A figure watched as two of his victims went to find the third. His plans hit a snag when the science officer discovered the water. Not that it mattered, he had other ways to finish the job. --------------------- Art sat on Akara's bed in a trance. The silent stowaway crept up behind him. He slid his hands around the boy's small neck. "Hey Art." Akara said, walking into the room. He looked over at the boy, sitting alone on the bed. "Wow, he didn't even hear me. I'm glad I don't get like that." *** The fourteen year old science officer was examining the food supply for contamination. "Food looks fine. I wonder what contaminated the drinking supply." She began checking everything in the kitchen. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Easy there, I got a question." Trent said as she turned around. "You almost gave me a heart attack." "Sorry 'bout that. What do you suppose happens if we drink some of that contaminated stuff?" "I don't know yet. Why?" "Me and Yume had lunch right after the captain told us about the delay." "Do you feel any different? Are you ok?" "I feel fine, except I can't remember what happened after Yume passed out." "She passed out?" "Yeah, and she doesn't remember even eating." "This isn't good. I'll start trying to figure out what this does. I suggest not eating anything 'til we dock." "About that, we should've docked an hour ago." "Really? I'm not wearing my watch. You should ask the captain about it." "That's where Yume is right now." "Oh, that's good." *** "Captain..." "You don't have to call me that Yume. Akara will do." "Why haven't we docked?" "I told you it would be a little longer." She pointed to her watch. "Holy crap, we should be docked already!" He ran to the bridge with Yume right behind him. Art, still in his trance, didn't even notice them. "Hello? Hello? Damn, nobody's answering." He slammed his fist on the console. "Where are we?" "I don't know, we've lost navigation." ------------------- "Where's Lisa?" Yume asked Trent as he walked in. "Getting Art." "We're here." Art said. "Good, we have a problem." Akara started, "Somehow we've gone off course." "Why not just steer back on course?" Lisa asked. "Because, we've lost navigation. I don't know where we are. I fell asleep. Someone must have snuck aboard the ship before we left." "And contaminated the drinking supply!" Lisa shouted. "Right. Now I don't want anyone wandering off alone until we find this person." "I need to get back to the kitchen to find out what the stuff in the water is designed to do." "All right, but take Trent with you. Yume and Art will stay together." Akara said, looking at Trent. "What about you?" Lisa asked. "I'll be fine." "We aren't going anywhere anyway." Art added.