Fast Cars and Intergalactic Speed Dating

38: Uh...

"This is awful," said Richard. "This has been the definition of a bad day. I don't want to wake them. They need to rest."

"But this is getting worse. It could endanger the ship."

"Yeah. It is. And it could."

"Even if they can't help us, Ol-Maran is the only way we can communicate with the rest of the crew. We have to wake them," said Kavita.

Richard sighed. He glanced over the controls of the ship one more time and studied the large monitor for anything concerning, but he saw nothing but the endless stars ahead of them. Then he swiveled his chair around.

Kavita knelt at Ol-Maran's side and gently touched their shoulder. The Karran started awake, their tentacles stiffening and then arcing upward, sensing the air after the disturbance. Ol-Maran tilted awkwardly to one side, grunting in pain.

"I'm sorry," Kavita said. "I'm so sorry, Ol-Maran. We wouldn't wake you if we didn't need to. There's been some damage to the ship, and we need to know how to repair it."

Ol-Maran struggled to sit up. Kavita looped an arm behind their shoulders to help them so that they could peer toward the consoles, but from their vantage point, they couldn't see what Richard had seen.

"Lower right quadrant of the life support display," he explained. "It's gone orange, and now we're starting to see red."

"Are you able to determine the source of the issue?" Ol-Maran asked. "If you access the details, you should be able to view additional information."

"Looks like they hit us hard. I think there's a breach to the hull." Richard referred to the screen again, but all he could understand were the color-coded blocks on the ship's blueprint, vague indications that something was wrong. There were words, of course, words made up of the alphabet he'd seen here and there around the Beyma, but he couldn't read what they said. "I think it tore a hole in the hull and messed some stuff up inside."

"Help me, please," said Ol-Maran. They put their good arm around Kavita's and, with her help, they made it to their feet. Together, Kavita and Ol-Maran approached the control panels, where the Karran tapped further into the display, frowning down at the screen as they scrutinized the strings of text.

"It appears that you are right. We must conduct an investigation," said Ol-Maran. "This issue must be repaired as quickly as possible. Come with me."

"No. Just tell us what to do, Ol-Maran. You need to rest. Is there somebody else who can take us?" Kavita asked.

Ol-Maran gazed at her for a moment. They seemed prepared to argue, but then their tentacles wavered in a sigh. They looked around the Bridge, meeting the curious glances of other Karra and of Wessona, the only one of the Chorodonians who was still awake; the others had fallen asleep resting against the control console.

"Nen-Alaya," Ol-Maran called. As they approached, Ol-Maran turned back to Richard. "I will give them my translator so that you can communicate as you conduct the repairs. They are not as familiar with the workings of the ship as I am; if it is needful, they can return to the Bridge to discuss matters with me. Meanwhile, I will monitor our course."

Kavita looked uncertain. She exchanged a glance with Richard.

"I will manage until you can return. Nen-Alaya is best suited to assist you of all of our crew members who remain; I am best suited to navigate in your absence. I must admit that Richard is the only crew member in whom I would have confidence to make repairs, given his familiarity with the ship."

"My very recent familiarity," Richard said. He drew a breath, trying not to let on how anxious he was. "But I've got it. I've got this. We'll be back as soon as we can be."