The Ice Warrior

Chapter 49

Though Silv was utterly disgusted by what she learned about her own people, her own race, she was at least satisfied that she had all the facts. The best way to make the right decision was to have all the information about both species, and horrifying as the truth was, it explained a lot.

It made Silv less angry at Sei Eis for not being as open-minded as Wir Eis. Her behavior made much more sense, and Silv felt sorry for the alien. After all, didn't most females wish for nothing more than to have young?

The purpose of life for many females was to give birth. Thus, it made sense that not having that possibility available would make Sei Eis so bitter and full of hate towards those who caused that condition.

"I am so sorry about everything my kind did to yours. There are no words to describe how sad I am that something like that happened to any living being. I don't ask any one of you to trust us blindly. All I ask is a chance to prove that not all humans are monsters." Silv said with tears in her eyes.

"We know. Silv good." Wir Eis said.

"I am not sure if I am good, but I am trying my best. You deserve so much more than you had for a long time, and I want to help you achieve that. However, if we want to get what both sides want, we need to learn to work together. Can you do that?" Silv asked.

"We try." Wir Eis responded after a short conversation in their own language.

"That's all I am asking," Silv said, smiling gently.

"I'll make sure that humans do the same. That way we'll be out of your ship much sooner, and hopefully, you'll be able to go back to your planet," Silv said.

"Silv can stay." Wir Eis said.

"I don't think I would do well on your planet, but I appreciate the offer," Silv said, not really thinking about that possibility.

She didn't know where life would lead her, but she was sure that her future didn't lie on an alien planet, cut off from her own kind.

"Anyway, I'll leave you to your work. I just wanted to make sure that you don't feel in any way limited by our presence." Silv said before Wir Eis had a chance to say anything else.

Upon saying that, Silv exited the engine room feeling more tired than she had felt in years. A headache, stronger than ever, was forming at the center of her forehead, and she was unsure she could go on for much longer.

What surprised her was that she couldn't really remember when was the last time she slept, and that was the clearest sign that she needed some rest. Even the best of leaders needed sleep to be able to function well.

"Evanescence, can you find me a place to take a nap? I am exhausted, so the closer, the better." Silv said out loud, still not used to using the telepathic connection when not physically connected.

As helpful as Evanescence always was, she found Silv a room to rest in much sooner than Silv expected. It was as if even the ship could sense how utterly exhausted Silv was.

"This has been the longest day of my life, or I haven't slept in days," Silv murmured as she lowered herself down on the bed.

For a few seconds, she was lying down, trying to think through all that happened and all that would happen. However, all of it was too much for her exhausted brain, and she soon fell into a deep slumber.

It was the deepest she had ever had because she always had the instinctual need to be aware of her surroundings, even in her sleep. However, in the depths of an alien ship, surrounded by aliens, she felt safe enough to enter deep sleep and not worry about her safety.

Sooner than she would have liked, Silv felt her body shaking, and her instincts interpreted that as a sign of danger. Thus, she jumped up, almost colliding with Justin, who stood next to her bed.

It took a moment for her sleepy brain to realize that there was no danger. What she sensed was just Justin, gently shaking her awake.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Justin said.

"You didn't scare me. I'm just a bit on edge. Being a soldier means always being in one type of danger or another, so I guess my brain has only one reaction, defense." Silv said.

It was difficult for her to be so honest with Justin. However, she knew that if they were to build trust, it was okay to show weakness, to reveal the truth. In a way, it was a relief to talk with someone without having to worry about them betraying her.

Then again, she thought the same of Denis, and she couldn't have been more wrong.

"What is it?" Justin asked worriedly.

"What?" Silv asked.

"Your forehead wrinkles up when you are thinking of something unpleasant. I am just wondering what I did wrong." Justin said.

"Oh, no. You didn't do anything. I am just remembering when was the last time I was honest with someone." Silv asked.

"And? When was it?" Justin asked.

"When Denis and I were still friends," Silv said.

"How close were the two of you? I mean, I heard what happened, but I never fully understood why his betrayal got to you so much." Justin said.

There was a strange strain in his voice that Silv couldn't fully explain, but that didn't bother her. After all, they were just getting to know each other. There was a lot they still had to learn about one another.

"He was my friend. I trusted him as much as one could trust anyone in the world we lived in," Silv said.

"You trusted him enough to tell him about your misgivings about the Government?" Justin asked.

"No, we never talked about that. I guess it was always clear to me that Denis cared deeply about the Government. I just thought he cared about me as well. It was the biggest mistake I've ever made, trusting that monster. The monster who ended up killing my grandmother." Silv said.

It was clear that Justin wanted to ask something else that he needed to know more about. However, upon noting tears in her eyes, he decided to let it go. There was time to learn all that he needed to know. Still, at that moment, it was clear that the last thing Silv needed was someone to pressure her to talk about everything.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to open up your wounds. I am an idiot." Justin said, angry at himself for being the cause of Silv's suffering.

"That you are, but accepting it is one step closer to changing it," Silv said, smiling through the tears that managed to escape her.

"I am glad to hear that. Anyway, I came to wake you up because the others have returned." Justin said.

"Already?" Silv asked, confused.

"Yes, you've been out for a few hours," Justin said.

"Oh, let's go! I need to know what they found!" Silv exclaimed, hurrying out.