"Is everything prepared?" Powers asked as he peeked through a slit in the metal door into the room that Dudley and Nick had used for their little fight just a day earlier. Now the little room was just accommodating one single person. He was cuffed onto the small iron chair that was just barely big enough for him. The little light bulb on the ceiling calmly spread yellow light and illuminated just the chair with the lizard in the middle of the room.
"Yes, René prepared the translator… I just don´t see why I can´t do this…" The tick leaned on the wall next to the door and huffed angrily.
"Because I think this approach is going to be more successful. Also, you can have him if my efforts should fail."
"Actually…" Isaac stepped to them with his hands in the pockets of a lab coat that was too short for him. "We don't know if it is a male or female specimen of its species."
"I bet my daily ration that it´s a woman." The tick said and grinned belligerently at the captain.
"I take the bet." Powers simply nodded toward her then he looked at Isaac. "What are you wearing there?"
"A lab coat Keswick gave me. He said every scientist in their civilization wore that…"
"I didn´t expect that you appreciate their culture so much that you obey such a custom." Powers said raising an eyebrow.
"Appreciation?" Isaac shook his head. "I am just doing that so the locals immediately recognize my status. I do not want any more of them asking me to heal their sick or repair their machines."
"But one of these things you´re actually doing." Sneered the tick and crossed her arms.
"Indeed." Isaac nodded dismissively. "But this does not mean I want them to annoy me with their demands all the time."
"You can be a diplomatic nightmare in the size of Dudley but without trying… whatever… carry on if that´s so important to you." Powers meant before he looked through the slit in the door again. The lizard had started moving by now.
"I think it´s time…" he grabbed the doorknob and entered the room.
"Sly…" Kate held a chair in front of him and grinned at Powers.
"Good idea, it could get uncomfortable." The captain grabbed the chair and put it down before closing the door.
It should be just a few moments until the lizard would completely open his eyes and realize what was going on. He sat down on the chair he had placed and looked into the creature´s face. The scales on the angular and short snout were harmed prior to the train crash.
At least that´s what they thought after they had examined the lizard. The tick suggested that the missing scales might have been pulled out. Further questions about the reason for her suspicion weren´t answered but Powers had the feeling she knew what she was talking about.
Also, the lizard´s left eye was missing, apparently, it was removed with surgical precision. The examination of the eye cavity yielded that the optical nerve was attached to a structure that probably was a docking port for cybernetic enhancements.
Powers eyed its face and repeated the details they found almost like he was putting together a report for the admiralty.
"W..Wha…Whe.." The lizard was still dizzy moving his head in circles while the healthy eye was blinking frenetically.
"I see, you are awake." Powers spoke slow and with a calm voice. "Can you understand me?"
"Understand…I…" The lizard slowly regained control over his neck and held his head upright while his eye finally managed to focus Powers.
"All devices work, we should have reached linguistic compatibility." He nodded. "It´s a miracle that you are still breathing. How do you feel?"
"I…" the dazed focusing attempt was replaced by an eye that suddenly stared almost fearfully at Powers. "You…"
"Do you really understand me?" Powers leaned a little forward and looked into the lizard´s eye.
"Do.. I.. I do…" The lizard shook his head and closed his eye for a moment before looking again at Powers but this time, less shocked.
"Fine." Again Powers nodded. "First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Captain Sly Powers of the Alliance ship Leviathan. To whom am I speaking to?"
"My name isss Seema." The lizard said.
Powers closed his eye and took a deep breath. He probably just lost today´s meal. "Very well…" He said slowly releasing the air inside his lungs. "You might guess that I have a lot of questions, probably like you right now."
"Where am I?" Seema asked as her healthy eye looked up to the ceiling in the lightbulb that made her close it out of reflex.
"I don´t want to be rude but I think it´s my turn to ask questions first…" he smiled. "I´d like to start with one that made me wonder. Why were you on this train, captured in a separate cart?"
Seema opened her eye again and again. She seemed to have problems focusing Powers. "The train… I…" her eyes turned up until only the white was visible, her limbs slackened in the same moment and she slumped down on her chair.
"Well… that was unsatisfying." Powers meant and crossed his arms.
"You were expecting quite much from someone in her state." The tick said as she opened the door. "Give her another day of rest. She seemed not too unwilling to talk."
"And you pin that down by which statement exactly, Kate?"
"Her first words weren´t 'You won´t get anything from me.'" She grinned at him as he entered the hallway.
"Okay, point taken, and as it seems I owe you my ration…"
"Oh that´s okay, you will survive one day without food." She sat and patted his belly.
"What´s that supposed to mean?" he asked and turned to the side so she couldn´t reach his belly anymore.
"I remember a man in command of his first ship with abs made of steel." The tick started giggling mischievously.
"I…" The captain tried to retort something but Isaac intervened.
"Could we please stay focused on this?" The scientist didn't try to hide his disgust.
"She started!" The captain said almost like an insulted child.
"Hudson, stop it." Isaac said with a tone so toneless that made his impatience clear.
Kate kept on giggling. "Sure, if he stops eating."
"I have normal weight!" Powers barked towards her.
"Hudson…" Isaac sighed. "I want to get work done, go somewhere else."
"Fine…" She smiled widely. "I´ll see you around Sly." Walking with a spring in her step she left the two.
"Thanks…" The captain cleared his throat. "You know I…"
"I know already too much about the two of you…" Isaac turned on his heel and started pacing. "Now please, follow me, we have received a message from our scouting team."
"Already?" Powers followed him down to the conference room. In the almost abandoned interior, he just found Dudley along with his son who seemed to look at some small-sized sheet of paper that drew Powers´ attention.
"Just give me a minute Isaac…"
"Are you serious…"
"Just get the stuff ready I really won´t need long" Powers cut the scientist short and moved to the two dogs.
Though just Dudley was looking spellbound at the paper, Nick on the other hand was gazing disinterestedly in another direction.
"That must be a pain for your mom, she loved taking pictures. Back when we were together" Dudley said and took another sheet of paper.
"Dudley, Nick…" Powers nodded at both of them as a greeting.
Nick looked a bit startled at the captain and Dudley looked up from the sheet he was eying. He gave a quick nod back at Powers and then looked at the photo again. Curiously the captain leaned forward a little and said "What are you looking at?"
Dudley started grinning and simply laid the paper down next to him while Powers eyes followed every move. Unfortunately, Dudley had laid whatever it was on the side which was blank.
"There´s one thing you got to know about humans Nick." The grin on the dog´s face almost had an evil tone to it. "They are the most curious and nosy species I have ever met."
Powers immediately leaned back and cleared his throat while not trying to sound too caught. "I just wanted to enquire…"
Dudley started laughing. "It´s okay Sly, I´m looking at photographs. Old 2D images from the past."
"Ah… well, that´s nice… Something interesting on them?"
"Well, not much interesting for the mission." Dudley shrugged and smiled. "But interesting for me… There´s one of Nick´s tenth birthday, then one of him walking his first steps… and finally one from the hospital when he was a newborn."
Nick looked away ashamed as Dudley spoke about the pictures. Powers could understand him, after all, he also had his fair share of awkward recordings from his childhood and past he didn´t want to be shared with strangers.
"I would give damn near anything to be just part of one of these pictures…" Dudley finally sighed and picked one of the three photos up. "Even though the quality of them is horrible. I bet Keswick was holding the Camera there… he always ruins every photo."
Dudley handed Powers one of the photos that showed Kitty in a hospital bed holding a baby that was wrapped into a light blue blanket. Though the existence of a baby in these blankets was just an assumption of Powers. Besides the exhausted but happy-looking Kitty and the faint color of the blanket the whole photo was so massively overexposed that more details weren´t perceivable.
"That looks like this planet's sun was exploding at that moment…" Powers meant and handed the photo back. "Anyway, I hate to interrupt this moment between you two, but we have some news from our scout team, and I think both of you are interested to hear them."
Nick´s head shot up like a rocket and he looked surprised at the captain. "Are they back? Where is mom?"
"Not yet, Isaac will enlighten us about their current state. Isaac, would you?"
"Do you really think it is smart that the kid is listening?" He approached the three of them holding a holo pad in his hand which he read while walking.
"It´s his mother who is out there, I think we spare us some trouble if we won´t hide the important things from him."
"Fine." Isaac mumbled while his eyes scanned the text in front of him swiftly. They came to an abrupt hold and then he moved his gaze away from the pad. "About half an hour ago our team was able to send us a message about the mission´s progress. They were able to establish communication with the ship for a brief amount of time before the enemy spotted them."
Dudley and Nick both winced as he said these words, Powers just ordered with a stern nod the continuation of the report.
"They were able to flee and, at least 6 hours ago, are not too far away from the camp with vital data for our mission."
Powers took a deep breath and slowly released the air in his lungs. That mission didn´t seem to have gone smoothly, but at least the two of them were still alive and they retrieved some information from the Leviathan. Also, Nick and Dudley seemed to be relieved by the message. At least Powers interpreted the way they leaned back on the couch as a sign of relief.
"Okay, that´s something we can work with…"
"I am troubled that the enemy has discovered our transmission…" Isaac started staring at the hologram in front of him again. "Maybe we underestimated the technical level of their sensors. I mean if they can detect the energy we used for the transmission… I got to think about that."
"Do it with René as soon as he´s back…" Powers said but then shook his head. "No, do it after he rested, his work pensum is becoming more than unhealthy. He needs to rest."
"I agree." Dudley said starting to retain his body´s tension. "He´s more or less carrying this whole operation."
"We are all working extra hours." Isaac said and glared angrily at Dudley. "I do not have time to look at pictures half of the day and sit on my..."
"And we are very thankful for this Isaac." Powers intervened and gave Isaac one of his bone-shattering pats on the shoulder. "But don´t forget that Dudley is still injured from his last mission, when he will be healed, he will have his fair share of work again, isn´t that right Dudley?"
The look that Powers gave Dudley left no chance to argue about this point, so he simply agreed "Of course."
"See, now Isaac, follow me, I got to talk with you about a special task I want to give to you…"
"Unfortunately I cannot help you with that, I am still trying to find a solution to our problem." He stated and crossed his arms.
"Don´t forget that Keswick is helping you." Interjected Dudley with a slight smirk.
"Wha… Yes, he is assisting me." Isaac sounded irritated to admit this and that brought him a certain feeling of satisfaction.
"Anyway, I´m back to work." Isaac spun on his heel and hurried out of the room.
"As charming as always." Laughed Powers and looked at Nick. "Don´t let his unlikeable shell fool you, he´s got a heart of gold."
"Well, let´s say fool´s gold." Dudley giggled and also the captain joined the laughter.
"No seriously, he´s sometimes hard to handle but as soon as you get to know him he gets..."
"Less toxic" Dudley completed the sentence and winked at Nick.
"He… once threatened to cook me." The boy said as he looked at the door through which Isaac left.
"Jep, sounds like him…" Powers sighed and rolled his eyes. "But I´m pretty sure he won´t do so."
"Uhm… I appreciate that…" Nick said confused and looked at his father who smiled widely. The captain looked at the two of them eying each of them for a second before clearing his throat and folding his arms behind his back.
"Dudley, before our scouts return, I need to talk about the further planning of this operation." The captain turned his back on them and started pondering aloud. "We are lacking well-trained staff to keep us afloat. To do so, I would like to initiate a training program to educate some of the people here."
"That actually sounds like a good idea…" Dudley said and like that was the keyword he was waiting for Powers turned around and grinned.
"I like your enthusiasm!" Powers gave the dog a violent but appreciative pat on the shoulder. Dudley first tried to fight the pain in his shoulder away, then he looked dumbfounded at the captain.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Dudley stood up shaking his head. "I´m not a trainer or instructor or something."
"You´re trained in personnel management and your speaking the language better than anyone..." he stopped and smirked for a second. "Well not as good as Isaac but you´re definitely more likeable."
"Yes but…"
"You´ll handle that, don´t worry." Powers grinned. "Also, Nick, I think I also have an interesting task for you, if you are willing to."
Nick´s face went red immediately and he sunk deeper into his seat. "I… but I…" the boy stammered while his fingers drilled into his armrest.
"Yes, you and just you." The captain smiled. "As far as you and your father… and of course, your mother agree. I promise it´s not dangerous."
"I think he needs some time to think." Dudley said. "I need some too."
"Of course… Even though it´s preparation time in your case Dudley." The captain said.
"Come on you…" a slow mumbling sound that grew in its volume cut Dudley short in midsentence.
The three of them turned to the door where the sound started to swell. It sounded like a plethora of voices that talked over each other and tried to drown out each other. Some of them sounded relieved some of them worried and some of them even angry, almost hateful.
And as the door opened, at least for Nick and Dudley, all of the voices fell silent. The two people who entered the room, one carried on the back of the other. René stomping exhaustedly towards the middle of the room with rings under his eyes that were a dead giveaway that the floor on which he was now standing would be his bed any second.
On his back was Kitty who also looked exhausted but a little more awake than René. But she also would at least need 12 hours of rest to be fully functional again. Adding some weeks that her arm would need to be useable again stretched this timespan further.
"Dudley, close the door. Nick, come and help me." Powers ordered immediately switching from the tone of an easy watercooler meeting to a military tone. Dudley also reacted like a soldier used to these commands and hushed the few bystanders that dared venture into the room away.
Meanwhile, Powers, with the help of Nick, heaved Kitty off René´s back and onto the closest table to lay her down. René took a deep breath as the load was lifted from his back and schlepped himself exhaustedly to the next free chair.
"Finally…" He breathed as he leaned back in the chair and moaned.
"Kitty!" Dudley rushed to the cat who was surrounded by now not only him but also Nick and Powers.
"Is there a way to get me new feet?" Also Kitty moaned in a mixture of pain and relief as she stretched on the table. Powers was the only one who honored her remark with a light giggle.
"I´m sure we can find a new pair for you... I also let Isaac take a look at your arm." He nodded to the scientist and then turned back to Kitty. "But besides that, let´s get the debriefing ov…"
Kitty pulled a holopad out of a shoulder bag she was wearing. "Everything is on that…"
"Oh… well, I´m going to take a look at that then." He took the pad and nodded. "I´m going to take a look at René before that. So if you excuse me…"
"Mom…" Nick whispered and grabbed the hand in which Kitty held the holopad before.
"Oh Nick…" She seemed to realize just at that moment that it was him who stood next to her. And immediately, at least in Dudley´s eyes, her whole behavior changed. She now seemed to try to just seem tired instead of tired and in pain. "Don´t worry about me… I´m okay…"
"Mom your arm…"
"Nick, can you tell Isaac and get me the medi-glove?" Dudley said softly to the boy. "He´s probably on his way to us anyway."
Nick looked at his father and nodded before running off. And as soon as Kitty heard the room´s door she exhaled sharply.
Dudley took a moment to examine her body. Her shoes were damaged quite badly, actually, there was not much left on her shoe that really qualified as a shoe, and what was left was dampened by what was probably blood. Also, her severely broken arm was a sight that would give Dudley nightmares but this view was not the most worrying for Dudley.
He was more shocked by the distinct bruise on her throat that was formed like a big hand. Gently he wanted to touch the spot but as soon as his fingertips even reached her throat Kitty grabbed his hand firmly and stared at him like a hunted animal. Instead of touching the bruise he gazed back at her with gentleness and led with the same gentleness the hand to her cheek where he placed it delicately.
"I know… It´s okay, I just want to take a look…" His thumb gently moved over her cheek sending a little shiver through her body. She held his hand even tighter and slowly nodded. Dudley again turned his gaze back onto her throat. With his other hand, he gently touched her throat. It looked more severe than it was, at least from a medical point of view. Nonetheless, the wound had to hurt like hell.
"You´re going to be okay Kitty. You just need some rest…" he softly said and looked back into her face. "You´ll get something against the pain…"
"Thank you…" She breathed weakly. Her hand was still clinging on his without any intention to let it go.
Nick came running back to them and handed Dudley the glove, but he just reached out his free hand to him.
"Can you help me with that?"
Nick looked critically over to his mother who wasn´t only releasing Dudley´s hand but also not releasing him from her gaze. The boy sighed and did what he was asked to do.
"I´ll give you just a small dose… it should be enough." Dudley whispered to her as he tried, as carefully as possible, put his finger on the skin of her throat. For a second Kitty let out a short sharp scream that made Dudley almost step away from her.
Hectically he looked at the glove. Hadn´t he put into the glove what he wanted to inject?
But the glove was set onto exactly what he wanted, probably Isaac put in what was necessary in case Nick would have used it on his mother. But why this scream then?
"Mom? What´s wrong?" Nick asked startled.
"I…I…" Kitty suddenly let go of Dudley´s hand and sat up on the table. "I feel wonderful… The pains are completely gone!" She started grinning and laid her hand on her throat trying to feel if the bruise was still there.
"Kitty, you need to be careful, these painkillers are sometimes…"
"Oh don´t worry Dudley." She laughed and turned so she sat on the edge of the table. With a swift move, she pushed herself off the table and tried to land on her feet. Her jump was basically a success, at least for the first second after the landing. Though pretty good, the painkillers still weren´t able to dampen all the pain, especially not the ones that would usually ensure that the body would fall into a state of unconsciousness.
Kitty screamed again in immense pain before sinking to her knees. Dudley jumped to her and caught her before anything else could happen.
"I wanted to say they make the people a little jumpy but I didn´t mean it like that." He said to Kitty who was already again in a state of happy nerve-damping.
"Oh that´s okay…" she giggled. "You also forgot to say they make you feel a little like when you´re drunk."
"That´s usually not a side effect but… I´ll note it." He laughed and picked her up from the ground.
"Nickyyy!" Exclaimed Kitty happily and grabbed her son by the cheek with her healthy hand. She also tried with the other but her fingers didn't quite obey her there. "Aren´t you a handsome little boy."
"Mom what are you doing?" He asked and tried to get her hands off his face.
Dudley started laughing. Some things had stayed the same as it seemed. "Your mother always gets a little… touchy when she feels drunk. I better find a bed for her somewhere…"
"Just bring her home to us…"
Dudley gritted his teeth thinking about Rob who would take her out of his arms and take care of her. "I think we should keep an eye on her, just in case. After all, I don´t know what other side effects could appear." he said and Kitty giggled.
"I hope they are like this one…"
Nick looked a little confused at his mother but then nodded. "Okay why not… at least she´s back."
"Oh and she brought us one of the best read I had in weeks." Powers stepped to them from behind. In his grin, there was lying something purely evil. "If this work we´ll receive a beefy little care package. I got to show this Kate and Meternagel… and of course to you Dudley."
"I´ll be there in a minute Sly I just need to find a bed for Kitty…"
"Don´t worry, I got to make some preparations. Take your time…" he turned to Nick and grinned. "Nick, do you have time? I need you earlier than expected."
Nick looked at his mother like waiting for her to allow it. But after being remembered about her state he looked up to Dudley. His father looked at him and then at Powers. "You´re going to look after him?"
"Of course." Powers meant and stood a little stiffer than before.
"Fine… But be careful Nick."
The boy nodded and Powers and walked towards the lab.
"Just you and me left…" Yawned Kitty and stretched in her arms. Which made quite some weird sounds in the broken one.
"That stuff seems to be fully potent now…" He said staring at her arm.
