Horror Story 2955 "Meme"

The lights go out on the deck of the Vara, and there is silence. At least for a minute. I sigh, sitting up from a slouch that was becoming all too habitual. I need to have a talk with the chief of engineering. Again. Not that there was much Jimenez could do, energy management became tricky when the scanners were actively pulling three quarters of the ships power.I had made a official complaint to the manufacture with a curtly worded dispatch, hoping they would fix it in future iterations. Hope does not spring eternal in this case. "Jimenez, when can I expect the initial data? And can we please get the lights to not go off when scanning?" I say. He replies, "About five minutes, Oh captain my captain Heptain. And not likely, the draw causes a short when the information passes through the main..." I interrupt, "Right, so no. What did you think of the initial scans?" "Weird, I haven't seen anything like this before. Did you send the initial data out oh captain?" "Yep. Send the info after the data nerds get their fill." I say. "They prefer "data scientists" oh captain my Captain." He says. "That's what I said." He laughs and signs off. My terminal beeps as the scans come in. I frown. Jimenez had sent the packet to all hands, a possible breach of data. Not that the crew could tell anyone. I open the file. There is something inhuman about the city. 90 degree angles are strangely absent from the architecture. I flip the page and my brain seems to brown out for a second. Haven't felt that since the academy gravity burn training, having the blood rush to my feet. I slump and grab my head as a high pitch whistling enters my ears. I taste and smell cotton candy before the world snaps back in to brutal focus. "Are you alright Captain?" Mottelaro, my pilot asks. I feel the sensation fade. I glance at the file, there is only a picture of some alien characters, maybe writing? "I am good. Have you opened the file yet?" I say. "Not yet. Just got it." She replies. The lights flicker off then back on. Weird. I should get as many eyes on this as possible, more data could be good. "Huh. I have ship control, go ahead." She reads and seems to slump then looks up. "I need a minute Captain." I nod and she moves out of the bridge. I idly wonder what is happening on the ship and open the camera application. The crew all seem fine, all nine just on their pads or doing daily tasks. Jimenez is gesturing like he is putting on a play. He loves the old classics. The lights flicker off and then on. Mottelaro's body stares back at me from the camera, the blood splashed over brutal wounds. Her organs scattered around her and eyes unseeing. A strange smile on her face. It takes a minute to process and I scream, the empty bridge echoing. The rest of the crew seem to be going about their daily tasks or on their pads. They don't seem to see anything wrong. Her body is in the main walkway, one of them steps over her to listen to Jimenez. "Alas poor Yorick" I hear him through the camera microphone. The lights flicker off. Then on. Three more bodies, brutal wounds more pronounced. Same smile. I hit the bridge lockdown and... The lights flicker, only Jimenez is left. He looks at the camera, a smile on his face.

"...the gallows may do well to thee." He continues. The lights flicker. Jimenez falls, throat slit. I feel strange. I look at my hands as they type in a coordinate that is out in the dep dark, beyond the light of the universe I know. They turn the life support off. I see a reflection behind me in the glass, a distorted figure of strange angles and too many teeth. It seems to be smiling at me. I think of memes, contagious thoughts. My fingers hit go. I pull my regulation sidearm and place it against my temple. As I do I think of memes, contagious thoughts. I pull the trigger as the quantum drive engages, a mirrored smile on my face.

The lights go out on the deck of the Vara, and there is silence.