Lizards and Holograms

[John Hino]

John sat on the edge of a bunk, carefully examining the holo-projector.

[Narrator]

Now that the first message has been played a bit more of the device seems to have unlocked and even a cursory examination reveals more data is saved on the device and a simple twist of the frame holding the emitter lens can be used to activate it.

[John Hino]

John tried to determine if it would delete itself again.

[Narrator]

It's hard to tell for sure without hooking up diagnostic equipment up to the device or taking it apart, but from what John can tell it's unlikely, the playback mechanism being relatively simple now that it's unlocked.

[John Hino]

John crossed his fingers and gently twisted the frame.

[Nailah Weaver]

Once again the device flickers to life and projects a blue-tinted screen into mid-air and for a moment Nailah seems to just stare at the camera before she starts to talk, her eyes glowing again, or possibly still seeing how the background doesn't seem to have changed from the previous recording. "I'm afraid this is going to be rather confusing for you."

[John Hino]

"What part of this isn't?"

[Nailah Weaver]

"I didn't expect you to. Not right away. But it's important that you remember. For me, for you..."

[John Hino]

"I will."

[Nailah Weaver]

"Because you weren't here." she says, sadness starting to creep into her voice.

[John Hino]

"Then please, tell me what to remember."

[Nailah Weaver]

"It is, but one only you could do, not me."

[John Hino]

"Aaand this isn't meant for me is it?"

[Nailah Weaver]

"No, I'm not, but I know you remember this room..." she says with a heavy voice, picking up the camera and letting it sweep over some of the background and the quills and plumes scattered throughout the room. "Please, you have to remember."


A pause.


"We can't hide from the truth forever and... I'm not leaving until I had a chance to apologize." The glow in her eyes might be hiding the fact that they're swelling with tears, but they're slowly starting to run down her cheeks now.


Another pause.


"Wait!" Nailah reaches for the camera, her hand stopping in mid-air and she closes her eyes for a moment, visibly calming down a little before her hand closes the distance to the camera and the image dissolves into static and cuts off.

[John Hino]

John stopped the recording, feeling like he had read someone's mail.

"The heck was that?"