Chapter 35

"So that's what happened," Hiccup finished explaining as he looked at the gobsmacked faces of Snotlout, Spitelout and his father. "You'd probably figure most of this out if Gobber had let you read the contents of that box." He added.

"Okay, first of all......." Stoick started. "I'm sorry. I'm very sorry for how I treated you all these years Hiccup and you deserve more than this apology. I'd even stand still so that you can give me a black eye if you wanted." Stoick got out. "You're so much like your mother. And I was wrong to not teach you anything. I should also have apologized long before now."

"Wow........" Hiccup blinked as he looked at his father. He hadn't expected an apology of any kind ever coming so he just stood there and blinked.

"Son, I know you have a lot to think about and you probably won't forgive me right now.... But just know........." Stoick stopped here for a moment to catch his breath. He was rather awkward when it came to these matters. "Just know that I'll support you,"

"That's all well and good Stoick," Spitelout grumbled. "But we have a bigger problem."

"Which is?" Hiccup asked with a frown as he tried to get his thoughts in order.

"The Hoffersons," Spitelout stated as he crossed his arms. "In your story you stated that you believed that they were the ones who killed Drago. It's rather funny though. They came to Stoick this afternoon claiming they believed you did the deed."

"WHAT!" Hiccup's eyes widened and even Snotlout looked shocked at his father. "That isn't true! I would never-" Stoick held up a hand to indicate for Hiccup to quiet down for a moment.

"What Spitelout said is true," Stoick confirmed. "Mary and Hank did come to my office rather tearfully and told me what they suspected. Of course I didn't believe a word they said."

"You........... didn't?" Hiccup asked with hesitation. "But you've always assumed......" 'that I was the one at fault' was left unsaid but everyone in the room knew what he meant.

"Aye..... I did," Stoick didn't deny it. "But I've done a lot of thinking and realized how wrong I was. So Spitelout and I were trying to find you, to talk, when Snotlout started distracting us."

"Not a very good distraction either," Spitelout gave his son a look that said he could have done better. "Him claiming you were on the toilet for most of the day was not very convincing."

"SNOTLOUT YOU SAID WHAT?!" Hiccup groaned.

"Don't give me that look cuz!" Snotlout pointed an accusing finger at Hiccup. "I had to think of an excuse quickly!"

Hiccup groaned and then rubbed the back of his neck. "So what now?" He asked. "We've been here a couple of hours already."

"Now we take down those mad scientists," A female voice came from behind them and four sets of eyes snapped towards the medical table to see Astrid still laying there, but conscious. She was blinking and just staring at the white ceiling with bright blue eyes. "I am sorry for not communicating during these hours. The transfer process was intense." Astrid said as she tried to move her fingers.

"Astrid, how are you feeling?" Hiccup asked as he quickly hurried to her side. Stoick, Spitelout and Snotlout stayed a respectable distance as to not crowd her.

"Lass?" Stoick asked as he noticed Astrid was not replying.

"I am trying to assess my condition but even with me having control over the nanites in this body it is much more difficult to give an accurate estimation." She stated. "Sorting the cognitive functions is proving to be slightly more challenging than I had estimated."

"Uhm.... can't you move?" Hiccup asked as he noticed her trying to move her hands and arms. Only short jerks of movement could be noticed.

"My consciousness is still busy aligning itself with this body. Limb movement will take a while to get used to since I haven't previously experienced this." Astrid relayed. "It is strange feeling things for the first time."

"Here, let me help you sit up then," Hiccup said as he raised the medical table so that it acted like a recliner. Astrid seemed to get more control in her limbs as she was able to slowly raise an arm. She placed it on Hiccup's face tentatively and drew him in slightly for a soft kiss.

Hiccup was shocked as Astrid let out a giggle while slowly feeling her lips. "So this is what kissing really feels like," She managed to chuckle out.

"Uhm.... eh.... Uhm......." Hiccup sputtered as he turned beet red.

"Maybe we should get the lass some proper clothing?" Stoick suggested as part off the blanket rolled down a bit, exposing her bare shoulder.

"Right... right......" Hiccup agreed as his cheeks still looked red as strawberries.

"That can wait for a moment," Astrid said as she turned her head slightly. "It may take me a couple of hours to get full motor functions but this has to be handled quickly."

"What's wrong Astrid?" Hiccup asked.

"You will need to apprehend Mary and Hank." She told the group. "While I was transferring I noticed a network channel connecting to a port belonging to the T.S.S. Pandora. I think whatever they have planned will be enacted soon but I didn't hear what it was about."

"T.S.S.?" Stoick asked.

"Terran Stellar Ship." Astrid explained. "The T.S.S. Pandora is the name of one of the ships that left the planet during Project Genesis."

"Oh great," Spitelout growled and then asked "And you can't stop them from here?"

"Data manipulation is limited for me right now. I have left a decoy A.I. program in the system so it won't be immediately apparent that I am gone. The nanites within this body can only influence rudimentary programs right now."

"You mean like with the suit you made?" Hiccup asked.

"Correct," Astrid stated.

"Well then what are we waiting for?!" Snotlout exclaimed. "Let's get those two! It should be easy!" Alarms started sounding just as Snotlout finished that sentence.

"You just had to jinx it didn't you!" Hiccup muttered. The emergency lights came on and the lab was now bathed in a red glow.

The group looked around and Stoick was walking to the door while Hiccup chose to stay near Astrid. Before Stoick reached the door however a familiar female voice was heard over the speakers.

"Greetings Berkians," Mary could be heard saying. "Now all of you might be wondering what is going on. Though right now my husband and I just need all of you to sleep tight."

"Oh Thor no!" Hiccup now exclaimed. "Dad don't open that door!"

Hiccup's warning came too late though as the secondary lab doors were already opening automatically. A white gas made its way inside the previously sealed room and Hiccup shouted for everyone to hold their breaths. It didn't help much and soon the room's occupants fell into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, somewhere near Saturn's moon Titan, a sleek starship was making its way through the vacuum of space. On the bridge of said spaceship a crewmember spoke up "Commander, a communique from Terra has just been received. Given the time lag it should have been sent over four hours ago."

"So our Terran agents finally deemed it fit to contact us." The man sitting in the command chair of the bridge raised a brow. "What are its contents?"

"Possible solution to our problem has been found. Be ready to go when sensors indicate Re-genesis has launched." The crewmember read.

"So........ It's finally time that we can reclaim our mother planet." The Commander smirked before ordering "Open a channel to the Council on Callisto."

The viewscreen of the ship darkened somewhat and a holographic screen appeared. Then an old woman was visible on the screen within seconds. "Greetings Grand Admiral Excellinor, we have just received word from our Terran agents while on routine patrol through our assigned section. The message is being relayed to the Council as we speak."

The old woman looked down at a screen and then nodded once she read it. "Return to Titan base and await further instructions Commander Grimmel. This is an auspicious occasion." 

AN: AAAAAAAHHH I have been re-writing this chapter for 2 days trying to figure out which of the sequel's characters should get a bit of a cameo in here. I finally settled on this. Things are getting rather ominous, for those who know just who these characters are.