I hovered close, my gaze never leaving her, watching helplessly as the medics continued to work on her, completing their baseline tests in preparation for departure. The medics worked swiftly, hooking her up to various devices. Their tentacles moved with practiced ease, but it was the concern etched in their eyes that told me the gravity of the situation.
The sight of her, so vulnerable and lifeless, struck a chord deep within me.
Isla, my Isla, was fighting a battle far from my reach.
The unidentified male was given similar treatment, but my focus remained solely on Isla.
The bond we shared pulsed with a quiet intensity, a tether that anchored her to me. I held on tight to it, as if willing her to survive, to pull through, to not drift away from me now that we were both free.
As the medics finished their preparations, one of them approached me. “Commander Ky’rn, we need to get them to Atlantis immediately. Every moment counts. When you’re ready, we can be on our way.”
I nodded, my throat tight with worry. “Then let’s depart,” I managed to say, my voice rough with barely contained emotion. “I need her to survive. She’s everything to me, and the reason why I’m now free.”
“We’ll do everything we can, but know that she’s in critical—but stable—condition,” the lead medic announced, her voice firm and composed, yet I could sense a ripple of concern beneath her professional demeanor. “Hailing us has greatly increased both of their chances of survival.”
The assurance was there, but it did little to ease the clawing panic inside me.
My hearts felt like a pile of stones in my chest, heavy and sinking. I nodded, barely registering the other activities around me. The only thing that mattered was Isla, her well-being, and how her life was hanging by a thread because of me.
“Do you need any medical attention?” the head medic inquired, her eyes scanning over me, probably noticing the fatigue etched in my face, the strain in my muscles from the relentless swimming and the emotional turmoil raging within.
I shook my head, my voice a low growl. “No, attend to her.” My command was absolute; Isla was my priority, and nothing else held any significance. “I was able to survive a year of captivity, I’ll survive the exhaustion and whatever else that I face.”
“I advise that you get checked out once we arrive, hopefully before you’re debriefed.’ The medic nodded solemnly and signaled his team. With efficient movements, they secured Isla more firmly onto the hover medbed, ensuring her safety and comfort.
As they prepared to transport us, I moved closer, my eyes locked onto her pale, serene face. The urge to reach out, to feel her skin, to reassure myself that she was still with me, was overwhelming, but I knew I shouldn’t get in the medic team’s way.
“She’ll have the finest care once we arrive.”
I merely nodded, my throat tight with unspoken emotions. I had to trust in their skills, their ability to save her.
The lead medic, her eyes scanning me with a practiced, clinical gaze, stated, “Commander, we have hover carts ready for you and your scouts. Your body isn’t in a condition to endure the rest of the journey to Atlantis.” Her posture was resolute, embodying her dedication to her ethical and honorable code, as she gestured to the hover carts, sleek and efficient, designed for rapid medical response. “It would be against my oath to let you continue in such a state.”
Acknowledging her assessment, I nodded, the weight of my exhaustion evident in my movements. “I have no intention of being stubborn or egotistical enough to ignore my limits,” I confessed, a sense of relief mingling with my gratitude. “I’ll gladly accept the ride.”
Daixa and Ephi moved to secure their places, their faces etched with concern not only for Isla but for me as well. They knew the extent of my suffering, the year-long ordeal that had drained so much of my strength and spirit.
As I settled onto our individual hover carts, the cool surface beneath me a minor relief to my aching muscles, I couldn’t help but keep my gaze fixed in Isla’s direction.
The medic, sensing my distress, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We’ll reach Atlantis quickly, Commander. Your mate is in the best hands. Our medical facilities are equipped with the most advanced technology. She will receive the care she needs.”
I simply nodded, too wrapped up in my thoughts to muster words.
“We’ll get you there swiftly. Just rest now.”
Rest was a foreign concept at that moment, my mind entirely focused on Isla, her well-being, her fight for life. But her words resonated with a sense of command, reminding me of my own position and the respect I held for those under my charge.
The craft turned, preparing to dart back to Atlantis. My chest felt tight, a mixture of relief and anxiety churning within. Relief that she was getting the help she needed, anxiety because I wouldn’t be able to be there right beside her to see it through once we arrived.
Daixa placed a hand on my shoulder, a silent gesture of support. I barely felt it. My focus remained fixated on Isla’s hover medbed, my thoughts and hearts with her.
* * *
The brilliance of Atlantis loomed before us as we approached the entry surface level checkpoint.
It was a breathtaking sight, an architectural marvel beneath the ocean, made up of interconnected domes of reinforced glass that allowed sunlight to filter through and illuminate the breathtaking city below. The checkpoint served as a nexus for IPA citizens from land to visit the submerged metropolis, seamlessly fusing alien technology with natural beauty.
Upon nearing the docking area, I noticed something had changed since my last visit. The usual bustling activity of alien spacecrafts was eerily sparse. Only a handful remained, their sleek and otherworldly designs contrasting starkly with the serene surroundings.
