Zen shifted in her sleep. She could feel claws digging into her legs. Her eyes snapped open. In the dark, she couldn’t make out the outline of something crawling on her. She could certainly feel it! A silver bandana glowed in the darkness as whatever it was climbed all over her legs. She squealed. She still couldn’t move freely. The clamp was still over her waist and she was really sore. Then the thing flashed into being. First a long yellow tail, then a large scaly body with stumpy legs and large claws, and finally a head with great big eyes the color of liquid steel, and a very long tongue that licked her fingers. She screamed.

“There you are, Skin!” Shouted Marek as he picked up the three-foot iguana. Skin licked his face before fading out of existence leaving a silver scarf visible. Marek held on. “No way buddy. You scared the lady. You are going back to your terrarium for now.” He turned to a terrified Zen and smirked. “He means well. He was curious about you. I’m Marek by the way, co-pilot to the SMVK.”

Zen wiggled slightly and sighed when she couldn’t scratch even her nose. “Zen Amargarita. It’s nice to meet both of you,” she said, eyeing the iguana. She didn’t want to offend anyone but...she didn’t want Skin near her again. Not if she could help it anyway and it was clear to her that she couldn’t right now. She was a prisoner in a bed. Not even able to lift her own head! She felt like a tortoise without a shell, defenseless against sharks or an iguana as the case was.

“Marek, Why are you troubling my patient,” asked Kiera who was standing by the door.

“She found Skin,” he replied, carrying the disappearing iguana away from Zen who took a breath.

“Take that monster and lock him up. He’s causing my patient undue stress. Her heartbeat has skyrocketed,” said Kiera as she approached Zen.

Marek sighed and carried Skin away. “Everyone’s scared of the little guy. We’re going to visit Papa.”

Kiera brushed back her hair and tapped her foot. “Darn monster iguana,” she muttered as she removed the clamp and slowly hoisted Zen into a sitting position.

“That monster didn’t sit on any of the stitches did it?” she asked.

Zen shook her head. “It was crawling all over my legs when I woke.”

“Good, you don’t want to be stapled again.”

Zen winced. “Once was enough,” she turned to face the woman. “Uh, who are you?”

“My name is Kiera and I’m a nurse droid model 1934126.”

Zen’s arms quivered as she held herself up. Noticing this, Kiera extended her mechanical arm to surround Zen and help stabilize her. Zen froze as the metal surrounded her like a vice.

“Uh, Kiera?”?

“Yes?”

“Nothing, thank you for the assist.” Shifting slightly, she took in the room. It was a small cubicle separated by a white curtain, with a med bed, and a desk a little farther to the left. There was a light hanging above her. Probably LED hybrid with how bright it is! The desk was piled with books and folders and there was even a small filing cabinet beside the desk. The wall was littered with wooden shelves built slightly sideways. On it she could recognize Medical Today and Research Now Encyclopedias. Kiera held out a glass of water and she took it gratefully. As she drank the water, she noticed the floor was littered with pencils and papers, but Zen was only focused on the picture of a younger Kiera and an older male. Kiera followed her gaze and smirked.

“That was my master before I was thrown away for a newer model.”

Zen was startled and winced from her sudden movement, grabbing her side.

“I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have looked at the picture.”

Kiera tilted her head. “If I didn’t want anyone to see it, it would not have been in public view. You did nothing wrong. Now it’s time to check those staples. Lie back slowly. Do you need assistance doing so?”

Zen nodded and the clamp was once more directing her body as she laid down. Kiera slipped on some rubber gloves from the box on the desk and came around to her side lifting her shirt. She pressed against the staples making Zen hiss.

“Normal reaction. No puss. They look fine. You are well on your way to healing and should be in optimal condition when we arrive at Puerto Nuevo.”

Zen nodded and the clamp helped her sit again.

Kiera got rid of the gloves in a small waste bin behind the desk. “You do not look surprised.”

“I was still awake when my brother made the deal with your Captain.”

“Mmm yes, Despite being a droid I don’t understand men sometimes.”

Zen snorted. “You’re not the only one Kiera. Is there somewhere I can bathe and take off these bloody clothes?”

“Yes, I’ll help you so that the staples don’t come loose.”

Zen grinned. “Thank you!”

With Kiera’s help, Zen made it to the bathroom that was just off the medical room. It was basic as far as bathrooms go. A shower spot separated by a curtain decorated with small fireballs. The toilet was farther away so the water didn’t reach it. A clothes holder, in the shape of a cabinet, was placed beside the shower where all her clean clothes went to the left side and all her dirty, torn, clothes went to the right side to be processed and cleaned.

“Does this mend as well?” asked Zen.

Kiera nodded. “Just press the second button on the outside panel. With so many boys who act before they think sometimes, it was necessary.”

Zen laughed and slowly began undressing. Kiera helped her tug her ripped cardigan over her head, followed by her plain shirt. Then she slowly undid her jeans and sat on the toilet to tug them off. She was out of breath by the time it came to her underwear and socks having taken her tennis shoes off beforehand. Kiera ran the water while she caught her second wind.

It should have felt odd being naked with a stranger in the room but all she felt was a relief. She would let others help her within reason. She didn’t want to be stapled again for being stubborn. She would do what needed to be done, which was bathe this sticky blood off her. Then she’d think of a strategy for what to do with her time. Kiera backed up and helped her off the toilet and into the water.

Later Zen came out fully clothed in sweats and a long yellow shirt. She wore her old trainers instead of tennis shoes and clean underwear. She trailed down the hallway, one hand on the wall for extra support. She met Isaias and Marco who to her surprise weren’t together. Instead, Isaias was cooing over Skin who was in Val’s lap while Marco sulked quietly in a corner. What the heck happened here? Did Isaias and Marco get into it finally? I knew it was going to blow but really? Now? When I need them most? And is Isaias petting that thing? Zen shuddered and kept a hold of the wall. Marco finally noticed her and walked over smiling.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Hey, Zen. How are you?” he asked, catching Isaias’s eye. Isaias got up and helped Zen to a couch in the common area, away from Skin. He had noticed his sister eyeing the iguana and subconsciously shifting as if for a knife. He smirked. Looks like Zen is scared of Skin. Well, she met him rather abruptly...in the dark. Even I wouldn’t want that thing near me in the dark. He’s cool though! Isaias sat beside her and Marco stood on his other side silent as death.

“We need to plan what we’re going to do now that we’re out of the Deadlands and can use our comms again,” said Zen as she sat back on the couch. It was soft enough to let her body sink in but firm enough not to let her be swallowed by the fabric.

“Well, mama must be worrying but Uncle could have her tapped. The other possibility is to comm Carmelo and get a message through him but her excitement, she might tip uncle off too,” said Isaias.

“Could you tell this Carmelo to keep it to himself til we arrive,” asked Marco.

Zen shook her head. “He would tell Mama. He wouldn’t keep something that affects her so deeply to himself but Isaias, Mama is against uncle. I don’t think she’d allow him to know anything about us,” she said shifting slightly on the couch.

Isaias sighed. “She is a very emotional person, Zen. She could let it slip that you are alive and well.”

“What if we tell her I’m in a coma?”

Isaias glared at her. “You want to torture mama? Zen! That’s worse than making her believe we’ve died! Besides she already hates me for the whole Guerrero fiasco. Do you want her to hate me more? What will she think when she hears I’m fine but you’re not?”

“I already told you Mama doesn’t hate you. She was angry. She’s over it but she would be angry all over again if she finds that out, you’re right, Isaias. So again, what do we do?”

“I think you should trust your mama to make a good choice against your uncle and tell her you both live,” said Marco angering Isaias.

“Marco, butt out! You don’t even know our mom ok?” Isaias said.

“I’m trying to…”

“You’re not helping matters!”

“Isaias…”

“Guys!” yelled Zen catching everyone’s attention even Skin’s. “You can argue somewhere else and Isaias I’m with Marco on this. Mama is too smart to let Bernado know we’re coming home. If we tell Carmelo and he tells mom discreetly we shouldn’t have a problem.”

Isaias cracked his knuckles and sat back on the couch. “What if Carmelo is tapped? He is an opposing Don and could be tapped by the Guerreros.”

Zen smirked.”I have a private line to him. I stole it off Mama thinking I might need it one day.” She sighed. “I guess I was right.”

“Marie Elena is rubbing off on you, hermanita.”

“I guess. So we agree to tell Carmelo about our survival and hope Mama can contain herself then. Ok, next order of business. What do we do now?” asked Zen as she raked a hand through her loose hair noticing its length. It was longer almost a fourth down her back now. Brownies were allowed haircuts once a year so usually she let her hair grow pretty long before she cut it. It was almost November. In fact, her eighteenth birthday was a few weeks off and she would be worrying about initiation if it weren’t for this mess.

“We can’t do a thing so let’s sit back and enjoy the ride,” said Isaias smirking.

“You promised them we would go to the GC when they had fuel, Isaias. What if uncle finds me before then and uses me? I gave a fourth of my life to heal you. Who knows what he wants this crystal for?” said Zen tapping the necklace.

“There’s no way of knowing,” said Marco finally speaking again.

“He wants it for something extraordinary,” said Isaias.

“How would you know?” asked Zen, raising her left eyebrow. The only one she could raise alone.

“He went past galactic laws to get the thing, he’s desperate. Something or someone needs it badly enough,” said Isaias.

Marco nodded.”He’s right Zen. When we arrive, it’s best if you keep being dead until whatever it is disappears. He can’t use you at his will if you don’t exist.”

Zen growled. “I’m not going to hide for the rest of my life!”

“Not for the rest of your life, til we can remove the Intergalactic crystal,” said Stephan coming from the pilot station. He smirked. “You guys are loud. I could hear you planning over there.” He pointed to the pilot station and Zen blushed. She wasn’t a loudmouth! “Anyway it’ll take us a bit to reload the fuel pods and come back so it may seem like a lifetime to you, Zen,” he said.

Zen sighed and raked her hair again.” If I have to do it then I will, but I won’t be happy about it,” she muttered, letting her hand flop to her knee and grasp onto her pant leg in a white-knuckled grip.

Isaias patted her back.”It’s only for a few weeks, Zen. After, you can show your ugly mug around again,”

Zen elbowed him in the ribs and wished for a moment they were still broken.

Is that a wish Guardian?

Is what a wish?

Do you wish for your brother’s broken ribs again?

Heaven’s no! That was sarcasm! I’d never wish to harm anyone!

Hmm, you are a strange Guardian.

I am?

Yes

Zen thought about the crystal. Maybe it doesn’t like to be used?

“Zen? Earth calling you, hermanita,” said Isaias as he passed a hand over her eyes.

Zen blinked and turned to him. “Hmm? What is it, Isaias?”

Isaias sighed.” I asked you if you were going to make the call to Carmelo now or later?”

Zen straightened and hissed. “Ow, now. Maybe I should give the line to Marco and have him answer in case Carmelo has been tapped. He’s the least recognizable of us three.”

Isaias turned to Marco holding in his anger. “In that case, call him Don Rodriguez. He is a Don. Only my mom and sister know his real name. You might anger him.”

“Isaias, how is Carmelo going to believe him, really believe him, if he calls him like everyone else?’ asked Zen a hand on her side.

“Just saying,” said Isaias as he helped Zen find a more comfortable position to sit in. She ended with her head on his shoulder and her body at an angle. It relieved some tension from the stitches.

“Marco, I’m giving you the code for Carmelo’s personal line. Be polite but call him Carmelo. With the fact that you have his personal line, it should tip him off hopefully, and not anger him. He is a smart man and can usually figure such things for himself in seconds,” yawned Zen.

“Ok, pass me the code,” he said.

She took out some paper and her pencil from her dimensional pocket then wrote down the code and passed it to Marco. She would have whispered it to him but Isaias was already mad at Marco for some reason. No need to throw more wood at the flames.

Marco programmed the code into his comm. He studied the numbers and his brain recorded them, filing them in with the rest of his contacts. He tapped his comm and dialed the connection.

Click

“Who is this?”

“Don Carmelo, sir. My name is,”

“Don’t say more. I’m tapped. There is only one person who could have this direct line and who calls me by my name. I understand the message. Thank you for calling.”

Click

Marco sat eyes wide at the abrupt comm.

“Well, what did he say,” asked Isaias.

Marco turned to him. “Zen was right. He’s fast as a tack but you were right too Isaias. He’s been tapped. Still, he understood from the private link and the address of who was calling. Your uncle must want his crystal back.”

“It’s a good thing we didn’t try mama. She must be going mad against near imprisonment. I hope Carmelo knows we are in a bind and not to put Zen in a bad spot,” said Isaias, ruffling Zen’s hair.

“I think she needs to go to bed now. Although it might not look like it, it's very late,” said Kiera from the hallway.

Isaias nodded and scooped Zen up.” Lead the way. I’m assuming she’s staying in the med room for the duration of this flight?”

Kiera nodded. “She is. I can better monitor her progress from there.”

“Gotcha,” said Isaias as he walked into the med room and laid Zen down carefully on her back on the crumpled med bed. He wrapped the sheet around her form and kissed her goodnight. Zen was too asleep to notice anything.