Dr. Alexander Greenhaven's Story

“That was a nice recital, doctor” Saein smiled at him. “I’d love to hear more human poetry, if you have time sometime. I know the phrase because it was the name of a human cafe, it was opposite a courthouse. Bartender wouldn’t stop explaining the name to everyone who wasn’t human.” She chuckled. “Can’t blame him, it is a good joke.”

Alex told her she would be allowed to go once the effects of the drug wore off. Saein joked “But I don’t want it to wear off! This stuff is, like, far out, maaaaaan. And I like the company around here, and being in good hands and stuff.”

She wasn’t sure what Eddie meant when he asked her if she was a fun drunk. And then he mentioned her thinking he was devilishly handsome. With a ditzy look that she couldn’t manage if she tried if she were sober, she asked “Hmmmmmm? Fun drunk? I like good alcohol but not to get drunk, doesn’t seem to work anymore. But painkillers still get me shitfaced. They sure do. Are you... are you asking me for a date or something? I gotta admit you are handsome, and you're a nice guy and all, and... what was I saying... you’re a fine man but you’re not as pretty and not as sweet and not as good a cook as who I like most.” She crossed her arms and shook her head. “Nuh-uh. No date.”

Her attention shifted back from Eddie to Minn. After a few seconds her dazed expression changed into shock. Saein pulled up her legs, wrapped her arms around her knees and hid her face. “Okay, can the painkiller wear off now please?” she said with a weak voice. “Also, kill me?” She was sure Minn would think of her as a manipulative monster now, someone who would invite a girl into her bed while hiding her true intentions. “I’m sorry, I just wanna be friends can’t be anything else anyway... sorry sorry sorry”

Saein was shaking a little - crying, maybe? She didn’t make the sound of, and they couldn’t see while she was hiding her face like that.

Dlew suddenly woke as his systems finished rebooting. He looked around, having to take a moment to correct his vision that seems to always take the longest to reset, everything seeming very much out of focus. He shook his head, the reboot requiring now for him to sift through his memory banks in order to remember what happened, what’s going on and where in the world he was. He blinked a few times, finally recollecting on past events, and looked up, noting that Saein, Minn and Eddie were still here.

“You do both own weapons, right?” Saein was talking now, and Dlew adjusted his gaze onto her. “In theory nothing nasty should ever manage to board the ship, but in practice… it sometimes happens.”

Dlew took a moment to recall Rina’s teachings. He thought about it, how she had showed him to wield a sidearm, and knew that no matter what she did, not even after his fail safe was removed from his programming, he couldn’t pull the trigger. Her words rang through his ears still, how she had told him it must have something to do with a part of his past that got locked away in the deepest, darkest crevices of his gears. “It must’ve been traumatic,” she had said.

His thinking was interrupted now as he realized no one had taken notice to his awakening. He spoke finally in his usual dull tone. “I know how to handle a gun, aim it, but I just can’t seem the pull the trigger… No matter what I point at” He sighed, “I wish I knew why I couldn’t pull the trigger.” The android trailed off for a moment, speaking it seemed more to himself than anything. “She told me it was something traumatic with my past, something so terrible that I had locked it away. She said she couldn’t hack through those memories…”

Suddenly Dlew looked up, for once emotion sprawled clearly across his face, a look of pure anger that could stop someone dead in their tracks. “I looked up to her! She was the best hacker, sniper, inventor and she was my friend! She could be dead for all I know!” he continued, his voice rising more and more to the point of almost screaming. He voiced faltered for a moment, “The worst part is…”

He stopped suddenly, his voice failing him as he looked like he was on the verge of tears. He realized now he may have taken it too far and saw the looks of concern in Minn, Eddie and Saein’s faces. Dlew shook his head and looked to them apologetically, and began thinking, could I be going through rampancy? How old am I? How long can an AI last before going rampant?

The android wouldn’t blame the others for wanting him off the ship as questions poured through his head, but if he could get through all the stages, he could be considered human. Dlew continued on in deep thought, and knew that even when considered human, this could be deadly for the other crew members. Maybe they could lock him away as he went through the anger stage? After that they should be somewhat safe… He looked up now, continuing in his meager voice. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen. I am so sorry.”

Before anyone could respond the android suddenly ran for the door, making way for the barracks, for someplace to be alone. After making it a good distance from the medical bay, he spoke aloud to MAK.

“MAK! Where are the barracks?”

"Get out your tablet, I shall upload it there,” replied the AI.

Dlew reached to his side and it suddenly dawned on him he had left his satchel in the medical bay. He let out a cry of frustration, cursing himself mentally. “Great, just great!” he yelled. Suddenly those his eyes widened, he had done it again. He had let anger take hold of him. “MAK! I’m staying in this hall. Please, don’t tell anyone where I am…” MAK’s reply wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but he sighed in compliance.

“I can do that, but if the Captain asks, I will have to tell her.”

“Well if she asks, tell her at least that I want to be alone…”

“I will inform the Captain when she asks.”

Alexander

Alex jolted at the sound of the android's sudden outburst. He watched him storm out of the infirmary. Alex hesitated, wanting to help the...thing...but he specialized in organics not mechanics.

He relaxed back into his seat, letting his mind slide back to his books. He continued to listen to the conversation between the crew members. They were talking about weapons. Alex wasn't one for weapons. He could use a gun if he needed to, but he preferred to heal people not injure them.

His eyes locked on Minn, her bubbly form easing his mind for a brief moment before his slid back to his books. Focus Alex, she is clearly not interested.

Regina

Reggie had left the infirmary, trusting the the crew members would make sure to report any odd activity from Dlew. She was feeling antsy. She wanted to officially start this voyage. No more sudden stops. No more random malfunctions. The sooner they started heading through the systems, the better.

She could feel her knee buckling beneath her, but she ignored it. She wanted to walk, to move, to do something to keep her mind occupied. Where was Colin when you needed him?!

He was always good at distracting Reggie. She could always rely on him to keep her entertained, at least for the time being. Whether it was transforming into a large, bear-like creature and doing a funny dance, or just talking to her. She felt like she hadn't seen him in forever. Although, it was just a little while ago when they had docked at the academy.

She checked the time, and figured she would check and see if any recruits had shown up yet. Probably not, but Reggie couldn't help but hope. As she turned towards the elevator, she felt her knee buckle, but again ignored it and spotted a purple creature bouncing around the walls.

"Colin!" She called recognizing the cuddly form that was dubbed Gordon. She chased after him, hoping she wouldn't have to run.

Minn

She understood that perhaps Saein had just had an overreaction, but Minn still felt uncomfortable. After the droid rushed out, she watched the door, again remembering the dishes that had to be done. Eddie was speaking about weapons, but she heard barely anything. In a daze, she stood up and nodded to each of them in turn. "I have to do dishes..." was her only explanation for leaving the infirmary.

A soft, coiling dark feeling was erupting inside of her, one she cared little for and had her eyes brimming with sudden tears. She didn't understand at first, but couldn't keep walking. Leaning against a wall just down the corridor, she tried to stand straight, but failed and collapsed to her knees. Chest heaving, she cried, hands covering her mouth.

Affections may be innocent on the outside, but Minn knew the deeper, carnal origin of attraction. A painful desire within each being born of the biological need to reproduce, but twisted with the selfishness of consciousness. She had experienced horrors because of such. Glancing down herself, she knew her clothing helped little. So, with renewed panic, she rushed around the halls of the ship, finding cloth and sooty materials. Shaking, she tugged off her clothes and wrapped the itchy sheet around her, tying it tight with ropes. She wiped grease and soot along her skin, feeling better by the second. If she wasn't pretty, then no one would be attracted to her or think her cute. And no one would touch her.

She backed into a wall, tears forming again at the realization of what she was doing. But she couldn't do it anymore. Not again. She had escaped that life. No more hot fingers pressing into her bones, no more harsh laughter, no more bloated, disgusting pigs trying to claim her again and again.

Curling into the corner, she sniffled and laid down, a tiny bundle of nightmarish memories. Saein had looked at her in a similar way...Eddie had...She almost saw it in the doctor's eyes. It was never unnoticed by her, the threat.

Fingers curled in her long locks, she closed her eyes and shivered slightly on the cold tile. She had to calm down. She knew that. Freaking out led to nowhere. But that would take awhile. For now, she just simply had to remain in one place. For as long as it took.


Bond

Bond laughed. "My picture was removed because I was a teenage idiot. Like most. It didn't matter though. The headmaster still allowed me to graduate so my credentials were intact. But no one will ever see my face. Only a name."

It suited him fine, his role within the engine room anyway. Surely no one would need to see his face. But he smiled to Arc toothily, continuing. "It was fun here. Difficult at times. Hellish. But fun. In its torturous way."

"Think we should head back yet?" he asked then, glancing around as if some sort of sign would indicate they were needed on the ship. "I'd love to see where you work on board." He offered an arm to her in an overly dramatic gentlemanly way. It was meant to be funny, and he hoped she took it as such.

Seeing Minn leave felt like a punch to the stomach. Whatever Minn was afraid of, it was something more complicated than sharp teeth, and Saein hadn’t been able to figure it out in time. “She’s not going to do dishes” she said to Eddie, shaking her head. “And all I understand about it is that I’m the problem. Seems this room is bad for mental health or something.” Remembering that she and Minn weren’t the only ones acting weird in the infirmary, she asked “MAK, where is Dlew and what is he doing?”

“I’m not allowed to say” MAK replied.

“Wasn’t one of his tasks to keep MAK from going rogue?” she said to Eddie. “This could be bad.” She commanded MAK “MAK, tell the captain Dlew might be acting weird.”

She got up and unsteadily walked over to the bed Dlew had been recovering on. She sniffed it, commented “That’s not going to be easy”, then turned to Alex. She pulled her datapad out of her pocket, and tapped through a few screens to send him some data. “Here’s my complete file. Riveting read. Please add that I should never be given whatever that painkiller was. And now I’m going to ignore doctor’s orders, I have a possibly rogue android to track down. I’ll have to, cause if Dlew is rogue, Goddess knows if MAK will tell the captain or not.” Ignoring his protests, she walked out the door. “Eddie, come with me please.”

Outside the door, she turned back and forth, breathing in, trying to tell the scent of the android from all the other plastic and steel and oil and other similar things on the ship. “This way, I think.”

Walking down the hallway, Saein muttered “We Firni don’t build androids. We wouldn’t voluntarily risk freaking out... or them freaking out and us having to track them, I guess.”

After a long and apparently random walk, they found Dlew asleep next to... what? A pile of dirt? From a distance she couldn’t tell what it was, she did smell that Minn was nearby but it took her a moment to figure out that Minn had disguised herself. Saein tried to run the remaining distance, tripped over her own feet, then decided walking was the fastest she could go.

“Minn! What happened? What is up with Dlew? What did you do to yourself? Are you trying to hide that you’re pretty?” After the last question, it began to dawn on Saein. Minn didn’t like it when someone felt attracted to her, but it didn’t scare her until she had seen Saein could be able to hurt her physically.

Rape was extremely rare on Wen, sure there were jerks who would touch women through their clothes in places where they shouldn’t, but nobody would touch anyones skin when it wasn’t wanted. It was almost impossible to treat another as an object while at the same time being aware of the feelings of the other as if they were ones own. Involuntary prostitution was unheard of.
Saein had been warned many times that things were different in the rest of the universe, and that she could be helpless if any alien got too close. Important and true warnings, and it was only because of those that she was able to comprehend the situation at all.

“Oh no. Please let it be something else than THAT.” Her imagination took control of her once again, showing her in scary detail how someone was abusing Minn. Her legs wouldn’t support her anymore, Saein had to sit down. The mental images scared the hell out of her, and all of it felt like it was being done to herself at this very moment. “Not THAT” she repeated. “Please let nobody have hurt you.”

Saein had spent all that effort to search for Dlew, and now he wanted to go back to Med Bay, the place where she still should have been? This was infuriating! She wanted to tell him that if there would be any more suspicious funny business, she would have no qualms turning him into a pile of spare parts. Walking next to Minn, she chose her words more carefully. “Fine, let’s get you back there. But please don’t walk around alone or tell MAK to hide where you are again, at least until the captain has had a good look at you.” The only hint that she was angry was in her skin patterns, which apparently nobody knew how to read. “You’ve been put in charge of keeping MAK sane, so your own sanity has to be above doubt. The last thing I want to have to deal with is two rogue AI’s, with one controlling the ship and the other walking around on it” she stated matter-of-factly.

She didn’t enter the infirmary with Dlew, unsure if the doctor would let her leave again now she had found and retrieved the android.

"I don't really have many long term goals...what about you guys?" Minn asked.

Saein felt slightly amused by Minn fumbling with the sheet, trying keep her pretty underwear covered. It didn’t cause any other feelings. “Oh, I’ve got plans but no details” she replied, “Find something reliable to invest my money in... find someone to share my life with... have a child or adopt one, or both... and if that future partner doesn’t mind it, exercise less, eat more, and get really fat!” She threw back her head and laughed out loud. “And what about you, Eddie?”

Fortunately for Minn, the room did have a small shower. Saein searched through her luggage, and left some clothes on the side of the bed they had agreed to belong to Minn. The oversized sweater she had joked about earlier was among the choices. If the girl wanted to borrow clothes that covered more than her own, she should understand the meaning of finding some in the place where she would sleep, and if not, Saein was fine with that too. As far as she was concerned, Minn could keep any she liked, replacing those clothes wouldn’t cut into Saein’s savings in a noticeable way.

After this, she left the room to wait outside or walk to the kitchen, leaving Minn in peace and privacy.

Alexander

Alex was glad to be alone. He enjoyed the company of the crew members, but he found happiness in the silence of his thoughts. He flipped through a few pages of the medical book when he heard the doors to the infirmary slide open once again. Dlew entered, looking especially unhappy.

Alex tilted his head and leaned over to get a better view of the android from his desk. He had just come in to grab the bag he had left and than promptly left. The doctor simply moved back into a regular position in his chair, shaking his head.

This crew, was so strange. It didn't surprise him that Regina would find happiness with a crew as ignorant to injuries and proper medical attention as she was. Almost everyone she had hired were at least injuring themselves or had a horrible past that would make it difficult to properly function. It was all there in their records. Minerva's past with the nightclub she had once worked. Arc starving herself to the point of exhaustion. Even Dlew, who MAK had done a background check on.

Alex felt that his issues barely shed light on the shadows the others had cast. He just wanted to be different.

Sighing, the doctor stood, cracking his back. "MAK, call the Captain. I would like to speak with her."

"Right away."

Regina

Reggie and Colin were making their way to the hangar, their usual banter bouncing off the walls. "Captain, Dr. Greenhaven would like to speak with you in the infirmary."

Reggie looked up towards the ceiling, a habit she would always do when speaking with MAK. "In what regards?"

"I did not ask."

Reggie made a noise in the back of her throat as she placed her hands on her hips. "Continue on to the hangar," She said to Colin. "See if any graduates have arrived. I'll be there shortly."

She walked off, back towards the infirmary. She could feel her leg twisting uncomfortably beneath her. It was definitely due for a check up, probably a complete replacement. Maybe she would have the doctor take a look while she was down there. Thinking it over, she decided maybe Saein would be better. She was the mechanic, and Reggie's leg had been replaced with android parts. It was why she was so good at operating on androids, she had to fix loose parts before.

She finally made it to the infirmary and was shocked to see the doctor alone. "Where did everyone go?"

"That's what I want to talk to you about..." Alex began, his hands slipping into his jean pockets. "Saein is fine, but she had an awkward side effect to the drug I had given her. She may have said a few things to upset Minn..."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't hear exactly, but Minn rushed out pretty fast, something about washing the dishes, but there was definitely something on her mind." Alex said recalling the way Minn had practically ran out. Dishes couldn't be that important. "Saein and Eddie went after her; I'm assuming everything is alright."

"What makes you think something would be wrong?" Reggie asked.

Alex walked over behind his desk, running a hand through his spiky hair. "It's...her past." He explained lifting a small folder with Minn's picture paperclipped to the side. "I cannot relay the details, doctor-patient confidential, but it wasn't good. She has maintained an innocent mindset...somehow...but I fear that Eddie's and Saein's confidence will overwhelm her. Both have expressed...feelings...for her; even if Minn hasn't seen it. Anyone else can."

Reggie nodded, recalling the behavior they both showed towards the pink alien while in the kitchens. "Thank you for informing me. I'll be sure to talk with them. Perhaps Minn as well. I don't want her to get too overwhelmed and want to leave. She seems to really enjoy it here."

Alex nodded. "It would be...most...unfortunate."

Reggie tilted her head at the remark. She could see it, the glint in his eyes and the blush spreading across his cheeks. "Most unfortunate indeed. The same goes for you, doctor. Don't overwhelm her."

Alex made a noise in protest, his blush spreading quicker. "I-I'm...there's also the matter of Dlew."

Reggie perked up at the mention of the android. "What about him? Has he awoken? Is he alright?"

"Everything is fine. He had an...outburst." Alex explained sitting back down in his desk chair. "I didn't hear all of it, but he stormed off afterwards and completely disappeared. He is supposed to be in charge of MAK, and although, I don't question your decision to do so, Dlew has a very harsh past. And it may come back and harm us in the end."

Reggie nodded again, making another sound of agreement. "Thank you for bringing this all up to me." She said. "It's definitely something to take into consideration. I will definitely speak with the crew members in question."

Alex thanked her and bid her farewell. Reggie shook her head as she walked down the halls towards the elevators to the hangar.

Alexander[/x]

Alex paced along the length of his office, throwing a small ball up and down. He was finding ways to entertain himself, not sure what exactly to do. He read and reread every file and book in his office. He cleaned every machine, sanitized every surface, and now, he was bored.

Throwing the ball up, Alex's stomach grumbled loudly. Sighing, as the ball landed back into his hands, the doctor opted to go to the kitchen. He was definitely hungry, and it would give him a chance to actually talk with other crew members and gather information that wasn't in their files.

Slipping the yellow ball into his coat pocket, Alex turned on his heel and left the infirmary. On his way, he slipping into line behind a line of recruits. It was a lot longer than he thought it would be. He didn't expect this many recruits to be interested in a voyage to "Earth".

Anything to graduate early.

[b]Regina

Reggie sighed, pressing her back against the wall of the corridor. She was tired. Minn was definitely...difficult. The pink alien didn't argue with the captain, but Reggie could see it in her eyes. The fear, the nerves. She could feel a nervous breakdown coming, and not at the most convenient time.

Reggie rubbed her fingers against her temples, she needed a nap. They just had to take off and then everything would be fine. The captain pushed off the wall and made her way back to the kitchen. She spotted Colin and the graduates slowly filing their way inside. Bond and Arc following close behind. Even Dr. Greenhaven. Everyone was there.

Dedrik followed the crowd as the were lead away. The ship was gorgeous on the inside, and though normally he didn't care about aesthetics, he didn't mind. The fact that the interior was so well designed as far as he could tell was simply another luxury that'd make the job a little more pleasurable.

He continued on, being trained from such a young age and having had the proper way to carry yourself no matter what you're doing engrained him in, he held the his powerstaff diagonally across his chest, one hand clasped around the shaft just at his waist, the other near his shoulder. His boots tapped rhythmically off the floor, mixed into the other recruit's steps. Being also highly attuned to the things around him, Dedrik also noted several people joining into their line who weren't recruits, most likely being already part of the established crew he concluded. He payed no further attention the humans.

They arrived in the kitchen moments later, the large number of recruits having to take a moment to arrange themselves in the space. Dedrik's golden eyes flicked back and forth, taking in every detail of his surroundings. His gaze fell on those already present and wasn't too surprised to find they were also of varying races. Dedrik dug into his memory, searching out the correct names as he looked to them. There was a pink girl, totally pink, he took a moment before the term Shariva appeared in his brain before looking to the other woman, a Firni. His head tilted just slightly as he looked her over, using the tell-tale freckles upon her face to find the proper name for her species. There was an android, the tattoo upon his wrist giving it away as clear as the others, and what appeared to be another human male. It seemed all were enjoying some dessert known as cookies. Dedrik had never had the luxury of eating these, himself preferring a tough meat over anything sweet and he looked over slightly as the Captain appeared.

Dedrik remained silent as he waited for something further to happen. He had no quarrel with standing at attention all day and night, but did detest frivolous things such as this. All he needed was an order and he'd be satisfied. No matter what it was, it would be done.

Bond

Grinning from ear to ear, Bond easily pocketed his screwdriver and turned a bit to conceal what he showed Arc. Four tiny pellets lay in his palm, oval shaped, all brown in color and unmarked. They sort of looked like pills, but they were anything but.

"I call these, my BB's," he introduced in a soft voice. Picking one up, he showed her the size and simplicity up close. "What does BB stand for you ask? Beauty Bombs."

They followed the recruits into the kitchen, Bond noting just how many people were now packed within the space. Could his window of opportunity be any more perfect? Still grinning like a child, he handed Arc two of the brow tablets gently, closing her fingers around them and leaning toward her with a whisper. "On my signal...throw...then run back to the door. Okay? Your face does not need anymore beauty. Trust me." With a wink and an encouraging pat to the arm, he crossed the kitchen to where the Captain stood.

"Evening, Reggie," he greeted, making sure the recruits heard him use her nickname. He made sure Colin heard too. "How's it goin? All grand in Captain's land?"

He turned to Eddie and Saein then, chuckling a little and snatching a cookie from the plate before nibbling on the edge. "Quite the crowd in here, huh?"

Then he faced Minn, feeling only slightly bad for what he was about to do. The girl showed such pride in her cooking and her assigned kitchen area. But he couldn't give this up. How did the old ones used to say it? The phrase was ridiculed in modern texts, Americans of earth being quite pompous and obnoxious. Bond found the phrase amusing though and it fit perfectly, well, semi-perfectly here.

If he didn't take this opportunity, then the terrorists win.

He caught Arc's eye from across the room as he backed away to the opposite door. All he gave was a nod, a quick gesture, a twitch of the neck. She understood. Simultaneously they tossed their tablets into the center of the room, both scurrying to their respective doors to take appropriate cover. Bond laughed loudly, hoping Arc found safety.

The tablets tumbled through the air, two hitting the floor, one on the counter and one on the shoulder ofone of the recruits. Upon impact, the BB's went off.

The popping was sharp and quick, painful too for anyone near, though no one took notice of the noise or pain. The bombs exploded, as bombs do, in a fit of colorful dust, purple particles shooting into the air with green and blues, the dust becoming a fog and then smoke, encompassing them all in clouds of beautful colors and fits of coughs.

Bond couldn't stop laughing. He hadn't used a BB as a prank for years, since his expulsion really. He had used them on missions to distract enemies, but this...this was perfect.

He could not wait to see everyone's reactions.

Dlew looked around warily at all the people filling the room. Obviously these were new recruits as each were in uniform, and because collecting them was the only reason the ship was here in the first place. He hoped though that they would be nice to him, or at least show any sort of kindness instead of the usual cold shoulder he received. The android waited patiently, watching as nothing really happened for the first few moments. He noted Bond and Arc enter behind the crowd, as well as the doctor but didn’t pay any more attention otherwise.

Suddenly an explosion occurred in the room that set everyone into a shock. A huge cloud of colorful smoke filled the room, following a pop and Dlew just caught side of Bond ducking out one door. Dlew was on the floor with the sudden excitement, his only thoughts being that of the ship under attack as he heard several shots get fired off.

When the smoke finally cleared Dlew remained in his position on the floor, shaking slightly. It took a moment for him to realize everything had settled and slowly he uncurled himself and rose to his feet. Looking around he also then realized that it was nothing more than a prank. Dlew shakily took his seat, his mind still racing as to who had just done this. It seemed Eddie was wondering the same thing as he called out most likely everyone’s thoughts. The android switched topics now, deciding it better to think about finishing the picture of Saein and Eddie while the image was still fresh. Perhaps he’d do that.

Alexander

Alex didn't know what to do. The moment the small tablets were thrown, the doctor felt himself freeze. It was his naturally reaction. He was the only doctor on the ship, if he got injured, then the rest of the crew was screwed. He felt his tension relax when colored smoke was the only thing released.

His tension returned when he heard someone firing. He immediately slid behind a wall, breathing deeply. He couldn't see anything, and he didn't want to. If something bad happened, he would deal with it after the smoke cleared.

Although, he could hear people talking, so everything seemed to be alright. Alex decided to stay behind the wall. He didn't want to deal with the wrath of Reggie. He could just make her out a short distance away. She didn't seem to happy.

Regina

Reggie could feel the smoke settling on her shoulders. She could feel the tension in the room, anyone could feel this tension. She needed to move, but she couldn't. She could already feel it in her leg, the joints reacting oddly to the dust.

She usually wrapped the mechanical part of her leg, to keep unknown debris and particles from entering, but she had forgotten to after popping her knee back into place. The unknown smoke was sifting it's way through her leg and sticking to random joints and sprigs.

"Everyone, put away your weapons!" She called. "If anyone else threatens to harm anyone or readies their weapon at all, I swear I am kicking you off this damn ship!"

She moved carefully, not wanting her leg to collapse beneath her. She waved some dust out of her face and moved towards the wall to have something brace her. "And don't take that as an empty threat! I don't care how long it will take to get back onto this mission if it meant that you crazy lunatics were off my ship!"

Reggie could already feel the fatigue from the movement. It took more time and energy to move carefully around her mechanical leg as opposed to just walking. It hurt, but at least she didn't feel like shit when walking a short distance.

Relaxing against the wall, Reggie took a second to breathe. "MAK! Activate the sprinkler system for the kitchen only!" She called. "Dlew, make sure you're not exposed to too much water." She said quietly to the android. Shortly after, water started to sprinkle down from the ceiling. It was cold, but it felt great and Reggie relished in the feeling.

The dust slowly disappeared and the colors began to drip off of people. Once everyone was clean, Reggie called to MAK to deactivate the sprinklers. "Now." Reggie said calmly. "Everyone, get back to work. I don't want to see anyone laying around. We will be taking off in 5 minutes."

She pushed off the wall and walked calmly to the exit of the kitchen. "If everyone is not in their designated station by then, I will kick you out the hangar doors and let you float through hyperspace!"

She turned abruptly and glared at her crew. "Colin, just get the recruits to their stations. They can be given a tour at a different time." She looked over the recruits and Colin to find Bond and Arc standing next to each other.

"You two will meet me up at my quarters after take off." With that she turned again and left the kitchen.

(OOC: Oh man, I missed the prank?! Sorry, I'm on a vacation, and this is like, the first time I got access to the computer. I just sort of quickly scanned through.)

"Shaah!" Rokunam cried as soon as the explosions went off. His instincts had went off, and his hands and wrists started cracking with crackling green energy as he ducked down low. His eyes stung in the smoke, giving him the need to blink. Though, as soon as the dust started to settle, it was then quickly and mutually realized that it was just a bad, prank? Not to mention it came with, consequences.

Rokunam's power faded, and he said in an annoyed coarse tone, "It was certainly unnecessary for the Mason to cause such a..." he took a moment to look for the word, "Ruckus! I do not think anybody benefited from such a, a," he was lost for words. Then, one of the crew members, the pilot, the Eddie Ackers, had held him at gunpoint. He even dared fire, but, it was empty. "Well, something like this was bound to happen, but the effects, at a perspective, haven't been too bad." He let his gaze wander to the Eddie Ackers and the Shariva, the Minerva Darv, "But at others, not so much," he added. A, troubled, history that he hadn't entirely understood. That wasn't the right way of putting it. He understood the whole concept completely, but, he always had a hard time understanding, how, social aspects were added in. That was a problem Rokunam had, when reading a person's past. He never really understood how the social aspects worked. He knew they somehow directly effected a person, even though it seemed indirect. Rokunam wasn't the much of a social person himself, in fact, his species was very anti-social. Friendly, yes, but not social, or, at least not in the same way most humanoids were social. Rokunam had always wondered if he should have started learning how to speak Slang or Ubby-Dubby, or Pig Latin. Perhaps he'd learn more.

Though, finally, the captain spoke up, ordering everybody to their stations. The Colin was again, instructed to be responsible for the recruits, and to take them to their stations. Rokunam turned his gaze toward him, but then decided it was best he got out of the kitchen, before he got soaked. Sure he wasn't going to short himself out, and he obviously wasn't in combat, but, it still wasn't a good idea to, well, "ignite" while wet.

Alexander

Alex didn't stick around any longer than he had to. The moment Reggie left, he had made his way back to the infirmary. His lab coat was soaking wet, and his jeans were starting to chafe unwanted areas.

He moved quickly, not liking the feel of wet clothes, and found himself back at the infirmary. He threw his lab coat off, letting the soaking material fall to the ground with a flop. He pulled off his t-shirt and threw it back behind him, letting that fall with a flop, as well.

He had yet to see the barracks and kept all his clothes together in a bag underneath the desk. He already figured that he would be spending most, if not all, of his time in the infirmary; there was no point in making a bed choice now. He could already feel the many late nights ahead, just like old times. Often times he would pass out at his desk, or just collapse on one of the beds.

He hadn't had that glorious pleasure yet, not on the Nightwing, but he could feel it coming. He preferred solitude, but he knew he should socialize with some of the crew. They were always off causing problems for Regina.

Without realizing it, Alex had taken off his soaked jeans, shoes, and socks, and changed into dry clothes. The sopping wet materials sat on the floor of the infirmary, probably contaminating something. The doctor still hadn't properly gone through all the features of the infirmary.

"MAK!" He called picking up the clothes and pushing them into a sort of ball shape. "Where can I take these to be dried?"

"There is a chute by your door." MAK responded calmly, as the sound of something sliding open alerted Alex to the whereabouts of the chute. "Just put your items in there, and I shall have them clean for you in 26 seconds."

Alex shoved the clothes into the large space and the door slid closed. It was quiet, but the doctor watched as the clothes bounced around and smacked against the door. After the 26 seconds were done, a loud bing went off and the door slid open. Alex took the clothes, completely dry, and placed them in his bad under his desk, except his lab coat. That went on the back of his chair.

"Do you all the rooms have one of these?" Alex asked walking back to the dryer.

"All the bedrooms, a few offices that once were bedrooms, and there are 3 in each barracks." MAK explained.

"Thank you MAK, when will take off occur?"

"One minute."

Regina

Reggie ignored the pain in her leg as she continued to walk to the bridge. She would have to deal with it later, now wasn't the right time. She made her way to the bridge and sat down in her Captain's chair. Dlew and Eddie were already in their spots, and several recruits were at stations around the bridge as well.

"Captain, about our plotted course to Earth..."

Reggie's eyes locked onto Eddie's as he spun around to face her. "The coordinates are already in the system. We will making ports along the way until we reach the edge of the traveled universe. When that happens, MAK will take over the autopilot, possibly Dlew as well since he won't age. We will be put into hypersleep for the remainder of the voyage, with several breaks in between."

"There will be no more detours. Just follow the coordinates that are already plotted in the ship's computer." She added. "Now, let's get out of here."

Finally, after all of his work on the bridge had been accomplished, Dlew finally stood from his chair. Now was as good a time as many to go down to the hangar, and he needed it… Badly.

As the android made his way from the bridge, he estimated he was nearly halfway to his destination when suddenly a loud groan escaped his legs, the sounds of metal against metal shrieking before totally seizing up. Collapsing to the ground, Dlew’s arms flailed out as he tried to catch himself, though failed due to his arms being slow to respond. He hit the ground with a loud thud and slowly moved to try to unjam his leg, though to no avail as his arms ceased working next. “Ma –“ CRACK!

Dlew’s eyes widened as he felt a sharp pain in his throat, the dust now settling into his voice box. “No…” he thought as he desperately tried to get his body to move. More ear shattering noises escaped his gears as they cranked and cracked before finally a loud snap emanated from his arm, coupled with an intense pain that finally allowed him to move it.

Producing his Tablet, the android slowly and shakily set it on the ground in front of him so he could see what he was doing. Opening a program that allowed him to send messages to everyone onboard the ship, the android managed ‘help,’ then sent it to all contacts. It was then that his arm locked again, not that it was moving to its full extent anyway; so Dlew simply laid there, sprawled out on the floor in a sort of complete paralysis, hoping that someone would happen to open their message inbox. Fear was what swept over him now, he could only hope someone would find him before permanent damage was done.

Minn

Eddie cut off the conversation and Minn, thankful, turned away. Her thumb was rubbing the cut gingerly, the pain light, nothing she couldn't handle. But what he said was right, she had developed an addiction. So basically she was a liability. Some sort of sex-addicted demon that would whip it out at any moment. Even standing here with her back to Eddie, she felt his presence like a hot wind approaching her, but never quite reaching her skin. The caress...she missed it.

A soft smile crept on her lips. The gentler clients were always pleasurable, like a vacation for free. Soft kisses and urgent hands. Minn wondered how Eddie compared...

No! She couldn't think like that, about anyone! Immediately her thoughts flipped to Saein, the freckles on her face shifting urgently, face framed by red-pink hair...

NO!

Turning, she felt her lips trembling. "Can you...take me to doctor's office?" she asked quickly and quietly. "I...I don't remember the way..."

Minn

She did follow him, keeping distance of course. The corridors weren't wide enough for her taste. From behind, she could still see Eddie and his...feature...shape...Her head tilted. Maybe it was an addiction, but she wasn't ready to give it up. She needed it! It was what she knew, all she knew!

No, no...Minerva c'mon...The doctor can help...

Stopping, she leaned against the wall, squeezing her eyes shut, shivering. "C'mon...just go...he can...help, he can...he can...he can give you a pill...put you to sleep...he can stop the thoughts, he can turn them off like a switch..."

A wave of emotion collapsed on top of her head and all she pictured was her mother, the tiny weakling that couldn't protect her. She just watched her go. Didn't say a word, her expression blank and purpled from lack of sleep. No remorse or sorrow. Minn was taken from the only home she knew and shoved into hell...Her mother's blue eyes blank and uncaring...

"She didn't save me..."

She lifted her eyes up to Eddie.

"I can't be saved. No one can, no one wants to. There's no point to ask, no one likes me, not really." She pushed off the wall to stand straight. "This body..." Her eyes traveled down herself, her hips slowly rocking from the left, then the right, pausing. "They like this body...not me. You like it don't you? That's all, the body, the shell, the...the piece of meat..." Tears began falling, but she dared not blink and tear her gaze away from Eddie. "I can't change it. I came here...to change...but I can't..."

These words made little sense and she screamed at herself inwardly. What was she saying? Was she giving up already?

Yes, she was. There was no point. The Captain already told her to find help, Saein was concerned. Everyone saw the signs of her weakness and knew she was a liability and a screw-up and a broken being that didn't deserve to be anything other than the product, the toy. She couldn't reproduce, what good was she? Her father's words rang in her mind, "You worthless cow! You're only good for one thing, now go! Get in there! None of you deserve anything more than this!"

And he slammed the doors.

And Minn was greeted with rough hands and slaps to the face.

"I can't be anything different," she told Eddie.

(Minn is losing it, its okay everyone...i think..)

Narration

MAK easily took control of the ship, already locating the nearest station with an android specialist. The coordinates were quickly inputted and the ship shot off. The sudden change in speed and direction, caused a rare jolt to the ship.

Crew members toppled over, their balance thrown.

"Sorry, for the turbulence." MAK informed through the speaker system. "There has been a change in course."

Alexander

There was a jolt from the ship, that caused Alex to knock a few books to the ground. MAK's voice ran through and the young doctor rolled his eyes. He bent over and picked the books up from the ground and placed them back on his desk.

He was about to flip through the pages, to find the place where he had left off, when the infirmary doors shot open. Alex leaned to the side to peer out of his office and into the sterile room. The intelligence specialist, Cassandra, stood with a large Exburnan. Alex didn't recognize him, probably hadn't gotten to his file yet. Dlew was slouched in between them, his body ragged and limp, although his back panel had been opened.

"What happened?" Alex questioned standing from his desk. He noticed Saein behind him, looking through something on her datapad. "What happened?" He asked again when he received no answer. "Is everything alright?"

Regina

The captain cried out, her body slamming against the wall. The ship vibrated beneath her as MAK directed it closer and closer to salvation. She couldn't walk, her mechanical leg completely useless. The joints and sprigs had fried, the mechanics no longer hooked up to her brain. She was shaking, her her nervous system trying to bounce back from the electric shock.

The detachment of her leg in such a violent way probably wasn't helping either. Reggie braced herself against the wall, as she dragged her way to the elevator. "MAK!" She cried as she pushed into the elevator.

"Captain?"

"Get me to the hangar! Immediately!"

"Right away, captain."

The elevator shot down and down, further and further, until coming to a jolting halt. Reggie gripped a hold of the safety bars, trying to keep herself upright. The doors quickly slid open and a hovering chair was waiting for her.

"I don't need that." Reggie grunted pushing past the chair. It hovered just above the ground, and turned around as the captain walked past it.

"Captain, I strongly suggest you use the chair." MAK stated in his monotone voice.

"I said, I don't need it!" Reggie yelled. "If you want to help me, then find Colin!"

She continued walking, closer and closer to the workbench. Her limbs continued to shake, her nervous system wasn't recovering. She would have to remove the leg, and quickly.

Cassandra nodded at Regina as she politely asked commanded her and Rokunam to bring Dlew down to the infirmary. Saein tagged along, and they all made their way down together. Rokunam tried to talk to her about the mission, but she shook her head. She didn't want to talk about it now, rather focus on the task at hand. She looked over at Saein, who was preoccupied with her datapad. They arrived at the infirmary, and heard the doc ask them a question she didn't know the answer to. What happened.

"I think he collapsed, or something. I really don't know. We got a S.O.S message on our datapads." Cassandra answered, taking a seat in one of those uncomfortable medical chairs. She suddenly found herself very tired. Like, more then she was before. Her muscles relaxed into the scratchy material, and she started to drift off. Almost asleep... Suddenly, the ship changed course, knocking something over. She shot awake, sitting up straight and darting her eyes around the room.

"I um, have to go back to my office." She said, hoping nobody noticed her drifting off, especially the doctor. She wasn't planning on being forced to rest for a bit. She stood, and made her way towards the door.

"Sorry, for the turbulence." MAK explained a sudden shake of the ship. "There has been a change in course." Saein wasn’t quite sure what she thought of the AI dumbing down the mechanics of spaceflight this way. Somewhat amusing, maybe. On the other hand, she was not amused that apparently Eddie wasn’t controlling the ship, which would have led to less shaking. Some people were trying to read while walking!

When they entered the infirmary, Saein at first ignored Alexander, as she was busy reading the android manual. When he asked what had happened, Rokunam answered first. "To my knowledge, it is not well," Rokunam replied, "It seems as if the Dlew Night android has fallen... malfunctioned. It seems as if the Saein does not have the knowledge to repair him, and we are changing course to a planet with the nearest specialized in android mechanics. Though, I believe the Saein knows more than I, so may it be best for her to explain what I have missed?" Cassandra added some more details about the situation and looked rather tired.

“Oh, I do have the knowledge, that’s what manuals are for.” Saein’s voice was friendly, she didn’t take offense. The way Rokunam spoke was odd, Saein was sure he didn’t mean to imply she was stupid or anything like that. “As for what happened... Dlew’s parts were already aging, when he got dirt and water in his joints he needed to use too much force to move and then things started breaking. I’ll clean him and patch him up, but it’s going to take a specialist to replace everything that needs replacing. We don’t have it all.”

While she talked, Saein lifted Dlew onto a bed, first his top half and then his legs. She moved another bed close to it, and standing in between them she systematically disassembled Dlew’s inside parts and neatly placed them on the empty bed in the same layout they had been in inside him. “No idea why I’m doing that here instead of at my station. Captain’s orders.”

Saein mentioned the purpose of each part and of each of her actions, this helped her mentally keep track of what she was doing.

Once all the moving parts were out, Saein could clean the electronics. There was some dirt on the memory modules (in fact there was dirt everywhere, a lot of it from the smoke bomb) and one looked a bit loose, so Saein gave it a little push to make sure it was properly connected. Something else didn’t seem quite right about the contents of the head, but at this moment she didn’t realize that what was in front of her was completely different from what she had seen in the manual. There wasn’t much she could do about this part of the android body, there definitely weren’t spare android brain parts on the ship, so she had not paid much attention to this part of the manual. Shrugging off the feeling that something was odd, she moved on to cleaning the joints of his limbs. “Shouldn’t Bond be the one doing this,” she sighed, “it kinda was his fault... Ah well, now the most ‘fun’ part of the job: find out what can be replaced, and try to find workarounds for the rest. Real shame Dlew didn’t bring a backpack full of spare parts for himself.”

Saein flipped her datapad to the ship inventory and laid it next to all the loose parts on the bed. Although she had worked very fast, a long time had passed. This was the first time she looked up from her work. “Oh hey, you guys still listening to me talking to myself?”