Chapter 5: Secrets start to unfold

"What the heck is that thing?" Artifice asked.

"Probably a piece of space junk, we're still not that far from the station" Stardrive replied.

Cirrus didn’t agree. "No, I think that's a bot, I'm gonna scan it for life signs."

Not sure of what to do, Stardrive shot the controls. "Oops, slipped."

"Why the hell did you do that?" Cirrus yelled.

"I told you, it was an accident," Stardrive shouted.

Cirrus was extremely angry and confused. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but you'd damn well better get it fixed."

Waitstate looked at the monitor. "Pull it in. We can't risk the chance that this might be a bot."

Waitstate moved from his position and pulled Stardrive outside of the bridge. After the doors shut, he turned to Stardrive. "Look I know you've had a few accidents before, but this isn't like you. Ever since we left the station you've seemed out of it. What is out there that you don't want any of us to see?"

Stardrive paused for a moment. "Remember that mirror universe?"

Waitstate just looked at Stardrive.

Stardrive continued. "Okay, stupid question. Well, somehow the mirror version of myself ended up on this side, as far as I know he's the only one who made it. Back at the station we got into a little brawl. He tried to kill me."

"Why didn't you report this sooner?" Waitstate yelled furiously.

Stardrive shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I panicked. Personally, I thought the story sounded rather ridiculous, I didn't think you'd believe me."

Waitstate gave Stardrive a very angry look. "We've known each other for a long time, I'd believe just about anything you'd say, you know that."

"You're right Waitstate, I should have come to you sooner." Stardrive was far less ecstatic now.

"Look, I’m gonna have Cuffs escort you to med-bay, I’ll be over there as soon as I find out what we’ve just pulled in." Waitstate told him.

"What's going on here? Why am I under arrest?" Stardrive asked as Cuffs came into view.

"We have to make sure you are who you say you are," Waitstate said.

"I thought you were better than this Waitstate, I THOUGHT we were friends" Stardrive said as he was escorted away.

"This just isn’t right," Waitstate said to himself.

Waitstate turned around and re-entered the bridge. "Make sure we get extra bots at the docking bay just to be safe. We're not sure what this thing is yet."

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The crew rushed down to the docking bay. When they arrived, their suspicions were confirmed. It was a bot, but not just any bot. It was Stardrive. The crew looked at the bot confused.

Shadowpaw pointed at the bot. "He's got some odd symbols on his arms."

"If we’re going to find out what’s going on here, we need to activate that bot" Waitstate said sternly. "Take this one to the brig and have Restore treat him. Make sure there’s security around him at all times."

Skysiren and Scope picked up the fallen Stardrive's arms. As they carried him off, Stardrive’s words echoed in Waitstate’s head. "I thought you were better than this Waitstate, I THOUGHT we were friends."

Waitstate turned away from him and closed his eyes.

Admiral Lilwall walked up to Waitstate. "It's alright Wait, I would have done the same thing."

"How can I give both of them the benefit of the doubt?" Waitstate asked.

"Whatever happens, I’m sure you’ll find the answers you need" Admiral assured him.