Page 55 of Across The Stars
“Good. Get her and meet me in the commons.”
“You got it,” Salukh said, jogging ahead to retrieve Sam.
I came to my quarters and pressed my hand to the scanner beside the door. When it slid open, I found Innifer slumped on the bed, her eyes heavy. She seemed fatigued and slowly looked up at me.
“This really sucks,” she said. “I feel like I just did a full body workout with weights that were too heavy.”
I approached her, holding out a hand to help her up. She took my offer with a groan and stood.
“Stress can be mental and physical and you’re experiencing it both ways,” I said. “With rest, you’ll feel better. For now, can you make it to the commons? It’s a short walk from here and you need food.”
“Food?” She perked up. “Yes. I’m starving.”
27: Vahko
Innifer tried not to complain as we walked to the lift leading up to the commons, but I could tell she was still uncomfortable. The slight increase in gravity probably wasn’t helping her muscles to relax, either.
I could carry her so effortlessly and ease that discomfort.
No. I pulled back the reins on my impulses before they could even stray.
When we exited the lift onto the common deck, the area was bustling with other valerians taking part in social activities. I rushed Innifer through to a mess hall for officials like myself and Salukh where we could dine in peace.
Inside, I was pleased to see only two others sitting at the transparent tables arranged in the center. They sat across from each other in conversation, but their eyes turned our way when we entered. They glimpsed Innifer curiously. Not that she noticed. She was too busy rolling her shoulders like she was carrying too much weight on them.
“Captain,” one of the men greeted with a nod.
I nodded back and took Innifer to the farthest table in the back. There was a counter along the wall filled with sealed plates of food. Mostly fruit and some aquatic meats prepared fresh. I wasn’t sure what Innifer liked, but I knew that humans ate a wide variety of foods and wanted to assume she’d be alright with our basic cuisine. I took two plates and walked to the table where Innifer had already sat herself down.
As soon as I placed the food in front of her and peeled off the clear covering, she furrowed her brows at the brightly colored items on the plate. I waited for the questions when two others walked into the mess hall. Salukh and Innifer’s feisty little friend, Sam. She was grumbling more exaggeratedly about her physical discomfort but forgot about it completely when she saw Innifer.
“Innifer!” she squeaked, rushing toward her.
Innifer stood and the two embraced like they’d been separated for ten cycles.
“Are you ok?” Innifer asked.
Sam nodded and stretched her neck from side to side.
“Fine,” she said. “But I hate this planet.”
“We haven’t even seen it,” Innifer chuckled.
“Sit,” I said. “Eat.”
“Thank God,” Sam said. “I’m starving.”
Salukh retrieved another two plates and sat down with the three of us, unwrapping his food and digging in before even waiting for the ladies to process things.
“Uhh,” Sam pointing at the strips of long, blueish-silver meat. “What’s that?”
“Kiross,” Salukh said with a full mouth.
“Fish,” I corrected. “Your people would say fish.”
“And that?” she asked, pointing at the teardrop-shaped green fruits.
Innifer was in the middle of taking a small nibble of her fish as Sam asked the questions and I found myself watching her and enjoying how quick she was to try it. She didn’t look disgusted. In fact, she took another bite before I was able to answer Sam, chewing slowly and inquisitively before picking up one of the fruits.
