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I stare at the whiteboard, like it will somehow explain everything to me if I stare long enough. I am sure by now the end of the marker is chewed worse than a dog toy, but I don't care about that right now. On the board are notes, math, and horrible diagrams (art was never my strong suit), with the title at the top underlined and circled with exclamation points all around.
!!!!!!!!!!WORMHOLES CAN CONNECT THE MUTIVERSE AND MAYBE CAUSE TIME TRAVEL?????!!!!!!!!
While that in itself is not a new theory, it is, or has—was?— never been proven. At least not until now. Well, now as in a few weeks ago at this point. Or was it months? Whatever, time is a lie. Either way, I did not really focus on it as much then, since I first, did not know enough to jump to this far a conclusion, and two, was too busy saving a blood-covered man and getting him to a stable-enough state to even ask what happened to him. But now, for the past...???? However long, I have been in the lab, researching, thinking, mapping out and staring at the calculations. If—no, not if, it is no longer just a theory, but rather proven fact—wormholes do in fact, exist, and do also connect the multiverse, then...?
Well, I am not sure? Is it cool? Yes. Can I find the wormhole in question? Maybe, but that would mean staying still for however many days to just try and calculate an approximate location of it, for what? To throw something at it and see what happens? Scientifically poke a science stick at something most likely very unstable, dangerous and unknown? Would finding it even be worth it?
I let out a long, frustrated sigh, a hand rubbing roughly over my face and eyes, trying to rid the dull throb of the headache there, in the process skewing my glasses. This whole thing, despite how cool it is, is really starting to grind me down because of my lack of being able to figure it out. Maybe a quick break will do me well.
I toss the marker down and leave the lab, going to fetch myself a coffee. On the way there, I can hear Simon and Rocky bickering, bordering on actually insulting each other as they try and fix something together. I am not paying it much attention, mind still wrapped up in trying to make sense of the whole wormhole nonsense. How did it even fit an entire moon of blood? I can understand if it were only the SM-13 that come through, but an entire moon? From what I have found on wormholes on the World Wide Web (thanks again for giving that, Stratt), they are a soft-of funnel shape. Starting with a large, cone shape, tapering off into a narrow tunnel-like surface? Area? Before opening up again on the other side. It could just be a very big wormhole, but wouldn't that have, I don't know, unstablized the literal space around it? Surely we would've seen any sign of it, right? Unless they are constantly being created and collapsing before anything even gets through, and the moon was just in the right place at the right time? Or maybe they are so insignificantly small that it is impossible to spot them. But then, how would something so big fit through? Does it warp matter? It wouldn't be that far fetched, seeing as they can already bend space time continuum. In theory. Allegedly. In minecraft. I really just can't come to accept they exist without seeing the wormhole itself—which is incredibly stupid considering the very real existence of the moon, the Sm-13 and Simon.
I blink, realizing I spaced out (hah) and have been staring intently at the mug the robotic arm has been patiently holding for me for... Well, it doesn't matter, I suppose. I take the mug with muttered thanks, only to find it barely above lukewarm to the touch. How long exactly was I spaced out for?
I hardly get time with the love of my life (the coffee), when the two come waltzing in, still bickering with each other.
“Simon being stupid dumb bitch. Rocky cannot upgrade arm to have "cool ass" gun in, is too dangerous!” Rocky argues, shaking a first at Simon, who simply rolls his eyes.
“That's the whole fucking point. It's a gun, it's not meant to be safe.” Simon points out, waving his non-prosthetic arm around to emphasize his point.
“No, Simon no understand! Shockwave from shooting gun will hurt stub of arm shit ton, will cause more damage!” Rocky's notes are sharp and quick, and I can hear a multitude of various Eridian words in the lines of "stupid" and "idiot" that the translator does not repeat. Either Simon did not put those words in, or they have been swearing so much at each other he has memorized the sounds. I just sigh, starting to make my way around the table to head back to the lab, not wanting to stay and listen to them argue with a headache already throbbing in my skull.
I didn't even get to take a sip of my coffee before I stub my toe on the one table leg, dropping the mug with a pained yelp as I stumble to keep my balance while cradling my sore foot. Well, there goes a mug, and coffee that I never even got to enjoy.
“Oh shit, is Grace okay, question?” Rocky sings, moving closer, using his ball to help me keep my balance.
“Yes, I am fine.” I grit my teeth as I bitterly stare at the wasted coffee, holding onto the table with one hand while the other pinches the bridge of my nose.
“You don't look like it to me.” Simon points out, and I can't help the pointed look I give him.
“I just dropped my coffee, of course I am going to be bitter about it.”
Simon raises a brow, then frowns and shakes his head.
“No, I mean like in general. You look like shit.” he gestures to all of me, and I just roll my eyes with a huff.
“Thanks, it's what I was going for.” I am at least glad that the robot arms are making quick work of cleaning the spill and shards, Stratt really thought of everything when making this ship.
“Yes, agree with Simon. Grace look fucking awful. When is last time sleep, question?” Rocky asks, shifting around in his little biodome.
“Not important. Mary, more coffee please.” I wave Rocky off, wanting to get back to the lab.
“No, no more coffee. When has Grace last slept, Mary?” Simon, the bastard, overrides my order of my sweet, sweet departed spouse (coffee), and I give him a bitter glare.
“𝙻𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚌𝚢𝚌𝚕𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛; 𝙳𝚛. 𝚁𝚢𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎, 𝚒𝚜 49 𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜, 23 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 12 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚜.”
All three of us freeze momentarily, Simon and Rocky out of pure disbelief, and I out of surprise. Had I really been awake that long?
“Right, thank you Mary.” Simon grunts, already making his way over to me.
“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎, 𝙲𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚂𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚗.”
“Grace has been awake for so long?! Stupid stupid stupid fucking idiot human!” Rocky stomps his feet, then angrily throws up two arms, a gesture he's picked up from both me and Simon when we are frustrated.
“Hey—Hey okay listen—I just got distracted, b-but I am almost at a breakthrough, I just need to—” I have started backing away, the two moving in fast, cornering me against a wall and some shelves.
“Yeah fuckin' right. You need to go to sleep, is what is going to happen.” Simon cuts me off, looking ready to tackle me down and sedate me, drag me off on a mission I want no part in—
“Simon right! Grace been up far far too long!” Rocky agrees, and for the brief moment I looked down at him, Simon had reached out a hand and took hold of my wrist. I yank it back like it had burned me, maybe it did, breathing picking up as I realize I am being boxed in.
“Don't make this harder than it has to be, Grace.”
“Don't fucking touch me!” I snap, pulling my arms in close as I fight back tears, blinking rapidly in hopes to get rid of the mental images forcing their way back in.
“Ryland. Look at me.” Simon's voice cuts through my spiralling thoughts, my eyes snapping over to him, where he stands a few feet away. When did he back off?
“You are okay. We are just going to bed.” he speaks slowly, clearly, a steady and calm look on his face, as his hand is held out in front of him for me to take. I know logically, they are right. I have been up far too long, my brain is mush, and now I am starting to freak out over nothing. I take in an unsteady breath, hand shaking slightly as I reach out and take hold of the strong, calloused hand of the other.
“C'mon, time for a quick shower and then bed.” he keeps his voice steady and calm, and my heart starts to settle as Simon takes the lead, only letting my hand go to allow me to wash up to give me privacy, taking it again as soon as I am dressed. Then we are in the dormitory, and distantly I think we teleported, but I know my brain is starting to forcefully shut itself down.
“Grace Simon sleep, Rocky watch.” Rocky, who is now on his side of the atmosphere barrier, gets himself comfortable, while Simon and I do the same. It is rare that we sleep at the same time, and when we do, it's usually in separate beds, but I am far too tired to argue with the large man when he climbs onto the bed with me. I had barely any time to get on it myself, much less get comfortable before my eyes start closing, and my body goes limp, not before feeling a comforting warmth around me.