by Stella Cassy
She raised her eyebrows at me but didn’t comment.
I moaned as I tried to roll over onto my side. With Leti’s help, I was able to move to my side after many pauses to let the nausea settle. “Thank you. Will you tell me about it?”
“My time as an addict?” she asked.
“Yes, please.”
She studied my face, maybe looking for my intent. I was simply curious about her past, how she became the strong human she was. She must’ve been satisfied with the expression on my face because she began to talk.
“I guess I have to start with my parents. They died in a car crash when I was five." She continued fiddling with the microscope, so I put my arms under my head, closed my eyes, and listened. "I ended up in foster care. Neither of them had any close family. I remember them, in flashes. Nothing is solid."
She moved around the table to my bedside. "Lift your arm please."
I complied and was shocked to find a tube hanging out of my underarm. "What is that?" I asked.
"You've never had an IV before?" she laughed as she grabbed one of the tubes hanging from me and used a syringe to draw blood from it. "This is a fancier one than I’m used to. I can use it to give you medicine or draw blood."
She hummed as she got the blood ready, placing some of it in a tube and putting the tube into a machine that whirred with a soft noise. "My childhood wasn't too bad after that. I was placed in a home that fed me, pretty much left me alone. I loved school, so I got good grades. Loved to read, so I escaped into books at home after doing the chores. My foster family were distant but didn't mistreat me."
"How'd you go from that to addicted to human drugs?" I asked, finding it hard to speak loudly. She must've heard me anyway, because she continued.
"My foster mother got sick. I never found out what it was, it happened too fast. They moved me to another home, temporarily while she got better, the social worker said. Then when she died, that was that." She sighed and was quiet for a few microns. I started to drift off again, but her voice roused me.
"The next home wasn't so good. Or the one after that. I lost count before I just gave up and ran away."
"I don't understand how a child can live on the street. On Thirren, if a child is found, they're given a home. Taking in a child is an honor to a family."
The kids on Thirren were another story. It might've been an honor for the adoptive parents, but the other kids were merciless.
"Would that it could've been like that," she said. "When I ran away, I made my own path, found friends that helped me stay safe." She sounded wistful. "That changed, of course. Friends moved on. I got older and became less cute, they felt less inclined to help a young teenager. So, I went where the protection was. I started running drugs."
She scoffed. "I don't know what else I could've done, honestly. Looking back, I still don't see where there were a lot of options open to me. If I'd gone back into the system, into the foster homes, I might've gotten lucky, sure, but more probable? I would've been hurt in the system, maybe to the extent that I never could've pulled myself out."
"How did you?" I asked as I fought to stay conscious.
"I almost didn't. One of my customers thought the product couldn't possibly be good, not coming from a kid. I tried it to prove him wrong." She looked up from the microscope and stared off into space. "Oh, the feelings it gave me. I didn't care that I was homeless, parentless. I didn't care that my life was horrible and dangerous. The removal of all care was too blissful to only do once. The next thing I knew, I was spending all my profits on my product, the pitfall of any dealer."
"What did your bosses think of that?" I was too fascinated hearing her story to let her stop. Her words soothed me, let me know that I wasn't the only one that had a hard childhood. Hers was worse than mine by far. My dragon rustled, bothered by the pain in her voice.
"I kept paying for the product. I made sure of it. Too many times I'd seen other dealers use the product, then they were unable to pay for it. I was hooked on the stuff, but not dumb. So they were happy."
She turned to me, fiddling with the blanket covering me. "Until I almost died. Then I went to rehab and never saw them again. As soon as I could, I moved over a few cities, into a new territory, where none of the dealers knew me. I was in my late teens at that point." She paused as she said that, her hand stilling over my chest. "Something came over me, an intense need to be well. I decided then to stick with rehab. The counselors there helped me get housing after, a sort of shared home for recovering addicts. I went through this thing with the courts to become considered an adult. The people at the rehab facility were amazing. They kept with me, helped me with scholarships and grants. I hadn't been to school in ages, so they got me set up with online classes to get my high school education."
"What's high school? And what's online?" I asked. The human education system was far different from our own.
"Oh, human children go through twelve rotations of schooling, usually divided into three sections. The last four are called high school. That's the time I missed the most. How do I describe online?" She gave me a blank stare. "I don't have any idea how to describe it. Think of it as virtual classes and lessons. Taught remotely over the tablets that you use as comms devices."
"You must have been determined." She was obviously intelligent, that was apparent. Teaching herself the material, though, took great inner strength.
"I was. That determination got me through college—doctor training—and I'd just graduated when the Pax took me. I was actually walking home from the celebration of the graduation."
"Bad timing." She was just embarking on her first major journey in life. For her, it was like being given her first crew only to have it ripped away.
"Very," she said, slipping into silence. I drifted off again, the nausea and pain pushing my mind to avoidance. My mind was on a younger version of my beautiful Leticia, fighting to stay safe and unharmed in a rough world. She was a warrior, no matter that her physical strength didn't match the Drakon. Her strength of will would compete with any Drakon warrior.
I meant to say all those words out loud, but I was pretty sure all that was coming out of my mouth was mumbles. I'd recover, and I'd tell her how proud of her I was.
20
Leti
Illion mumbled until he fell asleep again. I was pretty sure he said something about proud and heart or maybe hard. As I looked at his blood and tried to judge how the antidote I’d given him was working, I pretended that he’d been talking about being proud of me for overcoming everything and working hard to become a doctor. Hell, maybe he had.
Staring at his orange blood had done no good this time. I wasn’t sure my last attempt at an antidote had any effect. While Illion slept, I returned to the bookshelves to research and read. Before I settled in, I called Chase over the comms unit in the wall.
“Yes?” His voice was hesitant, like he wasn’t sure who would be calling.
“Lieutenant, could I ask a favor?” I knew Illion had wanted me to have the full rights of a doctor on the ship, but the problem was that I wasn’t sure what those rights were.
“Of course, anything you need, especially to aid you in the healing of our captain.” The comms unit crackled, but seemed to continue working.
“Could I have some dinner brought to me, and would it be possible to contact those doctors Illion mentioned? The ones back on your home planet?”
“Absolutely. I’ll have someone come right in to show you how to work the long-distance comms in the lab.” The line crackled, then went dead. I guessed he was done talking.
Two members of the crew walked in within minutes, one carrying a tray of food.
“Thank you,” I exclaimed. “Could I beg one more favor?”
They didn’t really say much, but they waited patiently for me to tell them what I needed. “Before you show me how to do the long-distance call, could you move one of the hydro beds into the lab and transfer Illion over to it? I think it would do him good to be in th
e hydration fluid.”
They both nodded and immediately went to the hydration bed closest to the lab, unhooking it and unlocking the wheels. I hadn’t even noticed it was on wheels. I could’ve moved it myself, but there was no way I would’ve been able to move Illion into it. He was twice my size.
I ate while they worked, munching on the fruits on the tray. I’d dig into what looked suspiciously like a sub sandwich once they were gone.
The younger of the two took a moment to show me how to select the appropriate buttons to connect to the doctors at the hospital in the capital city where Oslow had been a practicing member.
“Hello,” I said timidly. I had no idea who I’d be speaking with or if their loyalties were with Oslow or Illion.
“Is this the human doctor with Illi?” the voice boomed over speakers set in the walls of the room.
“Yes, I am,” I said, raising my voice a little. “Can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear,” he said. I wondered what the phrase was in Drakonian that the chip would translate to such a common English phrase like ‘loud and clear'.
“My name is Leticia, or Doctor Oslo.” It wasn’t lost on me how close my name was to Oslow’s.
“It’s a pleasure to speak to the human charged with healing my cousin, Doctor Leticia.” He avoided the last name problem all together. I was okay with Doctor Leticia. Hell, I was still shocked he was speaking to me at all.
“Thank you, I’m honored.” I wondered how they were related. I’d been under the impression Illion didn’t have a lot of family.
“As well you should be.”
The laugh nearly escaped me at his words. The Drakon were a pompous lot, for sure.
“I have questions about the poisons that Oslow used on Illion.”
We spoke at length about the caustic substances I’d found in Illion’s blood, as well as what substances were poisonous to Drakon—lactose, of all things, for one.
“Before we hang up, can I ask a question of a more personal nature?” I said hesitantly. I hoped he wouldn’t be offended.
“Please do,” he replied. Encouraging.
“The way Doctor Oslow felt about humans. Is that common? Am I to expect to encounter that a lot?” I sat at the counter and stared at the speaker, waiting for his reply.
“You’ll definitely encounter it. But with Carissa and the other human women paving the way, you’ll probably have an easier time of it than they have.” His voice was reassuring. “Besides, the Drakon are an adaptable race. We’ll come through in the long run.”
I hoped so. Humans didn’t seem so adaptable.
The doctor’s advice was spot on. I was able to look up the specifics using Doctor Oslow’s books and create an antidote that began to help Illion immediately.
Within hours, he was sitting up and asking for food. His crew ran around like crazy, bringing him a tablet so he could work remotely, not that there was much he could do that they weren’t taking care of.
He’d seemed hesitant before, and had said he was worried about his crew laughing at him and not respecting him, but the way they fawned over him and jumped when he spoke, I was sure he’d earned their respect.
Lieutenant Chase walked up to me as I studied the latest numbers from Illion’s blood draw. “How does it look?”
“Shockingly well. I wish I’d known a while ago. The stuff Oslow was pumping into him should’ve killed him. I don’t know how he held on.”
“He is stronger than any of us knew. The crew is very impressed with his fortitude, and with you. It did not escape anyone’s notice that you worked tirelessly, researching, one eye on that microscope constantly. You’ve earned yourself quite a loyal following here, Doctor Leti.”
I’d asked them several days before to call me Doctor Leti, because they’d been calling me ma’am when they brought food or supplies. I didn’t love being called ma’am.
“I don’t know how to respond to that. I had no idea anyone was watching me that closely.”
“The captain wasn’t very nice to you at first, and you responded by saving his life, working as hard as I’ve ever seen any Drakon work. It might not have been physical, back breaking labor, but that doesn’t make the job less difficult. We thank you.”
The blush I’d been fighting crept over my face. “Thank you for your kind words,” I whispered, then turned back to my numbers. I didn’t know what else to say.
At least it was a start. The more I learned about the Drakon, the more I’d been mulling over the idea of opening a clinic. I could’ve helped people on Thirren as well as I could on Earth. Maybe if Illion was growing fond of me, he’d take me to visit Earth. I’d been in space for weeks. If I could become safe, not have to worry about being sold as a slave or breeder, living amongst actual aliens could be the most exciting thing to happen to me. Hell, it would’ve been the most exciting thing to happen to most anyone.
If I could avoid the whole slave thing, that is.
“Leti?” Illion’s voice was music to my ears.
“Hey,” I said as I put down my paperwork and walked over to his bed. “How are you feeling?”
"Like I died and came back to life." He chuckled as he struggled to sit up.
I held out my arm to help him. "I'm not going to lie to you. You almost did. If you hadn't insisted I be treated as a doctor, and Oslow hadn't freaked out right when he did, you might have died. And all those ships coming to your distress signal would've been destroyed."
"You're a good luck charm, then." He smiled at me after I helped him get positioned.
"It's so nice to see you sitting up."
"This is the first time I've been clear headed enough to want to. Even when it went down with Oslow, that was like a fuzzy dream. I really hope I didn't do or say anything I shouldn't have." He looked sheepish. "I probably shouldn't have tried to give orders in that condition."
"I've been in contact with Lieutenant Chase while you recovered," I reassured him. "He didn't mention anything going wrong. As far as I know we're still on track for the next planet on your list."
"He told you that?" he asked.
"Yeah, in passing. The only thing nobody knows is what to do with Oslow."
"We'll need to have a trial, and soon." He took my hand and weakly tried to pull me to sit on the bed beside him. "There's something I need to tell you first."
His dreams had been revealing. I was fairly certain I knew what he was about to say. I had a really important question for him, and how he responded to my question would determine what path I would take forward.
"Leticia, you cared for me when you really didn't have to. You fought Oslow for me. You have proven yourself to be intelligent, capable, and full of honor. And you're one of the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen."
I ducked my head, embarrassed. He'd seen a lot of different creatures from all parts of the universe. If he meant his words, that was quite a compliment.
"I care for you," he continued. "I freed you, but you'll need protection. If you consent, I would like to provide that protection, and be your partner."
His eyes were open and honest. He was sincere in his declaration. I was just glad he hadn't jumped straight to love. "I care for you too, Illi," I whispered. "But things are so complicated."
He nodded his head. "They definitely are."
"I have a question. What would you do if I said I wanted you to take me back to Earth?"
His face fell, the hope vanishing. "I'll arrange it immediately. I should've known you'd want to go home." He squeezed my hand. "I understand. I would want to return home as well."
His words gave me everything I needed. He was willing to let me go, no matter the value of a breeder or the hurt to his heart. I threw myself in his arms, nearly knocking him over. "Oh, Illi, I don't want to go. I want to stay with you and explore the universe. I want to learn how to heal creatures from all over space."
"Why'd you ask me to go home then?" he asked, bewildered.
"To see if you'd agree to it. I
f you were willing to let me go, then that means you really do care about me." His arms tightened around me. "We don't know each other very well yet, though I do trust you. But until we know each other better, I needed to be sure you were totally sincere."
"I am. If you want to go home, I'll take you." His voice was muffled in my hair.
"I would like to go visit. Would that be possible?"
"Absolutely. When we get finished with this mission, that will be the first thing we do."
The smile on my face obviously made him happy, judging by the slow, sensual kiss he gave me. "Illion, you're not well enough for that," I whispered against his lips.
"I know," he replied, pulling back. "As much as I'd like to, I don't think I could stand up long enough."
I laughed and pushed him back down on the bed. "Rest, and figure out what we should do with Oslow. Feel like eating?"
He nodded, so I called for a tray of food. Lieutenant Chase brought it in several minutes later.
"Captain," he called as he walked into the lab. "Great seeing you clear headed."
They discussed Oslow at length as Illion ate and came to the decision to hold a trial on board and decide Oslow's fate among the crew.
When Chase left, Illion called Carissa to obtain permission to hold a trial on the ship. She gave it readily. "Yes, I think that's fair. You have enough crew on board to be able to get a solid vote. Remember, any death penalties must have a seventy five percent yes vote or they're nullified. Simple majority doesn't apply in death penalty cases."
Chase and Illion scheduled the trial in two days’ time, to give Illion time to heal a bit more and regain some strength Illion did great. He was eating more and taking short walks to start rebuilding his strength. Shifting into his dragon helped tremendously. He did that several times a day after short walks to the exercise room.
We waited patiently for the trial to arrive. I had no idea what to expect, but the crew seemed to grow antsy the closer it got.
The exercise room was the only one large enough to hold the entire crew. A skeleton crew stayed on the bridge, but that was all. Even the kitchen staff was crowded into the small room.