Butterflies of the Dark Star

43 (REVISED)

Nova led the way to central command with Neo on her heels, silent and unfocused in his steps and breathing. Izerva met them outside the transit station. "Admiral Mythrai is in a meeting in the communications center," they signed and flicked their tail. "I'm to bring you straight to them to explain the situation in the droid bay. It went down at the same time we received several reports of aggression in Habitation."

Nova waited for Neo to pipe up, but he never spoke, so she took charge instead, "What of the personnel? Is Ulin there?"

"Programmer Ulin is safely in the medical tower."

"Why are they there?"

Neo jolted back to life. "Speaking of which, Nova was attacked... by Thuni." He cringed at the words which left his mouth next, "I... I had to—I had to neutralize him." Each word came out shaken and choked. "I would really like to request a doctor to take a look at Nova to make sure there are no internal injuries.

"You aren't going to relax until I get checked, are you?" Nova questioned.

He smiled, a pale reflection of before. The Neo before the death he'd never remember — stained in the shadow of death. "I'll rest easier if you let them take a peek. You shouldn't mess around with strangulation injuries. Or any injury, for that matter."

Nova shrugged while Izerva ushered them onto the transit, their rifle locked and loaded. Their ears flicked in different directions, and Nova sat down with Neo. Exhaustion weighed her into the seat and embers danced in her throat.

"I'll explain the situation to the senior research team and Admiral Mythrai," Neo said, and Nova leaned on his shoulder to support, and for her own support. "Can you-can you tell Ulin I'm... I'm sorry that we couldn't save Thuni." He dug his fingers into his knees and gazed into space.

Izerva huffed and signed with a tilt of their head, "Thuni was another struck with aggression?" With a large whoosh of their tail, they released a sigh through their nose. "He is not the only casualty, Scientist Neo." Their ears flattened against their head. "Admiral Mythrai wanted to talk them down or suppress them. Neither worked."

Neo's shoulders sagged. "How many?"

Nova rubbed his back.

Izerva replied, "I am not sure. The Admiral lost many trained personnel trying to reign in the aggression without resorting to violence in turn."

Neo groaned into his hands. "Nova?"

"Yeah?"

Neo rubbed his nose and closed his eyes. "Why... why do I feel like this is my fault?"

"How could it be your fault?"

Neo trembled against her. "I just feel like it is. That this wouldn't be happening if I..." He faltered. "I don't know."

If I've learned anything from this its the fault of the IAR for sending us out to find the D.S Butterfly without explanation of what they were looking for in the first place. Everything has a consequence, a line of dominos. Nova wrapped her arm around his. Isn't that the theory of the universe's chaos? Everything can change with the softest wingbeat of a butterfly across the seas. It's hard to pin blame when so many little things led to this. Do I blame the IAR? Do I blame this on Neo getting picked for the internship?

... Do I really blame him for wanting an answer to the question he's had since the disappearance of the D.S Butterfly?

The transit beeped for their arrival, and Izerva escorted them through armed personnel.

"Take her to the medbay," Neo told Izerva, then nodded at her. "I'll check on you once the meeting is over — or you'll be released and can join in." He shrugged, a weight running across his lithe frame. "I'll see you."