Page 8 of Fallen from the Stars

“Your commanding officer would have a different term for this, I think.”

“Good thing my CO isn’t here.”

But therewassomeone else here. Vasil.

She lowered her hand to her lap, leaned forward, and looked outside. With the angle of the pod, the sea was to her front and left, and the jungle was just visible on the right edge of her vision. Vasil was nowhere to be seen, but she knew he was close by. He’d allowed her back into the pod without objection after their initial…introduction. That seemingly blind trust triggered further suspicions in her mind. Before doing anything else, she’d retrieved the pistol Kane had mentioned. When she’d turned to search out Vasil again, he was gone.

Keeping the weapon within easy reach, she’d opened up the panel to access the console’s wiring and circuitry, checking for any means of coaxing the communications system to work. She just needed a second of functionality to send a signal — asecond— but Kane’s assessment of the damage had been right. She couldn’t repair it with her current resources.

Turning her head to the right, she fixed her gaze on the dense jungle vegetation. “He said there are humans here, which means the water should be potable, and there’s likely food out there.”

“You’re making some immense assumptions, Theo.”

“If it’s safe for them, why wouldn’t it be safe for me? Last I checked, I’m human too.”

“Barely,” Kane grumbled. “Ifthere are other humans on this planet, we have no idea what processes they go through to purify their water supply—”

“There are water filtration containers in the storage space, Kane. You could pour raw sewage into one of those, and it’d still give you clean drinking water when it was done.”

“Well, we still have no idea how they obtain their food, no idea if any of the native flora or fauna are safe for your consumption. I can monitor the air and water with my sensors, but I will not be able to do the same with food.”

“So you’re saying you’re only half-useful,” she said with a smirk.

“Yes. I’ve assimilated many of my host’s traits.”

“Ouch. Guess I left myself open for that one.” With a sigh, dropped her feet to the floor. “Guess I better do something productive before I get another scolding.”

After checking that her knife was in place, she clipped the holstered pistol onto her belt. She scanned her surroundings as she climbed out of the pod. The dark clouds had parted an hour or two ago, allowing the bright midday sun to shine upon the golden sand. The temperature had risen, and though it wasn’t unbearable, she wasn’t accustomed to anything outside the dry, carefully controlled seventy degrees Fahrenheit of IDC ships. This heat and humidity would become uncomfortable soon enough.

“If that kraken were still around, I could probably ask him what’s safe,” she said as she walked toward the jungle, boots sinking into the soft sand with each step.

“Where in your survivalist training did they tell you to entrust your wellbeing to alien lifeforms?”

“I didn’t say I trust him. And it’s not like that training prepared me forthis.” She swept a hand out in front of her. “I’m a ship mechanic, Kane. That means bare minimum when it comes to training for field operations.”

“It means bare minimum in budget, as well,” he muttered. “If you were a field operative, I would at least have scanners capable of profiling organics to determine their composition and safety. You should’ve aspired for more.”

Theo’s brows lowered, and she scowled. “Are you saying I’m not good enough?”

“I’m sayingI’mnot good enough to help you as I should be able, Theo. If the IDC had put just a little more money into the hardware they installed in you…”

“Nothing to be done about it now.” She stopped a few paces away from the grass. “I like you as you are. You’re family to me, Kane.”

“Aww, did we just have amoment?”

“They’re bound to happen here and there, especially when you never seem to shut up.”

“Is that not what human family is for?”

Frowning, Theo took in a steadying breath and strode into the vegetation. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Neither would I. The one time I hope to lean on your limited expertise, and you fail me.”

She rolled her eyes as she entered the grass. “You know exactly why I havelimited expertisein that field, you jerk. Now let’s focus on the task at hand.”

“Yes, sir.”A small blue orb projected from her left wrist, hovering in the air over it. Kane’s voice emanated from the orb when he spoke again. “I will monitor for signs of life, but my capabilities in that regard are limited. May I suggest you draw your weapon?”

Theo drew the pistol from its holster and continued forward.

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