After dinner, we all bedded down. Sam and Star shared Sam's room, although there was a bit of a disagreement on who should get the bed. Bass took a sleeping bag and went to sleep under the kitchen table. Don't ask me why. Chaud and I claimed the couches in the living room.
Around me I could hear the noises of the night. Bass's soft breathing from the kitchen, Chaud moving in his sleep, but I myself couldn't sleep a wink.
It was my plan that was bothering me. I hadn't told anyone about it, since they might try to interfere if they knew. If only I could tell them! Already Mr. Famous thought that Star was really undermining him so she could have a clear shot at becoming head of the Officials and Bass would be second in command, but what if they found out? I bit my lip.
I just felt so bad, lying to my superiors about my friends. It didn't feel right. Standing, I wrapped the deep blue blanket around me and climbed out onto the fire escape.
Looking up, I stared at the stars. It had been six months ago when Bass and I had counted them in the cave. That's really the thing that bonded us together. Stars. And not just celestial bodies either.
"Proto? What're you doing up so late?"
I turned just as Star climbed out onto the fire escape. She was wearing a white tank top and blue pajama pants. I held open the blanket for her.
"Nothing really. C'mere, you'll catch your death out here."
She smiled and I felt the familiar shiver run down my spine. "Speak for yourself ProtoMan! You're not even wearing a shirt!"
It was true; I had taken off my shirt to go to sleep. Star cuddled near me and I put an arm around her.
"So what're you doing out here Proto?"
"I couldn't sleep." I replied truthfully.
For a while, we stood in silence, just staring at the stars.
"You know, some of the stars we're looking at now could be dead, did you know that Proto?"
Even though I nodded, Star continued. "That means that maybe, in a million years, people will remember us. They'll look back in textbooks and say, 'hey! That's ProtoMan, Starfire, and Bass, the Navis that defeated ShadowMan.'"
I laughed. "Always a dreamer…" Then I shrugged. "I know, I know, you don't have to tell me. 'Once a dreamer, always a dreamer.'" Then I turned my gaze back to the sky. "I just don't know about this Star. We've been fighting ShadowMan for almost six months, and we've never come close."
"There was that one time when I beat him to a pulp."
"Yeah, but you didn't kill him. I just wonder if we're even cut out for this sorta thing? Should we even be doing this?"
Grinning, Star looked up at me. "Do or do not. There is no try."
Sighing, I looked down at her. "Yoda, right? Star Wars. You never cease to amaze Star."
Taking my hand, Star seemed so determined and happy when she looked into my eyes. "Proto, no matter what happens, we're in this till the end. You need help, you know Bass and I are here for you." She leaned in close. "If you need to talk, I'm here." With that, she kissed my cheek and headed back inside the apartment.
I looked out over the town. It was pretty here, and the fact that Star had pledged herself to me made it all the better.
Abruptly, a pulse seemed to run through the air. I froze, bracing myself against the handrail. Then an image of Net City pulsed in my vision before vanishing into the night. I looked around, half hoping it would happen again but nothing happened. Holding onto the blanket with one hand, I bounded up to the roof and looked in the direction of the power plant we had seen earlier that day.
A bright light was emitting from the area where I knew the plant was. It seemed to glow brightly, like a fallen star. Narrowing my eyes, I grimaced. Looked like I would have a busy day tomorrow.