Chapter 7 #2
“Later I found out that everyone who got into the tubes in front of me died almost immediately. The tubes running down the side of the ship were all punctured. The only one undamaged was the last one, which I dropped into. I’m not sure whether that made me lucky or not.”
“How long were you in the tube?” she asked.
“Too long,” he said grimly. “By the time my tube was recovered, I was almost out of air.”
“The air on those tubes is meant to last about fifteen days,” she whispered. “You were trapped in that thing for fifteen days?”
“Thirteen rotations,” he said. “At least that’s what I was told. I probably used up a lot of oxygen when I screamed. There was one little window in the tube, and I watched several of the other tubes go by. I know it made no sense, but I wanted the others to know they weren’t alone.”
“I’ve been in one of those tubes,” she said. “We have an old planet runner, and I was sent down to check all the systems. It was tight even for me. How did you move around?”
“I didn’t,” he said simply. “I was able to squeeze my hands to my mouth, which allowed me to consume the hydration packets.”
“The tubes I serviced only had three days’ worth of hydration packets,” she said. “Did yours have more?"
He sounded a negative rumble then remembered she probably didn’t know what that meant. “No, there were only three. I spaced them out, but they didn’t last long anyway. Our systems are incredibly efficient when it comes to food and water, but even with that, thirteen days was a long time.”
“I’m impressed you lived,” she whispered.
“I didn’t survive intact,” he said. “At some point nothing made sense anymore. I thought one of my crewmates was there with me, or sometimes the ambassador would be there. The worst was when I heard them screaming and begging me to save them or saying this was all my fault.”
He stared up at the ceiling as he talked, unable to watch her expression change from interest to pity or horror.
“Eventually I passed out and woke up on an Ossiso outpost with several medics and staff caring for me. I panicked because I didn’t understand what was going on.
They had to keep me drugged. Time passed in strange ways.
An entire rotation would go bye in the blink of an eye and other times it felt like a submark lasted for a rotation.
I couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t.
Sometimes I still can’t, especially when I’m in enclosed places, like ships.
I thought I was doing better, but I guess I wasn’t. ”
When her soft hand pressed gently on his chest, he turned his head to find her crouched next to the bed, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“You’re so strong,” she whispered.
He didn’t feel strong. “I think I’m the opposite.”
“The itinerary we got on you said your planet of origin was Kalor,” she said, confusing him.
“Yes, that’s where I started,” he agreed.
“You were on a planet. You were safe. No ships. No closed spaces. Despite that you agreed to go on this mission,” she pointed out. “That’s brave. Foolish, but brave.”
Her sincere admiration made him feel much less pathetic. “I agree with the foolish part.”
Lifting her hand away from his chest with a little pat, she rubbed her eyes. “Now I understand why we were told to make the bay available to you. It was so you’d have a larger space to keep from panicking.”
“Yes, that’s correct,” he agreed. “Although having Ruby to care for helped keep me centered, even more than the large space.”
Amina snapped her fingers and pointed at him.
“That’s what must’ve happened. Ruby hid somewhere, and you couldn't find her. We’re a cargo ship and don’t transport passengers often, so our corridors and cabins are smaller than what you’re probably used to.
” She tilted her head, her brow wrinkling a little.
“You were saying my name after you saw me. You must see me as you see Ruby, a creature to take care of.”
“I don’t think you’re of low intelligence," he said quickly. “I know you’re just as smart as me!”
She grinned. “Aww, that’s a sweet thing to say. Especially considering how arrogant I’ve heard you Talins tend to be.” Her expression shifted to determined. “Can I tell Helmen what you’ve told me? I’m sure she’d let you go free if she knew that Ruby was the trigger.”
He sounded a negative rattle. “I don’t know if I should be trusted.”
She stood up and loomed over him, putting her hands on her hips. “Don’t do that!”
Her sudden change in attitude was a surprise. “I only want everyone to be safe.”
“We will be,” she said. “You didn’t attack anyone. All you did was make a lot of noise and take a weapon away from Helmen. When you saw me, you dropped to your knees and let me approach. You were gentle and sweet. As long as you have either me or Ruby with you, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Her confidence in him was humbling. “You barely know me.”
“I know enough,” she said. A sudden yawn took over, making her sway a little on her feet. “Damn, I’ve been awake a long time.”
Concern filled him. She must not have been asleep long when he woke. “Please rest before you do anything else.”
She yawned again, her jaw opening wide enough to make a cracking sound. “That’s a good idea. We could both use a little more rest.”
Instead of leaving the room, she settled back into the chair.
“No, you can’t sleep there,” he objected.
She blinked. “Uh, why? Are you uncomfortable with me here?”
“No, that’s not it at all. You should be in a bed. Sleeping sitting up can’t be good for you.”
She grunted. “Yeah, it’s not the most comfortable.” Walking over to a cabinet, she opened it up and pulled out some bedding. He wasn’t any happier when she spread it across the floor.
“Sleeping on the floor isn’t a good option either," he objected. “Please, if you bind my hands and feet together, you can release me from the bunk. I’ll take the floor, and you can have the bed.”
Straightening up, she stared at him for a moment. “You know what, let's share the bunk. That makes it easier for everyone.”
The thought of having her snuggled up against his side sounded like paradise. “That would be nice, if you're not scared to be close to me.”
She snorted. “What’s the worst thing you could do to me, snore in my ear?”
Kneeling on the bed, she moved until she was laying down. She was still fully clothed but still reached over the edge of the bed to grab some of the bedding on the floor and wrap herself up.
“Ahh, it feels good to lay down,” she said with a little moan. She curled up and snuggled her back against his side.
Within a few submarks she was asleep. Between Ruby nestled next to his neck and Amina against him, he felt so secure his broken brain almost felt normal.
He wished he could always sleep like this.