**Sorry to anyone who was waiting for me to update. I write little
increments at a time so this chapter took me a while, but I'm happy with
the results. And it's long! Whoo hoo! Also I am actually putting up the
profiles for Lao and Durga. They were in chapter 6 but more important in
this chapter...at least Lao. And as always enjoy!**
Singh laid Lao and Kujen gently on separate, white sterile beds. She looked down at their unconscious forms, lightly tinted blue by the overhead lights. She chuckled slightly at the fact that Kujen's skin hadn't changed color at all. She folded her large hands against her back, and began to search for some blankets. She found some soft, fleece blankets in an overhead cabinet and laid one over Kujen's body. She began to hum quietly as she moved over to Lao's bed. As she put the blanket over him and began to pull it up, she felt a hand touch her causing her to stop all of her activities. She gazed down at Lao's hand lightly draped over her own. She blushed slightly and started to pull her hand away from his, but he only griped it tighter, pressing her chilled hand deeper into his warm palm.
He tried to speak but only air escaped, his lips mouthing unidentifiable words. She blushed more at her foolishness, thinking he was coming on to her...he just needed something and had to get her attention. But she had to admit that she didn't mind holding the handsome man's hand. Singh leaned closer, trying to discern what Lao was trying to tell her. Still holding her hand tightly, he whispered weakly in her ear, "Are you an angel?" "Maybe an angel of death..."she thought sarcastically. But she had never been one who would ignore the needs of others...and had never been called and angel. She kissed his forehead gently, slipping easily into her caregiver mode. "Poor guy...Vega's punch has addled his brain." She didn't answer his question, and merely smiled. Maybe he did like her...no, no that couldn't be it.
She had loved twice and they had never returned her feelings. She pulled up a stool and sat, watching Lao drift back to sleep, still clasping his hand. She had loved a fellow Diran, Dacian but he had just ignored her, much more avid about training his apprentice Kori. And then she had liked Kujen. His ultimate loyalty to the ones he loved was appealing. Not to mention that he was a pretty good looking guy. But he had been cold to her as well, and his loyalty seemed to be more focused on Vega. But at least she had learned from before not to hold on too long after she had been ignored and rejected.
In her pain, she had sworn off men, yet here she was blushing at the closeness she was sharing with Lao. She immediately chalked it off to the long time since she had been touched by a guy, and nothing more. With that she got up and filled a washcloth with ice and placed it on his bruised and swollen face.
She touched his nose, and he flinched in pain despite being unconscious. She realized it must be broken, so she went about setting it, waking Lao in the process. He started to sit up from the pain, but Singh firmly held him to the bed. "Hold still or it will only hurt more!" she scolded. He obeyed mechanically, his eyes glazed from the pain. Singh made quick work of it, using a bone setting complex and placing two reinforced bandages across his nose. He let out the breath he had been holding, feeling somewhat better.
Singh smiled at the successful job and noticed that his eyes were focusing better. She looked at him and joked, "Do you still think I'm an angel?" She laughed to herself, expecting him to deny his pain induced rantings from before. But instead he stared her square in the face, with his brow furrowed in seriousness. "Yes." he breathed. She felt burning heat creep up her face as she pulled her hands over her shocked face. She suddenly felt sick. She let a single tear escape her eye as she turned and ran out of the room, with Lao looking confused.
***
I awoke slowly, making it a new day by my definition. I sat up, slouching forward eyes still half closed. "God I'm still tired..." I whined groggily. I pulled my cloak around my shoulders and leaned heavily against the wall. "I'll just rest a little while longer...not like I'm in any kind of hurry." I commented, oozing sarcasm. I hoped my captors could hear me, so they could suffer from my bad humor just like I was. I make a mental note to kick Jim for making fun of my jokes. I was funny dammit! Mel and Gilliam always laughed at them. I smiled outwardly, reassuring myself and my ego. Jim just didn't appreciate me.
The thought of Jim, naturally lead my train of thought to the welfare of everyone else. I'm not sure how long I had been here. Could they have gotten back already? I really hoped they had. If they saw I was gone, they'd come get me out of this stupid place. God I was lonely, I even was starting to miss Aisha! Well just starting too...but still!
I sighed, banging my head softly against the wall. I'd better get moving; otherwise I'd make no progress at all. I'm not sure if I was making any at all, but I had to try. I picked myself up, grunting harshly at the pain that shot up my spine. "That's what sleeping on metal gets you I guess...."I chuckled, unamused. So I began walking, just as I had seemed to be doing for quite some time now. Nowadays, my mind wanders more than my tired body. All I have is my thoughts in this endless déjà vu of steel. Like so may times before I reach a fork in the maze.
Ironically enough, I enjoy them. Instead of hating them from obscuring my path to freedom, they are the only thing keeping me sane. If I was to walk straight ahead forever, eventually my thoughts would become my reality and I as an external person would cease to exist. Maybe I was being somewhat extreme and melodramatic but that's the way I felt. It was these simple navigational decisions that focused my mind and calmed my anxieties.
I stopped at the break in the path. I looked at both choices for a few moments, explored each one briefly then ventured down the left branch. I grinned, almost giddy. I was now one step closer to whatever fate lay in front of me! I laughed at myself. I had a good feeling about this route, and ever hopefully I walked onwards.
***
Fain approached Vega's room and knocked quietly. "Fain"he announced. The door slid open to reveal a red-eyed super pissed Vega, wearing her night attire. "What do you want?!!"she growled. Fain merely began to enter, as she always let him, only to meet with an unexpected reaction. Vega violently pushed him, using both hands and putting the full weight of her anger into it. Fain, unbalanced stepped back awkwardly almost falling. He stood there a moment, with his hand on the wall, shocked at Vega's reaction and the fact that a mere human had been able to nearly topple him. He scowled, becoming angrier about what had happened.
Then he felt the slight pressure of his Nog's teeth on his torso, and turned to see dark muted red glow coming from its eyes. Immediately he stifled his growing rage. The glow reduced but did not fade entirely. How easily he forgot that is rage drove the Nog to kill whoever wronged or attacked him. He was somewhat peeved about what Vega had done, but he didn't want her dead. Instead he approached her calmly, removing his mask. A soft iridescent light shown out from where Fain had removed his mask, illuminating Vega's face. He stood there for a few moments until all of Vega's anger had been into Fain's swirled energy mass. She smiled blissfully and Fain reattached his mask then took her gently into his arms and carried her to bed.
She looked at him and murmured, "Thank you... you always make me feel better." With that she closed her eyes waiting to be tucked in. Fain obliged, pulling the smooth satin bed sheet over her. Then he took out his wooden Tul, a flute like instrument, and began to play a soothing and strange melody, composed by Thuum himself. She quickly fell into a comfortable sleep, and Fain put away the Tul. He looked in the child-like form of Vega, looking so contented.
He smiled at the fact that she was their hard ass leader yet she delighted at such a childish ritual. It was true though that no one but him but him knew this, and Fain was proud that she let him see her like this. He had initiated the first energy calming, but she had insisted on being tucked in, and when she found out he could make music she had wanted that as well. She often called him to her quarters to hear him play. She was the captain so he did as he was told, but eventually it had become a beautiful bond that had created a unique relationship between them.
Perhaps it was because that they had shared their true selves with each other and no one else in the crew knew. It was a treasured secret between friends...and he enjoyed it. He moved a lock of hair from her shoulder, wished her a silent goodnight and departed from her room.
***
Kujen awoke, slowly realizing he was in the sick bay and not his room. It took him a while to remember what had happened and why he was here. He rubbed the base of his neck, noticing two swollen bruises had formed there. He glared angrily at the sleeping Lao. "That stupid fucker did this to me." he growled quietly. He noticed Lao's injuries and hoped he had been the one to inflict them. He was about to call someone and ask them what exactly had gone down, but as he glanced at the clock over the intercom he realized it was the middle of the night and everyone would be asleep. He flopped back heavily onto the rigid bed, resigning to sleep here tonight.
Now that he was fully awake, not to mention pissed, he wouldn't be able to sleep. Tossing and turning he tried to find a comfortable spot, and in finding none he sat back up facing Lao. He watched the small man sleeping not more than five feet away from him. Despite his broken nose and obvious bruises he had a smile plastered on his unconscious face. "I wonder what he's so happy about."Kujen said irritated.
As if to answer his question, Lao hugged his pillow and smiling wider murmured, "...Singh...." Kujen's eyes widened momentarily. Was Singh the reason for this loser's goofy grin?!? Kujen could feel himself getting angrier. Aside from the injuries Lao had given him, which had made him less than happy, he just couldn't like the guy. He knew the type of person he was just from looking at him; he was an obnoxious, self centered, pretty boy. Plus the thought of him having Singh as a lover riled him somehow. She was like a sister to him and didn't want her getting hurt by some low-life play boy.
He thought Singh had liked him when they had first met but he had been wrong. Regardless, he wouldn't let the vulnerable girl fall into his thieving clutches. He clenched his fists tightly together to signify his resolve and determination to save her from Lao. He grinned broadly, reveling in the sheer ecstasy that a vow of loyalty had always given him. Yet even in all his new found joy, the biting pain of his fist vow came to the forefront of his mind. A younger man, foolishly in love, he'd promised to protect Emi...yet had failed to do so. That only made his resolve to succeed with Singh even stronger. He would make up for his lackings in the past.
His spirits suddenly downtrodden he sighed and lay back on the bed. He stared at the plain and pattern-less ceiling unable to fall asleep. Annoyed, he got up and went to the medicine cabinet. Glaring at himself in the mirror he opened it and pulled out the white bottle with a blue sticker on the top labeling it as a sedative. He opened it, quickly dolling out the required amount and chugging it down with a glass of water. With one final look at his depressed face in the mirror, he went back to bed and let the artificial sleep take over.
***
I continued walking down the left path I had chosen hours ago, and didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I mentally kicked myself for my stupid choice. I had been all optimistic and sure of my decision...only to inevitably fuck up. How like me. But I was also pretty damn good at taking my mistakes in stride and making it work out in the end, somehow. I only hope that this skill didn't fail me now.
I concluded that the best plan of action was to see this route through, making sure it was wrong before I abandoned it. Then I could always back track, and take the other fork seeing if that one would take me anywhere worth while. Pretty good logic for a man locked in a metal maze for days, eh?
So, satisfied with my plan of action I continued following the winding course, happy for once that there were no splits in this approach. If there had been it would have made things infinitely more difficult had I the need to backtrack. If only I hadn't gotten so sick, I could have used my other clothes now as breadcrumbs to mark my path if the occasion arose. So far it hadn't so I tried not to think about it too much, lest I jinx myself and have it happen.
I pushed on, furthering myself in my thoughts, covering more ground in this complex maze. I turned a corner once again, and came to...a dead end. Well shit. I approached it and tried to feel if there was any hidden door or button to free myself with but there was none. "Dammit!!!!!!"I yelled as I punched the solid metal in front of me. I had tried to remain calm, but I was frustrated and just wanted the fuck out.
I supposed now I'd just initiate my "brilliant" plan of backtracking. But now the thought crossed my no longer optimistic mind. What if the other path didn't go anywhere either?? I had ventured down every turn that was made available to me, narrowing down the exit to these two detours. Well I just had to try. Try to believe that it would all work out, these screwed up mental cases that had captured me would tire of their games, and I could go home to my strange family and get piss drunk. OH how nice that would be. With my somewhat weak new found resolve I began the laborious task of retracing my steps back to the fork I had passed hours ago. "Oh how I hope this is worth it..."
**Next time: Where's Durga? Gene meets an unexpected end and Kujen's declaration of war!! Also if anyone want to give me their emails I will email you when I update if that helps anyone...just let me know.**
Singh laid Lao and Kujen gently on separate, white sterile beds. She looked down at their unconscious forms, lightly tinted blue by the overhead lights. She chuckled slightly at the fact that Kujen's skin hadn't changed color at all. She folded her large hands against her back, and began to search for some blankets. She found some soft, fleece blankets in an overhead cabinet and laid one over Kujen's body. She began to hum quietly as she moved over to Lao's bed. As she put the blanket over him and began to pull it up, she felt a hand touch her causing her to stop all of her activities. She gazed down at Lao's hand lightly draped over her own. She blushed slightly and started to pull her hand away from his, but he only griped it tighter, pressing her chilled hand deeper into his warm palm.
He tried to speak but only air escaped, his lips mouthing unidentifiable words. She blushed more at her foolishness, thinking he was coming on to her...he just needed something and had to get her attention. But she had to admit that she didn't mind holding the handsome man's hand. Singh leaned closer, trying to discern what Lao was trying to tell her. Still holding her hand tightly, he whispered weakly in her ear, "Are you an angel?" "Maybe an angel of death..."she thought sarcastically. But she had never been one who would ignore the needs of others...and had never been called and angel. She kissed his forehead gently, slipping easily into her caregiver mode. "Poor guy...Vega's punch has addled his brain." She didn't answer his question, and merely smiled. Maybe he did like her...no, no that couldn't be it.
She had loved twice and they had never returned her feelings. She pulled up a stool and sat, watching Lao drift back to sleep, still clasping his hand. She had loved a fellow Diran, Dacian but he had just ignored her, much more avid about training his apprentice Kori. And then she had liked Kujen. His ultimate loyalty to the ones he loved was appealing. Not to mention that he was a pretty good looking guy. But he had been cold to her as well, and his loyalty seemed to be more focused on Vega. But at least she had learned from before not to hold on too long after she had been ignored and rejected.
In her pain, she had sworn off men, yet here she was blushing at the closeness she was sharing with Lao. She immediately chalked it off to the long time since she had been touched by a guy, and nothing more. With that she got up and filled a washcloth with ice and placed it on his bruised and swollen face.
She touched his nose, and he flinched in pain despite being unconscious. She realized it must be broken, so she went about setting it, waking Lao in the process. He started to sit up from the pain, but Singh firmly held him to the bed. "Hold still or it will only hurt more!" she scolded. He obeyed mechanically, his eyes glazed from the pain. Singh made quick work of it, using a bone setting complex and placing two reinforced bandages across his nose. He let out the breath he had been holding, feeling somewhat better.
Singh smiled at the successful job and noticed that his eyes were focusing better. She looked at him and joked, "Do you still think I'm an angel?" She laughed to herself, expecting him to deny his pain induced rantings from before. But instead he stared her square in the face, with his brow furrowed in seriousness. "Yes." he breathed. She felt burning heat creep up her face as she pulled her hands over her shocked face. She suddenly felt sick. She let a single tear escape her eye as she turned and ran out of the room, with Lao looking confused.
***
I awoke slowly, making it a new day by my definition. I sat up, slouching forward eyes still half closed. "God I'm still tired..." I whined groggily. I pulled my cloak around my shoulders and leaned heavily against the wall. "I'll just rest a little while longer...not like I'm in any kind of hurry." I commented, oozing sarcasm. I hoped my captors could hear me, so they could suffer from my bad humor just like I was. I make a mental note to kick Jim for making fun of my jokes. I was funny dammit! Mel and Gilliam always laughed at them. I smiled outwardly, reassuring myself and my ego. Jim just didn't appreciate me.
The thought of Jim, naturally lead my train of thought to the welfare of everyone else. I'm not sure how long I had been here. Could they have gotten back already? I really hoped they had. If they saw I was gone, they'd come get me out of this stupid place. God I was lonely, I even was starting to miss Aisha! Well just starting too...but still!
I sighed, banging my head softly against the wall. I'd better get moving; otherwise I'd make no progress at all. I'm not sure if I was making any at all, but I had to try. I picked myself up, grunting harshly at the pain that shot up my spine. "That's what sleeping on metal gets you I guess...."I chuckled, unamused. So I began walking, just as I had seemed to be doing for quite some time now. Nowadays, my mind wanders more than my tired body. All I have is my thoughts in this endless déjà vu of steel. Like so may times before I reach a fork in the maze.
Ironically enough, I enjoy them. Instead of hating them from obscuring my path to freedom, they are the only thing keeping me sane. If I was to walk straight ahead forever, eventually my thoughts would become my reality and I as an external person would cease to exist. Maybe I was being somewhat extreme and melodramatic but that's the way I felt. It was these simple navigational decisions that focused my mind and calmed my anxieties.
I stopped at the break in the path. I looked at both choices for a few moments, explored each one briefly then ventured down the left branch. I grinned, almost giddy. I was now one step closer to whatever fate lay in front of me! I laughed at myself. I had a good feeling about this route, and ever hopefully I walked onwards.
***
Fain approached Vega's room and knocked quietly. "Fain"he announced. The door slid open to reveal a red-eyed super pissed Vega, wearing her night attire. "What do you want?!!"she growled. Fain merely began to enter, as she always let him, only to meet with an unexpected reaction. Vega violently pushed him, using both hands and putting the full weight of her anger into it. Fain, unbalanced stepped back awkwardly almost falling. He stood there a moment, with his hand on the wall, shocked at Vega's reaction and the fact that a mere human had been able to nearly topple him. He scowled, becoming angrier about what had happened.
Then he felt the slight pressure of his Nog's teeth on his torso, and turned to see dark muted red glow coming from its eyes. Immediately he stifled his growing rage. The glow reduced but did not fade entirely. How easily he forgot that is rage drove the Nog to kill whoever wronged or attacked him. He was somewhat peeved about what Vega had done, but he didn't want her dead. Instead he approached her calmly, removing his mask. A soft iridescent light shown out from where Fain had removed his mask, illuminating Vega's face. He stood there for a few moments until all of Vega's anger had been into Fain's swirled energy mass. She smiled blissfully and Fain reattached his mask then took her gently into his arms and carried her to bed.
She looked at him and murmured, "Thank you... you always make me feel better." With that she closed her eyes waiting to be tucked in. Fain obliged, pulling the smooth satin bed sheet over her. Then he took out his wooden Tul, a flute like instrument, and began to play a soothing and strange melody, composed by Thuum himself. She quickly fell into a comfortable sleep, and Fain put away the Tul. He looked in the child-like form of Vega, looking so contented.
He smiled at the fact that she was their hard ass leader yet she delighted at such a childish ritual. It was true though that no one but him but him knew this, and Fain was proud that she let him see her like this. He had initiated the first energy calming, but she had insisted on being tucked in, and when she found out he could make music she had wanted that as well. She often called him to her quarters to hear him play. She was the captain so he did as he was told, but eventually it had become a beautiful bond that had created a unique relationship between them.
Perhaps it was because that they had shared their true selves with each other and no one else in the crew knew. It was a treasured secret between friends...and he enjoyed it. He moved a lock of hair from her shoulder, wished her a silent goodnight and departed from her room.
***
Kujen awoke, slowly realizing he was in the sick bay and not his room. It took him a while to remember what had happened and why he was here. He rubbed the base of his neck, noticing two swollen bruises had formed there. He glared angrily at the sleeping Lao. "That stupid fucker did this to me." he growled quietly. He noticed Lao's injuries and hoped he had been the one to inflict them. He was about to call someone and ask them what exactly had gone down, but as he glanced at the clock over the intercom he realized it was the middle of the night and everyone would be asleep. He flopped back heavily onto the rigid bed, resigning to sleep here tonight.
Now that he was fully awake, not to mention pissed, he wouldn't be able to sleep. Tossing and turning he tried to find a comfortable spot, and in finding none he sat back up facing Lao. He watched the small man sleeping not more than five feet away from him. Despite his broken nose and obvious bruises he had a smile plastered on his unconscious face. "I wonder what he's so happy about."Kujen said irritated.
As if to answer his question, Lao hugged his pillow and smiling wider murmured, "...Singh...." Kujen's eyes widened momentarily. Was Singh the reason for this loser's goofy grin?!? Kujen could feel himself getting angrier. Aside from the injuries Lao had given him, which had made him less than happy, he just couldn't like the guy. He knew the type of person he was just from looking at him; he was an obnoxious, self centered, pretty boy. Plus the thought of him having Singh as a lover riled him somehow. She was like a sister to him and didn't want her getting hurt by some low-life play boy.
He thought Singh had liked him when they had first met but he had been wrong. Regardless, he wouldn't let the vulnerable girl fall into his thieving clutches. He clenched his fists tightly together to signify his resolve and determination to save her from Lao. He grinned broadly, reveling in the sheer ecstasy that a vow of loyalty had always given him. Yet even in all his new found joy, the biting pain of his fist vow came to the forefront of his mind. A younger man, foolishly in love, he'd promised to protect Emi...yet had failed to do so. That only made his resolve to succeed with Singh even stronger. He would make up for his lackings in the past.
His spirits suddenly downtrodden he sighed and lay back on the bed. He stared at the plain and pattern-less ceiling unable to fall asleep. Annoyed, he got up and went to the medicine cabinet. Glaring at himself in the mirror he opened it and pulled out the white bottle with a blue sticker on the top labeling it as a sedative. He opened it, quickly dolling out the required amount and chugging it down with a glass of water. With one final look at his depressed face in the mirror, he went back to bed and let the artificial sleep take over.
***
I continued walking down the left path I had chosen hours ago, and didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I mentally kicked myself for my stupid choice. I had been all optimistic and sure of my decision...only to inevitably fuck up. How like me. But I was also pretty damn good at taking my mistakes in stride and making it work out in the end, somehow. I only hope that this skill didn't fail me now.
I concluded that the best plan of action was to see this route through, making sure it was wrong before I abandoned it. Then I could always back track, and take the other fork seeing if that one would take me anywhere worth while. Pretty good logic for a man locked in a metal maze for days, eh?
So, satisfied with my plan of action I continued following the winding course, happy for once that there were no splits in this approach. If there had been it would have made things infinitely more difficult had I the need to backtrack. If only I hadn't gotten so sick, I could have used my other clothes now as breadcrumbs to mark my path if the occasion arose. So far it hadn't so I tried not to think about it too much, lest I jinx myself and have it happen.
I pushed on, furthering myself in my thoughts, covering more ground in this complex maze. I turned a corner once again, and came to...a dead end. Well shit. I approached it and tried to feel if there was any hidden door or button to free myself with but there was none. "Dammit!!!!!!"I yelled as I punched the solid metal in front of me. I had tried to remain calm, but I was frustrated and just wanted the fuck out.
I supposed now I'd just initiate my "brilliant" plan of backtracking. But now the thought crossed my no longer optimistic mind. What if the other path didn't go anywhere either?? I had ventured down every turn that was made available to me, narrowing down the exit to these two detours. Well I just had to try. Try to believe that it would all work out, these screwed up mental cases that had captured me would tire of their games, and I could go home to my strange family and get piss drunk. OH how nice that would be. With my somewhat weak new found resolve I began the laborious task of retracing my steps back to the fork I had passed hours ago. "Oh how I hope this is worth it..."
**Next time: Where's Durga? Gene meets an unexpected end and Kujen's declaration of war!! Also if anyone want to give me their emails I will email you when I update if that helps anyone...just let me know.**