Chapter 13 - Routine
843 Words
The command chamber was quiet.
Soft blue light from the navigation displays reflected across the curved walls, casting slow moving patterns across the floor as the ship drifted through open space.
Mira stood near the large viewing window at the edge of the room.
Outside, stars stretched endlessly in every direction.
No horizon.
No sky.
Just darkness scattered with distant light.
Her arms were wrapped loosely around herself as she stared out at the galaxy.
She still couldn’t fully process it.
She wasn’t on Earth anymore.
She hadn’t been for days.
Heavy footsteps approached behind her.
Mira turned slightly.
Kaelor stood near the central command console, watching the floating navigation displays. The glowing light from the panels reflected across his sharp features as he studied the ship’s course.
After a moment he looked toward her.
“Mira.”
Her fingers tightened slightly against her arms.
“Yes?”
His voice was calm, almost formal.
“We need to establish a daily routine for you.”
She blinked.
“A routine?”
“Yes.”
That actually sounded… normal.
Or at least the closest thing to normal she had heard since being abducted.
Kaelor stepped away from the console and approached her.
“Human physiology has not been extensively studied in deep space environments.”
Her shoulders stiffened.
“…Okay.”
“To ensure your health remains stable, medical checks will be performed each day.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“Medical checks?”
“Basic monitoring,” he clarified. “Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, cellular stability.”
She hesitated.
“And if something’s wrong?”
“We correct it.”
That answer didn’t exactly make her feel better.
“Who’s doing these checks?” she asked quietly.
Kaelor gestured toward the command doorway.
“Seyrin.”
As if summoned by name, Seyrin stepped into the chamber a moment later.
His calm eyes settled on Mira.
“You will come with me to the medical bay,” he said gently.
Mira shifted nervously where she stood.
“…Right now?”
“Yes.”
Her fingers twisted together slightly.
“…Okay.”
Kaelor nodded once.
“Begin the first check.”
Seyrin motioned toward the corridor.
“Come.”
Mira hesitated for a moment, glancing once more at the endless stars outside the command window.
Then she followed him.
The corridor outside the command chamber was quiet, lit with the same soft blue glow that ran through the rest of the ship. Seyrin walked at a slower pace than the others usually did, clearly adjusting his stride so she could keep up easily.
Mira noticed.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“For not walking like you’re in a race.”
Seyrin’s expression softened slightly.
“You are smaller. I adjust.”
They turned down another corridor.
At the end, a door slid open automatically as they approached.
Inside was the medical bay.
The room was bright and spotless, filled with unfamiliar equipment. Smooth white surfaces curved along the walls, and several floating displays hovered above a central examination platform.
Mira stopped just inside the doorway.
“…This is where the check happens?”
“Yes.”
She stepped in cautiously.
The room smelled faintly sterile—almost like a hospital back on Earth.
Her shoulders tensed slightly.
Seyrin noticed.
“It will not hurt,” he said calmly.
“That’s what doctors always say.”
He gestured toward the raised medical platform.
“Please sit.”
Mira hesitated.
Then slowly climbed onto the edge of the platform.
Her feet dangled slightly above the floor.
“…What exactly are you checking again?” she asked nervously.
“Heart rhythm. Blood pressure. Cellular balance. Oxygen saturation.”
“That sounds like a lot.”
“It is routine.”
Seyrin activated a nearby console.
Several small scanning lights flickered to life.
Mira straightened instinctively.
“Do I need to do anything?”
“Remain still.”
“I can do that.”
The scanners hummed softly as beams of pale light moved slowly across her body.
Mira watched the machines nervously.
“…So if something was wrong,” she asked quietly, “you’d tell me… right?”
Seyrin glanced at her briefly.
“Yes.”
“That sounded like a careful answer.”
“It was an honest one.”
She wasn’t sure if that made her feel better or worse.
The machine chimed softly.
Seyrin studied the floating data.
After a moment he nodded.
“Your vitals are stable.”
Mira released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“Stable is good.”
“Yes.”
The scanners powered down.
Seyrin turned back toward her.
“You are healthy.”
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Good.”
She hopped down from the platform.
“What happens now?”
Seyrin gestured toward the door.
“Now we eat.”
Mira blinked.
“Oh.”
Medical exam.
Breakfast.
Routine.
She followed him toward the corridor again.
“…I guess this really is my new morning routine,” she murmured.
- Writer
