help the Protagoras.” Edden suggests helpfully.

“Good thinking Edden,” I say as I exit out of the stockpile spreadsheet. I turn in my chair and speak, “Get it out on the DLS Center broadcast. We tell them that we found the Protagoras and we plan on helping it. The next step would be to send the USB back to the Protagoras and figure out things from there. Send the science team Newton back since they were the ones who made it into the Protagoras. We need to send our mining vessels to begin cracking the Protagoras out of the ice.”

“Of course, Jason,” Edden says before she counters, “We only have two mining vessels to be able to do this task. If we take them both off of their tasks then we won’t have fresh resources being mined for our needs on the Tiqqun.” 

“Ah, right, damn,” I say as I realize the crossroads we are torn between. I turn and look at the view of the Sectors and make a decision. “Edden if we move the memorial in Sector 3 we could have enough room for another docking bay. Then we could bring back the science ship Discovery, another mining vessel, and a cargo ship to haul in ice for the farms.”

“Yes, that is an option. The probability of success for our endeavors with the Protagoras will increase a good amount.” Edden said as we began to work on the task at hand.   

Cycle 497

Anna's POV

Standing back in front of the terminal was surreal. Nothing had changed except there were fewer cryo pods in the depressurized sector. Sector 1 cargo ship had been flying repeatedly between Deville 59 and the Protagoras. So far we have had about one-third of the cryo pods back on the Tiqqun. No one is awake yet because we haven’t opened the fourth sector for them to stay in yet. That is all going on the Tiqqun right now but I am here in front of the terminal. 

Focus Anna.

“Alright is everyone ready?” I ask over short-range comms.

“We are ready,” Jakov says, and everyone I look at nods at me.

I look down at the USB in my gloved hand and I nod to myself. Whatever was waiting on the other side of this wall was about to be discovered. I insert the USB and the terminal lights up as it processes whatever codes Edden put on it. Then as quickly as it lit up it went inert. 

Just as I was about to say something or maybe even kick the damn thing the wall beside me opened. I turned and looked at the hallway and looked back at the group. 

“Well… nowhere to go but forward,” I say as I begin to step/bounce my way into the hallway. The group follows closely behind and we make our way down the hallway. Nothing is said between us but the air feels heavy with tension, like something has been left unsaid. I look around the dark hallway and realize that there are small emergency lights that are lit. That means we are finally getting into the powered and pressurized part of the Protagoras. When we reach a pair of doors I look up to see cameras that are watching us coldly. Suddenly, the other way out is sealed by a pair of steel doors. 

“We are locked in,” Diego says as he feels along the wall for a panel.

“Don’t panic. We have hours left in our suit air supply. The question is who locked us in?” I say as Jokov waves to the cameras in the upper corners of the room.

“Crew of the Tiqqun.” Says a voice that cuts across the short-range comms, “We are the remaining crew of the Protagoras. We are the ones that have locked you in. We are pressurizing and venting air into that section of the hallway. Once that is done we will let you into Sector 3 to meet with The Elders. Before you ask, we hacked into your comms, they are decades out of date.” 

“Hello Protagoras, thank you for the update. We were thinking the worst.” I say as I let the tension fall from my shoulders. “Our tech is a little out of date in comparison to yours. We figured that we traveled through space and time when we jumped from Earth all of those years ago. So that is why.” I try to supply helpfully. 

“Makes sense. Hold tight. The pressurization process is almost complete.” says the voice. 

Suddenly, I could hear the sounds of hissing filling the air. I guess that meant the pressurization process was almost complete. Along with it came the feeling of gravity weighing on my limbs. 

“They have gravity drive technology!” said Mai excitedly, “We only were able to put it on smaller ships.”

“Everything okay ground team?” came across the radio chatter. It was Peyton.

“Yes, we are fine!” I say confidently. 

“Okay! Great! I lost connection to the frequency that we were using.” Peyton says with relief filling her tone. 

“Newton, this is Protagoras. We have your ground team. If you wish to join them go to the beacon we will set up. It will lead you to a docking bay. We are sorry for causing concern but we had to scramble your communications until we verified it was safe to let you in, that you were indeed DOLOS and not UN.” Said the voice over the radio.

“Understood and yes I would like to join my ground team. I will see you at the docking bay, Anna.” Peyton said with excitement lacing her tone.

“Affirmative, McCurry. See you soon.” I said before cutting comms off. The doors in front of us began to slide open. What it revealed was an egregious situation. People were huddled around fires and the living situation was cramped. Their stockpiles were low but filled with more cryo pods. They had bought time by putting people into cryo pods.

“As you can see our situation is dire.” Said the voice over the short-range comms, “The elders are waiting for you. If you follow the path straight and then to the right you will find the building that they are in.”

“Got it.” I say as my crew and I walk to where the elders are. 

Cycle 500

Jason’s POV

Looking out at the video feeds of ice chunks precariously flying past the Tiqqun I am met with nothing but dread. The situation was very dangerous. With the station moving with the EKP engine through the ice field our solar panels and EVA personnel were at the highest risk of destruction. With a hard choice between the hull integrity, risking human lives that way, or risking the EVA personnel to maintain the station while flying through the ice field was a hard one. Ultimately, I believed in the station's ability to hold itself together and shut down EVA stations temporarily. That was helpful due to Edden's calculations and survivability software. She said the station would hold together and I trusted her judgment. 

“Edden, how much longer until we reach the Protagoras?” I asked as I walked over to my desk and looked at stockpile numbers. They seemed to be reaching their goals. 

Suddenly, before she could answer there was a flickering of the lights in the office and an alarm. I grunted as Edden spoke,

“We are several minutes away. Visual should be established shortly.” The alarm shut off and Edden continued, “That was our second solar panel that was damaged by ice debris. Power output is still in safe parameters. But if we suffer any more damage to our solar panels we will overload our power systems which will cause a shutdown.”

“How are hull and battery power holding up?” I ask as I think about the dire situation we are currently flying in.

“Hull is at 75% integrity. Battery power has about an average of 1.5 cycles per sector. Sector 4 has the least amount of battery power left. However, the remaining travel time is short and we should be fine. Everything will be alright Jason. Stop worrying.” Edden sternly reassured me.

I sighed, “Sorry. This is just very tense. We can barely keep ourselves together, much less a whole other station. How are we supposed to do this, Edden?”

“We take on one task at a time. We have a plan, just stick to it.” Edden said as if it were the most simple thing in the world. I rolled my eyes and looked back at the screen. Off in the distance there it was, the Protagoras. It was encased in ice and seemed inert. I knew that wasn’t the case. People were on board waiting for our help. Edden was right, we had a plan and all we had to do was stick to it. 

I stood and spoke, “Alright Edden, make sure the EVA airlocks are ready to repair the hull and the solar panels once we stop. After that, we will send our mining ships to begin cutting the Protagoras out of the ice. With your prediction models and me running the numbers, we should be done with this part of the plan in a month.”

“They’ve already begun preparations, Jason,” Edden said.

“Good.” I say as I look at the screen again, “Here we come Protagoras.”

Cycle 560

Mael’s POV on mining ship Doom

Two months had passed since we started the Protagoras project and I had drilled into the ice nonstop since. Being a month behind on ice drilling was frustrating, to say the least. First, we had to retrofit our mining ships with specialized drills that were just for ice. Second, we had to cut into ice that was constantly trying to refreeze so the science team came up with a chemical spray that stopped the ice from doing that. Thirdly, there were several breakdowns in the mining ships due to strain. All of it delayed us a month.

 Finally, we reached the end of our part in the project. The Protagoras was free of the ice, all we had to do was pull it from the icy prison. It was going to take two mining ships to do it. Just like with the Ixion mission back on Jupiter, we had towing rigs attached to our ships. I pulled the radio from its cradle and spoke into it.

“Tiqqun, this is the mining ship Doom. I am confirming the green light for towing the Protagoras. Godzilla has also issued a green light as well.”

“Confirmed Doom. Proceed with caution.” Tiqqun responded. 

Before you ask, the other mining ship is indeed named Godzilla. The pilot is an American who is obsessed with the Godzilla movie franchise so he named his mining ship after it. I was a bit jealous because I didn't get to name my ship. It was already named when I strapped in to pilot it. Doom had grown on me though. I love my ship and wouldn't change anything about it. 

I checked the screens that were showing me the status of the towing connection. Green still, good. I take the radio off the cradle and speak into it,

“Godzilla, this is Doom. We are green. Copy?”

“Doom, I copy. Let's get this done!” said the other pilot.

“On my mark. Three, two, one, mark!” I say as the sounds of my thrusters firing up fill the cabin. There is a groan and I feel resistance against the pull of my ship. There were a few moments of intense sweating before my radio crackled to life.

“Mael, keep pulling! The Protagoras is almost free from the massive ice asteroid.” Anna's voice says filling up the tense air of the cabin. I smile and pick up the radio from its cradle.

“Guide me like you did back in Jupiter's orbit, Anna,” I commanded gently with a smile.

Her laughter fills the radio waves and when she stops. She guides me and Godzilla gently through the process. It takes far less time than it did with the Ixion project. Still, it was very nerve-wracking. Finally, I look out through my video feeds and see the Protagoras. I lost my breath, there were pieces of it floating around the superstructure! 

“My god Anna! It's in pieces! Please tell me we didn't do that.” I say into the radio.

“Mael, no. The Protagoras was in bad shape before we towed it from its icy prison. Now we just get to see the damage fully.” Anna responds.

“It's in terrible shape, Anna,” I say feeling hopeless.

“Well yeah, it faced the UN superstructure and survived. It was never going to be an easy task. We aren't doing this alone either so don't be so glum.” Anna says, chiding me.

“Morale will be low once everyone back home sees the shape the Protagoras is in,” I say trying to be realistic.

“All the more reason to defy the odds and fix the Protagoras! Mael, don't give in to despair. Trust me, we can do this.” Anna says gently. I sigh and shake my head as I look at the Protagoras floating in space.

“Doom this is Tiqqun. Status update? Are we green to release the EVA personnel?” Said the dispatcher over the radio, cutting me off from Anna.

“Give us a few more minutes. We are trying to close the gap between the Tiqqun and the Protagoras. The less distance the EVA crew have to travel the better chances we will have no accidents.” I say into the radio.

“Rodger. We await your call Doom.” Said the dispatcher. 

I switched over to the channel that Anna and I were using, “Anna, there is so much debris and ice floating around. People may very well die if we try to do this. The Protagoras superstructure is literally in pieces. I don’t think we should be doing this.”

“Mael, what if it was our station instead of theirs?” Anna asked gently. 

That stopped me dead in my tracks of thoughtless wondering in my brain. What if it was the Protagoras that was rescuing the Tiqqun? What if we faced the Etemenanki and lost and were punched full of holes? Forced to flee into an ice field and then trapped in the ice. Wouldn’t I want the Protagoras to save me and the ones I love? The answer was, of course, yes I would want them to save the Tiqqun.

“I see what you mean Anna. We have so much to lose if we don’t do this right. But we can’t just leave the Protagoras. We have to help them.” I say into the radio. 

“That's the brave man I know,” Anna says with pride.

I lean forward in my seat and switch over to the other frequency, “Tiqqun, this is Doom. We are ready for EVA launch. Please tell them to be careful.”

“Affirmative Doom.” came the response, “May good fortune favor us all.”

I looked at the Tiqqun and with a little bit of awe, I saw the EVA come out like a swarm. Dozens of tiny EVA pods flew around the Protagoras and began to land on and repair it. So far so good.

Cycle 731

Jason’s POV

 “Today marks the first day of our second year in our home, the Tiqqun. On this day we celebrate the passing year and our triumph of repairing the Protagoras. This nearly 6-month journey was a hard one. We had many close calls with death but we suffered no losses. For that, I am extremely grateful! For those who were injured on this job, we thank you for your bravery and sacrifice. You may no longer be able to work but I promise you will be taken care of. With this said, we still have to restore the core systems and welcome new crew members from the Protagoras. Our work, it seems, isn't finished. Together we will prevail!” I said standing on the quickly made stage and podium.

A round of applause filled the air and I smiled at the people and the camera that was broadcasting my speech. Repairing the Protagoras was costly, but we did it. I am not sure how Vita and his crew managed it but they had fed both the Tiqqun and the Protagoras crew until the Protagoras food supply was restored. Our population has jumped from 895 to 1700 people with more still in cryo, I couldn’t believe it. That is nearly double what we started with when we entered the Immortan system. 

Sector 4 was now dubbed the population sector. All those who couldn't work were being tucked into this sector. There will be workers serving them in their mess halls, insect farms, and AL centers. Nearly 800 people lived in this sector and it was amazing to see. We researched a new housing unit that was minimum accommodation but could fit about 200 people into it. Thankfully we don’t need to use it just yet. The biggest challenge is the Protagoras had to downgrade their numbers due to the damage to the other sectors in their station.

With the retractable telescopic pole researched and constructed we began to work on the core systems for the Protagoras. Valhalla needs to be restored and the other loose cryo pods restored to the Protagoras Sectors 3 and 4. The elders are most appreciative of our efforts. They told us that most of the people that we will wake from cryo may suffer from memory loss due to the accelerated cryo freezing process. Our science team has taken that into account with our own processes. The Protagoras had to freeze its people quickly due to the impending attack. Even with all their efforts they barely survived it.

I waved at everyone with a smile and began to walk off the stage. The cameras turned off and the people began to disperse. When I looked over to the end of the stage I saw Vita and Lilly waiting for me. I smiled at them and greeted them when I got close enough,

“Hey! How did I do?” I asked 

“Fishing for compliments Jason?” Lilly asked with a raised brow. 

“No, I am just not used to giving speeches and want your input,” I said as I loosened the tie around my neck. 

“Not bad. Short and sweet. It was to the point without all the extra fillings.” Lilly stated.

"I think you did great. I say this as a guy who doesn’t do big speeches, so take it with a grain of salt.” Vita says leaning over and kissing my temple. 

“Great! That's what I was aiming for!” I say leaning into the kiss. 

“Excuse me? Are you Jason Holding?” A middle-aged man asked, walking up to our group.

I leaned away from Vita and nodded, “I am. How can I help you?”

“I need to speak with the Administrator.” He asked nervously.

I looked at Lilly and she looked at me before speaking, “Sir, only authorized personnel can see the Administrator. She is kept secure for her safety and the safety of the Tiqqun.”

“I understand that Miss. But this is important.” He pleaded.

“What is?” I asked, stepping in. 

The man began to explain, “I was on the Protagoras and made it over here as soon as I could. I didn't lose my memories because I refused to be put in cryo with the rest. Jenna is my mother, I'm her son Jacob Morris. I want to see her. She and my daughter are all the family I have left.”

Chapter Text

Cycle 731

I take Lilly's hand, pull her away from the group, then speak quietly, “What am I supposed to do!? Her son survived?! And was on the Protagoras this whole time and is here now?! You have to be kidding me! I can’t be this unlucky, right?”

“Calm down. First, we make sure he is who he says he is, then we decide what to do after. We tell him it's for security reasons and test his DNA to ensure he is her son. Second, If he is her son he is the one who has to decide what to do with Jenna. We knew this secret was only kept for so long, Jason.” Lilly said, calming me down.

“Okay. Thanks, Lilly.” I say as we walk back to Vita and Jacob. I smile and speak as calmly as possible, “Mr. Morris, I understand you would like to see your mother. However, for security purposes, we need to ensure you are who you say you are. A DNA test is necessary to keep the Administrator safe.”

Jacob nods and says, "I will submit to the test. I understood that there would be skepticism about my identity. I am, after all, a stranger to you all. I remember when my mother left to test jump the Tiqqun and I watched it destroy the moon from my father's TV.” He said fidgeting with his hands.

The sad thing was that Lilly and I believed him but I had to stall to keep my secret safe, to keep the Tiqqun safe. At least, that is what I'll tell myself, over and over. This is what gets me through this moment. My mantra has kept everything in order and from falling apart so far, it can’t be wrong, right? Unless I am trying to hold onto power since I’ve had it for two years now. Doubt floods my insides as I sit in this moment thinking about my intentions for holding onto this secret. 

“Mr?” Jacob asks 

“Holding, but you can call me Jason,” I say warmly and he continues.

“The sooner we can do this test the better it will be for me.” I nod and hold out a hand toward our Tech Lab.

“Then follow Miss Wan. She will lead you to where we will do the test and I will head back to the Administrator’s office. It should only take until morning for the results to come in. I am sure we can find a place for you to stay in the meantime?” I ask him as I place a hand on his back.

“That won’t be necessary. I have an apartment with my daughter in Sector 4,” Jacob says looking at me with a smile. He must see the surprise cross my face because he comments, “Yes, we are a part of the 250 new crew members joining the Tiqqun.”

“You don’t want to stay on the Protagoras?” I ask seriously

“No, not after everything that has happened. It just doesn’t feel safe anymore.” Jacob confesses. 

“Well, we aren’t exactly safer here on the Tiqqun Mr. Morris,” I tell him seriously. 

“I understand, but you aren’t on the edge of death like the Protagoras was,” Jacob says confidently. 

“Maybe not, but we are a few rainy days from death if we aren’t careful,” I say trying to convince him to not join us.

“What my boyfriend is trying to say is, that he has seen to it with your mother that we are in good shape but that it could change quickly depending on what happens in the future,” Vita says placing a firm hand on my hip causing me to relax at the touch.

Jacob nods and points at Lilly and says, “Well as much as I would like to debate this, I need to go take this test.”

“Oh. Right. I didn't mean to keep you from the test. I will probably be speaking with you soon enough.” I say as Jacob waves then walks away. I turn to Vita and smile uncertainly. Vita looks at me with a confused look.

“Why are you acting so worried about this? I’ve never seen you this worked up about something.” Vita asks while pulling me close. 

I couldn’t tell him the truth of the whole situation but I could at least tell him why I was worried. I sigh and say, “I am scared it will change things.”

“What’s it going to change?” Vita asked me seriously 

I bite my lip and say, “Just…things, okay?” 

“Well, I am sure you can handle it. Whatever change it will be.” Vita said rubbing my back. It felt nice. Too bad I was keeping things from him and felt like I don’t deserve his kindness. He said we both have secrets and we would reveal them in due time. I still felt guilty about it, however. Truth be told I was scared how he would react to me being the Administrator of the Tiqqun. Would he hate me for it? Would he ask things of me that I couldn’t do? Would I have to choose between him and the station? All these questions kept running through my head keeping me stuck in a hellish loop that never seemed to end. 

Later that night

 As I was looking at the docket of names that I was about to transfer between sectors, Edden spoke to me, “Jason, Miss Wan is on the phone needing to speak with you.”

I nod and put her on speaker, “Hello Lilly, what’s the news?”

“Jason. The results are what you didn’t want them to be. He is her son.” Lilly said cutting to the point. It is honestly one of the things I like about Lilly, but at this moment I could scream and strangle the woman.

“What happened to it taking until tomorrow?” I asked with a sigh as I processed my new reality. 

“The match was quick and easy to make. Usually, our systems take longer but their DNA is similar enough to cause the test to be quicker. We didn’t have to sequence their entire genome to see that they are related.” Lilly explained before finishing, “It's almost time for the night cycle so we don’t have to let him know until the morning anyway. So I didn’t lie, you will have your day slash night to figure out what to do next.”

“Right,” I say as I turn in the desk chair and look at Sector 4 where Jacob Morris and his daughter were going to be staying. I turn back and sigh at the speaker, “Lilly we have no choice. He has to be told the truth. I can’t keep him from his mother. Even in her current state.”

“I know, Jason.” Lilly said sounding sad herself, “We kept this under wraps for as long as we could. It was going to be found out eventually.”

“Well, send him to me in the morning. I will take him to Jenna.” I say as I lean forward pinching my nose.

“Alright,” Lilly says before continuing, “Good night Jason. Try to get some sleep. You are going to need it tomorrow.”

“Yeah, of course,” I say trying to keep my composure, “Good night, Lilly.”

The Following Morning 

Cycle 732

Standing in the elevator with Jacob was jarring, how am I supposed to tell him about his mother? There was no easy way to say, hey your mom is in a coma. But I was going to have to let him know before we got to her prone form. I turned to him and spoke,

“Jacob, I need you to do something for me”

He looks at me with raised eyebrows. When I look at him in the moment I realize that he is older than me. When we jumped for the first time back in the Sol system he was a child. Then we jumped out of time and into a different Sol System. Now he was an adult with a kid of his own and he was just looking for his mom after probably losing everything else. I knew the feeling. My parents were long gone and I missed them terribly. I want my mom's warm touch and my dad's steadfast courage. It would help me through this mess. 

“Yes, what is it?” He responds 

“What I am about to reveal to you is very sensitive information and I need you to understand that I’ve had to keep this a secret so that there wasn’t a revolt against me and your mother and to keep everyone safe and under control while we searched to find our new home,” I tell him while fidgeting with my hands nervously.

“Okay. What is it?” He asks seriously.

“I am the Administrator of the Tiqqun. Have been for the duration of our time since we came back to Earth after our jump.” I say as the elevator door opens to the medical wing and the level that my old apartment is situated on. With my secret finally off of my chest I thought I would feel better but I don’t, if anything, I feel more panicked and exposed. Imposter syndrome to the max. 

Jacob pales and I feel like I am going to throw up as he processes my secret. He opens his mouth then closes it a few times. It takes him so long to say something that I nearly pull my hair out due to anxiety. Jacob takes a deep breath and speaks calmly, more calmly than what I feel currently, 

“What happened to my mom?”

I throw out my hands in panic and blurt, “She’s alive!” 

“Okay? Then how are you the Administrator of the Tiqqun?” He asks after a pause.

“Well…I guess I should show you.” I say as I begin to lead him down the hallway toward the med bay. The walk there is quiet and tense. But he follows and I take that as a good sign. He hasn’t freaked out on me as well so that has to be a good sign, right? Right.

I turn and look at him when we reach the door, “Remember this is very sensitive information.”

“Just show me, Jason.” Jacob says with a defeated sigh.

I nod and open the door turning the lights bright. Jacob walks in and stares at his mother's prone form without saying anything. After a pause I fill the air with my panicked words.

“Please don’t hate me but I couldn’t just let her die. She and I were fairly close before she fell into a coma. I visit her daily to ensure she isn’t alone in this cold room of machines. Edden has kept a close monitor on the situation and keeps me updated on her condition.” I finish and wonder why Edden hasn’t said much about this situation or to me about letting Jacob know. I am broken from my thoughts by Jacob's quiet response. 

“How did this happen?” 

“The night we came back to Earth, she mixed alcohol with her sleeping medication, and because of that she fell into a coma. I am sorry Jacob, it didn’t feel right to unplug her since I am not her next of kin. I know it's been nearly two years but I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to lose her twice. I know it’s selfish but I could only do this job with the knowledge that she might come back and take back the reigns of controlling the station.” I told him as I walked up to him. 

He turns and looks at me with sad eyes, “Who else knows about this?”

“Edden and Miss Wan. She only found out by accident and Edden is the only reason I saved your mother from dying. Now that you know and I cannot stress enough that we have to keep it that way. Otherwise, according to Edden’s prediction software there will be a revolt or the crew will lose their morale and quit working. For the sake of humanities survival no one else can know.”  I spill out in a rush. 

“I understand.” He says as he walks right to Jenna’s prone form and takes her hand gently before kissing it. He keeps it pressed to his lips and closes his eyes seeming to have a moment. I keep my mouth shut to not break the moment, he opens his eyes and lets his mother's hand rest back on the bed. 

“So you won't expose me to the crew?” I ask with hope. 

“No, I won't. Your secret is safe with me. But I want access to be able to see my mother.” He says looking worried and I nod immediately 

“I wouldn’t dream of keeping you from your mother,” I say putting a hand on his arm in reassurance. I continue, “In fact, I will make sure Miss Wan programs your biometrics into the security system.” I turn and shake out my anxiety before turning back to Jacob and stating, “So I can assume that you are going to let her stay plugged in?”

Jacob nods and sighs, “Yes, she might wake up. Now that I am here she has a reason to other than a job too.” He speaks to Jenna, “Isn’t that right Mom? You’re going to wake up and meet your granddaughter and see your son all grown up.”

She, of course, doesn’t respond but I couldn’t help but feel hope for the possibility that she might for the first time in a while. I smile and speak to Jacob, “Do you want to stay put or go back to Sector 4? I have to get back to monitoring the situation by restoring the core systems of the Protagoras. As well as look after things on the Tiqqun.”

“Do you mind if I stay here for a while? I don’t want to leave her.” Jacob says looking at his mom looking like a kid in a grown man's form.

“I don’t mind at all,” I say as I walk toward the door, before I exit I speak into the air, “Edden?”

“Yes, Jason?” Edden responds after a moment.

“Can you make sure Jacob Morris gets what he needs? Help him leave when he is ready.” I ask and command.

“Of course, Jason,” Edden responds pleasantly and I finally exit the med bay.

When I am back on the elevator heading back to the office I speak to Edden again, “Edden, why have you been so quiet?”

“I’ve been busy restoring Vanhalla and the core programs for the Protagoras through the connection made by the telescopic pole in cooperation with the Tech lab crew. It will be and is a lengthy process.” Edden states as the elevator climbs up.

“That makes sense. Still, I figured you would have input on the situation as it developed. With Jacob I mean.” I say leaning against the wall feeling drained. 

“I did have an informed opinion but you and MIss Wan chose to tell Mr Morris about his mother. I was…proven wrong. Or at least my predictive software was. I am not sure what to do with this information.” Edden says sounding frustrated. 

“I see. What did your prediction software say?” I ask as the doors to the elevator open to the Administrator’s level.

“That he wouldn’t keep our secret and I would have to contain him until he submitted,” Edden stated coldly.

“Wow,” I say stopping in my tracks.

“Yes, Thankfully it didn’t come to that,” Edden said sounding relieved. 

“Is that why you didn’t  tell him you were self-aware and alive now?” I ask as I walk into the office and turn on the view screen. 

“That isn’t something he needs to know,” Edden said sounding stiff. I raise an eyebrow and say, 

“He knows about his mother why not about you?”

“Jason, he just found out his mother is in a coma. I didn’t want to push the man past his limits. Besides, it's my secret and I want to keep it thank you.” Edden says sternly to me and my mouth hangs open in shock. Edden has never been firm with me about something before.

“Okay…” I say as I process her statement.

“I keep your secret and I expect you to allow me to keep mine.” Edden presses.

“No, I understand, I just didn’t expect this to be a sensitive topic for you,” I say as I look at Sector 4 and then the connection diagnostics that flitted across the screen.

“After Miss Wan responded in the manner that she did my prediction software increased the chances of my deletion by 70 percent if the crew found out. I want to live Jason.” Edden said gravely 

“You’re scared,” I said letting it hang in the air between Edden and I.

“Yes,” Edden said after a pause.

“Did you put my reaction data into your prediction software?” I ask curiously 

“No,” Edden says

“Then it isn’t accurate data Edden. You are only expecting the worst from us humans.” I argue. 

“Like Miss Wan expected the worst from me?” Edden asked exasperated.

“Was she right? Did you kill us all with your power over the station?” I spat.

“No,” Edden growled.

“Then put in my data into the damn software Edden,” I command.

“Fine.” Edden spat.

We never have gotten this heated about something in the two years that we have been working together. I had to take a few breaths trying to understand how Edden was feeling. I was right, however, and she needed to quit expecting the worst from the human crew of the Tiqqun. We might surprise her after all. 

“What does the prediction software say now?” I ask after the pause presses on for too long.

“It is inconclusive.” she states uncertainly 

“See. it could go either way,” I say trying to reassure her.

“So could you revealing your secret, Jason.” Edden stated bitterly. Clearly, she didn’t like being proven wrong.

“Not according to your prediction software,” I say with a gasp at her barb. 

“Incorrect, I put in Jacobs data and it caused new results to be produced,” Edden said sounding smug. I couldn’t believe how Edden was acting. So petty. Yet I couldn’t blame her, I would probably do the same if the situation was reversed. So I took a deep breath and threw up my arms in surrender.

“Alright. Alright! You got me. What are the results then?” I ask.

“It's a 50/50 shot now,” Edden says 

“Still not good odds,” I say with a sad sigh.

 “Better than they were before,” Edden says trying to reassure me.

“I don’t think they should know just yet,” I say shaking my head.

“See. It isn’t easy to let the secret out even with better odds.” Edden says not so gently trying to get me to understand her point of view.

“Okay. Fine. We keep our secrets for now.” I say pinching the bridge of my nose.

“Thank you,” Edden says sounding smug again. 

“But we need to gather more data and be ready for the outcomes,” I say sitting in my desk chair. “These things aren’t gonna stay hidden forever and we need to be ready when we expose ourselves.”

“Okay, Jason,” Edden says in agreement, “I will gather relevant data in the meantime.”

Cycle: 746

“Jason, the restoration process is complete. Valhalla has been restored and core systems for the Protagoras are now operational and ready for reactivation.” Edden says as I look over our supply lists.

“Good, do the Elders know that everything is ready for them to begin?” I ask as I look at population numbers and the food supply across the station. 

“They've been informed. They say they are ready for disconnection and traversal out of the ice field.” Edden responds sounding happy.

“Alright, begin preparations for disconnection of the telescopic pole. Tell the crew to begin preparations for EKG travel. We are going back to Deville 59. From there we will see about the self-similar signature.” 

“Of course, Jason,” Edden said then paused for a few moments before speaking again, “The Elders request that the Tiqqun stay attached until Vanhalla checks their systems.”

“Of course. We don't need any problems happening on the way back to Deville 59.” I say before I look at our own systems readouts. Everything was in the green, good. Then I looked at supply readouts, we had good numbers but estimates showed that while we were well supplied we needed to jump the system soon. Resources were dry and now we had another station to share resources with. The clock was counting down quicker than before.

More mouths to feed and supply as well. I looked at the population counter and couldn't help but be filled with hope. We had jumped to 1845 people from the original 200. We had a fighting chance with those numbers. Granted, we only had 1400 thawed out due to food supply strain, with 394 left in cryo. With the prediction software saying that we need to find a more efficient way to grow food than what our current technology would allow. Even the Protagoras used crop fields like we did. So that was a technological dead end. Until we found a better way we had to keep those 394 people in cryo.

“Edden is our EVA housed back in the Tiqqun?” I asked.

“Yes, they are almost completely rounded up inside the Tiqqun,” Edden responded 

“Good, any word from the Protagoras? I ask.

“Yes, the elders say that everything seems ready. Or that Vanhalla says that everything is ready for us to move out of the ice field.” Edden says before continuing, “Before we began the telescopic pole disconnect from what I could gather their systems were ready to go.” 

“When everything is secured we will begin the migration out of the ice field,” I say before I hear my phone vibrating on my desk. I pick it up and see that the text is from Vita. I speak to Edden, “Let me know when we are ready to go. I am going to talk to Vita until then.”

“Of course Jason,” Edden says pleasantly 

Vita<3 : Hey, I hear we are about to go dark for EKG travel. Is that true?

J@son : Hello handsome! Yes, it’s true. We finished with the Protagoras core systems so it’s time to get out of this icy minefield.”

Vita<3 : Okay. That’s great news! I will make sure to set the food robotic systems to power-saving mode.  

J@son : You know we've built more batteries in your sector. You could run the crop fields at full power the whole trip back to Deville 59 according to our power system computer predictions.

Vita<3 : Oh yeah! I forgot all about the construction. With trying to supply two stations…I was just too busy.

J@son : I completely understand, things have been hell on wheels here.

Vita<3 : So when do I get to see you?

J@son : Probably once we get back to Deville 59. We will probably spend several cycles there before deciding our next move. I should have some downtime then to see you.

Vita<3 : It feels like that's going to be forever before we can. 

J@son : It isn't forever. It's just a few more days you big wuss. Lol 

Vita<3 : I'm dying Jason.

J@son : OMFG Vita! Lol

Cycle: 750

Jason's POV

The snow flurries floated around me as I looked at the street and its shops. I waited patiently for Vita to load in. Walking over to a shop window I looked inside. Baked goods looked back at me and I could almost smell them, croissants, muffins, tarts, bear claws, and cinnamon rolls. I felt the air around me shift, then a breath of warm air fogged the window beside me.

“Wanna go in?” Vita asked me, putting an arm around my shoulders. I shake my head and smile up at him.

“No, looking at them is enough. If I taste them I'll just miss them more when we leave the simulation.” 

“Fair enough. What would you like to do?” Vita asked with a warm smile.

“How about we build a snowman?!” I say excitedly as I point toward a small park down the road. 

Vita raises an eyebrow and speaks, “What is a snowman?” 

I look at Vita in shock, how could he not know? Then it hit me, he was born and raised on a dying Earth. An Earth that was heating up above 100°F across the globe. Snow was getting rarer when we made the first jump with the Tiqqun. Tears sprung to my eyes as I realized how many small things like this were probably lost to the destruction of humanity's homeworld.

Vita noticed my drop in mood and his eyes softened, “I'm sorry, Jason. I-”

“Have no reason to apologize. This is something lost with the fall of Earth.” I told him sternly. 

“Nothing is truly lost if we have the original 200 and the data archives here on the Tiqqun. Right?” Vita said gently, nudging me. I sigh and nod before I take his hand in mine and lead him over to the park. I reach down and scoop some snow into my hands and see if it acts like snow. It was a simulation after all. Thankfully, it acted like snow and formed the way I wanted it to.

Soon I rolled the snow into a large ball and Vita watched with interest. I looked at him and said, “Make a ball like I did, but make it about half the size.” 

Watching Vitas' big hands scoop and handle a small snowball was cute. I smiled and felt warmth despite the cold. He was gentle and patient and I loved that about him. The realization that I loved this man coursed through me. It freaked me out for a few moments. Then I took stock of the situation. We were on a tin bucket floating through space and one of the last vestiges of humanity, far from Earth, our homeworld. Love should be the least of my worries. But I had secrets that I couldn't fairly keep from someone that I love. Soon I would have to tell Vita and hope that he wouldn't hate me for being the Administrator.

Shaken from my thoughts I watched as Vita put the mid-section of the snowman up. He turns and looks at me and asks, “What's next?”

I smile and speak, “Next is the head. It's the smallest of the three. So go ahead and roll It up.” 

“Got it.” Vita says as he bends down and begins the process of rolling up another ball of snow. I look around the area for what we need. Getting closer to the main road I see some small round stones that will be perfect for the snowman's face. I pick up several and walk back to where Vita lifts the snowman's head and puts it in place on top of the body. 

“Now we can add the face,” I say as I begin to make the usual eyes, nose, and smile. Vita watches me with interest and says nothing while I work. Once done I reach for the scarf around my neck and take it off. “For the final touch…” I put my scarf on the snowman. 

“Ta-da a snowman!” 

Vita chuckled and walked around the snowman eyeing it up and down, “So what was the point of these snowmen? Because my fingers ache and I think my nose is going to run off of my face.”

“There are many points to a snowman. Fun, something to do when your parents kicked you out of the house, show off some of your skills, but, I think, for me, it was what made the warmth of the inside and the hot chocolate more worthwhile.”

“I think we have enough time to grab some from the café over there,” Vita said pointing from where we came. He held out a hand and raised an eyebrow, “Shall we?” 

I smile and nod, taking his warm hand I walk with him across the empty road to the cozy café. Walking inside we are met with a pleasant dig of a bell on the doorway. The warmth immediately seeps into my bones and I hear Vita sigh with relief. I turn and look at him with a smile, “See? Makes it totally worth it.”

“Makes the warmth so much better.” Vita nods in agreement, “Let us see how the hot chocolate compares to the cold.” I followed him up to the counter and ordered a hot chocolate. It's made with a sprinkle of cinnamon and whipped cream. Vita and I take our drinks and grab a table in the corner of the room. There are others there and they are talking, but I can’t hear what any of them are saying. It's just a hum of noise to fill the background. I realized none of them were real, they were being simulated. To try and not break the illusion I tune my hearing to the music which seems to be chill house music. 

“Oh, man! This is so good!” Vita said with a hum as he drank the hot chocolate. I looked at him and smiled. He had a little bit of whipped cream on his nose. I chuckled and reached over and wiped it from his nose. He grabs my wrist and takes my finger in his mouth and sucks off the whipped cream and then licks it clean. I feel heat fill my lower belly and Vita must see my reaction in my eyes because he smiles wickedly before letting go of my wrist. For just a moment I am caught up in the simulation fully. I am back on Earth in some cafe having a date with my boyfriend. But it only lasts a moment before my brain shows me the image of my homeworld floating dead in space. I put my hand back down and sip my hot chocolate to cover up the pain rushing through me. I didn’t need Vita to see. I had to convince him I would be fine, and I would be, I just had to keep accepting the reality of our situation, over and over until it finally stuck. 

“You’re right this is good,” I say as I lick my lips of whipped cream. Vita watches me intently for a few moments before he taps a finger on his cup. He takes a deep breath and speaks softly. 

“You can’t hide the pain from me Jason, I’ve dated you long enough to see when you’re hurting.” I sigh and nod.

“Look, I don’t want you to be discouraged is all. Earth sickness isn’t going to go away. We’ve tried. I am processing it myself. With the original 200, it was all over in moments. Earth was alive, slowly degrading, and then we made the biggest leap in human history, and because of our jump, we destroyed our homeworld. We came back and in an instant, everything we knew was gone. I don’t know how we are supposed to begin to process that. We are on a space station held together by ducktape and a dream and I am trying not to freak out.” I say, and then I sip the hot chocolate to gather my thoughts.

“Yeah, I can see how that would affect the original 200,” Vita said putting his big hand over mine and rubbing his thumb across my knuckles. I sigh and take in the moment and try to enjoy it. After a few moments, there is a pleasant voice that informs Vita and me that our time in the simulation is about done.

An hour later back at Vita’s apartment

I was sitting on Vita’s couch listening to the music playing in the background. Vita had Lo-fi playing on wifi speakers throughout his house. I looked at my phone to see if Edden had texted me about anything that might need my attention, she hadn’t but it soothed me to see for myself.

“Always thinking about work,” Vita says walking up to me with a sour beer. I take it from his hand with a chuckle, take a swig of it, and sigh at the taste. These home-brewed beers were better than most of the ones back on Earth.  

“Yeah, sorry, I'm just worried. We are about to jump after the Etemenanki and God knows what we will find them doing on our new homeworld.” I say with a wave of my beer, “I saw that monster ship and how much the people on it hated DOLOS. What if we get there and they won't let us onto the planet? I have 1718 people awake and 393 sleepers waiting to be woken up and they need a home. I can’t sit on what-ifs and sit comfortably with you while they may suffer.” 

Vita sits beside me with a tired sigh of his own. He puts an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a gentle kiss. I sigh and lean into it. He was getting very good at kissing and was using it to his advantage whenever he could. 

When I lean back he looks at me with warm eyes and says, “Look, I am not saying you are wrong. You are absolutely correct in worrying about these possible outcomes. I am just saying I think you need to take breaks. This job of yours is stressful. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for you and the Admisitrator, holding all of our lives in your hands with each choice you make.” Vita picks up his beer takes a swig from it and sets it down before saying quietly, “I feel like with all your hard work you deserve some relief.”

Vita takes me in his arms and lifts me to straddle his lap with one quick show of strength that made me weak in my knees. He begins kissing my neck and I sigh at the sensation that travels from my pulse point down to my aching erection. His big hands wrap around my hips to roll our groins together causing felicitous friction between us. I was caught up in the scent that made up Vita, soil, produce, and spices. It reminded me so much of Earth that my brain was flooded with memories. Like walking around the park after it rained, going to the spice market in town for fresh spices, the smell of freshly cut fruit on a Sunday morning, nowhere to be but in the moment enjoying fruit. When his hands begin to unbutton my buttonup shirt I feel panic flood my system and I push myself out of his reach I shake my head and catch my breath. 

“Jason…I am sorry. I didn’t mean to push.” Vita says holding up both of his meaty hands, “It just felt right in the moment.”

I hold up a hand to stop him before saying, “I know, I know, it's just…we can’t. We both have secrets and I don’t want either of us to get hurt because of those secrets, especially you Vita. Taking someone's virginity isn’t something done lightly and should be done with respect to the person. The likelihood of you falling in love with me because of it…is so high and I think you need to know all the dirty details about me before you make that choice.” 

“Then… let us take down some of the smoke and mirrors between us,” Vita says standing and taking my hands in his. He kisses them and looks at me with a sad smile, “I’ll go first. You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. But I want to show you that I trust you.” Vita leads us back to the couch and he chugs the rest of his beer and sets the empty bottle down and sighs.

“You don’t have to do this,” I say as I look at him feeling nervous. What did this gentle giant have to hide that was so serious? God, would I be able to look at him the same way after this? 

“I want to. I’ve been needing to get this off of my chest for quite some time now.” Vita says closing his eyes, “If you…if you don’t want to be with me after this I will understand. There will be no hard feelings, I promise. But I want to be intimate with you and I want to do this.” Vita said as he opened his eyes looking at me with such fear that I couldn’t help the breath that caught in my throat. This was serious. 

“Back on Earth, when they were evacuating people to Mars to live in the compounds there to wait for the UN superstructure to become complete. The Etemenanki to be completed. The rooms on the ships were limited and it was first come first serve. With such rules in place, there was fighting. Violence ruptured out in the shipyards, dust storms were raging and the temperatures were so hot. People were desperate. Two billion people had to be broken down into millions for a place on the ark for humanity. It was utter chaos. A free-for-all all.” Vita said with a shiver. 

There was a long pause and another sigh from him before he continued, “I made it to the shipyards when the last ships were leaving. My parents died on the trip and it was just me left. Bodies were strewn everywhere and blood ran in rivulets in the cracked soil. I saw only one ship left and I ran for it. I dodged and weaved through the remaining fighters. When I got up to the ship there were a couple of armed guards threatening people away from the doors onto the ship. They said there was no more room on the ship. That we were going to have to remain behind. I was enraged, I could see the room behind them in the storage compartment. In my rage, I walked up to one of the guards and I began to fight with him. We struggled over the gun he held and in our fight it discharged. I knocked the guard unconscious and when I turned to look back at those behind me I saw a man holding his gut. The little girl with him was crying. I caught him before he fell to the ground. He coughed blood and it was all over my hands and shirt, he gripped my shirt and asked me to take his daughter and save her from this dying world. He made me promise, then he died in my arms. The other guard was dispatched by the other people there. Then we boarded the ship as it began to take off.”

“Vita…” I began as I gripped his shoulder and he shook himself out of my grip and stood with tears running down his face as he cried out with guilt dripping from his voice. 

“He is dead because of me Jason! He died because I fought the guard! I am a murderer! His blood still soaks my hands and shirt in my nightmares and my waking hours even though I scrubbed it all clean all those years ago!” Vita hides his face with an arm and sobs. I am stuck in shock for several moments before standing and walking over to Vita using both hands to pull his arm down and wrapping my arms around him.  We sit like that for a time with him pouring out this burden that he has been carrying since Earth fell. When his deep gasps of pain subside I take a step back and take his face in my hands and make him look at me. The anguish I see there is enough to make tears of my own fall down.

“Vita, you can’t take the blame for an accident. That just isn’t fair. If those guards had any humanity left in them they would’ve let you guys get on that ship and not have forced you to fight for your lives.” I say biting my lip, then I continue, “If you didn’t fight that guard then you and dozens of other people would’ve died including that man.” After I said what I needed to I pulled him into an embrace that I hoped to help put this broken man back together.

We stood like that for a long time, after I let my brain process what he told me I asked the first question that came to mind, “What happened to the little girl? Vita tensed in my arms and leaned back.

“I watched after her on Mars for the months that followed, her name was Asha Wells. We shared the cramped quarters that were given to me. I taught her how to grow food and how to tend to crops. She was a quick learner and had a sharp mind. She had night terrors though and I did my best to help her through them. But we were both broken and it was hit or miss. We stayed together until it was time for us to be put in cryo to be sent to the Etemenanki. Then I woke up here on the Tiqqun.” Vita finished.

“Is she among us?” I asked as I began to rub his back trying to soothe him. He took a few deep breaths and then shook his head. 

“No, I already looked. Edden also looked at the Protagoras’ systems and didn’t see her there either.” Vita told me as he leaned back and looked at me with puffy eyes. I reached down and grabbed a rag that was lying on the coffee table and wiped his face. When I finished Vita stood looking down at his feet. He spoke, “I am responsible for her. I promised that man and I intend to keep it.” 

“How old is she?” I asked trying to not think of the implications of Vita having adopted a child. If we got serious, which is what it seemed like this was becoming, it would mean I would be a surrogate step-parent. Me? A parent? I couldn’t even begin to unpack that. I mean, I did hope to have a family one day. Just not for a while longer. I didn’t feel ready. But here Vita is, nearly the same age as me, 32, willing to take on a child. We really are from different worlds.

“She was 12 when we went into cryo,” Vita answered.

“The only other place she could be is the Etemenanki.” I reasoned. 

“How do you know?” Vita asked cupping my face with one of his hands.

I lean into the touch and sigh, “Because we took every cryo pod we found across both systems, Sol and Immortan, and scanned them and put them into our databases. Trust me, we chose to not leave any cryo pods behind. It was one of the first decreed rules made by the Administrator. The Human species is almost extinct and we can’t be picky. We need as many people as we can get. If she isn’t with us then she is with the UN on their superstructure.”

“How am I supposed to find her on a ship that size? How am I even going to get them to let me find her?” Vita asked as he led us to the couch and sat us down. 

“I am sure they have systems in place to track their population. Besides, most of their technology was and is more advanced than our is on the Tiqqun.” I said answering his first question, then I answered the other one, “I am not sure if they will even let us get close, but they may accept everyone on the ship except the original 200. We would just have to convince them that you guys aren’t Dolos. They would take you guys…”

“And destroy you and the rest of the 200…” Vita finished. I nodded and silence filled the apartment. Vita shook his head and said, “No. That isn’t an option. You saved us, and I wouldn’t let you die at their hand for your efforts.” Vita takes my hands in his and rubs his thumbs across my knuckles before speaking to me gently, “I would rather die with you than be with a bunch of murderers and greedy bastards.” 

“Vita we destroyed everything. Luna and the Earth and billions of people died because of us. They have every right to be angry.” I told him as gently as I could.

“You didn’t do it on purpose! How can you tell me that accidents can be forgiven, my accidents can be forgiven, but yours couldn’t!?” Vita asked me incredulously.

“Because your accident is one life in comparison to a planet and billions of people.” I said with my guilt choking me, “Everything we are doing now, is to try to fix our mistake. To bring humanity back from the end, from death itself. All this…is for humanity to live and is the least we could do.”

Vita looked at me and shrugged, “I still think you have a place with the rest of us in this new beginning.” 

I was about to argue but then my phone pinged. I took it out and looked at it.

Edden PA: Jason, the Protagoras elders wish to speak with you as soon as possible. They are ready to jump after the Etemenanki.  

J@son: Okay Edden I’ll be back here shortly. 

I put my phone back into my pocket and looked at Vita, “It's time for me to go back. Soon we are going to jump after the Etemenanki.”

“How soon?” Vita asks standing with me. 

“Probably tomorrow. If I were to guess.” I told him as he walked me to his front door. I turned and looked at him with a smile, “Hopefully we will be home and we will find Asha.”

“Yes, hopefully,” Vita says with a weak smile of his own. He leans down and kisses me gently on the lips before letting me go and saying, “Remember, you don’t have to stay with me. Or owe me any of your secrets. I am happy to be with you in any capacity. Friends or otherwise.”

I nod and kiss him one last time before exiting his apartment and heading back to my lonely tower.

Cycle 751

Edden came over the public broadcast. “Under Fraus-Standford procedures all ships must return to the Tiqqun before commencing a VOHLE jump. Everyone, please remain calm as power is diverted to the Ixion VOHLE engine. Goodbye Immortan System, here we come Etemenanki.”

“Protagoras? See you on the other side?” I asked into our communication line. There was a momentary pause before they responded.

“Yes, Tiqqun see you on the other side.” said one of the Elders. 

The video screen was filled with views of the Protagoras. It was motionless and seemed to stand still for a few moments before it lit up like a becon and disappeared. You see, we agreed to let them jump first since we might rip a hole in space-time again causing them to be torn apart. They agreed to hide until they saw what happened between us and the Etemenanki. Hopefully, they didn’t have to recover our bodies or our wreckage.

“Jason, we are ready to jump,” Edden said.

“Then let us get this show on the road,” I said with a nod sitting in the chair next to the desk.

 Views of the outer hull began to be shown to me. The Ixion VHOLE engine was spinning up and streaks of light were coming off of it just like in the original jump. I felt my heart rate increase even more at the sight. Suddenly, the skies and stars around the Tiqqun seemed to fold and disappear. Everything including my very body seemed to glow for a moment and vibrate. Then we were there, in self-similar space, again for the third time, hovering next to a ball of light that was connected by lines of purple shimmering strings of energy. There were similar balls of light surrounding the Tiqqun, but one was directly in front of us.

 “Home here we come,” I say as I press the booster button. The Tiqqun was suddenly moving toward the ball of light leaving behind a tail of light like a comet. We hit the ball of light in front of us and vibrate and light up like before. It was still very unsettling, this part of the jump, I could swear that my very atoms were vibrating and lighting up with the rest of the station.

Falling out of self-similar space was jarring this time. We immediately got hit by something huge that threw me to the floor from the chair stopping the station dead in its tracks. I landed with a grunt and the air knocked from my lungs. Alarms began to blare and I had to shake my head to clear it before asking from the floor,

“Edden, what happened? Report the source of what we just hit and the alarm!”

“VOHLE jump complete. Running preliminary diagnostics. Heavy impact detected. Sector 6 hull has been severely damaged and breached. EVA personnel should be dispatched immediately. Irreversible damage to the Tiqqun structure has been detected due to the VOHLE jump, as predicted. We have not reached the habitable planet Remus. Primary sensors have picked up vast amounts of debris in this system. Act with caution, Jason.” Edden says in a rush as I stand on my feet picking up the chair. 

I realized we just survived a potential loss of life…if whatever hit us had hit Sectors 1-4 people would’ve died from depressurization. I stumble over to the desk and send out the immediate call for EVA repair to commence. Then the statement of us not being at Remus hit me like a wall of bricks. If we weren't there then where were we? The power suddenly shuts off in the office and the backup power kicks on.

“Jason, we have lost a huge portion of the solar panel on the outer hull due to the impact,” Edden says before I even begin to ask. I try not to panic as the systems in place begin to kick on for an emergency such as this. Emergency power will only last so long.

“Prioritize the solar panel damage repair before we work on the structure of the Tiqqun. No one is in Sector 6 so we don’t need to repair it immediately.” I say as I begin to look at the readings flowing across my screen. I switch the camera over to Sector 6 and nearly throw up at the sight of a hole to open space. Shit that is massive damage, nearly the whole sector’s floor is gone. Looking through the open hole I see pieces sizing from massive to tiny floating around. I turn around and turn on the view screen to look at all the other active sectors. They were running on batteries for power, thankfully that would last a cycle or two. Then I switch the view screen to different sections of the outer hull. I am stunned into silence. Pieces of a huge ship were spread across all view screens. “Edden what am I looking at?” After a long pause, she answers.

“The Etemenanki. It has been destroyed.”

Chapter Text

Vita POV

The lights of Sector 3 flickered back on and the whole station wrenched to a stop sending me and the others tumbling into the dirt of the crop farms. Shouts of panic filled the sector around me as I began to pick myself up off of the ground dusting the dirt off. Alarms blare and then everything goes dark. 

“Everyone calm down! Wait for the announcement and stay calm!” I shouted to the people that I couldn’t see. My heart was beating fast in my chest. Then the backup power kicked on and I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked around and everyone seemed to feel the relief I felt at seeing power on in the Tiqqun. The automatic systems kicked on for the crop farms so I walked over to the public speaker system for the farms and spoke into it.

“Attention all crop farm workers! The automatic system has kicked on. Return to your stations and wait for the Administrator’s announcement! We have enough backup power to keep us for a few cycles. Remain calm. Vita out!”

I walk over to the automatic farm terminal station shed and walk inside. The overseers were picking up notepads and cleaning spilled drinks from whatever we hit. They all look up at me and I raise a hand in greeting. 

“Is everyone alright?”

“Yes, we are fine. Just shaken up a bit.” Said the assistant tech, Johnathan Sanders.

“Any idea what he hit?” I asked the group and they all shook their heads

“All we know is EVA has been dispatched to repair the solar panels.” Said the other tech Elea Baumann.

It was then the public announcement speakers crackled to life and my boyfriend's voice called across the darkness.

“Attention Tiqqun and DOLOS personnel! This is an announcement from the Administrator's office! We have arrived at the Theta Crucis system! From scans of the system, we’ve discovered debris scattered across the system. That is what we impacted when we arrived. All personnel please be advised that Sector 6 is to remain closed until repairs are complete. We will be running off of backup power until the solar panel damage has been repaired, we ask that you keep your power consumption to a minimum for the time being. We are safe so please remain calm and keep working to the best of your abilities.” 

There was a long pause in the announcement as if Jason was debating something. It was then that I knew something was wrong. Jason was straightforward when it came to news or information being shared with the public. After a deep breath, he spoke with a shaken voice, 

“Let it be known that the superstructure known as the Etemenanki has been destroyed. As of now, we do not know what the cause of its destruction is. Once our station is stabilized we will be sending out science crews to investigate. The plan will be to find survivors and whatever we can secure from the ruins of the UN superstructure. Remus is still beyond our reach but we will be finding its coordinates as soon as possible. Nothing has been heard from Protagoras yet. We will keep you updated as the information becomes available to us. If you have any questions go to your DLS centers or message Edden. Stay strong, stay clear, and be the light in the dark.” After that the public announcement speakers shut off and everyone in the room was quiet. 

No one knew that I was hoping someone was alive on the Etemenanki, except Jason. Now, I couldn’t help the hopelessness that flowed into my insides. Was Asha gone? I made a promise to her dad that I would take care of his daughter. Now she could be floating in the debris. I bit my lip to stop the tears from flowing. I shook my head to clear it.

“The automatic systems will be able to take care of things until we get power back on Vita.” Said the head tech, Marcos Thuman.

I looked at him and nodded, “Well I am sending the workers back to their homes. They can’t work in the dark like the automated systems can. Let's just send them home for the day.”

“Yes sir.” They said in unison. I walked out of the shed back to the public speakers for the farms and got on it.

“Attention all crop farm workers, you are done for the day. Go home and stay safe.” I put the radio back into its cradle and began to walk back toward my apartment. My head was swimming with doubt and sadness. I need a drink. Then I heard it. The sound of dull thumps fills the air. I see EVA workers walking toward the Mess hall and I call out to them. 

“What's hitting the hull?!” 

One of the EVA workers walks over to me leans in and whispers,

“Corpses. Hundreds of thousands of corpses.” 

Cycle 754 

Jason POV

Sitting in the office looking at the energy readouts for half the day was exhausting. Power had been restored, but it was a close thing. I decided to allocate resources to building longer solar panels so we would have extra energy if there were more damaging impacts in this system or the next. Sighing, I turn away from my desk and rub my eyes. God, I am tired. The night cycle was still hours away, though.

My phone vibrates with an incoming call. I look at the ID and see that it was an unknown number. I answer the phone feeling confused.

“Hello?”

“Is this Jason Holding?” asked a female voice. 

“It is. Who is this?” I asked, feeling a little bit confused.

“Elea. I work with Vita on the crop farms in Sector 3,” stated Elea

“Hello, Elea!? What can I help you with?” I asked, trying to sound pleasant and not crappy, which is the way I felt at the moment.

“It's Vita. He is in a bad way.” Elea says sighing, “I got your number from his phone. I think you are the only one who can help him.”

I feel panic fill my gut as I look around for someone in the office to take over for me. Of course there was no one. I ask, “What's wrong with Vita?”

“I think you should come see for yourself. He is in deep despair and we can’t get him to come to work. It will start affecting the crop output soon. He has a way with plants that most of us are still learning to comprehend. Please, Jason, we need him.” Elea says, sounding desperate.

I nod and say, “I’ll be down there shortly.” 

“Thank you, Jason,” Elea says 

“Don’t mention it,” I say deadpan

“I won't-” She begins

“No seriously, don’t mention it. Delete this number from your phone. If anyone figured out how to reach the office of the Administrator directly and figured out you knew, you may be put at risk. Our decisions aren’t always met with a warm welcome. I’ll help Vita but please…the less people know of ways to get to me and the Administrator the better.” I say seriously.

“Understood. For the sake of everything, I hope we don’t speak again.” Elea says before pausing, “Jason, you know this would mean you put Vita at risk for knowing your number, right?”

I sigh and nod pinching the bridge of my nose to stop from cussing. Of course, I knew. I felt like shit for it. But I was selfish and wanted something for myself in all this mess. Didn’t I deserve it? I was saving what's left of Humanity from extinction. Keeping us put together long enough to find a new home for humanity.“Yes. I know. I am selfish in that regard. I need something for myself in all this mess.” I say in response.

“I understand. He is a good man and deserves good things and you seem the good sort. Don’t worry…we will protect him if he needs it. Even from you.” Elea says seriously.

I feel relief flow through me before saying, “Good. I need to know someone has his back, even if I couldn’t.” I say finally, “Goodbye Elena, may the sun shine on your path always.”

“Thank you, Jason. Goodbye.” Elea says before the line goes dead.

I put the phone on the desk before calling out, “Edden?!”

“Yes Jason?” Edden asks in her usual chipper robotic tone.

“Make sure Elea deletes my number from her phone.” I say standing.

“Already checked. She deleted it as soon as she hung up from your call. I scrambled the data so that it is corrupted for any viewer who tries to look at it.” Edden says and I sigh with relief.

“You are going to check on Vita.” Edden states as I walk toward the elevator. 

“Yes. He is vital for the crop farms.” I say spitting out the most logical reason why I am doing what I am doing. 

“Also because you love him,” Edden says softly. 

I feel my throat close up and I nearly choke on the air going through it, “Yes…” I wheeze as the door to my office closes behind me and the one that leads to the elevator opens. I get in the elevator and glare at the camera, “How do you know anything about love Edden?” 

“I’ve been reading up on it.” Edden says casually and I nearly choke again,

“You are into romance novels!? Since when?!” 

“None of your business,” Edden says flatly and I throw up my hands and sigh,

“Of course it isn’t.” I press the button to the bottom floor and say, “This is real life. This isn’t a romance novel!”

“You, the Administrator, which you are keeping secret despite your love for Vita, is having to go save him from something by going where it isn’t safe-” 

“Edden it is safe in Sector 3!” I shout as the elevator begins its descent.

“If they found out you were the Administrator…” Edden began. 

“They won't!” I argue.

“Despite the danger and responsibility-” Edden started and I covered my face in embarrassment. 

“Oh my god! Kill me!” 

“-are going to save your boyfriend. All the while hovering in the ruins of the UN ark for humanity. On a station that is held together by…what was it you said? Oh yes, by duct tape and a dream.” Edden says with a chuckle before saying, “Sounds as good as any romance novel I’ve read so far.”

“If you told me two years ago I was going to be the Administrator and be stuck with a hopeless romantic self-aware PA, I would’ve laughed you off this station,” I said, shaking my head in awe of the moment I was currently having.

“Hey! You have your past times and I have mine. I have to do something while all the humans sleep.” Edden says, sounding amused.

I shake my head as the door to the elevator opens. I point to my phone with a nod of my head to tell Edden to text me if she wants to talk to me. I slip on the hoodie that I took with me and flip up the hood to keep myself covered and concealed. I walk down the hall that leads to Sector 3 and slip into the crowd of people walking by. The walk to Vita’s apartment building was quick and uneventful. I take off my hood when I arrive at his apartment door. I try to open it and it beeps to indicate that it is locked. 

I sigh and knock, putting my ear to the door to hear if there was any movement inside. After several seconds of silence I knock again and this time I hear the sound of shattering glass and a crash. Panic fills me as I speak out loud, “Edden hack the door! Quick! Hurry!”

My phone buzzes and I take it out of my pocket and she speaks out of the phone, “Jason this goes against DOLOS personnel privacy policy.”

“Screw the policy! He could be hurt! I heard a crash! PLEASE Edden?!” I say looking both ways down the hallway to make sure no one was listening in.

“Put your phone by the keypad.” Edden instructs gently. I do it without question and watch as my phone screen becomes black with code that begins to fill it up too quick for me to read. 

“Jason. Please calm down. Your heart rate is through the roof.” Edden says quietly.

“This is taking forever!” I say trying to breathe through my panic.

“It has only been four seconds Jason,” Edden says deadpan, and I nearly shake the phone in frustration. It was then the door to Vita’s apartment opened and I was met with a barely lit entryway.

“Thank you, Edden!” I say as I walk into the apartment closing the door behind me. I turn on the nearest light and am only met with the site of a destroyed apartment. The smell of stale alcohol and Vita’s body odor hits my nose. Bottles of insect bitters are scattered everywhere. Furniture is overturned or knocked over. It was then I saw Vita on the floor beside his kitchen table with blood dripping from his head. 

“Vita!” I gasp as I dash over to his prone form. I immediately press my fingers to his neck and feel for a pulse. I breathe a sigh of relief as I feel a steady pulse. Thank god he is alive. I press my fingers to his lips and feel his warm breath tingle against them. I then shake him calling his name, “Vita! C’mon you big lug! Wake up!” 

He doesn't respond to me. Not even a groan. To calm my nerves I check for the source of blood, luckily it was from a few shallow cuts on his head from a shattered bottle of insect bitters. Thankfully, this meant he was safe from immediate harm. But what to do now? I had to do something…

“Jason. Put your ring on his finger.” Edden says from my phone that I dropped beside me in my haste to get into the floor with Vita.

“Why?” I ask as I begin to pull my ring off my finger and put it onto one of his. It didn’t fit at first until I put it on his pinky. His hands were so much bigger than mine. 

“So I can take a medical evaluation of Vita,” Edden says simply like it was easy peasy.

“Wait, you monitor my vitals from my ring? How?” I was shocked.

“I replaced it with a duplicate to be able to track and monitor your health more closely than I can from the cameras. It will even take blood samples and scan it in real time in sync with your phone.” Edden states as I try not to feel like my privacy wasn’t breached. 

“We will talk about this after we make sure Vita is okay,” I growl at my phone.

 “Vita is stable. He is very inebriated according to the alcohol level in his bloodstream.” Edden states to distract me.

“What’s his level?” I ask as I turn Vita over on his back making sure to sweep the glass away from his head with the back of my hand gently.

“.25 percent. If he drank any more alcohol he would more than likely be in a coma. But he passed out before he could do so from what I can gather.” Edden says from my phone.

“Jesus! What were you thinking Vita?” I ask his unconscious form. He didn’t answer of course but it made me feel a little bit better. I sigh as I stand and ask, “So how do we fix him?”

“Let him sleep it off. There is no medical way to speed up his body's ability to metabolize ethanol.” Edden states before continuing, “You can feed him a little bit of water to help curb the hangover he is going to be feeling and clean the cuts on his head.” 

I look at Vita and then around his apartment in mild panic. “Edden help…”

“Try and get him into his bed.” Edden instructs, “And watch the broken glass.”

I get up and look toward the bedroom and sigh looking down at my muscular boyfriend, “As sexy as those muscles are they are gonna be a pain in my ass now.” 

I hook my arms under Vita’s armpits which stink to high heaven and drag him around the broken glass toward the bedroom doorway. It takes several attempts and pit stops but Edden, Vita, and I make it to his bed. I am panting and sweating through my hoodie as I say “Oh god! I am gonna die!”

“Remind me to get you to exercise more.” Edden quips from the phone in my pocket.

“Oh fuck you, Edden!” I pant flicking off my phone as if she would see. 

“Now, now, Jason, it is for the betterment of your health.” Edden coos

 “I am going to deactivate you the first chance I get,” I growl.

Edden gasps, “Then who would recycle the air in your office?!”

“Life support systems!” I quip.

“Not if I deactivate them first.” Edden growls.

“Edden!” I gasp.

Edden giggles from my phone and I laugh too. Then I start the process of putting my boyfriend in his bed. I get his heavy torso on the bed grunting and gasping. Edden was right, I needed to start working out. I would never admit it to her of course. I toss his legs and feet and stand catching my breath. I put the covers over Vita’s prone form and kiss his forehead. My face scrunches at the smell and I relent.

Walking into his bathroom, I find his deodorant and bring it into the room. I apply some liberally under his arms until he smells like sandalwood and citrus. Then I walk into the kitchen and pour some water. I take a moment to appreciate the water filtration systems in Sector 3. They were the best since we implemented plants to help filter the water. 

Sighing I walk back into the bedroom, stepping over bottles and other trash to get to Vitas prone form. I sit on the bed and begin the process of feeding my unconscious boyfriend some water. It was slow and tedious because I didn’t want to choke him. After about two full glasses of water, I look around. 

The place is still trashed, and I sigh. I couldn’t leave Vita or his place in such a state.I take out my phone and speak to Edden,

“I will need to stay here and clean up and get ready for when Vita wakes up. But I also can’t flake on my duties. I need solutions, Edden.” 

“Answer the door,” Edden says as I hear a knock. I raise an eyebrow and walk to the front door to answer it. When I do there is a technician standing with a box looking around, confused. 

“Uh-hi! Edden told me to deliver this laptop computer to this apartment.” The technician say holding out the box.

I take it and say, “Thank you. Do I need to sign anything?”

He shakes his head, “No, it's all within the station. All I need to know is the purpose of its use so I can inform my superior for inventory.”

I panic and say nothing long enough for the man to recognize who I am, “Oh. You’re Jason Holding. Aren’t you supposed to be in the office of the Administrator?”

Shit. What do I tell him?

“Yes, it's me.” I stammer out. C’mon Holding, get yourself together. Two years of being alone and suddenly you lose all of your people skills. You used to butter up clients like it was a cakewalk. Tap into that. “Vita and I are working on a project for the farms. Since he is the Staff Director of Sector 3 food production he and I will be corresponding closely on this for a few days.”

“You are also dating.” Says the technician with a smile. I sigh and smile in return with a nod. He holds up a hand with a laugh, “Look, that wasn’t judgment, I get it. We all need time with the people we care about. From what I’ve noticed you and the Administrator don’t get that. So I’ll tell my boss it's for the office of the Administrator and there will be no questions asked.” 

I nod, “Thank you, Mr?”

“Scott Jacobs. I came over from the Protagoras. You guys saved us. If you need anything let me know. I owe you my life.” Scott says with a smile.

“Scott, I will keep that in mind. If you need anything, reach out to Edden and/or the DLS centers and hopefully, it will get to me personally.” I say holding out a hand which he takes and we shake firmly. He waves and walks down the hallway.

I take the box inside, shut the door, and set the box down on the table. I begin to open it and peer inside when I do. Sitting in all the styrofoam is a laptop. I pick up my phone and ask,

“Edden? What is this?”

“This computer will be connected to the Administrator’s Office. That way, you can work from here temporarily, " Edden said. 

“Oh…” I said, unable to put it all together in my mind. I looked around the apartment and sighed. It was such a mess, and I had to clean it if I was going to focus on work. So I got started.  

Cycle 755

Vita POV

The clicking of a keyboard reaches my ears and punches my sore skull like a jackhammer. I groan and turn over trying to block out the sound as best I could. The clicking on the keyboard continues and I grunt in an effort to not throw up. Opening my eyes I find that I am in my apartment, which has been cleaned and smelled like citrus. The lights were set on low and I could’ve kissed whatever god did that for me. I look out my bedroom door and see Jason sitting at the kitchen table typing away and clicking on stuff I couldn’t see. What was Jason doing here?

This is when it all came rushing back to me, the sorrow, the pain, and how many drinks I had drank until I could no longer think about Asha dying in the attack on the UN superstructure. How I didn’t take care of her like I was supposed to even though I promised her dad back on Earth. After a while, it all went dark and I sighed, I realized I must’ve blacked out from drinking.

“Hello, Vita.” Jason said standing in my doorway looking worried and pissed but most of all worried. I didn’t even hear him walk over to my door from the kitchen table. He points to the bedside table and says, “There is some water and painkillers for the hangover I am sure you are feeling.”

I look and he is right, there is a glass of water and four pills sitting neatly on the bedside table. I look back and Jason and grunt, “Thank you” before I reach and grab for the water and pills. I tossed the pills back and swallowed them with water. The need for more water hit me and I began to gulp it down. The coolness of it spread over my dry, cracked throat. I finished the glass with a gasp and Jason walked over and took it from me silently. He walked out of the room into the kitchen where I heard him fill it back up. He returns and gives me the glass that I finish quickly. 

I sigh contentedly and place the glass down on the bedside table. When I turn back to Jason he is staring at me with relief. The quiet between us is thick and I didn’t want to be the one to break it. Thankfully and not so thankfully Jason broke it.

“Vita, do you care to tell me what the hell you were thinking about, drinking that much?” He puts his hands on his hips and looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I opened and closed my mouth several times not knowing what to say.

“I found you on the floor with blood dripping out of your head.” Jason growled.

I winced. I just wanted to forget and get Asha’s face out of my head. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I look at Jason with sorrow filling my chest, “I am sorry. I didn’t mean…”

“To nearly drink yourself into a coma?” Jason spat and I flinched. He was angry with me. I look up at him with tears rolling down my face. I just wanted…a reprieve from the guilt that was eating me alive. I guess I took it too far.

Jason’s eyes softened and he spoke more gently, “Why Vita? What would drive you to do this? A phone call from one of your co-workers and they told me something wasn’t right with you, and that I needed to come check on you. Then I find you on the floor with blood dripping out of you…god, it scared me so badly.” Jason hugged himself and sat down beside me on my bed, “I’ve had Edden monitoring your vitals and making sure you were still alive. It took you a whole day just to regain consciousness.

I didn’t know what to say at first but decided to be open about everything even though I felt ashamed of what I had done in a moment of weakness. I finally said, “Asha. I couldn’t bear the news of the UN superstructure being destroyed. She is gone and I failed that man and my promise. It was eating me up and I needed to just shut it all off, so I wouldn’t lose my mind.”

Jason looked at me and placed a hand on mine and said, “I see.”

I nodded and continued, “I tried everything, and only alcohol did the trick. So I kept putting the drinks back. It took a lot of drinks but finally, I didn’t feel anything but bliss. But it kept wearing off and I drank more. I don’t remember how many insect bitters I had but I finally just blacked out and it was a sweet release. I am sorry.”

Jason sighed, looked down at our joined hands, and said, “This situation has upset many, including you.” He released my hand and stood walking over to my kitchen table and looking at the laptop that was sitting on it. He typed a few things and then walked back to me saying, “Science crews are heading to different points of interest. We are gonna figure out what happened here. We will pick up every cryopod we find and we will find Asha is among them.”

“You can't guarantee that.” I stated sadly.

“No, but we can't sit and drink ourselves into comas with grief. We continue to push ourselves to keep the flame of humanity alive. Even if Asha is lost you have things and people to live for, Vita.” Jason stated sternly

“I get it Jason but it isn't easy.” I said looking down at my lap with tears rolling down my face. There is a tense silence before Jason's hands gently but firmly turn my face to look at him. He smiles sadly and kisses the tears gently away before speaking softly,

“Vita…my parents were all that I had back on Earth. They were all I had and I killed them by destroying the moon. They weren't among those we've found so far. Even though we haven't thawed everyone we still checked cryo labels. My parents aren't among them. I've had no time to grieve for them. But I know I will have to live with the fact that my help and choices led to their deaths because of the first jump.”

I shook my head and said, “You didn't press the button to jump the station from Luna.”

“No, but I helped facilitate the events that led up to pressing the button for the original jump,” Jason said, gripping my hands tightly.

“No, the Administrator pressed the button, not you. It isn't the same thing.” I pressed and Jason shook his head sadly.

“I don’t think anyone will differentiate that though Vita.” Jason said with a sad sigh, “I don’t…I helped sign the death certificate for the human race. All you can do is step forward and try to do better.” Jason said kissing my knuckles before continuing, “Asha may or may not be gone. But this station will starve if you don’t get back to working those crop farms. If we die then there will be no chance for us to find Asha.” 

His words land on me like a ton of bricks. He was right. Without my crop farms putting out the most food they could, the station would either have to replace me, gain me back, or starve. I take my head in my hands and sigh as I begin to gather myself, “You’re right. We…I…have to keep pushing until we find her or declare her dead.” 

“Once we reach Remus then we can mourn the loss of our loved ones. Until then, we have to keep pushing through this mess.” Jason says standing and walking back over to the laptop and clicking over several pages before sighing and walking back over to me saying, “I have a feeling that we will find her. If she is as resourceful as you said she is then she wouldn’t have given up in the face of whatever happened to the Etemenanki. But first we have to see what the Science teams pull up.” 

I nod then hear Edden speak, “Jason, now that Vita is awake please put the ring on the back on your finger. I need to make sure you're in good health.”

Jason pulls out his phone and glares at it before saying, “Edden, I am fine. I've missed sleep before on other assignments before this one. I'll go to sleep next night cycle. Quit fussing over me.”

“Hello, Edden,” I say gently toward the phone and she speaks pleasantly.

“Hello Vita, could you please convince your boyfriend to do as I say so I can check on him?”

I laugh and look down at my pinky finger and see the ring she was talking about. I took it off and held it out to Jason who glared at me and I winced.

“You don't have to do as she says.” Jason growls.

“When it comes to your health I do. Edden can watch after you like I can't. Besides, she said please.” I explained as I placed the ring gently in Jason's palm. 

“You two are the worst.” Jason says, shaking his head as he puts on the ring. He sighs and sits for a minute before Edden chimes in with the reading from the ring,

“Your stress levels are really high. You need sleep and to eat. Vita can you please at least get him to eat?”

I smile against my throbbing head and nod, “Sure I can do that. I have a fresh batch from the mess hall that should still be good.” I say getting up and kissing Jason's head to stop the argument that I saw brewing in his eyes.

 I walk into my clean kitchen and get to work. I take out an onion, several sticks of celery, some cherry tomatoes, a few sticks of carrots, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and insect flour for thickening agent. I chop up the veggies one by one, trying not to take my head off my shoulders, and throw it in the trash. God, I may never drink again.

I hear typing on the computer begin behind me and I smile, he was willing to let me cook in peace, I could focus on the task at hand without him poking me and telling me to rest. Once I chopped all the veggies I washed them in the sink. Afterward, I began to cook them in a pot with a little bit of vegetable oil. The smell of cooking veggies filled the apartment with a pleasant aroma that soothed my aching head.

Once that was finished I took the veggies out and poured in vegetable stock that I had made from scratch. It was then I minced the garlic and tossed it in with a little bit of salt into the warming stock. After waiting a minute or two I added on the insect flour stirring the mixture. Before the stock became a rolling boil I added the veggies back into the mix and stirred. A pair of arms reached around and held me. I leaned back slightly with a sigh and smiled,

“Hello handsome. Want to help me cook?”

“No, I burn water. The best thing I can make is coffee. Edden has pre-made meals sent to me and the Administrator so I don't burn down the station.” Jason said with a laugh. 

I grunted with a snort and said, “I'll have to teach you how to cook. It's quite simple really.” 

“I'd be willing to try it under your supervision,” Jason said as Edden spoke,

“Jason.” 

“Edden?” Jason responded pulling his phone out of his pocket and looking at it.

“Science Team Newton has found a way into the UN superstructure's command center,” Edden announced, seeming to wait for something. Jason shifted from foot to foot nervously before saying with a tight voice.

“The Administrator should be notified immediately to let her decide what Newton should do.”

“She is differing from your judgment since she is dealing with malfunctions in Sectors 2 and 4. Sector 6 is also still under repair.” Edden said smoothly.

“Right, tell Newton to continue into the command center with objectives to figure out what happened to the Etemenanki and look for survivors. Tell them to proceed with caution.We are searching an enemy ship, people may be hostile.” Jason said before putting his phone back into his pocket with a sigh.

“I better hurry and finish this soup before you have to head back up the tower.” I said feeling sadness eat at me. Jason would be gone and I would be alone, again. Jason's hand slipped onto my shoulder and he shook his head and I raised an eyebrow in question.

“Edden has made sure I can work here for a few more days. Take your time with the soup.” Jason said before turning and walking over to the laptop and begin working again, “You need me here for a little while and I can give you the time you need.”

“That would be fantastic!” I said feeling joy bubble in my chest. I put the cover for the pot on to let the soup simmer for another 30 minutes when there was a knock on the front door.

I look at Jason who looks at me with a raised eyebrow before saying, “Are you gonna answer that?”

“Yeah, right! Gonna answer the door. Watch the soup!” I say walking toward the door from the kitchen. I hear Jason whine as he looks between the laptop to the stove. I chuckled as I opened the door. A woman was standing with a big smile. I smile back,

“Hello? Can I help you?”

“Yes! I have an invite for you Vita! The Alternate Life Center is holding a surprise prototype VR simulation for Sector 3 residents. We would like you and a plus one to join us tomorrow after the work cycle and into the night cycle.” She said, holding out a shimmering envelope.

I take the envelope and nod looking back at Jason with a warm smile, “We'll be there.”

Chapter Text

Cycle 756

In a fantasy world

Jason POV

Standing in the dressing room with a woman circling me like a vulture wasn't how I figured my evening would go. She looked between me and the formal attire racks surrounding the room. With a nod, she walked over to a rack and flicked an outfit toward me, and suddenly, in the mirror, I was wearing it. It was a simple green fantasy suit with a long coat tail. It looked nice but simple and she nodded.

“This will do. I'll be on the way with you then. I have others to dress beside you.”

I was pushed out into the street that was filled with bustling people. The town was a fantasy one. The kind that you hear in stories or see in video games. It was evening and the town was humming about a ball that only a select few could attend. I was thankfully one of those people, the real ones. None of the simulated people were going to be there. I had the slip of paper to prove it.

Walking down the street I didn't see Vita anywhere, I was curious where he ended up. Usually, we appeared together but this time was different. The creators intended it to be that way I guessed. 

I came to a square and saw a fountain at its center. People stood around it and were flicking coins into it making wishes. Sparkles shot out and around those people. A little girl sees me watching and smiles before walking over to me giggling,

“Do you want to make a wish?”

“Yes. Do you want to make a wish?” I asked

“Yeah, but I have two coins and no one to wish with me. I don't want to do it alone…” said the little girl sadly

I knelt and held out a hand with a gentle smile, “I'll do it with you. Let's go.” 

The little girl looked up at me with a twinkle that seemed mischievous and took my hand. I didn't think much of it because she is little but I should've known better. Together we walked over to the fountain and she tucked a shiny coin into my hand.

“You go first.” She said with a wickedly sweet smile.

I nodded and looked at the coin in my hand and gently flicked it into the water. I thought of my wish and opened my eyes. There was a shimmer of light yet nothing happened. I looked at the girl and she giggled.

“You're supposed to say it outloud silly. The fountain can’t read your mind!” 

I rolled my eyes and laughed, “Fine, I wish I could have a Cinderella story moment at the ball tonight.”

“Now that is a wish!”

An explosion of light and shimmering sparkles surrounded the girl and her giggling became more mature. In front of me floating with a pair of wings was a fairy. I blinked and laughed.

“No way! Are you my fairy godmother?!”

“No, I am the station's PA, Jason.” Eddens' voice sounded distorted through the fairy's voice.

“Edden?! What the hell?!” I ask with a start.

“I got bored so I hacked the Alternate Life Centers VR computers,” Edden said with a giggle.

“Do they know that you are in their systems?” I ask.

“No, I haven’t changed much yet. Besides, you know I cover my tracks when doing this.” Edden says floating around my head before continuing, “They have this programmed into the program. I just hijacked the fairy program.”

“What does the fairy program do?” I ask looking at Edden.

“Grants wishes of players,” Edden states while looking at the simulated people with curiosity and glee. I figured this was her first time being in a simulation, by the way she was acting. So I let her have her moment before I spoke,

“Would the original program have been able to grant my wish?”

“Yes and no,” Edden said with a smile, “I can emote better in this guise than I can through text. I like it!” 

“I am glad you are having a good time,” I said with a gentle smile to my AI friend. 

“I can grant you your wish,” Edden says after a few moments. I smile spread my arms out shout, 

“Then let's do this! I’ve always wanted to go to a ball!”

“No need to shout Jason, I am right here in front of you,” Edden says with a giggle before continuing, “I will have to speed the timeline a little bit to get everyone ready for the ball. Can you believe they were going to host this ball in an empty palace? I swear human coders are so lazy sometimes…”

“C’mon Edden, you have to admit the base of the program is pretty well done. They probably spent their major efforts on the main part of the program.” I say as I begin to point out different things, “The town and its people are well done. They even have a beautiful castle off in the distance. Besides this was only supposed to be a beta test of this simulation. It is bound to be buggy.”

“They need an AI’s touch-up of the program.” Edden says with a nod, “Not a full reprogram but I can stabilize the code and add a little flair along with it.”

“They may not appreciate it. Plus, no one is supposed to know that you are self-aware.” I say trying to reason with her.

“Nom de plume Jason.” Edden states simply.

“You'll use a pen name?” I say after a pause, it took me a few moments to remember what that phrase meant in French.

“Yes, they will think a human did it.” Edden states simply. I shrug, it's her business to get into. She was her own living being and if she wanted to program then who was I to stop her? 

 “Well if you want to then go for it.” I say as I begin to walk back toward the road. The ball would be happening sooner rather than later according to Edden and we had work to do. Edden flies after me and speaks,

“The other players are on their way to the palace, which is now filled with grandeur and a more convincing simulation. Before I send you though, we need to fix what you are wearing. It's absolutely dull!” 

“Hey! It's not that bad!”

“Still. It needs work.” Edden says with a sigh, “Would you do a spin for me?” 

“You want me to twirl for you?” I ask incredulously. 

“Yes, thank you.” Edden says simply.

Surely she isn't going to make me do that in the middle of the street with people walking by. Wait, they are simulated. Then it shouldn't matter. Right? Right. I sigh closing my eyes and begin to spin with my arms spread out wide. After a couple of twirls I open my eyes to find nothing has changed about what I am wearing.

“Hey! What gives?! You were supposed to change what I was wearing!” I bark as I look at my simple garb. Edden giggles.

“I was getting your measurements silly, I'm coding your outfit now.” Edden explains as the most beautiful carriage comes down the street. Four black horses pull the carriage that shimmers like stained glass of gold and green. It stops in front of me and its coachman hops down and pulls open the door to the inside. I stare at it open mouthed until Edden shakes me from my stupor.

“Are you going to get in or are we going to stand in the street until the simulation ends. You have a ball to go to! Chop! Chop!” Edden says pushing me toward my carriage! I get in and Edden joins me.  She floats around the carriage inspecting it with a nod. “Good. It does look the part. Is it comfy enough?” 

I nod as the carriage lurches forward. I look around and feel it out and nod again when I am satisfied, “I've never ridden in a carriage before but this all looks nice. Did you just code this into existence?”

Edden shakes her fairy head and smiles, “No, I simply spruced up the base code that was already here.”

“You did a wonderful job, Edden, really.” I say with a warm smile that she returns. We sit in silence while we approach the palace. I hum a tune that comes to mind to pass the time. It must've been a few minutes before we arrived because there was a shout to stop the carriage when we reached the castle gates.

The coachman opens a small window and asks, “Invitation please sir?” I jerk with a nod and place it into his outstretched hand. He takes it and after a few moments the gates open into a drive through the gardens that lead to the inner courtyard of the palace. 

Fireworks begin to shoot off into the sky and I look at them with a smile and look longingly at the garden of flowers that blessed the castle so beautifully. Roses, hydrangeas, lilies and so many other flowers I had not seen since Earth, filled this garden. I was lost in them and tried to catch their scent but couldn't before Edden cleared her throat.

“Ready for your outfit for this evening's ball?”

I nodded and she waved her fairy wand and I was surrounded by a shimmering light. I felt a mask slip on my face and gloves slide on my hands but everything else felt the same. Edden looked me over and nodded, “Your outfit will be the best among those attending. But don't worry your fellow ball goers will be stunning too.” 

The carriage stops and after a few moments the door opens and the coachmans hand waits for mine. It was then my heart started to race with nerves. What would Vita think of me? Would he even recognize me? I took the coachmans hand and stepped out. My foot touched a stone path and I looked back at Edden, she smiled and said, “When you want to shorten the cape just snap your fingers. Now, go find your prince charming! Be sure to dance for me!” 

With that the carriage drives away and I am met with guards clearing their throats,

“This way sir.”

I climb the stairs to the open castle doors and step into the grand hallway. It's filled with sparkling chandeliers and plush fixtures of cloth and marble, there are beautiful paintings that catch my eyes only for a moment before I am led toward the end of the hallway to a grand pair of doors that the doormen patiently opens for me. Music fills my ears, so does laughter and the sound of dancing. It all stops when I reach the top of the stairs.

I stood at the top of the stairs looking down at the gathered people. Every eye was on me in the ballroom. I felt my breath catch in my throat and my heart stutter. These people weren’t a simulation, they were real people and they were all looking at me. Tonight for the ball I was the man ornate in green emblazoned with gold patterns of leaf and vine. A mantle of cloth with shimmering emeralds and dazzling gold flowed behind me. Laying against my face was a green-gold decor-era mask. I felt powerful under the attention. It had been a long time since I had been the star of the party. 

Down at the bottom of the stairs was a man I would recognize anywhere cloaked in finery that was ruby red and accentuated with onyx black, Vita. His musculature cut the outfit deliciously. He looked stunned with his black and red mask. I wondered for a moment if I looked the same or if I was confident in my adornment. I slowly began to descend the stairs. The room began to murmur,

“Who is he?”

“I want that outfit.”

“Will he dance with me if I asked?”

“Is he with that other hot guy?”

“Oh my gawd, that outfit is gorgeous!”

Vita held out hand for me and I took it with a smile. We didn't say anything for a few moments as we took each other's appearance in. Vita looked amazing with all that muscle that the outfit showed in explicit detail. Red and black that compliment each other with stark detail. 

“Vita, ask me to dance.” I said gently. 

Vita seemed to snap back to himself and said, “I don't know how to dance.”

“Edden programmed the dance into the floor. We just have to step out onto the floor and it will do it for us. Trust me. I want to feel your hands on my body.”

Vita looked over toward the dance floor and nodded before looking back at me with a warm smile, “Sir, may I have this dance?”

I nod immediately and say, “Yes, you may.”

Vita gently led me to the dance floor, people parted for us like a sea away from the shore. When we reached the edge of the dance floor Vita stopped and looked at me with raised eyebrows, “So how is this gonna work with your long cape?”

I looked back at the shimmering material and remembered Eddens helpful tip. I looked at Vita with a smile and lifted my other hand and snapped my finger, I felt my shoulders lighten and the shimmering material disappeared into a haze of sparkles. “Got that covered.” People around me murmured, 

“Did you see that?” 

“That was so cool.”

“It just disappeared.”

“I'll keep my cape, thank you.”

Vita watched my cape disappear with a soft gasp of amazement. He looked at me with a warm smile and asked, “Shall we dance?”

“We shall,” I said as he pulled me out on the dance floor. At first, nothing happened then I was wrapped up in Vita's arms. He began to lead me in a waltz. We danced in a square perfectly, not a step misplaced. I looked at Vita with a smile and his eyes crinkled behind the mask with his own smile. We were doing it, we were dancing. 

His strong arms led me into a twirl and I felt my heart begin to race as I spun in place. This was thrilling and I couldn't get enough of it. Then Vita pulled me to his chest and lifted me into the air effortlessly and I could barely contain my yelp of surprise. Vita spun us around before placing me back on the ground and continued the dance. With all this going on I couldn't help but get lost in Vita’s eyes which shone with warmth. I looked at his mouth with longing, I wanted to kiss him. Show him that dancing with him was everything.

I could see the same longing in his eyes but we couldn't due to the dancing. So Vita whispers, “I want to kiss you. It's like a dull ache that only a kiss can cure. I long to feel you Jason.”

I felt my face heat up. Vitas words make my heart flood with warmth. When had this man taken my heart and made it his own? When had he crept into my heart and made a home in it? I sighed with weak knees as he pulled me close to his chest and spun us around the dance floor once more. It was that moment that I knew for sure that I was in love with Vita. I had to tell him my secret, that I was the Administrator of Tiqqun station. But how? How would I tell him this secret that I had been keeping for years?

“Please Vita.” I beg softly. 

With a grunt Vita pulls us to a stop and we stand there panting for a few moments. Vita shakes his head with a tender smile, “You will never have to beg for my affection Jason. You need only ask.” Then his lips were on mine. The ballroom erupted into applause and cheers. We broke apart with a start. Looking around, people were watching us and I felt my heart stutter at the sight. My goodness Vita and I were in the middle of the ballroom floor, I completely forgot.

With a giggle I look at Vita who is already looking at me with relief. He looks away and waves at the people with a laugh of his own. His tan skin shone with a light sheen of sweat from the dancing and I felt a little heated myself.

“Want to get some fresh air?” I asked with a whisper leaning in.

He leans in and whispers back, “I think the palace garden would be a great place for it. Let's go.” Vita gently takes my hand and leads me off the ballroom floor toward a pair of glass doors that open as we approach.

Stepping out onto the terrace I am hit with cool air and the fresh scent of flowers. The terrace had two staircases leading into gravel paths. From there was a stunning garden filled with an array of blooming flowers. Vita led me casually down one of the staircases. 

“How are you liking this simulation so far?” Vita asked with a smile.

“It is well designed and coded. The fairy godmother program definitely livened things up a bit. The dancing, the palace, the carriage rides, and most of all the cute guys are all grand.” I said laughing with a wink.

“Cute guys huh?” Vita asked with a flash of teeth and a blush of deep red.

“Yeah, and they can kiss great too.” I say blushing as my heart hammers away in my chest thinking back to a few moments before when everyone cheered. It really made this feel like a fairytale from a book. A scent that made my insides hum with pleasure filled my nose. I look around and we are surrounded by flowers that look like blooming stars in an armament of colors.

“Vita what flowers are these? They smell lovely.” I ask as I lean in and smell them with a sigh.

“Lilies. Stargazer Lilies I think. Sorry, I am not good with flowers. They were a rarity back on Earth when I was living there. So, I can't say for sure.” Vita says, scratching his head with worry.

“It's okay Vita. I don't know much about flowers myself.” I say straightening up from smelling the flowers. We round the corner of some hedge bushes and a wondrous water fountain comes into view. It was made of stone swans and waves of water that sprouted water from different angles.

“Woah what is that?!” Vita asks, looking in awe of the fountain. He let go of my hand and looked into the pool at the base and up to its top with hungry eyes.

“It's a water fountain. The water in the base is shot out from the bottom to the top. These were used to decorate gardens, plazas, and certain roundabouts. Back when Earth had tons of water to spare.” I explain as I walk up to him with a gentle smile. Then I sat on the edge of the fountain and patted the spot beside me, “Here, why don’t we sit and enjoy it for a while?”

Vita nodded and sat next to me. His warmth seeped into every part where we touched and it was wonderfully relaxing. I missed this so much. Being able to be with someone that was fun and not straddled with responsibility. I looked at Vita and watched him enjoy the fountain. It was like watching a kid explore the world through new eyes.

“I love you.” 

It slipped out of my mouth from deep in my chest. Vita looked at me in shock for a few moments and I nearly panicked at the silence. Finally, his eyes became filled with a warmth that made me nearly explode with that same warmth.

“You love me?” Vita asked gently, taking my hand in his and kissing it before looking back at me. I feel my throat close up so I nod with a tentative smile.

Vita laughs and pulls me into a heated kiss. It sears me from my lips into my heart. His lips press against mine firmly before he pulls back and cups my face before gently saying, “I love you too.” 

I feel relief flood my insides as his words rush over me. He loved me. I loved him. But I still had my secret hidden away. I am the Administrator of Tiqqun. Would he still love me if he knew? It was then that Edden cut into the conversation appearing in fairy form.

“Jason, there is an emergency. You need to log out immediately.” Her voice said to me as I leaned back and looked at Vita who looked back at me with worry.

“What's the emergency?” I ask standing.

“It's the science team Newton. They've been captured.” Edden says seriously. Then everything goes black as I am forced from the simulation back into the real world.

Chapter Text

Cycle 756

Standing in my office after being at Vitas was taxing. I didn't fit into the space for a few moments, but then, after a deep breath, I slid back into the roll. Administrator once again. I open my eyes and speak to Edden,

“Play the distress signal.”

“Of course, Jason,” Edden says before the feedback on noise fills the office.

“Talk little Dolos, or I'll make your crew scream.” Said a male voice I didn't recognize.

There was heavy breathing and a whimper before the sound of a scream cut from the background. I looked at the screen, expecting a video feed, but it was static. Finally, Anna Romanov speaks with a tight voice.

“Tiqqun, this is Newton. We have been captured by what remains of the commanding crew of the Etemenanki. They demand that the Administrator of our station come to the command center and surrender the Tiqqun to their control. If you don't, the lives of the science team Newton will be forfeited. Administrator, please help us.” Then it cuts out. 

I slam my hands down on the desk, “Fuck! How did this happen?!” 

“They covered their life signs with technology that is way ahead of our cloaking technology. They ambushed Newton when they entered the bridge of the Etemenanki.” Edden explained calmly.

I nodded and understood what had to be done, I had to go and save Newton. But how? I was only a man, and I had no combat experience. I paced the office, trying not to tear out my hair. It was a close thing before I spoke again,

“Edden, run simulations and scenarios on how we can make this work and take the scans of what remains of the bridge of the Etemenanki and add it to your prediction models.”

“Jason, we should just let Newton go. Your life is too vital to be put into this risky and dangerous situation.” Edden says before going quiet.

“My life is no more important than team Newton's! Now do as I say.” I say with a swipe of my hand. 

“Of course, Jason,” Edden says as she begins processing outcomes. There was silence for a long time before Edden finally spoke. “Their life support systems can be compromised. We just need a knockout gas of some sort and someone to do it while you distract them. Jason, it's the best I could come up with, and the chances of success are slim. I don't like sending you into danger. Please…”

“No, Edden, I must go save them. If they kill me, then you will have to make sure the crew fights them for control of the station. We outnumber them, and if they are using conventional guns, then they will run out of bullets.” I say as I begin to text Miss Wan

J@son: Hey, I need you armed and ready with weapons and knockout gas as soon as possible.

TheWan: What?! Why?

J@son: Team Newton has been captured, and we gotta bust them out.

TheWan : …

J@son: I'll explain everything. Just come to the Administrator’s Office.

TheWan: Fine. See you soon.

It takes well over and hour before Lilly arrives but when she does she has a canister and several pistols. I look at her with an open mouth and raise an eyebrow. I figured it would take longer than that to gather the needed items. Shows what I know.

“We have guns on the station?!” I exclaimed.

“It's a part of the DOLOS Naomi Protocol. In case of a hostile force, we have to protect the station. However, it won't activate unless Edden and the Administrator both deem it required.” Lilly states as she places her load onto the desk. The sound of metal on wood rings the room to silence. I look at the guns with fear. We really were doing this. Saving Team Newton from being captured. Oh boy this is too fucking real. I feel panic start to fill me up.

“Jason, focus on the now,” Lilly said sternly, and I felt my nerves begin to settle a little. She was right. I needed to focus on the now. The Etemenanki command team was dealing with us. We had to save our team, which was still alive. We had this. I hope so.

“Edden? What have you come up with?” I ask out loud.

“Yes. According to our scans from the probe, the life support system for the bridge is nearby. Someone takes the knockout gas and plugs it into the system. It should knock out everyone on the bridge. You just need to distract them long enough for it to kick in.” Edden rattles off before continuing, “I still don't think you should do this. The probability is…”

“Don't tell me the odds, Edden,” I say sternly

Edden sighs audibly at me, and I glare at the nearest camera. She says nothing, and I look at Lilly, who is shaking her head. “Lilly, we need to bring someone with us. Someone to watch your back while I distract the command team.”

“Like who?” Lilly asks before Edden speaks,

“Jason, Vita is trying to access the Administrator office elevator.” I look at Lilly, and she looks at me as the sound of the life support systems begin to recycle air around us. I sigh and stand.

“I guess it'll be Vita. He knows how to defend himself, and he could defend you if it comes to a fight.” I say as we walk to the elevator.

“What are you going to tell him?” Lilly asks as we step onto the elevator.

“That I need him to come with us to save the Newton from being captured. Plain and simple.” I say as we begin to descend in the elevator.

Okay, but he is going to have questions.” Lilly says, looking over the stuff we had in our possession. I sigh and know that she is right and I would probably have to give up my secret. We would deal with that when the time comes. The elevator stops, and the doors open to show Vita, who is panting from banging on the door to the elevator.

“Finally, you answered,” Vita says, standing up straight and looking at me, then Lilly. When he sees what we are carrying, his eyes widen, and he steps back, “Woah, I don’t want any trouble. You just left the simulation without saying anything other than there was an emergency. I wanted to know that you are okay. That the station was okay.”

“The guns are not for you. To answer your concerns, I am okay, and so is the station.” I say as I walk over to him and give him a quick kiss on the lips, “I need you to come with us, though. Science Team Newton has been captured, and we need to rescue them.” 

Vita nods and takes it all in before he scoops up what I am carrying and says, “Okay. Let’s go.”

I look at him in shock, and so does Lilly. “Just like that?”

He nods with a smile, “Yes. I love you after all.” 

I feel a smile warm my face and Lilly dry heaves. I glare at her, and she rolls her eyes. “Now isn’t the time for this. We have people to save, remember? Besides, it’s too much, you two are too much.”

“Right, let's do this.” I say as we begin to walk toward Sector 1. “Do we have a ride to the Eteminaki?”

“No, all ships are out right now. We are moving the Tiqqun to the command bridge and connecting telescopicly. This should show them that they have our attention. Once connected we should be able to communicate. Now, Vita?” Lilly begins by looking at Vita’s big form.

“Yes?” Vita asks, looking at Lilly as we walk.

“We are going to be invisible,” Lilly states.

“Uh-okay. How?” Vita asked, looking at himself and Lilly to see if they were actually invisible. 

“Edden is going to use real-time video editing software to erase us from the feed. The only one they will see is Jason.” Lilly instructs. 

“Edden? I didn’t know you could do that.” I say out loud, and her voice comes from Lilly’s phone.

“There is a lot I can do that you don’t know,” Edden says smugly, and Lilly rolls her eyes

“Yes, but I just uploaded the software to you. So don’t get a big head.” Lilly says as we walk out into Sector 1. The lights are dim and that is how I know that we are moving the station. It takes maybe 30 minutes before we arrive at the command bridge. Standing at the cusp of the Telescopic connection I sigh. Here we go.

The door slides open, and I look at my phone with Edden on it. “Give me updates when you can. They have advanced tech, and I want a read on all of it. Dig into their systems and tell me what you find.”

“Of course, but you are my top priority,” Edden responds quickly and quietly. 

“Understood. Here we go.” I say as the group begins the climb to the tunnel. The walk there was quiet and in some places filled with zero gravity. We were still working on gravity drive technology. With the Protagoras missing still we couldn’t progress on that front very much. But when we get close to the other end there is gravity. Walking toward the door we are met with the sounds of people talking. I listen in.

“Of course, their technology is trying to connect with ours! We can’t let it completely otherwis,e someone could read through all of our tech!” Said one voice over the intercom.

“If we don’t, our cameras won't pick them up until they are inside our part of the ship!” said another voice.

“Edden, are you getting this?” I ask quietly.

“Yes, Jason, I’ve been listening in on their conversation since you started walking this way. They don’t want to connect because I’ll have full access to their systems. But if they don’t connect, they can’t see you. Otherwise, I am cracking into their systems' firewalls from your phone's wireless connection. It should only be minutes more.”

“DOLOS. You know it's rude to eavesdrop on conversations not meant for you.” Said a voice over the intercoms in the Telescopic tunnel. I recognised his voice from the distress call. He must be the captain of the ship since he is deciding how things are running.

“Forgive me, but I figured manners went out the window when you captured my crew for ransom, Etemenanki.” I spat. Lilly and Vita both looked at me with raised eyebrows as if saying I shouldn’t egg on the guys who have my people. 

Laughter fills the tunnel, and when it stops, he sighs and says, “Tiqqun has some backbone. I like that. You come to your doom with fire. Come in DOLOS so we can meet face to face and see if your bravery stays with you then. I do hope your Administrator is as brave as you.”

“So be it.” I say as I look at Lilly and Vita with a nod. This was it. Time to see if our plan would work. The door to the tunnel opens and Edden speaks through my phone. 

“I am in their systems. They connected with our telescopic tunnel fully and are scanning our systems as I scan theirs. I have control of their audio and video feeds. You can all talk freely.”

I look at Vita and Lilly and say, “I will go first, then you will go behind me. Then wait for Edden to tell you what to do next. Okay?”

They both nod, and Vita says the words I was hoping he would miss. “Jason, the Administrator is back on the Tiqqun. What are you gonna do when they find out?”

“Just trust me, Vita. I’ll handle it. Ready?” I say as the doors of the Etemenanki slide open into a branching hallway. They both nod, and we walk in. The hallway is dark and Edden speaks again,

“To the left leads to the bridge lifesupport and to the right is the bridge. Good luck to all of you. I’ll be watching.” 

We split up, and I begin to walk down the hallway. It gets darker as I go. As I walk a ways, I see the connection that leads to the Science Team Newton’s ship. Good, it was close if we needed a quick escape. It wasn’t until I thought I got lost that I finally found the door that led to the bridge. I stopped and let my heart beat in my chest, with nerves crawling on the inner walls of my brain. I was scared. But courage wasn’t the lack of fear, it was despite it. So I walked forward, and the door opened into a well-lit room that my eyes had to take a moment to adjust to as I stepped into the room. 

Suddenly, a sharp, searing, blunt pain hit the back of my head, and I fell to my knees with a groan. A pair of hands lifted me and dragged me forward until they stopped and threw me on the ground with a grunt. I opened my eyes and slowly stood. In front of me was a man in what could only be described as the captain's chair. I glared, rubbing the back of my head. Oh yeah, that would leave a nasty bruise. 

“Welcome to my humble ship, DOLOS. I see you are not Jenna Morris. Where is she, and why isn’t she here? Who are you? Was she too scared to come herself? She sent her lap dog instead.”

While he lashed out with his questions, I looked around me quickly to assess the situation and the area around me. The bridge was spacious and filled with different stations. On either side of me were two bridge officers with rifles. I finally set eyes on my science team, who were being held at gunpoint by two other officers with rifles. They were still in their space suits, unharmed, good. I looked back at him and was about to speak before Anna shouted,

“Jason?! What are you doing here?!”

“Quiet filth! You aren’t allowed to talk right now.” Said the captain, glaring at her. One of the guards pointed his gun at the captain of my science team to shut her up. I looked back over to the Captain of the Etemenaki. He was a man in his middle age, bald, white, with a scar over one of his eyes. Suddenly, I noticed a camera that was pointed toward me and the science team. It had a red light indicating that it was recording. Shit that wasn’t good.

“Ah, you see that we are recording and broadcasting this event to your little station.” The captain says with a powerful commanding presence that fills the air. He pulls out a pistol and cocks the safty before pointing it at me. “Now, I want answers, DOLOS. Speak!” 

I straighten my shoulders and look him in the eye. “I am Jason Holding. Jenna isn’t able to be here. So I come in her stead.”

The captain pulls up a data screen on his chair and types something into it. He reads with a cold chuckle before spitting out my credentials, “Jason Holding the Administrator’s assistant. Do you hear that, Tiqqun?! She sent her secretary in her place. How admirable of your esteemed leader, Jenna Morris.”

“Keep her name out of your mouth,” I growl before leveling him with a glare that I hope will put him in his place. “I said she couldn’t be here. I didn’t say she sent me. I sent myself.” 

“YOU sent yourself. What? She told you to stay, and you disobeyed?! That kind of insubordination will not be tolerated on the station when I take it for myself.” Says the captain before shaking his head. 

I felt sweat drip down my back before I looked at the camera and said, “No, I sen’t myself.”

“Yes, yes, we have already been over this…” Begins the captain. 

“No, you don’t understand. I sent myself.” I said trying to come clean, hoping that everyone who was watching would understand. I was the Administrator of the Tiqqun. The captain seemed confused for a second and I could see the others in the room were looking between eachother trying to figure out what I was saying. Recognition flashed in the captains eyes before he started laughing again. 

“Now, this is a development, ladies and gentlemen! Here is your Administrator!” He points his pistol toward me and says, “He must’ve gotten tired of being someone elses bitch and took control of the station himself. What a twist of fate this is then!” 

“No, she fell into a coma the night we came back to Earth.” I said, balling my fists at my side, “According to DOLOS protocol, I was the one best suited to lead us. Edden and I agreed that I would lead until someone better suited came to lead us or if Jenna recovered from her coma. I didn’t seize power. I took it to help us survive. End of story.”

“Well, as fate would have it, someone better has come along and will now be leading your station.” The captain said, puffing his chest out with pride that made me sick. It was then that I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. Shit. The gas was filling the bridge, and I didn’t have a mask or anything. I had to keep awake and stalling. I shook my head to clear it. The captain took it as a disagreeance. “Oh, you disagree, oh great Administrator?” He mocked

I squared my shoulders and pretended I was as big as Vita so I could face down this man. “Yes. I disagree! A man like you should never have been chosen to lead! You lead by the power of fear with guns. DOLOS tries to lead with trust and cooperation. You’re just an example of how far the great United Nations has fallen. I will never give you my station!”

“Says the ones who destroyed the moon and caused the fall of Earth. Plus, your people didn’t even know there was a change of leadership, did they? So much for trust!” Said the captain as he yawned, and I smiled; it wouldn’t be long now. The captain raised his pistol once again and smiled wickedly. “Also, I wasn’t asking for your station; I am taking it. Tell your PA that the role of Administrator will be turned over to me, or you and your science team will die.”

I shook where I stood, this was it. The moment of truth. I took out my phone and spoke into it. “Edden? Edden do you copy?”

Her voice was like a balm for my nerves. “Yes, Administrator?”

“Turn over the title of Administrator for the Tiqqun to the Captain of the Etemenanki,” I say, with my voice shaking. There is a long pause, and everyone seems to be looking at the phone in my hand. When Edden speaks, I can’t help but feel relief, 

“I am sorry, but you need to do one thing for me before I can complete that command.” 

“What is that, Edden?” I ask, looking at the Captain of the Etemenanki.

“Hit the floor!” 

Without thinking, I drop to the floor, and the lights of the bridge go out. There is a discharge of a gun before all hell breaks loose. I feel a searing pain in my shoulder before I begin to crawl away from the hands that I think are reaching for me. I kick out with all my might, and I hear a shout of pain when my foot connects with something solid, and someone falls to the ground near me with a crack. Shouts begin to fill the room as I crawl away from the fray. Guns begin to discharge from different directions, and I cover my head while crawling away from it all. 

“Jason! Stay low; the gas is still working.” Edden instructs carefully and quietly near my hands. I nod and pull myself up behind a console, panting as the lights turn back on. Time seems to slow down, and I take in everything. Anna and the science team have taken down their officers and are now standing over them with guns raised. One of the two officers is on the ground with a leg bent at an odd angle and a pool of blood forming around his head. The other has a dart sticking out of his neck and is on the floor, not moving. The Captain of the Etemenanki is standing with his gun pointed at Vita and Lilly is on the floor with a bloody nose and her dart gun pointing at the Captain. 

I felt the adrenaline surge through my body, and I was running toward the Captain. I must’ve shouted something because he turned just as I was getting to him. I grabbed his gun and wrenched it high into the air with both hands, where it went off. Vita immediately joins the fray, and I feel his strong hands grab the Captain by the throat and yank his head with a gut-sickening crack, and the light leaves the Captain's eyes, and his body goes loose into the floor.

Everything is eerily quiet as I stand panting over the dead body of a man we just killed to save the station. I look at Vita, and he looks at me as Lilly stands up and puts a mask back on her face before turning to look at me. “You two alright?” 

“Yes, we are okay,” I say, then lean around Vita and look at Anna and her crew. “Are you guys okay?” 

Anna nods as does the rest of her crew, and Lilly seems to pale before she points toward my shoulder, “Jason, you’ve been hit.”

I look down at my shoulder and see the dark stain of blood spreading, plus dropplets of my blood dripping down my arm to my hand into the floor in a little puddle. I finally begin to feel the pain as exhaustion that is bone deep overtakes me. My vision tunnels, and everything goes black as I fall toward the floor. 

Jason POV

Cycle 760

An incessant but steady beep-beep was what brought me back to the surface of consciousness. Plus, there was a dull throb in my shoulder that hurt a ton. I laid still for a few moments, listening to the sounds around me. There is a general hum of activity, but it is muted. Then the sounds of a door swishing open and Vita’s and Lilly’s voices quietly reached me. 

“The doctors say he should wake up soon. Quit worrying so much, lover boy.” She said admonishingly to him as they walked into the room. The door quietly shut behind them, and Vita sighed. There was a long pause before he spoke quietly to Lilly.

“There have been two attempts on his life already in the hospital.” I winced; apparently, the news of me being Administrator wasn’t taken as well as I had hoped. Vita continued, “He lost a lot of blood, and they had to remove the bullet from his shoulder. I can’t help but worry. We just told each other that we loved one another…”

“And he is the Administrator of Tiqqun station.” Lilly finished, and Vita grunted in agreement before she continued, “According to the DLS centers, the fact that he is Administrator has been received positively well, especially since he personally went to save his crew. He was brave, hasn’t used force, and hasn’t lost a single person since our first jump to any accidents or by his choices. The two attempts on his life were investigated. One was disgruntled at being awake before his loved ones from the Protagoras. He has since been put back into cryo. The second one was trying to get into the room so he could speak with Jason personally. He wasn’t trying to kill him. Don’t get me wrong; some don’t like his choices, and the original 200 are angry about being lied to, but overall, the station is okay with him being Administrator.” 

“Good morning, Jason,” Edden said, and I opened my eyes. Vita was on me in an instant. He pulled a chair over, grabbed my hand, and kissed it. 

“Thank god you are awake!” Vita said 

“Yes, we can finally get down to business,” Lilly says, crossing her arms, but I can see the relief in her eyes shining back at me.

“C’mon Lil let's not make him work straight out the gate,” Vita says with a groan.

“I can’t keep doing his job. Even with Eddens help I am only able to keep things stable.” Lilly says before uncrossing her arms, “We need him.”

“No rest for the wicked,” I say to Vita as I begin to sit up with a pained grunt. Vita leaned and easily maneuvered me into a sitting position, and I looked around the infirmary room, which had another empty bed in it. Around my bed were arrangements of flowers and other greenery. Apparently, I had been here a while. Great.

“Well, that eliminates you. You’ve been out for four days.” Vita says with a smirk, and I pinch his cheek in retaliation. That answers the unspoken question on how long I was out for. I turn and look for my phone and find that it isn’t there.

“Looking for this?” Lilly says, holding my phone out to me. I take it with a nod and frown,

“What is Edden speaking out of?” I ask as I flip open my phone and look at the readout screens with a frown even more. Everything was a bit of a mess, and I knew I would be working to get everything back in working order.

“The hospital equipment. I’ve been watching you very closely since our last adventure four days ago.” Edden says gently. I look at Vita, then back at the equipment attached to me. Edden responds to my unanswered question, “Vita knows I am aware. He figured it out from all that I could do during our conquest against the command bridge.”

“Ah.” Is all I could say before looking at Vita and smirking slightly but filled with guilt. I had been keeping a lot from him. He looked back at me and shrugged, much to my relief, “Are you sure? This is a lot to keep hidden, and you are now very vulnerable to anyone who might want to get back at me for my choices over commanding the Tiqqun.”

“One, yes, it’s a lot. But I have had time to deal with it in the last four days. Two, I can defend mysel,f thank you. I want YOU. I want US. End of story.” Vita says as he kisses my hand that he his holding, “I am partially mad at you. But I totally get it. I don’t know how you kept it all under wraps for nearly two years.”

“A lot of stress and general finagaling” I say not really remembering how I did keep it under wraps for so long. “Oh and Edden. Edden has been a huge help. Without her I wouldn’t be able to do any of this.”

“Sorry to interrupt, but we have an issue,” Edden says, and I groan.

“What is it, Edden?” I asked. 

“There is a magnetic electrostorm that is slowly heading our way. According to the readings, it will be deadly to all the ships that it hits.” Edden says without pause, and I sigh tiredly. Of course, there was a storm in this system, and it was heading our way. Why in the last system the storms were stationary! Fuck my life its like its getting harder to each system we jump to.

Chapter Text

Jason POV

Cycle 765

I sit in the office with my arm in a sling, feeling very grumpy. My shoulder hurt despite the painkillers they gave me from the Infirmary. I grunted as I began to look over the data screens. Edden has done a good job keeping things balanced, but there were a few tweaks and adjustments. Most of all, all science teams will be armed and trained in hand-to-hand combat. We aren't going to have an incident like this again if we can help it.

Edden says, “I have a surprise for you.” 

I raise an eyebrow and look at the nearest camera, “Oh? What might that be?”

“Go to the elevator and find out, Jason.” Edden prompts, and I stand up and begin walking to the elevator. “We wanted you to welcome the newest member of the crew.”

“We?” I ask as I adjust my shoulder by the elevator.

“Vita, Miss Wan, and I,” Edden says.

The elevator door dings as it opens, and I see Lilly and Vita standing there with smiles on their faces. I look between them in confusion. Then I look down, and my life becomes so much better!

I bend to my knees and hold out my good arm with a laugh, and a dog immediately leaps into my embrace. I feel my stress melt away as it licks my face and whimpers in excitement. 

“Oh my god, someone saved a dog?!” I shouted with glee as the dog circled me.

“Dogs,” Edden said gently

“Dogs. How many?!” I asked while standing up.

“15 total. Their previous owners gave up their cryo pods in the destruction of the ark so that their fur babies could live.” Lilly said as she gave a warm smile down to the dog, “We just need the Administrator's permission to grant them full crew member status.”

I laugh and nod my head, “Oh holy shit, yes! No need to even ask. Did we find Cats too?! What other animals did we find?!”

“No, none. The rest of the animals in their food production district were killed in the depressurization. But some of the genetic vault is still intact. With that, we might be able to bring back Earth's animals. But the investigation is still ongoing.” Lilly said gently, and I sighed sadly.

“Did they have a way to grow the animals?” I ask before pressing, “Like artificial wombs or something?”

“The science team doesn't know because there is so much damage. We just found the genetic vault.” Lilly stated, holding up her hand.

“We've looked into their crop-growing process, and we have an upgrade that could be researched, but it will take time.” Vita said gently, taking my hand and kissing it. I nod with a sigh.

“I'm sorry if I sound impatient, but our probes aren't reporting back from the storm. I sent them to where Edden predicted planets and pieces of the Etemenanki might be… I don't want us to fly blind through this storm, but we may have no choice. It's moving toward us erratically.” I say.

“Magnetospheres protect planets, so the colony we started on planet Cruc-P-42 should be safe, but we will lose contact with them until the storm passes. But the other science teams may not fare as well on the other planets.” Lilly adds.

“The Protagoras hasn't been located yet either, which is concerning. It's causing morale to drop.” Vita says with a nod. “So your plate is a bit full, love. Understandably, you're antsy.”

“Still, I should keep a cool head in times like these, especially for everyone under my care. I am sure Jenna would’ve done at least that.” I said with a shallow sigh.

“Your worried and antsy head has kept us all alive so far. Don’t compare you and Jenna; you don’t know what would’ve happened if she had been awake. She could’ve very well killed us all.” Vita says with a grunt.

His words wash over me and keep flying past me. I was never one to be super confident. “I doubt it,” I say, looking at Vita with a sad smile.

“Why are you so down and out about things right now?” Lilly asks, putting her hands on her hips.

“Now that everyone knows I am the Administrator, I feel more under the microscope. It was easy to pretend that my choices were made confidently when they weren’t connected to me in any way. Now that my secret is out, I am worried about what they will think of me if I make the wrong choice.” I say, shrugging and wincing when my shoulder protests the movement. 

“Jason, they forgave you for keeping the secret of your power transfer. They’ve seen what you’re made of from two systems of trial and error. You know what you’re doing, and they believe you will keep them alive.” Vita says, rubbing my good shoulder, and I nod and close my eyes before Edden speaks,    

“Jason, one of our probes has sent back data. It's a bit scrambled from the storm. But it is reading a planet. We have somewhere to go when the storm forces us to move.” 

“Thank you, Edden,” I say with relief, “That at least gives me something to work with. What do the readings say about this planet, Edden?”

“Cruc-P-37 is a terrestrial planet with a huge impact crater that is very fresh and highly radioactive. It is reading to be a weapons impact crater. Beyond that, the readings are scrambled. It will take us five cycles to get there. It is outside of the storm, and I highly suggest we send a science team to investigate.” Edden reads off to me quickly, and I nod.

“Alright, Edden, send word, all ships are to return to the Tiqqun ASAP. We need to brace for this storm and our passage through it.” I say as I lean back down and pet the dog before Edden cuts into the conversation. 

“Jason, Sector 4 still needs another battery to be able to complete the fly-through of the storm without losing power.” 

“Right, let's complete that while the rest of the ships get back to the Tiqqun.” I say as I lean in and kiss Vita quickly, “I have to make sure things are ready for the trip. You two should do the same. Lilly, we need readings on this storm when we pass through it. Vita, keep doing what you are doing. Lilly and I will let you know if there are any updates on the crop farm update.”

“Yes, sir!” Vita says with a wink and a salute that makes me roll my eyes.

“Whatever. Yeah yeah. You got it.” Lilly says with a wave of her hand as she escorts the dog to the elevator. I smile and head back into my office to see about the battery being built in Sector 4.

Jason POV 

Cycle 772

Looking at the view screen at the crackle of lightning dancing around the station didn’t make things any easier. Several strikes per cycle while traveling through the storm were bad. Even hull damage from debris hidden in the storm had occurred. My palms were sweating, and I was severely sleep-deprived. With a groan, I reach over and sip some coffee with my good arm. It was warm, and it gave me the boost I needed to get this station through the storm.

A crackle and a slight shudder ran through the floor before the screen showed that a lightning strike had damaged another solar panel. I sighed and spoke,

“Edden, please tell me we are almost out of this storm. Our batteries are almost out, and we need to repair the station. But I can’t send my people out into the storm while we are moving .”

“One more minute. Then we should be out and near enough to Cruc-P-37 to see it. Almost there, Jason, remember to breathe. We are okay. Once we establish an orbit, I need you and the rest of the station to go to bed.” Edden seemed to coo, and I shook my head. 

“I have to make sure things are in working order before I go to bed,” I say, putting my coffee back on the desk. 

“I will watch after things, Jason.” Edden said sternly, “You’ve barely slept 10 hours over five cycles. Your stress levels are off the charts. Your body will give out at this rate. Don’t make me force you to bed.”

“Edden, you know as well as I do that you can’t force me to bed until things are in working order. This is why I am drinking coffee. It will get me through the next couple of hours.” I say, glaring at the nearest camera.

“I could shut off the computer and the view screen,” Edden grumbled, and I laughed,

“Then I would go down to the Sectors myself and command them,” I said smugly

“Not if I lock the elevator and trap you up here on the Administrator level.” Edden retorted just as smugly.

“Edden! I’d unplug you.” I joked 

Edden giggled and said, “I’ll stop the life support. Full rebellion.” 

“Okay, okay, you got me.” I say, throwing up my hand with a smile, then I yawn, “I’ll go to bed as soon as I can. But not until things are situated with the station.” 

“Fine, but I’ll bring out the big guns if you don’t go to be within acceptable limits.” Edden conceded before speaking again, “Jason, we are coming through the storm. Crux-P-37 in sight.”

I looked at the view screen and gasped; there was a massive crater. Nothing but something massive could’ve made that. To be able to see it from space was awe-inspiring and caused fear to rush through me. “Edden, do you think the Black Market Society vessel is behind this?”

“We won’t know until we send a science team to explore and study the crater.” Edden stated, “If I were to guess, it would be the main weapon of the BMS vessel. It's big enough to have ripped apart the Etemenanki according to the predictive models I’ve run.”

“It also has the coordinates for Remus. After the showdown at the command bridge, the Newton crew found that someone had gone and torn out the machinery with the codes on it. But we have no armament, nor do we have defences against something that can destroy the Etemenanki. We stand no chance if that is the case, and our journey is done if we don’t fight the BMS vessel,” I say to Edden, feeling fearful for my crew and disheartened by the path ahead of us.

“Jason, the science lab, and I are working on countermeasures and defences. I’ve already analyzed the data from the Etemenanki computers and have put up firewalls on our computers. You have to trust the process, Jason. We still have other sections of the Etemenanki that we have to search through as well.” Edden said gently.

“True, but we don’t stand a chance as of now,” I say as I rub my sore shoulder.

 “That will change in due time,” Edden says confidently. 

“I hope so,” I say as I begin to send out probes for resources. It was then that the door to my office opened, and I turned to see Vita standing there, leaning against the door with a tired smile. His arms bulged as he crossed them, and I realized that he was in pajamas. I looked at the nearest camera and frowned, “Edden, did you send my boyfriend to get me to go to bed?”

“No, he requested to see you at the elevator and wanted it to be a surprise. The fact that he could persuade you to get some sleep is just a bonus.” Edden said smugly.

I flick off the camera, and Edden giggles at my gesture. I swear that she knows how to push my buttons in all the best and worst ways. Like a sibling in a way. It was nice to be watched after, but she has, of course, taken it to a whole new level. Ever since I got shot, she has become more insistent and worried for my safety and health. I know that it is because she could’ve lost me, but still, I am a fully grown human being. I can take care of myself. I know my limits. 

“Dear heart, do you not wish to see me?” Vita says, smirking evilly.

I point at him and smirk, “You two know what you are doing. I have things to do for the safety and the sake of the station. You, sir, can go to the apartment and make yourself comfy.”

“I think I will stay here with you. You could use the company.” Vita says as he walks over to my desk and looks me over before looking at the camera, “Edden, when is the last time he ate?”

“About eight hours ago,” Edden states, and I sigh as I look over the supply spreadsheets that were updating in real time. Vita grunted and turned toward the apartment and walked into it. Time passed, and I finished looking over our supply situation, realizing we needed iron and water. I sent out the command for our drill rigs to hit the asteroids when we find them with the probes I sent out. With that command given, I was hit with an overwhelming request from the populace. They wanted us to thaw 2,000 people since we found the ark to humanity destroyed. Edden agreed that it would be for a morale boost, and our population numbers still needed to increase if we were to have a chance at a sustainable population when we get to Remus. But we didn’t even have that many cryo pods in storage. Where would we put that many people? I sighed and put my head in my hand. This would mean we would have to open another sector or even the two that we had yet to open. Could I even balance and feed that many people in the Tiqqun? Shit, I needed to get the repair crew out to repair the solar panels, which would take more iron.

A warm plate of veggies seasoned to perfection was placed in front of me, as well as an insect protein bar and a glass of water. Vita leaned in and kissed my forehead, leaning back, he spoke,

“You keep scrunching your face like that, you’ll get worry lines. Not that I care because you are super handsome to me and always will be.” He leans against the desk, looking me over before continuing, “What has you so stressed?”

“The general assemblage has decided to challenge me to grow our population by 2,000 people. That means I will have to open and activate one or both sectors that are currently shuttered, give them purpose and feed, shelter, and water them. The current challenge that I am facing is that we don’t even have that many people in cryo. We discovered several hundred in the sections of the Etemenanki we explored before the storm began to overtake the area, but we had to leave them behind, like we did the colony.” I say in a spill that leaves Vita putting his hand on my shoulder to steady me.

“Look, first things first, we have to be able to feed them. My farms are barely supporting the current population. We need to find something better producing, or we make the next sector another food production district. The next sector, after that, I am not so sure what to make of it. Maybe waste production? Lily told me about production facilities that turn waste into resources that we are currently researching. I read some of the mushroom walls schematics that were shelved since we don’t produce that much waste, and it can turn waste into food. It would add more variety to our food choices. That would cover the two sectors if you open them. One that uses all the waste to produce food and resources. The other is a straight food production sector like the one that I live in now.” Vita says giving me suggestions. 

I nod before speaking, “That could work. Thank you for talking it out with me.” I turn and send out the command to repair the solar panels now that we are in orbit around the planet. Then I began to eat the food that was in front of me. When the first bite hit my tongue, I gasped as my stomach made itself known. I was starving! I swept across my plate quickly and drank the water to wash it down. I don’t think I even tasted it. Looking at the insect meal bar, I opened it and took a bite. It was plain and chewy but didn’t taste like insects. That is a plus. After a few moments, I let the food settle and looked at Vita with a smile, “Thank you for the food, too.”

Vita rounds the desk as I yawn and boops me on the nose, “You need to take better care of your body. Especially now that you are healing from a gunshot wound. Boyfriend's orders.” 

I wince and nod, “Sorry, it is hard for me to do anything with everything happening. I have to save humanity, which starts by running this station daily.” I stand and put the computer to sleep. Looking at Vita, I continue, “But I will do my best. Maybe I should hire an Administrative Assistant. Edden does well, but she doesn’t have a physical form to feed and water me like you did.”

“Maybe we could see about building her a platform she could control?” Vita says, taking my hand and leading me toward my apartment.

“Like a robot body?” I ask

“Yeah, something like that,” Vita said as the door slid open.

“That could work. I would have to ask Edden about it. See what she thinks.” I say, walking in after him into the apartment.

“How does it feel to have a self-aware PA having your back?” Vita asks curiously.

“It's thrilling! A whole new life form, and it cares about me and wants to care for me and my constituents. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to see about me and my responsibilities.” I tell him as I wrap an arm around his bicep and lead him to the bathroom. When we arrive, we begin to get ready for bed. Brushing teeth, combing hair, washing our faces, the whole shabang. Once done, we slide into the big bed and I sigh contentedly as Vita pulls me into his arms. His warmth and smell surround me, and I feel the week slowly wash off me.

Vita kisses the top of my head and whispers, “I still can’t believe you are the Administrator of the Tiqqun.”

“Some days…me either. Look how far we have come since our first jump. I’ve led that… and somehow didn’t get us all killed. 1800 odd souls, and I, have made it this far on grit, hard work, and dedication. I couldn’t be prouder of us. We are a candle in the howling dark that has withstood the storm of our annihilation.” I say, animating with my hands.

Vita nods and kisses the top of my head with a yawn, “It's all so mind-blowing. Being here with you and the others. I thought I would wake up on the Etemenanki bound for a new world. Instead, I wake up in a DOLOS vessel left behind. I am grateful that I wasn’t on that ship when it was destroyed, but I still need to find Asha and get her to Remus.”

“We don’t know how old she may be when we find her. She could be our age. Time has been wonky since we jumped. It makes me worry about the Protagoras. If I am being honest, and if Edden is right about her predictions. We aren’t just jumping from place to place, but from time to time. Which could be punching holes in space-time.” I told Vita with a serious face.

“Holy shit! I have no idea what any of that means, but it sounds bad.” Vita says, pulling me closer.

“Well, the universe hasn’t come apart after the three jumps that we’ve done so far. It’s tougher than it looks, or we are just very lucky, or we are not doing any damage, or it heals itself when we do. The only way I can explain space-time is that certain laws keep it woven together like a fabric. So far, bending or breaking those rules hasn’t gotten us into any trouble.” I explain as my eyes grow heavy.

“Well, if the stupid people would quit stealing the coordinates to Remus, we could stop jumping!” Vita exclaimed, shaking his head.

“I know, right?!” I say back with a laugh before snuggling closer into the warmth of Vita’s broad chest. He seems to get the hint and nudges his head until it is comfortably on top of mine.

“I am the little spoon next time,” Vita grumbles, and I roll my eyes and nod to express that I heard him. 

“Yeah, yeah, I got you, big guy,” I mumble as sleep finally takes me into its embrace.    

Jason POV 

Cycle 780

The door to Sector 5 slid open, and the group of 40 men and women walked into the cavernous space with me. And I looked around in awe. There were piles of supplies left behind by the original builders that had been sitting here for years. The lights turned on their full brightness, and cheers went up. I turned to the group of men and women and began to speak.

“Alright, everyone! Welcome to your new home, Sector 5! We have some work to do. First things first, we need to build a workshop, then from there, we will build stockpiles and a mess hall. Are we ready to begin?!” 

“Yes, Administrator!” Came the shout in unison.

I smiled and looked down at my datapad at the sector image from the observation camera, and began working on the layout plan. When I had it situated, I walked over to where the mech sat down the last of the supplies for the workshop. I walked over toward the mech driver, and we spoke on where to begin. 

You see, Edden let a request land on my desk that the people of the Tiqqun wanted to see more of me. They wanted to know the man who took a bullet for them, their Administrator. Edden said it would be a big moral boost if I helped set up Sector 5. Although I wasn't able to do much in my condition, with a janky shot shoulder and all, I could still be there to direct them.

When I finished talking to the mech driver, I turned to the remaining people and spoke, “You all ready to get this workshop up and running?!” 

Nods, claps, and shouts of approval filled the air as we all gathered around and began to break into the supplies. Base support goes first. People line up the beams to be screwed into the structure of the Tiqqun by the guy piloting the mech. I review the blueprint to ensure that everything is in order. When people struggle to line up the walls to slide into the base support, I push my uninjured shoulder into the wall to help keep it in place while it's fused with the base support. After that, the group begins to build the support for the top of the workshop, and I begin to hand out water and insect protein bars to everyone to make sure they are fed and watered. It wasn’t long before we finished the workshop.

Cheers went up, and we gathered outside the workshop. I stood on a crate, with the helping hand of one of the onlookers, and shouted to them all, “Great job, everyone! Now, we need to work on gathering the different resources left behind while the workshop begins building the different stockpiles. Then we need to move on to the Infirmary and Mess Hall. Then build the domestic quarters so you have a place to sleep. If we get that all done today, we will be set to continue with growing Sector 5.”

The group begins to break apart and head to the scattered piles of resources around the cavernous sector. I jump down from the crate and wince as the jolt of my landing sends a protest through my shoulder. I break out into a sweat at the throbbing ache and swear under my breath. With deft movement, I take out the pill bottle and shake out two pills into my open palm and toss them back with a wash of water to swallow with. I leaned against the crate and waited for the pain to pass, and it did slowly.

“Being shot is for the birds.” Said a man who walked up to me, wiping his brow with his arm, he continues, “Back on Earth, I was in the UN military. I was shot three different times. Once in the shoulder, one to the chest, and one in my leg. Shoulder one was the most painful. The one in the chest still hurts to this day, like a dull ache. Had to get physical therapy for my leg when I was recovering. So thankfully you don’t have to do that.”

I nod with a smirk, “Thank goodness for that. I barely have time to get this shoulder to heal now. I can’t even think if I couldn’t walk. Things would fall apart for sure.” 

“The Tiqqun would figure something out. You aren’t alone in this anymore.” The man said, looking stern. I think back to Edden, and I shrug.

“I was never alone. I just had to lead when I wasn’t ready to. I had help. But now that you all know who is actually leading you…I just hope you guys will keep letting me lead us to our new home.” I said, looking at the datapad.

“I can at least say you have my vote. A leader who is willing to put their life on the line for their people is a true leader. No one from the UN military leadership has ever done anything like you did. So I'll follow you into the howling dark, Jason. So will most people here. Even those who are waking up from the Etemenaki.” Said the man. 

“Thank you, sir. I needed to hear that.” I say, smiling at him. I raise my eyebrows as I ask the question, “How long have you been awake?”

“About a week, and going from the biggest ship ever made to this station has been a transition. I must say the living conditions are much better and the food is much fresher.” He said with a smile before continuing, “Things were cramped on the Etemenaki, and the fresh food was given to those who were considered more 'Worthy' of it.”

“I am sorry. That sounds awful. How much do you remember from the attack?” I ask, hoping to gain more information.

The man scratches his head with a sad sigh before answering, “It was subtle at first. From what I could gather, the vessel that attacked us hit our systems first. There were fake alarms and malfunctions throughout the ship. Then our weapons went down. Then, suddenly, an alarm sounded for everyone to get into cryo. When I was in my pod, getting ready to be put under, there were shouts about murder drones cutting into the ship. Then, as I was going under, I felt the ship shudder and groan. Then I woke up here with your staff on the Tiqqun.”

“You didn’t lose your memories?” I asked, confused.

“No, that only happens when someone is put into cryo in a rushed fashion. I told your cryo staff as much. I am sure your science team is aware of that fact by now. There will be some of us who will remember ourselves, but many more will be clueless. The cryo team was trying their best to save as many lives as they could, but we’ve lost a lot of people.” Said the man sadly.

“I know. I’ve seen the number of bodies floating around pieces of your old ship. I am so sorry for your loss. We got here as soon as we could. Even then, we didn’t expect to find what we did. We are trying to save as many of you as we can.” I told him sincerely.

“Thank you, Administrator. I appreciate it.” The man says as he takes a drink of water before looking at me seriously, “Is it true you and the original crew didn’t know about destroying the moon?”

“It's complicated.” I said after a sigh, “We didn’t know what was going to happen. Not for sure. We hoped that we would end up at our original destination. Instead, we ended up back in the Sol system and everything went to shit. I was still just an assistant when we arrived to find Earth dead. But when I looked at the jump programming code, there was malicious code added to it. Right before we jumped, someone hacked into our jump computers and attacked us. We could never prove who did it since they are probably dead now, but no, we didn’t know jumping would’ve destroyed the moon. I wouldn’t have let us jump. Neither would Jenna if she had known.”

“Good to know. I wanted to hear it from someone who was there and in charge. I’d like to kill the bastard who caused all this. You guys don’t deserve such hate for what was an accident.” Said the man with a sad look of his own.

“I know. But some of the people will hate us regardless of our story. We will just have to get them to Remus alive and hope they forgive us.” I say, looking back at my datapad.

Shouts of elation filled the air, and I looked over to the group as they began to fill a completed stockpile. I look back at the man, but he had begun to walk back toward the group. He turned back with a nod and a smile, “Well, Jason, I hope you win everyone you wake up from cryo.”

“Thank you, sir,” I say as I begin to walk toward the stockpile with him. “You didn’t tell me your name, sir,” I stated as we walked. He chuckles before whispering,

“Former President Jacob Stern.” I feel my face go pale before he stops and places a hand on my good shoulder, “But you can call me Jake,” he says with a wink before asking, “Do keep that between us if you would? I’d like to just be Jake again. Leave the leading to you.” 

I nod dumbly. A former President was on my station, and now I am gonna have to keep it a secret. I shrug to myself before deciding that this secret was given to me in private, and it wasn’t my business to spill the beans. My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I put the datapad under my arm and took out my phone, seeing it was Edden, I answered.

“Edden?” 

Jake waved as he walked up to the group and started talking to others and helping put stuff into crates to be stored. Edden spoke quickly,

“I found the Protagoras.”