Recently I just got into playing the amazing game Dead Space and…of course, I had an idea for a story with a single new character, what if the Kellion had six crewmembers and Isaac actually spoke? Yet another tale of a newcomer thrown into danger, horror, and death, I hope you enjoy it =)

CEC Mission ER529

Status Update

USG Kellion en route to repair systems

PRIMARY MISSION ASSETS

Isaac Clarke - Engineering and Systems Specialist

Kendra Daniels – Computer Specialist

Derek Pendergast – P-Sec Supervisor

Zack Hammond – Chief Security Officer

Directive A: Locate mining vessel USG Ishimura

Directive B: Diagnose and repair communication blackout

Sub-Directive A: Ascertain reason for P-sec Headquarters Colony Blackout

TIME TO CONTACT POINT: 2 hours

The hours passed slowly as Isaac sat from his relatively comfortable chair, gazing out into the swirling energy of the vortex before them.

He had to admit, the shockpoint drive was an amazing system and without it they wouldn't reach the Ishimura for decades rather than hours, however they couldn't get there fast enough for his taste.

Johnston and Chen remained at their posts, despite being the hired grunts for this trip they had ample flight training to double as pilots, how they could remain awake so long just staring at the vortex was beyond him. It was just like the company to double up tasks to save a quick buck; they were shorthanded to begin with.

"Not sleeping well?"

Isaac very nearly bolted from his seat, however relaxed upon seeing it was Derek behind him holding two steaming cups of what passed for coffee in his hands. Still waiting for his heart to slow down he gave the newcomer the most annoyed look he could muster.

"Yea me neither," he replied to Isaacs silent rebuttal, handing over one of the cups. "No idea how Hammond and Kendra can just knock out like that. Any messages from the Ishimura so far?"

Isaac only shook his head solemnly, taking a short sip of his drink as he returned his gaze to the consoles.

"Still no word? Heh, darndest thing I ever heard, first all contact with the planet side security and the colony is lost, and now even the Ishimura goes silent? That's got to be a record for most simultaneous malfunctions since what's his name found that rock on Earth.

Isaac couldn't help but chuckle, they both shared a dislike of Unitology, though he couldn't imagine Derek's was greater than his, and they enjoyed sharing a good laugh when possible. Not to mention the fact that Derek refused to swear due to his code of conduct always made for a good chuckle when he would make substitutions for the words.

"I'll be happy when we arrive and get some word from Commander James at the colony, you ever met him?"

Isaac shook his head, mouth still full from the last gulp of coffee.

"He took over as head of P-sec planet side three years ago when they started mining Aegis VII. Good man, best P-sec officer I ever met, except for possibly Neumann. If there was a man who hated Unitology as much as you or I, it was him."

"Can't focus on anything other than rock-bashing I see," came a familiar yet welcome voice from the cabin door.

"Kendra, glad you could join us," Derek greeted cheerily, raising his cup as if to make a toast. "Have a seat, there's plenty of rock-bashing for us all."

Grabbing a pad from the nearby console Kendra obliged, though obviously appeared more interested in studying the computer schematics of the Ishimura than making small talk with the crew as always.

"Why do you look at those things so much?" Derek asked trying to glance around the back of the pad to see what was on it. "I'm sure Captain Mathias will let you check out what caused the blackout from the computer himself. Planning to hack the system?" He chuckled slightly before pausing for her response.

"For all we know the reason the blackout occurred was because the captain is indisposed," she replied without taking her eyes of the pad. "If for some reason he can't let us into the computer I'm going to need to find a way around it. And this is one of the most sophisticated computer systems in the verse."

"If anyone can find a way I'm sure it's you, you'd probably hack your way through whether they like it or not."

Kendra stared at him for a few moments, one eyebrow raised as if wondering if he had some ulterior motive for his compliments.

"Thank you Derek," she responded at last. "I didn't read your file yet, why exactly are you here? We got all the personnel required to fix up the Ishimura."

"My mission has nothing to do with the Ishimura," Derek replied, focusing all his attention on Kendra.

Isaac could only smirk as he watched them converse. He knew Derek had a crush on her, how fun it was making him blush at the idea. Isaac had been friends with Derek's parents and had known him since he was little, at barely twenty years old Derek always succeeded at making him feel old. He was far too shy around her in Isaac's opinion, after hearing enough stories about Nicole and him perhaps Derek would finally ask her for a date…maybe after we got back to the Sprawl…

"CEC coordinated my task when we lost contact with the colony, P-sec Headquarters failed to send a report at the last quarterly barely a day before planet crack. I was supposed to head out to find the cause; it was either coincidence or just luck that they lost communications with the Ishimura soon after so they decided to combine our missions."

"Who was supposed to send the report?"

"Sergeant Neumann, nice guy but got jipped by his Unitologist wife a few years back so he came to Aegis VII to make a fresh start."

"You rock-bashers must like to stick together," she replied, for the first time since they set out she put down the pad, giving him her undivided attention.

"What about you? Do you believe in Unitology?"

"Me?" She laughed sarcastically. "No no, that line of thinking just isn't my style."

Forget the Sprawl; Isaac thought silently, he might make a move before we reach…"

"Sirs," Corporal Chen shouted back, we're receiving a transmission from ahead, same direction as the Ishimura."

"Hammond get up here," Kendra shouted back into the cabin as the message flickered to life before them.

A rather attractive young blond woman appeared on the scream, she was wearing an Ishimura medical bay uniform which appeared disheveled, and her facial expression was that of composure masking mind-numbing fear.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry about everything. I wish I could just talk to someone."

The entire crew watched as the transmission continued, Isaac slowly got to his feet, his face contorting in wonder as he gazed upon the image of the woman before them.

"Nicole…" he whispered, his voice scarcely escaping his lips, a growing sense of dread encompassing all aboard the ship, all alone in the dark

This is just the first chapter but depending upon popularity I will continue it, read, review, and enjoy =).