Two Rimmers

Chapter 6: Changes

"What's this about Rimmer?" Lister said, crawling out of bed. Rimmer had called everyone into the sleeping quarters which usually meant Rimmer had a brand new idea to present to them.

"You will know when the other two get here." Rimmer said proudly,

Lister rubbed his eyes and focused on Crystal. She was standing next to Rimmer in her officer's uniform, almost exactly like Rimmer.

"What she doing here? Isn't she meant to be in prison?" Lister pointed,

"Its rude to point. And anyway she has a name. Crystal has an idea and I will ask you for your input."

"You're taking ideas from a Sim? That's new." Lister said, still biased against Crystal,

"Well, Lister, I hope that my idea will suit you." Crystal said, excluding his comment. She looked smug standing at ease the same as Rimmer was. Lister groaned at the similarities and watched the other walk in.

Rimmer introduced the situation; "Everyone, Crystal here has devised a plan with I hope you will all like."

"I have decided to have timetabled sessions with you all so you all build trust with me." Crystal smiled holding the timetable in the air.

"Well, I think it's a trap." Lister said, almost sulking,

"Well, Garbage breath has a point." Cat said, "What if you're doing this to trick us and find all our weak points so you can attack us?"

"I assure you Crystal is of trust worthy nature."Rimmer smiled,

"Hmm well you would trust her." Lister muttered

"Miss Crystal Ma'am, why don't we have a trial lasting four weeks. Then if we do not like it, we can opt out of the idea and you return to finishing your sentence."

"Okay." Crystal said, somewhat happily. She didn't seem phased by Kryten at all, "That's fine."

Lister had muttered something, but no one heard what he said.

They all dismissed, Rimmer and Crystal staying in the room.

"So, how was that?"

"Good. I think it will work." Crystal smiled.

"Right, well, you best go and get the time-tables sorted. We want to get this started as soon as we can." Rimmer said, hoping her idea would work to spite Lister.

The week had gone well Crystal thought. She knew all the crew a little better; Cat loved clothes which she had helped him sort, Kryten was a mech but loved cooking and cleaning, which she had helped him with , Rimmer needed to revise better so she and Rimmer had done so together, and Lister, well, she wasn't sure about him. The majority of the time was spent on trying to decide on a topic of conversation by when they decided, the hour was up.

She sat on the bunk with him, unsure of what to talk about.

"Aren't you going to ask me something?" Lister said, not giving her eye contact,

"Erm."Crystal said, seeming unsure, "What is there to ask?"

"About my life, do I have kids, a job, my interests?" Lister said, "All very simple."

"What are your interests?" She asked, "I'm sorry, I am not accustomed with Earth concepts."

"How come?" Lister asked curiously "You not human?"

"I'm Ionian. Most of my life I have been kept away from other humans; I was kept on ships with my father so I have had no real human contact, or much contact. It was just me and him most the time."