Chapter Text
The galaxy was in the same state it had been for as long as Namjoon could remember. Battles raging all around, enemy fighters zooming in and out as they fired at his ship. "How much damage have the deflector shields taken?"
Hoseok looked down at his data screen. "We've lost 70% shield capacity."
"Move away from the smaller fighters!" Namjoon instructed. "Avoid any more direct hits!"
"Uh…" Hoseok's face paled, the purple streaks running over his skin becoming more prominent. "That might not be possible. Void torpedo incoming!"
"Put all remaining strength into the front shield!"
Hoseok quickly input the command mere seconds before the torpedo crashed into the ship. The ship shook from the impact, Namjoon stumbling a bit before regaining his balance. "Our shields are gone." Hoseok informed him dejectedly.
Namjoon cursed under his breath. "What about the ship?" He held his breath as Hoseok analyzed the data.
"No other damage sustained." Hoseok announced with a sigh of relief.
"Let's try not to get blasted out of the sky." The scanners beside Namjoon let out a steady beeping. "Is that anotherfleet of Void fighters?"
Hoseok nodded. "Looks like a hundred at least. Plus, a handful of battleships." The enemy vessels appeared in the bridge viewport.
"Our ship won't last very long against those." Namjoon informed the pilot with a solemn expression before taking a deep breath. "We're out of options. We've got to escape while we still can."
Hoseok looked up at Namjoon in shock. "Leave the fight?! That's a huge risk!"
"Hoseok, my first priority is keeping my passengers safe." Namjoon stated in a calm but firm voice. "This is the only way to ensure their safety."
With a respectful nod, Hoseok responded. "Understood. Getting us out of here."
Hoseok programmed the coordinates while Namjoon switched on the hyperspeed controls. He groaned as he noticed that they wouldn't be recharged for another hour. "The hyperspeed is disabled."
"Then we're stuck." Hoseok said, seeming to already resign himself to his inevitable death. "In a few seconds the Void will blow us apart."
Namjoon stared out into the galaxy, racing for a solution as the ominous red lights from the Void Ships flickered menacingly. "If we turn off the life support system, we could boost the engines enough to activate hyperspeed."
"You want to turn off life support?!"
"It'll only be for an instant." Namjoon assured him. "And you said it yourself, we'll die if we just sit here!"
Hoseok obviously wasn't on board with the idea. "I don't know…"
"This will work." Namjoon stated. "Trust me, Hoseok."
Hoseok sighed before reaching out to follow his captain's command. "Shutting down now." Within a few seconds, the hyperspeed lights flicked on. "Hyperspeed's online and ready when you are!"
Namjoon hovered his hand over the button. "Initiating hyperspeed in three…two…one!" He slammed his hand down on the button, lights flooding the room…
…and the simulation vanished. Hoseok stood up, shaking off the last of his nerves. "I can't believe we're done!"
Namjoon cheered in excitement with his best friend, pulling him into a congratulatory hug. "We did it! We finished our Captain's Exams!"
"I'm in shock that you found a way to bypass the disabled hyperspeed." Hoseok stared at his best friend in awe. "I've never even heard of something like that!"
"Hopefully it was the kind of unusual that'll get me hired for my creativity." Namjoon mused. "Not punished for breaking the rules." Hoseok bit his lip nervously as the recruiters filed into the room. "Relax, Hoseok. You've been talking about getting a job keeping the galaxy safe ever since we were kids. The Vanguard will hire you as a Marshall. Trust me."
Hoseok took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right. We can do this." Taking one more breath to calm his nerves, Hoseok turned towards the recruiters. "I'll go talk to those Vanguard recruiters while you meet with those luxury transport line owners over there."
Namjoon smiled at Hoseok and pat him on the back. "Next time you see me, I'll be the captain of the biggest luxury transport ship here."
He headed towards where the most well-known recruiters stood, but a muscular Celd blocked his path. "You're the one who shut off the life support on his ship, aren't you?"
Namjoon nodded with a smile of pride. "Clever, right?"
The Celd scoffed, crossing his arms as he scowled at the rookie. "I can see how someone who's never been in a real situation would think that." The smile fell from Namjoon's face. "Out there in space, life support systems glitch on reboot all the time. A stunt like that could've killed everyone on board."
"Or saved them." Namjoon countered.
"Whatever you say." The Celd shrugged, already stepping back. "Good luck getting a job. I know I wouldn't hire you aboard one of my cargo vessels."
"I don't want the kind of job you're offering anyway." Namjoon retorted defiantly. "I'm looking for a respected job captaining a luxury transport ship."
The Celd let out a laugh of disbelief. "You want to work on a ship lugging snobby socialites across the galaxy as they lounge around sipping cocktails?"
Namjoon glared at the Celd. "Not everyone smuggles their passengers in cramped cargo crates. Some of us prefer comfortable, legal travel accommodations."
"I don't know if you've noticed, but there's a war going on out there." The Celd puffed out his chest as he glowered down at Namjoon. "It's the reason the Captain's Exam now includes a combat simulation. And before the Vanguard can extinguish those filthy Jura, those fancy ships you worship will be nothing more than target practice." With one last sneer, the Celd spit at Namjoon's feet and stormed away.
Hoseok ran up to his friend just a second later. "Is everything okay?"
"it was nothing." Namjoon assured him. "Just a bully with too much time on his hands."
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that." Namjoon said, rubbing Namjoon's shoulder comfortingly.
Namjoon turned to face his friend, noticing how the shorter male was trying and failing to hold back a smile as his right knee jiggled. "You're hiding something."
"How do you always know?!"
Namjoon pointed to the incriminating knee. "Whenever you jiggle your knee like that, I know you've got good news."
Hoseok laughed. "You got me. I've been offered a job as a Marshall!"
"Congratulations!" Namjoon raised his hand sideways in a Cyber salute. "You worked really hard for this opportunity, Hoseok. You deserve it."
Hoseok returned the salute with a bright smile. "Thanks, Namjoon. I don't know what I'll do without your pep talks. They want me to meet with them." He looked around the room, smile falling as he realized Namjoon was the only student who had yet to be recruited. "Do you want me to-"
"Go on." Namjoon nudged him towards the door. "I'll be fine. You don't want to be late for your new job."
Hoseok smiled again. "I'll meet you outside after and you can tell me all about how you snagged your dream job." He ran off to where the Marshalls were waiting for him.
The second Hoseok's back was to him, Namjoon let his smile fade. "Do you think I ruined my shot, ARMY?" The tiny robot that always hovered just a few feet away from Namjoon let out a shocked beeped.
"Never!" ARMY assured him. "Don't give up, Namjoon!"
Namjoon sighed as ARMY began to beep excitedly. "Major Hottie Alert!" Namjoon raised an eyebrow at his assistant. "I might have to shut down my circuits because he's approaching with a determined and sexy stride!"
The aspiring captain finally followed ARMY's gaze to find a tall, graceful Dynamas heading straight towards him. "Namjoon Kim." The stranger greeted.
"Yes?" He asked in surprise.
"My name is Soobin." The Dynamas introduced himself, bowing slightly. "I'm the First Officer aboard a Gemini Class luxury transport ship owned by Eleno Enterprises."
Namjoon gave the male a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you, Soobin. I've done a lot of research on luxury transport lines, but I'm not familiar with yours."
Soobin was momentarily flustered, stumbling over his words. "Oh um…I supposed we have a tendency to keep to ourselves. The company itself is rather small." He cleared his throat. "Anyway…If you will follow me, I have a proposition for you."
"I'm ready for anything that comes my way." Namjoon said a bit too eagerly, excited over the prospect of being recruited.
"I'm glad to hear that." Soobin smiled down at him. "My employer will be as well."
"Then there's no time to waste!" Namjoon exclaimed. "Let's go!"
Soobin led him over to the now empty recruiter area where a single Ocana sat with her hands poised over her lap. "Namjoon, it's my pleasure to introduce you to my employer, Eleno."
Eleno smiled at Namjoon, her multicolored her swaying as she leaned closer to him. "Namjoon! A pleasure. I watched your Captain's Exam. You are precisely the kind of Captain I want working for me."
"Really?" Namjoon blinked. "I was starting to worry-"
"No need to be modest." Eleno waved a turquoise hand through the air. "You are a luxury transport owner's dream. You come up with creative solutions to stay out of trouble."
Soobin nodded. "Even though he gave an order that led to the shields being destroyed."
Eleno waved her hand dismissively. "An easy fix. Besides, he managed to keep the ship itself and its passengers from harm." She smiled gently at the recruit. "You'd be surprised how many captains don't have the same knack for avoiding trouble as you do. Especially my last captain."
"Did something happen to them?"
"Never mind that." Eleno blew off Namjoon's question. "His mistake is your gain! One of my prized ships, The Black Swan, now needs a captain."
"Well I think I'd be a great fit-"
Eleno interrupted him once again. "The job is yours! You start tomorrow." Namjoon didn't even get the chance to thank her for the job before she was continuing. "Meet me at the hangar bay at dawn. The Black Swan will depart as soon as you arrive."
Namjoon bowed to her. "Thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down."
"That's what I like to hear." Eleno smiled at him.
Soobin looked up from the screen he had been hurriedly typing away on. "I just sent the paperwork over to you, Namjoon. Please look it over and have it back to us before tomorrow."
Namjoon nodded. "Is there anything else I need to do?"
"Try to wear something that makes the passengers respect you." Eleno requested. "I'd hate for our more spirited guests not to take you seriously." Eleno then turned away, the green ends of her hair flying out from her shoulders as Soobin fell into step beside her.
Namjoon stepped out onto the bustling city streets of the space station, scanning the crowd for Hoseok. "Namjoon!" ARMY beeped. "I see him! And he's looking gooooood! Like a tall glass of Starberry Julep!"
"You say that every time you see him, ARMY." Namjoon rolled his eyes lovingly at his assistant's behavior.
"And every time it's true!" ARMY spun through the air with a series of beeps.
Hoseok saw Namjoon and smiled brightly. As soon as Namjoon was next to his best friend, he recounted everything that had happened after he left. "Congratulations, Namjoon! Or should I call you Captain now?"
Namjoon snorted. "Let's stick with Namjoon for now. I can't let it go to my head too soon."
Hoseok laughed gleefully. "Don't worry, I'll always be here to keep you grounded." He fell into step beside Namjoon as they headed towards their favorite local bar.
"How'd your meeting with the Vanguard go?" Namjoon inquired.
"Good, I think." Hoseok responded. "Though I was too nervous to form a semi intelligent sentence." Hoseok glanced around the dome that enclosed the station, a nostalgic look on his face. "I know we've spent so much time dreaming of getting off the station…but I'm going to miss this place, you know?"
Namjoon nodded in agreement. "I'll miss it too. It's become like a second home to me these past few years."
"We won't get a chance to stay in one place again for a long time." Hoseok mused.
"We'll be too busy traveling the galaxy to notice." Namjoon countered, smiling down at his friend.
"I suppose you're right." Hoseok conceded with a chuckle.
Ships flew over their heads as they crossed the street, buzzing as they zoomed back and forth. "This is it, Hoseok. I'm finally going to be a captain of my own luxury transport ship." Namjoon sighed in content. "I'll get to see the universe and help others while I do it."
Hoseok hummed. "Plus, I'm sure you won't be too broken up about leaving your siblings behind."
"Are you kidding?" Namjoon scoffed. "I'm ecstatic! I don't think I can handle another day listening to them argue…and they're on a different station!" He sighed again. "My job as a mediator will finally be over!"
Hoseok laughed as he held open the door to the bar. "Don't worry. Soon it'll be smooth sailing lightyears away from their meddling."
They entered the bar and found themselves instantly lifted by the anti-gravity dance floor. "I'll grab the celebratory drinks while you go snag a seat." Namjoon announced.
"Good plan!" Hoseok agreed. "I'll get us one of the booths over there!" He pointed across the bar before heading towards his target, Namjoon making his way to the bar to order their drinks.
He landed on his feet near the counter, only to have a drink automatically set in front of him without ordering anything. "Compliments of the Apri over there." The bartender pointed to the brunette person sitting down the bar, already smiling at Namjoon.
"I'm already intrigued!" ARMY began dancing through the air as Namjoon accepted the galaxy colored iridescent beverage. "He's a knockout!"
The Apri then walked over to Namjoon with a tentative smile. "Hi there." He greeted softly, and Namjoon could now see his multicolored eyes. "I saw you come in. I hope you don't mind that I bought you a drink."
Namjoon shrugged a bit. "I never turn down free booze." He admitted with a chuckle. "Especially when I'm at a bar."
The Apri giggled with him. "Good policy. I try to make a habit of not accepting free drinks in alleyways anyway."
"What's your name?" Namjoon asked, but before he could answer, someone grabbed his arm. Namjoon turned around to find his older brother looking down at him. "Seokjin?" He glanced back towards the Apri only to find that he had disappeared before turning back to his brother. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to celebrate your new job as a Captain!" Seokjin exclaimed. "And Hoseok joining the Vanguard!"
"You already know?" Namjoon asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "Have you been spying on me? Did you sneak into my Captain's Exam?!"
Seokjin scoffed. "We're family. I'd never sneak. All I did was check up on you." Seokjin slid onto the stool next to Namjoon. "I wanted to see you in person to tell you how proud of you I am. Not everyone gets as lucky as you and lands a job as captain fresh out of their exam."
"That's called skill, not luck." Namjoon retorted, but nevertheless smiled gratefully at his brother.
"You were a little unconventional…" Namjoon braced himself for his brother's standard bragging, "When I took my exam, I flew into the battle instead of away from it. But that's why I got offered a job as a Marshall protecting the galaxy."
Namjoon rolled his eyes. "We can't all be as brave as you, Seokjin." He stood up and made his way to the booth Hoseok had grabbed them, Seokjin following him.
"Speaking of defending the galaxy!" Seokjin slid into the booth next to Hoseok. "Hoseok, do you know who your partner is going to be yet?" He slung an arm around Hoseok's shoulders, squeezing him a bit.
"No," Hoseok blushed a bit. "I haven't been assigned one yet."
"Really?" Seokjin seemed surprised. "That's very interesting…"
Namjoon felt a hand on his back, but before he could react, someone was squeezing him in a tight hug. "Namjoon!" He could recognize his younger brother's voice anywhere. "Congratulations on making Captain!"
He turned to stare at his younger brother in surprise. "Taehyung? What are you doing here?!"
Taehyung shrugged. "I hacked into the feed from your exam and saw the whole thing. It was stellar!"
"You watched my exam?!" Namjoon inwardly groaned. "Does no one in this family have boundaries?! If someone found out my brother hacked into the exam, I could've been disqualified!"
Taehyung's eyes widened. "Namjoon, I didn't mean to fuck anything up for you. I'd never do that intentionally."
Seokjin then climbed out of the booth, making Taehyung immediately straighten his posture. "You can't just hack into the Captain's Exam, Taehyung. There are protocols in place to stop that kind of behavior." He scolded.
Taehyung glared at his oldest brother, crossing his arms over his chest. "Not everyone can follow the rules as blindly as you do."
Hoseok set his cup down and moved closer to Namjoon to whisper in his ear. "I'm going to head out. I know by now that once Seokjin and Taehyung start arguing, it's time to call it a night." He moved to leave but paused. "I hate to leave you alone with them."
Namjoon shrugged. "I'm used to their bickering. Meet me by the cadet quarters in an hour."
Hoseok nodded. "I'll need you to help me calm my nerves before my first day." He risked another glance at the other Kim siblings who were still arguing. "Good luck, Namjoon."
Namjoon watched his friend leave before turning back to his siblings. "You should tell your Marshall buddies to get a life and stop throwing me in jail!" Taehyung exclaimed.
"Well maybe if you focused more on your engineering career, I wouldn't have to spend my time bailing you out!" Seokjin shot back.
"I forgot to mention what my first destination as Captain will be!" Namjoon jumped in, ready to redirect the conversation. "The ship is traveling to Matara!"
Taehyung turned to Namjoon, his ice blue eyes glimmering. "The Capital planet! How glamorous!"
Seokjin raised his eyebrows slightly. "It's a long journey to Matara…that is, if you intend on taking a safe route through space."
"The First Officer sent me the ship's itinerary already." Namjoon informed him. "We'll be traveling along the Cassiopeia route."
"The Cassiopeia route?!" Seokjin exclaimed, worry feeling his features. "That's right alongside a war zone! The only ships that travel near there are Jura and Vanguard battleships!" Seokjin's concern only deepened as he continued speaking. "You'll be in charge of a ship full of high-class passengers who paid for the best travel experience money can buy. How do you plan on keeping them happy while dodging in and out of enemy fire?"
"We'll never be in the war zone." Namjoon insisted. "It's far enough away. It'll be perfectly safe. You worry too much."
"I'm your older brother." Seokjin reminded him. "It's my job to worry."
Taehyung set down his drink and wrapped his arms around his brothers. "Enough talking. Let's dance! It's Namjoon's big night!" He dragged them out to the zero-gravity dance floor. As soon as he let go, Namjoon floated up into the air.
"It's about time we celebrated!" Namjoon called out to his siblings.
"As long as Taehyung doesn’t make us do the routine he invented when we were kids!"
Taehyung gasped. "I totally forgot about the infamous Antimatter Arc! Now we have to do it!"
Seokjin groaned while Namjoon just laughed. "You're the one who brought it up."
"You're right." Seokjin admitted with a sigh. "I have only myself to blame."
"Come on, you know you love it." Taehyung giggled. "Now line up!"
Namjoon flew in between Taehyung and Seokjin. Taehyung used the zero gravity to roll over Namjoon's back and jump into the air. Namjoon then gracefully twisted over Seokjin and leapt into the air. To finish it out, Seokjin launched himself up so the three of them were hovering in a circle, the siblings simultaneously rolling outward in perfect somersaults.
As they finished their routine, Namjoon's foot hit a large Celd in the chest, and he quickly realized it was the one from his exam. The Celd roared in anger. "I remember you! You think you can hit me as payback for calling you out at your Captain's Exam?!"
"I swear it was an accident!" Namjoon exclaimed, holding his hands up to show he meant no harm.
"You must think I'm stupid to believe that!"
Taehyung whirled over to float between Namjoon and the Celd. "You need to back off!" He glared up at him. "That's my brother you're talking to!"
"That's funny, all I see is a coward who'd flee from a fight."
Taehyung opened his mouth to snap at the Celd, but then Seokjin floated over and gently guided him away. Once he was sure Taehyung wasn't about to anger the Celd further, Seokjin addressed the Celd authoritatively. "Take it easy. I'm a Vanguard Marshall. We can all walk away peacefully."
Namjoon turned to leave only for Taehyung to call out to him. "Namjoon, watch out!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Namjoon saw the Celd's fist flying towards him. He quickly bent backward, watching as the Celd's arm swung through the air harmlessly. "Missed me." He taunted.
The Celd growled. "Let's see you be clever when there's no life support system for you to cut." Taehyung let out a battle cry and launched himself at the Celd, holding on tightly. The Celd just growled again and ripped Taehyung off, his fingernails drawing blood from him. "Pathetic gutter rat!" He flung Taehyung into a group of nearby dancers, the male screaming.
Namjoon rushed over to his brother to check on him. "Are you okay?" He untangled Taehyung from the frightened patrons while Seokjin tackled the Celd, sending him flying.
"What happened to walking away peacefully?!" The Celd tried to kick Seokjin, but he caught the Celd's leg and flung him into the glass window.
"You went after my siblings." Seokjin glared at the Celd. "Peace is going out the window." After making sure Taehyung was okay, Namjoon rushed over to help Seokjin as he wrestled with the Celd. "Namjoon, hold his wrist while I cuff him!"
Namjoon did as instructed and Seokjin quickly had the Celd in handcuffs. "Do I get a citizen's arrest badge now?"
Seokjin snorted. "Sorry, we only give those out to kids." The Celd refused to accept defeat, slamming his cuffed arms into the glass wall of the dome. "Stand down now!" Seokjin ordered him. "Backup is on the way. I suggest you don't make this any more difficult for yourself."
"I'll tear this whole place apart if it means taking you down with me!" The Celd snapped back, pounding on the glass again. A tremor rippled through the room. "Let's see how you handle a real-life situation outside of the simulation room!"
The Celd continued to pound on the dome, his intention obviously to bring the station down. The bar shook again as Namjoon searched the room from some kind of solution. "Taehyung!" He called out to his younger brother. "Disable the zero gravity controls!"
Taehyung somersaulted over to the zero-gravity control panel, furiously tapping at the buttons as the Celd continued to pound on the dome. "I need everybody else to get off the dance floor this instant!" The other dancers screamed and flew over to the booths on the far side of the bar. After a few more seconds, Namjoon, Seokjin, and the Celd dropped suddenly toward the ground. Seokjin landed directly on top of the Celd while Namjoon fell on top of Taehyung.
Seokjin shook off the fall, dragging the Celd to his feet as a group of Marshalls swarmed inside. "Get your filthy hands off me!" The Celd cried, trying to jerk out of their hold.
Namjoon pushed himself to his feet, helping Taehyung up while Seokjin glanced around the mess that was left after the brawl. "Since I've avoided being crushed, I'm going to go give the bartender a huge tip for cleaning this up."
While he did that, Namjoon and Taehyung stepped outside. "Nothing like surviving a good bar fight to make you feel alive." Taehyung chirped.
"Instead of getting in bar fights every night, you should be using your engineering talents for noble causes." Namjoon gave his younger brother a look. "I mean, you hacked into that zero-gravity system like it was nothing. Think of all the good you could do, Tae."
"I don't get into bar fights every night!" Taehyung defended himself. "Sometimes it's a street fight. Or a spirited arm wrestle."
Namjoon stared at Taehyung. "I'm not kidding around." He sighed. "Listen, it's great that you always stand up for others. I know you want to do the right thing. That's admirable, but you don't always get to decide what that is."
"I don't always think I'm right." Taehyung insisted. Namjoon just hummed as if he didn't believe him. "Okay maybe I do." He finally admitted.
"My point is," Namjoon gave his brother a meaningful look, "you should spend some time doing what's best for you and quit acting on impulse. You can't take on the whole galaxy."
Taehyung flashed his older brother a playful smile. "You say that like it's easy to quit being such a stellar galactic hero." He let the smile drop and sighed. "You're right. Something has to change. I promise, Namjoon, from here on out, I'm going to turn things around."
"I hope for your sake that's true."
They crossed to the other side of the street as Seokjin rushed up to them. "You can't leave the station without saying goodbye to your big brother!"
Namjoon rolled his eyes playfully. "I guess I don't have a choice."
Taehyung gasped. "I didn't even think about how we weren't going to see you for a while!" He pouted. "What'll we do without you?"
"Maybe you'll learn to get along." Namjoon suggested. "Now's your chance to get closer!" Seokjin and Taehyung shared a look of uncertainty as they reached the crossroads. "Well, I guess this is goodbye."
Taehyung threw his arms around Namjoon, pulling him in for a tight hug. "I'll miss you!"
"Maybe we'll see each other again sooner than you think." Seokjin offered with a soft smile.
Namjoon snorted. "No offense but I hope not. I'm ready for a fresh start."
After finishing his goodbyes, Namjoon jogged down the street to the cadet quarters where Hoseok was waiting outside for him. "I didn't think you'd ever get away from them!"
Namjoon chuckled. "Me neither." He let out a sigh of content. "So how should I celebrate my newfound freedom?"
"I was hoping you would want to come lay out on the top of the dome with me." Hoseok admitted.
"You want to stare up at the stars together one last time?" Namjoon chuckled.
Hoseok nodded sincerely. "There's nothing I'll miss more than the hours we used to spend up there together."
"Then what are we waiting for?"