Did you miss me?

The voice spoke straight into my head and my eyes shot open. A shock ran along my spine like I had been electrocuted.

It was Gem’s voice. How could this be happening? Fear ran through me but I quelled it.

I wondered whether I’d finally started hallucinating. Part of me wasn't surprised. I closed my eyes again and considered whether it was the solitary confinement that was causing me to hallucinate. I’d held out pretty long, I thought.

Um, hello? Nova to crew 761, it’s Gem calling.

I tried to ignore her voice as tears forced their way out of my eyes. I couldn’t handle this and the Council knew it. It was Councillor Harvey doing this. Anger bristled in me again even as I sobbed.

Gem? I heard Cory think reverentially.

My breath caught in my throat.

He heard her voice too.

Yeah, it’s me! Who else would it be? She laughed mentally, the sound the brightest and most alive thing I’d heard in so long.

An uncontrollable sob burst out of my throat. I honestly believed that I had killed her and the rush of relief and giddiness that I felt then has been unmatched to this day.

Gem! You’re alive? I could barely think the words.

I mean, only just. They’ve had me in a coma for the last three months.

How is this possible? Peggy sounded like she was crying too, even over thought.

It’s magic. Gem deadpanned. Well… science at least. They’ve given me an artificial liver and kidney and they had to do a lot of reconstructive work but I’m medically stable.

I missed you so so much. Cory sobbed. I love you.

I missed you and I love you so so much. All of you.

Wait… This could be a trick. How do we know it’s her? Cas sounded cautious.

I was openly weeping but my breath hitched suddenly and my heart squeezed. It could be a trick. Just because they could all hear it didn’t mean this wasn’t somehow still the Councillor.

Ummm… it’s definitely me… You’ve really been through some shit, huh? Okay. How can I prove it to you?

I waited, so hopeful it physically hurt my heart.

No suggestions? Okay, shall I just reel off things that only I would know about you all? Cas first. Your favourite snack is crunch chips and purple soda pop. You keep them hid all over our dorm and Frida. Or wait… n’hitel is definitely your favourite! But I don’t know if you actually like it the most or if it’s just because you can’t really find it and, like, it might be illegal. We’re the best team in Zero-G and the others know it too. Brawn over brain forever! Peg, even though you lie to the tutors about it, you have a photographic memory. Sorry, sorry, eidetic. I know you hate when I call it that but that is what that is and you know it! You're the smartest and best person in our crew. Oh! And when Aries and I couldn’t sleep when we first came to the base, you used to read to us from the old Earth books and try and translate them but you were so bad at Earth languages to start so sometimes you’d just give up and make up stories yourself.

A sob made its way out of my mouth. It was her. It had to be.

Okay, Aries… Hmm… Oh! I know! We were the first ones in the crew to used hatches! We hid on the top of the climbing wall after everyone left and then got locked in the gym and had to sneak out through that hatch on the roof that they didn’t bother locking but then we got stuck because we couldn’t find a way out and we had to exit through the one next to Andy’s office. We were so scared we’d get caught!

Her giggle bounced around in my brain and let out a shuddering laugh as relief flooded through me.

And Cory. I love you so much. I don’t even know what to say to make you believe who I am. I know so much about you, I don’t know where to start.

There was a pause before Cory replied, his voice shaking but filled with hope.

Where was our first kiss?

She laughed before answering. On that training exercise when you broke your leg. I was so worried about you and I kissed you. I was so worried you didn’t like me like that but you kissed me back.

I bawled hysterically, trying to stifle the noise so no one would hear and know we were talking. It was her.

So, did I pass?

Oh, Gem. You’re alive. Cory cried.

I curled into a ball, weeping tears of happiness and relief. Each sob made pain shoot through my chest but I didn’t care. For the first time since we were arrested, I allowed myself to feel a glimmer of hope. I hadn’t killed Gem and we were back together. We could survive.

Dinner time! Cas informed us, sounding much happier than before.

I dragged myself to my feet unsteadily yet feeling lighter than I had for months. Months. That’s how long we’d been in jail.

Over three months.

The door opened without the usual shout from the Guardians so I stood, leaning against the wall, unsure if I should get into the usual position to be searched. A Guardian entered, watching me carefully but still not shouting.

“We have your dinner.” The Guardian said, holding a tray out to me instead of placing it on the floor like they normally did.

I stared at them suspiciously as I took it, my arms straining to hold the weight of the tray, the effort causing pain to race up and down my body.

They’re being nicer than normal. And I think this is a larger portion than before. I said to the others, still watching the Guardian suspiciously.

They hovered awkwardly, glancing between me and the Guardian standing in the hall. I didn’t know what they were waiting for. Surely they didn't expect me to thank them for a tray of mush?

They glanced back at the door before stepping closer to me again. I lifted the shaking tray slightly higher, preparing to defend myself if I needed to.

“We also have some bread rolls and some fruit… If you want it…”

My eyes widen in surprise. They never offered us anything else.

“Why?” Slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

I couldn't see the Guardian’s face through their helmet but they moved back and forth on their feet uncomfortably.

“We took them from the Guardian’s canteen.”

“Why?” I repeated, less suspicious but more concerned now.

“The way they’re treating you isn’t fair.” The other Guardian, the one who was standing in the hall, said loudly.

I looked at the Guardian in my cell who nodded once, firmly.

“Okay.” I didn’t want to agree or disagree in case it was a trick or I made them mad.

The Guardian stepped back through the door and gestured for me to do the same. I placed my tray on the floor near my bed, the effort of bending down making me almost pass out, before stepping into the corridor cautiously and looking around for some sort of trap but I didn't see anything unusual.

They stood in front of a trolley, loaded with trays for the others. A basket of bread rolls sat on the top next to a collection of sad-looking fruit. It was the first time I’d seen any food other than mush in too long and my mouth began watering.

“Take a couple, we took enough for you all to have two pieces each.” One of the Guardians said gently.

I grabbed greedily at the baskets, not caring what bread I picked up before more carefully selecting a pear and an appul, leaving the one bruised plum for Peggy who loved them.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely.

I hurriedly stumbled back into my cell before they could change their mind and dropped down on my mattress, cradling the food.

“Wait!” I cried desperately before the Guardian could shut the door.

“Yes?”

“Can I see the others?”

I had to try. I needed to see if they were okay.

The Guardian looked back at their partner and seemed to have a silent conversation.

“Sorry, we can’t risk it. But you’ll see them soon.”

My heart pounded faster.

“I will?”

“Yeah, your trial is coming up soon. Did no one tell you?”

“No,” I said, my mouth suddenly dry.

The Guardian looked back at the other one again.

“When is it?”

“Three days.”

They closed the door quickly before I had the chance to ask any more questions.

The trial is in three days. I told the others immediately, my heart heaving in my chest.

Shit. Gem replied.

Yeah. Got a surprise with food though. A good surprise. You’ll see.

I swallowed, staring down at the food still clutched in my hands. My hands had been curling into fists but I forced my fingers to straighten out before they could crush the delicate fruit. In three days, this could all be over or we could be thrown in a prison for the rest of our lives.

Yeah, the doctor said he thought it was soon when I was in the medBay earlier but he wasn’t sure. Apparently, the world has been going crazy over us. Cory added.

Why were you in the med bay earlier? Gem asked immediately, concern colouring her voice.

Just to get checked over. I’m fine.

My eyebrows drew together again. He sounded fine but none of us had been taken to the medBay at all since we arrived and we’d been beaten badly. We could have probably all done with medical intervention. Something wasn’t right. He wouldn’t have appreciated me asking more then, I knew I’d see him in a few days anyway so I changed the subject for him.

What do you mean going crazy over us? What are people saying? Peggy questioned.

Well, according to the doctor, on this planet it’s really mixed. Some people think we did the right thing, others don’t but most of the other planets think we were in the right.

I smiled slightly, the movement feeling foreign and painful on my face.

People are supporting us? I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

The Guardians and Councillor Harvey had made it sound like no one believed our side of things and everyone thought that we were traitors. The idea of people supporting us made my brain spin.

Yeah. Lots of them too. The doctor said something about a protest but he was cut off by one of the others.

A protest? Peggy asked.

Yeah.

Cas laughed wickedly. Oh, I hope they're protesting outside the Council Hall. My dad would hate that so much.

My smile grew wider. I hoped so too.