Chapter 10 - The Tour
913 Words
Vael gestured down the corridor with a small sweep of his hand.
“This way.”
Mira hesitated for only a second before following him.
The ship’s corridors felt different now that she was exploring them while fully awake. The glowing lines along the walls pulsed softly as they walked, casting faint blue reflections across the smooth metal surfaces.
“So,” Mira said after a moment, trying to sound casual, “how big is this ship exactly?”
Vael walked beside her at an easy pace.
“For a human comparison… roughly the size of a small terrestrial research vessel.”
“That doesn’t help.”
Vael glanced down at her.
“Your species has many vessels.”
“None of them fly through space.”
“Ah,” he said thoughtfully. “Then the answer is: larger than you expect.”
Mira huffed a small laugh.
“Helpful.”
They passed the room she had seen earlier through the open doorway.
Inside, glowing displays floated in the air like transparent screens. Strange symbols moved across them in flowing patterns.
“Command and navigation,” Vael explained.
He stepped inside and gestured toward the central console.
“This is where we monitor our route and control the ship.”
Mira stepped inside cautiously, looking around.
Everything looked impossibly advanced.
“Do you… actually understand all of this?” she asked.
Vael gasped dramatically.
“I am deeply offended.”
Mira blinked.
“I was just asking.”
“I am an accomplished navigator.”
He tapped a floating display with exaggerated seriousness.
“I once piloted a vessel through an asteroid storm while half the systems were offline.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“…Really?”
“No.”
Mira stared at him.
“You’re kidding.”
“Yes.”
A small laugh escaped her before she could stop it.
Vael smiled slightly, clearly pleased.
“I did avoid a cargo drone once.”
“That’s… less impressive.”
“It was moving very quickly.”
Mira shook her head, still smiling faintly.
“Some navigator.”
They stepped back into the corridor and continued walking.
Vael led her into another large room filled with tall cylindrical devices humming softly.
“Engineering,” he said.
Mira leaned closer to one of the machines.
“What does this do?”
“It helps the ship continue functioning.”
“That’s not very specific.”
Vael folded his arms thoughtfully.
“Rethan normally explains this part.”
“So you don’t know?”
“Oh, I know.”
“Then explain it.”
Vael gestured vaguely at the machines.
“Energy goes in.”
He pointed to another panel.
“Energy moves around.”
Then he pointed upward.
“And the ship continues flying.”
Mira stared at him.
“That’s your explanation?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head again, laughing quietly.
“You’re terrible at this.”
“I prefer the navigation systems.”
They moved through several more corridors as he continued showing her different sections of the ship.
Cargo storage.
Maintenance corridors.
Observation windows where the endless stars stretched across the darkness outside.
With each new room, Mira found herself relaxing a little more.
Vael kept up a steady stream of commentary—some of it helpful, some of it clearly designed just to make her laugh.
By the time they reached another long corridor, Mira realized something surprising.
She wasn’t as tense anymore.
Her shoulders had loosened.
Her voice felt steadier.
“You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?” she said suddenly.
Vael glanced down at her.
“Doing what?”
“Acting ridiculous.”
“I resent that accusation.”
“You’ve made three terrible jokes and one dramatic speech about cargo drones.”
“That speech was heartfelt.”
Mira laughed again.
The sound echoed lightly through the hallway.
Vael looked satisfied.
“You are more relaxed.”
She noticed the small smile on his face.
“…That was your plan.”
“In part.”
Mira shook her head.
“Manipulative.”
“Effective.”
She couldn’t really argue with that.
They rounded the next corner.
Vael slowed his pace.
“Here.”
Mira looked ahead.
The doorway to the command room stood open.
Inside, the other four aliens were gathered around the central displays.
Kaelor stood near the main console.
Rethan adjusted something on a glowing panel.
Drokan leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
Seyrin studied a floating chart.
As Mira stepped into the doorway beside Vael, all four of them looked up.
The room went quiet for a moment.
Their attention settled on her.
Mira shifted nervously in the purple dress.
Vael stepped forward slightly.
“Look who decided to explore the ship.”
Drokan’s deep voice rumbled first.
“You are awake earlier than expected.”
Rethan nodded calmly.
“The garment suits you.”
Seyrin studied her briefly.
“You appear well-rested.”
Finally, Kaelor spoke.
His gaze rested on her for a moment before he nodded once.
“Good morning, Mira.”
Mira glanced at Vael beside her.
Then back at the four massive aliens watching her.
“…Morning,” she said quietly.
Vael leaned closer and whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
“You survived your first night.”
Mira let out a slow breath.
“Barely.”
But for the first time since arriving on the ship…
She didn’t feel quite as alone.
- Writer
