8. Decisions
8
Decisions
T he atmosphere on the bridge the next day was fraught with tension. Grixxa and Jorixx were still arguing over how dangerous Nova might be, while my thoughts were consumed more with the little alien's appearance—those fascinating blue eyes, the cascade of silky black filaments that covered her head, her intoxicating scent that had nothing to do with the body cleansing solutions we provided her. My tongue flicked from my mouth and I thought I could scent her even here, three levels up from her cabin.
I suppressed a groan, clearing my throat and interrupting my crew. " Speaking of communication," I said, though I truly had no idea if that was the topic at hand, "any progress on deciphering the alien's language?"
Grixxa started and stared at my non sequitur before shaking her head, her crest drooping slightly. "It's unlike anything in our database. The phonetic structure, the syntax—it's completely alien. I've been running it through every translation algorithm we have, but so far, no luck."
I suppressed a sigh of frustration. How was I supposed to learn more about Nova if we couldn't even talk to her?
"Keep working on it," I ordered. "In the meantime, Jor, I want a full analysis of that debris field. If there's anything left of her ship's computer core, I want it retrieved and decoded. And feed it into the universal translator to see if it can figure it out."
Jorixx frowned but nodded, his thick hide rippling with acknowledgment. "Yes, Captain. I'll get the team working on it immediately."
As Jorixx lumbered off to carry out my orders, I turned back to the viewscreen. The stars streaked by in long lines of light as we cruised at speed toward Novum. Toward the auction house that could provide the buyer who would take Nova off our hands and make us rich beyond our wildest dreams.
So why did the thought fill me with such a deep dread?
As the days dragged on, the weight of my decision grew heavier. I tried to keep my mind busy with the ship's business, but invariably my thoughts drifted back to Nova. My daily routine became a series of conflicting emotions—duty to my mission battling overwhelming curiosity about a creature so utterly different from me yet so captivating.
More than once, I almost gave in to the urge to visit her. But each time, I forced myself away, knowing that giving in to that attraction would only complicate things further. In a moment of weakness, as I stood by Nova's door once more, I allowed myself a small reprieve.
I activated the translucent panel beside the door, permitting me to observe her without entering her quarters or allowing her to know she was being observed. She sat quietly, her hands wrapped around a mug of some steaming liquid Daz had decided would be suitable for her human physiology. There were small lines in between the dark lines of filaments that framed her eyes as she gazed into the distance, lost in her own world of thoughts.
The sight both comforted and unsettled me. Comforted, because she appeared unharmed and almost at peace despite her situation. Unsettled, because I was beginning to question if allowing her to leave my protection for a reward was truly the best outcome. I decided I needed more information on the little alien. Sooner rather than later.
There was no denying that Nova was becoming more than just an asset to me, more than just a novelty or a fat payday. And I hadn't even spoken to her since that first day. As another click came to a close, I found myself ordering the crew to slow down the ship, a part of me resisting the tide that would inevitably sweep Nova away from me.
"I've been thinking, Jor." I rested my chin on one tentacle as I sat in my chair staring out a the viewfinder. "What if you find something important in the debris you're hunting through? What if there are parts we missed that would be crucial to you understanding some important aspect of the equipment that would allow us to communicate?"
Jor's three eyes all relayed suspicion and he crossed all four of his arms over his burly chest. "What are you suggesting, Captain?"
I leaned back in my chair, thinking hard. What exactly was I suggesting? I cleared my throat and put on my most authoritative voice. "We need to turn around and head back to where we found the alien debris field. I have a feeling we missed something."
Jorixx's forehead wrinkles deepened with obvious displeasure, and I pretended not to see Grixxa's ridges light up a happy pink. "Setting a course, Captain," Grixxa announced, pleasure evident in her voice.
Jorixx simply stared for another long breath before turning away and heading back to his work area. I stared straight ahead, warring with the need to break out in a smile of relief. This could be the biggest mistake I'd ever made but deep in my gut it felt completely right.
In the dead of that click’s night, I stood again outside Nova's quarters. This time, with a resolve to speak to her, to learn more about this mysterious creature that had somehow come to hold my attention so deeply. It went against every pirate instinct honed over cycles of spacefaring, but something told me it was the right thing to do. My tentacles reached out, not just to open the door, but also to unlock the chains of indifference and caution that had bound me for so long.
As I stood outside Nova's quarters, my tentacles hovered over the door controls, hesitation gripping me. What was I doing? This went against every instinct, every rule I'd set for myself and my crew. But the compulsion to see her, to understand her, overrode all logic. I pressed the panel before I could talk myself out of seeing her, and the door spiraled open with a soft hiss.
The room was bathed in the gentle glow of the bioluminescent walls, casting a warm light over everything. Nova was curled up on the bed-cocoon, her back to me. Her shoulders tensed as she heard the door open, and she turned slowly, her wide blue eyes holding a mixture of fear and defiance.
I stepped inside, the door closing behind me with a soft click. Her gaze darted to the door, then back to me, her body tensing as if readying to flee. I held up my hands, palms out, in what I hoped was a universal gesture of peace. Her eyes flicked to hands, then my tentacles, and I consciously stilled them, not wanting to frighten her further.
"I mean you no harm," I said, my voice low and steady. I knew she couldn't understand my words, but I hoped my tone would convey my intentions. She watched me warily, her small body poised for flight.
Slowly, I moved closer, giving her ample time to bolt if she chose. She didn't, but her eyes never left mine. I stopped a respectful distance away and lowered myself to the floor, trying to make myself smaller, less threatening. Her gaze followed me, curiosity beginning to replace fear.
I pointed to myself. "Zharrox," I said, reminding her of our previous interaction. Then I pointed to her. "Nova."
Her brow furrowed, but then she nodded hesitantly. She sat up, pushing some of the long, black filaments behind the tiny little growths that grew on the side of her head. Daz had hypothesized that they were for hearing.
"Zharrox," she finally repeated.
A warm sensation spread through me at the sound of my name on her lips. I smiled, showing my teeth, and her eyes widened slightly before she tentatively returned the gesture. The sight of her small, flat teeth sent a peculiar thrill through me. Everything about her was so different, so alien, yet so captivating.
Encouraged, I thumped myself on the chest. "Xalith," I said, then pointed to her. She blinked but said nothing so I tried again. "Zharrox, Xailith." I motioned to her again, raising my brow ridges in question.
She cocked her head, her brow furrowing. "Za...it?" She hadn't gotten it exactly right but I imagine there were sounds we made her particular vocal cords might not be capable of. I nodded enthusiastically any way.
"Xalith," I repeated again then. "Zharrox, Xialith." I pointed to her again. "Nova,..."
The wings of filament above her eyes scrunched with what I assumed was concentration. Suddenly, they climbed up her forehead and her lips broke into a blindingly white smile. She touched her chest with one small, delicate hand. "Nova, human."
"Hoo-man," I repeated, and her smile widened as she nodded.
"Nova ezzzz hooman." Her soft voice made my hearts skip.
"Nova, hooman. Zharrox, Xialith," I repeated, and her head bobbed up and down enthusiastically.
Species identified, we sat in silence for a moment, simply smiling at each other. Her fear seemed to have dissipated, replaced by a intense curiosity. I felt my tentacles twitch, wanting to reach out to her, but I kept them still, remembering her reaction the last time I'd touched her with them.