Posted by Lieutenant Miranda Martel (Chief Engineer) in Terror in the Dark - Martel’s quarters - Tag Gadi

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Terror in the Dark - Martel’s quarters - Tag Gadi

Posted by Lieutenant Miranda Martel (Chief Engineer) in Terror in the Dark - Martel’s quarters - Tag Gadi
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It was late, the wee hours of the night aboard the Asimov. The ship was running on lower lighting in most of the common spaces to at least give some semblance of a day/night cycle.

Bethany couldn’t sleep again this time though it wasn’t the wild crazy heart beat or slight fever. If it was Ryley would have already been at her door, his archaic medical equipment out and examining her. No this was just that her mind couldn’t shut off. Too many things running in her head. So lights low, the focus stone operating like prismatic glass for the miniscule lamp it set on top of, Bethany sat on the floor, breathing a slow measured rhythm and meditated.

Miranda tossed fitfully in her sleep, soaked in sweat.

The sheets tangled around her.

She thrashed now and again. Half formed words escaped her.

More twitches, more jerks.

She let out a blood-curdling scream, sitting bolt upright In an instant she was free and scrambling to her feet. Something tackled her, taking to the floor. Blades in hand she slashed and slashed. It’s grip loosened and she rolled to her feet, whirling around looking for … the next… something. Person? Enemy.

Bethany’s eyes snapped open, but that was all that moved as she listened to the room. Then she was up to feet and out her door. She stopped at Martel’s door and listened. Even though there was no other scream it sounded like a fight going on inside.

But she was alone. In her quarters. On the Asimov. Right? Wasn’t she? …

One trembling hand reached up to her left eye. She could see out of it again. But they immediately encountered the cybernetics too. Not a dream. It was still hard to catch her breath, coming fast and shallow now. Hyperventilating.

Miranda

“Computer security override Gadi zeta alpha 4-1-1-7.” The door opened and she stepped in one place and scanned the room, expecting to find broken knocked over furniture and someone(s) very hurt. “Miranda.” She called clearly.

Gadi

Light spilled in from the corridor, silhouetting a figure. She whirled, facing them, blade tucked away behind her arm, concealed save for the ring around her index finger, left hand up to ward off incoming attack, blade hand ready to slash or hook and control. There was something different about it from the gym, predatory.

But just as fast the voice registered and the ready-tension eased a notch. “Bethy?” It came out small, a little confused, almost child-like. The blade was forgotten but still clutched in her hand. “I.. Computer lights, thirty percent.” The interior lighting came on, but not enough to be painful but light the room in a soft glow. She stood among her bed sheets, large angry slashes through the cloth. She was dressed in a t-shirt several sizes too big, almost long enough to be a dress. “I…”

Miranda

Bethany moved toward the bedroom, slowly, arms down, palms open. It was a peaceful gesture. But only an idiot would think Bethany wasn’t prepared for a fight. She recognized the stance and the light from the corridor caught the gleam of the ring of the karambit. “Yeah, it’s me.” The lights came up and a quick flick of her eyes took in the whole scene. Flashbacks. Bethany had dealt with those, in herself and others many times. “Yeah I know. How about you sit so we can get you untangled?”

Bethany was slow to approach. She wanted the knife, but wasn’t going to start with that. She wanted Miranda to fully wake up a little more.

Bethany

The world seemed to spin or turn. Or it was just off somehow. Blood still rushed in her ears, and her mouth tasted coppery, almost like blood. She wobbled a little as she turned, looking around for the bed. Where…? There. She moved to take a step. Something had her ankle. She kicked at it in agitation, then more when it didn’t immediately let go. Looking down it was a… sheet. Oh.

Bethany watched letting her make her way, but close enough to catch her if she fell or stop her if she lashed out again.

Moving over to the bed she sat, and went to run her fingers through her hair only to find the knife in her hand. Where did that come from? Her hand and whole arm ached. She tried to open up to let go of it, but she couldn’t. “I can’t let go.” She looked up at Gadi. “Help?” She’d held the weapon so tight that her hand was locked, almost paralyzed around it.

“Of course.” She walked over, but before she sat, she grabbed Miranda in a gentle but secure wrist lock. She had no desire to get cut or stabbed. Gently she she pressed the tender spot between thumb and index, forcing the hand open, careful not to leave a bruise. Then she pried each finger away from the blade handle. Bethany slipped the knife out of her hand and it disappeared for safe keeping.

As soon as her fingers could be pried open though, sensation and movement began returning. “What happened? Did… I?” She looked at the torn up sheet.

Miranda

Bethany helped her untangle the sheet. “I would hazard to guess you had a flashback in your sleep and…well it’s kind of like sleep walking in a nightmare. You got tangled in the sheet and fought your way out.” Her voice was very matter of fact, but caring. There was no pity or disgust, just care and understanding.

Bethany