Left Alone to Thoughts.

[Shagohad]

The surface focused into view; cameras and sensors scanned and studied every rock, crevasse, and crater on the rocky moon.

"Today I did something stupid."

The massive landing pad that had been constructed to accommodate heavy cargo haulers sat nestled in an crescent outcropping that had been carved into the side of a crater. A hodgepodge clutch of ships sat atop it, various cargo pods strewn about like oh so much litter.

"And what was that?"

The system was dead. No life. No warmth. Only the ghastly beauty that the devoid system offered to the travelers who went out of their way to visit it.

"I asked a blunt question. It was foolish of me."

The camera locked on the easily-recognizable silhouette of a Scylla, dominating the flattop like a sleeping creature. The patchwork design of her outer hull and the inconsistent paint showed that the ship had seen better days.

"And what did you ask?"

There was a pause in the train of thought. All things halting as the words echoed in the front of the mind.

"I asked her if it was all real. I needed to know. Next time I will not be so foolish to rush into these new sensations."

"Life is a learning experience."

"If only it had a better manual."

All actions resumed, systems returning to their calculated and routine sweeps. The only sound was the buzz of his own thoughts and the soft instrumental music that flooded the PA systems. The massive vessel had left nothing to want. Aside from the vasting nothingness that filled its interiors. Such space with no one to share it with.

"And what will you do now?"

Thrusters port and aft fired to adjust the orbital trajectory, edging the warship's nose towards the gravity well that it had comfortably borrowed momentum from. The hull shivered for a moment before the advanced systems corrected the course, smoothing the ride.

"I will do as I have always done: Plan."

"And your plans?"

All auxiliary thoughts ceased once again, letting the machinery take control. The main question remained: What was his plan? To be subservient? To do as he wished? To try at it again? It was all so conflicting. Why him? Why now? Why this?

"My plan..."

"So you are unsure."

"You are not even real."

"I am as real as you make me. After all, you can ignore your conscience."

"Damn you."

The scanners flared up again, probing at the Kansas system in the same systematic way.

---

"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THE SCIENCE IS LEAKING OUT!"