Michael sleepely made his way to his hammock. Who knew that Galactic Warriors would be so complicated? It seemed like it would be a simple game like chess, but after playing for a while the number of rules seemed to continue expanding. Michael climbed up into the hammock and pulled the blanket over his face and thought of his family back at home. The experience in Nova Galactica seemed surreal, but deep down Michael missed his friends and his family. He knew Ryan and Trey and his mom and grandma were probably all worried sick about him. He liked the people in Nova Galactica, but ultimately wanted to return back to his hometown. Who knew it would take a trip across the galaxy to feel homesick for the midwest. He hated to admit it, but even the most minute aspects of his life seemed desirable. His old problems were so petty in comparison. If only Michael had spent his time studying for the chemistry test for Mr. Wilson’s class then he wouldn’t be in this mess. He laid there thinking about what might be happening back at home until the darkness of the room put him to sleep.

Michael woke up what felt like the next day, though it was unclear as there was no natural light underground. He went over to the common area where Ellop and Tiki were both at the table quietly talking and drinking out of matching metal cups. “Good morning Michael, care for a drink?” asked Ellop.

“What is it?” asked Michael.

“It’s my special drink, it’s a stimulant so it will wake you up,” said Ellop grabbing a pitcher and a cup from the kitchen. Ellop poured Michael a glass of his drink and handed it over to Michael.

“Is everything alright?” asked Tiki to Michael.

“Well, it’s just I was thinking last night about my friends and my family. I haven’t thought much of them since arriving, but I can’t help but feel guilty they have no idea where I am, and I don’t have any way of telling them,” said Michael.

“Have you tried contacting them at all?” asked Ellop.

“Well, not really. I don’t see how I could,” said Michael.

“How is our world contained? Is it within a box in a lab or something?” asked Ellop.

“Well, you see, it’s kinda weird. This universe is within a video game on my computer,” said Michael.

Ellop stood up and left muttering angrily. “Sorry about him. He likes to speculate and theorize but when things aren’t like what he thinks they are he gets frustrated,” said Tiki.

“Yeah, it’s fine, do you want to continue our game of Galactic Warriors?” asked Michael.

“Not right now, I should gather more information on Point Nebula Penitentiary’s security systems for when we start our mission,” said Tiki.

“Well, then I’m going to go see where Ellop is to see if he’s okay,” said Michael.

“Oh he’s fine don’t worry about him,” said Tiki.

Michael ignored Tiki and walked up the stairs to the outside. Apart from Azav’s ship Ellop was nowhere to be seen. Michael noticed a path between the trees of the jungle and followed along as he heard the sound of running water among the sound of insects and animals. Michael saw through the trees a small waterfall where Ellop was sitting in front of on a rock. Ellop noticed Michael approaching along the path. “Come here, take a seat,” said Ellop. Michael did as he said and took a seat on a rock to the right of Ellop.

“Did you know the ancient people of this planet thought that the water here is sacred? It’s been passed down generations through story, and many locals to this day still believe the water here from natural springs much like this one carry healing properties,” said Ellop. Michael nodded and continued listening. “Interestingly though, they were right about the water here having special properties. You see, the water carries minerals from the stone in the nearby area, so the water do carry healing properties and can also lead to longevity,” said Ellop.

“That is quite fascinating,” said Michael.

“I always come to this spot to gather water for whenever I make my drinks, but I don’t just come here and get the water, I also like to take in the scenery. Where I came from was nothing like how it is here. My home planet, well, at least the ones my adoptive parents raised me on had no nature on it whatsoever. The place I lived had thick smoke covering the skies of the city. All the land that could be used and exploited was. One time my parents had to go visit the planet’s moon and I was left with my grandparents on my mom’s side. They didn’t live in the city like us, they lived way out in the desert, and it was the first time I ever got to see nature. It wasn’t much, it was just sand dunes, but on my grandparents property had a massive property given the land was so cheap and couldn’t be used for anything. They had this secluded area in a valley, and we went up there one day, and they showed me their oasis. It was the first time I saw the color green, and I got to see plants growing and the insects. It was my first time I really learned to care about nature. Nature is where I go to calm down whenever one of my plans doesn’t work like I think it should, or one of my scientific theories is proven completely wrong and I have to accept new information I don’t like hearing. Tell me Michael about your home planet. If this really is all a game then what’s it like in ‘the real world’ where you’re from?” said Ellop.

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“Well, I’m not sure I could put it into words as well as you did, but I’ll try. Earth is a complicated place. It doesn’t sound quite as bad as your home world, but there is some natural beauty that is destroyed I guess. Where I am from is a from a region known as the midwest. The midwest is a region in my country called the United States-” said Michael before Ellop interrupted.

“Wait? Country? Are you telling me your planet hasn’t unified under one government yet?” asked Ellop.

“Well, there are some assemblies that include all the countries on Earth, but there’s not really one world government,” said Michael.

“No, our planet is broken up into several countries,” said Michael.

“I am at a loss for words. How have your people not yet unified under a single government?” asked Ellop.

“I don’t know it seems kinda normal there that all the countries are competing against each other to be number one,” said Michael.

“That’s exactly the problem. If your people all united then resources could be allocated fairly and everyone would have a common goal of uniting and bettering eachother, but if you have separate countries then it can lead to destruction of one another,” said Ellop.

“Well, I guess,” said Michael.

“You agree with me right?” asked Ellop.

“Yeah, I agree, we would be much better under one government,” said Michael. He didn’t know whether he actually agreed, but wanted to appease Ellop.

Michael and Ellop made their way back to the stone building. “This building is ancient too by the way with a few modifications of course,” said Ellop.

“I think it’s nice,” said Michael.

“Yeah, and less artificial, back when craftsmanship was a thing, not to underappreciate technology or anything,” said Ellop.

The pressure plate was pressed opening the doors and Michael and Ellop walked back downstairs where Sheerya was now out in the common area. Everyone was in the common area apart from Azav who Michael hadn’t seen since last night. Sheerya was practicing fighting on a dummy while Tiki was tinkering around writing some code on a computer. Azav appeared down the end of the hallway. “Does everyone feel adequately prepared?” asked Azav.

Everyone else answered affirmatively apart from Michael. “Michael, Sheerya will be assisting you. She has memorized the map of the prison and we will go over the plan once again before we arrive as is protocol,” said Azav reassuring Michael.

“Okay then, I guess I’m ready,” said Michael nervously.

Azav and the rest of the members left out for Azav’s ship. All five seats in Azav’s ship were occupied and the ship rose vertically out of the patch within the trees. Michael got a better view of the lush green jungle as they took off while the sun was setting. The crew had conversations with one another, and Michael learned among other talents Ellop was also a good cook as he provided a meal for everyone on the ship. As talking waned the crew fell asleep one by one as the ship drifted towards it’s destination on autopilot. Slowly venturing further into the empty void.