Chapter 17 - Crossing Paths
696 Words
The corridor outside the food bay was quiet.
Soft blue lighting ran in thin glowing lines along the walls and floor, guiding the path through the ship. The hum of the engines vibrated faintly beneath Mira’s feet as she walked beside Seyrin.
Her arms were folded loosely across her stomach.
Drokan’s glare still lingered in the back of her mind.
Seyrin seemed to notice her quietness but didn’t press the issue. He simply walked beside her at an easy pace, long strides slowed so she didn’t have to rush.
After a few moments, Mira glanced up at him.
“So… what happens now?”
“You will continue familiarizing yourself with the ship,” Seyrin replied calmly.
“Is that the official plan?”
“Yes.”
“That sounds suspiciously like ‘wander around until something interesting happens.’”
Seyrin tilted his head slightly.
“That is one interpretation.”
Mira let out a small breath.
“Well… I guess it’s better than sitting in the medical bay all day.”
They turned down another corridor.
Just as they rounded the corner—
A tall figure stepped into view.
Mira instinctively slowed.
Rethan stood ahead of them near one of the junction panels, studying a glowing interface built into the wall. His long fingers moved across the display with practiced ease.
When he noticed them approaching, he looked up.
“Mira.”
She gave a small nod.
“Hi.”
His gaze moved briefly toward Seyrin.
“Medical check complete?”
“Yes,” Seyrin replied.
“Results?”
“Stable.”
Rethan nodded once, clearly satisfied with that answer.
Then he looked back toward Mira.
“How was your meal?”
Mira hesitated.
“It was… weird.”
Rethan’s brow lifted slightly.
“Weird?”
“Not bad,” she added quickly. “Just… unfamiliar.”
“That is expected.”
She shrugged lightly.
“But it tasted better than it looked.”
“That is also expected.”
Mira smiled faintly at that.
Rethan deactivated the panel and stepped away from the wall.
“I was about to head toward the observation corridor,” he said, glancing between them.
Then he looked at Seyrin.
“I can keep Mira company.”
Seyrin studied him for a moment.
“You are offering to supervise.”
“I am offering to talk.”
Mira glanced between them.
“I’m right here, you know.”
Rethan’s attention returned to her.
“Yes.”
“…Good.”
Seyrin considered for another second before nodding.
“That will be acceptable.”
Mira blinked.
“That’s how that works?”
“Yes.”
Seyrin then looked toward her.
“I still need to review the medical data collected during your scan.”
“You mean all those notes from breakfast.”
“Yes.”
She sighed dramatically.
“I knew answering thirty-two questions would come back to haunt me.”
Rethan’s mouth twitched slightly at that.
Seyrin ignored the comment and addressed him again.
“Ensure she does not access restricted areas.”
Rethan folded his arms.
“I am aware of the rules.”
Seyrin gave one final glance toward Mira.
“If you feel unwell, inform one of us immediately.”
“Got it.”
Then he turned and walked back down the corridor toward the medical wing.
Mira watched him disappear around the corner.
When she turned back, Rethan was still standing there with his arms loosely crossed.
Watching her.
Not intimidating like Drokan.
Not amused like Vael.
Just… observing.
She shifted slightly under the attention.
“So…” she said.
“You’re my babysitter now?”
Rethan tilted his head.
“That is not the term I would use.”
“What term would you use?”
“Companion.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“That sounds nicer.”
“It is more accurate.”
Mira glanced down the corridor they had been about to walk through.
“The observation corridor, right?”
“Yes.”
“Is that the place with the big windows?”
“Yes.”
Her curiosity sparked a little.
“…Okay.”
She gestured ahead.
“Lead the way.”
- Writer
