This is But One Fragment Five Hundred Words Long Constituting Part of Something Much Larger, With At Least One New Episode Per Week, And May Be What We Call A Serialized Novella.

Sixday eve and Timo is still missing. I wasn’t counting, but that makes five days with no word. And the odd thing is that no one has come to ask us anything. No inquiries. And his workstation is untouched from how he left it. It’s as if someone just expects him to walk back in one day and get back clocking.

Inside the lab is another matter entirely. I leave the impression that I’m the most concerned among my lab-mates about his disappearance, but the truth is that Nacks takes that title without contest. It turns out that she and Timo were more than friends. They were dating. How they managed that particular feat under all our noses without discovery continues to be source of amazement. But that means she is taking his disappearance worse than anyone – and far worse than I could have expected.

On the ranked scale of concern that places us in the order of Nacks, me, Ving, then finally Klaas.

Ving handles the absence with an air of worried, yet academic, interest.

Klaas has grown indifferent since his outburst in the hall a few days ago. We haven’t spoken much since, and I only find my nerve when the conversation relates to technical topics.

Today hadn’t been much different until shortly before lunch when he nods for me to approach his workstation. “I saw you talking with Zech this morning.” He says. “In the front pave?”

“He wanted to know about Nusci.” I shrug. “But there wasn’t much to tell.”

“Are you meeting with her again?” He isn’t even looking at me, instead focused on fitting a copper core casing.

“Tonight. After work. We’re meeting again for tea.” I reply.

“Is that a good idea?”

“She was a little dirigibles when I saw her last, but it’s harmless. No, really. I don’t want to just leave her floating there.”

A beat.

“She wants something. You know that right?” He looks at me, his calm eyes floating around my grease-smudged face. “I heard what you told Ving.”

“She wants a friend.” I insist.

“Just be careful.” Klaas’ attention wanders back to the clocking in his hands. “I don’t think you should see her again.”

You don’t think… “Or what?” I’m heated.

“I just don’t want to see you in trouble. If Zech is poking around your personal life – well, let’s just say that’s not a good thing for your personal life.”

“I’ll mention it when I see her tonight.”

“Look, Moze.” His hand is suddenly gripping my forearm, and I hesitate for a moment before attempting to pull free. “Don’t go. Don’t discuss anything with her. Drop it. The last thing you want is get tangled up in something you can’t control.” He is still holding my arm, his grip strong. “All this business with Essence and voxcores is above your pay grade. So forget it.” He slacks his hold and I pull away.

“What did you just say?” I’m angry. But Klaas doesn’t reply.