Chapter 15 Samantha
When the Confederation stormed Vagantu, they freed the prisoners—myself included.
They treated my injuries, which were minor, and returned my brother’s ship to me.
But before heading back to Gekkaria, I spent countless hours searching for Logan on that watery planet.
No luck. I had to assume he’d been taken somewhere else.
I was just about to head back to Gekkaria, figuring it was the most logical place for him to come find me, when I spotted something bobbing in the middle of the endless ocean.
Sadly, it wasn’t Logan… but someone in seriously bad shape, half-slumped over a jagged rock.
There was no way I was leaving him behind.
Using some harness straps, I managed to haul him aboard.
He was covered in gruesome injuries and this revolting slime of sea slugs that took ages to scrape off.
Ideally, I would’ve taken him to the Confederation’s medics, but they’d already cleared out after their dramatic crackdown on that vile slave market.
So I made a call: back to Gekkaria it was. Logan would look for me there, for sure. And besides, I’d be reunited with my little Gooz, who I’d had to leave behind. It all felt right.
Now I’m back at my sanctuary. And I’m worried about Nov—the poor soul I dragged from the deadly waters of Vagantu. I don’t know what horrors he went through there, but it must’ve been awful, judging by how he shuts down every time I mention it.
Used to the Gekkaris, I didn’t bat an eye at his unusual appearance.
Logan had told me all about the wide range of lifeforms out in the galaxy.
So this giant lizard-man wasn’t exactly terrifying to me.
What was terrifying was trying to haul his massive frame aboard Logan’s ship.
He’s easily a head taller than Logan and his friends, and that’s saying something.
And now he’s mine. Well, under my care at least.
I brought him to Gekkaria, and even further—to Logan’s own hut, tucked into the upper branches of a Gekkari tree, where my friends and I could keep an eye on him.
Still, I’m genuinely concerned. It’s been two days, and his leg is still a disaster. He hides the pain, but I can see the sweat dripping down his temples and his fists clenched tight whenever I clean the wound and reapply my ointments.
I try to stay upbeat—the stench of rotting flesh is finally giving way to the herbal smell of my poultices, which I take as a sign of progress. But I’m scared he won’t regain full use of his leg. The muscles were badly torn, and who knows what else—nerves? tendons? I’m no doctor.
For now, we just have to be patient. Extra patient. Especially since my guest is… let’s say, not the most cheerful guy around. Actually, he’s a total grouch. Our relationship has fast-tracked to the “he-yells-at-me-daily” phase. Although, come to think of it, he did yell at me right from the start.
Like, on his first day here:
“You seriously expect me to use this?” he asked, horrified, eyeing the hollow bamboo tube I offered with a proud smile.
“Between that and climbing down the rope ladder to the toilet hut at the far end of the path… yeah, I think the choice is pretty obvious, don’t you? I call it rustic innovation. You’ll thank me later!”
He groaned—a deep, guttural noise that sounded like it came from the depths of a Nalgou swamp. I just kept smiling. That’s my shield in all situations.
“You know, Nov, there’s something wildly masculine about surviving in minimal conditions,” I told him brightly. “It’s almost like a master class in patience.”
“Patience? You’re the one draining mine. And the day I run out, you’ll regret it,” he growled between clenched teeth.
“Oh don’t worry, Nov—you’re doing great!” I replied, all sunshine and sparkles, setting the bamboo urinal down beside him like it was fine china.
Ah, the Gekkari village… paradise. Colorful trees, birdsong, sweet citrusy air… and Nov, grumbling like a wounded wolf 24/7.
Honestly, caring for Nov in this no-frills environment is an adventure in itself.
His hut—Logan’s, really—is painfully basic.
A mattress made of leaves. That’s it. I know he’s used to more.
Logan always spoke of the Confederation’s sleek cities.
I don’t know if Nov ever lived in one. He’s cagey about his past. But judging by the way he flat-out refused to go to Gekkar Creek for better treatment, this was the only option left.
He’s stuck. With me. And I sleep in my own hut, so he has to yell when he needs anything.
Personally, I love this quiet village, in tune with nature. Maybe someday Nov will learn to see its beauty. Hopefully? Fingers crossed?
I grab a bowl of food and climb up to check on him. I can already hear him muttering from the platform—Wounded Predator Mode: Activated.
“Good morning, dear Nov! How are you feeling today?” I ask cheerfully.
“How do you think I feel, stuck here with you, a bunch of talking lizards, and zero creature comforts while I’m injured?”
Okay. So we’re not in a good mood this morning.
“Can you be careful?! It’s like you’re trying to make my leg worse!” he snaps as I help prop him up.
“Sweet Nov, your leg was way worse when I found you, remember?”
He grumbles, full of wounded pride. I just adjust the cloth under his bandaged limb. Luckily, I’m a pro at gentle sarcasm and disarming smiles.
“You know,” I say, handing him a cup of water, “you could use this time as a chance to meditate. Reflect. Recharge.”
He glares at me like I just insulted his ancestors. Honestly, those frosty blue eyes are kind of intimidating—if you forget he’s wrapped in a blanket like a grumpy burrito.
“I don’t want reflection. I want to walk again and not rely on you.”
“Well, then you should remember I’m your ally, not your enemy. This is temporary, Nov. All it takes is a little patience.”
He exhales sharply. Score one for Sam.
But I celebrate too soon.
“I mostly remember you slicing up my leg like it was a side of meat. That’s why I’m stuck here now. You imprisoned me in this damn tree to make sure I wouldn’t escape!”
“Excuse me?! Should I have left you bleeding out on that awful planet, half-dead thanks to those disgusting traffickers?”
“Uh…”
“Or maybe I should’ve ignored your infected leg and let it rot until it needed amputation?”
He doesn’t answer. Just gives me a death glare.
He knows I had no other choice. Time to go full Sunshine Assault.
“Come on, cheer up. I’ll make soup! Something soothing with roots and spices.”
“I don’t want your tasteless soup!” he shoots back instantly.
“Oh, but Nov, it’s not for you. It’s for your mood. Which seems to be in critical condition.”
I head out before he can think of a comeback. We’re making slow progress… but it’s progress.
Later, I swing by my lab to grab some edible flower jellies I’ve been making. I’ll take them to Gekkar Creek soon. But for now—dinner for Novzilla.
Gooz is curled up in my belly pouch for his nap. I pack up two bowls and climb back to Nov’s hut.
He’s already scowling.
He eyes the bowl of vibrant berries like it’s full of nails.
“And this is supposed to feed me?” he growls.
“Nov, it’s a rustic feast! Red, yellow, blue… it’s like a rainbow you can eat!”
“More like a rainbow of disappointment.”
I pop a berry in my mouth to prove they’re edible. He wants meat. Of course. But up here in our humble tree house, roast beast isn’t exactly on the menu.
“You could at least get me something edible,” he mutters, crossing his arms.
“Nov, it is edible. And full of vitamins! Great for cleansing your system.”
“I don’t need cleansing. I need protein.”
“Well, hunting’s not exactly in your wheelhouse right now, is it?”
I offer a second bowl filled with roots and nuts. He looks at it like it might bite him. I just beam at him.
“Oh, and I filled your water bottle so you don’t need to crawl to the stream. See? I’m thoughtful even when you’re mean.”
“Thoughtful? Without meat? That’s not thoughtful.”
“I’ll take Goulou fishing with me tomorrow. That lake nearby’s full of delicious fish. You’ll love it.”
He mutters again. I know he’s not used to this lifestyle—or my sunny take on it.
“Living in nature is a lesson: slow down, appreciate the little things.”
“The little things? Like these pathetic berries?” he says, holding up the bowl like evidence in a trial.
“Lovingly hand-picked for your personal enjoyment,” I say with a wink. “Oh, and here—this’ll help your pain.”
I hand him an oblong capsule.
“What the hell is this?”
“A ‘butt-bonbon.’ It’s herbal. Works wonders.”
“A what now?! You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“You got the gist! It’s effective. But hey, do with it what you will.”
He’s about to implode. Just then, Gooz stretches and peeks out of my pouch.
Nov stares at him with an expression I do not like.
“You know, an hour over a fire and this thing might actually taste good…”
“Gooz?! That’s a disgusting joke, Nov!”
He shrugs and watches Gooz sniff around.
“I’m just saying—he’s plump, well-fed… looks tasty.”
Gooz, blissfully unaware, hops onto his leaf mattress and curls up next to his bandaged leg.
“Did… did that thing just lay on me?” he asks, scandalized.
“He’s sharing his warmth. A generous soul, unlike some people I know.”
“I’m not a person. I’m a Srebat!”
“A terrifying species feared across the galaxy… blah blah blah,” I cut in with a smirk.
He’s fuming.
“How dare you mock my kind, stupid Human?”
“Oh, I’m not mocking your species. Just you, personally. Big difference. Anyway, Goulou’s on his way to help you clean up. Night, Nov!”
As I climb down, Goulou arrives with his usual calm. I know for a fact he pretends not to understand Nov’s rants—a tactic that’s blessedly reduced their volume.
Still, nothing beats his reaction to Nov’s anatomy during their first bath session. Gekkaris have internal sex organs. Nov… does not. Goulou’s still laughing about what he called the “two wrinkled fruits hugging a dancing vine.” It’s his favorite joke—but only when Nov’s not around to hear it.
Seriously, caring for a half-crippled Nov in a place with zero amenities is no easy task. So I’ll take every moment of laughter I can get.
Before joining my friends for dinner, I quickly check on my aeropod.
I sent a message to Igor, who stayed behind on BN-22 when Logan brought me here.
I told him everything—what happened on Vagantu, and my hunch that Logan was taken somewhere else.
I begged him to find my brother, to tell him I’m safe on Gekkaria.
So far, no reply. But I know the message will take time to reach him.
I’ll wait. For as long as it takes.