Chapter 2: Testing the Powers
Everyone on Station Zeta knew the place as the broom closet, but since Janitor Reggie found his new device, he had made it another little secret of his. After using his device to ensure his entire shift was complete fifteen minutes in, he slipped behind the vending machine into a hidden alleyway, and from there, through a small door cleverly concealed between rows of cleaning supplies.
The room beyond the door had once been just as ordinary. Cinder-block walls closing in too tight, harsh fluorescent tubes humming overhead; the usual. But Reggie had transformed the utilitarian space into something altogether different.
The instant he stepped inside, the oppressive atmosphere dissolved away. It was like stepping through the looking glass - suddenly, he was surrounded by plushy velvet upholstery, gilded fixtures, and warm, ambient light.
Reggie had perfected the mood lighting, crafted the artisan cocktails, and set just the right tempo for the ambient techno playing over the sound system; best of all, he had an entire eight hours to relax and take it all in. Giving a yawn, he mumbled into the device about turning the music up a bit, and lay back for a nice easy nap.
However, try as he might to fall asleep, something tickled at the edge of his senses, telling him some unknown presence was disturbing his private sanctuary. What the hell? Alert, Reggie peeked open one eye, silently cursing the rude guest.
He saw at the center of the room a being taking note of each item, examining every inch of his conjured up space and carefully touching nothing. Reggie recognized the Security Officer Zara immediately. A Xentarient alien woman was fairly unique and as far as anyone knew Zara was the only Xentarient aboard the station.
She looked at him with a contemptuous gaze, made all the more piercing by her pale glowing eyes.
"Do you wish to explain how a janitor can afford to furnish a room such as this?" She asked, clearly assuming the worst already.
Cautiously, Reggie turned on the device and stated, "You want to hear my story then," hoping the device's powers would make the statement true.
There was a slight pause before Zara replied, "Well, I am the Security Officer, so it's not a bad idea to know everything about the station. Carry on."
He sat up in his makeshift bed, wiping his face with one hand and silently praying that what he was about to do didn't lead to any further complications. He made sure the device was on and close enough to his lips. Fortunately, the statement he'd made when he first stole the device still seemed to be true, and Zara was paying it no mind. She watched Reggie with an intensity he'd never seen before, like the alien woman was willing him to mess up so she could fight him.
Gulping, Reggie prayed the device would make the following true as well, "Zara, we've been dating for 4 cycles now, and you've always talked about how a hideaway would be nice for when things are quiet."