frankenstein complex ⇢ q.k | ✔

seventeen

Two (relatively) peaceful weeks passed on the Vision, and you were definitely counting down the days, mentally celebrating that you were halfway there to Kun being in far less pain.

On this particular day, you were reading again. There wasn't much else for you to do, really. This time, you'd taken the spare tablet you'd been given into the observatory deck for a change of pace from reading in your cabin, though.

"Now what are you reading? Quantum physics?" Yangyang had appeared in the doorway, playful smirk on his lips.

"No, info on the second gen slipdrive model," you said, eyes still hungrily drinking in the diagram of how all the pieces fit together. "ZEN apparently can't declassify the stuff for the newest model that's in the Vision right now without a direct order from either Admiral Lee or Kun, and Kun's busy."

"ZEN, come on," the roboticist snorted. "She's literally the captain's... okay, I don't know what label they've got but dude, I think that's enough of a security clearance."

ZEN's avatar popped in for a split-second to defend himself. "I understand the social dynamics quite well, thank you, Lieutenant. However, it's not my decision, it's programmed into me. I cannot declassify that information without a direct order from either Admiral Lee or Captain Qian."

"And what is our esteemed captain doing right now anyway that he can't be interrupted?"

"He's in the gym," you replied. "I'll be done with this by the time he's finished anyway, I can ask him then. I told ZEN not to bother him."

"It would take him all of two seconds," Yangyang pointed out.

"It's fine, really. I've got some guesses as to how they improved this slipdrive with Outspacer technology, I want to make sure I finish this before I read the new stuff and find out if I'm right."

ZEN's cube silently blipped back out of sight.

"You are like an information sponge."

"I mean, I don't have a whole lot else up here." You tapped your forehead. "No memories. More room for information, right?"

"You read any stuff on robotics?"

"No," you shrugged. "I mean, the stuff about the infirmary scanner mentioned it briefly, but it wasn't about robotics, you know?"

"Why not?"

You looked up at him finally, chuckling as you said, "I mean, I also haven't picked up a medical textbook, either. I hope I'm not offending Dejun."

"I'm not offended," Yangyang assured you. "Just asking. We found you somewhere with a robotics lab and a synthbio lab. Thought you might have gotten curious."

"Oh, I mean, I guess not. Maybe one day."

"With the rate that you consume knowledge? Probably."

There was a certain glint in Yangyang's eye in that moment, one that felt eerily familiar to how he was looking at you on the first day on Aegeum.

"Were you looking for me, Yangyang? Or were you going to use the observatory?" You questioned.

"Guilty. I was looking for you." He was still smiling at you. "Do you mind if I run some diagnostics?"

"On... me?" You tilted your head, chalking his strange phrasing up to being a roboticist rather than a doctor. You laughed airily. "I appreciate the concern, but I was already checked out in the infirmary my first day on the Vision. Other than the amnesia, I'm fine."