Maybe everyone was staring at him for a legitimate reason. Maybe he had something on his face, or maybe he was bleeding from somewhere unusual. Maybe it was justified.
But Rush doubted it.
He took a turn through Destiny's corridors that skipped the mess hall and led him right to the Apple Core. Behind him, the … hallucinations followed.
"You must come to Mass with us!" said the larger of the two hallucinations. "You have not properly worshiped with H'garkbheadh today!"
Rush lowered his chin and quickened his pace, steadfastly ignoring the aliens.
"Perhaps we should Cleanse him," said the smaller alien to the larger. "It would truly be pleasing to H'garkbheadh - not to mention Father Mhaigh."
Cleanse? Hell no. Rush walked a little faster.
"Hi, Rush!" said Eli when he finally made it to the console room. "So we got this data back from the Kino on that planet we were deliberating -"
"Eli," Rush snapped. Eli fell silent. "I am in no mood."
He elbowed past Mathboy to his favorite console, which he affectionately nicknamed Dana.
"Um, Rush?" said Eli.
"What?"
"Quick question."
Sighing, Rush kneaded his temples and waited for Eli to proceed.
"Why are there aliens following you? And why are they wearing suits?"
Very slowly, Rush turned around.
"Hello!" said the larger alien to Eli. "Have you worshiped with H'garkbheadh today?"
"… No?"
The aliens threw up their arms and pulled Eli into something like a hug. Rush turned green.
"Help!" Eli squeaked.
"You're on your own," said Rush, shuffling away and hoping the aliens wouldn't see him. "When delusions get mass, I pack my things and go."
"Rush!"
"Oh, shh," said the smaller alien to Eli as Rush left the room. "It's not so bad in the fold. We have complementary robes."
"And the orgies aren't so bad if you keep your eyes closed," advised the larger.
Eli paled.
"RUSH!"