A Romantic Scene in an Unromantic Place

Location: Hegemony Ship

Aliens: Sauropsidian, Gastromycen, Rivan

Rok shivered as he walked down the corridor. Being cold-blooded on a Hegemony ship, it’s bound to happen. But the shivers were more from nerves than the prison-like environmental controls. His taloned hands kept clenching and unclenching. A couple of officers walked by and he gave them a respectful nod. Just as they passed, Rok “tripped”, throwing himself into the wall, head first.

 “Lieutenant, are you alright?” one of the officers asked, doubling back to check on him.

 “Of course,” Rok said, trying to sit up. A trickle of dark crimson dripped down over his right eye.

 “I won’t hear any objections,” the officer said and helped him to his feet. “Report to sick bay immediately.” He reluctantly agreed, stumbling into the nearest lift and taking it down to the infirmary. He allowed himself a small grin. The doors opened and Rok’s nostrils flared, filled with the pungent stink of disinfectant chemicals and sick patients.

 “Rok?” Lin asked as the Sauropsidian stepped off the lift. “You just got out of here!” Lin left the patient he and a doctor were consulting with to rush up to him. Mal, Lin’s symbiote slug, stretched and felt the air, tasting Rok’s blood.

 “I tripped,” Rok said, the nerves returning at seeing Lin’s concerned face. The way he looked up at Rok. He could lean down and kiss him now, if it wouldn’t get them both kicked off the ship. If Lin even wanted that from him. A nearby Rivan gagged and vomited into a pail near their bed. Lin didn’t pay it any mind, but Rok felt himself turn green. Greener. This was the fourth infirmary visit in as many weeks, and he didn’t think he’d ever get used to the smell.

 “You have got to be the clumsiest crewman on this ship,” Lin said, looping an arm through Rok’s and leading him to an open bed. Rok laid down and Lin began washing the wound. “Pardon, I know this is weird,” he said. He dipped a finger into Rok’s blood and placed a single drop on his tongue. It was weird to Rok, but Lin had explained how it would help Mal make the necessary medicine to help him.

 “You’re so brave,” Rok said quietly, working up his courage. Lin smiled, not taking his eyes off of his task.

 “We’re mostly immune to poison and disease,” Lin said with a shrug.

 “No, I mean,” Rok said and brought up a hand and placed it onto Lin’s arm. He was about to speak again when a patient behind the curtain wall near Rok’s bed began a coughing fit. Rok reflexively let go and dropped his hand. It sounded horrendous. A nurse disappeared behind the curtain, the patient trying to talk between hacking up fluid.

 “Eh, you get used to it,” Lin said. “But it’s funny to see you grossed out. Your lip pulls up and I can see your teeth.” Lin giggled to himself. So he watched Rok as closely as Rok watched him. Rok smiled. He saw a droplet of green liquid form on Mal’s back. The slug placed it onto his head and presented it to Lin. “Thank you, Mal,” he said softly. Lin collected the droplet and placed it directly onto Rok’s wound. There was a wave of cooling ease that replaced the swollen heat of the knot that had formed on his forehead. Lin taped a small square of bandage onto the spot.

 “Thank you, Lin,” Rok said, resting his hand on Lin’s arm again. Lin placed his other hand on top of Rok’s, his thumb gently rubbing Rok’s scales.

 “You know,” Lin said, almost a whisper. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were making up reasons to come down here.”

 “What if I am?” Rok whispered back. Lin broke out in a big smile that made Rok’s heart soar. About that time, another patient began moaning in pain.

 “Lin, we’ll need you,” one of the doctors said, poking her head into Rok’s triage space. “I assume Lieutenant Rok can find his way back to the lift,” she said. But there was something in the way she said it, with a little grin. She left and Lin stood up. Rok pushed himself up on his elbows.

 Lin quickly leaned down and placed his lips against Rok’s nose, placing a hand on either side of his face. “I expect to see you for a follow up tomorrow,” Lin said, straightening up. “In the meantime, watch where you’re going,” he said with a wink.