Sleep deprived so have some thoughts.
Somehow, someway. Ryland gets transported back to before he's forced onto the Hail Mary, memories intact (as well as the coma muscles+racing his boyfriend while on erid muscles). He knows what he'd be leaving. He has the taumoeba in his backpocket. He knows that Stratt was wrong. While he might not have a dog, he has a brother. A well known brother, he's a stuntman. And for the sake of gays and gay rocks, Rocky, Adrien, and Simon are there too. Just chilling, adjusting the new house while Ryland traumatizes Stratt.
A day before the meeting Ryland explains what's going on to Carl (who winds up sobbing over being one of the first things Ryland remembers).
Que the meeting. Ryland speaks up, corrects Stratt. Mentions Colt. She brushes him off, citing that he's still the best option. She gives him the three hours. Those hours are all he needs. They are expecting to force the Ryland that would just nod and do as he's told, a man who ran on coffee and self-deprecating thoughts. Instead, they have Dr. Captain Ryland Grace. A man who's been on a planet with several rocks (and a person) who would always shoot down any negative thought he had. He's aware of his brain, of his worth. He will not let them get him without a fight.
The three hours are up. The Taumoeba is planted where a scientist will see it. Carl has quit (he didn't want to hurt Grace. Not again.) and is now looking through job options. Everything is in it's place. If Stratt wants to force him, Ryland Grace, onto that ship, she's going to fail. Because not a single person under her command can rival Grace. Not when he has the exact random bits of knowledge for any random situation. Not this time.
The meeting is the same. He says no. She tries to convince him to change his mind. He doesn't. Then she tries to force him. Then it diverges. Instead of running, he wrenches the syringe from the doctor's hand, flinging it into the wall behind Stratt, her hair fluttering slightly as it flits by. She blinks. Grace rises.
"I said no. And do not try to force me. I am not as malleable as I appear. Endanger me and I will fight. Try to rip me from my twin and I will fight. Hurt him, or anyone else I care about, and I will fight. Compare me to a hunted fox all you wish, but remember that a fox has claws and fangs, and will scratch and bite. Do not forget, that a fox can hunt as well. Good day to you Director Stratt. You will not be seeing me again," he says, raincoat swishing as he leaves, shoving a few guards away with ease. Stratt stares after him, even as the door shuts.
She sits like that for hours, watching the door, when suddenly someone bursts in.
"Director Stratt! Someone found a predator for the Astrophage!"
The scientist hands her a vial, the handwriting hauntingly familiar. She glances back at the door. She's wondering if she's lost her mind.
Soo, should I continue this? Maybe include the talks with Carl and Colt (ft. Jody ofc)?
OH MY GOODNESS this is wonderful!!
You should definitely continue this, I love the execution already