[hr][center][color=#4dff4d][h1]Benji Baker[/h1][/color][/center][hr]
[center][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/21/c0/06/21c006cd9c8c00fc78a595b8cb68165c.jpg[/img][/center][center][h3][hr]The Artemis: Kitchen[/h3][/center][hr]
[indent] Soon enough, Yaz hit Benji with two questions, [color=yellow]"So, you're saying they lied to us? And- why didn't you wake us up, two years ago?"[/color] To which he followed with grinding his teeth and a light yet frantic tapping of the floor, a habit in his discomfort. [color=#4dff4d]"Sorry, I just--..."[/color] he cut himself off short to explain himself in a different sense, [color=#4dff4d]"Do you ever get that feeling when... err... um.. you're afraid to take the next step-- wait, um no, not like that-- It's more like, would I regret it? Who am I to make a decision like that?"[/color] What they then saw were sparks fly from his circuits, a breakdown, or perhaps a  mental and emotional glitch from poor Benji. He started speaking in a frenzy, [color=#4dff4d]"I couldn't-- NO, obey the MISSION, right!? Earth? Yaicarro? What's the difference. Is there a difference? YES! Of course there is a difference. They lied to us-- THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE! I decided to wake you, but what's that suppose to do? Get my tank fixed! What to discover it's unfix-able? I don't know that for sure, but what if? What if there is nothing anyone can do to?... I'll just be alone again."[/color] He stopped and climbed up to his feet, pulling down his sweater vest to adjust out the wrinkles that formed into it through the curved sitting positioned he exited. It was out of his character to think like that, to talk like that. Pessimism lingered and lathered its bitter being against Benji's tongue, tainting his words. The doctor realized and notified himself of the case of fear he played product of. 

He sighed, [color=#4dff4d]"Forgive me, I have a hard time talking about it, because I'm not sure what to say-- there's too much to say. Other than well... I didn't want to do anything I would regret. I started thinking, 'Maybe they will wake up anytime now. What if my machine isn't broken, maybe it was programed that way. Maybe we are suppose to all wake a certain time for a certain unknown reason, I just can't mess with it.' There's a lot [i]maybes[/i] and [i]what ifs[/i]. No, I'm pretty sure the thing needs repair. I don't know anything much about fixing tech, but according to the main controls in the cockpit-- where you can activate a tank off or on-- it's not making any connections.[/color] Benji soon changed the subject to another pressing matter, but he made sure to not linger on it. [color=#4dff4d]"So, we still have a decision to make. We could always set course back to Earth or stay on the path already set for us, for the mystery planet. But as I can see, it probably be best if we wait to make any sort of decision, to have everyone here. Let's do that after everyone gets settled in. I understand if any of you are still shaken up by that type of awakening."[/color]

[color=#4dff4d]"Hm, that's strange. Excuse, me but I feel a sudden lost of appetite,"[/color] he grabbed his plate of the cake and walked over to the ship's refrigerator. [color=#4dff4d]"But, I'll save it for later."[/color] Opening the door, he placed his dessert gently inside. [color=#4dff4d]"Listen, if you need help around this place, don't worry I know the ship from top to bottom. Just give me a call, I've got you covered." [/color]

With that, Benji exited the kitchen, to which he made his way to the cryo-tanks to which he passed the room and overheard Echo, [color=ffaa00]"I can start hydroponics right now if we have space to begin, that can sustain us indefinitely so long as we maintain power."[/color] Benji only shortly responded with, [color=#4dff4d]"U-um yeah, that sounds... cool."[/color] He actually did not quite hear what she was saying. If he was more himself at the moment, he would probably run up and say hi pretty excitedly. Rather he was still quite shaken up from his brief breakdown. Ever since what happened, he had an unhealthy fear of ever getting back into a cryo-tank, but he would have to soon face an old enemy. 

They were free now. Free to wander or free to work. Although they will never be free to return to their normal lives, they still hold purpose that reminds them of that past. Whether it be the medic bay for the doctor or the cockpit for the pilot, home and the workplace seem so much closer now. Some may wish to keep matters strictly business, others may strive for friendship, if not something more. No matter, this is what they have, this who they have. But more importantly, this is their time. As for Owen, he could get his answers about the absence of Andrew through Rend. And though Benji dreaded it, his cryo-tank was a concern- he planned to speak with Yaz about it. That leaves Tahlia and Cryonautics's poster child. Does suspicion even accusation follow next for Echo? She seemed to be the company's favorite? What is it that she knows, or [i]knew[/i] that they didn't?

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