I blinked in the low light, clearing sleep from my eyes. Looking around I could see that I was back in MedBay. Taking stock, I honestly felt like I needed to be there. Was I recovering from a fever? No, I hadn't been sick. I felt incredibly achy and so tired, though. I remembered being in the test room. Victor's light whip changed from a pale yellow to silver in color. Then Kota and Victor...What had happened?
I attempted to lift my hand and realized it was being weighed down by someone else's. I turned and looked to see a familiar mop of sandy blonde curls. I tried to carefully pull my hand free. My movement woke him and sleepy but mischievous eyes met mine.
"Good morning, [Taren word for sweet flavoring crystals]," he greeted me, as he sat up. Normally, being called sugar would make me blush, but at that moment I just really wanted something sweet to eat, preferably chocolate. Sean's brows lifted when my stomach very loudly declared my hunger. "Well, that's a good sign. Let's run through a few quick tests then order some food."
Halfway through my meal Ista Phillips came and ordered Sean away. I was glad since the bags under his eyes showed that he had not been sleeping well, if any at all.
"I thought I might have to threaten taking away his purple stripes to convince him to leave. I'm glad your promise to try some of his favorite dessert finally worked instead," Ista Phillips joked.
"He stay all time I sleep?" I asked.
"Hmm, yes. You had other visitors, too. Setari squads seem to be fairly insular by nature, Fourth Squad no exception, but they seem to be accepting you quickly."
"That bad thing?" I wondered.
"No, not at all," replied Ista Phillips, "just the opposite really. We hope to integrate you and your enhancement talent into the Setari program based on the early test results. It is important that you feel comfortable with the squads you'll work with."
"I work with more squads?"
"Hopefully," he said. "The Council would like to see further testing with all available abilities before moving forward. We already discovered that you can enhance more than one person, just not simultaneously. Ista Green observed that you were starting to tire from consecutive enhancements, then were overwhelmed when Tsen Lee and Tset Morgan touched you. They collapsed at the same time, so we are assuming that either they received some sort of blowback of energy or your talent has a failsafe that protected you and pulled energy from them. Study of the mission files was inconclusive, but for now we don't want to recreate the circumstances to determine which scenario it was. You'll notice that a few procedures have been set in place for your safety. 1) No more than one person is authorized skin-to-skin contact with you at any given time. 2) You'll be receiving physical conditioning training to increase your stamina. And 3) You'll be outfitted in a Setari nanosuit and given instructions how to adjust it. We don't want any accidental contact. Perhaps in time your energy reserves will grow enough for contact with multiple Setari at once, but quite frankly, Sang, you seem to have been underweight and malnourished even before arrival on Muina. It is easy to see how your energy reserves were drained so quickly. I've advised the Council and Tsee Blackbourne that you need plenty of rest and food in-between further enhancement tests and building your endurance. Ista Green and Tsen Lee will track your progress. The health of any Setari or KOTIS staff member is important to our mission."
I nodded my understanding of all this.
"Your medical exams today indicate we can release you from MedBay. If you feel well enough to leave, then I have one other matter to discuss, Sang. Tsee Blackbourne's report includes that you relocated from MedBay to Tsen Lee's residence. If you are not comfortable with that arrangement, we can provide alternate housing, perhaps with another female," he suggested.
I immediately shook my head no. I did not want to be with another girl. My sister Marie had been a selfish roommate and my mother....well, Kota had been so kind and welcoming. I much preferred to stay with him and Victor. I would insist on sleeping on the roll-away. I couldn't keep taking Kota's bed or maybe we could take turns.
To make myself clear, I said, "I want stay with Kota."
"Well, if you change your mind at any time, just let me know." He added, "And here comes another Fourth Squad member who will assist you with the nanosuit." The door to my Box Room opened to reveal yet another cute guy in Setari black. Ista Phillips continued, "I don't believe you've met yet. This is...."
"Gabriel [censored language] Coleman," the newcomer declared jovially.
"Tset Coleman, language please," Ista Phillips warned sternly.
"Sorry," Gabriel threw out carelessly.
Ista Phillips shook his head like he doubted the apology was authentic and said, "This is Sang Sorenson. I will release her to your care now. Make sure you observe the guidelines I sent to your inbox."
I moved from the bed and followed Gabriel. I was grateful for the medicine Ista Green has given me for the aches. I was walking with only a twinge of soreness now. I used the time that we made our way out of MedBay to take in Gabriel's appearance. His brown hair was streaked with blonde highlights and though many Taren civilians I had seen when staying with the Lents family used virtual body decorations, Gabriel had actual piercings in his ears. Three black hoops lined the right ear shell and orange crystals adorned both lobes. The orange matched his rank stripes. He was only a bit taller than me, and built the slightest of the Fourth Squad members I'd met so far.
We turned down a hallway when suddenly Gabriel turned on me, one hand going to his hip, the other gesturing to me.
"Oy! What the [censored language] is that [censored language] thing in your hair?"
I was taken aback his abruptness and reached back to touch my hair. "My hair clip," I answered using the English word.
"Well, it's ugly," he declared, as he reached out and snatched it away, letting my hair tumble down.
What did he think he was doing! That was the only one I had. I hadn't seen any others while on Tare so far, so I tried to grab it back. At which he lifted it as high as he could, playing keep away with his longer arm reach. I then attempted to jump for it, but he twisted away.
"Ha! You're going to be trouble. I can tell right now," he said playfully, as he turned again to me, hiding the clip behind his back. His playfulness was contagious, making me grin. I tried dodging behind him, but he avoided me easily.
I finally stopped, arms crossed and said, "You...Mean-ie."
"What!?" he exclaimed. "I am not mean."
I decided to try pouting my bottom lip. "Nuh-uh, Trouble, none of that now," he tsked. "Put that lip away," he ordered, but gave the clip back. "You can have this back for now, but after we get your nanosuit, your hair is mine."