Process of Elimination

You walk with Markus back to the bridge.

He gives you a look. “So do you really think he’s gone?”

“No, there’s no way off this ship. Unless the weapon can bend space. But, from what the disk said it only works locally.”

“I was thinking the same thing. They wouldn’t have made a weapon that gave their enemies the ability to teleport to their planet. That means they’re still here, at least Vess.”

“Computer rewind to just before the hull breach and track Vess’ life signs.”

A hologram of sector two appears, showing three life forms as yellow dots. You watch. One yellow dot winks out.

“Computer, what happened to Vess.”

Vess ceased to show life signs.

“Is his body still there?”

Yes

“Please continue while showing the location of Vess’ body.”

The hologram continues with Vess as a red dot. You watch as another yellow dot enters, the one which represents you. The red dot approaches and your yellow dot becomes motionless. Vess then proceeds to enter Gloss’ cell. His yellow dot goes red. The two red dots enter Illiana’s cell. Her dot quickly becomes red as well.

“Computer, scan the ship for the dead body of Vess.”

The body of Vess is no longer on the ship.

You pause and look out the window. Suddenly, you see what looks like Illian’s face. Her hair and lips are black as space, and her skin is white as alabaster. Her eyes glow like the stars. She winks at you.

“Markus, look...” you realize she is gone.

“Computer scan outside for the body of Vess.”