On the High Frontier

5. Nothing Special (part 6/10)

"No!" Kimiko realises immediately what he means. "There must be another solution, please." Fee looks confused.

"I'm sorry Kimiko." James turns again to the pilot. "We have a void craft available. It's not like one you've used before, and it'll take practice to master. But I think you're up to it."

Fee is still confused until she notices Kimiko's scared glance at the charm bracelet on her wrist. "Oh ... But" She stares at her friend as she runs back into into the fresher. "Kimiko!"

Her breathing is loud in her ears and she's feeling light-headed. She needs the sheaths, she can't go back to just Kimiko. She sits with her head between her knees and tries to get herself under control. It's not fair. There's a knock. "Kimiko?" It's Fee. She can't wait to steal Ryo-Ohki. Why can't she just let Kimiko stay special?

"Go away. I ... I ... leave me alone." Her cracking voice sounds like a spoiled brat. Oh, it's so hard. First Trevor again, and now this.

"Kimiko, please." Why won't she just go away? "I'm your friend." Then let me be. "I don't want to take anything. I just want to help." Yes, and what does she want to help herself to. "What else can we do?"

"They make me special." Her breathing is ragged. She takes a deep gulp of air. "I can't lose them."

"No one wants to take them." Is that true? Kimiko is having trouble thinking straight. It's all so sudden. She tries to push down her panic.

"Kimiko." James has come over. "I didn't give you Sayoko to make you special. You were already extraordinary. The sheaths are just tools."

"Please." There's fear in Fee's voice. Does she care? "Come out, we need you." Her fingers feel numb as she fumbles with the lock. The door falls open and she stands dumbly whilst her friend takes her hands. There is uncertainty in the eyes as they look into hers.

After a moment she can't take it any more and pulling her hands free throws her arms around the tall pilot, burying her face in the taller woman's chest. "Don't hate me." Her voice is small and muffled.

Fee hugs her back, and her friend starts to quiver with laughter. "Hate you? You saved my life. If I was into short asian girls I might marry you." Kimiko burrows deeper into the safe embrace and her panic drains away.

After a moment they pull slightly apart and Kimiko looks up at Fee. "I'm sorry." Her friend dismisses the matter with a snort. "Sometimes I'm afraid it's just the sheaths."

It's James' turn to snort. "You'd be dangerous with chewing gum and some wire." Kimiko looks at him and then Fee. With a deep breath she unfastens the bracelet and draws it through the field. She offers it to James. He shakes his head. "I'm not the one who needs it."

Turning she places it in her friend's open hand. Different emotions, surprise, hope, and fear, play across Fee's face. "Kimiko. I ..." Kimiko puts her fingers across her friends lips.

"There isn't a better pilot." It's like a weight has been lifted and she smiles at Fee, who grins back. "Try not to hit anything." Fee stares at the bracelet in her hand. "It works better if you put it on."

"Do I need to, you know." She waves her hand at Kimiko.

It takes James a moment to realise what she means, and he gives Kimiko a mock glower. "Have you been scaring the staff again?" He looks back to Fee. "No that's just her. A skin suit or V-lite is fine. I can get one from ... What are you doing?" Fee has started to strip.

"Don't worry, I'm a pilot. I live in my V-Lite." As she continues her void undersuit is revealed. "Can I wear it on my ankle or does it need to be on my wrist?"