After overcoming the immediate shock of Sirus’ revelation, I decide to learn more about him. I mean, one doesn’t easily confess to a murder in front of a perfect stranger, right? So either this guy’s crazy or his circumstances have been. And before enlisting his help, I need to know which it is.
While the guy looks at his own reflection at the bottom of his glass, I ask, “Want to tell me then? Why’d you do it? And who your victim was?”
Sirus gives me a bitter smile and then says, “I don’t even know all of their names, I’m afraid…”
Wait, multiple? Just what’d I get myself into here?!
“Me and my people were born and raised a slaves,” he begins to tell and I expect one of those flashbacks to begin playing, but no such thing happens. Instead he continues, “I often got into troubles with the wardens, because I didn’t like how they treated us. Never worked out well for me, mind you. But one day...one day the impossible happened. Apparently God above decided to answer our prayers and sent an angel in the guise of a devil. She spoke of freedom and justice...if we decide to rise against our tormentors. I was all for it, of course and in the end I convinced my peers to rise with me...a fatal mistake. I mean, all looked well enough, the Asmodei were completely overwhelmed and helpless against us, but all of a sudden the ship just...broke apart. And all I could do was flee. I abandoned all my brothers and sisters to save my own hide.”

I blink a few times and finally ask, “And...how does ‘running away’ constitute ‘murder’?”
“Not the running away. That I convinced my people to rise against our oppressors lead to the destruction of the ship...making me responsible for the deaths of thousands of people.”
I clear my throat and then say, “So you’re suffering from survivors syndrome.”
“...what now?” Sirus asks, looking up to me.
“A common disorder with people who survived a catastrophe. They blame themselves for what happened and feel guilty for being alive when everyone else had to die. The ‘cure’ is both simple and difficult at the same time. In order to overcome this, you need to accept, that it wasn’t your fault. There’s things in this world that are beyond your control, plain and simple. So, unless you didn’t hit the self-destruct button in full consciousness of what that’ll do, I’d say you’re a victim of circumstance.”
“...funny, that’s what Nym said too,” Sirus mutters, looking into his glass again. This ‘Nym’ sounds like a knowledgeable and rational character. But apparently she’s not here...I wonder why.
“But,” Sirus continues, “that doesn’t mean I’m not a murderer. I’ve taken a great number of lives in order to survive after crashing on Tisis. I keep telling myself that it was kill or be killed and ‘the natural order of things’, but still...there’s the blood of countless creatures on my hands.”
Please tell me he’s talking about animals...I really don’t want to sit next to a cannibal…

“Don’t take him too seriously,” a female voice suddenly says from behind me. When I turn around, I am faced with a blonde bombshell of a woman. Tall, well-built and the way she’s carrying herself, she knows it too, “He really likes to blame himself for what happened.”
“Ah yeah?!” Sirus snaps at the woman,
“That’s just what happens in war, Sirus. People die. Look, I’ve been talking to those who made it here, but none of them blame you...except for Rob, obviously. He still hates your guts.”

It certainly feels like I’m the obsolete one in this discussion and I really should get back to work. After all, the murderer won’t catch itself. For now, I remove Sirus from the list of suspects. He’s way too much of a wuss to kill anyone and still sleep well at night. Typical victim of circumstance.

I drink up and get to my feet, bidding the woman farewell with a nod while she continues to lecture Sirus that he shouldn’t be drinking at much. Who is she anyway? His mom? I recall the small device in my pocket and, after having gone two steps, I point it at her.

Eva

Master of social affairs in the human colony on Tisis.
After the revolution of Block D, she grew from being Robert’s fiance to be a strong and independent woman, who took it upon herself to uphold the democratic principles of Block D. Thanks to her innate leadership qualities and networking capabilities, she managed to unite the majority of people under her banner, creating a natural counter to those, who believed in the archaic ‘strong must rule the weak’ method instead. Under her care and administration, a welfare system for those who had become unable to help the colony was establish and peace was restored.

An impressive woman, to be sure. Certainly not the kind who takes orders from someone. She may be inferior to people like Sirus in terms of raw strength, but I have no doubt that she is a force to be reckoned with nonetheless...hold on, what’d it say? ‘Innate leadership qualities and networking qualities’? That’s perfect!

I stand behind the two of them again, while Eva is chewing Sirus out for letting himself go like this again and clear my throat, saying, “Excuse me, Miss Eva?”
Eva turns around and I half expect her to get into my face, but instead she just asks, “Yes?”
That completely catches me off guard...but then again, it feels like this is typical for her type. Ferocious and fearsome in one moment, docile and kind in the next...but I’ve already seen the fire burning beneath that pleasant surface of hers. I’d best not get on her bad side.

“I was wondering if you could help me with something,” I start.
“...you’re looking for information about the girl they found, right?”
Yup, definitely don’t want to get on her bad side.
“Yes, precisely. I take it, you’ve heard about the...incident?”
“There’s only one thing that travels faster than light, Mister and that’s bad news. Either way, I’ve heard you’re looking into this...incident, I figured I’d come down and offer my help.”
A very helpful people, honestly. Is everyone from this Tisis like this I wonder?
“D-302. That’s my room number. I’ll be expecting you and your friend in an hour stat,” she claims, turns around and drags Sirus away from the bar, disappearing into the elevator. Considering the obvious difference in physical strength, it’s almost a funny sight to behold.

Keep addresses me again, “Don’t mind them. That happens at least once a week. I’d really wish Nym would return soon. Eva’s trying her best, but she could never reach Sirus like Nym does.”
“Who is this ‘Nym’ I keep hearing about anyway? His girlfriend?”
“Sort of, yes. They had to part ways at the end of the story though. Sirus never got over that, making his ‘wallowing in self-pity’ worse. And I mean ‘a lot’.”
“...you think this Eva actually knows anything?”
“Only one way to find out, Detective. Ah yeah, a general word of advice...don’t get on her bad side. She can be both an angel as well as a devil.”
“Yeah, I already figured that one out from watching her.”
“Also, you may want to make sure that nobody catches you entering her room alone. Word travels fast and her Ex is the jealous type. And while I don’t think he’s the one you’re looking for, he can still make your life a whole lot harder. He’s got friends on the other side, you see?”
“So...he lives in the midnight wing then?”
“And he has a lot of friends over there. Some of which would be all too happy to teach someone who asks too many question a lesson or two.”
“...but they can’t kill me, right?”
Keep gives me a curious look and then turns away to talk to another customer.

...I...may want to watch my back more carefully from here on out.