Reki bummed a cig off of one of the rebels who was smoking outside the tents. He walked on over to the empty field and laid down on what grass there was. He made himself comfortable as he lit up his cig. It had been years since he had been planetside. The fresh air and the sky was a great change.
"I am sorry about your father." He heard a voice speak up. Reki looked at Jacob who walked up and sat down next to him on the ground. Reki studied him for a moment and then closed his eyes as he took a drag off his cig. "Not much of a father to be honest. I think Mira is taking it a lot harder than I ever will."
Jacob chuckled as he looked over at the tents. The group could be heard yelling and cheering. They all were celebrating the victory. "Mira says you're a smart kid, more or less the one who implemented the projects for Oskal." he paused as he looked to Reki. "I need to know if you are the one who developed whatever medicine that was that allowed them to control people."
Reki let out a sigh as he looked to Jacob. He took the cig out of his mouth. "Yeah. I conducted most of the project. They were able to expand on my ideas but they needed me for the core of it." he uneasily acknowledged as he had a feeling that admitting to such could lead to something worse.
Jacob asked "Anyone else know that you were the core on the project?" Reki sat up slowly. "Doubt it, my father didn't like to talk about me a lot and he didn't like to give credit where credit was due, especially to me.." Jacob nodded. "Good, then no one will be looking for you."
Reki knew what such an inquiry could mean. "Does that mean you need to get rid of me?" Reki questioned him. Jacob chuckled as he stood up. "No, just to make sure if you wanted to start your own life that you won't have issues if you leave this planet." Jacob answered as he yawned some. "Have you happened to see Shiva about?"
Reki smiled as he looked out at the sparingly grassy field. "She is partying with the rest." he said as he put his cig back in his mouth taking another puff. He looked up at Jacob. "Do you care if I stay here and help out where I can?" Jacob nodded. "Might be worth taking a month and live a little first. By the way you look at this planet like it's a slice of heaven it doesn't look like you've been planetside in awhile. So go find some nice lush planet somewhere and take a vacation from everything. After that, if you still want to, you are welcome here." he suggested. He then headed off towards the tents to check in on Shiva.
Jacob frowned as he saw a large group around a table. What was worse he could hear Shiva rambling on. She sounded drunk and he heard his name tossed about. Letting out a small sigh, he realized she was talking about his past.
"Jacob!" Shiva yelled out to him as he walked up. She raised her bottle up to him. "The man of the hour." she laughed. The others in the tent started laughing at and cheering at him. Jacob chuckled as he looked around at everyone. "I hope you haven't said too much about me." he expressed as he pointed his finger at her..
Shiva grinned. "No, you have nothing to worry about. I only revealed the worse things." She pointed her thumb back at Quou who was by herself asleep at a table. She had a long day of excitement. "Didn't know you had a wife though." She chuckled. "Wouldn't have said some of things if I had known earlier."
Jacob shook his head. "All of you stay here partying and enjoy this old hag ramblings" He spouted to them as they cheered and laughed. Shiva laughed at him holding up a new bottle. Jacob conceded. "I'll pass. I'll let everyone else here drink for me. I need to get my wife." He walked through the crowd as Shiva started to tell another story.
Jacob nudged Quou some. "Hey come on." Quou looked up at him smiling weakly. "We got all of those kids out safe." she smiled. "How is Link?" Jacob helped her to her feet. "He will live." he imparted. Quou nodded as he put his arm around her shoulder and guided her out.
Quou looked at his hand noticing the rings. "Those are pet rings, aren't they?" she asked looking at him. Jacob nodded. "They are for the girl, Brat. I feel for now it's safer for everyone if I keep watch over them. I'm sure she'd rather be with her friends and family than worrying about her pet collars. I will talk to her tomorrow as well as her father when he wakes up."
Quou smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "That sounds like a plan. I did do good, though. You have to admit." she claimed as she moved away from him walking backwards in front of him. "Completed my second mission. High stakes one, too." she smiled at him.
Jacob smiled at her. "Your last one, too." "You wish! I'm going to go on recruiting missions with you from now on." she grinned at him. She grabbed his hand pulling him into their tent.
Miles opened the door to Eznik's room. "Hey sorry ab-" She paused as she looked at the two of them. Both of them were passed out on the bed. Celtic was laying on his stomach. Autum was curled up next to him.
Miles chuckled as she looked at the two. It had taken her longer to find food. What more there seemed to be a lot choices. Closing the door with her foot she headed on down to the medical bay. "Hey anyone hungry?" she questioned those who were still there. "Got some alcohol."
Daniel chuckled as he held up his hand. "Toss one here." He caught one as he then held it to Brendon who took it. Brendon looked over to the nurse who was asleep on one of the extra beds in the room. After this adventure he needed a drink. He looked at Miles as she walked up holding out another bottle for Daniel.
Daniel smirked, taking it. "What all you got in there? Same shit we been eating?" he asked pointing at the bag she was carrying. Miles shook her head. "Nope, ransacked Eznik's kitchen, apparently he has fine taste." she grinned as she set the bag down.
"Finally, something good." Daniel grabbed the bag and pulled it to him as he pulled out a couple things. "Tomorrow, Brendon as well as her." he outlined as he nodded to the nurse. "If you can set up a ship to take them off planet. I should be able to keep the group here stable."
Miles laughed. "You are asking the wrong person. I'm going to get trashed and then pass out in the tents where everyone else is partying. I would find someone else who's supervising because I am no longer a responsible adult starting right now." she laughed as she took a drink from her bottle.
Daniel chuckled at her. "Alright, just don't do anything too stupid." Miles nodded as she pulled out another bottle for herself. "No worries. At most I won't be sleeping alone 's as bad as it will get." she chuckled as she headed out of the room. "Keep the food. It should be enough for you two."
Cow opened his eyes as he heard something. His eyes looked down to Brat who was laying on his lap. He smiled softly, happy to see it wasn't a dream. He did get her back. She was safe. He then looked to Rin and Zigor who both were asleep on the couch across from him and Brat.
Gently moving Brat off his lap and onto the couch he stood up looking around for the noise he had heard. He noticed Deka sitting against the wall holding her head talking to herself. He looked down at the floor walking past Gotenoo who was asleep on the ground. The group more or less had talked till they all fell asleep in their tracks.
Walking up to Deka he bent down looking at her. "Deka." He spoke up, but there was nothing." Deka." he snapped at her a bit louder. Deka looked at him shaking some. "I doubtah yeah got yah know any of dat spirit?" she smiled feebly at him.
Cow grabbed her arm. "Come on up." Deka shook her head. "I-I yeah knowa fine just yah know." Cow let out a sigh. "No, we also have medical staff here who can help get you through whatever withdraw you are going through. Plus Brat would kill me if I didn't help you out." He moved her arm over his shoulder. "So up." he stood up helping her to her feet.
Deka stumbled as they started to walk down the hall. "Yah didn't have to help, Brat would of yah know understood." Cow looked at her. "Considering you didn't mention you were on a drug to her I would assume that means she would have been upset." He pointed out and she chuckled.
The two walked in the room. Brendon and Daniel were sitting chatting with each other. Daniel got to his feet walking over to Cow and Deka. Cow helped her sit down. "She is going through withdrawal." Cow said as he looked at him.
Brendon got up as he walked over to the cabinet. Him and Daniel worked on trying to figure how Eznik had the place sorted out. He pulled out something. "Here, this should work. Though, she will need to be watched over for a while. Withdrawal can lead to death on what she is on. So she can stay here."
"I'll watch her." Cow offered as he walked up to Brendon. "I doubt you need more on your plate." As he spoke up he held out his hand for the medical gun Brendon hooked up the vail to.
"Yeaha, don'ta have to watch meh." Deka claimed as Cow walked up to her. "I'm up now, so nothing else to do with my time." he explained as he grabbed her arm hoisting it over his shoulder again. "Come on, tell me which room is yours or else a free one, whichever.." he directed as he helped her out of the room.
They headed to a room and Cow helped her onto the bed. He then shot her in the side. He headed into the bathroom and grabbed a trash can. Walking up next to the bed he dropped it. He went back into the bathroom.
Deka curled up on the bed. She could feel it hitting her. She let out a small whimper knowing it was going to be a long night. She was not happy about this as this wouldn't be the first time that she had gone through this, this way. She opened her eyes as he felt a cold washcloth on her head. Looking at Cow she smiled weakly at him.
"If you need anything else." he said as he pointed to the chair. 'I'll be right over there." He walked over to the chair sitting down. He grabbed the tablet that was left out looking it over as he reclined back in the chair.
Eznik let out a groan as he slowly rolled over on his side. He winced as he felt someone grab his arm. Looking to see who it was a smile appeared on his face. Brat hugged him tight. "You're awake. You were worrying all of us." she whined as she held her dad.
Eznik chuckled as he slowly sat up. He looked over at her while studying her. He took note of the pet collars on her still, but they were on his ship now. He had his assumptions why she had them on still. " How long was I out for?" he asked her.
"Two days." Brat said. She cringed a little as she looked back at Cow. "er.. Dad, this is my fiancee, Cow." She looked back at him smiling meekly. Eznik laughed as he looked to Cow. "Well, I think this was the last thing I expected for her to end up with after two years." He held his hand out to Cow.
Cow held out his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you." Cow winced as Eznik pulled him in and gave him a hug. "It's wonderful to meet you." He let go of Cow smiling at him. "Was he there to help out with the rescue effort?"
Cow frowned. "Would have helped with the first one. Also might have prevented a lot of this from happening. But someone decided to play hero alone." He looked over at Brat. Brat laughed nervously at him.
"Well, good to see that you are willing to be reckless for her. Because I fear she might make you do that a lot." Eznik chuckled. He looked over to the bed next to him. He frowned a little seeing Link was there hooked up to a few machines.
Cow shook his head. "Out of all the things she has done, I think this one tops it all. I pray she can't top this one." he divulged as he stretched trying to loosen up.
Brat looked over at Link noticing her father eyeing him. "He is stable. Just don't know if or when he will wake up." She spoke quietly as she looked over at Autum who was sitting on one of the other beds. She hadn't left the room much.
Eznik nodded as he pointed at Link's bed. "If you could Cow, hand me that tablet." Cow walked over, picking it up and tossing it to him. "Thank you." Eznik said as he caught it and started to look through.
"Was anyone else hurt?" Eznik asked as he glanced up at Brat and Cow. "Um. A woman named Miles. Other than that it was just minor is doing fine." Brat reported as she climbed up on the bed next to him.
Eznik looked at her smiling. He then nodded to Autum. "How is your Aunt doing?" Brat looked over to Autum who had a tablet in her hand studying it. "Mother birding over Link." she pitched with a frown. "She hasn't left the room much at all."
"You know, I'm sitting right here. I can hear you both." Autum snipped as she set the tablet down. Eznik chuckled. "Clearly not denying the fact that you have become a mother bear over Link." Autum rolled her eyes at him. "No matter what I say you will twist it. So why would I even bother?" she growled at him.
"Where is Celtic?" Eznik asked as he held the tablet to Brat who took it. "Fed him to the wolves. Thought they could use a good meal." Autum smirked as she closed her eyes leaning against the backboard of the bed she was sitting on..
"Sounds sweet." Eznik laughed. "Sounds like something a loving wife would do. Well, I mean you." Brat looked at Autum. "So, how long have you two been together? I mean I never heard one thing about it. Or is that in your sealed memories?"
Autum let out a sigh. "Sealed. Bastard is going to unseal them though." Autum rattled. "After Link wakes up." Brat looked down at the ground, she remembered what Daniel said, he might never wake up. If they did try to force him to, he could just go into shock and that could go very wrong. He might not even make it. So they had no choice but to just wait it out, whether he wakes or not. Here, her aunt was going to sit it out hoping that he would wake up.
Eznik listened to her and let out a sigh. He could tell from the report it wasn't very promising. "Eznik!" Navi yelled as she appeared in front of him holding a bag. "You're awake!" Navi looked down at the bag and vanished and reappeared without it.
Eznik chuckled as he held out his hand. "It's good to see you are well, Miss Navi." He smiled at her as she jumped up and down on his hand. "I was worried about you! They said that you did something very stupid! No more of that, got it!" Navi pointed at him. "Your body can't take anything else like that. You being a doctor should know better!" she scolded him.
Autum chuckled at Navi as she opened the bag she had dropped off to her. Inside there were several different fruits. Navi had gone and fetched the two of them lunch since they both had been vigilante, staying by Link's bedside not wanting to take a chance that he'd wake up without them being there. Autum pulled out a fruit and started to eat it as she watched amused at Navi go off on a rant at her brother.
"Do you want me to get the others?" Cow spoke up . Brat smiled. "Yes! That's a good all would be happy to see that dad is awake." Navi paused and then looked at Cow. "I'll do it!" before he could answer she was gone. It was clear that Navi was trying to stay optimistic about everything.
Cow flinched as Deka and Rin appeared next to him. He stepped back some seeing by the confused looks on their faces that Navi was just teleporting here but not explaining. He leaned up against the wall watching them all gather around Eznik.
Cow looked at Autum who walked up to him. "I guess I haven't got around to saying thanks to you. Well, for being an idiot and breaking into a high lockdown station." Cow shook his head. "Didn't do it for you, so no thanks needed."
Autum chuckled. "But she and Eznik are both family, so thanks." Autum looked to the kids gathered around her brother. She looked over to Link. She wanted him to wake up, part of her felt like this was all her fault. The foolish kid should of never came for any of them.
Celtic walked out of a tent totally frustrated and embarrassed. He held his hand out behind him. "You got any more?" Celtic looked back at Reki who was laughing to himself. "Yeah I got a pack, here" He handed Celtic a cig.
"I admit, I'm happy I wasn't in your shoes." Reki laughed as he held his lighter out to Celtic. He snatched it from him. "They sure did ask you very personal questions about your relationship." Celtic lit up the cig and took a long drag off of it. He handed the lighter back to Reki eyeing him.
"Ugh, not what I was expecting at all. Autum said 'go chat with my old squad'..." Celtic spoke mimicking her voice as he brushed back his bangs. "I guess Autum's way of showing she's still pissed at me." "She seems to be such a nice enough person." Reki grinned at him as he lit up his own cig.
Miles walked out of the tent with a big grin on her face. "Well, now that was fun." Celtic looked back at Miles not happy she followed them out. "Yes, Autum told us to be asses and it was free game to ask you anything we wanted, annoying or embarrassing.." Miles explained to him as she sat down on a crate looking at the two smoking.
Celtic let out a sigh. "Sounds about right." "I do have a question though." Miles spoke up. "Didn't want to ask it in front of the other guys." Celtic looked at her as he took out the cig from his mouth. "Go for it. I doubt it can be anything worse than you and the others asked earlier."
"Are you two going to stay together?" Miles asked as she looked at him seriously. "I mean after she gets her memories unsealed. Since she will have all the memories of you two once again. Remembering your time together."
Celtic looked up to the sky. It was something that he ran across in his mind as well, but always seemed more or less a dream; like it was so out of reach of what he was wanting. He shook his head. "I don't know." He looked to Miles. "It's on her as well. Truly, it's all up to her. But, I know she would want a child, but we just can' could hinder her decision."
"There is adoption, you know." Reki spoke up. "Adopt her a little bugger if she is still set on being a mother. I mean I didn't turn out that bad being adopted by a bastard. I doubt you two could do any worse."
Celtic chuckled looking to his friend. "I never really thought of adopting. But then again didn't think of being a parent." Miles chuckled. "You will learn quickly how to be a parent. Most of it is panicking over things that don't matter."
Celtic frowned that didn't seem pleasing at all. Reki laughed at his expression. "I doubt it's that bad. Plus it would be your kid, so you learn to get over that."
Miles smiled at the two of them. She looked out to Eznik's ship that could be seen positioned on the planet. "Any word on how the kid is doing?" She hadn't visited Link since they had come back from the mission. She was yelled at by Autum as well as Jacob for the action that she had taken. Though Jacob was way more understanding than Autum.
"Er." Celtic sighed. "No changes. Brendon before he left warned that he might not wake up." He said, looking at Miles. "I think she is in denial. Just wants him to wake up so badly." He spoke quietly. "She hasn't left the room since she woke up from when we got back from the mission."
Miles sighed. "You need to talk some sense into her. Sometimes no matter how great of doctors you have or people with healing magic, it's just not enough to save someone." Celtic chuckled. "You can tell her that. I want to live."
"Well, she won't want to hear it from me." stated Miles. "Well, I already pissed her off enough. Besides I think she has her mind made up so no matter what we say she believes he will wake." argued Celtic.
Miles looked to Reki. "How about Reki?" She smiled at him. Reki shook his head. "Nope staying out of whatever quarrels you have. I still haven't met her, not going to start off on a bad foot. Plus I've heard she kind of a bitch as it is. No offense but that is the rumor." He smirked at her. "So you are stuck with what you want to say to her."
Letting out a long sigh she jumped off the crate. "Come on, we better see if your wife has had lunch." She looked to Celtic as she shrugged. "Come on, let's go face her wrath together. Maybe if we are lucky she will take it out on Reki."
Reki chuckled. "I doubt that. If she goes for either one of us I think all we have to do is ask anything about memories that she doesn't have and then Celtic will be her punching bag.." He smirked at Celtic who let out a sigh of anguish. "Just giving you a hard time. Come on, you still need to introduce me." Reki said, putting his hand on Celtic's shoulder.
Autum watched Eznik's kids force him out of the room to go have lunch with them. She chuckled some, well at least they would keep him busy. Walking up to the chair next to Link she sat down. She looked him over as she let out a small sigh. It had been two days, no changes even with brain function. She knew what that could mean. 'But he's a fighter, right?' she told herself. She had faith in him.
Her eyes trailed to the door as she saw Miles. She scoffed looking away. Last person she really wanted to see right now. She crossed her arms in front of her in an offensive posturing.
"Autum." Miles walked up to her looking down at Autum who clearly was ignoring her. Miles grabbed a chair and sat down in front of her. "You can ignore me all you want. He knew the risk when he came, you can be thankful that the idiot who had him wasn't the best shot even at point blank."
Autum shot a glare at her. "You know in that scenario you are to shoot, not try to talk someone down." Miles let out a sigh of frustration as she leaned back. "Risk him still shooting the kid even if I was to shoot him. Even if it was a shot to the head, he could have still fired off the shot. His trigger finger was already positioned and ready. Still you can be shitty with me all you want, but it won't change what happened." Miles snipped at her.
Celtic frowned, he thought they were going to chat with Autum about how Link might not wake up, not piss her off more. Celtic looked to Reki who leaned up against the wall. It was clear he wasn't going to get into the mess.
"You also can't sit here and waste your own life away! Yes, he could wake up any minute or he might never wake up Autum. From what I know your husband is over there, wanting to start a new life with you. You also have a chance to get those memories unsealed, but that time is ticking. I doubt Mira is going to stay here much longer. So you need to get up and live your life not waiting on him. Look." she got up and pointed at the monitor. "That is little to no brain activity you should know what that means."
"Shut up! Just shut the fuck up Miles!" Autum snapped at her. She got to her feet sizing up the woman while sizing up the whole situation. Miles stood up to face her. Autum pointing at Link spouted. "I know! I'm not an idiot! I know the odds of him waking up is little to none, but right now I need to believe that he is going to wake up, Miles. I don't need this little illusion of hope torn away from me! Do you hear me! I have had too much taken from me the last few days, got it! This little illusion of hope is all that's holding me together right now! So let me drown for a bit longer…" she decried as she looked to Link. "For this useless hope is keeping me strong, keeping me fighting, keeping me from falling completely apart!"
As Navi looked at the two her eyes swelled up. No one really had told her much about the readouts. The odds of him waking up was that low? Her eyes looked at Link and she vanished, collapsing on Eznik's bed crying. Why, why? Why did they have to give her so much hope, when it was nothing more than wishful thinking? How could they make her believe such if it was all just a lie? She felt herself trembling to the idea that she would be alone without him. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't lose him. She just couldn't. Her heart was breaking.
Miles backed up some from Autum and glanced to where the faerie once was. She knew it was harsh words, but someone needed to say them. They all needed to face the truth. She knew Autum wasn't one to face emotions. She holds them in and suffers with them; part of why she is such a bitch. But here, she is expressing herself; spilling her guts, so not like her. With this truth it seems that she had reached her fill and all came pouring out. This was the most she'd ever gotten out of the woman. She was betting it was the most anyone had ever gotten out of Autum.
Autum looked away. "You need to go apologize to Navi. She's been in the dark. I was going to tell her later. But you decided to be an ass about it… She probably is in Eznik's room." Autum whimpered as she listened to Miles footsteps head out of the room.
"You know she is right about Mira." Reki spoke up as he walked up towards her. "Mira said she still is willing to help you, but you need to decide before she leaves. She doesn't plan on hanging around. This is not her kind of retreat." Autum thought about what he was addressing. It's just she still was a mess mentally over everything. "I mean with your luck he probably would wake up while you're in surgery, so then he can watch over your ass while you're recovering. Seems like the kind of dumb luck you have, so I've heard."
Autum looked back at him. She studied him, she hadn't met him, but she assumed that since he was talking about Mira and hanging out with Celtic, he might be Reki. She walked over to Link's bed and sat on the edge as she looked at the teen. Looking slowly back at Reki, "Do you know when she is planning on leaving?"
Reki shook his head. "For her, no doubt sooner than later. Like I said, not her kind of place and she wishes to get on with her life as well. I wouldn't wait on it, either. It's rather important, isn't it?" he said as he walked up next to the bed looking at Link. "Your husband is an idiot. You know that right?" He chuckled some, glancing over at Celtic. "I'm Reki, Celtic's childhood friend. Helped make him the idiot he is today."
Autum shook her head chuckling. "So I have you to blame for the idiot he is and for the smoking as well it seems?" Reki held up his hands in surrender. "Guilty." He then grabbed a chair and sat down looking up at her. "He'll wake up, just not right now. He needs to rest. His body is making him. Just like right now I think you and your friends need rest as well. You all have been through hell."
Miles walked into the room. Looking at the small fallen faerie that was on the bed. Letting out a small sigh she walked up and sat down on the ground next to the bed. "I'm so sorry that you had to find out that way, Navi. But someone should've told you. What I said is true, you both can't just sit and waste your own lives in hope." she iterated as she spoke softly.
Navi sniffled as she sat up looking at Miles. "I-I.." Looking back at the bed. "I know, I thought he would be awake by now. With Autum staying around.. I thought she knew he would." She looked at Miles. "Is there a chance that he will wake up, Miles? I mean is it worth having hope?"
Miles looked up at the ceiling. "Even with all of the tech that we have, the body still is fragile and sometimes we just can't save someone. But then there are times the body surprises us. Sometimes people wake up from this months or years later. All depends on him and the fates I guess. I don't really have the answers. I'm just saying you need to take care of yourself and get on with your life."
Navi covered her face. She didn't like this, there was yes or no, just maybe or maybe not, truly nothing. No solid pristine answers for her. So many unknowns, she hated it. It was as if she was drowning and there was no way to know if she would or could be saved. No predicted ending just what might be or not, what could be or not, alot of if's and whatnot.
Miles slowly got up. "I'm not saying give up 's not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying for the time being while he is laying there, live your life for the both of you. Get up and get out of the medical bay. Go do something rather than lingering here in despair. Then when you finish your day, go in there and tell him what you did. They say people in that state can still hear you. So I'm sure you want to tell him of your own adventures and I'm sure he'd love to hear about them."
Miles looked down at her. "And who knows he might just get jealous and have to wake up to join you." She smiled at her. "Don't let Autum drag you into her own spiral downwards, her own drowning torment. Keep your own chin up and live your life." She stated as she headed out of the room.