Star Bate Saga: IV

The black doors, mirrored in revelation, slid open and in walked a rather lanky woman of Asian descent. Her long black hair was done up in a tight bun and she was wearing a tan sheep skin, draped jacket and bright copper heels. Under the jacket she wore a two tone button up shirt, the top half being slate grey white the bottom was a freshly bleached white. She wore tights as black as the galaxy to top it off. Her nails were a vivid emerald and her makeup was done rather modestly. Her eyes were startlingly yellow as she eyed the man slumped on the mirrored table. He lifted his head at her as her heels shattered the icy silence that had fallen upon the floor. 

She leaned over him and and unzipped a small leather triangular bag. Inside were various medical instruments such as thermometer, depressor, and flashlight. She paused and pulled a stainless steal stethoscope from somewhere behind her back. The man groaned. 

"Twenty first century?"

"The best there is." She purred. She then whapped him on the nose with the depressor and he stuck out his tongue. She gave him the once over and sat back, tilting her head in curiosity. 

"Am I cured?"

"Of your ignorance, no. I just don't understand you."

"This coming from a blind Korean doctor in heels."

"Vietnamese." 

"My mistake. How rude of me to be politically incorrect to my captors. My apologies." 

"You know, I wasn't sure of the necessity of Firmament's actions at first. But now I'm certain of them."

"Well how great for you. I guess you're all on the same criminal page now. Let's have a party." 

"We are."

"What's your deal anyhow?"

"You tell me yours."

"Humor me."

The woman paused and then sat, folded her legs and clasped her hands. "My name is Chatoyant. I was a respected officer of Star Runner and am a recipient of the badge of the Flight Surgeon."

"Just Chatoyant? You sound like a woman with something to hide."

"And you sound like a man with something to lose."

As you can see," he said, throwing his arms, "I've already lost it. But please, carry on."

"Of course. I am of Earth Vietnamese descent and have been around longer than the Violet Galaxy," here she winked, "I was an active Flight Surgeon up until five years ago, when I was wrongfully discharged for the 'murder' of Sargent Abattoir. I have since been working in Xeno-Communications where I met Firmament."

"The same Sargent Abattoir who was responsible for the genocide of over a million Earth dwellers, including fifty thousand Orientals?"

"The same."

"Ah."

"I did not kill him intentionally. He died of an infection. A complication of the surgery yes, but not a maniacal scheme of revenge. Of course, what would you believe?"

The man was silent. "Why tell me this?"

Chatoyant laughed delicately. "Because you asked." 

The man chuckled. "I guess it's my turn, huh?"

"Later, maybe. Just answer me one question: Did you know?"

The man sighed and looked away. "Only after. But I knew...I knew how bad she wanted this ship."

"It wasn't a want," Chatoyant finished, "It was a need."

Just then the doors slid open again and in walked Firmament. She had a deep set scowl in place. 

"Does he check out Doctor?"

"Yes, Captain. And so do the crew. The Private who was scraped during storming has been tended to and the only real problem here is that Angel never really enforced the curfew...if you know what I mean." 

Firmament frowned deeper. "I do. All right. Put him with the others now." And with that she was gone again. 

"She has a habit of disappearing, doesn't she?"

"You should know better than anyone." She then lightly gripped his arm and guided him towards the doors. 

"You know, for a blind woman, you get around pretty well."

"I can sense things. The light and the dark I can feel it in my bones. That's why I can't understand you. Why I can't understand Firmament. Most people, most beings, are either good or evil in their certain respects. Some ides of the two may be skewed but it's always prevalent. But you two. You're neither good nor evil."

"How can that be?"

"I'm not sure yet." By now they had reached the containment area. "It's been interesting Angel. We shall have to chat over tea sometime. I'll tell you everything you've ever wanted to know." And with that, Chatoyant shoved him into the room as the slate grey doors slid shut and locked.