Supernova Blitz

Chapter 39: Zarakyssns and their Queens

The ships enter into a modified lockdown as they prepare for a more leisurely jump. Captain Long scheduled it in concern the Zarakyssns might have a way to track them, so they're being abundantly cautious. The mining vessels were all recalled from the asteroids, and all external repair crews were brought inside the skins of the ships, and head counts are being performed. It's a headache for the repair crews especially, because they have to clean up all of their tools, but no one argues. Not a single soul on any of the ships wants a repeat of the first encounter with what the Grodrrns call 'the Zarakyssn Horde'.

Petty Officer Mina Coulson is no exception. She's finally on break after watches, working parties, and drills broken only by sleep, and only one thing has occupied her mind. The Cave Queen requested the watchstanders not be burdened by companion duty for her, since she was mostly going to be healing, and if she needed anything, would ask Heloise. But, Mina hasn't had a chance to actually check on the Queen since the battle, during which the second batch of the Queen's eggs, laid mid-battle in the incubators to unburden her, were lost because the incubators weren't actually turned on. Something which none of the Marines present at the time knew.

Twice now, humanity has lost the Queen hundreds of her precious eggs.

Mina hesitates at the door. Could the Queen not want to see her or anyone else? Is she angry?

The light lock door opens, allowing Heloise to step out. The former police officer jumps, "Oh! Mina! You scared me. Everything okay?"

Mina nods with a smile. "Mm-hmm. Just fine. I was just... thinking about stuff."

"Mm, I see." Heloise has some laundry, which is mostly bedding, in a basket. She asks, "You here for me or the Queen, Sweetie?"

The young woman replies playfully, "I always wanna see you, Mom!" She hugs the woman, earning a warm chuckle. Heloise teases, "Who are you, and what have you done with the real Mina?"

"Aha! Gotcha! I'm actually Rena! Heeheehee!"

Heloise ruffles Mina's hair and kisses her forehead. She replies softly, "I haven't forgotten since Hamlet, Sweetie."

Mina replies tenderly, "I know, Mom..." During a school play, Mina was playing Laertes, and Heloise kept praising Rena, who was actually a smaller role in the play. Mina snapped and screamed at her on stage, storming off. The former police officer felt terrible, and never let it happen again, something even their own father flubs occasionally at brief glances.

Heloise says brightly, "So, since it's the Queen, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. She's been up and around the last day or so. Her English has gotten pretty good."

"R-Really?"

"Mm-hmm. She learned to make a lot of the sounds like a paradise bird. She actually sounds creepily like the Captain."

Mina chuckles, "Captain Long? Really?"

"Mm-hmm. You'll see. I'm guessing she's mimicking Long's voice, since she talked so much over the announcing circuit. Or, she thinks she's mimicking Jessica's voice. Either way, she has obviously practiced a lot just this week."

"Is she doing better?"

"Mm-hmm. Even still producing eggs. Twenty or so of them glowing already."

Mina sighs. She was worried about the Queen's injuries ending any chances to try again. Heloise smiles, adding, "Welp, I'll..."

"How are you doing, Mom?"

"Me? I'm alright. Not gonna lie, I was pretty scared when the Zar-... roaches grabbed me. It all happened so fast. Next thing I know, we're all being tossed around like ragdolls, and a GRODURN saves us." She scoffs, "Talk about irony. Rushed back to our room, but everyone was gone. Craig finally showed up, scared out of his wits. Don't blame him, either... Just tried to calm people down after that."