Episode 4.1 - Gasard

In front of me stands a good-looking, sweaty guy who takes my breath away at first sight, and all I can do is stare at him in amazement. Kaia mentioned in a conversation that he had put on some weight. When I look at him, I can't help but wonder: Where? Maybe she means a few micrograms that I can't detect.

With his friendly smile, I even forget my encounter with those two guards. Kyle, Tosa's friend, who attacked me and Nora, and this guy, to whom we owe our rescue. But somehow, I never get bored here.

***

"Pleasure," I reply after regaining my composure. A wide grin spreads across his face. "Do I look that bad?" he asks. I shake my head vigorously. "Quite the opposite!" He bursts into laughter, while I'm glad that the light down here has this color. Otherwise, he could clearly see me blushing.

Musator, standing with us, sets down the metal sheet, then disappears. But neither of us really notices. Gasard picks up the towel lying next to his jacket and wipes the sweaty body. "So you're Janera's daughter," Gasard remarks, surprised. He curiously examines me from all sides. "Still quite young, but damn pretty too." I feel myself blushing even more. He laughs again. "I hope you don't take after your mother too much in terms of character." I look sadly at the ground when he mentions this topic. "I've heard what she's supposed to have done," I say. "But even from her own mouth, I can't believe it." He runs his hand through my hair. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have said that." "It's okay," I respond, even though I don't look like everything is fine.

"So you want to do something?" Gasard changes the subject, scanning the spacecraft with his eyes. "I thought I'd ask," I call out. "The nice gentleman who insisted on having me around is injured, and Nora was only with me because she was scared here." I point to the girl talking with the group of men. "But apparently, she found some better protectors."

"I see!" Gasard feigns disappointment. "The lady is only asking for work because she's bored!" "No, no." I shake my head frantically, which makes him start laughing again. "So, that thing is junk," he explains to me. "The other ships are here more for cosmetic reasons than for repairs. Torsos thinks: Only a shining spacecraft is an impressive spacecraft! So, you'll have to keep being bored, whether you like it or not."

Gasard's amused smile disappears when he sees three spacecraft being brought in. "Or you can stay close to me!" he says with a sigh. At the sight before him now, he looks dejected. "They all think I'm bored all day anyway, so it doesn't hurt if they dismantle a few spacecraft."

With quick steps that I can't catch up with running, he rushes towards the spacecraft. "Who wants to ruin my day today?" he shouts at the ships. They are being driven in by two guards. One of the men operates the controls while the other watches for obstacles in the way and sometimes calls out commands to his companion. The impressive machines stand on individual plates.

I squat down. There are no wheels underneath. For me, it seems like they're floating. I am visibly impressed by the technology and receive some shaking heads in response. For them, it might be normal, but it's new to me. Therefore, I'm not concerned about how others react to my curiosity. The plates come to a stop, and they immediately lose height until they touch the ground. I stand up and just catch sight of the two guards retreating with growing panic on their faces. Not because of the prisoners. They are impressed by a man striding towards them with quick steps.

I stand up again. Only one man remains behind, emerging from behind one of the spacecraft. "I'll give you a hint!" the man in black clothing shouts. "Four letters and a cute ass!" The muscular man grins broadly when he sees me, and his full attention is on me. "If I catch her, she's going to experience something!" Gasard shouts angrily. "Why do I develop protective shields specifically for her if that witch doesn't even use them?" He groans, running his hand through his short hair. "Calm down!" he encourages himself. "It can't get any worse!"

"Before I forget," the man calls out. In the light, I can only see a well-built body and the face of a handsome man. "These three don't look so bad. The other fifteen are still in the hangar."

"That can't be true!" Gasard shouts, but then calms down again. "Lumar, you can make sure this ship..." He points to the spacecraft he was just working on. "... and the mentioned 15 get to recycling as quickly as possible. I don't even know if I can get these three flying again."

"Hey, if anyone can get those things airworthy, it's you!" Lumar asserts.

Gasard starts examining the first of the three spacecraft from all sides, even from the inside.

"And who are you?" Lumar's question to me is curious as he looks me over.

"Janine!" I reply to him. Lumar's gaze, as he looks at me, clearly shows his interest.

"How about it?" he suggests, running his hand through my black hair. "I'll take you out of this hole, and we'll take a little joyride through space."

"That sounds really nice!" I admit. Lumar looks extremely good, but unfortunately, at around 30 years old, which is my estimation, he's too old for me. He looks frustrated when I tell him that directly to his face.

Dejected, he walks away. "What's wrong with him?" Gasard asks when he returns from his inspection.

"I just told him I'm not into guys twice my age," is my reply. Gasard starts laughing heartily, patting my head.

"Well then!" he exclaims. "If you want to help me, let's get started!" Gasard begins dismantling the first of the three spacecraft almost completely, only to rebuild it with new parts afterward. My task is to hand him all the materials and tools he needs.

Even though I often give him the wrong cable or tool, he just smiles at me and patiently explains what he asked for. I've liked him since our first encounter, even though I don't understand what his task is here. Gasard is too busy repairing the spacecraft to be counted among the prisoners. None of the men have "criminal" written on their foreheads, but he still doesn't want to fit into that category for me.

"Hey, Janine!" Nora suddenly speaks up. "We should go eat."

She's right. Most of the prisoners are already lining up for their food, while I'm still sitting here with him in front of the spacecraft. Besides, it's really time for me to eat something.

My gaze shifts to Gasard, with his friendly smile.

"Wait a moment!" he calls out.

Gasard attaches one last sheet of metal to the spacecraft before standing up. "Should work again now," he says. His gaze returns