"I can't believe I'm sitting in Space Jail with you of all people" ((Part 1 - POST))

"I can't believe I'm sitting in Space Jail, with you of all people."

The sentence rang out, echoing amongst the metal hallway. Dan's tone was clearly on a fine line between hopeless exasperation, and genuine offense.

"Yeah, well I hope you get probed, so there," Phil replied huffily.

"Can you two please not bicker like old women? We've been abducted, and they took Jack away god knows where. I don't need you two taking your frustration out on one another," Mark deadpanned.

Dan glanced at Mark - worry worry irritation anger protection anger anger impatience - noting how the Warfian lay on his back, hair fanning out on the floor beneath him. He knew the half-Korean was right - emotions just ran high, and Dan's own fear fear remember capture clashed with Phil's strong sense of anxiety worry fear protect help.

It wasn't anyone's fault, really; they had been at a farmer's market when Phil spotted something shiny, in an isolated corner, and began to talk to the seller. They had been so engrossed that they didn't notice when a set of hands came up behind them, and knocked them unconscious.

Apparently Jack and Mark had noticed, tried to stop them, but had been also rendered unconscious.

By time they woke up on the ship, Jack was gone, the guard merely sneering at them before walking off.

But not before noting his orange eyes.

Orange eyes were bad. They meant Billycons.

One of the strongest, cruelest, and smartest beings in the galaxy, who had an absolute searing hatred for Bossotronians.

"Did that Felix guy give you any tips on dealing with them," Dan asked, tilting his head towards the end of the hall, where the guard was. Mark gave a noise, that Dan took as a 'no.'

Phil, who was sitting in dejection, finally (he had been pacing, after fighting against the cell bars - they all had), finally said, "You think Jack's okay?"

Mark snorted suddenly. "You're asking if Seán's okay? That jerk is probably giving those Billycons a run for their effing money."

Dan knew he was probably right - at least, that Jack was holding out. He couldn't help feeling doubt worry scared concern worry worry causing his stomach to knot up, though.

When they had first awoken, he had instantly sensed that they weren't on Earth any longer. He had tried to calm down, but Phil had clearly felt his absolute terror and trills of lost longing homesick - that's what had eventually lead to their little tiff, Dan becoming increasingly agitated, and Phil becoming near hysterical internally as his tendency to over-empathize kept the two of them on a looped feedback.

While they were a great set of best friends because of their unique abilities, it really did make it hell at times.

All three of them sat up suddenly as a guard came by, with an old-fashioned key that he slitted into the slot of their cell. Jack was with him, hands bound tightly behind his back, and some sort of . . .shock collar (?) clamped around his throat. There was blood caking his hairline, as though someone had hit him with something hard, but besides that he seemed fine.

The guard let Jack walk himself in, the Irishman glancing out warily. There was a nod from the guard, and then he left.

They swarmed the Bossotronio, checking him over for further injury, and asking him what had happened. Jack seemed jumpy, maybe a tad shaken up.

"Gawd," he breathed. "There's so much to go over - but not right now." His voice was low, hushed, and the others were quiet. "All you need to know is that there's a plan - just, be ready in a couple a hours, okay?"

"What do you mean-"

Mark cut Dan off, "We trust you Seán. Are you - are you okay, at least."

Jack didn't meet their eyes at first, then glanced up, giving a passing smile and shrug. "Of course."

"You're a shizzy liar, Seán."

Jack stuck his tongue out at Mark. "Of course I had to be thrown in space jail with you of all people."

Dan elbowed Phil and snickered, his best friend shooting him a dirty look.

"I should be saying that to you," Mar responded, exasperated. He shook his head pitifully.

"So now what?" Phil asked.

"Now," Jack glanced back out the cell, in the direction the guard who had brought him had gone. "Now, we wait."