>>5827931Once gain, you go over everything that had happened, from the moment of the interdiction onwards. This time to your whole crew, in more detail.
Sanig doesn't join you until near the end, and he's high as shit when he does, so you doubt he's paying attention.
"So SHODAN, how much power did we lose?" You ask.
<span class="mu-i">["Twenty-one percent of our current antimatter reserve, Captain."]</span>
"Oh, that's just great, kid. Don't suppose you could ask it to give that back, huh?" Sanig says.
"Don't think so, gramps. Dark matter, dark energy... maybe. Might have to get a little violent to get it out. But antimatter? No."
"Are we going to be alright?" Cylia asks, concerned.
"Yeah, yeah... twenty percent. Not great, not terrible." You grumble. "SHODAN, don't charge the laser caps back up just yet. We'll stop by the local star and use the blankets."
<span class="mu-i">["Are you certain, Captain? Our weapons systems will be offline until then."]</span>
"SHODAN, if some shit like this happens again i'll eat my fucking hat. We're fine, i promise."
<span class="mu-i">["Very well, Captain. Ceasing recharge."]</span>
"Good, that'll save us about 10% right there. Hey, are we clear of this fuckin' thing's mouth yet?"
<span class="mu-i">["Yes, Captain. I have made some distance from the creature."]</span>
"You got a good look at it on the hull cams?"
<span class="mu-i">["Bringing it up now."]</span>
SHODAN has to bring the image up on a monitor since your holowatch battery is dead.
You and the crew crowd around to see what it actually looks like, since you didn't get a good view while you were being swallowed.
It's... not at all what you expected. The whole thing looks like a giant version of the squid-things you saw inside of it.
Wait, wait, wait... what if those weren't basically just white blood cells?
"Oh my god. We got attacked by baby space squids." You realize.
"And Princess mauled one. Hah!" Sanig laughs.
"Wait, where the mouth?" You wonder, noting that there's no opening around it's headcap.
<span class="mu-i">["The beak is located in the center of it's tentacle cluster, Captain. I believe it also serves as the creature's anus."]</span> SHODAN informs you.
You look over at princess on the operating table, who's covered in that black, oily substance.
Then you look down at your own chest and arms, as you're covered in it from carrying her in there as well.
Your right eye begins to twitch.
<span class="mu-i">["Captain?"]</span>
"David, are you alright? Why are you making that face?" Cylia asks.
Kyla looks where you're looking, and starts to snort as she holds back her laugh.
You quietly walk over to Princess and pick her back up. She seems slightly annoyed at the disturbance, but this is important.
"I'm taking a shower real quick."
That's all you say before powerwalking out of the room and towards the bath.
You were soaked in sweat anyways, it's fine. Really, it's fine, you would have needed a shower.
Christ, at least it doesn't stink. Kind of just smells like metal.
