Gaia 3

VII. Argument

Jaleah, Carsin, and Karmyne spent the next week trying to figure out what the danger on Gaia 3 could possibly be. It had been a stressful week for Jaleah; not only had her research hit a wall due to lack of data, but she had had the nightmare every night since Carsin had found the symbol for danger in the journal. Of course, she had talked to Kyndle about her problem, but the best advice Kyndle could offer was to meditate each night. 

And Jaleah had tried meditating, but so far the results had been...less than stellar. She would try to focus on her breathing, but then her thoughts would take over. What had she missed in the data? What if the irregularities were something worse than holes in Gaia 3's ozone layer? And while she was at it, what had caused the holes in the ozone layer? What if that was the danger the journal was trying to warn them about? 

The fixation on finding an answer to the unknown question had also started leading to health problems, and Kyndle had become increasingly worried. Most nights, Jaleah had been so wrapped up in her work that she would forget to eat until prompted. As a result, she had begun to lose some weight, which Kyndle found deeply concerning. Furthermore, the nights of restless sleep she spent running from unknown dangers had led to odd spells of what her colleagues called 'terrifying naps': according to Liyan, she would often fall asleep with her eyes wide open, staring at the doorway of the mess hall. It became clear that the only way for her to regain her health was to find the danger on Gaia 3. 

--<<>>--

One day in the early afternoon, Jaleah slowly became aware of an excited vibe in the room. She looked up to see Karmyne and Carsin animatedly whispering to each other. After watching them a minute, hoping they would tell her what was going on, she finally interrupted them. 

"Sorry, guys, but...what's going on?" she asked, pushing her work off to the side. 

"We think we finally translated the page," Karmyne said. 

Carsin nodded in agreement. 
"We were able to determine that the triangle was in fact used to denote danger," he said.

"Did it happen to mention what the danger was?" 

"Yes. The crew members started getting sick. We believe that that's the danger the journal mentions."

"So what made them sick, do you think?" Jaleah asked, "Apoplexia Flu?" 

"No. So far, we've only gotten a few of the symptoms, but I'm going to have Kyndle take a look at them in case she recognizes the particular disease. With any luck, we'll already have gotten the vaccination, so we'll be safe if we find the expedition's remains," Karmyne smiled. 

"So it has nothing to do with the planet itself?" 

"No, not at all." 

Jaleah breathed a sigh of relief. 
"Then I guess you don't need me anymore, huh?" she said, gathering her research.

"No, you're off the hook," Karmyne agreed, "Go get some rest. You need it." 

--<<>>--

The next night, Jaleah joined the crew for dinner for the first time since their departure. She was finally well-rested and in a spectacularly good mood, and her colleagues could tell. 

"Well, you look rather happy," Liyan said, making room for her at the table, "What happened to all your research?" 

"Karmyne didn't tell you? Turns out, the danger they talked about in the journal has absolutely nothing to do with the planet," she smiled, sitting down. 

"That certainly is good to hear," Daviron said, "But we still have to find out what the danger is." 

"Probably just a virus that the crew contracted back home," Jaleah shrugged, "Whatever it is, I'm sure Kyndle will be able to vaccinate us against it." 

"Yes, I'm sure," Daviron sighed. 

"Is everything alright?" Jaleah asked, looking concerned. She had been so wrapped up in her research that she didn't have any clue as to what was happening on the rest of the ship.

"Yes, it's fine," Daviron replied, "I just expected us to enter the Lactaneum system by now."

Liyan sighed. 
"Daviron, we've been over this," she said with quiet anger, "We have to go around and find another entrance. If we don't, we run the risk of seriously damaging the ship." 

Daviron rolled his eyes, and Liyan glared at him. Jaleah resisted the urge to ask them what was going on. Her week had been stressful enough, and she didn't need to get in the middle of a fight between her boss and the ship's pilot. But the more she thought of it, the more she desperately wanted to know when they would enter Gaia 3's system. Finally, she couldn't take it, and the words escaped her mouth. 

"Do you know when we are expected to enter the Lactaneum system?" 

Liyan sighed. 
"One, maybe two days. We should be entering Gaia 3's atmosphere by the end of the week. We just have to make sure we don't ruin the ship doing so," she added, glaring at Daviron, who grunted angrily and left the room. 

"I'm sorry I asked," Jaleah said, watching the door Daviron had gone through. 

"Honestly, it's not you," Liyan sighed, "We've just been in close quarters all week. And Daviron doesn't help by asking 'Are we there yet' every twenty minutes. This is not our first argument. Or our worst." 

Jaleah stared at her. 
"Arguments? You've been arguing about this all week?" 

"Yeah...loudly, too. You haven't noticed?" 

"No, well, I haven't been up to the bridge yet, so I wouldn't have." 

"We've been having them in the mess hall, too," Liyan said, looking at Jaleah with concern, "Including a few where you were actually in the room." 

Jaleah just stared at her, and Liyan laughed.
"Wow, I guess you must really get in the zone when you're working. That's pretty impressive." 

Jaleah laughed half-heartedly, but mostly she was trying to figure out how she could have missed something as loud as an argument in the same room as her. Even now, thinking back, she couldn't remember anything that resembled an argument. 

--<<>>--

That night, her nightmare changed once again. She was no longer alone on the planet. Instead, the crew was with her, arguing incessantly with each other until one by one they dropped dead, leaving Jaleah alone on the planet once more. 

She woke up before she could start running and lay in bed, staring up at the bed above her. She had to get her insecurities in check. It didn't matter what dangers she would be facing on Gaia 3; if she didn't find a way to manage her anxiety, it would be the stress that killed her. 

==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==

Thanks again for reading! Please take two seconds to vote if you enjoyed the chapter or if you think Jaleah should pick up yoga.