Author: Derin

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> I wake up in a bright room, littered with IVs and monitoring equipment and with an oxygen mask on my face. I carefully reach back to disconnect the cerebral stimulator from the port in my skull. But there’s no stimulator there, just a slight … Continue reading 096: REVIVE

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> I stare at Tal for a bit, but no further explanation is forthcoming. “I don’t…?” “You too, Aspen! All of us are so fucking stupid! I have to try something! If this actually works I’m going to be so pissed off at myself!” Ke … Continue reading 095: DEFUSE

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> I wake up in my own bed, and for a moment it seems blatantly obvious that the recent confusing events were a strange nightmare. Then I look down, and realise I’m still in my clothes. There are little aches all over my body, and … Continue reading 094: IDENTITY

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> Captain Sands backs away behind a bed, but I’m faster. He’s almost within reach before Heli shoulder-checks me directly into the metal frame of the bed. Pain blooms in my hip as I drop to the floor, my improvised weapon rolling out of my … Continue reading 093: DESPERATION

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> “Excellent,” Captain Sands says. “If we’re lucky, we might be able to avoid any further unpleasant business.” I watch him leave the room. “I think I hate that guy,” I remark. Celi raises an eyebrow. “I thought you two were friends?” “What gave you … Continue reading 092: GUILT

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> “Heli has been disciplined,” Captain Sands informs Adin in our makeshift interrogation room. “And after we’ve solved this murder, I’ll be able to deal with her more thoroughly.” “What do you want, Keldin?” “Just to clear up some final details. Heli Graf provided you … Continue reading 091: DURESS

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> Captain Sands listens carefully to my explanation, frowning at the computer. He pulls out a notepad and runs the numbers manually himself. Then he frowns at the computer again. “It’s a coincidence,” he says. “A coincidence? That if you line up everyone on the … Continue reading 090: MANAGEMENT

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> Lina, Denish and I gather at a small table that had been set up near the laundry room for Arborean Trumps. Denish makes the obligatory joke about me having a natural advantage by being Arborean, Lina deals us twelve cards each while explaining that … Continue reading 089: TRUMPS

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> I watch the footage several times, as if that will somehow make it make more sense. It doesn’t. There’s no reason for Heli not to be involved, I guess, I just… why? She’d been awake for less than a week at this point! Renn … Continue reading 088: RIFT

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Map] .......... Next> .......... Last>> Sunset’s eyes widen, and I regret my words immediately. They’re correct, but the immediate aftermath of a murder in a confined space probably isn’t the time to be reminding people not to trust their neighbours. If anyone in Habitation Ring 1 is involved, the … Continue reading 087: ACCOMPLICE