Author: Derin

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> We head back to our own living dome, dodging random Hylarans who want to talk about what just happened with the ship. That’ll still be fresh news tomorrow. Once alone, I explain calmly, neutrally, everything that has happened since I collapsed talking to Hive. It’s been … Continue reading 165: FIGHT

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> Captain Klees and Tal turn immediately to face the direction of the radio tower, way on the other side of the colony. I don’t waste time with questions. Sharing two breathing masks, the three of us make our way as quickly as possible towards the tower. … Continue reading 164: FAWN

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> The chip in my hand isn’t mine, obviously. Mine is still in my own arm. Tal or Captain Klees would’ve had to load the code onto one of theirs and then cut it out. I wonder how secret this whole operation needed to be – did … Continue reading 163: FLIGHT

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> Hey guys. Can’t believe I missed soap making. If I’m not out in time to see a Hylaran cuddle their first tiny animal, I’m killing someone. You guys had better be taking video footage of all of this. Also, has anyone gotten those embroiderers some wool … Continue reading 162: CANDLE

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> I have a pen. I have the synthetic paper that the colony uses. I sit down to draft a reply. It needs to reassure the crew outside that I’m fine, and it needs to not contain anything that Dr Kim would flag as something that’ll get … Continue reading 161: SOAP

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> Hey there, Aspen. How’re you doing? Dr Kim says you’re too weak for visitors right now. She won’t let us send you a voice message either, says that you’re fighting the infection hard and getting to agitated could be a problem, but I finally managed to … Continue reading 160: BOBBY

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> We do the scan. Dr Kim doesn’t pretend it’s about anything except my brain this time. I go back to my room. I eat a resentful breakfast. Would I have gone along with this if Dr Kim had been honest about her research project from the … Continue reading 159: LETTER

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> “Honestly,” Dr Kim says, “I have very little frame of reference for what you do and don’t know, so it’s hard to know where to start.” “Start with the eye. What does it do?” “It’s a bionic eye. It helps you to see.” “Don’t fuck around … Continue reading 158: TECHNOLOGY

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> “Hi, Aspen,” Dr Kim says. “I’d like to do another scan of your spine today.” “Why? We all know the infection has basically cleared up, right? What’s the point of scanning it again?” “It’s always best to be certain.” “What’s the point of this quarantine? You … Continue reading 157: PUSH

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... Next> .......... Last>> “What do you think about the Courageous finally coming here, Aspen?” the AI asks. I shrug, not bothering to sit up in bed. “It brought me. It’s better to be here than in space.” “Oh, yes. Of course.” It doesn’t elaborate. I don’t think the AI … Continue reading 156: REHABILITATION