Awake in Prefeton (Superpowers Char RP|IC, Signup, Open)

[Demencia]

Rosalind Llywelyn

Rosie's hand shot up at the mention of the translator. "Oooh! Do we control over them? That way if someone stabs me or something and asks why I didn't die, I can dramatically rip off my shirt and say 'Nanomachines, son!' or something cool like that?" Suddenly dozens of different scenarios played over in her mind, each of them cooler than the last. "It'd be nice to finally be able to do something, everyone else gets a cool power and I'm just a Regular Person. I feel cheated. Can I get extra nanomachines? Ooh can will they give me Magneto powers? Or maybe Bayonetta! Woah... an outfit made of nothing but nanomachines..." she looked down at her clothes. "Scandalous, but badass!"

Despite asking multiple questions, Rosie didn't even wait for an answer before rushing off down the hall, and practicaly jumped down the stairs. She barged into the medical center like it was a raid. "Is this the cool nanomachine room where I get all the cool superpowers?" she asked. She had the image in her head of her walking to the ring with a large set of metallic wings, subtly fluttering as she approached the ring. "I need all the cool little robots that I can have. Especially if they let me talk to robots and have a robot attack dog sidekick, he can distract people so I can hit them with a superkick!" For no discernable reason, she felt the need to demonstrate a superkick; something she did with such ease and speed that anyone on the receiving end would be noticeably hurt by it.

[Nachfolgia]

Allison Clark

"Oh my gosh! I've been so worried!"

Allison ran to Atalia and gave her a big hug, nearly picking her up off the bed. She was so relieved that her BFF was safe a sound despite getting shot. She held onto her tightly, trying to fight back tears before lossening her grip. Allison was knelt down by the bed as she explained what happened.

" Well...for starters, I took down that giant creature with my bare hands with some help from Nikolai. The others managed to take down Alis, Steven, and that dick bag, Isaac. Shame...I was hoping to get a chance at round 2. " Allison said as she shook her right fist.

Allison kept silent as Atalia explained everything on her end. Nanomachines, aliens, brain worms, 2137, none of it made sense to her, but her worse fears were realized. Everything she knew was a lie all along. When the red skinned alien spoke in a language Allison obviously didn't understand, Allison glared at her and slowly stood up, her fists clenched at her side.

She knew nothing of this alien or its intentions, her instincts were screaming at her to attack. She didn't, despite wanting to. She didn't know what the consequences of that would be. Instead, she positioned her body between it and Atalia.

" How can we trust this thing? It could be another game to them, get us to lower our guard. They've already fabricated our entire lives so who's to say the didn't do the same with those nano things. I'm sorry, Atalia, but I'm not receiving anything from them." Allison said, not breaking eye contact with the alien. Even if they didn't understand each other, her tone would be enough to get the message.

[Talchyon]

The ship
Kristen Lane

The surge of the ship breaking free from Prefeton's gravity was noticeable, but barely. Gazing out through what appeared to be a digital screen on the wall with cameras to the outside, Kristen saw what she had known as her home - scratch that, her home planet - slowly disappear from sight. The bastards had tried to shoot them down out of the sky, but somehow they survived.

It had been the worst two days of her life.

Breathing shallowly so as to avoid the pains shooting up her ribs, Kristen forced her eyes on the soldiers disappearing with Alis. Not knowing if they were taking her to the sick bay or to a secure medical wing for prisoners, she began to follow and then lost them. Fortunately, that fast woman Scott had given directions to the sick bay, and a number of others were heading down that way. Kristen got in line and felt bothered at the loss of everything she had ever known. She had known it now for two days - especially since the kraken monsters in the supposed ocean, and finding the wall where there should be more ocean, and breaching that wall! She knew she had been living a lie. But it was one thing to know, and another to see it with your own two eyes. It was like her heart and her mind had been scrambled, that 2 + 2 really equalled 7, and all because she was now in a world she knew nothing about.

At the sick bay, she was relieved to see Atalia and gave her friend a wave - as best as she could, not wanting to raise her arm much due to her sore ribs. She caught the conversation between Atalia and Allison, though, and was even more perplexed. "2137?! Intergalactic war? Oh, man..." was all she said.

With her athletic background and training, Kristen was hesitant to inject a foreign substance into her body, not knowing what it might do. So she asked for a communicator, and after trying to figure it out, she asked the red-skinned physician to scan her ribs, explaining that she had rammed into another person at about 45 mph. Who knew if these aliens even used the English system of measurements? As the doctor laid her down in a bed that began to scan her, Kristen's weariness caught up to her, and she was out like a light for the first time in days.

---

Capt. Pennel and Rashaad

Seeing his son somehow make it to the ship brought tears of joy to Capt. Pennel. As the bleary-eyed Rashaad's chair rolled up the ramp, Capt. Pennel couldn't contain himself. He got out from behind the doorway he was using as cover and ran to his son. "Rashaad!"

"Dad!"

He couldn't believe that it had actually worked. His impossible plan that he started so long before to rescue his son had actually worked. As he wiped the tears of joy from his face, Capt. Pennel noticed the facial reactions of his son and his squinched eyes. "Hey, are you ok?"

"Just got some o' that gas in my eyes."

"Alright, let's take you to sickbay then. We'll talk later." And since they had been given directions, Capt. Pennel pushed Rashaad's chair in neutral to get his eyes flushed.

Rashaad's head was still spinning from the gas, but he could make out the voice of Atalia. He smiled, knowing she was safe. Also, there was no mistaking Allison's frustrated voice, or the incredulous musings of Rosie. He said, "Hey ladies."

But his father piped in, "You'll have time to talk later." Then, explaining a few things to the doctor, he wheeled Rashaad over to a eyewash station, and one of the med assistants flushed his eyes. With that taken care of, the older Pennel took his son off, saying there were some things he had to tell him and it couldn't wait.

---

When they were finally in a dorm room, a single with ample space for a wheelchair or two, Capt. Pennel breathed out a heavy sigh. "Sorry, this has been a long time coming."

Rashaad, who could see somewhat better now (so that instead of his eyes being on fire, now it just looked to him as if he was peering though a strange, painless film), looked up at his dad with a puzzled look. "Whatcha got, Dad?"

Capt. Pennel looked down at the floor, moving his hands aimlessly, as if he was unsure of what to do with his hands. "Ok, for starters, I am your real dad."

Rashaad almost sneered, but turned it into a look of "No duh." His dad continued.

"...And I am a military officer. Just not in the Earth's army. I'm Delta Force. That is, it's kind of like a space air force, only, not.
It's different. There's a lot you'll have to learn.

"...Fifteen years ago, when you were around 2, our ship was under attack by the Ragons. I sent you and your mother off in the escape pods to the nearby moon and stayed to man the battle stations. When it was clear that we were losing our ship and that staying on board was a fool's errand, we got out and somehow made it alive. But our sensors had picked up that there was a large Ragon base on that moon, and that was where you had landed. Most of the escape pods were shot down by the Ragons, and those that had not been shot down, had landed squarely at that base. No one thought there would be any survivors. So after we got back, my commanding officer put me in grief therapy with some of the psychomeds - I'm sorry, that's what I call the drones that have the mental health programs that help you sort through things. After that, I went back to serving on ships, getting transferred here and there.

"...And then came that day everything changed. Five years ago, I got word through our spy network that you were alive. One of the spies had smuggled DNA out of one of the Ragon transport ships, bound for various Preferton-type units. In other words, not only were you alive, but you were now going to be exposed to those worms that would make you a host, develop powers in you, and use you as a weapon. Let's just say, long story short, I had a new mission in life. So I left my ship."

Rashaad interjected, "Wait, Dad. Back up. You just left? Like, you went AWOL?"

Capt. Pennel startled, then shook his head, "No, not like that. I went undercover - secret ops. I was promoted by my captain to get spy training, told the Delta brass that he had an ideal candidate for a secret ops job. So I went with permission. They gave me some extra training, shared their intel about what Preferton-unit I might find you at, and, long story short, after tracking you down, I finally found you about 4 months ago.

"...I had been hiding in the ducts of ships, the ones that these brain worms use when they sneak Ragon test subjects to these units to develop them. They never caught me. I was quite skilled at masking my scent and bio-signs so those worm computers wouldn't detect me. I was able to stowaway my way to this unit, the one we just left, where you and everyone else was.

"...Obviously, I couldn't just go in, since as you now know, everyone was a drone with a hive mind. From what I could tell, those worms were running this program of development on you for about six months. They hadn't gotten you to the last stage, which is why they were keeping you all alive. But any longer there? And who knows. We might not be here.

"...I hid. For the first bit, it was right under their noses at that base we just left. I got to learn some of the ins and outs of that place pretty well. Especially their surveillance rooms where they kept tabs on each of you. But from that, I eventually learned which was my son and where where your individual homes were."

The confusion on Rashaad's face deepened. "Wait, Dad. You're saying that you didn't know which one was me? I'd think that'd be obvious. I'm the only one with a wheelchair."

Capt. Pennel stared as though he were looking through the wall, his mind in thought. "When I sent you off with your real mother years ago in that escape pod, you could walk. I didn't know what happened to you, but something happened between that time and when you came here... I don't know. Maybe you got a side effect from one of the experiments the Ragons did on their prisoners.

"...Regardless, back to what I was saying. So, when I found out who you were and where, I needed to make a plan as to how to rescue you. The info we got that night when the lizards couldn't find you told me that you guys were probably on to it, or someone among you did. And I was right. That someone was your principal. That was the night I found you. Must have been the same night he brought you to the beach for that little pow-wow." Capt. Pennel had pieced together what had happened, listening to the conversations of those in their group, and meeting the second group at the entrance of the base led by Tobias.

"...I didn't think I'd find you alive. I didn't think I'd make it in time... I love you, Rashaad."

For once, Rashaad was choked up, and had no words to say.

[Grenartia]

Alyssa, onboard the Nebuchadnezzar

A maelstrom of questions swirled around in Aly's head. What is reality? Am I in another Matrix? Did I ever actually leave the first one? How can I truly know? She didn't want to burden the others with these questions, even if they were on the same side. She had a bit too many misgivings about the nanites, so she simply took a communicator instead. At least until she could be reassured she was in the real world and not being used as a pawn. She was also hesitant to drink water or eat food, and especially to ask about HRT. After all, any of those things could potentially be used to do to her what happened to Isaac, Steve, or Alis. She actually felt kind of sorry for them. And for the other people in Prefeton.

Which reminded her of her parents. Were they based on her biological parents, or completely made up and brainwashed from scratch? Sure, they were distant in the last months, but they had been caring and supportive before then. Or was that just a memory that was implanted in her? God, this has me so fucked up. She left her quarters and began pacing up and down the corridors of the ship, hoping that maybe the exercise would get her blood flowing, and that would help give her some perspective or insight that would help her make sense of things.

[Theyra]

Conner Vale

Finally, they were free from that space station, and Connor did not know what to do with himself. Sure they were safe aboard the Nebuchadnezzar and were resting and healing. Something that Connor should be doing buy, after the revelation of what was the purpose of Prefeton. To have kids who develop there to serve as superpowered flesh suits for mind-controlling worms. A horrifying fate for anyone, like Steve and Isaac. Could there be a way to extract the worms and free those poor souls enslaved to them? Connor sighed at the thought. It is too late for Steve and Isaac, and who knows what they did to Alis. She might have a chance, a big might that she will recover. Still, Connor is going to hope that.

With nothing to do and no desire to sleep. Connor spent his time walking down the hallways of the ship. Passing room after room, one of them being the medbay. Connor was not sure about the idea of having nanomachines being in his brain, so he passed that off for now. Even it meant he would understand the aliens that rescued them. Too many sci-fi movies and books have made Connor reluctant to just jump at the idea. Though when he thinks about it, did he actually see those movies and read those books, or was that all just implanted in him. A false memory like his most of his life?

Connor frowned at the thought and stopped dead in his tracks. Everything was a lie. There is no Prefeton, but, more importantly, there was no real family. Were his parents based on his real parents, or were they just a made-up preset? Then his siblings fake as well. Did he have a real family out there, or was he just a test-tube baby made just to serve as a vessel for worms? A tear formed, and as it went down his face, anger set in, and Connor did something he does not do. Punch stuff, namely the metal wall that was next to. Putting a quick but strong force behind it. It did not make a dent, of course, and it did not make Connor felt better. The only thing he did was unclasp his fists and wiped the tears away. Not now but, sooner or later, justice will be done. There is a war out there, and he does not plan on sitting out. Still, without something to do, Connor continued to walk the halls.

Alyssa, onboard the Nebuchadnezzar

A maelstrom of questions swirled around in Aly's head. What is reality? Am I in another Matrix? Did I ever actually leave the first one? How can I truly know? She didn't want to burden the others with these questions, even if they were on the same side. She had a bit too many misgivings about the nanites, so she simply took a communicator instead. At least until she could be reassured she was in the real world and not being used as a pawn. She was also hesitant to drink water or eat food, and especially to ask about HRT. After all, any of those things could potentially be used to do to her what happened to Isaac, Steve, or Alis. She actually felt kind of sorry for them. And for the other people in Prefeton.

Which reminded her of her parents. Were they based on her biological parents, or completely made up and brainwashed from scratch? Sure, they were distant in the last months, but they had been caring and supportive before then. Or was that just a memory that was implanted in her? God, this has me so fucked up. She left her quarters and began pacing up and down the corridors of the ship, hoping that maybe the exercise would get her blood flowing, and that would help give her some perspective or insight that would help her make sense of things.

As Connor walked the halls, he noticed Alyssa pacing back and forth. It looks like I am not the only one that can't stay in place. He thought as he walked towards Alyssa. Something is clearly on her mind, and he felt that a check-up is warranted. After what they have been through, Connor would be surprised if some of them did not need therapy though chances are they will not get it. So Connor walked up to Alyssa with a weak smile and a friendly wave. "Hey, Alyssa, feel like talking to someone?"

[Dyelli Beybi]

Epilogue
(And as is traditional, here is some theme music... oh and it isn't Bonnie Tyler!)

The Medical Bay
Cowritten by Dyelli Beybi and Nachfolgia

Atalia glanced between Allison and the human-looking alien, who rolled her eyes in a very human looking gesture, then said something in alienese... "She understands you," Atalia confirmed, "She said there's an earpiece if you don't trust the nanites... and that some of her herd - her word, not mine - died to get you off that station."

The alien said something else to Atalia following on from that, to which Atalia responded, "Well... maybe we don't totally but we still have friends and family. I think we sort-of get it."

Allison looked to Atalia and then to the alien as they spoke to each other. She didn't understand the red skinned woman, but she got the gist of what was said from Atalia. "Good. Then she can understand this." Allison said as she walked right up to the alien, towering over her from a few inches away. " I want answers. I want to know exactly was happened. " Allison said in a menacing tone as she gritted her teeth. If the alien looked into her eyes, she'd see tears starting to form as Allison struggled to say the words, " Was...any of that real? Our lives...were they all lies? D-did we even have parents? Were we just...test tube babies?" Allison said, her voice shaking as she fought back the tears.

The alien would have been called 'slight' if she were human and was clearly nothing like a physical match, though there was a steely defiance in her eyes. Clearly she didn't like the way Allison was looking over her though she didn't take a step back, but she wasn't easily intimidated either. Nevertheless, when she spoke the tone suggested, if the aliens used similar tones of voice, that she was trying to be sympathetic. She spoke in short fragments, pausing to allow Atalia to translate before continuing, "I don't know, I'm a Doctor not a soothsayer..." Atalia translated, "... But if you are like the other, you were born on Sol III some time before our galaxy was invaded... You were experimented on by the invaders... We don't know what the purpose of the experiments was... They experiment on humans, other native species of this galaxy, such as my kind, are just killed... you have a runaway mutation that was of interest to the parasites... your memories, at this point, are probably all false; implanted by the parasites... The real ones will return now that you aren't psychologically dependent on the simulation."

Allison draws in a shaking breath, attempting to choke off the sob trying to escape. Everything...everything was a lie?! It was all false. Her parents, her life, her accomplishments. Fuck, her personality too. God, is she even real? What the fuck is reality anyway? What if this is another simulation? How can Allison trust her own senses after this? Turning away from the alien female, Allison starts to pace furiously. Stopping to take a deep, fortifying breath, Allison begins to force herself to calm down. Deadening senses, quelling the rage and despair that threatened to consume her. She felt like she was choking on her anger.

She couldn't hold it back any more. Balling up her fist, Allison punched the wall nearest to her with a loud, rage-filled scream, denting the steel deeply. She then collapsed on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Her iron clad will breaking as the steel wall did.

"Allison please come here," Atalia said, managing to sound both sympathetic and flippant at the same time, "Because I am going to give you a hug and I can't really walk so if I try to head over to you it will get 'complicated'."

Wiping tears from her eyes, Allison got up from the floor. She walked over and sat on the edge of Atalia's bed. Meeting Atalia half way, she wrapped her arms around her in a hug. Still teary eyed, rested her head on Atalia's shoulder. After a moment Atalia continued, adding, somewhat mysteriously, "I think a part of me had been rebelling against the programming for a while. Before all of this happened I was looking for my sister. She left a note in our old apartment in Tel Aviv... Oh yeah, I'm Israeli. I think. I don't know why I speak English. Don't think I used to... Anyway, I want to keep going, but I want to do that with my best friend. So maybe some of our memories were made up; we just went through hell together and you supported me when I was a total mess. That matters."

When Atalia mentioned remembering her real life, Allison raised her head and met her gaze. Her face said it all, she was astonished. Atalia actual remembered her past life? Her sister and about being Israeli was too surreal. It was like she hardly knew who her best friend was. If they were ever best friends to begin with. Atalia seemed surprisingly calm. Perhaps her new sense of purpose was keeping her grounded... Or maybe the reality of their situation just hadn't sunk in yet.

" You..." Allison muttered, wiping away more tears with her hands. "...you remember? How do you remember your old life? Are these those dreams you told me about? I-I don't remember anything about who I truly am. Nothing, but gut feelings of needing to fight, but I don't know if that's real or what was planted in me."
8 May 2021

Atalia shook her head, "No idea..." She trailed off as the alien doctor piped in with something in alienese, "Ah..." Atalia translated, "she said you'll remember in a day or two, now you are out of the simulation. Anyway, I'm not sure why I remembered first. Maybe they didn't scramble my head well, or maybe I couldn't let go of the fact I was looking for Rebecca was too strong to wipe?" she shrugged, "Could even have something to do with my powers? I'm not sure, but yeah, you are right, it was stuff that came to me through dreams first. I am sure though that I don't think this changes anything between us or me and Rashaad. I want the good bits of my life in that place to stay. I'm hoping you'll feel the same way when your memories come back," she said with a slightly concerned smile.

Allison grabbed Atalia by the shoulders tightly. " Of course we will!" Allison exclaimed. " It doesn't matter who we really are. You and I will always be friends. We've been through so much together. Nothing is going to split us apart."

"Good," Atalia nodded decisively, "We'll figure out who we are together. And then we'll take on the world!" she declared brightly, "For real this time."


Meanwhile Elsewhere on the Ship
Cowritten by Khasinkonia and Dyelli Beybi

Captain Sesijura sat in the bridge, across a table from a Gorialax male in a uniform that indicated him to be of equal or greater standing to her. After a moment of silence, Sesijura broke a little smile. “Thank you for your confidence in this operation, Captain.”

Shu-Bad was an older Gorial, with greying hair and a scattering of stubble around his orange jaw. He was also one of the most experience commandos in the Federation, used to operating deep behind enemy lines. He had even visited Earth, or so the rumours went. He nodded graciously to Sesijura, "Of course! Though it was a near run thing," he said ruefully, "I don't think I've ever been in a situation as confusing as the one we found ourselves in. I guess that is the way when you are dealing with people who can bend the laws of physics in surprising and unexpected ways. Sam, and your man on the ground, seemed to adapt to it quickly though; I suppose they are used to it." He paused for a long moment before adding, diplomatically, "This isn't a criticism, considering how chaotic the situation was, but these young ones did seem a little out of control at times. I appreciate the altruistic sentiment but bringing that one that had been infected onboard was extremely dangerous. Doctor Iltani has run half a dozen x-rays on her and we can't detect any parasites. I've asked her to run a few more. If even one of those things got onboard undetected..." he trailed off, then shrugged, "Well, you know better than I do! Sam said that parasitism through an intermediary is something new to this facility? Either way it is frightening."

Sesijura nodded with a slightly annoyed expression, “A lot of kids have this notion that they get to be heroes because they have superpowers. I think it’s a culture thing,” she began, “We don’t know how those things breed, but I think we’re gonna quarantine the girl and then stay on high alert for any worms. Maybe fumigate the ventilation next time we’re in port. I’m gonna have a word with Scott, since he was on the inside the whole time. Plus, that’ll keep him busy so I can get this bunch up to speed on how things work around here without bending them over the knee and walloping them.” She let out a little chuckle, and then continued, “I’d advise not to worry too much. We can kill those things easily enough if we catch it, and as long as we have what we came here for, we’ll manage.”

"But say, for instance, one had been inside her and crawled out into the vents," Shu-Bad pointed out, "It could infect just about anyone in their sleep. You for instance, or Docotr Iltani so it could manipulate x-ray results..." he trailed off, sighing and shaking his head, "Maybe they are heroes. Getting out of a facility like that is no easy feat when your mind is so scrambled you can't tell up from down. We shall see. The galaxy is a much bigger, more complicated place," he paused for a long moment before adding, "Someone will need to tell them, about the cancer. I think we have got them early enough that Iltani can treat them on the ship."

“Cancer is one way to get through to them that the situation is serious,” Sesijura remarked, “I’ll give them a spiel about how they don’t want to end up with a voice like mine, then we’ll move from there. Cancer is always a good way to make other bad things seem less terrible.” With a pause, she then noted, “And that, of course, is why we should double check our work and then fumigate the vents when we get a chance. To make sure we have no worms out and about.”

"Maybe leave it a few days until they are settled and understand this isn't another layer of the simulation," Shu-Bed suggested, "There has already been some reluctance on the part of some of the children to allow Iltani near them. Can't say I blame them, all things considered. Speaking of which, your big man's hand is quite a mess. He heals fast but I'm not sure we can ask him to enter the Inuv arena in the state he is in. We might need to abandon that part of the plan. I suppose it was always a bit of a... what do you humans call it? 'Hail Mary'?"

With a nod, Sesijura said, “That’s right. I do think we should take stock before we make any further plans. Scott may be busted up, but we could have someone else who might be worth throwing into the arena. I’m not going to ask outright though—not until they’re all ready to get nanites, at least. In the meantime, I’ll fish information out in a more neutral-sounding way.” Sesijura crossed her legs and leaned forward, “Some of them seem unpredictable. I want to scout out who our problem kids may be before we move forward. Give me a few days and I’ll tell you how long I imagine we’ll need to sort it all out.”

"They would need to be a disciplined fighter and someone with powers that do not immediately appear supernatural," Shu-Bad mused, seeming to be half talking to himself, "I will leave it over to you to decide if you have someone who meets the criteria; you understand these powers better than I do." He paused, sighed, "A part of me is loathe to allow a child to go into that arena, but this is a war of annihilation. We must do what we can to survive."

Sesijura shook her head, “In fighting monsters, the true battle is not becoming them. But sometimes, we have to sacrifice our spiritual needs and do whatever it takes to do what is necessary. I’m going to find someone who understands that.”

---

---

OOC: Awake in Prefeton is the last of the first phase of the greater Andromeda story. Of course, there is still quite a long way for the Prefeton escapees to go. Their story will continue in Orphan Company...

Which just leaves me with the responsibility to say a big thank you to everyone involved in getting another Andromedaverse thread over the finish line! Completing a thread is a major accomplishment and our community seem to be making a habit of it. In thanks to all of you, I have made us a credit roll. Hopefully I've got everyone apart from the early drop outs. If you have been missed off, please accept my apologies!

[Theyra]

Connor Vale

Collab with Grenartia

Oh, ah.... well, I saw you were pacing back to forward there and figured that you had something on your mind." Connor said as he put one of his hands behind his head awkwardly. Which it has been a long and messed up day. I mean from finding out the truth, dealing with clones, escaping, meeting both hostile and friendly aliens and, dealing with Issac, Steve, and Alis... It is a lot to go through in a short time. Now that it is over and we are free and safe. I am starting to really think and deal with all of it. Connor sounding tired from saying that, "but what is on your mind?"

"There's a question on my mind, but I can't get a good answer for it, and I'm not sure if telling you will add to the shit you're dealing with or not." Aly answered. If he wasn't already internally wondering the same things she was, he definitely would be if she told him. Maybe ignorance was bliss?

"You can tell me, I will be fine", Connor said reassuringly and put down his hand to his sides. "I can handle it, Alyssa, I mean, I kinda have to deal with what happened today but, still. Laid it on me, not like I am going to treat it negatively. We went through this frickin nightmare on that station together, trust me I can handle it."

She sighed, mentally preparing herself to say it, as much for her own sake as for Connor's. "What if we're still in the nightmare?"

Connor paused for a moment to process what Alyssa said. "Wait, as in... no, no. We are not in the nightmare anymore, we are out of the matrix," Connor spoke assuredly. This was unexpected, Alyssa thinking that this is just an extension of Prefeton and they are still trapped in a simulation. "Why would those aliens that held us make us think that we escaped? That is just... just cruel and to me at least very unlikely." Connor looked at Alyssa sincerely, "We escaped that nightmare and we are safe." Though to be honest, Connor has to think like that because if he thinks that this is just a part of the sim... madness will ensure.

"What if that's what they want us to think? That we're safe now, and that we can let our guard down. Its no less cruel than what Steve, Isaac, Alis and everyone else in Pref went through. Like, I'm not saying I've seen anything that makes me think these people have bad intentions for us, but neither did our parents. And given everything we've went through, how can we truly know we're out? How do we know we're not just lab rats that found our way out of one maze, and into an even bigger one?"

"And how would you or anyone know that? For all we know, we did in fact escaped from the maze and are now free. I mean we saw behind the curtain and broke out with some help from the outside. Do you think that they would just give us that information and let's us into the wild thinking that we are free? They had us stuck in one place the whole time and gave us reasons to stay in place. Why would they suddenly decide to let us out of the maze? If we stayed and did not listen to the people that got us out then we could have easily ended up like Steve, Isaac, and Alis. Mind-controlled superpowered slaves that they wanted. Us breaking out prevents that and makes us lab rats very hard to study I believe that we got out are now free to possibly get revenge on those monsters. That is what I think about it."

"But, what if that was just a 4D chess move? Make us think we're free so they can lure us back into any trap they want." Aly responded.

"Why let us free in the first place? I mean they had us where they wanted us, in a closed-off space station and why would they need to trap us? If they are making us seem like we are free and are still in control why make a trap? They can just capture us at any time they want."

"They probably want our guard down." she mused.

"But, that can just put us down easily. Remember the dance, it took a short time before we were all down. What is stopping them from doing the same or have a better countermeasure now? If we are in a controlled space then what is stopping him from just gassing us?

"I...I don't know." Alyssa abruptly admitted, realizing he had a point.

"I mean think about it, how hard they tried to keep us contained and make us seem like everything was fine. They never wanted us to leave that station where they had control like that. They wanted us to stay in Prefeton. But now we are free from that place and free from their control. That is why they do not try to contain or capture us now. Because WE ARE FREE Alyssa, free at last."

"It still feels like we're being manipulated..." she said dejectedly. She couldn't answer anything he said with anything that she hadn't already told him.

Connor took this time to take a deep breath and calm down a bit. Seeing how dejected she sounds and tried to be reassuring. "Look Alyssa, I think we can relax a bit now and have a breath. Though... I guess we will see who is right about that. I do not know where we are heading so, I guess some healthy caution is fine." Connor gave a weak smile, "So want to get something to eat, or would you rather be alone?"

"I want to eat, but I'm too afraid to."

This will not be easy, though he knows that by now. "Okay.... how about we just walk instead? Get a look at the layout of the ship and clear our heads? That less scary for you?"

"That sounds ok, yeah" Aly said with a nod.

With that Connor and Alyssa went on their walk of the ship and Connor hoped in time he can convince her that things were okay but, that is going to be a tough task. Still, they have an unknown future ahead of them and Connor hopes that no matter what happens. He and the rest of the kids can survive it and find a way out if needed. They did it once and they can do it again. Now it is just seeing what the future holds and if they are capable of what is going to be required of them. Only time will tell.