Page 40 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
Then Pherebos turns to me, holding a small laser stylus.
“Take off your shirt,” he says gently. “I’ll cut away the shell holding your shoulder together. Once it’s off, you can lie down on the inner surface of the chamber. When you’re ready, just let me know and I’ll close it.”
I nod and look away as he carefully cuts through the composite brace.
I flinch when his skin brushes mine. A warm shiver runs down my spine. I glance up at him—and his violet eyes are locked on mine, intense and unreadable.
That brief contact seems to have shaken him too. But it was just a touch—barely grazing the skin of my neck. How can something so small feel so overwhelming?
My breathing falters. I look away, focusing on the chamber instead.
“That’s it,” he says, his voice a little rough. “The hull’s cut. Call me when you’re ready.”
I gently pull the two halves of the shell apart with my good hand. But the moment I do, a sharp jolt reminds me—my shoulder is still broken, and the weight of my arm is pulling painfully on it.
I quickly lie down and use my right arm to pull the lid of the chamber over me, shielding my naked body.
“Pherebos,” I call out, hesitantly.
He’s there in two seconds. I can’t see him, but I hear his voice just before the sarcophagus closes.
“Sleep well, my sweet.”
I wake up feeling rested. Peaceful. My body feels amazing—light, whole. But then reality crashes back in. I’m still on the run. And my sister is still gone.
The lid opens halfway. Pherebos is careful to preserve my modesty.
“Ileana,” he says gently, “while you were out, I used the replicator to make you two cellulose-based outfits. They’re not exactly high fashion, but—”
“It’s perfect!” I cut him off, smiling. “Thank you. Really.”
“I left everything on the stool for you. I’ll wait for you in the common area.”
I slowly lift the lid and spot the outfit he left for me. It’s simple, but thoughtful. Cellulose—the main component in plant cell walls—can be used to fabricate clothing with the right plans and a replicator. It’s not hard to make.
But the fact that he thought of it? That surprises me more than anything.
I gently lift the lid and immediately spot the outfit Pherebos left for me. It’s a thoughtful gesture. Cellulose—the main component of plant cell walls—can be used to fabricate clothing with a replicator and the right schematics. It’s not hard to make, but the fact that he thought of it? That surprises me.
I slowly slip into the long tunic and knee-length shorts. The fit is decent in length, but the waistband on the shorts is too loose—I’ll need to tie it with a string to keep it in place. The color is... hard to define. A dull, washed-out tone. The replicator clearly isn’t great at reproducing precise hues.
“It’s not bad,”Wingo says, suddenly stepping into the room.
“Wingo!” I scold, startled.
“Yes? What’s wrong?”
“You can’t just walk in like that while I’m getting dressed!”
“Oh? Why not?”
“I could’ve been naked!”
“So? I’m naked too, remember! And I’ve seen Pherebos naked plenty of times!”
I can’t help but think of Wingo’s comment about Pherebos’s “small but cute” trunk. My beautiful Asgarnian. I blush and giggle at the same time. I can only imagine how furious he’d be if he knew how Wingo described him.
“Oh, that’s good! You two are definitely weird,”Wingo concedes with a playful tone.“I’ll be sure to ask next time!”
