The information desk held a lot of helpful stuff. Maps, times, where they were going and how they'd get there, etc. Viktor was handed a map by a blond man, who had definitely heard Vok'Rul and Oskar's entire argument if the embarrassed look on his face said anything. He wouldn't look Viktor in the eye the whole time they interacted.

Vok'Rul loomed over his shoulder like a dark cloud. Oskar had his arms crossed defensively over his chest, face set in a deep scowl. Viktor thought his head might explode with the annoying headache he had.

"So, um," the blond man cleared his throat as he launched into an explanation of the ship. "Welcome to The Conquest. The living quarters are divided into twelve rooms. There are currently 50 million beds on board, which," the man gave a little, awkward chuckle, "is a lot, I know. It'll be a little cramped, even if one room is like ten football fields long, but the trip will only last three or four days."

Viktor, who had heard the trip would only be two, squinted in confusion. "Okay," he said slowly. "How do you find where you'll sleep?"

"You'll be with me," Vok'Rul huffed. The blond man looked at him a little nervously.

"Uh," he said with another chuckle, "Vokkrus are on the second level of the ship, uhh... sir. I'm afraid that most humans are uncomfortable with Vokkrus, so they decided to separate them. You'll find your rooms over there." The man pointed to a glowing kiosk that was implanted on one of the walls. A few Vokkrus were already crowded around it. He faltered when he realized Vok'Rul didn't even look in that direction, simply glowering at the human instead.

"Ohkayy..." the man said under his breath. "For us," he said to Viktor and the others, who had stepped up behind him, "you'll have to continue down this line for a little while. Eventually, you'll reach a machine, kinda like that one over there. But smaller. Anyway! It'll give you a number. If you're staying with your family," the man looked at the others behind him, "you'll wanna grab the tickets back to back. The numbers correspond with your beds."

"Great," Pedro said kindly, taking another map the man handed out. "Thanks."

"Hey, when's lunch? I'm starving." Ezekiel said. Aiko rolled her eyes.

"You just ate before we came here."

Ezekiel gave her a wounded look. "I was starved for the first seven months on this planet!"

The man, who looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole, gestured to the map pamphlet. "There's an itinerary on the back."

They started to step forward, past the desk and onto the kiosk, when the man spoke up again. "Uh, sorry but Vokkrus aren't allowed past this point right now. Only humans. There are some people who haven't had the best... experience... with..." he trailed off when he saw Vok'Rul's expression.

A cherry red Vokkrus popped up behind the man, likely hearing the issue. They quickly placed their hand on the man's shoulder, bowing to Vok'Rul, "Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to have you aboard."

Viktor saw the man mouth the words in slight confusion. Vok'Rul grumbled unhappily. "I wish to ensure these humans are settled in," he requested with an edge to his voice.

The alien sounded regretful when they said, "Of course, Your Grace, but it was written into the laws aboard that no Vokkrus step onto the first level until we have reached Deep Space, except for the dining area. Only maintenance and other crew members are allowed. Sir Rukka insisted."

"I will go through," Vok'Rul hissed dangerously. His tail curled up behind him, and his claws twitched in a way that Viktor knew he was three seconds away from lunging forward.

"How about we," Viktor gestured to Thruul, Blacksmith, Vok'Rul, and himself, "go to the Vokkrus rooms, and the others can check in themselves?"

He heard his dad start to protest before someone audibly stomped on his foot.

"What a wonderful idea, Kohgrash," Thruul praised, voice a bit too cheerful for the circumstances. "Let us go, my lords." His claws surreptitiously wrapped around Vok'Rul's arm, pulling him in the direction of the kiosk. Viktor quickly waved goodbye to his friends and dad before he followed the three aliens.

"Honestly, Thruul, what was Rukka thinking?!" Vok'Rul seethed. "'Not allowed,' what kind of ridiculous -"

"Okay, high and mighty Vokkra," Viktor said dryly, not liking the way his face twisted with anger. "Calm down. It's not like you're not allowed there forever. Just till we're up in space."

"I would never harm a human," Vok'Rul huffed in response, slowly down slightly when he noticed how far away Viktor was from the trio of Vokkrus. "I just wanted to make sure everyone got to their rooms safely."

"Some people have been hurt by your kind, Vok'Rul. It's scary to be around so many that you don't know. Besides, didn't you vet everyone who's on this ship anyway? There's no danger," Viktor reasoned.

"That didn't stop your kidnapping at the festival," he growled. He turned to Blacksmith. "Aren't you worried about Shrrsk?"

Blacksmith shrugged, stopping in line as they finally got to the kiosk. Viktor leaned against his walker in relief. Walking for long distances was still tough. Maybe he should've gotten a wheelchair. "Shrrsk can handle himself. He told me he won against a Xrshak."

"A XRSHAK?" Vok'Rul shrieked. Several aliens and humans turned around to see what the noise was, with many of the former looking away hurriedly. "Kohgrash, you did not fight a Xrshak, did you?!"

"I've got no idea what you're talking about," Viktor deadpanned. He's never heard of a Xrshak before. There were all sorts of animals in the arena that he didn't get to fight, but he had certainly heard them, whether it was through the others' stories or the calls of the animals themselves.

Thruul interrupted before Vok'Rul could have a crisis about whatever a Xrshak was, saying loudly, "Look, we're up next."

The kiosk was large, high up to accommodate a Vokkrus's eye level. Viktor couldn't even see the screen. Vok'Rul told him it was nothing special; simply directions to the second level of the ship and a ticket scanner. Blacksmith and Thruul brandished theirs with a flourish, easily sliding it into the machine and staring at the screen.

"Um, what are they doing?" Viktor asked Vok'Rul.

"Hm?" Vok'Rul hummed, eyes shut. He looked like he was meditating, chest slowly rising with deep breaths. His expression was still annoyed, but when he turned to look at Viktor, he looked curious and slightly confused.

"What do you mean?" he asked. "They are just getting their information."

"Nothing's printing out," Viktor said. The pair were staring intensely at the screen, like they were in a trance. He jumped a bit when they finally broke out of it with a loud sigh and sudden movement.

"Print? They just get told," Vok'Rul said. Viktor wrinkled his nose at him. That explanation didn't explain shit. "Here," he chuckled, moving his arms out to pick up Viktor. He obliged, offering his walker to Thruul. "Let me show you."

The screen was filled with swirling text. He couldn't read any of it, only picking out a few letters here and there. Vok'Rul tapped the screen swiftly, saying, "This, here, asks which type of ticket you have. There are three levels; first, second, and third. They are based on the extravagance and access someone can afford. Of course, everyone on this flight will have the first level. Those who are on this ship have earned their way on through donations of supplies."

It seemed... very similar to a plane's first class versus business class. Still, Viktor was hung up on the fact that the machine talked to you. He hadn't heard any voices come out of the machine, translated or otherwise. Vok'Rul pressed a few buttons, whipped out his ticket where he usually kept Viktor's treats, and smoothly slid it into the reader.

"Look closely," Vok'Rul insisted, shifting Viktor so he was right in front of the screen. The images displayed were strange, flickering between a swirling symbol that Viktor could only assume was a loading screen and bold text he couldn't read. Suddenly, Viktor felt pressure in his skull.

Welcome aboard The Conquest, it said in a light, bouncy voice. In a monotone voice, it continued. Rulshkka of Knrash.

Viktor wanted to say something, but he found himself unable to move. He could feel a sweat break out across his skin.

Your designation is level two, room one. We hope you enjoy your flight to, its voice dropped down in pitch, planet Earth of Galaxy Milky.

The pressure left and Viktor's head flung back into Vok'Rul's chest as he struggled to get away from whatever that was.

"What the fuck," he gasped, voice strangled and fearful, "was that?!"

"What?" Vok'Rul asked with confused concern. "It was just the program. It mimics the Mirror."

"I didn't like that," Viktor's voice wavered. "I didn't like that at all. Is that what the human one's like, too?"

"They are all like that. Why? What was wrong with it?"

Viktor struggled to put it in words. The way his body was unwilling to follow his commands under whatever thrall the voice had put him under reminded him too much of when he had been in his coma. He shuddered in Vok'Rul's arms, and thankfully, the alien didn't push him.

"Well, my little Kohgrash. Let's go see our room, shall we?" he said gently, stepping away from the kiosk to join Thruul and Blacksmith. The four of them went down to the second level, which was accessible by a short flight of stairs. It wasn't as grand as the first level's living quarters; the ceilings were certainly shorter. It was more like a hotel, though, Viktor slowly realized. There were multiple doors that led to similar rooms, though they were much smaller than the massive storage space the upstairs quarters seemed to be in.

Thruul's room was thirty-five, sequestered in the middle of the space, Blacksmith's was seventy-two, right by the staircase, and Vok'Rul's was number one, standing proudly at the end of the hall. They said their brief goodbyes to the pair before stepping inside.

The room was minimalistic; a dresser, large bed, a small TV, and a table were all that occupied the small space. What stood out about it, though, was the large domed window on the far wall. Right now, it was showing the landing pad, filled with people and aliens alike. Viktor was sure that when they were in the air, in space, the view would be breathtaking.

Vok'Rul dropped him on the bed before collapsing onto it himself. It nearly launched Viktor into the ceiling, but he didn't mind. He flung himself backward, too. Silence lapsed between them until the alien spoke up.

"Your sire is irritating."

Viktor sighed loudly and obnoxiously. "Why can't you get along? You both care about me."

Vok'Rul made a disbelieving noise, but Viktor smacked him before he could say something insulting about his dad. "I know he can be," he paused, "intense, sometimes. But he's just being a dad."

"He attacked you, Kohgrash. I saw it with my own eyes." Vok'Rul insisted, sitting up to look down at Viktor. Viktor looked back balefully.

"You're ridiculous," Viktor told him with a sigh. "He wasn't attacking me. He puts his hand on the back of my neck to comfort me. I guess, now, it won't really work." He picked at the badges self-consciously. "But it was our thing. Before here."

Vok'Rul was silent for a long time before he got to his feet. "I'll never understand humans," he muttered under his breath. "It was hard enough when you were just an animal. A smart animal, but an animal."

"Was never an animal," Viktor said, but Vok'Rul continued muttering to himself grumpily.

Even with the grumpy alien prowling around the room and inspecting every corner, Viktor was relaxed. Nervous about space travel, sure, but the bed was comfortable and warm, hugging his body. He still ached all over - and probably would for the rest of his life, unfortunately - but right now, he felt as though he could fall asleep and never wake up.

He jerked out of the light doze he found himself in when something draped across his body.

"Sorry," Vok'Rul whispered quietly, pulling Viktor's blanket over his shoulders. He muzzily wondered when the bags had come in. "You looked cold."

"Always cold," Viktor mumbled, closing his eyes before he remembered where they were. He sat up quickly, ignoring Vok'Rul's protests. "What time's it?"

He looked out the window with alarm. He didn't want to miss the take off! But they were still on the planet. He wilted in relief.

"You were only sleeping for a few minutes at most. You can go back to sleep, my little Kohgrash. The ship won't launch for a few more hours."

"We're s'posed to meet the others," Viktor weakly protested, already laying back down on the bed. It was a nice bed.

"I'll have Thruul tell them you're resting," Vok'Rul reassured. Viktor hummed his response and went back to sleep.

A loud, blaring alarm woke him up.

"What," he gasped, on his feet before he could fully wake up. He fell to the ground as soon as he landed, weak and trembling with bone-deep exhaustion.

"Don't worry!" Vok'Rul said hastily, phone in hand. He abandoned the device on the bed, quickly grabbing Viktor by the shoulders and hauling him back on his feet. "Everything is fine; someone accidentally set off a few alarms."

The alarm was loud, piercing his eardrums without mercy. Thankfully, it didn't last long, and silence was blessedly returned to the small room.

Viktor grumbled unhappily. "Where's my thing?" he asked vaguely, wanting to move around. He didn't know how long he had slept, but he was stiff all over.

Vok'Rul didn't answer right away. "I think Thruul might have it."

"Might?" he echoed faintly. "Vok'Rul, I kinda need it to walk."

"I'll find it," he promised. "Do you want to see the dining hall? They should be all set up by now." He held out his arms, looking way too nonchalant about the whole thing. Viktor had the sneaky feeling that he had planned the whole thing.

He was just lucky Viktor was too tired to walk on his own, anyway.

"Are you gonna get along with my dad, now?" Viktor asked as they walked to the staircase. The aliens in the area all bowed briefly at them before turning to whatever it was they were doing. Vok'Rul's claws clicked against the floor, making Viktor's hair stand on end.

"Yes," Vok'Rul sighed regretfully. "You were right. Nohkka likely has more maturity than I."

"Very likely," Viktor huffed, pleased that this whole feud between them was on track to get resolved.

Vokkrus were allowed past the desk to only go to the dining hall. There were still plenty of humans waiting in line for their tickets. It was later, much later, in the day, and the majority of the humans had filtered into the ship. It was a little jarring, sleeping through most of the morning and afternoon like that.

The crowd of humans, those who were unafraid to gawk, turned their heads on a swivel upon seeing Vok'Rul. The alien paid them no mind, but it made Viktor wildly uncomfortable and awkward. He didn't like all the eyes on him. At least the noise was in a manageable murmur instead of a loud cacophony of sound.

They swiftly made their way to the dining hall, which was equally as decorated as the plaza. Large banners, symbolic pictures, and even hovering holograms were stuck all over the walls, walkways, and food stalls. It was louder in here. Viktor wished he had noise-canceling headphones.

"Hey, Viktor!" a familiar Russian accent called. Vok'Rul started walking over to the group of humans. They were sequestered away in a corner, right in between a few potted plants and a half wall. It was nice and private. Well, for the humans, anyway. When Vok'Rul sat down, a bit awkwardly what with the tail and all, he stuck above the plants and wall easily.

"Hi guys," Viktor yawned. Ezekiel already had three empty plates stacked under the one he was currently eating off of. He was eating some sort of meat kebab, tearing into it with a relish that made even Viktor balk. Aiko looked irritated, but Viktor caught her smiling and picking up the bits of food that fell and putting them back on his plate. Pedro ate more sedately, actually using the utensils he had. Nikolas, who had waved them over, looked like he had just got finished eating. His plate was bare, with only a few crumbs lingering.

"Viktor," Oskar said with a wary smile. He was picking at some loaf of bread, stirring the stew he had next to it with a piece. "You okay?"

"Of course he's okay, I'd never-," Vok'Rul cut himself off with a short wheeze when Viktor elbowed him in the gut. He slid off the alien and into a nearby chair.

"Yeah, I fell asleep in Vok'Rul's room. That alarm woke me up. Who pulled that?" Viktor asked, gleefully accepting his dad's plate of food. It was half-finished, but Viktor was grateful anyway. He didn't know if he could walk to a food stall, especially without his walker.

"Not me," Ezekiel mumbled through his food, spraying bits across the table. Vok'Rul made a noise of disgust, echoed by Aiko and Nikolas.

"Ew," Viktor said, wrinkling his nose. "Keep your mouth shut, man."

"Preferably forever," Nikolas chimed in.

"Hear, hear," Aiko said, raising her cup of water. Pedro, Nikolas, and his dad followed suit. Ezekiel rolled his eyes, mumbling something.

"Nah, I think some alien must've pulled it. Or some kid," Pedro said, getting them back on the subject. Viktor hummed, chewing on the slice of bread.

"I haven't seen any other kid except for Viktor," Aiko said with confusion.

"There are a few children on board," Vok'Rul chimed in. His voice was slow and slightly hesitant. "Though, some are not in the best condition."

Viktor scratched his neck awkwardly. The thought of someone his age - or God forbid, less - enduring in that facility for more than a few days had him sick to his stomach. He pushed away the plate of food uncomfortably.

Thankfully, the conversation got lighter after that. The others told Viktor where their beds were at. They, minus his dad, all struggled with the noise of the crowd, but they didn't have it as bad as him.

"You were the fan favorite," Pedro told him, causing Vok'Rul to huff and Oskar to scoff. "Sometimes, we could hear the chanting from the warehouse."

That didn't make him feel any better.

He had never been around this many people before, not even back on Earth. The dining hall kept getting worse and worse, and eventually, Vok'Rul suggested that they go to the front of the ship to watch the ship take off.

"Will they let us in?" Viktor asked, struggling to get to his feet. His dad steadied him, squeezing his shoulder comfortingly. Vok'Rul and he hadn't gotten into any more arguments, but they were certainly intent on ignoring one another. Which was fine by him.

"Kohgrash," Vok'Rul scoffed. "I am Vokkra."

"So you remind me," Viktor rolled his eyes. "Where's my walker?"

Thruul still had it, and their trip to the cockpit was delayed for a few minutes while Vok'Rul went to retrieve it. The group talked amongst themselves, catching Viktor up on what happened while he was sleeping.

"I think almost everyone's been checked in," Aiko said.

"What if they forget someone?" Viktor asked. Or worse, if an alien was intent on keeping a human captive who wanted to go home? Or if someone hadn't managed to hear the news and didn't know?

"Some people have stayed," Nikolas said reassuringly. "While you were in your coma, your alien made sure that every human possible was accounted for. I do not know exactly what power he has, but he made every alien search and find humans. If they did not comply or were found to be hiding some, they were arrested."

"Blacksmith told me that the ship won't start unless every ticket available has been printed," Pedro said.

"I didn't get my ticket," Viktor frowned. He remembered the Mirror-like pull of the ticket terminals. "They printed off tickets at the machine?"

Aiko squinted at him, "What else would they do? Don't worry, though, we got your ticket. Just in case you wanted to sleep with the rest of us. Vok'Rul wanted you to stay with him, though, right?"

"You should stay with me," his dad huffed. "I don't-"

"Just be quiet, Oskar," Nikolas sighed. "Viktor's alien is kind."

Viktor tore off a little piece of bandaging around his neck, rolling it into a ball in between his fingers. As much as he wanted to stick with his dad, he also wanted to stick with Vok'Rul. Staying with his dad meant sleeping in a room with more people than he cared to be around, even if the beds were separated by curtains. He didn't sleep well, especially after what had happened. He'd wake everyone up with his nightmares.

"How are you guys gonna sleep?" he said vaguely. "Don't you have..."

Pedro shrugged, reaching across the table to snatch Viktor's bandage from his hands. He scowled at the man. "I'm no therapist, kid, but I just try and tell myself they aren't real. Seems to work well for me."

"I like to write them down," Nikolas said. "Jhrsak had a lot of paper and pencils lying around."

Viktor frowned at them. Usually, he just tried to ignore them. The others seemed a lot more... healthier with their coping methods. He was kinda jealous.

"It's alright, Viktor," Ezekiel said in a solemn show of seriousness. "Shit happens, y'know? We aren't the only ones with nightmares. It's nothing to be ashamed about."

Viktor opened his mouth to protest that he wasn't ashamed when he realized that yeah... he probably was. He felt guilty whenever he woke Vok'Rul up, and guiltier still when the alien stayed up with him. "I'm not," he still said weakly. It didn't sound very convincing.

He hated that he couldn't be normal. That he couldn't be the kid that his dad still expected him to be. He had changed during the year and some odd months that they had been here. He had met his friends here, though, and he couldn't say that he regretted that. But he wished he could go back to that person Oskar expected him to be.

He felt so much pressure. He thought he'd never have to worry about that kind of thing, especially from his dad. Maybe, when they got back on Earth, it'd be different.

"Kohgrash," Vok'Rul called from the other side of the wall. He poked his head over with a smile. "I got your walker!"

The group made their way to the cockpit. After many flights of stairs and complaints from almost everyone in the group, they finally found themselves in front of the control room's doors. Viktor's mouth dropped open in awe as he stepped inside.

Blinking lights flashed at him cheerily, red, blue, and green. Soft lights lit up the floor and ceiling. Consoles he couldn't see over towered over him, thick and boxy. The light green and blue lights of the holograms washed over the tops, cascading down onto the floor in brilliant shades of cyan and turquoise. The holograms held nothing at the moment, and he wondered what they'd show.

The room itself was large. The consoles were laid out in a half circle with the flat end facing the large, arching windows that looked out into the sky. The room could easily fit hundreds, if not thousands of people comfortably. As it was, it held only a handful of aliens, who were zipping back and forth between consoles, flashing lights, and each other with a speed that made Viktor dizzy.

"Ah, Vokkra," Ghhvresh said loudly. Her voice echoed in the room, bouncing off every available surface. Most of the sound in this room traveled nicely, he realized. He supposed that being able to hear the captain would make things a lot easier. Especially when they were driving a ship this size. "What a pleasant surprise!"

"I highly doubt that, Captain," Vok'Rul said respectfully. "After all, I did ask for permission to come aboard."

"Still," she said cheerfully, waving them further into the room. The other Vokkrus stalled momentarily in their tasks to bow at Vok'Rul as he and the gaggle of humans following made their way to the middle of the room. They quickly went back to what they were doing, though. Viktor, even if he was curious about what they were doing, was glad the attention was off them, good or otherwise. He walked a bit closer to Vok'Rul, though, just in case. "I am always honored to be in O Vokkra's presence."

Ghhvresh bowed to him as they stepped even further into the room, stopping in the middle of the half circle on a raised platform. Viktor struggled a little with the steps, but some help from his dad and Pedro had him getting up without embarrassing himself.

"When are we departing?" Vok'Rul asked smoothly as Ghhvresh straightened. The alien looked down at the humans, looking curious and a bit perplexed. Viktor supposed that Vok'Rul had failed to mention their presence in his request to come on board. That didn't really surprise him.

"Your Majesty, we are set to depart in just under an hour," she said. "One of my subordinates can give you the full report, if you wish."

While Vok'Rul and Ghhvresh spoke, Viktor turned his gaze to the windows. The sky was a familiar murky yellow, just a little hazy with wispy clouds. He could barely see the ground from up here, and what he did see were small specks, like ants trailing along the forest floor. It'd be the last time he'd see this planet - at least for a while.

He didn't think it was this planet he'd miss the most, though.