Post 64

Episode 20

Mercedes is waiting for you when you ease yourself down into Shori’s engine room to start making the adaptations needed for a plasma field. Thiel security is no joke. Seeing another person in the dark, cavernous gut of the ship makes you squeak and flatten yourself against the wall. “Des, holy crustacean mandible. You scared me.”

The monk unfolds from her posture and lets out a little breath of what you can only assume is amusement. “Holy crustacean mandible?”

“I’m trying out new exclamations since religion is dead.” You cough a little. “Except for yours, of course. I’m sure that one is still useful.”

“I’m sure it is as well,” she says, but it’s distracted. “I needed some place quiet and out of the way and you seem to like it in here.” She turns to look at you and you’re surprised by the intensity of her stare. You’re caught up in her eyes. They’re silver. Like, glowing silver, in the dark. Have they always been like that? You wonder and you have the disconcerting sensation she’s opening up your skull and rifling through memories or thoughts or whatever is in there.

:I am.: says a familiar sound in your head. :I needed to know some things.:

“Well, get out,” you say, crossly. “And stay out. It’s rude and unpleasant.” She ignores you. “OUT,” you say again. “What is it about everyone violating my boundaries today. You’re in a snit, Hoshi’s all moody. The only one halfway decent to talk to is Shori and she--” there’s a sudden grind and you both feel the engine sputter to a halt. “Oh for fuck’s sake,” you blurt. “What is wrong with everyone today?”

“Wuxing,” she says.

You stare at her.

“Wuxing,” she says again. “I can feel it. Someone knows we’re here and where we are trying to go.” She looks up at Shori’s membranous ceiling for a minute. “I think it’s going to be much easier than we thought to get into Thiel.”

You scowl at her. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Isn’t Wuxing trying to kill you? What does that have to do with us? Can’t you just fly over, do some punchy-punchy and call it a day?”

Des grants you a brilliant smile as she moves past you up into the engine bay. “Punchy-punchy, huh? Why not? I haven’t had anything interesting to do in a while.”