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"Aye, aye, Captain," Katak and I both said at once, before he hurried to his cockpit. I turned to head back the way I'd come, back to Heather.
13
Heather
Iknew something was wrong when Atina knocked on the door of Abby and Sarah's cabin. After the pilot had left for the bridge, I'd decided to see if they wanted to spend some time with me before our planned dinner. I didn't feel like sitting in my cabin all on my own. Sahra had just pulled out a Kyven board game when Atina arrived.
"There's been a change of plans," the pilot announced. While her words were clearly directed at all of us, I was pleased that she only seemed to have eyes for me. "Captain Ellabee has decided to put the ship into stasis mode. The rashipi escape was the last ring on her ear. She doesn't want anything like this to happen again, especially since we're behind schedule already."
"Last ring on her ear, is that like the last drop in the barrel?" Abby asked her mate.
"Yes, have I not used that expression before?"
They both made gooey eyes at each other and I turned away, focusing on Atina instead. "What does stasis mode mean?"
"The entire ship, bar the bridge, will be frozen in time. Well, technically time will still flow, just very, very slowly. To you, it'll feel like sleeping. When you wake up, we'll be in orbit around your planet. Stasis mode lets us travel much faster, plus there won't be a risk of escaping cargo."
Abby shrugged, apparently not fazed at all. "Guess we won't be having dinner after all. We shall have our next meal on Earth. How does this work, do we lie in our beds?"
"Yes," Atina nodded. "It will be the most comfortable for you. Just lie down and relax. The captain will do a short audio broadcast just before engaging stasis mode, so you won't be surprised by it. I have to go and prepare the rashipis now."
"Can I come with you?" I asked quickly.
"No, you should go to your cabin and get ready," Atina said not unkindly. "I will stay awake while on the bridge, so it's my job to make sure everyone's prepared for stasis."
"But..."
I didn't want to voice my fears in front of Abby and Sahra, who clearly didn't have any issues with the concept of being put to sleep.
"I will take you to your cabin," Atina suggested. "Help you get settled in."
Next to me, Abby chuckled, but I ignored her.
Atina accompanied me to my own room. We stood there, our bodies close simply because the cabin was so small, without saying anything for a while. I didn't want to go to bed. My heart was racing at the thought.
"What's the problem?" Atina asked eventually. "You seem troubled."
I ran a hand through my hair before realising I was even doing it. I clenched my hands together to stop me from fidgeting.
"My father... he passed away during an operation. He was put to sleep and never woke up. I've been terrified of the same thing happening to me or someone I love ever since."
Her expression softened and she reached out, pulling me into her arms. I let her. She was warm and gentle, her hug exactly what I needed.
"I won't let that happen to you," she whispered. "Stasis mode is completely safe. I would love to stay and hold your hand while you fall asleep, but I'm needed on the bridge. However, I promise to be here when you wake up. Deal?"
My anxiety was still making my insides clench with irrational fear, but knowing that she understood helped a little.
"Do you want me to give you something to relax you?"
I shook my head. "No, I'll be fine. I just don't have to like it."
Atina laughed quietly. "No, you don't have to like it. Some people detest stasis mode, but I know why the Captain made the decision to use it for this trip. It will be alright. You might even have some lovely dreams. I've had some of my most beautiful dream adventures during stasis mode."
"And you'll be here when I wake up?" I asked, my voice quivering slightly. I hated feeling so needy.
"I will be. I swear it."
For a moment, I imagined her kneeling next to my sleeping body, leaning down to kiss me awake like the prince in the fairy tale. Maybe I could dream about that. Yes, that would be nice.
