Chapter Sixteen Zann
Corrina does not come with us, much less play with us, when we next visit the park.
Krish is the most disappointed of the three of us, but I am somewhat disappointed as well.
I have grown accustomed to seeing Corrina on a daily basis, and I find it strange to go several days without catching a glimpse of her.
We do not even see her at communal meals in the mess hall.
It is like the feeling I have on the rare occasions when I am apart from Krish or Davix for long periods of time, and I realize that I miss her company.
When I ask Jurr where Corrina is, he answers only that he has been told the Commander is busy.
In Corrina’s absence, we spend a great deal of time in the medical bay with Wenschel and the red-headed male called Ryder.
They are both very excited to learn everything they can about our species.
Krish and I have been persuaded to undergo extensive testing, including allowing them to draw samples of our blood and saliva.
Davix rarely joins us, preferring instead to stay in our quarters or spend time running and testing his strength in the exercise chamber, so I am surprised when he follows us silently into the medical bay.
“Is the rumor about two of you having motivators true?” a new female asks.
“It is true,” Krish replies. “Davix and I both had one, but they were removed when we arrived here.”
The female glances at Davix. “I wasn’t sure,” she says quietly. “I mean, I heard what the Commander supposedly said, but…” she trails off as Davix turns to her, his eyes narrowed.
He switches his gaze from her to me, and his expression is furious.
“I told you,” he signs angrily. Davix did not want his blackouts exposed, and he has been angry since his interview.
I am not sure why he is so concerned about what these humans think of him, but he insists that Corrina will consider him inferior.
Perhaps it is just his general wariness about showing weakness.
That Corrina stepped out of the interview has convinced him that he is correct.
I frown. I do not like to think that Corrina would think less of Davix, or of any of us for what we have endured.
But perhaps I am the one who is mistaken.
I realize suddenly that the female has resumed speaking. “It just doesn’t seem possible that any living creature could have withstood that kind of punishment. Not that I would ever accuse Commander of lying or embellishing things. But it just doesn’t seem real.”
“What doesn’t seem real?” I ask, as my brood brothers and I all turn towards her. The female seems unsettled to have three sets of yellow eyes intently focused on her. “What exactly does Corrina say?”
“It’s so weird that you call Commander by her first name.” I glare at her and she hurriedly continues. “She supposedly said that she cannot comprehend how strong Davix is to have withstood that without more permanent damage – that she’s never met a creature who could endure what he did.”
“Say it again,” Davix signs after a moment’s hesitation, and I communicate his request. The female repeats her words.
“This is surprising for Corrina to say?”
“Uh, yeah. Commander is notoriously hard to impress,” the female says.
“Not that I’m complaining. It’s really hard to earn a compliment from her, but then when you do you feel you could do anything.
Or at least, I assume that’s how you’d feel.
I’m still waiting for my moment,” she says with a laugh.
I glance at Davix. His eyes are focused on something in the distance, and I have to nudge him to get his attention. “Still angry?” I sign to him.
He holds my gaze for a moment. “Maybe,” he finally signs. I nod in quiet satisfaction. We will have to discuss it more when we are in private, but I am glad he was wrong about Corrina.
“Wenschel says there is some genetic overlap between our species,” the female continues, smiling at Krish. She lowers her eyes and then glances up at me through her lashes. “Do you think our species are compatible in other ways?” she asks.
“That seems highly likely,” I reply. “Many of our biological functions appear to be quite similar, including nutritional needs, though we require more food than humans. We also find the temperature and lighting patterns of the station acceptable.”
“I meant in more physical ways,” the female asks. Her voice has dropped into a low whisper, and I tilt my head to look at her. Her eyes are fluttering strangely. I wonder if something is wrong with her vision.
“Okay, I think that’s enough for today,” Wenschel suddenly calls, emerging from the laboratory.
“Why don’t the three of you go get some exercise or something?
I think Sergeant Curran was hoping to do some strength and speed testing if you’re interested.
” She glares at the female who has been talking to us.
“Yes, I have enjoyed the opportunity to run again,” I say, standing. Davix and Krish are already heading out of the medical bay.
“Maybe we’ll see each other around,” the female says to me.
I shrug. It is a mannerism that I learned from humans, but it is suitable for a great many situations. “Given that we are all together on the base, that seems likely.” I turn and walk away. As I do, I hear Wenschel and the female exchanging words rapidly in voices too soft to understand.
“Where is Corrina?” I ask when I see Sergeant Curran in the exercise chamber a short time later. He is, as usual, dressed in a gray shirt and shorts, and his brown skin is beaded with sweat as he jogs over to us.
“She’s busy,” he replies simply.
“I don’t understand,” I say. “Isn’t Corrina usually busy? What is different now that everyone keeps saying that she is busy?”
“She’s busier than usual,” Curran replies.
Frustrated, I try a different question. “When will she be less busy? When will we see her again?”
“I don’t know,” Curran barks sharply. “And,” he says and then glances around. There is no one close to us, and he leans closer and beckons me to lean down. “It’s probably best if you stop asking about the Commander for a while. Do you understand?”
I shake my head. “No, I do not. Why would it matter if I ask about Corrina?”
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” he mutters. He turns to face the room. “I better not hear about any of you slacking off while I’m gone,” he yells to the room. “Let’s go,” he says softer, turning to me.
“Go where?” I ask.
“Your quarters,” he replies.
“Should Krish and Davix join us?” I ask. Davix is sprinting around the room and Krish is climbing up a wall with various knobs and objects to grip.
“Probably,” Curran grunts. I let out a sharp whistle and motion to my brood brothers. A moment later, they fall into step behind me as we jog back towards our quarters.
Curran is silent until the doors to our chambers close. “I probably shouldn’t be telling you this,” Curran says softly. “But I’ve always been shit at the whole political aspect of this job, and I figure you’ve all been truthful with us so far, so I figure you deserve the truth.”
“Of course we have been truthful,” Krish insists. “Have you not been?”
Curran snorts. “It’s not quite that simple.
I’ve been honest with you. Commander has been honest with you.
But there are also things we haven’t told you.
” He pauses. “And the truth is, the fact that you killed Lianov is creating a lot of problems for the Commander.” He holds up a hand to stop us from saying anything for a moment.
“I don’t personally blame you for it. Between us, I think he deserved a lot worse than a quick, bloody end.
But Lianov had powerful friends who are making things difficult for the Commander.
Claiming she should be blamed for his death for not protecting him from you. Shit like that.”
“No one could have protected him from Davix,” I say. “He is the fiercest of all of us.”
“I believe that,” Curran replies. “But it’s not what I think, or what the Commander thinks, that matters.
What matters is what the Council decides.
And until or unless the Fixers can crack Lianov’s system, there’s limited proof of what he was doing.
He’s always wriggled his way out of charges or gotten off easy because he claimed to not know the origin of the illegally obtained items and creatures in his possession.
” Curran chuckles. “The fact that this time some of those illegally obtained creatures are sentient makes things more complicated, but it’s still essentially your word against that of Lianov’s crew who are claiming they somehow knew nothing about the contraband on board.
” Curran runs a hand over his bald head.
“Anyway, the bottom line is that some on the Council are claiming that the Commander has been too friendly with you and that it’s affecting her judgement. ”
“Friendliness is bad?” Krish asks softly.
Curran shrugs. “At the moment, it's inconvenient. But knowing what the three of you went through is also driving her a lot harder to justify Lianov’s death and make sure his accomplices pay. I think she feels like it’s a little personal, which is unusual for her.”
“I did not realize that we were making things more difficult for Corrina,” I say solemnly. “She has been kind to us. I do not like the idea of her being friendly with us causing problems.”
“I don’t like it either,” Curran agrees. “But you can do something about it. Keep a low profile. Maybe stick to your quarters for a few days. The Fixers are so close. Soon they’ll have the evidence we need.”
“We can stay in our quarters,” I say, glancing at Davix and Krish. They nod in response.
When Curran has gone, I turn to my brood brothers. “I also do not like the idea of spending time with us causing problems for Corrina,” Krish says. “It is pleasant to be near her. I wish to spend more time with her.”
I nod in agreement and am pleasantly surprised when Davix gives a curt nod as well.