Chapter Text
“... do you guys think Gwion is okay back on earth?”
Back on earth. That was a sentence Misty didn't think she’d be thinking after enrolling into Hex Centre. Admittedly, things had gotten weird. They’d had to start the school year twice- the first try ending in a total mess of corrupt genetic scientists taking over the school and trying to take all students and faculty with it.
In the end , Misty and her weird friends had been the “heros” of that story. But that was all it was supposed to be. Like a story or a simulation. Except it wasn't, not really. It wasn't a story because it didn't end nicely in a bow. It wasn't a story because the children that died were real. It was all very truly real.
But in a month's time they were back at Hex like nothing had changed. And for a moment she wanted to pretend like that was true. That nothing really had changed. Like it was a do over.
Sure, sitting in her dorm after a month away was weird knowing fully well that there was supposed to be another girl sharing her bunk- one with red spunky hair and ghost like abilities that was. Well.
She tries not to sit with it. That's what everyone had planned on doing. Nenad and Alexi both got jobs - Dorkius had trapped himself into an entire month of almost non-stop math lessons (she swears his parents are almost more nutty than hers) and she. Well. She’d been trying to study and really apply herself and get over what had happened to all of them. It feels insignificant now.
They're in space. She can hardly believe it.
After the ‘incident” at Hex centre a government program had come to the school. It was supposed to be for safety, that's what they and the permission slips and legalities all said. But it wasn't.
N.I.T.E. I want something more from them. It's just hard to tell what.
She feels the drones in her sleep. Not that she sleeps much anymore. None of them really do but the robotic devices haunting their school have really taken space in her mind. The tests and the constrictions and the government control breathing down their necks is a vice that stays even when the physical chains left them.
She remembers what Alexi said. Upon entering the - ship slash creature that is Thanata and taking off into the cosmos to flee from director stoker and the governmental control of NITE out of whatever prison they’d been taken to because of their involvement in the initial incident.
“Theres nothing to choose but leaving. If it's between being surrendered to the government and going with aliens, I'm going with aliens.”
He’d said it like it was funny. Which, admittedly, Alexi says everything like it's funny but it really wasn't. None of this is. It was true.
Years ago when Blue sol- the second cerulean moon placed upon their sky- granted people powers there were murmurers of these sorts. That anyone with a nul-sol ability would be tested. Would be probed , would be killed. But against all odds, the first two or so generations of Nu-sol individuals were left to peace.
But this feels like a turn. The next real generation of Nu-sols being brought to bat, so young and yet being put to order against the government. A freedom fight that none of them had planned on getting into upon attending the new school year.
Dorkius shifts in the chair near her at the question from Sizzler, his tiny frame slouching deeper into the 90 degree angle of the vaguely futuristic chair in the ship cockpit. He lets out a little hum. “I dunno. I sure hope so. She was pretty nice.”
Sizzler slouches against the wall, rubbing his forehead. “Yeah, she was nice.” He lets out a love sick pout that makes most of the room grimace.
Alexi pipes up. “I'm certain she will be A-OK. We will get back to Hex and then there she will be. Having sleepy times just like when we met her.” The Ukrainian super rocks back and forth in his own seat, leaning over the back of the chair with his chin pressed onto it.
Misty sighs. “I hope she’ll be fine with sitting at the loser table.” She herself had to get used to it with her merry band of geeks, freaks and weirdos. Dorkius laughs. “If you're at the table it's technically a cool table.”
It's a sweet sentiment that comes so swiftly she doesn't have any time to sit with it.
“When we get back we agreed to like- hang , ya?”
Sizzler nods. “Y-Yeah! Misty said I could basically ah- be her family's boat boy! As long as I - uh- don't burn anything.”
“Yeah like- I guess I promised that.”
“Eh, boats aren't really my thing. I guess I'll join you guys though. Just as long as I can bring my favourite book.”
Misty rolls her eyes. She goes to say something, but she's interrupted by the clack of boots across smooth crystalline flooring. Etha- their new star crusading captain comes out from the back of the ship, stretching deep- prison uniform rode up across the bottom of his ribs as he pulls each muscle through. His dark quill like hair bristles and he smooths it down, rubbing his still somehow dark under eyes. “Hey howdy crew. How do things go up here?”
His casualness this far along wasn't unexpected but still deep down jarring. He’d been in a jail cell somewhere in space for any number of years , arrested by the government for a reason unknown and still he was relaxed.
It was all kind of bizarre.
He moves to one of the front most chairs, sitting down in it with a heaviness and a slightly stifled groan.
“So. we need to go over the plan. I know everyone's eager to go home and to feel normal again, but we can't stay in one place long. Director Stoker and Lady Dosage are still looking for you all up in the complex, their disorientation. The school isn't safe, but you’ll at least have to scout it. But absolutely No parents. I know it will be hard-” Etha’s face softens. “You're all just… Kids , but this is the world as we know it at stake so just… for now, nobody talks to your families.”
Alexi’s brows knit just subtly. “So we just let them think we're missing?”
Misty's own parents wouldn't notice for weeks. Probably until they are suspicious because she hasn't asked for money. But the others would probably already have been reported missing by now.
“...Yeah, basically.”
Dorkius sighs. “No more kumon for me then.”
Nenad's eyes go wide. “Thats- thats what you're worried about?”
He just shrugs in response.
Etha grins, patting the wall of the whale like a prismatic ship. “Alright. Now that we’ve got a plan in order, I think it's about time we get going on hyperspeed. Thanata, Take us home.”