Spring came, the snow started to melt and with it came the end of Nu'Jab. His tank was running down on empty and I could tell he was starting to be effected. It was hard for him to get around and breath now.
I was back at my crash site with Nu'Jab. It took us a long time to get there but the walk but beautiful. All the new green coming in, spring flowers budding. It was ultimately what he wanted. He was sitting down heaving trying to catch his breath as I poked around the crash site.
"Nu'Jab, how long do you have? Please, I know you're close so just tell me so I can prepare." I said sitting down at the barren seats of the life boat.
"I...have a day left maybe a bit more." He said after a bit of silence. His word weighted heavy on me. I already knew it was going to be soon but to for sure know...
"Do you have anything special you want to do or have done?" I asked keeping my feelings from showing.
"Not really. Just do what you want with my body when I'm gone. As far as today, can't we just relax?" He said. I got up and walked to sit beside him on the ground just outside.
"Yeah, we can do that. So is there anything on your mind?" I asked.
"That I'm just lucky." He said.
"How?" I laughed.
"I have lived more than the average Grunt does in the Covenant. I have lived in more liberty than my people have for countless generations. Then I got to meet you and you have treated me better than any other has. Although I don't have much more time left I have been lucky. My only sad thought is leaving you behind all alone." Nu'Jab said and from the corner of his eye I saw a single tear roll from his eye. But by the way his eye had crinkled I knew he was smiling so I smiled back.
"I was lucky to find you. You're kind, if going by you is a good choice, is a friendly bunch. I'll miss you so terribly when you are gone Nu'Jab." I said choking back tears.
"How long do humans live for?" He asked.
"With modern technology we can live up to 120 easily but... Out here I'll love until I'm 90. That's if I don't get an illness or get killed. That could be around 70 years from now." I explained looking up to the sky.
"That's a very long time to be alone. I'm sorry. I wish I could find another tank or refuel mine." He said.
"I wish you could too but you have nothing to be sorry for. This was the hand you were dealt with. We're both just going to have to accept it and hope to see one another again on the other side." I leaned my head against the side of the life boat and closed my eyes. My heart was slowly caving in it felt like. I was given hope of not being left here alone all my life only to now see it slowly die. How cruel the universe could be to those who didn't deserve it.
"You...think there is another side?" He asked trembling in voice.
"Of course there is this wasn't a giant mistake! We were all put here by something and left to life and discover the way we see fit. Like a giant zoo of some cosmic being who was bored or something. Everything happens for a reason. " I said and the terrible thing was I was convincing myself just as much as I was him. My faith was always shaky but now with my friends dying I felt the need to believe for the both of us.
"Really? Then maybe this isn't so bad. I'll be waiting for you on the other side then. Then we can talk all about everything without embarrassment or fear." He sighed leaning against me.
"I look forward to it but it's against my moral to kill myself. I've already tried before." I said apologetically.
"I wouldn't ever ask you to take your own life like that. When did you try?" He asked.
"Before landing on this planet back on the Pillar. I didn't want to suffer at the hand of the covenant so I thought about killing myself. However, I couldn't do it and ended up finding a life boat to use." I dryly chuckled.
"Maybe you were right, maybe this all happened for a reason! I just wish there was a way to stop the slaughter of your people. Being away from this war and with you has made me realize that I don't agree to the reason for it. Sure I don't know exactly what that reason is but I know that it's idiotic. If an Ungoy can figure that out why can't the rest of them do so?" He came to the conclusion.
"Because fear is easy to manipulate. Change is easy to ignore and understanding doesn't come easy. If the situation different odds are is that we would've been fighting against each other. No feelings of friendship would pass our minds as we gunned each other down." I sighed.
"That is so sad. I can't think about killing you know that I know you." He exclaimed.
"Nor can I but that's just the way things are for now. Until one of us are whipped out or the higher ups finally come to terms with each other." I agreed.
"I'm glad I didn't die fighting for something stupid like that. I just wish my fellow Ungoy had the opportunity to be free of it as I have." He huffed.
"I wish my people didn't feel the need to fight too. Even before your kind attacked we were fighting with each other. It seems like that's all we have ever done. It's always over silly shit. If we are able to colonize different planets I don't see why the Rebels couldn't find a new planet to live on? Honestly there is enough room in the universe for everyone to have some space." I grumbled.
"Sounds too simple to be taken seriously. Besides, it's never been about space. It's always been about being right and everyone agreeing." Nu'Jab chuckled.
"Amen brother preach it to me!" I shouted throwing my hands up to the air. We both broke out into a lighter that left me in tears and Nu'Jab coughing. We stayed in silence after calming down and watched the clouds pass us by. Eventually we started pointing them out and declaring what they looked like to us.
When the sun started to set we walked back to the shelter where I let Nu'Jab sleep in my bed. All night I watched over him with a heavy feeling in my gut. I made him breakfast in bed and we talked casually. He then got out of bed and insisted he get out of the shelter.
He didn't make it far. Just to the side of the hill outside of the shelter. He sat down in the grass and laid down. He was laying down to die and I could hardly stand it. I sat looking away from him doing everything I could to quiet my sobs. I didn't want to make him feel bad on his death bed. He was being so strong about this all.
"It's okay Elizabeth...Its okay!" He said wrapping his arms weakly around my middle. I broke down and turned to wrap him up in a hug. "You can take my gas mask after I'm gone and wear it. You always said it was cool so...all you have to do is take off the pipe and close the valve." He said trying to make me feel better. Yet his voice was strained and when I looked down to his tank reading there was little doubt. It was past empty now, he had no more air.
"Okay. I will Nu'Jab! I will!" I sobbed whipping my eyes. He then took off his mask and ripped off the pipe before turning a metal clip in it. He showed me that the valve was closed and placed it in my hands. He was starting to struggle in his breathing. Yet he smiled at me and waved me away. "No! I'm going to be right here until your final moment!" I shook my head and grabbed his hand. His smile widen as tears streamed from his eyes. At first his chest just convulsed but soon he was full out suffocating. I watched as silently as my friend choked to death. His hand went still in mine. Then it stiffened and I knew, Nu'Jab the Ungoy was dead. My only friend on this planet was gone!