Replacements2- Part 4
The next morning we stood in front of the water tight hangar doors, waiting for the water to drain from the hangar so we could get to the Phoenix. Mark appeared a little concerned.
"Are you ready for this, Keyop?" He asked the Swallow.
"Drrrrrt… broop…. think so…"
Then he turned to me. "How about you, Princess?"
I smiled and nodded. I loved our Commander's attentiveness.
I heard a long sigh from the little Swallow. I noticed an expression of fear on his face. Even though he was tougher than he appeared, he seemed so small and helpless.
"It's my first time on the Phoenix as well." I explained. "Although, I think I had a little longer to study the training manuals than you did, Keyop."
"It's not like he had that much to read." Jason drawled, "You should have seen the monstrous pile of papers I had to go through to figure out the weapons system. And do you know what it all came down to? 'Press the red button to fire.' Seriously! One thousand damn pages just to tell me something I could have figured out in five seconds."
I chuckled a bit at Jason's comment. He had turned out to be a pretty impatient person, and I could see why the Chief didn't choose him to be our leader. I could just see him wearing out that red button every time we encountered an enemy. His motto was definitely "shoot first, ask questions later".
Finally, it was time for us to board the Phoenix. We all leapt up to the top platform and a transparent bubble closed around us. Then, we were lowered onto the bridge. It was amazing, but I couldn't help but to feel a little overwhelmed. We were going to practice the Fiery Phoenix maneuver, and we all knew it could be deadly.
The view screen flickered on, and the Chief's image appeared before us. He gave us a little pep talk, explaining how proud he was of all of us for coming together as a team. Keyop appeared a little misty-eyed, and I grabbed his hand to comfort him.
The final order was given for us to climb to 30,000 feet and engage the Fiery Phoenix. Keyop drew in a deep breath as we rocketed out of the water and soared into the sky.
I couldn't conceal the grin that had spread across my face. The speed was exhilarating, and I could tell that Keyop was enjoying it, too.
Our handsome Commander turned to us to announce that we would soon be performing the Fiery Phoenix maneuver. His confident and protective manner was so attractive, I almost forgot for a moment that we were about to risk our lives. The last thing he said before the heat engulfed us was to "hold on tight, and remember to breathe".
Remember to breathe? He wasn't kidding.
The enormous pressure and heat weighed down on my chest, and I stopped breathing for a moment. I was terrified. I grabbed Keyop's hand and squeezed hard.
In a moment, I could see that Keyop had buried his face in his arm. He was face down on his control panel. Had he been injured?
After a quick glance around the bridge, I could see Mark, Tiny and Jason with their heads down as well. I wondered if this was typical behavior, or if there was a problem with the ship.
My attention was then drawn to the radar screen in front of Keyop. Cracks had crawled across the screen, and I could see even more inching their way across the entire station.
I didn't have time to assess the situation any further, as searing flames suddenly raked over us from above. I held tightly to Keyop's hand, screaming out in pain, until finally, I blacked out.
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I awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. "What happened?" I asked hesitantly.
"Good afternoon, sleepyhead." I heard a familiar voice from above. I slowly opened my eyes and focused in on my Commander's smiling face. His softened features made me feel warm inside.
"You're in the hospital. How are you feeling?" He continued.
"I'm ok…" I muttered. The painkillers were still making me feel groggy.
"That's not normally what is supposed to happen when we're going fiery. You and Keyop got the worst of it."
Oh no! I sat up in bed a little too hastily. Dizziness forced me back onto my pillow.
"Keyop!" I cried out. "Is he ok?"
Mark placed his palm on my cheek. "Take it easy there, Princess. He'll be just fine."
Mark nodded and pointed to the bed next to me. The little Swallow was laying still, his head wrapped in bandages like a little mummy.
"The poor kid's really been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. First he was introduced to the team, then he had to go through the simulator trials, and then he learned the Whirlwind Pyramid maneuver. Tiny says he was up all night studying technical manuals, and now this…"
"He definitely got the worst of it." I replied. "The fire breached the Bridge right in front of him. I saw the cracks appearing on the radar screen, but before I could warn him, he was covered in flames."
Mark's eyebrows knit together. "You didn't exactly emerge unscathed, either."
"I only suffered a few first degree burns. I just feel terrible that I wasn't able to get him out of there."
"It's pretty hard to concentrate when you're on fire." Mark replied. "I've never seen Jason move so fast. He just reached right into those flames and pulled you two out."
Jason? I had to admit, Jason could certainly be hard to deal with at times, but when it came down to it, I knew I could always count on him. "I'll have to thank him, when I see him again. Is he okay?"
"Yes." Mark answered. "I think his gloves saved him. I gather he was only in the Medical Offices for about thirty seconds before he lost it and ran out of there. He hates it when they fuss over him."
I smiled back at Mark. That certainly sounded like the Condor.
"Speaking of Jason, he's outside, waiting to see you."
What? I couldn't believe that Jason thought enough of me to come for a visit.
"He is? It's nice to know he cares."
"I think you two really scared him." Mark replied. "Whatever doubts he had about letting you two on the team, I think they're gone now."
I laughed at Mark's observation. I was eager to thank Jason for his help. "Well, let him in here, then!"
"They're only letting you have one visitor at a time." Mark said. "If Jason comes in, I have to go."
"Now that would be a shame." I giggled. "But I suppose I could live with it… for a little while."
I was suddenly overcome with a terrible itching sensation spreading across the middle of my back. I wondered if it was a sign that my burns were healing rather quickly.
I heard a small moan from Keyop, and decided that our conversation might have been disturbing his rest. I motioned for Mark to come closer so I could whisper to him.
"Keyop needs his rest; we should probably whisper." I leaned in closer; I could tell that my breath was tickling his ear. Chill bumps spread across his arm.
"Princess." Mark whispered. "I'm so glad you're ok. I felt badly that I couldn't protect you …and Keyop…from those flames."
His face was just inches from mine.
"The next time we go Fiery, I'll be right next to you. I don't want something like this to ever happen again."
He caressed my cheek with his hand, and leaned in closer for a kiss. As the kiss lingered, I reached around and caressed his back. Once he finally pulled away, he gazed into my eyes and stroked my hair softly.
"I guess I have to go get Jason, don't I?" He said reluctantly.
I nodded.
"I'll be back to check on you later." He promised quietly, and leaned in once more to kiss my forehead.
"Okay." He looked around the room and his eyes focused on the door. "I'll go and get him."
As Mark went to get Jason, I could hear Keyop stirring. I had obviously been a little too noisy.
"Are you ok, Keyop?" I asked.
The little Swallow sat up in bed. "Can't see…dizzy…"
"Relax. You'll be fine in a few days, and probably itching all over, too." I giggled.
Jason came in with a concerned look on his face. He had evidently been very worried about Keyop and me. It was nice to see his softer side. The side he kept buried, hidden behind a wall of bravado. I knew it was there all along, but it made me feel good to see him showing that side to Keyop. Keyop was now officially in the small inner circle of people that Jason allowed himself to care about.
A nurse appeared at the door. She was pushing a wheelchair.
"Princess, the doctors would like to see you, now." She said.
"I guess I've got to go." I sighed. "I'll see you later, Jason. And don't worry; Keyop's going to be just fine."
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The next morning, a nurse came into the room and handed me the paperwork to be released from the hospital. As I took the pen in hand to sign, I glanced over at Keyop, who was still wearing bandages over his eyes, and looking very pitiful.
After my release, I stayed on as a visitor, helping Keyop whenever I could. He was grateful for my presence, and I was glad to keep him company. We talked for hours about my life in the orphanage, and his life in the labs. The poor kid wanted desperately to be like everyone else; to blend in with the crowd. His grin widened when we discussed the ready room, music, and his love for the drums. I told him I'd bring in my guitar and play him some tunes to help pass the time.
I explained to him that he would have the opportunity to live with me at Jill's place. He seemed eager to get away from the sterile Center Neptune environment.
It was a win-win situation for both of us. I had someone to take care of and to keep me company; and he had someone to nurture him and give him a semi-normal life.