The med tech looks confused. But Tarek lets out a guffaw of laughter that warms my soul. “Veck, you’re feisty.” He turns. “The best we can do is a washtube and a camo flight suit.”
He turns his sightless gaze on me as if he’s actually assessing. “Mirelle is about your size, and we have some built for humans.”
“How can you…” I trail off. I swear he’s looking at my breasts. Oh, stars, did my nipples just get hard?
He turns away, his voice colder. “I have sensors embedded in my brain that interpret heat and auditory information and build a shape map in my mind. I’ve been told it’s a lot like vision.”
His demeanor is totally different now, as if he’s a stranger. Wow. I guess I shouldn’t ask too much about his disability. Ability. Both.
“I’m sorry.” I step back.
“Don’t be. I’m needed on the flight deck.” He strides away, leaving me there, chafing to lessen the offense I gave to my new… captor? Master? Advocate? I still don’t know what kind of situation we’re in here.
A soft sound behind me makes me whirl, but it’s just Enya, getting comfortable with a soft purple blanket. “Going to sleep, now, Zina,” she mutters. “Sit with me?”
I hurry over and stroke her hair, murmuring soothing things. She smiles at me, and then her gorgeous green eyes flicker closed and she falls into a series of even breaths that sound like total relaxation.
The med tech nods at her. “She’ll sleep for at least half a planet rotation, and we’ll administer fluids through her pack to keep her hydrated. Here are the items that Tarek mentioned.”
He points to a pile of gear. “The washtube is that enclosure, so if you are comfortable doing it unassisted…”
I hesitate. “She’s safe here?” I look at Enya.
“Yes.”
“I just…” I bite my lip, assessing the situation.
“On my honor. On Zandian honor. She is safe with us.” His eyes drill into mine.
“All right. Thank you.” I don’t want to be duped. Don’t want to be naive. But somehow, I think I can trust the Zandians. If they wanted to do something to us, they could have already done it. Besides, I can’t do anything for Enya now but let her rest.
I pick up the stuff and head into the cubby. “Thank you.”
A few minutes later, refreshed and dressed in the camo pants and jacket—it’s a bit tight, actually, and strains over my generous breasts, I feel new. Reborn. Even the usual pain in my leg is lighter. The trousers hide the ugly scars and slight twist of the bone, the shift of the kneecap, the ragged burned flesh on the calf, are hidden from view. Only my limp betrays my history.
Tarek
“Distance update?” Drayk stands at my shoulder, viewing the screens.
“One planet rotation to Zandian airspace at light speed. No anticipated issues. The Crellix asteroid cluster is in waning phase, and I can guide us through it without a problem.” I point to the belt on my holo monitor, my mind-link showing me where to tap so he can see it with his eyes. “We’ll stay on auto for the next few hours, and I only need to handle it if we run into an issue.”
“Good.” He sits down in his padded nav chair and swivels to face me. “How are the humans?”
“Jass has the younger one sedated for healing, as Dr. Daneth suggested via holo. Luckily her nursemaid, Zina, agreed.”
“Easier that way.” He nods. “But Zina didn’t wish to rest?”
I like the way her name sounds on my tongue. Zina. “Apparently not.” I resist the urge to turn my head toward the corridor that heads to the med pod. “Perhaps we can question her and learn more about Enya’s history. It will be helpful to Dr. Daneth once she arrives, and of course to her mother.”
I hold my breath. The truth is that although I believe what I just said, I want merely to spend time in Zina’s presence. Sense her. Smell her. Touch her.
“We can set up a holo conference with Dr. Daneth.”
“Set it up.”
I nod to a crew member to bring her, and when she arrives, my whole body tingles at her proximity. “Greetings.” I raise my hand, but stop short of touching her. I point her to a chair beside me and the captain.
“Zina, we’d like to ask you some questions.” The captain’s voice is strong, and I sense Zina shrink back in her chair, as if she’s afraid.