Dark Matter

24

When Seven was able to open her eyes, things had changed, and not for the better. 

She's not on the ship, in fact, she's nowhere familiar to her. She looks around at her surroundings and slowly sits up from her position on the ground. She, Two, Three, Four, and others she doesn't know, are in a small room. It's almost like an elevator but bigger, and with more lights and grates. Seven immediately gets a bad feeling. Where are Five, Six, and One? Why are only some of them here? Where are they? 

Two helps Seven to her feet and they share a wary look. Whatever is going on isn't good. "What is this place?" Three questions aloud. 

"No idea," Two responds.

"What happened to us?" Four asks looking directly at Two.

"I don't know. Last thing I remember was being on our ship," Three answers.

Seven flinches as a loud alarm like sound that echos through the room. Her eyes widen in surprise when a voice speaks over an intercom. "Strip down," the voice says. There is hesitation around the room, but the voice continues, "Let's go! Clothes off. Now. Let's go, move it!" Seven reluctantly begins stripping to her underwear, happy that when she had changed in the past, she had put a sports bra and boys shorts on. This way, at least more of her was covered than if she were wearing a normal bra and undies.

"Stand by for decontamination," the voice says.

That's when Seven realizes where they are. She sucks in a breath and turns to look at her crew with wide eyes, "Prison." That's all she says, but Two, Three, and Four clearly understand. This isn't some crazy dream; this is a prison. They're going to jail. Whoever betrayed them on their crew, got them all knocked out, and turned them into the authorities. This is not good, especially for Seven. If the GA knows that she's here, they're probably going to bring her back to the academy where she was experimented on.

But, Seven didn't have much time to dwell on that fact, for suddenly decontamination spray, sprayed everyone in the room. It's very cold and harsh, so not a fun time. Then, bright lights turn on blinding everyone in the room.

"Decontamination complete. Stand by."

Then, a set of doors from behind them opens up, and a man carrying sets of clothes and shoes walks in. He hands out the clothes to each new prisoner and gives the last pair to Seven. Seven can tell that the man is confused with her presence, for why would a teenager be here? But nothing is said, and quickly those thoughts are washed away. When that man leaves and the door closes behind him, another alarm goes off and the big doors in front of the group opens.

The group all walk through to greet the sight and sounds of inmates whooping and jeering at them. Seven freezes momentarily. This is terrifying. She's only a teenager and now she's in a prison full of adults. Of course, she knows it's because the guards/warden probably know that if she were put anywhere else, she'd escape. She also knows that she'll be able to protect herself from anyone here, but that doesn't make it any less scary. 

Seven looks around the room and tries her best to block out all the noise in her head, and as she's doing so, her arm is grabbed by a guard. The guard keeps his hand on her as he leads her to her cell. Once she steps into it, the force field activates, and she's left alone in the tiny space. She takes a deep breath and quickly changes into the clothing the provided. She doesn't want to be left in her underwear any longer.

Hopefully their stay here won't be permanent. 

...

Seven had been waiting in her cell for a couple hours when she, and the others in section five were released from their cells for an hour of shower/recreation time. Immediately she stands and exits the cell, she needs to find her friends, she needs to tell them what she now knows.