Chapter 4: Species
All in all, Jenny was fairly surprised she'd survived the journey over to the simulant ship. By the time she got there though, the escape pod was practically crumbling; it was totally wrecked and covered in dents. But Jenny understood they'd shot to scare her, not kill her. Besides, they'd let her in the hatch, hadn't they? Maybe that was just because they wanted to kill her in person? – this could well be a trap. Jenny shook her head and tried to think positive.
She slid open the hatch way and stepped out onto enemy ground.
'What do you want?' She called into the empty space but no one replied. No one was out there. She couldn't help but sneak a glance at the ship. 'Wow,' she uttered. 'Fancy.' The walls we're white, metal plated, and the floor was glistening silver. There was a control panel and single chair attached the floor, glistening and fancy, rich with buttons – difficult, difficult controls – but Jenny figured she could work them. It was plush and lavish in here, generally quite lush. A lot more costly than Red Dwarf, that was for sure. Generally speaking, not the mental image she'd had of a simulant ship.
'Do you think so?' Came a voice from the doorway. It was thick like honey over gravel; Jenny could tell it was a woman. She spun round, hands in the air, showing she wasn't armed. In a way, Jenny couldn't help but wish she was armed. Although her father would never approve.
'Bravery,' Stated the woman. She was armed. A long, slick rifle – very, Jenny was sure, powerful. The woman was pretty and undamaged (unlike the man) but Jenny could hear nothing – no heartbeat. She was very clearly a simulant. Pretty though, long curled hair, chocolate brown in colour; forest green eyes and dressed completely in black leather. A cat suit, Jenny presumed. Her eyes were thick with mascara, outlined beautifully and her lips were red as ruby's. Jenny couldn't help but feel at least slightly intimidated. 'Not a trait often displayed by a human,' the simulant swished towards her. After a brief glance at the security camera, Jenny's eyes hardened.
'I'm not human,' She said coolly.
'Humanoid then,' Said the woman, coming closer. Her long fingers and black nails wrapped tightly around the gun.
'Time Lord-oid!' She spat mischievously, proud of her heritage. 'We came first.'
'I knew you sounded…. Wrong.' Said the woman. 'What's your name?'
'Jenny,' she said uncomfortably, arms still above her head, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. The woman circled her. 'And you are?'
'Sietta' Her voice was cold now. 'Not that it's important. You'll be dead in thirty seconds unless you tell me why you're here. Then it's a minute.'
'Tell you what,' Jenny dropped her hands and Sietta's riffle pointed at her. 'How about you answer my question and then I answer yours.'
Reluctantly, the simulant nodded.
'Why did you outright want to kill us? And this ship, it's not very simulant-y.' She paused, unsure if Sietta would answer. She simply shrugged and said
'We evolved.' A bitter sweet smile graced itself upon her face. 'My turn. Why are you here?'
'To tell you to leave my crew alone. You do… You live.' Jenny tried to sound intimidating and for a second was sure it'd worked. Until the woman laughed.
'You know why we don't hurt humans for sport, Jenny?' Jenny said nothing in response, only raised a perfect brow. 'Because they're not even worth it. Besides, that's no fun anymore, giving them a head start – the thing about a spontaneous attack is that you get to see them burn!' Her grin widened, showing teeth; her wild, sadistic eyes sparkled; Jenny shuddered.
'Humans are so much more than that,' she whispered. The gun clicked.
'What was that?' She hissed. 'From what I've hear of the Time Lords, you're supposed to be a superior species to the humans.' Jenny looked down as the simulant began to circle her.
'I can help you, Sietta,' she mumbled.
'I just don't see it,' Sietta continued. 'I've always wanted to kill one, though.' Jenny's hearts skipped a beat and her blood ran cold. She looked up. Sietta didn't really appear to know too much about her race, not that she was letting on, she might just make it. Jenny nodded.
'And you'll let them go?'
'I don't much care for humans, weather they live or die. You have my word.' But a devilish smile slide across her lips once again, proving she was not to be trusted. What choice did Jenny have? There was no means of escape, even if she did get to the pod, there was no way that battered old thing would take off again. She sighed and her eyes flickered up to into the camera.
'I don't believe you,'
'You shouldn't.' A horrific roaring sound ripped through the air.
'Kryten, man!' Lister shouted. 'Hurry up!'
'Kryten!' Rimmer chorused, the two of them running along the hallway. The Cat was just on their heels, finally back to consciousness. Kryten was considerably further behind them. The group headed to Starbug 1. They couldn't believe all Jenny had done was talk! For all they knew she could be dead!
Rimmer couldn't help but worry that she'd taken the escape pod. Not Starbug 2, Not even Blue Midget but the escape pod. Rimmer sighed. He knew he was being selfish, he knew that he had to help Jenny but he couldn't help it. No matter how much he liked her, he couldn't help but put himself first. She'd taken the escape pod!
Rimmer kept his thoughts to himself as Kryten and The Cat caught up to them, holding weapons. He and Lister were doing the same. Their arms filled with grenades, bombs, all kinds.
Even though Jenny had sacrificed herself that wasn't enough. This was their only option.
Lister could feel his heart breaking, just a little bit. He hadn't known her long but she really cared for Jenny. Since Kochanski, he'd never felt like this about Anyone.
'Are you ready?' He asked as they reached Starbug. Rimmer gave a firm nod and made his way around the smaller ship to the entrance.
'Of course, sir.'
'You bet,' said the Cat.
They hopped into the ship, Lister taking the wheel. Quickly, Lister and Kryten flipped on dials and started her up. Without even caring to clip on the safety belt or give anyone else time to do so, Lister took off. If his hands wouldn't have gone straight through it, Rimmer would have clung to the back of Kryten's seat. The ship spun around a few times, clattered against the hatch and began to fly.
'She's gonna be okay, right?' The Cat asked after a long and uncomfortable silence.
Oooh! Cliff-hanger. Aren't I evil? Review to find out what happens ;P
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