The Voyages Of Ker'Tak and Skye

Chapter 14: Awake from the Dream

"What?" Their voice failed them when they awoke, hoarse, thirsty, and blinking against the lights in the Medbay. Skye was still sleeping, curled up in a little ball, shivering despite being under a couple of different blankets. She seemed so small, so scared, so, so human.

Ker'Tak took a deep breath, moving carefully to reach the human, placing a cool hand on her forehead. She wasn't running a fever, that was good, and she wasn't suffering hypothermia. Maybe she was just having a nightmare, as humans are prone to having. Though, with all that's gone on, Ker'Tak was surprised that that was still one of their common experiences.

It was a quiet gesture, as not very many of their coworkers were nearby. They took the chance, and quietly peered into Skye's dreams.

What they saw caused an immediate recoil, and they stumbled back a little. How could a dream be so violent? What was making her think such things had happened to her? Is that why she was shivering? Ker'Tak's mind raced, and they held their breath, bracing to try again. This time, however, before they could refine the link, Skye stole their hand away, hugging it tight to her chest, whimpering a little.

"Don't leave..." Her voice was hoarse, terrified, and very faint. Whether or not she was aware she was dreaming, she had felt Ker'Tak's hand, and was clinging to them for comfort.

Ker'Tak sighed, gently coming to their knees, and whispering to Skye, hoping to alleviate some of her nightmares. They didn't speak in any one language, this time, instead opting to speak in many to see what she responded to. Eoni, seemed to calm her, a pale reflection of the Terran's "Japanese".

But again, it brought her comfort, as she eased on Ker'Tak's hand, her dreams likely settling into something far less unpleasant, the pale purples and rich blues of her stripes growing less vibrant as she relaxed. It was saddening to see her in such a terrified state... Maybe these experiments should be postponed until she could recover.

"Unfortunately, Ker'Tak, we may not delay these experiments, when she awakens, we will continue," Fei'Di approached the younger Si'Nian, laying a heavy hand on their shoulder, "How is she faring after this first incident?"

Ker'Tak did not address him, instead, saying quietly, in hopes maybe he would not hear, "She will recover in approximately six hours, and she will need fluids and a sufficiently dense meal."

"Pity, that means eight hours at least before the continuation of our experiments, but what must be done must be done," Fei'Di spoke coldly, a touch disappointed as an ache hit his chest, "Though she is much speedier in recovery than any Bun or Kirin."

"Pardon?" Ker'Tak glanced back at Fei'Di, their eyes growing wide as Fei'Di chuckled.

"Ah, suppose I ought to tell you, after all, she is your pupil. Yes, we've attempted similar experiments in this sector, and the other participants were not as well adjusted to the challenge. She is not only recovering from the defeat much quicker but is presenting resilience and capabilities beyond what anyone has expected. It's a rather impressive specimen, we may need to see what peak humans look soon, that is, if this subpar being can keep up like this," Fei'Di explained, adjusting his lower arms so that they sat neatly crossed. His face was void of all emotion, just a frank explanation of "facts", observable, proven, and up for further testing.

Something boiled in Ker'Tak's blood, their face growing a deep shade of teal. They found themselves standing, their nodes flashing with threats of deep reds and blues, and their voice faltered barely as they spoke.

"They are like us, Fei'Di, they are not animals."

"Oh, of course, they aren't! But they are willing to participate in experiments more so than any animal, wouldn't you agree? I mean, their natural curiosity fits rather well into our research," Fei'Di chuckled, knowing well the emotional Si'Nian had grown all too well attached to the human girl, pathetic as she was.

"If you see them only as lab fects, then I suggest to step away from the research and re-read the procedures and ethics manuals," Ker'Tak kept their guard up, their eyes narrowing. They felt everything in them tense, preparing for a fight. Their heart pounded in their ears as there was a small whimper from Skye.

Why was everything so foggy? What was this pain in her chest? What was Ker'Tak doing? Her voice near failed her as she called to them now, waking up.

"Ker'Tak? What's- what's going on?" Her voice alone reinforced that they had something they needed to do, stepping closer to Fei'Di to get him to back away. The first show of dominance between the two.

"Nothing of importance, Human Skye, please, take your rest," Ker'Tak informed her plainly, staring Fei'Di down. Fei'Di hadn't stepped back, instead, he took the challenge, his antlers flickering with that familiar reddish hue of rage.

"Ker'Tak, step aside," Fei'Di warned, Or I will resort to the old ways.

I embrace the olden ways, as my father has taught me and my podmates. Ker'Tak didn't see Fei'Di as a threat anymore, only an obstacle. Not only was their safety on the line, but all Terrans. They saw right through Fei'Di; he wanted to enslave the Terrans as a "lesser species."

"Mekt'Ta please- I'm sure it's nothi-ing..." Gia stopped when she saw Ker'Tak standing between Fei'Di and Skye, her eyes growing wide, "What were you doing to my sister?"

Fei'Di jumped, glancing back and Ker'Tak snarled, baring their teeth as their nodes flashed with all kinds of colors. It wasn't just anger, but betrayal, hatred, fear, everything they had been taught to repress coming up to the surface, as their voice cut through Fei'Di's mind.

"Human Gia, I must warn you now, Fei'Di is not to be trusted here on this ship. He has threatened not only Skye's wellbeing, but the wellbeing of every member of your species, genocidal is what he is," Ker'Tak flexed their hands some, readying for a fight.

"What?" Mekt'Ta shook his head, "Ker'Tak, I'm sure the General simply wanted to make sure you and Human Skye were alright."

Ker'Tak shook their head as Fei'Di chuckled, sighing, and letting himself calm enough to hide the color of his node's glow.

"Ah, I'm afraid I may have startled Ker'Tak with a new proposition, they are rather young, and we just began our experimentation with them and Terran Skye," Fei'Di explained, "I was just heading out."

Ker'Tak shook their head, and corrected, near hissing, "They prefer Human."

Mekt'Ta raised an eyebrow, looking at Ker'Tak. Nothing and they well knew, nothing would make another Si'Nian act like that without them perceiving some great injustice or threat, either to themselves or their deeply rooted beliefs.

"Fei'Di, why don't you return to your Quarters? I will settle things with Ker'Tak here, and with any luck, there will be a later apology for you," Mekt'Ta didn't truly believe Ker'Tak would apologize, but he knew he had to give them cover.

This primal reaction to a small threat was fascinating, after all.

Fei'Di nodded, leaving the Medbay quickly, remarking politely, "Thank you Captain, but I require no apology. I simply wish for them both to be well again sooner rather than later."

Mekt'Ta nodded, watching as Fei'Di left, before turning to Ker'Tak as the door shut and locked.

"What happened? Ker'Tak you must curb your temperament this instant," Mekt'Ta scolded his younger, just as Gia bolted past and tended to her sister, "This cannot go on."

"I know it cannot, but if Fei'Di's mind ever did betray himself, well, I daresay that moment was now," Ker'Tak retorted, taking a deep breath to settle their senses, only partway obeying their Captain.

"And what did it betray of him? What possibly has you this upset? This- this primal?" Mekt'Ta demanded, their eyes narrowing as Ker'Tak sighed. They could not look their Captain in the eye, as a deep calm washed over them. They knew the truth, they had to, Mekt'Ta himself was asking what they were so afraid of.

It was time to show them what the waking world had thrown into their face.