Dr. Krill was alone in the darkness. The lights of the room had been dimmed for the night, and out in the hall, red light spilled down from the emergency lights and into glowing red pools on the floor: all to avoid ruining the human's night vision or circadian rhythm.

He was left alone with his work, though his work was rather slow at the moment, annoyingly hinging on a call back from this doctor Kedd.

Without anything to think about, he was left to worry about the humans down on the surface.

He could see it out the small viewing window in his office, just below where the ship was docked on the Noctopolis LEO station -- a giant glassy ball of darkness cut across with a billion small pinpricks of light and scoured with massive cracks from where deep crust mining had scarred the face of the planet.

He knew a little of the history of Noctopolis. It was a planet in orbit around a very distant star, to the point where the light that kissed it during the day was no more than the light of a very bright moon. It had originally been terraformed when the Tesraki discovered great deposits of precious metals on its surface.

The entire atmosphere of the planet was completely synthesized and was constantly in a state of recycling as there were no biological methods to keep the atmosphere stable.

Due to its location on the outskirts of the MilkyWay galaxy, it was considered a border moon, and thus under little to no influence of GA policing. The only GA presence on the planet that could really be considered permanent was the presence of the Turma Supermax Detention Facility, but even that was hardly monitored by the GA and was generally given down to control by the locals, who were no more than glorified mob families and drug syndicates.

All of that put together made this planet a hub for illicit activities.

The greatest hub being that of the slave trade, a topic of discussion, which doctor Krill knew little about other than the injuries that its unfortunate participants garnered.

No one was entirely sure who was in the market for slaves.

There were rumors that the burg and the Prodigum were the most likely culprits, though evidence of such practices had been found in Tesraki factories across the galaxy.

With the Tesraki, it was easy to guess what the slaves were being used for: forced labor in their factories or mills, or shops, but as for the rest, it was left to only chilling speculation. No one knew enough about the Burg to make any guesses as to what they would need slaves for, but the Prodigum?

Well, they were large, hideous scavengers, known for their consumption of dead and rotting material both plant and animal based. This made them neither a predator or a planet based lifeform, but sort of made them more of a fungus, though they hardly resembled it. In this way some assumed maybe they were buying the slaves and then killing them as some sort of exotic form of food, though nothing had ever been proven.

Dr. Krill didn't like to think about the alternatives, especially not when it came to a discussion about his humans.

The idea of them rotting away on some unknown planet subdued enough not to fight back like humans were so prone to doing, made him shiver.

He turned in a sharp circle eyeing the images of the eyes he had transferred from the office.

Whatever Captain Vir had said, Krill was sure he had seen something in them earlier, something he had yet to explain, but knew that to do with the missing eyes and the missing humans, but what that connection was he could not guess.

When he turned back around he nearly leapt across the intervening space upon seeing the red comms light blinking on his desk.

Vrul were never meant to leap in any sort of fashion, so he nearly brained himself on the desk as he jumped forward. He didn't have time to wonder why he had done something so unusual for an alien like himself and simply pressed his digit against the little blinking light in order to accept the call.

There was a sharp buzz in the air and a quick moment of static before the large projection appeared before him.

The person inside the projection was a Gibb as doctor Krill had once predicted based on the name.

It was a small creature, about the approximate size and shape of a Vrul – many scholars theorized that the Gibb were actually a genetic evolution of the Vrul from a time when they had been experimenting with light speed travel: the theory holding that a small group of Vrul had been sent to colonize another planet thousands of years ago during the age where light travel was the only option. Evidence for this truth had been lost to time, and so could not be proven, but the similarities were striking.

The only difference between Dr. Kedd and himself were the other was missing a helium sack and had an extra set of eyes.

"Dr. Kedd." Krill ventured, not sure how the Gibb would react to him.

As a species, the Gibb were unusually prone to psychological issues including but not limited to, paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, obsession, and, on occasion, complete mental degeneration.

"Dr. Krill. I was pleased to see your message. I have read many of your recent papers."

A little part deep down in Krill's insides thrilled at the idea of another industry professional reading his work and enjoying it, but he tried to keep himself calm and composed, "I am pleased to hear you have been reading my work ."

"How could I not? You and I are on the forefront of medical science after all. It would be a sin against the medical community if we didn't share."

Krill had to agree, though there were a few questions that he was dying to ask ,and now that he was here with the scientist he had been hearing so much about, he couldn't wait any longer, "I have to say, I was surprised to learn that someone had already done comprehensive studies of human anatomy. By the time I looked into your biological map, most of the universe still wasn't sure that humans were real."

Dr Kedd shook his head, "A real pity that, but that is what happens when you have a large universe and a poor communications system to go along with it. Did you know that there is a great majority of the universal population that does not know that the Drev war even took place."

"I am afraid I only heard of it in passing. It's impacts have only become known to me recently."

He waved a hand, "Yes, yes it did have big implications though. However, back to your earlier statement. You used my biological map?"

Dr Krill nodded trying to suppress his excitement despite himself .

"Yes, I required it to treat a patient who had received an accidental and traumatic injury."

"Then I am sorry you had to experience such a thing, that original biological map was a poor facsimile of humanity. I have much better maps now, which I could share with you if you are interested?"

Dr. Krill's antennae buzzed in pleasure, "I would be delighted, though I have to say that I have been doing extensive research given the information humanity has lent me. They have entire databases chalk full of medical information and research. If you have time or are somehow able to get your hands on it, I think it would be worth your time."

"It would be a delight. Once upon a time, I had access to human medical information, but that was only when I was working for the GA."

That surprised Krill a little, and he leaned forward in his seat, "You worked for the GA?"

"Oh yes, I was part of their first contact team at one time. It was my job to analyze and catalogue a fundamental biological map for every new species that we encountered. In fact, I was the first one on record to ever study human anatomy in detail and up close on a full specimen."

Dr. Krill was immediately surprised, intrigued and jealous by this announcement, "You mean you were the first doctor to allow access to a human?"

He nodded, "Oh yes, though it was for the purpose of taking tissue and saliva samples in order to create vaccines against human diseases, of which, I have to say, there are many."

"I am not familiar with this work."

"Yes, my original focus was bacterial microbiology with a side emphasis in viral studies, which is why they brought me into the GA in the first place. Due to the nature of my job in creating vaccines at the time, I was also proficient in the chemical engineering of new drugs."

Dr. Krill leaned forward, "You have had a very fascinating career, doctor. It would be a pleasure to share information with you, if you would be willing."

"More than willing. I have to admit my studies on humans have become less satisfactory of late, now that I am no longer working for the GA and am denied access to their facilities and equipment. I imagine that you spend much more time in proximity to humans."

"That I do, to a degree I think isn't healthy sometimes. However, about that, I am actually here on official business form the GA by way of our Captain: Adam Vir."

"Adam Vir!"

Krill paused and looked up, "You know him?" He asked, more than a little surprised at the Gibb's sudden and violent recognition.

"Know him! Well of course I know him!. He was the first human I tested on. He volunteered for the position from his crew. A very polite human, and I would say one of the best choices they could have made for representation in the galactic community. Just intelligent enough to make a good impression."

"And just dumb enough not to seem threatening." Krill finished.

"Exactly, and very enthusiastic about learning about us and our culture to be sure. He really did make a good impression on the medical team and the GA as a whole on behalf of his race."

"That seems strange. He didn't seem to recognize your name."

The Gibb waved a hand, "Oh, he wouldn't. We didn't exchange names during the procedure, so we really only knew each other in passing, but considering his biological map is the basis of all the biological maps we have for humans, it feels that I know him better than I probably do."

Krill could see where that would make sense, "Of course, I see where that makes sense, though that brings me back to my earlier line of questioning. I have actually contacted you on behalf of the GA and of the UNSC because we are looking for information on some missing humans. About 43 of them if I remember correctly."

"Oh how horrible."

"And it gets worse, one of them was recently found deceased."

The Gibb shook his head, "Tragedy to be sure. Is there anything that I can do to assist you?"

Krill adjusted himself to a more comfortable floating position, taking most of the weight off his legs, "Do you recognize the name Dr. Liam Sterling?"

The Gibb sat there for a moment with a contemplative look on his face, though it did not take long for a sudden wave of recognition to come over him, "Liam, no, It couldn't be!"

Krill was surprised by the amount of anguish in the little creature's voice. The Gibb were more prone to emotion than his own species, but they were still not known for outbursts outside the realm of psychosis, "So you know him!"

The Gibb nodded, "Yes, yes of course I know him. We were friendly correspondents for some time before he stopped answering my messages."

"What did you correspond about?" Krill wondered.

Dr. Kedd was still shaking his head, "He had volunteered to help me with my research as it was. We were in discussion before he was assigned to Captain Vir's ship, and for a time after that."

"What did you discuss?"

"It was mostly about human medical practices and technology. He taught me everything he could about human disease, illness and anatomy. I would say that it was his wisdom that is the basis for my knowledge today, though I have to say you are already beginning to surpass me in that scope of knowledge."

Krill had his doubts about that, but hearing it from the other scientist's mouth made him feel a little better about his jealousy towards the other, "You said that he stopped contacting you. About what time did that happen?"

The Gibb tapped his chin, "Well, let me think to get this a little more accurately." There was a slight pause, and then he continued, "Well, I began talking to him maybe a year after the Drev war ended or a little less. That was right before he was tasked with being the acting physician aboard the Harbinger. We communicated for his entire stint aboard the ship, so I know about his falling out with the captain. Honestly I think that he was never cut out for that kind of work. He had never worked as a trauma surgeon before, so I think being forced to be in charge of a crew in such dangerous circumstances really got to him. He wanted to be part of something big, but he just didn't have what it took to be part of a ship like that."

"That is unfortunate." Though Krill didn't really have an opinion one way or another. He just wanted information.

"Yes, It really was, but I kept in contact for some time after that. He was working on the Europa station."

"Did he say anything suspicious or, out of the ordinary before he vanished?"

Dr Kedd sighed, "Well, that is the troubling part, isn't it. I mean he didn't really say anything that was out of the ordinary, just some of the usual things, like how he wanted to be a part of something bigger, about how he wanted to contribute to the galactic community. He seemed agitated, though it sort of just assumed that he was frustrated in his career and ready to get out and do something different. A part of me thinks it had something to do with him feeling like a failure for effectively abandoning his post."

"And how long ago was that?"

"Oh maybe.... Six months ago, though I can't be entirely sure. I have so much work to do, and I always tend to get the time confused."

Krill could agree with that statement. It was hard to keep track of time when you didn't really have to worry about it."

"So then one day he just up and just stopped answering your messages?"

Dr. Kedd nodded again and stood turning to walk in a circle while the camera followed him. In this way it didn't really appear that he was moving at all, but the wall behind him instead.

As he went, Dr. Krill caught glimpses of the rest of the room where large medical posters had been hung up all over the walls next to shelves of massive books, and the desk upon which sat the small replica of the human skull.

"Yes, it was very strange of him, he always liked sharing his ideas for the future and his theories." The wall behind him continued to move, until it was replaced by a view into a dark back room.

The little specimen room slipped out of view as he went to sit at his desk.

"Do you have any idea of where he could have gone?"

A soft orange light played over the side of the doctor's face coming from some sort of light source off to the side. On his desk there sat a decorative plant, rather small and growing upwards into a tight spiral, though it's body was covered in a delicate pattern of hued grey stripes.

"No, not in the slightest. I was not aware there were even alien ships allowed at the Europa station until you mentioned it in your message."

Krill sighed in frustration, "I see."

"I am sorry I could not be of more help. Is there, perhaps, something else I could do for you, to make up for my uselessness in this matter?"

Krill stepped back from the screen to pace back and forth across the floor.

"Well, I suppose there is one thing."

"Anything, I would be happy to help."

He turned back to the Desk and looked at the slightly flickering projection of the doctor, " What do you know about human eyes?"

"Ah, A fascinating subject." Dr Kedd seemed very pleased, "I have been given some glorious information from my sources, volunteers like Liam, though I am afraid I have yet to really understand their true workings. Here let me send out a file."

In excitement, Krill waited with great impatience.

There was a sharp ping, and he opened the file blowing it up before the small viewing window.

Large and circular, the diagram included versions of the eye that were sliced into pieces to show the center as compared to the outside. The large white ball with its long pink string, seemed rather strange when reproduced in such a cartoonish fashion.

"This should help you with your work. Of course, I would be pleased to explain some of our findings if you share some of the documents from your database."

"That seems fair." Krill said, leaning forward to get a better look at the diagram. Give me only a moment and I will have those to you."

Dr. Kedd seemed most pleased at this, "I have a feeling that our friendship will be most beneficial."