Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

TEAL

Orange dismissed Green with a wave of their hand, leaving the keys in Green's care. Green happily played with them, whistling a little tune as they walked down the path Orange had instructed them to take.

"Oh geez... I can't believe I was trusted with this." they murmured to themselves. "Such a huge opportunity! I'm practically a captain!"

Eventually, they arrived at the HR room.

Green unlocked a cabinet and pulled out a pile of freshly printed papers. They searched through them thoroughly, picking out the specific documents Orange had told them to find and handed to the Chief of Security, Purple. One by one, they placed them into a folder.

But something was missing...

Green scanned each level of the tall filing drawers. Then they spotted it.

A colored folder bearing the exact name Blue had requested.

.

.

.

"Here it is, Blue." They placed it on the counter and glanced at the curtain, Blue's silhouette flashing beneath the lights of the medical machines as they worked with the ores.

Not wanting to interrupt because it felt disrespectful, Green almost left the medbay.

Until the whoosh of a curtain was heard. "Green?"

Green looked behind them.

"Oh, hey, Blue!" A warmth spread across their cheeks. "Got the folder you asked for. It's on the counter where you do your paperwork."

"I am thankful for your help, Green." "Ah, no worries. It's my job to help anyone. AT least, that's what Orange's paperwork says." "Though you do deserve more than being an unpaid intern, Green." "Yellow says that too but hey, believe in progress!"

Blue chuckled so deeply causing Green to jump slightly. "Hm. I admire the optimism. Just... be careful not to let it blind you." Blue removed their gloves and walked over to the folder, unfolding it and scanning its contents. "And do you have anything planned after this?"

"Nope! I'm all yours-" Green froze. "I mean- For helping. Helping purposes! Why?"

"I was wondering if you would accompany me for a while. There are a few things I'd like assistance with. Nothing too difficult." "Oh! Sure!"

Blue walked over to the computer and moved the mouse, waking the screen. Green followed close behind. "Would you mind arranging these photographs for me?" Blue stepped aside to reveal the monitor. It displayed dozens of photographs of the unknown probably "ores." Although each image had been renamed, the files were still scattered out of order.

Green gave a quick salute. "Anytime!" Blue smiled to themself before humming softly, taking the folder they skimmed through, and disappearing behind the curtain once more, returning to their research.

.

.

.

As Green organized the files, they accidentally clicked one of the photographs. The image filled the screen. A Scan of...

"...Why does it look like eggs?"

They squinted at it for a moment.

"...I bet they'd taste pretty good if they were."

FRANÇIAS 🥖🥐

Blue walked quietly through the hallways until they heard an argument coming from an open doorway nearby. They paused and listened.

"- you part of the shareholders this whole time?"

"Yep. Well, my parents are, not me."

"No wonder you're always in this room. Did you actually win the contest, or did MIRA just send you here?"

"Hah- don't ask me. Ask the resort I was last at. Possibly ask my parents too. I don't know either."

A soft knock came from the open doorway. Red startled slightly as they and White turned to see who it was.

"Ah, Blue." Red clasped their hands together with a clap, smiling. "There you are."

Blue gave a courteous nod to Red, then to White, who was sitting casually in the desk chair.

"My apologies for the wait, Red. I hope I haven't kept you for too long."

Red shook their head.

"No, it's fine. I only got here a few minutes ago. White was already here, secretly communicating with one of MIRA's representatives. I thought this room was vacant."

White, who had been busy staring at Blue, lazily shifted their gaze toward Red.

"Red, my parents were concerned. That's why one of MIRA's representatives contacted me. I've already shown you the proof on this damn hologram screen."

"Then why haven't you told us?"

Blue looked between them.

White sighed. "Because you never asked. I even told you I was coming here. Honestly, no wonder you assumed it was some grand secret."

"I-" Red was about to-

Blue cleared their throat out loud. "Forgive the interruption. Shall we continue our discussion, Red... or would White care to join us" White tilted their head. "I wonder what meeting."

Red nodded. "Yes. Apparently, they have connections with MIRA."

White chuckled.

"Don't worry about it. I know how to keep people's secrets."

"This isn't a secret, White."

"A meeting could be, depending on the intention."

"Right..."

Red looked at Blue. "Orange told the boss, Pink- about the ores you've been examining." They nervously scratched the back of their neck. "And... so did I."

Blue didn't look surprised. "I suspected as much. I can't fault either of you for informing them. What was their response?"

Red let out a quiet sigh of relief. "They didn't seem to mind. Orange had already been checking on you- well, Orange checks in on all of us. They're HR, after all." They gave a small shrug. "Orange explained why you've been researching the ores, so the boss understood." Red hesitated for a moment. "Still... they wanted to know if you'd discovered anything valuable."

Blue nodded. "Yes. They've begun to tell a rather curious story, though I've uncovered only a small amount of information thus far."

Red gave them a thumbs-up,

"Good, they also wanted you to send them a message... along with a photo."

"To Pink?" Blue asked.

"Yes," Red lowered their clasped hands. "To the boss themselves." They gestured toward the hologram computer. "That's why I wanted us to meet here."

Blue thought for a moment, "You'd have me send it now?"

"Can be if you want."

Blue snorted. "You needn't have gathered us for something so simple. A message would have reached me just the same."

Red looked embarrassed. "I-I just wanted to check in. No Biggie." Blue smiled, nodding in understanding. "Duty often asks us to watch over others. I'm glad to know someone is watching over me as well... especially my captain."

Red rubbed the back of their neck. "W-Well... I'm the captain, after all. Looking after my crew comes with the job."

They let out a shy chuckle before quietly whispering to themselves. "Hehe... 'my captain.' "

Blue gave a courteous nod to Red before quietly making their way to the desk. White was about to stand, but Blue gently raised a hand. "Thank you, White, but there's no need. Please, stay seated."

White continued watching Blue while lazily pouring a glass of wine they had seemingly pulled out of nowhere. "Hm. I'm quite impressed with you, Blue." They lifted the glass slightly. "Care for a drink once you're finished? You deserve some rest after researching those... ores." They shrugged. "Why examine every single one when one would do?"

Blue hummed as they busied themselves with the hologram computer.

"There are several variables to consider." they continued with a faint smile. "And rest is certainly tempting, though curiosity has a habit of asking for one more answer."

Red immediately shook their head. "Ah, no, no." They reached over, about to snatch White's glass away. "Everyone on this ship has to stay conscious while on duty."

"Oh, come now." White tilted the glass toward Red. "My wine is far better than whatever MIRA provides. Care to find out for yourself?"

Red looked at White.

"..."

They paused, genuinely considering the offer.

.

.

.

For a while, only the soft tapping of Blue's typing filled the room. Without looking away from the hologram, Blue spoke.

"I'll send the photographic evidence later, Red. For now, I've informed the bosses of my preliminary findings."

Only then did they turn around.

Red and White's faces were noticeably flushed. It seemed White's wine had been more persuasive than either of them had realized.

Blue blinked.

"...Have the two of you been drinking this entire time?"

White chuckled, seeming only mildly affected by the wine. Their tolerance was surprisingly high.

"...Blue, you know. I honestly think you belong in some prestigious hospital rather than aboard the Skeld." They lazily swirled the wine in their glass. "My parents support a number of hospitals. I'm fairly certain they'd try to recruit you the moment they met you." They continued, raising their glass in a small mock toast. "I'd probably skip the whole 'Doctor of the Month' system and just put your portrait in the lobby." 

Blue chuckled at the joke. White frowned. "I'm bein' serious, though..." they grumbled with a sip of their wine.

Red grumbled from the floor, their head resting against the side of White's chair. "...Hic." They let out a long sigh. "y'know Blue..."

Blue looked over.

Red rubbed at one eye before lazily pointing in Blue's direction.

"Everyone listens to you..."

Another hiccup.

"You always know the right thing to say..."

Their finger drooped.

"...You're smart..."

"...Brave..."

"...Understand people..."

A pause.

"And... annoyingly attractive."

White snorted, "I think someone's jealous and starstruck. Kinda complementary, isn't it?"

Red immediately groaned from the floor. "No! I-I'm not... I'm the captain!" A loud burp escaped them. "I couldnt- Hic- Be jealous and starfishing-! The captain shouldn't fall for one of their own crew!" They nearly spilled the wine in their hand.

White stared at Red for a long moment before slowly leaning away.

"...That was revolting."

Blue looked between the two of them before lowering their gaze. "I don't believe I'm quite the person you've described."

A gentle smile lingered. "But if my presence has brought either of you comfort..." They rested a hand over their chest. "...then I suppose I've done my job." While both White and Red keeps staring at blue.

Blue's expression softened with concern. "Now, come along, you two."

They stepped closer, gently taking their glasses and setting them aside. "Neither of you should be wandering the ship in this state. It's not safe without someone keeping an eye on you." With practiced ease, Blue helped Red to their feet, slipping one of Red's arms over their shoulder to support them.

Red giggled as they practically melted against Blue. "Such a great doctor..." They let out a sleepy laugh. "I don't like- hic- sleeping on the floor anyway..."

Blue smiled. "I figured. All of us don't."

As White rose from the chair, they managed only a few steps before swaying slightly. Blue let out a quiet sigh before gently taking White's free hand.

"Just in case."

White looked down at their joined hands for a brief moment. "...You're dangerously kind, Blue."

Blue simply smiled and began leading the two of them toward MedBay.

INDIGO

Purple was inspecting one of the security panels when they noticed Blue carrying another handful container of ores. "...Still studying those?"

Blue glanced up with a small smile. "Yes, though progress is slow." Purple folded their arms, glancing at the container. "Orange said you've practically turned MedBay into a geology lab. So... what's with all the radio silence?"

"I'm afraid these specimens have demanded more attention than I expected."

"Huh, the secrecy?"

Blue grew thoughtful. "Truthfully, that's what I wished to speak with you about." Purple raised an eyebrow, listening.

"If these specimens prove hazardous, I'd rather continue my observations somewhere the crew doesn't frequently visit. I'd hate for simple curiosity to place anyone at unnecessary risk."

Purple's posture relaxed. "...Fair." They gestured at the map. "The Skeld has a few maintenance storage rooms. Its kind of below from here. Like ground floor. They're mostly used for spare equipment, so hardly anyone goes there unless something breaks."

Blue listened attentively.

"Only Security and Maintenance usually have access. If you need to move hazardous material, let me know beforehand. I'll give you an extra map and send a temporary access code to your data pad and make sure nobody accidentally wanders in."

Blue's eyes lingered on the CCTV monitors for a brief moment before they turned back to Purple with a warm smile.

"I appreciate the offer. Though I'd rather not burden your department." Purple shrugged. "...It's literally my job." Blue let out a quiet laugh. "Perhaps. But that doesn't make your work any less valuable."

Purple looked at them. Blue continued, "People rarely notice good security, because good security prevents the things worth noticing. I imagine that can be a thankless responsibility."

Purple stared for a brief moment before looking away. "...Huh." The corner of their mouth twitched upward.

"...Thanks."

Blue inclined their head. "The gratitude is mine. You've helped keep this crew safe long before I stepped aboard." Purple cleared their throat. "...I'll leave a temporary code authorization at your counter."

Blue smiled warmly. "I'll be sure to return it the moment I'm finished."

"Make sure you do."

"I fully intend to."

As Blue walked away, Purple watched them disappear around the corner.

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(July 3.)

Lime paused as they crawled through the ventilation shaft, the wrench gently clanged against the mental. Something echoed through the metal ducts.

It wasn't loud. Just... unusual.

Curiosity led them toward the sound.

The farther they crawled, the cooler the air became, and the quieter everything grew. Even the familiar hum of the Skeld seemed distant, broken only by the occasional metallic creak somewhere below. Reaching a vent grate where the sound was coming from, Lime carefully peeked through.

It was one of the ship's storage rooms. It was always empty.

Though Lime barely went beyond this vent, they recognized something had changed.

Metal shelves lined the walls, filled with neatly stacked storage bins. Most were sealed, but several had been left open. Inside were the ores.

Blue had never mentioned bringing them here. Nor had they ever said they had opened them. How long have they...

Lime scanned the room. No one was there.

Only silence. Until one of the ores twitched. Lime has a good eye.

Lime blinked."...Huh?"

A thin crack spread across its surface. The shell split open. Something small and pink slowly wriggled out.

Lime couldn't make out exactly what it was.

Curiosity got the better of them. They quietly climbed out of the vent. The instant their feet touched the floor, the tiny creature reacted.

It sprang toward them.

Lime barely had time to flinch before another pair of hands caught it midair. It was Blue. They held the wriggling creature firmly before it could latch onto Lime.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Lime's eyes darted between Blue and the strange living thing squirming in their hands.

"Doc?" They were shocked. "What- what is that?"

Blue remained silent. The creature continued struggling in their grasp. Finally, they exhaled.

"...They're alive, Lime."

Lime stared at the tiny creature in Blue's hands. "...You're kiddin'."

Blue didn't answer.

A nervous laugh escaped Lime. "R-Right? This is... this is some medical thin'. An experiment."

Silence. "...Doc?"

Blue met Lime's gaze. There was no fear and no guilt. Only the same calm expression Lime had trusted since the day they met.

Lime's stomach sank.

"...You knew." Their voice was barely audible. "You've known this whole time."

"Yes."

Lime instinctively tightened their grip around the wrench. "...You lied to us." Their voice cracked. "You lied to me." They stumbled back another step. "...And you've been hidin' them from all of us?"

Blue opened their mouth. "Lime-"

"An' what are them things, huh, Doc?" Lime snapped, brandishing their wrench at Blue. "I thought you was usin' them machines to figure out what they were. Instead, you've been usin' 'em to keep 'em alive!"

Blue lowered their gaze to the writhing creature in their hands.

"An' is this what you've been usin' all that medical equipment for?!" Lime shouted, gesturing wildly at the room. "Wastin' all them machines on these things?! I thought you used 'em wisely... but instead you've been usin' 'em for... for this!" Their voice cracked.

"What about my medical checkups, huh?" The question came out quieter. "Was I just another experiment to ya, Doc?"

It had stopped wriggling. After a brief moment, Blue lifted their gaze to meet Lime's again.

Lime clicked their tongue irritably.

"I needed time."

"Time for what?"

"To understand them."

Lime shook their head quickly. "No- no, that's not enough. Everyone has a right to know."

"They will." Blue took a slow step forward.

"When the time is right."

Lime took another cautious step backward.

"...I'm tellin' the others."

Blue was quiet.

"...I thought you might."

Their smile remained as gentle as ever.

"I'm afraid I can't allow that."

Lime scoffed. "Doc, you freakin' lied to all of us." They motioned toward the door. "The whole crew deserves to know."

"Yes... but-"

Blue took another step.

"I never wished to frighten you."

And another step.

"Nor did I wish for you to discover this alone."

Lime snorted. "Doc... y'know you're really startin' to scare me."

They swallowed. "...Was this what you've been hidin'? Some government thin'? Some kinda classified experiment?" They pointed the wrench at the creature. "That thing's dangerous, ain't it?"

Blue stopped.

For a brief moment, neither of them moved.

After Lime blinked again, something wrapped tightly around their ankle.

It was warm.

Smooth.

Almost... fleshy.

Lime gasped as they were suddenly yanked off their feet. Their back slammed against the floor, knocking the air from their lungs. They could only groan in pain.

A long, sinewy appendage had emerged from beneath Blue's sleeve, coiling tightly around their leg.

Dazed, Lime's eyes slowly traveled upward.

Blue hadn't moved. "...I'm sorry."

They whispered.

"D-Doc..." Lime struggled to catch their breath, terror replacing the pain in their eyes. "W-What... what are you?"

Blue’s smile didn’t fade, but their voice sounded hollow. "I'm so sorry Lime- Please don't make this difficult."

 Blue's grip faltered for only a second, the small pink creature suddenly burst out.

Before Lime could wrench themselves free- It latched onto them.

But.

The hatchling suddenly hurled itself toward the wall. A faint thud before tumbling onto the floor. It had missed its target. (LMAO I want action btw)

Lime reacted on instinct.

They knocked the tiny creature away before it could recover. With a swift motion, Lime scooped the creature onto the head of their wrench and flung it at Blue. It struck them square in the visor with a dull crack. Blue caught the falling wrench in their waiting hands, staggering back a step as a quiet groan escaped them.

For the first time, the fleshy appendage wrapped around Lime's ankle loosened. It recoiled beneath Blue's sleeve in pain.

Lime didn’t waste the opportunity. They scrambled into the ventilation shaft, dragging themselves forward as fast as they could. Their palms scraped against the cold metal while their heart pounded painfully in their chest.

Everything felt so heavy, accompanied only by the thudding of the vents as they crawled.

"Blue," they breathed. The name caught in their throat.

Why?

Why would this happen?

To someone they trusted?

To someone who understand?

Then a sudden metallic crash echoed through the vent behind them, growing closer with every passing second. Lime flinched and crawled as fast as they could. It wasn't enough. And something shot around their ankle. Again.

"No!"

They were violently dragged backward. Their fingers dug into the edge of the vent, metal screeching beneath their gloves as they fought to hold on. The appendage tightened. With one brutal yank, Lime was pinned face-to-face with Blue, still in the cramped shaft, chest pressed against chest. The narrow vent left no room to escape.

Lime panted in terror.

Blue only stared.

Around Blue, more of the abnormalities emerged from beneath their lower half, quickly crowding the cramped vent before coiling around Lime's legs and lower body, trapping them completely. Even through the layers of their suit, the clammy pressure against Lime's legs made their stomach churn. They thought they were going to vomit.

It only got worse. The appendages continued to multiply, slipping over one another as they spread through the narrow shaft. There was nowhere left to move. They climbed over Lime's legs, around their waist, and beneath their arms until the growing mass forced them onto their back, pinning them helplessly against the floor of the vent.

Lime had stared into Blue's visor countless times before.

This time, something was different. The reflection rippled.

Behind the darkened glass, something moved.

It wasn't a trick of the light. It wasn't a face.

Lime cried out and drove their fist into Blue's already fractured visor.

Crash.

The cracked glass gave way, scattering across them.

Blue didn't react. Through the jagged fracture, there was no face. Just a mass of pulsing, shifting tissue and a single, abnormally bulging wet eye that stared unblinkingly at them in the dark of the shaft.

Blue was gone, really gone. It wasn't a government thing-

Lime’s breath hitched, a choked, pathetic sound rattling in their throat. They wanted to scream, but the air in their lungs felt like solid ice.

"Lime? What’s the matter? It’s me."