Chapter 25
Roys kept his promise. The following day, the droids descended into the caves.
Roys used our shotty equipment as perfectly sound reasoning for why the droids should get samples rather than us.
The survey team argued the droids weren’t capable of acquiring good samples, but we all knew that was a lie.
The survey team had an insatiable curiosity, had to for their line of work.
The cradle healed my arm, so I went with the geologists, mostly to ensure they remained in the rover while the droids brought samples.
Korb grumbled over how well the droids did, claiming the captain would use the samples as an excuse to send the droids in their stead.
Roys wouldn’t totally deprive them of their adventures, but he might put his foot down more than usual, as he had been doing to Zavir.
Roys remained at the habitat to monitor our resident troublemaker.
Honestly, I was surprised it was Zavir instead of me.
I was even a little upset to have the title stripped from me.
What was I meant to be if it wasn’t a royal pain in the ass?
I’d have to work on scrounging up trouble later to reclaim my rightful place.
That afternoon, we returned to the habitat without incident to find Zavir lying alone in the yard, practically sweating off his weight.
Ryker and I were not ones to miss a perfect opportunity for harassment.
We surrounded him on either side, where Ryker said, “It looks to me like someone is taking a break that I do not believe is mandated.”
“Where is our captain? He should know about your slacking off,” I asked.
An empty yard greeted us. The others hadn’t returned. Those who stayed were in the habitat. Roys was nowhere to be found. A swell of disappointment tugged at my chest.
Zavir used every hand to give us the finger. “I don’t know where he is. He was out here a moment ago, so yeah, I am taking advantage of his absence. Do not ruin this for me.”
Snickering, we both gave him a swift kick to the sides and returned to the habitat where Maddy and Galya ate in the communal dining area. Galya rambled on about scientific jargon I couldn’t understand. Maddy might not have either, based on how rapidly she ate in a clear attempt to escape.
Ten years had passed. She was a different person. I didn’t know a damn thing about her. I probably never would because nothing remained of our family. We all died back there at the Colony, just in different ways.
“Oh, Private Adkins and Katlan, welcome back! Korb begrudgingly admitted that the droids had done well in obtaining samples from that dreadful cave system. Surely you must be hungry. Please, come sit with us!” Galya had two trays hovering out of the kitchen to land on the table.
Elphies couldn’t carry heavy items a great distance, but those small trays were easy.
Ryker gave an apprehensive look that I would have returned if I weren’t currently losing my mind. An opportunity had arisen that I couldn’t pass up, especially after last night. I thought I saw her there above the cradle, looking down at me like she still cared. I wanted that.
I wanted my sister more than anything.
I sat down beside Galya because sitting by Maddy might have been a death sentence. Ryker forced a congenial smile and sat beside her instead.
“Thanks, Doctor. We are hungry. It was a hot one out there,” Ryker said, having already removed his visor and the torso part of his exoskin. The equipment hung loosely from his waist. I mirrored him.
“Oh please, call me Galya. We’re to spend the next few months together, and I’ve found humans open up far better when there is a lack of formality. Why is that, may I ask?” Galya’s spoon dipped into the gruel to bring to her mouth.
Ryker may have sought me for assistance, but my focus belonged to Maddy. Ryker attempted explaining human ways to Galya, although I was fairly certain she had read up on us. Her species lived for centuries and had a multitude of very informed interests. She likely wanted to hear from Ryker for fun.
Seeing as Maddy didn’t plan to talk, I had a stupid idea to message her through the commlink.
Lucky: Your boss talks a lot.
Maddy glanced at her commlink and stood, tray mostly empty. “I’m finished. Take your time, Galya. I’ll handle the specimens for you.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you, Maddy. I am quite enjoying myself with this Ryker fellow. He’s very informative, so it may be a while.”
Ryker whimpered.
“Elado made such a brilliant decision in bringing on a second assistant. You’ve been doing wonders for us. Soon, I can see you going on tour with a few assistants of your own.”
“I don’t know about soon, but thank you for the vote of confidence.”
“Is that how it works?” I asked, bringing Maddy and Galya’s attention to me. That was the only way I could think of keeping her near for a moment longer. “The survey team — if you’re hired as an assistant, then you can become a geologist or something?”
“Not entirely. Maddy here,” Galya waved in a manner that said she wanted Maddy to sit.
Maddy sat down, maintaining a calm expression while refusing to look at me.
“Joined us three years ago under a reputable recommendation. While we rarely take on assistants who haven’t obtained a degree from a formal academy, Maddy more than proved her worth after a couple of tests. ”
Maddy offered an amicable smile, certainly not directed at me.
This had been pointless. I must have imagined her outside of the cradle. A dream.
“In another two years, she will have finished up schooling and can apply for a researcher position rather than an assistant, which you certainly deserve.” Galya floated over the table to pat Maddy’s shoulder before returning to her seat.
“Oh, she is quite marvelous indeed! We are ever so grateful to have you on our team.”
“I’m glad to be here,” Maddy said. “Why don’t you tell Private Katlan a little more about our work, Galya? He seems very interested.”
Shit.
“But of course!” Galya cheered.
When her attention fell on me, Maddy and Ryker escaped. Maddy dropped her tray off on the counter for the droids. They stacked them in the back, meaning Zavir was still expected to clean them. Maddy sought sanctuary in the lab.
Apparently, threatening my life was the only time it was acceptable for her to speak with me.
Didn’t matter, not like talking to her would change anything.
Whatever I thought I saw at the cradle hadn’t happened.
My mind fabricated what a na?ve child desired, what teenage me wanted even after what he had done.
We’d never be what we once were because I made it abundantly clear that I could, and would, break any promise.
Galya could talk all she wanted. I wasn’t listening, too overrun by my own issues. At some point, I escaped by telling her I had my daily training to do. Galya fluttered off, remembering she had a job, too.
Roys never joined us in the yard. I contemplated messaging him, but why would I?
I didn’t care where he went off to. Zavir finished long before I did and left muttering about all the chores he had to finish.
Arana, Lilea, and Iylene returned from their outing with the mineralogists, who went out further to investigate a mountain on the horizon.
They were discussing using the shuttle to go over for daily trips when my commlink went off.
Madlyn: She’s not my boss.
I dropped onto the grass, refusing to admit that one message had made my legs weak.
I didn’t know what to say, how to keep the conversation going without mucking it up, but making her wait might be worse. My body vibrated with nerves as I replied.
Lucky: Then who is? Elado?
Madlyn: Yes.
Lucky: He’s not as talkative.
Madlyn: How observant.
Lucky: I am a man of many skills.
Madlyn: Doubtful.
I sat there, considering asking all the questions I had. She was messaging me. I thought that was a sign. She accepted the opening for conversation. Maybe we could be on speaking terms. After this tour ended, we could call each other from time to time. I would be happy with that.
Lucky: How did you get a recommendation for a survey team?
She didn’t answer. I felt neither victorious nor defeated. There had been a change, albeit short, and that’s all that mattered. Progress was progress, right?
Except I could fuck up that progress with a single word, and knowing me, I probably would.
“Shall we partake in friendly competition that will definitely not turn violent within the hour?” Arana suggested after dinner, where Roys hadn’t been present either.
He must be busy with paperwork or something, I told myself to prevent my gaze from drifting to the barrack doors.
“Only if I don’t have to play against Lucky,” Ryker replied. He yelped when I reached over Lilea to pinch his chest. “Don’t touch me, pervert!”
“The other day you were trying to get me to say you’re my type,” I teased while reaching for his leg.
Ryker released an exaggerated squeal while swatting at my hand. “Yes, a verbal confirmation, not a physical one. I don’t want you tainting me.”
“Why must I be stuck in the middle?” Lilea muttered, though made no attempt to flee.
Ryker threw himself off the couch to escape my grabby hands.
I leaned forward to get him, but Lilea shoved me back.
Ryker and Arana took to the viz first. The screen projected against the wall showed the fighting arena to the room that lazily filled with curious onlookers.
I wondered if Roys would bother to join us, let alone play a game.
Probably not. He was such a stick in the mud… unless it involved us being nude.
Except an hour later, Roys passed the threshold of the barracks.
Arana had her arms around him in an instant, begging for a game.
He agreed without a fuss, sounding genuinely thrilled to do so.
Our captain playing a game wasn’t exactly an everyday occurrence, so the team watched with unusually rapt attention.
He had a smile on his face, nothing like the ones he used to tease me.
Not crooked and imperfect, either, but something playful and otherworldly bright.
His energy bled through the room, and soon, everyone was hooting and hollering.
My teeth tore into the side of my cheek.
Roys showed off his skills, beating Arana five times before she admitted defeat. Ryker stepped up next. A foolish decision on his part because Roys was better in every way. Ryker made it to the third round, where I barely resisted the urge to cheer Roys on.
After his defeat, Roys slapped his hand on Ryker’s shoulder during their banter. Roys didn’t need to keep his hand there that long…
I cracked my neck to the side. Roys released Ryker, and the tension fell from my shoulders. The captain took a gander at the high-score champion and shot a playful look over his shoulder.
“I should have known.” He wagged his finger. “Come here, Lucky.”