by Rinelle Grey
Pushing back her plate, Amelie nodded and stood up. “Sure.” She hadn’t really been hungry anyway.
They were half way to the brig when Tyris paused. “Do you think it would help if we invited Kugah?”
Amelie’s heart froze. She hadn’t seen Kugah since the day he had shown her how to work the Metamorphosis Device. And she wasn’t sure she wanted too. She’d managed to push her sadness down into a little ball and ignore it, but she was pretty sure that would fall apart at the sight of him.
“What are you hoping that will achieve?” she asked, hoping her voice sounded normal. “Talah doesn’t like Kugah, that’s the whole problem.”
“I know.” Tyris nodded. “But I bet half his issue with Kugah is that he doesn’t know him. I mean, you’ve had time to know him, and you obviously think he’s pretty special.”
He looked sideways at her as he spoke the words, as though trying to gauge her reaction. Amelie began to suspect half his reason was to get her in the same room as Kugah. She wondered if Marlee had put him up to it, or Folly? Either way, it wasn’t going to make any difference. Not to how either of them felt.
But she would show Tyris she could be professional about it.
“It’s worth a try,” she agreed. “Why don’t we swing by and get him?”
She was quite pleased that her voice sounded calm and normal. She could do this.
*****
When Kugah opened his door and saw Amelie standing there, his heart leapt. Then he saw the expression on her face, cold and distant, and Tyris beside her. So this wasn’t about them. Business of some sort.
Still, his eyes drank in the sight of her. He’d missed her terribly in the last week. He’d been so tempted to seek her out, to try to talk to her and figure out what he’d done wrong. But in the end, he’d decided that the best thing he could do was respect her choice, and hope she changed her mind.
Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be working.
He nodded to both of them, and waited for them to speak.
Tyris glanced at Amelie, but when she didn’t say anything, he spoke up. “We’re on our way to see Talah, to try one last time to convince him to take the treatment to remove the radiation.
Kugah stared at Tyris. Then why were they here? It didn’t make any sense. He pulled out the tablet and typed, “Talah not like me. He’s afraid of me. I don’t think my being there is going to help you convince him.”
“He’s afraid of you because he doesn’t know you.” Amelie’s voice was quiet, but sure. It made Kugah’s stomach clench. How could she say that with such certainty, when she didn’t even want to know him anymore?
“If he gets to know you,” she continued, “and realises you’re a normal person, with feelings just like everyone else, then maybe he will see.”
Kugah wasn’t as sure as she seemed to be. It hadn’t helped her agree to be his mate. But he couldn’t say no to Amelie. “I’ll come because you want me to, but I don’t think it’s going to help anything.”
Amelie turned away.
Tyris smiled. “Thanks, Kugah.”
Kugah nodded. He tried not to look at Amelie as they walked down the hallway, but he couldn’t seem to draw his eyes away.
He was still wondering what he could do to change her mind when he stepped into the room where Talah had been locked since his scene in the cargo bay, so he was unprepared when the man immediately lunged for him.
“Why did you bring that monster here?” Talah demanded. “Are you going to try to force me to have this injection you keep insisting is a cure? Do you really think that is going to work?”
Kugah felt the anger rising up in him immediately. Why did this man hate him so? He hadn’t ever done anything to him.
Apparently he didn’t need to. His very presence was enough. Kugah took a deep breath, and then exhaled deliberately. He didn’t need to be angry at this man. This anger was not useful to him, it would not help him get anything he wanted. Better to let it go. The very act of taking a normal, even breath helped him calm the anger.
He was in control. Not the anger.
Suddenly, he felt almost kind towards Talah. Meaning the best thing he could do to help at this point, was leave.
“I’m not helping,” he typed to Amelie. “You and Tyris will do better talking to him yourself. I don’t blame him for being afraid of me, I look scary. He can’t know that I mean him no harm.”
He showed the message to Amelie and Tyris.
Amelie actually looked sad for him. “I’m sorry, Kugah,” she apologised. “I thought he might listen.”
“What?” Talah demanded. “What is he saying about me?”
Amelie looked up at Kugah, a question on her face, and he shrugged and handed her the tablet.
Amelie held it out to Talah.
The man read through the words, then stared up at Kugah. His face was still mutinous, but it was a little less so. “Do you think this is going to convince me that you’re not out to get us? I bet you all planned this, to try to trick me.”
“No one is trying to trick you,” Amelie said gently. She took the tablet off the man and handed it back to Kugah.
“Kugah not want to trick you,” Kugah typed. “I just want to live in peace, like anyone else.” He handed it back to the man.
Talah stared at it, then up at Kugah. His expression was still suspicious. “You expect me to just believe that? Why would anyone who wants to live in peace look like you do?”
Amelie and Tyris just watched, neither of them volunteering the information. For a moment, Kugah felt annoyed. They knew the story, and they didn’t have to type everything the way he did.
But Talah wasn’t looking at them, he was watching Kugah. This story needed to come from him.
It was a delicate moment. This conversation could either win the man over, or convince him that everything he believed was the truth.
For a moment, the weight hung heavy on Kugah’s shoulders. What if he said the wrong thing?
All he could do was his best. Neither Amelie nor Tyris would expect anything more.
So he took a deep breath, and began to type.
“I come from a peaceful race that was conquered by aliens, the Gokak. My people were so peaceful, they didn’t even fight, just accepted the invasion, and the genetic engineering of their people. The Gokak like to experiment, they wanted to create the ultimate fighting race. Enhanced Evolution they called it.
“I am an example of one of their experiments.
“But I hated them and their warlike natures, so I ran away. I thought I would have to live my life alone, because no race could accept me like this and not think I wanted to kill them. Kerit changed that. He accepted that maybe I could be friendly, and he gave me a chance to show that.”
Talah’s face was disbelieving as he read through Kugah’s words. Then he stared up at him. “You expect me to believe that your people were peaceful? You certainly don’t act peaceful. Every time I’ve said something, you’ve tried to attack me.”
“That’s not true,” Amelie broke in, her voice hot. “Do you expect Kugah to just accept you attacking him and do nothing?”
Kugah’s heart warmed at her words. Surely they indicated that she still felt something for him?
“That’s what he said his people did,” Talah challenged. “If this story is true, why wouldn’t he do the same?”
“Kugah is different,” Kugah typed. “I don’t know if it’s a result of the genetic engineering, or because I realised that my people’s way didn’t work, but I didn’t want to sit around and accept what the Gokak did anymore. That is why I left.”
“Well, if you left them because they fought for what they believed in, then you’ve chosen the wrong place to come,” Talah said. “Because I’m ready to fight for what I believe in, even if it costs me.”
“I admire that,” Kugah typed quickly. “I think it is good that you fight for what you believe in, even if it is against me. We may disagree on the content, but our hearts a
re in the same place.”
Talah looked at him, obviously not sure what to say to that. Instead of talking to Kugah, he turned to Tyris and Amelie and said, “Do you have a point with this? I mean, what does it matter what I think if you’re going to keep me locked up in here? Why do you care? No one on this ship is ever going to forgive me for destroying the medical treatment that could help them.”
His voice was full of self-hatred. A feeling Kugah knew well. He actually felt a little sorry for the man. Hating yourself wasn’t something he’d wish on anyone. A glance at Amelie told him she felt it too.
“I forgive you,” she said quietly. “I think you were wrong in refusing the treatment and in your suspicions of Kugah, but you didn’t destroy the treatment intentionally. If it helps you feel any better, it was only a temporary treatment anyway, and we’ve since found a more permanent one.”
Talah’s eyes shot up to Amelie’s face for a moment, suddenly full of hope. Then they dropped again. “I don’t deserve your treatment. I’m not sure even Elma could forgive me for what I’ve done.”
“Well, she certainly won’t if you’re going to sit in here and stew forever,” Amelie said firmly. “If you want to change your life, you first have to change your attitude. And I’m sure you can overcome your prejudices towards Kugah as well, if you try.”
Her words were like a vice, crushing Kugah’s heart. She could forgive Talah for what he’d done, but she couldn’t even talk to him. And he didn’t even know what he’d done to upset her. How could he ever fix it?
“Amelie and I had already decided to release you,” Tyris said quietly. “We don’t have the capacity for prisoners on this journey, so we’re hoping that we can all find a way to live in peace.”
“Even if we disagree with each other,” Amelie added.
“Can we trust you to do that?” Tyris asked.
Talah looked at them all for a few moments, then shrugged. “Doesn’t look like I have much choice,” he said gruffly.
But he didn’t seem as angry anymore.
“Good,” Amelie said firmly. “I can also offer you the new treatment if you choose to have the radiation removed first. Of course the new treatment is still alien in nature. Kugah has shown us how to use a machine called the Metamorphosis Device created by his people, the one used to make him like this, in fact, and it’s been successful so far in reducing all the effects we suffered after travelling through the wormhole.”
Talah looked suspicious. “Is this one a real cure?” he demanded.
Amelie nodded. “It’s still early days, but at this stage, it appears to be a complete cure.”
“I’ll think about it,” Talah said grudgingly.
It was a start.
Chapter 37
Amelie checked the list of patients she had to run through the Metamorphosis Device today. Now that the most urgent cases were done, she was starting on the less severe patients.
She smiled as she recognised names on the list. Her first patients today were Marlee and the two infants. Tyris had already undergone treatment right after Kerit, after Amelie had insisted that they needed him operating at full health, but Marlee had declined. Apparently Tyris had convinced her there was no more reason to wait.
The door opened, and Marlee appeared, a baby in each arm, and a smile on her face. “Hi, Amelie.” Despite the smile, she looked, quite frankly, exhausted, and Amelie frowned.
She’d been so busy trying to get through her list each day that she hadn’t even seen Marlee. Tyris had said she was coping fine, and she’d believed him. She should have made sure to check for herself.
“Are you okay, Marlee?”
Marlee nodded, and hiked Isala up a little as she slipped. “I’m fine, just got my hands full, as usual. Can you hold Camali?”
Before Amelie knew what was happening, she was holding Camali and Marlee took the opportunity to rearrange Isala’s bunny rug and settle her more comfortably.
Amelie couldn’t help looking down at the cooing baby, and being reminded of all things she’d never have. Her stomach clenched, and she wished she could return to focusing on the genetic code rather than the baby.
“Where’s Tyris? I thought he’d be here to help you?” Amelie asked.
Marlee nodded. “He planned to be, but Nerris called this morning and wanted to test the shield he’s been developing and Tyris has gone to inspect it. He was going to put it off, but I could see that he really wanted to go. He feels that we need to move as quickly as possible. He’s worried about the food running out, and about that star Glesin mentioned. I pointed out that you’ve done this many times now, and that nothing will go wrong. I finally convinced him to go and check the armour, and that I’d be fine.”
Amelie wasn’t really surprised. Aside from his brief rest in the Metamorphosis Device, Tyris himself hadn’t stopped. He had been working with Nerris and Folly to develop some sort of force field to protect them from the radiation of the wormhole jump. Amelie hoped they figured it out soon. Now that the danger was over, she was looking forward to getting back on with their hunt for a new planet.
Marlee smiled, but the furrow didn’t leave her brow. “Would you be okay to look after the babies while I’m undergoing the treatment?”
Amelie looked at her a bit dubiously. Marlee seemed to be struggling, and she was experienced at being a mum. How was Amelie going to manage? Then she gave herself a shake. Marlee had enough worries already. Amelie could just suck it up and deal with it. It was only for an hour.
“Of course we’ll be fine,” she agreed. “I can look after the babies while you’re in the Metamorphosis Device.”
Marlee smile gratefully, the furrows on her forehead smoothing. “Are you sure, Amelie? That would be wonderful. I’ve fed them both right before we came, so they shouldn’t be hungry.”
Amelie nodded. It was the least she could do. Besides, it was only an hour. She could handle the two babies for an hour, couldn’t she?
Marlee had brought her sling, so Amelie slipped Camali into the fabric, and held Isala in her other arm. She helped Marlee into the Metamorphosis Device and checked all the controls before saying, “You’ll start to feel a little sleepy in a minute. Don’t fight it, just let yourself drift, and when you wake up, it will all be done.”
Biting her lip, Marlee nodded obediently. Her eyes were on the two babies right up until they drifted closed.
Amelie checked the machine, but it was running perfectly. So she looked down at the two babies, who stared back at her, their eyes bright.
“What shall we get up to while your mummy’s asleep, hey?” she asked them.
Isala blinked. Then her mouth opened, and she began to cry.
Remaining calm, Amelie checked all the usual culprits. The baby’s nappy was still clean, and she made no attempt to suck on the finger that Amelie offered her.
After a few moments of the noise, Camali joined in in sympathy.
Amelie took a deep breath, trying not to panic. The babies were probably missing their mum. What they needed was a distraction.
Bouncing both of them up and down as best she could, she looked around the med bay, which she had relocated back to after the cargo bay was cleared of patients.
Unsurprisingly, the area was lacking in anything that might amuse a baby. She made a mental note to see if she could find some toys and books. She’d have plenty of babies and children visiting, and it was remiss not to have something to amuse them while she talked to their parents.
Right now though, that didn’t help.
She sat down at the computer, and pulled up a cat video. The music playing was bright and cheerful as a little kitten chased a scrunched up bit of paper.
Camali calmed almost instantly, staring at the screen, mesmerised.
Isala kept up the sound for a little longer, but it was half hearted. Soon she, too, was staring at the cat.
Until the video finished.
Amelie immediately looked for something else to show them.
&n
bsp; They were half way through a video of a dog playing on the beach, when Amelie smelled it.
That was why Isala had been upset. She’d been filling her nappy.
Well, at least it wasn’t the baby in the sling.
Amelie searched through Marlee’s change bag and found the necessary supplies.
By the time she’d finished changing the nappy, Isala was wailing too.
Amelie jiggled her, and sang a song to both of them, checking the time as she did. Surely it must have been nearly an hour now.
She bit back a sigh when she saw she wasn’t even half way through.
How had Marlee manage this all day for the last couple of weeks? She must be a superhero.
By the time she heard the Metamorphosis Device beep quietly to tell her it was entering the wake up phase, she heaved a sigh of relief.
When Marlee sat up in the capsule, Isala’s cries stopped almost instantly.
Even before she was fully awake, Marlee was holding out her hands for her baby, and Amelie happily handed her over.
“How do you manage both of them all day? You must have your hands full.”
Marlee’s smile was weak. “Some days it’s a challenge. They’re wonderful babies though. They can’t help the fact that they can’t do anything for themselves.”
Amelie nodded. Of course they couldn’t. But she couldn’t help feeling that it was unfair that Marlee had an extra child to care for. Especially when her husband was one of the busiest men on the ship.
She didn’t say anything though, as she helped Marlee out of the machine. She suspected that if she did, Marlee would just get defensive. She was such a caring woman that she would help anyone who needed it.
Meaning someone else had to make sure she took care of herself. And she knew just who to give the task to.
Tyris would call in at the end of the day to see how it had gone. He always did. But she couldn’t wait until then. If she waited, the memory of how hard it was to care for two babies at once might fade, and she might decide it wasn’t as urgent.
So as soon as she’d sent Marlee home, she took a lunch break and went looking for Tyris. She headed straight to the bridge, where he and Nerris has been working on the shields.
