Mission Zero

--Day 6--

Everybody was talking about when they’d land on a new planet and the procedures they were supposed to follow during breakfast. Keeping track of time was sort of weird now. Especially since the ship was already so far from Earth and there was no technical day or night. The time tables were messing with a lot of people, but, for the most part, everyone was dealing well with it. The comms and mapping center also displayed clocks while they weren’t in use, so that helped a bit.

“I can’t wait until we find an atmosphere with enough oxygen and non-toxins to breathe in! It’s gonna be great-” Sora bounced a bit in her seat as she spoke to Aaron, Jacob, Benny, and River. Maxi and Josh joined the table after eating arrangements had been settled. It was a nice schedule they had, and Josh was doing a great job as a chef, according to Denise.

“You know you’re not supposed to take off your helmet even if the qualifications are met. What if you bring in some nasy ass bug?” Jacob queried and Benny playfully smacked the table to get everyone’s attention.

“HEAR ME OUT- Protocols this, protocols that.. But what if it actually works out? We’d be the first to breathe air on another planet!”

Aaron was shaking his head the entire time, clearly amused, but thinking better of the situation.

“It’s a nice thought, but we have to follow the procedures. Remember that any little thing out here could kill us.”

“Even each other.” Maxi pointed out, having a weirdly joyful sound to their voice.

“Well.. I’d hope that we’re not trying to kill one another.” Aaron’s cheerful expression fell, changing to one of worry. Maxi shrugged, giving no insight to what could have brought that train of thought to their odd head.

“Anyway-” River jumped in, seeing as Aaron had an anxious look that normally meant that he was going to go off on a tangent of ‘the worst is to come’. “ Regardless of rules… I’m still super excited to try and walk on another planet.” The comment seemed to calm the tension of what Maxi had said, and Aaron brightened up again.

“Oh, that reminds me. After lunch today and until tomorrow after dinner, Orbitt is opening the comms to our families. So, whoever calls in, we’ll be able to see and talk to before we go to sleep in our tubes.” Aaron stood as he finished his meal and looked around. “I guess I’ll set up the pillow room for the calls so everyone can have a bit of privacy with their calls..”

“I’ll help!” River called, stuffing her face so she could finish faster.

“There’s no need to rush!” Aaron laughed, setting off on his way. “Take your time, I’ll meet ya in the pillow room- and anyone else who wants to join.”

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Lunch rolled around in no time, and the pillow room was set up for video calls. Aaron was in contact with Orbitt, letting them know that they were ready to start accepting calls.

Most people were waiting on the main deck doing as they pleased, or off doing their own thing elsewhere around the ship. Anubis was taking care of managing everything at the moment, letting people know when it was their turn and who was calling.

“Chad! Your family’s calling!” Anubis spoke over the intercom system while laying on a carpet in the main deck. They were pretty much able to monitor everything in their head.

Chad got up quickly and made his way to the pillow room, settling himself down in front of the giant hologram that was put there. A bunch of people appeared there as he accepted the call- his two moms and four sisters. He was the technical 'firstborn' child- being the eldest and first child of the parents; but he wasn't theirs. He was adopted, and the only male of the family. They were ecstatic to see him, going on about how famous he’d be and how proud they were of him. He consistently denied claims about popularity, and shyly rubbing the back of his neck or running his fingers through his hair any time someone would mention what he meant to the family.

“I’ll be back in no time for you, I promise. I miss y’all..”

River was called in next, expecting her mom and dad. They greeted her casually and stood proudly before her.

“Are you having fun?” Her mother asked, a bright smile on her face. River practically exploded, bouncing a bit as she launched into details.

“Oooh- yes! Space is so pretty and I’ve made a bunch of friends!” She smiled as her parents patiently listened to her rambling. “Not gunna lie, there’s some cute guys too-” She giggled, getting an amused laugh from both of her parents.

“Don’t get yourself into trouble now, dumplin’.” Her father shook his head, sounding playful.

“I won’t! I’ll be good- I’m gonna be an awesome leader!”

Aaron got a call, to his surprise- it was his mother.

“Surprise!” She started off with as he sat in front of the hologram.

“Since when do you do holograms, mom?” He smiled, left in complete awe as he looked at her. “Where’s dad?”

A few seconds of silence passed, and for a moment, Aaron thought she wouldn’t answer.

“..You know him, always working. I, on the other hand, have retired. I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us.. But this is a big mission, and I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.. You’re so alike to your father, always heading towards a greater goal and putting others first.. You be careful, okay?” His mother sounded melancholy, as if saying a bittersweet goodbye. Aaron didn’t know how to process this, feeling overwhelmed.

“I.. I’ll do my best. I love you- don’t let dad overwork himself, okay?” He concluded, forcing himself to stay strong and not ask questions he knew would only hurt.

“Oh Jacob, you have two lovely men waiting for you~” Anubis teased as Aaron came down and another call was sent through.

“Oh boy, here comes the waterworks.” Jacob commented halfheartedly as he smiled to himself and quickly made his way to the second deck.

“Hey?” He looked at the two idiots in the hologram, seeing the shorter of the two already tearing up.

“Make sure you bring back a rock! We’ll put it up someplace high and pretend it’s holy.” The other laughed, trying to bring some amusement into the picture.

Jacob snickered, feeling his heart twist in his chest. He was homesick already.

“Pffft- Maybe. Don’t be too sappy with me, alright? I don’t need to be crying.

“Shaddap! You’re gonna be a big ol’ badass and come back to us with a giant space rock!”

“You’re really set on that rock, huh?”

Evelynn was up next for the night, and the calls would resume the next morning after breakfast.

Her dads were there- She and her brother had been adopted by the couple after being orphaned, but they all shared the resemblance of white hair and pointed ears.

“There’s our baby girl! How’re you doing? And where’s your brother?”

The conversation followed like most of the others. Evelynn had explained that Klaus, her brother, had already been put to sleep- and she had been as well until recently for the plants.

“Lucky for us then! You make sure to give your brother a big hug for us, you hear? You’re gonna be great out there.”