S'Krllk finds that the filter in Fiator's gas mask has been removed, making it essentially useless against the poisons that had just come through the life support system.  However, Ellen's gas mask seemed to have worked fine.

All right," rasps Yag, "someone is systematically killing off the crew. And since that corpse doesn't seem to be Baralou, that makes him/her/whatever our best suspect. Since the crew are getting killed off one by one and Ellen is the only one left, I think we need to stay with her at all times. Sorry Captain, but you're not going anywhere on your own."

Sergi says, "If that's accurate, then we need to find out where this attacker is at.  Any ideas?"

S'Krllk turns to Ellen, "Are the gas masks stored with the filters installed, or is that part of the procedure to don them. If the former, you should check your equipment. Fiator's filter has been removed, but it could have been just as effective, yet slower, to leave the filter installed and damage it."

Ellen says, "All our gas masks are ready to go with filters in case of emergency.  His had to have been tampered with."

Sergi says, "I think our prime suspect is right here."  His gun is leveled, but not menacingly, at Ellen.  "No one else could have done this.  Even if it was the Matrix, it couldn't very well shoot holes in the tanks or remove air filters, right?"

S'Krllk is very matter of fact as he states, "The creature in front of you may be the prime suspect, but at this point wouldn't it be prudent to believe she is not who she seems? Frankly, I'm beginning to wonder if we're not involved in some feverish nightmare while in reality nothing is happening."
S'Krllk goes on muttering in the vein as he attempts to locate the storage area for the gas masks, the only words he says that can be made out are 'despair squid'.

Ellen says, "I think it must be this Matrix you spoke of.  It must be responsible for these deaths.  We need to remove the Matrix infection."

Sergi says, "So where to first?  We can't just sit around because whoever's doing this, if it's not Ellen, is somewhere in the ship and turning the ship against us.  They even tried to kill us in that elevator, if you recall."

Ellen says, "So what did you do to remove the Matrix before?"  She says, "In the Captain's cabin, I think there is some sort of computer/robot system manual.  Did you shut down the computers and simply reboot the system?

Back in medical Dr. Kri'lik continuse to work on the yazirian.

Desi stands by defensively while Kri'lik continues to do his work.  Her laser rifle is in hand and her albedo screen is also on.

Kri'lik determines that the yazirian is definitely male, though it was hard to tell through all the damage after the explosion.  He further determines that the yazirian was dead before being hit by the explosion.

"This yazirian is definetly a male. Most intreging. I have also determined he/she was dead before the explosion in Snobol happened." The doctor then takes off his medical garments and begins to clean up. "Perhaps we should go to the bridge and see our next body?"

S'Krllk finds that the gas masks were stored in the individual cabins.  Everyone had their own personal one.  There were also general use ones in equipment closets, but Ellen and Fiator both got their personal ones since they were closest.

Ellen says, "Well, if everyone's dead and I didn't do it, and I know I didn't, then it had to be a robot, especially if it's infected by that Matrix thing you keep mentioning.  Didn't you heat up the place there to kill it?  Or reroute programming or something?"

Sergi says, "Is there any way to check what the robots have been up to?  What about video files or surveillance?  Can we see who has done what?"

"Now, all of a sudden, you believe the Matrix was real? And you believe that it went around killing everybody?" Yag seems disgusted at Ellen's quick turnabout. "Look, there are two possibilities here. One is that Baralou faked her own death by killing a male Yazirian, and is still running around here trying to kill us all. The other involves YOU, Ellen.

So sure, I'll see if I can get on the computers and check surveillance cameras and see if anything interesting comes up. But I think our best bet is to all stay with Ellen. She either needs protecting or she needs arresting. We just need to figure out which one."

Yag gets on the computers and tries to access surveillance video, asking the computer to pull up anything unusual.

S'Krllk comes back from checking the gas mask issue, and speaks "I had hoped to allay suspicion on you by discovering that the filter was removed from a random mask, but I find that it was not. However, if we focus on whatever security data comes from Fiator's cabin, then by discovering who removed the filter we will discover who is planning these deaths."
"Frankly, I think it's the Spirit of Murphy that the humans curse about so often. You would think a civilized race would have figured out what sacrifice placates such a spirit."

The videos find that surveillance has, not surprisingly, been wiped during that time period.  However, right before the gas leak, you see the security robot headed in that direction.  There are also miscellaneous deletions in the security logs which appear to be someone--or something--sneaking about the ship.

Ellen says, "I remember when I was moving my stuff into the captain's cabin.  I saw a "Captain's Computer/Robot Systems Manual" in his locker.  You think that might help if it's this Matrix thing and the robots are involved?"

Ellen, obviously wanting to get in your good graces now, says, "I have the passwords to practically anywhere, so if you want to investigate somewhere, just let me know."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Wed 27 Oct 2010.

Desiraye gets on the chronocom, "Listen up!  While I'm down here with Doc in medical, you're responsible for Ellen!  Until we can meet up again, watch her real good, I don't think we're dealing with her as a threat to us.  Do what you have to do and we'll be here.  Keep us updated please!"

"I don't think it would hurt to raise the heat, here. If we assume that various species masquerading as the opposite sex has nothing to do with the deaths, then I'm afraid the matrix infection is the most logical conclusion."
"If we assume the identity confusion is important, then we can't even trust each other. The next logical step, in that case, would be to obtain the captain's manuals and passcodes. Then share them with everyone."
"We might be giving a valuable tool to the killer, but we would be obtaining that tool ourselves. Although this is an even trade, it would exacerbate the situation making resolution more timely."
"Does anyone else have any ideas? Frankly, that's about as far as my poor brain can go."

Sergi says, "If the manual can help us reboot the system or fix things, then I say we take a look at it.  In the meantime, let's work on heating this place up like we did to kill the Matrix on the other ship."

"OK, let's turn up the heat." Yag gets on the life support computer and cranks the heat up to the same level that killed the Matrix on Jetsom.

"Now let's go to the Captain's cabin and get those manuals. Everyone, let's stay together. That includes you, Ellen."

Looking back at the dead yazirian upon the examination table the doctor says to Desiraye, "Do you think its possible that this is not the Baralou that we knew and that she may still be alive and killing the rest of us?"

"Anything is possible at this point Doc.  After what we've seen so far, it wouldn't surprise me in the least," Desiraye says to Kri'lik.