Page 87 of Across The Stars
I got a new Buddy the week of my return and after a few meetings with various officials, I had signed alternative work contracts on the Nexus deeming me more of an intern than an employee. I was no longer “essential” to the human race, but I was essential to the valerians and the valerians were essential to humans. I was to send in blood and urine samples every time I started ovulating as part of the deal to keep me out of prisonand I was happy to do it. Of course, that meant I was constantly getting tested to find out when prime time was, so I was in and out of the infirmary more than anyone on the Nexus it seemed.
A few days after getting my new Buddy, I received a message from someone anonymous during my lunch break, which I’d started taking far from prying eyes. People began asking questions after they found out I’d been on Sylos. They wanted to know about the valerian planet. About the details of what they looked like. What they ate. How they trained. It was too much for me and so I hid. The only people I enjoyed being around were Omar, Sam, and occasionally Locket, but Omar had been in intensive care since the freighter got attacked and was recovering from a head injury. And Sam was a busy bee after getting placed as an intern like me. And Locket liked to talk about things I didn’t understand so conversation was a bit of a bore when he got carried away.
The message I’d received was simple. All it said was,This Innifer?It took me hours to reply. I wasn’t exactly the chattiest person after I’d been dumped by an alien and if it was another reporter or curious Nexus employee, I was going to lose my shit.
Who’s asking?I said.
This is Solukh.Found out you got a new Buddy. Wanted to see if it was true so I reprogrammed your old one so I could link them.
What do you want, Solukh?
Sam have a new Buddy yet?
Focus.
Right. Wanted to see how you were doing?
Why do you care?
Vahko’s not doing great. He’s been a menace to the crew.
And?
Vikar dili korish tal’ika
???
Means “Violence is the heart bleeding.”
Please. He’s your problem.
There was a long pause and part of me was afraid I’d run Solukh off. Truth was, I was happy to talk to him.It made me feel closer to Vahko… which was so pathetic I could puke. I thought I’d learned my lesson. When someone left, it wasn’t my place to yearn for them. He left. I didn’t. If anyone was going to yearn, it was going to be him.
Then, my Buddydingedagain and I anxiously opened the new message to see a photo load into view. It was a candid snapshot of the side of Vahko’s face. The front of him was lit up with the light of a holographic screen that he was focused on. His tendrils were loose down his back with some hanging over his broad shoulders and instead of his usual suit, he was wearing a fitted shirt without sleeves. He looked rugged and sporty and, in an instant, my skin was flushed with heat.
What the fuck do I want this for?I replied.
I almost beat him in our sparring match today,Solukh messaged back.
Almost?
I’ve never beaten him before. But since you’ve been gone, he’s been a little off his game.
You trying to get me to forgive him?
Nope. He dug his own hole. I’m just telling you he hates it in the dark.
…What’s with all the profound quotes?
You think I’m being profound?
I could practically see the cocky grin on his lips.
I need to get back to work,I said.
Over the next couple weeks, Solukh began checking in on me fairly regularly. He’d ask questions and I’d answer vaguely. Iwasn’t fond of the idea of him possibly updating Vahko. Vahko didn’t deserve updates…
But the little devil in me wanted him to know I was doing just fine without him.
