Chapter 7 - Working on Balvak's Project
The next day, Lili could be found in Balvak's lab, once more. Balvak stood at one of the computers, attempting to reconfigure the software which supported the Jaridian's long distance communication system, while Lili worked at attempting to download the data core from her shuttle. When the words "access denied" flashed across the shuttle's virtual glass main-frame, Lili groaned.
"If only Augur were here. He'd know what to do." She muttered to herself.
"Did you say something?" Balvak asked, looking up from the computer console at which he worked.
"Just thinking out loud." She replied. "I was remembering a friend of mine back on Earth. He was a technical genius. If anyone could have accomplished this, it would have been him." She explained to Balvak. He nodded, and turned back to his computer.
"Have you made any progress yet?" Balvak enquired.
"Nothing yet. The security system has been reconfigured to block out my access codes. I have to break the new codes before I can do anything. How about you?"
"I too am meeting with little progress. There is, as yet, very little to report." Balvak replied.
With that short exchange, the two once more descended into their work, in silence.
Hours had passed now. Lili could not understand how to make the reconfigurations work. She was resigned to the fact that she had not Augur's expertise, but her expertise regarding Taelon technology was still all the more comparable than the next human being. Surely, if Balvak's project was going to have success, then she would be the likely candidate to provide it. So, why was she having so much trouble?
Balvak's hand came to rest on her shoulder, and she sighed in trepidation, reaching up to rub the sleep from her weary eyes.
"You should get some sleep. You will not be effective in your current state." He informed her.
"But your project…" She began.
"Can wait until morning." He told her, cutting her off. "You require rest, and that is of primary concern."
Knowing he was right, she placed her hand over his in silent thanks for a moment, and turned to leave the laboratory. She knew she would need her rest if she wanted to uphold optimal functionality.
Vorjak was already asleep when Lili arrived home. She smiled to herself at how peaceful he looked, and she curled up beside him, winding her arms around him. He did not stir as she did so, allowing her the blessing of falling into the comfort of sleep without the worries of a dissertation to plague her.
Vorjak had gone when she finally awoke the next morning. She turned and stretched, feeling more well-rested than she had in years. When she glanced at the time, however, she knew that she had slept for far longer than she should have. Vorjak must have known it, but had left her to remain asleep anyway.
She groaned, but knew not to blame Vorjak for her lateness. He was simply a Jaridian, concerned for his wife's welfare.
Quickly, she disentangled herself from the bed sheets, and left a message for Balvak saying that she was on her way.
Checking the nursery, she found that Ariel too was nowhere to be found. Vorjak must have taken her with him. Lili smiled, making a mental note to thank Vorjak when her part in this project was over. With that, she turned from the nursery, straightening her clothes as she slipped her feet into her shoes and left their home.