{Kyrie's Point of View}
Morning had came. I had woken up feeling a little tired instead of refreshed thanks to last night's Scenario. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and stood up and stretched my body. I could feel (and hear) my back popping. I walked over to my wardrobe closet and opened it. Inside were a selection of clothes. Mostly uniforms like the one I had on yesterday, but also casual clothes as well. I slipped out of my sleeping shorts and dressed myself in a blue blouse, leggings, a skirt, and and a pair of sneakers. Same thing as yesterday. (But a fresh blouse of course.)
I took a brush and brushed my hair until it was straight, and no longer had the "bed head" look. I looked at myself in the mirror while I put on my tie. It was a zip up tie because I didn't quite know how to tie a normal one. Once I had decided I looked presentable, I left my room.
There were people walking up and down the hallways. My ears were filled with the sounds of chatter from the others. The power was back on, so Max and the Repair Crew must have gotten the generators back up.
'What am I going to do today?' I wondered.
Honestly...I didn't really know. It wasn't like I was an Employee or Voyager...so I didn't exactly have any responsibilities. I shrugged.
'Well, I guess I will go get something to eat at one of the Eateries.'
Saiya gave me a tour around some places of Station Argos. I knew where Saiya and I ate last night. , so I headed down the hallway towards the path I was shown.
There would be groups of citizens hanging around the halls, either chatting, or playing card games. Everyone seemed to be happily content...despite being hundreds of feet under the sea. Saiya explained the planet to me. We humans called it Aquaros. and as far as we knew, It was an all ocean planet. Argos was just one of the many underwater bases, but it was the Largest and considered the Heart of Humanity. Not only was it a base, but it was also surrounded by an undersea city. There were several other Bases....
Trinity, Oroboros, Alpha, Delta, Xfinity, Ursus, and Station Poseidon...
She said that was only a small list.
I kept my head down and quietly walked along on my way, not wanting to confront anybody. I couldn't talk. It would be embarrassing for me if I had to explain to somebody why I couldn't speak by having to write in my notebook. I could have gone over to Saiya and bring her along, but it was pretty early, I'd hate to wake her up at this hour.
I slowly walked into the mess hall, and It had a larger quantity of people. I kept to myself and headed over to the buffet area and served up what I was going to eat.
'Let's see...toast...eggs...a couple pieces of sausage...there.'
I didn't bother with the butter. The buffet area was too crowded. I didn't want to make an unnecessary encounter with a stranger. Saiya also warned to be careful around others...There were bullies and other unfriendly people.
"But there are more good people than bad." She had told me.
I walked over and sat at an empty table.
The surrounding tables were occupied by at least three or more members. I realized there were more empty tables towards the back of the Eatery, But I had already sat down. I guess it would draw attention to me If I were to get up again. I began to slowly eat. I looked around a bit. For the most part, people seemed happy. I did see one man who sat alone and sipped from a coffee mug reading a book, paying no attention to his surroundings. I looked over to my left. People in uniform. The backs of their uniforms had the word:
"Maintenance crew"
'Hey...those must be the people who fixed the generators...shouldn't Max be with them?' I wondered. Max was a part of the Maintenance crew, however I didn't see him.
I observed the crew. They didn't seem...happy. Rather they seemed distressed. I couldn't hear them over the chatter of the other people. I watched their mouths to see if I could make out what they were saying. One member was making rapid hand gestures. well...all the members were making a bunch of gestures. I wondered what they were talking about. They seemed to be having a heated conversation. I picked up my plate and subtlety moved over to the next table, moving closer to them. I listened...Nope, still couldn't hear what they were saying. Again, Without drawing attention to myself, I casually slipped over two tables and sat down. I was about six feet from them. and there were not that many people in the surrounding tables.
"Well he just fell off the ladder and fell on the crowbar." said one of the members.
"They're looking through the security footage. It could have been murder." Said another.
"Now who in the bloody hell would want to murder Seth? He was the kind of man everyone wanted to be buddies with. I refuse to accept that theory."
"Well, he was also the careful type too, I'm sure he wouldn't just slip off and fall."
"Didn't you see the generator room, Lance? it was leaking oil and shit, it's possible his boots could have lost traction on the ladder rails."
I listened carefully. Apparently a crewmate had died last night. I continued to watch and listen.
"I also...didn't feel right down there." Said another crewmate.
"Like what?"
"Ya' know...chills down me spine. I felt like someone dropped a bloody ice cube down me shirt."
"So did I. Not quite what you explained...but I felt a sudden chill."
"So did I." agreed another.
"Well I'm glad I'm not the only one, I knew I couldn't be crazy."
Wait...So I wasn't the only one feeling those chills? These men were feeling it too? But why? It couldn't be coincidence. There were over eight of us that were Experiencing the same thing. Something had to be going on...but I couldn't figure out what.
"Maxis started acting a little strange too, don't you think?"
I paused when I heard someone mention Max. I looked up.
"Hm? what happened."
"On the way out last night, he stopped dead in his tracks, and just stood there for five straight minutes, he didn't even respond to me when I tried getting his attention. Then suddenly, he just continued and walked off without another word. It was like...he was in a trance or something."
The fat guy waved his hand,
"Ppff, Maxis can act like a dumbass sometimes, I bet he was trying to scare you or something."
"Nah man, something happened to him...I've been hearing stories about that same shit going down on Oroboros...I think the same thing is happening to him."
"Should we tell someone?"
"Keep an eye on him first. I don't think it was that bad."
"Eh? Who's that? Sure she wasn't there a minute ago. One of the men pointed at me. The rest of them looked over their shoulder at me. I bowed my head, feeling uneasy.
"A? Oi, piss off, lass! This is a staff conference, this doesn't concern ye!" I flinched as he scolded me. He was a big man, and he looked mean.
"Oi, ye def er somthin'? I says beat it!"
I got up and obeyed his orders. He grabbed my tie as I passed by and yanked me closer to him.
"It ain't polite to listen in on other folks' conversations you! Next time I catch ye evesdroppin' on our conversations, I'll bust that arse O' yers, capisce?"
I nodded frantically, grabbing my tie and trying to tug it out of his grip.
"Use yer words!"
"Ngh!" All I could manage was a frightened noise. I can't talk! I wished I could tell him to let go.
"Hm? What's this? A notebook? Ye been takin notes have ye now? Give it ere!"
I put my other hand over my notebook and tried keeping it away from him.
"I says give it ere' or I'll break yer arms!"
"Jesus, Travis, Just let her go, man, she already told you she understood you." said one of the crewmates.
"Can't risk her spreadin' rumors about what we've been talkin' about now, can we? She'll cause a panic!"
"Hey!" I jumped as I heard another shout from behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see a tan skinned man, dressed in a sleeveless black shirt and wore a protective vest. He also had cargo pants, boots, and a short shotgun tucked away on a leg holster. Oh great, another one? Where is Max? I wished he were here to make them all stop.
The man grabbed me and yanked my tie from Travis' grip. He stood between us.
"The hell you think you are Travis? Picking on someone who can't speak?!"
"Well...she was bein' nosy--"
"I don't give a monkey's right nut what she was doing! You're beginning to get outta hand with your aggressiveness don't ya' think? First beating on Saiya, now you're bullying Kyrie, C'mon now!"
"But the notebook! She's been recordin' what we've been discussing!"
"She never once opened the notebook, I watched her."
"Well keep yer lil' pipsqueak and both ye piss off!"
"S'cuse me? Better watch that tone, or I take you in for assault! Shoulda done that when you hit Saiya."
Travis grumbled and turned around.
"Fuck off, Victor."
Victor put an arm around me and guided me away.
We left the Restaurant Together.
"What an asshole. I'm sorry you had to go through that, Kyrie. Are you alright?"
I nodded.
"That was...Travis. Head of the Maintenance crew. As you can see, he has a very bad temper. I'd advise you to stay away from him. Maxis and I have a hard enough time dealing with him."
Again, I nodded to indicate that I understood.
"You probably have no idea who I am. My name is Victor. I'm Maxis' best friend. He asked me to look after you whenever he couldn't. Speaking of Maxis, I had to talk to him about something. Not sure if he got off work yet. Not sure where he is? Do you know?"
I shrugged my shoulders. Last I saw of him was last night.
"Not sure either huh? Alright. Let's go see if he is in his dorm, I bet that's where he is."
I followed Victor. I wanted to see if he was okay too, the things that the Crew Members were talking about had me concerned.