My poor ship.She found Janet and Zeph at the back, shoveling debris out into the water, and held onto Netto as they made their way toward them. Even wrecked, pale, bruised, and tired, Janet still glowed.
“Good you’re up,” Janet said, approaching her. “You can help us clean.”
“Where's Da?”
“He went to the captain's quarters to get some rest. We’re taking the evening shift.” Her sister sniffled. There was a sheen over her skin and the smell of the healing serum filled Rylie’s nose. It was the same serum she had on earlier that afternoon. Even as Rylie looked Janet over, her sister looked immensely better than she had earlier.
Rylie was relieved. She hated seeing her loved ones hurting. It made her feel helpless and all she wanted to do was fix their pain. She let go of Netto’s hand after a brief squeeze.
Her eyes landed on a giant nettedthingtrailing the back of the boat.
“What's that?”
“That's what I wanted to show you! It's the head of the leviathan that came out of the ocean. Zeph and Netto brought it back.”
Rylie maneuvered to see the monster’s face, but most of it was underwater. The longer she looked, the more she realized she didn’t actually want to see it.
“Why?”
Zeph answered her with a dangerously handsome smile. “Wanted a trophy. What's a better trophy than the head of the beast you killed?”
“I'm glad it's not your head then. It could’ve easily been all of ours.”
“He's boasting. He didn't kill it, we all killed it,” Janet said. Rylie smiled at her sister and moved away, unsure why she wasn’t impressed. It only made her feel more tired.
They spent the next half hour cleaning the deck companionably. The Cyborgs took care of the dangerous stuff—the sharp edges and the crushed machinery—and got rid of it. She and Janet did the rest. The waning light spurred them on to make quick of their situation.
“Look what I found.” Zeph pulled out a table under the tarp. He set down a large bottle of vodka in the middle and produced a few cups from the kitchen below.
“Alcohol? Really?”
“Why not? We earned it and it's not like we’re going to get much done at night anyway,” he laughed. He poured it into glasses before anyone could protest. Rylie glanced at Netto busy bending a part of the railing back into shape. She could really use a drink but didn’t know if she should.
Netto seemed to understand that she was waiting for him and caught her gaze. He cocked his head and wiped his hands on his pants before seating himself. Rylie sat by his side and Janet soon followed.
“We should probably stay alert,” she hedged. “What if something happens at night?”
Zeph chuckled. “Why don't you leave that to us Cyborgs? We can go on for ages, even filled with bullets and bleeding from every pore before we need a break—beforewebreak.” He raised his cup and gulped down the contents.
Rylie raised her cup to her lips and took a sip, flinching from the harsh liquor taste. It was bad. Bad was what she needed. Zeph poured himself another drink as the last rays of sun vanished in the distance. The fog rolled over them, eerie and pervasive, but the lights of the ship kept the encroaching darkness away. She took another sip.
She was highly aware of the Cyborg next to her and of the uncomfortable feelings she had toward him.
“Oh, it’s so bad! Why did Da have this on the ship? Backup fuel?” Janet cringed and spat but took another drink again immediately afterward.
Zeph laughed.
“Don't worry babe, I'll take care of you.” He put his arm around her sister’s shoulders and scooted her into his side. Rylie was surprised that Janet let him manhandle her. She took another sip. The burn wasn't as bad anymore.
Netto hadn’t touched his drink. He sat stiffly next to her, a good foot and a half separating them. She wanted him to pull her close as Zeph had Janet, but he didn't, and she knew he wouldn't, so she hugged herself.
“Can Cyborgs get drunk?” she asked.
“Yes,” Netto murmured.
“We sure as fuck can! But it takes a lot and we have to keep at it or our systems clear the alcohol out. This bottle won't do much for us.” Zeph winked. “Our cybercells are far too potent.”
Janet perked. “We have more down below. I'll go get it.” Rylie watched her sister shimmy out from under Zeph's arm. She returned a minute later with two bottles, one in each hand. “Will this do?”
