Brack shuffled away into the furthest corner of the Mess Hall. Rusalka, normally
revelling in scandal, seemed embarrassed to be there. She stalked away too, taking
up position on a far away bench. Serpe radioed from the Med Bay. She would sit this
one out.
Elizabeth lingered by the door, knowing Ana would pass by. She didn't know what to
say to her. She didn't know what she wanted to say. But she needed to see her. It
was masochism. She wanted to make her own heart burst.
Forr and Lavell were the first to arrive. Lavell's arm around his waist, loose and
loving. Forr came closer.
"Elizabeth..."
His eyes were soft with pity.
How did he know? How could he know? Her head swam with guilt and regret.
"You can't blame yourself for Isoline. She was never a part of this crew, she was a
saboteur."
Elizabeth didn't respond, she just stared blankly.
"Come on Forr, not now," Lavell said, pulling him away gently.
She clenched her jaw. Krakk and Nyomee walked in. Nyomee had washed herself,
hair straight and sleek. The mud was gone. Elizabeth almost didn't recognize her.
Nyomee waved and Elizabeth grated her teeth.
A blonde blur stepped into the hallway. Shaky footsteps, shoulders hunched. Red
rings around her eyes, puffy and blotchy skin. The bloodshot crackle in her whites.
"Hi," Ana said softly.
"Ana, look we need to talk," Elizabeth told her.
Ana had one hand holding her elbow. Trying to fold herself up and disappear.
"Yeah," Ana said with a sniffle, "We're okay though, right?"
And wasn't that the question?
"Yeah," Elizabeth said, just to say something.
She reached out to brush a tear away from Ana's cheek, but her hand felt only fur.
Like a spark of lightning, Rusalka appeared in between them.
"Let's sit down," she said to Ana.
She led Ana away. Turning back, she mouthe, "Not now."
"Everyone's here, Cap. Want me to roll it?" Donovan asked her.
"Sure."
Elizabeth ran her hand through her hair, scratching at the skull. Grey static fuzz
appeared on the broadcast screen. A woman's snarling face sat in the centre. Buzz
cut hair down one side. Dark lipstick parted to reveal a flash of teeth. It had changed
but Elizabeth recognized it instantly. Olivia. She knew it was a recorded video, but it
felt like Olivia was glaring right at her.
YOU ARE READING
Black Hole Heartbeat
Science FictionBlack Hole Heartbeat is Star Wars if the stormtroopers didn't miss all the time. Like Cowboy Bebop meets Butch and Sundance, or Guardians of the Galaxy in the style of Pulp Fiction. Self confessed thief of ill repute, Elizabeth Ranger, runs head fi...
