chapter 5

How could I have been so blind. I should've seen she was only pretending, putting on a front for our sake. This was why, when she ran off after leaving school, I cursed myself internally before running after her.

Whatever senses were guiding her, I had senses of my own. I knew the commander's scent pretty well by now and there was also the unmistakable smell of metal. I was faster and I knew the town better, from years of roaming around it. I got there first, easily finding a binding place to listen. I could quite make out all that was being said but I did hear mentions of his wife - Thias mother. I couldn't stop an intake of breath when I realised that but I restrained myself and stayed hidden.

It was only when I heard Thia call out that jumped out. Neither of them seemed to notice me so I casually walked up to them. It was clear the Metoid had no intention of harming Thia so there was no need to rush to defend her. Instead, I tried to think of something sassy to say to him.

But he wasn't interested in me.

"I don't care for you, boy."

Others might've been relieved but it actually made me more annoyed. Perhaps that was part of the reason I pounced on him.

It was all a bit of a blur once I found myself on the ground, coming to to the sound of sirens and getting up to find him gone and Thia kneeling a short distance away.

I could see why.

And there was that feeling, that similar feeling to what I'd felt that morning except there was disbelief in there now. And perhaps a little fear.

I wondered if I should just leave before anyone else got here. Better than just standing there staring and having to answer awkward questions. But then again maybe I shouldn't leave Thia just then. Before I could fully make up my mind, they'd already arrived.

James came straight towards me and put a hand on my shoulder. "You alright?"

I nodded, a little embarrassingly aware of how dazed I must seem.

There was a small amount of commotion beside us. "Wait, don't touch her right now." Brains voice.

I turned to see Zee kneeling behind Thia, who had appeared to have launched herself forwards away from her.

"What's wrong with her?"

"Overload." That single word from Brain was so quick and definite that no one thought to question it.

Silently and slowly, he moved in front of Thia then, with the gentlest of touches, lifted her chin so she could see him.

He offered her an encouraging smile. "Hay. It's gonna be ok."

He kept repeating these words until she seemed to calm down and he nodded towards Zee, signalling it was now ok to hold her.

James tapped my shoulder. "You best get in the car."

Usually I might have protested against such a command but given the situation and because it was from him, I obeyed without question.

I took the seat next to Zee and Thia. She seemed to be asleep but in a 'having a nightmare' kind of way: breathing heavier than usual and eyes twitching. "Don't touch her and try not to make a sound." Were the only instructions I was given. It was a little frustrating sitting there with them and not being able to interact. So I was pretty glad when I was told I could leave. Before I was even fully out of the car though, I heard James call "keep her in there for now. Let her come when she's ready, don't force her."

I looked from him to her. I still felt like I should stay with her. But I really needed to talk to someone.

I got out and closed the door (hoping I hadn't slammed it). It was a few steps before I realised we had arrived at Nabulas Rise.

Once I was inside, I went to lean against a wall.

"Jay!" Sam and Naober had apparently been waiting for me. "We saw them bring him in."

"What happened, where's Thia?"

I held up a hand. Just give me a minute.

They brought him in. That means he's ok.

"Where'd they take him?"

"With the others I guess."

"It looked bad."

I leaned forwards, hand on my knees. Good god, if he dies…

"Where's Thia?" Naober repeated.

"Still in the car, she…something was happening with her."

"Did she see it?"

"Was she hurt?"

"No, she's not hurt. I think it just…affected her mentally."

"Well it probably would do." Sam and Naober looked at eachother. "Seeing something like that."

I could tell they both wanted to go find out what was happening - I kinda did too - but it didn't seem fair without This, so we agreed to wait for her first. We huddled around by the escalators so that when she did come in, we were the first thing she saw and she came and huddled with us. For a few seconds, we just stood there, arms around each other's shoulders and heads together.

"You ready?" I asked, after a while.

She sighed and nodded.

We made our way to the infirmary but before we could get there, someone grabbed my arm. "Wait."

I turned to see Maggie with a hand on Thias shoulder.

"But I gotta see…" Thia augued. "I gotta know."

"Not yet. He's still in surgery."

"Surgery."

Even I knew that must be pretty bad. But Maggie simply shushed us and told us not to worry too much. "I've seen him survive worse."

"You have?"

"Of course I have. I was the one who treated him after Serious."

She guided us to a seat in the corridor.

"You were already with S.P back?"

She nodded, then leaned in a little closer like she was about to reveal some secret. "I hated it there."

Thia sniggered.

"I hated how they kept me there on medical practice and didn't let me move on - they said I was told good at what I did to let me go - and I hated how there was always a team of people around me to do most of the practical work when just once I wanted to get my own hands dirty. Well, I finally got my wish, when Crugger was found and I was given the task of keeping him alive. A task I was more than happy to undertake.

"I could hear them talking behind me, saying I should just let him die."

"I'm glad you didn't."

"So am I.

"At the time, I told myself I was just doing my job but the truth was, I really didn't wanna see an entire species just disappear…and at the time, we all thought he was the last of them.

"It took a while but when he did eventually wake up, the first words I heard him say were 'I'm alive.'"

I wasn't sure why but I just found that funny.

"And…then what?"

She shrugged. "Well, it took a few more days but he recovered enough to report to the Falcon. And when he decided to set out to find a new world to build a new life, he offered to take me with him. I've been by his side ever since."

"Falcon was ok with that?"

The Falcon was the sort of nickname given to Cruggers superior back at S.P.H.Q. We'd met him once at the start of summer: he was proud, a little overbearing and didn't seem to like Crugger much.

Maggie laughed. "No, I suppose he wasn't too happy about it but what could he do? I had basically just brought the man back to life."

We all found ourselves laughing at that.

"So you really think he'll be ok?" Thia asked.

Her smile faded a little. "I'm sure he'll turn out fine. He did last time afterall."

Satisfied with the answer, Thia went up to the apartment but I walked a little closer to the infirmary. I didn't go in, just stood by the doorway. I felt Naober beside me take my hand. "She's lying."

I returned her grip. "I know."