Last Chapter Recap: "Of course, Master," Ivanna said with a smirk. "Glory to Master, hail Nova!" And the others echoed the same, their voices filled with loyalty.
NOW
Crew Deck
Something is wrong. Very wrong.
After receiving service from my new slave, I went straight to the crew deck. My enhanced sense warning me about something.
However, everything is too normal. My shift so for has gone without any interruptions or extraordinary events.
Aside from the absence of Laura – who went to decrypt the database – this is as ordinary day as usual.
And this creeps me out. Yesterday, mutineer Chand has met his end trying to escaped. Yet no one seems bothered by this fact.
I tried to talk with lt. Brody about it, but he avoided the topic. No, he's not very talkative today in general. He just sits there and charts various routes to our target.
To offset my worries, I even watched footage from yesterday. Nothing in captain's or commander's behaviour was out of normal. They handled the matter as I expected.
But there's no way they'd let it slide. Apparently, commander arrested one of the engineers, just as I planned. He'll be the scapegoat.
This just can't be right. Ever since I've boarded this ship, my plans have been executed one after another.
"...Sign," Selana called out.
That's why I can't help but be restless. I have a feeling something bad about to happen, yet I don't know what-
"Ensign!!" Selana called out again, louder this time.
"C-Captain?" Adam asked, visibly startled, his eyes widening. "Is... is something wrong?"
Damn. I got so engrossed in my thoughts, I failed to notice her captainess herself. Judging by her expression, it seems like she's been talking to me for some time.
"It's your lunch break," Selana said, crossing her arms with a raised brow. "Do you intend to finish your shift on an empty stomach?"
"H-huh? Ah, right! I didn't notice..." Adam said, suddenly realizing, his face flushing. "Thank you, Captain!"
"You're welcome," Selana said, her tone casual.
This is strange. This is strange no matter how I look at it. This slave driver has never cared about me in such way.
"Is something on my face?" Selana asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh, no... excuse me," Adam said, flustered, trying to recover.
I just don't get it. I really don't.
Canteen
"Oh!" Natasha exclaimed, seeing him.
In the canteen, I run into one of my girls. Considering that pilots run on a different schedule than the rest of the crew, it's actually my first time to meet Natasha here.
"What's up, Ensign?" Adam asked casually.
"Mas—I mean, ugh... I'm beat," Natasha said, letting out a tired sigh.
After a brief moment of instinctual reaction towards her master, Natasha resumed her act. Which doesn't seem like an act at all. She looks really tired.
"Fuck, you look exhausted," Adam said, his tone laced with concern. "What happened?"
"Captain happened," Natasha said, exhaustion evident in her voice. "Since early morning, we've been doing nothing but advanced drills with our fighter jets."
"Are they that bad?" Adam asked, his concern evident in his voice.
"Nah, but everyone has limits," Natasha said with a sigh. "And now my limit is the thirteenth repetition. With the help of Master, my strength increased a hundredfold, but... gosh, that's one side of our Captain I really dislike."
While Natasha pours herself tea-like product, I ponder what it could mean. Why would the captain order drills now?
"Do you think it's abnormal?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow, his tone thoughtful.
"Drills? Nah, Captain likes to surprise us from time to time..." Natasha said, her voice tired. "If it weren't for Master, I'd probably have passed out from exhaustion by now."
"Still, I always feel like shit afterwards..." Natasha said, her voice trailing off. "I think I might need more... rejuvenating drink tonight~."
My slae obviously wants to swing the topic towards something more pleasurable, but I can't shake the bad feeling from my head.
"Natasha," Adam asked, his tone casual, "Can you get some food to my room later on?"
"Huh? I mean, sure thing, Ensign," Natasha said, a bit confused. "But what happened? Eating is important for your health."
"I need to check something," Adam said, his tone serious. "Right now."
That's right. My enhanced sense tells me to never ignore bad feelings. Even if it means skipping a meal.
I arrive at the main battery room – Aurora's domain on the ship – only to find it completely empty.
"Fuck..." Adam said, his frustration clear.
It's not entirely unexpected, but-
"If you're looking for Major Aurora," a voice came from behind, "she's doing inventory in the lower decks."