Sang the Stray (Completed)

66. Try, Try Again

"I think the military from my country back on Earth does the same.  For emergency blood transfusions, minus the nanocytes, of course," I said.

"Hmm, yes," he murmured, his gaze turning to that vacant look when Tarens are communicating through the Interface. He blinked and refocused after only a few den. "Listen to the this," he said and I was patched into a discussion. It was audio only so my field of vision remained in MedBay with Sean.
******
" ...and it if this immunity to aether could be found on Muina, then perhaps...well, she survived for an extended time despite the known concentration of Ionoth and the casualties of previous expeditions.  There must be something more to this. What if resettlement is possible?  Or at least extended investigations to find information on the Lantaren Pillar system.  We are reaching critical population numbers and the Ionoth attacks in Taren Near-Space only get worse. We have to try," someone was saying, desperation lacing the words.

"Tsur Michaels, calm down. We all agree something has to be done.  Perhaps a visit to Muina is in order," Tsur Buble's voice said.

"I recommend planning around the aether Moonfall," Tsur Michaels responded more calmly.

"Tsen Sorenson was very clear that the phenomenon occurred during the full moon.  We can only authorize an expedition onto the planet's surface for a window of four kasse. It isn't safe otherwise," Tsur Buble said.

Another unknown voice chimed in next, "Which is why we believe it best that two Setari Squads accompany a contingent from the Science Division and Tsen Sorenson the kai before the full moon. They will survey the area and then return to orbit on the tanz until the next kai."

"That sounds reasonable as long as there are no attacks or equipment failure," someone else agreed.

I felt a slight leap in my heartbeat when I heard Tsee Blackbourne's voice saying, "Fourth Squad will be willing to go.  Our talent set and history with Tsen Sorenson make us an ideal Squad for the mission."

Tsur Buble asked, "Do you have any recommendations for the other Squad who will go?"

"First Squad has the most experience with Muina expeditions, but we haven't worked with them since Tsen Sorenson's arrival.  She has worked frequently with Second Squad," he replied.

"We will take that into consideration as we make final plans. Tsee Blackbourne, you are dismissed," one of the unfamiliar voices said.
*****
Sean dropped us out of the transmission, so I guessed that he was just streaming Tsee Blackbourne's link.

"So, we are going to Muina," I said.

"Sounds like it.  How do you feel about that?" Sean asked.

Honestly, I didn't know.  So I shrugged. Sean's head tilted, causing his blonde curls to bounce haphazardly around his face. His face was pensive.

"You have been through a lot of stressful changes since you came here.  You can say 'no' to going on this trip or at least ask them to postpone it," he said.

Was he right? Could I really say 'no'? There was an urgency to finding a solution to the Pillars. I wasn't sure what I could really do.  After all, I was barely surviving back in Muina before my rescue.  Sean was right about going through a lot of change.  My hand went to cover my eye. The strange new coloring a constant reminder that I would never be the same again.  But that was good. I didn't ever want to return to my life before...hidden from the world, punished for random reasons, and so very alone.  I glanced back up into his green eyes that had filled me with such joy when I first saw him back at Camp Sang. I didn't know what to say, so I just silently pleaded for him to somehow understand.

"Tell me how you feel," he whispered.

I blurted out, "I think I l... " I stopped myself and took a breath. His eyes went wide, waiting for me to finish. "I think I like you," I said quietly.

"Ha," he laughed. "I meant how you felt about the trip, but...you know what? I know I like you." He grinned widely.

I smiled back, but it drooped a bit when I thought, "What about the others?" I was glad the change was covered with a yawn.

"Alright, enough talk. Time to rest.  You were already about to drop before using the telekinesis," Sean insisted. 

"I am not the one who dropped though," I replied. 

"Shush," he said, cheeks turning a bit pink. "Close your eyes before I come over there and.."

"And what?" I challenged.

He mumbled something, then said, "Just try to go to sleep before they sedate us."

I sighed, but turned over and tucked my chin under the covers.  I lay for awhile, truly tired but unable to get comfortable.  After several joden of twisting and adjusting, I heard Sean get up with a grunt.
He didn't say anything, just moved over to my bed and slid under the covers.  I snuggled my back up against him and finally felt myself start to drift.  He wrapped his arm around my middle and kissed the back of my head.