Page 53 of May the Stars Have Mercy
They came from the shadows.
She furrowed her brows, jerking her arms up to dry her face on her sleeve. “What do you mean shadows?”
Us pests exist in the void. We are not sure where we came from, but we found you, Aphrodite Kerso.
Aphrodite inhaled sharply. “Buddy, I need you to be very clear with me…are you the same species as those things taking over people?”
It took a long time to answer. Green text slowly typed across the screen.
Not the same species. But we come from the same void. Brexzkit feed from organic, biological material. Like calcium. Zrexeit feed on electricity and energy…I feed on energy.
Aphrodite cupped the metal octopus in her hands and furrowed her brow. “So, it’s not my drone that’s sentient, it’s you. There's a person in my drone.”
I am Buddy. But your drone is a healthy exoskeleton.
She exhaled, “Well, that makes more sense I guess than what I was thinking might have happened. But why didn’t you tell me before?”
I did not have the language to explain. I have been learning. Access to your device and you have improved my being much.
Aphrodite cocked her head to the side, ready to ask more. Movement caught her eye and she followed it away from buddy to the continuously moving escalator. Xexis stood still, spotted like a deer in headlights, headed for her platform. He watched her with worry.I can tell because his pincers are curled up like he’s the one whoSlowly, she climbed to her wobbly feet. Buddy floated up and sat on her head. Gripping the railing, she followed it toward him. Xexis met her at the cross section closing off access to the escalators.
She exhaled, “My mate.”
His face lightened, his eyes crinkling at the edges. “My mate.”
“I know, you’re going to say it’s not fair to force the Council to intercede when that’s not what they’re meant to do, but…I just…” She trailed off, her throat closing around a lump.
“We are meant to help, not demand,” he whispered.
“I know,” she whimpered, looking away to the rings. “But we could have helped. We should have gone there immediately, we should have—”
“There was no way of knowing the extent of infection.” He put a palm to her cheek. She lay her face fully in his hand, cupping it. “Not when they refused any help and demanded we stay away.”
“But that was the Brexzkit!” she blurted out.
Xexis’ brow furrowed as he stared at her, baffled. “I am missing context?”
She swallowed again, stepping directly in front of him. “Buddy was able to confirm their species. The pests. They’re the same shadow creatures you built those light cannons to destroy. It’s them. They must have realized that living in a host, they can’t be hurt by the light.”
Xexis grabbed her by the nape of her neck and brought her forehead to his. They lingered for a moment in silence. When he pulled back, he growled, “I would hunt you for the brilliance, but I fear it is a terrible time to be aroused by you.”
Aphrodite sputtered, cackling and snorting. She wrapped her arms around his head and pulled his forehead to her lips. Kissing him hard, she sighed as the tension held in her shoulders fell away. “It is, but I very much appreciate that.”
Heengulfed her into his arms, squeezing her tight. Aphrodite found herself finally able to take a deep breath and hold it in. Her heart still ached and there was a headache threatening her composure, but she would take the small blessings. Xexis released her.
“We must return to our station, Xnasis is staying here at the Council for a few cycles, to oversee things.” Xexis took her hand. “Quagmor and Reevar will meet us at the ship.”
“Is there any way I can get in contact with Vivian, or do I need to go rush to her now and grab her data pad address?” She glanced around, finding people beginning to fill the rings again.
“We can go to her quickly, but we can not stay. Now that I know what the pests are, it is even more important that we return and rally the hunters. New protections will have to be put in place.” He ushered her up the steps as they bolted for the medical bay. There was a part of her that said this was to pick her brain about the pest.Get more information from a medical specialist.Vivian and her were close once, and she used to trust that blue haired woman with her life. Things weren’t that different anymore; they could connect again. The other part of her soul was begging to reconnect. To have a friend, an ally, and soon another human to understand what it was like to be mated to a Vroz.
Chapter Thirty-One:
Xexis
Xexisstoodoutsidethemedical bay as Vivian and Aphrodite shared information and hugged. Reevar was at his side, winded and ashamed.
“I apologize for the fear, Kannatch,” he wheezed, all hands to his sides.
