The next day I'm woken by the sound of the door opening and someone walking, well sneaking into the room.
I listen to them move around the room for some moments, wondering why they haven't put the lights on or tried to wake me yet as any normal person usually would when entering my room unannounced.
So I continue pretending to be asleep as I listen to them for the next few minutes before the mystery person opens the door then closes it after some shuffling.
I wait for some minutes, listening very carefully for anything that would give away someone trying to hide in the room, breathing, the slight movement, etc.
But I hear nothing but the background noise of the ship.
So, satisfied I roll over and tiredly give the room a visual once over.
But I see nothing that seems out of place or anyone trying to hide so I grunt tiredly then snuggle into my pillow tiredly and dose back off.
During my sleep I have many pleasant dreams about my home, and loved ones, especially my sister Siorai.
One of which is about the time I spent with her in Walla walla when her mother took us to the park there.
We had been sitting on the grass enjoying the lovely warm day and cool breeze and Siorai had been talking to her brother on her cell phone, who was calling on some time off of his work in the US Navy, until she suddenly said "Heres Rose!" then shoved the phone into my hands and took off running while giggling mischievously as I sat their in shock.
"H-Hello?" I began the conversation, blushing abit embarrassed and I spoke with him for afew seconds before I took after her growling playfully.
"Siroaaaaaaaiii!" I cried as I chased after her while trying to hold some kind of conversation with her brother on the phone while he laughed.
I was never able to get close to my fleet footed sibling.
We had the game of chase all over the park for a good while, laughing and playing like a couple care-free kids, while I talked with her brother as best I could. He seemed very amused by the whole incident, even laughing openly at the comical game of chase he was missing out on watching.
Finally after about the third lap around the park its time for him to go so we say our goodbyes and I hang up, finally catching upto her at the duck pond, where she is standing with her back to me.
I pant with my hands on my knees, bent over for a short time as I catch my breath.
We are both silent for a time, until I hear her sniffle and mutter something hopelessly. The background noise and edges of the dream turn darker and darker until its a creeping blackness, as I walk over and tenderly put my hand on her shoulder.
"What is the matter little sister?" I inquire compassionately.
I look down at her gently, but because her head is hung I can't see her face.
I become concerned for her when I see some tears drop into the dark water at our feet. "Rose... ~Sniffle~ Where... Are you?" her words and the sound of her tears echo in the darkness hollowly.
I grab her shoulders and pull her to me in a warm, comforting embrace.
As I hold her I coo comfortingly "Oni. I'm here. I'm, right, here, my sister. Please don't cry... I'm here now." I say, doing my best to comfort her with my reassuring words.
I watch as she lifts her head and looks at me, tears still sliding down her cheeks. "Sister.. Rose?" she says carefully in disbelief and I smile warmly, gently using my hand to wipe her tears away.
I nod confirmingly, smiling at her warmly as her face lights up a little.
But before either of us can say anything further, the darkness closes in and I feel her pulled from my grip.
The last I hear of her voice is it calling out my name.
But its too late, she's gone from me once more before I can fight and help her.
I look down at my hands as my frustration and anger grows, amidst the wash of powerlessness, hope and failure - not having been able to stop that darkness from separating us when she needs me.
"GOD DAMNITALL!" I cry out angrily as I drop to my knees and pound my fists into the floor with all my might with one mighty strike.
I cry out as I slam them down, releasing all the emotions in one go.
Suddenly the room lights up and a strange symbol materializes in front of me slowly.
I look over each curve and detail of the design, burning it into my memory for what feels like forever.
Suddenly once its details are totally engrained upon my mind and memory it begins to glow brighter and brighter until my eyes are forced to close or risk being blinded.
But the light keeps growing until I have to cover my face as well.
After some time I feel the light become bearable and carefully uncover my face, then wait as my eyes adjust to the light filtering through my eyelids before opening my eyes carefully.
"Do you always fall out of bed in the middle of the night?" I hear a woman's voice ask me curiously, slightly amused.
I grumble abit tiredly and begin to sit up, finding out I'm not in bed but rather on the floor like she said.
"Guess its a good thing I didn't sleep on the top bunk last night..." I look up at it as I mutter abit jokingly while the still vivid dream replays in my head.
"Are you alright? I heard the thud." she inquires seeming abit concerned as I untangle myself from my clingy blanket.
"Yup." I chirp, still half asleep.
"That looks like a nasty bruise on your leg..." she says, kneeling beside me as I get myself partially untangled.
I look curiously as the spot, noticing the 4" sized dark purple bruise on my leg.
I finish unwrapping myself and toss the bundle up onto the bed and begins to check it carefully, wondering how I could've gotten something like that.
"Hm, guess it happened when I rolled out of bed." I shrug abit and stand up, despite her carefully helping me.
"Are you sure your not hurt elsewhere?" she asks seeming somewhat concerned and I smile warmly. "Yup. These things do happen." I giggle lightly before I begin to put my clothes on.
As I pick my pants up I notice the package on my desk.
"Okay, well I best get going. Don't fall out of bed no more." she says warmly and I laugh abit as I pull my pants on, falling backwards onto the bed with a squeak which makes her laugh a little. I hear the door open as I slip my pants on and sit up.
"Thank you for your concern!" I say thankfully before she closes the door behind her.
Once the door closes, I jump into action, throwing my uniform on then I begin rummaging around the whole room for some paper and pencil or anything to write with. After what seems like 30 minutes of searching I find a pad and pen hiding in the desk. Then I sit down and over the next four hours pour all my focus into drawing the design I last saw in my dream.
I methodically draw the design with little of my focus on anything else, as a result I don't notice the person enter the room hours into it and stand nearby me, watching me work silently until I finish.
I lift my head and exhale finally once I've finished the careful drawing, rubbing my neck sorely.
"So. What is it?" I hear the voice of the first person I'd met here ask me.
I jump clear out of the chair and land flat on my back shocked, my heart thumping loudly in my ears.
"Ugh... Thanks for the heart check..." I joke a little, holding my hand over my pounding heart as I lay on the floor stunned.
It takes me afew moments to settle down before I get up, watching her pick up the pad as she looks over what I'd slaved over so diligently, a serious and contemplative look on her face.
I understandingly get to work making my bed as she quietly examines the drawing, guessing she knows something about it.
Just before I fully finish with my bed she speaks again, repeating her previous question. "So... What is it?" she asks, leaning against the bit of wall by the desk, between the window and the desk itself, looking at me over the top of the notepad.
I quietly continue my work, more methodical with my movements. "Ma'am... Do you have any family? Or someone you love more then anything else?" I ask as I neatly finish making the bed and stand, looking out the window to the planet below.
"What does it matter?" she returns my question, lowering the notepad a little more, looking at me puzzled.
I look down slightly, remembering my youth as the empty and painful emotions come back to me. "I never did. My blood kin didn't love me. Nor did they even want me - another mouth to feed. As it was put." I exhale deeply to calm my emotions before I look at her. "Yes.. I have family... But I seem to be missing your point." she admits, relaxing somewhat.
I smile lightly and look at her calmly. "I was in my early teens when I met a girl years younger then me on a role play forum. She was cold logic, truthful - whether you wanted it or not her honesty was there. Her wit was sharp as was her drive. If you knew something that she wanted or was told to get - she got it. I got the feeling she'd just as soon smile at you as cut your throat or rip your tongue out, with the same amount of emotion - none. Her intelligence was truly surprising - I found someone who I could hold a intelligent conversation with and who did not treat me like an imbecile if I didn't understand. But would rather give me the facts to educate myself rather then give me the answers or her own views on a topic. A truly deadly and dangerous person. But somehow I got beyond that and I managed to unearth what lay below that deadly exterior, a deadly person within but also fiercely loyal, loving and hurt person. She was lost, just like me... Together in the role play forum 'The Empire of the Dragons' we became closer friends. Until the fateful day the empire crumbled. I'm not sure how we went from me being "Scarey lady..." about her to us being close friends. But we did. It was a couple years later that we finally met. I spent a month with her and her parents one summer. Those days I will never forget and always cherish for the rest of my life. I have never in my entire life felt I belonged or had someone I could totally rely upon. With her - I do." I explain honestly, a knot forming in my throat as I try to keep the emotions from welling up.
"I don't see your whole point..." she says, looking at me abit puzzled but curious.
"She and I have a connection to one another. A kind of sibling bond beyond blood relation. The best I can describe it is, love. But not in a romantic sense... Its difficult to explain the connection..." I scratch my head abit, and glance out the window thoughtfully.
"So... Your connected. Wait... Are you saying you think she's here and this is a clue to find her?" she says suddenly making me look to her surprised for a moment then I smile happily.
"Yes! Exactly! My sister is here in this era as well. And that drawing is a clue to where she is. I feel like shes in trouble somewhere..." I look out the window again thoughtfully.
"I have to find her..." I mutter softly, noticing her shift.
"What makes you think you could find her?" she says, obviously doubting my capabilities.
I can't help but sigh lightly and nod in agreement. "Your right, I have no mode of transport, weapons, very limited knowledge of this era's technologies, limited funds, and only a vague dream with that drawing as my only clue to find her. I will admit it could all be in my head, a waste of time, with alot stacked against my success if she really is here." I say, looking at the planet quietly for a moment.
"But, shes my family. All I have left. I will do everything in my power to find and help her. Wild idea or not. Giving up, stopping or abandoning those I care for when they need me are not in my vocabulary. Yes it may get me hurt or even killed. But I'm reckless, stubborn and fiercely loyal too." I look at her and smile abit wryly.
She nods once understanding then goes back to looking the drawing over quietly, more serious this time. But to me it seems she is doing more then just examining the drawing but thinking hard on something else. As such she is silent for a good while - least it feels that way until she finally speaks.
"May I borrow this?" she asks with such a simplicity it surprises me a little but I quickly shake it off and nod.
"Go ahead." I reply promptly, having some hope what comes of this, may work in my favour to finding her.
She nods and stands up properly from my chair. "I will tell you something as well. The military isn't known for letting people off on wild goose chases, nor supporting 'feelings', no matter how vehemently you may believe in their legitimacy. They also may not let you leave either." she warns me before walking from the room as my eyes follow her, examining her fluid movements.
"Shes strong... Hm... Most definitely Special Operations... But not ODST... Something... Better..." I think to myself as I watch her leave.
She closes and locks the door behind herself with the rhythmic clicks of the six locks dropping into place and I smile abit amused, that she has to follow such an odd procedure - especially when I've deciphered the code.
I shake my head a little then run my fingers over my hair and exhale tiredly before walking over to the container on my desk.
I notice there is a letter neatly sitting on the top of the container so I move in a little closer to inspect it.
I notice some writing on the front so I gently pick it up "Astrum." so neatly written on the front of the letter it immediately perks my curiosity.
I pull the chair out then sit down calmly flipping the letter over to open it.
I carefully open the envelope and take the letter out which I unfold and begin to read.
Miss West,
Inside the curious looking box which as been delivered to you are the items of your possession which we cannot use to accurately determine your claims or that require no further testing towards that same end.
Enjoy the puzzle.
I cant help but admire the neatness of the handwriting for a time after reading the short letter.
But afterwards I look at the box and sigh once again tiredly before neatly folding then replacing the letter back into the envelope.
I put the letter aside then slide the box closer to myself before beginning to carefully examine it.
Its two hours before I finally finish with my curiosity and begin to disassemble the box with practised ease. Though I do come upon the odd snag. But manage to eventually get around it or untangled.
Inside I find what items the person had meant in the rather strange and anonymous letter.
Of my things I find inside:
1 Stainless steel matte finish pocket watch
1 Pair of light blue denim boot cut jeans
2 Woman's sleeveless t-shirts one black and one gray
1 Button up shirt blue, brown, gold vertical stripes
1 Brown suede leather jacket with silk lining
1 Green jade rabbit on a red silk string
1 Pair of black converse runners
1 Pair of black socks
On top of that I find some modern documentation and ID cards with my name and picture on them.
"Quite strange" I initially think before I notice something off with my pocket watch - the back isn't on tight.
So I gently pick it up and gently push to snap it back into place but oddly it wont budge. It feels like something is obstructing it so I use my nails and pry the back off to reveal a strange computer chip that has been hidden on the inside of the watch.
"Hmm... Tracking device?" I murmur thoughtfully to myself as I examine the piece.
I eventually figure out how its been placed inside the watch then carefully with my nails removes it from the watch housing and sets it on the desk before closing up the back of the watch carefully.
"It does seem abit big for a tracking device, even of my era... It looks like its apart of something... But why so deliberately placed..." I sit back in the chair and ponder silently. Eventually I decide to look for other pieces so I begin searching through everything, my clothes, the box itself, right down to my entire room. I do find more pieces, one in the hem of my pants, another from inside my sock, another from my shoe and one oddly enough from inside the right jacket pocket of my leather jacket.
I look at the five devices lain out on my desk neatly and wonder what they could be singularly after I've finished searching.
"This was all too easy... There has to be more to this... Just five devices... It couldn't have been a mistake on their placement..." I ponder over the whole thing for awhile, going over different anagrams and other tricks or puzzles on what this all could be or why it was placed in with my things as I sit back down in the chair.
Suddenly it hits me like a lightning bolt.
"Its the pieces of one device! Not five single devices!" I realize suddenly and look at the pieces, picking up the piece I found in the back of my watch and I look it over more carefully.
"Aha!" I mutter and gently pick up the piece I found in the hem of my pants - a small computer chip like device which I gently slide into a slot in the middle of this odd device and to my surprise and elation, it fits perfectly!
I test fit each of the remaining pieces with the 'main' piece but only manage to fit one more over the next half hour.
I sigh abit and stand up from the chair deciding to stretch out some of the tension in my muscles while I think.
As I stretch I pause every few minutes to try a new combination and manage to fit the last separate pieces with each other not with the main piece. By the end of my stretches I decide to pause a moment on the puzzle and put my things away neatly.
So I carefully put my clothes away, doing my best to keep the room as neat and organized as I had found it.
The only thing I do put on is my jade rabbit which I neatly tuck under my uniform.
After I've made sure everything is away I pick the two device pieces up in my hands and look them over carefully for afew moments then carefully slide the pieces together, going on a feeling that it may work.
But just as I'm about to 'lock' them in place the door suddenly opens and I yelp a little, fumbling with the device before finally catching it - whole mind you, in my hands.
"Oh! I'm sorry. Wrong room..." the all too familiar male voice apologizes then the person closes the door just as I jump to my feet in surprise and confusion.
"That... Was... No... It couldn't be...!" I mutter and stride over to the door where I open it and poke my head out into the hall, looking down the hall towards the mess hall then up the hall - where I spot a very confused and lost looking young man walking along the hall a good ways up.
I step out into the hall as a elated smile spreads across my face.
"It is him!" I think before jogging off down the hall after him, until I'm in earshot. "Austin!" I cry as I jog closer to him.
He stops walking and stiffens up nervously then turns around obviously nervous of what or who is calling him. I slow to a calm walk as he turns to me and his expression changes from nervous to one of familiarity, but still lost on who I am.
I walk over to him and stop, trying to keep my silly grin under control as I patiently wait for him to say something
"Y..yes ma'am? I'm sorry but I happened to have forgotten where my quarters are... I must've wand -" he begins to explain apologetically and I laugh.
"Have you forgotten me so quickly?" I put my hands on my hips and look at him still smiling. "Rose?...?!" He suddenly sputters in shock as it hits him and I nod, smiling more.
"That's better. If you call me Ma'am one more time I woulda ruffled your neatly combed hair bub.." I scold as he relaxes then practically drags me off my feet when he drags me into a hug.
I can feel him tremble slightly and I smile warmly, in my usual motherly manor then comfortingly hugs him back.
"Its nice to finally meet you too." I coo softly as I hold him.
"What're you doing here? How'd you wind up here too? Who else is here? Is Oni here?" he asks in rapid succession and I smile knowingly.
"How about we go to my room and talk where its not so... Public." I giggle a little and gently let him go, putting my arm over his shoulders.
"Sounds good..." he nods and we both begin walking.
"Yanno, its nice to see a familiar face once again." I smile calmly, removing my arm from his shoulders calmly.
"Yeah..." he agrees, obviously thinking about something.
"Oh thanks... That makes me feel real loved..." I poke his arm gently and he looks at me abit surprised, noting my fake pouting expression.
"Wait I... Oh very funny...You know what I mean..." he grumbles and I smile, pushing the button to open the door to my room with a grin.
"Yes I do." I motion for him to go first and he looks at me puzzled when I don't just go inside.
"Its your room..." he looks at me, meaning I should be the one to go first and I grin wryly.
"Ladies first." I smirk and he smiles abit then curtsies politely, responding in the most feminine way he can manage.
"Oh why thank you kind Sir!" he snickers and I laugh warmly.
"Your welcome M'lady." I answer then we both begin laughing as he closes the door. "You did that too well." I laugh as I sit down on my bed, secreting the device under my pillow calmly before motioning for him to have a seat in the desk chair.
"Guess I'm just a natural." he flicks his hand in a mocking effeminate manor and I laugh abit as he takes seat in the desk chair.
"That you are." I joke, chuckling abit. "Anyways, back to business. To answer your questions: I don't know how I got here. I don't know who else we know is here, your the first person I've met. And I feel that Oni is here. Also I was... Brought here by the UNSC when they raided the house I was staying at... Apparently they had been watching me for quite some time and planted a mole into the group who raised the flag to have me brought in when enough information had been gathered. I don't know where this all leads but I'm sure its going to be to paperwork towards our enlistment or if we refuse, incarceration or possibly getting locked up in a cryo stasis unit." I shrug a little and look at him.
"So how'd you get here?" he asks confused and I smile abit faintly.
"I fell asleep at the buss stop and woke up on a concrete divider on the side of the road by a policeman, who let me know what year it was... I've been here for awhile. I've had the vague feeling Oni's been here as well but in all my searches I've not found anything on her. I had a dream that she was in trouble but that's about it.." I look out the window distantly.
Austin is abit silent for a moment before speaking seriously. "Well I know you two are close but a dream isn't exactly solid evidence that she's here." he says and I nod abit, looking back at him sympathetically.
"This is true dear. But every time I ignore those 'funny feelings' they tend to come around and either kick or bite me on the ass, hard." I smile abit and he nods understandingly.
"So how'd you wind up here?" I ask, suddenly changing the topic and he leans back abit in the chair.
"Well mine wasn't as peaceful... I was hitchhiking to come up and help your friends find you when I was walking down a dark road I became disoriented and fell off the path down the hill into a blackberry bush... Then I crawled out and I fell through some kind of sinkhole and wound up on my back in the middle of a training exercise. I nearly got shot.." he grumbles abit and I look at him gently.
"Oh my.. You really have the worst luck don't you... So how long have you been here?" I ask curiously, looking at him sympathetically. "About a week..." he sighs and I look at him slightly surprised.
I sigh abit and lean back somewhat, noting its about 1806hrs in the evening before I continue on. I look out the windows and exhale heavily.
"I just can't help but worry about the possibilities of what this all means.. You, me, Oni, and who knows who else being here... What does it mean for our home... And what does it mean for this realm.." I look at him concerned, suddenly serious.
"I've been wondering much the same, but I think its best we watch our steps here. We are in a strange land with new rules and better players then we've dealt or dreamed of back home... We may be in over our heads.." he sighs and I nod smiling abit.
"We definitely are in deep. But in what... That's the question..." begins our long conversation over the next few hours.
We discuss all our theory's and catch up on things between us.
We go over the further possibilities of what the military wants with us and what will happen now, what we've been doing since we arrived here, our thoughts on the state of things here in this world, the technology and other things of this era.
The list goes on and on, but as it nears 0000hrs (midnight) I notice Austin mention food a little more during our conversations so I stand up and stretch calmly.
"Why don't we continue in the mess hall. And get something to eat and drink hm?" I smile abit and help him out of the chair and go through some stretches with him before we head out to the mess hall calmly.
I show him how the machines operate before we go sit in one of the quiet alcoves in the mess hall where we continue chatting between mouth fulls of food and sips of tea.
We catch up on things he's been doing back home and what I was upto before I wound up here then what I was doing when I came here.
Doing my best to educate him on everything of this era, the technology uses, social norms, etc as we eat.
Once done I show him how to deal with his tray and dishes before we head out and I smile gently.
"Do you need help finding your quarters?" I smile gently and walk with him down the hall calmly.
"Yes please..." he relents abit and I chuckle lightly. To his surprise I help him find it quickly.
"Here's a hint hun - its on your jacket." I point to the series of numbers on the inside of the jacket sleeve as I use the code on his sleeve to open the door calmly.
"Oh... That's interesting... How did you find that out?" he asks and I grin wryly.
"Once upon a dream." I tease and he sighs heavily.
"Oh brother... Well thanks for your help... Rose - I've been wanting to ask you something.." he says abit nervously, standing just inside the doorway of his room and I look at him curiously.
"Go ahead." I look at him calmly, smiling lightly. He shifts abit nervously, obviously trying to getup the courage to speak.
"Well uh... I... Um... Was wondering if you would ever consider going out on a date in the future...?" he says finally, swallowing nervously as I look at him, raising an eyebrow lightly.
I soften gently and shake my head. "No Austin I wont. We had a relationship for a long time and it didn't work out. For now I think its best we just stay friends and not fuck up our friendship with that again. We both have alot to work on before we consider an intimate relationship with anyone." I say gently and bow politely.
"Rest well Austin." I smile and walk away calmly to my own room, having bit my tongue majorly on what I wanted to rant on him about his affair with the married woman, hiding things from me, lying about how really felt sometimes, and other things. "Rose! How can you say that you wont change your mind in the future..?!" he insists and I pause, looking at him compassionately.
"Austin. I love you as my friend. But I cannot love you as anything more ever again. It would not be fair to either of us to begin a relationship again that would only fail." As I explain this I notice his expression sadden and I bow my head regretfully to him.
"I'm sorry Austin." I apologize sincerely before turning and walking back to my own quarters silently.
On the walk back I keep mostly to myself lost in my own thoughts for the most part, only until I reach my own room and the door closes behind me do I let any expression of emotion show - after I make sure the room is empty.
I press my back up against the door and slide down to the floor, laying my arms across my knees as I stare out the window blankly.
I sit there silently, hardly noticing I haven't taken a breath for close to two minutes until I suddenly notice the burning in my lungs causing me to cough and take a sharp gasp of air.
Having the whole time been lost in thought about if I had been too honest or cold about my explanation to Austin. His sorry expression now burnt into my mind.
I lean my head back and close my eyes as I rest it against the door, going back to my thoughts of if I had been too harsh or not or if I had handled that whole thing properly.
I don't know how long its been but I jump suddenly awake and sigh heavily frustrated with myself - I had fallen asleep with my back against the door as I was deep in reflection.
I grumble slightly and rise to my feet taking my uniform jacket off as I decide its best I just go lay down and think this over when I wake.
Hoping a clear head will make it easier to sort out the problem. As I undress I can't help my mind wandering off into thoughts of what is going to happen to us now.
