“I feel fine, Nova. All I need are some meds from the ship. Besides, I want a Hissa mender, not a Fielden medic.”
She looked disappointed but nodded her head and let Miran guide her to the ship. Soon they boarded.
“I’m going to settle Nerin in his room, then request a launch from port control,” Lazil said.
Miran nodded. “I’ll show Nova how to use everything in her room and join you in control.”
They walked down the narrow hall, and Nerin and Lazil broke off to go to the room with the medical supplies. He led Nova to the room they had prepared for her.
Unlike their standard metallic gray, minimalist rooms, this one was painted a light turquoise blue with shimmering fabric draped from one of the walls. The bed had a thicker mat on it and was covered with soft blankets. There were small colorful accents all over the room to make it feel more welcoming.
It was the type of room common in Hissa homes.
He watched her face to see her reaction, only to find a look of confusion. “This is your room?”
“No, I’m the next room down,” he said. “This one is yours. I’m afraid we all have to share a bathing room and elimination closet.”
“This is my room alone?” she said. “I’m not sharing with anyone?”
“No, it’s all yours.” He walked to a cabinet and popped it open. “Everything in here is for you. You can keep the data pad and the clothes. I hope they fit.”
He showed her how to use the room's controls. After that, he walked to the door and pointed out the cleansing room and closet at the end of the hall.
“The ship’s outside hatches are all locked down and won’t open to your palm, but you can go anywhere on the ship you like," he said, knowing she’d try to leave the moment the hallway was clear. He pointed to the comms unit next to the door. “If you need us, you can press here or use the data pad’s comms link.”
“Can I lock my door?” she asked.
“Of course,” he said. “We’ll respect your privacy unless there’s a medical emergency.”
“What if I refuse to come out for anything, not even food or water?”
He pointed to another cabinet. “There’s water access in there and nutri-packs. I hate the idea of you not having access to the rest of the ship, but if that would make you more comfortable, we’ll abide by our decision.”
He could tell she wasn’t sure how to react to what he’d said. She probably expected him to get forceful with her, but other than a moment of urgency, he wasn’t like that.
Most Hissa weren't. They were a society that prized peaceful interactions and had been taught to think of their community first.
“Everything I’ve told you is the truth,” he murmured, before turning and leaving.
It was going to be hard to sleep without Nova at his side. After one night, he was addicted. He could only hope she felt a little affection for him and once she realized everything he was offering was real, she’d agree to let him court her.
He wasn’t surprised to find Lazil in the control room when he got there.
“I double checked Nerin’s wounds with the ship's equipment and gave him some medication,” Lazil said. “Nerin’s resting quietly in his room now.”
“Good,” Miran said, settling into his chair and activating the console in front of him. It showed that Lazil already had them in the queue for the launch pad and would be moving into place soon.
They fell into a comfortable, silent rhythm that happens to a team who’s worked together for years.
“What are you doing here?” Lazil asked.
Miran looked up expecting to see Nova, but instead Nerin was walking into the room. He looked pale but determined.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted. “I kept thinking about falling into the spider’s den.”
Miran could understand. Nerin came very close to dying and that was enough to traumatize even the most experienced warrior.
He took the third seat and brought up maps and the gunship's navigational system. A message pinged all their stations.
