The following is a collaboration between
Sharkdragon96,
Zombiesplitter53, and
Aaron Bryant that takes place before the events of the final mission.
Part #1
INT. Medical Bay
Jessica sits in a room in the infirmary after her encounter with the Ethereal.
A few nurses are lookingher over, but everyone seems rrelatively calm.
Aaron watches her as he rests his mind still heaving with pain from the battle with the Ethereal he can hardly focus.
Persephone enters the room upon seeing Jessica she walks up to her and kneels down by her bedside.
PERSEPHONE
"Hey, are you alright?"
Jessica smiles at Persephone, but is still too weak to look at her.
JESSICA
"Hey, I'm okay. Thanks for visiting me."
Persephone gives a faint smile.
PERSEPHONE
"What are friends for?"
She looks up and sees Aaron.
He sighs hearing these words the pain in his skull becomes gentler.
PERSEPHONE
"Hi, sorry I didn't notice you. You're Aaron, right?"
He nods slowly his words failing him.
Jessica gives him a worried look.
JESSICA
"Aaron? Are...are you okay? I screwed things up, didn't I?"
He quickly shakes his head and manages a half cocked smile that more resmbles a dog pulling its cheek muscles back.
JESSICA
"I'm sorry you guys. I...just wanted to help. I haven't had much to do since my sister left."
Persephone gives a sheepish look.
PERSEPHONE
"I'm sorry, did I come at a bad time?"
Jessica shakes her head.
JESSICA
"No, please don't leave. You being here means a lot to me."
He pushes himself to speak.
AARON
"Thaaaaaaak youuu"
he smiles at Persephone and turns to Jessica.
AARON
"Diiid your beesht"
Jessica gets a worried look.
JESSICA
"Persephone, can you please check on Aaron. I fear he needs far more attention then I."
Aaron waves them off.
AARON
"Jusht some pain I'll be fine."
He pushes through it his mind taking its sweet time to heal.
Jessica holds her pounding head.
JESSICA
"What did you do to that thing, anyway?"
AARON
"I tore him to shred with cold pure rage."
He says losing his smile and dawning a serious face.
Jessica chuckles.
JESSICA
"Isn't he great, Persephone. Goofy for the most part, but as powerful as a lion when he needs to be."
PERSEPHONE
"Yeah."
Persephone gives Bryant a look of respect.
PERSEPHONE
"I can see why the commander likes you. He's incredibly lucky to have someone like you on the front lines, you have the kind of charisma and resilience I wish I had more of. I'm sure that if he loses you it'll be his own damn fault!"
Aaron blushes, smiling again.
JESSICA
"Oh!"
Jessica says suddenly.
JESSICA
"I've been meaning to ask you how things are going with that... friend of yours."
PERSEPHONE
"Friend?"
Persephone sheepishly bites her lip as if she's embarrassed to admit something.
PERSEPHONE
"Oh good, very good. We're settling things quite nicely. I... I wanted you to know that the advice you gave me seems to be working."
Aaron keeps quiet wanting to understand the nervous glances and facial expressions.
Jessica smiles.
JESSICA
"That's good. I knew you'd work things out for the better. And my talk with you helped me as well."
PERSEPHONE
"Really? How?"
Aaron thinks about Ayame and makes the connection smiling.
AARON
"And what was it she helped you with."
PERSEPHONE
"MIND YOUR OWN..."
Persephone almost loses her patience but stops herself.
PERSEPHONE
"Sorry, I was having some problems with a friend that's all."
Aaron gives a faint half smile.
AARON
"Hey no need to get defensive, I was actually asking what you helped Jessica with"
Jessica smiles at Aaron.
JESSICA
"She just...helped me find the courage to give someone a chance."
Aaron sits himself up and quirks his eyebrow.
AARON
"well thank you then, I had no idea I was walking such thin lines!"
Persephone seems confused at first but then proceeds to make the connection herself.
PERSEPHONE
"Wait... You guy's aren't..."
Aaron attempts to hold her hand with his enegy but the tendril snaps back at his head.
He clenches his forehead in pain.
AARON
"AUGH! YES, and it's pretty serious."
Persephone doesn't know what to say at first but she gives them a faint smile.
PERSEPHONE
"I'm glad I could help then."
Jessica sighs and turns her attention to Aaron.
JESSICA
"The alien...it said something...strange to me."
Aaron scowls.
AARON
"Lies probably it lied to me to make me think it was somewhat friendly!"
Jessica shakes her head.
JESSICA
"I don't think so. It had no reason to. I think it said the reason it connected with me is because...of the psionic energy coming from here."
She gently rubs her stomach.
AARON
"Im not buying it Jessica, he probably picked up that you were connected to me and tried to use you against me. . . "
Aaron starts breathing heavily the fear evident on his face a smoldering purple flame wells in his eyes.
JESSICA
"Maybe. But...what if it was telling the truth. And...it also said it heard two voices within."
Aaron's eyes light like fire blood drips from his nose.
The normal white fades to purple and black.
AARON
"Dont you tell me that HE LIED THAT THIN. . "
Aaron blacks out again.