TIME:
4 DAYS LATER
LOCATION:
HYPERSPACE EGRESS POINT ZZ-4,
25 AU FROM BETA CHARON,
OUTER ASTEROID BELT
POV:
Lilith Runethari
"So where do you guys wish to go? I suggest we start at the nearest planet to the star, currently creatively named Beta Charon I. Despite it being a tidally locked volcanic world that sits extremely close to the sun, the volcanos on the nightside and their lava streams can be seen from orbit making a glowing webbing. Though I won't take you to the surface due to how active and dangerous the small planet is."
When we arrived in the system I gathered everyone—including the now healed Veranda and Leah—in the crew quarters to discuss what they wish to do, nobody seemed to have any ideas—not that I can blame them when every planet is made of silica and looks extremely average for a planet.
"Um to be honest, Miss Runethari, we didn't expect to arrive so quickly in just 7 days despite the distance being around 6 light years away. So we will take anything you wish to suggest, though I wish to keep Beta Charon V last as it seems to be the most interesting, no offense."
Temlic seemed slightly hesitant when he first started speaking though he quickly explained his reasoning. I nodded understandingly, I couldn't find fault in his words no matter how much I tried to think them over.
"Okay then how about we spend a week travelling around the system, I wish to test the scanners and see if I can find anything. Though I hope it goes without saying that if I do find something I wish to keep it."
Temlic nodded reluctantly and I grinned wondering what was left in the system. According to the mother there are multiple caches across the systems most of which she doesn't even have the location for. Sadly however they are unlikely to store anything extremely valuable, just machinery and spare parts for the listening post is what we should expect to find.
"Okay then I will pilot the ship into FTL. It should take around 26 minutes to reach our destination. In the meantime feel free to use the simulation room while we travel, I think there are a few worlds already downloaded that you can visit."
"Miss Runethari, why didn't you let us use it when we were travelling here?"
Aria suddenly questioned me, I quickly invented a convenient lie that should sound believable. Hopefully.
"The simulation room uses a lot of computer power for the AI and when we're in hyperspace we need every computer we can have to travel, after all one mistake could mean we exit hyperspace a lightyear away from our exit with only an FTL drive to move us."
The actual reason was more selfish, I just wanted to try and get some form of connection with Temlic and Richard, they both have things I want. I needed them to also be less wary, though how successful that was is difficult to tell.
"Oh okay, do you know about any planets that are weird, Miss Runethari?"
"Yes, let me ask the ship AI. Mo– ahemMara can you find any planets on the simulator that are particularly... weird?"
"Yes captain, I will mark aberrant planets for guest Aria, is there anything else you wish to know?"
An obviously robotic voice grated on my ears and I suppress a frown as I shake my head. 'I can't get used to the voice, I wish she didn't have to do that for these clients.'
"Thank you Mara!" Aria responds after a momentary pause smiling and giggling as she tugs her parents towards the corridor.
When it is only Temlic Leah and I left we just all stand there in awkward silence.
Temlic is the first to break said silence. "...So Miss Runethari do you have any need for us or are we free to go?"
"No you're fine to leave though feel free alert me if you wish to see Beta Charon I, if so you'll have to give me a few hours to scan the world enough to render it in simulation."
He just hums a reply before leaving with his wife following the Vrits.
When I know that nobody is close enough to hear me I finally release a sigh that was just short of a groan. "Mother, can you finally tell me why treating that annoying brat is such a necessary thing? You feed me a script, so you must have a good reason?"
"Lily, do you remember the data crystal you discovered was in Guest Aria's possession 7 days ago?" I nod, "Of course you said it was from some biological research facility that was sent out to be tested on the last human worlds, what about it?"
"That data crystal had the methodology on how to create what the Runethari Empire designated as Ghouls. Along with a study on a more humane version designated as the Dhamphir. A Dhamphir is a hybrid of a bipedal species with vampiric genetics to create a superior species, though it wasn’t as strong as a vampire it was seen as a good start."
I feel a mote of intense anger rise through me and I glare at my tablet. "And why would we do that to a human let alone one you seem especially concerned about after knowing her for only a day. Still can't see how that girl is as capable as you say, she's a brat and that's it."
"This research as you could probably infer used human subjects in their trials. The paper seems to also note that these humans, despite becoming overall better in all metrics, mental, physical, and psychological. They also became more compliant and personable to Vampires with no major behavioral side effects. With especially good results from those who already showed even a little positive opinions towards the Runethari."
I feel my face shift away from my glare to something more, calculating. "I see, so if we snag Aria she can serve as a test case to see if that is still the case. If she succeeds and becomes what you call a Dhamphir you eliminate someone you see as risky, while possibly gaining a useful pawn. If we fail we just say something happened during the treatment and still get rid of a piece that may prove to be a thorn in the future."
I feel a notable pause with how long it usually takes for Mara to respond. "You are almost correct my lady... Aria is by all certainty a genius no matter how vague that word is. I could tell she understood your details on the ships as long as you gave her enough information to work with. I also noticed she asked questions that I calculated would have been semi-optimal or optimal to shed the most light on certain parts she didn't understand. Like I was telling you, Lilith, that girl is more observant than you give her credit. If we can have her work for us and give her a sufficient education, we could secure someone that could prove useful to your plans to resurrect the Runethari Empire."
Sigh
I sit back and stare at the holo table that now shows a sickly pale little girl with short shoulder length black hair running around a world with dark red grass and clouds. Probably caused by its host star, which is dimmer giving the world an ever present since of twilight despite sitting so close to the aforementioned star. That girl who I can't for the life of me see as anything other than the spawn of humans looking around with a wide smile and an ever present glint of curiosity in those eyes.
"Sigh And how long would it take to finish this process, I take it will be a year at the most? And what are some of the things I will need to know about beforehand?"
"I'm glad you are seeing the worth in my suggestion. Now here are some of the most pressing concerns and risks I have about this plan and how you should handle them if they come up..."
TIME:
7 DAYS LATER
NIGHT CYCLE ONBOARD THE ASTRO DAWN
LOCATION:
ORBIT OF BETA CHARON V
3 AU FROM BETA CHARON
OUTER SYSTEM
POV:
Aria Vrit
Gasp
I woke up gasping for air, something felt wrong and it felt familiar. The breath I took was euphoric like I was given the greatest gift a person could ask for. I reach for my chest as I feel my heart racing using the digital clock on the walls. I timed my heart rate, 90 BPM.
I sigh in relief but I feel confused why did I wake up gasping for air, maybe I should ask Mara if she can check—I know that she is likely observing our rooms, it's only natural as we are guests not crew.
"Mara are you there," I ask nervously.
A moment later a holo-projector on the floor turned on and the ghostlike appearance of a tall black haired woman appeared. She wore a fading crimson tunic that was made of natural fabric and tatty near the edges. The tunic reached to her bare ankles and had a belt around the waist, it looked incredibly archaic for what was clearly an artificial intelligence. The tunic seemed to blur and fade occasionally around the threadbare edges. Despite wearing a worn well used outfit that seemed unmaintained and not cared for, she wore a flawless white porcelain mask. The crafted lips wore a thin smile that evoked a sense of serenity, rather than shyness or timidity. The holes where the eyes and their brows gave an impression of quiet happiness, overall she felt very motherly in her crafted appearance.
There was just one flaw I was unsure of if she noticed, her crimson eyes—that now that I look at them look exactly like Lilith's—never seemed focused, always cloudy and going through you, like you're not even there. Her shoulders as well seemed slumped in an almost uncaring or apathetic manner.
"Yes I am here, what is it that you require guest Aria."
Despite her finely crafted and generated appearance she spoke with a tone that was incredibly androgynous, monotone, and robotic. I suspected that this was a way of hiding something; if she could generate such a life-like appearance, she should be able to do the same with a voice, even if she isn't “sapient”.
"... Um yes can you check if I was coughi–" I suddenly entered a coughing fit as I felt a pain and a feeling of something stretching barely not ripping apart inside me. It ended soon after I checked my hands hoping that it wouldn't be there and sighed in relief when it wasn't, I still had a little time.
"Are you okay Guest Aria, that cough seemed extremely serious and abnormal, if you want I can guide you to the medbay?" Despite previously talking monotone I felt an edge of worry in her voice… is she actually sapient? No, I need to focus, the AI’s secrets can wait for when I’m not about to tear myself apart.
I felt my heart racing in my chest and despite me taking careful deep breaths it refused to slow. I nodded my head—knowing for certain now I was feeling the familiar symptoms of my chronic lung condition—as I pushed the covers on my bed aside and walked to the door.
The door swished open without me having to even get on the tips of my toes to touch the panel. I quickly walked out and followed the dim lights pulsing on the side of the hallways. When I reached the halfway point arriving at the stairs I felt anxious as I stared at them. I was still catching my breath from just walking to the stairs.
My lungs were always weak and scarred as they were making me unsuited to physical tasks but this was worse, I probably don’t have much time. Shaking my head internally I started slowly climbing the stairs, feeling as if I just got done with a long sprint and decided to climb a steep hill.
I eventually reach the top and taking a moment to breathe I feel it starting to crest the horizon, and start coughing, and then my lungs tore themselves apart. I can only occasionally get a cry—or maybe it was a scream—out. A sharp rending pain rips through my chest. Suddenly I feel a sense of weakness as my head grows light. I close my eyes feeling my body falling backwards about to meet the hard floor; in my state that may as well be the end of my story.
'Well I guess this is it... I wish I could tell Mom and Dad goodbye at least… I wished I could have at least seen auntie once…'
SLAM
I felt my head suddenly hit the door just as I started to fall. Mara must have seen me start losing my balance and forcefully shut the doors like an emergency bulkhead. It was still pointless. I looked down at my hands and the floor that was covered in blood. The parts of my hands that weren’t covered in blood were turning blue.
"EMERGENCY: Captain Runethari to hallway #P1/+1/Q4/SQ4! I repeat Captain Runethari to hallway #P1/+1/Q4/SQ4! More information will be given at the scene."
I feel my vision start to finally darken as a pair of footsteps ran towards me coming from further up the hallway. I dragged my eyes up to see Lilith with a displeased look across her face—a red drop of something running down her chin—then my brain finally shut down as I fell into a coma; unsure if I would be waking up this time.
Hallway designation and how it works
Example: #P1/+1/Q4/SQ4
P1 means Portside hallway 1 (or the closest hallway to the spine). +1 means one deck above centerline(think the deck in the middle of the ship which would just be 0). Q4 means quadrant 4 (bottom left quadrant). SQ4 means as you would guess Sub-quadrant 4 (bottom left sub-quadrant used to give more precise location during emergencies)
So to summarize/Tl;dr: Portside hallway 1, 1 floor above centerline, the 4th quadrant, in the 4th sub-quadrant.
And I owe this way of designating rooms/hallways to Aethelred and his series: Herald of the Stars - A Warhammer 40k, Rogue Trader Fanfiction.