Chapter 08
The Great Squid Migration
Stephen patted a spot of cushioning beside him and their other two friends.
Mira laid down next to him.
There was a large gathering of people at Violet today, and for good reason. They had a rare opportunity to experience the migration of stellar giant squid. The Greater Systems allowed their passage through space in hopes of following them to new, undiscovered nebulae. Today their stop was here at the planetary nebula of Helyx.
There were a couple of visible bridges from the UV pad where nearby squid had begun wandering. As usual with squid migration, they would spread out across the nebula to eat from its energy-rich dust.
Stephen handed Mira the miniature telescope he had brought along. He directed her just left of the star.
She trained the lens, trying to focus on what Stephen was pointing at. It took her a second, but eventually she was able to focus on the creature. It was large, maybe 120 feet in length from head to bottom of the longest tentacle. This one was a bright blue. Similar to human eye color, squid skin colors expressed their core typing.
It scooped dust into its beak, feasting on it.
She watched the creature for a few more seconds before handing the telescope over to Atlas, trying to keep the squid in frame.
“Neat, right?” Stephen said, nudging her.
“Yeah, it's pretty cool, I guess,” Mira replied.
“You guess? Come on now, that creature is magnificent,” he said, smiling.
Mira smiled back. She didn’t disagree, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was distracting her from her more important responsibilities. She could be practicing, training, studying, or doing anything but here watching some spectacle. She didn’t budge, though. There was a warmth of just being with her friends.
“Wow,” Atlas gasped. “They’re huge.”
Without the telescope, Mira could still spot the blurry figure of the creature, though the dust hindered much of the view.
Atlas waved his hand, trying to get their attention. He had trained the scope on a different patch of the sky. Pointing forward, he removed the scope from his eye.
Following his finger, Mira could see the formings of a space bridge. It was close, only tens of meters from the complex. A silence befell the crowd of students and teachers, only broken by the gasps of awe.
Shooting from the bridge was a dark blue squid. It propelled its body forward, the nebular dust swirling around its sleek body.
“That one could probably kill all of us if it wanted to,” Stephen smiled.
“I could take it,” Mira said, half joking.
“Your purple flame has nothing on that fucker’s size,” Stephen said. “Plus it's dark blue.”
“I think you’re biased,” Mira replied.
“Nonsense,” Stephen puffed, waving his hand at her.
Another one exited the portal, this one a smaller medium blue.
“Why are they all blue?” Yue questioned. “I thought those colorings were supposed to be rare.”
“Well, maybe they're all just a big family,” Atlas suggested, following the thought that core typing was a genetic trait. Of course, he and Mira were a special case. They had been told she had drawn power from him in the womb.
“Maybe,” Yue said. “But I thought most stellar squid shoals were diverse.”
Atlas shrugged. “No clue then,” he responded.
Mira saw Yue put on her thinking face.
“Who cares? They're sick, that’s what,” Stephen said.
“I’m with Stephen on this one,” Atlas replied.
“Thanks, Atlas,” Stephen nodded.
“My bad,” Yue replied, raising her hands. “Next time I have a question, I’ll keep it to myself.”
They all chuckled.
Mira’s smile quickly faded. She hated how trivial it was. To be laughing when so many people were out there dying, fighting, like she should be.
“Mira, are you alright?” Atlas questioned, looking over to her, sensing her trouble.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Mira lied.
Atlas nodded, figuring she didn’t want to talk about it.
The squids above them curled their tentacles to swim through the dust, passing overhead the facility. The bright white light of Helyx reflected off their bodies, giving the animals a brilliant shine. It was enough to distract her.
“WOOO,” Stephen shouted, throwing his fists in the air in excitement.
“Don’t scare them,” Yue slapped his arm.
“Oops,” he whispered.
“Sometimes I wish I was a squid. Look at them,” Atlas smiled. “Seems so peaceful.”
“That’s a new one,” Mira replied.
“Can you blame me?” Atlas responded.
“No, it does look kind of nice,” Mira replied, almost unsure if it was something she was allowed to say.
“We should start our own shoal,” Stephen smirked. “We could just wander around the universe.”
“Dammit, that would be nice,” Yue nodded along.
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Mira hid her nod from them. It would be. Her core even jumped at the prospect.
**BREAK**
It was a memory Mira went back to a lot. Today Violet wasn’t nearly as busy as that day two years ago. Still, that sense of dread that always occupied her chest was still there. More so now, as this was her last day at Helyx until she was to leave for her mission. Atlas, Yue, and Stephen had offered the day with her, and Castor had obliged by letting her skip night practice. It didn’t seem on brand, but she wasn’t going to deny the opportunity to spend some time with her friends.
They were sitting around a game board, but Stephen had not figured out how it was played. Stephen shuffled the pieces on the board. The instruction manual was glued to his face.
“Stephen, I thought you said you played this one before,” Atlas inquired.
Stephen raised his finger at him. “It's been a while, ok?“ He picked up a piece from the board, disconnecting the magnet and placing it on another square. “So then, you uh…” He put a finger to his lip and dropped the instructions. “I don’t know. I give up.”
“Give it to me,” Yue suggested, reaching out and grabbing the instruction sheet.
Mira watched them all impatiently. It wasn’t what she wanted to waste her time doing. She looked towards the doorway, questioning if she should leave and find Castor to prepare for the trip. She shook her head and tried to forget about the next day.
“For once I don’t think Stephen is stupid. This literally doesn't make any sense,” Yue said, skimming the sheet, looking over it from time to time at the board.
“Thanks?” Stephen questioned, unsure whether he should take the compliment.
Mira let a smile creep across her face. “Say it with some gratitude. You’re never going to hear that again."
Stephen shook his head. “Great friends you all are."
Yue folded the instruction panel. “I’m making an executive decision: we are not playing this one."
“I’m also making an executive decision. Stephen doesn't get to choose the next game,” Atlas smiled.
“Emphasis on my last point,” Stephen said.
Mira patted him on the shoulder.
He looked at her with a frown.
They didn’t end up choosing another game. They didn’t even put the old one away, but they talked and laughed. Divulging old memories, stories, and theories. It felt like they hadn't done anything like it in a while. She didn’t realize how much she enjoyed the way they laughed and bickered. It was almost enough for Mira to forget, but it still sat in her stomach like a stone.
Maybe thirty minutes had passed. The four of them were some of the only ones out there now as night hours began to creep in. The conversation had cooled a bit, but it still showed no signs of ending. Stephen had gone on a tangent about one of the lecturers, ranting about her non-traditional teaching practices.
Mira looked towards the door. She didn’t like it, her obligation continuing to mount in her stomach. A boulder.
“Well, guys, I think I need to cool off with a pump. Does anyone want some caffeine?” Stephen asked, standing up.
Mira shook her head.
Atlas thought for a moment. “Get me a sweet mix with no caffeine." He handed his nebulant up to Stephen.
Stephen turned to Yue. “Care to join me and help carry the refreshments?”
Yue shook her head, eyes closed, but stood up as well. “That does sound nice right now.”
Stephen raised his fist in triumph. “See you all soon,” he smiled.
Yue waved, and they both headed back into the building.
Mira and Atlas heard the doors close behind them. There was a moment of silence as the two of them sat there.
“Fun night,” Mira sighed.
Atlas nodded. “Yeah, against all odds. The odds being Stephen and this board game.”
She smiled. “He’ll make up for it with the refreshments.” Silence fell again. The pit in Mira’s stomach felt like a mountain, and the silence was deafening. She knew he could feel it too.
“Can I ask you something?” Atlas asked. “I don’t want to ruin the night, but I need to know.”
Mira looked at him drearily but nodded. “Yeah,” she said in almost a whisper.
“Are you sure you want to leave? Are you ready for this?” Atlas questioned. “I know I've asked it before, but you never seem confident about it.”
“Yes, I'm ready,” Mira replied, not trying to show any signs of hesitation.
“I just—Mira, you might have to kill people,” Atlas stuttered.
“Then I will,” she answered him.
“Do you really want to be a killer?”
“If it's against our enemies, then yes,” Mira said, raising her voice just slightly. “It's a necessary evil.”
Atlas sighed. “I don’t want to see you turn out that way. Maybe that’s not fair of me to say, but I think it's the wrong choice.” He was desperately trying to reach her.
The tension in Mira’s stomach became an avalanche as she reached a breaking point. Her core fluttered in her chest. “One, it's not a choice. Two, you don’t get to decide what’s right and wrong in my life,” she growled.
“I’m sorry, Mira, I know I just say the same shit all the time, but I’m just trying to be a good brother. I want you to be safe because you’re the only family I have, and I lov—”
“I don’t need your advice,” Mira practically yelled. “You don’t know any better than the millions of people of this nation.”
Atlas sighed. “I’m so—,” he started.
“I’m going to find Castor,” Mira cried. With that, she got up and stormed away from him.
Atlas didn’t try to stop her. He held his head in his hands, tears flowing out. “What’s wrong with me?” he groaned.
Mira stepped inside of the building, wiping tears from her eyes, ignoring the whispering voices around Violet. She looked back once more at Atlas, seeing his disappointment. The doors behind her slid closed. She turned away and rubbed her eyes aggressively, causing the whites to turn purple as they became irritated. Down the hallway she saw Stephen and Yue.
They were laughing along as they approached the door. Stephen held the two nebulants in his hand, his shoulder leaning against Yue’s. She had her own in the opposite hand.
Stephen looked up, seeing Mira on the Violet dock. His cheery expression snapped away.
Yue, confused by the change of posture, also looked up.
“Mira?” Stephen questioned.
Mira dove off the dock and pushed through them.
They watched as she floated away from them. “Mira, where are you going?” Stephen questioned.
She didn’t turn back to answer him. Mira stormed towards Castor’s office room. She flung the door open.
Castor was at his desk, reading through inscription tablets. “How were your friends?” He questioned, not looking away from his work.
“They were fine, I guess,” Mira replied.
“Not very enthusiastic about it, huh?” Did something happen?” He glanced up at her with one eye.
“So we leave tomorrow evening?” Mira asked, changing the topic.
“Morning, slight change of plans.”
Mira nodded. “Sounds fine to me.“ She considered the conversation she just had. “The sooner, the better.”
“Good. Maybe you should consider getting some sleep.”
“No practice?” Mira questioned.
Castor nodded, looking up to her now. "We already practiced this morning. You should rest before traveling,” he said. “We’ll have some pretty intense gravity training over the next few days there.”
“Ok, so nothing you need of me?”
“Think I’ve covered most of it these past few days. Just make sure your bag is packed,” he replied.
She was stumped by it. She really thought he would be waiting for her to do some kind of practice or even a lecture. She scoffed, heading to leave the room.
A stern eye from Castor followed her out.
Slamming the door behind her, she fell from the dock and into the hallways. She passed her dormitory, stopping only for a second to stare at the doorway. The lights were off. Her roomates hadn't returned yet. Ultimately, she detoured to the Starward Training Hall. If he wasn’t going to train her, she’d do it herself.
She found the bruised dummy chained to the floor. She punched it, her purple light illuminating it. She punched it again, this time a small dent in the top of it. She punched it once more. This time the top of it caved in. The metal turned black due to the heat of her physicality. Then, she released an onslaught onto the dummy, punching in its skull repeatedly till its upper frame was nothing but ash and dust. The chain snapped off with nothing to hold onto, and she kicked the lower half of the dummy away, sending it floating through the training hall.
It smacked against a building support pole with a ringing vibration.
She looked at her hands, her purple fire still coating them. She thought maybe her fit would prove something, but all she could feel was the fidgeting in her core. She clenched her fists, and the fire died out.
“I’m a fighter. I have to be,” she whispered to herself.