Redemption

Chapter Seven

The Alien went into the cell unarmed as he brought some food and water. After he had made sure that the Marine was still breathing, he left the cell. Shortly, before he sent the door shut behind himself he took another long look.

The Chig made sure that the door was securely locked before he returned to the guardroom. On his way there he happened to look into one of the other cells. The two Marines they had captured last were huddled together in the far corner of their cell, whispering with each other. The Chig was surprised and somewhat fascinated by the sight of it.

How come that humans, seemingly not related by family could become that close to each other, he thought and shook his helmeted head. They were different, those humans. He couldn't understand that they liked to touch and caress each other despite their unbearable smell.

I can remember ... parts of it anyway. But I still don't know who I am?! My head hurts and from what I have been able to detect I have several broken ribs and obviously, I also got hit on my head but despite that I can consider myself lucky that I'm still alive.

The silicate had been here again, talking about this shit that I don't owe the Marine Corps nothin'. Hah, I owe them a lot, I hope so anyway. But I guess I'm right and this AI is wrong. I had dreams again last night. About Nathan and Cooper ... AH, I wish I could remember more ...

I hear them coming again ...The door opens and some food is shoved into the room.

The Chigs never gave me something to eat while I was awake and this change in routine makes me nervous. Suddenly, I hear the unmistakable CPU sound of silicates and I know that they are coming for me. For the first time in weeks I'm clearheaded but I still don't know what they want from me. They take me to the interrogation room again and I'm careful to notice everything on the way there.

Elroy puts me on the table again and I feel the pain shooting through my leg all the way up to my brain as he snaps the metal clasp around my ankle.

NOOO! The pain, it's killing me ... Someone has to make them stop!! Why are they doing that to me? Please, God, make it stop!!!!

"Jeez," Vanessa whispered and closed her eyes for a short moment. Pain shot through her left arm and she clenched her teeth.

Shane was examining the burn marks on her arm, carefully cleaning them with the small supply of water a Chig had given them.

"It's almost over, 'Phousse," Shane said and sat back. Wearily, the young CO rubbed her eyes and stretched her muscles awkwardly.

"What do you think, Vanessa? Why did they put us into one cell? Are they playing their little game again?" Shane inquired.

Vanessa moved uncomfortably and creased her nose.

"I don't know. It's weird they didn't say a word when they shoved me in here," Vanessa replied. "Did they ... ask you about our encounter with the Chig in the cave?"

Shane nodded.

"Yeah, Elroy asked me again and again what this Chiggy told us, whatever that means ..."

"I've thought about this, Shane. When Coop gave the Chig his comic, it put something into his hand, do you remember? And gave off a series of small, almost pleading sounds ..."

"But it was just mud, 'Phousse. If there had been something special about it Coop would have noticed ..."

"You're right," Vanessa said and put her head against the wall behind her. They were silent for long moments, both women deeply engrossed with their own thoughts.

"Shane?"

"Mmh ..." Vansen mumbled and looked up.

"Do you think they're looking for us?"

"Of course, Nathan saw where we went down, I just hope they got to the 'Toga in one piece ..." Shane said slowly. Had Nathan and the others made it back to the 'Toga safely? She didn't know. Ever since the Chigs had taken her and 'Phousse prisoner she had asked herself that again and again. She didn't even know what day it was but she estimated that almost four to five weeks had passed since their fateful mission 'Homeward Bound'. Given that time, the SAR teams must have found the disabled cockpit by now but why didn't they sent a rescue team?

"You know, what strikes me as unusual is that the Chiggies have given us some water and food. The last time we weren't given anything, they just watched us like guinea pigs ..." Vanessa broke off as they heard footsteps coming from the corridor.

The hatch to the cell was opened and Felicity stepped in.

"Vansen, it's your turn!" she said and dragged Shane out of the cell.