Weathering Storms

by Taborri Walker

  “…and this one is for the two children, James and Simon, here. It actually isn’t pneumonia, but tuberculosis they have. By the time we get home they’ll be cured and their lungs will have rebuilt themselves.” He turned, reaching for Sesha’s good shoulder. “That leaves one bed for you, so strip and sit. I need to get to work on you.”

  “What about Beulah?”

  “The program is almost done, then it will make the antidote. She’ll get her treatment in whatever bed she’s put in, and so will several others suffering from various maladies. So come on,” Sesha didn’t stay, though, after hearing that all the patients would be fine.

  “Can’t yet,” she demurred. “Got to head for the Bridge. I’m programming in the flight path, so if you’ll excuse me,” and she left rapidly before he could call Head and make it an order. Sesha was undeterred by everyone’s concern for her condition. As long as things still weren’t perfectly right she felt she had an obligation to keep working on it until they were green-lighted to go into Hyper again.

  On the bridge, after another stop in a Functions room, she got busy again. With Jaxxim and the Navigator Vashyr at her side, they worked to plot the course back to Phenjam.

  “I had to divert twice,” she told them, “once around the giant planet here,” she touched the screen, “and once again around the single star. I think we should head back to the coordinates where we were when I first woke up and find our way back to shipping lanes from there. That can’t be done in Hyper, though, but the computer should be able to do it just fine.”

  He agreed in his normal manner, not showing a sign of what was angering him and they worked as they usually did to lay in the course; Vashyr doing most of the work with approval from the two pilots. Several times Sesha had to pause as a spell of weakness tried to overwhelm her, but she managed to shake it off and was thankful that Jaxxim or Vashyr didn’t say anything. She just wasn’t done yet, taking care of her new friends.

  After laying in the course, they set Hyperdrive to start once they were out of this little Solar System, coming out of it only to change direction as they’d plotted. If a problem occurred, Sesha set it to wake her first. What Sesha didn’t know was, as soon as she left the bridge, Jaxxim reprogrammed the computer to wake him first if a Piloting problem came up. He knew Sesha was in no shape to wake up at all for the rest of the trip.

  Sesha looked over the Head’s shoulder as she consulted with the computer about putting four children in one TravelSleep bed and other unusual setups despite being told several times to go see the Medic.

  “I promise, TravelSleep is totally safe,” she assured every single person above the age of six years old. “Even though we don’t have enough beds, the computer will be able to tend to you easily. Don’t worry about not understanding how, just realize that it does… kind of like your God, eh? Put your faith in me and the ship and all its technology now.” A lot of hugs were given; she had to slip another Stim pill after, the pain was so terrible.

  Then she left to check the BrainPan one last time.

  “We’re going to travel between half and three-quarter speed, Sesh. With the patch there’s no way of knowing how it will hold. We’re setting up a series of forcefield units too, just in case. Shields are max again and there shouldn’t be a problem.” The Engineer squatted back on his feet and gestured with a smile. “See? First units right in front of the original break, more surrounding those two plus more Pan area around it.”

  “This is great, guys. But… what if the patch collapses?”

  “Comp is programmed to drop out of hyper immediately and wake us first if a problem occurs. Go finish your chores, Sesh. You look like a pile of dung from an Ajjekarian Claw Beast.”

  So tired, it didn’t register. “Eh?”

  “You know… the bright red creature with 8 inch long claws. Its dung contains parts that don’t digest as fast as its stomach does.”

  “Oh. Gotta go now, a few more things to do before we’re ready,” but the trot was now a tired bit of a stagger.

  When she reached the top of the stairs – slipping another Stim in – she saw the boys were gone. That was okay. Sesha paused at several wall units, testing each one and was pleased to see they were optimum. Then she called storage.

  “We have several thousand units of water, Sesh, more than enough for three more ships. After this we’ll be able to synthesize the water, so no more illegal trips to this little Solar System will be made.”

  A wave of dizziness made the girl pause as she rounded a corner. Both hands connected the wall and she stood there, eyes closed.

  Shni?

  Yes Sesh?

  You haven’t talked to me in several hours… how come?

  You’ve been extremely busy, dear, I didn’t want to break your focus, that’s all.

  You’re mad at me.

  You’ve been pretty free with those Stim pills, Sesha.

  I’m not addicted, I just need the energy, damn it!

  They’re not addictive, my friend but they’ll hurt you in a lot of other ways.

  Well, I’ll stop taking them as soon as I’m done here.

  Now the program manifested as an 8 inch tall figure. “So tell me, dear… what all have you done so far?”

  It took a moment for her to gather her thoughts and answer. “Water in the Brain, boarded the Congregation,”

  “Refugees, dear,”

  “Um, told Dinah goodnight, saw the harpsichord, got the berries to Harnan,” it was obvious she was struggling so Shni took over.

  “You’ve rescued the refugees, got water to the Brain and woke everyone up. Everything else is moot because Melena approved of the go ahead. So get your ass to Medical dear.” His tone was sweet, loving and it looked like he’d convinced her as she nodded…

  Then slipped another Stim in her mouth! “As soon as I do one more thing,”

  “I wish you hadn't done that,” Shni appeared for a moment full-sized, truly trying to grab the woman. But a lot of his program depended on impulses from the Host, and Sesha had finally bottomed out. Instead of the surge of energy, a wave of pain hit so she leaned her head against the bulkhead and closed her eyes until the spell passed. When she opened her eyes, Beulah was there along with Head, Chief Medic, Benjamin and Ezra, and she hadn’t heard them coming. All of them were standing the same way, arms crossed across the chest, faces disapproving.

  “Told ya she ain’t doing good.” Benjamin frowned, breaking the long silence.

  “She ain’t walking straight much, either.” Ezra added. He couldn’t keep the pose up, and hurried to her, taking her hand again, rubbing her arm as he looked up into her weary face.

  “Now I know you’ve been with me so you could watch and tattle?” she asked with a weak grin, trying to take the edge off. “I have to make sure everything’s taken care of,” Sesha turned to head to her next destination, only another wave of dizziness took her and the next thing she knew she was leaning on the wall.

  The ‘vator door opened and Darren and Nicodemus hurried out, looking the wrong way first, turning as the crewmember pointed them the other way. Darren arrived as Sesha began to slowly slide down the wall, leaving the pristine white surface painted red. His knee went under her rear and as it impacted, she recognized him – and burst into tears.

  “Papa,” forced out between sobs. “Papa, I’m so tired,”

  Harnan and Melena looked at each other, alarmed and he keyed the communication unit. “Wen, send Uliel with a stretcher,”

  “Just a bath, Papa,” Sesha couldn’t stop crying or shaking. Somewhere in her mind was a tiny spark of undamaged emotion that was angry this was happening. This is not how Sesha is supposed to be! “I’ll be good, I promise… have to do a few more things,”

  Medic Harnan knelt and put his fingers over her mouth. “You’re still losing blood, Sesha. It’s speeding up again. The Aga Zero can’t help the gel pack keep the right pressure on it; you’re bloody down to your waist now and you’ve infection running wild all
through. That’s why you’re dizzy and weak. We’ve got a lot of work to do on you,”

  “I’ll carry her,” Darren rose, cuddling Sesha against him as he had before. “Sarah and I lost one daughter to disease, shall not lose another!” Harnan aimed the group back to the ‘vator, calling his help again to prep the bed.

  “Bee – lah,” in the fast-moving conveyance Sesha cried harder, the pressure of motion hurting her. “Wan’ Bee – lah,” so the woman laid a hand on her forehead, kissing her gently.

  “I’m here, sweetheart. We’re going to get you fixed up, then you can sleep.”

  “Fwo – wence?” was the next two sobs.

  “What in your god’s name is going on?” Melena hissed and Nick answered.

  “She be actually backwards, in her mind, when in the City hurt an’ learning the language. Did have an exotic accent an’ played her role so well, her mind must be thinking it real now.”

  “What’s going on now is a full crash,” Harnan took Darren’s elbow and they rushed into the Bay. “Put her on the bed, on her left side. The top is thick and sticky, a cushion to hold her there without hurting her,” the doctor shoved a bowl at Beulah. “Catch it when she throws up.”

  “How do you know,” Beulah began, but Sesha interrupted with coughing so she did what she knew well and caught the mess. “Tis very bloody! Why?”

  “The Stim pills. You’re not supposed to take more than 4 a day for 2 days only, 8 maximum. If you go 8, you’re required to spend time here getting your stomach fixed. Sesh has eaten 40 of these over the period since she landed the shuttle on your shore. Now, Darren or Nick, since both of you are some bloody, would you undo the back of her suit so we can get it off?” The men nodded and began but were flummoxed immediately.

  “The de-vice does not move,” Darren had clamped his finger and thumb hard about the button. It would neither pull backwards nor go down.

  “Let me see,” Uliel came over and watched as they tried again then went back to the cupboards. “Let go… I need to run what we call a current through it. Sesha will jerk some but don’t touch her or you’ll get a shock.”

  “What be that?” they all asked.

  “When your feet scuff across a surface like carpet and you touch something metal, get a shock?” He found what he needed and was turning around just in time to see all four adult heads shaking no. “Well, just back up a minute.” Uliel crouched and opened what appeared to be an odd pair of pliers. The grip area fit around the button and he squeezed down until a crunch was heard. “Button stem’s broke, folks, don’t fret. Now,” he pressed something on the tool and suddenly Sesha stiffened, her eyes flying open wide as she clawed at her neck for the two seconds it lasted. Beulah lunged forward but Nick seized her arm and pulled her back, daring to hold the woman tight to him until Uliel rose.

  “Done, come see her,” and they rushed over. He crossed to Harnan, dropped the button in a small dish and nodded to it. “We have to do it the hard way,” his voice was soft but Darren heard, even over Sesha sobbing into Beulah’s bosom. “Current loosened it from its spot but wouldn’t move down still. Had to pull it completely out by hand, which broke it off its stem.”

  “Get out the serum, then, we’ll get everyone to help. Oxygen mask first, take off her Gem second.”

  Uliel pulled open a drawer down in the bed and lifted what looked like a clear, twisted glass cup with an odd device on the bottom. But he turned it over and it fit over Sesha’s nose and around her mouth. He pressed every part where it touched her skin, then pushed the green button on the end. Now they all heard Sesha’s breathing, a bit louder.

  “This takes the air she breathes in and turns it into pure oxygen. It’s helping her get more into her lungs. Sesha,” Uliel leaned over her. “Sesha!” He shook her shoulder, wanting to wake her up to tell her but got no reaction.

  “I heard you say you need to take me off?” Shni’s voice sounded. “Why?”

  “We have to use the enzyme, Shni. If you stay on, well,”

  “I know. I’m just worried that her reaction will be worse without me to buffer it some. Just put me right back on, okay?”

  “No promises there, my friend. We’re going to soak the Gem in seawater first.”

  “Just put me on before you put her in TravelSleep. If I’m off for a week, systems shut down; a month and the Gem dissolves and I’m dead. I don’t want dead unless Sesha is, okay?”

  “That I can promise. Ready? Set Medical Override Harnan, code,” and he made some odd noises, then unsnapped the bracelet band. Wen took it and put it in the container of seawater on the countertop.

  “All right,” Harnan now showed a tiny dark bottle in his hand. “I’m going to need all of you to help. Darren, Nick, one hand each, the other hands on her forehead. Beulah, Sarah, just under the sink are some small towels. Touch the blue button by the faucet and wet them with cold water. The second this is finished, lay the towels all over every bit of skin you can.”

  “How long will it take?”

  “Five seconds, literally. A horribly long time for all of us as this will be painful. Do the towels now, when you bring over an armful each, we’ll begin.” They didn’t take long, water dripping from the cold, wet towels, soaking into their dresses and onto the floor.

  Harnan lifted out a glass dropper. “Whatever any of you do, don’t touch the Aga suit until it turns to dust. Sesha,” he snapped a finger on her chin and her eyes opened again, “this is gonna hurt, dear, sorry,” her face scrunched up and promptly got patted for comfort. “Clamp down on the men’s hands, all right?”

  He held the dropper at his head’s height and carefully squeezed out just one drop of a black, thin oily substance. In silence everyone watched it fall – it splatted right on her bellybutton area.

  “One,” Harnan said as the black spread rapidly.

  “T --” and Sesha started to scream, “-wo,”

  “Three,” both Ben and Ezra clapped hands over their ears, bursting into tears.

  “Four,” his tone warned the women to be ready and Melena ran in and snatched the boys against her.

  “Five!” The suit swelled up like a balloon then burst into a billion particles leaving Sesha entirely nude and still shrieking. The women just dropped the towels on her and all hands helped bundle every inch of her in the wet and cold thick cloths.

  Sesha sucked in a deep breath and seemed to relax - and then an alarm went off just as Beulah felt Sesha’s grip on her hand relax.

  “Move!” the medic shouted and Beulah found herself snatched to the side while the man and his two helpers – nurses, Beulah thought of them as – started doing horrible things to Sesha. Melena forcibly pulled the struggling boys tightly to her.

  “Wen, self-threading lung assists, U-ee, C-Stim, line it up!”

  The boys screamed again when an awful looking orange mask was jammed over Sesha’s face, her head tilted back and something slid down her throat, and even worse, the nurse held something long and sharp over Sesha’s heart and then the Physician hit it with his fist, driving it into her!

  “Out,” Melena ordered and threw herself against the group. Crew hanging by the door watching rushed in and the group was removed despite protests.

  “No, no,” Beulah was weeping. “If’n she dies! Shoulds’t be there! She did save our lives, we must --”

  The room they were pushed into happened to be the Sleep Room with Melena’s bed; the three chairs were still there. She tried to peel off the boys but they clung harder than Cl’arian Sucker Fish! Giving up, she just shook them.

  “Look, Ben, Ezra… the chairs you sat in! Look, they’re still here. Come on, let’s sit down, just like you did with Sesh. Come on,” as she lowered herself, Darren peeled one boy, Nick the other and Beulah sat on the open bed and cried. Ben and Ezra curled onto Melena the way they had with Sesha and the Head shook her head. She never was a child person; that’s what made the job perfect. Oh, she did have two children, years and years ago but they had been given to th
e care of their father when she was away. Melena had 14 great-great grandchildren now and she sent messages and gifts when awake as she always had but was glad that she’d never had to raise them.

  There was a reason the boys clung to her and not to those they knew was because of this new trauma. Sesha brought them aboard first, they helped her revive the crew and were sitting right here when she woke up. They spent several hours with her, the second alien life-form they’d ever seen so of course they bonded to her. It was a psychological fact, this bonding under traumatic circumstances.

  Four hours went by. Darren and Nick took turns walking the corridor but the room had an odd green curtain-like cover they couldn’t see through. Darren touched it and it seemed to push at his fingers, not allowing entrance.

  Ben broke a long silence. “When Ezra an’ I be put to bed… may we sleep together? Not,” he added hastily, “in the manner of defilers, but jus’ for,”

  “What?” Melena almost said “eh?” in Sesha’s manner but caught herself.

  Ben flushed horribly. “We not sin, to sleep in the same bed,”

  Beulah started to try explaining but Melena smiled.

  “Well of course not. It’s not what you want to do. You know, a long, long, long time ago my ancestors were really crazy. See, they decided that if anyone looked sideways, like this, at anyone else, it meant the two were sinning, like, uh, he would say. And people believed that malarkey because the Being who said it was a very important one. It went on for a long time before everyone decided it was a bunch of hooey,” English was quite the language! Full of odd expressions and ideas so archaic it hurt! After all the reports were in Melena was sure a new route would be plotted to keep them far away from this system, and a good thing too.

  “So yes, you two can be in the same bed. How would you like to be in this room, near me? All the beds here are empty, so that would be two filled. There’s enough here for Beulah, Darren, Sarah and Nick too. That way when we wake up and there’s more new faces, you’ll be close to someone you know, who knows all this new stuff.”