Twelfth drabble

~Prompted by Africanotaku92's AU on Tumblr~

Category: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Identity Reveal

Drabble 12 _ Fly me to the Moon

Danny sat nervously before the NASA Chief of Staff Lily Fares Monarch, clutching with almost ghost-rated strength the handle of the bag Jazz had lent him for the interview.

It was unheard for someone so high-ranked to participate to the selection of the new astronaut cadets and Danny knew for certain that his fellow applicants hadn't been called to be interviewed by her.

‒ There is no need to be nervous, Mr. Fenton. This is just a standard informative interview: our staff simply wanted to make sure the data in our possession is correct. ‒ The forty-something woman smiled reassuringly, allowing Danny to relax enough to resort to a fraction of his usual wit.

‒ Well, Ms. Monarch, given that the Chief of Staff herself is interviewing me, this is not that standard. ‒ He added a wobbly smile to punctuate the statement, making the woman laugh.

‒ I suppose no, you are right. Still, you don't have to worry, Mr. Fenton: my colleagues and I merely want to know you better. ‒ She opened a folder before her and began reading. ‒ So, Mr. Daniel Fenton, age 28, Masters in Astrophysics and Biology, both gained with full scores, but unfortunately no honors, is that right?

‒ Yes, it is. ‒ Danny bit back the "excuse" (truth) about how he had to ditch the extra non-repeatable lab that would have given the extra points for achieving honors because Valerie* had been kidnapped into the Zone and he had been the only one fast enough to reach her in time. Val was alright at the end, not even a scratch and more pissed than she had ever been, but that had costed him the honors.

Ms. Monarch watched him intently and briefly hummed, then went back to the file. ‒ Here are signed over 4'000 hours of certified flying experience. May I ask how they were achieved? ‒ The lump in his throat lessened a bit, since this question was easier.

‒ My family has built and still owes an Ops Center. My parents had let me fly its jet-mode under supervision since I was sixteen. They had all those flying hours approved by Illinois Air Force. ‒ Danny explained, getting more confident. The other cadets had less experience in flying (in both senses for the halfa) than him, even those coming from the military, so he had an advantage.

‒ Oh, yes, doctors Madeline and Jack Fenton. We use some of their patents for our equipment. ‒ Ms. Monarch concurred, rising her eyes to stare into his own. ‒ How familiar are you with their inventions?

‒ I could dissemble and re-assemble one of their engine blindfolded, if needed. ‒ He stated confidently, since he had needed to do that once to find an ectoplasm leak, while temporarily blinded by one of Skulker's weapons. That seemed to please the Chief, because she nodded; however instead of looking back at the papers, she kept staring at him.

‒ While I am aware that doctors Fenton's work isn't available to the public, I need to ask you something about their projects, if you allow me. ‒ She stated carefully, intertwining her fingers before her chin. Normally, a move and words like those would have Danny feel threatened and alarmed, however this time the halfa sensed no ill will. No, it felt more like… concern?

‒ Only if I'm allowed not to answer as well. There are some secrets for our family only, after all. ‒ He countered diplomatically.

‒ Of course, this doesn't influence your interview. ‒ Ms. Monarch reassured and was about to continue, before Danny politely interrupted her.

‒ May I ask something beforehand? ‒ She nodded at him, so he kept on. ‒ Not to sound rude, but if you wanted a collaboration, you could have contacted my mother and her lawyer to write down an accord, like you did for the tech you are already using. However as you said, this should have been just a "standard interview". So, what does this have anything to do with my parents? ‒ Had Danny still been his teen-self, he would have spitted those words indignantly, except he had grown long ways since then, so he merely stated them calmly, if a bit tense.

The Chief sighed, lowering her still intertwined hands, but now they were clenched tight. ‒ I guess there is no way to be gentle or indirect for this. ‒ She admitted, looking up from where she had lowered her eyes a second before. ‒ Mr. Fenton, have your parents ever done biological experiments?

Thrown off, Danny blinked back at her, before hesitantly state: ‒ Well, they have been trying to find ways to cook food with either ectoplasm or ectoplasm-powered inventions for years, but none of it has ever been consumed. ‒ By normal humans, that is. When he had been low on ectoplasm due to exhaustion, the halfa had once accidentally snacked with an ecto-infused sandwich that had managed to give him a boost enough to (half-)survive the rest of the day.

Since then, Danny had searched for types of food that wouldn't reanimate, if infused with raw ectoplasm, and the best result had been a dry-fruit granola bar. The various kinds of nuts blended nicely with the odd taste of ectoplasm, so it was an added bonus.

‒ Are you certain on both accounts? ‒ The Chief asked utterly serious and tense. Maybe even a bit apprehensive. Probably it was only because of the last emotion that Danny didn't panic (too much) and was able to ask something in return.

‒ …Why are you asking this, Ms. Monarch?

‒ Mr. Fenton, while your performances had been within the expected for the physical test, my colleague from medical had noticed some alarming… values in your checkup. I will be honest with you: that is one of the two reasons I am the one conducting this interview. ‒ She stared straight in his eyes, searching something in within. Danny straightened and tensed like a bowstring at the statement, the only reason he didn't flee was that there was no hunger in her gaze. As a matter of fact, given how he had reacted, the woman showed even more concern.

‒ …How many know about this? ‒ "How many do I have to overshadow, if this goes south?" was what he said and thought respectively.

‒ Just me, the medical team and the Cadet Supervisor. But more importantly, Mr. Fenton, are you safe? ‒ Before the halfa could even feel hurt and misinterpret, she added: ‒ The data about your residency is a house belonging to your parents, so do you need help distancing yourself from them? The training course for the cadets comes with dormitories or endorsed apartments, so you won't be left without a safe place, if your parents pose a threat to you.

A threat to Danny Fenton? Never.

To Danny Phantom? Before the Truce, only depending on the weapon and who wielded it, but nowadays they were chill, so not actually a threat.

That split second reflection must have been telling (lies), because her expression fell, making him panic in turn.

‒ No, wait, my parents would rather die than harm me! Why did you presume I'm not safe with them? ‒ Danny knew that his clueless title wasn't just for show, but he still hadn't connected the dots.

‒ Due to a recent interagency circular, every blood test must include ectoplasm-related analyses. The results of our lab are so precise that they can pick a 0,001% concentration of any substance. This is what let the NSA forensics notice that common people get to a 0,3% of ecto-contamination just by visiting a cemetery. ‒ She explained calmly. ‒ The GiW agents' results, even with all their precautions, go between 10 to 15%. The highest value observed was during an accident and the contaminated individual barely survived the 30%. Mr. Fenton. ‒ She paused, considering her next words. ‒ Our medical team repeated the test more than ten times and the result was the same every time. How could you be able to even be alive, since your contamination is a stable 50%, if you hadn't been subjected to any kind of experimentation?

Ah.

So this was why the Chief was so concerned for him. She had been worried that Danny had been used against his will (consciously or not) as a lab-rat!

This was at the same time so nice and so wrong on so many levels!

Before all the drama could unfold, the halfa needed time to think: should he be sincere and risk dissection or go directly for "plan O" AKA "Overshadow"?

‒ Ms. Monarch, this isn't an easy topic, can I have a few minutes to gather my thoughts? ‒ So first and foremost: STALL. Stall like there's no tomorrow.

‒ Of course, take all the time you need. I had my morning agenda cleared in prevision of this. ‒ She gestured to all of him, adding points to the "being touched" tally.

If this woman was going to be one of his future bosses (if they still allowed him into the selection), it would have been alright for Danny to reveal (at least a part of) himself, since she already knew a fraction of it. But first…

‒ How confidential is this interview, Ms. Monarch? ‒ He asked, knowing that the question could undermine his chances even more than the "simple" contamination. ‒ I'd like to know before I'll decide to disclose or not pieces of information that could capsize my existence.

‒ Honestly, depends on the information. Is this going to endanger your or someone else's safety? ‒ The Chief leaned forward, all business-like and no-nonsense.

‒ It will, if this falls in the wrong hands. Nevertheless: I acknowledge that this is going to sound impertinent, but is my candidacy still pending? I'd rather not divulge my most important secret, if the only result would endanger me without something that would have made it worth it. ‒ Danny steeled himself for rejection, probably he had been too direct and rude. This is not how to do an interview, Danny! His inner-Jazz wailed at him.

‒ Yes, you logic is sound. ‒ The Chief surprised him, nodding in approval. ‒ However, you shouldn't worry: the second reason for your interview with me that I forgot to mention is that you fit our choosing criteria, not counting the contamination. This is also why we wanted to salvage you from whatever situation is or could endanger you: we care for our cadets, after all. ‒ She reassured him with a small smile.

‒ Oh. ‒ Another tally. ‒ One last thing then. Who is going to know about this? No one's safety is in danger apart from mine, since you were concerned before.

That seemed only to upset the woman, who frowned at him. ‒ Your safety is as important as is everyone else's. What is the worst outcome you're worried about?

Oh, boy, where to start? ‒ Actual experimentation for one. People who wants to study how I could possibly exist. Dissection has usually been a large part of my nightmares for a while. ‒ The halfa morbidly recounted, not enjoying how Ms. Monarch paled at the admission. He hated getting graphic, but she had to understand and she had asked for details, after all.

‒ So this… "phenomenon" you're subject of isn't due to an experiment after all. ‒ He shook his head briefly, boosting her to continue. ‒ Then what about starting with three people: your instructor, the head of medical team and me? We already know that there's something off with your values, but we can also pass the test as a fluke to the others, since your family has a history with ectoplasm-powered technology… After all the sample could have been "contaminated" during the extraction itself. ‒ This… was a Jazz-level smart idea! Several more tallies were added to the positive count. ‒ The three of us would be the bare minimum, instructor Highway* and I would be in charge of your adjusted training course, while chief Taylor* would keep in check how your values react during the training itself.

‒ This… sounds reasonable. ‒ Danny deeply inhaled, to let out a long sigh.

This was his only chance to become a certified and acknowledged astronaut. He had been dreaming about this since he was a kid and had been terrified of having lost the opportunity after Phantom. But Ms. Monarch… Chief Monarch was giving him a chance. They wanted him. Danny Fenton him, not Phantom, even if the latter was implicitly included in the former. Still, they didn't know, so it didn't count, right?!

The halfa gulped down, stopped strangling the handle of his borrowed bag and looked up at his future boss.

‒ The reason I'm able to survive this level of contamination is because the incident that caused it also accidentally created a functional system/metabolism that maintains itself. You said that my contamination level is 50%, right? That is the only percentage possible for a body to stay alive. Less and you end like the 30% fellow; More and you can't be considered alive anymore.

‒ So you're on the razor edge. ‒ Chief Monarch whispered, earning a nod. ‒ Then why keep it hidden? If this continuously puts you at risk, why didn't you try to find a remedy?

‒ Because the "organic" ectoplasm surging through my veins comes with some added bonuses. …I can demonstrate, if you promise to try not to freak out, Chief. ‒ He smiled wobbly.

‒ I've seen my share of oddities, Mr. Fenton. I have a degree in Criminology, after… all… ‒ Her sentence trailed off as Danny had risen his bag and proceeded to phase an arm through it. Extracting the limb, he turned it partially invisible, waving the "stump" to demonstrate he was feeling fine and there was no trick. Resuming visibility, the halfa tapped into his core to let the leash on the gravity loose, so he started to float up enough to make the woman notice and understand.

‒ … I suppose that there's more. ‒ The tally got updated by the fact that she hadn't gaped like a fish at the display and was still coherent enough to ask questions. He sat back down.

‒ Well, yes. But I think the most pertinent to our endeavor is that I'm vacuum-resistant. ‒ She snapped at attention. ‒ I just need a breathing apparatus and I could just go to a space walk without other aides.

‒ Dare to ask how you noticed? ‒ Why did she have to sound like an exasperated Jazz?

‒ Maybe for the sake of sanity, better not now. ‒ Danny admitted sheepishly.

‒ Very well. ‒ Chief Monarch sighed, then eyed contemplatively Danny. ‒ …Since when have you possessed this abilities? Given how effortlessly you demonstrated three of them, I'd assume at least five years. ‒ Tally up, tally up!

‒ On 23rd September* this year it will be 14 years since the Incident happened. ‒ Danny said simply, as if the fact that he was about to reach the point where he had lived longer as a halfa than as a human wasn't important. The Chief was smart though, because she caught on quickly since her eyes widened in shock, then sobered.

‒ I see. ‒ She commented, pausing in consideration of her next words. ‒ I suppose you'd rather not share how it happened, I understand it had been a traumatic experience, so-… ‒ The woman was about to change the topic out of tact, when Danny interjected unperturbedly.

‒ I appreciate the concern, but there is no need. ‒ He smiled a bit pained at the memory. ‒ I was just a dumb freshman who wandered in his parents' laboratory and, even with all the protections they had installed and I had on myself, who couldn't get out of the blast range of an invention that had turned on by accident. It was no-one's fault, it was bound to happen, that's all. ‒ He said the last sentence with certainty: Clockwork had showed him this much. The only timelines that didn't make him a halfa were ones of destruction or death.

‒ So you believe in Fate? ‒ She asked curiously.

‒ I believe that what happens to you and what you decide to do have different weight. ‒ He decided.

‒ So something akin what is commonly believed to be the concept of Karma? ‒ She observed.

‒ I guess so. Though I still have to see the reward of my "good Karma". ‒ Danny chuckled, a bit self-deprecating. Constantly saving Amity (and sometimes the world and timeline) had been his duty and responsibility, yes, but sometimes he would have liked to gain something for himself as well.

‒ You are here, aren't you? ‒ The Chief smiled knowingly, making the newly-minted cadet do a double-take and gape like a fish. That… wasn't wrong!

‒ Then… I guess I have been cashing everything just for this. ‒ The halfa blushed slightly, scratching the back of his head.

‒ Indeed. Now: since the difficult topics have been cleared, let's continue this interview like we normally would have. ‒ Both nodded to one another, before Chief Monarch continued. ‒ Since we established that you are one of our cadets, we will need the data on your needs due to the contamination and for personal comfort. Plus, as I promised, they will be known only by the medical chief and the head instructor. Your schedule will be the following, ‒ she handed him a sheet of paper, ‒ and the housing could be either in a campus or an endorsed apartment…

The training for the cadets took months before stg. Highway decided that their remaining numbers (several people had already dropped out in the meanwhile for various reasons) were worthy enough to visit the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center in Huston, Texas, during the launch of the Soyuz with the trainees of the previous selection.

The man wanted the cadets to realize and understand how much work there was behind every single action enacted on the ISS and anything related, thus solicit responsible and humble behaviors. He shouldn't have worried about Danny, since the young man was fanboying at every person and piece of technology contained into the room.

The halfa's (mental) rant was cut short when the Flight Director came to meet their group and explain the details of post-launch operations (that the Huston MCC directed) and the passages the astronauts had to do to be given the go.

It didn't take long before the moment of truth came: the thirty-something cadets and their instructor were moved to the observatory room as the activities became more hectic in order to be ready for the imminent baton-pass.

Danny watched with bathed breath as he attended to the countdown in person few meters from the control panels. He had lived for this!

The launch was a success and both the Director and the instructor gave a brief speech about responsibilities and honor, yada yada…

The Control Room's happy and giddy behavior lasted a whole hour… before the pilot of the Soyuz called in to report a collision with a piece of space junk. The crew was unharmed, but the capsule mooring hook had been irreversibly damaged, making impossible for the astronauts to dock the ISS.

That inconvenient would have been solvable since, in cases like this, the Soyuz could just have changed its course to set out for a suborbital descent and return on Earth, though the same piece of junk had damaged part of the hull, compromising its structural integrity and rendering any attempt to enter the stratosphere potentially mortal.

So, yes, this posed a problem.

However, stg. Highway hadn't become an instructor thanks to shit and giggles. He had been selected for his quick and unorthodox way of thinking that had proved fundamental in situations of peril. Plus his commanding presence was perfect to demand attention. So when few hours later seemingly out of nowhere he barked "Fenton!", Danny may or may not have gone intangible for a fraction of second due to the jumpscare. ‒ Come with me! Jones, keep an eye on the rookies.

The 50-ish man had trained the cadets well, because with a chorus of "Yessir!" they obeyed immediately and the halfa followed him to the office of the Flight Director like a lost puppy.

‒ Kid, time to show if you have the balls. Do you think you are up to the challenge? ‒ Highway asked the younger male.

While not knowing what the other had in mind, Danny steeled himself and nodded, ready to improvise (as always).

Highway knocked on the door that after a few seconds the Director opened and he glanced at the duo questioningly. ‒ Stg. Highway, as you imagine I'm busy at the moment, what do you want? ‒ The man asked curtly.

‒ Hypothetically speaking, how would a team of technicians repair the Soyuz on land to safely dock to the ISS as it is now? ‒ The instructor asked.

‒ We don't have the time for this! ‒ The other replied.

‒ Please, humor me, it won't take long. ‒ Highway insisted and luckily the trust between the two men had been enough, because the Director caved.

‒ The diagnostic showed that the claw is hanging by "a thread" of electric cables, so the repair crew would have to change the arm junction of the Soyuz and install a new camera to be able to dock in the first place! If you're asking this so that the current crew of the ISS could do the work, it's impossible. They would have to do a fly-by for the time necessary for the repairs, but the Soyuz doesn't have neither enough fuel to maintain the pace nor the necessary parts for the reparation itself! ‒ The man ranted, a bit hysterically.

‒ But on Earth we do have all of this on hand, don't we? ‒ Highway stated in a no-nonsense tone.

The Director looked at the older man in disbelief, but nodded. ‒ This is how we know what we have to do, I had a team do a simulation as soon as we were notified of the problem.

‒ Perfect. Fenton! ‒ Highway looked at the halfa, who had quickly caught up with where the conversation had been really going, since training under the sergeant had been pivotal to come out his general cluelessness (there were still certain areas where he hobbled, but it was still a work in progress after all).

‒ It's feasible. I just need to drop by my dorm to pick few things, but I could be ready in fifteen minutes, tops. ‒ Danny confirmed the unvoiced question. If he opened a portal to his parents' lab to pick up a jetpack, the breathing helmet (like he did back when Technus had tried to hijack the satellite) and the universal toolkit, he could be back in a flash directly in the laboratory that hosted the replacing pieces. The only question was something else, tough: ‒ But, sir… I don't think it's safe for me to be out.

The 50-ish man raised a brow. ‒ And how, pray tell, do you think this can be done otherwise?

‒ I have… a friend, who could take over for the practical bit. ‒ The halfa shot a glance at the Director, confirming that he wasn't looking at him, then he looked at his instructor and flashed his eyes green. No one at NASA knew that he was Phantom yet, since there hadn't been the need, but Danny hoped that this could send the message across anyway.

‒ Very well. You go, I'll call the Chief, we'll meet you and your friend before the hangar number… ‒ The instructor looked at the other man, who was still watching the exchange befuddled. ‒ Director, where did you run the practical simulation?

‒ Laboratory A113, but what's the meaning of this? ‒ He demanded.

‒ Isn't it obvious? It's a rescue mission. ‒ The sergeant deadpanned, before continuing. ‒ How long do we have before the Soyuz reaches the ISS?

‒ Technically four hours, but we can delay to two days max. We have already spent the first two out of the usual six to find a way to help them, how can this cadet and "his friend" possibly outmatch our best scientists? ‒ The stressed man crossed his arms, staring severely.

‒ Let's just say that I have friends on the other side. Sir, I'm off! ‒ Danny saluted and practically bolted out of the office to either the nearest storage room or toilet, in order to open the passage he needed.

Upon reaching a closet, the halfa snuck inside and turned Phantom, both in order to open the portal and zoom quicker around to gather the materials. He popped out right beside his father, who was next to the Speeder, seemingly looking over some wirings. At Phantom's sudden apparition Jack nearly made a dive for an ecto-weapon, but seeing that is was just the halfa, the man relaxed. ‒ Dann-o, we talked about portals in the lab… ‒ The patriarch started sternly, but the young man was barely listening since he was squirreling around to pick everything he needed.

‒ Sorry dad, no time, the life of three people depends on this! Where did mom put the Oxygen helmet? ‒ Danny phased the strap of the jetpack through his shoulder, before diving for the universal toolkit in the corner of the lab.

‒ In the Vault. By the way, weren't you supposed to be at the MCC? There was a launch today! ‒ Jack asked, right before Danny phased through the wall directly into the Vault and picked up the helmet.

Phasing back, he answered the man who had been patiently waiting for him. ‒ That's the point. The guys on the Soyuz need a hand, so I'm going up as Phantom. This way the GiW won't be on my tail as they would if I did this as Fenton.

‒ That's a good idea! But what did you say to them? ‒ Jack asked curiously.

‒ That I'd bring "a friend" t deal with the problem. ‒ Danny touched down and started to concentrate in order to open a new portal to the right place. He had learned this power a few years before, but it was still tricky since the space-time continuum was in continuous expansion.

‒ Ah, so duplication? ‒ His father noted sagely.

‒ Oh, right. ‒ With barely a thought, the halfa generated a copy that de-transformed into Fenton, Danny still had signed the day he had managed to stop this power from malfunctioning on the calendar to celebrate. ‒ Thanks dad. ‒ Both said, right before the portal opened.

‒ Are you joining us tonight for dinner? So you can tell us how it went! ‒ The man with more gray than black hair asked as if he had still been a child.

‒ We'll see how it goes and how much it'll take, dad. ‒ The copy smiled, though his Phantom-self smirked determined. ‒ See ya! ‒ They said at the same time and walked inside the portal.

On the other side after the passage closed, the duo met a dozen or so of bewildered technicians and scientists, who were gaping at the display of power. However, before things could turn awkward, stg. Highway entered the lab along with the Director, who gaped as well.

The instructor, like the no-nonsense practical man he was, grunted in both approval and slight confusion at the sight of Phantom, but didn't mention anything on that regard. (Danny would have to elaborate what was really happening later with the man: he deserved as much with everything he had to deal with the halfa.)

‒ Sir, this is Phantom. He's the one who's gonna take over the practical part. ‒ The Fenton copy declared stiffly, gesturing to the original who saluted casually. He was trying to differentiate the behavior of his identities before these strangers, so to avoid unwanted attention to the similar appearance.

‒ …So this is what you meant that you had friends from the other side. ‒ The Director commented faintly.

‒ Yep! I don't mind help every now and then, plus I owed Danny a favor, so this is not a big deal. ‒ Phantom shrugged, echoing voice making the more sensitive of the people present pale or shudder. ‒ Are you okay? Don't let the fact that I'm a ghost put you off: I'm a pretty chill guy. ‒ That pun seemed to make one of the younger generation technician choke a laugh and immediately the atmosphere seemed less tense.

‒ Now that this is taken care of, back to work on how we're going to repair the Soyuz! ‒ The sergeant barked, making everyone jump into motion. They still had four hours after all.

From there things went smoothly, Phantom was wired with a communicator directly linked to the lab and after a debriefing on where he would intercept the Soyuz, he flied up at least ten meters before opening a portal to the stratosphere to avoid spending too much jetpack fuel and cause a climatic imbalance due to the thin and cold air of that layer of the atmosphere.

As soon as the halfa had slipped through, the passage closed and he turned on the GPS feature of the helmet to communicate his position to the MCC.

Thank Clockwork, he managed to find the capsule on the first try.

The astronauts had been updated on the "incoming rescue", but two out of three had been skeptical. Maybe because they were the non-American members of the crew and, let's be honest: who, in their right state of mind, would believe that the protagonist of many American Conspiracy theories would personally come to save their hide?

…That was why, when Phantom politely knocked on the porthole to announce his arrival, the foreigners shrieked like little kids. The American astronaut, though, just flinched in surprise at the unexpected noise, but smiled (vindicated) at the halfa. ‒ Hey Phantom, mind giving us a hand? ‒ The woman called through the comms.

‒ You called the right mechanic, doc Pareja!* It will take a while, since they'll be giving me instruction from Earth, but you guys won't have to worry: I'll get you on the ISS by hook or by crook. ‒ The halfa smiled and went to work.

It took him several hours to repair and switch the broken parts, but at least during the dead times he got to chat with the astronauts and cosmonaut, as the foreigners slowly got over their supernatural-disbelief.

The MCC deemed prudent to keep the Soyuz in orbit for two days to test the resistance of the repairs, so they discharged Phantom, who (even if this had been his dream) was kind of glad to come back on Earth. After all this had been a mission to ensure the safety of the crew, not "a pleasure cruise" like it would be when selected for the next mission.

After saying his goodbyes to the astronauts and cosmonaut, Phantom turned on the jetpack to dive back to Earth, turning intangible as the friction of the air started to overheat him too much. As soon as he was back in the troposphere, the halfa opened a portal directly into the Lab A113 and was welcomed by thunderous applauses and cheers.

The half-ghost blushed bright green, he was so flustered that he didn't notice his Fenton-copy shot several photos for posterity (and for his family and friends, who would never forgive him if he didn't catch this moment).

Later, Danny would reunite with the copy to get his memories and then explain what had really happened to stg. Highway, doc. Taylor and Chief Monarch (getting an immediate hiring contract, because Danny's -in either form- collaboration was to die for and the GiW would have to walk over their dead bodies and probably fight their ghosts to get to the halfa).

However, now it was time for celebration, so that is a story for another time.

* Trivia: I used a D6 to decide who was kidnapped here: 1_Maddie, 2_Jack, 3_Jazz, 4_Sam, 5 Tuck, 6_Valerie. I rolled the die and… xD

* I picked the surname "Highway" from the movie "Gunny" (1986) by Clint Eastwood, because I imagined a similar character for Danny astronaut instructor… (Both the movie and the character interpreted by Clint were hilarious, so it fitted! 〜()〜)

* I'm going to explain this surname because even I didn't know this and I had to search for it: it's "E.T" Elliot's. The fact that he's called Elliot Taylor (E.T.… Σ(ロlll)) isn't mentioned in the movie, but "Word of God" (as it's said in TV Tropes) said so in a trading card series, so I'm jumping on that wagon. ~(‾‾)~

* I chose this date because it's the Fall Equinox (sometimes, unfortunately I checked and on 2004 it was on the 22nd, but let's pretend it was on the 23rd here) and the day the Libra begins. Besides, it also fits the timeline/headcanon that Danny was already a freshman when the accident happened.

* I choose the mission of the "Sojuz MS-09", since it was launched in 2018 (the timeframe this drabble is allocated) and it had a crew with only one American who could have known about Phantom due to being the "local" folklore. Plus their flight to the ISS was canonically two days INR, so…

(BTW, "doc Pareja" is Serena Maria Auñón-Chancellor's fictional identity, as "Lily Fares Monarch" is Susie Perez Quinn's, the real Chief of Staff. They are both existing persons, so I had to quirk their name, because it didn't feel right to use their identities, I feel already bad as it is… (ヘ;))

A/N. Readers, you all can blame this on Africanotaku92. She's the one who unleashed this plotbunny and my imagination went wild with it. (And I'm grateful for that, mind you, but still! xD)

I'd like to also thank Floralflowerpower since she helped me decide the publication date… That's on 20th July, the MOON DAY! (ﾉ•ヮ•)ﾉ*.

(The origin of my doubt was my intent to update today either "Fly me to the Moon" or the new chapter of the RCxMiBxDP crossover, AKA "Into the Nexus", but due to technical difficulties in my dwelling, I only managed to write only this Drabble… So here you go!)

I decided to shift the continuation of "Into the Nexus" into two separate fics, so they'll have the same Prologue taken from "Haunted Drabble", but from Chapter 1 they'll be diverging. Hope the will to write will descend upon me… (シ_ _)シ

So, did you like this? There's no actual Danny inside the ISS, but it's a start!

Type ya soon!

[KuriMaster13: well, that was the point! () I wanted the readers to try to guess who was who, I always try to keep things interesting.

About the Wail, technically speaking in this crossover it's supposed to be a Distress Call, though it also works as a defensive mechanism, a sort of two-in-one. I hope it was clear enough, English isn't my primary language... (_)

Anyway, thank you for your comment, hope to read ya again soon!ヽ(｡o｡)ﾉ]