Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[Othermoose]

Austin sat in silence thinking deeply about the conversation he'd had with April. Austin knew himself, he knew that he couldn't just magically turn himself around into some happy, friendly, social butterfly. The way he acted was necessary for him. He couldn't deal with the emptiness that the lack of rage brought. Deep down Austin knew nothing would change. Even if he tried to be "acceptable" they'd still treat him like shit. He knew that he only had one option, regardless of what April said.

Austin was so deep on thought he almost didn't hear April. "Games?" He said. "How would we play any games? We're strapped to these fucking chairs." He said.

 

[slippedhalo]

"Suit yourself, then, Austin. I'm too tired to argue or explain." April said.

She continued counting minutes and hours until they could return to the others.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin hated silence. He never knew why, he just couldn't stand it. He could feel himself grow more and more agitated as he sat in the chair waiting for something to happen. He felt trapped and helpless. He hated being locked up. He hated being in a cage. He started moving trying to break free from his bonds but it was a useless attempt. He was completely and totally trapped. He looked at April hating himself for what he was about to do, but in this situation it seemed like the only thing that would calm him down and distract him from the anxiety growing in his chest. "Will you sing?" He asked, trying (and failing) not to sound angry and defeated.

 

[slippedhalo]

Back in living quarters, Kate, David, and Yuet were given an assignment. As this was something different, Kate and Yuet were willing to try it. There was a database with information about those on board. They were to alphabetize it, then place each person's icon where they are from on a world map screen. The information was also to be translated from English to Chinese and Latin. David was reading out lines, Yuet was translating the lines into Chinese, Kate was dictating her translations back to David so he could type them in Latin. Once she can see again Kate could do the typing herself. The website was mostly incomplete and the group was allowed to design and organize it as they saw fit.

One thing Yuet was quick to notice was two names highlighted in orange where the rest were red except for the reanimated five of them. Their names were in green. The two yellow inked names were under the category labels, "Near Readiness". Kate remarked, "It sounds like those two will be joining us next. Who are they?"

Yuet read, "Aziz Rumni, architect, age 25, India. And, Natalia Strovovinski, dairy farmer, age 30, Russian with Dutch Residency."

Kate thought about how these two might fit in with their growing group.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin hated silence. He never knew why, he just couldn't stand it. He could feel himself grow more and more agitated as he sat in the chair waiting for something to happen. He felt trapped and helpless. He hated being locked up. He hated being in a cage. He started moving trying to break free from his bonds but it was a useless attempt. He was completely and totally trapped. He looked at April hating himself for what he was about to do, but in this situation it seemed like the only thing that would calm him down and distract him from the anxiety growing in his chest. "Will you sing?" He asked, trying (and failing) not to sound angry and defeated.

April looked at Austin. She'd been lost in her own thoughts for a while. The question caught her off guard. "You want me to? I thought you didn't like my singing...what should I sing?"

 

[Othermoose]

Austin tried not to growl at April's question. "I don't like it anymore than you do but I can't deal with the quiet." Austin tried to calm down but as usual he was having trouble. He finally looked at April again. "Do you know any metal songs?"

 

[slippedhalo]

April scrunched her face up as she thought, "Does "Enter Sandman" from Metallica count?" She started singing Daddy Chuck' s favorite band while trying not to actually think about the asshole Chuck was.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin felt the knot in his chest loosen a little once April began to sing the familiar song. He'd never really liked girl singers but her voice... Wasn't bad. Her singing was actually really good but Austin didn't want to admit it. After April finished the song she looked at Austin. "That was pretty good... Thanks." Austin said in slight embarrassment. "Know anything else?"

 

[slippedhalo]

April shrugged. "Most of the stuff I know is like, top 40, pop and rock...Would Aerosmith or Bon Jovi be acceptable?" She asked.

**********************************************

Yuen was reading the website as best she could and growing curious about all the various people. "Why they want us? So many different peoples, so different countries."

 

[Othermoose]

"I don't know. I guess Aerosmith is alright. Or led zeppelin if you know any." Austin said trying his best not to sound hostile. He hated that he was in this situation. Relying on his enemy to keep him from going insane. "Once I get out of this chair I'm done with this shit." He thought angrily,

=============================================================
David shrugged. "I'm not sure. Maybe they'll tell us soon." He said reading the list of names. "I wonder what happens when everyone wakes up." He thought, a chill running down his spine at the potential things that could be done to them.

 

[slippedhalo]

When the six hours had elapsed nobody came for them. The drone stayed hovering and recording, the restraints retracted, the door opened.

April stretched her arms then got out of the chair. "Good, I've had to pee for the past twenty minutes!" She admitted, hurrying out of this room, entering a room which looked like a mirrored gymnasium. "Huh? I thought that would be the Med Bay. I wonder where the w.c. is in this area of the ship."

At the other end of the large room was a door. She opened it to find a sort of locker room with various doors, seven on each side, then one big door straight ahead...She continued to that door, whining now that the urge to pee was nigh. It led to a corridor. At the end of it was a spiral staircase going up... And, the hatch opened to the floor of their living area's kitchen. "Wow. Good to know. There's another level...looks like an athletics and testing area, and discipline area, of course...Toilet!" She suddenly shouted, running to the ladies bathroom.

David and Yuet looked surprised to see the two criminals emerge from the kitchen.

Kate called out, "Are they back?"

 

[Othermoose]

Austin sat still for a moment preparing himself. April's speech and singing hadn't changed his mind. He stood up and made his way through the new level of the ship towards the spiral stair way that lead to the upper level. He quietly climbed through the hatch and entered the kitchen. He saw a knife sitting on the counter and discreetly slipped it into his pocket.

Austin left the kitchen and went into the lounge. He saw Kate sitting on a couch and walked over to her ignoring David's angry glare. Austin gently guided a confused Kate to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry." He whispered to her. Austin enjoyed the hug for a moment longer before backing away and heading for his room.

When he got to his room the first thing he did was start the song "frogs". "Same song as last time." He thought bitterly, pulling the knife from his pocket. He drew the blade deeply across his palm and watched as the crimson began to flow down his hand. He walked to the wall and in blood wrote "leave me dead." Austin sat on his bed and pressed the knife to his throat, steeling himself for his second death.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate found the whole hug and apology odd. It was like a farewell. Like..."Wait! Shit!" Kate exclaimed. She could feel the other two startle at the sudden expletive from someone so unaccustomed to swearing. "Yuet, help me follow Austin. David, don't get involved unless called. I think something's wrong."

Yuet rose and helped Kate make her way to the door of Austin's room. She didn't knock. She knew he wouldn't answer. She opened it wide.

Yuet screamed and Kate knew her gut feeling had been right. "Yuet, are we too late?"

"So much blood!" Yuet observed, slowly leading Kate inside. "...He breathing! Hang on!" She said, putting Kate's hands over a random t shirt and forcing Kate to press it against a wound to staunch blood. "David! Get a MeRP, NOW!" Yelled Yuet, sounding more in charge and forceful than ever. Meanwhile, Yuet was scouring the whole "house" for things she could use for first aid. "Kate, keep pressing down. Don't let blood flow out."

Kate nodded, feeling the t shirt she held growing wetter with the warm fluid draining from Austin. "Stay with us, Austin. Why'd you do that? It's never too late to change, never. Don't go!"

 

[Othermoose]

Austin felt light. He fealt like he was floating. "Numb... No... Blood..." He thought. It was hard to think clearly. Despite the wound in his neck he felt good. The pain felt good. He was finally doing something beneficial for the group. "What... Was that?" He thought. It sounded like shouting. Then he felt something on his neck. "Why...? Wait!" Austin tried to yell no but all that came out was a chocked gurgle. "Just let me die." He thought.

=============================================================

David heard shouting coming from Austin's room. Yuet commanded him to get a MeRP. "That little fuck just attacked Kate. I know it! This whole time he's been luring her into this and now he's finally done it." David thought rushing towards the medbay. "Once I get the MeRP I'm killing him. I don't care what they do to me. I swore I wouldn't let Kate get hurt and I meant it!" David entered the medbay and yelled for a MeRP before heading back to Austin's room. When he got there he was shocked by what he saw. Instead of Kate dead or dying like he expected, she was on top of Austin holding a pile of bloody shirts to his bleeding neck. One the wall written in blood was "leave me dead". David didn't know how to react to the situation before him. Part of him just wanted to leave Austin to die, he deserved it after all, but the cop part of him was screaming to save this civilian. So David stood, frozen to the spot, totally unsure of what to do.

 

[slippedhalo]

Yuet bodily shoved David aside and out of the way so she and the medical bot could get to Austin. Kate, once no longer useful, was gently sat upon Austin's bed. But, she felt her way from it, somehow sensing exactly where David was, she moved toward where he stood as the hover stretcher left for Med Bay for the second time that day. Kate found David's hand and took it with her bloody, trembling one. Tears streamed down her face.

Yuet stood and moved toward the door saying, "Does this mean he must get...that chip? Or, you think they give him one more chance?"

Kate shook her head. She didn't know. She had no answers. She collapsed against David, sobbing.

April, having just finished using the bathroom, was confused. She saw Austin, covered in blood, lying on a hover stretcher being led out of the living quarters by two MeRPs. She ran after it yelling, "Austin, you idiot, why?!" The door closed and she found the others huddled in the doorway to Austin's blood covered room. "It happened so fast..." She said, before she also broke down in tears. Yuet hugged her as she wept. "I thought I'd started to get through to him!" said April.

 

[Othermoose]

David held Kate gently against his chest as she sobbed against him. "I doubt they'll give him a chip, he didn't attack one of us." David said. "Come on, lets get out of his room, the blood stinks." David said as he carefully lead Kate out of the blood stained room. He walked her to the lounge and sat down on a couch still holding her as she sobbed. He didn't care if Austin lived or died, and deep down he knew he should feel bad but he just didn't care. "Don't worry Kate, I'm sure he'll be fine." David said, sounding unconvincing. He looked to the other two women for help with comforting Kate.

 

[slippedhalo]

Yuet was too busy comforting April to notice David's questioning expression. April cried for quite a while on the petite woman's shoulder. After a little while, she grew calmer and Yuet led her to where David was sitting holding Kate who had calmed a bit as well but was still visibly shaken and tearful.

Kate asked, "April, what happened in detention? Did he say anything to indicate he was planning to..."

April interrupted, "...kind of. But, I thought I'd talked him out of it." She relayed their experience in detention to the other three who listened intently. "Thought at the end, there, we'd sort of become allies...I didn't know he was going to..." A burst of tears again.

 

[Othermoose]

David shook his head in disgust. "That kid is like a feral dog. None of us should be surprised this happened, in fact I'm shocked it took him this long! He was a menace! He made us all miserable. He attacked you for no reason April!" David stood up in frustration. "That bastard has nothing but fought and been cruel since he woke up! Why are you all feeling sorry for him? People like that don't change! He'll be back to his old tricks as soon as they bring him back! I don't want to be the bad guy here but you all know that I'm right!" David finished, his voice raised with anger.

 

[slippedhalo]

The intercom snapped on with a buzzing warning tone. A monotone voice announced: "It has been a difficult day for people with emotions. Command has decided the four conscious residents deserve a treat. The stairway below kitchen has been unlocked. You may go down to the locker room and find swim clothing. The pool and hot tub area have been unlocked for Kathryn, David, April and Yuet to use if so wished."

 

[Othermoose]

David stopped mid sentence as the voice on the speaker declared the open pool. "Fucking robots" he muttered before looking at the three women before him. "I'm sorry I lost my temper. I think we could all use some sleep. We can talk about this later." David walked away to his bedroom and threw himself on his bed. "Fuck me" he groaned as he tried to get some sleep.

===================== The Next Morning =============================

Austin awoke with a pained groan as a MeRP began speaking to him. "Hello Austin Greene. The crew is concerned about you. For the next time you attempt to shave, please use one of the electric razors provided in the washing facilities. Thank you and have a pleasant day." Austin wanted to laugh but his throat hurt too much. "Guess robots can't kill themselves." He thought heading for the exit.

Austin entered his room, which he was happy to see still covered in blood, and grabbed some clean clothes. He left his room and realized that he was the only one awake. He walked to Kate's door and softly knocked. When there was no reply he quietly entered the room. He saw Kate sleeping in her bed, and for a moment Austin wanted nothing more than to climb in with her, snuggle against her side, and sleep until he didn't hurt anymore.

Austin remembered when he was still at home. Whenever he'd had a nightmare or if his dad had done something particularly cruel he'd go into his sisters room and she'd comfort him as he cried. He couldn't count all the times he'd gone to his sister for help. "And then she fucking left me." He thought darkly.

Austin tried to whisper to Kate so he wouldn't scare her awake, but the only sound he made was a horse groan. Austin tried again but he still couldn't make any sound. He quietly sat down in the chair across from Kate's bed. He didn't care if it was creepy that he was here. He didn't care if David would come in and beat the shit out of him. He didn't care if April would laugh at him for being so soft. All that mattered was the comfort he got from being near Kate. "Maybe she won't notice I'm here." Austin thought, not sure if he wanted Kate to wake up or continue sleeping.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate simply laughed, "What?! Are those androids nuts? I'm not going climbing up and down some spiral stairs and swimming around when I can't see what I'm doing!"

Yuet shook her head. "No water for me, not for a long time. I died in water."

April wiped her tears and chuckled through them too, "They're naff, must be. That's crazy! I'd much rather just call it a night and go to bed early. I look forward to trying my bed."

Kate's eyebrows furrowed. "You didn't sleep in your bed last night?"

April just talked over the question she didn't feel like replying to with her own question. "Kate, are you tired as well?"

Kate took the hint and shut up about last night. "My eyes itch a lot and I'm knackered."

Yuet added, "I think I'm going to bed early too."

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate simply laughed, "What?! Are those androids nuts? I'm not going climbing up and down some spiral stairs and swimming around when I can't see what I'm doing!"

Yuet shook her head. "No water for me, not for a long time. I died in water."

April wiped her tears and chuckled through them too, "They're naff, must be. That's crazy! I'd much rather just call it a night and go to bed early. I look forward to trying my bed."

Kate's eyebrows furrowed. "You didn't sleep in your bed last night?"

April just talked over the question she didn't feel like replying to with her own question. "Kate, are you tired as well?"

Kate took the hint and shut up about last night. "My eyes itch a lot and I'm knackered."

Yuet added, "I think I'm going to bed early too."

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin hated silence. He never knew why, he just couldn't stand it. He could feel himself grow more and more agitated as he sat in the chair waiting for something to happen. He felt trapped and helpless. He hated being locked up. He hated being in a cage. He started moving trying to break free from his bonds but it was a useless attempt. He was completely and totally trapped. He looked at April hating himself for what he was about to do, but in this situation it seemed like the only thing that would calm him down and distract him from the anxiety growing in his chest. "Will you sing?" He asked, trying (and failing) not to sound angry and defeated.

David stopped mid sentence as the voice on the speaker declared the open pool. "Fucking robots" he muttered before looking at the three women before him. "I'm sorry I lost my temper. I think we could all use some sleep. We can talk about this later." David walked away to his bedroom and threw himself on his bed. "Fuck me" he groaned as he tried to get some sleep.

===================== The Next Morning =============================

Austin awoke with a pained groan as a MeRP began speaking to him. "Hello Austin Greene. The crew is concerned about you. For the next time you attempt to shave, please use one of the electric razors provided in the washing facilities. Thank you and have a pleasant day." Austin wanted to laugh but his throat hurt too much. "Guess robots can't kill themselves." He thought heading for the exit.

Austin entered his room, which he was happy to see still covered in blood, and grabbed some clean clothes. He left his room and realized that he was the only one awake. He walked to Kate's door and softly knocked. When there was no reply he quietly entered the room. He saw Kate sleeping in her bed, and for a moment Austin wanted nothing more than to climb in with her, snuggle against her side, and sleep until he didn't hurt anymore.

Austin remembered when he was still at home. Whenever he'd had a nightmare or if his dad had done something particularly cruel he'd go into his sisters room and she'd comfort him as he cried. He couldn't count all the times he'd gone to his sister for help. "And then she fucking left me." He thought darkly.

Austin tried to whisper to Kate so he wouldn't scare her awake, but the only sound he made was a horse groan. Austin tried again but he still couldn't make any sound. He quietly sat down in the chair across from Kate's bed. He didn't care if it was creepy that he was here. He didn't care if David would come in and beat the shit out of him. He didn't care if April would laugh at him for being so soft. All that mattered was the comfort he got from being near Kate. "Maybe she won't notice I'm here." Austin thought, not sure if he wanted Kate to wake up or continue sleeping.

Kate awoke to the sound of breathing in the darkness. "Is someone there? April?" She asked, wondering if one of the others had come to wake her. "Did I oversleep?"

 

[Othermoose]

Austin watched as Kate woke up. She called out asking who was there. Austin tried to talk but he could produce nothing but a hoarse groan. "A blind girl and a mute. This will be a fun conversation." Austin thought dryly. He tried to speak again but the only sound was the same hoarse groan. "I sound like the fucking grudge." He thought angrily. "Maybe if I'm lucky Kate will beat the shit out of me instead of calling David to do it. With her it will probably hurt less." He thought waiting to see what Kate would do.

 

[slippedhalo]

After blinking several times, Kate thought she could make out a blurry shape...Sight! Her moment of excitement turned to alarm as the shape moved...And, she realized it looked a lot like a silhouette, a silhouette of a man! She gasped and jumped back against the headboard, pulling her covers up to her chest, as if fabric were any protection from attack...Hyperventilating came soon after, and her eyes darted around the room she hadn't seen before for a lamp or light switch... Minutes, and a groan from across the room later, she found the bedside lamp and managed to get it lit.

Sitting in silence, green eyes wide with fright and new sight, Kate stared at an unfamiliar young man sitting at a desk chair staring back at her.
"...Is this...the ship? Who are you? What do you want?"