Imposter- (An Amoungus inspired novel)

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say.

Yet the sound still rings in my ears. Perhaps it doesn't truly count as the vacuum of space, I mean the scream came from inside the ship. That doesn't make it any less blood curdling. I stare down at her lifeless body. I try to picture her laughing, but all I can see is the face she must of made as the knife plunged into her back.

"Any idea who this could have been Blue?" I look up from Celi's corpse to see Chad standing in what must be the most disrespectful way. Arms crossed and one leg on either side of her body, it's almost as if he is mocking the fact that she died.

"Nope, no clue Red. Do you really have to do that though? She just died man," I squint over at Chad, his arrogance so blinding I can't manage to look at him. He's wearing a standared issue uniform, in his issued color. Red. Hince the codename. It must be a strange sight, my cool blue suit across from his contrasting red, over the neon light of Celi's cyan corpse.

It's not like I expected to find Celi here, with her body decimated. It's not like I expected someone to be going around stabbing people. There were rumors of course, ther were always rumors, of infultraitors from a different company or the lower district. Corprate denied the claims, stating if there was a problem we would be notified. Plus we're part of the best company worldwide, top in sales, market, safety, everything. If there was a problem it would have been eradicated before it became severe.

I sigh, glaring at the bits of Cyan plastered across the room. Obviously, this problem was severe. At least whoever did this wasn't careful about it. I can see bits of flesh everywhere, plus the initial cut goes stright to bone. I bend down onto my knees beside Cyans poor corpse, trying to search for any clue. All I find is her helmet, cracked and soil surrounding it. Celi really loved plants, so much so she figured out how to grow one in her helmet. It looks just as cold and lifeless as whats left of a body infrount of me.

I squint, trying to find a straight edge of where the insert started instead I realize, "The cut isn't straight, it looks more like a razor or serated edge then a straight one. Improvised weapon perhaps?"

"Like that matters. No matter wat tool it was, we still have to start a meeting before someone finds us just standing here over the body. You know I trust you, but if somebody else had seen you just standing over Cyan I can't promise they wouldn't have believed your story of walking into a body, "Chads moved away from Celi completely, he's in the doorway squinting down at me like he also doesn't completely believe I came here to check navigation was on the right path and stumbled into a body. I don't blame him, it's not a good look for me.

"Alright, your right. Let's report this body, notify base of operations and assemble a meeting."

I sit in a rickety chair around a steal table. The lights still flash red behind me, and Cyans helmet sits in the middle of the table. Fractured, cracked, and lifeless staring at all of us. All we can do is stare back. To study the pieces of flaky dried blood that splatter the side, to imagine ourselves where she is now. I don't think I let reality hit me initially. Even now my grief feels dulled, like it's far above water and I am stuck floating in murky depths. It's still a terrible far off feeling, overcrowded by the anxiety. I found her, I found the body. I could die, and not just at the hands of this deranged killer.

"Ahem, as you can see Blue called this meeting for good reason. I understand that you may have been upset about being pulled from your duties, but we have some bigger tasks at hand. I'm sure you all see Cyans helemet before you, her body was found earlier today. In navigation, by Blue." Chads voice doesn't shake, it doesn't falter. It's as nonchaluant as ever, as if this meeting is only to go over ship schematics instead of a murdered colleage.

Still as soon as he finishes, I can hear all of the chairs creak and swivel. I have never felt 10 pairs of eyes so sharp. 10 pairs of eyes, because now Celi's can't join them.

Black speaks before anyone else can, "Blue? Do you care to explain?"

"Of course, I'm sorry I'm still shaken from finding Ce-Cyan in there. I was doing my usual assigned tasks, following the checklist I was assigned this morning, and I had already finished fixing the wires in electrical. The next step was the wires outside navigation, and since it was close by I decided I should check if the ship was still on course. That's when I found her, half of her at least," My words are quick and breathy. I am glad that the ship has an automated cleaning system, that when I go back out there I won't have to see her again. I don't doubt she will haunt my memories for awhile, but at least I can't truly feel the catatrophe of her loss right now. At least I can still think, even if they're frantic and loud thoughts.

Everyones's eyes dulled during my speach, but they never left me. Even now as I see people murmer to eachother, I swear their eyes never leave me. Eyes I would rather they didn't have, then they wouldn't judge or stare or-

"Alright then, we have a choice to make everyone. We must vote soon, on whether Blue or someone else should be convicted of this crime," A light voice inturrupts my thoughts, digging me out of a hole I din't realize I was in. Why would I begining to think like that?

The voice continues, "As you know, the conviction of such is death. We have no time for murders." Pink is a large speciman, yet thier stature isn't threatening. Even now as they talk of conviction and death, there is just something about them that makes it hard to believe they could actually ever harm someone. Maybe it's the flower crown their kid made for them back at the base, and how they refuse to take it off.

"Is anyone else aware of any suspicious behavior?"

I look around as everyone shakes their heads at Yellow, whose holding his caution sign like it's his last lifeline. It's not like the action stands out, everyones holding something tight whether it be their personal effects, friends, or for some (like Green) what appears to be their sanity.

"I'm not sure what else we can do then team. Keep an eye out for suspicous behavior, otherwise I dismiss you." Black shakes their head before hitting the button by Cyans helmet, stopping the flashing lights and opening the doors to the rest of the ship.

I guess it's time to work again, killer or not we still have a job to do.

Just gotta be more careful about doing that job.