Sugar Bomb

Traveler

Seth's POV

I couldn't shake off what had just happened. It was beyond the limits of my imagination, a visitor I had never dreamed of. I was incredibly curious about everything related to her, and I would have liked to go back and try to talk to her... if we spoke the same language.

"Silence," I raised my voice, drawing the attention of my bewildered colleagues. "Right now, we need to focus on examining this being. I order comprehensive tests; we need to see her as clear as day to assess the risk of any threat," I said firmly, scanning from one man to the next. I looked at each of the six faces in turn, making sure they understood the command.

"Seth, I'm not sure... I mean, how can we be certain nothing happened to us earlier? After all, some of us were already exposed to contact with... Gaya? What if it's a trap?" one of the researchers asked uncertainly.

"I think we need to give her a chance," I replied. "Treat her with the dignity due to a human being and remember that everything that happens in the labs stays there. Report only to me," I added, then headed to the break room for a cup of coffee.

I needed time to think over the whole situation. When I closed my eyes sitting at the table with a cup of hot coffee, I saw her slender figure. The sight of her blue eyes was etched in my mind, following me like a shadow. She looked so innocent and alien... she was magnificent. An overwhelming urge to protect this foreign being took over me, to protect her from all the inhabitants of the Ark. To hide her from the world.

I snapped out of it, realizing what I had just been thinking. I had to pull myself together and focus on what was happening here and now. Examine Gaya and learn as much about her as possible. But how to do it without scaring her?

I gathered the necessary tools and went to quarantine, looked into the eye scanner by the door, and then heard the sound indicating the door was opening.

I entered the room with slow, cautious steps. I dimmed the harsh, white light, leaving the surroundings in semi-darkness, and moved towards the couch where the girl was sitting. I sat beside her, maintaining a safe distance.

She was wrapped tightly in a thin blanket.

"I'm Seth Berkeley, do you remember your name?" I asked quietly, not wanting to scare her. She looked at me intently and nodded hesitantly.

"Yes," she replied, "my name is Gaya," she added in a melodic voice, lowering her gaze in resignation. Hearing her, I felt a sudden calm. I had never heard such a delicate and sensual sound.

"Do you remember anything before you woke up on our ship?" I asked, reaching into my lab coat pocket for the syringe I had brought with me. At the sound of my question, something flickered in her eyes... but it soon faded.

"I have an emptiness and coldness in my head, it's hard to think of anything," she said cautiously, frowning.

"I understand," I reassured her. "Listen, I am a doctor, and for the next few days, I will be examining you to make sure everything is in perfect order," I announced, extending my hand towards her. "Please, give me your arm, I need to take a blood sample," I instructed, and she pulled out a trembling arm from under the blanket, covered in goosebumps.

"It might sting a little," I whispered. When our skin touched for the first time, chills ran down my spine. She was so fragile and delicate; easy to damage. I felt that one false move and she would vanish.

I inserted the needle and drew the sample. As I withdrew the syringe, I looked into her eyes with curiosity. She didn't even flinch. Under my fingers, I felt the incredible smoothness of her cool skin. I secured the vial, stood up, and brought loose hospital clothing meant for patients.

"Please, put this on," I placed the folded clothes next to her. "There's a bathroom over there," I pointed to the white door to the right of the bed. She got up without a word, and I realized how small she was next to me. Standing face to face, she didn't even reach my shoulder. I looked at her chestnut, now dry, long hair. The dim light from the bedside lamp made it shimmer with shades of red. The tightly wrapped blanket emphasized her wide hips and full breasts. I blinked a few times and turned my head in the opposite direction.

"Thank you," she mumbled and turned, heading to the bathroom. She emerged a few minutes later, dressed in the loose, white shirt and pants. She threw the blanket on the bed and on shaky legs approached me.

"Where exactly are we?" she asked with curiosity, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. I sighed and sat on the bed, patting the mattress, suggesting she sit next to me.

"On the Ark. The ship that evacuated the last humans from Earth in the year 2050," I decided not to tell her for now about the fact that there are no women among us; there would be time for heavy topics later.

"So what year is it now?" she asked, opening her eyes wider.

"We've been traveling for over four hundred years, so several generations have passed. It is now precisely the year 2475," I answered in a calm voice. Gaya nodded, her eyes filled with unease.

"We intercepted you from a cryo-capsule traveling our trajectory. Don't worry, we will ensure you have a dignified stay on our ship. Your well-being is the most important thing now," I said with a gentle smile. "If you need anything - just let us know." She shyly returned the smile, making my heart beat faster.

I sat next to this beautiful being and couldn't stop observing her. The blue of her eyes turned towards me, Gaya raised her eyebrows, silently asking what was going on.

"Sorry," I stammered, "maybe you should try to rest after your long journey?" I added more boldly. Gaya yawned and wrapped herself in her blanket.

"Okay," she whispered. From the sound of her voice, I understood she must have been fighting sleep for a while. She was exhausted, so I decided rest would be the best option for her.

I left a bottle of water on the nightstand next to the bed and dimmed the light, this time to complete darkness.

"Sleep well, traveler," I whispered, quietly closing the door.