Before I undid the last buckle, I reached around her chest to try to hold her a bit before she fell like a lump to the ground. I wasn’t very strong so once I got that last belt, we both fell, but I cushioned her fall a with my own body. “Lisa, are you awake?” I asked as I moved the hair from her face.
I whispered in her ear, “Lisa, Rotna is alive, and he needs you. Please wake up, I can’t carry you.”
I dragged her closer to the dresser so that I could hold her head in my lap while I leaned back against it.
She wasn’t awake, but at least she was alive. I sat there thinking about what I should do when I heard a beep in my ear. It was an incoming communication! “Venay, is that you? Are you ok?”
“Yes, sweetheart, I am fine. How are you? Are you hurt?” I could hear the relief in his voice as it went lower and softer.
“Oh, thank the stars! I’m okay, a bit sore and a few scrapes, but I’m fine. Lisa’s another story. She’s alive but passed out and injured. I don’t know what to do for her.” My shoulders slumped and I sighed in relief. Venay was alive.
“There should be a med-kit somewhere in her quarters, most warriors keep them in their bathrooms. Check there or the kitchen, but please be careful. We have stopped, but I don’t know if the ship will stay steady or not. She broke up as we crashed.” At least he was still being honest with me.
“I figured as much. How long before you can get to me?” I was done being strong, I wanted my warrior.
“I honestly don’t know. I can’t leave the bridge yet. We are getting reports of multiple injuries as well as a few deaths. And honey, the ship broke up close to the holding cells. I don’t know how the humans are doing. We are trying to get some warriors over there, but it is slow going.”
I could hear the sadness in his voice and felt his pain. This was not going to be good. It didn’t matter that the aliens saw them as slaves, it was going to be hard on the entire crew if we lost those people.
“Okay, once I get Lisa stable, I’ll go and check on them. I’m not too far away. That could be why our room is so torn up. If we were really close to where the ship broke up, the structural integrity of our area of the ship must have gone past its limits. My safety seat actually came off the wall, but I landed on the bed. Lisa’s was barely hanging on. I think she might have internal damage from the seat belt. She’s badly bruised on her stomach. Do you think the medical crew could send someone here to look at her?” The only reason I suspected internal damage from the seatbelt was because of high school friend of mine had been in a car accident and had similar issues. Her liver was damaged, but she did recover, thankfully. So I was confident with the right medical help Lisa would be fine, too.
“Call the Doctor and ask him to add her to the list to triage, but you might be waiting a while. Most of the ship is out of power, so the doors will have to be manually opened as you move about the ship. But don’t go too far, if you can’t easily get around something, ok? I don’t want you to get stuck somewhere.” He sighed and I could imagine him running a hand across his face as he spoke to me.
“Ok, how do I call the doctor? Or you for that matter? I only know how to answer a call.”
“Push the spot under your ear where they put your translator and say, ‘Paris to the doctor,’ and if he doesn’t answer then try the comm unit on the wall to contact the med-bay. If that doesn’t work call me back, and I will see if I can reach any of the nurses.”
“Alright, I can do that… Venay?” My voice broke when I spoke his name.
“Yes, Sweetheart?” His silky voice was calm, and I appreciated it.
“I… I want to see you. I know I need to be strong, but at the moment, I’m afraid.” Tears stung my eyes. “How long before I can see you?” I took a couple of deep breaths, and tried to not cry, but a tear ran down my cheek. The fear was much stronger than the physical pain.
“You are strong Paris. You can do this. If you don’t want to check on the humans, then make your way to the bridge if you can. You might not make it this far. I think the ship is broken up somewhere between the bridge and the living quarters. The holding cells would be in the middle of the ship. So, call me back after you check on your humans, and then we will see if there is a route you can take to get to me.” His voice was strong and in command. I knew he was worried about me, but he was the Commander and would lend his strength to anyone in need.
“Okay and thank you. I will be strong. I can do this.” I started to repeat in my head over and over my new mantra for the day, I can do this, I am strong and independent, I don’t need Venay to rescue me.
After he said goodbye, I went looking for the emergency medical kit and kept saying my mantra over and over. I found it in the kitchen and made my way back to the bedroom. The entire place was an absolute mess. I had to crawl over a few pieces of furniture that came loose in the crash, but it wasn’t too difficult.
I did make a call to the doctor, and he said he would send someone soon. There were a lot of injured on this ship. So, for the moment, all Lisa had was me.
Chapter 14
When I made it back to her, she was no different. I opened up the med-kit and had no clue how to use the items inside. One thing looked like it might be some sort of scanning device, based on watching sci-fi movies. So I took that out and pushed buttons. It turned on and in a language I couldn’t read, gave instructions. Great! I kept pushing buttons just in case it had audio too. It did! My universal translator told me to put the device over the injured area, and then push the yellow button and hold.
Turns out I was right, she had liver damage. But the device told me what to do next. There was another gadget in the med-kit that looked like it was a tablet. I put the electronic device over her stomach, and it emitted a low level blue glow around the edges. I heard a whirring sound and hoped that meant it was working.
While that was doing its thing, I cleaned my wounds with the antiseptic spray I found in the kit and some cotton balls. It smelled just as bad as antiseptic cleaner back home. My nostrils burned and I coughed a few times.
What was I going to do with Lisa? I needed to check the holding cells, but there was no way Lisa was going to be able to go with me. As I sat there contemplating my next move, Lisa stirred.
“Lisa! You’re awake. How do you feel?” I jumped to her side and hope filled my heart.
She started to move and noticed the tablet on her stomach and tried to move it.
I reached out to her to stop her, “Don’t touch that, it’s a medical device that’s healing your injuries. Leave it there and don’t move. You’re going to be fine.”
She looked up at me with a much clearer expression than before the crash. Her eyes were focused on me but worry creased her forehead. “What happened? Where’s Rotna?”
“We crashed on the planet, and the ship is really beat up. In fact, it has split up in at least two pieces. I’m not sure how bad it is yet. Last I heard Rotna was injured but fine.” I smiled at her and patted her hand. I didn’t know what to say or how to comfort her. I wanted to hug her, but she was not in any position to accept a hug yet.
“Is someone on their way to get us?” Lisa lifted her head and looked around at the devastation.
“No, at least not yet. Since we are ok, we have been put at the bottom of the list. I need to let the doctor know you are awake and see what he wants me to do next. I also need to go and check on the holding cells. Venay thinks the ship broke up around them.” I winced as I thought about them, and I truly hoped they all survived this. There would be nothing worse than being abducted by aliens, and then killed in a crash just a week later.
“What? Why? You are the Commander’s mate! You should be a priority. Why isn’t he doing whatever he can to get you safely to him?” She wrinkled her forehead and pursed her lips.
“Lisa, he has everyone on board to think about. Plus, those aliens crashed too. I don’t know how far away they are, but I’m sure he’s working very hard on getting all of the healthy warriors tog
ether and see what they have in the way of defensive weapons that still work. He has called me a couple of times. I’m healthy and strong. I can pull my own weight. And what I need to do is make sure you are okay before I go check on the rest of our people. Are you alright with that?” I looked her in the eyes and put on my most courageous face. She needed to know she was in the company of someone who could take good care of her while she was healing.
“Of course, you’re right. I’m sorry. My life before this week was pretty ordinary. I never had to deal with anything more than a sprained ankle. My parents are upper-middle class, and I grew up in a nice neighborhood, went to a good school, was a cheerleader,” She tried to make a hand gesture as she said cheerleader, but it didn’t come off too well. She must be very stiff and sore all over.
Her face contorted a bit before she continued, “You know, the normal life of a happy kid. I never had to take care of myself. In fact, my parents were paying for my condo. They thought I should experience living on my own for a while before settling down and marrying. I had only graduated college a couple years ago. I could afford a cheap apartment in a not so nice area, but my dad didn’t want me anywhere near that neighborhood so they bought me a condo.” She rattled on and I could tell she was nervous and in pain when she grimaced after each little movement.
“Hey now, why don’t you just lay there and rest for a bit, I need to call the doctor and see what he wants next.” I got up and walked away to call the doc.
“Paris to Doctor.”
“Yes, Paris, how can I help you?”
“I found the med-kit, and it’s working on Lisa, thankfully! But she is in a lot of pain. She’s awake now, which is good, but I don’t think I should move her. Can she stay here by herself for a while? Or do I need to keep an eye on her?” I spoke softly so Lisa couldn’t hear me.
“If you give her a pain injector she will sleep, and you can go do what you need to. But don’t leave her alone for very long. You were right not to move her. I need you to read me the stats from the healing device on her abdomen.”
I read what I could, but some of it didn’t make any sense to me.
“Good, good. Do you see the long injector in the kit?” The doctor asked. “It might look like a fat pen to you.”
“Yes, I have it,” I responded.
“Right, on the side you will see a small dial, I need you to turn it so that is reads ‘glozxhen’.”
“Is that the pain medicine?” I asked.
“Yes, do you have it?” He inquired.
“Yes.” I turned the dial to the correct medicine and hoped I was doing the right thing.
“Ok you only need to inject it into her arm. Just one push on the button at the top once you have it level with her skin.”
I put the pen on her arm and pushed the button. “Okay, that was easy. How long before she starts…”
I looked down at Lisa’s face, and it was slowly calming and relaxing. The tension had melted away very quickly, and she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.
“Oh, it’s taking effect quickly. I think she might already be asleep.” I chuckled.
“Good, but don’t be gone longer than an hour. I need you to check her vitals every hour. If the display shows a beeping yellow number, then call me right away,” He ordered.
“Okay, will do,” I replied.
“Paris, are you going to check on the slaves?” The doctor asked.
I cringed when he used that word. I wished they had a better name for the humans.
“Yes, I know the bridge is most likely cut off from them, and I’m not too far away.” I stood up and took another look at Lisa, hoping she would be just fine all by herself. She looked so tiny laying on the floor in the middle of the storm of junk all around.
“Good, you will want to stop in empty rooms along the way and pick up a few med-kits to take with you. And maybe a few sheets too. I expect you will find some dead but a lot of injured. Call me back when you get there and let me know how you find them.” He sounded so matter of fact. I wondered how he wasn’t stressed or worried at all. Maybe doctors were just good in a crisis and had learned to turn off their emotions?
“You haven’t been able to get anyone there yet?” My voice rose and I had to mentally calm myself to keep from freaking out.
“No, we are close to the bridge and cut off from the back of the ship. If there is an emergency, I will find a way to get there. But for now, you will have to be my medical assistant.”
I took a deep breath, “Alright, anything else I need to know?”
“Do your best to turn off your emotions. If you need to stop and take a moment to yourself, do so. But don’t take too long.”
How does one go about turning off their emotions?
“Got it, alright I’m heading out now. Chat soon.” I closed my eyes and took another deep breath trying to shut off my emotions and prepare for what I knew was going to be something so much tougher than I had ever experienced.
To bolster my nerves a bit I repeated my mantra, I can do this. I am strong and independent. I don’t need Venay to rescue me.
I covered Lisa with a blanket and put a pillow under head. If she woke before I returned, I hoped she wouldn’t be too upset with me for knocking her out and leaving her all alone.
The hallway wasn’t too bad. Some of the doors were open and items from inside the living quarters were sprawled all over the hall, but it wasn’t bad. The mess served as an obstacle course and I had to weave around various items to move forward. I decided to check the open doors first for med-kits and sheets.
At first my arms were full and starting to hurt from carrying so many kits and sheets, then I got the smart idea to use the sheets as a sort of backpack or carrying bag. I took the eight med-kits I found and wrapped them along with the extra sheets into one sheet to make a big bag and slung it over my shoulder. It was heavy and my shoulder hurt, but it was much better than before. I could also get over the debris easier. When I came upon some spots where I needed to climb, I took my pack and tossed it over what I needed to climb on and then had use of both hands.
The sheets acted as pretty good padding for the kits. I could hear the boxes jostling around in my makeshift pack whenever I threw it over a mound, but each time I looked inside the boxes were still closed. If I was lucky, they would all still work just fine when I needed them.
I made it to where the holding cells should have been, but all I found was the end of the ship. It had broken apart right outside the holding cells. That meant that either everyone was on the other side or they were gone.
There was a large gap between my side of the ship and the other side. I saw a lot of debris and what looked to be some bodies, most likely humans since they were wearing Earth clothes.
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes, but I wasn’t about to lose it, not yet anyway. I still had to find everyone. Once this day was over, then I could find a small hole and cry my eyes out.
I called out, “Hello, anyone there?”
I heard a response, “Yes, there are a bunch of us still trapped in the cells!”
“Oh, thank the heavens you’re alive! Some got out? How? I don’t see a way to get to you,” I yelled out
“I don’t know. Some of the cell doors opened on their own and all the people who could get out did. They left the rest of us here in the locked cells!” It was a woman’s voice I didn’t recognize.
“Did the men get out?” I yelled.
“Some, but they didn’t help, they just ran,” Another voice responded.
A third voice spoke up, “That’s not true, they went around to all of the cells and pulled on the doors, they ran after checking that they couldn’t get us out.”
“Okay, I am across the way, but I don’t see how to get to you. I’m going to climb down from my side and see if I can find a way to you. Hold on,” I yelled.
As I tried to find a way down, I called Venay, “Venay, I’m over at the holding cells. The ship broke up on my side. But
I’m climbing down to see if I can find a walkway to them. There are a lot of people still locked in. Some cells unlocked, but not all of them.”
“Yes, once we crashed, I pushed the button to let them out. I’m sorry not all of them were able to get out. Be careful, I can’t imagine it will be easy to get across the divide. But if you are able, I can guide you to the manual override so you can unlock the rest.” His admission surprised me. I would have thought he’d want to keep them in their cells no matter what.
“Wonderful! I think I see a section that might still be somewhat attached. If I can get to it, I won’t have to climb all the way down the ship only to climb all the way back up.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Be careful, Paris, and call me when you get there.” He hung up, and I re-focused on my task.
It took me a good thirty minutes to climb to the spot I saw. It looked like a hallway that had been mangled but still attached to both sides.
I climbed up an embankment and then slid down the other side. It reminded me of those plastic slides kids played on. You would climb up one side of the plastic only to slide down the other, but this was much larger, and sharper. I cut my arm on the way down, but it wasn’t too bad. Once I got to the bottom I stopped to clean and bandage my arm.
I didn’t take any more time than what I needed. Those people needed me, and I still had to get back to Lisa too. I wouldn’t make it back within an hour.
I found a good way to get up, but it must have taken me at least forty-five minutes. I was sweating by the time I made it back up. The path to my right looked like it might be the way to go for the holding cells. Or at least I hoped I was on the right floor, I counted seven floors going down and then seven going back up.
“Hello, are you guys still there?” I yelled out again, just to help me get my bearings.
“Yes, you sound much closer. Are you almost here?” The first lady I was speaking to earlier yelled out.
“Yeah, I’m just down the hall now. But there’s a lot of debris, I should be there within a few minutes.” As I climbed over some metal piece of the ship, the doctor called me.
Worlds Away Page 12