“I guess what’s most surprising is that, after all these years… since I was seven and fell from the hay loft… the memories I thought were lost… gone forever… were not. I just couldn’t make the right mental connections to them. The problem is, Jackie, that I remember much of what’s happened over my life. Even things people have said to me, or what I’ve seen on TV. But that doesn’t mean I understand it all… there’s a lot I’ll need to learn. I can do that… over time… but it’s overwhelming. But worst of all, the feelings I felt… way back then… I remember them now, too. I spend all my conscious moments trying to bury a ton of emotions.”
“Doing that doesn’t at all sound healthy, Cuddy.”
“I’m dealing with it. Anyway, it’s getting dark. We better keep going.”
Ten minutes later, they reached the edge of the clearing. Cuddy watched Jackie’s expression as she caught sight of the alien spacecraft.
She stopped and stared. “This is… un… fucking be… lievable!”
Cuddy smiled and focused on the closed hatchway, wondering if perhaps Tow was too sick to greet them. He regretted wasting so much time getting back, and then wondered if some of his concern was that he’d brought someone along with him. He’d brought Jackie.
“Are you absolutely sure you want to… you know… be a part of all this?” Cuddy asked, looking unsure.
“Are you kidding me? I want to help… to have a chance to protect Earth and humanity… I haven’t had any sense of purpose since my father’s heart attack. No… I’m a part of this, like it or not.”
At that very moment, the hatchway began to open as the gangway descended toward the ground. Cuddy was surprised at the elation he felt when the glowing figure moved into view. He was alive! Tentatively, Tow raised a hand in a half-hearted wave.
Approaching together, they stopped at the bottom of the gangway. Cuddy said, “This is Jackie, Tow. She’s my friend. And Jackie, this is Tow… he’s also my friend. Can we come in, Tow?”
Tow lowered his head and leaned forward as he stared at Jackie for a long moment—as if examining her with his eyes. He then hobbled down the gangway and awkwardly held out his left hand. He tentatively looked over to Cuddy, “Is this the right gesture… how humans greet one another?”
Cuddy had to think about that. Was that the correct hand… should it be the right hand?
“Yes!” Jackie said. She took his outstretched hand in hers and shook it. “I am… honored to meet you… Tow. Cuddy has told me so much about you.”
Grimacing, Cuddy gave Tow an apologetic smile.
Tow, nodding, gestured for them to come up the ramp.
Jackie hesitated a moment as she looked again at the ship there before her. Looking excited, she glanced over at Cuddy.
“It’s okay. I promise, you’re safe here.”
She smiled and, taking in a deep breath, headed up the ramp behind Tow. Last, Cuddy followed behind. The alien stopped at the open hatch, bowed his head and gestured for them to proceed inside.
Inside the ship, Jackie—with an expression of utter astonishment—looked around at the surroundings. When the AI orb hovered into view from the bow, she took a step back. Cuddy felt her body press against him.
“It’s okay. That’s the orb… the artificial intelligence for the ship.” The orb hovered in close. One of its articulating arms began to extend, its claw—three finger-like digits—opened and closed. Cuddy tensed—his hands tightening into fists.
Tow ordered, “Back away, orb! Jackie is a friend. Amend your database to include her… do it now!”
“Database amended. Hello, Jackie… welcome aboard the Evermore.” Cuddy noticed the orb was sounding less alien-like than before.
“Tow,” he said. “…I think the Howsh took my brother.”
Jackie was uncharacteristically quiet as she continued to take in the glowing and naked, as usual, alien.
“That may be true, Cuddy. I am sorry. It is my fault; I have caused unexpected turmoil on your planet.”
“We need to rescue him. Find that ship… go get him.”
Jackie said, “And I’d like to help too.” Tow silently studied them both.
“The repairs to your ship… have you started yet?” Cuddy asked.
Tow nodded. “Yes, but I am quite weak. It is a slow process.” He searched Cuddy’s face and asked, “Tell me, how are you doing, Cuddy?”
“You mean since you used him like a lab rat in that chamber of horrors of yours?” Jackie interjected. Tow and Cuddy stared at her.
“It’s not like that, Jackie,” Cuddy said. “I thought you understood.” He was beginning to regret bringing her along.
Indignant, she looked at Tow. “He’s changed, you know. He’s not the same person he was before. He’s having a big problem adapting. Did you think about that before—”
“Jackie!” Cuddy snapped. “It’s what I wanted. What’s wrong with you, anyway? Stop attacking Tow. Remember, you’re a guest here.”
“It’s all right, Cuddy. She is correct. I did not fully anticipate the physical and mental repercussions those wellness chamber sessions would have on you beforehand… on a human. I made some assumptions that have proven to be incorrect, and I have thought about little else ever since.”
“Look, Jackie, I wouldn’t go back… to the way I was before, not for anything. What Tow did for me… was a gift. He’s changed my life for the better. I think you owe him an apology.”
Jackie said, “Fine, then… sorry,” crossing her arms over her chest.
Cuddy was well aware she could be tenacious—had spunk—but he’d never seen her be rude before. He chalked it up to her being overwhelmed. Any normal person would be freaking out about now.
“Tell me what to do, Tow; how I can help with the repairs?” Cuddy asked.
Tow was a good teacher—patient with Cuddy’s lack of knowledge of even the simplest of concepts. But Tow provided the necessary information along the way, as well as the rudimentary principles behind them. Tow had commented multiple times how quick a learner Cuddy was… which in and of itself was super encouraging.
They were in a section of the ship Cuddy had not seen before, and as far astern as they could go. Tow referred to the compartment as Engineering. The emersion-drives, each about twelve feet high by ten feet wide, took up the majority of the compartment’s space. Tow pointed out a specific area, where a Howsh plasma strike had breached both the outer and inner hulls, striking the drive. A charred, blackened section on the drive appeared to be in early stages of repair. Several newer-looking components had been added, and a cluster of optical cables, of sorts, hung loosely from some kind of conduit. Again, it didn’t go unnoticed on Cuddy that only a few days before he had no clue what an optical cable was, or of the basics of how a propulsion system performed. Now, his brain was like a sponge. He listened as Tow and the AI orb spoke, no longer attempting to speak in generalities, and found he had a greater affinity toward understanding—both the mechanical aspects of the propulsion system, as well as the physics that lay behind it.
Jackie was a hard worker. Her job, principally, was to carry various small parts from one of the nearby storage compartments, as requested, or hold items in place while the AI orb fastened them on, using an assortment of strange looking power tools. Cuddy mostly was tasked with using his brute strength wherever needed. One tool he used, looking nearly identical to the common crowbar, pried fried, welded-on components off the drive.
Tow leaned against a bulkhead, supervising only. Cuddy could see his friend was having a hard time staying vertical and then noticed something else as well—his beautiful white glowing radiance had significantly diminished. A sudden tightness gripped at Cuddy’s throat. He remembered the conversation—where Tow had talked so openly about his impending, inevitable, death. Cuddy’s heart felt heavy in his chest. He looked over to his alien friend and wished there was something he could do.