Chapter Text
NOVEMBER 27, 2014
“Gotcha.” said Shaundi calmly, letting the Boss know she had Killbane perfectly in her sights. Once that asshole was gone, all they'd have to do was find and take out that Matt guy Kinzie kept talking about and the Syndicate would be officially toppled. All she had to do was keep her helicopter perfectly poised while her friend shot.
Suddenly the control panel started rapidly beeping as the helicopter began careering to the left, completely out of her control.
“What'd you do?” her friend yelled, popping up behind her.
“What'd I do? I don't fuckin’ know!” she protested.
“Learn to fucking fly!”
All thoughts of Killbane were out the window as she desperately tried to control the thing to ensure their survival, but there was very little she could do. The helicopter spun to the floor, rolling over several times before eventually coming to a stop.
Shaundi peered out first, looking around carefully through the sights of her sniper. Casey popped the helicopter door open, looked around and when seeing no visible threat anywhere, climbed out and jumped down.
“You alright?” she asked, pleasantly surprised they were not only alive but basically unscathed.
“I had him!” Shaundi complained, audibly enraged.
“I know, I know, it's not your fault.” the Boss reassured her. “Somethin’ weird happened.”
She pulled out her phone to check on it, only to find a text from Matt Miller prominently displayed on the screen. “Cheers ;)” it read, with the Decker logo at the top.
“Ah shit.”
Whoever this prick was, he was going to be fucking trouble.
“Casey, um... can I ask you something?”
They were laying there cuddled up together in the post coital glow after a pretty intense session. It had all started because she joked that it was a shame she’d never get to experience how good he was at sucking dick, and the next thing she knew he was taking her fingers in her mouth for a very thorough demonstration. She ended up on top of him surprisingly quickly after that. She was pleased she’d gotten to use her new toy, though.
“It’s a prostate massager Matt. Cool, right? Now it’s like I can fuck you while you fuck me.” she said with a smirk.
“No, not that.” he clarified. “Though that was bloody excellent.”
“Oh... what then?” she asked, intrigued.
“Well I was just wondering... is this now your longest relationship?”
She thought about it. She had been deadly serious when she told him back in 2016 that her longest relationship had been ten days. Today was technically their tenth. So tomorrow, their eleventh. “Oh... uh... as of like, tomorrow, yeah. I guess so.”
“Right. 28th of Feb.”
“Oh c'mon, why do you look so nervous?” she asked.
“Because I am bloody nervous!”
“About the invasion plans or about us?”
“...both.” he admitted.
His concern, she had to admit, worried her a little. It was the steadfastness of his love that got her through her own fears about their relationship. It was the one area where she really needed him to be the strong one. “Matt, don't be.” she assured nonetheless, trying to put her fears to one side. “Look...”. She sighed. “...you don't have to worry about an arbitrary fuckin’ goal with me. You know that I love you. I fuckin’ love you, Matty.”
“I love you too, Cass.” he said gently, giving her an adoring smile, but then his brow furrowing a little as his other concerns seemed to resurface. “Look, we've worked so hard on these plans, what if everyone just thinks it's a load of shit?”
“Exactly, we’ve worked so hard on to get them fuckin’ perfect, sweetie.”. They may not have given much time to alter things, but that was by design. She was confident in their plans and honestly, she welcomed feedback but she didn’t want too much input for changes. Too many cooks or whatever.
“If we’ve made some huge oversight, we only have a month to fix it-“
“Relax, Matt.” she said, almost instinctively by this point, placing a hand in the centre of his chest, the same place where his well healed but still prominent scar from the Zin cutting into his chest two weeks ago sat. “Just fuckin’ breathe, baby.”
He closed his eyes, his pretty lashes drawing memories of his sleeping face, took a deep breath, and then opened them again to look at her. She made sure to give him a calm, focused look.
“Yeah... O-OK.” he mumbled. “It'll be fine, won’t it?”
“Yeah, Matty. I have the final say anyway.” she pointed out. “If it comes down to it, just fuckin’ agree with me.”
“Right, right, side with the wife.” he replied, laughing a little.
The shock of the words hit her. She stared at him like a deer in the headlights. Suddenly the same words she and Johnny had teased Matt with over Asha, even the words that Johnny had undoubtedly whispered to Matt ten days ago, didn’t seem so funny coming out of his mouth.
“Oh... I meant because you and Johnny always used to say-“
“I know.” she said quickly before he could ramble and perhaps make her feel even worse. “It’s OK Matt, I know why you said it.”
“Listen, I know you don’t want-“ he began.
“To talk about it.” she interrupted. “I don’t wanna talk about it right now, Matty.”
She knew she wasn’t ready for that conversation yet. It was a terrifying prospect. She knew it was something he felt positively about. The reason it was so scary was that she didn’t feel she could give him a flat-out no anymore.
Because only the deepest love could induce her to matrimony. But right how she was already in so deep she was in danger of drowning.
She had to remember certain truths and bring them to the front of her mind. Like the fact there might still be two Zin out to kill her aboard. Like the fact in a months time she’d be headed to the toughest battle the Saints had ever known. Like the fact the entire fate of that planet lay on her shoulders.
“Right. I'm sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I love you.”
“I love you too.” she smiled and kissed him again. “God I am sooooo fuckin’ tired.” she admitted. “I woke up so early and then I drank like 3 cans of Saints Flow and now the crash has kinda hit me and-“
“Casey.” he reminded her quietly, sounding amused. “You don’t need excuses to fall asleep on me anymore, baby.”
“Oh, uh, right... I knew that...” she said sheepishly. He pulled the comforter over them both and before she knew it, his gentle, warm embrace and his rhythmic heartbeat were lulling her into a deep sleep.
She was awoken by her phone buzzing on the nightstand beside her. Was that really her alarm? But it was so... dark? Even though their day/night cycle was simulated, it was evident they were still firmly in the ‘night’ portion.
She forced her eyes open enough to see why the fuck her phone was going off. It was an actual call, and it was 4.17am. What the fuck? She hung it up.
No sooner had she done so, when it began to buzz again. She frowned, getting annoyed, but also a little freaked out. No-one she didn’t know ever called her in space.
“Matty?” she whispered, hoping the call was rousing him enough that he might be able to make a suggestion whether she should pick up the damn thing or not. “You awake sweetie? Matt?”
No response, just his audible heavy breathing. She picked up one of Matt’s shirts and slipped it on so she wouldn’t freeze, then grabbed the phone and walked into the bathroom with it so she wouldn’t disturb him.
“Hello?” she asked as she picked up, her voice a little hoarse. She cleared her throat.
“Salve, Miss Clark.” came a voice that chilled her to the core. A voice she knew was a Zin by the snooty upper-class British accent, miles posher than Matt or even Asha. But also a voice she thought she might recognise from a long time ago.
“Well.” she said, keeping her voice low. “Do my ears decieve me or am I talking to the same dishonourable lying bastard who said “See you in five and a half years”, then tried to take me out the next fuckin’ day?”
“We Zin do not perceive honour in the same manner as you humans.”
“Yeah, that’s fuckin’ evident.”
“Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Zinbir.”
“Right. Does it ever get tiring, all you guys being Zin-somethin’? I’ve never had a chance to ask ZJ that.”
“A pitiful excuse for a Zin, subservient to a human.”
“Hey, ZJ may be my best Zin advisor, but he’s also my friend. And he’s fuckin’ awesome.”
“Pitiful excuse for a leader, befriending your underlings.”
“Yeah, well, pretty much all of yours are dead, so...”
“There’s no need to taunt me, you cannot enrage me any more than you already have.”
“I’m not taunting you, I’m statin’ the facts of the situation here man.” she pointed out with a chuckle.
“Well, in that case, let me state the facts to you. I never left in the escape pod.”
“Uh... yeah... got that... thanks.”
“I am aboard the main ship. And I shall call you back in exactly ten earth minutes. If you intend to leave your sad excuse for a mini-ship, I strongly suggest you come alone. I require an audience with only you, Miss. Clark, and I won’t hesitate to kill any of your pathetic underlings you drag in with you. Goodbye.”
“Wait... what...?” she protested as he promptly hung up on her.
She had been preparing for this for four days. Everything she needed was in her closet at Matt’s insistence. She thought that was a little paranoid, but she'd acquiesced because she found it pretty irresistible when he got all protective of her. She didn’t know when exactly she’d expected an attack, but she’d certainly thought she’d have as many of her friends as possible by her side.
Second first. She needed him to translate the stupid Latin and to help her decide when she was conflicted and to do all the nerdy techy hacky shit. She walked back to their bed. Her bed. Their bed. It was hard to say anymore. She knelt over and used her dim phone screen to illuminate his sleeping face. God. So beautiful. She loved him obscenely. She remembered Zinbir’s threat and it stung her chest. She sighed. She couldn’t endanger her Matty. It was the reason she’d been scared to even get into a relationship, after all.
She kissed his cheek gently, to which he made the sweetest little “Mmm.” noise before returning to steady, deep breathing. She thought back to something he’d said many years ago now.
“I know how you think. I’ll be able to do just what you would do.”
She would have to use everything she knew about him to think like him where she could. Remember anything that might help her. But she was pretty sure she’d be able to. Because she wasn’t lying the day after they got together when she said she found him very memorable. She put on her spacesuit. She kept his shirt on underneath so the scent of him lingered.
She had her concerns about going it alone. But she couldn’t put any of her friends at risk. Not right now. Not when she was still feeling vulnerable from the cacophony of tempestuous events that had taken place over the last two and a half weeks. The worst memories were almost gone now, but she’d often wake up in a cold sweat and Matt would have to rub her back and hold her until she calmed. The one of Matt getting shot... well that one had happened for real. She would never truly be rid of it.
She could take out one fucking Zin, no problem. Even two if they were both there. The fact he requested an audience with her was somehow more sinister than him outright threatening her. But no matter how many of them were there, she suspected she’d manage. She had a new gun.
It was something Dan had designed for the bot, after having had a good month getting his head around Zin tech, and it had actually been Johnny’s questioning and then Matt’s guidance that had lead to extrapolating the technology to a handheld weapon in less than 24 hours. She wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about her nephew building guns, but perhaps violence was in their blood or something.
It was perhaps one of the least deadly weapons she’d ever wielded, but faster and more effective, too. It was an instant-acting restraint gun. Shoot the body and they could barely move. Shoot the head and they couldn’t speak. She needed something to actually kill the fucker too, though. She usually always used her gold .45 Fletcher, but she’d been drawn to her thumpgun recently. It was purple and neon blue, after all. Plus, why have Zin guns at hand if she wasn’t going to use them?
She slipped her converse on and tied them up carefully. She refused to trip over and lose these fuckers again. It was so fucking cold. She grabbed one of her hoodies off the floor and flung it over her spacesuit. She also slipped one of the ship maps that Johnny and Asha had scavenged into one of the pockets.
She walked along the corridor and downstairs where everything remained dark and quiet, looking around as if a friend would suddenly appear to join her. She kept on, out of the ship and into the vehicle bay where their smaller ship was docked. It was a huge area. She felt the sense of being cold and alone even more keenly. Just as she was starting to massively question her decision here, her phone rang again. She picked up much more swiftly this time.
“Hello?” she sighed in the most bored tone she could muster.
“Salve, Miss. Clark.”
“’Sup ZB.”
“ZB?”
“Yeah, see it’s a contraction of your name.”
“I dislike that.”
“I mean, shit man, I’m not too happy you even know my name. In fact I think you should call me Emperor, not Miss. Clark. Makes me sound like a fuckin’ kindergarten teacher.”
“I shall do no such thing, Casey.”
“Aww, look, see, we’re makin’ friends.”
“Does it not enrage you when I use your first name?”
“No, I like my name.”
“Then why the secrecy around it?"
“Iuno.” she said nonchalantly, shrugging as if he could somehow see.
“Useless bluffing. I already know the answer. To protect yourself.”
It was an interesting spin on it, for sure. She’d always thought of her secrecy around her name as protecting others. She didn’t quite understand what he meant. But she'd be damned if she let him get into her head.
“Yeah, whatever, ZB.”
“Zinbir.” he said firmly. “Hmm... what about Cassandra?”
“Yeah, I guess I like that too, now.”. She thought for a second and frowned. “Wait, hold up, since when did you have like, my full name?”. ZJ had showed her the entry in the ship’s database. It only said Casey Clark.
“Oh, I have plenty of background on you now, Casey. Born in Stilwater, Michigan, United States of America, Planet Earth, on the 29th June 1990.” He rattled off disinterestedly. “Sub-par student, attracted to all genders, very fond of expletives.”
“Yeah, apart from the student thing and my real age, 90% of Americans used to know the shit you just mentioned. Buuuuttt... just out of interest...” she sighed. “How did you get all this shit on me?”
“Let’s just say I’m a good detective... in fact I’ve been... playing Holmes.”
It seemed pointed but it meant nothing to her.
“The fuck you talking about ZB?”
“MY NAME IS NOT-“ he stopped himself. “I’m not surprised you don’t comprehend. Would it mean anything to you if I said... memento mori?”
“I’m a fucking goth, love.” he pointed out with a laugh. “Memento mori.”
“What?”
“It’s Latin... along the lines of “remember death” or “remember you’ll die”.”
“Remember I’ll die? Oh yeah? Well I’ve been remembering plenty of deaths for over two weeks now, and all it’s done is PISS ME THE FUCK OFF.” she warned.
“My my, all anger, no substance as usual. Typical villain. I’m surprised you know any Latin.”
“You know Latin is a dead fucking language, right?”
“All of your human languages are since our almighty real Emperor crushed your tiny planet like a... leaf in the wind.”
“Huh, that’s why you use Latin. You’re terrible with English, huh?”
“Once again, not remotely of concern. Soon you sad remainders of the time of humans will be wiped out too.”
“Y’know I’m suddenly startin’ to miss Zinyak’s ability to string a fuckin’ simile together.”
“Enough.”
“Although, I have it on good authority, you’re not particularly good with Latin, either. Obit anus, abit onus?”
“The... well, anus dies and the burden is lifted.”
“So you were callin’ me an asshole.”
“If the shoe fits.”
“But what burden?”
“The burden of losing. It weighs heavily upon me. Zin should return victorious or die in battle like our almighty Emperor.”
“Weeeelll if it’s that bad I can always put you out of your misery.”. Matt had taught her a phrase for when she eventually came to speak to him again. “Ego te provoco, ZB.”
“Wow, so you do know some Latin. No matter. It only makes it more apparent that your only capability; that of running around shooting people, has been replaced by sitting around on a spaceship reading books.”
“Actually my lieutenant taught me. You know, the one you fuckin’ shot and left to die before you jumped back here like a fuckin’ pussy.”
“Ahhh... I see.". There was a pause. "You know, I’m starting to understand how you’ve got to where you are now, Casey. Have you always relied on boys who were in love with you to tell you the answers?”
“Fuckin’ excuse me?”
“How did you get all those B minuses you were overly proud of in high school?”
“I didn’t fuckin’ cheat, if that’s what you’re tryna imply. I studied with... oh... oh shit.”
“And the penny finally drops.”
Memento Mori. He wasn't saying remember death, he was saying remember Mori.
“Mori? You're working with fuckin’ Mori?”
“No, unfortunately your friend Moriarty has been rather uncooperative. But that’s quite alright with me. Villains never win.”
Playing Holmes. That's what he’d said. Obviously she knew the origin of her former best friend's name.
“Shit. What the fuck did you do to him?”
“Hmm. I’m a little bored of answering your questions now, Irene.”
“Who the fuck is...?”
“Goodbye.”
Shit. Where the fuck was he? Was she going to have to search every fucking room on this ship? She had to think like Matt. Right, this might not be so hard, but it was going to take something she wasn’t particularly adept at. A Google search. She searched for ‘Irene’. She got a singer. Nope.
She scrolled down. The Greek goddess of peace? A taunt about her full name? A taunt about her violence? Well fuck him. She didn't want to be the goddess of peace. She was the princess of truth, and she was going to get to the fucking bottom of this. Jesus, thank fuck no-one was here or she probably would’ve said it out loud. Actually... Matt probably wouldn’t have minded.
“That wasn’t that cheesy... was it?”
“Maybe a little. But that’s OK. I like your way with words.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. If anything, it proves that you’re the hero.”
“Why would I need proof?”
“Well do you ever feel like you do?”
“Honestly... yeah. Sometimes I do question it.”
“Ah, but you see, that’s proof too.”
“How’dya figure?”
“Villains always think they’re the hero.”
Right. To ZB she was the villain. So maybe... She searched ‘Irene villain’. First hit- Irene Adler. A foe of Sherlock Holmes. Shit, that was it. God, he really was a pretentious prick. Wait, was he seriously putting her second to Mori here? It was like being back in high school all over again.
This prick really thought he was the hero. Really thought he was Holmes. She didn’t know shit about Holmes. She thought for a second. What would Matt do? She typed ‘where does Sherlock Holmes live’ into Google. 221B Baker Street.
“Um...” she put her phone away and pulled out the little Zin ship map thing. “Map, room 221B?”
It bleeped with an error tone.
She checked the location of the room she was listed as being in. ZX14. She scanned the rooms around them. ZX13, ZX15. The rooms below them started with ZY, above with ZW. Letter-letter-number-number. And of course, everything on the ship had to start with the letter ‘Z’. How would you make 221B fit that?
“You really wanna talk about cringey names, R-four-gn-zero-r-zero-k?”
“It’s Ragnarok.” he said flatly. “And I think you know that.”
“Still, why all the fuckin’ numbers?”
“It's leet speak.”
“The fuck is that?”
“Well you... you just replace letters with numbers... sometimes numbers with letters... it’s a gamer thing.”
Kinda like typing 5318008 on a calculator then. B could easily be 8. It was how she remembered the room name for the hanger after all, from the moment they first started spending every Friday there. MCN8. Matt, Casey, NightBlayde.
“Map.” she began again. “Room ZZ18.”
Another error tone. “Oh.” she responded with disappointment. But... she scanned down the map. ZZ18. It was right there. Her map was obviously broken, but at least she could find the place. She walked down the hall carefully to the elevator, trying to get lost.
She exited the elevator on the right floor. The room wasn't too far away. She was a little confused though. She’d asked Zinjai to check for any ex-Saints she knew the full name of. Moriarty Alleyne was not on there. Maybe the lists weren’t complete? Either way, she prepped the restraint gun and aimed it ready. She came to the door. It didn't open automatically.
“Map, unlock ZZ18.” she instructed. Another error tone. What, the fucking doors were malfunctioning too, now? It brought back to another time she’d thought a door was malfunctioning.
“Ugh!” she kicked the door hard and wedged her pointy heel in before it could close.
“Mmnnnnm- MATT, I thought you fuckin’ locked it!” she heard Pierce say from where he was positioned on the pool table. Which just so happened to be underneath Matt, with their hands pretty fucking low down in each other’s spacesuits.
“I... did...” the younger man slurred slightly drunkenly. “Shit... Boss... I... this isn’t...”
“Holy fuck...” she exclaimed, feeling herself blushing surprisingly furiously considering she wasn’t the one who got caught. “Sorry guys!”
She turned on her heel and rushed out of the living room.
She chuckled a little. That memory wasn’t quite so hot now she was in love with one of the men involved. But it was fucking useful. She didn’t have those boots anymore. But who gave a fuck? She began kicking the door ferociously several times, and after the sixth or seventh one, the whole thing buckled before her.
“How woefully uncivilised.” came the same voice she’d spoken to on the phone.
As soon as she saw Zinbir in front of the door, she shot the restraint gun, and he wriggled helplessly in his chair. She then scanned around for others. She saw no other Zin, but on the other side of the room...
It was Mori alright, encased in what looked like a modified simulation pod behind a glass partition. But he wasn’t the age he should be. He wasn’t even as old as he was at the party. He was older than when they were in high school, but not by much. No more than twenty.
“You fucking time-kidnapped him?”
“Repeatedly. Though I think he prefers abducted.” Zinbir mocked. Shit.
“All those times? All those times he talked about bein’ abducted, it was true? It was you?”
“It was indeed. I suppose for a particularly sharp mind, some things can slip past even our memory wipe technology.”
“How many times? How many fuckin’ times did you do this to him?”. She was starting to wonder some stuff about Mori’s mental health issues throughout their teens.
“This would be the third. I started a little too early, he hadn't even met you yet. Then I tried again but he was so much in love that he let himself get beaten and bruised rather than reveal anything about you.”
“So you tried again when he didn't love me anymore, huh?”
“Well, yes... but I also injected him with a Zin intoxicant which is known to induce honesty.”
“So, a truth serum?” she said flatly.
“You humans certainly have odd ways of classifying things.”
“Doesn’t fuckin’ matter.”. She looked between the two of them. “I’ll fuckin’ deal with you later.” she said flatly, shooting the restraint gun at his face so he was unable to speak. She knew she had about fifteen minutes. She walked over to the glass door, yanked it open and rushed to Mori.
“Who are you?” he asked, looking terrified. “I don’t care how human you look, I’m not talking to you.”
“Mori, it’s me. Casey.” she said gently. She went to untie him but he looked freaked out and tried to wriggle away, so she stopped.
“What are you talking about? You're not Casey!” he snapped. “Casey’s...” he looked a little upset. “I’m not telling you!”
“I knew it was you by your eyes. They’re very distinctive.”
“Look me in the eyes, Mori.”
She caught his gaze. His eyes widened. “Oh.” he said quietly. “Why do you look so...”
“Old?” she finished. She went for his restraints again and he allowed her to untie him this time.
“Well, I didn’t want to be a dick.” he admitted.
“It’s a long story, Mors. I’m from your future. You... well you were right. You were abducted. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”
“Casey... I’m so sorry... the aliens... they kept asking me your name and... I told them.”
“He shotcha up with some truth shit man, that’s not your fault!”
“Right... but... still, I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. Say, how old are you?”
“Nineteen. Almost twenty. You?”
“Thirty-one.”
“Wow; a real grown up..." he commented, raising his eyebrows. "...and here I was thinkin’ you were still playing sleeping beauty.”
“Oh, haha.” she said sarcastically. “I... I was out for five years.” she explained. I guess... for you there’s still a couple’a years til then.”
“Right... and... are the Third Street Saints still... a thing?”
She chuckled. “Oh, we're more than a thing. You see this little alien shithead with all the cool technology? He’s supposed to be workin’ for me. I’m the leader of the Saints and the ruler of the Zin empire.”
“Well that... that sounds...” he started to laugh.
“Fuckin’ what?” she asked.
“Casey you never believed in aliens.”
“I know.”
“Next you’re going to tell me you’ve been hanging out with God.”
“Nope. Buuuut Johnny sorta talked to him.”
“Oh... right... that guy...” Mori grumbled. “Shit.” he shook his head. “I’m still not sure if any of this is real right now.”
“Mori, I still think half of your conspiracies are fuckin’ bullshit but... a broken clock is still right twice a day.”
“What a shitty way to tell me you were wrong.” he said, laughing. “You’ve not changed, Casey.”
“I have, Mori. I really have.” she said thoughtfully. “So... listen... I might have to go back on this if it fucks everything up, but... I feel real guilty about you bein’ abducted three times cause'a me so... Mori, do you wanna stay here? On the ship?”
“Uh... well... I don’t know.”
“C’mon, man, why not?”
“Casey, look... I’m so glad I met you. I mean shit... I wouldn't still be alive if it wasn’t for you. But... well... there’s this girl.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Jeez, there’s always a girl.” she chuckled. “Still... there’s this girl Jez on the ship who’s your age... she’s kinda half-demon but trust me, that’s like... not even the weirdest thing that’s happened in the last few years, so-“
“Casey this girl... I love her. I want to marry her.”
“C’mon Mori, you said that about me.”
“Yes but you never felt the same way.”
“Mori that’s... OK, that's totally true.”
He smiled and shrugged. “It is what it is. But with Vanessa... she adores me.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Vanessa, huh?” she asked softly. “She sounds real nice. Still, Mori, I gotta tell ya... there’s kinda an... end of the world thing, involved here. And I can’t guarantee you’ll survive it. In fact... my evidence suggests you won’t.”
He blinked, a little taken aback. “I didn’t think about the fact you know my future.”
“Yeah, kinda...”
“Right, so, you must know... me and Vanessa... does it... work out?”
“OK well uh... yeah, actually, Mori... it does work out. I... I met you guys in 2016 and you were... you seemed real happy together. But... you hear me right? We’re talkin’ an apocalypse here.”
“How long?”
“What?”
“How long will I have with her, if I go back to Earth?”
She swallowed, not liking the direction this was taking. “You came from 2009, right?”
“2010. January 16th.”
“Ten years then, Mori. You get just over ten years, and that’s if somethin’ else don’t take one of you guys out before then.”
“Then... send me back.” he said with a smile.
“Mori, you’re 19, you don’t know what you’re sayin’.”
“I’ll take those ten years.” he urged. “Sorry Casey.”
She shook her head. It made her angry. It made her sad. But she couldn’t exactly keep him here against his will. “I... shit, I guess it’s your choice.”
He nodded. “What about you, Casey? You still kinda a commitment phobe?" he asked with a slight smile.
She shook her head. "Let's just say I got way worse. But... then I got better."
"So... you ever had someone like that? Someone you love so much you’d take that time with them, even if it doesn’t last forever?”
She didn’t know how to answer, but she smiled. She smiled really hard. And Mori was even better at reading people than she was.
"Oh, right now?" he asked, looking pleased for her.
She nodded.
“I’m so happy for you!” he exclaimed. “What's their name?”
“Matt.” she said gently. “His name is Matt. You’ll... you’ll meet him one day actually. Our past, your future.”
She realised then, why Mori had recognised Matt’s first name. Why he’d been so alarmed that she and Matt claimed to just be a short term thing. Also, quite possibly, why he had decided to retire so young.
The thing was, she definitely didn’t feel like she needed to wipe his mind. There was a reason he eventually stopped talking about his abductions. It wasn’t because he no longer believed. It was because he knew for a fact they were real, and for that reason; he had to keep them to himself.
“Is he anything like the macho degenerate a-holes you were always chasing after in high school even though they were about 4 years older than us?”
She laughed. “Not in the fuckin’ slightest.”
“Good. Then I look forward to meeting him.”
“Cool.” She chuckled a little. “I just realised, this is you skipping to the end of the book again.”
“Hmm... I suppose it is. But now I do know it’s worth reading.”
“Are you... ready to go back?”
“Yeah... take care, Cassandra.”
“Later, Moriarty.”
She hoped the button would send him back to the right place. That was one area where she really could’ve done with the real Matt rather than the one in her head. She checked the display. 16/01/2010. Just like on the TTUs. She pressed it.
She sighed. It would have been nice to save him. But she guessed she couldn't force him. She was finally starting to get it. She really did feel the same way about Matt. That the important thing was that they had the time together. She turned her attention back to the Zin restrained in the chair.
“Not so much with the Latin now, huh?” she asked, chuckling. “You’re not even fightin’ it.”
He looked at her. Smugly. Aw, shit. She was gonna have to listen to this prick’s bullshit again, wasn’t she?”
She sighed, flipped the switch on the restraint gun to reverse, and shot his head.
“Well I’ll certainly miss Moriarty. Far more intelligent conversation than present company.”
“Fuckin’ likewise, asshole.”
“I must say, I'm most surprised you chose to free your friend before viciously murdering me.”
“Well then you really don’t know me that well.”
“Yes. What a pity I won’t get to.”
“You really think you’ve won here, huh? After I solved your stupid riddles and I sent the source of your information back to earth. You got more stupid Zin friends hidin’ in the shadows? C’mon, send ‘em out, I’ll fuckin take ‘em.”
“You misunderstand me, Casey. It seems when it comes to violence, you’re truly unmatched.”
“Well... thanks. You tryna surrender here, or?”
“Perhaps.”
She looked at him with suspicion, trying to work out what his game was.
“Well, too fuckin’ bad. Your white flag is about to get splattered red.”
He was still smiling, his smugness only increasing. He looked like the face on the fucking pancakes Zinjai had made her when all of this shit started going down.
“Since you’re probably fuckin’ terrible with metaphors, I’ll explain- I don’t care that you fuckin’ surrender. I’m killin’ you anyway.”
“I’m aware you intend on that, yes.”
She didn’t show it but his calm smugness was starting to concern her.
“The fuck is your plan here?”
“Oh, I knew you couldn’t resist asking.”
“Please, I’m doin’ you a favour. I know you evil villain types can't resist tellin’ me your shitty diabolical schemes.”
“You really still think you’re the hero of this piece?”
“I will be so long as I thwart whatever stupid bullshit you’re on now. Come on, fuckin’ out with it.”
“Certainly. My... Mycroft is watching right now.”
“Zeebs, gonna level with you here, if that’s more Sherlock Holmes bullshit, you're gonna haveta explain it, ‘cause I fuckin’ googled that shit.”
“Ugh. Well in this case, that would be my co-conspirator in this case, Zinake.”
“Right, the other fuckin’ bitch who got away. The smarter one, actually. Where the fuck is he?”
“He’s already in an escape pod ready to return to the planet Zin.” he explained.
“Oh no no, I’m not fallin’ for that shit again.” she snapped.
“I have a visual on it for you.” he said exhaustedly, nodding at the computer nearby. “Not all of us are completely inept with technology.”
She frowned at him, but walked over to the computer and hesitantly moved the mouse. Sure enough, there was a clear image on the screen of the escape pod ready to launch, with a Zin's face just about visible through the glass.
“If you pardon us both for our crimes against you...” Zinbir continued unprompted. “...and let me join him, we’ll leave quietly.”
“And why the fuck would I do that, chucklefuck?”
He gave her a sinister smile. “Because if you kill me, leave this room, or attempt to send any of your pathetic underlings to the launchpad... he will leave alone in the pod, and he won’t hesitate to broadcast the name Casey Clark across the universe.”
She looked at him with interest. “You’re bluffing.” she said carefully. “How the fuck would he even do that?”
“You primitive humans have your legends and stories and whispers...” he began. “... we Zin have a database which all other sentient lifeforms look to. Zinake will ensure your name is enshrined there, and he’s willing to be tried for our supposed crimes against the empire in the process.”
She thought for a second. Zinjai had mentioned that database and it’s importance before. It was a big fucking deal. But... at the same time...
“Fine.” she shrugged. “You know what. I’m done with anonymity. There really ain’t shit left to protect since the earth blew up.”
“I do believe you are the one bluffing now.” he said with a chuckle.
“No.” she said genuinely. “I mean it. If all of the universe wants to talk about what a fucking legend I am, then let ‘em.”
“You’ll become the target for anyone who wishes ill upon the human race.”
“Good. It’s part of my fuckin’ job description.” she smiled confidently and cocked her gun. “Send the stupid message. I am Casey FUCKING Clark. Anyone wants to get to the human race, they can fuckin’ go through me.”. With no rush to shoot him, she was able to take careful aim at his head.
“Wait!” he yelled before she could shoot.
“Yeah?” she asked, gun still pointed at him, amused to finally see fear from him. She was pretty sure he was out of options.
“Adfectus facit infirma.”
“That means nothin’ to me.”
“Affection makes us weak.” he said with a smile. “Us being you Casey. Tell me, would you be as blasé about the name... Matt Miller?” he asked pointedly. Shit this was it. This was why she fucking didn’t do love. It hadn’t even been two weeks and he’d been targeted.
“My... lieutenant? What about him?” she asked as casually as she could.
“Lieutenant?” he asked. "Or the source of the distasteful blue smears all over your neck?”
Shit. She kept her cool externally, rolling her eyes. “OK fine. So he’s my boyfriend. Who gives a fuck?” she asked flippantly, having a sickening feeling about where he was going with this.
“I suppose if you consider yourself the best of humanity then he would be the brightest. Frankly I’m unimpressed with you both.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not here to impress you. I’m here to fuckin’ kill you.”
“And risk him being implicated along with you?”
She hesitated. It was one thing to make that choice for herself. What would it mean for Matt? Shit, she couldn’t put him at risk, she loved him more than anyone in the universe. Even herself. She was so deep in thought, she barely noticed Zinbir’s glance shifting towards the doorway with the now broken door behind her.
“Well-“ she began a little defeatedly.
“Amor vincit omnia...” Matt interrupted, shooting Zinbir in the head several times with Casey’s pistol. “...Cunt.”
“Matty.” she breathed, and ran to embrace him.
“Sorry to KS...” he mumbled into her hair.
“How’d you fuckin’ find me?” she asked. Over his shoulder, she couldn't help but see the pod had already started to pull away with Zinake inside. At least this time he'd be certain to meet his death. They'd got the real prick though.
“These things come in pairs, remember? You must’ve got too far away, it wouldn’t stop beeping in the wardrobe. I checked where you were and then when I got closer again it started transmitting the audio of your conversation. Why the fuck didn’t you wake me up?”
“I’m sorry baby. I was gonna and then... I saw you sleepin’ and I just... I got scared, y’know? I just... I love you so much. Are you mad?”
He pulled back to look at her and she knew all was forgiven. She looked so much like he did the morning before he went back in time, just over two weeks ago. Black shirt, Nyte Blayde pyjamas, ruffled hair. The only difference was two lines of smudged eyeliner rather than perfect makeup. That day, she’d called him because she’d needed him there more than anyone.
“Cass... you don’t think I’ve been scared every time you've gone back in time? You don’t think I’m fucking terrified about when you go out on the new planet without me? But... that’s who you are.”
“Yeah... I know... and... “ she looked over at the corpse of her foe thoughtfully, seriously considering asking if he still wanted to come out onto the planet with her. “Would you say it’s who you are, now, too?”
“No.” he admitted. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“Huh... so, should I have brought you with me or not?”
“My place isn’t here.” he said seriously. “I’m finally starting to understand that. But my place is not lying asleep in your bed, either.”
“Then what?” she asked with intrigue, staring at him.
“My place...” he ran his index finger along her lips, up her cheek and to her ear, swirling around the lobe and then resting his hand on her face so his finger rested just inside her ear. “Is right here, in a little earpiece. Saying... “It’s OK, Cass. Just shoot the fucker. I don’t care who knows my name. Because being around you will always mean danger. But it doesn’t matter. Because I never want to be without you.””
“Matt...” she breathed. “Oh my God, Matty... you say the most beautiful shit I’ve ever heard.”
He smiled. “I do my best.”
“I promise you’ll never be without me baby.”
“Well... I mean... on the new planet...”
“OK... maybe not physically. But... I swear to God I’m gonna fuckin’ love you forever. I don’t think I could stop, even if I wanted to.”
“Cass...” he said breathily. “Fuck... I’m the luckiest person in the entire fucking universe.”
“Nuh uh, I am. Shall we get outta here?”
“Yes. Do you have the map? The vehicle bay is listed as ZX14.”
“Yeah, I know that, but I don’t think the voice recognition on my map is working. I couldn't get directions down here.”
He frowned. “Really? Let me have a look at it.”. She handed it to him and he inspected it. “Map, ZX14.”
It beeped affirmatively and he showed her the screen, with the map fully functioning.
“Hold up, ‘zed’?” she asked, realizing in dismay.
He laughed. “Were you saying ‘zee’?”
“Oh for god’s sake.”
“The Zin have Eng-“
“I know the Zin have English accents!” she complained. She shot him a smile. “Goddamn limey.”
He smiled back and put an arm around her. “Bloody yank.”
“Ohhhh, I’m gonna fuck you so hard later.” she chuckled.
“You know... while we’re aboard the big ship, we could always sneak into your throne room...”
“Mmm, you’re so fuckin’ dirty.” she purred. “Let’s get some sleep first, Matty.”
He smiled, looking exhausted too. “Yeah, alright.”
No matter what, she had to get past all her stupid shit about relationships for him. Her pride. Her fears. Her insecurities. They were all still pretty huge. But she had the feeling she could do it. Something about him just instilled that confidence in her that she could fight them.
“Hey... what did you say when you shot him?”
“Amor vincit omnia.” he repeated.
“Which means what?” she asked, leaning onto his shoulder to look up at him, which she just so happened to know he found adorable.
He looked down at her and gave her a sweet smile. “Love conquers all.”
MAY 24, 2024
Their names were renowned throughout the galaxy. If anyone wanted to target the Human race, it would have to be through them. Feared and revered in equal measure. Casey Clark. Matt Miller. The asshole with a gun. The bitch with a keyboard. Captain and Lieutenant. Tactician and Technician.
Until one day they just disappeared.
It shouldn't have been possible. Everyone knew their names. Everyone knew where they lived. The White House, New Third Street, Saint’s Row. The district had moved on more than one occasion, but it was always somewhere on the island they called the NSA. The small, blue planet itself used to have a different name before it was conquered a mere two years previously, but that had since been forgotten in the wake of uncertainty. The most common theory was that it was called New Earth, but none of the inhabitants would ever admit to whether that was the truth.
Whatever it was called, it was certainly coveted. All kinds of alien races spent their time eyeing it hungrily, making alliances and plans to conquer it, and at times, coming close to succeeding. Being nameless was not enough when everyone knew exactly what it looked like.
The trouble was that one day, the whole planet was just... gone. Missing in action. Most were certain that such a large union of enemies had been formed, that the planet had already been destroyed. Blown up entirely. Conspiracy theorists claimed that it had been cloaked in some way, hidden in plain sight. That was damn near impossible. It would take a genius-level intellect, a considerable amount of time and work, and one hell of a motive.
It would also take access to the most advanced cloaking technology in the known universe; that of the Zin. Which was no longer accessible because all the data on it, along with the missing planet's co-ordinates, had been wiped from every single record and replaced with a single message. “Ragnarok Wins Forever”.
Of course, even had the planet managed to somehow escape, it would never manage to be entirely peaceful. An agreement had been reached between the Humans, the Zin that chose to stay, and the remaining Krotox. The latter two were allowed to live in exchange for accepting the former’s control. But there were always violations. Nothing an army composed of the former Earth’s finest fighters, led by a fearsome warrior known as Johnny Gat couldn’t handle.
But Gat could not be everywhere at once, and there were some fights, in fact, that even he had little interest in engaging with. Which is how the leader of the Saints and her right-hand man found themselves here, completely surrounded. Zin AND Krotox fucking everywhere.
“Shit... what the fuck have we got ourselves into?” Casey asked, unable to stifle a laugh in spite of the dire circumstances.
“I don’t know.” Matt said grimly. “But I guess we’re about to find out.”
They backed closer to each other and started to shoot, bodies of both alien races falling to the floor with their expert aim. But more kept coming.
“This is all my fault.” he groaned, leaning his head back against hers just a little.
“Yeah, it... kinda is, sweetie.” she admitted. “But I forgive you”
As some of the enemies’ shots started to get through, she felt the sting, she saw the blood, she heard her partner's cries of pain and knew they were getting him too.
“I think we're running outta time, baby.” she admitted.
“Lets just take out as many as we can, my darling. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
They turned a little for a brief, passionate kiss before they continued shooting. The noise of their shots grew quieter as the sound of her heart practically beating out of her chest drowned them out. Her vision started to blur as the pain intensified.
“Oh... fuck it.” Matt mumbled, seemingly realising, just as she was, that no matter how many they killed, they were doomed. He turned to her, wrapping his arms around her slim waist to turn her to him.
“My cyber god.” she sighed, arms wrapping around his neck.
“My... gang boss goddess.” he replied, pulling her roughly to him so their bodies were right up tight against each other.
She couldn’t resist letting out the tiniest snort before she leaned up to kiss him slowly and intensely and the pain started to fade as the darkness overtook her.
Suddenly they were dragged back into the real world. The computer genius sitting on the couch with his beloved leader draped across him.
“Gang boss goddess?” she questioned, running a hand up his arm teasingly.
“Yeah... I don’t know... shut it.” he mumbled, kissing her on the cheek but giving her a smile.
“I think you set that one a little too hard, sweetie.” she advised.
“You think?” he asked sarcastically, then laughed.
“It’s so real now though, baby! Just like the Zin’s!”
“Yes, but with zero chance of frying our brains.” he reminded her.
“Can’t risk that anymore.” she pointed out, smiling.
He nodded and gave her a shy smile. “Still can’t quite believe the most powerful woman in the universe is carrying my baby.” he said affectionately, reaching out to stroke her bump.
It had finally popped right out a couple of weeks ago; her extremely strong stomach muscles having held it back for way longer than everyone had expected. Even with all the scans and tests, there had been much uncertainty and, yes, she admitted it, sheer fucking nervousness, until she’d felt the first tiny pops and flutters of life. Now it was full on kicks and hiccups from her little unborn homie. She couldn’t wait to meet them.
“Yeah, well, believe it, because if I’m breastfeeding, you’re changing at least 90% of the diapers.”
“80% is my final offer on the nappies discussion. This was all your idea after all.”. He winked.
“Yeah, and when I asked, you were so fuckin’ happy you cried your eyes out.”
“And then fucked you.” he pointed out defensively.
“And then fucked me.” she repeated, laughing.
“That was what... a year and a half ago now?”
“I guess... sometimes... things take a little longer than you think.” she admitted.
“Right.”. He nodded. " You know... we've still got about twenty minutes before we have to go.”
“Ugh, do we have to?”
“Yes.” he laughed. “Our child is going to be the first human born on this planet. Everyone's so excited.”
He wasn’t wrong. All the Saints were doing what they could to welcome this kid into their dysfunctional family: from Pierce diversifying the Saints clothing range into baby clothes to Kinzie’s extremely graphic ‘helpful’ research into giving birth. Unsurprisingly, Johnny had already taken on the role of the doting uncle; swearing to protect his best friend, the baby, and even Matt by shooting for three.
“Although... baby showers aren’t as common in England.” he added. “I’m not too sure what they entail.”
“Damn, England got somethin’ right. Along with... hmm... tea, sherbet lemons, Jane Austen... and Matthew James Miller.”
“Oh, I made your top 5?” he asked, feigning innocence but smirking.
“You made my top 1 you dork.”
He leaned over and kissed her. She smiled at him. He smiled back.
"Cass..." he asked nervously. "Are you happy? With everything... with... how we're doing things?"
"Matty..." she placed a hand on his face and smiled "Of course. You've found a way for us to fight without all the running away every time things get rough. You've found a way to hide us somewhere safe without having to leave our home. Baby... it means everything to me."
"It's just... we might not always have time for the simulations. I know everyone's keen to babysit in theory but..."
"Sweetie." she said, trying her hardest to reassure him. "I've fought hundreds of fights with you. I've died a whole handful of deaths with you. But after all I've been through... after all we've been through... there is nothing I cherish more than waking up every morning ALIVE with you."
"Cass..." he said again, looking like he was on the verge of crying. "Me too... I... you're the best."
"Aww baby." she said softly, charmed by his sweet expression. "You gotta be careful, if those tears drip you're gonna have to redo your eyeliner before we go." she pointed out, using her finger to gently wipe them away.
"Thanks." he said gently. "Um... I'm fine, but... if you’re feeling up to it... I do have one more simulation for you.”
“Oh?”. He was cutting it fine if they only had twenty minutes, but she wasn’t against being a little late to something she still wasn’t sure she wanted to go to. “I’m down.”
He tapped a few more buttons and, used to it now, she closed her eyes ready. When she opened them again, they were walking hand in hand towards the little creperie in Harrisburg where they’d had their first date. Their only date on earth that she hadn't time travelled for, in fact.
“A virtual date, sweetie?” she asked, shaking her head despite how adorable it all was. “Do we really have time?”
He didn’t reply, just shrugged and flashed her a nervous smile.
They looked as they currently did in real life, but dressed just as they had been that night. Though her sleek dress required a little more fabric to accommodate her larger frame. “Aww, you even programmed the bump in?” she asked, touched. “Although if I were you I’d have gone for 26-year old me over 33-year-old pregnant me, Matty.”
“No matter how hard I tried to convince myself, I loved you then.” he admitted. “But it was nothing compared to how I loved you in 2022 and... now, if it’s possible... I love you even more.”. As they reached the front of the restaurant, he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. "You've changed my life Cass. You've made it all... so much more perfect than I ever could have imagined.
"Aww baby... this place is makin' you all sappy, isn't it?" she teased.
"No..." he insisted. "YOU make me all sappy.". He kissed her once more before leading her through the vaguely familiar doors.
“No flirtin’ with the waitress this time.” she teased.
When they got inside, however, she found no waitress. No patrons. No crepes, or any other kind of pancakes for that matter. Just the warm glow of candles everywhere. At that moment she knew. She just knew.
“Matt...?” she asked, trying to ignore the slightly worried feeling that was rising in her chest. “Wh- what exactly are you doing?”
“Something you did on that hotel rooftop 8 years ago.”
“O-oh?" she stuttered out.
“Taking a risk and hoping you don’t kill me.” he explained, with another nervous smile. He took her hand and got down on one knee. Shit, this was really happening.
“Matty... before we do this, I need to know somethin’.”
“Y-yeah?” he stammered, looking worried.
“Is Johnny somewhere in our house right now pointin’ a shotgun at you?”
His fear seemed to dissipate as gentle laughter lit up his face. “No.” he confirmed. “But I did sort of... ask his permission. And Dan’s.”
“Ok.” she nodded. “Then... uh... let’s do this shit.”
He nodded too.
“Cassandra Michaiła Clark...” he pulled a ring box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a platinum ring with a sparkling purple gem. “Will you marry me?”
She found herself welling up, and of course, she felt a little scared, but at the same time, a huge smile spread across her face. “Hell fuckin’ yeah I will.” she managed to choke out.
He let out a sigh of relief, welling up too. “Thank fuck for that.” he said through his tears, looking decidedly less nervous.
He slipped the ring onto her finger and stood, embracing her gently, and neither of them could hold back the tears anymore. They looked at each other, both crying their eyes out yet grinning like idiots.
"Why the fuck is your makeup running?" she asked.
"I- I'm really good at programming." he sobbed. "Yours is too."
"Oh great." she laughed. "I sure hope no-one's watching right now."
He shook his head. "I'll do a proposal in front of everyone else with the real ring. If you want."
"Sure." she said with a sniff. "Is it this pretty in real life?” she asked, turning her hand back and forth over his shoulder to admire the sparkle, really just trying to do anything to stop them simulated-crying all over each other.
“Yeah, but it’s Decker blue.”
“Aw, what?”
“...Just fucking with you.” he assured, and she laughed and shut him up with a deep, loving kiss. Their tears finally began to dry as they became lost in each other once more. It didn't matter at that moment if they were in Harrisburg, or a simulation, or on the ship, or on New Third Street. They were home.
“I love you, Matty.” she said when she pulled back.
“I love you too, Cass. Forever.”
She looked into his eyes, captured just as beautifully in the simulation as in real life. “Forever.” she repeated, any remaining fear overtaken by her overwhelming love for him.
He popped the cork on a bottle of champagne on a nearby table and started to pour it.
“Woah woah woah, that’s not fair, I can’t drink that.”
He gave her an amused look. “We’re in a simulation.”
“Oh yeah.” she laughed, shaking her head at her own absent-mindedness. He returned to her and passed her a glass. “I can’t wait to marry you, bitch with a keyboard.” she teased softly.
“I can’t wait to marry you, arsehole with a gun.” he replied, gazing into her eyes. She gazed back once more.
That electric blue had always held a spark of what she knew, deep down, could be love. For the longest time she'd lived in fear of that. She used to see danger in those eyes. Now all she could see was their beautiful future together.
She held up her glass and he clinked his softly to it. He smiled at her. She smiled back at him and gave him a wink, well aware what they were both thinking. They nodded at each other.
“Cheers.” they said in perfect unison.