In the Wake of Stars

Chapter 14: Resurrecting the Past

The air in the lower levels was stale, a stark contrast to the faint whir of the ship’s systems running on secondary power. Nora stood at the entrance of the catacombs, her heart pounding with anticipation. The vast expanse before her was dimly lit, a graveyard of forgotten machinery and neglected corridors, remnants of a time when the ship thrived.

“Welcome to the graveyard,” Cal’s voice cut through the silence as he appeared beside her, eyes scanning the darkness. “You ready for a little digging?”

She shot him a sideways glance, crossing her arms. “I didn’t sign up for archaeology, you know.”

His lips curled into that infuriating smirk. “Oh, but you’re going to love it. Just think of all the fun we’ll have cleaning up this mess.”

“Fun? Right.” She rolled her eyes and took a step forward, determined not to show her hesitation. This was their chance to reclaim the ship and prove they could do it together, despite their differences.

They made their way deeper into the catacombs, the air growing heavier with dust and disuse. Nora flicked on her flashlight, illuminating rusted pipes and scattered debris that littered the ground. “Looks like we’re going to need to rewire everything,” she muttered, her mind already racing through the protocols.

“Yeah, and I’m going to need to dig through this grime to reach the main power lines,” Cal said, pulling up his shirt sleeves, revealing toned muscles dusted with grime. “Looks like it’s going to get a little dirty in here.”

Nora forced herself to look away, focusing on the task ahead. “I’ll handle the coding and rewiring,” she said, mentally cataloging what supplies they had. “You just… don’t electrocute yourself.”

“Always the caring one,” he shot back, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice. “Let’s see if you can keep up.”

As they worked side by side, the atmosphere shifted. Nora fell into a rhythm of cleaning, her hands deftly maneuvering through the tangled mess of wires, while Cal tackled the engine repairs, a steady cadence of grunts and the occasional curse echoing through the room.

Nora stole glances at him as he lifted heavy machinery, muscles flexing under the strain, sweat glistening on his skin. He was infuriatingly handsome, even covered in grease and dirt, but she’d never admit that. Instead, she focused on the job, pushing away any thoughts that lingered too long.

“Hey, if you’re going to stare, at least offer some helpful advice,” Cal teased, catching her off guard.

“Shut up,” she replied, trying to sound annoyed but failing to hide her smirk.

The banter continued as they worked, a tension building that neither of them could ignore. After several hours, Nora sat back on her heels, wiping sweat from her brow. “We’re making progress, at least.”

Cal nodded, taking a moment to wipe his hands on a rag, smearing more grease across his face. “Just don’t mess up my hard work, okay?”

“Is that you caring again?” she shot back, but the lightness in her voice was genuine. They were both surprised by the ease of their interaction.

“Maybe,” he said, smirking as he grabbed a water bottle from their supplies. “But don’t get used to it.”

“Right. Just a casual act of charity from the ship’s resident jerk,” she quipped, accepting the bottle he offered. As she took a sip, their hands brushed together, a shock of warmth pulsing through her.

“Just think of me as your personal assistant,” Cal continued, leaning against a nearby wall, the playful glint in his eye unmistakable. “I can keep you hydrated while you do all the heavy lifting. You need someone to keep you in check, after all.”

“Babysitting, huh?” she replied, the teasing tone a comfortable barrier between them. “Let’s see how long that lasts before you get bored.”

He grinned, the cocky confidence back in place. “I doubt you’ll be bored with me around, Nora.”

“Let’s hope not,” she muttered, hiding a smile behind her bottle.

As they returned to their tasks, the air shifted. With each passing hour, they pulled further away from the darkness of the catacombs, uncovering the beauty hidden beneath the layers of neglect. As Nora rewired a critical circuit, she felt a sense of accomplishment growing within her, and Cal’s presence became less of an annoyance and more of an anchor.

It wasn’t long before he returned, covered in oil and dirt, yet undeniably charming in his ruggedness. “You still alive over here?”

“Barely,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Thanks for the water, by the way. You’re not as useless as I thought.”

Cal raised an eyebrow, taking a step closer. “Is that a compliment?”

“Don’t push it,” she warned, but the playful banter felt different now—charged with something deeper, a flicker of vulnerability that neither wanted to acknowledge.

As the hours dragged on, they worked tirelessly, and Nora began to notice the subtle shifts in Cal’s demeanor. He would occasionally check on her, offering food or water, teasing her with phrases like, “Don’t think you can handle it alone, babe,” but there was a genuine care behind the cocky facade.

As they prepared to take a break, Nora leaned against a wall, her body exhausted but her mind racing. “You know, if we keep this up, we might actually restore this place.”

“Don’t sound so surprised,” he replied, his voice softer. “We’re a good team.”

“Yeah, if you don’t drive me insane first.”

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world faded away. But as quickly as it had come, the moment was lost, the tension replaced by their familiar banter.

“Let’s just finish this,” Cal said, pulling away to grab more tools. “I’m not about to let you think you’ve got the better of me.”

With a deep breath, Nora dove back into the work, the faint warmth of their interaction lingering as they continued to dig deeper into the heart of the ship. The past may have been shrouded in darkness, but they were determined to bring it back to life.