Destination Phoenix Nebula (Key-Tokki & Gatichan)

[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel stood, rooted in his spot for a good twenty minutes, he had not seen the man since the voyage started and it was his first time coming by him, which shook the boy to his core. For a few moments he considered following the man to see where he was going, what he was doing, maybe even to just observe him for a while however that thought was cut off when he noted which way the male was going. He was heading back into the direction of the psychologist, and before he knew what he was doing, his feet were moving back in that same direction. Before he really understood what he was doing, he was in front of the door leading to the psychologists office. Standing there for an additional few moments he considered knocking, but then realized how pointless it was, the man might not even be in there with Ethan. His collar buzzed slightly against his neck and he frowned, reaching up, pressing a button and walking away from the door. A holographic image came up of the captain , clearing his throat he spoke, "Nathaniel, I do hope you are enjoying your vacation here on the voyage, but when you do decide to return to your work, please make your way up to the surveillance room, there computers are not working, a camera went out at 2:00 am and you need to look into it." The man evaporated, leaving Nathaniel a bit sheepish, noting that he really had laid off of his work. So quickly, he ran up to the surveillance room and took a look at the camera, and his eyes went wide as he watched. The camera that had malfunctioned was the one that had been facing him when he left to go get coffee last night, and it had zipped back on, after he had gone to bed. His mind went back to the rubix cube that had been completed for him, and he frowned, feeling greatly uneasy. Then, he thought to check the other footage's, which proved to be good. The camera that was facing the psychiatrist before Nathaniel had shown up, had also gone down too, but only for a few minutes. When it came back on, both Nathaniel and Ethan were gone, meaning both had left already. After continuing to watch the footage for a few moments, he noticed what looked like a shadow in the corner of the room, just out of footage few. Someone had been watching the psychiatrist, as well s Nathaniel. So, who was creeping around on the ship, watching people, and why were they doing it? Thoughts rushed through his head as he re watched the footage.

[Key-Tokki]

Forgot to mention you my bad, xD.

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[Gatichan]

When David Macers had finally left his office, Ethan had to admit that he felt uncomfortable. Something about the man, although he couldn’t yet place his finger on it, had left him creeped out. Sitting down again, glad that he didn’t have a patient to tend to right away, Ethan opened the thick file on David Macers again and went back to reading about the incident that had occurred a long time before. The report that had been written as analytical, cold, only contained cold, hard facts, but the terror and devastation behind the descriptions chilled Ethan’s heart. If the man he had just met ever did have a psychotic episode again, even worse, right then on the Praxiteles, then the repercussions would be unimaginable.

 

Leaning back, Ethan called his best friend in the sick bay. “Dr. Weaver here- oh, it’s you Ethan. How can I help you?” the professional voice became warm when Ethan was recognized. The psychologist smiled. “Hey David- could you do me a favor? I have a patient here- a David Macers.” “I’m checking the passenger files…okay…huh. Got him. What about him? Do we have to worry about him yet?” the doctor asked. Ethan pursed his lips. “Maybe. I’m not sure yet. But I want you to call him to you and check his blood. I want to know of he’s still regularly taking his antipsychotic medication. He went crazy on one of the ships he served on a while back and caused a catastrophe. I can’t allow that to happen again. Aside from that, I think you should talk to the secret operatives: I think it would be advisable to put one of the plain-clothed security men on the guy’s trail. I can’t put my finger on it yet, but I don’t trust the guy. Something is seriously wrong with him, but I don’t have enough information yet,” he was forced to admit. “Roger that. I’ll take the blood sample myself and get back at you as soon as I know more,” David promised. “By the way- you up for a game of poker here at the med bay tonight? The gang’s getting together.” Ethan smiled as someone knocked against his door. “I’ll be there- see you soon.”

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, no problem- happens sometimes ;P

[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel sat in the cock pit with the others, inclined in his chair as he watched the captain talk to the co-captain about the good old days. Stretching out his mind went back to the strange footage from earlier, then the eery person he passed in the hallway. His collar rang, causing him to sit back up, and click the open button. A gear head popped up on the screen, causing the youth to frown in confusion as he watched. The man on his call cleared his throat and spoke, a bit stutter. "Sir! I am so sorry! I was told that the suits in the air lock were not in the correct location, so was told to come look, and I did. However the door closed, so it seems I am stuck. Could you come down and lock into the main frame to release the door? I can't access it from in here." Frowning in annoyance, the techie nodded before climbing up from his seat and quietly making his way all the way to the air lock. The place which, for obvious past reasons, he disliked most in the whole ship. He stepped into the room leading to the air lock, where he saw the gear head leaning against the dee through door to the air lock, when he noticed the tech he gave him an apologetic look. Impassivly, Nathaniel went over and slide his hand across the wall, where a key pad slid out. However, as soon as he put in the open door commands, an image of a rubix cube popped up intead. Causing Nathaniel to stare at it blanky in confusion, before remembering his rubix cube from the other night. Something was wrong, he knew, however when he heard engine clicks to his right, he looked up anf froze. Looking through the clear door to the air lock which still held the gear head, he could see the wall begining to open. Eyes wide he threw himself against the clear door, and began pounding at it, screaming for the gear head to hold onto something, as the gear head just watched in horror. Nathaniel could tell the other man was screaming, probably crying as well, but there was nothing that he could do. So he watched, pounding against the door, as that innocent gear head who must have been no older than 30, was sucked out into space. His pounding on the wall had set off the alarm, and once again, the lights went out, everything shutting down. Nathaniel sat there, just staring.

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I am so sorry, will change that post if you like, but had no clue how to repond, sooo xD..

[Gatichan]

Ethan had popped out his cabin, about to make his way over to the medical bay to rendezvous with his friends. He was feeling unexpectedly composed and happy right then because he didn’t feel the need to pop one of his tranquilizer pills. He was looking forward to some distraction- especially since he wanted to forget his stupid conversation end with the technician- no, he wasn’t going to think about Nathanial right then. As he shrugged the collar of his jacket upwards, the alarm went off and Ethan’s wrist computer began to vibrate violently.

 

Damn it. Pressing the flashing button, Ethan broke into a run when he saw that a map had been sent to him from Central Control. For some reason or other, it seemed that he was being sent towards the lower decks, towards where the maintenance crew would be on duty. Why on earth would he need to go there? Seeing that he was receiving an emergency call, Ethan accepted it as he threw himself against a personnel only marked door that led towards an emergency stairwell. “Burke here- what’s going on?” he asked, wincing as red lights started flashing and a high pitched alarm went off. Very soon an electric voice would begin to tell everyone on board the Praxiteles to return to the cabins immediately.

 

“Burke- here’s Captain Sanders,” the pilot in command spoke briefly and curtly into the psychologist’s ear. “We have a problem here. It appears that one of the gear heads was locked into an air lock and then thrown out into space.” “Suicide?” “No, we believe he was trapped inside on purpose. We have a man here who was found outside the airlock. He claims not to have had anything to do with the incident, but we need your professional assessment.” Ethan arched an eyebrow as he left the stairwell and entered the lower deck. Immediately hands reached out to block his way, but when Ethan was recognized by the uniformed policemen, he was let through. “So you want me to find out if the guy’s lying, or if he’s the culprit? Who is this person?” “Nathanial Powell.”

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. No problem! I like this development a lot- gives our characters a reason to chat again

[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel sat back, watching in horror as the Air lock resealed itself calmly. All was silently to him, he didn't hear the alarms, he didn't hear the ringing of his collar, all that filled his ears was a dull echo. He didn't see anything in front of him anymore, didn't see the flashing lights, all he saw was the mans horrified face, the same expression that his father had worn when the same event happened to him. He was vaguly aware of his body being shaken, it took him a moment to return back to reality. Becoming aware of the head of security, Fancis, kneeling directly in front of him, holding him by the shoulders and shaking him quickly. Fancis had known the smaller boy for only a few months, but had developed a soft spot for him. To Francis, Nathaniel seemed like a deer, very soft and calm to watch, but if you approach it it goes wide eyed and takes off. However, Nathaniel still did not react yet, only after another security guard shoved francis out of the way and shined a bright light in his eyes did he really wake up. "What happened here?! Techie, what did you do!" Nathaniel looked up at the other before climbing to his feet and speaking barely, his voice cried out as he pleaded, "Nothing I swear! The man called me and said he locked himself in on accident! I came down to help but the computer mainframe jammed me out and he was sucked out, I swear!" He was scared, and there were so many people around him, watching him, and this one man, even yelling at him. He began to get dizzy and fell back against the wall, Fancis pushed the other man out of the way and took Nathaniel by the chin, tilting his head so he had to look him in the eye. After watching for a moment he spoke, "Get the Psychologist down here, he's having a panic attack." The next thing he knew, he felt light, very light. Glancing down he noticed that Fancis had injected his arm with something that would help calm him down, it was one of the drugs the head of security was required to carry for intense situations. The drug quickly did it's job, Nathaniel was leaning back against the wall, his eyes half closed as his mind fogged up a bit, he was just, so very sleepy. Fancis left the boy where he sat, and waited for the psychologist, once he spotted him, he motioned for the man to come over to where he and Nathaniel were and spoke, "He was found here, after a man was sucked from that air lock as I am sure you already know. We need to know what happened, I don't want to believe he did it, he is a good kid. But we all know he has some serious problems. He had a panic attack so I gave him Hermaldiphied."

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[Gatichan]

Ethan arrived shortly after he’d heard the disturbing news. What? Nathaniel had supposedly killed someone? No, that just couldn’t be. Seeing that Nathanial had been injected with a tranquilizer and was currently floating somewhere in the ether, the psychologist listened to Francis. “Well, if you expect me to question him, giving him drugs was the worst thing to do. Right now I won’t be able to get anything out of him. I suggest you have him transported to his cabin. You could keep one of your men posted outside and I’ll go see him later once he’s calmed down. Right now, there’s nothing I can do here,” he knew, watching worriedly as two of Francis’s men stepped forward and slipping their arms around Nathaniel’s shoulders, half carried, half dragged him off.

 

Francis nodded ever so carefully towards another of his men. “That guy was pretty aggressive towards the poor techie. I don’t think he did anything, but all the same we have our men checking for fingerprints. Something very strange is going on here. Do you suggest we do anything? You used to help the Earth Police, didn’t you? What’s your read on the situation?” Ethan shook his head. “I’m not a profiler. But from the sessions I’ve had with Mr. Powell, I didn’t see any aggressive potential,” he disclosed, chewing the inside of his cheek. “But he claimed to have been called by the poor man inside the air lock. As you know, all intra-ship communication is monitored and saved. I suggest you tell your men to get their hands on that message- that could already help clear his name and I’ll do the rest,” Ethan decided as he turned around.

 

Calling David as he hurried back towards the cabins, Ethan shook his head when his friend asked him what was taking him so long. “Sorry David- something’s come up. I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve cleaned up this mess,” he promised, signing off when he found the cabin belonging to Nathaniel. Two mean-looking guards were standing by the door, looking tough and menacing. They did, however, let Ethan pass. Stepping into Nathaniel’s small cabin, Ethan didn’t look around yet, but pulling the only chair up to the side of the bed, sat down immediately. “Nathaniel?” he asked quietly, reaching out to tenderly brush a shock of hair out the technician’s face. “Are you awake? Do you know where you are?”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel noticed when the other was brought in, and for some strange urge felt the need to wrap his arms around him, however the intence calming drugs kept him from doing much more than staring at his own feet. He groaned softly when he felt himself lifted, non-cerimoniously from the ground. He let out soft, calm breathes as he felt himself leaned against his bed, to which he promptly flopped down upon and laid there until the guards shut his door. After a few moments of lying there, the young boy stood, stumbled over, the half walked half crawled to his dresser, where he clicked a botton with the icon of a large pair of pajamas, leaning back he watched as the dresser opened with the items he had selected inside. Reaching in the pulled them out and lazily pulled them on. He was so high he practically forgot what he had just undergone. Once he was fully dressed in his pajamas he climbed back onto his bed and simply laid there, quietly. His room was simple, but had a warm feeling to it. He had a poster of a cat that said you are Purrfection, which is where he made the comment from the other day in the psychiatrist room, his walls were a dark blue, and he had a lot of elecrtic candles in his room, which is where he always got his light. The normal lights always were to bright to him, and he had a large stack of books piled high in the corner. Nathaniel had fallen into a very light sleep, however as he did, his mind showed him the recurring image of his father, eyes wide and buldging from the lack of oxygen just before being ripped out of the space ship and thrown into space. So he wasn't ungrateful when he felt himself pulled into conciousness. He let out a soft grown and reached up, rubbing his heated forehead with the side of his hand. Slowly, he opened his eyes at the sound of Ethans familiar voice, he was no longer intensly drugged, however it was still in his system, since instead of freaking out at someone else being right next to him, he simply smiled lightly. "I'm awake" He murmured, glancing around for a moment he added, "And it appears I am in my room, why are you here?" He inquired, he rolled on his side to face Ethan but was simply to tired go so far as to sit up or anything like that.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan was relieved to see Nathanial smile back at him, even if it was rather sleepily. At least it showed him that the effect of the drugs was lessening. Leaving his fingertips lightly brushing against the technician’s cheek, Ethan waited until the younger man had flopped onto his side, using that time to look around himself. He didn’t want to so openly admit it, but he felt extremely happy to have made it into the technician’s cabin. One’s cabin usually told one a lot about one’s personality and life.

 

The first thing that Ethan noticed were the abundance of electric candles. This struck him as eye-catching, since most of the cabins he knew only contained the standard light. Aside from this, these candles functioned whenever Nathanial needed them to, not only when the star cruiser they were on wanted them to. Did this indicate that Nathanial felt uncomfortable if there wasn’t enough light around him? Ethan made a mental note of this before his eyes met the picture of a cute cat. Reading the inscription, he chuckled quietly to himself. Now he understood where that comment back on the first day had come from. He hadn’t expected Nathanial to have such a cute thing hanging in his cabin, but then again, still water ran deep.

 

Realizing the seriousness of the moment, Ethan’s face changed and turning his face down to concentrate properly on Nathanial’s, his lips set into a firm line. “I’m here because you’ve got yourself into some rather dark business, Mr. Powell, and I am needed to verify your statement,” he admitted, carefully choosing his words as he removed his wrist computer and setting it up on the bed between them, he activated the recording, which he would later use to either condemn or free Nathaniel from suspicion. “This is Ethan Burke and with me is Nathaniel Powell. I am here to interrogate Mr. Powell concerning the incident down in the air lock bay. Mr. Powell,” he said, fully focusing on Nathaniel again, “do you remember what happened to you down in the air lock area? How did you get there and what happened once you arrived?”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniels mind had drifted slightly while the other was observing his room, he felt so warm and comfortable, and the fact that Ethan was currently sitting beside his bed made him feel an abnormal aura of piece. This was only the second time the two had met outside of the normal room, so it was the first time for the techie to really observe the other in a relaxed state. Peering up, he watched as Ethan continued to the others smooth expression. He noticed how smooth the mans face seemed, for a moment he considered what it might feel like to smooth his fingers over those cheeks. To run his fingers through that hair, to press his lips to the others-. He shot up quickly, sitting straight up on his bed as he once again diverted his eyes. What was that? The drug must have been making him loose it, however he knew very well that the drugs were quickly rubbing off, so it couldn't completely be blamed on those. He had completely missed anything Ethan had said, having been focused to much on the Psychiatrists skin, hair and lips. However what the psychiatrist said quickly sunk in, and it slowly came back to him.

 

As he remembered he visibally shrank back a bit, he was going to be blamed for it all. Taking in a very deep breath, he spoke, voice low and soft as always, "I was up in the cabin working, when a Gear head called me and told me that he needed help, so I went down but the door wouldn't open, I tried to get in via the computer main frame but it locked me out, I should have a recording of the message on my trader hold on." Reaching up with shaky hands, he unhooked the collar around his neck, clicking a large blue botton and watched as the holographic screen came up, he quickly directed it to the voice records, however when he did all that came up, was a holographic rubix cube, from the collar, emmited a song, that he quicly recognized as a music box version of the same song that had been playing the other day when he had shown up at the psychiatrists office. Someone had been watching him, and maybe even the psychiatrist. He knew how this would look however, murmuring out softly, almost defeated, "The records are gone, someone is doing something here."

 

Looking back up ath the psychiatrist he spoke, " The other night, when I was sitting with you, someone finished the cube I was working on, and I saw a cube when I tried to open the door. Also, someone was watching you when you were sitting in the Observation Bay, you have to trust me." Leaning forward he moved without thinking, reaching forward and taking the other by the arms, very close and whispered, "Please, I swear I would never do that, I would never, ever kill someone, you have to trust me."

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[Gatichan]

Ethan blinked rapidly when Nathaniel unexpectedly reached out and grabbing his shoulders, shook him with slight desperation. It wasn’t that he found it uncomfortable that he was being touched by the technician, it was just that the technician’s words were everything but what the psychologist had been hoping for. Instead of them sounding reassuring and logical, what the technician had said made little sense and seemed confused, sketchy. Ethan’s face clouded over with worry- if he returned to Francis with nothing concrete, then Nathaniel could get into trouble.

 

“Hey, calm down,” he said gently, reaching up to touch Nathaniel’s fingers. “Look, I believe you, I really do, but you’re going to have to do better than that. What you’re saying doesn’t really make sense- maybe it’s the drugs,” he mused, taking a hold of Nathaniel’s face and holding it firmly in place, searched the technician’s eyes carefully, hoping to see traces of the drug, but not finding any. Ethan began to perspire- no, this couldn’t be. Everything inside him told him that Nathaniel was telling the truth, but how was Ethan going to prove it without any records?

 

“Okay,” he eventually decided, not taking his hands off Nathaniel’s face yet. “This is what we’ll do. You’ll hand me your collar and I’ll have it sent to the lab to check. If your responder isn’t working, they can easily check that. As for someone watching me, I don’t know about that, but could you prove that someone touched your rubix cube? And, most importantly of all, do you have any idea who would want to do something like this to you? Why should anyone try to frame you? Do you have an enemy you haven’t told me about?” Taking in a deep breath and letting go of Nathaniel’s face, Ethan looked back at him sadly. “I’m afraid that if you can’t back your statements, I won’t be able to prevent you from being locked up inside the observation bay. At least until this whole mess is cleared up.”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel did not really comprehend how abressive he was being until he felt the other take a hold of his hands gently, but firm, as though to ground him to reality. This was the first time in a very long time that he wanted to hold another person so tightly. He was scared, so very scared. If he was found guilty of mudering another person, he in turn would be sentances with the same fate, which is how all crime law had progressed. Even if it was an accident, he would still get in trouble for it. Long ago, many people could kill others and simply live in buildings for the rest of there lives. That was no longer the case. He was scared, and seeing the main ripped from the ship brought many painful memories back that he did not want. Because of his past, he was sensitive emotionally, and it deffinetly did not help in this situation.

 

He was no idiot, he saw the worry in the others face. There was no way he could convince the man, or any of the higher ups, he did not do it. He just wanted to scream, and throw things. He sat dead still as the other inspected his eyes for any signs of the drug, which he severely wanted back. If it were any other time he would have reached up and removed the other hands from his face, however now it was a comfort. He just wanted to close his eyes and tilt his hand into the warm, soft hands and relax. However, all that comfort was gone the moment he heard Ethan say he couldn't help him basically until his collar got back from the lab. A choking noise rose in his throat and it took him a moment to swallow it. He held the collar that held basically his life, it had his pictures, music, everything on it. He murmured softly, brokenly, "Here, you can take it I do not need it." There was a commotion outside of the door and Nathaniel jumped, staring at his door, just as it opened. Revealing Ishmeal, in a head lock of one of the guards with the other trying to drag him back. Struggling Ishmeal yelled, "Don't you worry bud! I know you didn't do anything, i'll come back later with coco and will try and figure out what happened, so don't worry!" With a final tug from the second guard, Ishmeal was yanked back and the door shut. A few more yells echo'd, signifying that Ishmeal was finally leaving. Leaving the young techie staring at the door, pale faced and quiet as a single tear fell down his cheek.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan jumped to his feet when he heard the commotion. For a split, crazy second, he feared that Nathaniel would make a run for it and almost reached out to prevent the technician from leaving, but when the door opened and a man screamed out that he would box the technician out, Ethan remained where he was standing. As the door closed again, leaving him and Nathaniel alone again, the psychologist slowly leaned back against the desk beside the technician’s table. Reaching over to disconnect his watch so that the official recording ended, he turned back to the technician.

 

“Nathaniel,” he said, calling the technician by his first name for the first time. “You must understand that if you try to evade the guards outside your door, then everyone will believe that you’re guilty. So please, don’t do anything stupid. Please, Nathaniel, don’t get yourself into trouble. Give me some time to clear your name. I know one of the lab rats and I trust him blindly. If someone’s tampered with your collar, he’ll be able to prove it. Please, tell me if you know anything- you MUST speak to me.” He waited for a while, but when Nathaniel continued to remain silent, Ethan paced over to him and turning him around angrily, gripped Nathaniel’s shoulders and shook him. “Damn it, you need to speak to me! I need to know what happened to you in your past- I have to understand why someone would want to do something like this to you! Don’t you understand that your life depends on it?! I don’t want you to be punished!” he cried out passionately and then, before he realized what he was doing, he wrapped his arms around the technician and hugged him tightly to him. Trembling slightly, Ethan swallowed audibly. “Please, I don’t want to help them do anything to you.”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel stood there, staring mutely at the door, for a moment, split second he wanted to yell for the other to come back, to wait for him. Everyone always left, for once, just this once, he wanted to other to wait. He was pulled, no, more of yanked from his thoughts as the other pulled him around. His eyes went wide as he felt himself shaken back and fourth, stumbed back and fourth in the process, he moved to shove Ethan back out of fear but felt himself gripped to the other, causing him even more confusion. This was such a strange day, he had woken up, and everything had gone wrong today. He didn't want to move, he was confused, this man was now embracing him so tightly, and had just finished shaking his lights out, but for some reason, in this moment in time he felt safe. His arms moved before he had the chance to think, in a moment his arms and circled around the Psychologist, hugging him tightly back and burrying his face in Ethans neck, the tears running steadily now down his cheeks, dropping to the larger boys shirt and staining it with wet spots. He could feel the man hugging him trembling almost as hard as he himself was. He felt light headed, leaning back against his bed without letting go of the death grip he had on the other. He sucked in a low breathe and spoke, "I was with my parents, they were both working in the ship that crashed a long time ago. Accept it didn't really crash, it was a cover up to keep the public calm. A person on board, had schizofrinia, he rounded up all those on board and they revolted against the crew. My father was thrown into the air lock and one minute he was there then he was gone, and mother was killed as well. I was alone, and it was his fault. He started it all and everyone thinks he is innocent, he was watching you too, I swear it. David Macers did it I know it. Please, you have to believe me, I can't prove it, but please. I wouldn't.." He trailed off as he realized that this was the first time he had ever spoken of the event, reaching up he put his now reddened and heated from crying, face into his hands and sat quietly, waiting for Ethans responce.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan, inexplicably, felt tears rising to his eyes when Nathaniel hugged him back tightly. “Hey, it’s okay,” he promised, even though he couldn’t guarantee for how long. Feeling and hearing Nathaniel cry, Ethan’s fingers wove their way into the younger man’s hair. “Shh…” he said gently, hugging the technician back. His heartbeat picked up- he hadn’t expected to be able to hold Nathaniel in this way, and even though the circumstances that had led up to this special moment had been anything but nice, the psychologist was glad for it. Loosening his hold on the technician when he felt Nathaniel stumble back, Ethan followed him, taking a seat again beside the bed as Nathaniel opened his mouth and began to speak.

 

The world around Ethan began to spin as several puzzle pieces fell into place. So that was the reason why Nathaniel seemed so under-developed in so many areas when it came to social interaction: the technician had experienced a terribly traumatic incident that had separated him from his parents at a young age already. Yes, Ethan had read about the ship where David Macers had been on. Even to him the report had sounded a little too smooth, too straightforward…like the perfect cover up. And here was Nathaniel, who had lived through the whole disaster close up. A live witness…yet one that had been far too young to take in for questioning and who was easier to silence than an adult. This was atrocious and anger was making Ethan seethe, breathing out harshly through his teeth.

 

“Nathaniel, stay right here and don’t say a word,” he commanded his companion. Activating his watch again, Ethan’s eyes narrowed murderously. “Dr. Weaver- this is Dr. Burke.” “Ethan?! What’s with the formality-?” Ethan cut his friend off. “David- I need you to fake David Macer’s blood sample. I want you to smuggle a drug in-” “You want me to WHAT!?!” “Just do it!” Ethan snapped aggressively, reaching over to take Nathaniel’s hand. “That son of a bitch is a murderer and he’s probably the one who’s responsible for what happened tonight. Just do it!”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel watched as anger mixed with many other emotions flashed through the others face, as well as a common understanding between the two. He knew, completley and utterly knew, that the man sitting beside him believed him and that seemed to make everything so much better. His face felt so warm right now, he brought his cool fingers up to press them to his cheeks lightly, sighing at the cool feeling they brought to his face. He had not cried in a very long time, and though he had already calmed down a bit, the tears continued to flow down his cheeks. Hearing Ethan ask him to wait right here, he frowned slightly, reaching forwards to take ahold of Ethans arm to keep him from leaving, however he calmed and resigned his hands to his lap when he saw the other person was not actually going anywhere.

 

He only raised his gaze again went he heard the dialog from the phone, eyes wide he watched and listened. Reaching over, he took Ethans one hand and both of his and spoke, his voice still soft, but notibly crackled from his throat being soar from the crying he had just done, "Please," He spoke, "Be careful, I know that David is capabile of murder, if he finds out that you did anything against him, he will murder you, and you are the first person.." He trailed off, leaving that sentance unfinished and begining a new one. "I do not want you to get hurt if anything happens, he is smooth and calculating, he can talk his way out of most situations, you could also loose your job for that, so could the person on the phone." This was the most that the young boy had spoken in a very long time, he was exghausted, and just wanted more of whatever the security guard had given him earlier, maybe he would have been able to relax. Nathaniel leaned towards Ethan and asked quietly, "What is going to happen know? To David, To me?"

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, wanted to say I am really enjoying this rp!

[Gatichan]

Ethan shook his head and hung up. Puffing his cheeks out, he shrugged at Nathaniel’s question. “Right now, I don’t care. Once my friend’s faked the blood screening, the command level will be informed. According to military law, David Macer will be locked away into solitary confinement. Once there, his rooms will be searched and his things gone through. I have to return at once to my office to issue a report where I state that I believe him to be dangerous. Once he’s locked away, he’ll be watched around the clock. Nathaniel,” he said, slipping his fingers between the technician’s. “What happened long ago to your parents was a truly terrible thing. Something like that must and will never happen again. This time you aren’t a child and I believe you. We’ll make sure that this Macer is taken down,” he promised.

 

Seeing that Nathaniel seemed tired, Ethan reached into his pocket to remove his tranquilizer pills. “Here- you’re probably exhausted,” the psychologist knew, giving Nathaniel the pill box as he stood up. “Don’t worry about anything. You need to rest now. When you wake up again I promise you that things will be better,” he said. Leaning over, Ethan hesitated for an instance, but then softly kissed Nathaniel right beside his lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I promise.” With that, he turned around and hastily slipped out the cabin.

 

Francis was waiting outside. “And?” he asked briskly, yet the worry in his eyes was unmistakable. “What did he say? Was he telling the truth?” Ethan saw the Second in Command from the bridge step closer and taking in a deep breath, knowing that he was leaning very far out the window, he nodded. “Yes. Nathaniel Powell was telling the truth. He is innocent, yet someone is trying to frame him. If you excuse me now, I believe I know who the true culprit is.” The two officers stated back at him in astonishment. “You do?! But then, who is it?” Ethan turned to them with a poker face. “I suggest you go and arrest David Macer. At the moment, his blood sample is being checked. I think you should concentrate your efforts on finding him,” he hinted, hurrying away.

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, me too!! I liked your sudden twist a lot

[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel felt an unusual comfort in having the others hand twined with his own, a small smile playing it's way across his lips as he relaxed even more. He watched the others movements, he was relieved. To him, he had basically been alone for this entire time, however here was someone who had fallen out of the wood work, someone who was here for him and believed him. He sat, static, when he felt the soft lips press to his face, and watched speechless as Ethan left, reaching up he touched the spot where the others lips had just been. It felt nice, for a moment he wondered what would have happened if he had titled his head, just an inch or two, so his lips could have touched the others soft ones. This time he didn't shake the thoughts from his head, he popped two of the pills in his mouth and exhausted, fell back to his pillow, staring at his ceiling he reached back, tugging the pillow behind his head so he could hold it to him, falling asleep.

 

David macers stood against the wall, his hair brushing into his face just slightly as he watched quietly. This wasn't right, it should have ended differently. He wanted to frame the techie, so that others could see how evil he was. That techie wanted to harm innocent people he knew it, but someone got in the way. He had already taken on someone else into his care, someone who thought like him, who was just like him. That person had informed him that it seemed as though that psychiatrist, the nice one he had visited with earlier had supported the techie. So that was it then, he was also a bad man. Voices sturred up inside of his head as he thought about the man getting in his way, he must want to hurt innocent people as well. He would have to be taken care of as well. David leaned back, further against the wall, seemingly blending into the shadow, in order to keep from being seen while he watched Ethan walk right past him, if he had just reached out, he could have taken ahold of that little neck, and snapped it. However, that wouldn't be enough. This man had gotten in his way, he had to be punished, he could not be graced with a quick death. He would punish this man, just as he was sure this man wanted to punish the innocent. As soon as the other was out of sight, he pushed himself up from the wall and made his way to a supply closet, quicky slipping inside he yanked off his clothes and quickly slipped into a uniform that was hanging up, so he looked like no more than a simple cleaning staff member. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a large marker, and with it began to collar his hair. This was developed many years ago, it was a temporary hair dye for the young, rebellious teenagers, and it was the key to not being found for him. After he was certain he was unrecognizable, he stepped out of the closet, and made his way down the hall, as though nothing had happened.

 

Ishmeal carried the tray with hot coco and buiscuts up to the floor where the smaller males room was. Walking straight up the the guards he help up a signed note that stated he was ordered to bring food and drink to the man under suspicion of the murder, however the guards shrugged at him. Since the psychiatrist had stated the others innocence they were preparing to leave anyway, parting ways the allowed him through and closed the door before leaving. Ishmeal came in, and set the tray on the desk. Putting his attention over to the sleeping male on the bed. Walking over, he sat down on the edge, and watched Nathaniel for a moment. He knew what his partner wanted him to do, but just didn't want to. As he watched the face of the sleeping male, completely blissful to his presence, he wanted to cry. The two had been friends for a while, and the techie was important to him, however he had promised David he would get Nathaniel out of the way so they could focus on the psychiatrist. Quietly, he reached up, and gentle placed his right hand, the dominant one around Nathaniels neck, he could just end it right now. And sucking in his breathe he prepared to, however he noticed a box sitting on the bed, reaching over he picked it up, and hsi shoulders dropped in relief. They were sleepign pills, he could just slip some into the younger boys coco, and it would not do him any harm, wouldn't kill him or put him in a coma, just make his extremely sleepy for a two or three days.

 

Opening the box, he immedietly dumped the rest of the box into the coco, then shook the cup a bit to dissolve them. Setting the coco beside the youngers bed, he left, as though he were never there. Nathaniel woke, an hour later, looked over and seeing the cup he smiled to himself, figuring the psychiatrist had come back and dropped it off for him. Reaching over, he drank just over half of it, before falling deeply asleep on his bed.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan marched straight over to the sick bay and rapping against the door to his friend’s office, yelped out when the door was opened and he fell into the room. He was yanked up by the collar of his shirt and turned around to face David’s furious green eyes. “Ethan, d you have the LEAST idea what you’re asking me to do here?” the doctor seethed out. “I studied medicine and made a promise to serve and heal all those that I could, not fake reports and go against my moral beliefs. This is just too much! And what’s all this business about murder down inside the lower decks? How are you involved in all this?”

 

The psychologist tore himself away, holding his hands up in a conciliatory gesture. “David, calm down. You know I wouldn’t be asking this of you if it weren’t absolutely necessary,” he pointed out and leading David towards a white chair near the centrifuge where the blood sample was being tampered with, he quietly and hastily reported what he had learned from Nathaniel only minutes ago. David listened, impassively at first, but then with growing worry. “Ethan, this is bad business. You need to tell the command deck about this immediately.” “I will, as soon as I have hard proof that this monster hasn’t been taking his medicaments as he was ordered to. How long until you have the faked report?” “Five minutes,” David said, checking his watch. “Maybe we should call the Captain down here. How far are you with your report?” Ethan hastily opened his personal computer and placing it on the lab desk, hastily continued tipping. “That ought to be enough time. And call Mark to come down here- I gave him Nathaniel’s collar- we need him to testify that the collar was tampered with.”

 

The next four and a half minutes went by in serious silence as Ethan tipped and David paced. The Captain and Second in Command of the Praxiteles arrived at the same time that Mark did. Exchanging a quick look with the psychologist, Ethan’s friend let him know that he had really found something to support Ethan’s suspicions. “Gentlemen, I do hope this is important,” the Captain said tightly, his lips set in a thin straight line. “We have a murderer to discover and we can’t afford to lose any time. What information do you have?” Ethan stepped forward with his report. “Sir, Nathaniel Powell, the technician you are currently holding in custody, is innocent. He was framed. I trust you are familiar with the terrible Incident on the Voyager that occurred years ago?” he began to short, yet informative report. When he had finished, David quickly presented the blood sample, claiming that it was contaminated with drugs and showed no signs of David Macer having taken his antipsychotic medications. And finally, yet most importantly, Mark stepped forward.

 

“In the short time I was given, my results are only preliminary, but telling enough: it appears to me that someone has installed a tiny, hardly visible bug at the back of the technician’s collar. Via a remote control, the installed camera and audio function can be erased- here,” he said, holding up the offending object he had found. “Were you able to find any fingerprints on it?” the Captain asked, already reaching for his chest to call security. “Yes, but the computer hasn’t come up with anyone on the criminal databank. At the moment, we’re searching the passenger banks. As soon as I find a match, I’ll inform you.” Just then, the overhead inside the laboratory squawked into life. “Captain? This is Francis. Can I speak frankly?” the head of security asked. Ethan tensed and beside him, David placed a hand on his shoulder. “Yes- Dr. Burke, Dr. Weaver and Mark Dudikov are here with me. Tell me you have good news.” On the contrary- David Macer, whom we were told to shadow by Dr. Burke, has disappeared. We cannot find him anywhere on the Praxiteles. I suggest we go into orbit above the first planet inside the Adromeda Galaxy. The chances of the criminal attempting to flee or even worse, open a further gate into space, are too high. I suggest you declare a state of emergency,” Francis declared.

 

Ethan chewed his lip as he exchanged worried glances with his friends. In a state of emergency, the Praxiteles would stop moving and all the passengers were told to remain inside their cabins, otherwise be shot at for ignoring this direct command. Only the higher ranking officers would be allowed to walk around the ship and that heavily armed. It was about the worst case scenario anyone could imagine, because in this environment of fear, paranoia was born. The Captain, it seemed, didn’t share Ethan’s fears. “Do it,” he commanded, turning around and walking towards the door, pointed at the three men. “Fetch your laser guns- you will help us search the cruiser for this man.”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel usually would have been up immediatly when the alarm went off, however he did not have on his collar so felt no vibration. So instead the faint hum of the alarm had to wake him, and with the amount of sleeping pills he currently had it made it rather difficult for him to even drag himself out of bed. However the moment he felt his feet hit the ground he could tell something was wrong, he had grown up on ships so he knew the feeling of them, and he could tell this one was not moving. The speakers announced that the ship was in a state of emergency and everyone was to remain in there rooms, however Nathaniel could not. He knew what must be going on, albiet foggy. His greatest fear was that somehow the sichopath had taken another victum, for some reason he could not fathom he felt like it was his responsibility. Taking a step forward he tumbled towards the door, only noticing after he was halfway there that he was in no attire to be going out. So slipping off his sleeping clothes he pulled on his disguarded uniform and as quick as he could, left his room. What if that crazy man had hurt someone or worse, what if he had hurt Ethan? Ethan had believed him, he had held him and soothed him as he cried, and Nathaniel felt a need, almost primal, to make sure no harm came to the psychologist as a result. As solid as his resolve was, he found it hard to believe he could protect anyone right now. His mind felt so groggy, his steps were sluggish and uncordinated and his vision kept blurring out. He had no idea where he would be able to find Ethan, so started with the basics, using the wall as a guide he felt his way up to where the others office was located, and quickly he pounded on the door lightly and called out for the other.

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Sorry for that crappy reply, had a horrible bay and was most I could muster out, will do much better in my next one.

[Gatichan]

Mark had left already. “I don’t want to walk around hunting prey- I’m a scientist, so I’m going back to researching. Apart from that, I want to find out whose fingerprint that was,” he had frowned while leaving. David and Ethan had quietly conferred together as they’d changed into the uniforms that two guards had dropped by. By then, David Macer’s photo had been sent to all the higher officials so that they would know whom to lookout for. As the psychologist and doctor both feared, however, it was likely that Macer had changed his outward appearance by then to remain incognito. As they were walking to the door, the doctor squeezed Ethan’s shoulder. “Please be careful. This guy sounds even more dangerous than we you already believed him to be. If he’s truly psychotic now, he’ll be unpredictable. And you’d better hope that when the two of you meet, you’ll be faster than him with the trigger.”

 

Ethan didn’t like the oppressing sensation that pushed down on him from all sides as he wandered around the Praxiteles’ corridors back to his office. The emergency red lights had come back on and the ship, flushed in eerie red and black colors, did little to correct this sensation. Popping another pill into his mouth, Ethan stopped short when he saw a slummed figure in front of his office. Macer? he wondered, immediately raising his gun as he quietly tiptoed closer. When he saw the distinctive hair, however, David quickly lowered the gun and broke into a run. “Nathaniel!” he cried out, falling beside the other man and turning him around, hugged him tightly before worriedly glancing into his face. Something was wrong with the technician’s eyes- had he been drugged? “What on earth are you doing out here?! Didn’t you hear the Captain’s message? You ought to have remained inside your cabin. David Macer is on the loose somewhere around this ship and no one knows where- you’re in danger right now, Nathaniel!”

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, stop apologizing :-) I understand- I'm also human and your response isn't bad. Like I said, I'm really happy with this rp, so please don't worry!!

[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel had slumped against the others door, leaning his head against it lightly in dismay. If Ethan wasn't there, then where could he be? Or what if he was in there with Macer, what if he had already been to late. He clenched his fists tightly as he tried to control his anger, however his anger quickly melted away as he was over come with sleepiness. His eyes began to droop slightly, however he was once more shocked awake at the found of his name echoing down the corridor. Leaning slightly he looked for the source of the name, he could tell the voice was familiar, and once he saw who it came from he couldn't help but sigh in relieve, tension practically rolling off his shoulders. It took all his energy not to hug the other close to him, thinking he might have been dead a few minutes prior to this.After Ethan had finished, it took the younger boy a few moments to answer since he was having issues forming a proper thought, he looked drunk in his slow, sluggish actions and slurred speech but it was the best he could muster up. "I heard the alarm.."It took him even longer to remember what else the psychiatrist had said to him so he could reply, "I was worried that he might have hurt someone else, hurt you." Reaching up sluggishly he wrapped his arms back around Ethan and half hugged, half hung on the other. It was so warm like this, so comfortable, he didn't feel like moving.

 

Ishmeal knew what he had to do, everyone would be looking for Macer, so he would have to use this time to his advantage. First thing first, was that he had to take care of that damned, meddling psychiatrist. If he had just stayed otu of the way, then Ishmeal would not have had to directly aid in the direct murder of his best friend. He would have been able to tamper with NAthaniels collar like he did and that would have been it, MAcer would have done the rest. However know he had to drug his best friend, and would likely be the one that would need to rip the like from the younger boy. But first this psychiatrist would die, for it was all his fault. He set the options to the highest settings on his lazer gun, so that he would be shooting to kill, then, thinking better of it, set it to stun instead. He would not kill with this gun, no, not the psychiatrist. He did not deserve that, he would die slow and painfully. It only took him about 20 minutes since the beginning of the state of alert to find the man, however once he did he seethed in anger. There, with the psychiatrist was nathaniel, meaning he would also have to die imminently or he would witness Ishmeal commit the murder of Ethan. Changing the settings, he widened the rang on his gun, but kept it to stun so the effects would be more like a very powerful tasering, aiming it directly at the two boys so one shot would be good enough for two after it impacted them. It would likely be enough to put Nathaniel out for a while since he was just teetering on consciousness as it was, but would likely only disorient Ethan long enough for Ishmeal to run over and smash him against the head to properly knock him out. Letting out a lot breath, he steadied his aim, and shot.

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Forgot to mention you xD

[Gatichan]

Ethan smiled into Nathaniel’s hair when the younger man embraced him, leaning heavily against him. Shifting the lever of his stunner so that it wasn’t on stun anymore, Ethan’s grip on the gun became weaker so that he could properly embrace Nathaniel back. “I’m okay,” he reassured, craning his neck and then placing a gentle kiss against the technician’s head. It didn’t strike the psychologist as strange anymore that he was being so familiar with one of his patients, but then again, Ethan had stopped thinking of Nathaniel as a patient after he’d taken the story and accusations against the technician personally. Leaning back for an instance, he gently moved Nathaniel’s face around so that he could look into the younger man’s eyes. Yes, the pupils were wide despite the fact that it was dark inside the red-flushed corridor. “Nathaniel, why are you like this? Were you given another shot to calm you down? You’re obviously under the influence of something,” he frowned, but then leaned into the embrace again, keeping his voice low and quiet. “Mark, my friend at the lab, discovered that someone had really tampered with your collar. Apparently there was a bug there and someone could connect and disconnect the camera and audio files there. We still don’t know who did it, but as soon as we know, that person will be-”

 

Nathaniel had to choose exactly that moment to wrap his arms around Ethan’s neck and leaned against him heavily. The psychologist, taken by surprise, was tilted sideways and hugging Nathaniel the way he was, Ethan tilted them both to the left, just at the moment that a shot rang out. Startled, Ethan blinked rapidly, his ears ringing as his eyes incredulously stared at the back hole that had appeared in the door frame of his office. But when he heard a rude curse coming from behind him, Ethan’s brain made the connection: he and Nathaniel had just been shot at! Rolling onto Nathaniel and quickly moving his right thumb sideways to move the gun dial to laser, Ethan protectively wrapped his left arm around Nathaniel’s head to protect him as he took aim and shot at the figure that had jumped up in the darkness further down the corridor. He heard a pained cry and the figure clutched at his shoulder. A further shot rang out, but this time it sailed over Ethan’s head and went wide. “Nathaniel, get into my office and lock yourself in!” Ethan commanded, jumping onto his feet as the culprit turned around and fled. Activating his wrist computer as Ethan hauled Nathaniel to his feet and shoved him into his office, the psychologist broke into a run, his gun raised. “Dr. Buke here- I’ve been shot at. I repeat, I’ve been shot at!” he shouted through, giving out his coordinates as he ran after the other person, firing two more shots.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel did not release his grip on the other as he felt those lips pressed to his head softly, a slow smile spread across his face. He felt very hot, and pressing his face against the others smooth, cool neck in the hug was a great comfort that he welcomed. However he shifted slightly when he felt his gaze lifted to look up at the other, looking around he searched the psychiatrist eyes, completely ignoring the question for the moment to simply stare, Ethans eyes were absolutly beautiful, and not just the complex color of them, but the very deep depth that seemed to be hidden inside them. His eyes alone made him want to know the other more, to become close with him. Frowning slightly he had to shake his head clear to get rid of the blurred vision that was clouding him. Thinking back in confusion he shook his head slowly, "No, I took two of the pills and drank the hot chocolete that you brought." He answered as he put the majority of his weight on Ethan, they had reached the point where he felt very comfortable with Ethan, he had only had one friend before, so he couldn't really judge what was appropriate between friends, and he was to foggy to really care at this point as well. He was so tired, he allowed his eyes to flutter shut for just a moment, and in that moment something happened. A loud shot rang through his ears and the next thing he knew he new that he was laying beneath Ethan, who was craddling him like he was something fragile and precious. Even though he didn't know what happened he couldn't help but feel safe.

 

However as quick as it happened it was gone, for he felt himself shoved back, eyes wide in surprised he shuffled back a bit before toppling through the open door and falling into the oh so familar office. He went to stand but his body was way to heavy and he quickly fell back to the ground. Foot steps echo'ed down the corridor and he could tell that Ethan had taken off. Where they just shot at? Was it Macers? If there was shooting Ethan really could be killed. He was in no condition to give chase, but he knew that there was something he could do. Using the wall for support he made his way to the central control room, typing in the security pass that only the techie's were allowed, he slipped inside and locked the door behind himself. He felt so hot, so very wrong, he just wanted to sleep, for a moment he considered just sliding down and going to sleep, however he noticed a flash in one of the various video cameras and recognized it as Ethan. Pushing himself from the wall he stumbled into the chair and leaned back for a moment, relaxing. Though he could not physically help, this, now this he could do. Watching carefully he timed it and began typing in the codes, shutting down the doors once by one, trying to capture whoever Ethan was chasing. However a mistimes door ended up in almost allowing the other to get away, after a soft curse he managed to lock a door just before the stranger shot through it, the moment the stranger shot into a door to the side to avaid Ethans sharp shooting.

 

In the split moment it took for the man to turn, he managed to get caught by the camera view, causing Nathaniel to, even in his sleepy state, gasp and jump up. "Ish!" He exclaimed as Ethan caught the man on his arm with the lazer. This could not be right, it was Ishmeal, the only other person that he had ever trusted. His eyes went wide when he saw that just befroe slipping through another door Ishmeal managed to shoot off another bolt, hitting the psychiatrist on the tip of the ear. For a reason he couldn't fathom he yelled at the display monitors, "Ish, don't hurt him, please! Stop it!" He didn't get another word out when he felt a hand grip the back of his head and slam it into the monitors with a deafening crack, causing the young techie to crumple to the ground unconscious. "Can't have you spoiling everything so soon." Macers murmured, turning to leave when another security man ran through the door and raised his gun, however it was a second to late, macers shot him straight through the chest. Ishmeal, without the issue of the closing doors managed to evade having his face seen, and had slipped away in the dark, while MAzer simply walked away, whistling softly. This had taught macers one thing, the techie was not the trouble maker, it was the psychiatrist, he would need to be watched. The Techie would not be a problem, after that blow to the head and on that much sleeping medication, he wouldn't remember the traitorous face he had seen in the monitor.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan kept his arms close to his body so that he could run faster. He hadn’t been able to recognize the man who had shot at him and Nathaniel, but unconsciously something told him that he had seen the man walking around the Praxiteles before. After he’d given the warning, Ethan’s watch remained activated and the small silver emblem on his state of emergency uniform taped everything. “Ethan, please, be careful,” he heard his best friends David and Mark beg him. Judging by the shaky way they spoke, they were also running. Ethan knew that he was alone in that part of the Praxiteles, because instead of having followed his comrades into the lower decks, where David Macer was suspected, Ethan had returned to his office. Something he was greatly thankful for as he fled through a door that led him towards the canteen area. Because if he hadn’t been in front of his office and hadn’t found Nathaniel, his new friend probably wouldn’t have made it.

 

“Stop!!” Ethan yelled after the fleeing figure. Twice he raised his arm and let off warning shots. He hadn’t exactly wanted to hit the other man – what he wanted was information: who was the guy? Had he been sent by David Macer? Was it actually Macer himself? Why had he been there inside that corridor? Had he been following Macer’s orders? Had Nathaniel been the victim…or Ethan himself? But the fleeing man, without glancing back, fired off shots and the last time, Ethan almost received a shot in the calf. After that, he flipped the switch to freeze. If he kept running and actually managed to hit the man under “laser”, then he might land up accidentally killing the man, who might know something important. It took Ethan a moment to realize it, but after a while he noticed that the doors the culprit was running through didn’t close behind him as they should have, but remained open for Ethan to pass through. Nathaniel? Ethan couldn’t have known for sure, but he somehow sensed that his technician was helping him. And then, finally, after he’d managed to hit the man he’d been chasing in the arm, the man hit a door that remained closed and finally Ethan knew that he had cornered the man. “Turn around!” he shouted out, stopping to raise both arms and hold onto the gun with both hands.

 

Amazingly, instead of finally giving up, the man turned around and seemingly without aiming, shot at Ethan again. The psychologist felt a stinging pain in his left ear and winced, ducking, but it was obviously too late. He felt something warm and sticky begin to slide down his neck. But as the man had turned around and taken an aim, Ethan got a good look at the man’s face. “Have you got him!?” he grunted at Francis, who was watching his feed. “I am. The video analysis managed to recognize him: Ishmael,” he told Ethan, who had thrown himself face forwards onto the floor when the other man began to fire wildly at him, obviously trapped and not knowing any way out. “But I’ve got some more bad news – the vitals of one of the guards that I sent to Control Room IV has disappeared. I’m fearing the worst,” Francis admitted. Right then, Ethan couldn’t care less about some guard. Struggling onto all fours, he scrambled beneath a table and once there, tried to take aim at the man. But just then, the supposedly locked door that the shooter had run into whooshed open and Mark himself ran through. “Care-!” Ethan started to shout out, but by then Mark had already taken aim and shot the shooter in the chest. “Freeze!!” Ethan’s friend bellowed aggressively, shooting the gun out the other man’s hand. “Ethan? Ethan!?!” “I’m here,” the psychologist panted as he crawled out from his hiding place. Mark had the man, who was groaning in pain and clutching at his chest, where a pool of blood was rapidly appearing, lay slummed against the wall. Ethan kept his gun ready too, but when he got a good look at the face, his shoulders dropped. “Oh fuck.” “You know this asshole?” Mark growled as two more guards appeared, red in the face from running. Ethan felt his throat tighten. “I think this is Nathaniel’s friend.”

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