Page 65 of Ava Greasemonkey

Vox returned to his normal neutral color, breathing out in relief. “Yes. I had forgotten that aspect with the planning over the last cycle. Do you think they will cooperate?”

“Maybe not as well as they did for Ebel, but I know they can feel. I am going to try at least. I know the plan is to come back to the ship after we do the rescue, but I don’t want to risk not having any with me in case that doesn’t work out. I don’t know if I would ever get the chance in another Phor ship again to take some.” Ava absently raised the hand not held by Vox and placed it against the cool window where the transport had departed, much like she usually did in the engine hall against the biologics tank.

Vox nodded sharply. “The ones here also clearly know and like you as well.”

“Yes, there’s that too.”

Vox turned to Lirell, who was passively watching their talk and mannerisms, his curious eyes on Ava and Vox’s clasped hands. “Lirell, Rhutg could use your help preparing the husks,” Vox said as he began walking out of the launch bay for the transports, still holding Ava’s hand.

Lirell nodded his understanding. “I will go assist him and continue learning.”

Vox released Ava’s hand and patted him on the shoulder as they all walked out of the small room. Ava lengthened her stride, keeping up with Vox as he led the way, mind focused on her next few steps now that her friends had departed.

The biologics, still swirling merrily, greeted them when they arrived in the engine hall. Ava stared at the tank, an arm’s length away, hesitating. She didn’t know if what she needed to ask was going to disrupt them. She would have to phrase her words carefully just in case.

“Can you let me know how they feel when I talk with them?” she asked Vox, reaching forward in a jerky movement.

Vox nodded and walked up, putting his hand on the tank.

Ava walked up too and put her hand on it next to his. She felt silly, talking to them as if they could understand, but maybe this whole time they could. She had to try.

“I . . . have a question for you,” she said in a normal tone, clearing her throat. The swirl went around where her hand met the tank in response.

“They are listening,” Vox confirmed.

“If there’s any of you who are brave, I am going away for a while. I am leaving for an adventure. I would like to take some of you with me, if there’s any that would like to join.” She watched the tank hopefully, her eyes traveling up and down its entire length.

The biologics swirled, looking divided. Ava glanced over at Vox, who frowned while keeping his hand on the tank. “They are confused.”

Ava elaborated, “I am offering a choice. You can stay here and live as you are. But if a part of you wants to join, please come to the top . . . by the hatch. It will be a long adventure. I am going to try to find more Humans like me. It might be dangerous.”

“Will be,” Vox said softly, next to Ava.

Ava faltered, voice cracking as she confirmed, “Yes. It will be dangerous. But you will also get to see something different, and explore with me. You can help light up other worlds like you did for the Phor.”

“They are deciding,” Vox said after silence fell.

Ava removed her hand and stood, fidgeting, waiting. She went into her small room while Vox kept watch, his hand still pressed to the tank. She rummaged through her things and grabbed a clear jar with a sturdy lid. It was woefully inadequate to keep a higher life form, but it was what she had.

“Ava?” Vox spoke in a measured tone while Ava wrapped cording around the jar for it to be carried. It would be safer, if any chose to come, for one of the Vorbax to carry them, but she didn’t know if they would accept that.

She came out at Vox’s words, standing again in front of the tank, looking at it curiously.

He looked over to her, and the container she carried. “Some are willing.” He flashed a deep purple while saying it, grin on his face.

Ava went over to the tank and wrapped her arms around it. She didn’t even fit across half the front with her arms spread. “Thank you.” She felt a pulse back in return and kissed the front of the glass on impulse.

She wasted no time in climbing the ladder up to their level, Vox watching on anxiously. In addition to her container, shebrought up some feed to the top, and lowered the powder first into the hatch. She then took the container off her chest and dipped it into the tank. It stayed empty a minute until some of the swirling flakes flowed in. Ava left it there until the movements in and out of the container stopped and remained static. Then she picked it up, resealed the main tank, and capped her small container.

Ava hugged the jar now resting against her chest. It was easily encircled in her arms. “Thank you,” she said again. They whirled fast in response.

Ava let Vox hold the container once she got down from the top of the hatch.

“These are the brave ones, it seems,” he said, holding the jar, watching them swirl.

Ava tapped the transparent front, grinning. “Looks like we match then.”

Vox chuckled, then let the container drop on its strap back to Ava’s chest before pulling her into a hug. “Yes my brave, foolish, Human.”

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