I kept silent for a while, with all eyes on me as I did so. They were expecting me to answer, and I just wanted to piss them off.

“Miss Lilith, you should be able to hear us well, and we don’t have time for games” Said Van der Mann, seeing through my intentions.

I sighed, it would take more than that to get to that bitch.

“Yeah yeah, the cocoon stuff worked well, it felt like shit, and here i am now… is that enough?” I finally answered with an annoyed tone.

Still, Dr. Arman took that with joy, like a child receiving a present from their parents, I almost expected him to start squealing like a teenager. The rest of the board talked between themselves, which made me realize that they could talk without me hearing, so whatever I hear, is already filtered. They are really treating me like a puppet without bothering to hide it.

“Great to hear that you were able to manage your assignment… an Avatar of Mh’ithrha was outside expectations'' Said Van der Mann.

“We were ready to pull you back but we saw you handle the pack and the monster, good job” Said another voice that i hadn’t heard before. It was a pale man with a moustache and a sickly look. He probably expected my thoughts and added on “I’m Jonathan von Brugge, head of marketing of the Stellar Union, a pleasure”.

Wha...head of marketing, not from the Corporation but from the Union? Oh god, this is worse than i thought, and what I thought was already bleak enough.

“We have analyzed the files from your mission Miss Lilith, and you have received a positive evaluation, congratulations…” Added Van der Mann “We have decided that you are qualified to engage in level four missions from now on, and have your next assignment ready, you are to depart in two earthen days to the Tauri Bridge system, further details are in the attachments sent to you right now”.

As she said that, I heard Hallie.

[Files received]

That was fast. Besides that, I linger on the ‘analyzed the files from your mission’ part, and realize that Lai must be feeding them everything I do on a daily basis. I would be mad that I showed her my naked body but, they had a hundred years to see that whenever they wanted, so it’s not so bad.

“Anything else?” I say, trying to get this over with.

I see the faces of General Hyrvin and a couple individuals more distorted in anger to my words. I guess those are the weakest minded people in this group, because neither Vanessa nor Jonathan change their expressions.

“We are done for now, Miss Lilith, we expect you to continue delivering results and data, for the future of humankind” Said Van der Mann.

“And please remember to try other functions of your modules!” Shouted Dr. Arman, and the call ended. How the fuck i’m supposed to try stuff i don’t even know is there? I really want to shove my metal arm in their...ugh.

I should have asked about the memory loss, but I got carried away by my annoyance. I return the device to Lai, who accepts it and pockets it. I look at her, trying to find some kind of shame in her eyes, but she just blinks.

“What’s wrong Commander?” She asks.

I think about my words, but in the end I just sigh. It would be wrong to get angry at her, I don't know the circumstances, I'll pass judgment when I can see the whole picture.

“Nothing… i’ll see you later Lai, i’ll go to my quarters”

She nods her head, and goes away further into the ship. I said that, but I don't know yet where my quarters are in this ship. It’s way too big! I see little Kyle over there, and decide to go ask him. He sees me and immediately stands firm, saluting formally.

“OOD Kyle Rovers, reporting in”

“At ease… Hey, can you show me my quarters? I don’t know the layout yet”

“Yes ma’am, if you’d like, i can send you all the documentation, it’s on the intranet of the ship” He says while smiling and starts walking out of the cargo bay. I follow him while telling him “Yeah, please do”.

We walk for about ten minutes and reach a long corridor full of doors. Each door has a name on it, so i guess these are the crew quarters. There’s even one with Rovers and Saar’s name on it; i guess both of them are roommates. At the end of the corridor, there's a crossroad, and we take the left, arriving short after to the outside of a big metallic door.

“This is it Commander, there’s a warper inside for you to move to the flight deck instantly so feel free to use it” He said and left immediately. I wanted to stop him but I guess as the deck’s officer he’s busy now that the rest of the crew is here.

I put my hand in a reader in front of the room, and the big metal door sliders open in an instant, revealing a room big enough to fit a ship in. There is a giant bed made of what looks like hyperweave, a stargazing deck, and what looks like a jacuzzi. Makes me wonder if this is a military ship or a passenger cruise. Not that i’m complaining about the added benefits right now.

I’m tempted by the jacuzzi, to get a quality bath after a hundred years, but first, let’s see what kind of shithole they are sending us to now.