Her touch finally got Amelia to open her eyes. They were glazed, distant, and it took her a moment to assess where she was.
She almost certainly hadn’t heard Opula, but maybe that was for the best.
Torian forgot Opula’s fury the moment Amelia chuckled. Her words were dry, albeit weak. “I told you not to do anything stupid.”
Torian hugged her side. “Sadly, I don’t count rescuing friends as stupid.”
“I’ve realized,” Amelia muttered.
Torian’s eyes flicked back to Opula, who was conversing quietly with Amelia’s security team. They eyed the draics in the corner, but seemed to realize any funny business would be a losing battle. Under Opula’s obvious order, the security members holstered their guns.
The worst part wasn’t how Opula had said it. It was that she wasright.Torian cleared her throat. “Ames, I’m so sorry. I should never have invited you here—”
“Hey, Scrap. Thanks for finding us,” Amelia breathed, and her eyelids fluttered again.
Torian pressed her lips together, heart aching.
Celise approached, wearing her old lab coat, lifting her chin. She’d clearly enlisted Zen’s help, because the draic lurked behind her.
“Let me get her to the clinic,” Celise said, pressing one hand to Amelia’s forehead. “Zen?”
“Apparently, I’m replacing a gurney.” Zen’s tone was deadpan.
Torian nudged Amelia, hoping to get her awake again. “Ames. We have a clinic—or half of one—nearby. Are you okay if a draic carries you there?”
“Draic?” Amelia opened bleary eyes, squinting at Zen. “Fuck, Tor. Thought you were joking.”
The word “joking” came out slurred.
“Not joking.” Torian gripped Amelia’s arm, feeling her weight increase as she started to go truly slack. “Okay, I’m making an executive decision, since you probably won’t remember this. Zen, go ahead.”
The draic shrugged and gently scooped Amelia into his arms.He moved carefully, holding her like precious cargo. Celise wasted no time stepping in, lifting Amelia’s eyelids, shining a light into her eyes, feeling her pulse and skin temperature.
“Okay. We’ll need warm compresses. Dutch, you don’t have anything resembling an IV here, do you? Fluids we can use to warm her?”
“You have an entire squadron of draics,” Nasra called, watching the drama with sparkling eyes as she watched beside a few others from Zen’s team. (Voranthir was nowhere to be seen, which was probably a blessing, at least right now. Torian didn’t want Celise distracted today.) Nasra patted one of the draics’ arms. “Their body temperature runs higher than a human’s. That will likely be a safer avenue than ancient medical equipment.”
“Wonderful. Which of you would like to snuggle with a human?” Zen called in amusement.
All of the draics on his crew stayed silent, shifting awkwardly.
Celise rolled her eyes. “We’ll find another way. Come on. No time to waste.” She beckoned, and Zen strolled after her, carrying Amelia with ease. Torian watched them go, wishing she could help somehow, but… well, at this point, she’d just get in the way.
Bartlet approached her when she was finally alone. Opula had disappeared back inside the starship, but the chef seemed to be one of the few crewmembers curious about this new station. “Captain said you found someplace special.” They glanced around, looking almost impressed. “Nice place.”
“I never expected the flight path would be so dangerous,” Torian muttered. “Is everyone else okay?”
“Fine. Captain was the only one who stayed on the flight deck. Once temperatures dropped, she ordered us to the engine room.” Bartlet spoke matter-of-factly, but respect lingered in their tone. “Sure glad you found us, though.”
“I’m sorry it took so long.” Torian grimaced.
Bartlet clapped her shoulder. “Don’t be. You did good, kid.” After Opula’s words, it felt like a warm, gooey compliment. Torian baskedin it. Bartlet turned toward the kerrac tree overhead, shielding their eyes. “We get a tour, or what?”
“Oh, that’s my specialty!” Nasra bounded over.
If Bartlet was impressed by seeing a tou’siil, they didn’t show it. They just grunted, offering a wave to a few crewmembers lurking by Amelia’s starship. “Oi. Tour!”
Soon, Nasra had a crowd, and she enthusiastically offered introductions, leading any interested smugglers deeper into Vaesa’s main dome. Peat leapt out of theDestitute’s cargo bay and trailed behind them, a silent observer. Either it wanted more company—or Moss had taken advantage of its mobile unit after all.
