The Varkari

Sickness

The moment the wall closed, I struggled to move my legs to the side of the bed, feeling ten times heavier than normal. Standing was akin to deadlifting two hundred pounds and I managed four shaking steps before my knees clunked to the strange floor which absorbed my impact like putty. I was not sure where I was headed, but as I moved, the wall to my right opened and I peered into a smaller room that had a circular pit in the floor with a glass top. I could guess this was a bathroom and I attempted to go inside until a firm arm scooped me up and back like I weighed nothing.

A small squeak came out of me as I was toted back to the bed, still fully naked. Setting me down rather carefully, Admiral placed a curved dish beside me, laden with foods from earth. There were halves of a pear despite it being winter, crackers, and cheese and smoked salmon slices. "Once you are more stable in condition, you may try some Varkari foods. I can taste that you are lacking in several vitamins and your protein is low. We will start small, yes?"

I eyed him warily, pulling the blanket around me again. "Taste?"

Yellow eyes blinked. "Of course. We are carnivorous. I know healthy blood and yours tastes like it has been drained recently or has been on a shelf for too long," he continued, totally unaware how creeped out I was, his face the same broody expression that it always seemed to be.

"I taste stale," I surmised.

He nodded, holding out the pear half in his claws. "Yes, in a manner. However, your unique scent and flavor are still there. I could pick it easily from a lineup."

I chose to ignore him and focus on the pear in my hand. I had not had anything this fresh in a long time and my mouth watered as I bit into the juicy fruit. It did not last as long as I would have liked and soon I was turning on the cheese and salami.

"Good," he praised. "I know you are hungry, but the medic advised reintroducing food somewhat slowly because you might not be used to the richness. Would you like to bathe now?"

"Yes," I said, keeping it short and sweet. Yet, when I moved to rise, he was there to lift me instead.

"The gravity is higher here and on our planet than earth," he explained. His yellow eyes were focused forward instead of down at me, though I still covered myself as best as I could. The clear cover slid away from the pool at our arrival and he carefully squatted to sit on his heels. With ease, he began lowering me into the heated liquid toes first.

I made a small sound of exclamation as I sunk slowly, this substance more viscous than water, but not a gel, still holding me suspended in a reclined sitting position. It was warm enough to chase the chill out of my body and I exhaled slowly.

"The pool has nanobots that will thoroughly clean you and remove dead skin. It is also infused with nutrients that you may absorb," he said, moving to take a seat on a ledge.

My eyebrows drew downwards. "Can I have some privacy?"

Admiral smirked, revealing one fang. "While the pool should be safe enough for you, you are still weak. I would not have you drown," he withdrew a stick from his pocket and pulled it in two, a blue screen appearing between each end that he promptly focused on. I had been dismissed.

I studied his face while he worked, wondering how he could look so human in his features and yet come from another planet. He did have horns and his skin was slightly gray, but his face would easily be in magazines for cologne sales if it wasn't. It was a shame that he was an asshole and had conquered my planet really.

Floating there was blissful and quiet, giving my mind time to wander away and imagine different ways to get free. My temples started to ache which let me know that I would need to rest soon as I had out in the forest. I only had so much energy to spare.