Quanila
*Chapter 2*
by Lydja-chan
******
BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP Quanila reached over to shut the alarm off but only succeeded in rolling off the bunk. She crawled over to her desk and with a final lunge captured the offending device. She shut the siren off and studied the digits for a long stupefied moment. "AAHHHHH!!!"
"Noah there... keep it down. People are trying to die over here." A drowsy Chipie mumbled from underneath the covers.
"I'm gonna be late... I'm gonna be late..." Quanila stopped her frantic running around the room, "I'm...I'm gonna be sick." and raced to the bathroom. When she returned she was toweling off from what must have been the galaxy's fastest shower. She threw on a clean shipsuit, grabbed her portable data pad, a hair tie and was out the door.
Chipie peaked out from the covers in time to see the door close, grumbled something unintelligible and appeared to roll over and go back to sleep. Minutes later she got out of bed and prepared for her duty shift. Though at a much reduced pace than her recently departed companion.
******
Quanila raced down the corridor to the lift, hopping from foot to foot when it seemed that it would never get to her floor. When it finally did arrive she bowled over the two people who were trying to exit and shut the door on their heals.
During the short assent she combed her fingers through her damp hair and started to pleat it. She was just tying off the braid when doors opened onto the floor she wanted. Quanila checked her data pad for the time and saw that she had made it, just barely. She went to the second door and placed her hand on the scanner. After her presence had been authorized the door slide back to reveal a small lobby with two chairs to the side. As soon as she entered she heard the captain's voice say 'Come through.' Quanila took one steadying breath and then walked into the captain's office.
"State your business." the captain said without looking up from the data console he was examining.
"Second Chief Medical Officer Quanila Felan, requesting approval and recommendation for my Slave Dept Payment Completion and Freedom Request application. Sir." she stated as she stood at attention, feet together and arms at sides. Then she bowed crossing her right arm to her chest.
The captain scowled at her lowered head but changed to a delighted smile when Quanila returned to attention and he recognized who was speaking to him. "You're one of the dancers from last night, ne?
Quanila blushed furiously, "Hai."
The captain was pleased and leaned back in his chair. "Did you like the Rangalian Rum I sent you?"
"Hai, very much sir." She said with a little too much enthusiasm because she was trying to cover up her nervousness.
"I was disappointed not to see you or your partner afterwards. I was hoping that you share your talents with me." He leaned forward and put his chin on his propped up fist. All the while eyeing her steadily.
Quan was now fidgeting and trying to stammer out an explanation. "Gomen. Sir. I, uh... my species does not handle alcohol very well and uh... I had already had four glasses of ale so well after... my partner had been having her fair share of fun as well... so after the rum I decided we should... go before we did anything.... well..uh... foolish." Quanila hid her face in her hand and began shaking her head back and forth.
The captain however was thoroughly enjoying her explanation. He laughed heartily when she finally finished. "Well understood. Well understood." After a few more chuckles the captain settled down. "Ah... Now to the business at hand. Your application." Quanila quickly handed it over. "Let's see what we got here." He began reviewing the document, occasionally making comments outloud. "Initial training debt.... 20 years service.... advancements..." he looked at Quanila from beneath arched brows. "You saved the previous captain's life on two occasions?" she nodded. "hmm... very impressive. All that plus modifications to regen tanks that have made them 20% more efficient." He placed the pad on his desk. "I see no problems here. I will gladly approve your request and add to it my recommendation."
Quanila was ecstatic. It took all her will power to keep from jumping up and down with joy. She was so enthralled that she nearly missed what the captain was saying to her.
"... after this mission."
"Mission sir?"
The captain sighed. "Yes, the Sayian ship we are meeting in two days lost its medical section to a hull breach. They were clearing a world that had some spatial defenses and were caught unprepared." The captain's face twisted with obvious disdain for such carelessness. "The ship was repaired at a nearby station and heading back to their home planet when their mission orders were changed. So now they need a new medical team." The captain rose, came around his desk and stood in front of Quanila, looking up into her eyes. "I was worried about who to send but after reviewing your credentials I know that you're the right one for the job. Sayians are a rough bunch, your supervisor would have never been able to handle them. But You! Being a battle medic and also having superb technical abilities won't have any problem."
Quanila was stunned. It seemed like she was being put on a pedestal for the convince of a better shot. "But.. sir..."
She was cut off. "Oh don't worry. I'm not sending you in there alone. Let's see.... three in addition to yourself should be plenty for a ten-month mission. I'm depending on you to take care of your team and watch out for yourself as well. Ahh. Don't worry about it." He said cheerfully and patted her on the back. "Just think, when you get back you'll be a free Federated Worlds citizen with a nice little bonus to boot." As he talked he maneuvered her towards the door. "So pick your team, pack up and be ready to ship out in approximately 48 hours." The captain gave Quan a final gentle nudge out the door and once she was through closed it behind her.
******
"Hey there sweet stuff. How about some more for your favorite guy, huh?"
Chipie pointed at him with her spoon. "You, are hardly my favorite. So shove off Tran." She waved him along the line, and he went with a small chuckle. He was instantly replaced by another solider, who was beaming with a charming smile. Chipie graced him with a small scowl as she served him. "And you too, Macoy."
"Aww... Chipie. Just trying to be friendly." His voice became suggestive. "A guy can try can't he?"
Chipie leaned across the counter, traced his nose with her forefinger, from bridge to tip. She brought her face close to his. "O yes he can try. But that doesn't mean it'll get him anywhere." With that she covered his face with her hand and pushed him back, rather forcefully.
He was caught off guard and barely saved his food from falling on the floor. "Heartless wench." he growled, as he made his way back into the line.
Chipie just responded with a big smile. She began to return her attention to serving the rest of the line when she saw Quanila enter the mess hall. Chipie called over one of her assistants to take her place and went over to meet Quan. "Hey hun..." Chipie started but immediately stopped when she saw the look on her friend's face. "Your look like your whole world has just been destroyed."
"It has." Quanila said stonely.
"Nani!? Wait, I think we better sit down for this one." Chipie guided her over to a free table in the corner. "Now," she said after she forced Quan to sit down and took the seat across from her. "Was your request refused?"
"No."
"I'm confused. I though that's what you wanted. "
"It is."
"Then what's wrong honey?" Chipie took Quanila's hands into her own.
The simple gesture woke Quan from her daze. The stone mask she was wearing over her emotions cracked and she broke down in tears. "Oh, Chip... I've... I've been reassigned." Quanila tried to say more but was overwhelmed and could do nothing but cry.
Chipie came around and cradled her head. Petting her and speaking softly as sobs racked Quanila's body. "Shh... everything's going to be o.k." Chipie put her finger under Quan's chin and forced her to look into her eyes. "Listen. No matter what happens, where you go, or the distance between us some things will never change. You will always be my best friend and I will always love you. Now why don't you go back home, take a shower, a nap, whatever. Just relax. My shift will be over in about 6 hours. When I get done we'll talk. o.k.?" Quanila nodded. "Look, I hate to leave you but I really have to get back to work." They stood and gave each other a warm hug. "You gonna be o.k.?"
"Yeah, thanks Chipie."
"Don't worry about it. Just take it easy for right now." She gave Quan a gentle shove towards the door, waited till she had left the mess hall and then went back to work with a small shake of her head.
******
Quanila was throwing her clothes into a travel pack, forcefully. Despite her efforts she couldn't bring herself to calm down and relax. Approximately three hours after she returned to her room Quanila was past despair, beyond emotional fatigue and was now just plain mad. "Send me on a..." she tossed a chipset into the bag, "...uncivilized.." then stuffed a dress, "...monkey-infested..." a sock, "...Sayian..." tried to close the zipper, "...Junk heap..." threw the bag on the floor, "...HOW DARE THEY!!!" and gave it a final stomp.
The door chimed, she didn't bother to turn around. "COME IN." Quan called out and heard the door swish open. "Chipie, can you believe it? I've been transferred to a Sayian ship. Six months till emancipation and I'm posted on a ship with smug, empty headed..." Quan turned around and found that she wasn't speaking to Chipie. "...brutes." she finished in a whisper.
"Tankul" he said as he entered her quarters, a smug twist on his lips.
"Tankul" she repeated quietly. Then she saw his tail unwrap from around his waist and start swinging back and forth behind him. That reminded her of who this man actually was. "You!!" She snapped. "What are you doing here?!"
He crossed his arms and smiled. "I'm here to debrief you on the protocols of a Sayian ship. The way you act you'll get yourself killed in less than a week. We Sayians are after all... how you say ... brutes."
Quanila's eyes were still sparkling with anger but she was smart enough to realize that she wasn't in a position to do anything about it. This man was no longer a patient or even an ordinary solider. He was her clear superior and, given her current situation, the key to her survival. Suddenly, the puzzle pieces from her previous encounters with him fell together and she understood that he saw her as a slave and nothing more. Apparently in his culture talents and abilities meant nothing. You were who your label and status said you were. It was disheartening realization and she wasn't sure if she could adjust. Yes, she had been a slave almost her entire life but that meant something different in King Cold's empire. Nearly everyone was a slave. It just meant that you had to serve until you proved yourself worthy of freedom. It was the price that every planet paid for protection or disobedience. A portion of their people would become slaves for the Cold family's kingdom. It didn't keep her from advancements or privileges. In fact she lived a very good life and had thus far survived its dangers. Ok fleabag Quanila thought if that's how it's going to be. I'll play it your way. But you'll pay for this. I promise. She saw Tankul narrow his eyes suspiciously and it gave her the odd feeling that he had heard her. She shook it off and prepared herself for her new role. Quanila swallowed her pride and became the med-tech slave he expected.
"Gomen, sir." Quanila said in a meek voice as she bowed low to him. "Would you prefer to continue this meeting here or would you like to go to a conference room?" She could feel his eyes borring into the top of his head. Finally he stepped to the side, not an easy feat given his big frame, indicating that she should lead the way.
******
Ugh. Again she backs down. I was sure I'd get a good fight out of her. Tankul fumed as he walked behind the medic. She's wouldn't let him see her eyes when she stepped aside to let him into the lift first. A shame because he noticed the way they sparkled when she had been mad at him in the med-bay. He liked it. However since he was now behind her he noticed a few other aspects he could appreciate. She was tall and slim, easily mistaken as weak, but he could see the well-proportioned muscles beneath her close fitting shipsuit. The black stripe that started at the tip of her nose, ran through her hair, obviously down her spine, not stopping till it reached the end of her long tail.
He could tell that she was still furious. The body language was obvious to read. Bristled tail that kept twitching back and forth. The large ears at the top of her head were flattened and angled slightly back in his direction. Wearing no boots, but instead walking gracefully on the balls of her feet, ready to spring out of harm's way.
Surprised at his interest in this female Tankul started to wonder through his thoughts. He had been on away missions for a long time now. In fact it had been nearly six years since he had set foot on his native planet. He was just entering his fourth decade, reaching his prime as a fighter. Though he doubted he would ever go beyond his third-class status. He had not yet taken a mate, nor was likely to win one, or commissioned an heir from the gene banks. He preferred to do things the old fashioned way. Speaking of which that had been a while ago as well.
The medic, What had the captain said her name was? Oh yes, Quanila Felan, how absurd having two names, put her hand on the door scanner and once again stepped to the side, eyes downcast, to allow him to enter first. He took a seat at the conference table, she entered and stood at attention until he motioned that she was to have a seat.
Tankul fetched a data pad from within his armor and tossed is over to her. "Standard operating procedures for Sayian ships. You are expected to brief the other members of your team." Quanila nodded as she began to scan the material. "The captain has informed me that he would greatly appreciate it if you returned from this mission alive. The female cocked an eyebrow and stared at him from underneath her bangs. "So I'm here to let you know how to survive."
Quanila put the pad down, folded her hands on the table and looked him steadily in the eye. He had her undivided attention. "One. As head med-tech you will be allowed to talk to the first officer. Never approach the captain. Your assistants are not to talk to the crew unless spoken to. Two. Sayians are often involved in fights that result in serious injury or death. You are not to interfere. You may only treat a patient if they are brought to you or permission is granted. Three. Keep that tucked around your waist.
*****
Tankul was pointing past her. Confused Quan looked behind her but saw nothing. When she returned her gave to him Tankul was rolling his eyes.
"Your tail, baka."
Quanila brought her tail in front of her and began to play with the tip. It was something she often did when curious or thinking. "What's wrong with a tail? You have one." She saw a hint of color flash across his cheeks.
"Uhh… well… In Sayian culture it is the height of rudeness to finger one's tail in public."
"Oh." Quanila immediately stopped playing with her tail.
Tankul continued. "Sayian's are very sensitive about tails. Above all never touch or amputate a tail, even if it means saving a life. Your only reward will be your own death."
Quanila's interest was peaked, she leaned back in her chair and was about to start playing with her tail again. She consciously reprimanded herself not to. She wondered if there was a physical basis behind the taboo. "Really, hmm… interesting. Do you have any files on Sayian physiology that I could have access to?"
"Nani? Physiology?" Tankul sounded as if he thought she was suddenly speaking another language.
"Yes. Information on body structure, internal organs, hormonal chemicals, disease vulnerabilities, maybe even some autopsy file. A basic understanding of how the Sayian body works."
"How idiotic. If your body works it works. If something's you fix it or you die. Why do you care anyway? All you have to do is get them to a regen tank." Tankul dismissed the notion that there was anything more with a flick of his hand.
Quanila gave a long-suffering sigh. She had had to explain this to many officers in the past. "Sir, as I was told as a cadet in medical training 'You have to get them to a tank first.' Knowing the makeup of a body helps me do that. In separate species vital organs are in different locations. In an emergency situation a technique that could save a Drakin may kill a Sayian."
Tankul humphed "I doubt anything you could do to a Sayian would kill them."
She tipped her hand to him, "Granted, but I'm positive Sayians are not indestructible. After all, if memory serves me, you were recently in need of my abilities." Tankul's disinterested mask quickly turned into a snarl with sharp canines showing. Woah girl, careful these guys are awfully touchy. Note to self: don't ever mention to one of these guys that they have weaknesses. "Ah…" she continued nervously, "Anyway is that that kind of data available?"
"How should I know. You can check for yourself once you get on the ship."
"Very well. Is there anything else that I should know, about body language or anything else? I don't wish to offend anyone with my tail."
Tankul stood to leave. "Just keep it around your waist and there'll be no problems."
Quanila bowed her head and mumbled something that she must of thought he wouldn't hear. "Should follow your own advice."
Tankul frowned when he realized that his own tail was down and swaying back and forth. It finally hit him why he had such an interest in this female. Reminding him about something that he should have remembered earlier. "One more thing," Quanila lifted her head to meet his gaze. "Watch yourself. It is, after all, a moon year." And with that cryptic remark he left.
******
Hi. ^_^* I would just like to thank DragonLady and jen for their encouragement to continue this story. I actually had this chapter finished long-hand for a while now. I only take the time to type things up when I get the feeling that people actually want to read it. It doesn't take much to keep me going but I do need something. I welcome all comments and suggestions and take them all very seriously. If you want to see my drawings of Quanila and Chipie they're at my site. (look in the Easel) Enough of my rantings. I hope you liked it and please comment. ^_^*