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Chapter Fifteen

LEX

The moment I see Rafe’s female’s scans returning to normal, I excuse myself to give them some privacy.

My heart and mind could physically feel the pain the human female was projecting. Making me realize quickly that the ordeal with Rafe and his mate is something I never want to experience again. I don’t know if I could have held up as strongly as Rafe has in the same circumstances. I have never been one to run from any situation, but the helplessness I felt as we watched that little female struggle tore me apart inside.

“ Medic LeX , Master Rafe , and his mate have both eaten and are now resting. I have set the room to private.”

“ Thank you, Destiny .”

Giving myself a moment to catch my breath, I am glad I don’t have to go back into that room. Slowly , I begin cleaning and reorganizing the neglected items I’ve used in the past few risings. I know I need to check on ViN and his youngling as well, but at the moment, I am simply trying to enjoy the quiet. This is something it seems my mate and I both crave deeply in our shared existence, peace, and silence.

Once everything is back in place and I have logged all the things that need to be replaced when we dock, I walk over to my own mate, noticing immediately that her coloring has changed even more and how her scales now match my own. It’s the same as if she had been born a LeXorkon , and her body recognized mine as a potential partner.

I wish there was a way to know ahead of time her reaction to this very noticeable change in her appearance. She is the same, but different at the same time. The holo pad sitting on the stand next to her bed flickers off and on. The story I was reading to her reminding me there is still much to be told, but I wonder if I can reach her any another way. Turning the scanners on, I lower myself down in my chair and close my eyes. My mind silently seeks her out, only for nothing to happen. I am just about to admit defeat when suddenly I find myself in another place, but this time it is not like before.

My mate is sitting in a large chair with a youngling in her arms, humming a song as she stares down at it with a soft smile on her face. Looking around, I find that there are several more younglings in square containers all around her; this must be a nursery. Confused , I try to walk closer, but something holds me back. It is like I am standing outside her body, looking in. It also takes me a moment to realize she is dressed differently. Her hair is pulled back tightly instead of its usual loose curls, and she is wearing spectacles. Rylie hands the baby to another woman who has just come in, and after a brief conversation, she exits the room. I turn to follow her when an alarm goes off and I see her turn back for the nursery she just exited. Suddenly , all the younglings start to fuss, and I can tell this is not normal.

Rylie rushes over, hitting the door, but it’s locked from the inside. She starts motioning to the female on the other side who I can tell is terrified and unprepared for what is happening in the now sealed room. I cannot hear their words; it is like I am watching a silent holo pad reenactment. That is when it dawns on me, she is either dreaming or reliving this.

Then she turns from this room, running down the long hall. I follow her. She yells at others dressed the same as she is, and I notice they all take off in different directions. Rylie starts slamming and locking doors as she goes. Suddenly , I hear the cries of younglings all around me. Several humans venture out to see what is going on and she motions for them to return to their rooms. I can tell she is frantic as the cries down the long hall only get louder.

Flashes of time start to speed by, and I watch as humans come and go. Several desperate parents try multiple ways to break down the door of the nursery, but the structure holds strong. Even though I feel like something is keeping me separated from all I am witnessing, I am still able to lean in closer to the younglings. Many now have marks all over their skin, and I can feel the heat coming off their small bodies. The poor things have all become infected with something that is spreading quickly throughout this building. The medical center’s attempt at containing the disease is futile as it seems to be attacking all the younglings at once.

Despite the exhaustion and illness evident in her trembling frame, the woman in the nursery cradles the crying babies close, her every moment devoted to the little ones under her care. Her strength and dedication bring tears to my eyes, as her complete focus has been on the younglings this entire time. Suddenly , another one lets out a particularly loud cry, then everything seems to go eerily silent.

It feels like time folds in on itself, and I watch as several of the nurses also become sick with whatever ailment infected all the younglings. Risings come and go, and the rooms keep getting quieter until there is only one left in Rylie’s arms. I now realize that no matter how or what she tried to do, this disease has done the unthinkable. I watch my mate collapse when this little one goes quiet as well. She has not left this place the entire time; her commitment to the nurses and the families in this facility has become her entire focus even as her own health is fading rapidly.

In the middle of this horror, I hear thumps against the outer locked doors. Loud , angry words can be heard all around me, but I cannot make them out clearly.

When my mate’s eyes roll back in her head and she collapses onto the floor, there is no one left to help. I try my best to go to her, but it’s like an invisible wall is holding me back. My fists bang against the obstacle separating me from her, only to stop when I see someone, or something enter the hall covered from head to toe in what appears to be a contamination suit.

They check all the younglings first, then I watch helplessly as they finally make their way to Rylie . Horrified , I scream out her name when it looks like they are just going to leave her lying there. Abruptly , I hear my voice echo throughout the valley where her mind now resides.

“ LeX ?”

I hear her soft voice in my mind as I look around frantically for her, only to find her sitting under the tree, twirling a yellow flower in her hand. I don’t know how I got here, but I find myself grabbing her up in my arms. Holding her slightly away from me, my hands run over her slim form. “ You are all right, you are all right.” I just keep saying those words over and over until her small hand touches my face.

“ Hey , are you ok? I can finally see you … WOW ! The gods got creative when they formed you didn’t they? Look at all that hair, I’m envious.”

Her words barely sink into my mind as all I can see are her labored breaths as she lay on that floor alone, only moments from death. What happened? Should I ask her? The need to know more only stirs up more questions in my mind, but would the memory cause her more harm than good?

“ Shush LeX , take a deep breath, I’m fine. You scared me when you suddenly appeared in the field screaming my name.”

“ I saw something horrible, and I could not get to you. But you are here now and in my arms … that is all that matters. Wait , did you say you can see me now?”

“ I can, and I didn’t realize we were the same. For some reason, I thought we were different, but I don’t know why. Look , we have the same scales and everything. Where do you go when you leave me? I feel like I’m always looking for you.”

“ To another place that needs me. I wish you would come with me … It would make me so happy.”

She looks confused for a moment before a smile forms on her face. I trace the scales along her hairline as she looks up at me so trustingly. “ You made this place for me didn’t you, so that I would have a safe place to be when others need you? You are just teasing me about leaving.”

I know not what to say; do I tell her or act this out? Lord of Light I have never been so confused. Tired of thinking, I pull her into me slowly, giving her plenty of time to push me away. But she shocks me once again by raising up on her toes, meeting me halfway. Her lips are softer than anything I could have ever imagined. Her breath mingling with my own makes my scales flutter, and just as I start to deepen the kiss, I find myself sitting next to the bed again.

It takes a moment for me to realize what just occurred, and then all I want to do is sling this scanner off my head. “ FRACK !” I yell out, before getting up to pace the room once again. I do not know what is worse, being able to hold her in my dreams or not at all. Either way, my shaft is standing at attention again. Embarrassed by my lack of control, I button up my lab coat the rest of the way down to hide it.

“ Destiny , can you see if ANDI , or SCOUT are available for council?”

Before I can turn around, ANDI is floating in front of me. “ Medic LeX , how may I be of assistance?”

“ I know you told me that you only had limited information about Rylie , but I think I may have seen something that happened to her that probably put her on the path that led her here. Do you not have records of patients or anything distinctive that might have happened at that medical center she worked at before the Scientific Center ?”

“ Give me a moment and let me see if I can pull anything up. … Medic LeX , there are some discrepancies in the download. If you could give me something more identifiable, I may be able to find additional information through another channel.”

“ I believe she quit her job like you said because something specific happened. I saw a moment in her life where she was taking care of a group of younglings. They got really sick and even though I cannot confirm it, the outcome did not look positive.”

“ Ahhh yes, … Let me provide you with some history of what was going on at the time the Earth decided it had enough. As you know, with every race, there is always a set of scientists somewhere, trying to save the world. This is simply one of those cases. A few believed the reason the Earth was reacting the way she was is because of its overpopulation. Several facilities released viruses, and while some attacked older individuals, the worst one concentrated on the young. Thousands of younglings were affected and, if my records are correct, Mistress Rylie’s hospital experienced one of the first outbreaks.

Very few little ones survived in or out of the womb. Rylie was lucky not to have perished herself. I can provide you with more detailed information now that we have narrowed it down to a specific amount of time. Just giving an educated guess on the matter you asked about, I would say the loss was too much for her to bear and when the Scientific Center offered her a way to help save others of her race, she probably found a new purpose.”

“ Wait , ANDI . Could she still be infected with this disease and our scans not show it? We have a youngling that has been right in this room with her.”

“ Medic LeX , I have found no trace of it in her system or in any of the others I am now carrying to their new world. However , I will log this as something they might need to be vaccinated for in the future. Now , I am not saying that it didn’t do some sort of permanent damage to her, but I believe if it had, your blood and essence would have already reversed it.

Mistress Rylie was at the top in her field, a renowned surgeon in pediatrics. She spent her entire life saving children’s lives. There were numerous certificates logged along with her files at the hospital. If she is willing to continue on this path once she escapes her coma, that knowledge will be greatly needed for all the new younglings, especially those of mixed races. Many will face viruses and things that were not an issue on Earth , and I believe between Mistress Rylie and Mistress Qwin , we will have the upper hand on those issues as they evolve. The Lord of Light always provides us with what we need.”

“ Thank you, ANDI . You have been a great help as always. The information you were able to acquire in all your years on Earth has now become priceless.”

“ I am glad to be of service, Medic LeX . We are nearing their new planet, and I will temporarily be out of range for the rest of the rotation. Destiny and I both seem to be streaking through the stars on opposite sides of this solar system. If my calculations are correct, you should be able to see Darverius and Falcor within the next rising. Safe travels Medic LeX and take care of my Little Space Particle .” With a bow, he disappears.

Even though all I want to do is reach back out to Rylie , I turn away from her bed and head for the main communicator. I need to make sure that SCOUT has notified them of our incoming medical needs. Quicker than I thought, my big brother’s massive face appears on the screen. “ SoL , you big lug, how are you?”

“ Good rising, LeX . Life is treating me well, how has your trip been? SCOUT recently updated me on all that has occurred while you have been gone. You guys were being held in the hand of the Lord of Light while in that Nebula .”

“ We are blessed to be returning, that’s for sure. How is your lovely mate? I do not see her in her usual location. Has she finally figured out there are other chairs in the command center more comfortable than your lap?” Alana’s beautiful face appears on the screen.

“ Nope LeX , I’m still here! Of course, you would comm right when I step out for a few. You are still just as pretty as ever. One of these days I’m going to dye my hair that exact same color.”

Growling playfully behind her, SoL has me smiling as she loves to tease him. “ Alana , you are beautiful just the way you are, and it feels as if I have been away from you all forever. Simply being able to comm you is such a relief. Did SCOUT tell you guys that we are in need of the med chamber?”

“ He did, but we didn’t realize you were so close until earlier this rising. The Destroyer is making some serious time as she heads our way.”

“ This ship is remarkable, and a true asset to our fleet for sure. Her thick hull and integrated system saved all our lives many times over. And in the meantime, she has become quite smitten with our ANDI .”

Alana and SoL’s laughter lightens my heart and gives me hope that one day I will be holding my own mate in a similar way, discussing things with others.

“ Brother , the Explorer has been drydocked for several lunar rotations after a mechanical flaw in her main thruster almost cost us the ship and her crew. Luckily , she was able to detect the problem and shut down before it caused any true harm, but we had to tow her back to Falcor .”

“ Is the medical chamber functioning, SoL ? Ember cannot be brought out of stasis until her body is healed fully. The youngling did a number on her insides.” Alana instantly butts in.

“ Youngling ? What are you talking about LeX ? No one told me about a little one. SoL did you know about this?”

The look I see on SoL is a male caught. “ Alana , it must have slipped my mind.”

“ What the hell ever, SoL . … LeX , I’m so extremely grateful you all are returning safely.” I become worried when she wipes a stray tear off her face. “ I’m sorry LeX , we’ll talk more when you get here.” She pushes herself off SoL’s lap and I watch from this side of the screen as his eyes follow her out the command center’s door.

“ SoL forgive me, but I am at a loss as to what just happened.”

“ It’s an ongoing argument. She wants a youngling.”

“ I do not see the problem. You are the favorite Unka after all, so we all know how you love the younglings. I figured you would have a whole slew of them running around Falcor by now.”

“ Have you seen how large I am?”

“ Hard to miss, SoL .”

“ Then you see the problem. She is so small, and I will not take the chance of losing her. I would rather argue until the end of time than be the cause of why she is no longer with me. All you have to do is look at Ember and the condition she is in to understand my worries are sound. I cannot and will not put her through that no matter how much she begs me. That’s the reason I didn’t tell her. I knew what her reaction was going to be.”

“ Ember’s case as well as every one of our mate’s circumstances is different SoL . Alana’s body changed; she is more like you than you realize. There are so many ways we can help her through pregnancy. Even if the child must be taken early, we have the means for both of them to survive. You cannot base your and Alana’s size differences as the main decision factor. I understand your fears, but you both would make fabulous parents.”

“ SCOUT also has tried to reassure me. Especially when she didn’t talk to me for rotations after she found out that Zura is also pregnant. The only thing that has made that slightly better is knowing Zura will be carrying the youngling for quite a while. With my mixed heritage, I have no idea the amount of time Alana would be pregnant. There are just too many unanswered questions, and I am not willing to sacrifice her health or life.”

“ I am assuming you have spoken these words to her?”

“ Many times.”

“ Let me speak to her when we arrive, and I will see if we can answer some of the questions bothering you both. All I ask is that you be open-minded. If this is something she wants passionately, and you don’t at least try, she may never forgive you SoL , and you could lose her either way, big brother. I know you are itching to go after her, but before you go, will the med chamber be functional when we dock?”

“ Yes , I had the maintenance bots reroute the main wiring to be separate from the rest of the Explorer and they finished it early this rising. We will be awaiting your arrival to help transfer Ember from the Destroyer to the Explorer . How is ViN under the circumstances? I can’t wait to tease him about this.”

“ He was managing fine last rising, but I have not spoken to him yet this one. You know he is not one to lounge around if he thinks there is a problem, so that fact that he is not in medical as we speak is a good sign. He needs to sustain the youngling as long as possible, and if my calculations are correct, that may not be as long as I originally thought. Ember carried her almost to term; that little human there is one strong soul. None of us had any idea the amount of pain she was hiding until we took the youngling. I will discuss this more with you when we dock as we have much to catch up on. Go on and sweet talk your mate, SoL . Strength and honor, brother.”

SoL nods his head, and the screen goes blank, as I just sit here wondering, what now?