Brynn Phytrelia 14

Short Note - I started writing this story over fifteen years ago, but I stopped writing after I got this far. This story doesn't have an ending, but I hope it was a fun read nonetheless.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Chapter 14

As Brynn followed, her arms folded in front of her, trying not to think about Idris and the panic she felt when he had been present. IF he really had been present.

A chill ran down her spine, and she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and quietly, so as not to alarm the guard beside her in the lift. The chime sounded as they arrived and her guard quickly moved from the lift, letting her exit after him. The lift had taken them directly to the medical bay. The room was expansive, with enough beds for over a hundred people. A male and two females met her at the lift door. Doctor Xanifan was about as tall as Brynn's escort, but his blue skin was a little lighter. The two females were shorter, but still a lot taller than Brynn. Their builds were lean, but still muscular, and their chests were prominent in a way Brynn had never seen in any human.

As they entered the medical bay, she felt herself tense up, especially when the doctor approached them. As kind as this one looked, he still scared her. He wore a blue lab coat while the females wore long, form-fitting shirts and thin pants. The doctor spoke first.

"Mistress Phytrelia, I am Doctor Xanifan and these are my assistants, Doctors Maylenie and Falinine. Szen Seeker Xedrin told me to treat you better than I treat him, which is saying a lot. I'm told you're feeling a little under the weather? If you'd prefer, we have a scanner prepared and ready for you." He extended his hand behind him, indicating to Brynn's left. Along with the beds, she now noticed, were about fifty curtain-offed sections.

"Yes. A scan...thank you very much, Doctor Xanifan. It's more just a precaution. I was examined before, but..." She let her voice trail off and simply smiled warmly at the Doctor before moving after the nurses.The thought of getting scanned was making her even more nervous. Dammit, Idris, she thought. But she knew she had too. Whatever infection he had been so panicked about, she just needed to make sure.

The nurses started to walk ahead of her, moving to the first one. The doctor addressed her escort. "Thayne, you may wait here. I promise, if anything happens, we'll shout for you."

He nodded and moved to stand at the lift doors, patiently waiting as the nurses beckoned Brynn behind the curtain.

The nurse, the one called Falinine, spoke to her first. "If you would, please remove your outer layer of clothing to facilitate the scan."

"If you keep your clothes on, it can often muddle the results," Maylenie added.

"You can stand over here behind this curtain, for your privacy, of course."

They both smiled at her and indicated one of the sections. They led her over to it, pulling back the curtain, and helped her sit down on the bed inside. They pulled the curtain back into place, separating them from her escort and the doctor, and reached up to begin to help her disrobe.

Feeling more than little self conscious, she stripped quickly, thinking along the lines of a band-aid: Just rip it off quickly and it'd be over. As she stood there, she looked back at the nurses, suddenly becoming aware of her scars. "Just down to my under garments, yes?" She asked, her hands grabbing the waist band of her leggings.

They both nodded to her, taking her clothes as she took them off, setting them aside. They tried to make her feel like they weren't just staring, but it was possible that these girls might never have seen a naked human girl before. They did, however, understand how uncomfortable she was. "When you're ready, we'll give you something to wear for when we take you to the machine, alright?"

"I'd like that something now, if you don't mind." Brynn uncomfortably sat down then, her back turned away from the girls. It was hard not to see the discomfort on her face. Brynn just did not take to being this undressed in front of any body.

They smiled at her and handed her the robe-like clothing. It had a hole in the top for her head and was long enough to reach almost to her ankles. It was obviously a one-size-fits-all, meant for an Ulration rather than a human, the hole almost big enough that her shoulders wouldn't have kept it from falling off onto her arms. It was a very light material, and Brynn noticed that when it pressed against her skin, she could almost see straight through it. It also didn't seem to do a lot to keep her warm, but it was better than running around naked. They looked at her and waited for her to finish putting it on, waiting for her to indicate that she was ready.

Even for a human she was short, and she tried to adjust it on her body so that it wasn't just slipping off of her. Sighing inaudibly, she situated it satisfactorily then looked at the nurses and smile. "I'm ready."

They nodded to her. "Follow us, Mistress Phytrelia." They beckoned for her, walking away from the curtain at a little faster of a pace than nearly any of her escorts walked. They lead her across the immense room to a door and opened it for her. The room was large, but it had only one examining table. They indicated for her to sit on it. "If you please, just lie here."

"We can conduct all of the tests at one time in this room, so it shouldn't take very long."

"Then we can return you to your quarters with enough time for them to fit you for your battle gear."

"Thank you." Laying down on the table, she tried to ignore the very slight tremble in her body. Hell, she was even more nervous now. It had been one thing when she was with Idris and Ophelia had scanned her. This was so so different. Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths and waited for the scanner to begin.

Something happened then...something that Brynn was unable to perceive. In just that moment, when she shut her eyes, suddenly she was no longer in the room. When she opened her eyes, she was in a bed, wearing completely different clothes. Doctor Xanifan and Szen Seeker Xedrin were both at her bed side, sitting in very large, though low to the ground, stools. They seemed concerned, but relieved, when they saw she had her eyes open.

Gasping at the sudden change of scenery, she tensed up immediately, staring up at the Doctor and Xedrin. "...What's going on? Is this supposed to happen?" She almost sat up, but forced herself to remain laying flat on her back. Perhaps it was just a different technology. Desperately she tried to relax but her shaking increased.

Xanifan looked at her, appearing as though he was trying to find the best way to say his next words. "Mistress Phytrelia...have you..." He sighed and shook his head. "What was the last thing you remember...?"

"What?" Now she did sit up, frowning at Xanifan, biting down on her lower lip. "I laid down for a scan. And then all of a sudden I was in this room. Where are the nurses? Where am I?" Looking down at herself, she realized the new clothes, and panic began to bubble up in her throat, causing her voice to sound strained. "What the hell just happened? One of you tell me right now!"

Xanifan looked to Xedrin before turning back to her. Xedrin spoke up this time. "Brynn, you have been unconscious for nearly two and a half rotational cycles. When you went in for the examination, a few seconds after you lied on the table, you passed out. We have no idea why." His expression twitched a little, and he turned to Xanifan again.

"We...suspect that maybe you just..." As he spoke the color fled from his face, his light blue turning whiter as he tried to find the words to say. These two Ulrations, one a warrior, one a seasoned doctor, seemed as uncomfortable as a human male on his virgin wedding day. But why?

Two and a half cycles? Her heart stopped in her chest and she felt sick. "...Maybe what Xedrin?...Cal...TELL ME. Please." Fear filled her eyes as she scooted closer to Xedrin, begging him to continue on. What had happened to her that she just passed out like that? It hadn't felt like passing out? She'd just shut her eyes.

They looked at each other again, looked at her, and shook their heads. Cal spoke up first. "We...we just don't know, ok? I'm so very sorry, Brynn. I wish I could give you a better explanation but...we..."

"-We just don't have any better explanation." Doctor Xanifan finished. He paused a long moment, hesitating. He obviously wanted to ask her something, but he was waiting to see how she reacted before he decided.

"I don't understand." She sat back a little, trying to relax, staring at her own lap. "I... Perhaps we can try the scan again? I'll just be more conscious this time I...I don't understand. I was awake. I shut my eyes because I was nervous and then the next moment I'm here with you two. It doesn't make any sense."

"The scans were all inconclusive, I'm afraid. Don't worry. We ran the tests and didn't realize that you were unconscious until...afterward."

"But you're right, it doesn't make any sense. I promise that Doctor Xanifan and I will do our best to help you find out what happened and what is going on, alright? For now, we just..."

"-We just don't know." The doctor paused for a long moment and then sighed. "Mistress Phytrelia...have you been having any...strange..." He exhaled slowly and then tried again. "Has anything, out of the ordinary, happened to you recently? Have you...been having any strange dreams, or...had any suspicious...occurrences...take place in proximity to you?"

Brynn stared at the doctor for another long moment, unsure as to how she should answer that. She had been hiding her conversations with Idris from everyone, but perhaps now, with what had just happened to her, it was important to confide in someone. "Yes... but I'm not sure if I would call them dreams." Taking a deep breath, which was much shakier than she would have liked it to be, she continued. "Idris comes to me when I am alone. It happens every so often. Mainly it is in the mirror that I can see him. We can feel each other, speak to one another. But it's not quite a dream, it's almost like I've just stepped through a thin wall of fog. I can't explain it much better than that. I asked for the scan because Idris told me to. He was terrified of an infection. I could FEEL how terrified he was. But...if nothing came up..."

Both of the males seated before her paled visibly. Obviously, neither of them had ever heard of anything, nor had they expected anything, quite so peculiar. The doctor shook his head. "How...how often...has this been happening? And...how...how long ago? When did it start first...initially?"

"Before I saw Idris, when I realized he was sick...and trapped. Then afterward a few times. Not often. And always when I'm alone. Why? Does this mean something?" As far as she knew, this was not common, that they couldn't possibly really understand what was happening to her. "Look, if this has something to do with rescuing Idris, fine, but if not, I'd like to still save him. No more worrying about me. I'm fine except for my passing out."

They both looked at her. "We just want to make sure you are safe to leave and come with us, Brynn. I am not comfortable taking you with me if you might pass out at the drop of the hat or...have something distract you." He frowned. Obviously Cal was trying his hardest to be tactful, but he was ashamed to sound so callous.

"Something 'distract me'? Like what? My goal in going with you is to find Idris. So if you were about to say THAT would be a distraction...no...it won't be. He is my focus, but you know that." Her voice got firmer as her temper flared. "I'll be fine, just don't scan me. But I want to get moving as soon as possible. Sitting here is doing no one any good."

He looked over at the doctor, who nodded, and walked away from them. Cal stood and looked at her. "Very well, Brynn. If you insist, we'll take you back to your quarters when you are feeling better and get you fitted for your gear." He smiled weakly. "You'll soon find out that we do not toy around with things like the humans of the alliance like to. You'll want to be safe, and be ready. I am still very concerned for you, but I can see that you have a strong spirit and it would be in my interest to bring you along instead of leaving you behind." He tried to lighten the mood as he smiled and remarked. "Besides, having a beautiful human woman with us might give us a little luck." He winked and started to walk toward the door.

"I can assure you it is in your interest. Having an annoyed woman waiting on your ship...not a good idea. I am feeling better now. You can have me fitted as soon as possible." She did smile at his compliment. It was sweet of him to try and soothe her growing nerves. Standing from the bed, she ignored the immediate dizzy sensation from being down for so long. Shutting her eyes, she took a quick deep breath, gathered herself and followed after Cal.

He held up a hand, his gaze moving to the doctor who appeared to come to his aid. "No. Mistress, please. I insist. You're not leaving my infirmary until I've had a chance to monitor you. You stay here for one cycle, and nothing happens, then I'll allow you to go with Szen Seeker Xedrin and the rest of the assault team. I will not risk endangering you, or any of the team."

Cal looked at her and pursed his lips. "I agree with Doctor Xanifan. One cycle...Brynn, and then we'll get you ready." He frowned and looked at the doctor. "But, maybe we can fit you here, while the time passes?"

The doctor considered this. "I...suppose that would be safe. Send the team down and we'll keep watch of her." He looked to Brynn. "If you'd prefer that, I mean..."

"But...one cycle, doctor? That's wasting time that Idris may not have. That WE may not have." Pleadingly, she stared at Xedrin, then at the doctor. "If you insist I have that much time then the combat team should go without me. I...won't risk losing Idris." Looking between the men she hoped that she had on her stubborn expression. "Although I must insist I am perfectly FINE."

The doctor looked to Xedrin. "How long before the team is ready to disembark?"

"We're still about eleven hours away from the signal. It moved recently, so we had to change our course unexpectedly. But we'll be ready when we arrive, and when Mistress Phytrelia is cleared by you and your staff, Doctor Xanifan."

He sighed, and nodded. "Very well, at least remain here for ten of those hours. We can have the team come down and fit you, and brief you, in that time. But I want to be present if ANYTHING occurs before we arrive, alright?"

Glad with this decision she agreeably walked back over to the bed and laid down looking up at the men. "I'll be good and stay here. Promise." Smiling sweetly at them, she laid her head back down on the pillow, and sighed. "You'll be informed of anything that happens, IF anything happens."

The doctor smiled. "I am not going anywhere, Mistress Phytrelia. I am going to remain no more than three meters away from you."

Cal frowned. "Well, I am afraid that I cannot stay. I need to go and prepare. I'll have someone come down and fit you for your gear, and help you learn how to make the best of it in the next ten hours. If you need anything, simply notify Thayne and he'll send for me. I'll come as soon as I can, alright?"

"Will do, Cal. Thank you." She sighed again and almost shut her eyes, before stopping herself. Last time she shut her eyes, she had ended up passed out for two days. Not this time. Instead, she looked up at the doctor, watching him for a moment, then focused up at the ceiling. "Do you know what it means that I've been contacted by Idris? Or am I just insane doctor? "

Cal overheard her inquiry and paused to look at her, the doctor looking to him. There was a short moment before Doctor Xanifan turned to Brynn and responded. "I'm...sure it's nothing. Perhaps the link you have with him is more powerful than you think." He smiled at her, quite convincingly. "I wouldn't be concerned about it."

"Perhaps it is. But...you seemed concerned about it." Smiling faintly at him, she shrugged her shoulders before focusing back on the ceiling again. "You're kind, thank you. I just want Idris back, as foolish and as single-minded as that sounds. He's the only person whose ever cared about me...in any capacity."

He smiled at her and nodded, walking away.

The hours passed, and Brynn was left almost alone for quite some time. Doctor Xanifan remained near her, but distracted himself looking over charts and doing paperwork. She tried to occupy herself with silly mind games; counting the different instruments in the room, counting tiles on the floor, the ceiling, until they became boring and she began to think about Idris and what was happening to him. What was going to happen when they finally found him. About three hours later, the team that Xedrin had promise her, showed up and Brynn sat up straight and tense as the female soldiers approached her. Sliding to the edge of the bed, she swung her legs over and waited for them to reach her.

It was an entire team of females. They all wore the same black uniform. The sleeves of the shirt came down over their elbows and tucked neatly into their pants. They also wore the same black boots, their hair cut at the same shoulder-length, but each one had a different color hair and skin tone. They slowly approached her bed, their pace even and patient as the traversed the distance from the lift to Brynn's bed.

They smiled at her, each of them having a subtle coarseness to their demeanors as they each spoke. Their voices had a twinge of accent to them, a little heavier than that of Xedrin and Xanifan. "Meestriz Phytrelia, I am Zeeker Yaltor, an' theez are Chich-Zeekerz Aramoa and Daniatta. Szen Zeeker haz osked uhz to feet you for combat gear, and educate you in the methodz of using it." She smiled a long moment, the chich-seekers smiling, nodding, and each saying a "halloh" after they were introduced. "Iz there anything you have in a way of preferenz for thingz like coolor or anything of that nature?"

Brynn nodded to each of the females in turn, trying to remember their names, although she doubted she could. "No, no preference. If Szen Seeker did not inform you, I am...an elemental. Fire. The only requirement is that my flames will not disturb the material." Standing up quickly she look at the females and smiled. "Shall we begin?"

The chich-seekers looked at each other. Seeker Yaltor arched an eye brow. "Wow...fire? That iz very imprezive." She nodded slowly. "We shall take that into account then, when we fit you."

Chick-Seeker Aramoa stepped forward. "If you'd pleaz, stand up and allow me to measure you." She motioned, pulling a small device that had a long wand at the end of it.

"Thank you. I'm coming to find that my abilities are much...more useful than I once thought." Smiling at them, she nodded to Seeker Aramoa and stepped forward towards her, and waited. "Of course. Go right ahead. I'd like to be fitted as quickly as possible."

She waved the wand over Brynn's form, two lines, one vertical and one horizontal, projecting off the wand to scan her. The other females stood nearby, watching. Once she was done, she put the wand back into her pocket and looked up at Brynn. She turned to her companions and smiled, then looked at Brynn. Waiting patiently for the female to be done, Brynn took a step back and sat on the edge of the bed as she was spoken to."We'll fetch your gear and be back very zoon." The females didn't wait for a response, the three of them turning and walking back toward the lift. They were only gone about an hour before the returned. They each carried a few parts of the gear.