The Next Day

---

"The good captain has ordered me off the ship." Shaq'l'phard explained to his nurse. "I am to go and do autopsies on a derelict ship we just ran across. To determine how exactly everyone on board just died." He wheezed as he adjusted himself, a loud crunching sound was heard from his back.

Vesper clucked her tongue quietly with concern. "Ah, how basic. I'm so sorry sir. A brilliant man such as yourself, seems a waste of your time. Nothing for it though, I suppose. Captain's orders." She gave him a kind smile, tilting her head slightly. "Might I de-stress you quickly before you go? Adjust your back, at the very least?"

"That would be most helpful...Vesper wasn't it?" Shaq'l'phard asked with a tilt of his head.

"Yes, sir," Vesper replied with a kind smile and a polite bow of her head in acknowledgment. "But you needn't remember that. I respond just as well to 'you'." She chuckled quietly before stepping up to him and lightly touching his elbow (or where it would be), her lips turned up just slightly in a calming smile, not wanting him to feel uncomfortable as tension flowed lazily out of his body. Her eyes fluttered just slightly. This man was like a candy shop, so full of annoyance. Still, she tried to focus. "Would you like to lie down? I could try with you standing up if you prefer though..."

"I have not laid down in a very long time. We are perchers by nature you know." Shaq'l'phard explained as the tension flowed from him slowly. "Just what is it that you plan to do to me again?"

"Just... feel your vertebrae," Vesper told him as she switched hands so the other was resting on his elbow now and her first could gently touch the top of his coat where the base of his neck would be. "And the muscle running along it..." Her hand started working slowly down along his spine, feeling expertly. "And realign as necessary." The gentle drawl of emotional tension didn't miss a beat as with a sharp press of her finger a small bit of air was released from his shifted spine, easing some pressure as she continued down to help adjust the spine from where it had moved when he straightened, back to its customary setting of hunched over. She pressed again at another spot she found, making a slightly louder crack, but not flinching, as she knew it would ease pain, not increase it.

Shaq'l'phard let out a wheezing groan as his spine was readjusted. He relaxed even when the louder crack was sounded. "Thank you Vesper."

Vesper smiled brightly at what she perceived as a compliment. "My pleasure, sir. I am always at your service." She finished with a small final pop near where his spine ended and stepped back, removing her hand from his elbow to release the drawl on his emotions and let them gently settle back into his body, given with less tension. She bowed her head to him politely before just standing at the ready, smiling at him. "Is there anything else you require, sir? Or desire. I am happy to assist you."

"Well, I need to pack an autopsy kit for this little mission from the captain." Shaq'l'phard explained with a shrug. "You could pack that while I do a little reviewing before I leave."

"Of course sir." Vesper smiled sweetly and nodded a little bow to the doctor before turning away and set about quickly and efficiently getting the kit ready for him.

Shaq'l'phard walked into his office and hopped upon his perch. Rhod had said they had a little time before departure. He opened one of his dustier old notebooks and began flipping through the pages. It had been years since he had done an autopsy.
After reviewing his notebooks for an extensive period of time, he hopped off of his perch and slid the notebooks into a pocket in his coat. He was not going to go off gallivanting without some previously well prepared notes. He grabbed a fresh notebook as well, making sure he had enough ink left to take all the notes. After checking over his office one last time, making sure that everything was in it's proper place, he exited his office. "Vesper? I need my kit." He called to his nurse as he headed for the door.

"Yes, sir," Vesper chirped and was by the door in an instant, kit held out for him to take. "Safe journey, sir," she wished him with a smile. "I do hope you find something that makes it worth your time."

"As do I, as do I." Shaq'l'phard replied, nodding his head to her as he took his kit. He checked over the contents quickly and nodded his approval. "I must say, you are by far the most efficient nurse I have had in years. I do hope nothing happens to you." It was the nicest way that he could give a compliment. With that said, he headed out to the docking bays

---

A direct comm appeared in the main office of Security Chief D'mitri, a small pink tinged woman appearing on the other end. She saluted the camera and said "Sir I think you should look at this", her voice hurried and slightly high. She switched onto a recording of Teva's dirty, mask covered face, the words "I need security to bio. Engineering now!" coming through loud and clear even though the mask was covering her face.

D'mitri had finished his conversation with his fellow Aggrosian awhile ago and was about to leave when the message came in. He quickly sent a small telepathic message to Teva, "Im on my way." as he grabbed his biohazard mask just incase and left for Bio-engineering.

"Yes sir" the figure at the end of the line said firmly, saluting again before closing the comm link. She wondered what was going on... she'd just got a feeling that he should hear it. She hoped her intuition was correct...

---

The door to the medical station slid open as Vesper entered with Taylor. Smiling reassuringly at the scientist, she set her small brown bag on the desk and took her seat there, turning slightly to face another chair in the room, motioning for Taylor to sit with her. "Now.. if it is not prying too much, what has happened?" Her sparkling eyes watched the other woman carefully, more curious about her well being than what was going on, but of course, the two were interlinked and one could not really care about one and not the other.

"Well..." Taylor trailed off, adjusting in the seat. "Try not to be alarmed, but there was an incident in one of the greenhouses. I think it's pretty 'hush-hush' at the moment so don't be telling anyone, alright?"

"Well of course. I don't mean to seem like a busy body," Vesper assured her. "My concern is only in regards to how it affects the well being of you, and others involved, of course. I promise you, I would never regard this as gossip, whether it is or isn't," the nurse told her seriously before giving the other woman a small reassuring smile as she picked up the bag she had sat on the table.

"Oh right..." Taylor nodded, "Sorry, I forgot that you were a nurse." It only made sense that someone of her career would want to know about every passenger's health. "I'm fine- it was nothing like that."

"Well that is good.. But Taylor, please remember, I don't care because I'm a nurse. I'm a nurse because I care." Vesper continued smiling kindly at the other woman, trying to assure her that even if she was some thief, or other useless job, she would still care about the woman. The negativity hovering off of the scientist worried her though, and she wanted to put her at ease. She unfolded the top of her little bag and pulled out a small clear plastic box of sweets. She put the bag aside and offered the treat to Taylor. "Dark chocolate covered strawberries. I'd like very much to share them with you as we talk."

Taylor's eyes relaxed and she leaned forward, taking the little candy with a grin. "Thanks." Leaning back, Taylor sat in an unladylike fashion with her knees parted and a slumped back. Tossing the chocolate into her mouth, Taylor chewed and swallowed. "Well- I guess I'm a bit stressed out about the situation. Actually, to be honest, I'm a bit ticked off. Everything is on hold now and it's all because someone decided to dump a corpse in my greenhouse."

Vesper's crystalline green eyes widened slightly as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs in a way almost completely opposite to Taylor. "Oh my. A corpse? I suppose they'll be bringing that up here soon..." She hmm'd thoughtfully, her delicate fingers playing idly with the small box of sweets on her lap. "Is it the whole greenhouse then? Is there no hopes of isolating the potential contamination?"

"Sorry to bother you and Taylor, Miss Vesper. But when the doctor arrives back on the ship could you send him to my office please." D'mitri broadcast into her mind.

Taylor sat back and explained, "The body was found a rarely used, sectioned off portion of the greenhouse." She paused, "The thing that I'm confused on is who put it there. The only people who can get past security is the Captain, myself and the other bio-engineers."

"Of course D'mitri," Vesper replied pleasantly as she returned her focus to Taylor. "Well... I won't make speculations. It isn't my place. Though I do wonder with you, more so.. why? Maybe if they can identify who the body is, perhaps they will find some connection to one of those people, or the greenhouse." She let her mind wander slightly as she picked up a small berry and pressed it passed her lips with her index finger, letting the tip rest there as she chewed thoughtfully.

Taylor scratched her head, "Yea, the 'uniforms' cleaned the place up and will contact me when they have results, I'm sure." Taylor watched Vesper's finger as she held it to her mouth as she chewed.

"I hope it's soon then. No doubt such information would be critical. Are your experiments safe? They would have been in the lab, correct?" Vesper asked as she set her sweets aside, trying to make conversation with the other woman. She was very curious about Taylor's work, but felt it was rude to pry. A few years earlier she might have been a nuisance, already down in the below decks, poking her nose into substances that may very well have rendered her blind.

"Oh yea, they are all fine. When not worked on, they are kept under lock and key." Taylor assured her with a thumbs up. "But I wouldn't believe that the person who did this would be after our experiments. Seems like he just wanted to ditch a corpse. They really would've been better off shooting it into space with the garbage shoot."

"In some cultures, burial rituals are important almost to the degree that they are required. Perhaps that is the case? Or they intended to return for the remains." Vesper hmm'd again thoughtfully, tapping her chin. After a short moment, she seemed to return from her thoughts. "I am glad your experiments are safe. Let us leave depressing thoughts, if you would be so kind as to share some of your theories with me? I'm afraid I don't know much more about plants than that they are beautiful. That, and I enjoy hearing you talk." She smiled, the kindness in it making her eyes sparkle as they stared intently at Taylor, the barest hint of a predator hidden under their amiable exterior.

"Well....there are many experiments that I am personally focused on. When I get stuck on one, I move to a different one. At the moment, I'm trying to find a proper, natural fertilizer that allows plants to produce larger fruits at a faster rate." Taylor stopped herself. "But I don't want to ramble on about that when I know near to nothing about yourself."

Vesper giggled, the bell-like sounds tinged with mischief. "I supposed it is rather unfair that I know so much about you, and yet you know next to nothing about myself. I suppose what's most important to know is, I never wanted to be a nurse." She smiled, as if that statement should have been obvious.

"Really? I thought you said that you were a nurse because you care?" Taylor asked curiously. She leaned forward and then back again, adjusting in her seat. Taylor had to restrain herself from itching herself in public.

Vesper just chuckled again. "I am. If I didn't care, I wouldn't be a nurse, but I never wanted to be one. Actually, I never really thought about what I'd do, until it was offered to me to help in the medical ward, and the doctor there trained me, until I was assigned here." She paused, watching Taylor curiously. "Are you uncomfortable? I believe there might be a couch here somewhere.. for when we have more people waiting..." She looked along the walls as if trying to find where it came out.

Taylor shook her head, "Naw, I'm fine. Go on..." She adjusted one last time and listened. Maybe Vesper would drop a hint about her past relationships or even sexuality for that matter. Taylor was also curious about her species.

"Well, I don't want to ramble about myself," Vesper replied with a bashful smile. "Perhaps you should ask me things? I'm an open book really. I don't mind answering."

"Alright-" Taylor leaned forward, "I'm not as well versed in different species like you probably are so- could you give me a little 411 on your kind?"

Vesper just smiled at her curiosity. "Well.. we are practically from the same tree, or at least the same plot, as you can see-" She motioned vaguely between the two of them, to note their rather similar bodies. "So I am not that different... Mostly my regenerative capabilities exceed your own, by a lot, and I can tell what you are feeling, most of the time. Contact makes it easier, but if it's strong, I could feel it from here." She paused and uncrossed her legs, but kept her knees together as she leaned forward as well, her forearms crossed as her elbows rested on her knees, half way mimicking Taylor's own stance. Her unnatural eyes looked intently into the scientists, calm and unsearching. "I suppose I have a few other differences... but they are not so important."

"You always know my emotions?" Taylor asked, not liking that one bit. She suddenly became embarrassed, curious if Vesper knew that she thought the little nurse was hot. Clearing her throat, she said, "Well that must be useful, especially in your field."

The nurse nodded calmly. "It is.. as well as in the personal sense. And don't worry, yes, I can tell what you are feeling, but only if you feel it strongly- please stop being embarrassed, you don't have control over it and neither do I- but if it's only slight, I would have to touch you, which I have not done so far. The only things I have noticed is your irritation when you were called away during our coffee, and, well.. your embarrassment now." She smiled gently, motioning with one hand toward Taylor. "Though, I do not know what has caused it exactly. Possibly you just feel exposed? Please don't, it really only holds my attention when you feel negatively. The rest of the time, it is only as notable as a smile, or a hug to me, which are both very nice," she assured her, wanting to put her at ease again. Her embarrassment was making Vesper's spine tingle.

Taylor couldn't help but grin as Vesper explained herself. No matter what she was talking about, the way she said it was adorable to Taylor. Vesper seemed to be so innocent and sweet. "I bet knowing how someone is feeling is also very useful in romantic relationships."

Vesper giggled at that, smiling at Taylor. "Ah, yes, again I suppose I do have an unfair advantage." She touched the side of her nose with a finger and winked at the scientist as if it were some kind of secret. She lowered her hand again. "And advantage I don't often get to take advantage of."

"Oh, you're single?" her eyes sparked a bit, "I have to say that I'm a bit surprised a lovely person like you isn't spoken for." Taylor replied. If she could see how she was acting right now, Taylor would probably puke in her mouth a bit. Her flirtatious comments were pathetic.

A pair of security guards were walking around purposefully, examining the area for someone who matched the picture they had on their pads in front of them. They spotted Taylor and Vesper, checked their pictures yet again, then made their way towards the two; they're movements were firm and purposeful, and it was clear who their targets were.

"Oh, thank you but-" Vesper paused in her sentence, frowning as she saw guards approaching. What on earth would they want? She sat up straight again as she watched them with critical eyes, fighting a mild annoyance as she applied her sweet little smile to her lips. Usually, she would be glad for company, she didn't mind social interaction at all, but it was rude for others to intrude on an already in progress conversation. She was beginning to wonder if the stars conspired against her being friends with Miss Samson. "Hello, officers," she greeted the guards as they arrived. "Is there something I can assist you with?"

"Are you Vesper Lucero Etoile?" the woman of the pair asked, trying not to be irritable herself and failing slightly. "We've been asked to find you, to give you this" they held out a pad, the instructions from the security chief himself spelling out what they wanted her to do, where to come, how helpful it would be, and all nicely wrapped up in political back talk. "Would you come with us?" the woman said, barely giving Vesper time to read it.

Taylor knew what they were summoning her for. What else would it be other then the murder case? She couldn't help but be extremely irritated that her and Vesper couldn't have a moment of peace. Worse is that Vesper was going to answer to Taylor about her relationship status. Planting her elbow on the table, Taylor leaned her chin on her fist. She knew that Vesper leaving was vital at this time but- she couldn't help but be frustrated.

Vesper nodded to the guards to confirm that was her and scanned the papers she was handed, listening to the woman speak. She felt her skin tingle where it faced Taylor and she frowned a little more. She knew the scientist was irritated, but there was nothing to be done about it for now. "Of course, officer," she said gently and stood with them, ready to go, but paused to look apologetically at Taylor. "Rain check, as you would say? I am very sorry, and I insist I be given the opportunity to make up for this..." She looked at the officers with the slightest hint of distaste before smiling sweetly at Taylor again. "Intrusion..."

"Thank you ma'am" the other officer said, nodding towards the two "Hopefully this shouldn't last too long." They turned on the spot, escorting Vesper back to the security area of the facility quarters.

"I'll hold you to it." Taylor said, before thinking to herself about what else she could told Vesper against. Smirking coyly, she stood up, "Would it be best if I waited in the lobby?"

The two guards stopped and looked at each other, the man shrugging before the woman sigh in exhasperation "Yes yes, you can wait in the lobby. Just don't be surprised that no one's going to talk to you, we're usually quite busy down here."

As if I would want to talk to any of you twits... Taylor thought to herself, getting up and planting a hand on her hip..

---

Humming softly and walking down the hall ways Rosie was just keeping her mind to herself, humming along rather hapily to a song she had heard when she was young. Hoping she would possibly catch a glimpse of one of the soilders parading about. Also on a mission to find somewhere she could sit down for a quiet drink. Making her way to the social sector.

---

D'mitri stepped off the elevator and made his way towards the security station, the containers of evidence and the remains swirling around him slowly like moons around a planet. He sent out a quick telepathic message as he continued walking.

There had already been a transmission ahead however, people were coming out and taking the evidence quickly, getting it inside for processing and examination. They would need a medical examiner for the actual body work, one that wasn't supplied in the security offices; since they were so close however they could always just... call out.

"Get me a list of all missing persons or anyone who has not reported for their shift." D'mitri broadcasted to the group. "I also need a list of all ID badge swipes for the greehouse security system as well as all security camera feeds from the same place."

A few people nodded to D'mitri, moving to various computers and starting to work their own personal magic in an attempt to find out some evidence or at least something relevant. This sort of work took time though, if D'mitri was expecting something to just fall on his lap he'd be dissapointed; just accessing databases, calling up records and isolating the ones wanted might take half a day at least.

"Send all files to my computer once found, I should be there all day to assign tasks when they come up." D'mitri entered his office and sat down at his desk about the time his computer turned on and popped to life. He entered in several commands and went through several security systems and password clearances before arriving at what he wanted. A personal file opened with Teva's picture, he began reading it in silence.

Name: Teva Bryndis
Age: 34
Occupation: Biological Engineer
(picture included showed a rather bored looking Teva, her eyes almost saying "are you done yet?")
Upgrades: hard drive memory, optical scanners, epidermal safety alterations
Psych. Eval.: Pass (re-evaluation recommended)
Qualifications...
(the file goes on to talk about various jobs Ms. Bryndis has had such as lab assistant in university (no disciplinary actions recorded), research assistant (minor report filed), and an internship with her school's agricultural department, as well as including her university honors, etc, a short few pages on disciplinary problems (most disrespect or unapproved experimentation), and her approved status to the current assignment.
Her personal file has her marital status to Tezcacoatl (a serpent like creature called a Maciji from the planet of Inabinsu), no children, Taylor Samson as her benefactor, as well as a short medical record of her eye color, hair color, blood type, height, weight, etc.)

D'mitri scrolled quickly through the beginning info describing her. He took interest in the disiplenary actions and the "unapproved experimentation". He also made a mental note to look up the Maciji race and her husband, Tezcacoatl's file for diatery info. But first he began digging for info on her unapproved experimentation.

Teva Bryndis Disciplinary File
File #: 07347890
Charge: Unapproved Experimentation
Details: Attempting to create a new breed of flora with the addition of human immunity cells without prior approval.
Verdict: Guilty
Sentence: 6 months deferment from employment, return pending second disciplinary hearing
Update: Second disciplinary hearing: Pass, Teva Brydis reinstated to place of employment

(There are 2 more accounts of this (all files within a decade), one more with immunity (2 years deferral), the other with human reactionary neurons (1 year). All files contain the names of her job, the company or employer, judge, and witnesses (all real judges and scientists, some saying (deceased) after them in an update, or with contact info to another ship.)

Calling the individuals will be a last resort I belive. D'mitri told himself as he looked up more information on where she got the human immunity cells and reactionary neurons. He also set up a sub-search on her husband and his race.

Teva Bryndis: Trial Details
Charge: Unapproved Biological Experimentation using Human Immunity cells and Reactionary Motor Neurons
Source of Materials involved: Earth Universal Bioengineering Cultivation and Research Center (BCRC), Teva Bryndis (volunteer, pre-upgrades)
Success rate: 64% (further research approval pending disciplinary adherence and board approval)
(Rest of file outlines experiments in detail, legal copy of Bryndis' notes)

Tezcacoatl
Species: Maciji (home planet: Inabinsu)
Status: Citizen
Family: Teva Bryndis (spouse)
(record states physical features)
Police Record: Disturbing the peace (20 counts), murder (1 count), noise violations (50 counts)
(Some further information available)

Race File: Maciji
Serpent-like race
- Between 10 - 20 ft. in length
- 1-2 ft. thick
- Skin color ranging from black to ashen grey to dull greens
- Eye colors: black or gold
Details: Anthropomorphic upper torso, neck, and arms. Head similar with slightly elongated jaw, longer sharp teeth, fangs with paralyzing poison, intoxicating saliva, shallow eye sockets, no pupil when content, hairless, no external ears (replaced by small holes on the sides of skull, retractable claws in tips of fingers, lower torso resembling that of an Earth serpent. Strength 10x human ability.
Intelligence: Higher, IQ between 140-180
Temperament: Negative, usually hostile, easily irritated, usually guided by instincts
Diet: warm blooded animals, around 250 lbs a week, eats between 2 and 5 times per week.
(Some further information available.)

"This is looking worse and worse for her." D'mitri thought as he copied and bookmarked these files for quick and easy referance later. "Repeated law violations including the murder of someone. It might be that they are working together, he kills them and eats what he wants then she takes what she needs for her experiments then dumps the bodies in the restricted access area of her sector." he sent a telepathic message to someone who's mind was thinking about their hot date the night before instead of this case. "I need the forms for an order of observation for two people filled out and brought to me office immediatly. I am sending you the information needed to file."

The man jerked up at once, almost saluting at the sound of his boss in his head; he still wasn't used to that. He moved at top speed, getting everything ready for D'mitri in a matter of minutes. He was stopped half way through his paniced dash, handed a piece of information just to mess himself up a bit more. Finally he knocked on D'mitri's office and entered without waiting because he had his hands full of files and requests. "Sir" he said, twitching a hand as if wanting to but being unable to salute "Here are your files." He put down the forms that needed to be signed in order to get a watch on Teva and her husband "But I also have these for you." He put down some more forms for D'mitri to sign "We need to bring in the local nurse to examine the body, usually we could just bring in the guy in charge without any hassle but he appears to be on important business. So could you sign this and we could bring in the nurse?"

"I usually prefer the medical head to look at corpses, but we dont know when he will return." D'mitri stared at the paper for a few seconds before letting out a mental sigh and signing the paper to summon the nurse and the papers to put a watch on Teva and her husband. "Apologize to Vesper and Taylor for me for interrupting them."

"I... what?" the man said, blinking for a moment before looking down at the papers "Oh... the nurse." He nodded to D'mitri, saluted and picked up the forms; he clutched them close and left, dropping off a few of them as he moved through the stations. Some people were already setting off, going to try and find the nurse they'd get to examine the corpses.

D'mitri closed what he was looking at and activated the security on his console. He got up from his seat and made his way to the examination rooms to meet Vesper.

---

"Thank you ma'am" the other officer said, nodding towards the two "Hopefully this shouldn't last too long." They turned on the spot, escorting Vesper back to the security area of the facility quarters.

"I'll hold you to it." Taylor said, before thinking to herself about what else she could hold Vesper against. Smirking coyly, she stood up, "Would it be best if I waited in the lobby?"

The two guards stopped and looked at each other, the man shrugging before the woman sigh in exhasperation "Yes yes, you can wait in the lobby. Just don't be surprised that no one's going to talk to you, we're usually quite busy down here."

As if I would want to talk to any of you twits... Taylor thought to herself, getting up and planting a hand on her hip.

Vesper just smiled apologetically at Taylor again. "I will do my best, but I will try to keep it as brief as possible." She nodded to the guards and followed them to the remains of the body that they wanted her to look at.

"Wait here please" the woman said, not looking back at Taylor as they walked through the entrance for the security area. "This way" they motioned to Vesper however, keeping her following them through towards the back rooms where the body was being held.

Taylor found a lonely seat and sat down in it. This was turning out to be quite the interesting day.

The regulation nurse shoes made a soft tapping noise quieter than the boots of the guards, but Vesper was sure the sounds would be much louder if there wasn't so much noise about them. Everyone rushing around. A murder was a murder. How bad could the body be? "Where was the body found, exactly?" she asked, surprisingly serious for such a sweet woman. "What were the surrounding conditions?"

"Found in one of the green houses ma'am" the kind officer said before the other one could snap it was none of her business "Seemed to be buried there, stripped of all flesh and left in a hostile environment to try and get rid of the evidence. We need you to tell us what kill them, how old the body is and who they are if you can." They stopped, looked up at the camera for a second, then walked through into the examination room, both officers unsurprised to see their boss there.

D'mitri turned to the group as they entered the room. "Greeting Vesper. I apologize for pulling you away from Miss Taylor, but this is a matter that could not wait." He backed up"and gestured to the two piles of bones on the tables.

"Hmm..." Vesper replied simply as she approached the tables and circled them slowly. "It is alright, D'mitri.. Though, I do not know what body you wanted me to examine. These look like two collapsed skeletons..."

Over the next hour or two, Vesper repeatedly shooed various security personnel out of the room as she worked to identify just what had happened. In the end, she opened the door to find D'mitri there, waiting for her as she had asked him to be, and she sighed, pushing her protective glasses up on her head, making her hair a tad bit messier. "Well... Both of them appear to have been.. Drowned, in acid, though I use the term lightly. They didn't die of asphyxiation. Their flesh would have deteriorated, exposed nerve endings damage to such an extent.. so rapidly.. well they would have died so quickly, there wouldn't have even been time to lose consciousness. Nonetheless... this had to have been excruciating..." She frowned, making a sympathetic face. "I can not give you their identification- Doctor Shaq'l'phard might though, when he returns- but I can tell you that that death-" She pointed to one heap of bones. "-Was between thirty-six and forty-eight hours ago, and that one-" She pointed to the other pile. "About seventy-two."

"Acid?" D'mitri asked making sure he heard her correctly. "Where would you find acid on this ship, and who would have access to it?" He thought for a moment before saying. "Could you at least identify species so I can narrow my search?"

"Human, no modifications to skeletal structure," Vesper answered plainly, her hands on her hips as she frowned thoughtfully. "Two hundred six a piece."

"Hmm, that makes them harder to identify with no upgrades." D'mitri said as he began to pace. "We will have to go with DNA data or dental records. He sent out a quick mental command. "Run a search for any person, persons, or entity that has registered acid into the Ship Hazard Database." He then turned back to Vesper, "I thank you for your assistance, please send the Doctor my way when he returns to the ship."