Chapter Text
The first thing he takes note of is the pain. A pulsating ache that thrums through his whole body, resonating with every bruise littering his skin and making his body feel like a minefield of thumping pain.
Well, least he's not dead. He doubts pain would be a thing in the afterlife anyway, or maybe he'd ended up in Hell, would fit him better. Whatever, Simon would like to think he's not dead yet.
Somehow.
He doesn't remember things all too clearly right now, something something.. Get the skull.. Right right.. Drop the sub.. Okay.. Not important. No, wait, well it is important, just not now. He needs to orient himself right now, job to do, promises to hold. Promises that better fucking hold, or so help him he'll find some way to claw his way out of this stupid, shitty submarine.
Ugh,
Simon scrubs a hand harshly over his face, digging his finger and thumb into his eyes hard enough to see stars explode behind closed eyelids, A ragged sigh escapes him as he forces his eyes open afterwards and takes in his surroundings. Yep, same dingy little sub, same boring pipes and messy interior. Dunno why he expected any different. Maybe he doesn't need to be sent to Hell, this goddamn sub is his own personal one.
He takes a moment to properly gather himself, deciding to spend the quiet moment listening to the sounds around him. The hissing heat of the pipes, the bubbling hell scape outside the walls, the muttered words that-
His head swivels towards the speaker on the wall. The light is dark, there's no crackle of electricity in the air. The voice is a little too muffled to be coming from the radio, but even then, he doesn't even recognise this voice. Actually, now that he listens more closely, there's none of the usual sounds. The pipes are quiet, the outside lacks the gurgling of the blood. No, instead it's almost unnervingly quiet, just the muffled words and what sounds like.. Song? Music is a rarity on Eden, not a lot got passed down and carried on aside from the wordless hums passed to children, and that was only two or three different tunes. This is different, much different.
So, He's not in that hellhole anymore, right? No blood ocean? Did they pull him up when he was knocked out? Shouldn't someone be banging and yelling at him by now? Trying to convince the Convict that freedom is on his doorstep?
Simon grunts as he forces himself up, clutching the edge of the seat for leverage as he manages to stumble his way closer to the porthole window. He slams his hands down on the operations console as he leans most of his weight onto it. If he can just get the window shielding down then he can get a better idea of where he is and who had found him. Now, which button was that… Ah- He slams a hand down onto the button, then waits. And waits. And.. Okay, nothing. He hisses a frustrated breath through his teeth as the button gives no response whatsoever. Stupid hunk of junk.
The faint light of the depth meter catches his attention, and he squints at it. The marker isn't in the red, which is a relief, but the marker is also shifting uncertainly near the top of the bar. It doesn't settle even for a moment, just continues to bounce up and down in the same little area like it can't decide what it wants to do. Simon grunts in frustration, before focusing in on the oxygen meter as the lit squares blink weakly. Two bars still, that's fine, it'll do him till he gets his answers.
First step to get those answers? Getting the attention of whoever it is talking outside the sub. Simon takes a moment to shake himself out, before he starts slowly shuffling over to one of the walls. Maybe he was yanked up by the C.O.I, in which case he should probably start with their mission and plan. So when he finally presses himself to the cool metal and raises his fist, he brings it down and slams it a good few times against the wall till he can feel the impact rattling up his arm.
"Hey! I did what you asked, right?! So let me out!"
He presses his ear to the wall, just to listen for anything he possibly can. Ava's team wasn't huge, but he wouldn't be surprised if they dragged in floundering recruits to replace the people who got sick from him- To replace the sick ones. They should know the mission anyway, they'll have been briefed.
But after a solid minute or two of listening, Simon is only met to silence. He grits his teeth hard enough to feel his jaw ache. Bastards, the lot of them, he knows they're out there, he heard them. And they're ignoring him, again!
"Don't fucking ignore me! You said you'd let me out! I did your stupid job!"
Please. Please. There has to be someone, anyone. He raised his fist again, slamming it against the wall even harder than before. Someone. He heard them. They're there. They have to let him-
Something thuds back on the other side of the wall. So loud and sudden that Simon jerks back so quickly he almost flings himself backwards over the seat. He manages to catch himself right before that, thighs hitting the edge and an arm flailing out behind himself to brace on the seat. And he just… Stares. Something banged back. Which means there is someone out there. The bang was loud, whatever responded packs a hell of a hit apparently.
Simon can't bring himself to move just yet. His heart jackhammers in his chest, he doesn't know why he's suddenly so anxious at the idea of human contact again. He hasn't been down here that long, and while the C.O.I weren't nice in any way, they were still contact. Solitude in a submarine with no way out does a number on your psyche, and Simon will take anything right now, even if it's rough touch against his arms and hands fisted into his hair. Even if acknowledgement is only given through name's spit out like poison, 'Butcher' 'Convict' Anything anything please.
Stop it.
He shakes his head and forces himself to listen. Listen for-
"Something's…. Open…. Listen…"
Okay. Okay, someone is out there. Good, so he's not alone. Someone actually brought him back up. Which means the job is done, right? He's going to be free. That was the promise, and now he's so close.
A sickening screech suddenly fills the space in the sub, a horrid metallic grinding noise that makes Simon's hair stand on end. His muscles feel tight as he listens to the SM-13 cry out. The sound hitches, and his head snaps towards the source.
The porthole. The shielding on the window is starting to move. The metal hatch grinds and jumps before starting to slide downwards. It's being forced down by something outside.
He forces himself back onto his feet and presses himself against the console. He leans his weight onto it as he watches the window brighten, as he watches the outside light slowly filter into the sub. This is it. Freedom. He's almost free. The light flooding in is so pure and so unlike the dingy lights he's used to on Eden. The pure light of day will shine upon him and he'll live.
The shielding finally comes free, and he hears it clatter to the ground outside with a dull clang. Yes, yes! Simon leans in, trying to catch sight of whatever he can outside. So bright, clean, so-
The light disappears suddenly. And Simon is left to stare. To stare at the huge eye peering through the window at him. So wide, and bright, so piercing blue and- Holy fuck that's a human eye-
Simon jolts backwards quickly, intending to shove himself back into the furthest corner of the ship. Instead, his knees hit the seat right behind him, and his momentum sends him backwards over it. He flails, a startled yelp leaving his lips. before he hits the floor again hard enough to knock all the air from his lungs. His back thrums with pain, and he's left to lie there and wheeze pathetically under the watchful eye of some huge creature.
Not like this-
He grits his teeth and forces his hands beneath himself to scramble back on all fours. His hands slide across the floor, blinding searching for- Ah! The extinguisher! Yes! He clutches it tightly in his hand, feeling the jagged metal of the handle biting into his palm. Before he reels his arm back, and pitches the extinguisher as hard as he can towards the window. Simon grins, watching with satisfaction as the huge eye widens even more at the move, then it pulls away entirely, just in time to miss the way the extinguisher misses the window. Instead, it slams against the wall above the window, before rebounding with just as much force, giving Simon barely a moment to tuck up to protect himself as it hits the floor and rolls to the back of the ship.
He stays curled up, listening to the frantic beating of his own heart and the flooding rush of blood in his ears. He focuses on his breathing, the way his chest moves with every breath. Managing to calm the rush just in time to hear a shrill music note from outside the sub. Several more follow suit, pitching notes that seem to merge together into a song that makes his head pound.
"What? I didn't do anything! Don't use that tone on me-"
Human voice. Human words. There is actually someone outside the ship. But Simon can't bring himself to move. Adrenaline still thrums through his veins but it's slowly ebbing off, leaving him to collapse to the floor again. He's tired, and hungry, and thirsty, and now there's some giant creature right outside the sub and some weirdo human likely working with it. Fuck.. Wait.. So, the C.O.I hasn't pulled him up.
So who the hell is this?
With a groan of effort, Simon manages to lift his head to look at the window. Now completely free of any giant eyes. Perfect. He rolls to his side, grunting as the movement pulls at who knows how many bruises littering his skin. He's taken a hell of a beating in the short time he can remember, but then again, he's used to this kind of stuff. Least he's not being watched, because the amount of effort it takes for Simon to push himself to his feet is frankly a little embarrassing.
As he struggles, he listens to more music fill the air. It's a little muffled through the walls, but it's not so shrill now which is a blessing. That voice follows the notes again.
"They're fine, right? Check, please?" More music.. More and more.. "See! So they're fine! I didn't mess anything up! Now, to.. Get them out."
Out? Out! Yes! Yes, out! Simon would like out finally! Freedom at last! He doesn't care who gives it to him!
The sub suddenly shakes, and his excitement is quickly extinguished. Nevermind! Simon would like to stay in the sub! Then whatever is out there can't get him!
He grips the seat for stability, hands locked around the edges so hard his knuckles go white. He needs to not fall, because if he falls on his ass again he doesn't know if he'll be able to drag himself to his feet again. So he grits his teeth, growing frustration making his headache intensify.
"Would you stop moving the sub?!" He yells as loud as he can, feeling his throat ache afterwards, raw and burning. He swallows heavily to try and lessen the feeling, though it barely does much. Really missing water right now, great job past Simon.
To his relief, the sub does actually stop moving. The rocking stops almost immediately like something is holding it steadily in place. Whatever, good enough for him. Simon lessens his grip on the seat just enough to guide himself back around the seat and back to the window of the sub. He leans himself against the console and presses his face as close to the window as he can, practically bent over the console to catch as much of the outside as possible.
From what he can see, the outside is a lot of white. Bright lights illuminate everything, and Simon squints his eyes through the harsh lighting to try pick out the details. Several tables, stools, and a whole load of junk scattered across the tables. There's other things, pieces of equipment that Simon can't even begin to explain, but regardless the whole place is a mess. Not a dirty mess, more like organised chaos. Whoever plucked him up must be living a true life of luxury, nobody on Eden ever had this much stuff, ever had this much space. So where is he if not on Eden?
Heaven, maybe. No, wait, he's not dead. No, maybe he is. No-
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."
A shadow falls over the sub again, immediately blocking out the light flooding through the window. Simon leans even closer, just in time to watch a huge shape come into view at the front of the sub. He watches it move, large and heavy movements, and he has to swallow a quiet whimper as he finally figures out what it is.
It's a human. A whole other person. Or, well, what he can only assume is a human. Except, the issue is they're huge. Literally.
They move fully in front of the window, though they at least keep some distance this time. Instead of just a whole eye, Simon watches the huge body back up and crouch down so their whole face is visible instead. And, yep. That is a whole guy. One whole, huge guy.
Simon can't bring himself to move. His breath catching in his throat as he just stares. His muscles feel tight, locked in place. His body finally deciding to freeze instead of fight for once. Fear claws it's way back into his chest because there is no logical explanation for this. There's no explanation for a huge guy, or alternatively, no explanation for Simon to be- to be small! Why is he small?!
The guy tilts his head down, peering over his glasses to meet Simon's wide eyed gaze. He watches as the giant offers a small smile, one that makes the corner of his eyes crinkle just slightly. It's an expression Simon isn't used to seeing.
"Hey, glad to see you're up and about," his tone is soft and quiet, like he cares about how Simon feels. "Was getting a little worried, but you seem like you're holding up pretty well."
Simon can only stare. His throat feels tight with too many emotions. So he just nods slowly in response. It's all he can offer, he hopes it's good enough. For a moment he worries that he might be too small to be seen, but the giants smile widens even more after his reply so Simon guesses it won't be an issue. When the giant shifts to lean in towards the sub, Simon has to fight every other instinct in him screaming to finally flee.
"I'm Grace, by the way. Ryland Grace. We found your ship drifting just outside of our course. Good thing we stopped to investigate, huh? Accidental discovery and all that." He raises a huge hand and waves it in the air in a lame dismissive gesture. "Glad I don't need to go through communication charades again, seems like we speak the same language. So, got a name you're willing to share?"
God, this guy talks a lot. That's probably the longest someone has ever spoken to him without immediately following it up with something harmful. Simon can feel his body slowly relaxing, and he can't help but feel a little embarrassed about the fact that all it took was a soft voice and simple words.
Name. Right. This guy clearly isn't C.O.I, but then again, Ava didn't even know his name. So, it doesn't finalise much.
"Simon." His voice squeezes its way up his throat, croaking the words out as loud as he can manage. But, he watches Grace's brow furrow, before leaning in even closer. Guess he wasn't loud enough. So, Simon clears his throat, feeling the tightness lessen just slightly, before he tries again. "My name is Simon."
Grace, somehow, beams even more, making the wrinkles under his eyes even more prominent. "Simon!" He announces so gleefully, Simon's never heard someone be that excited over him. "Nice to meet you! I've got a lot of questions, and I imagine you do too. But we can solve those later. First, are you able to come out of your ship? I don't see a door or anything…"
Now that they've established pleasantries, Simon is right back to wanting out of this prison, he doesn't care if Grace is just being kind to trick him, he'll take the consequences of trust just to be free of the trapped heat and stale air of the sub. But being out means being in the open, putting his literal life in the hands of some random giant. But then again, what else does he have to lose now?
Simon taps his fingers idly against the metal of the console, scrunching his face up as he sucks in a breath. "No. It's welded shut. No way out from here." Simon watches a frown settle over Grace's face, and he hitches his shoulders up as he prepares for.. Something…
"So, you're trapped?" Grace's brow furrows, trying to solve a difficult puzzle that has no actual answer, not that he knows that. "Why in the world would you do that?"
Him? Grace thinks he did this voluntarily? That he had a choice in the matter? Like Simon, for some fucking reason, just woke up one day and decided to trap himself in an iron tomb?
"I," Anger flares to life, and Simon has to bite his tongue to stop the words spilling from his lips. "I didn't do jack shit." He hisses through his teeth instead, he pushes himself over the console and leans closer to the window in the hope Grace can see the snarl on his face. "They locked me in here, blamed me for shit I didn't do. I'm just their easy scapegoat."
Grace leans back away from the sub at Simon's tone, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture. "Alright, alright. Against your will then." Simon can see the questions racing through Grace's head, and can only slump in relief when Grace decides to push said questions onto the back burner. "Give me five minutes to figure something out and then we'll get you out, okay?"
But Grace doesn't immediately move, instead choosing to stay crouched, rocking slightly on the balls of his feet. And it takes Simon a moment to realise that Grace is waiting for Simon's permission on the matter. Like it even matters. Simon gives a hasty nod anyway, and finally lets himself slump back into the seat as Grace pushes himself up and starts to move.
Now… Time to wait…