Page 4 of Ava Stargazer

“It's fine, Vox.” Ava gripped the container, feeling them spin. Her voice came out in a rush, desperate to give some answers. “The biologics. Yes, I have them from the Phor ship. These are with me. They provide energy; the faster they swirl, the more power they generate.”

Vox crossed his arms over his suit that matched Ava’s. “They are a benefit to us that also comes with Ava. One other benefit, already clear.”

Ava felt the quorum members register Vox’s words as she held her container closer to her chest.

Keervel’s eyes narrowed again on Ava. “Do we know anything about their limitations?”

I don’t even know how they work at all.The container pulsed under her fingertips reassuringly.

Vox answered for her, “They can power a ship and have sentient thoughts.” He placed his hand on the container on Ava’s chest, starting to lift it up. “They wish to connect with you.”

“The biologics wish to take focus off of you,”Vox added to Ava alone.

Ava nodded, taking the container off and handing it to Vox. She hung back as he walked forward. She finally felt comfortable enough to study the quorum members now that their attention was not on her, and watched as they put their hands on the biologics, noticing the wonder in their faces as they did.At least they seem to like them.There was wonder in some of them when they looked at her too, she had to admit now. They weren’t all hostile.It actually seems pretty evenly split.

Ava backed up farther to stand by Rhutg next to the root-lined wall. Rhutg patted her on the shoulder as they watched the quorum connect with the biologics.“Not much longer now.”His hand remained on her shoulder, grounding her.

Vox came back a second later with the biologics in his hand and returned them to Ava, who quickly put them over her chest. They sat there, swirling, giving off their muted light.

The meeting began to wind down, the talk becoming more circular. Ava shifted her feet, feeling relieved as the conversation moved to the biologics, and then to discussions about the overall feelings of the Vorbax beyond this hall that they could connect with mentally.

Vox subtly nodded to Ava, his strong frame moving to shield her before addressing the others in a tight voice, “We will take our leave now. I know there is curiosity about the Phor ship. We will accommodate if you wish to visit to see the ship in person, but the comfort of the biologics within comes first. There will not be a mass introduction to those in the engine hall without warning.”

Yes.Ava’s body sagged in relief that they would now get to leave.

Keervel came forward. “We will continue discussing and gathering a consensus from the people.” He glanced at Ava.“There may be benefits, but there are also risks. At this time we are unwilling to get more involved in her species' affairs.”

Unwilling.Ava's hands balled at her sides.

Vox took Ava’s hand. “Continue talking.” He nodded and then added just to her, his eyes gentling as they met,“And with the biologics needing privacy, that will hopefully give us some as well.”

She sighed.“I hope so.”

Ava retreated to her ship once the meeting was done, leaving Vox in the field feeding his flock of birds after returning the coar and cart to his brother, Erox.I need a few moments alone.

Bird sounds followed her into the cargo bay, a symphony of chirps and song. She leaned on the cargo bay panel as it closed, her back against the cool metal. The warm sunlight and her anxiety disappeared the moment she was within her ship’s familiar walls.

After taking deep breaths, she pushed off the metal siding and took the route to the engine room at a sprint. She made her feet heavy as she pounded the familiar floor, listening to the sound as it echoed and broke up the silence that still bothered her.

The jittery feeling of her nerves went away the moment she got into the engine hall and was able to climb high in the machine, calming herself down as she methodically greased the gears onthe north end.Here, at last.She sighed, feeling right again for the moment.

Her ship. She put her hand on the side of the large engine.My ship.Celestial.

Despite her brief time on Xai showing her a different way to live life, Ava still felt her best here in the comforting closed confines, even when her mind spun almost fast enough to match the biologics tank across from her. Perhaps especially then. The bubbles danced merrily as if welcoming her back.I missed you too.She smiled, stopping her work on the gears to wave at them.

Despite the pull of Xai's sun, this ship would always be her home. The world outside was a lot to get used to after having only Ebel, the bug-like Phor she’d worked for—and was practically raised by—and a few others around her before.

She gripped the rag she held, her fingernails digging into her palm through the thin cloth.I did the best I could with the quorum.Loosening her fist, she spoke softly as she patted the biologics container around her neck. “It’s okay. Even if I just belong with you and Vox.”

Ava climbed down and walked to the control room, tapping on the larger biologics tank as she went. There she went through the start-up protocols on the ship, vibrating the large engine to check for any tension or error codes. Thankfully the ship was well sealed, designed to withstand the pressure of spaceflight, so dust never seemed to increase, other than what she tracked in on her shoes coming and going from the planet. The engine began its familiar whirr as she swept that bit of dirt from the floor now, finding the task soothing.

Ava didn’t know what would happen with the ship sitting idle so long, as it had now on Xai for two weeks, so she ran everything in the engine hall full power once per ... day. Not cycle. Day.

Day. Ava corrected her thoughts as she swept the broom in time with her musing.Day, night, day.Time was different here on Xai. Instead of a cycle, an artificial unit of time that was standardized for spacecraft, they had days. And nights. Her body felt like day and night could be right, but her mind wasn’t fully convinced.

Ava shook her head, her tied up hair flopping with the movement, and checked the computer feeds.Everything looks fine.The engine gave no errors after going to full power and ran smoothly.

She exited the control room and climbed back up high into the engine to observe the gears moving up close, tucking her biologics container in her waistband to keep it secure. The urge to just take off sometimes, up to the stars she was familiar with, was strong. To roam, soothing that restlessness she felt inside, if only for a while. Her legs dangled as she sat there, hands crossed on a railing while the gears spun, her head resting on her arms. It was satisfying to watch the engine move perfectly.

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