Location: Federation Capital: Earth: New York.
Director Vane's office.
Director Vane sat watching Marcus's simulated battle against the Sisterhood of Steel.
It played out through a hologram on her desk.
"He's definitely something," Apollo spoke softly, massaging his chin. "I've rarely seen students with a professionalism this high. Let alone an inmate."
Vane Hummed, "I intend on making him a jump year if he survives the dip. But I'm curious, do you notice any similarities between him and yourself?"
Apollo raised an eyebrow.
"Meaning?"
Vane smirked, "You both started as criminals of misfortune. Both of you value someone more than yourself. And both of you enjoy jazz."
She leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs
"There's also the fact that you both have a unique grasp of cosmic dust. I feel it's only a matter of time before he reaches your level, don't you agree?"
Apollo sighed, "Yes, but I wouldn't go as far as to say we're similar."
He gestured towards the hologram, where Marcus executed the kneeling sentinel. Marcus then moved down the line, killing the scribes.
Apollo frowned. "He effortlessly kills people, people he's spent seven years of his life with. I could never imagine doing that. He fights to end lives… I fight to save them. As best I can."
Vane tapped a finger against her chair. "I'm curious, if Marcus were to reach his peak, and betray the federation, could you beat him?"
Apollo tilted his head.
"If Marcus reached his full potential he might give me some trouble."
"But would you lose?"
"No."
"Would you kill him?"
"No."
"What if he killed Emilla and your son? Do you truly believe you wouldn't kill him? Better yet, what if killing him was the only way to save them?"
Apollo swallowed hard, taking a step back.
Vane smirked.
"Maybe you and he aren't so different after all, Apollo."
She leaned forward, resting her elbows against her desk. "In any event, it's something to think about on your journey."
"My journey?"
"Mhm, have you forgotten?" Vane teased, "You asked me to repair Marcus's android. It's ready for pickup at Area 51. Designation 'Park'."
Apollo stood there.
"Y-you actually fixed her? I… I'll admit, I thought it was a long shot."
Vane chuckled softly, "I may be strict, but I'm not heartless. Besides, I think it's better if Marcus sees it with you, rather than me."
Apollo smiled.
"Thank you. Really, I mean… Can I hug you? Is that weird? It's probably weird…" he scratched behind his neck.
Vane rolled her eyes in amusement, "Just go."
Apollo nodded, jogging out of the room with a wide grin. He told himself, 'I might not be able to save everyone, but I'll save you, Marcus'.
— — —
Six of us.
At the end of the year, six of us were left.
Me, Zero, Lumina, Daniel, Lance, and Kara.
Erika stood in front of us, sitting on top of a crate with a conflicted expression. "You know, I'm torn between wishing more of you were dead, and wishing more of you were alive to die during the dip." She laughed.
I frowned.
It wasn't long before Apollo came into view, walking down the trail dressed in a Federation service uniform. His usual grin was softer, and his hair was combed.
He stood beside Erika, his head turning down the line we formed.
"Well done."
The words were simple, yet it felt like a burden was taken off my chest. "You all have survived what I no doubt would consider hell." He sighed deeply, "But I would be lying if I said it was over. And I've learned my lesson about that."
He began pacing.
"So let me be honest with you. I've run a simulated Dip. Several, actually. And only three of you survived it. That is Lance, Marcus, and Zero."
There was a subtle tension rising.
He continued.
"The simulation is 99.9% accurate. It's what we used to avoid putting incompatible civilians in the pool. I'll let you sit with that information for a second."
Silence settled over Lumina, Daniel, and Kara.
Zero laughed while Lance pumped his fist.
"Oh yeah, oh yeah, who's gonna be a pilot? This guy! Gimme sum, gimme sum, gimme sum. Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!"
"The look on their faces! The fear is so delicious! HAHAHAHA."
Kara fell to her knees, "but… I've done everything right. I passed the sims, I stayed by your side, Lance. Why?"
Daniel and Lumina looked at me with wide eyes, as if I had wronged them.
Erika snickered, while Apollo stood in silence.
Daniel reached out, gripping my sleeve. He stared into my eyes, before pressing his face into my chest.
"Marcus," he spoke softly, his eyes filling with tears that dampened my chest.
"I don't want to die. I… I just want to go home. I want to see my friends and family. I want to go back to school, I want… to see my home. I want my life back."
He held me tightly, his arms wrapping around my back. "I… I never would've touched chemistry if I knew it would be my death. I just… I just liked making fireworks."
My eyes widened.
What?
He was arrested and sent to this program… for making fireworks? I looked over at Apollo. "Is that true? Was he sent here because he made fireworks?"
Apollo nodded.
"He was. In fact, what got him in trouble wasn't the fireworks. But the people who bought them. He was arrested as an accomplice to an attack that killed three people. Two parents and their child."
I clenched my jaw, holding Daniel close.
That's such bullshit!
"How could he have known? You can't hold him responsible for that. Apollo, I thought there were only violent criminals here!"
Apollo looked down at his feet.
I looked at Lumina.
"Did you… Did you kill anyone?"
She shook her head, tears in her eyes. "No, I just doctored up on anyone who paid for it. But I swear, everyone lived. I always made sure!"
My chest began to hurt.
Something inside me, like an overwhelming feeling of unfairness.
These people, they were just like Lola. Innocent and attached to something others deemed dangerous.
I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks. Something I thought I was beyond.
I glared at Apollo.
"Aren't you the strongest?! Can't you pull some strings?! Ask around?! Sneak them off the planet or something?! APOLLO, ANSWER ME!"
Apollo stayed silent.
Erika glared at me with a deep frown, dropping down from her crate.
"Silence your barking, mutt. These people knew what they were signing up for. They could've served out their sentences like good little prisoners do. But they chose the fast lane."
She approached me.
"And in the fast lane, it's not if you crash, it's when."
I gritted my teeth, moving Daniel aside to match Erika's stance.
"Don't give me that! You condemn these people as criminals when they're at most misfits! You're worse than them in every metric! You should be behind bars, not them! But instead, you're hailed as a hero! Fuck you!"
Erika scoffed, smirking before winding her fist back in a blur. I only had enough time to register that I was about to be punched.
Her fist connected with my jaw, sending me crashing to the ground.
I hit the dirt with a thud, the entire right side of my face numb. I spit out a glob of blood, shakily pushing myself up.
Erika walked over and kicked me down again, her boot connected with my side.
I rolled over, my stomach aching as I gripped the dirt.
"You seem to have forgotten your place, mutt." She stumped her boot against my face, pushing me in the dirt. "So let me remind you. You're a criminal, a weapons manufacturer for a religious nut cult that's killed millions."
She pressed her foot harder against my face.
"Daniel sold explosives to a mentally disturbed stalker, allowing her to kill an innocent man and his family."
She stomped harder.
"Lumina operated on a known murderer who targeted specifically young women. And do you know what that man went on to do after he was healed? I'll let you put the puzzle together."
She laughed bitterly, "The irony is that he only got his injury from a woman fighting for her life. He went after her first."
She stomped on my face again and again.
Listing off the crimes of everyone who was a part of this 20-person class.
By the time she was done, I sat motionlessly in the dirt. Confused, hurt, and angry.
Erika crossed her arms. "None of you are victims. So stop expecting us to treat you like one. You're scum, trash who only think of themselves. Nothing more."
Daniel and Lumina stood with their heads lowered. Zero was by my side, wiping my tears.
Lance looked bored.
And Kara sat with her knees to her chest.
Apollo raised his head.
"I've called for the ASUV, it'll be here shortly."
I closed my eyes.
I don't want to be here anymore…
Minutes later, a sleek, black ship appeared overhead.
The ASUV.