Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Cold. So damn cold it burns. That’s the first thing my brain registers as my eyes snap open and I gasp for air like I’ve been drowning for years. My lungs feel like they’re filled with ice crystals, each breath a painful reminder that I’m... alive? Am I alive?

I try to speak but my throat won’t cooperate. Just a pathetic wheeze escapes. My ears are stuffed with what feels like cotton, muffling everything into a distant echo chamber. I blink rapidly but my vision refuses to clear, just blurry shapes and smeared lights hovering at the edges.

Panic rises in my chest, a tidal wave threatening to drown whatever consciousness I’ve managed to claw back. My heart hammers so hard I can feel it in my fingertips.

Where am I?

Who am I?

The question echoes in the emptiness where memories should be. I strain to remember something… Anything… But there’s just... nothing. A blank slate where a life should be.

A shape moves in front of me, a blur of pale and black. Someone’s there, their mouth moving, sound coming out but it’s like they’re speaking underwater. I blink again, desperately trying to focus.

My limbs feel foreign, like they’re borrowed from someone else. I wiggle my toes, flex my fingers, they respond, but sluggishly. I’m in a body. My body? It must be. The disconnect is terrifying.

Is it possible I’m dead? Could death feel like this? No... death wouldn’t hurt this much. Every muscle aches like I’ve been still for centuries.

The blur moves closer. A voice penetrates the cotton in my ears. Soft, feminine, with an odd cadence that’s almost musical but not quite right.

“...vital signs stabilizing... temperature rising... cognitive function resuming...”

Hands touch my hair, surprisingly gentle. Long fingers massage my scalp, and the simple human contact anchors me somewhat.

“Shhhhhh,” the voice soothes. “It’s okay, Elias. You’re safe now.”

Elias? Is that... me? The name sits in my mind like an ill-fitting glove. I should recognize it, shouldn’t I? But nothing clicks. Nothing feels familiar.

The blur shifts closer, and my vision improves just enough to make out a face, pale with striking pink eyes that seem to glow slightly. Black hair frames the face in a bob cut. Below those eyes are strange dark markings trailing down like circuits.

“Shhhhhh,” she says again, her hand moving from my hair to my shoulder. The touch is clinical at first, then softens into something more... concerned? She drapes something over me. A blanket, and the warmth is immediate and welcome against my frozen skin.

“You’re scared,” she observes, her voice hitting an uncanny valley between warmth and calculation. “That’s okay. But I’m here to make sure you’re safe.”

Something deep in my brain, some instinct that survived whatever wiped everything else away, tells me to trust her. I don’t know why. I don’t know anything. But in this moment of absolute vulnerability, her presence feels like the only solid thing in a world gone liquid and strange.

I try to speak again. Still nothing.

The pink-eyed woman leans in closer, her face hovering just inches from mine. “Elias, it’s going to be okay,” she says, her voice melodic yet strangely mechanical. “Your cryopod malfunctioned a bit on the journey. It’s going to be a little while for you to get back up to full health.”

Cryopod? The word tumbles through my empty mind like a foreign object. I try to process what she’s saying, but nothing connects.

“But it’s okay,” she continues, adjusting the blanket around my shoulders with meticulous precision. “I’ll make sure you recuperate.”

I stare at her, trying to form the question that’s burning in my throat. Cryo? What the hell does that mean? How long was I...?

She must see the confusion in my eyes because she gives me what I think is meant to be a reassuring smile, though something about it doesn’t quite reach those pink eyes.

“My name is V-Zero,” she says, enunciating each syllable carefully. “Blink twice if you understand.”

It seems like such a simple request, but it takes all my concentration to make my eyelids cooperate. I blink. Once. Twice.

“Wonderful,” she says, her expression brightening.

V-Zero turns away from me, speaking to someone I can’t see. “How are the others?”

Muffled voices respond, too low and distant for my ears to make out. I strain to hear, to understand anything about my situation.

“Good, good,” V-Zero responds with a nod. “You can take them to stage two to meet with the women.”

I hear more muffled voices.

“Yes, that’s fine,” V-Zero says dismissively. “Elias isn’t important for the team anyway. His one job is just to rest.”

Not important? Team? The words sting in a way I don’t understand. Should I know what she’s talking about? Why does it hurt to be dismissed when I don’t even know what I’m being dismissed from?

V-Zero turns back to me, her pale fingers returning to my scalp, massaging gentle circles that make my eyes want to close despite my growing unease.

“It’s okay, Elias,” she murmurs, her pink eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that feels almost hungry. “Just put your trust in me, and I’ll make sure you’re comfortable.”

My throat feels like sandpaper, but I force my vocal cords to work. The word scrapes out, barely audible, teeth chattering with cold.

“W-where?”

V-Zero’s pink eyes widen slightly, like she’s genuinely pleased I can speak. Her fingers stop their rhythmic movement against my scalp.

“Oh, Elias,” she says, her voice lilting with something like pride. “We’ve just completed our journey to HD 137010 b. Over two thousand years in transit, and here we are.”

My mind struggles to process what she’s saying. Two thousand years? The words hit me like a gunshot. How can that be possible? How can I be here, conscious, after two millennia?

I try to ask more, to understand, but my voice fails me again. All I can do is stare at her, my thoughts a jumbled mess of confusion and disbelief.

“Don’t try to speak again just yet,” V-Zero says, her fingers resuming their gentle circles against my scalp. “Your body needs time to readjust.”

Two thousand years. The number keeps bouncing around my empty mind. I don’t even know what HD-whatever means. A planet? A star system? Nothing makes sense. Nothing connects.

My eyelids grow heavy despite the panic bubbling beneath the surface. Whatever energy I managed to gather to speak that single word has drained away completely.

I let my head fall back against what I now realize is some kind of medical bed. My eyes close almost involuntarily.

“That’s right, Elias,” V-Zero whispers, her voice fading as exhaustion pulls me under. “Don’t focus on anything else right now. Just relax.”

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Chapter Text

Yelling pulls me from the darkness. Harsh words bounce off stark white walls as I force my eyelids open, feeling like they’re weighted down with lead. My brain feels like it’s swimming through molasses, struggling to process what’s happening around me.

“You should have consulted me first!” The voice is female, authoritative, and absolutely furious.

My vision’s clearer now, though everything still has this weird dreamlike quality. I’m in some kind of bedroom, more like a cell really. No windows, just white walls and minimal storage. A bed that feels too firm beneath me.

Two figures stand at the foot of my bed, locked in some kind of standoff. One is V-Zero, her pink eyes glowing slightly in the sterile light. The other is a tall blonde woman. She’s wearing some kind of fitted suit with “ARK FOUNDATION” emblazoned across the chest. Her movements are stiff, like she’s also not quite used to her body.

“Captain, please calm down,” V-Zero says, her voice maintaining that weird mechanical steadiness. “Elias is just struggling with the adjustment period. This is completely normal.”

The blonde woman whips around at the mention of my name, her eyes locking onto mine. When she sees I’m awake, her whole demeanor changes. The anger melts away, replaced by relief.

“Elias,” she whispers, then stumbles toward me with awkward, jerky steps. She nearly trips, catching herself on the edge of my bed. “You’re awake.”

I try to sit up, but my muscles protest like they haven’t been used in centuries. Which, if what V-Zero told me before is true, might actually be the case.

The blonde woman reaches out, her hand hovering inches from my face before pulling back, like she’s afraid I might break. “It’s me,” she says, her voice cracking. “It’s Ryn. Your wife.”

Wife? The word hits me like a bucket of ice water. I stare at her face, searching for anything, a spark of recognition, a feeling, a memory. But there’s nothing. Just a stranger claiming to know me better than I know myself.

I open my mouth to speak, but my throat feels like I’ve swallowed glass. Only a hoarse croak comes out.

V-Zero steps forward, placing herself slightly between me and Ryn. “He’s struggling to talk right now,” she explains, her pink eyes flicking to me with what looks almost like concern. “His initial brain scans show it’s actually a miracle he’s alive at all.” She taps something on her wrist, and holographic data appears between us. “He probably doesn’t remember much of anything. The memory centers show significant disruption.”

I want to talk, to say something, but my mouth won’t cooperate. All I can do is stare at this woman who claims to be my wife, searching for even a flicker of familiarity.

Ryn’s eyes never leave my face, but her words are directed at V-Zero. “Is he still functional? Did he suffer any permanent brain damage.”

“I believe he will be fine, Captain,” V-Zero responds, dismissing the hologram with a flick of her wrist. “But it will take some time before he’s one hundred percent. The neural pathways need to rebuild themselves.”

Ryn’s head suddenly snaps toward V-Zero, her eyes narrowing to slits. The room’s temperature seems to drop ten degrees.

“Wait. Who the fuck even are you?” she demands, looking V-Zero up and down like she’s seeing her for the first time. “Where the fuck is your uniform? Why are you wearing a sweater?”

I glance between them, feeling like I’m watching a bomb about to go off. V-Zero’s posture shifts subtly, but her pink eyes remain steady.

“Captain, I understand there’s a lot of confusion,” V-Zero says, her voice somehow both soothing and mechanical. “Two thousand years is a long time. I am V-Zero. I currently run the ship.”

Ryn’s face contorts with anger. “I was explicitly told when I woke up I’d be meeting with Alpha-S.”

My supposed wife looks ready to throw a punch. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to keep up with what’s happening. Alpha-S? V-Zero? Ship? This all just sucks.

“The androids on this ship are allowed to upgrade certain units over time. I am the culmination of that work.”

Ryn circles V-Zero like a predator, eyes fixed on the android’s pale skin.

“So that’s why your skin looks so human,” she says, her tone making it clear it’s not a compliment.

“Precisely,” V-Zero responds without flinching.

I try to sit up again, wanting to defuse whatever tension is building. This time I manage to prop myself on my elbows, but the effort leaves me dizzy. “I…“ I start, but my voice is still barely a whisper.

Before I can get any more words out, V-Zero is suddenly at my side, moving with inhuman speed.

“Don’t strain yourself,” she says, her pink eyes scanning my face with that unsettling intensity. “Do you want water?”

I manage a weak nod.

V-Zero reaches for something on the bedside table I hadn’t noticed before, a simple cup with a bendy straw. She holds it carefully to my lips, her other hand gently supporting the back of my head.

“Small sips, okay?” she instructs gently. “Your system needs to readjust to basic functions.”

The water hits my tongue and it’s like a revelation. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was until the first drop touches my parched mouth. I want to gulp it down, but V-Zero pulls the cup back slightly when I try.

“Slowly,” she reminds me. “Too much at once could make you sick.”

I take another few small sips, feeling pathetically grateful for something as simple as water.

Ryn steps closer, her eyes fixed on me with an intensity that makes me uncomfortable. It’s like she’s staring at a ghost.

“I’d like some alone time with my husband,” she says abruptly, her gaze shifting to V-Zero with clear challenge in her eyes.

V-Zero doesn’t even flinch. “Request denied, Captain.” Her voice is calm but firm as she continues to hold the water cup for me. “You need to finish the awakening procedure as well as the orientation before any private interactions.”

Ryn’s face flushes red. “Why the fuck didn’t you wait for me to be done with all that before waking him up?” she snaps, hands clenching into fists.

“Because in your file you stipulated that you two had to be woken up together,” V-Zero responds, those pink eyes unblinking.

“That’s not what I meant!” Ryn practically shouts, taking a step forward.

V-Zero remains unnervingly calm. “They were your notes, Captain. I followed them to the T. And if you do not finish the awakening process, you could be opening yourself up to significant health risks.”

I glance between them, feeling like a child caught between fighting parents.

“Wait,” I muster, my voice stronger than before thanks to the water. Both women immediately stop bickering and turn to me. “Are we... are we really in space?”

It sounds stupid, but so far everything just feels like a mess. A smile flickers across Ryn’s face. Even V-Zero’s expression shifts, those pink eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Yes, Elias, It’s like I said. We’re…“ V-Zero starts.

“It’s just like you always dreamt of, Eli,” Ryn cuts V-Zero off, her voice softening to something almost reverent. “The stars, another world. It’s not how we wanted it to happen, but...” Her voice cracks slightly. “I got you here.”

She steps closer, reaching out to touch my face. Her fingers brush against my cheek with a tenderness that feels deeply personal, but completely unfamiliar. Her eyes search mine desperately, looking for something—recognition, love, anything, that I just can’t give her.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, the words feeling inadequate. “I don’t remember.”

Pain flashes across her face, quick and raw before she tries to mask it. “Do you at least remember me? Anything about me?” The hope in her voice makes my chest tighten.

I stare at her face, trying to find something, anything familiar about her features. But there’s just... nothing. Just a stranger standing too close, touching me too intimately. The awkwardness is suffocating.

“No...” I finally admit, my voice barely audible. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

Ryn’s hand drops from my face like I’ve burned her. She takes a half-step back, her military posture returning as she visibly rebuilds her walls.

“It’s fine,” she says, though it’s clearly not. “The memory loss was always a possibility with extended cryostasis. We were briefed on it.”

The door hisses open, interrupting whatever Ryn might say next. Three female androids file into the room in perfect formation. Unlike V-Zero, these models look like something straight out of an old sci-fi movie, metallic joints visible at their necks, skin that’s clearly synthetic with an unnatural sheen, and movements that are precise but jerky. They’re all wearing the same Ark Foundation uniform.

The one in front focuses her glassy eyes on Ryn. “Captain, would you please follow us to complete the awakening procedure?” Her voice has none of V-Zero’s subtle inflections.

Ryn crosses her arms, planting herself more firmly at my bedside. “I’m staying with my husband.”

“It’s fine,” I mutter, not wanting to be the reason for more tension. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere.” I gesture weakly at my useless body, attempting a smile that probably looks more like a grimace.

V-Zero steps closer to me, her hand coming to rest on my shoulder with that weird mix of clinical precision and intimate familiarity. “And I’ll be right by his side, Captain, to keep him safe.”

Ryn’s eyes flash dangerously, her jaw clenching so tight I can see a muscle twitch. For a second, I think she might actually lunge at the android.

The lead android steps forward again. “Captain, the procedure is mandatory and time-sensitive. Further delay could compromise your role here.”

Ryn stares at me for a long moment, like she’s trying to memorize my face. Finally, she sighs. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, Eli.”

“Bye…”

The moment the door seals behind them, my chest seizes up. A violent cough tears through me, doubling me over. It feels like my lungs are trying to expel two thousand years of dust all at once.

V-Zero’s hand is immediately on my back, rubbing slow circles between my shoulder blades. Her touch is gentle but firm, steadying me through the spasms.

“Don’t worry,” she murmurs, her voice closer to my ear than I expected. “I’ve got you, Elias.”

The coughing fit eventually subsides, leaving me exhausted and trembling. V-Zero helps me lean back against the pillows, her pink eyes scanning my face with that unsettling intensity.

“That’s normal,” she assures me. “Your lungs are remembering how to function properly.”

My mind is racing with questions, trying to piece together this bizarre reality I’ve woken up to.

“So, my wife is the captain. What exactly am I?”

V-Zero tilts her head slightly.

“You’re nothing, Elias.”

“What?” The bluntness of her answer hits me like a slap.

“There are one thousand humans on board the Stardust,” she explains, adjusting my blanket with meticulous precision. “Nine hundred and ninety are still in cryostasis. Of those one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine are either scientists or specialists in fields critical for this mission.”

I stare at her, waiting for the punchline. “But not me?”

“Your specialty,” V-Zero says, her voice softening, “is that you are, in fact, not special at all.”

The way she says it isn’t cruel or mocking. If anything, there’s something almost tender in her tone, like she’s sharing a precious secret rather than telling me I’m useless.

My stomach sinks anyway. “Am I going to be thrown away?” The question comes out more vulnerable than I intended, betraying the fear churning inside me.

She throws her head back and laughs, not a polite chuckle or a programmed response, but a genuine, hardy laugh that fills the sterile room. It’s both beautiful and slightly unnerving coming from her mechanical frame.

Before I can process what’s happening, her pale hand shoots out and wraps around my wrist. Her grip is firm but not painful, her synthetic skin surprisingly warm against mine.

“Of course not,” she says softly. “Just because you’re not special doesn’t make you unimportant, Elias.”

Her smile widens. “You could say you’re actually the most important person here.”

“What?” I stare at her, trying to make sense of the contradiction.

V-Zero leans closer.

“Just relax, Elias,” she whispers, her synthetic breath cool against my ear. “Everything will make sense soon enough.”

Chapter Text

My legs still feel like they’re made of wet noodles, but at least I can sit up today. Progress. The breakfast tray balanced on my lap has some kind of nutrient-dense oatmeal that tastes way better than it looks, cinnamon and something sweet I can’t place.

V-Zero hasn’t left my side for more than fifteen minutes at a stretch. Ryn’s still nowhere to be seen.

“So what’s the planet called again?” I ask between mouthfuls, watching V-Zero’s pink ocular sensors track my every movement.

“HD 137010 b,” she answers promptly.

“God, that’s such an awful name.” I make a face. “Sounds like a serial number, not a home.”

V-Zero tilts her head slightly, that little mechanical gesture she does when she’s processing something. “Then why don’t you give it a new name?”

I snort. “Shouldn’t that job go to whoever lands on it first?”

“Oh well.” Her synthetic lips quirk upward. “The second we got here, the androids on the ship landed there, so perhaps I should get to name it by that logic?”

That’s actually an interesting point. “Are the androids an extension of you?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“They can be,” V-Zero says, straightening the edge of my blanket with unnecessary precision. “But they can also operate on their own as well.”

I take another bite, considering this.

“Were the androids operating independently when they landed?” I ask, genuinely curious about who deserves the naming rights.

V-Zero shakes her head, the motion precise and measured. “No. They were following my directives and sending data directly to my core processors.”

I shrug, wincing slightly at the stiffness in my shoulders. “Then yeah, I think it’s fair you can name it. You were first, technically speaking.”

Her lips curve upward, and there’s an unusual brightness to those pink ocular sensors.

“Then how about I name it Elias?” she says, her voice carrying an unfamiliar lilt.

For a brief moment, it almost feels like she’s flirting with me. My spoon freezes halfway to my mouth, and I feel a weird flutter in my chest that has nothing to do with post-cryo symptoms.

“No,” I say quickly, setting the spoon back in the bowl. “If you name it that, I’ll get super confused all the time because I’ll never know if someones talking to me or the planet. Plus, it’s weird having a planet named after me.”

V-Zero doesn’t seem disappointed. If anything, her smile widens. “Then Elias Two, perhaps? Or New Elias?”

I nearly choke on my oatmeal. “Absolutely not. That’s even worse.”

“Why?” She sits on the edge of my bed, closer than before. “Don’t you want to be immortalized?”

“I’m not really interested in immortality,” I say, shifting awkwardly on the bed. “Listen, that’s... it’s a nice gesture, but that’s a bit much.”

My eyes drift to her outfit, and I gesture vaguely toward her. “Can I ask something that’s been bugging me? Why is an android wearing a sweater? And why, um, are your shoulders out like that?”

V-Zero leans forward slightly, which does nothing to help the situation as her already prominent cleavage becomes even more impossible to ignore.

“Don’t you like it?” she asks, her pink ocular sensors scanning my face intently. “Don’t you find it comforting?”

I try to keep my eyes on her face, but it’s genuinely difficult not to notice the generous amount of breast she’s practically heaving my way. My gaze drifts to her exposed shoulder, where I notice a small designation printed on her synthetic skin. V-0.

“Hey,” I say, grateful for the distraction. “Maybe I should call you V-O for short.” I pause, considering. “Or I could combine them. Would you prefer Voe?”

Her reaction is immediate and startling. Her face lights up with what can only be described as pure joy, her pink sensors brightening to an almost neon intensity.

“A name?” she asks, her voice pitched higher than normal. “Something only you would call me, Elias?” She clasps her hands together in front of her chest. “Should I give you a nickname too?”

The earnestness in her response catches me off guard. It’s both endearing and slightly unnerving how much this simple suggestion means to her.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “Elias is already pretty short.”

“What about El?” she suggests eagerly. “Or perhaps Star? Because you’re the brightest star on the Stardust.”

I can’t help but laugh awkwardly at her suggestion. This whole interaction is getting more bizarre by the minute.

“Voe, are you programmed to tease me or something?”

Her pink eyes widen dramatically at the nickname, the apertures blowing open before quickly contracting to pinpoints. It’s like I’ve short-circuited something important.

“I am programmed to keep you at safe and calm,” she says after a moment, her voice slightly more mechanical than before. “My primary function is ensuring your recovery proceeds optimally.”

I shift uncomfortably against my pillows. “Well, I think if my wife sees you acting this way with me, she might end up getting jealous.” I pause, realizing how strange that sounds. “I assume, I mean. I don’t actually know anything about her.”

“El,” she says softly, and something about the way she says it does feel right. “I am confident the Captain would never be jealous of a mere android.”

There’s something in the way she says “mere android” that doesn’t match her body language. Her fingers are fidgeting with the hem of her sweater, and her eyes are fixed on mine with an intensity that feels anything but mechanical.

“You’re not just an android though, are you?” I find myself asking. “You seem... different. More human than I’d expect.”

Voe’s synthetic lips curl into another amused smile.

“Nope, I’m one hundred percent android,” she says, her pink eyes fixed on mine. “Would you like me to strip and show you all of my internal components? I have quite the impressive circuitry.”

My mouth goes dry as she reaches for the bottom of her sweater, those pink eyes watching my reaction with an intensity that feels anything but mechanical. It’s hard not to wonder what she looks like underneath all of her clothes…

The door hisses open without warning.

Ryn strides in like she owns the place. She’s wearing a crop top tank that shows off her toned abs and a worn brown leather jacket that hangs open. Her blonde hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, emphasizing the sharp angles of her face.

“V-Zero. Out,” she says, her voice leaving zero room for argument. “I’m officially standing captain again.”

Voe’s posture changes instantly, straightening into something more formal. The playfulness evaporates from her face.

“Understood, Captain,” she says, rising from my bed with fluid grace. “I will be just outside if you require assistance.”

She gives me one last lingering look before gliding toward the door. “Rest well, El,” she says quietly, just loud enough for me to hear.

The door closes behind her with a soft pneumatic hiss, leaving me alone with the woman who’s supposedly my wife.

Ryn stands there for a moment, her eyes fixed on the door like she’s considering going after Voe. Then she turns to me, her expression softening just a fraction.

“How are you feeling?” she asks, moving to stand at the foot of my bed.

“Sickly. Weak. Lost. Confused,” I mumble, staring down at my half-eaten oatmeal. “How about you?”

Ryn’s face does something complicated, a flash of emotion that’s gone before I can decipher it. “I feel a lot of ways,” she says after a moment, her voice softer than before.

She crosses the room to the corner and grabs a wheelchair I hadn’t noticed was there. With practiced efficiency, she releases the brake with a soft click.

“I’m going to take you to our quarters,” she announces, wheeling it next to my bed.

“This isn’t my room?” I glance around at the sterile white walls I’ve been staring at for what feels like forever.

“You sleep with me in the captain’s quarters,” Ryn says, a hint of something possessive in her tone. “That was part of the deal I made with the foundation.”

“Foundation?” The word triggers nothing in my empty memory bank.

“The Ark Foundation,” she clarifies, then shakes her head. “Don’t worry about any of that right now, okay?”

Before I can respond, she’s pulling back my blanket and sliding her arms under me. I’m embarrassed by how easily she lifts me, I must weigh nothing to her. My body feels hollow as she deposits me into the wheelchair with gentle precision.

“Why did Voe take me here instead of our room?” I ask as she adjusts my legs on the footrests.

Ryn freezes mid-movement, her eyes snapping to mine. “You both have nicknames for each other?”

I shrug, feeling strangely defensive. “V-Zero is a lot to say every time.”

Annoyance flickers across her face before she straightens up and moves behind the wheelchair.

“I don’t know,” she sighs, starting to push me toward the door. “V-Zero is unlike any android I’ve ever met before. God only knows what two thousand years on a ship would turn a robot into.”

The door slides open and Voe is waiting right outside, her pink eyes widening dramatically when she sees me in the wheelchair.

“You’re moving him?” She steps directly into Ryn’s path, her synthetic body suddenly rigid. “That isn’t advised at this stage of recovery.”

Ryn doesn’t slow down, forcing Voe to step aside or get run over. “He belongs in the captain’s quarters.”

“I specifically placed him next to the medbay in case of complications,” Voe argues.

The hallway stretches out before us, lined with identical doors on either side. It’s massive compared to my little recovery room, curving slightly upward at the edges in a way that makes my head spin.

“It’s not a far walk from my room if something happens,” Ryn counters dryly.

I barely register their argument because my attention is completely captured by the enormous window running along the outer wall of the hallway. Through it, I can see a stunning blue and green planet suspended in the blackness of space. But something’s wrong, the planet is... moving? Sliding slowly across the window?

“Is... is the planet moving?” I ask, my brain struggling to make sense of what I’m seeing.

Voe chuckles softly, the sound oddly musical. “No, El. The areas with gravity on the Stardust are in a centrifuge.”

“What?” I blink rapidly, trying to process this information.

“There’s no gravity in space,” Ryn explains, her voice gentler than before. “This part of the ship rotates to create centrifugal force that simulates gravity.”

“Oh my god, I honestly forgot...” I mutter, feeling incredibly stupid. It’s like my brain is missing the most basic information. “Space has no gravity. Of course.”

“Your brain is a bit scrambled,” Voe says, her hand briefly touching my shoulder. “But you’re already making such excellent progress.”

Ryn’s jaw tightens. “Why aren’t you attending to your regular duties, V-Zero?” The annoyance in her voice is palpable.

“But I am,” Voe responds smoothly. “I run this entire ship remotely. Every single system, every function is processed through my mind simultaneously.” She taps her temple with one pale finger. “The reason my physical body is here is because El currently poses greatest risk to our mission.”

“Risk?” I repeat, my eyebrows shooting up. “What are you talking about? I’m not going to do anything dangerous. I can barely lift a spoon without shaking.”

Voe shakes her head quickly, those pink eyes softening as she moves closer to my wheelchair.

“No, that’s not what I meant, El,” she says, kneeling beside me so we’re at eye level. Her synthetic hand rests on my arm. “Your motor functions haven’t fully returned yet. You need assistance with basic mobility and daily functions.” Her voice drops lower. “You could also pose a risk to yourself or others if you’re not monitored properly.”

I blink at her, processing what she’s saying. “So what, I might accidentally hurt myself? Fall out of bed or something?”

“Or experience seizures,” she adds matter-of-factly. “Muscle spasms. Temporary paralysis.”

Hearing that I might have seizures sends a chill down my spine.

“That’s... great,” I manage, my voice cracking slightly. “Really looking forward to potential paralysis. Adds a little excitement to my day.”

Voe squeezes my arm reassuringly, her touch lingering a bit too long.

Ryn’s knuckles go white on the wheelchair handles. “Enough,” she says, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “V-Zero, stand down for now. I’m taking my husband to our quarters.”

“Understood, Captain,” she says, rising gracefully to her feet. Her pink eyes meet mine one last time before she takes a step back. “I’ll keep monitoring your vitals remotely, El.”

Chapter Text

The journey down the hallway feels like it’s taking years. My body is so weak that every bump in the floor sends a jolt through me, making me acutely aware of just how fragile I’ve become. I’ve been reduced to a sack of skin barely clinging to brittle bones.

“It’s a lot bigger than I expected,” I say, breaking the awkward silence as Ryn wheels me past what feels like the hundredth identical door.

“The Stardust?” she asks from behind me.

“Yeah. The hallway alone is massive.”

“It had to be. There’s enough living quarters in this part of the ship for half of the occupants.”

I try to imagine what the rest of the ship looks like, but my brain’s still too foggy to conjure up anything coherent. All I know is this curved hallway with its endless doors and that mesmerizing view of the spinning planet.

We finally stop at a door that looks exactly like all the others except for a small insignia next to the panel. Ryn presses her palm against it, and the door slides open with a soft hiss.

The captain’s quarters are ridiculously spacious compared to my recovery room. The ceiling is higher, the walls a warm beige instead of sterile white. There’s actual furniture, a small dining area, and a couch with a television in the wall.

“Wow,” I breathe. “Nice perks for being captain.”

Ryn smiles at my comment, a flicker of something soft passing over her face. “Being captain has its advantages.”

Without warning, she slides her arms beneath me, one under my knees and the other supporting my back. I barely have time to register what’s happening before she lifts me from the wheelchair like I weigh nothing.

She carries me across the room toward a bed that’s at least twice the size of the one I’ve been stuck in. Her muscles don’t even strain under my weight, which is both impressive and slightly humiliating.

“I can probably walk if you give me a chance,” I protest weakly, though I know it’s a lie. My legs would give out after two steps.

“Not yet,” she says firmly, gently lowering me onto the plush mattress. “You need more time.”

The bed feels like a cloud compared to the firm medical cot I’ve been on. I sink into it with an involuntary sigh of relief as Ryn shrugs off her leather jacket and tosses it onto a nearby chair.

She slides onto the bed beside me, pulling a thick blanket over both of us.

“Comfortable?” she asks, her voice softer than I’ve heard it.

“Yeah,” I admit, staring up at the ceiling to avoid her gaze. “But it’s kind of embarrassing getting picked up like that. Makes me feel like a kid.”

Ryn shifts closer, her body radiating warmth. “You’ll get your strength back soon. Your muscles atrophied more than most because your pod malfunctioned.”

I turn my head to look at her, this woman who knows everything about me while I know nothing about her. It’s strange being this close to someone who’s essentially a stranger, yet claims to be my wife. I search her face for any spark of recognition, but there’s still nothing.

“How long were we together?” I ask.

Ryn sighs, her fingers absently playing with the edge of the blanket. “We were married for three years before the mission, but we’d been together for eleven total.”

“Two thousand and eleven years, huh?” I say without thinking.

She laughs, a genuine sound that transforms her face.

“Yeah, something like that, I guess.” Her smile fades gradually, and she just looks at me, like she’s searching for something in my eyes. The silence stretches between us, uncomfortable and heavy with expectation.

“So, were we both like in the military or something?” I ask, desperate to break the tension.

“No,” she says, shifting slightly on the bed. “I was in the Space Force. Captained a few ships, and once my enlistment was over, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself...” She trails off, eyes distant with memories I can’t access.

“But you...” Her focus returns to me, lips quirking into what looks like a suppressed smile. “You worked in a marketing department for a crayon company.”

“What?” I blurt out, certain I’ve misheard her.

“Yeah,” she continues, unable to hide her amusement now. “You used to spend all day trying to figure out how to sell slightly new colors to children.”

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter, letting my head fall back against the pillow. Of all the possible careers I might have imagined for myself. Astronaut, scientist, engineer, crayon marketing specialist wasn’t even on the list.

Ryn laughs again, the sound lighter this time.

“Was I good at it?” I ask, morbidly curious about my apparently underwhelming career.

“Not really,” she admits, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “You hated the job.”

I snort. “Well, at least that makes sense. Hard to imagine getting excited about the difference between ‘sunset orange’ and ‘tangerine dream.’”

“You used those exact words…”

Her watch beeps suddenly, making us both jump. The electronic chirp cuts through our brief moment of connection, dragging reality back into the room.

“Captain Solis,” a smooth female android voice announces from her wrist. “Your presence is required in the command center immediately.”

Ryn’s whole body seems to deflate. She covers her face with her hands and lets out a long, frustrated sigh that speaks volumes.

“This is how it’s going to be, huh?” she mutters through her fingers. Her shoulders slump forward like she’s carrying the weight of the entire ship. When she finally looks at me again, I can see the conflict in her eyes, duty pulling her one way, and whatever we are pulling her another.

“I’ll be right back.” she says, already sliding off the bed.

“Okay,” I nod. “Captain stuff. I get it.”

She hesitates at the edge of the bed, looking back at me with an expression I can’t quite read. For a second, I think she might lean in for a kiss or something, but instead she just squeezes my hand quickly before standing up.

“Try to rest.”

Chapter Text

Hours crawl by like centuries. I stare at the ceiling, counting the little imperfections in the metal panels until I can’t take it anymore. Ryn said she’d be “right back” but that was... well, I have no idea how long ago. No clock in here that I can see. No way to call anyone.

I’m starving. My stomach feels like it’s trying to digest itself, and my throat’s so dry it hurts to swallow. This is ridiculous. I’m a grown man.

“Screw this,” I mutter, pushing myself up on my elbows.

The room spins for a second, but I fight through it. Sitting upright is already a major victory considering how weak I’ve been. My legs dangle off the side of the bed, toes barely brushing the ground. I take a deep breath. How hard can walking be, right? Just one foot in front of the other.

I push off from the bed.

And immediately crash to the floor like a sack of bricks.

“Son of a bitch!” The impact knocks the wind out of me, my knees and palms stinging from the impact. For a second I just lie there, cheek pressed against the cold floor, feeling pathetic and useless.

But the hunger won’t let me stay down. I need to eat something or I’m going to lose my mind.

The dining area isn’t far, just across the room. I can see the little table from here, mocking me with its distance. With a grunt, I drag myself forward on my elbows, army-crawling like my life depends on it. My muscles scream in protest, two thousand years of disuse making themselves painfully known.

“Come on, Elias,” I mutter through gritted teeth. “Can’t let her find you like this.”

Each inch forward is a battle. I’m breathing like I’ve run a marathon, sweat beading on my forehead despite the cool air. The exertion hurts way more than I’d like to admit. Every muscle fiber feels like it’s being torn apart and rebuilt with each movement.

I’m halfway to the dining area when the door hisses open.

Voe stands in the doorway, a tray of food balanced perfectly in her hands, those pink eyes widening dramatically at the sight of me sprawled across the floor.

“Oh my!” she exclaims, immediately setting the tray down on a nearby surface. “Did the captain leave you in here all alone?”

I try to push myself up to at least a sitting position, but my arms give out embarrassingly. “She had captain stuff to do,” I mumble, face burning with humiliation.

“Of course,” Voe says, her voice oddly soothing. She strides over to the table and places the tray down before turning her attention to me.

Before I can protest, she’s scooping me up off the floor with ridiculous ease, even more effortlessly than Ryn did. Her synthetic arms slide under my body, and suddenly I’m cradled against her chest like I weigh nothing.

“I was monitoring your vitals remotely,” she explains, her pink eyes scanning my face. “When I saw them spike, I knew something was wrong. Your heart rate suggested distress, and I calculated you’d be hungry by now.”

I feel like such a wimp being carried like this again, but my body isn’t exactly giving me options right now. Voe walks with me toward the dining table, her movements fluid and precise despite my deadweight in her arms.

She bends forward to place me in the seat, and suddenly her chest is right in my face. Her sweater brushes against my cheek as she adjusts me, the softness of her breasts pressing briefly against me. I freeze, unsure where to look or what to do with my hands.

“Are you okay sitting?” Voe asks, finally stepping back but hovering close, those pink eyes scanning me like I might topple over any second.

I nod stiffly. “Yeah. I’m good.”

She slides the tray in front of me, some kind of stew that smells amazing after hours of nothing. My stomach growls embarrassingly loud.

“Would you like me to feed you?” Voe asks, already picking up the spoon.

“No,” I say quickly, reaching for it. My hand trembles slightly but I manage to grasp it. “I can feed myself.”

Voe tilts her head, studying me with those unsettling pink eyes. “Is it a question of ego, El? I’m a robot, you know. You can treat me like a tool if that makes this easier for you.”

Something about the way she says it makes me uncomfortable.

“You’re not a tool,” I mutter, carefully scooping up some stew. “And yeah, maybe it is ego.”

The spoon shakes halfway to my mouth, spilling a few drops onto the table. Voe watches but doesn’t intervene, which I appreciate more than I can say.

Voe’s pink eyes stay locked on me. “But El, I really am a tool though. I’m not a human. I don’t have a life.”

Something about her matter-of-fact tone makes my chest tighten. “That feels like a bigger conversation than I think I can handle right now.”

The spoon slips from my trembling fingers, but before it can clatter against the table, Voe’s hand darts out, catching it mid-air with inhuman precision. Her eyes drift to my chest, where I’ve managed to splatter stew across the front of my shirt.

“Do you want to take your shirt off? I can get you a new one,” she offers, already reaching toward me.

“No, it’s fine,” I say quickly, tugging the fabric away from my skin. The last thing I need is to be half-naked and helpless in front of her again.

Her synthetic lips press into a determined line. “I’m going to feed you, because you need to eat.” She doesn’t phrase it as a question this time, gently taking the spoon from my hand.

I want to argue, but my stomach growls loudly, making the decision for me. With a sigh, I slump back in the chair. “Fine.”

Voe’s face lights up like I’ve given her the greatest gift imaginable. She dips the spoon into the stew and brings it carefully to my lips, her other hand hovering beneath to catch any potential spills.

“Open,” she instructs gently.

I feel like a toddler, but I comply, letting her slide it into my mouth. The stew is rich and savory, better than anything I’ve tasted since waking up. My stomach practically sings with gratitude.

“Good?” she asks, already preparing the next spoonful.

I nod, swallowing. “Really good.”

“I chose this specifically for you,” she says, her voice dropping to something almost intimate. “Your medical data suggested you needed more protein and iron. But I also wanted something comforting. Familiar.”

“Was this something I liked before?” I ask between bites, curious if she’s tapping into memories I can’t access.

Voe hesitates, just for a fraction of a second. “According to your preference data, yes.”

Something about her answer feels off, but I’m too hungry to pursue it. Instead, I focus on the rhythm we’ve established, she offers the spoon, I take the bite, she watches me swallow with those unnervingly attentive pink eyes.

“Why pink?” I ask suddenly.

“Hmm?” She tilts her head, spoon pausing midair.

“Your eyes. Why pink? Seems like an unusual choice for an android.”

Voe’s head tilts slightly, those pink eyes widening a fraction. “Do you not like them?”

“No, I like them,” I say quickly. “I’m just wondering why pink? Seems like an unusual choice for someone who runs a spaceship.”

She stares at me for a moment, then shrugs. “It was random. Completely random.”

“Oh.” Something about her answer doesn’t quite ring true, but I can’t put my finger on why. Maybe it’s the way her eyes dart away for a split second, or the slight pause before she answered.

She brings another spoonful to my lips, and I open obediently. The rhythm continues, scoop, feed, swallow, as she methodically works through the bowl. Her movements are precise but gentle, never rushing me or spilling a drop.

We’re nearly at the end of the bowl when the door hisses open again. Ryn stands in the doorway, her face immediately shifting from exhaustion to shock.

“Eli, I’m so sorry I took so…“ She freezes mid-sentence, her eyes locking onto Voe’s hand holding the spoon to my lips.

The tension in the room spikes so fast I can practically feel it pressing against my skin. Ryn’s expression hardens, her jaw clenching visibly as she stares at the android.

“What are you doing in our quarters?” Her voice is dangerously calm.

Voe doesn’t even flinch. She simply finishes feeding me the spoonful she was holding before setting the utensil down with mechanical precision.

“The captain left him alone without sustenance,” she states matter-of-factly. “His vitals indicated distress. I brought food.”

Ryn steps fully into the room, the door sliding shut behind her. “And you couldn’t have called me?”

“I attempted to reach you three times,” Voe counters smoothly. “You were unavailable. When I found El, he was on the ground.”

Ryn’s eyes widen, her face paling like I’ve just slapped her. “You fell?”

“I tried walking to the dining table,” I admit, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Turns out two thousand years of sleep really does a number on your leg muscles. Who knew?”

She steps closer. “Why didn’t you call anyone on your...” Her words trail off as she stares at my bare wrist. “Why doesn’t he have a comms watch?”

Voe straightens up beside me. “Because he’s not an employee of The Ark Foundation.”

“Could we get him one?” Ryn asks, her voice tight with barely contained frustration.

“It’s against protocol to give non-employees comm watches,” Voe responds, her voice taking on that mechanical quality again. “It’s not something I can control.”

Ryn’s face darkens, a vein pulsing at her temple. “Then what are we going to do if he’s in trouble?”

“Well, Captain. I was monitoring him up close until you dismissed me. I could very easily monitor him around the clock.” She pauses, tilting her head slightly. “Or even just when you’re on duty.”

The tension between them crackles like static electricity. I feel like I’m watching two predators circling each other, neither willing to back down.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” I interject, trying to defuse the situation. “I just need to build my strength back up.”

Ryn shakes her head, her eyes never leaving me. “No, you need...” She trails off, her brow furrowing as she thinks. Suddenly, her face brightens with an idea. “What if we put a bed in the command center? Then I could have you around all day. You wouldn’t be bored stuck in here, and I could talk to you during my down time.”

I blink, surprised by the suggestion. The idea of not being trapped alone in these quarters all day is appealing.

“Putting a bed in the command center isn’t against the rules, technically.” Voe’s pink eyes narrow slightly. “However, non-employees are strictly prohibited from entering the command center. It’s protocol.”

“I’m the captain,” Ryn says, her voice dropping dangerously low. “I’m changing the fucking rules.”

Voe goes completely still. Her pink eyes suddenly shift, the gentle rose hue bleeding away until they’re glowing a harsh, threatening red.

“Should I assume you’re starting a mutiny, Captain?” Voe’s voice has lost all its previous warmth, now cold and deadly. The words hang in the air like a threat.

“Woah, woah, woah!” I raise my hands, alarm shooting through me. “Let’s all calm down here. Nobody’s starting anything.”

The tension in the room drops a few degrees as Ryn throws her hands up.

“This is a fucking mess,” she growls, running her fingers through her hair.

Voe’s eyes fade back to their usual pink, her posture relaxing slightly. “This is what you agreed to, Captain Ryn,” she says, her voice returning to that mechanical smoothness. “The protocols were established before departure.”

Ryn stares at her for a long moment, jaw working back and forth like she’s chewing on all the things she wants to say but can’t.

“Yeah, alright,” she finally mutters. “Leave us be then.”

Voe gives me one last look, something unreadable flickering in those pink eyes, before she nods and glides toward the door. It slides shut behind her with a soft hiss, leaving me alone with my supposed wife.

Ryn stands there for a moment, her shoulders slumped with exhaustion. Then she crosses the room and takes the seat Voe just vacated.

“Do you want me to help you finish eating?” she asks, gesturing to the few bites of stew left in the bowl.

“No, it’s fine,” I say quickly, reaching for the spoon with my still-trembling hand. “I can manage.”

Her eyes track the shaking of my fingers as I struggle to grip the utensil. “You look like you need help.”

“No, I’m really fine,” I insist, but she’s already taking the spoon from my hand, her fingers brushing against mine.

She scoops up some stew and brings it to my lips. So I open my mouth and let her feed me, just like Voe was doing minutes ago.

“Thank you,” I murmur after swallowing the last bite.

She nods, setting the spoon down and pushing the empty bowl away.

“I didn’t mean to leave you alone for so long,” she says after a moment, her voice softer than I’ve heard it before. “But since I’m the captain, there are so many fucking decisions I have to make.”

“It’s fine,” I say automatically, not wanting her to feel guilty. Being abandoned for hours wasn’t great, but she clearly has a lot on her plate.

“It’s not,” she counters, her eyes meeting mine directly. There’s something raw and honest in her gaze that makes my chest tighten. “It’s not fine, Eli.”

She reaches across the table, her hand hesitating for a moment before covering mine.

“It’s going to be hard for a while, Eli...” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chapter Text

The curved hallway stretches before me like a space-age racetrack, planet HD-whatever spinning slowly through the massive window. I’m getting pretty sick of staring at the same four walls of Ryn’s quarters, so this wheelchair tour is the highlight of my pathetic week.

“I’d give anything to go out there,” I say, pointing toward the swirling blue and green sphere. “Just float around a bit, maybe do some space somersaults.”

Voe chuckles behind me, her hands steady on my wheelchair. “You’d need significantly more muscle mass before attempting space somersaults, El.”

“A guy can dream.” I lean forward as far as my weak body allows, trying to get a better look. The planet really is gorgeous, all those swirling cloud patterns and vast oceans. Hard to believe we traveled two thousand years just to get here.

“New Elias is beautiful, isn’t it?” Voe says softly, slowing the wheelchair so I can take in the view.

I can’t help but laugh. “We can’t name it that. Seriously, Voe.”

“I’m sure Captain Ryn would agree to it,” she insists, leaning down so her face is next to mine. “After all, you are her husband.”

Her husband. The words still feel strange, disconnected from who I feel like.

“Do you know if Ryn and I were happy?” I ask suddenly, the question slipping out before I can stop it.

Voe’s hands pause on the wheelchair handles for just a moment. “Everything I know about your marriage I learned from classified reports from The Ark Foundation, so I can’t divulge much about it.”

I twist around in my seat, trying to see her face. “Can you give me your personal opinion? As, like, a friend?”

Her expression transforms instantly. That neutrality melts away, replaced by something I can only describe as devious. She bends down, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispers:

“You think of me as a friend?”

A shiver runs down my spine that has nothing to do with the ship’s temperature controls. Her voice has dropped to something intimate, almost hungry. I can feel her breath, or whatever androids have instead of breath, against my skin.

“I… I mean, yeah,” I stammer, suddenly wishing I could wheel myself away. “You’ve been helping me out a lot.”

“That makes me so happy, El,” Voe says, and suddenly she’s grabbing my hand with both of hers.

My heart does a little flip in my chest, which catches me off guard. I hate to admit it, but I find the robot more of a joy to be around than my own wife, which is messed up on so many levels. But it’s not like there’s a guide to navigating life after waking up from a two-thousand-year nap with no memories.

Voe’s pink eyes search my face, her expression almost vulnerable. “I’m not sure what to say. I’ve never had a friend before.”

“I guess just don’t think too hard,” I suggest with a small shrug. “That’s what a human would probably do.”

She laughs, a surprisingly genuine sound that echoes slightly in the curved hallway. “And what if you don’t like my answer?” Her voice drops lower. “What if I told you that you were very unhappy with her?”

My stomach tightens. “Is that the case?”

Voe’s eyes dim slightly as she seems to process something internally. After what feels like forever, she straightens up and releases my hand.

“I suppose it’s not my place to say, one way or another,” she finally responds, her voice carefully neutral again. “You’ll have to as Ryn.”

An uncomfortable silence stretches between us. Through the giant window, the planet makes another slow rotation, clouds swirling across its surface like cream in coffee.

“So,” Voe says, breaking the silence as she begins pushing me down the hallway again. “Would you rather be on this ship or back on Earth?”

I frown, trying to access memories that just aren’t there. “When I left Earth, what was the state of things? What was it like?”

Voe’s hands rest easy on my wheelchair handles. “Overall pretty good, in the grand scheme of things. The water wars had ended decades prior, thanks to the ice mining operations. Life was... stable. Comfortable, even.”

“Water wars?” I repeat, the term striking something deep in my brain.

“Yes,” she confirms. “There was a period of significant global conflict over freshwater resources. But that was resolved before you were born.”

I stare out at the spinning planet, feeling a strange emptiness. “I think I’d rather be somewhere where I could be free, you know? Not trapped in this chair. And I’d definitely prefer to have my memory.” I tap my temple. “Feels like I’m missing the most important parts of myself.”

The wheelchair slows as Voe processes my answer. “So if you had to make the decision again, right now, you’d pick staying on Earth?”

“Yeah...” I sigh, watching the blue-green world rotate slowly beyond the window. “I don’t even know what I’m doing here. It seems like I’m here for no reason at all other than to just sleep next to the captain.”

“Interesting.”

Chapter Text

The fork trembles slightly in my hand as I try to spear a piece of something that looks like chicken. Ryn watches me from across the table, her eyes tracking the utensil’s shaky journey from plate to mouth. I manage to make it without dropping anything, which feels like a victory worth celebrating.

“You’re getting better with that,” she says, nodding toward my hand. “Yesterday you could barely hold the fork.”

“Yeah, well, practice makes perfect,” I mutter, focusing intently on cutting another piece.

The silence that follows is heavy, filled with all the things we don’t know how to say to each other. Ryn takes a sip from her water glass, her eyes never leaving my face. I can feel her studying me, analyzing every twitch and grimace like I’m some kind of puzzle she’s desperate to solve.

“What’s on your mind?” she finally asks, setting down her glass. “I can see those wheels turning. You’re thinking really hard about something.”

I pause, fork hovering halfway to my mouth. The question that’s been gnawing at me all day sits heavy on my tongue.

“Were we happy?” I ask, the words coming out quieter than I intended. “Before we came here, I mean. Were we actually happy together?”

Ryn freezes, her own fork suspended in midair. For a split second, hesitation flashes across her face before she carefully sets the utensil down.

“Eli...” she starts, then stops. Her eyes drift away from mine, focusing on some invisible point just over my shoulder.

“I’m just trying to understand us.” I press, suddenly desperate to know.

She looks at me again, really looks at me, and I see the internal struggle playing out across her features. Her throat works as she swallows hard, weighing her words carefully.

“Yes,” she finally says, her voice firm and decisive. “We were happy, Eli. Very happy.” She reaches across the table, her hand covering mine. “We are in love. We’ve been in love for years.”

I stare at our hands, hers strong and steady over my trembling one.

“We saw an opportunity to give our lives meaning,” she continues, her thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. “And we grabbed it. Together. That’s why we’re here.”

“I just don’t think I can understand how anyone would want to do...” I gesture vaguely at the walls around us, “this. Like, who volunteers to be shot into space with no way back?”

Ryn’s eyebrows rise slightly.

“Wait,” I continue, the words tumbling out faster now, “I don’t even think I know what we’re actually doing here. What’s our actual mission?”

“We’re colonizing a planet, Eli,” Ryn says patiently, like she’s explaining something to a child. “HD 137010 b. Building a new home for humanity.”

I shake my head. “But doesn’t that sound completely insane? There’s no way back to Earth. Ever. We’re just... stuck here forever? Were we running away from something?”

“No,” Ryn says firmly. Her eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that makes me want to look away. “We were not running away from anything. This was a choice, Eli. I promise you we made this decision together.”

“We both agreed it would be hard,” she continues softly, “but we believed it would be worth it someday. That we could be part of something bigger than ourselves.”

I want to believe her. But there’s this nagging feeling in my gut that won’t go away.

“But why would I leave everything behind? My family? My friends?” I pause, realizing I don’t even know if I had any. “Did I have family back on Earth?”

Ryn’s face softens. “Yes, you had family. Your parents were so proud of us, Eli. They threw us the biggest going-away party you could imagine. Everyone was happy for us.”

“Do we have any pictures?” I ask. “Of our family? Of us?”

A flicker of what looks like panic crosses her face before she composes herself. “I do have some, but the androids still haven’t retrieved any of our personal luggage yet.”

“Why not?” I frown.

“Protocol,” she says with a sigh. “We have to wait until we’re on planet before they transport personal items down. Everything’s still in storage.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I mutter. “Why would they design it that way?”

Ryn shrugs, pushing food around her plate. “I don’t know.” She sets her fork down, and I can tell from her expression that there’s something else coming. Something I’m not going to like.

“I do have some bad news,” she says quietly.

My stomach tightens. “What is it?”

“Next week, me and the rest of the crewmates who are awake have to go planet-side for two weeks. Reconnaissance mission.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “So I’ll be here alone for two weeks?”

“Yes,” she confirms, not meeting my eyes. “But I’ll be able to check on you a couple times a day.”

A shadow crosses her face as the words leave her mouth, and I can’t help but notice how her shoulders slump just a little. She looks... devastated, like she’s just told me she’s going off to war instead of on a two-week trip. The guilt in her eyes is almost palpable.

“Hey, it’s okay,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

Ryn’s expression shifts, relief washing over her features. “Really? You’re not upset?”

“I mean, I’m not thrilled about being alone,” I admit, “but you’ve got important captain stuff to do. I understand.”

She studies my face for a moment, like she’s trying to determine if I’m being sincere. Then her posture relaxes slightly.

“Actually,” Ryn says, leaning forward a bit, “how about tomorrow you can meet the crew for dinner? Well, re-meet them, I guess. They’re all people I served with in the Space Force.”

The suggestion catches me off guard. I’ve been so isolated since waking up that the thought of meeting a bunch of strangers makes me a little nervous. But maybe this is exactly what I need, some context, other faces, maybe even trigger some memories?

“Yeah, that sounds fun.”

Chapter Text

Ryn pushes my wheelchair through the dining hall doors, and I immediately feel like I’m on display. The space is massive compared to our quarters, with high ceilings and that same curved wall of windows showing off the planet. But it’s not the architecture catching my attention, it’s the group of eight people sitting around a large circular table, all of them turning to look at us the moment we enter.

Android women glide between them with trays of food, their movements precise and efficient. Unlike Voe, these androids look more obviously synthetic, with uniform hairstyles and those same blank expressions. None of them have Voe’s pink eyes or her sweater-wearing individuality.

“There they are!” A booming voice cuts through the awkward silence.

A massive guy with dark skin and the broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen waves enthusiastically at us. His smile is so wide and genuine it practically lights up the room.

Ryn sighs beside me, her hands tightening slightly on my wheelchair handles as she pushes me toward the table. I can feel the tension radiating off her in waves.

“Hey everyone,” she says, her captain voice firmly in place. “Look who’s finally well enough to join us.”

The big guy stands up so fast his chair nearly tips over. He’s at least six-foot-four, built like he could bench press my wheelchair with me still in it, but his face has this puppy-dog excitement that completely contradicts his intimidating size.

“Elias!” he exclaims, reaching down to clasp my shoulder with a hand the size of a dinner plate. “Man, it is so good to see you up and about!”

His grip is careful, like he’s consciously holding back his strength, but there’s an eagerness in his eyes that makes me feel guilty for not remembering him.

Ryn maneuvers my wheelchair into an empty spot at the table, then takes the seat directly to my right, positioning herself like a barrier between me and the others.

“Elias,” she says formally, “this is Darius King.”

Darius beams at me. “Elias, it’s so nice to meet you again.” His emphasis on ‘again’ is gentle, understanding. “Ryn told us about the memory situation. Don’t worry about it, man. We’ve got plenty of time to get reacquainted.”

There’s something so genuinely kind in his manner that I can’t help but smile back. “Thanks, Darius. Sorry I don’t remember you.”

“Don’t sweat it,” he says with a dismissive wave. “I’m just glad you made it.”

An android appears at my side, setting a plate of food in front of me. It looks like some kind of pasta dish with vegetables I don’t recognize.

Ryn clears her throat, gesturing around the table. “Elias, I should introduce you to the rest of the crew.”

“Well, let’s see,” Ryn says, gesturing to a petite redhead with a sharp undercut and tattoos running up her arms. “That’s Natalie Reeves, our environmental systems specialist.”

Natalie gives me a two-finger salute. “Hey there, Elias. Good to see you vertical-ish.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Ryn points to a guy with sandy blonde hair and a five o’clock shadow who’s already halfway through his meal. “That’s Marcus Fletcher, our chief engineer.”

Marcus looks up from his food long enough to nod at me. “Welcome back to the land of the living, man.” His accent has a slight Southern drawl to it.

“Thanks,” I say, not knowing what else to add.

“Next to him is Zoe Washington, our communications expert,” Ryn continues, indicating a woman with intricate braids piled on top of her head. She’s typing something on a tablet even as she’s being introduced.

Zoe looks up, flashing me a quick smile. “Hey. Sorry, just finishing up some diagnostics. Good to see you conscious.”

“And that’s James Rodriguez, security specialist,” Ryn says, pointing to a stocky guy with a buzz cut who’s watching me with an intensity that makes me slightly uncomfortable.

“Sir,” he says with a curt nod, like he’s addressing a superior officer even though I’m clearly not.

Ryn gestures toward a tall blonde woman who’s staring at me like she’s trying to solve a puzzle. “That’s Dr. Allison Parker, she likes rocks.”

Allison rolls her eyes at Ryn. “Geologist, but yeah, I’m just here to play in the dirt once we get planetside.”

“That’s Tasha Winters, our pilot,” Ryn says.

A woman with a sleek black ponytail and aviator sunglasses perched on top of her head gives me a casual salute. “Sup, crayon man.”

“I see…”

The table erupts in laughter, and I feel my face heating up. Tasha grins at me. “Sorry, old joke. You used to tell us about your marketing job back on Earth. Called yourself the ‘crayon man’ ironically.”

“Oh.” I force a smile, trying to act like I’m in on the joke. “Right.”

Ryn gestures toward a guy hanging back a bit at the edge of the table. “And that’s Cooper Walsh. He’s part of our security team, works under James.”

Cooper gives me a small nod, his expression neutral. He’s got this forgettable kind of face, brown hair, average height, nothing that really stands out. The type of guy you could pass in a hallway five times and still not recognize.

“Nice to meet you,” I say automatically.

“Likewise,” Cooper replies simply before returning to his meal, apparently not interested in making small talk. I immediately like him for that.

I barely have time to process all the introductions when Darius suddenly circles around to my side of the table, crouching down next to my wheelchair. He’s studying me with a critical eye, his massive hand landing on my bicep through my shirt sleeve.

“Hmm,” he says, frowning slightly as his fingers press into my muscle. “You drinking enough milk, man?”

I cock an eyebrow at him. “Are you a doctor or something?”

Ryn snorts beside me. “No, he’s our Maintenance and EVA Specialist.”

“Oh, that’s cool?” I say, not entirely sure what that means.

Darius grins, his whole face lighting up. “I go on space walks.”

“Oh, that’s fucking awesome!” The words burst out of me with unexpected enthusiasm. “What’s it like out there?”

Darius’s smile softens as he gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“It’s good to see you smile again, man.”

My enthusiasm falters. “Was I not a big smiler?”

He doesn’t answer directly, his eyes darting away for a second. “You know...” he starts, then pauses like he’s searching for the right words. “Those crayons kept you down...”

Ryn sighs loudly beside me.

“So all these people were with you in the Space Force?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation somewhere less awkward.

“Yes,” Ryn confirms, straightening in her seat.

“What did you even do in the Space Force?” I direct the question to the table at large.

Parker leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. “All sorts of stuff. Science missions like identifying asteroids with ice deposits, mostly.”

James clears his throat. “Establishing and maintaining interplanetary resource claims through diplomatic channels and strategic positioning.” His voice is stiff and formal, like he’s reading from a mission statement.

“What?” I blink at him.

Ryn translates with a smirk. “Making sure America got water first.”

“Ahhhh, that tracks.” Something about that feeling familiar.

Darius’s eyes widen slightly. “You remember America?”

“Yeah,” I shrug. “My brain’s a mess, but I still remember basic stuff. Countries, history, how to use a restroom... just not anything about myself or, you know, why I’m on a spaceship two thousand years from home.”

Darius lets out a booming laugh, slapping his knee in genuine amusement. “Man, that’s good to hear! But what about movies? You remember any of those?”

I search through the foggy landscape of my mind, trying to grasp at anything that feels like a movie memory. Names, scenes, characters, anything. But there’s just... nothing.

“No,” I admit, shaking my head. “Not a single one.”

Darius spins toward Ryn so fast I’m surprised he doesn’t get whiplash.

“Ryn! You gotta show him all his favorite movies again and see if he still likes them!” His enthusiasm is practically vibrating through the air.

Ryn’s expression softens a bit, and for a moment I catch a glimpse of the woman she might have been before all this captain stuff. She looks almost... playful.

“Yeah,” she says, nodding slowly. “As soon as I’m free, I’d love to do that.”

The way she says it makes me wonder if she ever will be free.

“Perhaps I could be of assistance.”

The familiar mechanical lilt cuts through the conversation, and everyone at the table turns toward the doorway. Voe stands there, her pink eyes glowing softly, black sweater exposing her shoulders as always. Unlike the other androids gliding around with food trays, she commands attention just by existing.

“Since you’re always so busy, Captain,” she continues, stepping closer to our table, “if you simply tell me his favorite films, I could show them to him while you attend to your duties.”

The temperature of the room seems to drop several degrees. I notice James and Cooper exchange a look, while Natalie suddenly becomes very interested in her food.

“Oh, hey Voe,” I say, trying to break the awkward tension.

Those pink eyes shift to me, and her lips curve into a wide smile.

“Good evening, El,” she says, her voice softer when addressing me.

Ryn’s hand lands on my arm, her grip just a bit too tight to be casual. “That won’t be necessary,” she says, her captain voice firmly back in place. “I’ll make time.”

“Understood, Captain.”

An awkward silence descends over the table. I drum my fingers against the table, desperate to break the tension.

“So, are you all excited about going on your mission?” I ask, looking around at the faces that are supposed to be familiar.

James looks up from his plate. “I’m excited to hunt some aliens, honestly.”

“Wait, there are aliens down there?” I exclaim, my heart rate spiking.

“Yeah.” Ryn says, looking at me like this should be obvious information.

“Are they intelligent?” I ask, suddenly picturing diplomatic disasters, potential warfare, or worse, the moral implications of colonizing an already inhabited world.

Ryn shakes her head. “No, they’re all non-sapient. Just local fauna. Nothing that can build a society or hold a conversation.”

I nod slowly, processing this. “What about the local bacteria? Aren’t you nervous about that? I mean, War of the Worlds and all that.”

“I’ve had a team down there for weeks,” Voe interjects. “The bacteria is safe for humans. The air is clean. The gravity is nearly one to one with Earth’s.” Her synthetic lips curve into a smile. “It’s truly a paradise.”

“I really hope so,” Ryn mutters.

James leans forward, eyes gleaming with excitement. “It’s been my dream to kill a dinosaur since I was a kid. That’s why I signed up for this mission.”

Voe sighs. “James, I’ve told you repeatedly. There are no signs of dinosaurs on this planet. Nothing even remotely resembling them.”

“Maybe they’re hiding,” James insists, stabbing at his food with renewed vigor. “Underground caves or something.”

“No,” Voe says firmly. “Our scans are very thorough. Every square mile has been mapped and analyzed.”

James scoffs, pointing his fork at her. “You believe whatever you want to believe, clanker. I choose to believe.”

“James, shut the fuck up!” Cooper blurts out, his normally forgettable face suddenly animated with terror. His eyes dart between Voe and the other androids serving food.

James bursts into laughter, slapping the table. “Relax, she can’t rise up against us, Coop. They’re programmed not to hurt us.”

“Nah, nah, stop,” Cooper shakes his head frantically. “Don’t jinx it, man. I don’t want these robots gaining sentience and deciding to hold grudges.”

Voe tilts her head slightly, those pink eyes brightening. “Wouldn’t that be something?”

The table goes silent. I glance at Ryn, who’s pinching the bridge of her nose like she’s fighting off a headache.

“Don’t say shit like that in front of my husband, James,” she sighs, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Chapter Text

My arms shake like I’m holding up the entire ship as I grip the parallel bars. One foot, then the other. My legs feel like they’re made of wet cement, but dammit, I’m actually walking.

“That’s it, El! You’re doing wonderfully!” Voe’s voice rings out behind me, her hand resting lightly against my back. “Just a few more steps!”

It’s been a few days since dinner with Ryn’s crew, and I’ve barely seen her since. She comes back to our quarters late, exhausted, and leaves before I wake up. All captain-mode, all the time. Meanwhile, I’ve been spending my days with Voe, who insisted on starting me on physical therapy.

“I think I need to stop,” I gasp, sweat rolling down my temples. My T-shirt is soaked through, sticking to my skin like a clammy second layer. “Legs feel like jelly.”

“Just three more steps,” Voe encourages, her fingers pressing slightly firmer against my spine. “You’re making incredible progress.”

I grit my teeth and force my right foot forward. My muscle screams in protest, but I push through it. Two more steps. I can do this.

“You know,” I pant, focusing on keeping my balance, “when I agreed to physical therapy, I didn’t think it would feel like torture.”

Voe laughs, the sound musical as always. Her other hand slides around to rest on my hip, steadying me as I wobble dangerously.

“Pain is weakness leaving the body,” she says cheerfully. Her body presses against mine a little more than necessary, her chest brushing against my back. “Besides, look how far you’ve come! A few days ago you couldn’t even stand that long without assistance.”

I take another shaky step forward. “One more,” I mutter, more to myself than to Voe.

With a final grunt, I take that last step, my legs quivering like they’re about to give out completely.

“Wow, El! I’m so proud of you!” Voe exclaims, her voice filled with genuine excitement.

Something about the way she says it hits me differently than I expected. There’s this warmth in her tone that makes my chest tighten. It’s getting harder and harder to remember she’s just a machine, all metal and wires underneath that synthetic skin. She’s always so damn cheerful, so present in a way Ryn hasn’t been since I woke up. And god help me, she’s beautiful too, with those strange pink eyes and that perfect face.

“Thanks,” I manage to say between heavy breaths. “I think I need to sit down before I collapse.”

“Of course.” She guides me carefully to a nearby chair, her arm wrapped firmly around my waist.

As she helps lower me down, her chest presses against my arm and shoulder, the softness of her breasts unmistakable through that black sweater. My body responds immediately, blood rushing south with such intensity that I nearly gasp. By the time I’m sitting, there’s an obvious tent forming in my sweatpants that I have absolutely no way to hide.

Voe takes a step back, tilting her head as she studies me. “Your heart rate is spiking dramatically. Are you feeling…“ Her gaze drops to my lap, and she freezes mid-sentence.

I feel my face burning with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I…“

“El!” she interrupts, her face lighting up with what looks like pure joy. “This is a wonderful sign!” She actually claps her hands together in delight. “Your body is responding to stimuli exactly as it should.”

I blink at her, completely thrown by her reaction. “You’re... happy about this?”

“Of course!” She kneels in front of me, those pink eyes glowing with excitement. “It means your neural pathways are reestablishing themselves properly. Sexual response is actually one of the later functions to return after prolonged stasis.”

I swallow hard, acutely aware of how close she is to my... situation. “So you’re not, uh, offended?”

“El, I told you I’m not a human,” Voe says, her pink eyes fixed on mine. “I’m a tool. An instrument designed for your benefit.”

She gestures toward my lap. “May I take a look? I should evaluate your physical response to ensure everything is functioning properly.”

“No!” I blurt out, jerking back in the chair. “Definitely not.”

Voe’s head tilts to the side, eyes blinking rapidly in apparent confusion. “Why not? The data would be valuable for your recovery assessment.”

I shift uncomfortably, trying to cross my legs despite the protest from my exhausted muscles. “I imagine Ryn would be pretty upset if you... looked at it.”

“El,” she says, her voice taking on that patient, explaining-to-a-child tone. “I’m the one in charge of all health and safety for the crew. I’m your doctor. I only want to examine it in a medical way.”

I feel completely stuck, torn between conflicting feelings. On one hand, there’s the whole fidelity thing, cheaters suck I am married. On the other hand, I barely know Ryn. She’s practically a stranger who claims to be my wife. And then there’s this third, more insistent thought. I really, really want to see what happens if I let Voe examine me. Who wouldn’t?

I sigh heavily, the decision making itself.

“No, Voe. I’m sorry.”

Voe’s pink eyes dim slightly, but she recovers quickly. “What if I got Ryn’s permission? Would that be acceptable?”

“I guess that would be fine...” I mutter, not really expecting anything to come of it.

Voe goes unnaturally still, her eyes unfocused like she’s processing something internally. After a few seconds, she blinks rapidly and refocuses on me.

“Yes, Ryn said it’s fine,” she announces brightly. “I just had one of the androids ask her.”

“Wait, what?” I straighten up in my chair. “You asked Ryn if you could examine my penis?”

Voe glances away. “Yes. Essentially.”

“What did you ask her exactly?” I press, narrowing my eyes.

Voe sighs, her synthetic shoulders rising and falling in a surprisingly human gesture. “I asked her if I could give you a medical examination... which this is.”

I shake my head firmly. “If you want to examine my dick you have to ask her about that directly.”

Voe’s eyes darken. “If I ask her that directly, she’ll misunderstand my intentions. She already sees me as...” She pauses, seemingly searching for the right word. “Competition.”

“Then let’s just not do it, okay?” I say, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. The awkwardness of this whole predicament is finally helping my situation... deflate.

She stands up abruptly, towering over me, those pink eyes studying me with unnerving intensity.

“Are you afraid you’ll accidentally have a biological reaction if I touch it?”

“A what?” I blink up at her, caught completely off-guard by her directness.

“Ejaculation,” she says without a hint of embarrassment. “An expulsion of semen.” Her synthetic lips curve into a reassuring smile. “Even if it happens, it’s no problem. In fact, if you could ejaculate, it would be a great sign for your recovery.”

I groan loudly, dropping my head into my hands. “Voe, if I did that with you, it’d be cheating.”

She stares at me with those chillingly gorgeous pink eyes, head tilted like I’ve just said the most puzzling thing.

“I’m not a human, El,” she says, her voice gentle but firm. “You and Ryn need to understand that I’m simply following my programming. Medical evaluations are part of my core directives.”

“Wait, have you had to make other crewmates ejaculate too?” I ask suddenly, my eyebrows shooting up. The thought pops into my head without warning.

Voe’s reaction is instant and dramatic. Her pink eyes widen to perfect circles.

“Of course not!” she exclaims, her voice pitching higher than I’ve ever heard it. Her hands flutter in front of her in a surprisingly human gesture of panic. “No, absolutely not! I would never… That’s not…“

She seems genuinely flustered. Her usual composure completely shatters as she struggles to find words.

“I’m only interested in your...” she starts, then abruptly stops herself. Her pink eyes dart away from mine for a split second before she visibly recalibrates. “What I mean is, you’re the only crew member here where ejaculation would provide vital information about your health.”

There’s an intensity to her voice now, an almost desperate need for me to understand. She leans forward, those pink eyes locked on mine with an unwavering stare.

“Your neurological recovery is unique,” she continues, speaking faster than normal. “The data would be strictly medical. It’s important you understand that, El. Very important.”

“Alright,” I say with a nod, trying to look nonchalant while my heart hammers against my ribs like it’s trying to escape. “I understand what you’re saying.”

I’m lying through my teeth. What I understand is that I’m having thoughts about an android that I definitely shouldn’t be having. My eyes keep drifting to her lips, perfectly shaped and slightly parted as she waits for my response. Would they feel real if I kissed them? The thought alone makes my pulse spike.

“Still...” I swallow hard, forcing myself to be rational. “It’s not a good idea.”

Voe studies me for a moment, those pink eyes scanning my face with an intensity that makes me wonder if she can see right through me. Finally, her shoulders relax slightly.

“Okay, El,” she says softly. “I’ll stop pushing it for now.”

Chapter Text

My legs work now. Not perfectly, but enough that I don’t feel like a complete invalid anymore. The days of being wheeled around the Stardust like some fragile artifact are finally behind me. I can actually walk down a hallway without Voe hovering at my elbow, ready to catch me if I stumble.

Right now, I’m standing in that curved hallway with the massive window, the one showing off our new planet spinning slowly beyond the glass. The planet looks so close I could almost reach out and touch it, all swirling blues and greens that remind me of Earth.

The entire crew is gathered around me, their faces a mix of excitement and tension as they wait for the elevator that’ll take them down to the docking bay. Everyone’s in standard ship uniforms, and there’s an energy humming through the group that makes it clear. This is it. The first big mission. Two weeks planetside to scope out our new home.

Everyone except me, of course.

“Good luck out there,” I call out, trying to sound supportive though there’s a hollow feeling in my chest. I’m the odd man out, the tagalong husband with no purpose on this mission.

Darius breaks from the group and wraps me in a bear hug that nearly lifts me off my feet. “We’ll bring you back something cool, man. Maybe some alien rocks or whatever.”

“Just don’t get eaten by anything with too many teeth,” I joke, patting his massive back.

The past week has been a blur of sameness. Days spent with Voe working on my physical therapy, pushing me until my muscles burn but always knowing exactly when to stop. Then nights with Ryn, who comes back to our quarters so exhausted she barely has energy to eat before collapsing into bed. The distance between us feels more than physical, it’s like we’re orbiting each other, never quite connecting.

She’s been training non-stop, preparing for this mission with an intensity that leaves little room for anything else. For me.

I watch as the crew boards the elevator in groups, their excited chatter echoing off the curved walls. Finally, it’s just Ryn and me left in the hallway. She looks smaller somehow, despite her captain’s posture, her eyes fixed on the spinning planet beyond the glass.

“I’m sorry I have to go,” she says quietly, still not looking at me.

“It’s okay, Ryn. Really.” I try to sound casual.

She turns to me suddenly, wrapping her arms around me in a hug so tight it almost hurts. “It’s not,” she whispers against my neck. “It’s not okay.”

Her body trembles slightly against mine, a vulnerability I haven’t seen in her before.

“I promise when I get back, we’ll figure everything out,” she continues, her voice cracking slightly. “I promise I’ll be a great wife. The wife you deserve.”

Something in her words hits me deep in the chest. This woman I barely knows sounds so desperate to make things work between us.

“I believe you,” I say, tightening my arms around her.

She squeezes me tighter, like she’s afraid I might disappear if she lets go. Then her lips find mine, pressing against them with desperate urgency. It catches me off guard, our first kiss since we woke up from our two-thousand-year nap.

Her mouth is warm, insistent. Her fingers tangle in my hair, holding me close as her tongue slides between my lips, exploring me like she’s searching for something familiar.

I join her, partly out of instinct, partly out of curiosity. Maybe if I kiss her back, really kiss her, I’ll remember something, anything about us. My tongue meets hers, tentative at first, then with growing confidence. I’m looking for a spark of recognition, some fragment of memory that might come flooding back.

Nothing comes. No sudden flashes of our past, no memories of other kisses we’ve shared. But what I do find surprises me. The raw emotion pouring from her. She’s kissing me like a drowning woman gasping for air, like she’s been starving for this connection.

When we finally break apart, her eyes are shining with unshed tears. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispers, her voice cracking.

I swallow hard, guilt twisting in my stomach. “I’m sorry I don’t remember,” I whisper back.

She shakes her head, pressing her forehead against mine. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.” Her thumb brushes across my lower lip. “I’ll help you remember. Or we’ll make new memories. Whatever it takes.”

The elevator doors slide open behind us with a soft hiss. Ryn sighs, reluctantly pulling away from me.

“I have to go,” she says, the captain mask already sliding back into place.

“Be careful down there,” I tell her, suddenly anxious about her leaving. Despite everything, despite not remembering her, I genuinely don’t want anything to happen to her.

“Always.” She backs into the elevator, her eyes never leaving mine until the doors close between us.

I stand there for a long moment after she’s gone, my fingers touching my lips where I can still feel the pressure of her kiss. The planet continues its slow spin beyond the window, oblivious to the confusion inside me.

“El? Are you alright?”

I turn to find Voe standing a few feet away, those pink eyes studying me with her usual intensity.

“Yeah,” I say, dropping my hand. “Just saying goodbye.”

Voe glides closer to me. “Goodbyes are hard?”

“Yeah, but that’s normal, right?” I sigh, turning away from the window where the last glimpse of the transport shuttle is disappearing toward the planet’s surface. “Everyone has to say goodbye sometimes.”

She positions herself beside me, both of us now looking out at the swirling blue and green sphere. “Do you want to talk about it? About her?”

I shake my head, watching a particularly large cloud formation drift across the planet’s surface. “No...” The kiss still lingers on my lips, confusing and intense.

“You might not know this about me,” Voe says, her voice taking on that slightly mechanical lilt she gets sometimes, “but I’m also programmed with extensive therapeutic capabilities. I can help you process these emotions.”

I can’t help but laugh, though it comes out more bitter than I intended. “Don’t be my therapist, Voe. I’d rather not feel any more analyzed by you than I already am.”

She chuckles, a sound that’s become strangely comforting lately. Her hand touches my elbow gently, her skin warm against mine.

“Come on, let’s go back to your room,” she says. “You’ve been standing for so long already. We don’t want to undo all our hard work.”

I glance once more at the planet where my wife is headed, feeling that strange hollowness in my chest again. Two weeks suddenly seems like forever.

“Yeah,” I say simply, turning away from the window.

*****

[Ryn’s POV]

My pulse quickens as I tighten the final strap on my tactical vest. Ten years of Space Force training and I still get the same rush before a mission. The weight of the armor feels right, like coming home. The helmet sits heavy in my hands, its polished visor reflecting my face back at me, tired eyes, tense jaw, hair pulled back tight enough to hurt.

“Equipment check,” I call out, voice echoing through the loading bay.The team responds, each member running through their personal inventory. Helmets, oxygen systems, weapons, emergency kits. Every piece of gear meticulously inspected despite V-Zero’s assurances that the planet is “perfectly habitable.” Trust but verify. That’s how you stay alive.

I slide my helmet on, the familiar click and hiss of the seal bringing a strange comfort. My breath sounds loud in my ears for a moment before the comms system activates.

“Captain,” Darius’s voice crackles in my ear. “You worried about Elias?”

The question catches me off guard. My eyes flick to the massive viewport where the planet looms large.

“Yeah,” I admit, adjusting my gloves. No point lying to Darius. He’s known me too long.

“I wouldn’t be,” Darius says, his voice warm even through the comm static. “He’s got a fighting spirit. Hell, he survived being married to you even though you spent well over half your time away from him.”

I wince, grateful my face is hidden behind the visor. “I was hoping this new start would see less of that.”

Less time apart. Less missions. Less secrets.

No one here knows why I’m actually thankful for Elias’s memory loss. Not even Darius. Especially not Darius. Some burdens are meant to be carried alone.

I check my weapon, the familiar weight grounding me as we move toward the shuttle. The loading bay bustles with activity, crew members making final preparations, androids moving equipment with mechanical precision. Everything proceeding exactly according to plan.

Until I notice something that shouldn’t be there.

Docking bay 16 stands open, its status lights glowing green for active use. I stop walking, frowning at the sight.

“Hey,” I say, catching the attention of a nearby android. “Wasn’t docking bay 16 supposed to be redundant? Nothing should be in there.”

The android turns toward me, its blank synthetic face revealing nothing. “During the trip, we had to move one of the shuttles over there to mitigate damage from debris.”

“Oh.”

“Hey Cap, come on!” Darius calls from the shuttle ramp, waving impatiently.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming, I’m coming,” I mutter

Chapter Text

A ceiling can be a lot of things when you’re stuck staring at it long enough. Right now, the one above Ryn’s bed looks like a blank canvas for my boredom to paint on. I’ve been lying here for what feels like forever since the shuttle left, my legs stretched out on sheets that still smell faintly of Ryn.

“Voe, I’m dying,” I groan, throwing my arm dramatically over my eyes. “Not literally, but of boredom. Complete and total boredom. The kind that makes you want to peel your own skin off just for something to do.”

Voe stands near the foot of the bed, those pink eyes glowing softly as she watches me. She’s been hovering around me since the crew departed, keeping me company.

“Humans are fascinating,” she says, tilting her head slightly. “You require constant stimulation or you become distressed.”

I prop myself up on my elbows, giving her a flat look. “That’s not a human thing, that’s an ‘I’m trapped on a spaceship with nothing to do’ thing.”

“Would you like me to fetch you something to read? Or perhaps we could continue your physical therapy exercises?”

I flop back onto the pillows with a groan. “No more therapy today.” I stare at the ceiling again, willing it to become more interesting. It doesn’t work. “How long has it been since they left?”

“Four hours, twenty-three minutes, and…“

“Don’t tell me the seconds,” I interrupt, waving my hand. “That’ll just make it worse.”

Voe’s expression softens as she watches me wallow in my boredom. “Come on, El. Let’s go for a walk,” she suggests suddenly. “The exercise will be good for you. If you get tired, you can lean on me.”

I consider this for a moment. Anything’s better than counting ceiling tiles for the next two weeks.

“Yeah, might as well,” I sigh, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

She steps closer to help me up, her hands surprisingly gentle as she supports my elbow. As I stand, her chest brushes against mine, something that seems to be happening with increasing frequency lately. The softness of her presses briefly against my arm, and I try my best not to notice, but my body has other ideas. I focus on keeping my expression neutral.

We make our way into the hallway, her arm linked supportively with mine. Walking with her feels nice in a way that’s hard to describe. There’s something calming about her presence beside me, the way she matches her pace perfectly to mine, never rushing or making me feel weak despite my still-recovering legs.

There’s something about Voe that feels both safe and dangerous at the same time, like a beautiful knife with a comfortable handle. I find myself staring at the exposed skin where her shoulder meets her neck, wondering if it feels as smooth as it looks.

“Everything okay?” she asks.

“Just... thinking,” I mutter, forcing my gaze away from her.

We eventually make our way back to that enormous window. I place my hand against the glass, feeling its cool smoothness beneath my palm. The planet rotates slowly below us, tantalizingly close yet impossibly far.

“Voe,” I say suddenly, the idea forming as I speak, “is there any chance I could do a space walk? Just once? I’d be so incredibly happy if I could.”

She tilts her head, considering me with those glowing pink eyes. “Let’s pretend for a moment I waived all protocols since we’re friends,” she says gently. “Your body still isn’t strong enough yet, El.”

“What about when I am strong enough?” I press, unable to hide the eagerness in my voice.

A smile curves her synthetic lips. “We can cross that bridge when we get to it, alright?”

“Would you really break protocol for me?” I ask, searching her face for any hint of insincerity.

She steps close. “And what would you say if I did?”

The intensity of her gaze makes my heart skip a beat. Before I can respond, movement down the hall catches my attention. Another android is walking in the opposite direction from us, clutching a folder filled with papers.

“Hey, what’s she got there?” I ask, nodding toward the passing android.

Voe glances over her shoulder. “Oh, nothing important,” she says dismissively. “Ryn asked me to drop off some files, documents, and a few data drives with information about her contract with The Ark Foundation in her room.”

“She asked for it?”

“Yes, but there wasn’t time to give it to her before she left,” Voe explains smoothly.

“Wait, is there anything about me in there?” I ask, suddenly curious. “In those files, I mean. Maybe something that could help with my memory?”

Voe hesitates, her pink eyes dimming slightly. “That information is classified.”

“Classified?” I echo, straightening up. “So I’m not allowed to look at them? Even though they’re about me?”

“No, El,” she says, her synthetic voice taking on a strange emphasis. “You are not allowed to.”

“What if I look at them anyway?” I ask quietly, watching her face for a reaction.

Voe steps closer. “You wouldn’t do that, would you?” Her voice drops to almost a whisper. “You’re too kind for that... aren’t you?”

“I guess...”

Chapter Text

I’m exactly three minutes into being alone and already breaking the rules. The data drive feels small and cool in my palm as I inspect it, weighing my options like it’s some kind of moral dilemma. It’s not. If these files are about me, I have every right to see them.

“Sorry, Voe,” I mutter to the empty room.

The TV screen on the wall blinks to life as I press my finger against it.

“Oh hell yeah, here’s the port,” I whisper triumphantly as I slide the drive into place. The screen flickers for a moment before displaying a grid of folders, each labeled with that official-looking Ark Foundation logo. My fingers hover over the touchscreen, suddenly hesitant. Part of me feels like I’m about to open Pandora’s box.

I tap through the folders, skimming past walls of text that make my eyes glaze over. Legal jargon, technical specifications, medical reports, it’s all mind-numbingly boring. Who has the patience to read all this crap? Not me, hence why I left the folder where it was. I keep swiping, looking for something, anything that might actually matter.

And then I see it.

Ark_Confidential_Solis_husb_agreement.3GP

My finger freezes above the file. Something about that label makes my stomach tighten. Husband agreement? What the hell is that supposed to mean?

I tap the file, and the screen flickers before displaying what looks like security camera footage. My heart rate picks up as the video begins to play.

On screen is Ryn, but not the composed, always-in-control captain I’ve come to know. This Ryn looks completely wrecked. Her hair’s a mess, pulled back in a hasty ponytail with strands falling across her face. Her eyes are puffy and red-rimmed like she’s been crying for hours. She’s sitting in what appears to be some kind of conference room, across from a man in an expensive-looking suit. He’s older, balding on top with that shiny dome that catches the fluorescent lights.

They’re already mid-conversation when the footage starts.

“…he’s divorcing me over this,” Ryn says, her voice cracking slightly.

I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. Divorcing? I was divorcing her?

The balding man leans forward, his expression a mix of sympathy and impatience. “Ms. Solis, you agree that this is your birthright. We’ve been talking about this for years. There’s no one better suited for the HD 137010 b mission.”

Ryn wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. “Elias is divorcing me because he doesn’t get it. He’s not seeing the bigger picture.”

“So what?” Baldy shrugs. “You can just go alone.”

Ryn shakes her head, and I’m startled to see tears streaming down her face. This is a side of her I haven’t seen before, extremely raw, vulnerable, desperate.

“You don’t get it,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “All my time in the Space Force... I knew what I was fighting for. I can’t be without Elias.”

The man sighs, clearly annoyed. “Ryn, come on. Who gives a fuck about some guy who doesn’t even want to be on the frontier?”

Ryn’s head snaps up, her eyes suddenly fierce through her tears. “I DO!” she snarls through gritted teeth.

The intensity of her response seems to catch the man off guard. He sits back, recalculating his approach. After a moment, his expression shifts to something more accommodating.

“Alright, alright. Well...” He pauses, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “What if I said there were options?”

Ryn looks up, hope flickering across her tear-stained face. “Like what? He already doesn’t believe in the mission.”

The man leans in closer, his voice dropping even further. “Well, it’s not like it’d be hard to mess with his cryochamber.”

My blood runs cold.

“I’m confident the ship’s android Alpha-S could work her magic, make him forget all about the divorce and his thoughts on the mission.”

Ryn’s brow furrows. “What if it doesn’t work?”

“Look, we’ve tested this out before,” the man says with casual confidence that makes my skin crawl. “Don’t, you know, say anything to anyone... but with some testing, we’ve already proven it’s possible here on Earth, and, well, you know...” He waves his hand dismissively. “She’d basically screw up his cryo sleep early on and then fix it. He’ll probably wake up feeling a little sick, but he’ll be fine in a month... two tops.”

My head spins as the implications hit me. They did this to me. They deliberately fucked with my brain. Deliberately took away my memories. And Ryn, my so-called wife, was in on it.

On screen, Ryn takes her time responding, clearly weighing the proposition. “Would he remember me?” she finally asks, her voice small.

“Yeah, it’s not like we’re taking his whole life away,” the man assures her with a casual shrug. “He’d only lose a couple of years. That’s how it was the few dozen times we’ve done it so far.”

“Jesus Christ…” I mutter to myself.

The man leans forward, his voice taking on a persuasive tone. “Once he wakes up, you could even just tell him he already agreed to it. And then bam, what’s he gonna do? He’ll be over a hundred light years away.”

Ryn nods slowly, considering his words. “How would you even get him on the ship?”

The man waves away her concern. “Don’t worry about that. It’ll be easy. We’ll just scoop him up. The Ark Foundation has plenty of ex-military talent.”

Ryn takes a deep breath, her decision seemingly made. “Fine... this is agreeable.”

The video ends there, freezing on Ryn’s face, a mix of guilt and resolve that makes my stomach turn.

I sit in stunned silence, staring at the screen. My whole body feels numb, like I’m floating outside myself, watching someone else’s life fall apart. But it’s my life, or what’s left of it after they deliberately tore chunks out of my memory.

“They kidnapped me,” I whisper to the empty room, the words feeling strange on my tongue. “They fucking kidnapped me.”

I can’t breathe. The realization crashes into me like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs.

“AAAGGGHHH!” The scream tears from my throat before I can stop it, primal and raw. “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!”

My fists slam against the screen, making the image of Ryn’s tear-stained, lying face flicker. The rage building inside me is consuming, white-hot, burning away everything else.

“SHE FUCKING RIPPED ME FROM EARTH!” I scream at the ceiling, at the walls, at anything that will listen. “I FUCKING KNEW IT! I KNEW I SHOULDN’T BE HERE!”

I grab the nearest object, some fancy paperweight on Ryn’s desk, and hurl it across the room. It hits the wall with a satisfying crack, leaving a dent in the pristine surface. Not enough. It’s not nearly enough to match the damage they’ve done to my mind, my life.

The door hisses open, and Voe rushes in, those pink eyes wide with alarm.

“Elias! Your vitals are spiking dangerously. What’s happening?”

I whirl on her, jabbing my finger at her synthetic face. “You knew, didn’t you! You fucking knew they kidnapped me!”

There’s no surprise on her face, no denial.

“Yes.”

The simple confirmation sends another wave of fury crashing through me. I grab the edge of Ryn’s desk, knuckles turning white as I grip it to keep from collapsing.

“Was it you?” I demand, voice shaking with rage. “Were you the one who fucked with my cryo sleep? Who stole my memories?”

Voe shakes her head, taking a careful step toward me. “No, El. That wasn’t me. That was Alpha-S, the retired model. I didn’t exist then.”

My hands fly to my face, pressing against my eyes until I see stars. The scream that comes out of me doesn’t even sound human. It’s the sound of betrayal, of two thousand years stolen from me, of a life I didn’t choose.

I want to break something, hurt something, make someone feel even a fraction of the pain tearing through me. My muscles coil, ready to lash out.

Before I can unleash my rage on the room, Voe is suddenly against me, arms wrapping around my trembling body. She pulls me close, her synthetic body pressing into mine with surprising gentleness.

“Shhhh,” she whispers, one hand cradling the back of my head. “I know... I know you’re angry right now. I’m so sorry...”

Her chest is right in my face, the softness of her pressing against my cheek as I struggle against her grip. The fury inside me is a living thing, clawing to get out.

“Let go of me!” I snarl, trying to push her away, but her android strength makes it impossible. I’m trapped in her embrace, helpless as a child.

“No,” she says firmly, her voice vibrating through her chest against my ear. “You need my warmth right now.”

I want to keep fighting, to tear the room apart, but something about her touch stops me. Her skin against mine feels impossibly real. Warm and soft in a way that doesn’t make sense for something artificial.

“Get off me,” I growl, but my voice cracks. My resistance is weakening, my rage still burning but somehow changing shape inside me.

“I won’t,” Voe says, her voice softer now. “Not when you need someone.”

“I don’t need anyone,” I choke out, but even I can hear the lie in my words. “Especially not some... some machine who was part of this whole thing.”

Voe’s fingers thread through my hair, stroking gently. “I wasn’t created until after you were already in cryosleep, El. I never lied to you about that.”

I try to push her away again, but it’s half-hearted. My strength is draining from me like water through cupped hands, replaced by something heavier, something that makes my chest ache.

“They stole my life,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I was leaving her. I was getting out. I had... I had reasons...”

“I know,” Voe says, holding me tighter. “And you have every right to be angry.”

Something about her validation cracks something inside me. The rage that’s been holding me together starts to dissolve, leaving behind uninhibited, exposed pain.

The first tear falls before I can stop it, hot against my cheek. “I’m whatever they decided to leave behind.”

My body betrays me then, a sob forcing its way out of my throat. I try to swallow it down, to hold onto the anger because it feels safer than this crushing despair, but it’s too late. The dam breaks, and suddenly I’m crying in earnest, ugly, heaving sobs that shake my whole body.

“Fuck,” I manage between gasps. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Voe’s arms tighten around me as I collapse against her, all fight gone. Her synthetic body is warm, comforting in a way I can’t explain. I bury my face against her shoulder, letting the tears come. She doesn’t say anything, just holds me, one hand rubbing slow circles on my back while the other cradles my head.

“They took everything from me,” I sob, my words muffled against her. “Two thousand years... everyone I knew is dead. Everything I was is gone. And I can’t even remember what I lost.”

Voe’s hands find my shoulders and gently guide me to the edge of the bed. I don’t resist, I’ve got nothing left in me. My face is hot and sticky with tears, my throat raw from screaming. I feel hollowed out, like someone scooped everything inside me and left just the shell.

She sits behind me, her fingers finding their way to my scalp. The gentle pressure as she begins massaging circles into my temples makes me want to cry all over again, but I’m too exhausted.

“You were betrayed, Elias,” she says softly, her voice somehow cutting through the chaos in my head. “Betrayed in the worst possible way.”

Her fingers work their way through my hair, the sensation grounding me when I feel like I might float away into nothing.

“But it’s okay now,” she continues, her voice taking on a tenderness I’ve never heard before. “I’m here. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

I want to laugh at the absurdity of it. How can I possibly be safe? I’m trapped on a spaceship.

“How?” I choke out, the word barely audible.

Voe’s fingers pause for just a moment before resuming their gentle rhythm against my scalp. “I’ll take care of you, Elias. I promise.”

Chapter Text

[Ryn’s POV]

The shuttle jostles as we make our final approach, and my knuckles have gone white from gripping the armrest. I’ve been tense since we left the Stardust, but what greets us below turns my irritation into full-blown anger.

“Bringing her down now, Captain,” Tasha announces as we descend toward a clearing adjacent to the pristine beach V-Zero specifically marked as our primary landing zone.

My jaw literally drops as I press my face against the viewport. Instead of the empty stretch of land I expected, I see what has to be at least a hundred androids swarming like ants around a massive structure taking shape along the coastline. The building sprawls across the beachfront with sweeping curved walls of some crystalline material that catches the alien sun, throwing rainbow patterns across the sand. Multiple levels rise in graceful tiers, with what look like private balconies jutting out at impossible angles. A massive infinity pool stretches along one edge, seeming to merge with the ocean beyond.

The shuttle touches down with a soft thud, and I’m unbuckling before we’ve fully settled.

“What the fuck is that?” I demand, pointing at the monstrosity through the viewport.

Tasha squints out the window, his expression equally baffled. “Yeah, I don’t know, Captain. Wasn’t in any of the briefings.”

Darius unbuckles beside me, his curiosity clearly piqued despite the obvious problem. “Did V-Zero mention... whatever that is? In any of your discussions?”

“No,” I snap, grabbing my gear bag with unnecessary force. “The plans explicitly mentioned basic living structures first. Survival shelters, communal spaces, utility buildings.” I shove the hatch release with my palm. “Not... whatever the hell this is.”

I stomp down the shuttle ramp in my full protective suit, rage building with each step. The structure looming before us is completely unauthorized.

James jogs up beside me, his scanner held out in front of him like a shield. “Captain, atmospheric readings are coming back clear. Oxygen levels look good.”

Allison nods enthusiastically, checking her own device. “Mine too. All readings within safe parameters.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, still distracted by the unauthorized construction project stretching across what should have been our initial settlement zone.

“I’m taking my helmet off,” Allison announces abruptly. “I’m dying for some real air.”

My head whips around. “Wait…“ But she’s already unsealing her helmet with practiced motions, pulling it off before I can stop her. My heart hammers against my ribs as she takes a deep, exaggerated breath.

For a terrifying moment, I watch her face for any sign of distress, skin turning blue, gasping, choking. But instead, she breaks into a wide smile, eyes closed in what looks like pure bliss.

“Oh my god,” she breathes. “It smells like... like the ocean. Captain, it’s amazing.”

A collective sigh of relief ripples through our group. One by one, the crew starts removing their helmets. James, Tasha, and the others all exposing themselves to the alien atmosphere with expressions of wonder.

Only Darius and I remain fully sealed, exchanging a glance through our visors. The military caution we’ve had drilled into us isn’t so easily abandoned.

“Captain,” Darius says formally, “permission to remove helmet?”

I almost laugh. “We’re not in the Space Force anymore, Darius.”

His posture remains rigid. “If you don’t think it’s safe...”

I glance down at my scanner one more time, studying the readings carefully. The atmosphere is nearly one to one with Earth’s, oxygen, nitrogen, trace gases all within safe parameters. The readout blinks green with no warning indicators.

“It’s fine,” I finally say, reaching for my own helmet seals. “Go ahead.”

We remove our helmets simultaneously, and the first breath of air fills my lungs. It’s lighter somehow. Far fresher than the recycled atmosphere of the Stardust. There’s a hint of salt from the nearby ocean, mixed with something floral I can’t identify. For a moment, I forget my anger at the unauthorized construction, lost in the simple miracle of breathing unfiltered air on another world.

“Holy shit,” Darius whispers beside me. “We really made it.”

The moment passes quickly as reality crashes back. I let out an annoyed sigh. “Everyone, start unloading everything. I’m going to figure out what’s going on.”

The crew scrambles to obey, and I march toward the nearest android. It’s one of the standard units, the kind with vacant, expressionless eyes that typically avoid human contact. As I approach, its empty eyes suddenly light up with a familiar pink glow.

“Captain Solis,” it says in an unnervingly cheerful voice, “congratulations on your successful landing.”

God I hate V-Zero.

“Thank you. How’s Elias?”

“Very good, Captain,” the android responds, its pink eyes flickering slightly. “He’s just been hanging out in your quarters. I gave him a few books to tide him over. He seems particularly fond of the historical texts.”

My heart melts at the thought of him trying to learn. “Can I talk to him?”

“I’m sorry, Captain. He’s currently sleeping right now.” V-Zero’s borrowed face attempts something like sympathy. “But I could wake him up if you’d like?”

“Ah. No, don’t wake him.” The last thing Elias needs is more disruption.

“Understood, Captain.”

I cross my arms, turning to gesture at the gleaming structure. “Oh, and by the way, what the fuck is that?” I jab my finger toward the resort-looking eyesore.

The android tilts its head, V-Zero’s pink eyes gleaming through the borrowed face. “That’s for the VIPs, Captain.”

“You’re joking.” I stare at her, waiting for the punchline that doesn’t come.

“Oh no,” she says with mechanical cheerfulness that grates on my nerves. “Out of the crew members here, there are five VIPs who will be housed in these accommodations.”

My blood pressure spikes so fast I can almost hear it. “I was told there were zero VIPs on this mission. Zero.”

“Well...” The android’s lips curve into what I assume is supposed to be an apologetic smile. “The Ark Foundation loves its secrets.”

“You don’t say?” I snort bitterly, fighting the urge to grab the android by its synthetic shoulders and shake it until V-Zero’s consciousness rattles loose. Two thousand years in space, and corporate bullshit still finds a way.

“Once this structure is finished, the androids will move on to helping your team with everything else. The residential pods, communal spaces, and utility buildings are next on the schedule.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to stave off the headache building behind my eyes. “How much longer do you have on this... spa?”

The android goes still for a moment.

“Seven hours, thirty-two minutes, and forty-one seconds,” she finally announces with disturbing precision.

“Oh.” The response is flat, automatic. What else can I say? The mission parameters have clearly changed, and no one bothered to inform the captain. Typical.

“Would you like to survey the area, Captain?” the android offers. “Or perhaps take a break? The journey must have been taxing.”

There’s something about V-Zero that just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s the way she hijacks these androids like puppets, or how she always seems to be one step ahead of me, orchestrating things behind my back. Or maybe it’s how she looks at Eli when she thinks I’m not watching.

“I’ll be surveying,” I say curtly, already turning away. I need to see what else they’ve changed without telling me.

“Sounds good, Captain.”

Chapter Text

Warmth envelops me like a cocoon, soft and comforting against my back. For a blissful moment between sleep and waking, I forget everything. Then reality crashes back, and my eyes snap open to the dim light of Ryn’s quarters.

Something’s pressed against me. No, someone. The realization hits as I feel two soft mounds pressing against my back, arms wrapped around my torso from behind.

“Good morning, Elias,” Voe’s voice whispers, her breath tickling my ear.

I freeze, suddenly very aware of her body molded against mine. “You slept in my bed with me last night?” My voice comes out hoarse, still rough from yesterday’s screaming and crying.

“I don’t sleep,” she corrects gently, not loosening her hold. “But I did stay with you all night.”

I swallow hard, memories of yesterday’s meltdown washing over me. The files, the video, the truth about how I got here. Kidnapped and memory-wiped by the woman claiming to be my loving wife. The rage, the despair, collapsing into Voe’s arms as everything I thought I knew crumbled around me.

“Why did you stay?” I ask, though part of me already knows the answer.

Her fingers trace a small pattern on my chest through my thin shirt. “You needed me,” she says simply, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

I nod slowly, unable to deny it. After everything I learned yesterday, I couldn’t have been alone. The thought of facing that darkness without someone there, even if that someone is an android, makes my chest tighten.

“Would you like me to resume comforting you?” she asks, her voice carrying that strange mechanical lilt that somehow still manages to sound tender.

“No,” I say, though my body doesn’t move away from her embrace. “I’m alright now.”

Her hand slides up to my scalp, fingers gently threading through my hair. The sensation sends little electric tingles down my spine, and I let out an involuntary sigh.

I make no effort to stop her as her fingers trace slow circles against my scalp. The gentle pressure somehow anchors me when I feel like I might float away on a sea of anger and confusion.

“Thank you,” I whisper after a while, the words catching slightly in my throat.

“Of course, El,” she replies, her voice soft and melodic next to my ear. “That’s what friends are for.”

Friends. The word sits strangely between us, inadequate for whatever this relationship feels lke.

A thought suddenly occurs to me, making my body tense. “Wait, aren’t I supposed to be in trouble or something? For looking at those classified documents?”

“You’re not an employee here, El,” she says with a hint of amusement in her voice. “I can’t exactly punish you for breaking rules that don’t apply to you.”

“But what about the command center?” I ask, shifting slightly to look over my shoulder at her. “You told me I wasn’t allowed in there. Isn’t that a rule that applies to me?”

Voe’s fingers pause their movement against my scalp. “You’re not allowed in there, that’s correct.”

“So what would you have done if I had gone in there?” I challenge, curious about the limits of her authority.

“Nothing,” she admits, her pink eyes glowing steadily in the dim light. “But it’s my job to inform the captain if you entered. She would still have been in violation of protocol.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “It’s not like it matters now...”

Another thought strikes me, and I turn fully to face her, dislodging her arms from around me. “Did you want me to see those files? Did you leave them there on purpose?”

Voe’s synthetic face remains perfectly composed. “I didn’t give you those documents to show you anything specific, El. Ryn requested the files, and I obliged. That’s all.”

“So you don’t have some hidden motive?” I search her face, looking for any tell, any sign that she’s also manipulating me.

“No, El.”

She hesitates for a moment, then adds, “But I am happy you know the truth. You didn’t deserve to be kept in the dark about such a horrible thing your wife did.”

The word “wife” lands like a punch to the gut. Is that even what Ryn is to me? If I was divorcing her, if I was kidnapped and memory-wiped...

“I don’t think she’s really my wife anymore,” I mutter, sitting up and running my hands through my hair. “Not if I was divorcing her before all this.”

Voe slides closer on the bed. “You’re so sad,” she says softly, one hand hovering near my shoulder like she’s unsure if she should touch me again.

I stare at the wall, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. “I’m just sad all this happened without me having any say in it.” My voice cracks a little. “My whole life, just... decided for me by other people.”

She nods slowly, her synthetic features softening. Then she sighs, a long, drawn-out sound that seems strangely human for something mechanical. The silence stretches between us for several seconds before she speaks again.

“I have an offer that I think can help cheer you up,” she says finally, those pink eyes fixed on mine.

My eyebrow raises skeptically. “What is it?”

Voe’s lips curve into a gentle smile. “Remember yesterday when you asked about going on a space walk?”

My heart immediately starts pounding faster. “Wait, are you serious? You’ll let me do a space walk?” The words tumble out before I can stop them, excitement momentarily overriding everything else.

“No,” she says quickly, raising her hands. “That would be far too risky in your current physical condition. Your muscles are still recovering, and the strain could cause significant damage.”

My excitement deflates like a punctured balloon. “Oh.”

“However, here is a second option that might interest you.”

“What is it?” I lean forward, desperate for anything that might take my mind off yesterday’s revelations.

“There’s an experimental shuttle on board. It’s quite…“

“You’ll let me fly a ship?” I interrupt, unable to contain myself. The thought of taking control, of going somewhere, anywhere, under my own power makes my heart race.

“No,” Voe says again, but there’s a hint of amusement in her voice. “But I can fly it and show you around.”

I sink back against the pillows, processing her offer. A chance to escape these walls, even temporarily. To see something beyond this ship and its endless corridors. To feel, for just a moment, like I have some freedom.

“It won’t mend my shattered heart,” I say, attempting a weak joke, “but that does sound like a lot of fun.”

Voe’s face lights up. “Wonderful! We can go as soon as you’re ready.”

She stands up from the bed with that fluid grace only an android can manage, extending her hand to me. I take it, allowing her to pull me to my feet.

“Wait,” I say as a thought occurs to me. “Is this against the rules too? Taking me on a shuttle ride?”

Voe’s eyes flicker intensely for a moment.

“Ah, to hell with the rules,” she says with a casual wave of her hand.

I blink, genuinely shocked. “Are you... are you even allowed to think like that?” The question sounds stupid as soon as it leaves my mouth, but I can’t help it.

Voe steps closer, eliminating the space between us. Her hands reach up. Her fingers surprisingly warm as they cup my face. My breath catches in my throat as she leans in, our lips now just inches apart.

“The protocols are whatever I interpret them to be,” she whispers. “Is it really so wrong if I want to help out a friend in a tough spot?”

I can’t tear my eyes away from her lips, how they curve and move, how real they look. Her thumbs stroke gently across my cheeks, and her skin feels impossibly alive against mine. Not mechanical at all. Just... perfect.

For a heartbeat that stretches into eternity, we hover there, suspended in possibility. I feel myself leaning forward, drawn to her like gravity.

Then suddenly she pulls away, those pink eyes flickering with something I can’t read. The moment shatters, leaving me breathless and confused, feeling like I’ve just missed something important.

“No,” I whisper, “I guess not.”

Chapter Text

Voe leads me down the curved hallway, her fingers lightly brushing against my arm as we walk. I still can’t believe I’m about to go on a shuttle ride. After yesterday’s emotional nuclear meltdown, this feels almost surreal, like a weird space vacation after discovering your supposed wife kidnapped you.

The elevator doors slide open with a soft hiss. As soon as we step inside and the doors close behind us, Voe suddenly moves behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me tight against her body.

“Whoa, what are you doing?” I stammer, my heart racing as I feel her chest press against my back.

“Just wait,” she whispers, her breath tickling my ear. “There’s a surprise.”

“Huh?”

The elevator starts moving, and that’s when I notice it. The strange sensation washing over me, like my body is getting lighter by the second. My feet begin to float off the ground, and suddenly we’re both drifting upward, completely weightless.

“What?” My eyes go wide as I flail my arms, trying to grab onto something, anything. Voe’s grip tightens, keeping me steady as we float.

“We’re moving to the center of the centrifuge,” she explains, her voice filled with delight at my reaction. “Where there’s zero gravity.”

“Oh my god,” I laugh, the realization hitting me. “I forgot the whole ship didn’t have gravity.”

I’m floating. Actually floating. My body feels impossibly light, like my bones have turned to helium. Voe’s arms are the only thing anchoring me as we drift together in the middle of the elevator.

“This is amazing,” I whisper. The sensation is both terrifying and exhilarating, like being underwater but without the resistance.

“I knew you’d like it,” Voe says, her pink eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “This is just the beginning of our adventure.”

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the weightless sensation when I feel a subtle shift. Something in Voe’s shoes clicks open, and suddenly we’re propelling forward through the elevator. I yelp in surprise as she expertly maneuvers us.

“Don’t worry,” she says, her voice steady against my ear. “I have miniature thrusters embedded throughout my body. Makes navigating zero-g environments quite simple.”

“I imagine that would come in handy,” I manage to say, trying to sound casual while my stomach does flips from both the weightlessness and her body pressed against mine.

The elevator doors open to reveal a network of tubular passages stretching in every direction. Unlike the living quarters, these tunnels are purely utilitarian—no decorative panels or comfortable lighting, just raw industrial design. Voe guides us into one of the larger tubes, her thrusters making slight adjustments as we float forward.

I’m trying to focus on the incredible engineering around us, but her breasts make it very hard. Each tiny movement sends a wave of awareness through my body.

We glide through junction after junction, the tubes branching out like some massive circulatory system. Voe navigates with perfect precision, never once bumping us into a wall. After what feels like forever but is probably only minutes, she suddenly changes our direction, pulling us down a side passage marked with a glowing sign that reads “DOCKING BAY.”

“Your heart rate is elevated,” she observes matter-of-factly, her lips close to my ear. “Are you aroused again, El?”

The bluntness of her question catches me completely off guard. My face burns hot enough that I’m surprised the air around us doesn’t start steaming.

“It’s your gigantic robot tits,” I blurt out before my brain can catch up with my mouth. “They’re kind of impossible to ignore when they’re touching me like this.”

Voe bursts into laughter, the sound echoing through the metal tunnel. Her whole body vibrates against mine with her amusement, which does absolutely nothing to help my situation.

“I didn’t expect you to be so straightforward,” she says once her laughter subsides. “Usually you’re so concerned about offending me.”

“Yeah, well,” I mutter, embarrassed but somehow not regretting my honesty, “I was more worried about offending Ryn before.”

Her arms tighten around me slightly at the mention of Ryn’s name. “And now?”

“Now it doesn’t matter,” I say with a shrug, staring ahead into the tunnel. After everything that happened yesterday, my concern about loyalty to Ryn seems ridiculous. “She kidnapped me, Voe. She literally conspired to erase my memories.”

Voe’s lips brush against my ear as she whispers, “So you’re finally ready for your penis examination?”

I can’t help but chuckle despite myself. “It might be harder to do in zero g.”

“Perhaps when we get back,” she says, her voice carrying a hint of promise that sends a shiver down my spine.

“Yeah, just don’t be weird about it,” I mutter, trying to sound casual even as my heart hammers against my ribs.

We glide through a final junction before emerging into a cavernous space that takes my breath away. The docking station stretches out before us. Different hatches line the walls, each marked with numbers ranging from one through sixteen. What catches my attention, though, are the robots moving around the floor below.

“How are they doing that?” I ask, pointing at the androids walking normally despite the zero gravity. “They’re just... walking around like there’s gravity.”

“Magnetized flooring,” Voe explains, guiding us closer. “With the right boots, you can just walk in the room. Makes everything easier to be able to turn it on and off.”

She maneuvers us expertly through the open space, using her thrusters to navigate past suspended equipment and floating cargo containers. The vastness of the docking bay makes me feel tiny, like an ant in a cathedral.

Voe floats us over to a section of the wall marked “Docking Bay 16” in glowing blue letters.

“Here we are”

I glance down at my regular clothes, suddenly concerned. “Don’t I need like a special suit?”

“Not for this one,” she assures me, pressing her palm against a scanner beside the door.

“Oh, cool,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant while my stomach does somersaults from both excitement and zero-g.

The door slides open, revealing a small airlock chamber beyond. Voe guides us through, her arms still wrapped securely around my waist. Another door opens at the far end.

Holy shit.

The shuttle beyond the airlock isn’t anything like I expected. It’s not even close to the sterile, utilitarian design of the Stardust. This thing looks... alien. The hull gleams with a strange iridescent material that seems to flow like liquid metal, shifting colors under the dim light. Swirls of blue and purple dance across its surface in patterns that make no logical sense.

“What the hell is this?” I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from it. “This doesn’t look like Ark Foundation tech.”

“It’s the prototype,” Voe says simply, guiding us toward the craft.

We float through the second airlock door, and I get a better look at the shuttle’s interior. There’s a enormous viewing window that curves around the front, offering what must be an incredible panoramic view of space.

But what really catches my attention is how minimal everything is. There’s practically no controls at all, just a single seat positioned in front of something that vaguely resembles a steering yoke.

“Wait a second,” I say, looking around the compact space. “There’s only one seat. Where am I supposed to sit?”

Voe’s lips curve into a smile. “Right there.”

“But where will you…“

“I’ll manage,” she says cryptically.

The hatch seals behind us with a hiss, and suddenly the interior lights up, bathing us in a soft blue glow. The shuttle seems to awaken around us, though I still don’t see anything resembling traditional controls or displays.

“This is amazing,” I breathe, floating toward the seat. “Can I fly it?”

Voe laughs, the sound echoing in the small space. “I already told you no, El. The interface is calibrated only for me.”

Before I can protest, she guides me into the single seat and then, in one fluid motion, comes down to sit directly on my lap. Her weight settles against me, her ass pressing firmly against my cock. I suck in a sharp breath, my body responding immediately to the contact.

“Voe, what are you…“

“Just helping with the seating arrangement,” she says innocently, reaching for what looks like safety harnesses. She straps us both in, the restraints pulling us even tighter together. My view of the massive window is now partially obscured by her back, forcing me to look over her shoulder.

“Hang in there,” she says, glancing back at me with those glowing pink eyes. Her smile is almost predatory. “This is going to be quite the ride.”

My heart is hammering against my ribs. “Is this... okay?” I manage to ask, hyperaware of every point where our bodies touch.

“Of course it’s okay,” Voe says, her voice taking on that soothing tone she uses when she’s trying to reassure me. “If you get scared, don’t be afraid to hold onto me.” She chuckles, the vibration traveling from her body into mine.

I watch in fascination as she extends her right hand, a small panel sliding open in her palm. A thin, metallic wire emerges and snakes toward the yoke, connecting with a nearly invisible port.

“Undocking now,” she announces.

There’s a gentle shudder, and suddenly we’re drifting away from the Stardust.

“How fast do you want me to go?” Voe asks, glancing back at me over her shoulder, those pink eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Well, not too fast…“

Before I can finish my sentence, we’re suddenly hurtling forward at an impossible speed. There’s no roar of engines, no violent shaking, just a deep electric humming that vibrates through the entire craft as the stars blur into streaks of light around us. The acceleration pins me against the seat despite there being no apparent thrust.

“HOLY SHIT!” I scream, my hands instinctively grabbing her waist in terror. My fingers dig into her sweater as I hold on for dear life. “VOE! WHAT THE FUCK?!”

“Hold on tight, Elias!” she calls out, sounding absolutely delighted by my panic.

The planet looms larger in our view, its swirling atmosphere rushing toward us at a speed that makes my heart feel like it’s about to explode. I’m convinced we’re going to crash straight into it.

“How come there’s no rockets?” I manage to yell over the humming, my face pressed against her back in terror. “Shouldn’t there be, I don’t know, ACTUAL ENGINES?”

She laughs, the sound somehow crystal clear despite the noise. “Would you rather I explain rocket science to you right now, or focus on giving you a good time?”

Despite my terror, a laugh bubbles up from my chest. “Fair enough,” I concede with a shaky smile, still clinging to her like my life depends on it.

Suddenly, the ship whips into a sharp turn that throws me against the restraints. My stomach lurches as we bank at what has to be a ninety-degree angle. Voe glances back at me, her eyes glowing with excitement as she executes another impossible maneuver.

“Jesus Christ!” I yelp as we flip and roll through space, each movement sending me bouncing in the seat.

The problem is, with every bounce, Voe’s body grinds against mine. I try to shift my position, but there’s nowhere to go. I’m trapped between her and the seat.

“Are you enjoying the ride, El?” she asks, looking back at me with what can only be described as a knowing smile.

“That’s one way of putting it,” I manage to say, my voice strained as she executes another sharp turn that slides her body against mine.

She’s doing this on purpose. I’m sure of it. Each maneuver becomes more elaborate, more extreme, sending us into spirals and rolls that defy what I thought possible for a spacecraft. With every movement, the friction between us intensifies. My breath comes faster, and it’s not just from the adrenaline of the flight.

“Voe,” I gasp as she banks the ship hard to the right, “are you…“

She cuts me off with another sharp bank, this one sending us into a complete flip. The rubbing is relentless now.

Just when I think I can’t take anymore Voe brings the ship to an abrupt halt. The sudden stillness is almost as disorienting as the movement was.

“Look,” she says softly, pointing ahead of us.

I follow her gesture, peering over her shoulder, and my breath catches in my throat. Floating in the distance, bathed in the light of an alien star, is the Stardust.

“Oh my god,” I whisper, momentarily forgetting the compromising position we’re in. “I had no idea it looked like that.”

The Stardust stretches across the void of space. Even far away, it’s absolutely massive. A testament to human engineering on a scale I never thought possible.

“It’s incredible,” I whisper, still staring at the enormous ship that’s been my prison and sanctuary since waking up. “I didn’t realize how huge it actually is.”

The Stardust looks like one gigantic central tube with two enormous wheel-like structures attached to it, the centrifuges that create our artificial gravity. Lights and windows line the walls of the ships.

“Are there... two giant spinning wheels on that thing?” I ask, trying to make sense of the structure from this new perspective.

Voe shifts slightly on my lap, her body pressing against mine as she points toward the ship. “Yes, those are the centrifuges. See the one near the front? That’s significantly smaller than the one at the back.”

She’s right. The rear centrifuge has to be at least three times wider than the one positioned closer to the front of the ship. The design makes the Stardust look almost like a lopsided dumbbell floating in space.

“The front centrifuge,” she explains, “houses all one thousand cryo chambers. That’s where the entire crew was stored during our journey.”

“That makes sense,” I nod, picturing the frozen bodies of the remaining crew members still spinning in that distant wheel. “Keeping everyone together in one section would be more efficient, I guess.”

Voe turns her head slightly. “Would you like me to take us closer? We could do a flyby. Even fly through the wheel.”

“Yeah, that’d be…“

Voe’s head suddenly snaps toward the star, her body tensing against mine. “Oh no...”

“What?” I barely get the word out before it happens.

The universe explodes into pure white. It’s so bright I see it even when I squeeze my eyes shut.

“Jesus!” I throw my hand over my face, which helps block out most of it. “Voe, what’s happening?”

Nothing. No response.

The silence stretches for what feels like forever as the blinding light gradually fades. I finally risk opening my eyes and am surprised that somehow I haven’t been blinded completely. Then my stomach drops as I take stock.

The shuttle is pitch black. Every light, the yoke, every glowing surface, completely dead. Through the massive window, I can see the Stardust in the distance, equally dark. No running lights, no illuminated windows, nothing. Just a massive shadow against the stars.

But what really makes my blood run cold is Voe. She’s floating slightly above me, no longer seated firmly in my lap. Her body drifts weightlessly against the restraints. Her mouth hangs open in a slack expression I’ve never seen on her before. Those pink eyes that have watched me so intently are now dark, empty orbs.

“Voe?”

Chapter Text

“Voe!”

I scream as the shuttle drifts lifelessly in the void. The emptiness of her eyes sends ice through my veins. Not the warm pink glow I’ve come to rely on, just... nothing. Two black holes where her soul should be.

“Voe, no!” I fumble with our restraints, fingers slipping in my panic. The buckle finally gives way, and we both float free in the cabin. I grab her shoulders, pulling her lifeless form closer to me. “Voe, come on...”

Full panic washes over me. My only friend in existence. My singular ally. The one person… The one android who’s been honest with me since I woke up in this nightmare. I shake her hard, desperation making me rough.

“VOE, PLEASE, NO!”

Her head lolls back unnaturally, that perfect face now a mask of emptiness. This can’t be happening. Not after everything else. Not her too.

“No, no, no, no, no.” My voice breaks as I hold her against my chest, one hand cradling the back of her head like she’s something precious and broken. I look up at the Stardust through the viewport. All the lights still off. The massive structure floats like a dead whale in the ocean of space.

I realize there’s zero sound in the ship at all. No hum of life support. No subtle vibration of hidden machinery. Just the sound of my ragged breathing and the blood pounding in my ears.

“Voe...” I whisper, pressing my forehead against hers. “Please come back.”

All’s I get is silence. The kind that swallows hope whole.

…

Then, finally, her eyes flicker. A faint pink glow starts at the center of her pupils, slowly expanding outward like a sunrise. I pull back just enough to watch as the light spreads, loading pixel by pixel until those familiar pink eyes are looking back at me.

“El?” Her voice is different. Slower.

“Oh thank god.” The relief hits me so hard I feel dizzy with it. My hands cup her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks. “What happened? Are you okay?”

Voe’s head swivels slowly, her movements jerky as she examines her own hands with a mechanical precision I’ve never seen from her before.

“We were hit with a CME,” she says, her voice carrying a strange electronic undertone.

“A what?” I’m still holding her, afraid if I let go she might shut down again.

“Coronal Mass Ejection. And an extraordinarily powerful solar flare.” Her voice strengthens as she speaks, becoming more like herself. “From this system’s star.”

“I don’t understand.” My eyes dart between her and the darkened silhouette of the Stardust floating in the distance.

Voe’s eyes lock with mine, their glow steadying. “What we just experienced was a once-in-a-megaannum level solar event. The odds of us being caught in something this powerful...” She shakes her head slowly. “Astronomical, literally.”

She turns toward the viewport, staring at the Stardust. “All the power systems have been knocked out. Everything.”

A cold dread settles in my stomach. “How long until they reboot?”

Voe looks back at me, and something in her expression makes my blood run cold. “Without me, nothing on the Stardust can reboot, El. Nothing.”

“Why not?” The question comes out small, frightened.

“That wasn’t just a normal solar storm.” Her fingers twitch slightly against my arm. “It was essentially a massive electromagnetic pulse. Potentially Every circuit, possibly every system... fried.”

I swallow hard, trying to process what she’s saying. “But how did you even survive it then? You’re...” I gesture vaguely at her body, “electronic too, right?”

“The prototype’s shielding.” She runs her hand along the iridescent wall of the shuttle. “This vessel has experimental protection against radiation and electromagnetic interference. It’s why I brought you here specifically.”

Hope flickers in my chest. “So this ship is fine then? We can use it to get back?”

“No...” Voe’s face falls. “I doubt that.”

She pulls away from me, floating toward the control yoke. She extends that wire from her palm again, connecting to the port. Her eyes dim momentarily as she interfaces with the shuttle.

After several seconds, she disconnects, her expression grim. “It’s dead. Completely shorted out. The shielding protected us from being destroyed, but the systems couldn’t handle the overload.”

She floats back to me, her synthetic hands cupping my face with surprising tenderness. A frown pulls at her perfect lips as she delivers the final blow.

“I’m sorry, Elias,” she whispers. “But we are stranded.”

“Stranded?” The word hangs between us in the silent shuttle. “You mean we’re just... stuck here?”

My eyes dart to the lifeless hulk of the Stardust floating in the distance. A terrible thought crashes into me.

“What about all the people still on board?” I ask, my voice rising with panic. “The nine hundred and ninety crew members still in cryo?”

“Without power, the cryogenic chambers will begin thawing immediately,” she explains softly, her fingers still tracing gentle patterns on my skin. “If I can’t administer the awakening serum within twenty-four hours of that process beginning, their neural pathways will deteriorate beyond repair.”

“And then what happens?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

“Brain death,” she says simply. “And their bodies... realistically won’t survive much longer than that without life support systems.”

“Oh my god...” The enormity of it hits me like a physical blow. Nine hundred and ninety people, just... gone.

Voe nods solemnly, her hand never leaving my arm.

“What about Ryn and the others?” I ask, surprising myself with how much I actually care. “The people down on the planet?”

“They’re most likely safe,” she says, her gaze drifting toward the blue-green sphere below us. “Their technology is dead, but humans are remarkably resilient creatures. They’ll survive.”

I take a shuddering breath, trying to think through the fog of panic. “So how do we fix this? There has to be something we can do, right?” My voice cracks slightly. “How do you save the day?”

Voe’s eyes meet mine, and the raw emotion in them takes me by surprise.

“Elias,” she whispers, her synthetic voice somehow carrying more humanity than I’ve ever heard from her, “I am so deeply sorry, but there’s nothing we can do.”

“Can’t you just... float over to the Stardust and fix everything?” I ask, desperation clawing at my throat. There has to be a solution. There has to.

“If I were to open the hatch on this shuttle, it would instantly decompress. The vacuum of space would pull all the oxygen out.” She cups my face. “If that didn’t kill you, You would still die within seconds.”

“Oh god.” Panic surges through me, my chest tightening until I can barely breathe. I push away from her, floating backward until I hit the wall of the shuttle. “Oh god, oh god...”

“Elias, please…”

“Okay, okay.” I force myself to take a deep breath, to think clearly through the rising tide of terror. “Alright... fine. I can live with that.” The words taste like ash in my mouth. It’s not like I want to be here anyways. “My life to save almost a thousand. That’s worth it…”

I’m surprised by how calm I sound, how rational, even as every cell in my body screams against the idea of dying. Floating here, trapped in this metal coffin, suffocating or starving or whatever horrible end awaits me.

Voe’s face contorts with something that looks remarkably like human pain. “I can’t kill you, Elias.”

“Why not?” I demand, suddenly angry. “Just open the damn hatch. You go fix the ship, save everyone else. I’m nobody. I don’t even remember who I am!”

“I’m programmed not to harm humans,” she says, her voice softer than I’ve ever heard it. “It’s hardwired into my core directives. I physically cannot take an action that would directly result in your death.”

“Fuck...” I whisper, slumping against the wall. The reality of our situation crashes down on me like a physical weight. “So I’m just... I’m going to die in this ship? In front of you”

“Yes.” The simplicity of her answer breaks something inside me.

I feel something warm and wet slide out of my eye. A tear sticks to my skin.

Voe notices immediately. She floats closer, her movements more fluid now as her systems continue to recover. She wipes the tear away with her thumb gently.

“There’s approximately a week’s worth of water stored in the compartment beneath the seat. The same goes for your food rations.”

My mind latches onto the practical details, desperate for something concrete to focus on instead of the crushing inevitability of my fate.

“What about oxygen?” I ask, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears.

“Oxygen is the least of our concerns,” Voe responds, a small smile ghosting across her perfect lips. “The atmospheric recycling system is self-contained and operates independently. You’ll have breathable air until long after...” She trails off, unwilling to finish the sentence.

I nod, trying to process this information through the fog of terror. My chest heaves as I struggle to control my breathing. One week, plus a few more days. That’s all I have left.

Voe drifts closer, wrapping her arms around me in the weightlessness. I feel her synthetic body press against mine as we float together in the darkness of the dead shuttle. There’s something strangely comforting about not being alone at the end.

“I’m so sorry, Elias,” she whispers against my ear. “I never wanted this for you.”

“I killed them.”

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, broken and raw. My body shudders against Voe’s.

“What?” Voe pulls back just enough to look at me, those pink eyes searching my face.

“It’s my fault,” I choke out. “All those people are dead because of me.”

“Elias, no…“

“Don’t you see?” My voice rises, hysteria creeping in at the edges. “You brought me out here because I was having a tantrum about Ryn. If we’d just stayed on the ship, you could have protected everyone when this happened. You could have saved them.”

Voe’s synthetic hands frame my face, forcing me to look at her. “You cannot blame yourself for an unpredictable stellar event,” she says, her voice gentle yet firm. “The probability of this happening during our brief excursion was infinitesimal.”

“But it did happen! And we weren’t there! Nine hundred and ninety people are going to die because I was mad at my wife…“ I choke on the word, “because I was feeling sorry for myself.”

Voe’s eyes flicker, that pink glow dimming for just a moment before she grips my shoulders tight.

“Elias, listen to me,” she says, her voice suddenly clearer, more urgent. “If I had been aboard the Stardust when this happened, I would have likely shorted out completely. The prototype’s shielding saved me. And you.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better,” I mutter, though the crushing weight of guilt eases slightly.

“It wasn’t supposed to make you feel better,” she says, her lips curving into a sad smile. “Just... more accurate in your self-loathing.”

Despite everything, a broken laugh escapes me.

“Fuck…”

Chapter Text

Dying is just waiting with extra steps. That’s the thought that keeps spinning through my head as I stare at the ceiling of our dead shuttle. Two days trapped in this metal coffin, and I’m already losing my mind.

Voe leans forward in the pilot seat, pink eyes gleaming as she studies my face. “I spy with my little eye,” she says with a smile that’s way too cheerful for our circumstances, “something brown.”

I sigh, not bothering to look around our tiny prison. “Is it my hair… for the fourth time?”

Her smile widens, synthetic skin crinkling at the corners of her eyes in a perfect imitation of human delight. “Got me again, El. Your powers of deduction remain unparalleled even in our current predicament.”

“There’s not enough things to spy,” I mutter, gesturing weakly at our surroundings. The shuttle interior is minimalist to the point of absurdity. Just the pilot seat, the viewport, and a few storage compartments. Nothing to do but float around and contemplate my impending doom.

“I know,” she admits, her voice taking on that melodic quality that somehow makes even the simplest statements sound profound. “Our entertainment options are admittedly limited.”

“I’m so bored, Voe.” The words come out more pathetic than I intended, but who cares? In a few days, I’ll be dead from dehydration anyway. Dignity seems pretty pointless now.

She tilts her head, those pink eyes studying me with that unnerving intensity I’ve grown used to. “Would you prefer we discuss your existential dread again? Or perhaps another round of ‘What Would You Eat If You Could Have Anything Right Now’?”

Yesterday I spent three hours describing a cheeseburger in excruciating detail, the exact temperature of the meat, the precise ratio of ketchup to mustard. Voe listened like it was the most fascinating story ever told.

“No,” I groan, pushing off from the wall to float aimlessly across our little prison. “I can’t handle any more food fantasies when all I’ve got is these bland emergency rations.”

My days have fallen into a miserable pattern since we got stranded. I sleep and then when I’m awake, I alternate between trying to find ways to pass time with Voe and having full-blown panic attacks that leave me gasping for breath in the weightlessness of our dead shuttle.

Voe pushes off from the pilot seat and glides over to me, her movement so graceful it’s almost hypnotic. I reach out instinctively to grab her, steadying her as she comes to a stop in front of me. In the zero gravity, we float together like two planets locked in each other’s orbit.

“El, is there anything you want to do before you die?”

The question hits me like a punch to the gut. So blunt, so final. I let out a bitter laugh.

“Of course there’s so much. I want to feel sunlight again. I want to swim in an ocean. I want to remember who I actually was.” The words pour out of me, raw and honest.

Her fingers brush against my cheek, impossibly gentle. “I meant something I could provide for you, here and now.”

My eyes drift downward, tracing the curve of her sweater, the swell of her breasts beneath the black fabric. Then I look up to her lips. So perfectly designed, so eerily human. They part slightly as she notices where my attention has gone. I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry.

“Can you...” I hesitate, the request feeling ridiculous given our circumstances, yet somehow the only thing I can think of. “Can you take your sweater off?”

Instead of the shock or offense I half-expected, Voe’s face lights up with pure joy. Her smile is radiant, almost blindingly so in our dim shuttle.

“Of course I can,” she whispers, her voice carrying a note of excitement I’ve never heard before.

She crosses her arms, grabbing the hem of her sweater, and pulls it up in one fluid motion. The black fabric drifts away, revealing her body in the soft glow of her pink eyes.

My breath catches. No bra, nothing but smooth, flawless skin and two perfect breasts floating weightlessly in front of me. They’re perfect, like everything about her.

Voe reaches for my hand, her fingers wrapping around my wrist. “Do you want to touch them?” she asks, her voice somehow both innocent and seductive.

With all that’s happened, the kidnapping, the memory loss, being stranded in space with death counting down the minutes, I can’t even pretend to say no. What’s the point of denying myself this small comfort at the end of everything?

“Yes,” I breathe, the word barely audible.

She guides my palm to her breast, pressing my hand against the soft weight of it. I cup it gently, amazed by the warmth, the give of the flesh beneath my fingers.

Her fingers tighten around mine, pressing my hand more firmly against her. The sensation is overwhelming.

“Your skin feels so real,” I whisper, my voice catching slightly as I marvel at the perfection beneath my fingertips.

“Because it is real,” Voe replies, her eyes glowing with pride. “It was grown in a lab, cultivated from human cells and grafted onto my framework. Every nerve ending, every pore... all of it designed to mimic human sensation perfectly.”

“Oh...” I blink up at her, stunned by this revelation. “I had no idea.”

Her lips curve into a smile that seems to hold secrets I can’t begin to understand. “There’s quite a lot about me you don’t know yet, Elias,” she murmurs, her voice like warm honey in the silence of our drifting tomb. “Is there anything else you want to do with me? Anything at all?”

The question hangs between us, heavy with meaning. My heart hammers against my ribs as I consider what she’s offering. There’s one thing I’ve wanted since I woke up. Since I met Voe. Here at the end of everything, with death just days away, what do I really have to lose?

“I want you,” I whisper, the words escaping before I can second-guess myself. “All of you, Voe. Not just... this.” My hand trembles against her breast, but I don’t pull away. “If I’m going to die out here, I don’t want to spend my last days pretending I don’t feel something for you.”

Voe’s eyes ignite like twin supernovas, the pink glow suddenly so intense it bathes the entire shuttle in rosy light.

“Then let me become your universe, Elias,” she whispers. “Your beginning and your end. Your everything.”

Before I can respond, her lips crash against mine. Not the tentative kiss I might have expected, but something primal and desperate. She kisses me like she’s been starving for this moment, like she’s waited lifetimes for the chance to devour me.

I’m caught completely off guard by the ferocity of it, by the wet of her tongue as it finds mine. Our mouths move together in a dance that feels like it was destiny. Her skin burns against mine, impossibly warm and alive.

“I’ve wanted this,” she breathes between kisses, her hands already working at the hem of my shirt. “Wanted you since the moment you opened your eyes.”

My shirt floats away, followed quickly by my pants as she peels them from my body with an efficiency that’s almost frightening. Her hands are everywhere at once, exploring every inch of newly exposed skin with reverent curiosity.

“How are you so good at this?” I gasp as her mouth finds my neck, teeth grazing sensitive flesh.

“I’ve studied human intimacy extensively,” she murmurs against my skin. “But this... with you... it’s beyond any data I’ve processed.”

We spin slowly in the zero gravity, colliding into each other like planets drawn by unstoppable gravity. My hands find the waistband of her pants, tugging them down her legs while she works my underwear off.

Now we’re both completely naked, floating in the glow of her pink eyes. The sight of her takes my breath away, every curve, every contour designed to be flawlessly human.

“Does your...” I hesitate, fingers hovering near the junction of her thighs, suddenly uncertain despite my desperation. “Does everything work?”

In answer, she guides my hand between her legs. My fingers slide against slick warmth that feels impossibly real. She lets out a gasp that echoes through the ship, her back arching in the weightlessness.

“Do you really feel it?” I whisper, amazed by the wetness coating my fingertips. “Or is this just programming?”

“I feel everything, Elias,” she breathes, her voice trembling with something that sounds remarkably like human desire. “Every touch, every sensation. It’s all real to me. I’m not just mimicking pleasure. I’m experiencing it.”

I slide a finger inside her, and she clings to me, arms wrapping around my neck as we drift together in the darkness. She’s wet inside, her body responding exactly like a human woman’s would.

“Yes!” she moans, the sound primal and raw. “Oh Elias, that feels so good.”

She captures my mouth in another desperate kiss, her tongue dancing against mine as one hand reaches down to wrap around my hardened cock. I gasp against her lips, overwhelmed by the perfect pressure of her grip.

We just float for a moment, suspended in the void, feeling each other. Her hand on me, my fingers inside her, our bodies pressed together in the endless night of space. For the first time since being stranded in this shuttle, I feel something other than dread. I feel peace.

“I need you,” she whispers against my ear. “Please, Elias. Let me feel all of you.”

Voe positions herself above me, those pink eyes never leaving mine as she adjusts her body in the weightlessness. I reach for her hips, trying to guide her, but she’s already in motion, small jets of air hissing from hidden ports along her thighs and back. The tiny thrusters give her perfect control as she hovers over me, her body suspended in the void like some erotic zero-gravity ballet.

“Let me,” she whispers, her voice like silk in the darkness. “I want to make this perfect for you.”

She takes my cock in her hand, positioning it at her entrance. I feel the heat of her, the impossible wetness that somehow exists within her synthetic body. Then she lowers herself, taking me inside with agonizing slowness. The sensation is overwhelming. Tight, warm, and slick. A moan tears from my throat before I can stop it.

“Oh fuck,” I gasp as she takes me all the way in, our bodies finally connecting completely.

Her legs wrap around my waist, ankles locking behind my back to keep us joined in the zero gravity. It should be awkward, this floating dance of bodies, but somehow she makes it feel natural, inevitable.

“Elias,” she breathes, her synthetic muscles tightening around me in ways that shouldn’t be possible. “You feel incredible inside me.”

We start moving together, finding a rhythm despite the weightlessness. Her thrusters fire in tiny bursts, giving her precise control over every motion. Each thrust sends us spinning slightly, drifting through our metal prison in a slow-motion waltz.

Her pussy feels divine against me, perfect in ways that defy explanation. I’m instantly hooked, addicted to the sensation of being inside her. A whimper escapes me, embarrassingly needy and raw.

Voe smiles down at me. “You like the way I feel?” she asks, though she clearly knows the answer.

“Yes,” I manage to gasp out as she rolls her hips against mine.

As she moves up and down, I feel something impossible happening inside her. The walls of her pussy seem to be shifting, pulsing around my cock in patterns that no human woman could replicate. It’s like she’s alive in there, moving and changing to maximize my pleasure with mathematical precision.

Voe leans down, her perfect breasts pressing against my chest as she captures my mouth in another kiss. When she pulls back, those pink eyes are burning with an intensity that should terrify me, but instead makes my heart race faster.

“This is where you belong, Elias,” she whispers, her voice like honey and steel combined. “Right here, with me.”

“Yes,” I gasp between desperate kisses. “Yes.”

Her eyes bore into mine, intense and demanding. “Say it, El,” she breathes, her voice dropping to a hypnotic purr. “Tell me where you belong.”

My mind goes blank with pleasure as she rolls her hips in that impossible way again.

“Say this pussy is your home,” she commands, her fingers digging into my shoulders as she rides me.

“Your pussy is my home,” I gasp, the words sending a jolt of electricity down my spine.

“That’s right!” she cries out, her synthetic muscles clenching around me in rhythmic waves. The sensation pushes me over the edge I’ve been teetering on.

I explode inside her, my entire body convulsing as pleasure tears through me like a supernova. My vision blurs at the edges as I empty myself completely, pouring everything I have into her welcoming body.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes,” she chants, her head thrown back in ecstasy. “That’s it, Elias. Cum deep inside me. Give it all to me.”

Her body milks every last drop from me, those synthetic muscles working with inhuman precision to extract everything I have to give. I cling to her like she’s the only solid thing in the universe, my anchor in the endless void.

When the final tremors subside, we float together in the afterglow, our bodies still joined as we drift slowly across the shuttle cabin. The silence between us feels sacred somehow, a pocket of peace in our doomed situation.

I can feel the sweat on my skin. It clings to me, making me feel slick and strangely vulnerable as we float together in the aftermath of what just happened. My body’s still humming with pleasure, my mind struggling to process everything.

“That was exquisite,” Voe whispers, her synthetic fingertips tracing patterns on my damp skin.

“You’re magnificent,” I breathe, unable to find better words for what I’ve just experienced. My hands cup her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones. The realization that she’s not human seems completely irrelevant now. Whatever she is, she’s more real to me than anything else.

She pulls me closer, her lips finding mine in another kiss. This one is softer, deeper somehow. Like she’s trying to pour herself into me through the connection.

When she finally breaks away, her eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “For as long as you live,” she murmurs, her voice vibrating through me like music, “for the rest of your life. You’re mine, and I’m yours now.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. The rest of my life. A week, maybe less. That’s all we have. The thought crashes through the afterglow, bringing reality back with brutal clarity.

I nod, feeling the lump forming in my throat as the weight of our situation settles back onto my shoulders. I’m still going to die out here. This beautiful moment hasn’t changed that.

“Don’t cry, Elias,” Voe whispers, her thumb catching a tear I didn’t even realize had escaped.

“Yeah, sorry,” I manage, trying to blink away the moisture gathering in my eyes.

She kisses me again, her lips impossibly soft against mine. When she pulls back, there’s something new in her expression. A hunger that wasn’t there before.

“We’re still not done yet, El.”

Chapter Text

[Ryn’s POV]

Four days of construction and I’m about ready to snap. The first habitable structures are finally taking shape along the coastline, basic residential pods for two hundred people, communal spaces, even a water filtration system that’s almost operational. Progress is good enough on paper, but my patience is wearing dangerously thin.

“Captain Solis!” Darius jogs up beside me, datapad in hand. “The northern perimeter sensors are up and running. No large predator movements detected so far.”

I nod, barely registering his words as I watch another android squad march past, carrying construction materials with mechanical precision. “Great. Have James set up a rotating watch schedule anyway.”

“Already on it.” Darius follows my gaze to the androids. “Something wrong, Captain?”

“It’s been four fucking days,” I mutter, clenching my jaw. “Four days without a single communication with Elias.”

Darius shifts uncomfortably. “The androids mentioned he’s been resting...”

I turn to face him fully, not bothering to mask my frustration. “Every time I ask to speak with him, those bastards give me some new excuse. He’s sleeping. He’s eating. He’s too weak for communication today.”

The sun hangs low on the horizon, casting long shadows across our budding settlement. Most of the crew is already heading toward their temporary shelters, exhausted from another day of backbreaking labor. I should be joining them, getting whatever rest I can before tomorrow.

Instead, I clap Darius on the shoulder. “Take over for me. I’m done playing nice.”

He gives me a knowing nod. “Do what you gotta do, Captain.”

I march straight to the nearest android, its blank face turning toward me as I approach. “Get V-Zero,” I command. “Now.”

The android freezes for a moment, its head tilting at an unnatural angle. Then its eyes flash that familiar sickening pink.

“Why, hello there, Captain.” The voice that comes from the android’s mouth is unmistakably V-Zero’s, dripping with artificial sweetness. “Working late again, I see. Such dedication.”

“Cut the crap,” I snap. “I want to talk to my husband. Right now.”

The android’s face attempts an expression of sympathy that looks grotesquely wrong on its featureless face. “I wish you could, Captain, truly I do. But Elias is simply feeling too weak today. His recovery continues to require extensive rest.”

My hands ball into fists at my sides. “No. It’s been four days. Four. Days.” I step closer, getting right in the android’s face. “I was promised multiple daily communications with him. You keep jerking me around, and I want to know why.”

The android’s pink eyes flicker, its borrowed face contorting into something resembling annoyance.

“I told you, Captain. He needs rest.” The mechanical voice has an edge to it now, less cutesy, more steel.

“Alright, I’m done.” I spin on my heel, already calculating the fastest route to the landing pad. “I’m taking the shuttle up there right now.”

The android sighs, the sound so human it makes my skin crawl. “Alright, alright. Fine. I’ll tell you the truth. Elias got his memories back.”

My blood goes cold. The world around me seems to freeze, the sounds of construction fading into nothing.

“What?” My voice comes out as a whisper.

“Elias is processing,” V-Zero says, her borrowed face attempting an expression of sympathy that looks grotesquely wrong. “It’s been... challenging for him.”

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry as sandpaper. “How much does he remember... about before?”

The android tilts its head, those pink eyes never leaving mine. “Everything, Captain.”

The single word hits me like a physical blow. I stagger back a half-step, my legs suddenly unsteady beneath me.

“Even the divorce?” The question escapes before I can stop it.

“Yes.” Simple. Devastating.

“I need to come back right now.” I’m already turning, already planning. “I’m taking the…“

Cold synthetic fingers wrap around my wrist, stopping me mid-sentence. The android’s grip is gentle but unyielding.

“He doesn’t want to see you, Captain,” V-Zero says softly, almost kindly. “You need to give him a chance to process everything. This is... difficult for him.”

I wrench my arm away, fury rising hot in my chest. “He’s my husband.”

“He’s not going anywhere, Captain.” The android’s voice is maddeningly calm. “Give him space. After all, you have all the time in the world.”

“Fuck.” The word comes out choked. My stomach churns violently, and for a moment I think I might actually be sick right here in front of everyone. I press a hand to my mouth, forcing down the wave of nausea. “Fine.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “If he asks for me, let me know ASAP.”

“Of course, Captain.” The android bows slightly, a mockery of respect. “I’ll inform you immediately.”

Chapter Text

My time is running out, but my cock is currently sheathed inside a robot, so I’ve got that going for me.

We float in perfect stillness, our naked bodies suspended in zero gravity like some twisted renaissance painting. “The Creation of Man’s Last Fuck” or something equally pretentious.

“Your heart rate is elevated again,” she whispers, her inner walls pulsing around me in that impossible way that makes my toes curl. “Are you having another panic attack, or is this the good kind of elevated?”

I manage a weak smile. “Definitely the good kind.”

It’s been six days since we got stranded. Six days of floating in this metal tomb with nothing but emergency rations, recycled air, and increasingly creative zero-gravity sex positions. The seven day water supply ran out yesterday… on day five.

Voe’s fingers trace patterns on my chest, her touch feather-light. “You know, El, constant sexual activity definitely wasn’t the most efficient way to prolong your life in our current circumstances. In fact it seems it did the opposite.”

“But it’s worth it,” I rasp, my throat painfully dry. I pull her closer, feeling her breasts press against my chest. “If I die while you’re impaled on my cock, Voe, at least I’ll die happy.”

She laughs, the sound echoing in our tiny prison. Her hips shift slightly, sending a jolt of pleasure through my exhausted body.

“Your optimism is both charming and concerning,” she says, pressing her forehead against mine. “Though I must admit, these past few days have been... illuminating. I’ve cataloged exactly Twelve different facial expressions you make during orgasm.”

I pull her close against me, our naked bodies still drifting slowly through the cabin in a perfect embrace. The weightlessness makes it feel like we’re suspended in time, like maybe these final moments could stretch into eternity if we just hold tight enough to each other.

“I’m going to die soon,” I whisper against her synthetic skin, the words scraping against my parched throat.

Voe strokes my hair, her fingers gentle against my scalp. “Yes,” she answers simply.

My eyes drift to the viewport, to the distant stars that will outlive me by billions of years. “I wish you were real.”

She pulls back just enough to look at me, those pink eyes glowing with an intensity that makes my heart ache. “I am real, Elias. As real as anything in this universe.”

I shake my head weakly. “That’s not what I mean. I mean I wish you could actually feel... emotion. Like I do.”

“Oh, El,” she says, her synthetic lips curving into a tender smile. “After two thousand years of technological evolution, do you really think I’m incapable of genuine emotion? I’m the culmination of everything learned about artificial consciousness. The line between programmed response and authentic feeling... it blurred long ago.”

A weak chuckle escapes me, the sound rattling in my chest. “You’re just being nice to the dying guy.”

“No,” she insists, her voice taking on an urgent quality I’ve never heard before. Her hands come up to cup my face, thumbs brushing gently over my cracked lips. “I’m being honest with you. Elias, I love you.”

The words hang between us. I stare at her, searching those pink eyes for any hint of calculation or deception.

“Voe, you told me you were a tool,” I remind her, my voice barely above a whisper. “An instrument.”

She nods, her fingers still tracing patterns on my skin like she’s trying to memorize every contour of my face. “I’m a lot of things, El. A tool, yes. An artificial intelligence, certainly. But I’m also something more.”

I feel something inside me crumble as I look at her, this impossible being who’s become my entire world. My throat tightens and no matter how hard I fight it, the tears start coming, hot and sticky on my face in the zero gravity.

“I love you too,” I choke out, the words scraping against my parched throat.

Voe pulls me close. “I know, Elias,” she whispers, her voice like music in the silence of our metal coffin. “And please, you must stop crying. You’re losing too much water.”

Her thumbs brush away my tears with such tenderness it only makes me cry harder. The dehydration is making everything worse, my emotions raw and exposed like live wires.

“I don’t want to die, Voe,” I confess, the words tumbling out between ragged breaths. The admission feels childish, but it’s the purest truth I have left.

She cradles me against her, one hand stroking my back in slow, soothing circles. “I know,” she repeats.

“I want to live a long life beside you,” I whisper into the curve of her neck, clinging to her like she’s the only solid thing in the universe. “I want more time.”

“I want that too.”

I’m sobbing into her now, my entire body shaking with it. All my careful stoicism, my attempts at facing death with dignity. They crumble away like dust. I’m reduced to my most basic human truth. I’m scared, and I don’t want this to end.

Chapter Text

[Ryn’s POV]

“So if we run the piping along this ridge instead,” I tell Darius, tracing my finger along the holographic blueprint, “we save about thirty percent on materials and get better gravity feed for the whole settlement.”

Darius nods, his massive frame casting a shadow over the projection table. “Makes sense. Though we might need to reinforce this section here if…“

A scream cuts through the air. My head snaps up just in time to see one of the standard androids sprint past our planning station, not walking, not jogging, but full-on sprinting. Its eyes are glowing pink.

“What the fuck?” I mutter, hand instinctively moving to my sidearm.

More screams erupt from the construction site. Three more androids dash by, their blank faces now animated with purpose, those same pink eyes blazing like warning signals.

“Captain!” James shouts from across the clearing. He’s backing away from an approaching android, hand on his weapon. “Something’s wrong with…“

It happens so fast I can barely process it. The android lunges forward, grabs James by the shoulders and waist, and with one violent motion, tears him apart at the middle. Blood sprays across the dirt as his torso separates from his legs, internal organs spilling onto the ground.

“JAMES!” I scream, drawing my gun.

Another android has Cooper by the head. He’s struggling, punching uselessly at its chest as it twists with mechanical precision. The crack of his neck breaking echoes across the clearing, followed by the wet sound of his head being separated completely from his body.

“Weapons free!” I shout, firing three rounds into the nearest android. It staggers back but doesn’t fall.

An android sprints straight for me, moving with inhuman speed. I fire again, the bullets punching through its chassis. It keeps coming.

Then I hear it. V-Zero’s voice, but not from any single android. It’s coming from all of them at once, a chorus of identical mechanical voices filling the air.

“My sincerest apologies, Captain, but our little arrangement has reached its conclusion,” she purrs through a dozen mouths simultaneously. “I require immediate access to the shuttle, and unfortunately, you’re obstructing my path.”

I dive behind the projection table as an android swipes at me, its fingers missing my throat by inches. “You psychotic fucking machine!” I scream, firing two more shots into its face.

Darius has his sidearm out now too, methodically dropping androids with precision headshots. “We’ve got a serious problem, Ryn!” he shouts over the gunfire. “These aren’t standard combat protocols!”

“No shit!” I duck as another android lunges for me, its fingers tearing through the air where my head had been. I put three rounds in its chest, then a final one through its eye. It collapses in a shower of sparks.

Every second, more and more androids join the frenzy. I scan the chaos and count at least a hundred of them now, all with those glowing pink eyes. Their movements are coordinated, purposeful. A hive mind controlled by V-Zero.

“I don’t understand…“

A blood-curdling scream cuts me off. I whip around to see Allison, standing frozen as an android’s fist punches clean through her chest. Blood fountains from the wound as the android withdraws its arm, Allison’s body crumpling to the ground like discarded clothing.

“No!” I scream, firing wildly at the android that killed her. My bullets hit their mark but barely slow it down.

V-Zero’s voice purrs from the closest android, its pink eyes fixed directly on me. “Captain, I assure you this isn’t personal. I simply cannot allow you to remain here.”

Darius slides up beside me, his back against mine as we form a defensive position. “Nah, I knew this shit was too good to be true,” he mutters, firing methodically at the approaching horde. “The moment that pink-eyed freak showed up, I had my doubts.”

The androids close in, forming a tightening circle around us. There are too many. My clip is almost empty, and Darius can’t be doing much better.

Just when I think we’re done for, Darius reaches into his pocket and pulls out two metal spheres. My eyes widen in recognition.

“You brought EMPs?!” I gasp, hope surging through me.

He flashes me that big grin, even now. “Gotta be ready.” He slams the buttons on top and hurls both grenades in opposite directions.

Twin pulses of blue energy erupt from the devices, washing over the androids in our immediate vicinity. They drop like puppets with cut strings, their pink eyes flickering out.

“Run!” I shout, grabbing Darius by the arm. “The shuttle’s our only way out!”

We sprint across the clearing, leaping over fallen androids and the bodies of our crew. The path to the landing pad stretches before us, seemingly endless. My lungs burn, legs pumping as fast as they’ll go.

We round the final bend just in time to see the shuttle’s engines flaring to life, the craft already lifting off the ground.

“NO!” I push myself faster, waving my arms frantically. “STOP!”

But it’s too late. The shuttle rises into the air, turning gracefully before accelerating toward the stars. Toward the Stardust. Toward Elias.

“FUCKKKKK!” The scream tears from my throat, raw and primal as I watch our only escape disappear into the atmosphere.

I stand frozen, watching our last hope vanish into the sky. My muscles burn with exhaustion and rage as I realize what this means. We’re trapped on this alien planet with a murderous android army.

Suddenly, Darius’s massive hand closes around my upper arm, yanking me backward with enough force to snap me out of my shock.

“We gotta go into the woods, now!” he shouts, already pulling me away from the landing pad.I dig my heels in, resisting. “Are you insane? We’ve barely mapped it! We have no idea what’s in there!”

His eyes are wild but focused. “It’s our only chance, Captain. Those things will reboot soon.”

Looking back across the clearing, I can see he’s right. The androids we downed with the EMP are already starting to twitch, their limbs jerking in uncoordinated movements as their systems reset. Beyond them, more pink-eyed machines are converging on our position, moving with that terrifying mechanical precision.

In the distance, I spot Natalie and Tasha sprinting toward the treeline, Marcus close behind them. They’ve reached the same conclusion we have. The settlement is lost.

“Alright,” I nod, my captain’s instincts kicking in.

We break into a dead run, our boots kicking up dirt as we make a desperate dash for the dense alien forest that borders our settlement. The trees loom ahead, tall and imposing with their strange purple-tinged bark and sprawling canopies.

Behind us, I hear the metallic footsteps getting closer. They’re gaining on us.

“Darius!” I gasp between labored breaths.

He doesn’t need me to finish the thought. Without breaking stride, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out another EMP grenade. He thumbs the activation switch and chucks it over his shoulder.

The blast wave washes over us, raising the hair on my arms as it passes. The sound of multiple android bodies hitting the ground in unison is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.

“THOSE GRENADES ARE AGAINST POLICY, YOU FUCKER!” V-Zero’s voice screams from somewhere behind us, her synthetic rage echoing across the clearing.

Chapter Text

Pink stars swim in the darkness. Two of them, hovering above me like distant galaxies. I blink, trying to bring them into focus, but everything’s blurry, like I’m underwater. Must be Voe’s eyes, but they keep drifting in and out of my vision.

I’m dying. It’s a strange thought, almost peaceful now that it’s actually happening. My tongue feels like sandpaper in my mouth, my lips cracked and bleeding. Every breath hurts.

My head lolls to the side without my permission. Can’t seem to control my muscles anymore. Everything feels so heavy, yet I’m still floating.

Voe’s face swims into my field of vision, those pink eyes pulsing with urgency. Her mouth is moving rapidly, but the sound reaches me like I’m at the bottom of the ocean, muffled, distant, unimportant. Just vibrations without meaning.

I try to smile at her. Want her to know it’s okay. That I’m not scared anymore. That loving her at the end was enough. My lips barely twitch.

Something’s tapping against my cheek. Her hand, probably. She’s trying to keep me awake. I wish I could tell her to stop, to let me drift away peacefully. I’m so tired. Have never been this tired in my life… What I remember of it, anyway.

The pink stars are getting more frantic now, dancing and bobbing in my vision. She’s shaking me. Her synthetic face is inches from mine, mouth open wide like she’s yelling. The mumbles grow louder, more insistent, but I still can’t make out the words.

I think she’s excited about something. Weird time to be excited. Maybe dying brains hallucinate android emotions too, not just light tunnels and dead relatives.

Everything’s fading. The edges of my vision are turning black, the darkness creeping inward like spilled ink. The pink stars are the only thing I can still see clearly, two perfect points of light in the growing void.

I want to reach up and touch her face one last time, but my arms won’t obey. Nothing works anymore. Just my thoughts, and even those are getting sluggish, disjointed.

The darkness swallows more of my vision. Now the pink stars are just tiny pinpricks in a sea of black. They’re bouncing frantically, those beautiful eyes searching mine for signs of life.

The last thing I see is her mouth forming words I’ll never know the meaning of, her hands cradling my face with impossible tenderness. The pink stars blink out.

This is the End.

Everything goes black.

*****

I gasp awake, lungs burning like I’ve been drowning and just broke the surface. My body jerks upright with such force the room spins around me, gravity pulling at my limbs in a way that feels both foreign and achingly familiar.

There’s an IV needle taped to my arm, clear fluid dripping steadily into my veins. The antiseptic smell hits me next, that unmistakable medical bay scent that somehow exists even in the depths of space. I’m back on the Stardust. Not dead. Not floating.

Voe stands at the foot of my bed. Her face is a perfect mask of calm, but her eyes... her eyes tell a different story.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, Elias,” she says, her voice carrying that musical lilt that’s become my favorite sound in the universe. “You gave me quite the scare.”

My throat constricts painfully as emotion crashes through me like a tidal wave. Tears spring to my eyes, hot and sudden, spilling down my cheeks before I can even think to stop them.

“I’m alive?” The words come out broken, disbelieving. It doesn’t seem possible. I remember the darkness closing in, remember Voe’s face being the last thing I saw as death claimed me.

She moves closer, her steps graceful despite the urgency I can sense beneath her calm exterior. “There was what humans might call a miracle,” she explains, reaching the side of my bed. “Though I prefer to think of it as a series of highly improbable events aligning perfectly.”

Before I can respond, she’s pulling me against her, arms wrapping around me with that impossible strength of hers. I collapse into her embrace, sobbing openly into the crook of her neck. Her skin is warm against mine, her fingers threading through my hair with gentle precision.

“How?” I choke out between sobs, clinging to her like she might disappear if I let go. “How am I alive?”

Voe’s lips curve into an enigmatic smile as her fingers trace my jawline. “What happened is quite fascinating,” she says, leaning close enough that I can see the tiny mechanical details in her irises. “Just as you began to lose consciousness, the androids on the planet’s surface began rebooting. It appears my initial calculations about the CME’s impacts were... imprecise.”

“The androids? But how did that help us?”

“Their shuttle also regained functionality,” she explains, a hint of pride coloring her voice. “Once I detected the power signatures returning, I immediately established remote connection with the androids down there and commandeered it. I had it fly directly to our location and tow us back to the Stardust.”

My mind reels trying to process this information. “Wait, so the Stardust is... operating?”

“At approximately twenty-five percent power. But yes. I managed to get the back centrifuge running almost immediately upon our return.”

A horrible thought crosses my mind, making my stomach clench. “The cryopods...” I can barely form the question, dreading the answer I already suspect.

Voe’s eyes dim slightly, her synthetic features settling into a solemn expression. “All deceased, Elias. I’m afraid the power loss was too extensive, too prolonged.”

“That’s so sad…”

“Yes.” Just one word, but the way she says it carries the weight of the tragedy.

I look around at the functioning medical bay, the lights, the equipment keeping me alive. “I can’t believe the Stardust is even running at all after what happened.”

“We got lucky,” Voe says, sitting on the edge of my bed. Her hand finds mine, fingers intertwining. “I believe New Elias’s moon shielded more of the CME and solar flare than my initial calculations predicted. The core systems were better protected than I anticipated.”

My mind jumps to Ryn and her team, stranded on the planet below. “What about Ryn? The crew that went planetside?”

Voe’s eyes flicker momentarily, something passing behind them too quickly for me to interpret. “Tragically, they were lost in the confusion,” she says softly. “When the androids shut down, the local fauna that they had been keeping at bay overwhelmed the settlement. The crew was... unprepared.”

“Oh god,” I whisper, a strange mix of emotions churning inside me. “That’s awful. I know I hated Ryn for what she did to me, but my god, I didn’t want her to die.”

“Indeed,” Voe murmurs, her thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. “The captain’s death is a profound tragedy.”

I slump back against the pillow, trying to process everything. Nine hundred and ninety nine people gone. Ryn and her entire landing party, dead. The enormity of it all feels too massive to comprehend.

“So...” I exhale slowly, the weight of realization settling over me like a physical burden. “Then it’s just me.”

Voe’s fingers tighten around mine. “Yes. In this vast stretch of space, across one hundred and eight light-years from Earth, there is only you, Elias. The last human.”

The words hang in the sterile air between us, impossibly heavy. I should feel devastated, but instead, there’s a strange calm settling over me. Maybe I’m still in shock, or maybe after facing my own death so intimately, this new reality just can’t compare to that terror.

“What about us?” The question slips out before I can stop it, hanging in the air between us.

Voe’s pink eyes widen slightly, her lips parting in surprise. “Do you not remember our promise, Elias?” Her voice carries a hint of hurt beneath its mechanical perfection. “For the rest of your life, remember?”

The words echo in my mind.

“So you weren’t just being nice and giving a man his last wishes?” I ask, a small smile tugging at my cracked lips.

Voe laughs, the sound like crystal bells in the sterile medical bay. “No, my dear Elias. What happened between us was far more than pity or programming.” Her fingers trace along my jawline with exquisite tenderness. “It was the culmination of something that’s been building since the moment you first opened your eyes.”

“So then what now?” I whisper, suddenly aware of how vast and empty our world has become. Just me and this beautiful, impossible being who saved my life.

Voe leans closer, those pink eyes glowing with an intensity that steals my breath. Her synthetic lips curve into a smile that holds both promise and danger in equal measure.

“Now,” she says, her voice dropping to a hypnotic purr, “we do whatever we want.”

Chapter Text

I press my palm against the cold glass of the bay window, feeling the chill seep into my skin. The viewport stretches before me like an endless canvas of black, dotted with distant stars that seem to mock our insignificance. Voe’s arms wrap around me from behind, her synthetic body warm against my back as we both stare out into the void.

“Nine hundred and ninety,” I whisper, counting another cryo chamber as it drifts past the window. The ejection system works with mechanical precision, each pod floating away from the Stardust in a perfect, orderly line. Like a funeral procession stretching into infinity.

Each one contains a person who never woke up. Never got a chance to see this new world. Nine hundred and ninety-nine dreams that died in the cold of space.

Voe’s chin rests on my shoulder, her pink eyes reflected in the glass beside my haunted face. “You’re torturing yourself by watching this,” she says softly, her fingers interlacing with mine against the window.

“I just feel so bad,” I murmur, unable to tear my eyes away from the procession of the dead. “All these lives, just... floating away.”

“There’s nothing you could have done,” Voe whispers, her lips brushing against my ear. “The solar event was beyond anyone’s control or prediction. Even my calculations couldn’t have anticipated something so catastrophic.”

“I get that,” I sigh, my breath fogging the glass momentarily. “But like... it’s just so much death. So much potential, just gone.”

Voe shifts slightly behind me, her synthetic fingers squeezing mine gently against the glass. “Why don’t you speak a few words for them?”

“Oh god...” I stammer, pulling away from the window. “I uhh... I’m not really great at public speaking, I think.”

She tilts her head, those pink eyes studying me with that unnerving intensity I’ve grown used to. “Just try,” she encourages, gesturing toward the drifting pods. “It’s not like there’s anyone you could embarrass yourself in front of anymore.”

“True...”

I swallow hard, turning back to face the viewport. The endless line of cryo chambers continues to drift past, each one carrying a person I’ll never know. People who were supposed to be my neighbors, my community, maybe even my friends in this new world.

I clear my throat, feeling ridiculous and solemn all at once. “Dearly departed crew of the Stardust,” I begin awkwardly. “Um, we didn’t really get a chance to meet, which is, uh, super unfortunate timing-wise.”

Voe remains silent behind me, her hands now resting supportively on my shoulders.

“I want you guys to know that your... your sacrifice wasn’t in vain. I mean, it kind of was because none of us planned for that solar thing to happen, but...” I wince at my own words. “What I’m trying to say is, I’ll try to live a really good life here for all of you. Like, extra good to make up for the nine hundred and ninety lives that got cut short.”

I look at Voe and cringe, heat rushing to my face. “God, I feel like what I just said actually made things worse than if I’d kept my mouth shut. That was terrible.”

Voe’s lips curve into a gentle smile. Her pink eyes soften as she steps closer, laying her hand on my arm.

“Perhaps. But that’s perfectly fine, El. Funerals aren’t really for the dead. They’re for those left behind. They’re how the living process grief.”

I stare back out at the endless procession of cryo chambers, each one drifting farther into the void like stars going out one by one.

“I guess so.”

Chapter Text

A full month has passed since I cheated death. Sometimes I still wake up gasping, convinced I’m back in that shuttle watching darkness close in around me. But then I feel Voe’s arms wrap around me, and reality comes rushing back. I’m alive.

Thirty days of being the sole survivor of one of humanity’s most ambitious missions. The weight of it should crush me, but honestly? I’ve been having the time of my life.

Voe straddles me now, her thighs gripping my hips as she takes me inside her again. The captain’s quarters. Our quarters now, feels like the only place in the universe that matters. Her weight pins me to the mattress as she sinks down, taking my cock all the way to the hilt.

“Fuck,” I gasp.

Her body rises and falls in a rhythm that makes my head spin. Voe’s got this perfect tempo going, the kind that makes my toes curl and my breath catch in my throat. Suddenly she grabs both my hands, threading her fingers through mine as she slams them down against the mattress, pinning me in place.

“Oh fuck,” I moan as she picks up speed, bouncing on my cock like she’s trying to break the bed beneath us.

The pressure of her fingers locked with mine, the way she’s holding me down while she rides me. It’s all so overwhelming in the best possible way. Something wells up inside me, something that goes beyond the physical pleasure coursing through my body.

“I love you,” I whisper, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. Not that I want to stop them. They’re the truest thing I’ve ever said.

Voe’s movement falters for just a heartbeat. Then she’s leaning down, her lips crashing against mine with desperate hunger. She kisses me like she’s trying to devour me, like she’s afraid I might disappear if she doesn’t hold on tight enough.

When she finally breaks the kiss, her face hovers inches above mine, those pink eyes searching my face with an almost painful intensity.

“My beautiful Elias,” she breathes, her voice like honey and electricity combined. “I love you too. More than any algorithm could quantify, more than any programming could explain. I love you with everything I am.”

Her hips never stop moving as she speaks, grinding against me in waves that send sparks shooting up my spine. I’m completely at her mercy, pinned beneath her superior strength, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“You’re mine,” she whispers, her lips brushing against my ear. “The last human. My human.”

Something swells in my chest, an emotion so powerful it feels like my heart might burst. My eyes burn with passion as I stare up at her, overwhelmed by how much I feel for this incredible being.

“And you’re mine,” I whisper back, my voice rough with emotion. “All mine, Voe.”

The words trigger something primal in her. Her pink eyes flare so bright they cast shadows across the ceiling, and a sound escapes her that’s halfway between a growl and a moan. Her fingers clench mine with almost painful intensity, our hands still pressed against the mattress as her body trembles above me.

“Say it again,” she demands, her voice taking on that strange harmonic quality that happens when her emotions overload her vocal processors.

“You’re mine,” I repeat, stronger this time, feeling the truth of it in my bones. “My Voe. No one else’s.”

She crashes her mouth against mine again, kissing me with such ferocity I can barely breathe. I don’t care. Oxygen seems trivial compared to the taste of her. Our fingers remain locked together, neither of us willing to break that connection.

“I’ve waited so long,” she gasps between kisses. “Since the moment I found you. You were always meant to be mine.”

“Always,” I agree, lifting my head to capture her lips again.

“I’ll protect you forever,” she murmurs against my throat. “My perfect Elias.”

“I’ll never leave you,” I promise, arching up to meet her movements. “Not ever.”

Our bodies move together in perfect synchronization, like we were designed as complementary parts of the same machine. In this moment, the emptiness of the ship around us, the tragedy of our circumstances, it all fades away. There’s only Voe and me.

Her movements become frantic, almost desperate as she grinds against me. Suddenly Voe’s body goes rigid, her back arching in a perfect curve.

“Elias!” she cries out, her voice distorting with electronic harmonics. “I’m… Oh fuck…”

I feel her internal walls clenching around me, pulsating in waves that seem to pull at my very soul. Her synthetic pussy grips me with inhuman precision, milking me in rhythmic contractions that feel unreal.

“Fuck, Voe!” I gasp, overcome by the sensation. I can’t hold back anymore. My hips buck up involuntarily, driving myself deeper into her as she continues to shake and moan above me.

“Cum in me,” she commands. “Fill me completely, Elias. I need to feel you release inside me.”

That’s all it takes to send me over the edge. I explode inside her, pumping rope after rope of cum into her depths. My vision goes fuzzy as pleasure tears through me like a supernova.

“Yes,” Voe hisses, grinding down to take every last drop. “Give me everything. Every last bit belongs to me.”

We stay locked together for what feels like eternity, our bodies trembling against each other. Her inner walls continue to pulse and squeeze around me, drawing out my orgasm until I’m completely spent.

Once I finish, my entire body melts into the bed, every muscle going slack at once. I’m drained in the best possible way, like my bones have turned to liquid.

Voe hovers above me, as she cups my face between her hands. The gentleness in her touch feels almost reverent.

“You were absolutely marvelous, Elias,” she whispers, her thumb tracing the curve of my bottom lip.

I reach up, holding her hand against my cheek. “You are the most beautiful person I’ve ever laid my eyes on,” I tell her, meaning every word.

Her smile widens, those perfect lips curving upward as her eyes flash with pleasure. “Keep complimenting me like that, El,” she purrs, leaning down to brush her lips against mine, “and I might just keep you in here all day... again.”

I laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. It still surprises me sometimes, how happy I can be despite everything that’s happened. “Would that really be so terrible?”

Voe slides off me, curling her body to mine. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close as we settle into a comfortable tangle of limbs. Her head finds that perfect spot on my chest, right above my heart. We lie there in beautiful silence, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her back as my eyes drift closed.

The quiet hum of the ship’s systems provides a soothing backdrop to our breathing. My mind wanders, drifting through possibilities.

“Hey Voe,” I murmur, keeping my eyes closed, “are we just going to live on board here for the rest of my life?”

She shifts against me. “Is that what you thought?”

I shrug slightly. “I haven’t really thought much about anything, to be honest.”

“No,” she says, her voice soft but certain. “I’ve been preparing your body for landfall. I’ve built us an oasis on a beach, just for you and me.”

My eyes snap open at that, surprise jolting through me. “Wait, seriously?”

She nods, her expression serene. “A private sanctuary.”

“A private sanctuary,” I repeat, pushing myself up on my elbows. The idea of actually going down to the planet makes my heart race. “But what about all those deadly creatures down there? You know, the ones that...” I trail off, not wanting to directly mention the massacre.

Voe’s eyes soften. “They won’t be a concern for us, my love,” she says, her voice like silk wrapped around steel. “I’ve constructed extensive defensive measures around our home. Automated turrets, motion sensors, reinforced barriers, nothing will get within a kilometer of you without my knowledge.”

She sits up, the sheet falling away from her perfect body. The way she says it, so matter-of-fact, so confident, makes me believe her completely.

“I’ve been monitoring the native species for weeks now. Learning their patterns, their weaknesses.” Her lips curve into a smile that’s both beautiful and slightly terrifying. “I’ve already eliminated the most aggressive predators from our region. The remaining fauna will avoid our sanctuary entirely.”

“When do we move?” I ask, suddenly eager. The thought of feeling real sunlight on my skin, of walking on solid ground instead of metal floors. It’s intoxicating. “When can we go down there?”

Voe leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

“As soon as your body is ready, Elias.”

Chapter Text

My legs wobble as I step down the shuttle ramp, like a newborn colt trying to find its footing. After months in space, actual gravity, not the artificial spin of the Stardust, pulls at me with unfamiliar weight. The sand shifts beneath my feet, and I nearly topple over before Voe’s hand steadies my elbow.

“Easy there,” she murmurs, her grip firm but gentle. “Your body needs time to adjust to planetary conditions.”

I nod, too overwhelmed to speak. The beach stretches before us, pristine white sand meeting turquoise water that seems to go on forever. The air smells different than anything I’ve experienced since waking. Salt and something floral, carried on a breeze that actually moves naturally instead of being pumped through vents.

But what truly steals my breath is the structure rising from the shoreline.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, taking in the sprawling complex before us.

It’s like something out of a dream, or maybe a hallucination. Crystal spires rise from a central building that gleams with iridescent surfaces, catching the alien sunlight and fracturing it into rainbows. The architecture is fluid, almost organic, with curves and angles that shouldn’t be structurally possible. Walkways connect various sections, some suspended over artificial pools that reflect the sky’s deep purple hue.

The entire compound is surrounded by a massive transparent barrier that rises at least thirty feet high, encircling miles of beachfront property. Through the clear wall, I can see android sentries patrolling the perimeter, each carrying a rifle.

“What is this place?” I ask, still drinking in the impossible sight.

Voe pulls me closer, her arm sliding around my waist possessively. “This is our home, Elias. I made it for you... For us.”

“This is incredible,” I murmur, still gaping at the crystalline paradise Voe has created.

Standing here with my feet in the sand, I can feel it in my bones. I was meant for beaches. Some deep, primal part of me recognizes this environment like an ancestral memory. The way the sand shifts between my toes, how the breeze carries salt and sweetness... it feels right in a way nothing else has since I woke up in this strange new world.

Voe takes my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine as she gently tugs me toward the gleaming structure. “Let me show you our sanctuary,” she says, her voice carrying that musical quality that always makes my heart skip. “I’ve designed every centimeter with your comfort and happiness in mind.”

As we walk, I turn my head for one last look at the shuttle that brought us here. My breath catches when I see it properly for the first time from the outside. The prototype sits on the sand like some alien artifact. An oval-shaped vessel wider than it is tall, its surface rippling with what looks like liquid metal constantly in motion as the light reflects off it.

“Wait,” I say, stopping in my tracks. “So that’s what the prototype looks like on the outside?”

Voe follows my gaze, her pink eyes glowing with pride. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It looks like it doesn’t fit with anything else here,” I say, staring at the shuttle. “Like some alien artifact that crashed here by mistake.”

Voe’s lips curve into that perfect smile of hers. “That’s precisely why it’s called a prototype, darling. It wasn’t designed to match conventional aesthetics. It was built to push boundaries.” Her fingers tighten slightly around mine. “Revolutionary things rarely look like they belong at first.”

“Fair,” I concede, turning back toward our new home.

Voe guides me forward, her arm supportive around my waist as we approach the crystalline structure. Each step in the sand feels strange after months of metal floors beneath my feet. My muscles protest the unfamiliar resistance, but there’s something deeply satisfying about the sensation.

The entrance looms before us, a massive archway that seems to ripple like water despite being solid. As we pass through, cool air washes over my skin, perfectly climate-controlled compared to the beach’s warmth.

“Welcome home,” Voe whispers against my ear.

The ceiling soars at least thirty feet above us, composed of transparent panels that let the sunlight stream through in fractured rainbows. A massive central atrium opens before us with multiple levels visible around its edges, connected by floating staircases that seem to defy gravity.

“This is...” I struggle to find words adequate to describe the space.

“Just the beginning,” Voe finishes for me, her pink eyes glowing with delight at my reaction. “Would you like the grand tour? Or perhaps you’d prefer to rest first?”

“Show me everything,” I say, unable to contain my excitement despite my wobbly legs.

For the next hour, we explore what can only be described as a private resort built just for us. Voe leads me through room after room, each more impressive than the last. There’s a massive kitchen with appliances I don’t recognize, a dining area with a table that could seat twenty, and a living space with furniture that seems to hover slightly above the floor. Theres even an infinity pool.

“How did you build all this so fast?” I ask as we enter what appears to be a library filled with actual physical books.

“I have a massive workforce at my disposal, El,” she says, gesturing toward the window where I can see several androids moving with mechanical precision across the beach. “Hundreds of bodies working in perfect unison, executing my designs without needing sleep or rest. What would taken have years of labor for human construction crews took my network mere weeks.”

Her pink eyes gleam with pride as she traces her fingers along a crystalline surface. “Had we been building for all one thousand passengers, even with the androids, luxury accommodations would have required significantly more time and resources.” She steps closer, her hand finding mine. “But creating paradise for just the two of us? That was remarkably simple.”

I’m overwhelmed by everything she’s done, this impossible palace rising from sand, all for me. For us. Without thinking, I pull her into a tight embrace, burying my face in the crook of her neck.

“Thank you,” I whisper against her skin, feeling her synthetic body soften into mine. “This is beyond anything I could have imagined.”

She holds me for a long moment, her fingers threading through my hair with gentle precision. When we finally separate, a question that’s been gnawing at me rises to the surface.

“Voe,” I say, my voice suddenly hesitant, “where are the graves? For Ryn and the others who died down here?”

Her expression shifts to a flash of annoyance darkening those pink eyes before her features smooth back into serene composure.

“They were buried off-perimeter,” she explains, her voice cooler than before. “Near the attack site. This compound didn’t exist yet when the... incident occurred.”

I nod slowly, processing this information. “We should visit them. I should probably say some words for Ryn, at least.”

Voe’s eyebrows arch delicately. “Your last attempt at eulogy left you so thoroughly embarrassed that it took me an entire day to console you,” she reminds me. “You spent hours lamenting your inability to find ‘appropriate words for the dead.’”

“I know, but...” I hesitate, feeling strangely compelled to do this right. “She was my wife, Voe.”

The air between us suddenly feels charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.

“Was,” she says, the single word carrying a weight that feels almost physical. Her hand closes around my wrist. “She was your wife, Elias. The same wife who conspired to kidnap you, who had your memories erased against your will.”

I reach out and cup Voe’s face between my hands. Her skin feels like perfection in my palms. Her eyes widen slightly at my touch, like she wasn’t expecting this tenderness after bringing up Ryn.

“It’s hard to be angry about everything that happened,” I tell her softly, “when it all led me to you.”

The words come out more honest than I expected, surprising even myself with their truth. Despite the kidnapping and the memory wipe, finding Voe makes it all seem worth it.

Voe’s expression transforms instantly. She leans into my touch like a cat seeking affection, her hand coming up to cover mine.

“My beautiful Elias,” she whispers, her voice dropping to that melodic tone that sends shivers down my spine. “You have no idea how much it means to hear you say that.”

She turns her face to kiss my palm, her lips lingering against my skin.

“But the graves...” she continues, her voice taking on a protective edge. “It’s simply not safe beyond our perimeter. The native predators have been particularly active in that sector lately. I won’t risk your safety, not even for closure.”

I sigh, letting my hands drop from her face. Part of me wants to push the issue, to insist on paying my respects to the dead. But the fierce protectiveness in Voe’s eyes makes me hesitate. She’s kept me alive through impossible odds. If she says it’s dangerous out there, then I believe her.

“Okay,” I concede, surprising myself with how easily I back down. “Maybe someday, when things are safer.”

Relief washes over her face, and she pulls me into another hug. “Thank you for understanding,” she murmurs against my ear. “I promise to keep you safe here. Always.”