They entered a segregated room that Kale could tell was a special treatment ward, there was one small pod in the room and could hear a child's soft whimpers. "This little one's name is Adeoye, his implant won't sync up with his nervous system properly, so it's been requiring constant realignment." The small pod opened, and the child's whimpering was slightly louder. Kale figured that by the human growth scale the child was equal to only a few days old. He couldn't believe the implant was put in this young. "He was a natural birth and his patriarch wasn't nourished enough to support him so there is a little bit of under development in his cerebral cortex." Kershala reached in with both hands and picked up the child. Immediately Kale could see the child's markings had started to form on his face and his eyes were large with very large pupils like the other Daorans had. The violet was particularly bright in his eyes something Kale figured must dull slightly at they age; he also had a full head of hair.
"He is a beautiful baby," said Kershala as he took him to his chest. Adeoye's cries became subdued as Kershala held him. Kale watched as Kershala cradled the baby in his arms bringing him to a resting position with the baby's head on his shoulder. He watched as Kershala seemed to crumble into himself slowly falling to his knees with tears streaming his face and sobbing quietly. He was still under his own power but was clearly more than overcome with joy. "Kale, this is what I fight for… all of these beautiful Daoran children must have a home to go back to." Kale watched Kershala's gentle side take over as he rose back to his feet and ran a soothing hand over Adeoye's head. Kale smiled at the sight of him with the child and could tell that Kershala must have been the best type of big brother. The ward began to scan the child with the tool and ran it around the area the implant had been injected. Kale could see a very small disturbance in the child's skin where they had put the implant in.
"It still doesn't seem to be syncing, I'm going to have to get my superior to look at this one," said the ward reading from her scanning tool.
"I believe I can help him."
"How, are you a doctor?" asked the ward.
"No. The eldest of my siblings was born with this problem eleven years ago. My patriarch had to use the same technique to help him." Kershala held the infant to his chest and Kale could tell that his heartbeat was causing the child to calm. "It will be slightly uncomfortable but only briefly. Will you allow me to help him?" The ward looked at Kershala it was clear she wasn't sure what he was about to do but Kale was starting to get the idea that this was something that Daoran's just trusted each other around. He knew they would never harm their children somehow even without knowing him. The ward nodded and Kershala extended his hand to Kale, he took it not sure what was about to happen. "Hold him he is going to likely fidget once I start." Kale listened and rested both hands around the child's back. Kershala closed his eyes and Kale watched as a stream of nanites flowed from his implant and seemed to funnel into Adeoye's injection point. The nanites filed in and Kershala kept his eyes closed and sure enough the baby began to move and vibrate slightly as well as make some distressed cries. Kale watched as Kershala's head moved around as he seemed to be concentrating quite hard on the task all the while gripping the child close to him with great affection. A little over a minute passed and Kershala recalled the nanites to his implant and opened his eyes. The baby stopped fidgeting and Kale lowered his hands away, Kershala cradled the baby in his arms and looked down at him. Adeoye smiled a happy baby smile and made a bit of a gurgle. Kershala put his forehead to his. "You are going to grow up to be a strong little warrior, I will make sure of it." The ward ran her scanner over the child again and checked it.
"What did you do, the implant is responding as normal now?" Kershala rested the baby back in the small pod and touched his face, the child seemed to quiet.
"I am aware of the procedure in infants using the nanites to deconstruct and reconstruct the implant at a microscopic level. The nanites can also maintain the nervous system for a brief period to allow this to work," explained Kershala.
"How is that possible?" asked Kale.
"At this stage the implant hasn't taken full control of the nervous system yet, therefore the body can go without with minor supplementation from the nanites to make sure the connections have an easier time forming," said Lenari.
"Amazing," said Kale. Kershala sat staring at the baby for a few long seconds before looking back to Lenari.
"We can continue on," he said. "Please tell his parents of me, I wish to meet them should time allow for it later." Kershala touched Adeoye's forehead before walking out of the ward. Lenari and Kale followed with the AI floating above them.
"This is the Childcare Ward as you can see," said Lenari, "the Birth Ward is just beyond here."
They continued down the hall and sure enough came to what must have been the Birth Ward. Kale could see the large birthing pods along the wall that Kershala had once described to him a long time ago. Each of them was set up with several monitoring systems and a specialist seemed to be checking in on them as they walked.
"Why isn't there anyone here other than the workers?" asked Kale thinking it odd that they hadn't seen anyone other than the staff. "Shouldn't there be people watching their children?"
"Daoran's trust greatly with regard to medical care, we do not tend to visit as we feel it may interfere with what the medical staff are doing," said Lenari. "If they wish to check in on their child, they can get a full visual from their homes through the AI and it's holographic displays."
"That's a very good philosophy around medical care," said Kale. They entered a lift at the end of the long hallway and were taken up a floor. The doors slide opened to a large segmented laboratory, there were people everywhere on this floor. Kale could see that several experiments seemed to be taking place throughout the separate sectors of the lab. As they walked, he caught a glimpse of the weapon they had taken from the boarding party, it was on a small stand and had been completely taken apart. It wasn't long until they came to where Sashir had been taken, he was in a large room with only three doctors remaining including Elara. Rotabu was sitting next to the bed Sashir was laying in. Kale could see that he was at least maintaining eye contact with Rotabu. They must have been able to help him at least a little bit. The two other doctors seemed to be looking at an enlarged hologram of the implant, it was projected in blue for the most part but had several red areas throughout the projection. Kale figured this likely represented the damage it had sustained from the weapon. Elara was looking over a report on a nearby monitor when she laid eyes on them. She walked away from her monitor and out into the entry way.
"I hear your meeting went well Kershala," she said. "Atondra told me of the mission we are taking on tomorrow."
"Yes, it will be very challenging, but I believe that we are equipped for what lies ahead," said Kershala. Lenari stepped forward seemingly ignored by Elara.
"How is he doing?" he asked.
"We have stabilized his nervous system and the implant is able to support autonomic functions again, but we are not sure if the stability will last or not. He will have to remain here in the experimental trauma center in case something goes wrong," Elara explained. Kale looked around realizing that Sashir was in the only bed in the facility.
"Can we see him?" Lenari seemed to be choking back tears as he spoke suddenly, Kale hadn't gotten the impression they were all that close to begin with, but he had no idea on how Daorans communicated outside of his experience with Kershala.
"You may, but only briefly Lenari. We are not sure how too much stimuli will effect the implants functionality." Elara stepped to the side and they walked past her. Kershala and Kale both hung back but Lenari all but ran right to Sashir's bedside. Kale caught a glimpse of tears in his eyes as he passed them and could see Sashir's eyes well up as Lenari approached him. Lenari threw his arms around Sashir who didn't seem able to retaliate. Rotabu stood from his position and hugged them both. The room stayed quiet and Kale was getting a stronger sense of the bond Daorans shared with each other. Anubis hovered to the projection of the implant and seemed to absorb the data. Elara stayed and talked with Kale and Kershala. "Doctors Sona and Tashi are the top implant specialists on the ship, they're the only reason we have made any progress at all. I'm not sure that we are going to get anymore of him back though."
"Anubis might be able to figure it out eventually, though right?" said Kale. "Once we get more information on how it works."
"I do not know how much time we have. There has never been another Daoran put into this condition before." Elara started once again looking over her monitor, Kale watched as information scrolled in Daoran writing on her screen. "I will have to pass over my research to the head of research in a few hours. In the meantime, I want to compile a complete report on his condition. You guys may stay a few more minutes, but you must leave."
"Thank you, Elara. I wish you luck for all of our sakes," said Kershala. Kale knew if they didn't find a treatment that every Daoran soldier was at risk of falling victim to these weapons. It likely wouldn't be long before they were deployed on a massive scale. "If you wish I can have Anubis stay and collect data on the damage done. It will be able to detect any patterns that may be occurring due to the damage."
"That would be greatly helpful," said Elara surprise clear in her voice and her eyes wide. Kershala looked at the AI and nodded.
"Understood Kershala," said Anubis. Kale walked over to Lenari who was now sitting on the bed holding Sashir's hand. He could see that the emotion of the first few minutes seemed to calm and Lenari was sitting and talking to Rotabu. Sashir's eyes seemed to follow him as he approached.
"How're you feeling Rotabu?" asked Kale.
"Helpless. But hopeful. I know that Elara is working as hard as she can. But also, with Doctor Sona here," Rotabu paused. Kale could tell that he was emotionally exhausted from the whole ordeal. "The greatest minds on the Typhonus are here to look after my Sashir. He is in good hands."
"Don't give up hope. Anubis is going to stay the night and take some readings hopefully it will get something useful." Kale tried to be reassuring.
"Lenari, Kale we must go and let the doctors work," said Kershala walking up beside Kale. "Rotabu, I would be honored if you would accompany us on the mission we face ahead." Rotabu looked up at Kershala through very tired eyes although Kale could see a determination in him that seemed renewed.
"I will be there. Sashir's life may depend on our success," he said standing from his position beside the bed. Lenari didn't seem to be paying attention until Rotabu put a hand on his forearm. "Lenari, you must go home and rest. I will be there once Elara finishes up her report."
Kale and Kershala left the hospital via the public transport pod and were taken back to the living quarters. Lenari had gone back to his own place to rest with the thought of maybe meeting up later. They walked through the door and no sooner had the automatic door slid shut that Kershala walked quickly into another room. Kale took it in before following him, the place was bigger than his apartment had been and mostly open concept he could tell a kitchen and living room were right in front of him as he walked through the door and sat the case he had been carrying beside the door. The kitchen had a table and seating area protruding from the walls which were draped in fancy paintings, one of which Kale somehow recognized as Yaria. The food processing alcove Kale had seen on the ship was also in one corner and protruded from a wall where there was an active fountain. It took a second for Kale to realize that the walls of the entire place seemed to be changing in color only faintly, but it looked a good deal like water covered them and ran from the ceiling into the floor in a very elaborate decorative display. The pictures seemed to hover in place just off the wall. He took a step in and in what he would compare to the living room or common area had a larger seating unit attached to the wall with no legs holding it up. From looking Kale guessed it would likely seat five people comfortably. On the wall opposite there was an interface that Kale was sure he wouldn't be able to use but judged from the position in the room it might be some kind of virtual entertainment interface and in another part of the room was a holographic computer interface.
"Kale come in here!" Kershala called from the other room. Kale smiled and quickly followed his voice. They were both happy to finally get some real alone time. As Kale stepped into the room it was clear it was a bathroom, Kershala had already jumped into the bathing station his cloths on the ground in front of the large spacious unit in the corner. There was a large tub in the center of the room filled with some sort of clear jelly, there was a light underneath that caused it to appear as a teal color. What Kale assumed would be the toilet and an elaborate looking sink was in the opposite corner of the unit Kershala had made his way into. "I was so excited to get in a real sonic resonator I could barely wait to get back here. Come here you have to try it." Kershala seemed to have a certain child like innocence about him when he was excited that Kale had only seen once or twice. Kale smiled as he stripped down and walked into the unit that was more than big enough for the two of them. "Okay stand still, this is going to feel wonderful." Kershala must have triggered the machine with his implant as Kale felt a strange calming sensation all over his body. It was much more comfortable then the one they used on the Arktora's ship. "See. I have not felt this clean in ages." Kale laughed to himself and ran his hands through his hair, he wasn't sure how to shower with sonic vibrations. Kale couldn't help but think again that this was efficient but nowhere near as romantic as showering together the old fashion way. He looked at Kershala who stood with his head tilted back and eyes closed, he hadn't gotten to admire him at peace for quite some time and was thoroughly enjoying the view. The Daoran body was very similar to humans mostly from the waist up. Though if someone were to look as closely as Kale had the opportunity to, they would certainly see more. Since they had spent so much time on the run Kale hadn't been able to really take the opportunity to appreciate Kershala's physical differences. His torso was longer than any human Kale had seen, it would be more noticeable had his arms not matched. His arms hung roughly two inches longer than an average human and his hands while larger didn't seem to be miss proportioned. In his face aside from his pupils being larger than human his eyebrows were thinner and his eyes wider. Their skin had a smoother appearance than humans as they seemed to have less visible pores. Kershala's ears also came to a barely noticeable point that they all seemed to have. The Daoran bone structure though a little more defined in certain place was similar to a human. Kershala's chest and stomach was well defined apparently even by Daoran standards as none of the others he had met had been as in shape as Kershala. Kale looked at the markings at the base of Kershala's neck and followed them down his back admiring every muscle along the way. Kershala's buttocks were also very human and as Kershala turned to face him Kale was reminded that his sexual organ was one more of the few minute differences in the Daoran outward physiology. Everything seemed to be up only a few centimeters higher than it should be likely to make room for the extra opening underneath that Kale had found on their first sexual encounter. Kershala opened his eyes seemingly catching Kale's sudden lust that moved quickly through him.
Kale grabbed him and pulled him closer, so their bodies were pressed together. Kershala's warm skin giving Kale chills as their bodies connected. He wrapped an arm around Kershala's waist and pulled him into a kiss placing his other hand on the back of his neck. Kershala responded to his touch as his markings began to glow as they became more sexually synced. Kale pushed him back against the wall and they hit with a thud. Kershala brought his hands up to cradle Kales face and they stared into each other, Kershala's eyes grew wide and the light seemed to almost be reflecting in them. Kershala leaned into him and kissed him tenderly his warm wet lips almost sent Kale into a frenzy. He reached down and took his buttock in his hand giving him a solid squeeze.
"There's a full bedroom." Kershala smiled as he spoke and took Kale's hand sliding out from under him on the wall to the sonic resonator. He led Kale out of the room and into another room that connected to the bathroom. The bedroom had a large circular pod type bed in the center of it and Kershala fell backwards into it. The sheets seem to envelope him falling delicately into place on several key spots of his body. Kale crawled in on top of him kissing from his navel to his chest to the nape of his neck all the while causing Kershala to shift and react under the touch of his lips, before landing on his lips again. The lighting seemed to automatically dim but Kale knew Kershala had used his implant to control it. Kale had quickly become fully erect and was having a hard time controlling himself, it had been a long time since his has last release and Kershala was so hard for him to resist.
"How do I pleasure you?" asked Kale knowing if he didn't slow down, he'd explode.
"What do you mean?" Kershala whispered.
"Hm," Kale felt awkward but knew it would work out, "Look up oral sex in the data you collected on Earth." In a few seconds Kershala's expression changed from light confusion to seduction.
"I believe it is the same." Kale kissed the nape of his lovers' neck and followed it up to his ear, he tongued at his ear lightly causing Kershala's entire body to shiver beneath him. Kershala responded by tilting his head into him and Kale bit down lightly on his ear lobe, the fragrance of Kershala's person filled Kales nose causing him almost to lose control. Kale ran a hand up Kershala's chest and along his neck eventually resting in his hair. He carefully and forcibly grabbed his hair and pulled his head back to expose his neck, Kershala let out a light whimper as Kale dragged his lips down his neck. Kale was starting to lose himself in the act as a feral and eager presence seemed to be claiming him. He bit down on Kershala's unguarded nipple perhaps a little too hard causing him to flinch and his abdominals tighten and twitch. Kale moved some of the blankets out of the way and quickly made his way to Kershala's lower body and took him in his mouth his skin was sweet at first but gave way to salty taste. As he did Kershala took in a heaving breath and thrust himself forward going deeper down Kale's throat causing a slight discomfort at first, but Kale didn't care as he worked himself into a motion. He felt Kershala grab his hair and start to take control of him letting out short breaths and moans. Kale moved one hand to be around Kershala's neck and the other made its way down his body using his fingers to tease everything on the way down. Kale pulled back briefly to lick his fingers before pushing them gently into Kershala's now delicate body. He gazed into Kershala's eyes as he pushed passed the smooth skin Kershala's body went taut as he leaned slightly forward with his mouth hanging open in pleasure his breathing staggered and stopped off an on and Kale could see the light forming in his eyes. Kale leaned down and kissed Kershala's abdominal muscles before taking him again, this only lasted a few seconds before Kershala pushed him back. "No, not yet." He struggled between bated breath. Kale looked up at him following the markings up his body that had fully illuminated and as he met Kershala's glowing eyes he knew what he wanted. Kale pulled his fingers from his wetness and put Kershala's legs on his shoulders. "Take me," Kershala whispered before swallowing hard and catching his breath. Kale positioned himself and pressed himself against Kershala's yearning body, it easily let him in. The warmth of his body made it hard for Kale not to climax right away, but he was keeping himself under control wanting to enjoy the experience as much as possible.
"I love you," Kale whispered and leaned forward as he worked himself into a rhythm. Kershala met his gaze and brought his hands to his face he pulled him into a kiss. Something was different this time, as their lips met the world around them faded to blackness only their bodies existed nothing else. The light of Kershala's bioluminescence was the only thing Kale could see as he began to thrust ever deeper into his waiting body. The heat, the sweat and the passion electrified Kales senses everything was far more intense than he could have ever been ready for. Everything between them seemed so perfect as Kale began crashed into Kershala's body rougher than he had planned for. Kershala had arched his back and tilted his head backwards offering his neck. Kale leaned in and began to immerse himself fully in Kershala's scent while at the same time sucking on his neck. Kershala let out a whimper signalling that he was getting close and Kale let out a low growl that he had never heard come from himself before. He was becoming fully intoxicated with the act of love they committed. Kershala began to work with him as their rhythm synced in motion pulling him closer and closer, Kale could tell Kershala was seconds from climax when he looked up at him the light in his eyes flickering as he fluttered. Kershala's body began to tighten and Kale could feel him bare down on him as he welcomed the release, the sudden warmth that seemed to pulse through them both taking Kale to climax as well he thrust fast and hard at first before the weakness of release took him and he collapsed on Kershala. "Oh my god what was that?" He looked around and the light was slowly returning to the room, but their surroundings were very much a dizzy haze. He felt Kershala wrap his arms around him every sensation seemed to be intensified the warmth of Kershala's arms felt like fire, the silk sheets seemed to scrape at sensitive skin and the sound of his own breath seemed to hurt his ears. It was like his entire body had become sensitive after an orgasm something he didn't know was possible.
"I feel it too, Kale," Kershala whispered. Kale could feel Kershala's body twitching under him as well. "Our bond has grown stronger…" The two of them laid there soaked in sweat and breathing heavily. Kale couldn't seem to find the strength to move other than to roll to the side.
"It's so intense. Everything seems to be hypersensitive," Kale had felt the feeling before after sex but not his entire body. They laid both of them sprawled on the bed Kale laid there trying to make sense of the experience they just had. As he laid there, the dizzy feeling was starting to take over and the room was almost spinning. "Man, I don't know if I'm okay, everything is spinning. I feel dizzy." Kershala hoisted himself up on an arm, the effects didn't seem to be as intense for him most likely because his body was built for the bond.
"You will be okay just breath slowly," he said. I will get you a drink of something." Kershala stood up slowly and left the room. It didn't seem long before he came back with a glass in his hand. "Your nervous system has been hyper stimulated. It's not unlike when we are in Jadak'tora but because you are fully aware of our interaction it will be more intense." What Kershala was saying made sense as Kale thought it through, the only other time he could remember Kershala's markings lighting up was during the Jadak'tora.
"I feel like I'm having a bad trip." Kale hoisted himself up slowly realizing that the bed was quite wet where he laid. A combination of sweat and other bodily fluids made him slightly more uncomfortable. Kershala bent down and sat next to him passing him the glass that turned out to be just water. Kale took a small sip of it not wanting to risk being sick from the dizziness. The water tasted like it had been heavily filtered and was very clean. "Thank you." Kershala leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek. His sense of touch seemed to be calming down as Kershala's skin felt normal on his.
"When you are feeling better, we should get cleaned up and maybe have something to eat." Kale nodded realizing how hungry he had been. He hadn't eaten since sitting the Sironia.
"Yeah let's get a bite, should probably wash the sheets too eh." Kale put his feet to the ground and stood up.
"Do not worry about it." Kale could tell that Kershala synced his implant with the interface on the bed as he put his hand to it. The base of the bed began to glow, and all the bedding vanished in a flash of light and was quickly replaced with new.
"Are you kidding me," Kale laughed. "That is really a waste of your technology." Kershala smiled as he left the room heading back to the bathroom. Kale stood up slowly feeling the dizziness subsiding and followed him.
They got cleaned up and ate something, Kale cut his hair with Kershala's help and they then decided it best to head to bed. The next day would start early and they wanted to be well rested for the coming mission. It really was a shame as Kale really wanted to be able to see the city ship a little more and maybe get to see more of the day to day life of the Daora. But it was best for them to be ready for the next day.