Well this is chapter two. Some chapter's are going to be longer then others, but I appreciate messages with tips and tricks on how to improve the format for easier reading for you my readers. ^_^
~R
I shift sleepily on a strange bed in a semi-dark room.
I get the feeling of being observed but I'm still working the sedatives from my system, so I cautiously wait abit then go back to sleep semi-comforted with the knowledge if they were going to harm me it would've been done by now.
I hear something interesting later when I wake again though.
"I still don't get what the big deal is with this civilian..."
I hear a young woman semi-complain.
"Who knows... Orders are orders though and we're stuck babysitting." a man exhales as chair creaks as one of them relaxes with a heavy sigh.
"Who'd you piss off?" the woman asks with abit of levity which makes the man chuckle abit.
"No one lately... Well... No one that'd get me posted down here. But I'm glad I did." he answers in a somewhat charming manor.
I cant help but roll my eyes then roll over, going back to sleep to avoid listening anymore to his wooing of the woman.
I don't get to much into sleeping because I'm woken by the voice of a nurse who's checking some equipment.
Its not entirely her voice that gets my attention, but what she is reading off.
"Subject's progress is at 90%. By estimates she will be ready in 24 hours. Note: Despite sedatives being expelled from the subject's system hours earlier than anticipated, the subject continues to sleep. Concern of narcolepsy..?" She reads off, thoughtfully muttering to herself.
"I don't have narcolepsy..." I grumble grouchily as I open my right eye to look at her – finding I'm looking up at the shocked expression of a red haired, caucasian female nurse.
"How're you awake?! The sensors -" she begins to question but stops as I roll onto my back and sleepily rub my eyes.
"So where am I? And whats going on?" I question her curiously while I enjoy the sensation rubbing my eyes gives me.
"How are you feeling?" she asks quickly quite obviously avoiding my questions deliberately.
I take a second before relaxing on the bed and looks over myself – testing my mobility abit before answering.
"Abit stiff, a little hungry and also wondering where my clothes went.." I answer with some humor before smiling at her then I sit up with my legs crossed, to keep my balance.
"Well that's all normal. Hey! You shouldn't... Sit... Up..." She pauses, watching me with a surprised expression.
I look at the various IV's and machines I'm hooked upto thoughtfully – trying to figure out what it all does and what the few liquids I'm being given are and may be for or doing to my body. Given the fact I thought I had heard her mention a mutagen before I was woken by her voice.
"Do you know who you are?" she asks me in a concerned/prying manor.
"Yes, why? Am I not supposed to?" I look at her innocently curious.
"Well yes you are." she answers carefully, looking at me abit uncomfortably.
"Have you ever been in a hospital before?" she asks curiously as I examine the IV lines going into my arm.
"Yes. But only as company for friends." I look at her as she shifts slightly.
"Then how did you treat the wound on your arm?" she inquires motioning to the long scar on my left forearm that was obviously deep from how wide the scar is and its length is about 4 – 5 inches – indicating it was serious.
"With a first aid kit." I shrug abit noncommittally, deciding to turn the question avoidance right back around on her.
"Soooo... Uh... About my clothes." I look at her abit modestly, changing my posture to show discomfort at having only a hospital gown on.
"Oh... Well I'm sorry but your not allowed to get out of bed for at least another day." She answers while walking to the end of the bed.
"Uh what about the bathroom?" I blush abit lightly, actually embarrassed.
"If you need to, someone will bri -" she begins to explain but I perk up alarmed and shake my head.
"Hell no! None of my bones are broken and I can walk! Now gimme my damn clothes... Or start telling why I'm here hooked up like a cancer patient." I demand stubbornly with my arms crossed carefully so I don't rip out the IV needles which would no doubt be very painful.
Unlike any reaction I had expected (resistance), the woman looks at me as a very pleased smile spreads across her face.
"I'll have someone bring you something to wear soon with your meal." she says before slipping through the curtains, leaving me to listen to her footsteps as she walks away. The sound of a door unlocking then sliding open shortly after tells me its a small room and I'm locked in. So even if I did make an effort to leave or escape I wouldn't get far with it.
"Damn... Locked in a hospital room... No clothes. Who knows what going into my body. Maybe no bathroom in here either. And I'm no doubt in a room that has cameras so everything I do is going to be recorded. So if they don't know about me, then perhaps I could still get out of this... But a keen eye woulda spotted the scar from the tube they used back home to treat my pneumothorax. What the hell do I do now?"
I think worriedly while sitting on the bed looking around the strange room and equipment.
Eventually I get bored with counting the ruffles in the curtains around the bed so I decide to start working on my body towards the goal of standing and seeing where I'm at with my mobility. Perhaps by doing this I might be able to figure out how long I've been here.
So over the next while I work on stretching, being mindful of the IV lines.
I'm in the middle of stretching my legs when I hear the door unlock then slide open and a person walks in.
I listen to their light footsteps get closer as I continue stretching then a woman's voice speaks from the other side of the curtain cautiously.
"You awake?" she asks as I straighten up and sit properly.
"Yes I am." I answer quickly, hopeful this is about the food and possible clothes which I am all too eager to put on.
"Need a hand?" I ask considerately, doing my best to hide the eagerness from my voice.
"No thank you." Her voice answers before the hand of a man opens the curtain before she walks in carrying a tray of food balanced perfectly on top of a bundle of clothes.
She pauses when she first looks at me and I cock my head to the side like a puzzled dog would. The woman has short cut brown hair and bright hazel eyes which come to life as she laughs abit at my bemused expression while she sets the clothes on the bed then sets the tray on a small table by the bed.
"Your a lot younger then I expected." she smiles at me as the 'nurse' returns.
"Ah! Good. Sargent please wait here. Now I'm going to unhook you from the machines so you may dress. I'm also going to give you a physical as well." The nurse explains to me as the 'Sargent' waits outside the curtains after giving the woman a curt confirming nod coupled with a quick 'yes ma'am.'.
I nod understandingly once as I watch her begin to work on freeing me of the machines silently.
"Thank you Ma'am." I say politely as she shuts off the machines with practised ease.
"Your welcome. I hope you don't mind me asking – For what?" she inquires while working on getting me 'freed' of the machines and IV lines.
"I don't mind. Its for being so kind." I answer sincerely, causing her to pause as she unhooks one of the IV lines and looks at me surprised.
We look at one another, with quite different expressions on our faces as we have a sort of silent conversation while we look at one another.
"Hm! I just noticed your eyes look green up close." she states somewhat surprise looking abit closer at them which makes me giggle amused.
"They also change color too." I add with a chuckle, looking at her brightly as she returns to 'freeing' me of the various IV lines which feed the last of their contents into my arms before she detaches them with practised ease.
Shortly after she unhooks the last one she then lowers the rails on the right side of the bed.
"Okay, please stand up then remove the gown. I will help you." she orders offering her hands as I hang my legs over the side abit eagerly and I gently take her arm, giving a curt nod of understanding/gratefulness.
I cautiously step down onto the bare floor and squeak surprised as my body stiffens up involuntarily.
"Cold floor!" I gasp abit surprised then giggles slightly as I put my full weight on my feet carefully with the woman cautiously supporting me so I don't fall over while I'm this unsteady.
"I wont take long. Then you can rewarm them." she says sympathetically which causes me to smile warmly with understanding.
"Its nice... The floor I mean. I'm used to the carpet at home so it was just abit of a surprise, but a welcome one." I explain and with her help get the gown off so she can begin the examination.
I neatly lay the gown on the bed while I use it to stop myself from tipping to either side too far as I sway a little.
"So how old are you?" she asks me as she begins the physical examination.
"I'm 23." I answer simply as she looks over my body carefully.
"Oh! We had you on file for being 17." she says abit surprised and I can't help but begin laughing.
"Whats so funny?" she asks confused "I thought you would be abit offended.." she looks at me oddly as I laugh.
"Well ma'am, when I was a teen I was mistaken for being 20+ but now that I am, most people guess I'm a teen." I chuckle very amused.
"So its not offending to be mistaken for a youth?" She asks in a curious but thoughtful manor as she continues the examination.
"Hardly. It gets me less lectures when I 'act my age'. And the reactions are priceless when I reveal my real age." I laugh abit.
"Like my own?" she looks at me abit coyly and I smile warmly at her.
"No ma'am. Yours honestly, was the usual. But the content and delivery was priceless." I smile happily.
"Well its good to hear you've a good sense of humor. As well – your perfectly healthy too. You may get dressed now." she explains calmly before turning to work on the computer screen beside the bed calmly. I begin nibbling on the food that was brought for me as I carefully dress.
The tray has a simple jam and peanut butter sandwich, some cheese and crackers with a container of milk – which is rather watery so I guess its either 2% or skim.
But I'm thankful for the watery excuse for milk none the less as I dress and eat, being quite thirsty.
I'm careful not to get crumbs on the outfit on which turns out to be a kind of fatigues I've not seen before.
"But then again I've not studied too much about the military here and been more focused on finding Oni." I think as I finish the last of the food calmly before sitting on the bed's edge, putting the provided boots on. To my suspicious surprise they fit me too well.
"First I wind up with the Court of Miracles now this... I wonder if I ever will see my loved ones again or get back to my own home time... Oh, Oni sama... Will we ever meet again I wonder..." I think as I tie up the last of the laces, being very sure of not showing my thoughts or emotional turmoil externally.
"Think you can walk?" The woman asks me as I set my right boot down after finishing lacing it.
"Well, I'm standing. Walking shouldn't be too difficult." I smile abit modestly, stuffing my turmoils back down for when I'll have the time to deal with them privately.
"Alright, just take it slow. Follow me please." She orders then walks past me and to the end of the bed calmly, opening the curtains to reveal two guards on either side along with the female Sargent waiting patiently.
I carefully follow the nurse, adjusting my balance with each unsteady step until I reach her then I walk in stride with her to the main door of the small, windowless room.
"Hm... A modified cell?" I wonder as I examine the room slightly as I follow her, the Sargent and two guards following behind us silently.
She puts in a code as I look around the room, listening to the tones it makes which I remember for possible use later.
I look forward when I hear the door open and see her move forward, things moving abit slowly then I last remember.
"If my memory hasn't been altered by what was done to me." I think to myself thoughtfully as I find each step I take being easier and more balanced then the last.
Out into the area beyond the door is a semi-quiet hallway with uniformed people walking about their usual activities, mostly guards or security of the military from my guess or at worst, actual soldiers.
"A kind of prison perhaps?" I think as I watch a person being led down the hall in handcuffs of some kind before I fall into step with the woman, missing the attempted reprimand from one guard as they grunt.
"Eye's forward!" They growl warningly at me and I just half look at them curiously then look them over, examining every detail in the short few seconds before I look ahead with a simple and polite nod.
I follow the woman down the maze-like halls to a guarded lift where she produces documentation to the two guards then goes through some security procedures – a retinal scan, voice confirmation then hand scan before the rest of us go through similar procedures, myself included before we are then allowed to board the lift.
"Hmmmm... High security. Definitely a high security prison or classified base. What the hell am I in and how deep does this rabbit hole go..." I think concerned, continuing to hide my thoughts from showing externally which I'm thankful for by how the woman seems to be watching me just as intently as I examine everything on our route to the destination.
It's a almost too clean meeting room where she opens the door with a kind of transparent key card from her pocket.
"Inside please. And don't try to leave." She orders suddenly serious and commanding.
I look at her slightly surprised by the change but nods once understandingly before walking inside calmly, letting the door close behind myself without jumping as I examine the room carefully.
"Just great..." I sigh and run my fingers through my loose, shoulder length hair.
Time seems to drift by agonizingly slow as I'm stuck in this room alone, looking around at different things to keep myself busy.
I happen upon a camera which I just smile at amused and exhale a cloud of vapour onto to fog it up before chuckling abit shaking my head slightly at how easily I found it.
"Oh boy..." I scratch my head and take a seat in one of the chairs far from the door so I can watch it carefully and be alot harder to sneak up on.
I'm about to dose off into a nap with my head on my folded arms as cushioning against the table's hard surface when the door opens and a group of about 8 or so people are ordered into the room with the same orders to not try and escape.
I notice that they are wearing the similar outfit as myself and I lean back examining each of them to pick out any of them that may be a possible mole or trouble.
"DAMN IT!" A 28 year old Southern American man swears angrily as he pounds his fist on the door a couple times, cursing with each strike.
"So they put you in here to spy on us too?! Heh. If they think for one minute that outfit will disguise you. They are sorely mistaken!" A woman accuses me but I just sit up and yawn tiredly, stretching unconcerned.
"Why you stuck up little - !" she cry's grabbing my collar then tries to lift me from the chair but I stand and look down at her calmly.
"Do not touch me Ma'am. I don't like it. And don't assume a single thing about me." I warn her, rolling up my right sleeve to reveal the same marks on my arm as whats on hers from the IV lines that slightly peak out from under the cuff of her shirt's sleeve cuff.
"Your one of us?!" a young girl about 15 or younger exclaims shyly from the back of me to my right looking at my arm with surprise.
I slightly turn to her and smile warmly "No I'm not one of you. I am just a civilian janitor. I don't play sides – I just clean and do my job." I look at the woman on my left before pointedly straightening my outfit before sitting back down pointedly.
"Your the shittiest ONI liar I've ever met!" The American man pipes up as the others silently take their seats watching the woman, myself and the man interact as I look at him simply unbothered by his manor... Yet.
"So your an Insurrectionist... Tell me sir – when should you take something's life from it?" I question in a very deadpan manor as I lock my eyes with his as he sits down.
"Under what context?"
"Are you talking a human or an animal?"
Two others ask curiously.
One is a Hispanic man in his early 30s and the other a Scottish woman about the same age as myself.
"Your context, and that's for him to answer. I want someone obviously more educated then this stupid, ignorant high school dropout to tell me why its alright to and why its not alright to kill something – Anything." I say placing my hand on my chest to indicate I'm referring to myself.
"As for being a cop or military – there is no point trying to clarify it when your minds have been made up about who and what I am." I shrug simply before leaning back in the chair after the man doesn't answer right away but instead just stares at me in stubborn defiance he wont answer. At least that's what he's decided until I let loose that cutting statement.
"Fine I'll play your stupid game. The time you should take somethings life is when it stands in your way." He growls putting his fists on the table, making me smile slightly. "Good to know. Then just don't stand in your way or you'll kill me?" I open one eye looking at him calmly. A silent yet effective challenge.
But before he can answer with an obviously seething remark, the doors open and a group of armed guards enter, quickly taking up positions in the room so we are all covered and they can keep control in the room.
After the guards have situated themselves an obvious military officer walks into the room.
"Remove that one for interrogations." the 50+ year old man orders sternly, motioning to the man I'd just been speaking with.
"You Bitch!" the woman whom I'd had the conflict with earlier cry's furiously as she jumps from her chair, producing a knife from her waistband as she jumps across the table to stab me in the middle of the chest.
Though to her and my surprise I easily doge the attempted attack and pull her over the chair, then throw her to the ground with a resounding thump as a disoriented heap.
"Don't move." One of the guards warn as I step back from the woman and relax with my hands up passively.
"Wasn't planning on it." I respond simply as one guard steps forward then puts restraints on her wrists then she, along with the man are semi-forcefully escorted from the room by three of the guards.
"You gonna be trouble as well?" a guard snorts, eyeing me suspiciously.
I look at him simply then take the knife out of the chair and hold it out to him hilt first obedient and utterly passive.
"Nope. No trouble, sir." I respond in a slightly chipper manor as the guard carefully and most definitely suspicious, takes the knife from my hand.
"Alright, lets begin." the officer clears his throat so I sit down back in my seat comfortably.
"Each of you have been brought here for questioning. It has been brought to the attention of the UNSC that some of you are not who you seem. Now if your willing to co-operate we are prepared to negotiate." He begins to explain very deadpan serious as he looks us over carefully. Then he continues after a momentary pause.
"If your willing to speak with a person about your unique situations and terms – stand up and the soldier behind you will escort you to a room where a counsellor waits." he explains calmly.
I exhale calmly and lean back in the chair with my eyes closed for a moment as I hear some of the others stand up.
"Sir, what if we have questions? Can we not just ask you?" I ask making the meek girl along with another pause while the rest of those who stood, eagerly follow their escort from the room, obviously wanting to go home as soon as possible.
"So whats your question?" the man asks slightly intrigued, which makes me smile very slightly as I set my hands on the table before lacing my fingers neatly together.
"Oh, that was it sir. You see... That was a lovely load of fine print you gave. But anyone with any insight of bureaucracy would know we aren't going home. Those 'negotiations' are for our enlistment into the UNSC not our release to our civilian lives. Now, I've seen enough counsellors in my day to know most are full of shit or just over-schooled imbeciles... So, tell me... Am I wrong that this is just someones idea of a well planned mind-game to trap us and force our enlistment after we tell the ONI officers in those rooms about what you're bluffing to know about us?" I look at him as deadpan and business-like as I can despite my heart pounding in my ears loudly from how nervous I am about this dicey gamble I'm making right now.
There is a long and very tense silence in the room as the others look between the man and myself then back afew times while he and I stare at one another totally silent and unmoving.
"Looks like you've been found out Colonel." A beautiful female officer states with amusement to the man whom she called "Colonel" as she walks into the room.
"Follow me young lady." she orders me seriously to which I exhale slightly worried, knowing I just got myself signed up for undoubtedly some serious trouble I may not be able to handle.
"Yes Ma'am." I respond with resignation as I rise up, obviously concerned as I walk around the table to her. There's hardly a pause when I get close then begin to follow her from the room as she turns on her heel and strides from the room just behind her, without guard. Which I find abit strange, for a fraction of a second. Because, simply, that either means I'm not viewed as a threat or this woman is the one I should be worried of, not vice versa.
We're not too far from the room and the door hasn't closed just yet that I get to hear some of the man begin again, changing his "tune" to sell that load of bullshit better to those left so they'll go along dumb and blind to what the military wants.
I only secretly hope my outspoken moment has set the seed to help prevent those left with any will or defiance against such abuse to fight.
The woman stays totally quiet for the whole trip to another officer's office where we enter and she snaps a prompt salute to the officer sitting behind the oak desk, who looks up at us both obviously unhappy to be disturbed without warning.
"This had better be good Commander..." he grumbles while giving me a curt glance over unimpressed. I can't help but swallow apprehensively as a knot forms in my stomach.
The woman relaxes properly, clasping her hands behind her back seeming to be "tickled-pink" about something. Whatever it is and why, I don't like the prospective answers.
"I apologize for the interruption Admiral. But this young lady may be of interest Sir." She explains with a slight smile, obviously doing her level best to keep herself composed from the excitement and self satisfaction she's damn near radiating like a heater.
"And hows that?" The man looks at her unimpressed, leaning back in his desk chair seeming more interested.
"Would you please repeat your thoughts on the Colonel's proposition." She says to me, more an order then a real request. And I'm not about to argue, let alone how I suddenly hate myself for being right that I fucked myself by the outburst in the other room.
I gulp suddenly anxious as I try to swallow the thick knot in my suddenly dry throat.
"S-sure." I stumble over the word apprehensively. I realize quickly that I have little choice but to co-operate or dig myself into a deeper hole of trouble so I take a calming breath and look at the man as calm as I can manage, despite the uncomfortable feeling of being stared, through by him.
"Well sir, I simply said that the Colonel's proposition was nothing but a load of bureaucratic fine print. Sure sounds nice at first glance but he could've at least tried to hide the fact that it was a load of bull shit he was reciting about 'negotiating' anything so we could return to our homes." I swallow abit nervously as the two watch me carefully. "Hm. What makes you think it was a trick?" the man inquires thoughtfully, neatly lacing his fingers together as he leans forward interested.
"The fact he used the term *negotiate* in his reference to any of the group of people in the room going home. If we were going home, why would we need to negotiate anything with the military. Besides that – his body language didn't entirely coincide with what he was saying. Sir." I explain honestly.
"So you can read body language. How interesting.. So from the sounds of it you don't like the offer that was provided. To go home." he states seriously then looks at the woman.
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention Commander, your dismissed. I will expect full reports on the others later." he orders looking at her simply as I gulp worried.
"Oh great... I just volunteered myself for the 'specialist' recruiter... " I think abit sourly as the woman salutes politely then leaves, apparently very satisfied with herself.
I can't help but exhale worriedly as the woman leaves.
"Something worrying you?" the man inquires thoughtfully, motioning for me to sit in one of the two chairs across his desk and I swallow the knot in my throat nervously, sitting down in one of the two chairs across from him obediently, nervously wringing my hands as I situate myself in the chair.
"Yes Sir. But I'd rather not discuss it." I say abit meek before looking at him with some sudden courage.
"Because it doesn't have to do with this matter." I say simply, despite the knot in my throat threatening to silence me.
"I see. Well this wont take long. What is your name young lady?" the man asks me rather business-like.
"Astrum. Rose. West. Sir." I answer abit nervously. My nervousness grows as he begins typing on the computer then relaxes somewhat as if he has found something of interest.
"Ah. It says here your age has yet to be determined. So what was your year of birth?" he asks, thoughtfully looking at me as I look at him abit lost in surprise.
"Sir?" I tilt my head puzzled for a moment then I notice a slight look of deception in his eyes.
"A game!" I realize sourly but I become surprised even more when he smiles somewhat pleased or amused, I can't really tell.
"Your very astute Miss West. I guess the usual methods wont work." He leans back satisfied as I shift to cross my arms but check the motion and rest them in a relaxed position, relaxing my posture so I seem more at ease and in control.
"Thank you." I look at him calmer, despite being utterly terrified and worried I may fuck up and sink myself into one hell of a deep hole.
"So why don't we start with something simple. What is it you want out of this?" He inquires as I look at him.
"That's a broad question Sir. Could you please narrow the subject down a little more for me. I am unsure of what you want to know exactly." I speak, feeling much like my sister when she is in the 'analyzing' manor.
"No. Please answer it as best you can." he orders and I look at him then exhale a calming breath.
"Damn... What the hell should I say... I have to watch my words. Or sink myself faster then a wood boat hitting a mine." I think worriedly.
"I want to go home. Return to my old routines and life." I finally answer after a long pause, looking at him abit hopefully. His expression is serious, more so stone-like then before. Its rather intimidating looking at the man across the small space between us let alone him being in a military uniform, its hard not to notice the rank on his collar.
His eyes are the most unnerving part of this whole thing, unemotional – difficult to read, but not impossible thankfully, but his words are.
"There is something here Miss West I would like you to clear up before you leave this room. From there on we shall see." he says smoothly, the words however are very cut and dry but I can hear the slight sense of something hidden in the words possibly, pleasure?
"Aw hell... I'll bite... I just hope he doesn't bite back..." I think sitting up a little more, getting abit impatient.
"What is it?" I ask then watches carefully as his hand reaches over then taps a button which brings up a file on a small projector in the desk.
I cant help but be utterly shocked and horrified when the file of myself comes up but under my maiden name with my picture, date of birth, police files on my disappearance from my home era, absolutely everything!
"Its certainly a strange thing that your identical to this young woman, claim to be the same age, and have nearly identical DNA markers as well, far too close for siblings or even for her to be your maternal ancestor. Even the retinal scans are uncannily similar despite the odd mutation. So you see – we want some answers about this matter." he speaks in a way much like that of a commanding officer but most definite that I will not be leaving – no matter my explanations. I just sit in stunned silence for some time reading the files, noting they've had me under surveillance for the past 18 months.
All of this new information is just too much combined with the horrible realization that I'm stuck in a rel hard spot without no way of getting out. I begin to feel my tears well up as it crushes down on me I may not ever find my sister again and I hang my head defeated.
"What do you want to know." I manage to get out emotionally, trying my hardest not to break down into tears.
"Are you this woman?" He asks simply as I use my sleeve to wipe some stray tears away.
"Yes." I sniffle involuntarily.
"Good. Then explain how your here so many years after your disappearance." he orders seriously.
I swallow abit and rub my face with both hands, trying to compose myself.
"This is no time to be blubbering... I have to do this... I cant blubber now, I'll have plenty later in some cell or.. A lab..." I think to myself sourly as I rub my face. I do manage eventually to get myself calm enough to sit up properly to continue this conversation.
"I don't know honestly. I was on my way to a friend's for a road trip and my guess is that I dosed off at the buss stop, because the next thing I knew a policeman of this era was poking me, telling me to move along. Like I was a homeless person loitering or a runaway. I don't remember much, the vague feeling of a disorientation dream was all I had to explain it when I was woken up.." I swallow abit.
"Certainly a hard to believe story." he comments and I look up at him.
"Then look it up. Or better yet. Just go ask Constable Robert Montgomery about me. Hes not forgotten about me." I look at the Admiral stubbornly, abit insulted.
"You certainly have a good memory for names." he comments offhandedly.
"Its handy." I shrug abit grumpily.
"So who's this sister you're looking for and how can you be so sure shes even in this era like you?" he looks at me and I blink somewhat surprised for a moment then sigh abit.
"Damn... Someone's sure thorough..." I grumble with a sigh before answering the question.
"She and I are not blood sisters but are sisters in another way. Its difficult to explain but its like..." I look at my hands sadly, trying to think.
"Its like a moon phase. When its at the new moon and we look up at the dark sky, we know the moon is there. But the only evidence without anything but our eyes, is our knowledge or that feeling its there in the shadows." I try to explain as best I can, scratching my head abit nervously. But I get the feeling I've done a horrible job of it.
"Certainly emotional. But what do you have to backup any of this?" he asks finally.
"All the items from that period I had with me. My cell phone, mp3 player, laptop, external hard drives, money, ID cards, everything one would expect to find in a bag with camping gear." I read off simply.
"Alright. Where is it?" he asks as I relax slightly.
"Most of it is in my closet. Everything in the closet buried or hidden. The rest like my bow and arrows, bag and larger items are hidden in the attic." I explain as to the point as I can.
"Where exactly?" he asks and I blink abit confused.
"Hes got to be joking me..." I think surprised that no one's found the stuff with how easy I made it for someone to find, out of my nature for organization.
"Uhm... In the locked box that says 'Rose's stuff'. Its buried in the closet then the rest is in a PVC tube in the corner of the closet also marked with my name. The bow and larger items are far back in the attic hidden behind the sheet of plywood up there." I explain in detail.
Just then a woman with dark hair and green eyes strides into the room quicky, wearing normal civilian clothing looking quite ruffled and upset.
"Admiral, whats the meaning of -..." she stops mid-rant and looks at me as I look at her abit curiously. However the admiral just sighs tiredly.
"I do wish that you'd announce yourself before entering my personal office." he complains to the woman as she stiffens abit and I look between the two, feeling much like a child in the principals office as another teacher bursts in.
"Alright, the information will be looked into. Wait outside." he orders me and I nod, standing up quickly.
"Yes sir." I swallow abit dryly then walk out into the hall and stand, leaning my back against the far wall silently, being very thankful to get out of that room finally. I look around the hall, examining the design, construction and even the 'paint job' quietly as I wait and calm down. What or who I'm waiting for, I've no idea. So I just wait here patiently.
I'm in the middle of examining the command panel beside the door after having scrutinized almost everything in the hallway, including the posture and gait of those who pass by out of boredom.
I'm just in the process of figuring the things operations out when the door opens and I jump, stiffening up tensely as a feeling of dread fills me about the prospect of being called back into that room to face him again.
But I'm not.
Instead the woman exits with a deep look of thought written on her face as she steps out into the hall then looks up at me for a while as she looks me over very carefully.
It makes me feel like I'm being scrutinized in much the same way a person might scrutinize a questionable meal, but I stay silent and stiff.
After a long silence she seems satisfied, she turns to my left and begins walking down the hall.
"Come along please." she says in a smooth voice but I detect a slight... Warmth to her words.
I swallow and look at the door unsurely then to her before quickly following, much like a lost puppy may. I certainly feel like one.
Just as I catch upto her slow, contemplating pace she looks at me.
"So what is your full name?" she asks thoughtfully.
"Astrum Rose West, Ma'am." I respond properly, swallowing abit nervous about what this all may be leading to.
"Astrum hm? And whats your maiden name miss West?" she inquires thoughtfully, I myself pause slightly at the reminder of my birth name as all the memories of my abused past come back to me. I swallow abit, looking to the side abit distantly.
"Avery Clark. Would you like my birthday as well?" I offer her considerately.
The woman just gives me a slightly curious look from the corner of her eye before shaking her head slightly.
"No that's alright." she responds abit distantly before going back into her thoughts silently for a time as we walk together down the hall to a less secured lift. At least thats what it seems like from a casual glance.
But I can tell that this is controlled by a UNSC AI, so its far more secure then the last lift I had ridden upon.
"So what is it you like to be addressed as?" she suddenly inquires as she swipes her ID card and another through the reader once we arrive at the lift doors.
"Huh?...!" I blink abit surprised looking at her.
"Uhm... Why?" I ask in return quite confused and slightly suspicious to her interest, though when she looks at me it becomes obvious that her interest is more then personal but a calculating interest, psychology based is my guess.
"For the record, generally people call me Astrum or Miss West. Unless I request otherwise." I look at her abit sceptical of her motives, crossing my arms slightly as I hear the lift approaching us slowly.
"Ah. Well then, may I address you by Astrum?" I stiffen slightly when the doors open catching me somewhat off guard by the sudden sound and her odd request, since its usually custom that people only call someone by their first name if its a personal thing or friend of the person.
I look at her confused but shrug with a sigh after a short pause when she begins walking onto the lift, with me in tow.
"I don't see why not Ma'am." I lean against the side of the lift wall looking around abit casually as the doors close behind us.
"Good! So Astrum what do you think of things here in this era?" she asks suddenly in a very perky manor and voice as she presses a button for a certain level.
The sudden change nearly makes me fall over in stunned shock but I instead just stand there looking at her in awe at how quickly she changed attitudes, a rare thing for me to see from a quote on quote "normal person".
It takes me a moment or so for me to compose myself before I exhale tiredly, looking back up at the ceiling distantly.
"Ma'am. I don't really care. I just want to go back..." I say distantly, as I think about my family and loved ones back in the 21rst century. The thoughts are short lived as I look down at her more seriously.
"I don't care for complex mind games or bull shit either. So be straight – What the hell do you want or what is it your driving for?" I grumble shortly as the lift once again begins to slow in anticipation for the level we are to get off at. It's a tense silence as the doors slide open but I hold my ground, just as she does, but I get the feeling shes examining me or stalling. I keep my eyes fixed on her as I wait, but a slight movement catches my eye and I look away for a short moment unable to resist the old habit. But when I look back I find she's already exited the lift and a good ways down the hallway.
"Hurry up would you please." she orders lightly as I scramble to catch up surprised by how quickly and silently she moved.
"Damn. She's fast! Or maby I'm just slow..." I think as I jog to catch upto her faster pace. I do catch up with abit of ease, panting semi-hard as I fall into step with her. We barely get two feet before she looks at me unimpressed.
"Stop that would you." she orders, which confuses me somewhat, so I straighten slightly, cocking my head to the side confused as I continue breathing hard.
"Huh?" I muse confused.
"Your a bad actor." She answers my confusion, with a slightly amused smirk.
A pleased grin spreads across my lips as I straighten up and cease the panting, walking beside her properly without any sign of the fatigue I had been showing before.
"Only with people who're paying attention Ma'am. Frankly, there aren't too many I've met." I grin, relaxing abit.
"Though the number has grown since I arrived here." I half look at her, catching her gaze and to my surprise she looks forward again quickly.
We walk quietly for some time until we turn a corner to a glass hallway, which gives a wonderful view of the outside.
I stop and look out the windows in amazement and awe at the view. It's the orbital view of a planet much like Earth and the view of the stars on the other side of the hall.
I step over to the side closest the planet and look down at it, examining its surface in amazement.
"Its so beautiful... I always thought, this would be the best view of a planet." I think as I look over the deep green forests and rich blue seas below.
"Something wrong?" I hear the woman ask curious, breaking my attention from the view to look at her abit confused for a moment.
"Hm? Oh no... Nothing's wrong. I've just never seen anything like this." I answer honestly as I turn to face her.
"Oh. So you've never left Earth in all your time here?" she asks as she begins walking down the hallway again with me walking alongside her.
"No ma'am. Earth is what I know, I'm in a strange land and era. So I thought it best to first get my bearings, see if I'm the only one I know who's here and see if there's any possible way of getting back, before settling into this new era too much." I respond as if this was the most simple and basic thing while we walk down the hall together.
Its another 50 feet before we come to a door which she stops at then uses a code to unlock then opens the door calmly.
"This will be your quarters for now. There's a bathroom and small shower to your right here. Someone will be by for dinner at 1800 – 6pm in general terms." she explains, motioning me to go inside. I nod understandingly and smile slightly, appreciative.
"Thank you ma'am." I say politely before stepping into the room obediently.
I hear the door close behind me and I give it a half glance before looking over the immaculately kept room silently for a moment then I sigh wearily.
"Well that means dinner's at 6... And its only..." I look around as I think quietly, semi-wondering what I will do in the meanwhile.
"Ah! Good a clock. Hm its only 1503, there's awhile yet..." I unbutton the jacket of my outfit then neatly hang it over the back of the chair before picking it up and placing it by the window where I sit neatly, silently staring out the window out at the planet below as I let myself get lost in my thoughts.
I spend a long time just looking down at the awe inspiring sight below while lost deep in my thoughts of home, my family, whats happened since I arrived here, if I will ever return to my 'birth' era or whats gonna happen to me now..
