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Electronic Pulse
Ch 63: Midnight Curiosity

Ch 63: Midnight Curiosity

Alex sat up, blinking tiredly. They had been in the middle of processing the days events... Well, dreaming really, when something caught their attention. Not quite able to tell what, Alex ran a check over the sensors, not seeing anything noteworthy... Most people asleep, Or busy reading late at night... With one exception.

Curious, Alex went to ease themself out of the AHOR cradle, then realised they had activated the wounded unit by mistake. They had to change that habit... Laying back, Alex swapped over to the other body, creeping out of the room as to not wake up the doctor.

Padding softly down the hallway, Alex adjusted their eyes, irises widening and processors working harder to catch the soft light flowing in from the night outside. Night time here was interesting... Like being forced to the dark side of the station for a while.

Shaking themself out of it, Alex wandered over to a slightly open door, knocking softly as they reverted their eyes to normal again, "May I come in?"

After a gentle thud and a slight pause, the door opened to reveal a surprised Ren Ohara, "Hello, Alex. Didn't expect you to be out and about. Is there anything the matter?"

Smiling as they shookn their head, Alex politely surpressed the urge to peak inside the room, "Not at all. I simply was not expecting to see anyone moving around, that's all... And, I suppose I am feeling in the mood for a chat."

Thinking about it, Ren shrugged and moved aside, letting Alex in, "I guess some company can't hurt. Just... I wasn't expecting company." Alex nodded quietly, closing the door behind them as they glanced around, the room rather neat aside from a few piles of notes or research books, left out from earlier that day. Or week, it was hard to tell around here.

Sitting down at the desk, Alex watched silently as Ren sat back down on the bed, sighing as he turned to the side. He folded his legs beneath him, and simply looked in silence, eyes thoughtful as stillness filled the room.

After a few minutes, Alex gently spoke up, "You must miss her..."

Glancing up, Ren nodded, "Yeah... She was a very... Vibrant individual. Caring. Enthusiastic. Crazier than even Sam..." Coughing quietly, Ren shifted a little to get comfortable, "... They would have gotten along well."

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Nodding, Alex tilted their head, pursing their lips as they thought about it. Ren glanced over, and smiled softly, "You are obviously bubbling with questions... You can watch from your room, after all."

Chuckling nervously, Alex nodded, "I am still confused... You had the designs ready, from before you came to the station. Meticulously laid out, too. And yet... Even now, it would only serve as a cruel reminder. Why?"

Ren grimaced, tapping his fingers on the bed as he turned back, "You will see, in time. As much as I trust you... I need more than that. This is the entire reason why I started on prosthetics in the first place."

Brow furrowing, Alex tried to keep themself from pushing the matter to much... With moderate success. "I think I know what you are doing... But not how. You are missing the data... The network."

Shrugging, Ren leant back, "You don't exactly have the network yourself. You run off of the shuttle. And, need I remind you... I have a shuttle of my own." Groaning, Ren rubbed the bridge of his nose, "I have probably already said too much. As for the data... I have a plan. Just leave it at that."

Sighing, Alex stood up, "Sorry. I know I shouldn't intrude... I wouldn't have this body if it weren't for your help, after all."

Ren laughed, making Alex jump slightly, "No, Sam would have found a way. Anyway... You have your own concerns to work out. I will be fine."

Nodding, Alex rested a hand on Ren's shoulder. His face softened at that, nodding in thanks as they simply stared for a few more minutes, lost in their own individual trails of thought.

As the night drew on, Alex quietly excised themself, closing the door as they left. Walking back to their room, Alex felt as perplexed as ever, but knew they could not ask anyone else about this... It was for Ren to discuss. The others might not even know any more, anyway.

As they slipped back into the maintenance cradle, Alex closed their eyes... the image of that AHOR unit floating into their mind once again, laying there... As if it were only sleeping.