They left the planet as soon as Aboleth was stabilized and returned to the Sequester. Selene had very little interest in staying a second longer. Safe to say no one did. No one really talked to each other.
Zephyr had quickly returned from the Obelisk with the device—she seemed the most distant out of anyone. They all stole glances at it.
She now wore the device on her wrist. A collection of silver bracelets side-by-side with a narrow triangle down the length of them.
Danny and Raymond seemed equally parts disappointed and uncertain about that. Zephyr said she wasn't interested in fighting—but she hadn't given up the artifact. Or talked about it really. No one did. About anything. It was strange and melancholic.
They were all inexplicably upset about the preserver dying. Or maybe about Selene's penchant for violence.
Apart from Dr. Bryant who seemed upset about other things.
So no one really felt like talking to each other. Despite all the questions they all had—there was no one to answer them. The event had left them reeling in uncertainty. Of their cause—of their crews identity as a whole. It all felt so strained and frustrating.
She couldn't share the secrets of the preservers with them. It could threaten everything. She didn't trust Dr. Bryant at all. Zephyr had the device—was she really responsible enough for it? She wrestled with all these confusing, conflicting feelings.
Since no one really felt like talking about what happened Selene asked Aboleth to meet her in the captains quarters as soon as she was able to. And the ship took off back towards Endelon 2.
Selene gave Aboleth a hug then—relieved to see that she was more durable than other Zykra.
"This doesn't really fit military protocol between a superior officer and their subordinate." Aboleth said, her voice muffled by Selene's shirt.
Selene was back in her human form and the emotions she suppressed during the fight had caught up with her; "Deal with it." she said with a sniffle.
She felt a hand on her back pat her a couple times unenthusiastically.
"Everyone is acting weird.." she said after a moment.
Aboleth pushed away and stared at her with a disbelieving look. A degree of irritation in her face—clearly upset that Selene felt upset.
"Yes. They're not soldiers. Dr. Bryant has shared loyalties and our human companions feel entitled."
"Yeah, I'm worried about how they see me."
She knew Aboleth was probably just trying to console her, but she craved to know more.
Aboleth sensed this and stepped back; "They don't see you as a person. They see you as a force of nature that uplifted them from whatever situations they were caught up in. They're dependent on you. And it's preventing them from being honest with their feelings."
"..I think I know their feelings." Selene said, walking over to her art booklet that sat open on her bed. A page cut from it. She looked at the visible picture of a giant squirrel clutching a tree in surprise. "And it's probably better that they're not telling them to me."
Aboleth sighed. Which was a performative gesture. She no longer needed to breath since she became a Zykra.
"That's what they're worried about. You both know it without saying. They think you overreacted and killed the alien after it was no longer a threat to you. You think the alien justified that response when it nearly killed me."
It was a simplification of their conflict—but it was true enough. Selene sat down on her bed, insecurity and melancholy written on her face.
"Should I even be in charge of an army?" Selene said weakly. She felt small. Too young, too immature—to be doing any of this.
"No." Aboleth said quickly.
Selene turned in surprise—she'd expected only affirmations. But Aboleth's expression was non-judging, nor overly affectionate. She was making a calculated decision to be formal.
"You are a queen—I am not here to ensure you run a utopian society where humans and Zykra coexist. You don't need to lead an army, or research, or strategize, you're the figurehead. You're a symbol that represents a culture. That the masses aspire to and follow."
Selene was even more confused now.
Aboleth saw this and continued speaking; "I'll keep it simple..." she stepped to the mirror on the wardrobe and adjusted her uniforms collar.
"..I have experience as an authoritarian figure. And when you lead thousands—hundreds are going to dissent by default. Regardless of your performance—that is what it means to stand in front. Every one of your steps will be judged from those who walk behind."
"Are you saying I shouldn't listen to them?" Selene asked, unsure of what Aboleths point was.
She shook her head; "They are the ones meant to listen. And obey. Or they are enemies... But I get that you're worried about ideas like authority. You're very kind. So I'll explain. You actually care about other people. But whether you like it or not kindness is a weakness. If they sense you're uncertain for any reason—even if that reason is just hearing them out to be sweet... They will feel a false confidence in their judgements simply by the virtue of who you are. Because you entertained their ideas, they find them more valid. Like enabling a childs sugar addiction. They can cry all they want, it doesn't mean they should get what they want. Let them cry Selene. And move on."
Selene ducked her head. It wasn't the kind of motivational speech she desired. But Aboleth was right to a degree. They probably felt connected to the preserver on some instinctual level. They didn't know that. But based on what Selene knew.. That was probably the case.
And it didn't mean she was wrong for killing it.
And just because she felt bad about killing the human traffickers didn't mean that it was the wrong thing to do. It just meant she was human. Aboleth was glaring at her now. Clearly her formal act was wearing down.
"Do you get it Selene? Because I want to have a word with the others now. Do you mind?"
Selene nodded. "I get what you mean. I'm in charge here. And they don't have the full picture."
"Close enough. But about me talking to the others?"
She shrugged tiredly; "I'm not going to tell you not to talk to anyone."
Aboleth hurried out of the room to leave Selene to stew in her thoughts.
That girl almost gave her diabetes every time she talked to her. She was way too sweet for her own good. But Aboleth was beginning to understand—she would have to be her abrasive side. They made her queen feel insecure—just because they mourned a violent alien. Because her power frightened them.
...She was going to get to the bottom of it before tossing them out into the void of space.
She entered the pilots cabin to see Zephyr sitting in one of the pilots seat browsing different makeup selections on her tablet.
Raymond was in the room too, but he was sitting in front of a console to the side. Probably reading ship diagnostic data out of boredom.
"Come with me Erikson." she ordered.
Zephyr looked around as if uncertain of who she was talking to. "Me?"
"I want to speak to you privately."
Raymond and her shared a confused glance. He shrugged.
Zephyr followed Aboleth out of the room.
They went into the bunkroom Zephyr had been using all to herself. Aboleth stood outside the door until Zephyr went in first. Which she was also confused about.
Humans sure wasted a lot of time being confused.
"I find your lack of faith disturbing. Your behavior around Selene has been suspect as of late. Don't get me wrong—you're all inept. But you especially have been giving me red flags. Much of your behavior has."
"..What behavior?"
Aboleth narrowed her eyes at Zephyr; "Don't play dumb. Selene is the lynchpin that makes all this work, you do know that right? Who are you? You need to learn your place. Fast."
Zephyr got visibly mad at that.
"'Learn my place', what the hell is that? I'm a person, not a cog in a machine! —I don't see the problem, we're all just kind of tired after what happened."
"Why?"
"...Cause that alien was mauled to death? Selene lost control! She had it pinned—but she killed it anyways!"
Aboleth stepped close to Zephyr, looking up into her face then; "It attacked first. Did you forget it bitch slapped me halfway to hell? Either way it was on her planet, uninvited, unwanted. And another thing—you're whatever Selene wants you to be. Person, cog in a machine—whatever she decides you are. Don't forget that."
Zephyr scoffed and got a catty look.
"What?" Aboleth snapped.
"I think I have a pretty good idea what Selene wants me to be."
Aboleth always had good self control, and that was before she became a Zykra. Now? Her self control was unrivaled. But that? Whatever that was? That pissed her off.
"Do you think you're being cute, smart-ass? Selene could have anyone she wanted. But she doesn't because she's focused. Which is more than can be said about any of you, including that shady fucking doctor." Aboleth said, pointing towards the door of the bunkroom.
"None of us have people-controlling powers or the ability to lift a thousand pounds like she does."
"Good thing you couldn't either, wouldn't want it distracting you from your hobbies of being a manipulative parasite. Just wait until I tell Selene about this... You're done here. I know your true colors. You and that simpleton brother of yours."
That caused the expression of fury to drain from Zephyrs face. Aboleth went to leave.
"Aboleth wait- I, don't tell Selene what I said. Please. I don't mind her being attracted to me—but I like guys! And we're just worried she gets a little too aggressive when she's all Zykra'd out...." she mumbled the last part.
Aboleth glared at her. "It's too late. You're no ally of the Zykra. I know types like you. Actors. All of you. Invested in the cause up until you have to get your hands dirty... It's no surprise considering what you were doing before, playing all innocent."
She looked Zephyr up and down with disgust then.
"It's clear as day to everyone but Selene. You were using her affections against her. Snake."
Zephyr swallowed, clearly nervous.
"I.. Let's just calm down Aboleth. You clearly care about your queen—I do too! I wouldn't be here if I didn't! She gave us plenty of chances to leave!"
Aboleth gave her a mocked look of confusion, similar to the ones she's seen Zephyr make.
"Why would you? It's not like she can run the ship herself."
Zephyr nodded quickly; "Exactly. It's nothing insidious."
Aboleth chortled and shook her head; "No, it shouldn't be. Sure, you'll manage the little things. Do the bare minimum to justify her keeping you around. But then time will pass. Day after day. You'll bat your eye lashes at her, play on her desires. Until one day you've actually convinced her she loves this character you made for her."
Zephyr was still nervous, but she was quickly regaining her composure. Confident she had no proof.
"You're being paranoid. I won't do anything Aboleth, I already admitted I like guys. I swear. If Selene pushes things I'll talk to her about it. I want to support her and be her friend, just like you do."
"We'll see. I have a few plans to prove that or not. For now I'm going to have a long talk with Selene about you."
She went to leave, pressing the button next to the door opening it.
"Aboleth, wait!" Zephyr reached out and grabbed her shoulder. She turned to look at Zephyr but her violet eyes shined in the white light of the alien gauntlet.
It started to glow the moment Zephyr reached for her.
A light shot out from it about the length and shape of a wide daggers blade. It cut the side of Aboleths neck deeply. Purple blood spouted out onto her green uniform around the blade of light.
"Bulhep!" she fell to the side of the room and clasped a hand over it. Trying to stop the bleeding. It all happened so fast. Faster than either of them could keep up with.
"Shit!" Zephyr cried out and grabbed Aboleth with her other hand, keeping her partly lifted from the ground—making sure to hold the bladed gauntlet off to the side. She tried to help cover the wound and apply pressure.
"Shitshitshit!"
Aboleth was looking up at her with wide eyes. Blood drooling from the corners of her mouth. She struggled to speak but the blade had cut so deep it got her vocal chords.
Zephyrs expression changed then.
From one of worry—to cunning. Selene wasn't in her Zykra form. Could she sense Aboleth now? Maybe the gauntlet was blocking their connection.
She reached up and pressed the button near the door, closing it. If she showed up she could pretend this all was an accident. Which it sort of was.
Aboleths eye's shot to the door—then back to Zephyr. Her panic increased. She shoved Zephyr and sent her flying onto a bunk, smacking her head against a wall. Both their minds were racing. Thinking about very similar things.
Aboleth was a Zykra. With loyalties only to the Zykra. It was clear she didn't like humanity like Selene did. In her view she'd be better off dead—especially now that Aboleth was onto her.
Aboleth stood up shakily from the ground, clasping her neck. But she fell to one knee immediately. The floor was slick with blood. And she seemed to be weakening fast.
Zephyr hurried to her side and produced the blade again.
It reacted to her emotions—she knew now. If she wanted to stop someone the device would interpret that as an order. She clutched Aboleth by an antenna with one hand and drove her blade deeper into her neck in a sawing motion.
Aboleth's eyes went milky white as life faded from them. Her head half decapitated from her body.
Zephyr dropped her, letting her body slump into the wall next to the door. And she stumbled backwards. Slipping in the blood and falling to her back.
She stared at it for a second in abject horror and confusion. Of what she'd done. Of who she was. What she would do next.
She fumbled for her tablet on the bed and texted Danny.
[Zephyr] - Come to my room. We have a problem.