12/16/19

This story has been written so bizarrely out of order I don't know how to say it XD It's not important to you dear readers cause as far as your aware this is the structure but hoooo boi. This fic is frankenstein's monster XD

I'll get more into it in the upcoming reading reviews cause yes i'm gonna start it after i get reviews for this chapter. Hope ya'll lookin forward to it! Took me a whole year but I have to say again, I'm glad to be writing something I'm proud of (this and Bloodlust). It feels good.

(Noun) The action or process of transmitting something or the state of being transmitted.

Chapter Six

Transmission

As the White Whale's voyage through space continued, many crew members found themselves losing their sense of time. Identical days and nights didn't help and the only ones fully occupied were the engineering teams working to complete the Habitat Unit and those on the bridge overseeing the status of the White Whale's countless complex systems.

One days like this, Jaynix found herself within the While Whale's training facility, having just finished setting up a punching bag she took a few steps away from it. With a proud as ever smile she began hopping back and forth. Then almost immediately her fists were colliding with the bag, she needed to do something with the seemingly endless free time and there were few things better to her than getting her blood pumping and letting out some steam.

During the first weeks of the voyage, this routine was standard. Ingrained in not just her but the rest of the military personnel on the White Whale.

While there were others in the facility with her, it was evident that every day, the number of regulars dwindled. At this point, this far along in their voyage, only the most dedicated still returned to the facility, it was all they could do before being driven mad by the monotony of their day to day structures. Dramatic, but not wrong.

With a yell, she struck the bag, it shook and wobbled intensely before there was a mechanic whirr within Jaynix's arm. Yelling again she hit the bag with a mighty swing, the force within her muscles transferring to the bag. There was a loud snap as it flew off the hook and skidded across the floor before slamming into a wall.

Jaynix sighed, slightly frustrated while hearing several other soldiers in the room comment on her strength. Waving them off she approached the fallen equipment.

"Of course you were here."

Bending down to pick up the bag, she turned to see Tai.

"Captain Hook. How are things?"

He merely shrugged as she returned to the hook and set the bag up again. With a grin, Tai stated the obvious.

"Overdrive?"

"Overdrive."

Jaynix focused and returned to striking the bag, Tai tilted his head, the vibrations couldn't stop him from letting out a vaguely impressed sound.

"You were already plenty strong back on Earth. Are you sure your Mimeosome isn't dialed up?"

Jaynix yelled as she struck the bag, her fist penetrating it. Cursing she pulled her hand out. Tai couldn't help but chuckle.

"Nope. That's just how you've always been, as long as I've known you. Musclehead."

As Jaynix grabbed her water bottle she looked to Tai.

"There is something I've wanted to ask you since we left Earth."

"Since we left Earth? That was...it's been sometime. Why not bring this up sooner?"

Jaynix took a swig from her water before shrugging.

"It never seemed important but I'm curious and I've got too many hours in the day so…"

"My eyes?"

Jaynix nodded.

"Aren't you ever tempted to y'know...turn them back on?"

Tai laughed.

"No. I've lived my whole life like this. I don't want to change. Sounds silly I know but...well, if I'm being honest I'm pretty sure if I saw what you actually looked like, Jaynix, I'd be disappointed."

The Corporal gasped.

"How DARE you! I guarantee whatever you think I look like, I look ten NO, one hundred times better. I'm a knockout!"

As if to emphasize her point she struck the bag again, her fist going clean through it. Tai gave her a smug smile as she realized what he was doing.

"You ass."

"I had to get back at you for those stories you told over the meal with Irina, Gwin and Elma. Remember?"

"Yeah, yeah…"

Jaynix took the bag off the hook, placing it aside as Tai spoke.

"I have wondered what you all look like. Truly. And yes I've been tempted to activate my eyes but...I don't want to ruin it. What I imagine you and the others to look like is...special. I don't know how to explain it. I don't see you...but I see you."

Jaynix dusted her hands before tapping Tai's shoulder. Nodding he fell into step with her as they left the room.

"I know Tai."

"I expected you to demand a spar."

"Next time."

Unlike most of the staff on the Ark, the ones in the command room were also the ones fully aware that it has been over a year since they left the Earth. They did their best to keep this from everyone else but things were sure to take a turn if something didn't change and soon.

"Elma."

Looking up, she locked eyes with one of the leading men on the ship, Maurice Chausson. His job wouldn't officially begin until they made landfall at their destination. Wherever that was.

"How much longer will this take?"

Elma looked back down, not confident in any answer she could give she chose to give none.

"You and Aeon came to Earth at the same time correct? He's been this way before. Where is he?"

"Chausson-"

"Nagi. I already know what you want to say but look at where we are. We had a plan, that plan came and went six months ago. Six months."

Vandham cut in at that point.

"The Habitat Unit still isn't complete. What use is landing anywhere if we don't have our living space in one piece?"

"What use are any of the precautions if we get blown up before we get anywhere?"

Chausson shook his head. Vandham prepared to argue back when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Nagi walked past him to Elma.

"Have you tried contacting him?"

"Immediately after we left earth, then six months later as planned...and then...every day."

"Nothing?"

"...nothing."

The room fell deathly silent. It remained as such for too long before Elma finally whispered.

"We need a plan."

At the Reapers' Quarters, Jaynix changed from her workout clothes, occasionally looking over to Eren whose gaze was focused on an array of screens projected before her.

"Light reading?"

"...not really?"

Jaynix stepped closer.

"Are you actually studying Qlurian tech for once or is that more of you lookin' into Kriss?"

Eren sighed.

"Little of both."

"Ah. Well-"

Jaynix noted the time and cursed.

"Late?"

She nodded.

"A little bit, Lyla and I were gonna take a look at the Habitat Unit, see what Kruse and his buddies have been up to. It's been a while since we stopped by and I'm kinda excited to see how far along they've gotten."

Eren moved her screens aside and brought up others covering the Habitat Unit.

"We have all that data recorded y'know?"

"Yeah but it can never compare to taking a look yourself. Be honest, seeing the White Whale every day was way more majestic than reading about it."

Eren shrugged as she read through the reports.

"You should get going, Jaynix."

"Right, hey Tai! Best do some exercise of your own, I'm gonna want that spar later!"

Tai didn't even look to her as she walked past, just sighed.

"I'll have ice packs on standby."

The moment she stepped outside, Lyla was there waiting for her, smile on her face.

"...I was heading there, right now."

Lyla laughed.

"I know, but I decided to come get you. This is the closest we're getting to a date while we're up here y'know?"

Jaynix joined her wife in laughing.

"Yeah, I guess it is!"

Taking her hand in her own, Jaynix led Lyla through the ship, smile ever present on her face.

It wasn't long after that when Jaynix and Lyla found themselves being guided around the Habitat Unit by one of the lead engineers, the head of Alpha Wolf, Constantine Voliff.

The older man's coat betrayed his preferred desire to be in the middle of work, stained all over with various protoplastic fluids. His dark eyes seemed to shine as he highlighted the best parts of the Habitat Unit. A stark difference to the otherwise worn and aged appearance of his face.

Coming to the end of the street, he gestured.

"Here we have some sites set for eateries. We're all drawing lots on what will be here but it really depends on the professions of the people we brought with us."

Jaynix examined the buildings.

"They seem so...lifeless…"

Constantine sighed.

"Yeah. Everything so far is just...too artificial. We can all tell but what matters isn't how it looks but if it's stable. We can't be sure what kind of world we'll land on so we have to prepare for everything."

Lyla examined the buildings closer. Noting all kinds of composites, the structures were definitely here for survival first and foremost. As was anything they did these days.

"Well, what do you all think will go here?"

Constantine chuckled.

"We're all convinced a pizza place is going here."

"Anyone else have a second guess?"

Lyla asked.

"Kruse. You know him, always been an oddball. He placed his bet on a curry place. Not happening."

Jaynix crossed her arms.

"Kruse may be a bit odd but he definitely isn't dumb. Why isn't his idea any good?"

Constantine smiled.

"Well, statistics are against him. The amount of people who know how to prepare a pizza far outnumber the ones who know curry. At least as far as the focused population the White Whale drew from. Not to say no one knows but it's easier and far more convenient to prepare a pizza place than it is one for curry."

Jaynix took one more look around before returning to Constantine.

"You guys really do have your own language eh? Techno babble doesn't cover it you can't even take bets like normal people."

The engineer laughed at that before gesturing to the mark along his eye.

"We aren't normal people. We're Alpha Wolf!"

Jaynix rolled her eyes as the three returned to the White Whale proper, construction continuing behind them as it has been since the Exodus.

"If I may, Jaynix...I appreciate you being friends with Kruse."

Smiling, Jaynix shook her head.

"No need for thanks of any sort. I bumped into Kruse one day and...I don't know. Something about him."

Constantine tapped his chin.

"Something eh? He's always been a little nervous around other people. I blamed myself for that but I'm glad to see how he interacts with you two and the Colonel. When it comes down to it, talking to women was his ultimate weakness, well that and fishing."

Jaynix laughed at that, Lyla attempting to hold it in but joining her as well before commenting.

"Poor boy."

"I still think of him as a boy too...but some days I see what he's working on. I read the notes in the margins and I'm consistently blown away."

Jaynix and Lyla fell silent as a wistful look came to Constantine's eyes.

"He's the future...as are the two of you and the Colonel. People like me. Those on the Bridge. When we get to where we're going...we won't be there for long. We have to do everything in our power to hand it off to all of you, right. For the sake of humanity…"

There was a silence as the man sighed.

"I'm sorry. I'm getting at that age."

Jaynix shook her head, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You're still spry Constantine. Don't worry about it...I think we've all had plenty of time to consider our own mortality given...y'know...everything."

He nodded as Lyla spoke up.

"We appreciate your words and you can be sure once you pass the baton, we'll take off. We'll do it right."

Constantine extended his hand, the women taking turns shaking.

"Thank you."

Checking over his schedule he nodded.

"Well, that's enough of being maybe a little too morbid, the rest of my day is packed so if you ladies wouldn't mind."

As he bowed, Jaynix gave him a few friendly pats on the back.

"Take it easy Constantine, don't work too hard."

The man shook his head.

"I don't even know what that means."

After he left, Jaynix and Lyla continued on, unable to stop thinking about Constantine's words they found themselves heading for the Skell Hangar.

Once there, the pair stood in front of their personally customized ever reliable Skells.

Jaynix's Firebird. A shimmering red body with flames, it's main weapon was the massive chain blade on its back. Just like Jaynix herself, she asked for a Skell built for close combat before modifying its outputs and weapon systems.

Lyla's was called Headshot. Armed with an assortment of ranged firearms and a massive rail gun on its back. Quite the opposite of Jaynix's as she focused on long range combat and precise strikes.

As Jaynix approached hers, she asked.

"Think we'll ever get to pilot them again?"

Lyla shook her head.

"I'd prefer not too."

Jaynix turned to her.

"You what? Really?"

"Do you want to?"

Jaynix smiled.

"Of course I do! The rush of battle is one thing but inside my Skell, with Firebird it's like we're one and the same! I feel almost invincible. Unstoppable. It's such a thrill."

Lyla nodded.

"Just the answer I expect from you Jaynix. You always thrived in battle...but I worry about what the next conflict might bring."

"How so?"

"...well...back during the Exodus, we had unintended cover in that everyone else that was trying to escape. There were so many of us and even more of them. Of course some things slipped through the cracks. Next time, it'll be all of them and just us...what then?"

"Then? We fight."

At the silence, Lyla looked to Jaynix, barely above a whisper she asked.

"...and then?"

Jaynix knew what Lyla was getting at, recalling the meeting they had with General Kumon. Jaynix took Lyla's hands in her own.

"We die."

Hearing a knock, Kriss proceeded to ignore it, focused instead on her work. Hearing another she clenched her teeth. Not now. Not while-

The door opened anyway Elma stepping inside.

"I'm sorry professor but-"

Elma came to a halt.

"Ah. Are you only wearing your lab coat?"

"It's my lab I can wear what I want...what do you need? I've been busy with the task you assigned me."

Elma sat across from the other woman, focusing only on her face.

"I hoped it'd be ready sooner."

"You gave me a project that as far as anyone is concerned is completely theoretical. What am I supposed to do?"

"You were LAST Kriss."

"I still am."

"Then?"

Kriss sighed, standing she walked over to a different table and flipped through several notes.

"I have a few prototypes ready...before you ask, I didn't bring them to you because I don't believe they'll work as well as you want and let me ask you this. Is this the kind of message you want to deliver unclear?"

Elma thought for a moment.

"No. But we have to do something! I have to! It's-"

"It's been about 400 or so days since the Exodus, I'm aware."

As Kriss grabbed the prototypes she continued.

"Anyone else in your position would come at me with blackmail or resort to torture or y'know. Something sensible. I've never had someone just...ask."

"Well...we're friends aren't we?"

Kriss tilted her head, repeating the word to herself a few times before shrugging.

"Not to mention, you are brilliant Kriss. There is no one else I can turn to."

Turning on one of the prototypes, Kriss put an earbud in one ear then connected it while viewing another screen.

"Even I have my limits. LAST is a joint effort, without the others the scope of things I can do is limited…"

Elma stood up.

"I understand. I apologize for disturbing you."

Kriss shook her head.

"Fate of humanity. LAST was founded for that reason...among other things…"

Kriss moved back to another desk with her latest prototype, gave it a once over before handing it to Elma along with a manual.

"While I am curious as to who you are trying to reach out to, all my time in LAST has taught me one very important thing. The less I know the better. Best of luck, Colonel."

Kriss returned to work, but Elma didn't leave, unable to fight off the question.

"...are you sure it's wise to keep Eren, as they say, chomping at the bit? I feel things would go much smoother between the two of you if you just...answered her questions. Y'know. Be honest and upfront with her."

Kriss looked back up at her with a smile.

"Maybe...but where is the fun in that?"

They held each other's gaze before Kriss returned to her work. Elma walked off shortly after but not before reminding Kriss to lock her door.

Back in the Skell Hangar, Jaynix looked over the diagnostics of Firebird. Adding some notes and refining different aspects. She was never satisfied. Everything that they were told in secrecy regarding Ganglion and Ghost technology made it clear that they were not on equal playing fields.

"We have to get the first shot and finish the fight immediately. Or we die. That was the original briefing? Right?"

Jaynix looked to Lyla, remembering that which Elma shared with several of the most skilled pilots in the Coalition, the Reapers among them.

"Yeah. The Ghosts are something else...can't let our guard down around them even when they die."

"Weaponizing Dark Matter...it still goes so far over my head."

Finished with her notes, Jaynix sent them off to the Skell maintenance team before walking towards Lyla.

"A lot of it does for me too. All that matters is that we have to survive and they have to die. For as long as we can manage that."

The pair left the hangar, as with many of these endless days in space they weren't sure what to do.

"Think if I get permission they'll let me join the next scout team?"

"You really want to get off this ship eh?"

"I want to do something. Anything."

Lyla nodded before gesturing ahead.

"Then let's go have a little chat with the General. See what he can do."

Within the many halls of the White Whale, Kruse quickened his pace, eager to return to the Alpha Wolf's quarters. Constantine had just received an update from Vandham and the focus of their team was shifting. That wasn't something new but it had been a while since the last directive.

As he quickly read through Constantine's group wide message he was distracted long enough to collide with someone.

"Crap, I'm so sorry I-AH! COLONEL!"

Quickly he helped her gather up something that she dropped.

"Oh no, Colonel, I'm sorry, I-ah…"

Elma shook her head as she looked at the device, examining it closely for a moment.

"I'm sure it's fine. I trust the craftsmanship. Are you okay?"

"Me? Yeah. Of course I just...got distracted is all. That tends to happen when I think I'm on my own. Sorry."

Elma smiled.

"It's fine Kruse. You know you don't always have to be such a nervous wreck right?"

Kruse laughed at that.

"I'm well aware...I just...spent a little too much time studying all sorts of engineering fields and...well, I guess I fell behind on person to person studies...especially with women..."

He whispered that last part as lowly as he could, Elma didn't seem to notice or pretended she didn't as she spoke.

"Jaynix told me not that long ago that I needed to expand my circle of friends. I could say the same to you."

He thought about it and couldn't deny that his pool of people he was comfortable with was far smaller than it probably should be.

"I wouldn't know where to start."

Elma nodded.

"Same here...Kruse, would you mind if I asked you a...personal question?"

Kruse froze for a moment before simply nodding.

"Do you think it's wise to have so many connections in our lives? The Earth is gone, humanity is on its last legs. Is now the time to seek connections?"

Kruse thought about it, he wasn't sure. He understood what she was getting at but was it a worthy trade-off?

"I don't know. I think Constantine would say no it isn't...but I'm not sure."

"Neither am I...but I have one connection that I have to maintain. I just hope I can."

Kruse smiled.

"I have no doubt you could accomplish anything, Elma."

The pair stood for a moment before Kruse realized what he said.

"I have to go. Good luck, Colonel."

Quickly he continued on his way. With a smile, Elma did the same.

Out in the vastness of space, Jaynix sat in Firebird, observing as far as any of her scanners could read. Sure enough. Save for the rest of the Scout team in the other cardinal directions, they were alone.

Turning her Skell around she returned to the vicinity of the White Whale, while there was not much going on outside just like back within the ship, she felt at peace with it as opposed to the dreadful boredom.

"Jaynix, how was it? Find anything?"

"Nah. Just a bunch of really strange looking meteorites and such. Or are they asteroids? Space rocks, y'know."

Lyla giggled as Kumon cut in.

"Need more time out there, Corporal?"

"Nah. I think I got all I'll be able to get from this...I do feel better though, thanks General."

After he signed off, Jaynix continued observing her surroundings. She didn't quite get it. They covered so much space in the time since they've left Earth yet it seems like there is no end to the voyage.

Has not a single viable planet been scanned during the whole journey? Or is there some other reason they're still moving?

Jaynix watched the rest of the Scout team return to the White Whale, entering the Skell hangar one by one. She prepared to move towards them when she noted her communications equipment.

Keeping her eyes on it she couldn't help but remember the daily patrols that all the Skell teams did every day after the Exodus. They had to ensure that no one was trailing them. Even after the jump, no one wanted to take any risks. The teams would fly out as far from the White Whale as they could and scanned all available traffic for anything and everything. Given how the Ghosts communicated, even white noise was a potential warning.

Yet after months of not receiving anything the number of patrols were cut down to where they are now. Eyes still on her communication equipment, Jaynix shrugged.

"Why the hell not?"

Flipping on her devices she closed her eyes and listened as she scrolled through all the channels. Same as it was back then, nothing.

"I don't know what I…"

Raising an eyebrow, Jaynix backed up on her device, till she heard. Something. A voice. The message was clear but whoever was speaking was doing so in an alien language. The only other thing she could note from the transmission was that the voice was feminine.

The Ghosts did not communicate with traditional language so that left only the Ganglion. But where could they be? Her scanners picked up nothing.

The message itself was too clear to be far which could only mean one thing.

"...there's a Xenoform on the White Whale…"

Upon returning to the Skell Hangar, Lyla could see Jaynix in deep thought, she also seemed somewhat concerned.

"Did something happen?"

Jaynix wasn't sure what to say. She'd never want to lie to Lyla, they were married after all but...there was something more to this, she could feel it.

"I think so. I've got to look into this first. I'll let you know as soon as I'm sure."

Lyla nodded.

"Of course. If you need a hand."

"I know where to find you."

The pair left the hangar and came across Eren in the halls, her eyes were browsing a datapad feverishly.

"Can I guess what you're so interested in?"

Eren paused briefly to shake her head then continued.

Jaynix and Lyla gave each other a look before the former spoke.

"Eren. Is it still Kriss?"

The other woman shook her head.

"You sure? Look if you need help with something-"

"No...it's fine. There is nothing of value in here...say, y'know anyone...smart?"

Jaynix thought for a moment, obviously Kriss was the go to answer, she was one of the biggest brains on the ship but Jaynix knew that Eren would refuse her help for anything.

"Ah! Blue! He's pretty smart if I do say so. You can probably find him with the rest of Alpha Wolf at their quarters."

Eren stood up and smiled.

"Big thanks Jaynix!"

"Eren, what is it that you think you can uncover about Kriss? You don't still think she's some sort of terrorist? Do you?"

The Strategist tapped her chin as she addressed Lyla.

"Not really...but there were some odd things that matched up in a...weird way. Remember the 2054 attacks on the walls of Noah's Cradle?"

Jaynix nodded.

"Of course, we were scrambled to deal with it. It was a big union of terrorists trying their best to break into the city. What about it?"

Eren crossed her arms.

"Well, when it comes to the cells, no one understands or knows them better than we do, right? We all know how they operate, behave, their manpower...and there is no way any one group could've possibly convinced all the others to join together for some massive attack. Not to mention, the weapons they used to attack the walls? There was not a soul among the lot of them that could possibly have developed those arms without some massive flaws."

"...what does this have to do with Kriss? Last I recall you only ever saw her during the gas attack back in 2052. Not 2054."

Eren nodded to Jaynix, recalling her position as overwatch, finding Kriss and then getting pricked with a needle that protected her from the effects of the gas.

Lyla leaned against a wall.

"That gas attack killed nothing but terrorists right?. Isn't that a good thing?"

"...the brutality of that attack it is what concerns me and...a rumor I heard. Look I've got to get back to it, I'll be back at our quarters when I'm done."

With that Eren departed before Jaynix could ask a follow up question. Watching her go, Lyla looked over to Jaynix.

"Do you still think this is a lady troubles type of issue?"

Jaynix crossed her arms.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is...Eren just can't let herself be satisfied with anything, y'know how it is. It's not like she's wrong though. A lotta stuff happened those last years on Earth."

Jaynix looked like she was going to say something else, but decided against it. Lyla approached her, hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah…"

"Jaynix."

The pair fell silent, Lyla watching as Jaynix forced herself to acknowledge a part of herself best left forgotten.

"...I did what I had to."

"I know Jaynix. I know."

With a heavy sigh, Jaynix forced the thoughts away, Lyla giving her a kiss on the cheek, clearing away any of the remaining clouds.

"As for Kriss, if she really was up to something, there is no way they'd let her near the Qlurian stuff let alone allow her to teach a course on it. And it's not like we carry any Dark Matter, right?"

Lyla chuckled.

"Thankfully not."

Then, Jaynix couldn't help but laugh.

"I totally forgot, I have something to take care of myself."

"About whatever happened during your uneventful scouting trip?"

"Yeah, that. I'll see ya back in our quarters, Lyla."

Leaning over, Jaynix gave her a kiss before rushing off, Lyla waved at her retreating form. Whatever it was Jaynix was on to, she knew she could figure it out.

Elma sat in her room with Kriss' device, she had the urge to turn it on and try again, but she had to let the message hang. No sense in trying to force it. At least not yet.

With a sigh, she put it away, the last thing she needed was anyone asking her what that was. Walking over to her desk she picked up her personal communicator.

"Aeon...where are you?"

Closing her eyes, she thought of the plan. The plan that she and Aeon formed and put into motion ages ago to prevent what happened to Earth.

They knew that was a long shot but they saved humanity. Or at least, they were close. So close.

Slipping back into her own tongue, she prayed to the stars to keep her brother safe.