So, a parasite. But right from the outset, there were two things that were clearly wrong. Firstly, nematomorpha had only been documented effecting crickets. Although there were incidences of humans having been hosts to the virus, there was no discernable effect according to the reports. And also secondly- and much more importantly- the parasite had only one goal with it’s ‘mind control’. The process would start when the cricket, it’s natural host, had been ‘infected’ by the parasite. Once the parasite reached the brain, it would then attempt to alter chemicals in the brain (amino acids of taurine, valine and tyrosine) in order to get the host to jump into a lake. Thus the life cycle of the parasite could be allowed to continue in the aquatic environment.

It was obviously no coincidence that there was a mind-controlling parasite on board the ship at the time where all this started to happen. But what impact could it have had? No one had committed suicide, the only person that had died was Mason. And even if his death was made to look like a murder to cover up a suicide, there were no bodies of water around for him to jump into. The parasite didn’t exist to kill its host- it only wanted to survive, and the only way to do as such was to use hosts to bring them to sources of water.

Conceivably it was possible for the parasite to have an impact on the CMI- but it was still didn’t really add up- as the CMI would still be able to clearly tell that the host was still alive, just with altered levels of amino acids. And additionally, there were no ‘lakes’ on board the ship apart from my man-made one, but no one had been allowed into my sector since the message.

I had to assume that it was something to do with this- there was absolutely no way that this was a coincidence. So, there was either someone with a parasite affecting their actions, or the parasite was with Mason, and hopefully dead. I had to plan for the worst eventuality though, so Mason as the host was discounted. * * *

As I approached, the yelling grew louder. I could make out 3 voices- Dan had obviously decided to join in. As I approached, I noticed Dan was holding something, tucked under his arm. Upon closer examination, I could see that it was a full helmet of some kind, much like a motorcyclist's helmet, with a clear canister of liquid attached to the back of it. It was clearly something quite technologically advanced, from the numerous wires connecting to a small display adorned upon the front of the helmet. That and the fact that Dan was carrying it meant that it was some kind of prototype- perhaps a weapon of some sorts? “No- you can shove that right back up your ass! Why in the hell would you think I’d allow you to use some unknown device on me?!” Allison yelled in anger and frustration through the lock. “Come on, you bull-headed bitch- this is the only damn way! It will only put you to sleep until the mission is over- where then you can claim your innocence all you like to a proper judge in a court of law. Just give yourself up!” Saskia added in. So obviously that was the device that Dan had originally offered me. But it was fairly obvious that no-one with any sense would take that option, especially when they didn’t have anyone they trusted with them. “What happened?” I asked softly to Dan, hoping that he’d understand that the volume of my voice was on purpose. Nup. Dan span around.

“You took your time getting here- give us a hand in convincing her, we’re getting nowhere!” he complains.

“Ollie?” comes Allison’s questioning voice. She clearly didn’t have much of a choice between who to trust. Someone who was terrified of her, someone who backstabbed her, or me.

“Yeah, it’s me” I answered Allison, shooting a glare at Dan who tilts his head, confused.

Turning to Saskia this time I asked again. “So, what happened?” Saskia sighed.

“I was watching the lock, just like after you left me. I was just about to call for you and Dan to come and tell her it was time to make a decision, but then I heard yelling on Allison’s side of the lock. There were sounds of… I don’t know how to say it- collisions? It sounded like she was attacking everything in sight and yelling at the same time. I thought she was going to try and open the lock and then take me down, so I called for Dan and you, but only Dan came.”

That was odd- I hadn’t heard any sort of calling from her.

“As you can see, we’re now in the process of trying to convince her to use my device- so we can all feel a little safer” Dan butted in.

“Absolute bullshit! You know it and I know it- That’s utter horse crap!” Allison exclaimed through the lock.

With a frown at Dan for interrupting her and inciting Allison, Saskia continued.

“She seemed to have stopped attacking the walls about 5 minutes ago, just after Dan came. At least, that was when she stopped yelling and actually communicated with us. Although she refuses to tell us why she did it.” “I don’t suppose you feel like adding anything to that?” I asked Allison through the lock. “I… I can’t say. But I swear it’s got nothing to do with Mason’s death- and nothing that will harm you guys as long as you don’t try and get through the locks!” “You just went psycho! How the hell can we trust you now?” Dan said aggressively. I had to agree with Dan, if she had really had just had an uncontrolled outburst- a violent one at that- then I wasn’t exactly keen to reach out and shake her hand. “Look, as much as I hate to admit it, Dan is right. This isn’t at the level of personal secrets now, this is something that could easily endanger us all. And even if we did leave you behind the lock- there would be no way to stop you from simply opening it and taking us all out in the night. Plus, if my memory serves me correctly, there are exactly two locks that bar entrance to your sector- if we were to guard them both, one lock would have only one person standing guard.” I tried to keep a measured tone of voice in order to not anger or seem condescending to her. “And it doesn’t have to be all of us coming in if you don’t feel safe. I can just walk in there, alone, with the helmet and put it on you.” Saskia chimed in. “It’s not setting up the device that worries me- it’s what’s going to happen when I’m out of it. You can’t seriously tell me that you didn’t think of the helpless situation that I’d be in?” Allison complained. “I’m sorry, but it’s a danger you’ll have to take unless you feel like sharing what you know about the blood stain and that episode you just had,” I explained patiently. I fully expected her to just come out with it and tell us whatever she had been hiding. It seemed like the only logical option to ensure her safety, and I didn’t think that whatever she was hiding was going to be as bad as what she thought it was. But I was wrong. After a small period of deliberation, she answered. “Shit. Ok, I’ll do it. But only one person will come in with the device.” Saskia breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you’ve decided to make the right-” She started to say, however, was interrupted by Allison. “It’s not going to be the backstabbing bitch who comes in here, that’s for sure. Oliver has to be the one to do it- otherwise, this shit ain’t getting done at all.” As I had realised earlier, it wasn’t like she had many choices of who to trust. However what was really shocking was the fact that she was willing to allow herself to be induced into a coma-like state instead of sharing her ‘secret’. “That’s fine with me, however, I don’t know how to use the device. Is it complex?” I questioned Dan. “No, not at all. The helmet simply has to be placed over her head, and this screen on the front (he pointed at the little display) will tell you if the electrodes are in the right place or if they need to be adjusted. Pressing start will release the sleeping agent into the sealed helmet. The electrodes will monitor the consciousness of the subject, and will initiate the release of more gas if needed" I reached out for the helmet and Dan hesitantly put it in my hands. “There is one small caveat though. The subject needs to have some sort of meal before they go under, to help sustain them for the entirety of the voyage.” He added in. “And I don’t suppose either of you kind people is willing to get a meal for her?” I grumbled. It was obvious from the way that Dan had brought it up that he expected me to go grab the food as well. Saskia rolled her eyes when I looked over, and Dan was already shaking his head. I hadn’t really expected anything different- but I was a little concerned due to what Saskia had said earlier about calling both Dan and I. Had she already made another partnership already? Or was that just undue suspicion on my part? “Go get the food- we’ll make sure she doesn’t step a foot outside this lock.” Saskia motioned for me to run off with a wave of her hand. I really didn’t like this feeling that I was getting played, but I didn’t see another option. * * * It was only after I reached the dining hall that I realised why neither Saskia nor Dan wanted to go to and get her food. We could only collect the food that was allotted to us- I would be giving her my meal. I was going to have to make Dan and Saskia give me a little of their food, otherwise, I was going to have to go hungry tonight. I sighed and pushed the deposit button with my thumb to verify my identity. The meals automatically came in containers that could be brought away if so desired and doubled as a plate as well. Today's meal was Bolognese pasta, nothing too exciting, but still, something that I’d rather eat than go without. I started back to the lock. * * *

Dan handed over the headset and reminded me to check the screen before starting the device.

“Why do the electrodes have to be aligned? Will the device just not work?” I asked him.

“No, the device will still induce a sleep-like state, but it will only work for around 24 hours. The electrodes must be in the correct position for a longer sustained period. And make sure you don’t drop it- the chambers that contain the solution in the helmet are fairly volatile as this is a trial product!” he warned me.

Great. One slip up from me, and I’d be the one needing a prince to wake me up from my slumber.

“Alrighty then, you two enjoy your alone time together!” said Saskia in a mocking voice.

She turned down the corridor I had just come from, with Dan in tow. Was it just my imagination, or did he follow her a bit too enthusiastically? I was taken out of my thoughts by a timid voice from behind the lock.

“Are they gone now?” Allison tentatively asked me.

“Yep, you can open the lock now. They’ve gone.” The lock slowly started to open. I didn’t know what to expect inside, what emotions would be on her face? I knew what Dan was expecting to see. And I don’t think Saskia expected me to come back in one piece.

But as the metal fell away to reveal Allison, I didn’t see the face of a murderer. Or the face of someone with malicious intent. I just saw a scared, frightened girl, hugging her knees with red puffy eyes. Wordlessly, I held out the helmet. I couldn’t think of anything to say without sounding like a complete ass. ‘Hey, don’t worry you’re probably not going to die- it’s just a sleep you don’t know whether you will wake up from!’ didn’t seem like it would cut it.

She snatched it out of my hands with a little more force than was necessary and placed it upon her head. I reached around to press the on button, which lit up the screen. The text indicated that the electrodes were in the correct position and told me to press the button again to induce the coma. Through the visor, I could see her stoic expression.

I reached out a hand to help her stand up, and she took it. Slowly, we walked back to her sector, in one of my hands the container of food, and the other, her hand.

* * *

When she sat down on the bed, I handed over the container of food. But as she looked down at the box, with the helmet on her head, tears started pooling in the corner of her eyes. I used the screen's prompt menu to open the visor, allowing her to dry her tears and eat. But she didn’t make a move to wipe them away, as she slowly ate her food.

Finishing her meal, she wiped away the tears before handing me the empty container.

“I’m ready.” was all she said.

Shutting the visor of her helmet, I looked down at the container in my hands before looking back at her. I reached up and twisted the helmet before pressing the button. Immediately, her eyes started to droop, and she eased herself back onto the bed. “Don’t… forget me…” she mouthed through the visor.

Her eyes finally closed.

“That’s what I should be saying to you” I replied.