The Touch of Infection

Chapter 43: Preservation

Marnik had made it back and with the company of Amil. The second Amil went through the door Bavyn hid. Taking his time in just getting out from behind Carisa, Amil would hide in a corner and watch her work her magic.

He treated the poor kid like another of the animals he studied, writing down information like it was crucial. Marnik laughed it off and Carisa didn't quite understand what he did as she was too busy with Bavyn. The time arriving of having to take him back, she'd grab him and begin walking.

"Don't talk to Vasin." Was the first thing Marnik told her.

"Why?"

Marnik thought it was obvious, "Because he clearly doesn't like your tone. He'll have you 'taken care of'."

Carisa laughed, "No he won't. I've got this handled." She remembered what Fallyn had said and kept laughing. Marnik sighed and facepalmed starting to worry about her and have a plan if things went wrong.

Amil walked close behind and them talking to Marnik, "If the commander tries anything... we beat him up."

Marnik laughed, "You can't beat a one-foot insect you're gonna be a commander. I'll be dead the day you join any fight."

Marnik and he laughed together, "Oh shut up, at least I'm trying to help. Do you have any idea how many poisons I know?!"

Marnik rolled his eyes, finally getting to the door they waited for it to be opened. Vasin finally coming to view  let them in, confused as to why Amil was there now as well.

Carisa set him down and Bavyn dragged her to his room, it had books in every nook and cranny, even his bed had books on it but that wasn't what he wanted to show her. He pushed some books out of the way and sent one of his hands to pull something out. She'd tried staying at the door but the boy pulled too hard.

What he took out was a small rock, shinning and glimmering in the light. He handed it to her and hugged her tightly, Vasin behind them with his mouth agape.

"I see you've proven somewhat useful to our society," Vasin admitted and snapped his finger getting Bavyn's attention.

Bavyn looked up at Carisa and walked towards his father with his head down as Vasin continued speaking, "I'll have you and Marnik's room moved. If you're going to be taking care of Bavyn... you might as well be close..." he pinched the bridge of his nose, "But I must remind you, Bavyn will be a commander, and he must learn to act like one-"

She couldn't listen to this part, interrupting him, "Does he even want to be a commander?"

Vasin glared at her, "It's my family's tradition, respect that Carisa... and I'll respect you."

Carisa closed her fist tightly before letting out a deep breath quietly, she leaned down and Bavyn walked towards her, "I'll see you tomorrow."

She went to hand him the rock back but he closed her hand in it. Walking back to his dad and standing tall beside him.

Vasin sighed, "Take it."

Walking out she waved one last time goodbye to him, seeing how he was hesitant to wave back but did so in the end.  Vasin closed the door and Marnik wrapped his hand around her.

She brought out the small rock he'd given her and showed it to Marnik, "It's pretty."

Amil noticed the little shine in Carisa's eyes, "Bavyn really liked her in the span of a day."

Marnik looked over at him and nodded, "It's from our home planet. Give it here," he said to Carisa, "I'll put it in a case for you. I just don't want you getting another allergic reaction." He explained as she handed the rock to him.

Two guards appearing out of nowhere to see them, one nearly squealed when they saw Carisa while the other was stoic, "Hi," the woman greeted, "The commander ordered us to get you to your new room."

Carisa was astonished over how quick it all was, had Vasin already been planning all this. Or did Fallyn talk to him about it?

Marnik nodded, "Sure, where will it be?"

The other guard walked a few feet away and opened the door for them, "It'll be this one. But we've been ordered to help you move if that's alright."

"It's fine," he answered and looked at Carisa, "You stay, I'll take care of this."

Going up to the door Carisa could see how much bigger the room was. Having a wider living room and a few extra doors leading to places she still didn't know. Opening the first she saw the bedroom, the bed looked pretty much the same but with more space to move around. The next room had a table and drawers, it looked like a miniature office.

The other doors left in the new room where for a bathroom and a small kitchen. Having seen all the rooms she sat in the living room and the guard from earlier arrived.

Holding a big smile went walked towards her, "I'm so happy to have met you personally. I've heard so much about you, I can't believe yet you're this small. It's so sad I missed the party the commander threw for your welcoming."

The woman spoke so quickly Carisa could barely keep up, but it made her glad to know she spoke English, "Um, yes it's a pleasure. What's your name?"

"It's Neda my partner is Zareb he's also excited to meet you but you know men. Always so serious and grumpy. Ah, I just can't believe I'm meeting you, also I'm so glad you've gotten commander Fallyn to work on human preservation." At her last words, Carisa's expression changed.

"Preservation?" She questioned.

"Oh yes, she's really interested in getting more humans to work with us. She's really glad about meeting you and I'm so honored to know more humans might join us. You guys are just so small and cute." Neda explained all this so quickly Carisa had a hard time processing it all, "Well, I'll be back I need to keep helping you two move. To think you're even great with kids, this is amazing."

Neda walked out nearly skipping while Carisa was left thinking. Preservation, Fallyn really did mean business now. How many humans did she plan to take in, and worse what did she plan to do with them. Sure she was here but the only reason for that was thanks to Marnik.

Zareb soon walked in carrying more things she knew whereof Marnik, "Where should I put these?"

"Anywhere is fine." She told him and stopped him before he could leave, "Neda told me of you, I believe your name is Zareb am I right."

He nodded, "Yes miss. How may I help you?"

"Oh no don't worry I don't need anything. I'm just wanting to hear your opinion on this human preservation... program." Carisa asked this hoping to get a clearer idea of what Fallyn was up to.

"Well as long as all the humans are like you, I'm sure it'll be great. You know you've got humans in a new light for us." He scratched the back of his head, "The original plan was to kill all your species off, but seeing how different you can all be from one another is truly amazing. I hope we can all work together for this." Saying that he was about to head off, "The commander hasn't told us much... but I really hope it works out."

"Yes, it's alright you can go, I'm sorry to bother you." Carisa excused herself to which he shook his head.

"Oh no, it's not a bother. Please let me know of anything you need." He was starting to sound like Fallyn now, "I didn't mean to make you feel that way. Also, forgive Neda she can be very talkative at times."

Carisa laughed and brushed it off, "I'll keep that in mind."