21
GSS Hunter
Uncharted space in the badlands
4145.7.12 Galactic
Nick’s eyes fluttered open. Through the hyper-sleep pod’s blood-streaked glass lid, he could see the ceiling of the pod bay. The lights were dim but functioning. He shifted his body to his right, intending to get hold of the door latch. But he stopped and sucked in a breath when a searing pain on his head made his vision blur and he winced.
The glass lid swung aside and as his eyesight cleared, he saw Siren gazing down at him. Her yellow eyes seemed sad, shocking him. He had never seen her sad before.
She reached for his head with her right hand in which she held a square of fabric. Nick felt an immediate sense of relief when she gently placed the piece of material against the sorest part of his head.
“Thank you,” he s
