Backwash [Omori/Mouthwashing]

Brand New Formula

2 months after the crash.

"I don't know why either, Hero," you said solemnly, "He seemed okay just yesterday..."

Hero sighed, "If only we knew. Maybe we could've done something."

An eyeroll came from across the table, "He was trying to get us all killed, Hero. The asshole deserves what happened to him, and we're gonna make sure he lives as long as possible so he has to face the consequences when we get rescued!"

"We already agreed to do it, Aubrey, put a sock in it," Kel complained.

You averted your eyes as you sensed an argument coming on. "A sock in-I ought to sock you!" Aubrey shouted, standing up and raising her fist.

Hero put his hands out, "Calm down, both of you. We can't get all riled up at a time like this."

"Tch. Whatever," Aubrey said, lowering her fist. "Your brother doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, Hero. More muscle than brain."

"Hey, I take objectification to that!" Kel objected.

"Guys, we can't argue right now. We have to survive this, and if we waste our time bickering all the time, we're never going to get anything done!" you declared with conviction.

Kel and Aubrey awkwardly sat down. "Sorry, Basil," Aubrey mumbled.

"Yeah, sorry, Basil," Kel agreed.

"You're her apprentice, Kel. You should respect her more," Hero noted.

Kel pouted, "But she's so meeeean..." he complained.

"Yeah, because you suck at your job, you damned nepo-baby," Aubrey retorted.

"Seeee?" Kel said, motioning to Aubrey.

Hero sighed, "Aubrey, he's trying his best. Can you try to just be a little more patient?"

"Trying his best at what, making me pop a blood vessel?" Aubrey rebuked with a snort. Hero gave a look of desperation to Aubrey, and she relented. "Fine, fine, I won't be so hard on your baby bro. Just keep out of my way, Kel."

Kel rolled his eyes, "Dunno how I'd get in your way from out here, but I'll do my best."

"Anyway, back on topic, we need to find that code scanner Sunny had. Basil, could you look for it?" Hero requested.

Caught off-guard, you immediately started asking questions. "Wh-huh? What? Why me?"

"You're the co-pilot, and we found Sunny in the cockpit. You'd know your way around there best. C'mon," Aubrey explained.

"Okay, I guess. I can do it. I'll be responsible."

Everyone got up from the table and headed their own ways. Kel remained in the break room, sitting against the sky simulator. So, before heading out to the cockpit, you spoke to him. "Kel, what are you up to?"

"Oh, Basil, yeah, Aubrey asked me to keep an eye on the inventory here. I asked her a while ago if I could have the axe, but she said she's still working on the utility room... she's such a hard worker. And here I am, jeering at her for being mad at Sunny... I'm such a douche, man... I guess it's just nerves," Kel rambled, holding his head in his hands.

"It's fine, Kel. I get it," you say with a smile, "I've been pretty anxious lately, too. It's tough, two months stuck inside, unsure of your own fate... how much food do we have left, by the way?"

"About four months' worth or so. I'm worried about runnin' out of water before food, though. I don't think there's any way to check how much we have left without the water meter in utility..." Kel explained with a defeated expression. "I know we'll be rich from donations and famous for bein' the last freight carriers to get into one of these disasters when we get outta here, but it's still nervewracking when you're still here, y'know?"