Even while my hologram appears in the cockpit.

Orion doesn't notice me at first as he watches the shields close over the cock-pit windows.

Which he never does if we are going to move forward.

"We have to get to a human settlement immediately," I say.

Startling, Orion whirls around to face me. "Why do you say that?"

"Silas Shipping is becoming unresponsive. I believe his body is rejecting one or more of his cyborg parts. He needs a specialist's immediate intervention."

Orion studies me, like if he stares long enough, I might reverse my diagnosis. "Isn't there something you can do? We can't move forward in this storm, or else our ship will be wrecked."

"At the rate he is rejecting the cyborg parts, it would be a concern if we go at top speed to the nearest human settlement in time- and he needs earth technology to properly save him."

Clutching his hair, Orion almost tears it out of his head. "What alternatives do we have?"

"The best chance we have is if I de-amputate him. But that will only buy us time."

Even as he says this, another ray hits the ship. Then all the electricity goes out.

A moment later, the back-up generators turn on.

I turn to Orion. "The ray just tore open our broken fuel valve. We now have only six hours of emergency oxygen flow."

"Dragon's star," he mutters before going to the comms unit. "Everyone, put on your space suits. This is not a drill."

Then he turns to me. "You perform the necessary surgery. I'll go adjust the fuel valve."

"You can't do that alone, sir. There needs to be at least two people according to the safety manual."

He clenches his jaw. "I'll get Killa to help me. And you get Rose to assist you."

"Killa will need to tend to the man who you knocked unconscious. It is imperative to make sure he doesn't go into anti-gravity sleep. Not to mention the prisoner, if we want to bring her back alive."

Raking his hand through his hair again, Orion turns completely away from me and pounds the signal that will send our S.O.S to the nearest ships and settlements. Then he whirls back around to face me. Or, he would be if he isn't burying both face into both his hands. "She won't have to. At least, Killa won't have to attend to Wayta."

I activate the glower on my hologram, practically feeling that emotion within me. "What are you planning, Orion? Because you can't do everything. You can't even fix the valve."

"Yes, I can." He starts to march away from me. "Because Wayta will be assisting me."

-Banner by cannibalisticnecro

-Signature by