Elinsys watched the camera feed from the main security office onboard the Veneration. She had been staring at the same box for the past two hours. She was focused on the room the crystals were stored in, only glancing away to the other screens when the door to the hallway adjacent to the airlock was entered. It was locked down, but engineers could still use it if required.

There were others in the security room with her; two extremely bored security guards and Nilni. That girl was always somewhere around Elinsys. Was she watching her? Recording her each move?

Elinsys banished those thoughts from her mind with a sip from her mug. It was something to help her stay awake and keep an eye on the “Gold Dust”, as Kolani named them. Bit of an unoriginal name, but Elinsys guessed it was fitting.

An alarm started to ring from one of the screens. “Guard shift. You two, go and get some rest. Nilni, watch the rocks while I summon the replacements.” Elinsys waited for the two guards to leave and for Nilni to take over watching the rocks, then went to the intercom terminal to summon two new guards.

“We need to get Rixva to fix these monitors, they keep on displaying broken pixels in the corner.” Nilni said, her arms crossed and sitting in one of the chairs. She was too relaxed for Elinsys, even putting her legs up on the other chair.

“Focus on the rocks, please. We must be quick to react to any problems.” Elinsys was running out of names of fresh guards. She had two in the security room with her and four marines watching the hallway. Somehow she was running out of them, it must be the quarantine procedure. “Why are there no guards? Why?” She mumbled to herself. Only Ave’in was available, she required two.

“You do know I can hear you?” Nilni said, looking away from the screens. Why did she do that? She had one job to do. Watch the screens.

“Watch the screens. The sooner those crystals are off this ship and in the hands of professionals, the better. If I had my way, they would be burned by a star by now. But noooo, science is more important.”

“What if there is more out there? Wouldn't it be better if we know what it is? I think so.” Nilni turned back to the rocks. “They make a good relaxation drug.” She tried to mumble to herself, but Elinsys’ hearing was boosted by the worrying amount of tea she had drank.

“I don’t know what you saw, but I would prefer to watch them burn.” Elinsys did wish for them to burn, she actually dreamed of it. She slept well that night.

“I understand, but you are the only one who had such a terrible reaction to it. Well, out of those who were only exposed to it for only a bit. Sure, in large doses it appears to be quite dangerous and could drive you mad, but in small doses? A relaxation drug.”

“Since when do you use the word… 'doses'?” Nilni’s vocabulary has expanded over the time Elinsys has known her. Maybe she always had it, but never used it?

“Oh, I guess I picked it up, you know… scientific expedition and stuff.” Nilni was smiling to herself, Elinsys could see it in the reflection of the monitor, her sight seemed to also be improved by the ever growing amount of tea in her system.

“Picked it up… been picking up quite a few plants recently. Your room must be a little greenhouse by now. Growing words now? ”

“I can use more serious words, you know. Like transiens ludo, it is one of my new flowers and that is the scientific name. So, yes, I am quite a serious person.”

“Gelln would laugh at that, speaking of, how is he?” Gelln was hit by the drug harder than Nilni, but better than Elinsys. He has been a bit quiet recently, more so than usual. Nilni not included, of course.

“Bit sad he lost the shiny rock, but I think he had a bad trip, probably some old embarrassing memory. Don’t worry, I will report if he acts weird, well, more weird than usual.”

“I appreciate that. Now watch the screen.”

*

The ships docked with Hybras, and were met with quarantine restrictions and marines wearing hazmat suits. The crew was confined to the ship. Only the captains and department heads were allowed to leave the ship, with an armed escort and while wearing a hazmat suit.

“This is unnecessary. We have run multiple tests, the rocks are safe unless they are crushed and you somehow have the dust touch your skin or ingest it.” Kolani was complaining while sitting in the shuttle. She was a bit embarrassed for locking the crew in the quarantine room with her and screaming about the periodic table to the guards for three hours. Her voice was still a bit broken.

“I am afraid this is quite necessary. Five crew who only were in the room for a short time had reactions ranging from sleepines to destroying an office. The crew on your ship was talking gibberish for a good hour over the coms.” Henera said, sitting as far as possible from Kolani.

“Captain Henera is quite correct. This is required, but once the crystals are off the ships, all shall be well.” Melora’s voice was serious.

“How long will we stay here? I would prefer to go back out and explore at least.” Kolani was looking out of the window, trying not to look at the armed guards next to the shuttle door.

“A week or two, until we clean the ship and make sure there are no traces of the rocks left. We should be able to leave once the crystals are moved off the station.” Elinsys explained.

“At least we will get to leave the ship soon. I will take it as time to catch up to what my colleagues have done in other corners of the Empire.”

*

“And she barred the door and screamed about the stars dying?” Xera tried to keep a straight face, but her cheeks were giving her away. “Well, that is rather concerning. I will tell the Empress that the stars are dying if you wish, doctor Kolani.”

“No, that is not necessary, just pass the crystal on safely to the Ministry.”

“Very well, onto more important matters. Your crew will be confined to the ship for a week. Officers of a high rank will be allowed to leave the ship and get required supplies. We will be delivering you fresh meals, to keep the morale up. A week later...”

*

Elinsys was walking down the Promenade on Hybras, the week was up and now the crew was out celebrating. Drunk marines were following behind her. Well, some. Others had escaped to local bars and clubs. There were other crew here also, but they weren’t her concern.

“Oh… look! A VR place. That could be fun.” Nilni was excited to see all the shops. She kept on talking about a shopping trip they need to make.

“You were drinking, you will throw up all over the store.” Elinsys didn’t want to make Nilni apologize to the shop owner later. She would have to do it for someone for sure, so let's not add fuel to the fire.

“Fine, what about...” Nilni looked all around. The Promenade was smaller, but had all the necessary shops and services. Enough for Elinsys, but for a city girl like Nilni... perhaps not. “That shady place over there.” Nilni grabbed Elinsys by her hand and pulled her into a side alley.

“Shady place? What do you mean...” They stopped in front of a store named Sha’dies. “Oh, it is a bar? Restaurant? What is this?” The store sign was not clear, it had a menu on the door, but Elinsys didn’t recognize any of the names. “The Cailínian, The Menina special, Yellow Turox? What are those? Is that a Turox steak?”

“No idea, I just like the neon lights. Let’s see what is inside.” Nilni pulled Elinsys inside. The hallway had neon lights on the walls. Combined with the mirrors, it looked like they went on forever. The lights were a dark purple, with some of them also changing to gold slowly, giving an odd, throbbing sensation.

At the end was a desk with a female Shil’vati dressed in a rather skimpy outfit. A black dress, clearly too tight in certain places.

“Welcome to Sha’dies. I haven’t seen you before, perhaps our starter course would suit you?” Her voice was gentle.

“What do you serve here?” Nilni asked before Elinsys could.

“Food, high end luxury food.” Nilni’s expression turned to worry. “We do have cheaper options, not everyone can afford the expensive stuff. We just put the specials outfront, but here is a list more suitable for… a marine?” She handed a small menu to Nilni.

“Oh, Turox steak. With special side dish options, this is a whole catering service of options. Last time I ate a Turox was… before I joined?”

“And for you Major? Would you like our more expensive menu? Or you two are perhaps here together?” She asked with a devilish smile.

“Well of course we are together, we walked in together. We will have one table.” Nilni gave the menu back to the woman.

“Great, we have a discount for multiple. Saves us a room, so that will be 10 percent off your food. But we do charge the regular price for the side dishes. We offer a two hour dinner in a private room.”

“Bit on the expensive side isn’t it? Well, I guess we will take the Turox steak platter. That should be enough for two?” Elinsys wasn’t planning on spending her retirement fund on one diner here.

“Yes, credit chip please?”

*

Elinsys and Nilni entered a small waiting area, waiting for their Turox steak to be ready. The room was showered in bright colours.

“I hope it is a large steak, I won’t be able to afford a diner like this for years.” Nilni laughed. Elinsys would have joined her, if they weren’t getting ripped off. So much for a steak.

“The room is ready. Enjoy yourselves.” The woman gestured towards a door, one of the many.

Elinsys and Nilni entered, closing the door behind them. Elinsys stopped when she saw the “table”. Instead of the metal table she expected there was…

“Hot damn, what the hell?” Nilni shouted, but quickly covered her mouth.

Laughter came from the 'table'. “I know I am hot, but didn’t expect such a reaction. Well, no matter, come. You must be hungry.”

Elinsys couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Instead of the table, there was a woman lying there on her back, covered in Turox steaks and side dishes. Her naked purple body was hidden by the plates and food.

“This is… should we go?” Nilni asked, not looking away from the woman.

“There is no refund, I would just sit down and eat. The steak is quite tasty.” She reached for a smaller plate next to her and grabbed a small piece of the steak, then ate it. “Delicious.”

“Nilni, if you want we can leave, but I am starving and need to eat something.” Elinsys sat down next to the woman. Lucky the food was on actual plates, otherwise, she would have left.

“Well, at least I will have something interesting to tell Gelln.” Nilni joined Elinsys. Sitting opposite her and grabbing a plate of steak.

The steak was good, really good, but the table thing really ruined the mood. Elinsys wasn’t about to talk with a stranger right there. “So… tell me, how did you end up working here?”

“Hm? Oh me, dear? Well, I would rather talk about you two. Or what I could do for you two.” She smiled.

“Us?” Nilni asked, grabbing another plate, revealing just how naked the woman wa. The answer? Fully. Nilni turned blue and looked away.

“Oh, don’t be shy, did you perhaps not read the menu with so much attention? It happens sometimes. Especially when your officer friends suggest a visit.” She raised one of her arms towards Nilni’s cheek.

“Tell me, how are you expected to lie there for two hours? That must be extremely boring and uncomfortable.” Elinsys tried to give Nilni some breathing space by drawing the woman’s attention to herself.

“No, no. The meal is just the first activity. I am the others.”

Elinsys put her plate down, she finished her steak and was more than satisfied. “Nilni, do you want to leave?”

“Well… let me finish this steak, then we can go.” She grabbed one more plate, but the woman grabbed her arm, gently.

“Oh, well I know something else that could finish.” The woman sat up and the plates slided off, crashing towards the floor. Elinsys was startled.

“I am not so sure, it would be weird in front of...” Nilni was stuttering while trying to stitch together the words.

“Your girlfriend? I am sure she wouldn’t mind. She did bring you here after all. Something nice for her little marine?” She came closer to Nilni, whispering something in Nilni’s ear.

“Alright, let’s go.” Nilni stood up and went towards the door.

Elinsys started to get up, but the woman was right next to her. Touching Elinsys’ arm with hers. “Well, maybe you would like some fun, officer. You did pay so much, I would hate for you to be unsatisfied.”

“Excuse me. Nilni let me grab my things and we will leave.” Elinsys stood up, but she looked back at the woman. “I hope you don’t get in any trouble. This is on us for not really reading what we were getting into.”

“Yeah… I guess so. Just go, hope the food was at least okay.” She covered her chest with her arm and obstructed her privates with her leg.

Elinsys and Nilni left the room and headed towards the exit, but the place was a labyrinth of neon colours and hallways.

“I am sorry, I thought it was like a unique restaurant, which I guess it is, but...” Nilni was staring at the floor while they were walking.

“I am quite certain nobody expected a brothel, don’t worry. The steak was worth it. And we will laugh at this a week from now.” Elinsys tried to reassure Nilni, she did have a great time with her.

“I am glad, maybe we could.... what is that?” Nilni stopped in front of an open door leading into a room with a raised platform in the middle.

Elinsys turned around and saw the room. It was clearly a stage of some kind, with rows of chairs filled with spectators. All looking at the naked woman who was standing up on the platform.

“Look, it's an exit sign, I think we can leave there.” Nilni pointed to the exit doors on the sides of the room. “We could quickly walk by and leave?” She looked at Elinsys.

“Yeah, before the show starts. Come on.” Elinsys pulled Nilni with her.

Then the door lights dimmed, and the woman was lit up with a golden light.

Elinsys watched as the woman on the platform stretched her arms towards the light above. Glitter rained down upon her from far above. Her purple skin slowly turned to gold and she danced on the platform as if she was possessed, picking up the dust and throwing it all over herself, bathing in it. The crowd went wild with each throw of the glitter and the first few rows were getting covered themselves.

The glitter stopped falling and she started to lick her arms sensuously, leaving a purple line where the gold once was. She kissed and licked all over herself, and two other dancers helped her with the places her tongue could not reach. Especially her... private area.

Elinsys looked away, but the smell was familiar. Too familiar. She looked back towards the now golden woman with purple stripes in some old Shil'vati tribal patterns. Her corneas were huge and burned brightly with the usual Shil'vati gold. Too brightly. So did the eyes of her friends. They all looked around at the patrons. Slowly and without blinking, they stopped dancing, just looking around. A hush fell over the gathered patrons, starting first with the front row, covered in gold, and working it's way back slowly to the edges of the audience.

The main dancer stretched her arms out again and her coworkers grabbed her, slowly lowering her onto her back. She stared at the light above, then she looked at the curtains behind her.

Elinsys looked around searching for the exit. Nilni was surprised and had a look of a deer caught in the headlights.

Then the screaming started. The main dancer started to scream and beg her fellow dancers to let her go, but they whispered sweet nothings in her ears trying to calm her down. She started to struggle and tried to set herself free from their grasp, she was too weak.

The bright colours of the room turned darker, as did the expressions of the patrons. Elinsys went towards the door. She tried to pull Nilni with her, but she didn't move at all. She stood there watching the screaming woman... No. Something behind her.

Then Elinsys saw the eyes. The two women holding the main dancer down. The crowd. All of them were staring at Nilni and herself with hunger, their eyes burning golden and red orbs in the darkness.

Behind them, from the dark of the backstage, claws were heard scraping the floor. Heavy footsteps made their way towards the platform, with each one the woman screamed harder and was more desperate.

"Elinsys." Nilni said her face filled with terror. "Do you... see it, too?"

Elinsys grabbed Nilni and tried to pull her towards the light coming in from the door, but she was petrified.

“NILNI! COME ON!” She screamed at the top of her lungs, but Nilni still looked towards the stage.

“It is coming to hug me.” Nilni said dreamily, raising her hands as if she was ready to accept the embrace. Elinsys bear-hugged Nilni and threw her over her shoulder, and ran towards the exit. She glanced behind her for a second. She regretted doing that, very much.

The light in the room grew weaker every second, but the main dancer was still shouting, even now as her voice gave away. The golden dust had been mostly washed off by her sweat. Or had she ingested all of it? Elinsys didn’t want to think about it, she wanted to get out of this cursed room.

The crowd was silent, unmoving as statues. The thing behind the curtain grabbed it and slowly pulled a part of it away. “Elinsys, come on.” Said a female voice. “Don’t you want to go home?” Asked the voice of the government agent. “To help those you hurt?” said Kolani. “To find a reason to live, again?” This time it was her voice.

“To be happy?” Said Nilni, not from behind the curtain, but from her shoulder. “Yes, come. Let us be happy.” This time it was behind the curtain.

Elinsys tried to move, but Nilni was surprisingly heavy, unnaturally so. “No, no. This is not real, come on.” She carried Nilni into the hallway.

The bright neon lights were gone, replaced with dark red emergency lighting. Elinsys couldn’t say where it was coming from. She made her way back down the hallway, turning right towards the exit.

The hallway was gone, replaced by ruble and destruction. Bodies littered the floor around her. “Where the fuck am I?” She shouted, looking for a name, some pointer back to the promenade.

Then she found an exit door, and smashed into it with her side, forcing it open. “”Polaris” Section, this must lead back to the Promenade.

She closed the door behind her and carried Nilni off with her down the dark, narrow street.