As I expected, Brooke didn't come to pick me up. Instead, her most loyal techno-humans, Gabriel and Normand, showed up and led me to the Nexus Court in one of their ships. The journey was super entertaining with a stimulating conversation about absolutely nothing. They had never been very talkative, and it seemed that the fact that I had been missing for more than a month wouldn't change that. They had no interest in me whatsoever.

As we flew over the city, I spotted a large crowd gathered on the main street, shouting and causing an alarming commotion that I could hear even from that height. They were waving banners I couldn't read due to the distance. I also noticed many more Narval officers patrolling than usual, with their laser guns unfolded, as if ready to be used.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked, alarmed.

"Many people didn't like the new rule." Normand said.

"What new rule?"

Gabriel and Normand looked at each other as if deciding whether they should tell me or not.

"What?" I pressed.

"Society has gone crazy while you were gone..." Gabriel began.

"Brooke had to take measures." Normand continued, then took a pamphlet from his pocket and handed it to me. It showed a smiling woman with an implant behind her ear that extended to the other ear. It was exactly the same as the one Erik had. The slogan read: "The Society Needs You! Get Your Free Reg Implant Today and Experience True Freedom."

Normand looked at me over his shoulder as I did my best not to scream at the absurdity of the idea that getting an implant would somehow make us more free.

"Given the recent rise in terrorist attacks and the increase in rebellious behavior," Normand continued, "everyone is now required to get a mental implant."

"Everyone?" I asked, flipping through the pamphlet, which detailed various implants for all ages as simply as a restaurant menu.

"Yeah, even kids." Gabriel replied.

"That seems a bit extreme, don't you think?" I said.

"No, it's actually a smart strategy to buy time," Gabriel explained. "The Phoenix group has developed a device that can deactivate our implants, as you know. If we all have implants, they'll need to deal with a lot more of us. The more people with implants, the more time they'll need to deactivate them all."

Wow, they really sounded desperate. Since I started working for the Nexus Court, I'd never come across the idea of "needing to buy time" before. It was a new and unsettling sign that they had no control over the situation. However, desperation was a dangerous state for a system that had no empathy for its people; they would do anything to gain that little extra time, and that was bad news for all of us. Plus, that idea of putting implants on everyone was clearly not just about buying time. The more people who had them, the more vulnerable they would be to having their memories erased when the time came. It was all a pathetic excuse for the grim fate we were about to face.

When I arrived at the Nexus Court, they made me wait in one of the meeting rooms until the door opened and Beverly practically stumbled into me, followed by a very quiet Stella. They looked much more vibrant than the last time I'd seen them, especially Beverly, who had been on the brink of death on The Other Side. Now, she was rocking a denim jacket over a black top, her usually messy hair pulled into two playful buns on either side. Her skin was back to its normal color, with no trace of the feverish pallor she'd had before. Stella looked great too, with her dramatic makeup that made her eyelashes seem impossibly long, and her long black hair pulled back in a ponytail.

"Holy moly, girl, you're here!" Beverly exclaimed, rushing toward me and wrapping me in a huge hug.

I tried to hug her back, but she had wrapped my arms so tightly, I felt like a burrito. All I could do was surrender to her squish.

"Nice to see you too!" I mumbled.

"I thought you'd be dead and buried, girl!" Beverly said.

"What a lovely thought." I replied.

When Beverly finally let go, and I took a deep breath, recovering from the suffocation her hug had caused.

"Hello, Grace." Stella said in her usual calm tone.

Beverly glared at her. "OMG, Stella, I know you're not the life of the party, but come on, show some excitement. She's alright!" She hugged me again, while Stella offered a timid smile to compensate.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked them.

"As soon as the news about finding you spread, Brooke called us for a meeting." Stella explained.

And as if the universe had heard us, Brooke walked in. What a timing. She was wearing one of those incredibly elegant silver suits that seemed to reflect the entire room.

"Speak of the devil." Beverly said.

Brooke's eyes pierced into me like darts as she walked up to stand directly in front of me. I wasn't quite sure what to do; should I shake her hand? Should I hug her? She looked as serious as always, maybe even a bit angry.

"Grace," she began. "I'm glad to see you."

I nodded. "Me too." I said.

"Now, please have a seat."

I sat down on one of the chairs next to Beverly and Stella, while Brooke took her place in a white, fluffy chair. There was silence as we waited for Brooke to start the meeting, and I used that time to mentally prepare myself to lie, something I had historically been incredibly bad at.

Brooke folded her hands on the table, looked at me, and said, "Beverly and Stella told me everything that happened until you were caught. The information about the tech blockers has been really useful. Now, I'd like to know everything that happened once you were separated."

Okay, this was my moment. I took a deep breath and recounted the story we had agreed on with Michael and Heather, which was half the truth. We would tell them that the Phoenix group wanted to get to the Orb, but I would maintain the lie they had crafted: that the Phoenix group had a powerful piece of technology they planned to use against us.

When I finished my story, I noticed that Brooke didn't seem satisfied. Her iron gaze felt like a weight compressing my lungs. Did she know more than she was letting on? Stella didn't seem very convinced either; her expression was too serious, even for her. Beverly was the only one smiling and nodding, seeming to believe every word I said.

"What I don't really understand is why they kept Heather." Stella stated.

I played dumb. "I'm not sure. Probably to trade her for some of their soldiers we have captured."

Stella frowned. "Are you sure you didn't hear how they were planning to proceed?"

Brooke observed me with a blank expression. Even though Stella was the one asking, I couldn't help but answer while looking at Brooke instead.

"Well, no..." I said.

"Anything at all?" Brooke pressed.

"Yes..." I replied.

Beverly chimed in. "You know, we've been studying every possibility. We think they might try using the tunnels again or even the mountain camps to sneak in. That's why we hoped you could shed some light on where the shots might be fired."

Crap. They knew more than I thought.

"I'm not sure about the mountain camps." I said, trying to divert attention from that idea.

"Why is that?" Stella asked, a bit challengingly.

"Because it makes no sense. There are rangers all over the place, plus it's really far from the Nexus Court. I don't see why they would try to get in that way."

Stella remained silent, pondering over my answer.

Brooke then interjected, "Alright, we will reinforce the security of the tunnels and send an extra patrol to the mountain camps, just in case. Stella?"

"Yes?" She answered, blinking twice with those amazing eyelashes of hers.

"You'll direct the security team at the mountain camps, and Beverly, you'll handle the tunnels. Make sure all the spaceships are prepared for any unforeseen surprises. If we need to fight, we have to be ready."

"Sure." Beverly said as Brooke stood up, seemingly in a hurry to wrap up the meeting. We all followed suit. "Stella and Beverly, please leave," she instructed. "Grace, stay."

Beverly winked at me as she left, while Stella gave me a flat stare. Once the door closed, Brooke moved closer, inspecting me again.

"'Grace, don't take me for a fool." A shiver ran down my spine.

"I trusted you," she said.

I didn't like the direction this conversation was heading.

"Why didn't you tell me your brother is part of the Phoenix Group?" My blood ran cold, and I couldn't hide the unease that spread across my face.

"Don't look at me like that. Did you think I wouldn't find out? The Phoenix Group isn't the only one with moles here and there."

I swear, if someone had pricked me at that moment, they would have seen ice in my veins. I wasn't ready for that and Brooke seemed to be enjoying my shock.

"You're not planning to reunite the family, are you?" She teased.

Alright. I couldn't let his menacing sarcasm and passive-aggressive remarks throw me off. I couldn't just throw away the entire plan we had created, so I gathered my courage and responded with all the confidence I could muster from within.

"My brother and I are not family anymore. I have nothing to do with what he does or doesn't do." I said.

Brooke turned around sharply. "I don't care about your family drama."

A tense silence followed. "The only thing that matters to me is whether you can keep a clear head. If you don't understand what's at stake here..."

"I do." I interjected before she could finish.

Brookes nodded softly and seemed to relax a bit more.

"Then, prove it." She said.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Brooke drummed her nails on the table in a rhythmic pattern as a smile spread across her face. "We've got a press conference tomorrow. You'll be the one briefing them on the situation and our next steps. You'll talk about the tunnels and the mountain camps. And I need you to clearly show where your loyalties are."

· · ·

Falling back into the plush comfort of my bed at the Nexus Court felt almost surreal after weeks spent on the grounds of The Other Side. I still hadn't fully processed my return. Everything seemed off like I didn't belong here anymore. It was as if the Grace who once lived in this place was from a different reality, one that no longer had any connection to me. I felt a pang of sadness because although I didn't want to admit it, this place had once come to feel like a home, and now it just felt like a pathetic farce.

I tossed and turned on the bed for a while, unable to sleep (what a surprise, right?). Tomorrow's press conference was bound to be a big deal, and I was incredibly nervous. But more than that, I couldn't stop thinking about Heather. What could she be doing right now?

I stood up and wandered out onto the balcony, where the night sky stretched out in a serene blanket of stars. I took a look at my pager, it hadn't vibrated in all day. As they say, no news is good news. Plus we had agreed to limit our messages to emergencies, but with everything so uncertain, I just couldn't help myself and decided to write to her anyway.

I typed: Hey, I know we agreed on 'emergency-only' texts. But my brain's been running wild, imagining all sorts of things, and I could really use a 'I'm fine' to put my worries to rest.

After a few minutes, Heather's reply popped up: Hey there, clown. I'm as fine as an undercover operative can be, so put your anxious imagination to rest! How's everything in the royal realm of the Nexus Court?

A warm feeling spread through my chest, and I finally felt my heart relax a bit.

I took a deep breath, letting go of the tension, and responded: I'm glad to hear you're okay! Everything here is as royal as always, just playing my part in the political theater and trying to stay out of trouble. The sky is beautiful tonight, BTW. Take a look if you get the chance.

Not even a minute later, I received a reply: I'm right under the stars! Perks of being in the mountain camps. It's incredibly beautiful. Sleep tight and don't let the Nexus circus trouble you. But if they do, LMK and I'll unleash some serious measures. No one messes with my GF.

I chuckled and then noticed a word that had slipped past me unnoticed.

I typed back: GF?!

She didn't respond.

I typed again: You said it, it's right there in the message: GF. Which means girlfriend, unless you meant good friend (which sounds like a major downgrade). Answer, please. Heart attack over here.

After what felt like an eternity, though it was probably only three minutes, my pager vibrated with her reply.

She said: Haha, you're too cute. Calm your heart down, please. Girlfriend it is. Didn't mean to make you sweat it out. Although you are a good friend too, JSYK.

I typed back: But better as a lover, right?

She responded: Very much as a lover and as the funniest person on earth. Even from miles away, I'm doing my best to stifle my laughter so I don't wake up the rangers. You're pretty special, you know?

My heart soared. Thank God I was alone because if anyone had seen me, they'd probably think I was a teenager caught up in the excitement of her first crush. I saw my reflection in the glass window, and my smile was stretched so wide it looked downright ridiculous. But I didn't care, how could I? Because what had started as an anxious night was turning into a delightful conversation I would never put an end to.

I typed: I wished I was there with you.

Her: It'll happen.

Me: Someday.

Her: Someday soon.

Me: Someday soon, and bring the stars with you.

Her: I'll bring the whole galaxy if I have to.

Author's Note: 

Hey there! How are you doing? 😄

This chapter took me a long time to write, and I have no idea why! I hope you enjoy it. Today's question is... Who would you bring a whole galaxy for? Come on, share the love!💖💖💖💖

For me, my beautiful girlfriend deserves the entire universe. I don't know what I'd do without her.

Thank you so much for reading, again and again! You are my biggest supporters!! Feel free to comment on anything you think!🥰

Cheers,

Ava💫