Elinsys woke up in her bed, her head ringing out with pain, the bright light hurting her eyes and making her turn over onto her stomach. Her stomach was knifing in pain, but lessened slightly with her body's weight on it. After a few minutes she started to feel better, that is until she heard that damned chime of the intercom. “Good morning everyone, I hope you are doing well. I would ask whoever broke the mirror in the bathrooms on deck A to come forward. All I want is an explanation and an apology. Also, we have to bill you for that, Navy rules I am afraid. If nobody comes forth within a day we will be forced to launch a proper investigation into this matter. Then I have to start a file for this incident, find someone to blame, and write them up. So please, come forth, you can do it anonymously. Melora out, have a wonderful day. Also we are serving Turox meat in the mess today.” Another chime signaled the end of the transition. “Broken mirror? Did I do that?” Elinsys asked herself, before remembering she collapsed in her bathroom. Wasn’t she in Fera’s room? And when did she make it to her bed? “Oh, no.” She got up in a hurry and put on her clothes, quickly looking over the bathroom, which was in as meticulous shape as always. Then she stormed out of her room in a rush while still forcing herself into her uniform’s jacket. There were crew members in the halls, talking and walking towards their posts; most had only woken up, ready to serve the morning shift. How long did I sleep last night? One, two hours tops? She greeted them and moved quickly past, but they constantly turned around and looked at her. Was something wrong or did they just not expect her to be up yet? Elinsys made it to her target, Fera’s room. She had some apologizing to do for the last night… and maybe Fera knew something about what happened to her. The door opened and Fera was standing there, wearing her tank top and shorts. “Yes, Major? How can I help you?” Her voice was tired and gruff, she tried to hide her annoyance, but failed miserably. Elinsys felt like Fera was about to slash her. “I came to apologize for last night. I do hope our professional relationship wasn’t damaged in any way. I know how much it means to you and I would hate...” Elinsys was speaking quickly, as a few passersby slowed down to hear better. Fera looked at the passersby and her annoyance only grew. “Major, come on in.” Then she put her clawed hand on Elinsys’ shoulder and pulled her into the room, it was just like how Elinsys thought it would look like. Last night did happen, didn’t it? “Fera, I am sorry. I don’t know what came over me yesterday. I just...” Elinsys looked around the room, it was well kept. “No problem, Major. We all have our moments of weakness, you have suffered an accident recently. It is perfectly understandable for one to make a social faux-pas, especially someone who isn’t as experienced.” Elinsys felt a little better, but still like a piece of trash. “I… I don’t think I can be excused. Especially for… the outburst.” Elinsys looked around the room, it seemed Fera cleaned up the mess she made. “Outburst? I wouldn’t call it that. I mean, plenty of people shout in the mess, sometimes when things get rowdy it’s the only way to have a conversation there. Luckily, I was there to quiet you down before you made a proper fool of yourself.” Fera crossed her arms and leaned on the door. “I meant my late night visit, I was forceful and then I ran away. I am sorry for that, especially. I ruined the mood with my screaming and clawing.” Elinsys sat down on the bed. “Shouting and clawing? What? Elinsys, you didn’t visit last night, or if you did… I was asleep.” Fera responded, before walking up to Elinsys and putting her arm on her forehead. “What are you doing?” Elinsys asked, the claws were making her worried. “Perhaps the dust is still having side effects on you? I was told it can remain in one's system for a long time. I only came in contact with it during the fighting, and yet I still told the same bloody story to everyone over and over again.” She laughed a bit and sat down next to Elinsys. “I found out about it yesterday when Melora approached me with an anonymous report about me. I think it was the steward, but no matter. After that Melora escorted me to the doctor. Now I am fine, and got some sleeping pills, but I was apparently making an ass of myself before I got some help. I think you have the same prescription?” Her ears perked up slightly, as if she heard something. Then she got up and sneaked up to the door. Opening it quickly, she dragged the person who was eavesdropping into the room. Fera slammed the person onto the floor and closed the door behind her. “Aha! You meddlesome voyeur, listening in on a private conversation between two officers of the Empire. Do you know what the punishment for that is…?” She pressed her claws to the person’s chest, then quickly let go, once she realized she was holding Lieutenant Commander Rixva down. “Rixva, I am terribly sorry. May I know what you are doing here?” Fera backed away and extended her hand to Rixva. Rixva grabbed Fera’s hand and pulled herself back up. “Do not worry, Fera. I am sorry for listening on your door, I didn't want to interrupt something… important.” Rixva dusted herself off, it didn’t help much, as her jumpsuit was covered in soot and oil. “Can we help you, Rixva? We were just talking about last night.” Elinsys asked the dirt covered Head of Engineering. “I could use your help, Elinsys.” Rixva glanced at Fera and then back at Elinsys. “You sure you are free to help me?” “The Major is free to help you, we were just discussing last night's vandalism and possible suspects. I suspect someone working the night shift, the A deck bathrooms are far from any crew quarters.” Fera butted in before Elinsys could answer Rixva. Rixva looked around a bit, before continuing on. “Well, then please come with me Elinsys, I have made changes to the camera system, hopefully the cameras will shed some light on this case of yours.” Rixva exited the room and let the door close behind her. Elinsys stood up and went towards the door, but then Fera stopped her. “I would suggest you don’t mention what you thought happened last night to anyone. The mess thing, that is far behind us.” Before Elinsys could answer, Fera opened the door again and let her out. Rixva looked Elinsys up and down. “Following in Melora’s footsteps, are we?” She produced a cheery laugh. “No matter, I know things get stressful sometimes, and spending the night together is better than booze, in my opinion.” She patted Elinsys on her back and started walking towards the security room. Elinsys turned slightly blue, but quickly responded. “Fera and I are strictly professional. I doubt she would even... ” Rixva put her hand on Elinsys’ shoulder and stopped her. “Sure, sure. Darling, we heard the moans. well I say ‘we’… one of my subordinates did, and she was quite flustered.” Elinsys froze up, she did not remember that. “How did she hear me, my room is soundproof? Right?” Rixva's brow furrowed, a mixture of concern and disbelief coloring her features. “Yes, officer quarters are soundproofed, fully.” She whispered the last part, even though they were alone. “I believe you weren’t in your room. A supply closet, if I heard the story right. Now, I get it if you wanted some private time, but you have a room. Please use it.” Elinsys was blue like never before in her life. Just how bad of a reaction did I have to the pills? “I’m sorry, I do not remember any of that. Who else knows?” Rixva looked around, just in case. “Only me. My engineer did not see you. She did report the matter to me first, so I could report it to you. ‘Give the girl some privacy,’ she said to me. I found a recording of the incident; that is what we need to talk about. Follow me.” * Rixva opened the door to the security room, Elinsys following close behind her. There were two security guards in there, Lijung and Trynell. They saluted and went back to watching the cameras. Rixva stopped Elinsys and turned away from the pair. “Please get rid of them, we need to delete the recordings,” Rixva whispered to her. Rixva pointed towards the server bank in the corner. Elinsys was confused. “Delete? Won’t Melora ask questions about that?” Rixva let out a chuckle, before covering her mouth, drawing quick glances from Lijung and Trynell, before they turned back to their rose tinted screens. “Don’t worry, I used to do this alot, the nobles often paid good bribes for you to remove a shameful moment, especially when they are married and sneak off with a steward for a quickie. I also did it for Mel a few times, mostly when she did something while drunk.” Elinsys was still uneasy about this, but she really needed those recordings gone. “I agree.“ She said out loud. “Lijung and Trynell, please leave the room, I must investigate the vandalism on deck A, so officer eyes only.” She stood over the pair now. Lijung and Trynell looked at each other and then back at Elinsys. “Major, this is highly unusual, is the Captain aware of this?” Trynell asked, he always was the courageous one of the pair. Elinsys leaned in slightly, using the size difference to scare him, just a bit. “You did hear the announcement, yes? Captain said we must handle this with respect towards the privacy of the guilty party.” She used her most authoritative voice. Funny, it was much firmer and more forceful sounding than usual. Lijung spoke up. “Come on, Trynell, the Major gave us a day off. I want to go and lose a few carbs in the gym.” Lijung stood up and grabbed her things. Trynell hesitated, but also got up. “You just want to see me sweat and hopefully catch a glimpse of my chest, you horny bitch.” Lijung laughed and led Trynell out of the room. The door closed behind them and the only thing Elinsys could hear was the slight humming of the servers behind her. “Good job, now to find the recordings and delete them. You start searching for the recording time while I try to find the right server.” Rixva walked over to the server bank and unlocked it with her wrist. Elinsys started looking for the recording of herself. She started her search at the time right after she had left Melora’s office. She found herself walking down the hall towards her room, passing right next to Fera’s room, only glancing at it. What the...? She continued towards her room and entered it. Twenty minutes later, she saw herself stagger back out, a mess. Her hair was all over the place, not wearing her uniform, but a simple shirt. She was moving as if she was terribly drunk, those pills must have done her in. She continued watching herself stumble down the hallway, leaning on the walls, that is until she reached the supply closet. Her face changed into an expression of worry and she quickly entered the closet. A few minutes later, Gelln walked down the hall, past her closet. Where was he going? It wasn’t his shift? She followed Gelln onto another monitor and continued watching him and herself. She stayed in the closet for a long time. Meanwhile, Gelln continued to walk on, until he reached the engineering department. “Have you found the tape yet?” Rixva shouted, she was currently poking about in between the serves. “I need to know when it starts.” Elinsys checked the time stamp at the moment she left her room, before returning back to the moment she was just observing. “Let me just see where the tape ends, so we know what to delete.” She continued to watch herself a bit, as she left the closet and headed towards the bathroom. She turned back to the screens, following Gelln, why was he poking around the EXO’s? Then she saw him stop and look around furtively, before being pulled behind one of the suits. Elinsys tried to find a better angle, but couldn’t find anything. Then she heard a moan, then another. Dear goddess, what mess have I gotten myself into? “Elinsys, you found it yet? Hurry up, will you?” Rixva was getting impatient now. Elinsys responded with the timestamp the incident began, but she wanted to get to the end. “Just let me find how long it goes on for.” After a few seconds she saw herself leave the bathroom, cradling her hand. I broke it, didn’t I? “We don’t have the time… you know what? I will delete the whole night after you exited, yeah, that will work.” Rixva started to bang on something, then Elinsys heard another moan, not hers. She looked at both screens, turning off the audio of herself, she still heard it. Then Elinsys got a pop up. “Damage to the server, data corrupted.” The screen showed an error message now. Rixva returned back to Elinsys a slight smile on her face. “I will have to grab a few of my tools to fix up the server I am afraid. Until then, I suggest you look into who broke that mirror. Goodbye!” Rixva headed towards the door, before she stopped for a second. “I am always ready to help with the server trouble, just ask.” Elinsys was alone in the room now, staring at the rose tinted screen before her. “Fuck.” * “Security log, Major Elinsys, Head of Operations. I returned to my quarters after giving Melora the report that the cameras were under repairs in the hallway. I said I would make a list of who was on that deck during that time and give it to her. Melora was indifferent, and said she was worried by other things. When I pressed her further, she simply responded that she is a captain and has three ships to keep in check. Things got… weird. I suspect she is drinking again. Right now I am looking for a way to inform Henera. We might not see eye to eye when it comes to security, but she does care for Melora. I will have to report this to her on our next officer dinner; perhaps getting Fera to help me would be good, too. Luckily, this expedition is going well, all has been quiet for some time now. No traces of the dust anywhere…” Elinsys was struck by a realization. Where did she put the omnipad? She stopped writing the security log and looked around. She checked her desk first, then her dresser, then her bed. Finally she checked the bathroom for it, but it was nowhere to be seen. On the one hand, she had done what Melora asked. The omnipad was gone and useless now. On the other hand… she really wanted to know more about the dust. How dangerous it is and for how long the side effects would last. Anything to explain her behavior as of late. It had to be here somewhere, maybe she hid it while in the daze? Perhaps it is hidden somewhere else, maybe Rixva has it now? For repair or something? Elinsys’ head hurt from the headache which has appeared. She had to lie down, but first she would finish this log. She continued writing. “... all is well on the ships, nothing is out of order, the crew is well behaved and disciplined. My trust in Commodore Melora is well placed.” She turned her terminal off and fell onto the bed; it was warm and inviting. She tucked herself in and closed her eyes once again. When she wakes up she must find that damn omnipad, figure out what other mess she caused, and what made her go into the daze. Then she would have to fail to find the culprit of the vandalism, or perhaps she should turn herself in to Melora, get medical help. No. The word whispered through her mind. It was her voice, but… where had it come from? Mrek doesn’t care about us Elynsys felt her chest tighten, as she struggled to focus. He’s an evil, nasty, angry little man! He would not hesitate to hurt us, if it helps his research! All he cares about is prestige, and recognition! With a frantic cry, she opened her eyes, whipping her head around to look at… nothing. She found herself floating in a void, her own body having the quasi-real quality of dreams. Or nightmares. Betrayer! He would use us as an experiment! Treat us like an animal! Make us his plaything! The words rushed through her mind like a torrent, threatening to sweep her away. Her body rippled and shook as she clung to her sense of identity, buffeted by the Voice. HE WILL NEVER HELP US! He will only take! Take until there is nothing left! Take us away again! The roar of fury, which had risen to a crescendo, suddenly went silent. Elynsis felt more shock than relief, as the forces that had been pulling at her went suddenly quiet. In the stillness, an urgent whisper unfurled before her, almost childlike in it’s fear: Please… I want to stay with you