She drew him in an upright position and his head lolled weakly against the headrest. Blood had stained the left side of his face red. It was still oozing. The wound needed attention soon but she didn't know where she could find assistance. Maybe there were crew somewhere on the big ship who could help him.
She managed to open the hatch and lowered the ramp. They were inside a big hangar of some sort.
"Hello? Hello," she called tentatively. There was no answer, other than a strange beeping and chirping noise from the ship itself.
"Is there anybody out there? Your crewmember is injured. I need a hand here."
The ship started chirping again.
She looked around, "Are you somehow talking to me... ship?"
Talyn chirped again.
"I have one of your crewmembers in the pod but he's injured. Can you send someone to help him?" Talyn stayed silent.
Lyane tried a different tactic.
"Ship can you understand me?'
Talyn chirped happily.
"All right, one chirp for "yes" and two chirps for "no". Can you do that?"
Talyn chirped once. They were getting somewhere.
"I have one of your crew on board the pod. (Talyn chirped once) Can you send someone down to help me with him? (Talyn chirped twice). Why not? (Talyn chirped repeatedly with worry) Do you have any other crew on board? (Talyn chirped twice) Great," she muttered to herself, "They are all down on the planet. (Talyn chirped twice) They are not? (Talyn chirped once) He is your only crew? (one happy chirp) What am I supposed to do with him?"
A noise behind her made her turn around. She saw Crais clinging to the side of the pod. His face looked ghastly pale and the trail of blood had run to the line of his jawbone. Crais stumbled down the ramp.
"His name is Talyn," he said hoarsely, "And I am his only crew and Captain." He walked up to her on unsteady legs, "Need to get to my quarters."
She offered him support and he gladly took it. Finally they stumbled into his room. He managed the last few steps before collapsing on the bed.
She straightened him out on the bed and looked about her. She saw no indication where she could get water to clean the side of his face.
She felt a bit silly when she addressed the ship, "Ship... Talyn... do you have a water-source nearby?"
One chirp. The lights in the room dimmed and by lighting up a part of the room Talyn showed her where the Refresher was.
"Very clever, ship... Talyn." Talyn chirped happily.
She found a small basin, which the man on the bed most likely used to shave himself, and she filled it with water from the Refresher.
Crais wasn't fully conscious while she wiped the blood from his face gently with a damp cloth. She didn't know what else to do, so she sat back.
+++++
Crais opened his eyes and Lyane was amazed how dark his eyes were. They were almost black and darker than her own. His eyes roamed the room and focused on her. "Need medical scanner," was all he said. He tried to sit up but a wave of dizziness drove him back. She was worried.
He blinked his eyes several times. "Are you all right," asked Lyane worriedly.
"No. Headache and blurred vision. There is a medical scanner on the top of the dresser. Bring it to me."
Lyane got up and while she looked over the dresser, she thought, "Most definitely a Captain. Orders, orders. Asking instead of demanding would be nice. Is that why the rest of the crew left?" There were several implements on top of the dresser. She held each one up, until he finally nodded. She brought the scanner over and placed it in his hand.
He tried to read the scanner but his vision was very blurry, "You'll have to do it for me." He handed the scanner back.
"I don't know how to use it! I roughly know what it looks like and that's it," she raised her voice.
"You have to do it. I can't read it!" Her shouting increased his headache.
"I don't want to hurt you because I don't know how to use it."
"And don't want to become blind because you don't use it at all! I'll guide you through the procedures."
He did something peculiar. Instead of directly looking at it he held it at an angle before punching the code in, "Move this over the effected area." She did as she was told and Talyn, Lyane and Crais worked out a way of scanning. After scanning she would hold it up in the air (she felt quite silly doing it), Talyn would read it, relay the information to Crais and Crais would instruct her on the settings and how to use it. Finally, after half an arn, Lyane and Crais were exhausted but the wound had been treated.
He still looked very pale but before she could ask how he felt, he said, "I just need rest." And closed his eyes.
She walked over to the dresser to put the scanner back and thought "Thank you, would be nice." When Lyane turned back to the bed after she had replaced the scanner on top of the dresser, she found him fast asleep. She sat down with a scowl of irritation. Now what?
She observed the man on the bed and silently agreed with herself that he was rather good looking. Even the bruising on his temple couldn't diminish his good looks. He had a nice strong jaw line and looked so young and peaceful while he slept. Pity he was so stern when awake. She wanted to touch his face but drew her hand back at the last moment.
She trailed her eyes down the rest of his body and she marvelled at his wide shoulders and broad chest. His arms and legs showed strength too and his hands were big and strong. She wondered what he would be like as a mate. She stopped herself, what was she thinking of? He was a stranger she had just met, probably not even from her planet, although he could quite easily pass for one of the next province. Maybe not even Sebacean, although he looked like one.
Her eyes moved back to his sleeping form, she couldn't stop herself.
When she saw that sweat appeared on his brow and he moved restlessly on the bed, she walked to the Refresher and returned with a damp cloth. Gently she stroked the sweat away. She touched his hair. The curls were as soft as the finest silk.
She kept studying his form and kept a watchful eye over him. Occasionally she wiped his brow. She looked around the room. Apart from the throw on the bed, the room was furnished very practically but austerely. He had said that these were his quarters but he probably only used it to sleep in and to refresh himself.
She looked back at the figure on the bed, still fast asleep. She sighed.
She realised with surprise that apart from the size of his hands, they could quite easily pass as brother and sister. Whereas his skin had a golden tan, hers was almost pale in comparison.
Yet, he didn't look like an outdoor man. She placed her chin on her hands and watched him sleep for a while longer.
Talyn, on the hand, was curious about the new person on board and watched her every move. He was not worried for Crais, who at the moment was still asleep.
After about two arns, Lyane stretched and shifted position in her chair. Crais' eyes flicked open. He blinked several times.
+++++
When Crais woke up three arns later he stared in the hazel brown eyes of Lyane. For a moment he tried to remember who she was and what she was doing on Talyn. Ah, yes, the woman in the marketplace. He tried to sit up but the headache made him fall back on the pillow again. At least his vision had cleared, "How long was I out for?" he touched the side of his head.
"Only three arns. How are you feeling?"
"Headache, otherwise fine."
"You certainly look it," she said with a sarcastic smile.
Crais cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Is that why you crew left," she said with a lift of the corner of her mouth.
"Don't worry, I'll bring you back to the planet soon enough," Crais pinched the bridge of his nose. It would be good once she left, she was giving him a headache.
"I can't wait," she retorted sharply. Yet when they looked at each other she burst out laughing. Crais frowned; he couldn't understand what warranted such merriment.
"Pity, Captain of the ship Talyn, that you are too serious. You are quite handsome, you know."
Crais frowned again,
She smiled, "If you keep loading that brow it might lose its power."
Crais shook his head, his headache was getting worse and she was the cause, "Woman... desist!"
"My name is Lyane."
"Lyane... desist," he closed his eyes.
"Maybe a little rest will do your head good... and your temper."
Crais bit back a sharp retort.
"Mind if I look around the ship while you are resting?"
He shook his head. Peace and quiet would be a blessing.
She left his quarters and walked around Talyn.
+++++
Crais fell back to sleep... and was woken up less than an arn later by a worried Talyn.
Groggily Crais came to his feet, "What happened Talyn?"
~She slid down the waste chute~
Crais closed his eyes in annoyance, "Not the waste chute! Can't the DRD's get her out?"
~She keeps fighting them when they get near~
"She would," he groaned. He got up. The headache had diminished but he was sure that she could easily fix that and make it grow once again.
He was still not very steady on his feet when he found her in the waste chute, clinging to the sides. She looked up at his angry face, "Get me out of here."
"You would have been out shortly after you fell in, " remarked Crais tiredly, "but you didn't let the DRD's help you."
"You mean the little robots?"
"They are here for repairs and to help you," Crais said hoarsely, "but Talyn tells me that you keep fighting them off."
"How could they have helped me?"
"They can," said Crais tiredly, "believe me."
"How was I supposed to know? Can you get me out," her voice was plaintive.
He nodded and drew her out of the chute.
She kissed him on the cheek; luckily she hadn't fallen through yet. She noticed his pallor, "You go back to your quarters, you need to rest!"
He sighed, "I think I will have more rest if I keep you in my sight at all times."
"You don't need to. You can always bring me back to my planet."
"If that is what you want."
"Yes, of course, I..." she sat down on the floor, "No, not really."
Crais eased himself next to her, "Care to tell me?"
"There isn't much to tell really."
"You can start with what happened down at the planet," Crais leaned his head wearily against Talyn's bulkhead and closed his eyes.
"Very well, one has to start somewhere..."
+++++
Lyane had been born from well to do parents, both Sebacean, both colonists. Unfortunately, an accident on a transport pod killed them both when Lyane was very young. Friends of her parents brought her up and although they were very kind and loving, it was not the same as having real parents. And when they passed away too, life became empty, except for the lost causes that she found.
"Was this another lost cause," Crais turned his head to her.
"Maybe, maybe not. I'm not so sure anymore."
"If you have doubts so quickly about it now, then you must always have had your doubts about it. Just being taken up to a stranger's spaceship should not have swayed you that easily."
He stood up and offered her his hand, lifting her to her feet. He took her to the Galley and sat her down opposite him. He had no idea afterwards why he had suggested it, he was probably still concussed, "Why don't you come with us? My Leviathan and I."
"You speak of your ship as if it were a sentient being."
"He is," Crais smiled, "very much so." Talyn chirped happily.
She propped her chin on her hands, "You are quite handsome when you smile. You should do it more often."
Crais smiled back.
+++++
Luckily she cooked well and was a quick learner in other matters. She needed that ability in the first weeken on board. Due to some unknown cause, Crais' headaches didn't seem to ease but seemed to grow worse, especially when he was considering taking her back to the planet, to the point that it was making him sick. He had a growing suspicion that this was Talyn's doing and finally when his head felt clear enough he asked Talyn point blanc if it was so.
Talyn had owned up to the "crime" ~But I did it for your own good Crais...~
"And leave me in debilitating pain for a weeken?" Crais' anger started to flare up.
~Honest, Crais~
"Don't say that, Talyn, I can make my own decisions."
~Are you sure?~
"Yes, I am sure," Crais started to lose patience as well.
~You will convince her to stay?~
Crais' brow deepened, "If it hadn't been for your interfering, we would have already left this planet far behind." Talyn was contrite. Crais continued, "Don't you think I haven't noticed her beauty or her compassion and quick learning? Besides, I am eating well and on a regular basis for the first time in three cycles." Talyn chirped happily in agreement. Crais took a deep breath, "I will ask if she wants to consider becoming a crewmember for a while..."
She managed to open the hatch and lowered the ramp. They were inside a big hangar of some sort.
"Hello? Hello," she called tentatively. There was no answer, other than a strange beeping and chirping noise from the ship itself.
"Is there anybody out there? Your crewmember is injured. I need a hand here."
The ship started chirping again.
She looked around, "Are you somehow talking to me... ship?"
Talyn chirped again.
"I have one of your crewmembers in the pod but he's injured. Can you send someone to help him?" Talyn stayed silent.
Lyane tried a different tactic.
"Ship can you understand me?'
Talyn chirped happily.
"All right, one chirp for "yes" and two chirps for "no". Can you do that?"
Talyn chirped once. They were getting somewhere.
"I have one of your crew on board the pod. (Talyn chirped once) Can you send someone down to help me with him? (Talyn chirped twice). Why not? (Talyn chirped repeatedly with worry) Do you have any other crew on board? (Talyn chirped twice) Great," she muttered to herself, "They are all down on the planet. (Talyn chirped twice) They are not? (Talyn chirped once) He is your only crew? (one happy chirp) What am I supposed to do with him?"
A noise behind her made her turn around. She saw Crais clinging to the side of the pod. His face looked ghastly pale and the trail of blood had run to the line of his jawbone. Crais stumbled down the ramp.
"His name is Talyn," he said hoarsely, "And I am his only crew and Captain." He walked up to her on unsteady legs, "Need to get to my quarters."
She offered him support and he gladly took it. Finally they stumbled into his room. He managed the last few steps before collapsing on the bed.
She straightened him out on the bed and looked about her. She saw no indication where she could get water to clean the side of his face.
She felt a bit silly when she addressed the ship, "Ship... Talyn... do you have a water-source nearby?"
One chirp. The lights in the room dimmed and by lighting up a part of the room Talyn showed her where the Refresher was.
"Very clever, ship... Talyn." Talyn chirped happily.
She found a small basin, which the man on the bed most likely used to shave himself, and she filled it with water from the Refresher.
Crais wasn't fully conscious while she wiped the blood from his face gently with a damp cloth. She didn't know what else to do, so she sat back.
+++++
Crais opened his eyes and Lyane was amazed how dark his eyes were. They were almost black and darker than her own. His eyes roamed the room and focused on her. "Need medical scanner," was all he said. He tried to sit up but a wave of dizziness drove him back. She was worried.
He blinked his eyes several times. "Are you all right," asked Lyane worriedly.
"No. Headache and blurred vision. There is a medical scanner on the top of the dresser. Bring it to me."
Lyane got up and while she looked over the dresser, she thought, "Most definitely a Captain. Orders, orders. Asking instead of demanding would be nice. Is that why the rest of the crew left?" There were several implements on top of the dresser. She held each one up, until he finally nodded. She brought the scanner over and placed it in his hand.
He tried to read the scanner but his vision was very blurry, "You'll have to do it for me." He handed the scanner back.
"I don't know how to use it! I roughly know what it looks like and that's it," she raised her voice.
"You have to do it. I can't read it!" Her shouting increased his headache.
"I don't want to hurt you because I don't know how to use it."
"And don't want to become blind because you don't use it at all! I'll guide you through the procedures."
He did something peculiar. Instead of directly looking at it he held it at an angle before punching the code in, "Move this over the effected area." She did as she was told and Talyn, Lyane and Crais worked out a way of scanning. After scanning she would hold it up in the air (she felt quite silly doing it), Talyn would read it, relay the information to Crais and Crais would instruct her on the settings and how to use it. Finally, after half an arn, Lyane and Crais were exhausted but the wound had been treated.
He still looked very pale but before she could ask how he felt, he said, "I just need rest." And closed his eyes.
She walked over to the dresser to put the scanner back and thought "Thank you, would be nice." When Lyane turned back to the bed after she had replaced the scanner on top of the dresser, she found him fast asleep. She sat down with a scowl of irritation. Now what?
She observed the man on the bed and silently agreed with herself that he was rather good looking. Even the bruising on his temple couldn't diminish his good looks. He had a nice strong jaw line and looked so young and peaceful while he slept. Pity he was so stern when awake. She wanted to touch his face but drew her hand back at the last moment.
She trailed her eyes down the rest of his body and she marvelled at his wide shoulders and broad chest. His arms and legs showed strength too and his hands were big and strong. She wondered what he would be like as a mate. She stopped herself, what was she thinking of? He was a stranger she had just met, probably not even from her planet, although he could quite easily pass for one of the next province. Maybe not even Sebacean, although he looked like one.
Her eyes moved back to his sleeping form, she couldn't stop herself.
When she saw that sweat appeared on his brow and he moved restlessly on the bed, she walked to the Refresher and returned with a damp cloth. Gently she stroked the sweat away. She touched his hair. The curls were as soft as the finest silk.
She kept studying his form and kept a watchful eye over him. Occasionally she wiped his brow. She looked around the room. Apart from the throw on the bed, the room was furnished very practically but austerely. He had said that these were his quarters but he probably only used it to sleep in and to refresh himself.
She looked back at the figure on the bed, still fast asleep. She sighed.
She realised with surprise that apart from the size of his hands, they could quite easily pass as brother and sister. Whereas his skin had a golden tan, hers was almost pale in comparison.
Yet, he didn't look like an outdoor man. She placed her chin on her hands and watched him sleep for a while longer.
Talyn, on the hand, was curious about the new person on board and watched her every move. He was not worried for Crais, who at the moment was still asleep.
After about two arns, Lyane stretched and shifted position in her chair. Crais' eyes flicked open. He blinked several times.
+++++
When Crais woke up three arns later he stared in the hazel brown eyes of Lyane. For a moment he tried to remember who she was and what she was doing on Talyn. Ah, yes, the woman in the marketplace. He tried to sit up but the headache made him fall back on the pillow again. At least his vision had cleared, "How long was I out for?" he touched the side of his head.
"Only three arns. How are you feeling?"
"Headache, otherwise fine."
"You certainly look it," she said with a sarcastic smile.
Crais cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Is that why you crew left," she said with a lift of the corner of her mouth.
"Don't worry, I'll bring you back to the planet soon enough," Crais pinched the bridge of his nose. It would be good once she left, she was giving him a headache.
"I can't wait," she retorted sharply. Yet when they looked at each other she burst out laughing. Crais frowned; he couldn't understand what warranted such merriment.
"Pity, Captain of the ship Talyn, that you are too serious. You are quite handsome, you know."
Crais frowned again,
She smiled, "If you keep loading that brow it might lose its power."
Crais shook his head, his headache was getting worse and she was the cause, "Woman... desist!"
"My name is Lyane."
"Lyane... desist," he closed his eyes.
"Maybe a little rest will do your head good... and your temper."
Crais bit back a sharp retort.
"Mind if I look around the ship while you are resting?"
He shook his head. Peace and quiet would be a blessing.
She left his quarters and walked around Talyn.
+++++
Crais fell back to sleep... and was woken up less than an arn later by a worried Talyn.
Groggily Crais came to his feet, "What happened Talyn?"
~She slid down the waste chute~
Crais closed his eyes in annoyance, "Not the waste chute! Can't the DRD's get her out?"
~She keeps fighting them when they get near~
"She would," he groaned. He got up. The headache had diminished but he was sure that she could easily fix that and make it grow once again.
He was still not very steady on his feet when he found her in the waste chute, clinging to the sides. She looked up at his angry face, "Get me out of here."
"You would have been out shortly after you fell in, " remarked Crais tiredly, "but you didn't let the DRD's help you."
"You mean the little robots?"
"They are here for repairs and to help you," Crais said hoarsely, "but Talyn tells me that you keep fighting them off."
"How could they have helped me?"
"They can," said Crais tiredly, "believe me."
"How was I supposed to know? Can you get me out," her voice was plaintive.
He nodded and drew her out of the chute.
She kissed him on the cheek; luckily she hadn't fallen through yet. She noticed his pallor, "You go back to your quarters, you need to rest!"
He sighed, "I think I will have more rest if I keep you in my sight at all times."
"You don't need to. You can always bring me back to my planet."
"If that is what you want."
"Yes, of course, I..." she sat down on the floor, "No, not really."
Crais eased himself next to her, "Care to tell me?"
"There isn't much to tell really."
"You can start with what happened down at the planet," Crais leaned his head wearily against Talyn's bulkhead and closed his eyes.
"Very well, one has to start somewhere..."
+++++
Lyane had been born from well to do parents, both Sebacean, both colonists. Unfortunately, an accident on a transport pod killed them both when Lyane was very young. Friends of her parents brought her up and although they were very kind and loving, it was not the same as having real parents. And when they passed away too, life became empty, except for the lost causes that she found.
"Was this another lost cause," Crais turned his head to her.
"Maybe, maybe not. I'm not so sure anymore."
"If you have doubts so quickly about it now, then you must always have had your doubts about it. Just being taken up to a stranger's spaceship should not have swayed you that easily."
He stood up and offered her his hand, lifting her to her feet. He took her to the Galley and sat her down opposite him. He had no idea afterwards why he had suggested it, he was probably still concussed, "Why don't you come with us? My Leviathan and I."
"You speak of your ship as if it were a sentient being."
"He is," Crais smiled, "very much so." Talyn chirped happily.
She propped her chin on her hands, "You are quite handsome when you smile. You should do it more often."
Crais smiled back.
+++++
Luckily she cooked well and was a quick learner in other matters. She needed that ability in the first weeken on board. Due to some unknown cause, Crais' headaches didn't seem to ease but seemed to grow worse, especially when he was considering taking her back to the planet, to the point that it was making him sick. He had a growing suspicion that this was Talyn's doing and finally when his head felt clear enough he asked Talyn point blanc if it was so.
Talyn had owned up to the "crime" ~But I did it for your own good Crais...~
"And leave me in debilitating pain for a weeken?" Crais' anger started to flare up.
~Honest, Crais~
"Don't say that, Talyn, I can make my own decisions."
~Are you sure?~
"Yes, I am sure," Crais started to lose patience as well.
~You will convince her to stay?~
Crais' brow deepened, "If it hadn't been for your interfering, we would have already left this planet far behind." Talyn was contrite. Crais continued, "Don't you think I haven't noticed her beauty or her compassion and quick learning? Besides, I am eating well and on a regular basis for the first time in three cycles." Talyn chirped happily in agreement. Crais took a deep breath, "I will ask if she wants to consider becoming a crewmember for a while..."