Page 151 of Homebound
They survived.
A quiet hiss announced that once again someone was approaching. Simon gently let Gemma lay back down as he rose to meet their visitor.
It was a man, only one. He and Simon exchanged a brief conversation.
“Gemma, this is Commander Aiek. He welcomes you onboard and wishes you well.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Commander. I am grateful for your hospitality,” Gemma said to the man, smiling weakly.
Simon translated, and Commander Aiek said something in return, giving her a small bow but hovering much farther away from her bed than before.
“Commander apologizes for the lack of proper care you may have received. They aren’t equipped to tend to aliens. This isn’t their ship’s mission.”
Surprise made Gemma chuckle. “I am an alien, aren’t I? From this point on.”
Simon smiled back.
Commander Aiek radiated concern.
Dividing a look between him and Simon, Gemma asked, “What?”
“Gemma, they aren’t used to humans. When you smile, he doesn't know you’re amused. And remember, Rix don’t cry. So when you cried earlier…” he cleared his throat, “They thought you were dying. Painfully.”
“Oh.”
The men conversed for a short time with Simon presumably assuring the commander that Gemma was physically stable and not mentally disturbed. Finally, Aiek addressed Simon and performed a deep bow, which left Simon visibly uncomfortable.
The time had truly come for Gemma to make studying their language a priority after an uncomfortable realization that she might never meet anyone ever again, besides Simon, who would understand her human speech.
She was an alien.
Perplexed rather than alarmed by her new status, she turned to Simon. “What is he saying?”
“Commander expresses his honor at having me on his station,” he said curtly, giving her an impression that he’d rather not elaborate.
She thought to the contrary. “You’re known to him?”
“Not personally, no.”
“Simon,” she admonished when it was clear he wasn’t going to say more.
“He knows of me,” he obliged, “he’s heard of my previous service. That is the only reason we’re still alive.”
“What do you mean?”
“Gemma, I…” he was having a hard time admitting it. “I couldn't breach the laser shield.”
“But you did! We’re here. It worked.”
“It didn’t work like I knew it never would. Butan couldn't turn like I needed it to turn. Commander Aiek,” he indicated the man who was listening raptly to their exchange without understanding a word of it, “he dimmed the shield. When he saw me attempt an approach, he recognized the right maneuvering but he also knew I wasn’t going to make it. Not in that rusty bucket. Not with that speed. Definitely not with the wide angles thing. He gave it a leap of faith and let us in.”
Gemma pressed her hands to her mouth, overcome by a new desire to cry. Aiek’s head snapped back and he gazed at Simon seeking further reassurance that his alien guest wouldn't succumb, after all.
“Because you’re a legend,” she whispered.
“I don’t think of myself as such. I served my people and I did it well. As does he.”
She glanced sideways. Commander Aiek, a huge, uncompromising, feral Rix male, a commander of a massive space station, was standing at attention in front of Simon who was still showing signs of malnutrition.
