Watched

Will You Explain It With Clarity?

Chapter 12: Jett

I wake up to her snuggled into me, probably the reason I slept so well. Her light, warm breath made my entire body warm. Jade, a little ball of light and purity sleeps next to me so soundly I feel like I could just stay here. I move quietly and slowly, not wanting to wake her up, she deals with enough already without sleep deprivation. She smells nicer than I thought she would, with peppermint and lilacs. Despite the fact that I’ve never smelled either of them.

I pull clothing on, hoping she doesn’t wake up to see me standing naked in our tent changing. Our tent, it has a nice ring to it, but I’d never tell her so. She stirs and turns on her other side, giving me time to quickly slip on my uniform. I won’t be able to keep the markings on my skin from changing to show how happy and scared I am, so I cover as many as I can. I have a fairly easy job today, just setting up some of the greenhouses. Nothing like fresh food, despite the fact that the humans here have never even tried our food.

I set up flashing markers, and the other crewmembers in our group lift up the greenhouse walls. The floors are made of a thin but strong material, and make a good padding underfoot that doesn’t get too disgusting with the wear of time and dirt. These sorts of projects went faster without the humans underfoot, and it made me feel guilty. They weren’t really doing anything, other than waiting to have their children. Our children. I didn’t see Zane until we were setting up the layout of the plants to be made.

“Lieutenant,” Zane says, nodding his head, “nice to see you.” 

“Commander.” Our few words speak volumes, we’re really speaking with our eyes about what all has transpired.

After that, the entire project seemed to pick up the pace and all the greenhouses in Section C were finished. I sigh, building a colony here is going to be more work than it’s worth. We could easily get all of this done if the humans would help, but I’m sure many would forbid it. Including the General and the Captain, both of which are the most important people here, not including the doctors. I remember I have to visit Doctor O’Toole today, and I find I want to get it over with as soon as possible. I had left a note on my nightstand saying I was working, and that I would be back shortly.

The doctor greets me with another nod, and settles down some medical devices. Many of which were used to restart my heart after it failed. I didn’t need to worry Jade with telling her I’m going here, so I just told her I work. The checkups at the medical tent were to check if my cells had regenerated fast enough, and if not, another dose of the green liquid. My scans come back clear, and show promising results, but to keep using the painkiller. The pain seems to only come at night. She doesn’t know, and I couldn’t begin to explain it to her well enough.

            I walk around, surveying the camp’s progress. I see Zane, giving orders and pressing panels to put security settings, and he’s with Pandora. Most likely giving her a short tour before making her sit inside his tent. How boring, I certainly don’t keep Jade inside as much as he does. Although Jade doesn’t really want to go outside, she mostly keeps to herself, or sleeps. An unfortunate side affect to carrying a different species. Another species that will be half-human, and perhaps, better than we are in more ways than one. Of course they won’t be able to control their emotions as much, so in the future many children will be hormonal and raging. As some human parents will explain their children’s mood swings.

            Before I know it, the sun lowers, telling me that I have to check back in on Jade. I walk into our tent, and find her still sleeping. I have a feeling she is going to be up all night, or at least permanently nocturnal. Shaking her shoulder, she wakes up with a start.

            “Oh, good morning.” Her voice cracks with sleep.

            “It is not morning, but late evening. To you want to be nocturnal?”