Paved With Daggers

[Zapp]

Unknown Sector, Tohoku system
Present Day

When Sachiko found herself back on the bridge of her ship, the entire crew was unconscious. Not bothering to think about it, she pushed the helmsman out of his chair and set a course for the Tohoku system, using the little-known Hokkaido jump hole. How she knew its location, she wasn't sure... she simply did. The presence in her mind was reassuring. Maybe it told her, or nudged her in the right direction. Why was everyone unconscious?

Hokkaido, then loop around through the system to the Tohoku jump hole. Again, she was not aware of how she knew where it was. But that wasn't important, just like why her crew was unconscious wasn't important.

And then there was Tohoku. The first thing she saw was the Heaven's Gate, the most amazing architectural structure in Sirius. It took her breath away, and she wished that more people could see it.

[color=#CC33CC]More will see it soon, little sister. We will make sure of it.

She engaged cruise and set a course for the Arch. Permission to moor was granted before it was even requested, as if they could read her intentions. Docking lines were extended to hold the ship in place, and an umbilical was extended to meet the Arch. She crossed the line onto what she hoped was a wondrous place. A lone corridor ran away from the mooring point, and she followed it. It ended in a door, though the occasional door had marred the perfect walls. As she approached it, the door opened and her brother stepped through. Sachiko ran up and hugged him, a smile on her face.

"Ouya! I thought you were dead for so long, it's good to see you." Pure relief and joy filled her voice. Finally, here he was -- real and in front of her.

"It is good to see you too, Sachiko. There is much to tell you, but first, you must come with me." He led her down another series of corridors into a room. It looked like a bedroom, with a bed with a real mattress (as opposed to the utilitarian bunks Sachiko was used to in the Naval Forces). Rich Kusarian rugs covered the floor, and the lighting was dimmed.

"Lay down, rest. There will be time to talk in a little while." Ouya gave her a nudge into the room, and closed the door behind him as he exited the room. Laying out, she wondered what was going on for the first time. Something was off about Ouya, and... she wasn't alone in the room. A quick survey brought up nothing, but some sixth sense was ringing a million different warning bells. Then something slithered out from under the bed, on top of her, and forced its way into her mouth despite her struggles. Her muscles felt like water, and she couldn't find the will to bite down. All at once her body relaxed, her thrashing quickly subsiding.

There is much to tell you sister. Much has happened since the time of Tekagi. There is work to be done...

* * * * * *

[font=Tahoma][color=white]I watched it all with growing horror. They got my sister. I regret all the wrongs I did to her, everything. I had always wished for a brother instead, and I regret that as well. I was -- and am -- powerless. I've had a lot of time to think, and it didn't take a lot of that time to realize that something had taken control of my body, severing my mind from anything below my neck. All I can do is watch, and listen. I can hear their thoughts, too... all of them.

Sometimes I question my sanity. The thing that hurts the most is that I cannot even weep for my sister's fate.

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