The reverend, though, seems as unwilling for that fate to unfold as I, and rushes out of the cockpit.

"Alicia Ivy?"

I refocus on Rose.

She studies me nervously. "Are you ready to begin?"

Nodding, I pick up the scalpel and approach the sleeping Silas Shipping.

Even as I focus on him, I partially focus on the life cords that Orion and Wayta are carefully wrapping around their waists.

I note which limb I'm going to sever. And make sure I identify which rope is wrapped around Orion, and which is secured on Wayta.

My knife is situated over the arm, ready to slide through so close to the metal that his flesh is barely touched. Even as I send an emergency protocol blade out of the side of the ship by the cords.

The knife cuts down at Silas Shipping even as the blade pierces into Wayta's cord. And I keep working at both with the precision of a surgeon, and the motive of an AI with a crew to protect.

"Stop, it's done."

My visual expands to show Rose standing beside me, her face tense. "He needs to be cauterized immediately."

Taking the necessary tool, I focus on saving the life of my patient.

My victim is already too-far-gone.

Rose breathes a sigh of relief as I set the tools aside and look down at our sleeping patient.

I turn back on the analysis to check his blood levels again.

Then the door bursts open, and Reverend Shipping comes barreling in, Nicholas slumped over one shoulder, and Killa over the other.

Rose's jaw drops when she sees them. "Reverend?"

"She passed out halfway here," Reverend Shipping gasps, setting Killa down on an empty cot. Before he can put Nicholas down after her, he topples to the ground, Nick and all.

Grabbing an oxygen mask, Rose rushes toward the fallen reverend, trying to drag the cord low enough to reach his face.

I go to shut the door behind him all the way to protect what's left of their oxygen store. Then I bend over to assist.

"Get him first," Reverend Shipping gasps, gesturing toward Nicholas's fallen form.

Rose turns obediently to try and tug the mask toward Nicholas's face. It snags before it can go all the way down.

I lift him up in my metallic arms. Rose secures the mask, and I carry him toward the cot and lay him next to Killa before reaching for another mask for her.

With both my cops breathing again, I turn to find Reverend Shipping leaning heavily against Rose, a third oxygen mask on his own face.

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