“Just consider what I said.”
“I won’t be accepting the ruler, so it doesn’t matter. I’ll be going home soon anyway. I just want to see what’s going on,” she said firmly, but the concern in Minerva’s eyes remained. “Tell me the truth, Minerva. What has you so worried?”
“You’ve been missing for three Earth days. If your friends and family are distressed, you will be distressed. This is not a good idea.”
“Oh, I see what you mean. Well, the thing is, I don’t really have any family, just some distant relatives and a sister, and we don’t particularly like each other, but I want to see my boyfriend Charlie. He’s not the love of my life, but I care about him. Don’t worry, you’ve given me fair warning. I’m prepared.”
Moving across to the wall, Abby summoned Charlie’s address, but as the familiar townhouse came into view, the exterior of the building was all she could see.
“Minerva, how do I look inside a window? What time is it there, by the way?”
“Morning. That’s why you craved eggs and hash browns.”
“Huh. Interesting, anyway, how do I see inside?”
“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?”
“Is there something you know?” Abby asked, turning to look at her. “Something you’re not telling me?”
“Nothing, but in my experience spying is never a good idea.”
Shifting her eyes back to the screen, Abby was considering Minerva’s sage words when the front door of the townhouse opened. Charlie stepped out holding hands with Belinda, the receptionist at the office where he worked.
“What the hell? I don’t believe it!”
“What’s the matter, Abby?”
“That lying, cheating bastard! I’m missing, and he’s screwing around already? So much for being sweet and sincere. How could I have been so wrong about him?”
“That’s terrible,” Minerva said softly, rising to her feet and walking quickly across the room to join her. “I see what you mean. They behave like a couple.”
“Did you know about this?”
“Absolutely not, and I’m truly sorry.”
“You were right. I shouldn’t have looked. I thought he cared about me,” she said sadly as the amber light changed to blue. “I’m glad I found out. The light’s blue. I guess we’re on our way. I’m almost glad we’re leaving. Oh, my gosh. I just realized something! He insisted I apply for the position at the Mars compound. Now I know why! He must have already been seeing her.”
“But you did want to be part of the team, didn’t you?”
“Very much. I believed in alien lifeforms and I really wanted the job, but mostly I was bored. I wanted to escape. I wanted an adventure.”
“It appears you both got what you wanted.”
“You’re right. I did get my wish, but believe me, Minerva. I never imagined in a million years I’d end up on an alien ship and, uh, going through so much. It’s absolutely mind-boggling.”
“Are you becoming distressed?”
“Yes and no. This might sound strange, and I’m not sure I believe it myself, but I think I’m starting to accept all this, although...”
“Although?”
“I’m not sure. I’m suddenly feeling a bit glum.”
* * *
Lurking in the passage a short distance away, the Faylin waited for the human female to appear. His time was limited. The bright lights would soon send him back to the energy cell compartment. He had planned to take her from the chamber, but the entry way had refused to open. The scratchy soreness in his eyes told him it would soon be time to go, but a miracle happened. The bright white lights became a soft blue. Unable to smile, the Faylins had a unique way to exhibit their excitement and pleasure. Their forked tongue would dart from their mouth and squirt drops of a green liquid.
On impulse, the gesture was impossible to control.
But it could be used purposefully. To trap unsuspecting insects...
Chapter Twelve
The most serious case of Space Depression I’ve ever seen.
The physician’s pronouncement swirled through Zaroff’s mind as he sat on the edge of the bed and placed his palm against Abby’s neck. Her pulse remained weak and slow. Standing nearby, Minerva shook her head, the line of worry carving her forehead. The ship was halfway to its destination, and Zaroff desperately needed Abby to recover. He’d been forced to discontinue his training and inspections, and he was running out of time.
“What can I do for you, Abby? Anything you want is yours. I’ll even turn the ship around and take you home.”
“I don’t want to go home. I don’t care if I never see Earth, or the compound, or fucking Charlie ever again. I know you want to punish me now because I said fucking, but I don’t care about that either.”
“You’re not well; of course I won’t punish you.”
“Just give me something so I can go back to sleep.”
“That’s all you’ve been doing,” he said softly. “Please, you must eat something. Anything.”
“No. I just want to sleep.”
“Would you like to go to the observation deck? We’ll be passing some space rocks soon. They’re too small to be seen from Earth even with the most powerful of your telescopes.”
“And I care about some stupid rocks because...?”
“You don’t have to care about them, but these rocks are extraordinary. I’m sure you’d find them truly fascinating.”
“I’m too tired. You go and be fascinated.”
As she rolled onto her side and faced the wall, Zaroff rose to his feet and signaled for Minerva to join him in the passage.
“I don’t understand this at all,” he said grimly as they left the chamber. “She seemed to be doing so well, but I did just have a thought. The observation deck! I wonder if her spontaneous visit created the environment for the depression to take hold.”
“Are you suggesting she saw Earth too soon?”
“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. The theory behind Deep Space Depression is that the sufferer feels so overcome by the infinite vastness of the universe, their sense of worth spirals into nothingness. When she stumbled into the deck and saw her planet, she was already in an agitated state. I was concerned at the time, but I knew she would have seen it when she’d journeyed to Mars.”
“But she hadn’t been at the compound very long,” Minerva remarked. “Perhaps the impact hadn’t taken hold, and when she witnessed the sight a second time, suddenly and without warning, it was enough to initiate feelings of insignificance.”
“But all this speculation is getting us nowhere. How can we help her?”
“I still think seeing her former boyfriend triggered this reaction,” Minerva said thoughtfully. “If we can remove his importance—”
“I know the depression began following that incident, but I find it hard to believe,” Zaroff said, interrupting her. “They weren’t living together, and I checked the report. She was only with him a couple of times a week. No, the trigger has to be something else. What was missed in the investigation? My team is very thorough, but perhaps they overlooked something.”
“Surely they would have uncovered any instability.”
“I would think so. Abby was—she still is—the perfect candidate. She possesses a strong belief in alien life, her family ties are minimal, she has a desire for adventure, and let’s not forget her strong sex drive.”
“Well, sir, the fact remains, Deep Space Depression is one of the few mysteries we have yet to solve,” Minerva replied with a weary sigh, “and if the scientists and physicians haven’t found the cure, I don’t know how we can. At least we know it lifts as quickly as it descends. It’s just a matter of finding a trigger to snap her out of it.”
“I want to go over your conversation with her again, except for her comments about her former boyfriend. We’ve discussed that a thousand times.”
“As you know, there’s not that much to tell, sir. She said she didn’t have any
family, just distant relatives and a sister, but she and her sister didn’t like each other very much. She wanted to join the ALFEE compound on Mars because her life was boring. She said she wanted to escape and to have an adventure.”
“Interesting she should say she has no family, then mentioned distant relatives and a sister almost as an afterthought,” Zaroff murmured. “Did she say anything specific about her sister?”
“Nothing, but weren’t the details in the report, sir?”
“Of course, but just the facts. Her sister’s name is Angela, she’s married with children, and lives on a farm in a different state. I can see how an ambitious, bright young researcher like Abby would have little in common with her, but this might be worth exploring. Minerva, sit with her over a pot of that British tea she likes and see if you can get her talking about Angela, her husband and children.”
“I’ve tried. She won’t drink it.”
“Try again, and try to think of something amusing to say. The physician told me humor has been known to break through the dark barrier. Not necessarily something ridiculous, but a small thing the sufferer finds odd or curious. He used an Earth phrase. He said, ‘See if you can find something that tickles her fancy.’”
“Tickles her fancy,” Minerva repeated. “What a delightful phrase, and it’s given me an idea.”
“I’m open to all suggestions. Exploring her relationship with her sister is just a shot in the dark—another Earth adage I find highly appropriate at times. Tell me your idea.”
“What you said about something odd or curious ties in with what I’ve been reading about humans and depression. Animals, especially puppies, kittens, and horses, can be excellent therapy.”
“Unfortunately we don’t have any of those creatures on board.”
“No, sir, but we do have a furrbit. The young one we found abandoned.”
“Minerva, that is an excellent suggestion. Where is it?”
“In the officers’ lounge. We take turns caring for it. I’m sure he’d love full-time attention.”
“The feeling of being needed might just bring her around,” he exclaimed, lifting the cuff of his shirt to his lips. “Keon, go to the officers’ lounge, find the furrbit, and bring it to me immediately. I’m outside the training chamber.”
“Did you say a furrbit, sir?”
“Yes, the officers’ lounge. Immediately.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll bring it right over.”
“That is all.”
“I’m so pleased you like my idea, sir. May I ask, have there been any further reports of the Faylins?”
“The excretion has been found in over a dozen of our patrols.”
“A dozen? How is that possible?”
“There are just as many researchers trying to answer that question, Minerva.”
“But no Faylin has been found?”
“Not one, just the substance.”
“And what about this ship, sir? Do we know if the Faylin is still on board?”
“Impossible to say, but there are no further reports of the mess anywhere.”
“Uh, sir...” she mumbled, the line of worry on her brow deepening as she stared past his shoulder.
“Minerva? What’s the matter?”
“Behind you. I don’t remember seeing it before, though it’s so small I’m not surprised. It’s probably nothing, and it’s not pale green, it’s more bluish, like cyan.”
“What are you referring to? I don’t see anything.”
“Right there,” she declared, pointing to the floor a few feet behind him.
Rapidly swiveling, Zaroff spotted a small, almost indiscernible splatter.
“Surely not,” he muttered, stepping toward it and crouching down. “That’s not cyan, it only looks that color because of the lighting,” he exclaimed, then rising to his feet, he lifted the cuff of his sleeve to his lips. “Keon, switch to orbit illumination for five seconds.”
“Uh, yes, sir, but that will make us visible to any aggressors in the vicinity.”
“I’m well aware of that. Do as I say. Five seconds, no more, but do it, and send Vannen to the passage outside the training chamber immediately. I think we found a Faylin excretion.”
“Oh! Yes, sir.”
“Have you located the furrbit?”
“I was just about to collect it, sir.”
“Switch the lighting first, then go.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is that a Faylin secretion, sir?” Minerva asked anxiously as Zaroff stared intently at the small splotch. “How is that possible? The keeper patrols this passage constantly and there’s nowhere to hide. The few entries in this area are locked down.”
As she spoke, the dim bluish glow illuminating the passage abruptly turned bright white, revealing the true color of the gooey mess.
“Pale green! That reptilian was here!” Zaroff exclaimed as the lights returned to blue. “The Faylin was standing on this very spot. He was directly outside the entry to the chamber after we put the alert in place. How is this possible?”
“Perhaps it was left when he entered the chamber, sir.”
“No, Minerva. This passage was scoured for any trace of this substance. There was none. I even checked myself. That,” he declared angrily, pointing to the mess, “was definitely not there.”
“That means the Faylin is still on the ship.”
“Not only is it still on the ship, apparently it moves around as it pleases.”
“Sir, may I ask, why do you refer to this creature as it, rather than he, as we generally do?”
“The Faylins are neither male nor female. They can change their sex at will, like moray eels and clown fish on Earth.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“It’s not exclusive to marine life. From what I understand it’s also true of certain fowl.”
“That’s astonishing. I must do some research.”
“I often ponder what other wonders live in our galaxy, but at the moment my curiosity lies solely on healing Abby and locating this reptile.”
“Yes, of course, sir.”
“Go back to the chamber and sit with her. I’m going to wait for Vannen and Keon, then I’ll join you. That is all.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Minerva disappeared through the entry to the chamber, Zaroff looked up and down the passage. Though it appeared empty, doubt crept through his mind.
“I can’t be sure of anything, and the curving wall doesn’t help.”
Like many in the residential areas of the ship, the passage flowed in a circle with individual living quarters on either side, but the sector housing the keeper and the training chamber was situated in an unpopulated area at the back of the craft. Until the human females adjusted it was necessary to keep them separated from the other Ratheons on board. The last two days of the journey were dedicated to a cautious introduction, but suffering from deep space depression, Abby had lost precious time.
“I’m certain you’re the one, Abby,” he murmured. “But five Earth days is all I have. Perhaps I can convince the council to remain in session a little while longer, but if you don’t recover soon...”
“You found another excretion, sir?”
“Vannen,” Zaroff declared, so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t seen the lab technician approach. “I have, though it’s quite a bit smaller than those found in the energy cell compartment. It appears bluish, but under white light it is the pale green color.”
“It certainly looks the same,” Vannen said as he kneeled on the floor and opened his bag. “Yes, sir, I’m sure this is the reptilian excretion. I’ll take a sample, clean it up, and disinfect the area.”
“Have you learned anything more?”
“Yes, sir. The report is almost complete. The substance contains enzymes unfamiliar to us. They seem to act contrary to their role.”
“Explain.”
“To put it simply, the many enzymes in our bodies accelerate the chemical reaction in our cells, a
nd that keeps us alive. They are vital, but the Faylin enzymes we’ve studied seem to slow it down. This species is truly unfamiliar, sir.”
“Slow it down?”
“That’s what the tests are showing. If we had those enzymes, we’d all be dead.”
“Bizarre. Completely bizarre, but everything about this is bizarre.”
“If I may say, sir, perhaps our assessment of these creatures has been inaccurate. We see them as backward, but in their own, unique way, they may be more advanced.”
“They’re not technologically advanced. We could blow up their planet.”
“I mean biologically, sir. It’s difficult to theorize with just this substance to guide us, but it’s possible this slowing mechanism extends life. It really is quite remarkable.”
“You speak almost fondly of this species. Might I remind you, Vannen, they refused all offers of friendship, they’re known to be ruthless scavengers, and one of them threatens Abby Walker, whose safety and well-being is of paramount importance!”
“Yes, sir, my apologies,” Vannen said hastily, dropping his eyes. “I was speaking from a purely clinical standpoint.”
“Send me that report the moment you have it. That is all.”
“Yes, sir. This won’t take long, and when I get back to the lab I’ll check on it for you.”
Moving quickly away, Zaroff marched into the chamber. He found Minerva sitting on the edge of the bed, and Abby lying on her side. She glanced up, but he saw only dullness in the eyes that once sparkled. For a moment he wondered if there was any hope, but he wasn’t going to give up on her. Besides her many exceptional qualities, he sensed there was something very special about her, and though he didn’t know what that something special could be, he was determined to find out.
Chapter Thirteen
Standing at Abby’s bedside, Zaroff searched for the right words. If he was too authoritative Abby could withdraw even more, but if he didn’t present his case forcefully enough she might reject his request.
“I know you’re not feeling very well, Abby, but I need to have a word with you.”
Though she didn’t speak, she shifted her gaze from the wall and looked up at him.
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