Tangerine by Wodke Hawkinson

Author:Wodke Hawkinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: scifi, future, aliens, space, intrigue
Publisher: Wodke Hawkinson

Chapter 19

Ava accompanied Rhon to the area where he had stored her living samples. She set to work, delicately snipping tissue and taking other samples from the plants and the Condchondiaries before turning her attention to the caged beast.

Here, with the animal safely sedated, Ava took her samples. She started at the head, peeled back an eyelid, and took a scraping from the pupil. She did the same with the mouth, gagging over the hideous smell that assailed her senses when she parted the beak protruding from the front of the beast’s face. She drew fluid samples and filled a tube with the creature's thick purple blood. Samples were also taken from the body and scrapings from the barbs on its rear legs and the claws on the front. She even got some soil samplings from the claws; a bonus in her opinion. She swabbed the specimen noting it was a male as she did so. Last, she took vids of the creature from head to tail. Her samples were much better ones than she could ever have obtained without the guardians’ help.

“Thank you so much, Rhon.” Ava gently touched the robed arm of the alien. “I apologize for shouting at you before. I was scared, but that was no reason to take it out on you. I should have realized that Needle had gotten himself into the mess he was in. I’m sorry,” she concluded lamely.

“There is no need to apologize. It never happened.” He looked questionably at her. “Isn’t that one of your sayings?”

“Yes it is,” Ava said, happy to see Rhon wasn’t angry with her.

The two returned to the others, Ava suited up and Osk donned protective gear as well. He then led her out to the skimmer so she could store her samples. On the trip, Ava informed Osk that she would attempt to enter the orb tonight after she and Needle retired.

“Good,” Osk stated. “I am glad you will begin your journey here. Let us know if we can be of assistance.”

The rest of the day passed pleasantly. Toward evening, Needle asked to be excused, stating that he needed to rest after his harrowing day. “Care to sit with me for a while?” he asked Ava, knowing she planned on using the veltriyx and giving her a reason to escape the others so she could begin.

“Of course.” Ava bid the guardians goodnight as she left the room. Pisk followed her and Needle from the room.

Arriving at Needle’s quarters, the two spoke quietly for a few minutes, determining the best way to proceed. It was decided Ava should recline on the bed while Needle sat beside her, holding the opposite hand from the one clutching the orb. Pisk snuggled up against Ava’s side and she let him remain, finding comfort in his presence.

Staring at the jeweled sphere, she glanced up at Needle. Their eyes locked and he leaned in and gently kissed Ava’s forehead.

“You can do this, Ava. You’re the strongest woman I have ever met.”

Ava

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