Carbon Life

by HR Ringer

  Traynor grasped Yuán’s arm and said, “Lead the way, Luv.”

  * * *

  Traynor had been on Thessia for eight days, during which time Xiùlán continued to heal from her surgeries, to the point where she could perform some of her milder exercises in the gym… on a limited basis and strictly supervised by Corrina Sidhu – ‘I’m not about to have all our hard work undone by a careless move on your part’, she had said before Xiùlán could make her first move.

  Sammy had brought their nángùns; Xiùlán busied herself with practice moves, done in slow motion at first, as if she were simply sparring with a shadow warrior. As she warmed up, she moved her upper body and arms with increasing speed while keeping her feet firmly planted, left leg back, right leg forward with knee bent, over which she held the majority of her weight. Rather than sparring with Xiùlán, Traynor exercised alongside her lover, matching her move-for-move as if she were a shadow. It was an eye-opening experience for Corrina, as she had never seen these humans work out together.

  The best part of the exercises in Traynor’s mind was getting to shower with her Inamorata when they had finished for the day; after Sammy washed and rinsed Xiùlán’s hair, she would wash her legs and feet while Xiùlán reclined on a wide bench. Xiùlán derived immense enjoyment from simply watching the nude form of the love of her life moving about in the warm mist; the soft caresses from her hands in complete conflict with the rippling muscles in her arms and shoulders.

  Traynor never attended to herself until she was satisfied that Xiùlán’s needs had been met; she once caught Xiùlán watching her as she washed herself. “Didn’t realize I was putting on a show for you…” came the snarky comment. Turning her body to face her lover, she put a fist on a hip and asked, “Am I to understand you like what you see?”

  “I’m making memories of you, is all,” came the reply. Suddenly feeling shy for no reason she could name, Yuán added, “I don’t want to forget how you look, how you move. Your body is exquisite, Sà mǐ… I don’t believe I have ever seen its equal.”

  Sam sauntered over to the bench; taking a seat beside Yuán’s head, she scooched herself sideways so Xiùlán could use a thigh as a pillow. Cupping the cheek of the face looking up at her, Sammy said, “My body is your creation, my love. If it pleases you, then it is my pleasure to display it for you.” Xiùlán brought her own hand up to caress Sammy’s face. Sam kissed the hand and fingers before saying, “Come on… we need to dry off and get dressed for dinner before Corrina comes looking for us.”

  “There’s always something to interfere with our pleasure,” came the reply in a mock grumpy tone. “But I am hungry, so…” Sammy made sure Xiùlán had her feet solidly under her on the water-slick floor, then walked with her to get their towels, where they had great fun drying each other before they got dressed and walked back to their room.

  * * *

  Every other afternoon Xiùlán had aquatic therapy with Corrina – a series of exercises in which Yuán floated face upward in chest-deep, warm water, with the asari supporting her head in the crook of one arm while maintaining gentle traction from the base of her skull down the full length of her spine; these were designed to alternately stretch and contract the muscles in her legs with slow, smooth movements that avoided sudden loading of her joints. It was extremely relaxing for Xiùlán, particularly when Corrina added a bit of biotics in her hands. The exercises contributed to the healing of the muscles in her thigh, particularly those injured by bullet and bone fragments, but also to the strengthening of the ligaments and tendons attached to the replacement ‘bone’ in her leg.

  After an hour session, she’d take a half-hour ‘break’ in a deep tub of very warm water with massaging jets, after which she’d move to the swimming pool for some slow laps; Sammy would generally join her in the pool so she’d have another human for company.

  On the days she didn’t have aquatic therapy, Xiùlán would work out on various machines designed to strengthen the rest of her body without straining her left leg; she would also walk a circuit of the tranquil parks between the hospital and rehab buildings.

  Sammy had been on the asari home world for fifteen days and was walking with Xiùlán when an incoming message from Corrina Sidhu activated each of their omni-tools. “The Minister of Antiquities has sent her assistant, Maracela T'Rhyn, here from Armali; she would like to see both of you.”

  Xiùlán glanced at Sammy as she entered a reply for both of them: “Please inform Maracela we will be there as soon as possible. I am unable to run, and aircars are not permitted in this section of the parks.” Taking Sammy’s arm at the elbow, she wondered about Mara’s desire to see them, saying, “It’s not like I’m ready to go home, Sà mǐ.”

  Traynor said, “She must be here to visit, Luv… Too soon for you to be discharged.”

  Xiùlán leaned over to plant a quick kiss on Sammy’s cheek. “Probably just wants to make sure she can see me… see us… before I get discharged and we leave for Earth.”

  Sammy grimaced for a moment before answering in a thoughtful tone. “Perhaps she’s going to take us to Armali to tour the museum. Thanks to that post-op infection, you actually are a few days late getting discharged from here.”

  Shaking her head in disagreement, Xiùlán replied, “She would have been kept apprised of my status by Dr Shakia, Sà mǐ. I would imagine the Matriarch has an opportunity to show us the antiquities right now… such an opportunity may not present itself again until after we leave Thessia. Anyway, we’ll know in a few minutes.”

  Upon rounding the final turn in the pathway and entering the main building, they discovered Corrina nervously waiting for them in the lobby. “Mistress T'Rhyn is waiting in the conference room down the hall from your room, Ms Yuán. I told her you would be right up.”

  “Thank you, Corrina.” Xiùlán led Sammy to the elevator; after the brief ride, they walked past Xiùlán’s room to the large conference room to greet Maracela T'Rhyn. “Mara!” Holding her hands out palms up, Xiùlán continued, “How wonderful to see you again. What brings you to Serrice?”

  Placing her own hands on Xiùlán’s, she replied, “Matriarch Elesia sent me here on a variety of errands, not the least of which was to meet with you in person in order to personally evaluate the progress of your rehabilitation so I may report back to her.” Stepping back a pace to take a better look, she added, “The Goddess has blessed you, Xiùlán. Your pace of healing seems extraordinary, given the traumatic injury you suffered.”

  Xiùlán looked down at the bare skin of her thigh; she was wearing a pair of standard duty pants with the legs cut off so the still healing skin grafts wouldn’t get chaffed by the fabric. “I suppose there is truth to what you say… I myself think the healing is progressing at too slow a pace.”

  After greeting Traynor, Mara looked from one to the other as she offered a further explanation for her visit. “My Mistress requested that I remind you both of her invitation for a private tour of the museum in Armali.” Mara held up a hand before either woman could protest the special treatment. “You need to see what your mission accomplished for the asari people,” she concluded. “I’m going now to speak with Dr Shakia, remind her to send word to us concerning your release from treatment here.”

  Xiùlán glanced at Sammy as she sighed, “Okay… and please, thank her for both of us.”

  Maracela smiled as she responded, “I will be sure to relay the message, but truthfully, it is we who are offering thanks to you. I look forward to seeing you both in Armali.”

  * * *

  Xiùlán had been discharged from the rehab center by Dr Shakia, who had declared her leg was as close to a hundred percent as could be hoped – there would always be a bit of discomfort associated with the replacement of her shattered thigh bone, but the doctor reasoned that Xiùlán’s condition – whose daily morning regimen of Tai Chi, coupled with the sparring exercises she enjoyed with Sammy – would continue to improve over time.

  She had been given a co
mplete copy of her medical records since her arrival on Thessia; Alliance doctors would be able to see exactly what had been done to save her leg, including Traynor’s first-aid efforts before their extraction from Cartagena Station.

  Traynor was walking beside her inamorata in the spacious park between the Serrice hospital and its rehabilitation center; they were enjoying their last evening together before going to the hotel room that had been reserved for their last night on Thessia. Sam couldn’t help herself as she pointed out that Xiùlán wasn’t even using the cane she was carrying.

  Looking at the object she was holding in some surprise, she replied, “I guess you’re correct, Sà mǐ… truthfully, I haven’t felt the need to use it. My leg seems to have healed quite nicely, and is moving and supporting my weight without complaint.”

  “I’m so happy for you, Luv!” A devious smile gradually grew as she added, “We really should find a staff for you – something similar to your nángùn – so you’d always be armed.”

  Xiùlán smiled back. “Hoping to keep me at least two meters from an assailant, Sà mǐ?”

  “That’s the general idea, Luv.” They strolled along in companionable silence for several more minutes before reaching the entrance to the rehab center. Upon entering the main lobby, they encountered Dr Shakia, who had walked over from the hospital to say her final farewells to the pair.

  “Ms Yuán… Ms Traynor… Goddess only knows when we may be blessed to see each other once again.” She offered her hands in friendship, only to have them ignored as first Xiùlán, then Sammy, slipped in between the asari’s arms to offer their own interpretation of friendship – a heartfelt hug.

  “I can never thank you enough for all you and the people in this hospital have done to see me made whole again,” Xiùlán said softly. “You have my gratitude, Dr Shakia, as well as my friendship.”

  Traynor tearfully echoed Xiùlán’s comments. “You have made the seemingly impossible a reality, for which I will be forever grateful.” Sammy kissed a blue cheek as she released the flustered doctor.

  The asari coughed to clear the knot that had appeared in her throat. “I never had any dealings with humans before meeting you two and Operations Chief Buchanan; I certainly never expected that our parting would bring me such a combination of sadness and joy. It is a privilege for me to know you… both of you.” After a brief pause to collect her composure, she continued. “Now, your transportation has all been arranged… by the time you collect your things from your room and return here, a shuttle will be waiting outside to take you to your overnight accommodations.” With a smile and nod of her head, the doctor slowly turned and departed, afraid to say anything else, lest she burst into tears.

  Xiùlán and Sammy watched her for a few moments, then turned as one to go back to Xiùlán’s room one last time.

  After a similar scene played out with Physical Therapist Corrina Sidhu in the passageway outside Xiùlán’s room, the pair made their way back to the lobby, with Traynor carrying the heaviest of Xiùlán’ packs to keep her from somehow overstressing her still healing leg. As promised by Dr Shakia, an obviously luxurious asari shuttle, gleaming paint reflecting the many glowing lights in the park, was sitting quietly near the doors.

  The entry hatch opened as they approached; Xiùlán glanced at Samantha with a questioning look, to be met with a shoulder shrug. As they cautiously stepped up into the shuttle, a dim light illuminated the face of another friend. “Matriarch Elesia! How very good to see you!” Xiùlán held her hands out to the Antiquities Minister in greeting; Samantha set their packs down as she offered her own greeting to the Minister before asking, “What brings you here from Armali, Matriarch?”

  Elesia’s smile was radiant. Addressing Xiùlán first, she practically gushed, “It is good to see you again… both of you! And the Goddess surely has smiled on you, Ms Yuán. If I had not seen the extent of your injuries with my own eyes, I would find it difficult to believe you could be up and around so soon!” Turning her attention to Sammy, she said, “I really must apologize for this unexpected visit, Ms Traynor, but I simply could not allow Mara to have all the fun.”

  Splitting her attention between the pair, she continued, “You do remember that I promised you a tour of the Palace Art Gallery before your departure.” Indicating the empty seats with a graceful wave of her hand, she continued, “Please, be seated… it is only a short flight to Armali.” As they each took a seat – the craft’s chairs felt more like richly upholstered luxury lounge recliners than a shuttle’s passenger chairs – the unseen pilot closed the hatch and brought the shuttle to life while Elesia continued speaking. “I will lead you on a private tour, after which you will be my guests for a late dinner and overnight stay at my villa. In the morning, you will be taken to the spaceport in plenty of time for your flight back to Earth.”

  Xiùlán and Sam looked at each other for a moment before returning their gaze to the Matriarch. “Sounds like a wonderful evening, Minister,” Xiùlán replied as Sam nodded enthusiastically.

  * * *

  * THESSIA • ARMALI PALACE ART GALLERY *

  Sammy and Xiùlán were a bit awestruck by the number of ancient exhibits in the museum, an emotion that did not go unnoticed by their esteemed tour guide. “Asari history stretches back for millennia,” Elesia remarked as she turned a corner to enter another wing of the rather large building. “I did not mean to imply that the antiquities we have here were all from the golden age of exploration.”

  Just as the humans had been amazed at the number of exhibits in the museum halls they had just been through, they were equally amazed at the distinct dearth of exhibits in the smaller area before them. Traynor asked, “If there are so many objects here that date back to truly ancient times, Matriarch, then why are there no more than a relative handful in this part of the museum?”

  “A number of the exhibits in this wing belonged to the six – the Matriarchs that managed to return from their voyages into the void. The rest, including the figurine so adeptly recovered by you two, belonged to Matriarch Dilinaga.” Elesia continued to talk as she walked up to a display case housing a number of brittle-looking pieces of paper. “Her writings were only recently released from the Thessia Guildhall, possibly because several more were recently recovered by Septivus Vulpez, the turian that originally recovered the Janiri figurine.”

  Traynor looked in awe at the ancient pages, each a chronological record of Matriarch Dilinaga’s travels through what had been the batarian controlled sector of the galaxy.

  “Long way from home,” Traynor mused. “Even with the relays, travel through the systems must have taken a long time.”

  The matriarch nodded in agreement. “Ships of that era were not nearly as efficient as those currently produced, Sammy. Remember also, a number of the planets visited by our travelers are located in systems that are virtual dead-ends, such as Gemini Sigma, Artemis Tau, Maroon Sea and the Armstrong Nebula; one must reverse direction to leave each one. It makes for seemingly time-consuming travel.”

  Xiùlán slowly approached the exhibit in the very center of the room – the 40 centimeter high figurine of Janiri, standing on top of a polished crystalline cylinder, the circular base of which rotated extremely slowly; it stood under a clear dome for protection and was lit by several spot lights mounted in the ceiling. Four engraved gold plates describing the artifact were mounted on separate posts installed around the central pedestal, with the posts linked by gold chains to prevent visitors from drawing too close.

  Traynor walked up to join Xiùlán and remarked, “The display doesn’t begin to tell of the difficulties encountered by those that retrieved it from the abyss, eh, Luv?”

  Xiùlán looked at her companion with a grim smile. “Not even close.” Returning her gaze to the figurine, she added, “I wonder how many other artifacts from that era are missing, whether lost to theft or piracy… how many are sitting in people's private collections.”

  Elesia walked up to join the humans, respon
ding to Xiùlán’s musings. “More than I care to think about… It’s amazing to me that people would be so selfish that they would deny others an opportunity to share in our history.” Shaking her head as if to erase the thoughts of stolen artifacts, she said, “If you are done looking at the displays, we can leave for my home. It’s not far, and I must admit to being a bit hungry.”

  Traynor smiled in reply. “Lead the way, Matriarch.”

  * * *

  * THESSIA • ARMALI • MATRIARCH ELESIA’S ESTATE *

  Matriarch Elesia was as good as her word – Xiùlán and Sammy enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at her country estate, where they were treated like royalty. Maracela T'Rhyn was there as well; the next morning, she pulled Samantha aside as soon as everyone was done with brunch.

  “Sammy, I have something I wish to give you, and before you say anything, please know that I believe you are one of the nicest people I have ever met.” Mara dropped her eyes for a moment, the deepening color in her cheeks the only sign she was uncomfortable with what she was about to do. “I had hoped to accompany you to the spaceport, but after thinking about it, decided I would have a better chance of having you alone for a few moments before you left the estate.”

  Traynor was mystified by Maracela’s behavior and her words. “Mara, what on Earth… er, what on Thessia... are you talking about?”

  A blue hand reached for and took one of Samantha’s hands as Mara attempted to explain. “You remember the day I took you and… Operations Chief Buchanan… on a sight-seeing walk near the hospital? You were looking at jewelry inside my sister’s shop.”