PO1 Peter Dannenberg[USS Shran - Holodeck 2][Petty Officer Kellen Gates - Holodeck 2]
He didn't believe Peter. Kellen knew that he was trying to help, and that it was probably what he would say himself if the roles were reversed. It was even logical, but he knew the truth. He knew he should have stayed, he might have stayed had he not made personal plans. That's what made it feel so much worse. Miller had been alone.
When T'Aco was mentioned, or talking to someone, Kellen Gates shook his head. He actually got along well enough with the counselor; they in fact enjoyed quite a cordial, professional relationship. But people generally didn't ever help him feel better, more often it was the opposite.
"I'll just... I'll just leave." He seemed unsure at first, and then eventually a little more certain as he decided on his next course of action. "I should go to Sickbay. Explain myself to the others. See him. For myself."
Not normally a very emotional person by nature, Kellen was very much struggling. His eyes had a far away look about them, his face pale and expression lax. But he nodded at Fabio and began to move toward the exit. "Thank you, Peter."
Peter watched Kellen, but he knew nothing he said would make him feel less miserable. When he voiced his intention to go and have a look on Miller's body, Peter nodded.
"I believe the doctors are just about to do an autopsy on him", he informed him. Whatever that information would do with Kellen's decision.
When Gatesy moved to the exit, Peter followed him out and stopped on the corridor.
"No need to thank me. Take care of yourself." He nodded to him once and then turned away to go the other direction. He would have accompanied Kellen, but Peter believed that he wanted to be left alone for now.
When he was sure he walked far enough that Kellen was out of ear shot, Peter tapped his comm badge.
"Dannenberg to Captain Ellis. I've spoken to Kellen. He's devastated, but he'll get over it." He glanced on the chronometer.
"I'll check if there are any security issues and then will join you in the meeting with Elanii if I can." [USS Shran - Deck7 - Morgue]Whether it was coincidence or a higher power that had let this corner of the ship sink into darkness, no one could say. Whatever it was, it allowed the subtle movement to remain hidden - Miller opened his eyes.
He sat up, the movements were slow, cautious. Like a fawn that first had to learn to use its limbs. Miller slipped out of bed and navigated in the darkness to the door, which opened with a hydraulic hiss.
[USS Shran - Deck 7 - Side corridor]In front of him was the corridor in darkness, only dimly lit by the emergency lighting. Miller began stalking down the corridor, the movements looking a little awkward, but gained in safety with every step he took. He took the first turnoff into a side corridor. Upwards he had to go. Two decks.
His uneven steps echoed softly in the passage. In the distance of the side corridor he recognized the shadows of two people. As he appraoched them in the diffuse light, he recognized that both had other external features. New knowledge he had to collect.
Slowing down his steps he stopped in front of the pointy-eared creature. For a moment he just looked at her, observed her appearance. Then his hand stretched out and he grabbed her wrist with an iron grip. Almost immediately he strengthened the grip and bored his fingernails deep into her flesh. Whatever sounds of pain or defensive reactions she would make, Miller wouldn't stop. With the aim of seeing blood, he cut the edges of his sharp nails into the delicate skin on her wrist. As he did so, a whitish to translucent mass began to ooze from his ear. In the air, it liquefied quickly and dripped wet down his earlobe. Still not releasing his grip on his victim, he lifted his other hand to his ear to pick up some of the gelatinous mass. Once he had penetrated her skin, he smeared lumps of the mass deep into the wound. Suddenly there was bluish flickering coming from Miller. As if there was something pulsating under his skin or in his head. The eyeballs in particular, illuminated by this strange phenomenon, glowed repeatedly while he held the palm of his hand pressed against the wound on her wrist.
Suddenly he let go of her. Turning away from her, he looked down at Elanii ...
[USS Shran - Bridge]The consoles began to ping and lighting up with alarms when the sensors picked up another energy burst coming from deck 7, near sickbay and the morgue ...