Headed into surgey today, so the next part will be at least a week or twoout, sorry
Serra's eyes slowly opened, blinking a few times, she frowned. Her room was usually dark and gloomy, but now, her eyes couldn't pierce the darkness that filled her quarters. It was dark... too dark... and cold! She pulled her sheet off and sat up.
Why is it so cold?!
She thought. She pivoted and put her feet on the floor. She could feel the cold through the rug covering the majority of the room's floor.
What the hell?!
She exhaled and could faintly see steam coming from her mouth! She slipped on some light shoes and stood. She looked over her shoulder to see her love, the powerful, yet feminine warrior Katarina sleeping soundly. Her dark red lips were slightly parted and faint breathing sounds emanated from them. Serra smiled and headed to the door. She grabbed an extra blanket and wrapped it around herself. As she stepped into the hall she looked toward the front of the ship, then toward the rear. She could hear the dull thrum of the star drive, so there wasn't a power failure, but she headed to the engine room anyway. It was unnerving for her ship to be so quiet and cold. Every creak and groan of the ship seemed amplified. Serra shivered so hard she struggled even walking.
How is anyone else able to sleep in this chill?!
She walked past the med bay, where Katarina had spent a great deal of time, but thankfully, she has recovered. She passed the mess and through the lounge. She passed the storage and the ladder and lift down to the cargo hull. When she finally arrived at the engine room she felt warm. Of course the engines gave off heat, but why was the ship so cold? She went to the main console and inspected the readouts, but found nothing unusual. Shaking her head, she headed back up front to the bridge. In the "neck" of the ship, she pulled a panel and inspected behind it. This was the main control panel for the environmental systems. Then she noticed the problem.
Why are the environmental controls set on standby mode?!
She thought as she primed the system and got it restarted and back online. She stepped back and listened as the generators devoted to environmental control power up. She smiled and took a breath. She could feel the fans blowing increasingly warmer air begin to circulate. Then she turned on the ambient lighting system back to the "on" position.
"Serra?"
"Hey."
Kat smiled and approached her. "Why is it so cold?"
"For some reason, the environmental control system was on standby." She explained.
"That's strange, maybe Cali and I should run a full diagnostic on the system, just in case." Kat suggested.
"I think that's a great idea." Serra replied.
"We'll run a diagnostic on the life support systems as well." Cali added from the doorway of her quarters. Il'taira stood behind her wrapped in a blanket.
"Please, do that." Serra said with a shiver.
"Let me warm you up." Kat pulled her close. Serra sighed happily and laid her head on Kat's chest.
"Let's have some breakfast, then you two can get to work." Il'taira said, laying a gentle hand on Cali's shoulder.
"Agreed." Kat nodded.
Serra and Kat volunteered to make breakfast for the crew, as they did, Lexi and Saphina finally arose and entered the mess.
"Any idea what's up with the temperature?" Lexi asked.
"Kat and I will look into it, but my guess is a fuse popped and the system didn't switch over to the backups. I'm running a diagnostic program right now, but likely, it will be a hands-on process." Cali said.
"But let's eat first!" Serra said, carrying a large platter of food. Kat followed her with another platter in one hand and a jug of drink in the other.
The crew sat and consumed the meal together, something they hadn't done in a long time. They were like a family for Serra, she had grown to love them all, and especially Katarina. Her sudden appearance was a surprise to say the least. She had heard stories of the brutal, warlike Kurn and purposely avoided their sector of space. People would quake in fear at the sight of a Crimson Empire ship. Surprisingly quickly, Serra and Kat had formed an intense physical and emotional relationship. Now, Serra couldn't see her life without her. They had grown to love each other deeply and passionately, becoming very protective of the other.
"Serra?" Kat's voice grabbed her attention.
"Hi." She smiled at her.
"You okay?" Kat asked quietly.
"Yeah, I'm just thinking about how lucky I am." She sighed and leaned her head against the warrior's shoulder. Kat kissed her head and spoke in a hushed tone.
"Six months ago, when I met you, I never thought I'd be here, on this ship with you. Forsaking the power and prestige of either monarch or Lord Marshall for this life."
"Is that okay?" Serra asked.
"Oh yes!" She smiled. "I never knew I wanted and needed this," she kissed her again. "but I can't imagine it any other way."
"I'm so glad to hear that." Serra replied with a soft smile. Kat put her arm around her and pulled her close. They kissed sweet, tender kisses. Cali and Il'taira saw this act of love and held each other close.
I love you.
Il'taira said in Cali's mind.
I love you too.
Cali replied... in Il'taira's mind!?
"Cali?!" Il'taira said, surprised.
"Did I just do that?!"
"Do what?" Lexi asked.
"Cali just spoke to me with her mind." Il'taira said with a big smile on her face.
"What?!" They all responded in unison.
"Cali is started to tap into her latent psykik abilities." Il'taira explained.
"But... how?" Serra asked.
"We've been forming a bond beyond the physical and emotional... she been able to protect her spirit while we make love and will be able to do more in time." She said, stroking the engineer's arm.
"That's amazing!" Saphina exclaimed. Cali blushed.
"Can you show us?" Lexi asked.
"I...uh..." Cali looked to Il'Taira who nodded and smiled at her.
"Focus your mind and your heart." She whispered.
Remember your energy and pull from that reserve. Show me, my love.
Il'taira spoke in Cali's mind.
Cali nodded and focused her mind. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath. She recalled the moment she and Il'taira made love. When she first saw her own psykik entry manifest for the first time. She began to "feel" the energy, but strained to bring it out. Il'taira held her hand and gently rubbed it with her thumb.
"Focus..." Il'taira whispered.
A smile began to slowly form on Cali's lips. She opened her eyes, which glowed with blue-green light. That same energy began to coalesce around her. The crew looked on in shock and awe as the light grew bright, casting shadows in the corners of the lounge. Cali took a deep breath and projected her energy into a long serpentine form that raced around the room. It weaved around the others and returned to her. It swirled around her and Il'taira a couple times, then merged back into her. She took a deep breath and looked at the others.
"That was amazing!" Lexi finally exclaimed, breaking the silence.
"I... I don't know what to say, but that was... beautiful!" Serra said.
