by K. A. Kerr
Tarik was about to start on the toilets when he noticed feet in the stall. “Are you going to be much longer?” He called out. “Any chance you can pinch it off?”
He didn't get a response so he knocked on the door. “Hello? Everything alright in there?”
He tried the handle but it was locked. “Come on, I need to clean up.” He said as he jiggled the handle. “If you're rubbing one out head to your bunk.”
“Hey seriously open the door.” He pounded a fist on the door. “If you don't open up I’m going to break it down.”
Still no response.
“Fine then. I'm breaking it and you're paying for the lock.” He yelled after he turned on his recorder. “Last chance before I break it down.”
Silence in the bathroom caused him to wait another long moment. “If you need help say so.” Still no sound came from within the stall.
He kicked the door just inside the handle and the lock snapped but the door remained in place. He kicked again and the door flew open.
On the toilet sat Rye. She was slumped over like she had recently passed out but wasn’t so uncomfortable that she needed to move.
“God damn it Rye. I know you don't like me but I got shit to do.” He said as he kicked her foot. “Seriously get out so I can clean. I don't hang out in whatever shuttle you're trying to work on.”
Rye didn't move.
“Hey, are you feeling alright? You sick or something?” He stepped in closer to her.
She looked pale. That could have just been from dehydration though.
“I'm going to call medical. Can you even hear me?” He kicked her foot again. “If you're drunk you better get up and go to your room. I won't say anything but you need to go now.”
Still no response; Tarik didn't want anyone to lose their job but she didn't look so good.
Tarik put in an emergency medical request. A few seconds later Tilla answered in full immersion mode.
“Hey Tarik, is everything okay? Are you having problems with your new implants?”
“Tilla, Rye is in the bathroom stall and she isn't responding. I don't know if she is sick or drunk or what. I think you and the doctor should get over here.”
“You're with Rye? I will alert the doctor and send him now. Tarik, you didn't do anything to her did you?”
“No, I just found her. I wanted to clean but she wouldn't answer so I broke open the door.”
“Don't touch her, just talk to her see if you can get her to respond. We will be there in a few minutes.”
Tarik wasn't sure what to do. He tried calling out to her a few more times but he was sure not to touch her, just as Tilla instructed.
When Tilla and the doctor arrived he thought about leaving but his curiosity forced him to stay.
The doctor walked past him and went right to work checking over her.
“Rye? Rye it's the doctor. Can you hear me?” The doctor asked as he reached around her neck.
The doctor pulled open her jumpsuit and a canister was between her breasts. The canister clanked on the ground and Tilla picked it up to inspect its contents.
“Lubricant, bond disrupter.” She read the label aloud.
The doctor continued to check her over but had a dissatisfied look on his face.
“She gone.” The doctor proclaimed. “A few hours it would seem.”
Tarik couldn't hold himself back he needed clarification. “You mean she is dead?”
The doctor locked a cold stare at him. “If you did this I will find out.”
“Did what? Really is she dead? What's going on?” Tarik asked.
“You foul monster! Everyone knew you hated her, if you murdered her I am going to find out. When I do, I am going to push the button to send you out the airlock myself!” The doctor screamed in his face.
“I never touched her! I swear check the security footage!” Tarik yelled back defending himself.
“Tilla! Get the body back to my lab immediately. We will be performing the autopsy within the hour.” The doctor yelled as he left the bathroom.
“Tilla, honestly you know I wouldn't do this. What can I do?”
“Tarik, send your personal footage to the ship computer right now. Get out of the bathroom and request an emergency meeting with Dav. Tell him everything you have done today; Leave nothing out. Go now, you need to get away from the body!”
9 - A Monster
* * *
Tarik hurried from the bathroom and did as she suggested.
Dav must have already seen the emergency request for medical so he answered Tarik faster than the messaging system should have allowed. He instructed Tarik to get to the training room without stopping anywhere and to talk to nobody else.
Tarik nearly ran the whole way there. He did nothing wrong but it seemed like the doctor was convinced that he killed Rye.
He walked into the training area and a lone chair sat in the middle of the room, a table hadn’t even been provided. He walked to the center of the room and the door closed behind him. The red light around the edge indicated the door was locked and sealed. Tarik sat down and tried his best to keep his composure. He felt like he was going to be sick.
Tarik sent a request to the ship computer to see if any news had been sent but found his access had been suspended. He couldn’t even message Dav again to ask what the hell was going on. He tried to get anything from the computer network but quickly found he didn’t even have access to the ship’s clock to see how long it had been.
Tarik sat and stared at a blank wall for what seemed like hours. He activated his EPS unit to see if anyone was coming to talk to him but his vision only went to the end of the corridor before the normal ship electronics obscured anything further.
Eventually, he could see three people talking as the approached and stopped just outside the doorway. With a little more practice he felt like he could have figured out what they were saying but he had not had nearly enough time to develop that skill. He focused on the three people outside. He was sure one of them was Dav, one of them looked like the doctor but he was waving his hands and looked to be yelling at the last person. After observing them for a few more minutes he thought the third person was Lamb but he couldn’t be sure. Eventually the one he thought was the doctor walked away very quickly. Dav and who he thought was Lamb talked for several more minutes.
Dav opened the door and the last person remained outside. As Dav walked in the room he noticed the person outside had a hand blaster by his side ready to storm in firing. Tarik was getting scared.
“Tarik, stay seated and do not make any sudden moves.” Dav called from the doorway.
“I’m here Dav. Not moving, I just want to know what the fuck is going on.” Tarik said as he stayed as still as possible.
“Well, the doctor thinks you and my daughter may have killed Rye.” Dav called out still inside the doorway. “I need to restrain and question you. Do you object?”
Tarik thought about it. He knew he didn’t kill Rye, he was fine with questioning but not with someone having a blaster at him while he couldn’t move. How the hell Daze got implicated in this he hadn’t a clue.
“Tell whoever that is with you to put away the blaster, pull the battery out and then I’ll let you restrain me.”
The two people at the doorway spoke in hushed tones. The person with the blaster did as he requested after much debate.
“It’s put away Tarik. I’m going to have the chair restrain you then we will talk.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s okay.”
Straps came out of the chair to wrap around his ankles, just above his knees, waist, chest, wrist, and biceps. They were really not kidding around here.
“Tarik, things are a bit fucked out there.” Dav said as he walked closer.
“Yeah, no shit. Any chance you can tell me what the hell is going on?”
“Well, the doc seems to think you killed Rye and had Daze edit the security footage.”
“Dav, this is bullshit. Rye and I didn’t
get along but why the fuck would I kill her? On top of that why the hell would Daze help me?”
“Everyone knows the deal with you, Rye and Daze. The doc has some people convinced that you did this because your implants have you all fucked up and feeling like a god. He thinks you're like the Altereds.”
“What the fuck? I’m altered but I’m not like those false god motherfuckers. The doc has it in for me. Tilla knows that, she can tell you.”
“Tarik, if you’re innocent we will find out. I need you to calm down and let me ask you some questions. Can you calm down?”
“Dav, I’ve just been accused of murder. Calming down is going to be a bit difficult.”
“I’m turning on a polygraph. If you don’t calm down it could fuck up the readings. I’m going to sit down and wait until you say you’re good.”
A chair came out of the floor a good six feet away from him. Dav sat down and had a look of worry on his face. Could he be that afraid of Tarik? Or was he just concerned for his daughter? He used his EPS to look back at the doorway, the figure hadn’t rearmed the blaster but was ready to close and lock the door at the first sign of trouble. They were being cautious but if Dav thought he did this he doubted he would have sent himself in the room with a murderer.
“Just give me a minute please. I’m pretty scared and don’t know if I can handle this right now.”
“That’s fine, very understandable. Just so you know the doctor will be doing the autopsy with Tilla and the computer verifying everything immediately. If you think he is going to change something we will know immediately. We just need to talk about your day.”
Tarik tried to force himself calm but it just didn’t seem to be happening. his heart was racing and he could feel sweat starting to form in his armpits. Finally he thought just talking may help him.
“So everyone thinks I’m some monster on a power trip?”
“Not everyone Tarik, they are all just scared and we don’t have enough information.”
“I don’t think questioning me directly is going to keep me calm.”
“Okay, so what do you suggest?”
“How’s about I just tell you about my day. From waking up to coming here, if you have questions just wait until the end. Will that work?”
“I think that as long as you tell the truth that will work out just fine.”
Tarik went on to say everything he could remember doing that day. From waking up to the image of a red dwarf star, eating breakfast, to discovering Rye and his trip to the training area. Dav asked questions about seemingly mundane things. Dav asked how many bites he had taken out of the fruit at breakfast. What cleaning agent he used on the toilets of the first bathroom. He asked how many strokes he took with his mop. He asked about how long he took to clean the sinks in the bathroom he found Rye in. He asked how hard Tarik kicked at her feet.
The level of detail that Dav asked him questions left him exhausted. Some things he could answer exactly and other things he could only guess at but was sure to preface it as such. He wasn’t lying and was sure not to give an indication that he was hiding anything.
Dav then went on to ask him personal questions. Were he and Daze in a sexual relationship? were he and Rye ever in a sexual relationship? He asked if Tarik was homosexual. Was he sexually attracted to Rye or Daze? He asked if Tarik had masturbated that morning and if so where and for how long. Who did he think about as he did masturbate? Did he ever have fantasies that involved Rye? Did he ever have violent fantasies involving Daze? Was he planning on pursuing a relationship with any of the crew?
By the end of the questioning Tarik felt like his privacy had been invaded. It seemed like he had been there for hours and had been beaten down emotionally. He also had to answer some very personal questions about his intentions with the interrogator's daughter.
Finally someone approached the other person standing watch at the doorway. He thought it was Tilla but couldn’t be sure.
Tarik betrayed himself and looked to the doorway; Dav took the cue and looked that way as well. Dav set up holograms around the room to obscure Tarik’s EPS view.
“Sorry Tarik, you’re in blackout until I get the word.”
“Dav, I like to think you know me better than this. If I wanted Rye dead I could have done it during the rescue mission.”
“So you thought about killing her then?”
“No, I’m just saying if I wanted her dead I would have left her to die there.”
“You’re not helping your case with that statement.”
“Dav, as the saying goes, ‘Truth will out’. I did the analysis on that mission and I know the variables.”
Dav gave him a look but didn’t show any emotion behind it.
“Excuse me for a moment.” Dav said as his eyes turned red and he went full immersion.
While Dav went into full immersion Tarik felt a bead of sweat on his forehead. Forgetting that he was restrained he tried to reach up to wipe it away. The person at the doorway noticed the movement and hit the lock button.
The holograms were still surrounding the room so now he was stuck in the room with Dav while he was fully immersed. Tarik didn’t think this was going to go over well when Dav came back around.
When Dav finally came out of it he looked around the room and saw the locked door.
“What the fuck did you do Tarik?”
“I just tried to wipe the sweat from my head. I forgot about the restraints.”
Dav leaned forward to see the sweat on Tarik’s forehead.
“You know for such a smart kid, you can be a real fucking idiot.”
“Yeah, no shit right?”
Dav stood up and had the restraints released from Tarik.
“Rye died of suffocation; she was inhaling lubricant to get high. Everything you said has been verified.” Dav let out a huge sigh. “You and Daze are free to go; I suggest you hang out in your rooms until things calm down. People are going to be upset even after they know the truth, that’s just the nature of things like this.”
“I’m innocent and so is Daze. Why would people still look at me differently?”
“Because some people still hold onto their beliefs even after they have been presented with different information. It’s going to take time but things will blow over eventually.”
“So you’re saying this is still fucked?”
“Very much fucked.” Dav said as he had the door released.
Lamb jumped through the door as it opened pointing his blaster in Tarik’s direction.
“Everything is fine Drang. They didn't do it, he's being released.”
Dav left the room. Lamb stood for a moment appraising Tarik before he left too.
When he was left alone again Tarik stood up and looked around the room.
“Well, what a wonderful fucking day this has been.” He said to another empty room.
Tarik sat alone in his room. He did not go to midday or end of day meal. Eventually Tilla stopped by to see if he was doing okay. She had brought him a tray but he was still to upset to eat.
Tarik was more than a little pissed off at the rest of the crew. One day they thought of him as a hero, the guy who would put his life on the line for them. He was going to be the new big swinging dick, the guy who could take on armies by himself. A few days later he was a murderous monster who should be put down. Then there was poor Daze, her and Rye had a fight but for the most part they were good. They worked together for years. They knew each other well. Now, here she sits having been accused of helping cover up the murder of a woman she once called a friend. All because she was friends with the altered monster. Tarik and she were good friends but somehow it got twisted into a sexually infused blood rage. They flirted but that was just their thing as far as he knew but there was never any sex or murder involved.
Later that night as most of crew slept; Bink came to his door. Tarik answered, he knew they’d had a strange relationship and he probably wanted to know more about where Tarik found her. At first he was
n’t going to answer but he thought it be rude not to. He was probably hurting and just wanted some answers.
“Hey Bink, How are you doing?” Tarik asked in a low somber voice.
Bink didn’t say anything, he just kept looking down.
“I’m sorry for your loss, I truly am. There were some nasty rumors floating around about me but I’m still human. I know it hurts.” Tarik told him.
Bink looked up, his face was read and tears streamed down to his jowly face.
“Do you want to come in and talk?” Tarik asked.
“They said you killed her, and then they say you didn’t kill her.” Bink said in a much deeper than normal tone.
“No I didn’t, I just found her.” Bink didn’t say anything so Tarik went on. “I’d didn’t kill her Bink. I was just the one who found her.”
“I am not sure I believe that.”
“Bink, come on, I wouldn’t kill a crewmate.”
Bink threw up his right arm in an upward arc across Tarik’s body. Tarik stopped the arm just as a blade made contact with his chest. Bink tried to push the blade forward but Tarik was already rolling out of the way.
Bink took a step back and tried to come down on Tarik with the blade held high now. Tarik slapped at Bink’s wrist and threw a palm to Bink’s chest to push him away. Tarik was still surprised when Bink renewed his efforts.
“I’m going to kill you!” Bink screamed as he came slashing wildly at Tarik.
Tarik didn’t want to hurt Bink so he just blocked the flailing arms whenever they came close. When Bink was close enough he grabbed both arms and pulled him in close. Tarik slipped his leg behind Bink’s and put Bink down on his back. Bink was still fighting him and bit into Tarik’s shoulder. Tarik lost his temper for a moment as he straddled Bink and punched Bink in the face. As Tarik sat over top of him he caught the strong smell of alcohol projected from Bink’s screaming mouth.
Tarik pinned Bink’s arms down and kept his weight on the center of Bink’s chest as he thrashed below him.
“Bink, please stop! I really do not want to hurt you, please stop!” Tarik yelled at him.
Bink still held the blade in his hand and was doing all he could to just jab it in the direction of Tarik.
