Page 13 of Survivor
“I don’t like that,” I sighed, wrinkling my nose slightly as the deep breath I took revealed nothing but the blandness of recycled air. “It’s too pretty for just a series of letters and numbers. I’m going to call it Eden.”
“Eden?” Vraxxan repeated, one eyebrow arching upwards.
I knew he understood my words through a translator implant, just as I did his. I wondered what meaning the translation conveyed to him.
“Eden is a paradise, a place of lush, natural beauty, perfect happiness, and harmony between people and nature,” I explained, deliberately avoiding the religious connotations. Explaining Christianity and the fall of man to an alien species was well above my pay grade.
“I like that,” Vraxxan grinned, his smile unveiling a striking handsomeness that momentarily took my breath away. “Eden.”
“Will we be staying on the shuttle?” I hoped not. I’d spent too many years trapped within the sterile white walls of a hospital room. I yearned to step out and explore this vibrant new world, to breathe in its fresh air and feel the dirt beneath my feet.
“No.” Vraxxan frowned for a brief moment, but a reassuring smile quickly replaced the shadow passing over his alien features. “I don’t want to remain near the shuttle in case a planet scan reveals it. The topographical map revealed some cave formations a few parsecs away. We should find shelter in one of them.” His gaze softened, and his eyes held a gentle regret. “I apologize for the roughness of the accommodation.”
“Don’t,” I replied, and a light-hearted giggle escaped my lips. “I’ve always wanted to go boondocking.” Memories of camping trips with my grandfather floated back to me, filled with the scent of pine and the crackling warmth of campfires, even if his RV was more akin to a hotel on wheels.
“Boondocking?” Vraxxan echoed, curiosity in his voice.
Again, I wondered about the translation.
“Camping in remote, wild areas in the middle of nowhere,” I explained, envisioning vast open spaces untouched by civilization where one could see the stars in all their glory.
“Then you will certainly be pleased,” Vraxxan declared with a smile and a warm, electric tingle seemed to dance across my skin
He turned to the nearby cabinetry, yanked out a couple of sturdy backpacks, and began methodically loading them with supplies from the galley. A selection of alien crackers, packets filled with tiny, blue marble-like beads I recognized as a water purifier. Protein bars followed, their foil wrappers crackling as he stuffed them into a bag.
Gah! If there was one thing I hated worse than packing peanuts and swamp water porridge, it was protein bars. It was like chewing a brick and tasted like a mix of sawdust and cardboard. Thankfully, he also grabbed several bottles of Verdesian ale.
Once he had packed the supplies into one of the bags, Vraxxan rifled through several other cabinets, outfitting himself with an array of sleek blades and the small compact blaster I’d aimed at his head earlier. With his leather pants, shirtless, and wearing only a weapons harness over his muscular chest, he looked like the images I’d seen of elite soldiers on TV. Powerful, capable, and sexy as hell.
The backpack he prepared for me was notably lighter. It contained only a first aid kit, a few pouches of water, a coil of sturdy rope, and a few curious implements whose purpose eluded me at the moment.
“Ready?” Vraxxan inquired, his eyes meeting mine. I nodded, signaling him to hit the control that lowered the ramp with a soft whir.
The first thing that struck me as I stepped outside was the climate. The air wasn’t overly warm, but the humidity felt oppressive, wrapping around me like a damp blanket. I felt my hair rebelling into curls and a sheen of moisture settling on my skin. Maybe boondocking wasn’t all it seemed cracked up to be.
I started to ask if there was a shower on the ship that we could come back and use from time to time, then I took my first step on alien soil and lost myself.
The moment my foot sank into the thick, dark blue grass, a satisfying crunch resonated beneath my boots while the gentle softness of dirt cradled my steps. Though the hospital had a modest garden and Tau Ceti was a farming community teeming with natural areas, this was a spectacle of nature on a whole different level. Towering trees stretched high above, their leaves a mesmerizing array of blues and purples, forming a lush canopy that shielded us from the sun’s relentless glare. The air was thick but bore a fresh scent, laden with flowers, wood, and soil. At our feet, a riot of plants and blossoms erupted into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, so dazzling it nearly overwhelmed my senses. Amidst the brambles, I heard the faint scurry of tiny feet and, now and then, caught glimpses of curious eyes peeking through the leaves. Every sight, every sound unfurled a revelation of something entirely new. My joy and excitement were uncontainable, a palpable energy flowing through me and connecting me to this wild, untamed place.
I noticed Vraxxan watching me with a bemused smile, his lips curled in amusement. He never once impeded my exploration, only gently cautioning me now and again about certain plants that might be harmful. Ironically, it was mostly the green ones—go figure?
We wandered for what felt like hours, yet the thrill of discovery kept discomfort at bay—even as my overalls and T-shirt clung persistently to my damp skin, a testament to the humid air around us.
Vraxxan proved to be an exceptional guide, pointing out and naming the myriad of plants and trees that painted the landscape. He also took the time to suss out local fruits, showingme which were safe to eat. When I carried on about how much I loved the small blue apricot-sized fruit that tasted like a delightful blend of peach, kiwi, and watermelon, he took the time to stash several in his pack so I could enjoy them later.
“I know you probably picked this place because of the wholesafety thingbut thank you for bringing me here. It’s so beautiful,” I confessed, my voice tinged with gratitude. Despite the guilt gnawing at me for ditching my responsibilities at the restaurant and the looming threat of torture and death, I felt exhilarated by the sheer wonder of my surroundings.
“Did you travel much on Earth?” Vraxxan inquired, his curiosity piqued.
“No,” I replied, my mouth suddenly dry. I didn’t want to tell him about the cancer. The idea of Vraxxan looking at me with pity was something I simply could not bear. Instead, I chose a different explanation—one that skirted the truth without quite crossing into a lie. “My parents kept me pretty sheltered. What about you? Have you traveled much?” I imagined they might hop from planet to planet here as casually as we moved from state to state back home.
“Yes,” Vraxxan admitted, though his expression lacked joy. “Although most of my travel was politically based rather than for pleasure.”
“Have you ever been here before?” I asked, hoping to shift his somber mood.
“No,” he replied, the sadness in his eyes deepening like a shadow stretching under the fading light.
“You know, even though we’re running for our lives, it doesn’t mean our time here can’t be a fun adventure,” I suggested, waggling my eyebrows with a playful grin. The dense forest around us seemed to echo my words, the leaves rustling in agreement. I was determined to coax a smile from Vraxxan. Notthat I found him unattractive with a frown. I just didn’t like the idea of him burdened by worry or sadness.
