Reloaded 10/08/2005


2. Emma

Last part


Justin was already at the table when Sago came in. "Good morning", he said with his mouth full, "Kutall made pancakes. He and Triny started their shift already. Carlos and Kat just left. He's starting his day, she finished hers. Emma took breakfast and vanished back to the med unit. Zhane hasn't woken yet, or there wouldn't be any pancakes left"

Sago loaded his plate. "Hey, they're good!". He said after taking a bite.

"Dpn't you know your own buddy's cooking?" asked Justin quizzically.

"I know his field cooking. Ever tried making pancakes over a camp fire?"

"No. Than again, I burned the kitchen the one time I tried to make pancakes at all"

Zhane came in. "Don't stuff yourself", he advised Sago.

Sago looked at the amount of pancakes Zhane moved to his plate. "Look who's talking", he answered.

"I'm not the rookie"


Twenty minutes into the training session Zhane seemed positively surprised. "You're the first rookie I know who manages to keep his breakfast where it belongs", he said, "You were born to glide"

"I don't feel extra talented"

"Trust me, you are. C'mon, let's see if you can talk and glide simultaneously"


"My hands aren't fit for this", said Kutall

"Crap with no sauce", fired Triny, "If you can cook you can print. Give me that status report"

Kutall sighed and typed a few commands hesitantly. To his great surprise, the data rolled on the screen. "It's kind of like making a souffle", he said, "You try and fail a thousand times, and just when you're ready to give up you make it"

"If making a souffle was so simple I would have been a chef"

"If working out those panels was so simple I would have reached your level in a week"

"Don't exaggerate. I'm in the world-saving business for half my life -since I was sixteen"

"Not a short time"

"Not such a long one either"

The second report rolled on.

"Batch the thing", said Triny.

"Must I?"

"No, but there are lots status reports to print, and if you don't batch them you'll miss the coffee break"

"There's a coffee break?"

"There're cookies"


"Congratulations!", cried Zhane, "That's what I call a fall!"

"Don't be so happy. Nothing even sprained"

"I would have said that it's due to my excellent teaching skills…"

"Yeah right", mutteredSago.

"…but it's much more likely that you're damn lucky"

"I'm also damn thirsty"

There was a large container just outside the simulator. It contained a transparent, salty-sweet fluid, which was surprisingly tasty. After a few glassfulls, Sago asked what it was.

"Physo-Pro. Almost everything your body needs. There's a container outside every training facility". He re-filled their glasses. "That's what we've got till lunch"


"About time", said Sago when we walked into ops halfway into the morning shift, "I'm more bruised than I was when we got here"

"Not a bit surprised", said Triny, "How are you doing in there, Kutall?"

There was a loud noise of body against metal and Kutall popped out of a service tunnel, his cheek cut. "I'm beginning to figure this out", he said, "but it's cramped in there"

"Are you done with section five yet?"

"Will be in a minute"

"Fine. Get yourself a coffee, Sago, and let's get started"


The door beeped. "Come in", said Emma.

Kutall came in, carrying a large covered tray and a cold box. "I thought you might want company for lunch"

"That's so sweet of you. Oh, you brought three plates. Is Sago coming too?"

"He'll be here soon enough. You can start eating though. I have a feeling you ate nothing since breakfast"

"I had some granola at maybe ten o'clock, but I really was busy most of the morning. The medications I use have to be fresh"

"My point exactly". He handed her a full bowl and took one himself.

"How did you get along with Triny?" asked Emma after a while, "She can be stern at times"

"She has a golden heart underneath a steely appearance. She's having a harder time with Sago. I think she's trying to re-educate him. Educating my six-years-old nephews and niece is almost impossible and I should think that re-educating Sago would be even harder"

"I used to be an aunti myself", said Emma after a very long pause, "And I'll testify that uncles and aunts are worse educators than grandparents"

"My sister used to agree with you, but her husband handed the kittens to me when she died"

"How did she die?"

"She died shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Estee"

"I'm sorry"

"It's alright". He waited a moment, then asked: "You said you used to be an aunt?"

"My niece was killed"

"I'm sorry"

"It's war: people die, even kids". She shrugged. "Sometimes i'm glad I don't have kids yet"

"You'll have kids one day, when the war is over. You still have time, don't you?"

"Yes, i'm just 22. There's still time", she said, but still she looked distant and said. Kutall was at a loss, but was saved by Sago's timely appearance.

"I'm starved", said Sago, crashing down on a chair. Kutall handed him a full bowl. "How's Mushra?" asked Sago between mouthfuls of chicken and rice.

"Getting better. He might stabilize by the end of the day, but between Mushrambo and Shiera I won't swear over it"

Sago noticed that her voice quivered slightly when she mentioned Shiera. "She didn't attack him because he's Enterran", he said, "Kutall and I weren't harmed more than you lot. What could she possibly have against him?"

"Even those closest to her don't always understand her motives. She's seldom understood and seldom wrong"

"She was wrong about Mushra", said Kutall.

"Or perhaps you think otherwise?" asked Sago, his eyes narrowing.

Emma was silent for a long moment, but when she answered her voice was decisive and strong. "I'm a healer. He's injured and he needs my help. I will not make judgment before he's well"

"And not as a healer – what do you think?", questioned Sago.

"Not as a healer?", repeated Emma, "I don't want to think not as a healer. His face is innocent. I'd like to believe him innocent, too"

"And what do you believe?" asked Kutall.

Emma didn't answer.

They're not that similar, thought Sago. Emma is no child, and her strength isn't buried so deeply.

"Let it go, Kutall", he said, "She'll take good care of him. Let's talk of other stuff"

They ate more than talked. Finally Emma checked her watch. "As much as I enjoy you company, there's still half the break to go and I…"

"Need to get back to work", finished Kutall, loading everything back to the tray, "Will you help me with the dishes, Sago?"


Sago checked the kitchen cupboards while Kutall put the dishes in the washer. "What are you looking for?". He asked finally.

"A drink"

"Check the refrigerator"

"Not that kind of a drink"

"You're not going to find any. I asked Kat for some cognac for the sauce, and she said that all the alcoholic drinks are locked somewhere"

"Where?"

"Ask Triny. She wouldn't tell me though"

"I wonder…" thought Sago loudly.

"Sago", interrupted Kutall.

"Yes?"

"Before, when we were interrogating Emma. Why did you cut it off?"

"Noticed how her voice quivered when she mention Shiera's name?"

"No"

"I thought that interrogating her might reveal something interesting, but than I realized that direct questioning won't get us anywhere. The similarity between her and Yakumo is misleading. Emma is much more sophisticated"

"She's not that much older, though. Barely over 20"

"When did you discover that?"

"Before you came in. I also learned that she doesn't have kids, but she has a sister, probably older than her, who has one child who was killed in the war"

"If she doesn't have a boyfriend or a husband we're back to square one. Unless – the sister?"

"Worth checking"

"Later though. I'm dying for a shower. Want to meet at the second half of the shift in the simulators?"

"I actually intended to go the simulators on the first half, and make dinner on the second"

"See you at dinner than"


"Justin is lengthening his break", said Zhane when Sago came into ops, "Sure as hell deserves it. He's in here three time longer than he should"

"So why is he still here?"

"Officially, Tommy wants him on intel. Unofficially, Tommy is still acting like Justin is eleven. There's seven years between them, and Tommy is very protective"

"Not discussing my age, are you?", asked Justin who just came in, "This is so unfair. Emma is younger than I am, and nobody's speaking of her age. Get your feet of the panel and load the satellites data, Zhane"

"I can work the panel with my feet", said Zhane enthusiastically, "Wanna see?"

"Everyone knows your mamma was an ape, it's no secret"

"Party killer", blamed Zhane. He slid on his chair to a different panel and set to work. "Want to know what Ryuma had for breakfast, Justin?"

"Some other time, maybe"

"How about you, Sago?"

"Only if it was his last meal"

"That's the spirit! You know what a satellite is?"

"No"

"What did Triny let you do for half a shift? Clean the floor with a toothbrush?"

"Whatever is was, I bet you she left an orderly record", said Justin.

"Where?"

"Where shift records are supposed to be". He got into the command sphere. "Will you manage?"

"We'll interrupt you if not"

"Had a feeling you'll say that". He closed the bubble and it spiraled upwards.

"Let's learn some geography", said Zhane, "Or you'll make nothing of the satellite data"


Kutall hummed to himself while cooking. He covered the large dough ball and put it somewhere warm, where it would swell. Nothing like the smell of fresh yeast dough. He checked on the cookies. Ready. Where's that box? He opened the oven, pulled the tray out and put in another batch.

Carlos came in, smeared with grease. He halted. "I forgot you're here", he said, "I didn't want to interrupt"

"Nonsense. The cookies are still too hot, though"

"I'm not hungry"

"There's always room for a little snack". He poured a ladleful of sauce into a plate and added some potatoes and slices of beef. "There you go. Do you think that the roast is too hot?"

"I don't think it's hot at all"

"I can't stand spicy food, so I usually don't make it spicy enough. My only drawback as a chef, if I may say so myself"

"I suppose it's better than the other way around. Adding pepper to one's plate is easy enough"

"Oh no! The food must cook with all the spices or it won't blend properly!"

"I'm not going to mess with your dished, relax"

"You'd better", growled Kutall, "Not hungry, eh?". Carlos's plate was shining.

"I suppose I didn't notice", chuckled Carlos, "What about those cookies? The smell is driving me nuts"

"I think they chilled enough". Kutall arranged two small plates. He handed one to Carlos and packed the other in a hit-saving coating.
"Who's that for?"

"I thought I might pamper Emma with some cookies and coffee"

"She doesn't like coffee". Carlos got up and surveyed the shelves. "There you go: her favorite herb tee. No sugar and no milk"

"Thank you"

"She deserves to be pampered". He headed out of the kitchen.

"Wait a minute", said Kutall. He quickly sliced some bread and packed it with some salad and cheese. "There you go"

"Thanks. Hi, the bread is fresh!"

"What did you expect?", asked Kutall proudly.

"You're nuts", said Carlos, "But in a good way"


Emma seemed somewhat surprised when Kutall came in. "Nothing's changed in the last hours", she said.

"The cookies are fresh", said Kutall, "And I brought you some tea, too"

"How did you know which one is my favorite?"

"Carlos told me"

"Did he?". Kutall couldn't possible fathom her expression. "You get along well?"

"I take him as the proof that humans and Enterrans can settle their differences"

Emma's brows shot upwards.

"It seems that the best way to befriend members of both species is over a good meal", explained Kutall.

"I'd say that proves that the two species are similar, and that's not good considering humans tried to kill each other for most of our history"

"But you got along in the end, right?"

"Yes. Than the meteor landed"

She seemed grieving, and Kutall hurriedly changed the subject.

"How's he doing?"

"Getting better, but I told you nothing changed for the last hours"

"How long will he remain unconscious?"

"I'm not sure. There's something about him I don't understand"

"What is it?"

"I don't understand it, right?"

"But he will heal, right?"

"He still has much strength left"

Kutall didn't ask any further. "I need to tidy up the kitchen", he said finally.

"The less-nice part of cooking"

"I'm quite glad I have a kitchen to tidy. I cooked on nothing but camp fires ever since I joined Yakumo's quest to Shinzo"

"Shinzo?"

"You're familiar with the name?"

"It's a name from a legend"

"Justin mentioned an exit base to Shinzo"

"The name is used in military codes. Shinzo itself is nothing but a myth though"


"That's what she said?" Sago shook his head, "I wouldn't believe her quite so fast"

"She's full of mystery", admitted Kutall.

"And this Carlos-Emma thing"

"Perhaps they're just old friends"

"All those humans are old friends"

"I'll stick with my idea, unless you have a better one"

"I don't. I'll work on Emma"

"She's a tricky one"

"That's not what I meant. She's… She's all gaps. I want to get to know her better"

"Very interesting", yawned Kutall.

"I'm tired too", said Sago, "But with all I have to think about I don't know if I'll even fall asleep"


Someone was covering her with a blanket. Emma half-opened her eyes. "Sago?", she asked numbly.

"Get back to sleep", he told her.

"I don't remember getting to the couch", she said, "Did you put me here?"

"Yes. Did you fall asleep by the distillery last night as well?"

"No", she yawned, "He passed the crisis tonight"

"When did you fall asleep"

"Two, maybe three. I'm not sure. What time is it, anyway?'

"Quarter past five"

"What are you doing up?"

"Woke up with Kutall. You really do need to get back to sleep"

"I can't. I woke up already"

"Maybe I shouldn't have moved you"

"You did right. My neck is stiff enough"

He made up his mind. "Get a shower", he said, "I'm bringing you breakfast to bed"

"Sago…"

"No buts"

"Did you say anything about Mushra having a crisis?" he asked as they sat around muffins and tea.

"Yes. He had very high temperature. He was calling to Yakumo, telling her he was sorry"

"What for?"

"I was hoping you'll tell me. I have to admit I'm much calmer now that he's had a crisis. Fever is a classical Venom symptom. It means Mushra is fighting the poisoning"

"You don't look calmer"

"It took hours. He gave me quite a worry"

"Pity you don't drink coffee"

"I have to keep my hands stable, so I can't drink coffee. I suppose that's why I consume too much cinnamon"

"Cinnamon wakes you up?"

"For some people, it's better than coffee"

"I didn't know that"

"Some healers use spices as their sole medications"

"And it works?"

"For certain problems". She massaged her neck.

"Is it still stiff?", he asked.

"A little"

"Will you let me check it?"

"It's ok, really"

"Really really?"

"Oh well… You're not going to let it pass, won't you?". She moved her hair aside. He set next to her on the couch.

Her muscles were smooth and flexible, and they responded to his light touch, but he could feel how brittle and thin her bones were. Has she suffered a major childhood illness? He wondered.

"Try now" he said after a few moment.

She moved her shoulders tentatively. "Much better", she said.

He got up. "I'll make some more tea for you, and then I have to go to the gliding simulator"

"Have fun", she said. "Oh, and Sago…", she added when he was by the door, "Thanks"