Sythius nods. “Got betrayed and lost everything. My ship. A hand.” He takes off a glove and shows Fracture and loopy Menace his cybernetic replacement.
It doesn’t surprise me someone was mad at him enough to do such a thing, but part of me does twist up, seeing the cybernetics because I’m familiar with how much pain a single stab can cause. Knowing he lost a limb crushes the last of my hatred toward him. Surviving this galaxy is messy. I’ve done things I’m not proud of because I was in immense pain. It’s not fair that I judge him when I’ve done the same.
“Lieutenant Thorsh sold me out. So I took a cargo job no one else wanted, which ended up being somewhere no one else wanted to go—here. I’ve worked here for months without pay, living on shitty rations, and getting zapped like a human for every mistake,” Sythius mutters.
“Really? But you look Solcrue.” Fracture is sluggish and clearly low on power, so I pick the closest defensible space I can find and motion to a cave in the mountainside.
“They consider medirty.” Sythius kicks a loose rock and swears.“So unless I’m selling something they need but otherwise can’t get, I’m worthless to them.”
The mood of our group sours, and I feel like I need to say something. “We’re not worthless. None of us are.”
Sythius adjusts his weapons belt and stumbles as he blindly marches by Fracture’s other side. “Honestly, Sef. I don’t know. I thought being an animal would keep me safe. Kill others before I’m killed kind of thing. But being on the other end of that is pretty shitty. And that’s how Solcrue are.”
Menace growls. “The second I think you’re going to stab any of us in the back, I’m going to tear your throat out with my teeth. And don’t push it. I’mstarving.”
Fracture’s eyes light up, then Menace’s, telling me they’re conversing. I don’t harass them this time because I think it’s not something I want to hear.
In the distance is a string of white lights that I wager must belong to the outpost. “As long as you prove you’re going to contribute and fight to be a part of this family, then you can stay with us. Respect has to be earned and loyalty proven, and that means sacrifice. That’s what it takes to not die alone.”
Sythius hisses at me then looks away. “Alright.”
I lead our small group up some rocks, into a cavern behind a trickling waterfall, and into the depths of a damp cave. It will work for a few hours.
I set my pack down and hand Sythius a medical kit. “You can help by replenishing Fracture.”
He takes the kit with hesitation and digs through it for available boosters.
“How did you get your hands on a coilgun?” Fracture asks me.
“Have a klepto friend.” I jerk my head toward Sythius as I pull out every nanosolution booster in the kit, as well as the synthskin repair patches and a set of tools I need to connect the broken pieces inside Menace’s body. “Need something stolen? He’s your guy.”
“Need someone dead? Talk to Sef,” Sythius adds without looking at me. I don’t think he’s in the mood for attention.
“How did you two find each other down here?” Fracture asks as Sythius hands him an injector.
“He found me in the hallway while I was trying to find a way to get to Menace. He tied me up, and I broke free by kicking his junk into the next solar system. After a brief heart-to-heart, he came back for me with the coilgun.”
Sythius gasps. “I didn’t—”
I arch a brow and scowl at him. “Then what were you doing? Trying to kill the person you wanted to take with you when you left this galaxy behind? That makes sense.”
He works his jaw around like he’s chewing on something, even though I know there’s nothing on his tongue but lies and denial.
I seal the slices in Menace’s body with dermal repair gel. “You did because you wanted to and don’t want to be alone anymore. You just suck at being honest.”
Sythius shrugs like he isn’t sure how to respond.
“You didn’t punch me the second time you saw me. That’s progress,” I say.
“Don’t touch her again,” Menace slurs and tries to push himself upright. “Iwillkill you.”
I push Menace down. “Hush. You’re in no position to make threats. You healed me. Now it’s my turn.”
Menace’s red eyes languidly find mine.
“Lost too much nanosolution, I know.” I draw a pouch from my bag and guide it to his lips. “Sythius grabbed the last of what he could from Quris’ body after he got some vicarious revenge for his hand.”
Menace mutters as I dig through his chest to repair the mechanical ribs and reattach the main components from intercostal muscle pistons to filtration systems for his lungs. Then I work my way down to his torn abs. I’m not a cybertech, but I understand mechanical concepts enough to fix the major parts. I hope his nanocytes can do the rest.
