Threads
07 Dec 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Part Twenty-Five
Threads
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Xochitl stood by the window in her carrier's office, gazing out at the ringed gas giant in the Eol Prou TZ-W b3-9 system. Yatziri sat nearby, her boots resting on Xochitl's desk, both of them taking in the serene view. Rex couldn't help but tease Yatziri about her penchant for mischief when they were near Colonia.
"I suppose since we're near Colonia once more, you'll want to leave to go and cause some mischief?"Rex remarked with a smirk.
Yatziri shook her head, a rare seriousness in her expression. "Actually, no. I think we should stay as far away from everyone and everything as possible. Having that thing that's in Monty this close to humanity doesn't fill me with good feelings."
Xochitl, still looking out at the rings, didn't turn to face them. Her tone was resolute. "We need to create and manage a perception and hope that she takes the bait."
Rex shivered, feeling a chill down his spine, while Yatziri removed her boots from the desk. No one needed to ask what was going through her mind. To Xochitl, Monty seemed as good as lost. The entity and his fate were sealed, but she needed them in case they encountered Zooey. She would do everything to save them, but if she couldn't, then Zooey's fate would mirror Monty's.
Yatziri recognized Xochitl's cold detachment as a way to shield herself, a facade of indifference against the difficult choices ahead. Xochitl was the one who had to make the tough calls, and the needs of the one outweighed the needs of the many, even if it meant sacrificing herself to protect the rest.
Avery, standing by the office entrance, asked. "What if the bait is not taken or ignored?"
All eyes turned to Xochitl, awaiting her response. She paused for a moment before answering, her gaze distant.
"In my time working with ship power plants and their sources, I've gained some basic knowledge of certain principles. When I stopped thinking like an adversary and more like the mechanic I am, a theory came to me. Based on what we can speculate and adjust for the demonstrated capabilities of the entity or symbiote, there's a paradox."
Xochitl turned away from the window and took a seat at her desk. She looked at the group before her, a small quirk appearing on her face.
"We know the shadow of her psyche was reabsorbed into the collective of whatever appeared within her mind. This same source was enough to pull in and compile the symbiote, and then transmit it across a vast distance. Much farther than I initially realized, which I only realized when I stopped seeing it as our adversary."
Avery clicked, drawing the attention of Rex and Yatziri. "What you're suggesting, if true, it could uniquely present itself," Avery said. "Distance would only matter to the physical forms of Zooey and Monty, not to the entity itself. If it left an imprint in Zooey, the two should come into sync soon."
Yatziri raised her hand, shaking her head. "Hold on for a moment. If your theory is correct, what do we do if and when they start communicating? Is that why you're keeping that thing imprisoned in the secured hangar?"
Xochitl closed her eyes briefly. "No, I'm keeping them there for when the other host finds us. That is a physical matter and will take time."
Yatziri exchanged glances with Avery and Rex, then returned her gaze to Xochitl. "But we were already halfway to Zooey's last known location. Why turn around and go back?"
"They don't have the fleet assets or resources we do," Xochitl explained. "If my theory is correct, when she finds us, the wear and tear on Monty's Diamondback Explorer, along with depleted resources, will prevent her from escaping us and disappearing into nearby densely populated systems. We will then have both of them trapped, giving us a chance to save her—" Xochitl's voice wavered slightly as she continued, "—or end this."
Rex leaned back in his chair, and Yatziri looked concerned. "And if the theory is not correct?"
Avery nodded. "Considering the variables and statistical probabilities, it's in favor of the theory being correct, barring any developing psychosis within the other host."
"Psychosis?" Yatziri questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Avery confirmed. "We don't know what has taken over or possessed Zooey. Her actions will dictate our response when she appears."
Rex sighed, and Yatziri looked back at Xochitl with a worried expression.
Xochitl met her gaze, nodding slowly. "We have to wait and be patient."