The Touch of Infection

Chapte 27: He won't listen

Ezhno looked at Marnik, the way he walked behind Carisa like a puppy, pulling him but the ear Ezhno dragged him to a corner. Pointing at a seat before taking one himself.

"The two days are up Marnik, will you keep her, or will you leave her?" He asked, making sure Amite kept Carisa entertained.

"I'm keeping her." Marnik started and got up about to leave when Ezhno snapped his fingers and pointed back at the seat.

"That's great and all, I'm really happy for you." Ezhno took a pause and looked at the two girls, "but does she want to leave with you?"

Marnik scowled at Ezhno, "Of course she does, I said I'd protect her."

"It's not the same thing Marnik, protecting her and taking her against her will are not things humans particularly enjoy. You need to let her know that she'll be going with you everywhere, you are after all a part of the team. Sure get a partner, maybe some kids I don't care, but you first need to ask if they accept her in." Ezhno leaned forward, "Amite might accept her, and I might tolerate her, but what about the rest. You don't have the authority to just waltz in and proclaim she's staying with us."

He was right and Marnik understood that. Even if he hated it, it was all true. Unable to just bring her to HQ with him however he wanted, but he wouldn't just leave her either. Last time he did he found her in the red zone, what if she fell in that area again? What if she didn't make it out?

"I'll go ask in HQ if she can stay... but I'm not leaving her unprotected." He states finally standing up to walk towards her, ignoring Ezhno calling him. 

Seeing her speak with Amite made him happy, they even looked like a couple of friends. Their conversation comes to an end when they noticed him, Amite left and Carisa smiled at him. She bumped her shoulder against his, going to sit.

"Tomorrow... we're going to HQ." He told her, smiling as he did.

"Tomorrow?" She wasn't too sure about it. Feeling uneasy about the idea, "Why so soon?" She was well aware he said he'd protect her but leaving now? It was all going to fast, she didn't know how to take it.

He grabbed her hand softly, "Everything will be fine."

Sitting down he leaned next to her. Unaware of Amite and Ezhno keeping an eye on them.

Amite closed the door and sighed, "He's really dragging her to HQ."

"You need to talk to him. He won't listen to me." Ezhno grumbled crossing his arms, he was so annoyed at Marnik's temper and decisions.

"I know. But we can just tell him he needs to leave her for maybe a day or two, he'll go nuts. He just needs to understand that he can't bring her to HQ without speaking to the commanders about her once." She closed her eyes trying to think up a strategy, "If only it was sure that the commanders would agree... but there's a possibility they won't. I don't wanna even start to imagine what he'll do if they don't."

She rubbed her temple and opened her eyes again, "I can try talking to him in the morning if he agrees then it'll be easy. If he doesn't..."

"What then?" Ezhno asked in the silence she laid.

"Then I knock him out and you'll stay with Carisa until we get back." Her statement was denied immediately.

"No! No and no."

She smiled at him, "Then would you rather deal with Marnik?"

"Carisa it is."

She laughed at how easily he changed opinion, giving him a kiss on the cheeks, "since that's the case then I'll try my best by arriving as soon as possible. Also, please keep in mind Carisa is human."

He nodded and huffed, "I know woman, I've studied them just as much as you have. I've got my knowledge of them. It might even be better than yours."

She nudged him and rolled her eyes, "Sure of course. For now, let's not let her die tonight."

Opening back the door they only saw Marnik and Carisa fast asleep. She even planned to keep Marnik up a few hours practicing his English, but it looked like tonight wouldn't be the time. Her eyes softened seeing them laying beside one another, "I really hope the commanders agree."

Ezhno rubbed her back reassuringly, "They aren't unfair, he'll have a good chance. But that's not exactly what worry's me... what if the planet dies as we've expected it to?"

She shushed him and closed the door again, "No, that can't happen anymore, not at least in a hundred years. If we could just create a cure, or at the very least a way to immunize the plants and animals... we just need a little time." She bit her nails, "We can still save this planet... we can."

He let out a deep breath, pulling his hair off his face when it fell down, "We both know very well this planets days are counted. Marnik knows even, and I'm sure he hasn't even figured out what he'd do if the planet dies and their still together. The chances of the commanders letting her in HQ are higher then letting her in a ship... and if they don't accept her... she'll die out there. Maybe even Marnik will die going after her."

She shook her head, she didn't want to think about this anymore. But he wasn't wrong, all he said where probabilities of what could be a reality, "Marnik is our friend, he's been our friend even before we became partners... we'll make sure to move the necessary arrangements so she'll stay... so she can live alongside all of us."