Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Grace
“Fudge, my head hurts.”
While this morning’s “lovely little flight” might have started it, the rest of my day only fueled the fire. I mean, it’s not every day that you’re suddenly flown across the world and dropped on a ship in the middle of the ocean and given super secret access to information that could save the world.
Marrisa would love to have seen me squirm in that boardroom today. Normally I would call and update her on my crazy day, but the evil dictator has stripped me of all my personal devices, even my computer!
“You can use the lab’s computers for research.” Stratt told me when I protested her robbing me this evening.
“But what if I want to do something that’s not research?”
Stratt didn’t need words; all she needed was that death stare.
“This is your room.” We stopped walking in front of a small door. “Dr Grace” was written on a small plate in the middle.
“Ah, home sweet home!” I joked.
No response.
“Tough crowd.”
“Get some rest Dr. Grace. We have our first meeting at 0800 tomorrow morning.”
“We? Why we? I thought I was a scientist? Last time I was one of those I didn’t go to many meetings.”
“You have much to learn Dr. Grace. Saving the world requires many meetings.”
We were quiet for a minute. I really looked at Stratt’s face. I knew we were close in age, but her face was covered in wrinkles, her eyes deep and tired. She could pass for 10 years older than me. Stratt must have noticed my staring and narrowed her eyes at me.
“Someone will come to escort you to our meeting tomorrow. Goodnight Dr. Grace.”
“Goodnight,” I mumbled as I fiddled with the lock on my door, embarrassed that I might have made her uncomfortable. If Eva Stratt can even get uncomfortable.
When I finally opened the door, I found a small rectangular room, no bigger than 100 square feet. There was a twin-sized bed against the right wall, a small desk on the left wall, and a small closet in the corner. There was a door to my right that I assumed led to the bathroom. On the bed were a pair of red and orange plaid PJs.
“Oh crap!” I spun around looking for my imaginary suitcase. I guess I only have the clothes I’m wearing now. I grabbed the pajamas and headed for the bathroom. There was a small round shower door and a toilet with a sink on top. Really living like a king here.
I showered and put on the new PJs, which were surprisingly soft and well-fitted. When the fudge did she get my measurements? I grabbed my dirty clothes and headed to the closet to hang them up. When I pulled open the sliding glass door, I noticed a few plain white t-shirts, two pairs of jeans, and some blue Crocs on the floor. At the very back, there was a blue lab coat with my name on the front left. It looked like someone had handwritten my name in pen.
“Guess I don’t have to wear my dirty clothes tomorrow.” I breathed a sigh of relief knowing I wouldn’t have to meet any more important people smelling like nervous sweat. I tossed my clothes into a pile at the back of the closet and plopped onto the bed. For such a small bed, it’s surprisingly soft.
As I stare at the ceiling and think about my day (It’s not like I have much else to do), my headache keeps getting worse.
“Fine!” I whisper/yell as I drag myself up to the floor. I’m on the hunt for aspirin.
I crack my door open and peek outside. I’m an adult, I know that. But on this ship, I feel like a middle schooler staying the night at their friend's house. Like, I might get in trouble if I walk in on their parents watching TV.
I tiptoe down the long hallway of door after door. I’m just walking back the way Stratt and I came, at least I think this is the way we came. Either way, it has to lead to humanity at some point. Right?...
I walk for what feels like 15 minutes with nothing but hallways of door after door, all just like mine. Come to think of it, I have no idea what time it is right now, there’s no clock in my room, and President Buiness has my phone. I’ll have to get a watch. I finally stop and check the name on a door to my left.
“Dr. Gra… I MADE A FREAKIN CIRCLE?!”
“Ugh, I know I’m short like a child, but please, it’s fine you can curse around me.”
I spin around at the sound of the heavy russian accent. It’s a short woman with brown hair and eyes. She’s wearing a white tank top and sweatpants and is holding a cup of coffee with both hands.
“Oh jeez.. you scared me..” I mumble to the stranger as I take a breath, a sigh of relief that it wasn’t Stratt I ran into.
“Olesya Ilyukina.” The woman extends her arm out to shake mine with a giant smile plastered across her face. “You must be the new guy Stratt was yapping about.”
Stratt was “yapping” about me?
“Uh yeah, I guess that’s me!” I say, trying to hide my shock that apparently I’m the new guy everyone’s talking about. “Ryalnd Grace.” I extend my arm out to shake hers, but as our hands meet, she laces our fingers together and starts fighting my thumb. When she manages to hold my thumb down successfully, she shouts.
“Fuck yeah! I win!”
“You didn’t even give me a heads up!” I complain. Smiling now.
“That’s the point! Get ‘em when they least expect it! Ilyukina's smile only seems to get bigger as she sips her coffee. “So what are you doing out so late anyway?”
“Late? Wait what time is it?” I ask, suddenly feeling my headache again.
“Uhhhh…” She glances down at her watch “one in the morning!”
“Oh jeez, I really need to get some medicine and get to bed.”
“Medicine? Are you sick?”
“No, I just have a headache, that's all.”
“Oh, well, you don’t need medicine for that!” Ilykunia holds out her coffee cup. “This will fix you right up!”
I raise my eyebrows, but take the cup anyway. Maybe it’s some kind of herbal tea. I take a small sip… and quickly spit it out.
“WHAT THE FUCK?? IS THAT VODKA??”
Ilykunia looks confused, “Of course.” Why would I be drinking coffee in the middle of the night?”
I wait a second to see if she’s joking. She’s not.
I look down at the cup I’m still holding in my hands. Fuck it. I take a big sip. And then another. The burning is a nice distraction from the headache.
“Ahh atta boy!” Ilykunia cheers. “See, I got you to curse and drink in the same night… I’m such a bad influence.”
“Yeah.” I mumble as I hand the drink back to her.
“Well. I’m headed to bed!” Ilykunia turns around and unlocks the door across from me. “I’m right here if you need anything Dr. Grace!”
How did she know I was a doctor?
Before I can ask, she’s shut her door behind her. I’m alone in the hallway again. I give up on the medicine, hoping the alcohol will take the place of some aspirin. I unlock my door and crawl into my bed.
I have a feeling I’m going to be on this ship for a long time.