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She focused and went through the motions of having her exams every month, but they had never had a Terran soother before, and she was functioning, so her loss of weight didn’t worry them. She was the only one of her kind, and they had no idea what was normal. She mentioned her loss of body condition, and they gave her more rations. The rations went right through her at a stately pace and gave nothing.
When the door opened without a chime, a man stood there and extended his hand to her. He didn’t speak. She walked to him and walked with him through the station she had only seen once.
Do not speak aloud.
Yes, that I understand.
He nodded and did not look at her. She walked as fast as she was able. It was the first time she had walked more than fifteen feet in years, but if freedom was at the end of the path, she was going to keep going.
The people on the station were frozen. Motionless. She held tight to him, knowing without speaking that if she let go, she would join the statues.
She nearly ran to keep up with him, but when they got to his shuttle and he made sure she was strapped in, things started moving around them. He hit the release, and the station let them go. They drifted away, and he headed toward a larger ship.
Aya thought, May I speak?
“Ah, of course. They do not know you are gone yet. I am hoping we can get to Isuul’s ship before the alarm sounds.”
She smiled and held herself tense. “I thought my bond was long paid.”
“It was. Aten paid all of your bonds two years ago. You are too good at your job. They wanted to keep you.”
“Oh. Job security is nice, but I would not have lasted much longer.”
He looked at her. “Why not?”
“Is there a condition where people don’t absorb rations?”
“Yes. They are organic consumers or live eaters. Why?”
“I think that I have that condition. I have lost over sixty-five percent of my body weight over the last three years, and no amount of rations has been able to put the weight back.”
“We will assess you on my ship. I am taking you to Aten. He has the most effective repair units for your species.”
“Okay. How long will that take?”
“A few weeks. Why?”
“I am trying to figure out how much more I can lose before my organs shut down. I am not a physician, so I am guessing.”
“I will request standard Terran specifications, and we will find out what you need to keep you alive until Aten.”
“Thank you.”
“How did you get a message out? Your room was shielded.”
“Through the door when it opened and closed.”
He smiled slightly; his features were made of grey and silver shadows, but she could tell he was smiling. “That is impressive.”
“That was desperation.”
They slid into the belly of a much larger ship, and the moment the ship sealed around them, they were moving, and they were moving fast.
He helped her unclasp the restraints and helped her to her feet.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome. I am shocked that Aten called me. We have not spoken in a very long time.”
