Page 24 of Fionn
"This is the medbay. Let me bring you to one of the pods. It will be easier if I lay you into it. They were built for larger aliens than you and me. Even I have to climb up a step to enter them."
The light inside the large circular room was gentle on the eyes and lacked the stark brightness I was used from my local medcentre. Five pods were arranged in a semi-circle. We did not have a full-time medic on board, but the second mate, Po'shran, had medical training. The pods could treat most things and rarely required manual intervention.
The closest pod slid open with a gentle hiss when we approached. The inside was all white, with bioluminescent lights circling the edges.
"Are you sure this is fine to use for humans?" Elise sounded worried.
"Of course. I would never expose you to danger. These pods adjust to whatever species enters them. They have access to a vast database. Thanks to the work of the Intergalactic University, there are detailed entries about Peri-, I mean humans."
"Intergalactic University. I feel like every second word you say is more astonishing than the next."
"I have not been to university," I admitted. "I was assigned to guard training after clutch-school."
"Neither have I. There was never time for it. I had to train every single day of the week and I was away all the time for competitions and training camps. Some days I wish I'd decided differently."
"I believe we all do," I said gently. "No matter what species we are. But it does not help to linger on what could have been. We should always focus on the future instead. And I am certain your future will be wonderful, no matter whether you've been to university or not."
I carefully lowered her into the pod. The smart mattress adjusted to her shape, moulding itself around her.
"Ewwww the mattress is moving!" Elise exclaimed. "Is that supposed to happen?"
I laughed at her expression of disbelief. "Don't worry. This is perfectly normal. For some procedures, the patient needs to be held immobile. But don't fear, you can leave the pod at any time. Just let me know if it becomes too much."
I stepped back and activated the pod. The lid slid shut, only to open again a moment later. An error message flashed on the screen. I cringed.
"Elise... The pod cannot scan through the thick fabric around your body. You will have to undress."
12
Elise
He wanted me to get naked. Bloody hell.
It had been embarrassing enough to be carried by him like a baby. If I'd had even an iota of strength left in me, I would have protested and walked. But he'd been right when he'd said that Kelon had pulled me far away from the island. I'd swum for as long as I could, but at some point, I'd had to admit defeat. I hadn't even been able to see the island yet. My muscles had cramped, my skin was frozen despite the wetsuit, my throat sore and my eyes burning. All I'd wanted to do was sleep. It had taken a lot of mental strength to admit to Fionn that I needed his help. I'd always sucked at that. I was a one-woman powerhouse and hated relying on others. But he had simply smiled and taken me into his arms, pulling me along. It had been so different from when Kelon had transported me through the water. With him, I'd been terrified. I'd had no control, I'd been blind, I'd been exposed to his whims.
With Fionn, I'd felt safe. His grip had been protective rather than controlling. He'd made sure that my head was always above water. He'd talked to me while he swam, reassured me, even when I was half-asleep. He'd told me about his world. I wasn't sure if he knew that I'd heard it all. I'd been too weak to reply or even to open my eyes, but I had listened to every word.
His world sounded like a beautiful place. Underwater cities, desolate islands, kelp forests and coral labyrinths. I would love to see it one day. And I wanted to know more about Fionn and his people. Why had they come here? Why did they want to date human women? I didn't know how far his planet was from Earth, but considering scientists hadn't found any planets with life close enough to travel to on rockets, it had to be far, far away.
I felt myself drifting off again. I was so tired.
"Elise. You will need to get out of that suit. Shall I help you?"
I groaned. Just let me sleep.
"Can I have a coffee first?" I mumbled. "So tired."
"I don't know what that is, but here is some water."
A straw was pushed against my lips and I drank greedily. The water had a faint citrus flavour. When I had my fill, I turned my head to the side and opened my eyes. I really didn't want to have to take off my wetsuit.
"Can you just get me to my bed? I don't need a medical exam, I need to sleep. I'll be fine in a few hours once I've recovered from the exhaustion."
My weak, raspy voice belied my words. And Fionn wasn't having any of it.
"I need to know you haven't been harmed. The medpod is the only way to make sure. I will turn around if you if you prefer. I would offer to leave the room but I will have to activate the scan."
Of course he was going to turn his back. I wouldn't let him ogle me.
