Polaris

Aether

"You need to stop barging onto the BeBop like that." I grumbled with a yawn. Trying my best to stretch while in the cramped space of the Icarus. The previous night left me sore, and stiff. I had insisted on running point, but being the only one to actually be wearing a bulletproof vest I was busy playing, "Human Shield."

Or would it be, "Helxian Shield?"

"Someone's gotta keep these Bounty Hunters on their toes! Since you've gotten comfortable... I mean, what happened to shoot first and ask questions later?" Quill's chipper voice felt like a drill pressed against my skull. No matter how low I turned down my headset.

"It keeps me busy, as much as we've lost, I don't go as hungry as often. Plus, I'm not as focused on just surviving anymore it's more... living. If that makes any sense," I half-heartedly explained, but at this point there were luxuries that came with the BeBop Crew. I deeply cherished their company and banter. Not to mention having my room and bed? The first night in that bed was probably my first time in a bed since I had crawled out of the grave. The BeBop was starting to feel like home, and the crew some strange family, "Now I'd appreciate it if you made this quick, you're ruining whatever little sleep I already don't get."

"Trust me, Bubbl. You're going to love this."

An hour long fight later, and we had arrived in Earth's atmosphere. Although his zipcraft, the Neverion - a ship renowned for its speed and stealth - he was still paranoid when it came to the Icarus's faulty hyperdrive engine. Not that it would kill me, more that it was that he wouldn't be able to get away in time. Thinking he wasn't fast enough to avoid being caught in the explosion. Grumbling, I hated nothing more than to be on the crummy ball of dirt. Withdrawing my umbrella within the safety of the Icarus, I pushed it through the loosened hatch to emerge safely on the other side. Letting my eyes adjust, I found that we were back at Manic's shipyard. Next to the office, a large garage had been built. Large enough to hold a sizable ship. Large enough to fit the BeBop if I dare say myself! But, the whole thing was sealed tight. No way to peek inside. However, since this was Quill's endeavor, I followed him into the office. Where we found Manic busy with trinkets at his desk. But the moment I entered the room, he was quick to draw the shades. Plummeting us into a dim darkness.

"You actually managed to drag him away!?" There was a buzz of joy about the Blaze. A child-like excitement shining in those golden eyes.

"Mhm! So is Daedalus ready?" Hearing the name drew me into the conversation. I had heard that name before. I couldn't think of where at all. Sitting on the tip of my tongue... It sounded like it was a part of the Greek mythology that I had been fascinated with in my youth. A life that only lived on in the memories of those still living.

"I thought we agreed on, "Aether." Being the Greek word for sky and well-" Manic vaguely gestured toward me while he pushed past us. Being sure to shove me behind the door and out of the sun's light, "It would only be fitting for the sky to be his home."

Quill nodded in agreement as Manic muttered a quick instruction to, "stay." A similar buzz of excitement could be felt around the Endrian, two tone eyes simply brimming with an unbridled joy. One that made me think the surprise was for him in reality. Besides that, his poker face was simply amazing.

"He is right, you know. No place I feel more at home other than the skies or in the cockpit of the Icarus." There had been the intrusive thought a handful of times where I wanted nothing more than to phase through the window, and out into the void of space. A soft, comfortable death.

Not that I necessarily suicidal, but rather it would be a one time thing. In the vacuum of space without a suit and all.

"Or on the BeBop. Really, why do you stay? Everything on the BeBop you have. I, personally, don't see why you'd stay." Feeling this wasn't something Quill was going to let up on, I tried to think of a better reason. Other than the BeBop giving me my own room. I mean, sure, I could receive the same banter and iteration I got from them from Manic and Quill. But that thought alone rang alarm bells in my head. My own intuition was telling me to do anything but trust the duo, but to confront it and ask it why? I got nothing but TV static of blurry memories.