Archive of Our Own

The air was cold.

He shivered, pulling his blanket as snuggly as could around his shoulders, under his ears as he curled up all at the same time. Why was it so cold? Was the heater out again? Was Zane playing with his snow and trying to freeze his toes off?

His groggy line of thinking petered out as no other reasons behind the chill came to mind. He tried to fall back asleep, to drift off-

Another wave of cold, like a breeze, drifted across his face. With a shiver, he reached out to grab a fistful more of his blanket, hoping to burrow deeper into its warmth-

He froze, his fist abruptly white knuckling.

The blanket wasn't thick, but thin, with a slick, silk like texture. It was a vastly different make than his favorite puffy and fluffy comforter, the one with mini kitten's decorating the material.

This was not his blanket.

He shoved himself up with a gasp, staring down at the foreign forest green blanket in horror. With a swift kick, he sent it flying off the bed.

He followed it, scrambling off the bed, his eyes darting around, hoping to find something familiar.

None of it was.

The room almost resembled a hospital room, the walls were all white. There was a desk, some shelves with a few hardcover books stacked neatly, two doors, one of them shut and the other appearing to lead to a bathroom. All of it was white.

He laid a tentative hand on a wall, expecting to feel unyielding metal and once again surprised to find a it a had a slight coarseness to its texture, like vinyl maybe. But then the wall thrummed and he snatched his hand away.

Something was weird, about all of this.

It wasn't the first time he'd ever been kidnapped or had woken up in a strange unfamiliar place.

He was Lloyd Garmadon, for FSM's sake. People seemed to kidnap him for just the fun of it.

But through all the kidnappings he'd ever had the displeasure of being involved in, this was the first one where he'd woken up without shackles or being tied. Or in an open room instead of a cage. Or on a bed with a blanket.

Or without a single clue as to what had happened before.

"What the heck," he hissed pointlessly in his frustration, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

He knew he needed to calm down, to take stock of the situation and figure out what he did and didn't have to work with. But he had the strangest feeling and it was painfully distracting.

He knew this place, but he had no idea how. Lloyd had never been here before, he was certain of that. The feel of the walls, the weird material of the blanket, the eerie whiteness of everything was as foreign as... As the serpentine had been before he'd found them.

With a wince at the thought of his biggest mistake, he couldn't help but acknowledge how achingly similar this was to back then. He'd only ever heard of the serpentine and their legends. He'd only ever seen them in pictures and paintings and textbooks. Despite believing in their existence, despite trudging through hail and storm to find them, betting his very life on their existence, they hadn't been real until he'd opened that first tomb.

That's how this feeling was like. Like he vaguely recognized the room around him, something buried in his memories reawakening at the sight of it, but he had no idea what it was.

It was annoying.

Running his hand through his hair again, he took a deep breath.

"Okay," he said on a soft exhale. "Deep breaths, calm down, walk yourself through this. You've been kidnapped plenty of times before. And even if that experience isn't enough, you've watched plenty of movies. You've got this."

The logic in his reassurances were far from sound, but he paid no heed, instead drawing comfort from the faux confidence he mustered through his self comfort.

"Okay, so what do we have? Take stock," he ordered himself.

Then he was puttering around the room, searching from stem to stern, checking all the shelves, nooks and crannies of the room. But he stayed away from the walls.

"So..." He trailed, sending another glance over his pile of found items. "I have the clothes on my back, my sweater, my sweat pants, my pajama t-shirt, but no weapons. I have four sets of a uniform. Or it looks like a uniform. The pins are sharp, they might be useful."

He lost himself in the process, finding comfort in what he had.

"There's a toothbrush with some toothpaste, a ceramic cup, I can break it for shivs. A comb, the blanket, sheets-" he sighed, laying the items aside. "So, I basically have a fully stocked hotel room that clearly belongs to someone else- these uniforms are definitely not mine. The only really useful things are the pins."

They were some sort of insignia, he thought, but he didn't really care. They were painfully similar to the shurikens he and his friends had as part of their personal arsenals. And they were sharp enough to do in a pinch.

"Next thing on the list: figure out how to get out of here," he murmured to himself.

In his search, he hadn't found anything that looked like a surveillance system, no microphones or hidden cameras, but without Zane's scanners, he couldn't be sure.

There were three doors in his room. Two of them had knobs, one of them leading to a full bathroom, complete with shower, tub, sink and toilet. The other lead to a barren closet, now that he had pulled out the ugly uniforms.

The third door was unlike anything he'd ever seen. It looked reinforced, locked in a sliding track like an automatic sliding door. It didn't have a handle, though, and that was his biggest concern.

He searched the door and the surrounding walls as much as he could with his eyes. After he found nothing on the slick, futuristic walls, he realized he'd have to do something he really didn't want to.

His element was energy. While it wasn't lightning, the properties were close enough alike that he could do basic things, like searching out other energy signatures and blowing lightbulbs.

Lloyd sighed.

He was beating around the bush in his own brain.

He had to touch the wall again.

He tried to ignore the way his hand trembled slightly as he reached for the white surface next to the door. He tried to convince himself that the strange feeling last time was nothing more than a fluke and he had nothing to worry about.

It wouldn't happen again, he'd be fine.

His fingertips skimmed the surface-

An almighty thrum pulsed through his fingers, traveling to his wrist and up his arm. He stumbled back with a yelp, cradling his hand close.

It was so ethereal, he couldn't put it into words. The feeling was an energy of some kind, reacting with his own elemental abilities. But it didn't hurt.

It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt...

With that mantra playing on a loop in his head, he forced his hand back out, pressing it against the wall.

The thrumming was there, deep and heavy. It vibrated like physical static.

His fear ebbed away as it still did nothing to hurt him. It felt like some kind of giant kitten purring monotonously.

Without any further hesitation, he gave a small pulse of his energy, sifting through that in the walls to find the lock to the door.

In moments, he found it and then he pulsed. He felt it warp and melt and the door flew open with a soft hiss.

He drew his hand back and slid it into his pocket, fingering his pseudo shurikens.

He had to find out if the others were here. They needed to get out-

BOOM

He hit the ground out of instinct, his arms flying up to cover his head as a wave of heat washed over him.

As soon as the shockwave died down, he risked glancing up.

Besides so soot marks and a mangled, melted door not unlike his own, there wasn't any evidence of the explosion. The fire had died immediately with nothing easily consumable. It had happened to a room just to his left.

Lloyd started to get up.

"Stupid flippin' door deserved everything it freaking got!" Someone growled.

Lloyd was on his feet in an instant, whirling towards the room just as a spiky-haired hot head poked around the sizzling door frame.

Amber and green eyes locked, and Kai's face lit up, his anger fading.

"Lloyd, is that you!?"

Lloyd didn't have the chance to respond before Kai had bounded forward and drawn him into a hug.

"You're here, and you're okay," Kai said. "I'm glad you're alright."

"You too, Kai," Lloyd grunted. He peered over Kai's shoulder at the wreckage the master of fire had left behind. "So... What happened there?"

Kai drew back just enough to glance over his shoulder.

"The door wouldn't open, had to use excessive force, you know how it is."

"Right..."

"What? You sound like you think I did it without a good reason."

"You usually don't need a good reason."

Kai would've argued, but he couldn't think of a good enough combat.

"Touché," he conceded.

Kai stepped away, jogging around their small space, checking everything out. Apparently, their rooms were the only two doors here. It looked like they stood in a hallway, to their right was a dead end, just beyond Kai's room. Directly head was a smooth wall, no doors, windows, or vents. To the left the hall dead ended again, but this time, their was a single door. Next to the door was some kind panel.

"Have any idea where we are?"

"That was going to be me line," Lloyd replied, making his way to the door and the panel. "I can't remember anything. You?"

"Just Dareth calling us to let us know he'd 'scored us another winning contract'," Kai huffed, moving to follow Lloyd. "Seriously, we've told him enough times we were through. Its hard enough beating the bad guys, but posing for the camera? Whole other ball game."

"I seem to remember you enjoying that, Kai," Lloyd mused, reaching for the panel.

"Maybe I did," He huffed. "But when those stinkin' reporters started bothering Skylor, they crossed a line-"

Lloyd yelped, shaking his hand out. Kai was at his side in an instant.

"Lloyd! Are you okay?"

"Fine, fine," he hissed, peering at his fingertips.

"What was that?"

Lloyd shook his head, glaring at the panel.

"It reacted to my energy, shocked me. But I figured out what it is."

"Its an intercom."

"Its a- wait, how'd you know that?"

Kai blinked at the green bean.

"Are you kidding me? They're in all the old, rich people mansions. I've seen them in movies. How did you not recognize it?"

Lloyd shook his head again, running a hand through his hair for the third time in the last twenty minutes.

"I don't know. I feel weird."

"Are you hurt-"

"No, no, its just... This place... It feels weird," Lloyd looked down at his hand. "It keeps reacting with my energy."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why is it reacting to your element?"

"The heck I know! If I knew-"

The intercom crackled before them and the pair shrieked in surprise. Not like little girls. They were teenage boys. So they shrieked like teenage boys. Very macho.

"What the heck," Kai gasped, a hand tapping above his heart. "About gave me a flippin' heart attack!"

Lloyd peered at the green light flickering slightly on the intercom panel.

"Its active." He turned to Kai. "Do you think-"

"We could use it to broadcast across this whole place and see if the others are here? Way ahead of you," Kai declared. "But there is a small problem."

"If the people who kidnapped us are here, and don't already know we've escaped, they'll know then."

Kai nodded, looking to his leader and charge.

"Is it worth the risk?"

Lloyd hesitated, his hand straying up to his hair, before Kai snagged it.

"Stop that, you're gonna drive me- are these burns!?"

Lloyd's attention was abruptly brought forward when Kai tugged his hand closer to peer at the tips.

"Kai, its fine-"

"These are burns, Lloyd! You have blisters on your fingertips."

"They don't even hurt-"

"They're from that intercom system, aren't they? Electrical burns?"

"Maybe-"

"Dang it, Lloyd! You said you weren't hurt! Why didn't you say something?"

His patience waning, Lloyd snatched his hand back, making a loose fist to hide his finger tips.

"Because it doesn't matter! Its not like we can do anything about it, anyway. We don't have any medical supplies or anything like that. We're stuck until we figure out what's going on or how to get back home!"

Kai looked like he was dead set on insisting they find something.

"The faster we get out of here, the faster we can treat it," Lloyd offered.

Kai huffed.

"Fine," he grumbled. "But burns are tricky. You're gonna need to get some antibiotic ointment on it soon, at the very least."

"That's for the prescription, Doctor," Lloyd said dryly, before reaching for the intercom.

Once again, Kai caught his hand.

"Seriously, Kai-"

"Did you completely forget what just happened a second ago when you tried that?" Kai cut off his frustrated tirade. "Step aside, let me do it before you burn yourself again."

Before Lloyd could drawn in a breath to protest or agree, Kai smoothly moved him aside, depressing the button on the panel for transmission.

"Hellooooooo. Is anyone there? Jay? Cole? Zane? Nyaaaaaaaaa?"

/-/-/

Jay was sleeping better than he had in a very, very long time. The pillow was cool and soft against his cheek, the blankets coiled tightly around himself like a cocoon. The temperature was just right, no one was screaming, always a bonus.

He hummed, drowsily content.

"Helllloooooooo? Anyone there?"

Ack, it was that insistent voice in his head again. It had been loud for the last few minutes and he wished it would just shut up.

"I jus' wanna sleep," he whined, mashing his head deeper into the pillow.

"Is anyone there? Nya? Cole?"

"If ya want someone else, stop bothering me and go look," he grumbled, still not with it. "Leave me beeeeeeeee."

"Jay? If you're there, you'd better get off your lazy butt and answer me."

The voice was growing demanding, lowering into a threatening growl. Jay didn't like it.

Especially not when it sounded so desperate.

"Jay, if you don't answer right now, I'll give Lloyd the locations to all your secret candy stashes."

Something finally penetrated his brain. Whether it was the weird feel of the foreign blankets, the staticky com tinge to the voice, or that the voice was actually Kai's and he certainly would make good on his threat (it wouldn't be the first time), adrenaline flushed through his system with the sharp suddenness of a flash-bang grenade.

He launched upwards, gasping and scrambling and struggling to figure out what in sweet name of the FSM was going on. He took in the strangely white room, complete with shelves and some rolled up blueprints and what appeared to be a partially dismantled alarm clock on his desk, but all he could think of was the fact that he had no idea how he'd gotten there.

"Holy- is this some kind of prison!?" He stumbled out of the bed, noticing with detachment that at least he wasn't in a prison jumpsuit. Although, he wasn't sure his Starfarer pajamas were much better. He really felt like he should be in his gi at this point.

"Look, whatever I did, I'm sorry, okay?" He yelled at the walls. "I'm not sure how I ticked whoever you are off, but-"

"Cole, are you there?"

Jay whirled around, searching frantically. His mind was flying faster than his feet and he managed to trip over himself three times as he scurried about the room.

"A com system," he murmured to himself. "It has to be some sort of com system, judging by the distortion and presence of static," he peered into a crevice. "But is it a hidden mic, or-"

"Zane, answer me! Please."

"There," Jay proclaimed victoriously, slipping only once (he was so proud) to the speaker imbedded into the wall, next to the single door of the room without a knob.

His eyes only took a second to scan the panel before he jammed the green button, praying that it was the transmit button.

"Hey! Kai, you there!?"

"Jay!?" The relief in his voice was both expected and surprising from the tough-guy hothead. "Are you okay? Where are you?"

"How the heck am I supposed to know? I just woke up in a strange room, with strangely white walls, a broken clock and in my Starfarer pajamas! What the heck happened!?"

There was no answer for a moment, and Jay was terrified he'd somehow lost Kai. At about point three seconds, his finger flying forward to depress the transmit button, the speaker crackled to life again.

"We don't know. All we remember is that talk with Dareth, then heading to bed."

"We? Who's with you?" Jay lit up hopefully. "Is it Nya?"

"Good to know I'm loved," Lloyd said dryly even as Kai said. "I've got Lloyd."

"Have you seen anyone, Jay?"

"No! I'm locked in this claustrophobic room-"

"You're not claustrophobic."

"I don't think you're using that word right-"

"Doesn't matter! You lock me in a room and I become claustrophobic-"

The speaker cut off any transmission with a sudden crackly squeal, startling Jay into taking several steps back. Before he knew it, the white noise cut off and a feminine voice grated to life.

"Requesting the presence of captain and crew on the bridge. Repeat, requesting captain and crew on the bridge. Make your way to the bridge for briefing."

The speaker cut out and died. Like, all the lights that indicated its operations were functional went dark.

"Ack! No, no, no," he tried jamming the button over and over again, calling for Kai or Lloyd, but there was no response.

"Arg," he kicked the wall in frustration. He regretted it, in more ways than one, he was almost sure he'd broken a toe and the release of frustration didn't work. Now he was hopping around on one foot, cursing himself under his breath, and just as fed up with everything as before.

"Stupid intercom dies, I'm stuck in this stupid room, with no way of reaching any of them-"

His eyes land on the desk and he freezes. Next to the broken clock project is an array of tools. Among them is a screwdriver, the perfect item to pull the intercom panel off the wall and delve deep into its contents.

His eyes a gleam with hope and an almost hungry desire to do something, he stumbled to the desk scooping up the screwdriver. If he could by pass the coding with a manual rewiring, maybe he could reestablish a communications link with Kai.

He practically threw himself at the speaker and panel, tearing it apart in seconds, all the while, his brain was turning over and over the aching familiarity that seemed to plague him. The design of the room, the intercoms, the mention of captain and crew and a bridge? What did it all mean?

With the intercom to distract his hands and the puzzle to distract his mind, it was a wonder he ever heard the pounding on the door, even if it took the fifth hit to rouse him from his projects.

The fifth hit had him jumping to his feet, turning to face the dented door. Something was hitting it from the outside. The frame was barely holding on by the sixth hit, and sixth dent. Jay could tell it would probably only take one or two more hits before it would fly into his room, destroying the last barrier of protection between him and what ever was trying to get inside.

Jay glanced frantically around for a weapon, but only had the screw driver on hand when the door finally caved inward, hitting the floor.

Jay dived behind the bed on instinct.

"Stay back, I am armed," he yelled, gripping the screw driver like a shiv. "I swear I will stab you and not think twice about it-"

"Jay?"

Jay was back on his feet before he even consciously recognized the voice, gaping in shock at the master of earth who was currently shaking out his fists.

"Cole?"

The black ninja's face split in a broad, relieved smile.

"Ha! I finally found you!"

/-/-/

When the intercom in her room had crackled to life with her brothers worried voice, Nya couldn't reach it. Minutes after she'd woken up in the strange room, she'd delved into the doors inner workings with a multitool she'd designed to hide in her ankle bracelet (specially engineered, never went to bed without it).

She was about waist deep in it when Kai first started transmitting, her upper body carefully woven around gears and hydraulics and cords. She'd hit her head in surprise against some of the inner workings and that, combined with the fact that she'd gotten so tangled up in everything that it hadn't been until after the AI voice had broadcasted that she'd managed to escape, did absolutely nothing to improve her mood.

Her desk, no upended with one leg splintered, had born the brunt of her Smith Patented rage. Kai wasn't the only hothead in the family, she was just better at managing it.

By now, the comm was down, guts of the door were spilled all over her floor, and she still hadn't reached to power supply to disable the door's locking mechanism.

Grumbling under her breath, she turned back to the hole in the wall. She was sure the power supply main wasn't much deeper. She just had to cut the power and the door would release.

And if she wasn't out of the way in time, she'd likely lose a limb.

Taking a steadying breath, she weaseled her way back amidst the wires, being careful this time to make enough room for a speedy escape. She hoped the the hydraulics built up pressure would release in increments rather than going all at once, giving her the time she needed to get out.

Best case scenario, the door opens and she's in one piece. Worst case, she looses her arm and is alive long enough to regret every stupid decision she'd made up until that point.

She found the power supply, a thicker cord striped yellow and black. She lifted her small, but sharp wire cutters and positioned them. She took her time to make sure she could get out fairly easily, before taking a deep breath.

Snip

And she dove.

The door released, and as she'd hope, the backed up pressure gave way haltingly. As it was, the door missed her by centimeters.

She was panting, high on adrenaline and relief and freedom, and she giggled.

She loved it when things went according to plan.

"Now to find everyone else."

Shoving herself to her feet, she padded out of the room.

She knew at least Jay, Lloyd, and Kai were here, and from the sound of it, unharmed. They seemed to be in very similar positions as she had just found herself in (Jay wasn't claustrophobic, the drama queen) and had either not found their way out, or hadn't gotten far.

And it sounded like their kidnappers were heading to the bridge. Were they on a ship of some kind?

A hiss and ping of a electric alert from somewhere next to her froze Nya in her tracks. She turned in time to watch Zane calmly walk out from a room, the door sliding peacefully shut behind him.

"Zane?"

He turned to her, smiling.

"Nya! You are here too?"

"Apparently," so five ninja were accounted for. "I would be willing to bet we're all here, judging by how this is going."

"That is highly probable." He reached forward, placing a hand on Nya's shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she brushed him off. "How'd you get out?"

"Excuse me?"

Nya stared intently at his door, studying it.

"I cut the power main to my door to negate the lock. How'd you get your door open and leave it fully functional?"

He shrugged.

"I asked."

Nya blinked at him.

"You asked."

"Yes. I asked politely and Computer opened it for me."

"Computer."

Zane watched Nya with concern.

"Is something wrong? You do not seem to be understanding what I am saying."

"I understand you perfectly well," she bristled, and it was stupid, by she still felt his ire rising. "Who the heck is 'Computer'?"

"Greetings," came a feminine voice that definitely wasn't Zane's, and it came from the ceiling, and Nya instantly recognized it as the voice from the intercom. "I am Computer, a superficial artificial intelligence designed to assist the captain and crew of the NSV Exploration."

"A superficial artificial intelligence," Nya glanced at Zane. "What is that? I thought there was only AI's."

"Superficial implies that she was not programmed in as an in depth manner as PIXAL or I were," Zane explained. "She was likely designed to perform basic functions, such as manning the operations of this vessel and providing information from her database."

"Okay- wait, the NSV Exploration," Nya looked up at the ceiling. "What is that? Is that the name of the boat we're on?"

"Further details will be shared at the briefing on the bridge," Computer said sweetly.

Zane shook his head.

"I have already attempted to get more information out of her, about the others and the circumstances of our situation, but that is her only reply."

"So, its a waste of time to ask the only thing who might have a clue about what's going on, questions about what'd going on. Great." Nya pinched the bridge of her nose.

"That leaves us with one option."

"The bridge." She and Zane said in harmony.

"But the question is," Nya continued. "How are we going to get there? We don't even know where we stand right now in the makings of this ship."

Zane glanced the the ceiling.

"Computer, can you guide us to the bridge?"

"Certainly, Zane."

The white hallway suddenly lit up with red lights, flashing in a pattern that seemed to be directing them down the hall. As Zane stepped forward, Nya snagged his arm.

"She knows your name?"

"Obviously."

"Did you share it or-"

"I formally introduced myself like a civilized being before throwing about demands, yes."

He shook off her hand before gesturing down the hall.

"Come. We need to find the others."

She fell into step next to him without hesitation.

"I don't know that I'm comfortable with you being buddy-buddy with a potential enemy," she grumbled.

"The best way to defeat an enemy is to make them your friend," Zane said with a shrug.

Nya couldn't find anything to say to that.

/-/-/

"Where to now, oh fearless leader?"

"Shut up," Lloyd grumbled, glancing between the two options. They'd run across five different forks in the hallways so far, trying to make their way to a different hall, but Lloyd was quickly getting turned around, and try as he might to hold it at bay, it was grinding at his patience.

"Let's go right."

"Are you choosing it because you know where we're going or because it sounds like the right choice?"

Lloyd's glare only served to broaden Kai's smirk.

"I thought puns were Jay's thing. You hate them," Lloyd grumbled, taking point as they made their way down the right hall.

Kai shrugged.

"I couldn't help myself. You were practically begging me to."

"No. No, I really wasn't."

"I think you're jealous you didn't think of it sooner."

"Next time, I don't care if there's an army of Oni, we're taking the left."

"And if those theoretical Oni try to kill you?"

"That would probably be a mercy at this point."

"Well, they'd probably kill me first, cause I'd throw myself in front of you."

"And that would be a blessing. No more stupid puns or insults to my intelligence and I'd still be breathing. A win-win."

"Ouch," Kai said dryly. "That hurts, Lloyd. I'm wounded."

"Sarcasm is Zane's thing."

"What- you know what, no, you don't get to do that. Sarcasm is all of our thing, and Zane only just picked up on it. You're just as sarcastic as he is."

"And you."

"Uh, no, I'm the king of sarcasm. You all bow to me and my dry humor because your jealous."

Lloyd snorted.

"Ri-i-ight."

After that, they fell into a silent lull as they walked. Until they came to the fifth fork in the road.

"What? Another one?" Kai grumbled, turning to Lloyd. "Okay, Green Bean, time to come clean; we're lost aren't we?"

"What? No, we're not..." Lloyd glanced around, hoping to discover some saving grace for his pride. When no map appeared out of thin air, or angel descended from above to tell him he was genius and had been on the right path all along, he deflated with a sigh.

"Yeah, we're lost."

Kai scrubbed a hand down his face.

"How long have we been wandering around aimlessly?"

"Its not like I've ever been here before," Lloyd threw up his hands in exasperation. "And all the halls look the same. What more do you want from me?"

"Wait, so we've been lost this whole time? Why the heck did we ever leave, then? Isn't that the first rule of hiking; if you get lost, stay put so someone can find you?"

"Okay, first of all, Kai, that's rich coming from you, Mr.Dive-headfirst-think-twice-later. Second...," he blushed sheepishly. "I was kind of hoping to run across on of those 'You Are Here' maps like they have in the mall."

"What bad guy headquarters has a 'You Are Here' map!?"

"I don't know! It was all I could think of. We have to find the others. For all we know, they're trapped somewhere on board this ship."

Kai cast him a side glance.

"What makes you think we're on board a ship?"

"Uh, 'captain and crew to the bridge'? What warehouse has a bridge?"

Kai rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish in his turn.

"I thought they were talking about a bridge, like one you walk across."

Lloyd smirked.

"What bad guy headquarters has a rope bridge!?"

"I didn't say it was a rope bridge-"

The hall, peacefully white, suddenly sprang to life with flashing red lights. All banter forgotten, Kai and Lloyd dropped into crouches, surveying the situation. Kai grabbed Lloyd's upper arm, leaning close to hiss in his ear.

"Its an alarm. They know we've escaped."

Normally, Lloyd would be inclined to agree with Kai. The master of fire's instincts were rarely wrong, but something didn't add up. None of this added up.

"But why isn't there an alarm?" Lloyd whispered back.

"Do they need one? Maybe everyone knows flashing red light means escaped prisoner."

"But there's no one announcing who escaped. We've talked to Jay, he's here, but who else is? Don't you think they'd elaborate on who'd escaped?"

Kai hesitated.

"Maybe. Or maybe there's some kind of code behind the flashing lights."

Lloyd stared at the lights for a few heartbeats longer.

"I don't think so. See how they're moving? Its like a pattern. Like they're... Pointing us down that way." Lloyd pointed further down the hall.

"Maybe its a trap-"

"Or maybe its Zane hacking into the systems to try to direct us. Or it could be a malfunction, or any number of things." Green eyes clashed with auburn. "What do we have to lose?"

"We could lose our lives."

"But staying here could be just as risky."

Lloyd watched as Kai struggled to curb his next argument. It wasn't unusual for them to get into spats over decisions, but Lloyd understood it was because Kai worried about everyone, and the chance that one of his family could get hurt wasn't a risk he was ever willing to take.

Maybe that's why Lloyd was the green ninja. He understood sacrifice better. He laid his life on the line a hundred times over before he ever asked somebody to do the same, and while he felt responsible for anything that happened under his orders... He also understood that everybody was entitled to their own choices.

If it was up to Kai, Lloyd would be stuffed in a box and wrapped with bubble wrap, fed cotton candy and engaging in all the childish luxuries he'd missed out on, thanks to the tomorrows tea.

But Lloyd didn't want that. And Kai knew it, too.

"It's up to you, Lloyd," Kai finally relented. "I'll back you on whatever choice you make."

Lloyd stood, making his way down the hall again. Kai followed without hesitation, both silently following the guiding lights.

/-/-/

It was times like this that Jay really didn't appreciate his lightning and the hyperactive tendencies it plagued him with.

He was excited, he'd give himself that, but his lightning seemed to amplify it, making him practically buzz as he ran from one place to the next.

"And that's the intercom, there's one in every hallway, the lights are bright, but they aren't LED, they aren't wired right, oh, FSM, is that what I think it is!?"

"I don't know," Cole drawled, rolling his eyes at his best friend's obviously rhetorical question. Jay had been like this for several minutes, and nothing Cole tried could calm the master of lightning down.

Jay slammed his palm against the geometric paneling on the wall, beaming when it flexed slightly before springing back into shape.

"Oh, FSM, it freaking is!" He practically squealed. "I didn't even know this stuff existed!"

Jay's admission seemed to peek the master of earths' interest, and Cole made his way over.

"What didn't you know existed?"

"This!" Jay slammed his palm down on the paneling again. Again, it gave slightly before springing back. "I've only heard of this design as the 'Geometric Reinforced Paneling Sequence'. The panels are supposedly made of Jistinian metal, known for its incredible durability and rigidity to flexibility ratio. The sequence design allows it to buckle slightly to reduce superficial damage from blunt force collisions."

"Jistinian... I've never heard of that metal before." Cole mused.

"That's because it doesn't exist," Jay proclaimed giddily, bouncing in excitement. "Isn't that awesome!?"

"Wait, Jay-" but the master of lightning was gone again, admiring some joists further down the hall, leaving a confused Cole in his wake of dust.

"Is this Loothite forged titanium!? Its impossible, but so cool!"

"Jay!" Cole tried, sprinting after his hyper friend who couldn't seem to stay still for more than two seconds.

"Cole," Jay turned to his friend as he paused at a four-way intersection between hallways, beaming like a loon.

"Isn't this incredible?"

"You were terrified just a few minutes ago, before those flashing lights came on," Cole said. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I wasn't terrified," Jay denied in true Jay fashion. "I was cautious and nervous, you know how I get. Besides, that was all before I recognized all of this," he gestured to the halls around them. "And none of this should even be possible, but this is amazing!"

"Jay, why shouldn't it be possible?"

"It was all supposed to be a story, Cole!" Jay was elated, clapping his hands. "It was all supposed to be fiction! I never thought I'd get to see it in real life!"

"Jay, come on, focus! Why is it all supposed to be fake," Cole reached for his friend, hoping physical contact would snap him out of whatever euphoria had his attention span bouncing all over the place like a kid on a sugar high. "Jay-"

Jay ducked his hand with a gasp, his eyes literally misting with joy as he stared at something over Cole's shoulder.

"Is that what I think it is?"

And this time, Cole was almost positive he recognized what he was looking at.

"That's an elevator, Jay."

"But if this is all real, and its not some elaborate dream, than that is more than just an elevator," Jay whispered, overjoyed, dashing away his tears with a stray hand.

Everything clicked for Cole a second too late. He launched at Jay, but the master of lightning was no longer there.

As Cole whirled around, he just glimpsed Jay as the doors slid shut. Jay gave him a grin.

"I've always wanted to ride in one of these things!" His voice filtered through the crack, as Cole launched himself at the recall button, trying to get the doors back open.

"Jay, come on, let me in, you shouldn't ride on a strange-"

Cole's sentence died in his throat as the elevator shot skywards, Jay's elated scream fading in the distance.

/-/-/

Despite being highly trained ninja, their footsteps echoed through the stairwell, the hollow aluminum steps clanging in time with their progress.

This was where the lights had lead them; a narrow spiraling stairway of unknown height. Then they'd glimmered upwards, beckoning them higher.

Normally, exercise didn't bother Nya. She welcomed the familiar burn of exerting muscles, relishing the challenge. The monotonous movements helped her mind to quiet, working away her worries. This wouldn't be an exception...

But with each step, her stress seemed to increase. She wasn't sure what they were walking into, and it was putting her on edge. What if they were being led into a trap?

"Zane," Nya's gaze cut to the nindroid ahead of her. "What do you think about all this?"

Zane tossed her a quizzical look.

"Could you please specify?"

"About this. The kidnapping, this weird ship, the AI. Any of it, all of it, what do you make of it?"

Zane hesitated.

"I do not believe my opinion is valid, as I lack any substantial evidence to back my train of thoughts."

"Come on, Zane. Evidence is for facts. I want your opinion, that's it."

Zane hesitated again.

"I... I don't think we were kidnapped for nefarious purposes."

Nya frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't believe whoever kidnapped us meant for us to be harmed," he shrugged. "It does not make sense, why would they kidnap us? Us, specifically?" His steps slowed slightly as he ran through a series of scenarios in his mind. "If we were carefully selected targets, then the kidnappers should have known better than to underestimate our skills. They would never have placed us in such luxurious quarters or allow us to escape so easily. That is, assuming we were kidnapped and being held as prisoners or hostages of some kind."

Nya resisted the urge interrupt with her own arguments, and Zane continued.

"The only conclusion I come to is that we were taken for one of two reasons. The first is that we are guests of some kind, but that would beg the question as to the location of the host or hostess."

When Zane failed to elaborate, Nya prodded.

"What about the second reason?"

Zane really needed to stop hesitating, it was making her nervous.

"The other possibility I have deduced is that this," he gestured to the ship around them. "Along with our captivity is all part of a large-scale experiment."

The stairwell fell silent besides their resounding footsteps, Zane having nothing more to say and Nya mulling over the informational dump.

"What are the chances we're just guests?"

"Judging by the lack of greeting or attention from anyone manning this ship, I'd place the probability around thirty-one percent."

"And the chance of the second theory?"

Zane stopped altogether, one foot planted on a step higher than the other as he twisted to meet Nya's gaze.

"I would have to say the probability of this being some form of experiment is significantly higher."

Zane was trying not to worry her, Nya knew. He was avoiding the question with a vague answer. She wasn't happy about it, she wanted him to give it to her straight.

"Zane."

The firm demand in her tone brooked nor argument, and Zane relented.

"Ninety-three percent."

Nya tried to ignore the pang of unease that rippled through her gut.

"Is there any chance...?"

Zane understood her half question, but turned to climb the stairs again so he wasn't facing her.

"There is no way to determine whether the aspects are dangerous or not. Not with the limited information I have managed to gather." He turned a corner to start up the next flight, waiting for Nya to catch up to him on the landing there. "Even some of the indications towards an experiment clash with one another, cancelling each other out."

Nya wasn't as astute as Zane when it came to observational clues, but she still attempted to make sense of everything for herself.

"Are you talking about when-"

They hadn't paid attention to the doors on each landing. They were automatic, much like the ones to the rooms, and forcing one open seemed like a waste of time.

But the door beside them stole their attention for a shocking moment when a flash of light erupted through the frame, the sound of a screaming carrying skywards.

Nya's heart nearly stopped when she recognized the scream, and who it belonged to.

Zane and Nya's eyes met for a moment, and she knew he'd made the connection too.

Without another word, they sprinted up the stairs.

/-/-/

Kai and Lloyd were standing shoulder to shoulder. Staring.

"Well, that's not ominous-"

Lloyd cast him a side glance.

"They're just doors, Kai."

And they were. A pair of doors, closed together like something from a super market. But they weren't glass. They were as solid as any other door they'd found, likely reinforced. They stood tall and silent before the pair, the flashing lights coming from end of the hall to highlight them like neon arrows.

It was where they were supposed to go, if the lights could be trusted.

It was also their last chance to turn back, to refuse to take the last few steps into what could so easily be a trap.

"Its not too late to turn back, Lloyd," Kai assured, seeing the insecurity in Lloyd's frowning face.

Lloyd sent him an incredulous look.

"And get lost again?" The green ninja ran a hand through his hair again. Seriously, at this rate, he'd be bald in a week. "I'm not even sure how we got here, much less how to leave." Lloyd's gaze returned to the questionable doors, his bottom lip pinching between his teeth. "I can't think of anything else to do. The answers we're looking for are just behind these doors."

"There's always another way, Lloyd-"

"And while we're busy trying to find 'another way' through this stupid maze, who knows what's happening to our friends?" Lloyd hissed, before softening. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Kai. Its just... I hate not knowing," his smile was small and held no warmth. "Its a pet peeve of mine."

Kai didn't respond. A lengthy therapy session delving into his scarring childhood was not something they had the time for at the moment. Still, he filed the tidbit away for later.

"So, we're going in."

It wasn't a question.

"Looks like it," Lloyd agreed.

They stood in a heavy silence for a couple of seconds.

"So, are you gonna open it?" Kai asked innocently.

"You told me I shouldn't touch the ship," Lloyd pointed out, having retained that much from the earful Kai had given earlier, chewing him out about being reckless when he knew his energy reacted oddly with the ship. "And the only way I can open these doors is to touch the wall."

Kai rolled his eyes.

"That isn't the only way."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're the leader," Kai shrugged. "On your mark."

"What are you-" at Kai's rapidly raising brow, he decided not to push his feigned naivety any further. "Oh, I get it," he recovered with a grin that betrayed his patronizing.

"Kai, would you do the honors?"

Kai hesitated, looking conflicted.

"I'm so torn between saying 'I've been waiting for you to say that' or 'it would be my pleasure," he whined.

"You say that like its important."

"It is! I have an image to maintain."

Lloyd's grin brightened, before fading slightly as he turned back to the door. Kai internally mourned its departure.

"Kai-"

"I know," he sobered. "I'm on it."

He pulled both of his hands to his sides, fisting them. The fire, warm and sparking, flowed through his veins, flooding to his hands as he beckoned it to the surface. Flames licked to life, swirling around his fists like an angry whirlwind, dancing and searching for fuel.

With a deep breath, he deep his stance, preparing to launch himself at the door in a flurry of blows and fire.

To be honest, when he'd first done it to the door of the room he'd been locked in, he hadn't really been thinking rationally. All he could see was an obstacle, separating him from his siblings.

Now that he thought about it, it really shouldn't have worked. Maybe the fire, fueled by his fury and indignation, had softened the metal on contact, allowing him to weaken it instantly.

His fire needed to be hot, he needed to strike hard and fast.

Kai stoked his fire as best he could, drawing from the desire to protect his family, he would give his life for them. His foot shifted minutely.

And he flew.

Just as something entered his periphery in a kaleidoscope of lights, hissing and screams.

It threw Kai off, his attention shifting.

Where he'd planned to drill his fists in the door's surface, his balance shifted, and when the distance between him and the door disappeared-

He wasn't sure what happened.

Next thing he knew, he was sitting on the ground, his back against the door, his shoulder flaring in a way it hadn't since he'd wrenched it out of socket a few years back, goofing off during a training exercise when he really shouldn't have been.

And Lloyd was there, his worried face inches away from his own.

"'M fine," Kai grunted, instinctively.

"Right," Lloyd huffed, relief erasing the pinch in his brow. "Do you even remember what happened?"

"I... Uh," Kai wet his dry lips, swallowing against the pained groan that wanted to slip past his defenses. "That... Was gonna be my next question."

Lloyd's brow furrowed again, his gaze flicking from one of Kai's eyes to the next, no doubt comparing pupil size.

"Stay still," he said.

He took Kai's head in his hands gently, leaning him forward to search his skull for signs of injury.

"Hey... Hey, easy," Kai grumbled. "Watch the hair, the hair!"

Lloyd snorted, but leaned back on his heels.

"It doesn't look like you have a concussion. You're lucky, for someone who just plowed head first into a door. But I can't be sure until Zane takes a look at you."

Kai frowned, remembering flashes.

"Wait- what happened? Seriously. There was something weird..."

Lloyd gave a long suffering sigh, moving aside so he could point to something just over his shoulder.

"He's what happened."

Kai's eyes widened at the sight of Jay, wandering up and down the hall, one arm cradling his stomach. His hunched frame was supported by that hand he trailed along the wall. His face was stretched in a broad, dopey smile, despite the green tinge to his cheeks.

"Jay!"

Kai tried to jump to his feet, but the sudden flare of pain from the movement, somehow unexpected, sent him back to the floor, groaning as he cradled his injured arm.

Jay was there a moment later, staring down at Kai in concern.

"You really shouldn't move," he said, his euphoria gone for the moment. "It looks like your shoulder's dislocated."

Kai glared up the Captain-Obvious-In-Action.

"Thank you, Sherlock," he grunted. "I hadn't noticed."

"What," Lloyd squeaked, reaching for Kai's arm in surprise, only stopping when Kai pulled away with another pained groan. "How did I miss that?"

"Baggy tees are good for hiding injuries," Kai claimed, speaking of his own baggy pajama shirt. "It's not your fault, kiddo."

Lloyd's eyes narrowed.

"You say that like you have experience."

Kai was saved from having to give a placating answer by the sound of a gag next to them.

Jay stumbled back, a hand over his mouth.

"Just- gimme a moment," he mumbled around his sealing hand. "You're lucky I've got a strong stomach, or you'd both be covered in puke by now."

"You puke on me and you'll regret it for the rest of your life, Lightning Mouth," Kai threatened.

Lloyd stood to put a hand on Jay's shoulder.

"You okay, Jay?"

"Its just nausea," Jay reassured, dropping his hand briefly to give Lloyd a reassuring smile. "I can settle it, just a few deep breaths."

"What happened? Why are you sick?" Lloyd asked, hoping fervently that the reason was far more mild than what his wild imagination was leading him to think.

"I don't regret it," Jay stated firmly, straightening.

Then the euphoria was back, as was the overjoyed grin.

"Lloyd, isn't this incredible!?"

Lloyd frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Jay was so shocked his face blanched, turning his cheeks a shade greener.

"Wha- Lloyd, I can't believe you," he bemoaned. "Of anyone, I thought you'd be able to see it, too!"

Lloyd was starting to feel uneasy for his friend.

"Jay-"

"I mean, everything is exactly as it should be! Everything's in place, everything is designed exactly the same!"

"Jay-"

"Lloyd, look me in eye and tell me none of- not a single thing- feels familiar," Jay met his eyes, stone sober.

Lloyd opened his mouth, to deny it.

He couldn't.

Jay's grin returned tenfold.

"See, you can't, because deep down, in the very core of your nerdy being, everything is familiar. As it should be." Jay leaned forward. "Its the realization of a dream neither of us ever believed was possible."

"Jay," Lloyd met the lightning master's gaze. "What did they give you?"

"I'm wounded!" Jay cried, turning away. "I can't believe you, Lloyd! I can't believe you'd do this to me! You're as bad as Cole!"

Lloyd's eyes widened.

"Cole? You've seen-"

"Jay!"

Everyone present whirled around to face further down the hall, the direction the cry had come from. There was a flash of teal and magenta fabric before Jay was enveloped in a hug.

"Jay! You're alright," Nya's voice was slightly muffled from where she'd buried it in the crook of his neck, allowing herself a moment of weakness. Jay's arms wrapped comfortably around her, his expression confused.

"Of course I am."

Kai gave an awkward cough.

"Ya know, I'm fine, too. Do I get a hug?"

Nya jerked back, her gaze whipping to her brother, years of living with the stubborn boy honing her ears to his voice, detecting the carefully disguised tinge of pain.

"Kai, what happened?" She asked, dragging Jay to her brothers side, reluctant to let Jay go at the moment.

"I'm fine."

"He ran into those doors. Head first." Lloyd stated, an easy smile lighting his face as Zane joined them, the presence of the majority of his family easing some of his worries.

"I did not!" Kai spluttered.

"Then what did happen, Kai?" Zane asked, one brow arched.

"I was trying to break down the door, because Lloyd told me to-" he emphasized. "And then Jay appears, screaming at the top of his lungs and puking everywhere an threw me off!"

"I didn't puke!"

"You told me I couldn't touch the walls, much less the doors!"

All corrections to Kai's account by the two who'd been present at the time were waved away by Zane, before his icy blues locked onto auburns.

"So you ran head first into the wall."

"No-"

"You did, but you are not at fault for the out come of the situation?"

Kai stared at him dumbly.

"Uh..."

"In other words, it was not your fault." Zane tried.

"Oh... Yeah, that option."

Zane glanced at Lloyd even as he preceded to look Kai over.

"Did you already check to see if he sustained a concussion?"

"I'm not concussed!"

"I did," Lloyd answered, ignoring Kai's interjection.

"I'm fine. I'm- AHHH!!"

While he'd been distracted defending himself, Zane had nudged Kai into position and, with an efficiency and subtlety only capable of a nindroid, he popped Kai's shoulder back into place.

Kai was left huffing in his struggled to rein in the pain, as dwindling as it was.

"I will need to keep an eye on it, as I may have relocated it faster than I should have," Zane admitted. "But time is not on our side."

"We need to find Cole," Lloyd pointed out, turning on Jay.

"You said you've seen him."

"I was with him before I got on the hyper-lift," Jay agreed.

"So you know where- wait, a hyper-lift?" Lloyd's concern for his sibling jumped. "Jay, hyper-lifts don't-"

His sentence was interrupted with an eerily familiar cacophony of flashing lights, hissing and screams. Not five feet from the doors Kai had been trying to break through, a burly master of earth stumbled through an automatic door.

Everyone froze in surprise. Cole hazy eyes found Jay and if looks could kill, Jay would stone cold dead.

"I can't believe you- hrk!"

Cole stumbled a few feet before bracing against a wall, tossing the contents of his stomach all over the floor.

"Ha! At least I didn't puke!" Jay reiterated, before jogging forward to help his sick friend.

Everyone noticed how Jay stayed just far enough away to beat a hasty retreat should he need to.

Nobody commented on it.

/-/-/

"So... Are we gonna go in?"

The ninja team, reunited once again, had finally gotten past the joy of seeing each other again and were all standing in front of the door, staring a it, contemplating all the potentials, risks and rewards.

Cole's inquiry earned him some hard looks. He held up his hands in surrender, his face still too pale from his bout of sickness.

"Hey, I'm just saying! We can stand here all day and stare at it, or we can actually do something."

"We don't know what's behind these doors," Nya pointed out. "There could be hostiles."

"Its the bridge," Jay offered. "If there's anyone in there, it'll be the command crew of this vessel."

Everyone ignored him.

"I agree with Cole," Kai inputted. He was gingerly cradling his arm against his torso. Cole had offered up his shirt as a sling, but the dull ache still had the master of fire guarding it. "Going in there can't be worse than doing nothing."

"You used double negatives-"

"I'm not a grammar expert, Zane!"

"You're hurt, Kai," Lloyd gave the red ninja a pointed look. "Regardless of whats on the other side, you are not going in with us."

"What!?" Came the inevitable explosion. "I'm going in with you! You can't leave me out here!"

"Kai, I'm telling you-"

"No, nope! You don't get to pull that crap on me, esteemed leader. You can ask Cole, that doesn't work well," his auburn eyes sparked. "I'm going in."

"You would be a liability-"

"Oh, so I'm a liability now-"

"Guys, enough!" Nya snapped, snatching their attentions away from each other for a moment.

Still, when they faced off again, Kai was tense with rebellion, the look in his eyes promising he wouldn't go down without a fight. Lloyd finally relented with a sigh.

"Fine," he turned to the others. "But we need to be prepared for any outcome-"

"Computer, what lies beyond these doors?"

Lloyd stared at Zane like he'd grown a third eye, as did everyone else except Jay and Nya, and their eyes widened comically when a voice actually responded.

"This is the bridge, the command deck for this vessel," said a feminine voice from the ships' speakers. "All controls to man this vessel center their command here. It is the primary service deck for the Captain and his command crew."

"Who is the Captain?"

"Further details will be shared at the briefing on the bridge."

"What about hostiles?" Nya cut in. "Is their anyone on the bridge now?"

"There are no signs of life currently on the bridge," Computer responded patiently.

"Okay, so there aren't any enemies on the bridge."

"If this computer can be trusted-"

"But what about bombs or laser traps-"

"Oh, for Pete's sake," Jay huffed, his green-tinged cheeks puffed in frustration. Everyone was so focused on their mini evaluation of what little they knew that none of them noticed when Jay stomped his way over to the doors.

"Computer, open these doors, please."

"Yes, sir."

The hiss of the doors opening sure got everyones attention, though.

"Jay!"

"What did you do?"

"What are you doing?"

"Don't go in there!"

"You know, I think the nausea is affecting my brain, cause I can't hear any of you," he threw back cheekily as he strode onto the bridge, practically vibrating with excitement. He dashed from console to console, staring at the instruments in wonder and joy.

"Oh man, oh man, oh man oh man oh man-"

"Care to share with the class- woah."

Cole froze just beyond the doorway, his eyes glued to the window that spread across the far wall. Lloyd, Kai, Nya and Zane pushed by him to get a look, before freezing in just the same manner.

"Woah."

Indeed.

The view was entirely black, not a sign of light anywhere... Not besides the glimmering stars.

It was a view into space.

And everything finally clicked for Lloyd.

He blanched, his eyes huge in his face and his mouth gaping.

"W-Wait, is this...?"

Jay turned to him with that broad grin.

"You finally getting it?"

Lloyd slow-blinked at him.

"Th-This is impossible..."

"Yep, you're getting it."

"Jay," Cole caught his attention, a feat considered his darting movements and distracted admirations. "What is this? What do you know that we don't?"

"Welp," the master of lightning spread his arms wide, as if presenting the bridge. "This shouldn't exist."

"You keep saying that," Kai grumbled, somewhat awestruck himself. "Why shouldn't it exist?"

"Because you are currently aboard the Ninjago Star Vessel Exploration," that earned him sharp looks from both Nya and Zane. He didn't pay them any mind. "The latest and greatest vessel designed by the creators of Starfarer."

Their stares were heavy with disbelief.

"Wait, wait, hold up." Kai's brow was cocked. "You're telling me that this is some ship from a comic you read?"

"Actually, no." Jay turned to toggle some switches on a console as he replied. "The Exploration was designed for a next gen tv series for the Starfarer franchise. The show hasn't come out yet, but the blueprints for the layout of this ship were leaked on Chirp several weeks ago."

"Okay. So you're telling me that this is some ship from a show that doesn't even exist yet?"

"That's right!"

Jay's chipper attitude grated on Kai's nerves, like this wasn't a potentially terrible assessment, and that they weren't potentially stuck on a ship that really didn't exist if he was right-

Zane stepped in.

"Computer, we're on the bridge. Can we start the debriefing without the captain and crew?"

"Captain and crew are on the bridge," Computer cheerfully announced, oblivious to the confusion her words brought. "Initiating briefing protocol."

One of those loading circles, like when your laptop is running slow, popped up on the window.

Zane cocked his head, running scenarios. The loading circle indicated that the window was in fact a viewing screen- an oversized television.

So maybe they weren't in space after all.

Then a mans face, haggard and tired popped up on the screen, obviously being filmed from an office of some kind, and their whole world flipped on its head.

/-/-/

"Cliff Gordon." When people inevitably asked later, Lloyd denied that the pitiful squeak of a voice that asked was his own. "OMFSM, is that you? You're here-"

Kai gave him a sharp elbow to the ribs, cutting him off with a muted yelp.

"Pull it together, fanboy," he hissed in the Green Ninja's ear. "Think for a minute. If he's here, is he really a good guy?"

"Of course he is," Lloyd hissed back in offense. "Its flippin' Cliff Gordon, he's always the good guy-"

"Oh, for the love of the stars," Gordon grumbled, running an exasperated hand down his face. "Every time. Its like this every time..."

He trailed off with a sigh, returning his attention to the huddle of astonished ninja, or in his eyes, huddle of bewildered kids still in their pajamas. Seriously, not even one of them had bothered dressing in their uniform according to the Star Vessel dress code.

"Alright, I understand that you are rookies to the code of conduct required of the Star Farer Armada, but try to be more respectful."

Like that meant anything to them.

Seeing the obvious lack of understanding, Gordon's frown deepened.

"I am Admiral Donnegan, decorated war hero, pioneer of galaxies and co-founder of the Star Farer Armada. And you, young men and lady, were selected by the board to perform a series of missions on behalf of your home world."

As expected, even anticipated, the room exploded with confused objections.

"Wait, hold up-"

"What do you mean 'selected'-"

"Admiral Donnegan-"

"On behalf of our home world-?"

Frustrated, Admiral Donnegan barked.

"Silence!"

The room fell into a blissful reprieve of their babble.

"Okay," he started, trying again. "Who is your designated Captain?"

They just stared at him like a group of bumbling simpletons.

"Your Captain? The one you choose to direct missions and designate tasks."

The pale blonde no longer seemed confused, understanding dawning in his pale blue eyes, but the others still looked lost.

"Your leader."

They each shared a glance before unanimously shoving the scrawny, shaggy blonde with green eyes forward.

If it wasn't for seeing this a hundred times before, Admiral Donnegan would've been shocked the others had selected this star-struck child as their captain. But he'd seen worse.

Those teams, the ones that chose favorites over qualified, were usually the ones that never finished their term.

Admiral Donnegan leaned forward in his seat, bracing his elbows on the desk.

"Alright, young man. Your team has selected you as Captain, so I will speak to you. You speak for your crew, do you understand?"

The blonde, his eyes wide, nodded mutely.

Not for the first time, Admiral Donnegan felt sorry for the rookies. They were obviously out of their element, despite a heroic background, according to their files.

"What is your name, son?"

"L-Lloyd Garmadon, sir." The kid visibly swallowed.

"Okay, Garmadon, listen well. You are onboard the Ninjago Star Vessel Exploration, one of our minimal crew research ships." He launched straight into the briefing. "You were all selected for drafting due to a background in heroism and adaptability. You will serve a five-year term onboard this vessel, carrying out various missions, both research and diplomatic, for the Armada. Do you understand?"

"Wait..." The boy seemed to be gathering his thoughts. "We've-We've been drafted? By an armada?"

"Not an armada, the Star Farer Armada, Ninjago's first defense against extraterrestrial attacks and establisher of inter-planetary diplomatic relations."

"And you guys... You actually exist?"

Donnegan's brow rose.

"Ask the questions that really matter, Captain. My time explaining this to you is limited."

"So... We're a research vessel?"

"Yes, though your ship is equipped with a full weapons array and shielding system, it was primarily designed for research and discovery missions."

"Why us? Specifically?"

"I already covered this, Captain. You were drafted for you heroic backgrounds."

"But we don't know anything about the ship, what we're doing, heck, half of us are clueless when it comes to science, myself included!"

"All of which the AI of your ship will teach you. If you have any questions, ask it, it will answer them to the best of its abilities."

At the next question, the young captain hesitated, before plowing onward.

"What if we don't want to serve our term? We have responsibilities back home that we can't just abandon at the drop of a hat."

Donnegan's gaze narrowed, his face tightening with displeasure.

"If you do not wish to carry out your term, that is your choice. But by law of the Star Farer Armada, you will be court-martialed and sentenced with insubordination." Donnegan leaned back in his chair. "If you choose that route, I can promise you right here, none of you are going home."

The blonde huffed, running a hand through his hair. He was the picture of dejection.

"So... Five years?"

"Yes."

"After that, we're free to go?"

"Yes. And you will be reimbursed for your service."

Garmadon's eyes fell shut with a long suffering sigh.

"Five years..."

Admiral Donnegan shook his head. This was they kind of attitude he'd run across dozens of times before. Almost always, the rookie draftees never made the five year mark because they gave up far before their time.

He gave this shoddy batch five months, if that.

"Time is growing short, so I will wrap this up, Captain Garmadon," the admiral folded his hands upon his desk, his gaze drilling into the young captains'. "You will have a two week probationary period in which we will not only assess you and your crews capabilities, but you will be required to learn your trades as taught to you by the AI. You have exactly six crew member roles to fill, and it will be up to you to distribute the positions.

"You will need a Communications Officer, a Lead Engineer, a Helmsman, a Science and Weapons Officer, and a Doctor. The last position of Captain of the Vessel has been filled, of course.

"Each of these roles are absolutely crucial to the navigation and function on this ship, both for cruising and for executing missions. By the end of the probationary period, I expect you all to be comfortable in your roles enough that we can pull that ship off autopilot and start cruising her towards her first mission. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes..."

"Good. Then I will speak with you in another two weeks, and I hope by then you will have the code of conduct down. I will not be so lenient."

With that, the Admiral reached for the sign off.

"Wait, sir!"

The Admirals' gaze cut back to the young captain. He blinked. Something had changed in the few moments he'd looked away. The boy stood a little taller, his back straighter. His feet were spread evenly to support his sharp stance and his gaze, while glimmering with doubts and uncertainties, never wavered.

"What is it, Captain Garmadon?"

"Sir, I would like to make a request."

The Admiral sighed.

"Son-"

"Sir, I promise it isn't unreasonable," the boy assured. "It is only about my title."

When the boy took too long to elaborate, the Admiral waved his hand in encouraging gesture.

"Go on."

"Sir, my dads' Garmadon. I would rather not go by it." The boy blinked. "For both personal and practical reasons, sir."

The Admiral rubbed his chin, disapproving.

"It is improper to be addressed by your first name."

"I was not suggesting that, sir. With your permission, I would rather adopt my middle name and go by that?"

The Admiral hummed, pondering.

"That could be arranged. What is it?"

"Montgomery, sir." The boy gave a small smile. "Its a bit rusty, but I can get used to it."

"Hm. Alright, Captain Montgomery. I will be back in touch in two weeks, and I expect to see some results by then."

"Yes, sir."

The Admiral signed off, the image of the latest group of confused pajama clad rookies disappeared, replaced by a black screen.

Donnegan leaned back in his chair, thoughtful.

For a kid, new to all of this, the new captain of the Exploration had caught on quick. The files he had on the kids weren't in depth (he'd stopped requesting detailed reports ages ago, sick of getting to know these kids just to watch them burn themselves out and die), so he couldn't be sure if Montgomery had any military background, but he'd certainly adapted quickly, even if it was in something as little as conduct.

For the first time in a long while, towards any draftee groups, the Admiral started to feel hope.

His face pulled into one of his rare smiles for his bleak world.

These kids might just stand a chance.