《EMBARGO》 1: Before The Fall Yuuta Aoki takes a deep breath and observes the faraway, distant image of Gaia. As the elevator that rumbles beneath his feet rises farther up into the station, straight lines of dark shadows caress his face with their invisible touch; Yuuta wants to reach out and grab them, just like many other transparent occurrences in his life. He wonders if the air tastes different over there, on humanity¡¯s ancient home, or if its ruin has led to nothing being quite pure either anywhere anymore. The doors open with a ding. He steps out and pushes the question¡ªhe could never ask his biology teacher back in fifth grade¡ªfrom his mind. Ridiculous, he thinks as the cold rage that tumbles within his gut turns to annoyance once his eyes meet with the landing dock¡¯s pristine white floors. Yuuta kicks an old bolt and sends it flying into a garbage can. It vaguely catches the attention of his crew, but, not as much as he¡¯d like¡ªfor they are used to his antics by now. ¡°This is stupid,¡± Yuuta snaps. ¡°We were trained for action, not playing janitor! Space-spring-cleaning, my ass. I thought we¡¯d blast asteroids that threatened future collisions, but great,¡±¡ªhe scoffs, grabs a discarded can of tuna that had rolled behind one of the dock¡¯s fighters, and holds it up¡ª¡°this is definitely what I had in mind when I joined the S.C.U. Too bad I didn¡¯t get the memo that it stood for Spatial Cleaning Unit and not Spatial Combat Unit.¡± Out on the deck, Miranda groans, and even though Yuuta cannot see her, he is close to certain that she is rolling her eyes that are the colour of skies he likes to imagine sometimes. Behind him, a presence he knows all too well approaches. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, darling?¡± Xander coos beside his ear, his chest pressed to Yuuta¡¯s back as a few of his dreadlocks tickle the bare skin revealed by his burgundy tank top. ¡°You need help holding your sponge?¡± Yuuta¡¯s eyebrow twitches. He pushes Xander away and throws him a glance filled with murderous intent. ¡°Don¡¯t be a dick, Xander,¡± he snaps, as a grin sinks into his features. ¡°Or you¡¯ll regret it later during training.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Xander licks his lips, standing tall, confident and proud as he always does after having relentlessly teased Yuuta, he mutters, ¡°Is that so?¡± His eyes darken alongside his voice, now raspy and raw. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see¡ª¡± ¡°Williams! Aoki! Less talking and more cleaning!¡± Diane shouts from across her side of the room, already pristine and whiter than the whites on the walls surrounding them. ¡°We must be out of here in less than thirty. You¡¯ll have time for your bickering all you want by then.¡± ¡°Yeah, whatever¡­¡± Yuuta shrugs. He rubs the wing of a large fighter clean and shuts out Xander¡¯s profuse apologies, directed at Diane. He wonders when things started getting this way between them, and how exactly it started; why it became harder to talk to Xander normally the closer they got in this unit. Listening to Xander speak so casually to others, whilst all they can do is communicate with dry sarcasm and words void of any true meaning, stings Yuuta more than he likes to admit. ¡°Hello? Space station to Yuuta? Is anyone there?¡± It¡¯s Miranda. She¡¯s waving her arm between Yuuta and his reflection on the fighter¡¯s wing. ¡°How long are you planning on polishing that thing?¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Yuuta blinks. He briefly observes the fazed, young man looking back at him on the wing. ¡°My bad¡­¡± he mutters. It is only when he looks at Miranda once more that he notices she¡¯s cut her dark bangs a little too short. And it would seem Miranda notices that he has noticed too, for she is quick to blurt the words, ¡°Screw you, at least they don¡¯t cover my eyes!¡± Yuuta parts his lips in preparation for his defense, but it¡¯s too late, Miranda has already stormed off to find her mother¡ªDiane¡ªher once pale features now flushed a darker shade of pink. For a brief moment, Yuuta observes Miranda speaking to Diane, who rearranges her white bun as she pushes her rectangular glasses back up the bridge of her nose. As Yuuta steps off the stool he¡¯d been standing on, to fetch another bucket of water for the fighter¡¯s other wing, he catches a glimpse of Xander working on an engine in the background. Xander briefly pulls out from beneath the ship. He wipes sweat and oil off his forehead with the back of his arm. The sight makes Yuuta want to punch him, softly, he thinks, with my mouth, and not my fist, as we¡¯d lean in and¡ª He stops himself, shivers at his train of thought, before locking it away in a box he stores far in the back of his mind. It is only now that he realises Xander is staring. ¡°Can I help you with something?¡± Xander asks him with a raised brow. ¡°No. No thank you!¡± Yuuta blurts, as he stomps off in the opposite direction, red in his cheeks and mortified at his voice for cracking again midsentence. Xander smirks. Cute, he thinks. 2: Spar With Me ¡°I still think it¡¯s a load of bullshit.¡± Yuuta swings his fist at Xander, who quickly counters the hit aimed at his chest with a blow of his own. Xander chuckles. ¡°Even if we¡¯re meant to guard the whole facility?¡± he says, as he kicks at Yuuta¡¯s leg¡ªan attempt to throw his rival off balance. ¡°But we¡¯re not guarding anything!¡± Yuuta shouts. He avoids Xander¡¯s leg with ease and takes one step backward. As he pushes down against his boots twice, jumps, and flips into the air¡ªfreed of gravity¡ªhis eyes meet with Xander¡¯s surprised features, now turned upside down. Yuuta lunges for his throat with an open palm and tries to bring him down. ¡°We¡¯re just playing janitor while they¡¯re out there fighting off terrorists who want the Gaian president¡¯s life.¡± But Xander takes a step back and grabs Yuuta¡¯s arm, swinging his body around the training grounds once, until he finally decides to release his opponent. Yuuta feels Xander¡¯s gaze on his figure. He scoffs, thinks, he¡¯s doing better than usual today, as he regains his bearings and charges towards Xander again. ¡°Are you really content with that, Xander?¡± Yuuta screams, his voice hoarse. ¡°Didn¡¯t we say we¡¯d rise to the top and save our people together?¡± The punch he throws lands inside the small of Xander¡¯s palm.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Xander¡¯s head hangs low. ¡°That was a long time ago, Yuuta,¡± he says. ¡°We were teenagers. It was cute, but we can¡¯t save Gaia alone. You should know this by now, it¡¯s been more than a good decade.¡± Even though the fight is over, Yuuta doesn¡¯t pull his fist away; it trembles against Xander¡¯s skin. He swallows down the lump that had built up in his throat, says, ¡°So what do you want to do then? Is that it? You got into a S.C.U and you¡¯re satisfied with living on these damned prisons forever? Don¡¯t you want to see the ocean? The sky? Breath in real air and not this lame excuse for oxygen that¡¯s been recycled more times than we can count?¡± ¡°I just want to keep my family and friends safe, Yuuta,¡± Xander says as he distances himself from Yuuta¡¯s touch, turns his back on him, and begins to walk away. ¡°Is that so hard to understand?¡± Yuuta bites his lip. He averts his gaze from Xander¡¯s figure. The low humming of the engine fills the silence of the room. Sweat drips down Yuuta¡¯s back, his temple, his neck. He isn¡¯t sure if his earlier stunt is responsible for his brief, nauseated feelings, or if it is Xander¡¯s words¡ªthe shadow of yet another broken pact that looms above them. ¡°No,¡± Yuuta finally says with a shake of his head, his tone void of any sentiments he may have had before opening his mouth. ¡°No, it¡¯s not hard to understand.¡± And I¡¯m sorry for wanting more, these are the words he leaves unsaid, I¡¯m sorry for being stuck in the past when it¡¯s obvious you¡¯ve long moved on. An alarm rings. A grizzled voice¡ªtheir head of command¡ªshouts orders from within the speakers on the wall. ¡°Williams, Aoki, and the Brodeurs: all of you are to report to my office at once!¡± 3: Your Mission Although none of them have yet to speak, the heavy silence in the chief of command¡¯s office weighs on everyone¡¯s shoulders. ¡°A ban has been ordered on the transportation of all commercial goods due to an unresponsive station,¡± the middle-aged man booms as he walks back and forth between each of his precious units, with both his hands clasped together behind his back. ¡°We suspect it could be mutiny.¡± Yuuta cannot help but blurt the words, ¡°Finally, something to do around here!¡± as he punches the air, earning him an unimpressed stare from his commander and a slap to the back of his head administered by none other than Miranda. ¡°Don¡¯t be a dick,¡± she hisses. ¡°People might be dying!¡± ¡°Miranda! Language!¡± ¡°Right, sorry, my bad,¡±¡ªare words both Miranda and Yuuta find themselves uttering in unison. ¡°Please excuse their behaviour,¡± Xander says with an apologetic nod and a hand rested against the back of his head. ¡°They¡¯re a bit¡ª¡± ¡°I know what they are!¡± their commander snaps. ¡°Anyway,¡± he clears his throat. ¡°You are to go and resolve the problem. I don¡¯t care how you do it, nor do I need to know, but make sure that the station is up and running again soon. The Gaian president enjoys his meat, and something tells me he wouldn¡¯t be too happy to know the station holding all our livestock is currently being held hostage. Understood?¡± ¡°Yes, Sir!¡± ¡°All right.¡± Their commander squints. He eyes Yuuta warily. ¡°And you, Aoki,¡± he says, ¡°don¡¯t cause any more trouble than necessary.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir¡­¡± Yuuta sighs. His shoulders deflate as he and his squad are all dismissed.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. They all exit the chief of command¡¯s quarters and part ways. Each of them head to their own respective bunkers with the intent of changing into their combat gear. Yuuta and Xander march next to each other. Their hands are close to brushing against one another, yet, not quite there. Footsteps are the only thing to be heard resonating throughout the long clinical hallway. Yuuta thinks he hears Miranda sneeze and excuse herself for moment, but he isn¡¯t quite sure, for the noise leaves as quickly as it came. He wants to say something to break the mute shield that has settled between them, but no words come to mind and¡ªbefore he knows it¡ªboth him and Xander are already standing before the doorways of their bunkers. ¡°Hey,¡± Yuuta blurts without giving it much thought, causing Xander to pause, to turn and look at him from over his shoulder. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened to you since you joined this damned unit, but you can bet your fine ass I¡¯m going to find out where the old Xander went.¡± ¡°The¡­ old Xander?¡± ¡°Yeah. The one who still had his hopes for the future.¡± Xander has that smirk again, the one he wears when he knows something Yuuta doesn¡¯t¡ªit drives Yuuta mad. ¡°What?¡± Yuuta snaps as he stomps over to his side. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± ¡°Oh, nothing much.¡± Xander presents him with a nonchalant shrug that matches his casual tone. ¡°I was just thinking that maybe if you¡¯d stop staring at my fine ass¡ªas you called it¡ªyou¡¯d perhaps be able to focus on the more important things. Like the mission at hand for one.¡± Yuuta¡ªwho is now a stuttering, flushed mess before him¡ªtries to speak. ¡°Y-You¡ª¡± You knew, he wants to say as his eyes widen and his hands shake with anger and a slight feeling of betrayal that courses through his veins. Xander winks; he adds, ¡°Don¡¯t forget it would be lenient of me, as your senior, to omit observing your training habits. Be more careful next time with those eyes of yours, all right, rival?¡± His laughter bounces off the walls. He waves Yuuta a rather lazy goodbye and disappears into his quarters. Once Yuuta has regained his bearings, once rage has devoured his initial feeling of shame and left nothing but red in his vision, he slams the door to his own bunker. As he takes a quick shower and grabs all that he needs, Yuuta hopes this will be the mission that proves his worth in these newly found ranks of his. 4: Anomaly Upon leaving his room, Yuuta briefly pauses in his doorway. Finding he has forgotten the words he¡¯d yearned to tell Xander once more, he curses under his breath and figures questions about the past will have to wait. As he swiftly walks over to where the rest of his squad is stationed, ready for battle, Miranda glares at him and frowns. ¡°What¡¯s up with your face?¡± she asks him with a raised brow. ¡°It¡¯s beet-red. Did you run into a wall or something?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Yuuta snaps as he passes her by and directly heads to the entrance that leads to the abandoned station. ¡°I¡¯ve always had this face. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t say¡­¡± She rolls her eyes and follows¡ªwith a single hand pressed to her hip¡ªat a much more leisured pace. Yuuta takes the lead. ¡°Where¡¯s Diane?¡± He doesn¡¯t bother admiring the view from the many windows surrounding them in verticals¡ªhe¡¯s seen it all, too many times, he thinks, the sight of Gaia from afar, spinning around on itself amidst a dark void. ¡°Xander and her have already gone ahead to unlock everything with their key-cards. They¡¯ll be waiting up front at the final barrier before opening it.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Yuuta says as their footsteps resonate throughout the narrow hallway. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want to be missing out on all the fun.¡± ¡°You seriously think this is fun?¡± ¡°No,¡± Yuuta¡¯s tone is devoid of any previous laughter that could have remained. ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he says. Miranda frowns again. ¡°Then why¡ª¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Because¡­¡± He glances down to their feet, to the gaping, hollow blackness below their figures. A nerve-wracked grin takes his lips. ¡°If I don¡¯t joke about it,¡± he mutters, ¡°then I¡¯ll make mistakes.¡± ¡°So¡­¡± she hums and leans forward to meet his gaze. ¡°It¡¯s just a dumb coping mechanism?¡± Yuuta huffs. He crosses his arms. ¡°If mine¡¯s dumb then I¡¯d love to hear yours.¡± ¡°I imagine I¡¯m a tiger when I¡¯m striking down an enemy,¡± Miranda says, deadpan, as Xander and Diane finally come into view. The hallway, once filled with echoes of life from within their respective station, is only but a faraway dream now. On the verge of retorting a half-baked tease, Yuuta parts his lips, yet pauses as he notices Xander jogging towards them. Miranda steps in between them and smirks. ¡°Couldn¡¯t wait to see your boyfriend?¡± she coos. Her eyes dart back and forth between the awkwardly silent duo. ¡°Uh¡­ you guys okay? You¡¯re¡­ awfully quiet today.¡± ¡°We¡¯re fine,¡± Yuuta blurts as he stomps past the both of them. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s just go in already.¡± ¡°Yuuta¡ª¡± Xander holds out a hand to stop him but it¡¯s no use. ¡°Wait!¡± he cries. ¡°This isn¡¯t your average mutiny!¡± The words cause Yuuta to freeze and second-guess his steps. Miranda bites her lip. ¡°How do you know that?¡± she asks Xander, her features now rigid, stern. ¡°The lights,¡± Xander says. ¡°They¡¯re all off. And there aren¡¯t any noises, or anything else for that matter, which could point to signs of life still present in this station. We should have already been attacked by now. Trust me, I¡¯ve seen more than one mutiny during my service, and this one is¡­ odd.¡± He gives Miranda¡¯s shoulder a light pat and walks back towards Diane. As Xander gives them a similar wave to the one he¡¯d shown Yuuta when they¡¯d argued back in front of their dorms, he says, ¡°Tread with caution, all right?¡± ¡°O-Okay!¡± ¡°Whatever.¡± Miranda follows slowly behind. Her arms are pressed to her thighs. Her shoulders tense. Despite her attempts at looking unaffected, Yuuta notices and wonders if she¡¯ll be all right. Perhaps, he thinks, I should be scared too. But he isn¡¯t. His heart beats fast with anticipation. His blood boils with excitement. For even if it is a bit earlier than he¡¯d expected, Yuuta believes a chance to prove himself for real has finally arrived. And he wants nothing more but to seize it, to climb the S.C.U¡¯s ranks faster than anyone else has ever before. 5: An Urban Legend Diane swipes the lock to the final gate¡ªthat separates them from the abandoned station¡ªopen. Yuuta is sure their commander mentioned that it had only been four days since it had ceased to function at some point during his lecture; however, he thinks it looks like much more time than that has passed. For the air is stale, and the only remaining light¡ªbelonging to a far off corridor¡ªflickers and reveals its fading bulb, trapped beneath a small, rectangular cage. ¡°Geez,¡± Miranda mutters. She holds her arms close to her chest whilst they all enter together. ¡°Kind of reminds me of those weird science fiction movies someone got a hold of during our last training camp.¡± ¡°Wow, thanks for the reminder, Miranda!¡± Yuuta retorts as he glances around the emptied lobby full of paths that lead to many other corridors. The lightbulb finally goes out. Yuuta thinks he catches Xander jumping on his spot, but he tells himself it¡¯s just his imagination, and not Xander¡¯s old fear of horror movies that has been awakened by Miranda¡¯s remark. Aside from the smoke emanating from the pipes above, and a little red light giving off a soft glow from a nearby fire alarm, the entrance is deserted. Diane swipes her key-card in the slit next to the wall. ¡°For good measure,¡± she says as the doors close again. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want anyone, or anything, to get out.¡± Yuuta isn¡¯t sure he wants to know what this anything is, but as he notices Xander gulping repeatedly and biting his lip, he cannot help but nudge his comrade with his elbow. ¡°Hey,¡± he whispers, ¡°get a hold of yourself. Miranda was just joking.¡± ¡°S-Sure¡­¡± Xander replies as he steps forward, into the prison of metal. And Yuuta knows, that this isn¡¯t good, because Xander never stutters¡ªnot unless something very, very bad is about to happen. ¡°So what¡¯s wrong then?¡± Yuuta skips to his side, closer to the control panel, leaving Miranda and Diane alone to inspect the physical aspects of the room with the help of their flashlights. ¡°Why do you look terrified even though this is probably just going to be a walk in the park for you?¡± Xander pauses in front of the station¡¯s secondary control panel. ¡°Hack it,¡± he says. ¡°Then we¡¯ll talk.¡± A grumbled, ¡°Yeah, yeah, hold your horses, Major Williams,¡± leaves Yuuta¡¯s lips. He connects his watch, which serves as a template for his holographic computer, to the panel. A screen pops up into the air, alongside bright neon keypads and windows made up of various colours. Yuuta thinks it is unnerving to only have Diane and Miranda¡¯s whispers, the low humming of the engine carried by the vibration beneath their feet, for company as he begins to type away. ¡°I¡¯m waiting,¡± Yuuta decides to add, in hopes that Xander will start talking and cover the unpleasant noises Yuuta dreads more than silence. Xander leans forward. It¡¯s just like when they were cleaning the ship a few hours ago, except this time, Yuuta doesn¡¯t even have a moment to be embarrassed. A wave of relief washes over him once he feels Xander¡¯s breaths ghosting against his neck¡ªand, if anything, he finds himself more than glad about their current proximity.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°I feel like this is one of those missions,¡± Xander says, and Yuuta¡¯s blood goes cold again. ¡°How do you know that for sure?¡± Yuuta whispers as he wonders why they¡¯re both talking with their voices so low, when Miranda and Diane are the only ones who could eventually overhear them from this distance. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s not just because you¡¯re squeamish?¡± Miranda knocks something over and swears. Diane reprimands her on her language once more. Xander crosses his arms. He rises, leans against the wall and shakes his head. ¡°I wish.¡± His chuckle is empty. Yuuta briefly glances up to find him scanning the five empty corridors before them with his eyes. ¡°I heard the stories,¡± he says. ¡°The impossible missions?¡± Xander nods. His grip tightens around the bodysuit that covers his skin. ¡°Yeah,¡± he says. ¡°A squad gets pinged, told it¡¯s just a mutiny, and then they disappear and are replaced the next day as if they¡¯d never existed.¡± Yuuta gasps. ¡°I thought that was just an urban legend though.¡± He lifts his hands from the keyboard. ¡°Xander, doesn¡¯t that mean we should get out of¡ª¡± ¡°Keep hacking,¡± Xander snaps. ¡°It¡¯s just a feeling, what I told you, nothing more. Maybe the power went out and the whole crew is stuck in a room somewhere and unable to get out.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°We don¡¯t do things on feelings here, Yuuta. Keep hacking.¡± ¡°Whatever,¡± Yuuta mutters as he gets back to it. A part of him wants to tell Xander the power isn¡¯t out, or else they wouldn¡¯t have gotten here in the first place, and he wouldn¡¯t have gotten into the system; but Xander isn¡¯t oblivious to these things. Even if it¡¯s just a hobby to him, he¡¯s one of the best hackers I know, Yuuta thinks, there must be a reason as to why he spoke those words. As Yuuta finishes up checking everything one by one, he frowns. ¡°What did you find?¡± Xander asks him. ¡°Nothing,¡± Yuuta blurts, confused and unable to believe the result of his hack as he cringes at his screen. ¡°Seriously, what the hell? Everything¡¯s normal!¡± ¡°What?¡± Miranda shouts from across the room as she zooms over to his side. ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t mess up? Or that maybe your system glitched?¡± To this, Yuuta sighs. His shoulders hunch over as he furrows his brows. ¡°You know, I appreciate how much you believe in me, Miranda¡ªbut no, I didn¡¯t mess up, and neither did my darling piece of machinery. I¡¯ll have you know I even managed to get a map of this place.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t start calling your computer darling, it¡¯s disturbing,¡± Xander huffs with a shake of his head that does nothing to hide his disappointment, as he marches back into the middle of the room. ¡°All right, team.¡± He clears his throat. ¡°Anyone find anything?¡± As they all shrug and stay in their places, Xander gulps, and Yuuta wonders if he¡¯s the only one to catch onto that. Xander turns so that his bag is no longer facing the tall, narrow corridor that looms over their figures. ¡°We¡¯re all taking the one in the middle. It¡¯s the main control panel apparently, and the one that¡¯ll be able to tell us what the heck went down here¡ªif it¡¯s the security system or the cameras that are broken.¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Yuuta takes a wide step towards Xander and eyes him dubiously. ¡°How do you know that?¡± he mutters so that the others cannot hear. ¡°I didn¡¯t show you the map yet.¡± Xander gives him his signature wink and points down to his own watch. ¡°Seems you let your guard down, partner.¡± He snickers. His gaze goes dark with a competitive glint Yuuta hasn¡¯t seen in him for a while. ¡°Careful,¡± Xander says as he walks away. ¡°I could have been one of our enemies and you would¡¯ve given them all the data they¡¯d wanted.¡± He pauses in his tracks as Yuuta fumes with rage. As Xander looks at Yuuta from over his shoulder, he smirks. ¡°Good thing it was only me, huh?¡± Yuuta returns his grin. He shoves his hands into his pockets and stomps over to his side. As he stands on his tiptoes to reach Xander¡¯s ear, he whispers, ¡°Xander, you bastard, I¡¯m going to get you back for that one, you¡¯ll see.¡± They enter the dark corridor, completely oblivious to Miranda and Diane¡¯s conversation behind them. Xander chuckles again. ¡°Please do, Lieutenant Aoki.¡± 6: Bug ¡°Tread with caution,¡± Xander says as they approach the room leading to the main controls. ¡°And don¡¯t make any sudden movements.¡± Miranda holds her flashlight close to her chest. ¡°What if it¡¯s a trap?¡± she whispers. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t we be walking right into it?¡± ¡°Obviously,¡± Yuuta scoffs. ¡°But who cares if it is?¡± he says with a shrug, and a wave of his hand, his own flashlight. ¡°We¡¯ve been trained to walk into traps.¡± ¡°I know that!¡± she snaps, a little too loud in comparison to her mother who has yet to speak a word. ¡°But for survival¡¯s sake, it¡¯s still better not to¡ª¡± ¡°Quiet,¡± Xander says, his voice low as he freezes and holds out a hand to stop them from going forward. ¡°Did anyone else hear that noise?¡± The station dips slightly to the right. Inside the ringing silence, metal screeches and rearranges itself. Yuuta gulps. ¡°Y-you¡¯re hilarious, Xander. Stop playing, there¡¯s nothing¡ª¡± A shadow descends from the ceiling and drops down next to Yuuta¡¯s ankle. Yuuta¡¯s eyes widen as his flashlight reveals a maggot the size of a human fist, whose lime-green, almost fluorescent skin is dented with holes and what looks to be blood. Miranda screeches. She drops her flashlight that goes rolling down the hallway, in the direction of the entrance that leads towards the main control panel. ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Yuuta says as he rolls his eyes and nudges the worm, that squirms against the silver floor, with his foot. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously scared of a bug, are you? Look!¡± He kicks at it again. ¡°It¡¯s harmless!¡± ¡°Yuuta,¡± Miranda blurts as she takes a step back, her eyes widening. ¡°That¡¯s not a normal bug.¡± ¡°Miranda¡¯s right, Yuuta,¡± Xander tells him, his features growing sterner by the minute as a gloss of sweat covers his brow. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be touching it.¡± Diane nods as she pulls Miranda closer to her side. ¡°We should come back with something to capture it. And perhaps, for now at least, consider a tactical retreat. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. We¡¯d be in trouble if there were more, not to mention they could be poisonous.¡± There is another screech coming from within the station as it moves again. Yuuta¡¯s shoulders drop. ¡°Fine.¡± He sighs and takes a step forward. ¡°Let¡¯s get going, I don¡¯t¡ª¡± But before Yuuta can finish his phrase, inscrutable pain¡ªcoming from rows of sharp teeth that bite into his ankle¡¯s thin skin¡ªruns up his leg. His eyes widen at the sensation of fire bursting across his veins. It is like he has just jumped into an inferno that slowly burns him alive, he thinks. ¡°Fuck,¡± Yuuta gasps the word as his eyes dart from left to right in a fit of panic. ¡°Fuck, what¡¯s¡ª¡± The pain disappears, yet the throbbing of his heart that travels throughout his wound remains. When Yuuta glances downward, the worm is dead by Xander¡¯s hand, its three rows of sharp teeth¡ªcovered in a purple substance Yuuta cannot identify as anything he knows¡ªglistening from within its gaping mouth. Xander glances up to him and meets his gaze. He parts his lips. ¡°Yuuta,¡± he says. ¡°Are you all¡ª¡± The floor rumbles. The foul stench of decaying flesh and iron fills the room. ¡°Guys!¡± Miranda shouts as she fixates on something behind their figures, something now partially lit by her abandoned flashlight. ¡°Guys, we have to go. Now! Get up and¡ª¡± Miranda¡¯s breaths are stolen from her by none other than Diane, who grabs her by the arm, and starts running in the direction they came from. It doesn¡¯t take long until Yuuta and Xander are doing the same, as the tall, dark shadow rises before them and dangles the looming threat of a chase in front of their faces filled with terror and fright. Yuuta is surprised to find his pain has relatively subsided despite the pressure he puts on his ankle, surprised, yet not dissatisfied. Bile rises up his throat as the horrible stench, that now lurks within every inch of the corridor, travels to his location. He swallows hard, tries to ignore it. And then he thinks he feels something. Something cold and inhumane brushing past his arms. However, it is gone within a matter of seconds, and perhaps, he thinks it again, that it is just his imagination¡ªnothing more.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. It is hard to see in the darkness, for the spots of light¡ªthat emanate from their flashlights¡ªhave now engaged in a strange dance across the walls as their sources are swung around at random due to the group¡¯s hectic dash for the exit. And if the unknown menace hadn¡¯t already shaken them all down to their cores, the foul sound of liquids splattering across the floor behind them, without a doubt, does. ¡°We need a plan,¡± Xander finally manages to shout amongst the chaos. ¡°We can¡¯t let it follow us out into another station!¡± ¡°And what exactly is it?¡± Miranda shouts, out of breath and huffing. ¡°Did you even see that? It had hundreds of arms!¡± ¡°Miranda, dear, I think your fear may have gotten the better of you.¡± Diane clears her throat and coughs. ¡°It definitely looked closer to being human. Granted, it was missing it¡¯s eyes, however¡ª¡± Yuuta frowns. ¡°Wait, what?¡± he blurts. ¡°What the hell are you both talking about? That thing wasn¡¯t even close to being human. It looked like a shitload of intestines were bunched together and moving in this weird, sloppy manner, and¡ª¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Xander shouts at the top of his lungs. ¡°We get it. We all saw something different. But that¡¯s not the point here. We need to leave and make sure this doesn¡¯t get out of hand while doing so.¡± ¡°Holy crap, you mean you didn¡¯t see it either?¡± Yuuta¡¯s voice cracks. ¡°Dude, what did you see then?¡± ¡°Yuuta! Shut up!¡± Miranda cries. ¡°Look! We¡¯re getting close to the exit. He¡¯s right, we need a plan.¡± ¡°Oh great, now I¡¯m the bad guy¡­¡± Yuuta mutters with a roll of his eyes. ¡°Xander? Any ideas?¡± ¡°I suggest we detach the station,¡± Diane says. ¡°That way, nobody gets hurt, and we aren¡¯t taking any risks here.¡± ¡°Uh, right.¡± Yuuta¡¯s laughter is awkward. ¡°That¡¯s nice and all, Diane, but I think you forgot we need two people inside in order to do that.¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± she says. ¡°But do you truly think we have the freedom to choose here?¡± ¡°I mean¡­ w-we could¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Xander says, his voice stern despite his obvious fatigue. ¡°I¡¯ll be one of the units that stay.¡± Yuuta¡¯s eyes go wide. ¡°Hey, what are you talking about?¡± he asks, his voice shaken, as the world comes crashing down onto his shoulders. ¡°That¡¯s nonsense. Why would you¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s an emergency. We both know fighters and elders go first. I¡¯m not as valuable as you. Top hackers are much harder to find.¡± ¡°But what about your dreams of¡ª¡± ¡°There are no dreams, Yuuta,¡± Xander says. ¡°This is reality.¡± Yuuta traps his lower lip between his teeth. He bites down hard in an attempt to stop his tears from coming. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you then,¡± Yuuta blurts. ¡°I can¡ª¡± ¡°No!¡± Xander shouts. ¡°No, you won¡¯t. You¡¯re going to go back to our station and report what you saw here.¡± ¡°As will you, Miranda,¡± Diane adds. ¡°Mother?¡± Miranda whimpers. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± She shakes her head. ¡°I can¡¯t. I joined this unit to save people, I don¡¯t want to lose another ¡ª¡± ¡°We are saving people.¡± Diane¡¯s voice echoes throughout the hallway as their footsteps slow against the metallic floorboards. By now, the noises of the monster they¡¯d seen is distant, yet, still nearing in a pace fast enough to make Yuuta¡¯s heart race. Diane hands her key-card over to Miranda. Miranda snatches it from her without a word. Yuuta can vaguely see her features, illuminated by the red glow of the alarm above. Her brows are furrowed, and she is intent on looking down, her fists scrunched by her sides. ¡°I care about you, Miranda,¡± Diane says as she reaches out to touch her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m doing this because I love you, and I want to protect what we¡ª¡± Miranda slaps her hand away. ¡°Don¡¯t you touch me,¡± she snaps, her boots clinking against silvers as she swipes the card across the slit embedded in the wall. Tears are falling down her face, ones she doesn¡¯t even bother hiding nor wiping away. ¡°First dad, and now you? I don¡¯t believe this.¡± Yuuta gulps. But no matter how much he swallows, it isn¡¯t enough to keep his guilt away. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do good,¡± Xander tells him with a bittersweet smile. ¡°You¡¯ve¡­ been a great rival. Thank you, for everything.¡± Yuuta wants nothing more than to switch places with him, to save Xander from the hands of whatever it is that¡¯s waiting to devour them in this lonely station, to hold him in his arms and never let go. But he cannot do either of those things. Because it is too late now, too late to go back and tell him, too late to go back in time and refuse this hell of a mission. So instead, he just laughs. It¡¯s half-hearted, and they both know this, yet none of them choose to comment on it. ¡°Don¡¯t talk like you¡¯re already dead,¡± Yuuta says as he holds out his fist. ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon, Major Williams, and then I¡¯ll be the one kicking your ass into hell.¡± Xander chuckles, yet his smile does not follow. He bumps Yuuta¡¯s knuckles with his, and says, ¡°Sure. Whatever you say.¡± Their time is up. Yuuta and Miranda step foot back into the outside world¡ªtheir world. The four of them hold their respective watches up to the scanners that confirm their IDs, permissions as members of the S.C.U to bypass the system and disconnect the stations. Smoke emanates from below. The doors between them begin to close as the locks that had kept all gears in place rattle and shake the ground beneath their feet. Yuuta¡¯s heartbeat thrums within his ears. He takes one look at Miranda, another at Diane and Xander, before muttering the word, ¡°Sorry,¡± and jumping back into the desolated station. It all happens too fast for anyone to stop him, and once the doors are finally shut, once the stations are now floating away from one another¡ªYuuta glances at Diane¡¯s face again, distraught and torn with rage, as she shouts words inaudible to Yuuta and bangs her fist against the glass, next to a stunned version of Miranda whose eyes have gone wide. I did it, he thinks, ignoring his shallow breaths, and Xander who trembles beside him; in anger or fear, he does not know. I¡¯m in, Yuuta thinks. 7: Haunted By Hope Miranda drops to her knees. Her mother¡¯s shouts ring in her ears. She does not know what to think, nor where to begin if she were to speak. Her shadow is tainted by guilt¡ªfor she believes she could have stopped Yuuta¡ªyet, her heart is a specter made of hope, for her mother hasn¡¯t left her. As Diane¡¯s fist hits the thick glass before them, Miranda snaps out of it. And the hope she once felt¡ªit dissipates once she sees her mother¡¯s eyes, a reflection of her own, but filled with rage. Cold, cold rage. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The question leaves Miranda¡¯s lips before she can take the words and shove them back into her throat. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Diane echoes, pure anger sewn into her tone. A thin strand of hair detaches itself from her bun and lingers across her face, now distorted by the lines of her scowl. ¡°Miranda, why don¡¯t you tell me what¡¯s wrong?¡± Miranda straightens up. She parts her lips and raises a finger in the air. ¡°I¡ª¡± What is it? she wonders, what is it that made her say such an absurd question? Was it her attachment to the idea of family? Was it born out of the fear that had yet to surface in her life up to this day? Was it egotism?¡ªMiranda doesn¡¯t quite know. ¡°What¡¯s wrong is that we couldn¡¯t save them,¡± she says. In her opinion, it isn¡¯t entirely a lie, for she does think it unfair that¡ªno matter what, in this situation¡ªtwo people would have had to suffer for the safety of others. And, perhaps it is out of spite towards the fact that she is glad to be out of danger and they are not, but her statement soon turns into another. ¡°We must save them,¡± Miranda adds, each of her words carefully pressed between two layers of urgency. ¡°Mother,¡± she rises to her feet, afraid of what she has become, haunted by a poltergeist who goes by the name of conscience. ¡°Mother,¡± Miranda says again as she grabs Diane¡¯s shoulders and raises her voice. ¡°If we don¡¯t help them, they will die!¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°They are already dead,¡± Diane says as she shakes off Miranda¡¯s hold from her suit and turns her back to the place where the abandoned station once stood. ¡°We cannot do anything for doomed men.¡± Miranda gasps; it is small, insignificant. ¡°What are you talking about, mom.¡± Her voice shakes. She tries to catch up to her mother who marches forward without ever looking at the past behind them. ¡°They still have a chance! They¡¯re excellent at what they do! Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re giving up a little too easily? Don¡¯t you think we could still do something to¡ª¡± Diane pauses. The noises of chatter and communal life, civilians walking by and laughing, can now be heard from their home station. ¡°This isn¡¯t a fairytale, Miranda.¡± She turns around to face her daughter. There isn¡¯t a bout to doubt in her glare. ¡°You will learn to move on. In battle, nobody is safe.¡± ¡°But they weren¡¯t in battle, mom!¡± Miranda takes a step forward. She motions to the invisible footprints they¡¯ve left behind, during their travel across their path of return. ¡°They were right there in front of us, and we could have saved¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t insult their sacrifice, Miranda.¡± Diane turns back to their home station once more, where warm, yellow light emanates from the transparent door before them and bleeds into the hallway. ¡°We¡¯re going to report back and announce both their deaths to the head of command, and then their families.¡± She walks off. ¡°It¡¯s the least we can do,¡± are her parting words for Miranda. Miranda nods in silence. She bites back her own words, the ones that say she isn¡¯t convinced; the ones that would have told her mother she does not see why Xander and Yuuta should be declared dead when they are still alive. The least we can do? the question runs through her mind as she takes a step into the light, then two. I don¡¯t think so, Miranda thinks whilst marching forward, a fire of determination blazing from within her gaze¡ªsorry, mom, but this time, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m going to have to disagree with you. 8: Why Gaia gets further away from them until the blue planet is only but a blotch in the distance. Yuuta assumed it would have taken them longer to get this far, but he supposes the station is too big to be compared to the gravitational pull of satellites he once worked on during his first years of training. He wonders if whatever it was that was after them has been driven away by the sudden motions, and tremors, that continue to attack the station¡¯s floors, and walls. And then, Yuuta asks himself if he did the right thing after all, because Xander is staring at him, as if he were a ghost¡ªas if Yuuta is but a fictional piece of his imagination. Xander¡¯s lips are parted; they shake, and yet, Xander does not know what to say. Yuuta waits for a moment, giving him every opportunity he might need to speak. But Xander doesn¡¯t. ¡°Xander?¡± Yuuta asks, waving a hand before his friend¡¯s frozen features. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°You jumped,¡± Xander says, his voice a breath away from becoming a whisper. ¡°You pushed her. You jumped,¡± he echoes. Yuuta nods. ¡°I did.¡± However, what comes next is a reaction he does not expect, especially not from Xander¡ªhis ever so calm, always-analyzing-everything-Xander.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Xander grabs his shoulders and shakes him. ¡°Are you insane?¡± he shouts, his voice dry, raw. ¡°Yuuta, you¡¯re going to die here! Why would you do this to yourself? Why would you¡ª I¡­¡± Xander¡¯s inhale is sharp, shaken, as his head hangs low. Yuuta notices the goosebumps rising on Xander¡¯s arms. ¡°I volunteered so you wouldn¡¯t have to,¡± he mutters, his grip loosening around Yuuta¡¯s skin that had gone red from the pressure. ¡°You think I was going to let you die alone?¡± Yuuta blurts, surprised by how much his own voice has also grown unstable. He shoves his fists into the fabric of Xander¡¯s suit, that covers his chest, and tugs him close, until Xander finally accepts to look at him again. ¡°You really think I¡¯m the kind of person that lets his best friend die alone in the middle of fucking nowhere?¡± Yuuta shouts, shaking him in turn. ¡°Like hell I was going to do that, you asshole!¡± There is a roar from afar as the ship creaks again. Yuuta¡¯s fingers unravel from Xander¡¯s collar. He traps his lower lip between his teeth before averting his gaze. ¡°We should go,¡± he says. Xander nods. ¡°Yeah.¡± His voice is breathy and low. ¡°Do you still have your map?¡± Yuuta frowns. ¡°Don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Just checking.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Another roar, and the sound of claws being dragged along metal¡ªthe station¡¯s walls¡ªresonates throughout the lobby. ¡°Sleeping quarters sound like a good plan to you?¡± Xander asks him. ¡°We can make an inventory of what we have left and look into drafting a plan once we¡¯re there.¡± ¡°Y-yeah,¡± Yuuta mutters. ¡°Honestly, anywhere is good as long as it¡¯s not the main control room...¡± To this, Xander cannot help but snicker a little. ¡°Agreed,¡± he says. 9: Alone With You Xander and Yuuta¡¯s footsteps echo across the empty hall. Despite their previous misadventure, the coast seems to be clear¡ªat least, for now. ¡°How¡¯s your injury?¡± Xander asks, as they try to navigate throughout the darkness with the help of a single flashlight. Yuuta tilts his head. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Your ankle,¡± Xander says. ¡°Do you want me to have a look? I have a few things that could be used to treat it in my bag if you¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Yuuta¡¯s shoulder hits a pipe. He grunts and swears under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­¡± he mutters. ¡°But more importantly, I really wish I could use my light so that I could stop running into these fucking pipes.¡± Xander pauses to make sure Yuuta is okay. However, once Yuuta regains his side, they slip back into their previous pace as if they had never stopped in the first place. ¡°You know we can¡¯t do that,¡± Xander tells him. ¡°We need to save whatever we can for the time being.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Yuuta sighs. ¡°I know, I was just complaining.¡± As they take another turn, Xander chuckles. ¡°So honest today,¡± he says. Yuuta gazes up to him, pouts, and mumbles, ¡°Well¡­ I might as well be if we¡¯re going to be stuck here for a while¡­¡± His statement catches Xander¡¯s attention as his comrade¡¯s gaze meets his halfway. For a brief moment, Yuuta wonders if Xander is going to comment and tell him he¡¯s being unrealistic for thinking they are going to get out. But soon, Xander turns back to the darkness of the hallway, and the space between them goes silent again. Despite his apprehension of what it would feel like to be next to him without speaking, his fear of things growing awkward, Yuuta finds himself to be quite comfortable and can only hope the same stands for Xander as they continue to explore the station, following the holographic map, taking turn after turn, Xander¡¯s heart skipping a beat each time they are faced with the beginning of a newfound corridor. It is only once they pause again to take a breather, that Yuuta notices the throbbing in his leg has returned. ¡°You all right?¡± Xander asks him, just like he had back at the entrance; except this time his voice is a little more hollow, his tone brought down by his fatigue. Yuuta purses his lips together. He is glad that Xander has not shone the faint, yellow light on him, for it is a certitude in his mind that he must be feverish, and that it would be visible with just one look at his face. A part of him wants to tell Xander the truth, but he also knows that they probably aren¡¯t safe here, and that he¡¯d be putting both of them in danger¡ªespecially Xander¡ªif they were to stop for more than a minute.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± he says, because he can¡¯t bring himself to fully lie to his best friend, and because it¡¯s true¡ªthey are almost at the first cabin indicated on the map glowing before their eyes. ¡°It¡¯s better if we talk once we arrive.¡± There is a weight in Yuuta¡¯s chest. He is afraid¡ªmore than of the void they face, more than anything else¡ªthat Xander will ask him to stay, to see his injury. It would take the worth out of switching places with Diane, he thinks, if he were to put Xander at risk like that; and Yuuta very much hopes it won¡¯t have to come to this. The heavy feeling that had begun to choke Yuuta dissipates once Xander snickers and gives his shoulder a friendly pat. ¡°Spoken like a true soldier,¡± he coos as he illuminates the path before them and steps towards the thick door¡ªmade up of the strongest metals¡ªwhich will supposedly lead them to a place of temporarily respite. ¡°For once,¡± Xander adds with a smug grin. Yuuta punches his shoulder. ¡°Just open the god damned door already,¡± he snaps. However, another noise of a fist being slammed against metal rings throughout the room, causing them to pause. Yuuta tenses. His eyes widen as they both turn to face the door to their left. He thinks he hears Xander gulp, but he isn¡¯t sure, for it could be his imagination at this point. ¡°Xander,¡± Yuuta says, his voice low. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Xander whispers, his pulse racing beneath the hand Yuuta has yet to remove from his shoulder. ¡°You take the left, I take the right.¡± Yuuta lets out a sigh of relief. ¡°Exactly,¡± he says, as he turns with the intention of walking deeper into the corridor, into a different room where nothing is apparently waiting for them on the other side of the door. ¡°Let¡¯s try another¡ª¡± Yuuta pauses. He blinks twice. ¡°Wait, what?¡± His voice breaks as he looks at Xander once more. ¡°Are you insane? What happened to playing it safe? We can¡¯t just go in there. What if it¡¯s another one of those things we encountered in front of the control room?¡± ¡°I am playing it safe.¡± Xander¡¯s voice is raised now. His hands ball into fists as Yuuta finally pulls his own palm away from his shoulder. ¡°We don¡¯t know who¡¯s in there,¡± he says. ¡°They could be an ally.¡± ¡°It could also be something deadly,¡± Yuuta chimes in. The glare Xander shoots him is an irritated one, causing Yuuta to add the words, ¡°Hey, just saying,¡± with a shrug soon after. Xander clears his throat. ¡°Anyway, get ready.¡± He motions to part of the flashlight¡¯s dim glow between them with his index finger. ¡°If it¡¯s another¡ªwell, I¡¯m not sure what to call them,¡± he clears his throat. ¡°But if it¡¯s another one of those¡­ lively creatures, we¡¯ll run to the waste dispenser over there.¡± Dubious about his plan, Yuuta raises a brow. ¡°You want to use an electric waste dispenser on something twice the height of this corridor when we don¡¯t even have a guarantee that the electricity will work?¡± Xander¡¯s brows are knitted together. ¡°Do you have another suggestion?¡± he asks. Yuuta steps back and plunges his hand into the pouch that lies lazily around his waist. He takes out a tiny, white rectangular cover that soon stretches out into an arc, its string a light blue beam that travels across its edges in a horizontal line once he releases its lock. ¡°Here¡¯s my suggestion,¡± he says, as he repeats the process with one of his arrows this time, and gets into position to shoot whatever is behind the door down. ¡°You open the door. And if it¡¯s friendly, I won¡¯t have to kill it.¡± Another blunt bang resonates throughout the corridor from within the bunker. ¡°Also, hurry up, will you?¡± Yuuta adds. ¡°I don¡¯t think I need to tell you, but just in case¡ªif worst comes to pass, it would suck real hard if this thing was trying to call its friends.¡± Xander sighs. His hand hovers over the handle. ¡°All right,¡± he says as he begins to twist the handle. ¡°But if all else fails, my plan is plan B. Though¡­ hopefully it won¡¯t come to that, and it¡¯ll only be one of the passengers that were on board before we arrived.¡± Yuuta swallows down the lump in this throat. He calms his trembling hands and takes aim. ¡°Okay,¡± he says. ¡°Deal.¡± 10: The End? Xander tries to open the door. It is lodged from the inside. His brows are knitted together as his hands tense around the handle. He gives it one, final strong tug towards him. There is a scream, but it doesn¡¯t belong to neither Yuuta nor Xander. The woman standing before them scrapes what little flesh remains on her face with her nails. She screeches and advances towards them in a manner all too mechanic and cold to resemble that of a human being¡¯s. Bile rises in Yuuta¡¯s throat as putrid smells of vomit, feces, and iron follow her figure. ¡°I can shoot right?¡± Yuuta¡¯s voice is broken as his eyes dart back and forth between Xander and her. ¡°Please tell me I can shoot,¡± he blurts, breathless, his sweat-clad fingers trembling around his bow as he aims for her head that is still dripping with blood. ¡°The fuck are you on about, Yuuta, of course you can shoot!¡± Xander shouts as he jumps away from the door¡ªbefore he even has the time to ready himself for combat however, Yuuta¡¯s arrow has already pierced her throat. The woman¡¯s head drops to the floor with a dull thud. Yuuta¡¯s breaths are heavy. His chests heaves up and down as he stares at the thin line of skin keeping the woman¡¯s jaw connected to her neck like a piece of bubblegum. His eyes dart back to Xander. ¡°Is¡­ is it over?¡± he huffs. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Xander bites his lip. Yuuta notices his hands are trembling. He wants to walk up to him and hold them¡ªhold him, until they are both calm, just like when they were kids. But there is no chance for such affections, for a low groan soon grabs both their attentions as the woman picks up her head, her brains splattering to the floor as splotches of blood splash onto the tip of Yuuta¡¯s shoes once she starts dashing forth, toward them with her mouth wide open, revealing emptiness where a tongue should have been. ¡°Time for my plan!¡± Xander shouts as he grabs Yuuta by the wrist and drags him off and down into the bleak corridor. ¡°Yeah! Okay!¡± Yuuta says with a shudder as he tries to keep up with Xander¡¯s hectic pace. ¡°I just¡ª¡± He takes a deep breath. ¡°I hope there won¡¯t be more of¡ª¡± Another scream pierces the air. Yuuta glances backward. ¡°Uh¡­ Xander?¡± he blurts, butchering his comrade¡¯s name as the last syllables of it turn into a faint squeak. ¡°There¡¯s a problem.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me she¡¯s running.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. To this, Yuuta gulps, nods faintly. ¡°She¡¯s running¡­¡± he mutters. ¡°Fuck!¡± Xander¡¯s frustrated cry echoes across the empty hallway, alongside both their footsteps that tap against silver in ordered and meticulous rhythms, that cover up the sound of the blood dripping behind them. ¡°Dude! Shut up!¡± Yuuta shouts. ¡°What if the others hear you and come to her rescue?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡± As Xander stops himself short from another outburst, Yuuta can see his shoulders tense. ¡°Don¡¯t imply that there are others, please¡­¡± he mumbles between two short breaths. As the waste dispenser finally comes into view, the woman begins waving and shouting the words, ¡°Help me, help me, dear lord, please, help me, it hurts!¡± Yuuta and Xander slow before the dispenser in order to lure her out. Xander grabs his flashlight and shines it onto her; even though he attempts to hide his fear, Yuuta can still see his Adam¡¯s apple bob within his throat as he gulps at the sight. ¡°Y-you don¡¯t think she¡¯s actually conscious, d-do you?¡± he asks Yuuta. Yuuta takes another glimpse at her. To him, it¡¯s obvious she isn¡¯t alive anymore, for she does not move like a human would, her limbs twisted in weird ways as insects crawl out of the dents in her skin. ¡°It¡¯s too late, Xander,¡± Yuuta mutters as he gives Xander¡¯s arm a squeeze. ¡°And whatever made her this way could be contagious. We need to get rid of her.¡± Xander lets out an empty, broken laugh. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± he whispers as he gets into position, his head hanging low. ¡°I figured¡­ It¡¯s just, since she¡¯s asking for help, you know it¡¯s kind of¡ª¡± Yuuta bites his lip, holding back the tears that threaten to fall from his eyes. ¡°Listen,¡± he snaps as he turns back to face Xander. ¡°I really didn¡¯t want to say this because it¡¯s horrible to think about, but I think it¡¯s her muscle memory at work here, and nothing more. She¡¯s only repeating what she said before she died. Stop hesitating, or you¡¯re going to get us kill¡ª¡± Yuuta¡¯s final words are stolen from him before he can finish his phrase. His eyes go wide. His lips are parted by a hiccup that escapes past his teeth as the world is pulled from under him when a cold hand slides across the skin of his ankle and tugs on his leg with a force that¡ªhe thinks¡ªdefinitely isn¡¯t human. The woman moans, and Yuuta can feel the insects, and other things he cannot name, slithering up his leg as both his head and body hit the floor. He tries to shake her off, but she is much stronger than he could ever hope to be. Her nails¡ªwhich have been darkened by dried blood¡ªdig into his skin. Yuuta¡¯s already present injury pulses with an ache that makes his head spin. ¡°Xander,¡± Yuuta gasps as he tries to hold onto something, yet fails each time, due to his surroundings being covered with corrupt and slime-like fluids that belong to the creature dragging him down. ¡°Xander,¡± he echoes, wondering if his comrade¡¯s name will be the last sound that will make it past his mouth, filled by the fear that he will be leaving Xander all alone here in this dark and sinister place even hope cannot touch. He shuts his eyes. It¡¯s no use anymore, he thinks, to fight her off would be madness¡ªfor Yuuta has already lost all his strength; and his vision, it is nothing more than a faint blur that makes him dizzy and sick. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Xander¡­¡± Yuuta whimpers, his face flat against the floor, his skin whitening beneath the undead woman¡¯s grasp. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t able to keep our promise.¡± Maybe I wasn¡¯t cut out for this after all, he thinks. 11: Number Thirty-Five It¡¯s like there are bubbles beside Miranda¡¯s ears that pop and fade, and return, and pop again, censoring every word that is spoken between her mother and the head of command. Every now and then, he takes a peek at her from behind her mother. He asks a few questions, ones that Miranda cannot bring herself to lie to verbally, ones she tries to shake off with mere shrugs and nods. She wishes she could remember her commander¡¯s name, but they¡¯re always coming in and out of her home station¡ªthe other versions of him. And even though the man looks as if he is more or less the same each time, Miranda knows he is not the same person as the one she spoke to a month ago, or the month before that. Whether it be his accent, the color of his eyes, or if he suddenly happens to be left-handed¡ªshe has observed that there are always slight variations whenever the man comes back from his trips to Gaia. Today, the difference is a tad less subtle, for a piece of his finger seems to be missing beneath his gloves. Miranda decides to call him number thirty-five and, in her mind, she leaves it at that. ¡°You heard the man, let us have a chat and go get some rest, all right, Miranda?¡± Miranda¡¯s nose twitches. She looks up to Diane who wears a forced smile across her lips. ¡°Excuse her,¡± Diane says as she turns back to the commander with an equally forced laugh. ¡°She¡¯s still a bit green in this field. I think it may take some time until she gets used to the death of her fellow co-workers.¡± ¡°Friends, mom,¡± Miranda interjects. ¡°They¡¯re my friends.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Diane pats her on the back. She leans in and lowers her voice. ¡°Are you trying to get demoted?¡± she hisses. Miranda takes a step back and shakes off her mother¡¯s grasp. Instead of looking directly at Diane, she ignores her, and locks eyes with the commander. Today, his gaze is blue. ¡°Please forgive me for my silence, commander,¡± she says, in a tone that implies she is not sorry at all. ¡°It¡¯s not every day that I get sent to an assassination mission only to be faced with a creature ten times my size.¡± Miranda gives him a curt nod.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Beside her, Diane is mortified, as she fears what might become of her daughter, should Miranda continue walking a path she believes to be a bit too close to insolence. The commander waves the weight of her words away. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, miss Brodeur,¡± he says, as casual as one can be in these dire times. ¡°I can see you¡¯ve been through a lot.¡± The commander takes a step forward. He clasps his hands behind his back. Miranda wonders if his gesture is to keep what is missing away from the eyes of her mother. ¡°Diane is correct,¡± he says. ¡°It would be an excellent idea if you saw yourself to your quarters and stayed there until we have further need for you. Right now, you are¡­ how can I say this¡­¡± he clears his throat. ¡°A little bit unstable, yes? It wouldn¡¯t do you any harm to take a nap perhaps. Why don¡¯t you take the day off?¡± I¡¯d rather punch your ugly face, Miranda thinks the words loud in her mind, yet, not loud enough for them to make it past her lips. ¡°How very generous of you, commander,¡± she says, unable to keep her brows from rising at the same time. ¡°You can trust I will use this time wisely. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me,¡±¡ªMiranda turns around and makes for the exit¡ª¡°I¡¯m going to go shed a few tears in my room like the poor, unstable little girl I am.¡± ¡°Miranda!¡± Diane shouts from behind her as she stomps her foot and feels the warmth of cold rage rising to her face. ¡°How dare you¡ª¡± As the door shuts behind Miranda, the commander grabs Diane¡¯s upper arm and says, ¡°It¡¯s quite all right. We were all her age once, it is understandable.¡± Diane gasps. ¡°But, Sir, she clearly¡ª¡± ¡°Please,¡± he smiles, his gaze darkening as he gives Diane¡¯s hand a modest pat. ¡°Call me Abe.¡± 12: Lingering Doubts

1. The first guard in Miranda¡¯s line of vision is the one she takes down with her. She grunts and grabs him by the throat before sticking a dagger straight to his skin and pinning him to the empty corridors¡¯ walls. ¡°W-What do you want from me?¡± the man whimpers as tears form in his eyes. ¡°Answers,¡± she says. ¡°You¡¯re stationed here quite often, aren¡¯t you? You must know a few things about the commander and his activities.¡± ¡°I¡ª I think you¡¯re mistaken,¡± he blurts. ¡°It¡¯s probably someone else you¡¯re looking for, I¡¯ve done nothing wrong!¡± ¡°I never said you did,¡± Miranda tells him through gritted teeth. The guard¡¯s pulse beats against the small of her palm as she tightens her grip around his neck. ¡°Why do you feel the need to defend yourself? What do you know?¡± The man wheezes. A bead of sweat trickles down his forehead. Miranda opens her palm and lets him drop to the floor. She squats before him, resting her wrist against her knee, her other hand occupied with holding a gun¡ªshe takes out of her back pocket¡ªto the man¡¯s skull. ¡°Tell me!¡± she shouts. ¡°What the fuck do you know, soldier?¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± The man gasps. His eyes are wide. ¡°You¡¯re crazy! I don¡¯t know anything! And I¡¯m warning you, if you don¡¯t stop this, I¡¯ll have to report you!¡± Miranda leans in and nudges the gun against his temple. Next to his ear, she whispers, ¡°Nah, pal, I¡¯m not crazy¡ªI¡¯m just an assassin.¡± As she pulls away with a smile, she tilts her head and snickers. ¡°Now listen, I don¡¯t want to hurt you, but I would like you to acknowledge that I¡¯m in a very bad mood today. So, unless you want to tempt your luck, and choose between having that throat of yours slit or your brains blown out later tonight, I think it¡¯d be wise for you to start talking.¡± The man parts his lips to speak, but Miranda hushes him with a palm pressed to his mouth. ¡°Oh, no, sweetie, that¡¯s not how it works,¡± she shakes her head. ¡°You see, if we do this here, someone will catch me.¡± She makes the gun spin around her finger until the hilt is facing his head. As Miranda knocks him out, she laughs again and sighs. ¡°Man, even though you¡¯re not the biggest of blokes, you¡¯re still going to be a pain to drag back to my room¡­¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

2. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± the guard gasps as Miranda tugs the piece of cloth¡ªshe had used as a gag when she was tying him up to her desk¡¯s chair¡ªout of his mouth. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Miranda says, her hands rested against her hips whilst she observes him. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to be so violent!¡± he cries. ¡°Oh?¡± She raises a brow and crosses her arms. ¡°Were you expecting me to seduce you first and gently get that information out of you, perhaps? Sorry, but no, I don¡¯t work that way. If I want something, I take it. Watch¡­¡± Miranda circles around him. She stops once they are face-to-face and takes out another one of her daggers from the belt hanging by her side. As she points it towards his eyes, his groin, she carefully observes each and every single one of his reactions. ¡°Well that¡¯s rare. Doesn¡¯t really seem like you care more for one or the other.¡± ¡°I care for my people.¡± Miranda scoffs. ¡°They trained you well then.¡± Silence. ¡°Not going to talk, are we?¡± He shakes his head. Miranda thinks she might have to clean up the blood that has dried against his chestnut bangs as he averts his gaze from hers. ¡°You won¡¯t be getting anything out of me. I am loyal to my pledge,¡± he mutters. She stomps forward and grabs him by the collar. ¡°Look me in the eye and dare say it again,¡± Miranda spits, ¡°that you are loyal to a traitor.¡± The young man smirks and faces her gaze straight on, his shade of forest green reflected in the oceans of her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m loyal to my cause,¡± he says. ¡°And no one, not even you, will take that away from me.¡± 13: Hold On To Me "Yuuta!" The sound of something sliding across the floor towards him forces Yuuta to open his eyes. "Yuuta, come on! You got this, don''t faint on me now!" Without a clue as to what he''s trying to reach for, or what he is supposed to do with it, Yuuta musters up all his strength to pull his arm out before him. As he feels around the space, a grin tugs at the corners of his lips once he makes a fist around what he guesses to be a crowbar. He cannot help the chuckle that escapes him as he pictures Xander''s worried face and thinks, so much for not wanting to harm your enemy more than necessary, you sly bastard. It only takes a second for Yuuta to turn around and smash what little remained of the undead woman''s jaw with the crowbar. Two, for Xander to dash to Yuuta''s side and take him into his arms, far from her, and back towards the waste dispenser whose panel he tinkers with not a second too late. Yuuta gasps. "Xander, what are you¡ª" "Stay quiet." Xander snaps as he releases Yuuta, only to wrap one arm around his waist and grab hold of a nearby pipe with the other. "And..." he whispers whilst holding Yuuta close to his chest, "don''t leave my side, all right?" Their gazes meet. "If you start trying something crazy now, I can''t guarantee I''ll be able to hold on." Yuuta''s heart beats in his throat. He tells himself it isn''t due to their proximity, and that it''s just the situation, as he looks away and grasps at the fabric of Xander''s suit. "What did you tell it to do?" he whispers, his eyes darting between their common enemy¡ªwho has regained her bearings and is now charging towards them once more¡ªand the waste dispenser''s door.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "It''s going to open in exactly seven seconds from now." Xander huffs, and this time, Yuuta isn''t sure whether it is his heart, or the one of his companion, he is hearing throbbing against his skin. "It''ll stay open for twenty and close again after that." "Okay," Yuuta says, his voice weak, dry, as he braces himself for what is to come. "Okay, good." The feel of Xander trembling against him makes him ask, "Do you want me to be your eyes?" There is an announcement from a monotonic, robotic voice in the background, that states for all passengers to steer clear of the area as it begins to count down from the number three right down to zero. "No..." Xander tells him, his grip tightening around Yuuta''s clothes that are now tainted with blood. "I have to be alert just in case. I can''t close my eyes. This is too important." The undead woman is close enough for Yuuta to smell the putrid scent of bile coming from her rotting skin again. He fights the urge to shut his eyes, or run towards her and defend himself, as she jumps out of her sprint and right towards their figures. The waste dispenser''s hatch opens. She is immediately sucked out into the void of space, and torn to pieces, until she is nothing more but space-dust. Yuuta and Xander hold on to parts of the ship for their lives. It is over within seconds, and even though the undead woman is gone now, her screams still ring in both their ears amidst the silence of the empty, ominous corridor.