My consciousness returns, and I lift my heavy body from the ground, conjuring my memory banks to fill in the blanks of what left me on the floor in Orion's room.

Wayta.

Who is no longer here.

My body takes off running toward the door, but I don't have time to be encumbered. I re-log into the ship's systems.

I make a scan for Orion's DNA, the basic algorithm of which is pre-logged into the ship's hardware. I get a positive.

But I can't seem to make the machine do a more focused search and ascertain that there is only one individual with Orion's DNA onboard. The algorithm wasn't made to be so precise, apparently.

A grave error on the manufacturer's part, considering the existence of shapeshifters.

Turning all my cameras on, I locate Orion quickly, walking casually toward the cockpit.

Setting my body on route toward him, I materialize a hologram in front of him to stall.

If it is indeed him- or even a him.

Orion's from startles slightly when I appear, but then smiles casually. This smile is so much more like his.

Has Wayta improved her acting, or is this really my captain?

Sensing my issue in analyzing him, Orion cocks his head to one side, as if asking why I'm even analyzing him. "Well, Alicia Ivy? You look like you figured something out."

I study him longer, trying to find any sign that he's truly my captain- or just my tormentor laying another trap.

Do I inform Orion of the goings-on, or will I be repeating a mistake with Wayta?

"We can turn off the security setting," I say. After all, they will do no good against a shape-shifter anyway. "Just inform everyone to remain vigilant. Just in case."

Just in case they see a version of themselves and would like to inform me quickly that they are, in fact, the real them.

Orion nods and jogs toward the cockpit.

My gaze follows after him, wishing another version of him would slink behind a corner so that I can know once and for all where Wayta is and handle her.

-Banner by CannibalisticNecro

-Signature by -krystallite