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 withstoodthat 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.”
