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Chapter Text

Quiet fell over the Per Aspera, the soft choral hum of the Astral Sea filling the silence where moments ago, it had been a cacophony of clashing steel and spells. The gith boarding party lay scattered across the deck and their own skiffs, some bodies even floating in the sea. As the crew of mechanites came down from the battle rush, looking around frantically to see if any more skiffs approached on the horizon, VR-LA took a moment to steady himself.

What the Hells just happened?

Hurried steps and the snap of fabric caught his attention and he turned to see MR-SN striding with purpose to the edge of the deck, psionic power still gathered around him like a roiling tempest. He leaned over the edge, looking for something in the water, then made a grabbing and pulling motion. With a splash and a yelp, a shape was yanked up from overboard, and MR-SN stepped back to let DX-TR tumble over the railing and onto his ass on the deck.

VR-LA didn't think he'd ever seen their captain loom like this before. MR-SN's faceplate was formed into a smile, but his eyes were narrowed, his gaze cold as he stared down at the human-like mechanite cowering against the railing. The rest of the crew had begun to advance, E-DN drawing another arrow, C-RA looking confused and hurt, AS-TR fiddling nervously with her holy symbol. VR-LA's fingers twitched with the start of a somatic, but they all waited on a razor's edge to hear what MR-SN would say.

There was a minute of silence, with MR-SN and DX-TR just staring at each other tensely. After sailing with this crew for a little while now, VR-LA could recognize the signs of a telepathic conversation- the way MR-SN's eyes glowed slightly pinkish-purple, a light that flickered briefly in DX-TR's eyes as well.

Then DX-TR's gaze dropped to look at something behind MR-SN, across the deck. MR-SN turned to look as well, and his expression changed from anger and hurt to recognition. Confused, VR-LA glanced over to see one of the gith pirates they'd killed, half propped against the mast.

A sudden flash of rage filled him. Endellion.

"Endellion," MR-SN said quietly, and VR-LA startled. He would have sworn he'd never heard that name before, but it had jumped to his mind a second before his captain said it aloud. He'd never seen this gith before today, but somehow, he was familiar. And VR-LA hated him.

"I see," their captain said, nodding slowly. "That's that, then." Then, to the clear shock and protest of the rest of the crew, he turned to offer DX-TR a hand and pulled him to his feet.

"Hold on, what the fuck just happened?" E-DN demanded, arrow still nocked.

"Yeah, I'm seconding that- what's going on, MR-SN?" K-LB asked, stepping out from where he'd taken cover behind the trapdoor to the lower deck.

VR-LA took a step forward, although he wasn't sure what he was trying to do. Impose himself between the crew and MR-SN? Join them? He balled his hands into fists to stifle the electricity that was dancing along his fingers.

MR-SN put himself between DX-TR and the crew, hands raised placatingly. "I know you're all shocked and upset, and believe me, I am too. What happened today won't go without consequence, but this isn't as black and white as it all seems." He gestured to the gith, Endellion. "DX-TR and I are both familiar with this githyanki. I don't doubt that he would have led this attack one way or another. DX-TR made a deal with him to try and mitigate the damage- a mistake, and an incredible breach of trust, I know," he added as E-DN and K-LB raised their voices in anger. "But I also know he wouldn't have done it if he didn't think it was the only option. Let us give him the chance to gain back our trust, and prove he regrets his mistake."

"We should've just left him in the sea," E-DN protested angrily. "He sold us out , MR-SN, I don't care why he did it!"

MR-SN began to respond, but VR-LA spoke up, cutting him off. "We can't do that." E-DN and MR-SN both turned to look at him, and he froze slightly, but doubled down. "It's too risky," he said, not knowing why he was so certain. "He knows too much about our mission. If we can't trust him on the ship, we definitely can't trust him not to sell us out again and bring another gith raiding party to try again- or something worse."

"So what, we're just supposed to let him stick around?" K-LB asked, appalled.

"I didn't say that. I just said it's too risky to let him go."

"Then we have to kill him," E-DN said decisively, raising her bow.

MR-SN stepped right in front of her, blocking her from aiming at DX-TR. " Absolutely not. We aren't leaving him in the sea, and we are certainly not killing him. I don't expect anyone to pretend nothing happened, but this fight is over. He will be on probation, and under careful watch, but he stays." The captain took a moment to look each of his crew in the eyes, clearly set in his decision. Then he focused back on E-DN. "If he does repeat his mistake, I promise you, I will deal with him myself. Understood?"

Only VR-LA looked back at DX-TR in time to catch the look of horror on his face before he schooled his expression again.

E-DN let out an angry hiss, steam escaping through some of her plating, but lowered her longbow. "Understood," she snarled, glaring past MR-SN at DX-TR, who was now staring resolutely at the deck. Then she turned and stalked off to start clearing bodies from the deck. The rest of the crew began to scatter apart as well, tense and shooting DX-TR the occasional hurt or suspicious look, but none of them argued the point further. C-RA joined E-DN in clearing the dead gith off the deck, K-LB hurried to check for any damage to the ship, and AS-TR murmured a quick prayer to heal any injuries the crew had gotten in the fight.

MR-SN said something quietly to DX-TR, who seemed to shrink in on himself a bit before nodding. The two headed for the helm, walking past VR-LA as they went. As they passed, DX-TR glanced at VR-LA with an unreadable expression, then hurried to keep up as MR-SN went to retake the helm.

VR-LA remembered the look of surprise DX-TR had given him as he'd vanished over the edge of the railing mere minutes ago. After VR-LA had pushed him overboard, then pointed out the incoming skiffs to MR-SN to raise the alarm. He wondered if that glance just now had been a question- how did you know?

Maybe once he figured it out for himself, VR-LA would tell him.

Chapter Text

"VR-LA? Are you alright? You seem… rather distracted."

Maxim's voice cut through VR-LA's cluttered thoughts and he startled, refocusing on what was in front of him. "Ah- my apologies, Maxim, I am… my mind was elsewhere," he admitted, embarrassed at having let his thoughts wander so far during one of their conversations. Ordinarily, he could talk with Maxim for hours about their mutual interests, but today his mind was elsewhere, and clearly he wasn't any good at hiding it.

"If you require a break from our work, we can discuss something else," Maxim offered, setting aside the notebook he'd been writing in. "Is something troubling you? I do not wish to pry on personal matters, but this is unlike you."

VR-LA sighed. "In truth, I am distracted by an event that occurred a short while ago with my crew, an… altercation, I suppose. But I don't wish to burden you with more details than you are comfortable with."

"An altercation?" Maxim's obvious concern surprised VR-LA a bit. "It must have been of some significance to so thoroughly take your focus. It is true that I value professional boundaries in our relationship, but I do not wish to leave you in distress when it interferes with our collaboration. Please, tell me what has occurred."

VR-LA hesitated, but ultimately caved. Maxim was a valued colleague and friend, and… well, maybe talking to someone who wasn't involved would help sort out the mess in his head. He was sparing on the details, but told Maxim the gist of what had happened- DX-TR's betrayal, the gith attack, MR-SN's decision. And the strange sense of deja vu that had blindsided him, the odd surety in his actions despite having no idea why he had taken them.

Maxim listened quietly, impassive as he always appeared, and nodded slowly. "I see. I take it your crew is not aligned in their feelings on your captain's decision."

"Certainly not," VR-LA confirmed. "We all respect MR-SN greatly, but most of the crew is having a difficult time reconciling DX-TR's actions and MR-SN's choice."

"And what about you?" Maxim asked.

"I…" VR-LA shook his head. "I don't know. I'm angry, of course I am, but… something in me knows we cannot let DX-TR go free, not with what he knows about our project. I don't understand it. It's the same way I knew the attack was coming- the crew thinks I figured it out just in time because of some way DX-TR slipped up, but I truly had no idea until that moment. I just acted on- on impulse, except it felt thought through. I don't know how else to describe it."

"I would be concerned about some form of possession, but that does not sound like what you experienced."

"It didn't feel like that, no. I was in control of my actions and entirely lucid."

The two contemplated in silence for a moment. Then Maxim flicked a hand, and his Mage Hand set the Docent back onto the table next to VR-LA. "If you would like, I can do some research myself to see if there is anything similar to your experience in records somewhere. As for the crux of your crew's emotional turmoil, I am afraid I can offer no more than platitudes."

VR-LA gave a slight chuckle. "I appreciate you trying at all. Truly, I do. I know this is a bit beyond what most would consider professional, but talking it over has helped, I think. And please, anything you can find would be equally appreciated. I'm sure I have some tidbit of knowledge or exciting tome in my library that may interest you in exchange."

"That would be most acceptable. I will see what I can discover before your next visit. In the meanwhile, if you are willing, we have some time before the third toll to continue."

"Of course." VR-LA shuffled through some of the papers on the table- notes and information about Docent they had catalogued over their joint studies of it. Frustratingly little had been gleaned so far, aside from the production of the memory spheres, but VR-LA was far from ready to give up.

After all, if the ruins of the Ad Astra were anything to go by, Docent was the key to MR-SN's dream.

~

The hum of the Astral Sea was broken briefly by the sound of crashing water as the Per Aspera breached out of the portal to Mechanus and back onto its still waters. They could have just Planeshifted, but MR-SN didn't like to waste that resource when they didn't have to- besides, he was getting better at navigating Mechanus! And since it seemed like they'd be visiting a lot while VR-LA and that Maxim fellow worked on the Docent, he should probably try to memorize the route.

Sitting in the helm, MR-SN was able to move the ship with ease. Spelljammers usually ran on spell energy, as he'd learned, but he'd had the Per Aspera designed specifically to harness psionic power as well- after all, as the captain he was their main pilot. Certainly AS-TR or VR-LA would be just as effective as magic users, and MR-SN couldn't pilot all the time, but having his ship attuned to his particular brand of "magic" was a point of pride.

And perhaps it was a bit of a selfish thing, but when they finally did break through the Blue Veil, MR-SN wanted to be the one flying them there.

"You're drifting." The near-silence was broken by DX-TR's somewhat exasperated voice. He hardly startled MR-SN, who was acutely aware of everyone's presence on the ship, but he had an uncanny knack for being eerily silent most of the time. "Pay attention to where we're going," the rogue scolded lightly.

"We're hardly in a rush," MR-SN replied airily, as if he hadn't just been caught daydreaming at the wheel. The ship picked up speed a bit as he put his focus back into piloting. "Besides, I don't quite know where we're going at the moment." He glanced up at the crow's nest, where E-DN was perched with an arrow nocked, eyeing DX-TR with a glare. MR-SN gave her a gentle mental nudge to get her attention, and she locked eyes with him for a moment before climbing down the rigging to join the two in the bubble.

"You forgot where the portal is, didn't you," E-DN said drily.

MR-SN chuckled. "I hired a navigator for a reason, my friend."

With a long suffering sigh, E-DN stepped back out onto the main deck and took a sniff at the air. Then she poked her head back into the bubble. "The nearest portal to Sigil is that way, I'd guess a few hours sail." She gestured at about three o'clock off the bow. "Just keep that heading and you should be good. I'll keep watch."

MR-SN knew she didn't just mean for the portal or other ships. Her mind was burning with anger and suspicion towards DX-TR, and while he usually had her close by when she was navigating the ship, it was hardly difficult for him to speak to her when necessary. Better to let her keep watch if it helped her feel more secure with the situation. As much as it pained him to have his crew so at odds, he did understand.

DX-TR had gone quiet again when E-DN came down to them, but as she left up the mast again, he seemed to shrink back, like he was trying to hide even his mind from being observed. His guilt and regret over what he'd done was as obvious to MR-SN as E-DN and K-LB's anger, or AS-TR and C-RA's hurt. It was difficult enough reconciling his own feelings over the incident. As their captain, he had a responsibility toward his crew, but he hadn't been able to fully set aside his own feelings in the moment. He couldn't even consider if killing DX-TR might have been a better choice. He didn't think he could ever bring himself to do that, despite what he'd promised E-DN.

He'd only made that promise because he was certain he wouldn't have to follow through with it. DX-TR wouldn't make the same mistake again. MR-SN just didn't know how to convince the others of that… and even if they believed it, DX-TR had still betrayed them. Nothing could go back to how it was.

Then there was VR-LA. Who had figured out DX-TR's plot and averted it just in time. Without his quick thinking, things could have gone a lot worse. MR-SN owed him a lot for that. And for being so steadfast in his support of MR-SN's decision, despite his own feelings of betrayal and anger. He had sensed a conviction in VR-LA that seemed to surprise them both. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but he was grateful all the same.

DX-TR's absolute bafflement at being caught out would have been funny, if it weren't for… well, everything else.

For now, all MR-SN could do was to give it time. Time to sort out his own feelings, and for the rest of the crew to reconcile their own. Time for DX-TR to regain their trust. Their goal remained the same, ultimately, but right now MR-SN just wanted to make sure his friends were going to be okay.

He was certain they could make it through this. After all, they were more than capable of overcoming difficulty.

Chapter Text

"VR-LA? Are you alright? You seem… rather distracted."

Maxim's voice cut through VR-LA's cluttered thoughts and he startled, refocusing on what was in front of him. "Ah- my apologies, Maxim, I am… my mind was elsewhere," he admitted, embarrassed at having let his thoughts wander so far during one of their conversations. Ordinarily, he could talk with Maxim for hours about their mutual interests, but today his mind was elsewhere, and clearly he wasn't any good at hiding it.

"If you require a break from our work, we can discuss something else," Maxim offered. VR-LA must have had an odd look on his face, because he paused, tilting his head. "Are you certain you're alright?"

VR-LA cleared his speakers with a burst of static. "Yes, apologies. I just had the oddest sense of deja vu. I really am fine, Maxim, we can continue. I'd like to finish this in time to test it out before I must return to the Per Aspera."

"If you insist," Maxim conceded. "But if there is something troubling you, friend VR-LA, I would ask that you share it with me. You put too many burdens on yourself as it is." His open sincerity was still new to VR-LA, and he couldn't help the warm affection he felt in response.

"Honestly, I'm not even sure what it is myself," VR-LA admitted. "I've just had the strangest feeling that something has… changed, I suppose, something I cannot place, but seems fundamental to… something. I don't know. I'm not sure how else to describe it."

"Is this perhaps a product of your Magister abilities?" Maxim suggested. "I know you are still growing accustomed to the boons you gained from your goddess."

"Perhaps," he replied, although some part of him knew that wasn't quite right. "I might consult her later on the subject. I do apologize for getting distracted."

"No need to apologize," Maxim assured him. "I just wish to ensure you know that… if there is anything you need to speak about, and do not want to burden your crew, I am here."

VR-LA's eyes squinted in his approximation to a smile. "Thank you, Maxim. Your offer is noted and appreciated."

Maxim returned the expression. "I am told this is what friends are for." Content that at least, VR-LA wasn't in any state of emotional distress, he returned to the notes spread out between them on the workshop table. Much of the Sanctum had become far more cluttered than it had been, with four more mechanites living aboard it. Each had filled up the rooms in their various ways, but this workshop and library remained solely Maxim's. Even K-LB's mechanical tinkerings had their own room that he'd renovated. Maxim appreciated the others' attempts not to intrude on the parts of the Sanctum he most often frequented.

Though once designed around the study of Docent and other such topics that populated Maxim's initial encounters with VR-LA, the workshop had changed its design in recent times. For one, it did technically serve as the helm of the Sanctum-made-Spelljammer. For another, the nature of projects that VR-LA brought to him had changed somewhat. Docent had been gifted to the Sanctum crew to perhaps one day fulfill a similar role to Emi in helping pilot the ship to worlds beyond, and now VR-LA's time was occupied more with his Magister duties and whatever the Per Aspera's crew got up to.

As such, all things magic and spellcraft littered the workshop including the notes and research surrounding their current project that VR-LA had thought up. Honestly, the idea amused Maxim, as it wasn't even a proper spell they were trying to create. Rather, it was something more… technical, perhaps, that tapped into the Weave in a different way, to allow the user to wield their intellect persuasively rather than relying on their wit.

Maxim understood why VR-LA would be interested in such magics. Wizards took pride in their intellect, as it was the source of their spellcasting. But being academically verbose did not always mean one was convincing in their speech. It was an odd way to utilize the Weave, but an inspired one. Though sometimes Maxim wondered if they were treading close to where mortals ought not to, seeking to bend reality like this. Not to conjure or abjure or evoke, but to harness one's ability in a way that defied law.

VR-LA was confident they could crack it, and was very enthused by the whole project, so Maxim had set his concerns aside to help his friend. And they were very nearly finished- it was entirely possible that VR-LA would get his wish, and be able to test this new magic before returning to his own crew.

Maxim was certain that if something fundamental had changed in the Planescape, that it would make itself known to VR-LA and the crew of the Per Aspera one way or another. It was doubtful they'd remain in suspense for long.

~

Dani grumbled to herself as she sat in the engine room, mulling over the scattering of blueprints on the floor around her. She gently knocked a wrench against the side of her head as she tried to focus. There were many projects, both on the Per Aspera itself and some others, that she'd been working on as of late, but right now, she was struggling to even make progress on one.

She couldn't get the dream she'd had last night out of her head.

It wasn't the worst nightmare she'd ever had, but it was kind of the memory of one. The night the crew had fought a hypnogaug that tried to steal her and Finbar's souls and kill them in their sleep. A thing of shadow that appeared like their worst nightmares. But only one of its faces had haunted her dreams last night- her own, orange instead of blue, with a more tired look in her eyes that wasn't just from the eye tattoos.

Dani didn't really give a shit about dream interpretation or anything, so it wasn't like she was thinking about what it meant, but that image wouldn't leave her alone, and it was starting to get annoying.

"Hey, Dani?" She glanced behind her to see Kyana poking her head in from the kitchen. "It's time to head to the Sprite's Spring, VR-LA said he'd meet us there." Then she paused, and her brow furrowed slightly. "You okay?"

Grumbling a little, Dani swept the blueprints into a loose pile and dropped the wrench on them as a paperweight. "Fine. Didn't sleep much last night."

"Me neither," Kyana admitted. "It was kinda weird- I don't usually dream, so I'd remember if I did. It just kinda felt like I had a nightmare, but didn't? I dunno, it's weird. Vhas was up really early too- do you think another one of those nightmare monsters tried to sneak onto the ship?"

"If it did, Vhas and I wouldn't have woken up at all," Dani pointed out. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. Come on, I don't wanna be late. Elyse will kill us if we let her and Finbar's cooking get cold."