2298
Gertok Galaxy
Planet Celestine
The Celestine Kingdom
The Castle of Dragons
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Sammy hummed a lively tune as he set out the table for dinner.

Thirteen places for everyone, that was, if General Nox and Solana chose to join them. If not, he could easily remove those spots if need be.

He turned around and walked over to the counter. He heaved up the big bowl of bright pink jiggly jelly and struggled towards the table. "Whoa, that's heavier than I thought." He huffed, mustering all his muscle strength not to drop it.

He set it in the middle of the table with a thud. "Phew," He sighed, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "I hope they like it," He pivoted on his heels and went back to the counter, grabbing a woven basket full of bright orange and purple bread.

Chenoa entered the room, stretching her arms over her chest while cracking a few bones. "Solana will be the death of me," She murmured, her eyes sweeping the table as Sammy placed other miscellaneous food on it. "What the heck is that?" Her eyes swept over to the big bowl of jelly.

Sammy snapped his head up and grinned widely. "Oh, it's colune. Just think of it like electrolyte water mixed with a protein shake and multivitamins." He replied, walking over to the counter and picking up one of three pitchers.

"Please tell me it doesn't taste like licorice," Chenoa begged, inwardly gagging at the very thought of it. "You know I hate licorice," She shuddered, shaking her head and pulling out her seat, sitting down and scooting up.

Sammy shook his head and set the pitcher on the table. "No. It sorta tastes like orange, passion fruit, and guava. I find it very refreshing in taste and how I feel after I've had it." He replied, putting Chenoa's worries to rest.

Chenoa sighed as she pulled out her chair and sat down, setting her laptop under her arm on the table beside her plate. "That doesn't sound too bad. I love Jello more than words can explain, but not the plain stuff. That's just gross. Anyone who likes plain jello is a psychopath."

"Laptop off the table." Sammy chided, ignoring what she had said. He frowned deeply, his eyes focused on her and never wavering for a moment. "Do you have any table manners, or was that forgotten?"

Chenoa huffed, opening up her laptop and powering it on. "I haven't forgotten, but I have yet to crack this super sophisticated firewall, and I have to master it if I'm going to hack into the server at the outpost. I can't afford to waste a single moment, or I could blow the whole mission, and then everyone will be mad at me, especially Solana!" She exclaimed, her eyes wide and dilated as she heaved deep breaths.

Sammy picked up on the panic in her voice and sighed heavily. "Fine, but don't make a habit of it." He shook his finger at her. He turned around and walked to the counter and grabbed a bowl of what seemed to be a salad of sunset colors.

Chenao put her hands up and nodded her head. "Got it." She confirmed she understood what he meant. "It's just that alien tech is so different. It's way more advanced than what I've ever seen, and I've hacked into the SERA, in which I was the one who got Hara the blueprints to make suggestions, not that she would admit it."

Sammy's eyes widened as he listened to the tad bit of information Chenoa had given to him. "Isn't that like espionage or something? How did you not get in major trouble?" He asked, flabbergasted at how nonchalant she was.

Chenoa shrugged her shoulders and laced her fingers together, and stretched them. "I guess so, but instead of serious prison time, SERA saw our potential. We got an admission letter for Desert Sands Prep Academy, and the rest is history." She replied, a beaming smile displayed on her lips.

Sammy walked back over to the table and set it down in the middle of the table. "What made you want to become a hacker?" He inquired, his eyes sweeping the table, making a mental note to see if he missed anything.

Chenoa grinned at Sammy's question, one she had always wanted to be asked. "Well, in our computer science class, we learned about this group of hackers who single-handedly saved the World Wide Web before World War III. People from all over the world, all walks of life, rallied together and saved almost everything that was ever put out onto the internet - well, except what is illegal, you know, crime stuff, they didn't take that with them, which is why I said almost - then after the war, they restored the cell towers and rebuilt the whole internet! They are called heroes, and I wanted to be like them, but a computer scientist." She replied, a dreamy gaze in her eyes.

Sammy slowly nodded his head as he pulled out his chair and sat down. "I didn't know that, but that is pretty cool. I can see why you were inspired by them. That wasn't an easy task. I can't imagine losing everything that was put out on the internet."

Chenoa rapidly nodded her head and casually reached for a purple and orange colored dinner-like roll. "It's hard to fathom until it happens - ouch," She dropped the roll when it slightly burned her fingers. "I can't even comprehend how it was possible, but I suppose anything is possible as long as you try and be dedicated." She continued, then blew on her fingers

Sammy nodded his head after Chenoa finished with her statement. "I agree. A lot of people didn't think I could become a great culinary chef at my age, and I mean, I was five, but that's beside the point. I showed them that no one is too young to follow their dreams, and now I was featured in an article on junior chefs from around the world!" He beamed brightly, and his eyes sparkled, mirroring his tone.

Chenoa's eyes grew wide at this piece of information she now knew about Sammy. "No way? Really? When was this?" She asked, leaning forward as she sneakily took a roll off the top and quickly bit into it.

Sammy watched her try to be sneaky, but he ignored her actions since it was clear she was hungry by the way she was stuffing her mouth with the roll. "Three years ago? I think. I'll have to ask Fletcher."

"Malyla and Fletcher must've been very proud," Chenoa said, resting her elbow on the table, and then placing her cheek in her palm. "I mean, Hara was proud of me when I got The acceptance letter."

Sammy pursed his lips and hesitated at her words, an awkward feeling forming in the pit of his stomach. "Fletcher was. He printed out the article and taped it on the wall with my graduation diplomas." He beamed, then his expression fell into a frown. "Malyla, not so much." He hesitantly admitted, averting his gaze away from Chenoa and to the table.

Chenoa raised her eyebrows at his reply, not entirely shocked by his admission about his elder sister. "How come?" She asked, wishing to know more about why Malyla wasn't proud of him.

Sammy tapped his fingers on his shorts and tilted his head back and forth. "It had been maybe three years since our parents died, and the article just so happened to be published on the anniversary of their deaths. That day has always been hard for Malyla, more so than any other day, well, and the day we got the news on." He replied, lowering his voice as if Malyla was in the room with them.

Chenoa frowned a little. She never took her sister for granted, despite sometimes being bossy and playing their mother, she never acted like that towards her. "What's it like living with her? I can tell she's got anger issues. It must be a lot for Fletcher to handle." She inquired further fishing for more information.

Sammy reached out and turned the pitcher back and forth. "It takes its toll on him, I can see that. He tries his best to mask it. He genuinely cares for us, but Malyla doesn't see that through. She's always felt like he's trying to replace our parents, but that isn't true."

Chenoa narrowed her eyes ever so slightly as she mulled over Sammy's reply. "How do you know that? Did she tell you, or are you making an assumption?" She quipped all too fast, only to recoil and lean back in her seat. "If you want to tell me, I don't wanna pry."

Sammy's cheeks grow lightly red, spanning out to the tips of his ears and his nose. "Oh, um, well, you see, I uh, maybe, kinda, read her um, journal her therapist suggested she write her feelings in. It wasn't intentional, I just happened to find it while collecting laundry for Fletcher.

Chenoa laughed heartily at how flustered Sammy was over that. "Hey, don't feel shameful or anything. It's a rite of passage for us younger siblings, especially since they do it to us."

"Oh, wow, I could smell the food from the elevator." Fletcher marveled, inhaling deeply as he strode into the dining area with his white lab coat fluttering behind him. "You've outdone yourself, Sammy. As always, you provide us with the best spread."

Sammy snapped his head over to Fletcher as he spoke. "Thanks!" He beamed, pride filling his voice and oozing out his eyes. "They are mostly traditional Celestine dishes. It may take some adjusting for us, but I wanted to make General Nox, Luna, and Solana - if she joins - feel more at home with all that's happened." He spoke, his tone turning softer and a frown appeared on his lips.

Fletcher grinned as he took a seat beside Sammy and ruffled the young boy's hair. "That's sweet of you, Sammy. I'm sure they'd appreciate it. If it was me, I'd be over the moon if someone took their time to recreate our dishes." He flashed the younger boy a wide grin.

Sammy blushed at the kind words of his Guardian and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Heh, it's nothing. Food is what brings people together. It's meant to be shared and enjoyed." He beamed brightly, giving a toothy grin.

"Come on, Hara, pretty please with whipped cream and a cherry on top with sprinkles and chocolate syrup on a waffle cone bowl?" Summer Dawn pleased with her friend as she and Logan trailed behind Hara, who strode beside Pedro.

Hara kept her arms tightly crossed over her chest. "I'm busy. B. U. S. Y. Busy. I can't take on fixing up some pods and the castle-ship at the same time." She replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

Summer Dawn pulled out a chair on the right side of Hara while Logan pulled out one on the left. "But it wouldn't take that long. All you need to do is fix up too, one for me and one for Logan. There isn't a lot that needs to be done. Just a few patches, and maybe a rewire, it could use some new parts, and the inside is a little dusty." She instead, listing off the things needing to be done on her fingers.

"See, this is why I can't help you." Hara pointed out, her tone exasperated. "Remember what our extracurricular teachers taught us? Never start something else unless we've finished what we've started. All because you'd fall into the loop of never completing something due to you can't focus and gain a low attention span."

Summer Dawn frowned at Hara's words. Slumping her shoulders, she gave a jaded expression on her face. "But Hara," She whined loudly, pushing out her bottom lip to pout. "Once you do it, we'll be out of your hair. I'm itching for some flying practice."

Pedro wasn't typically one to interject himself into others' conversations, but he felt he ought to help Hara out. "We just don't have the time, Summer Dawn, especially since this place hasn't been touched in 10,000 and wasn't even completed by the attack on the planet. It's unsafe to leave it as is, and some of the wiring on a few of the floors looks like it's been chewed by space mice, making it dangerous. We have to ensure that nothing can cause harm to any of you." He explained, recalling what he and Hara had found out hours before.

Hara was impressed with Pedro, and she inwardly smiled that he had come to her defense. "I'm sorry, Summer Dawn, Logan, but it's just not feasible at the moment." She crossed her legs and pushed her braids to her back. "Ask General Nox if there is something like a simulation-type thing you can use instead." She suggested it to her only female friend.

Summer Dawn groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Fine!" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and slouching in her seat. She pushed out her lower lip, pouting a little with a subtle glare towards her friend.

Logan leaned forward and looked at the short-haired girl. "S.D. we can wait. I don't mind waiting, and we can find something else to do in the meantime. It's not like we don't have other things to do, oh, you can teach me how to parkour!" He suggested, hoping that would cheer her up a little.

Summer Dawn perked up at Logan's suggestion, and a devious smile grew on her lips. "Oh yes," She cackled, equally deviously, while rubbing her hands together. "Just know I'm not going easy on you, Logan."

Logan laughed awkwardly, his eyes widening as he realized he was majorly screwed since he suggested having Summer Dawn train him. "I wouldn't think you would." He rubbed the nape of his neck uncomfortably.

Hara rolled her eyes and then threw Logan a sympathetic expression. "You really did it, Logan. I almost feel bad for you, you know how competitive she is, but you've dug your own grave. It was nice remembering you." She teased, placing her hand on his shoulder and giving it a few gentle pats.

Summer Dawn laughed at Hara, knowing she wasn't serious. "You guys, I'm not that bad." She lightheartedly defended herself, even though she didn't take it to heart or feel offended.

"Fletcher," Chenoa suddenly said, getting the young doctor's attention. "You are raising Sammy and Malyla, right?" She asked, skeptically eyeing Fletcher for his reaction to her question.

Fletcher furrowed his brows and nodded, confirming her statement to be true. "I am, pray tell, why?" He inquired just as skeptical as the young girl had. He was unsure where she was going with her line of questioning.

Chenoa withheld a devious grin at all the information she was acquiring. "How old were you when you took guardianship over them?" She casually asked, picking up the pitcher and pouring herself some icy cold water into her glass.

Fletcher didn't hesitate to reply to her question. "Twenty-three. I had been in college for six years at the time. I had to move back to New York and finish my last year of college online while I went through the process of guardianship. I was already interning at Mercy Memorial Hospital." He replied, smoothing down his tie with his hand.

Chenoa's eyes widened, searching his face and tilting her head to the side. "Wow, you were just barely an legal adult, and you took on the task of raising them? That was like, seven years ago?" She counted back using her fingers for some quick calculation. "I can't imagine Hara in six years having to take on such a task while in college and interning at the same time."

Fletcher looked over at Sammy and smiled softly, in turn, Sammy smiled brightly back. "It was nothing. In fact, it's been the most rewarding act I could have done. I made a promise to their parents and I couldn't break it, especially since I've known these two since they were in diapers." He then turned towards Malyla and smiled at her, who in turn, looked away.

Sammy giggled, playfully swatting away Fletcher's hand. "It's hard to believe that he's known us for that long. I guess that's what happens when our families are neighbors in the same apartment complex." He added, tapping his feet simultaneously on the floor

"Aww," Chenoa cooed, pushing up her laptop, then folding her arms and resting them on the table. "You're admirable, Fletcher, honestly, I wish more people were as selfless and devoted as you." She complimented the young doctor with a smile on her lips.

Fletcher chuckled, shaking his head in dismissal at Chenoa's compliment. "I'm just doing what anyone would naturally do for someone they cared about." He shifted his gaze from Chenoa to Sammy. "Now, where on earth is everyone else? Your food is gonna get cold before they come." He rhetorically inquired, turning his attention to the door.

🌑☀️🌑☀️🌑☀️🌑☀️🌑☀️🌑☀️🌑

A/N:
Ah, sorry this is so late. It's been hectic and I'm trying my best to get them out. Thankfully I have two more chapters pre-planned so all I gotta do is expand on them. Hopefully, I can have them both up sometime next week to make up for the lack of chapters last month.

Chapter Talk:
So, you know why Chenoa wants to be a computer scientist? Also, some little lore was sprinkled in, which was fun. I figured there would be a group out there who would be able to do that.

Also, even though Chenoa is a prodigy at computers, I wanted to show her struggle with foreign tech since it's way more advanced than what she's used to. That was a majority of people's qualms with Pidge from Voltron, and how she had no struggles with the tech, which, realistically isn't as easy as they show on TV, it's complicated and tech is a trial and error type practice. I mean, not everyone is Varian, lol.

And I wanted to give more lore about Fletcher too, because he's gonna be the leader of the Celestial Guardians since he's the eldest and the most mature out of them all, plus he's practically a dad already, and he will get more of the "space dad" opportunities to really bloom really soon.

Thanks for reading!