Tomak stared hard at Algodon which would have been funny to Algodon if he felt he weren't in deep trouble. But in deep, deep trouble he was. He stood in the resonance chamber while Tomak and Dr. Tausidi discussed his condition, he could only make out every other word. Enough to get the gist. He was "under supervision" and "possibly dangerous." It was likely he wouldn't be able to move about freely as he had before. But he got what he was looking for and that's what mattered. He just needed to send this to the Fleet and he would be in safe hands. But there was that exospheric interference season thing Peterson mentioned… perhaps he would be detained for a longer period than he hoped. That didn't bode well for him. He hoped that the Magistrate wouldn't be able to track him here. He was just glad that this village had a resonance chamber, his arm and forehead injuries were annoying to say the least. If he was going to be detained he'd prefer not to be in agonizing pain every waking moment.
He looked over from Dr. Tausidi and Tomak and spied Auburn lying in a cot hooked up to a monitor there. Algodon knew nothing about human vitals, but it seemed everything was stable else the doctor would not be so casually chatting about his "blatant disregard for local law." He supposed that was fair. He did in fact blatantly disregard if this settlement had laws.
But he didn't like the way Dr. Tausidi, that Tau Jaran Reptilian was looking at him. Their peoples have often butted heads before, and it was no secret there was bad blood between his Magistrate and her Council of Judges. He didn't want a personal feud to add to the already muddy situation he'd put himself in. For now all he could do was endure it while his injuries were treated. He lulled himself into a meditative state and was lost to his surroundings.
—
Sio didn't know what to make of the funny gem-man that made his way into her village. She watched as he stood motionless inside a large chamber that appeared to be scanning and whirring. Auburn had told her that gem-man had saved the village whether he knew it or not. Sio snooped in his belongings that were next to the table and saw the data core that looked so… small to what she expected it to look like. The way the adults were talking about it, it seemed that this thing held the answers to nearly every problem.
Auburn was out cold on the cot he was brought in by, and she was glad that she had thought to call the Exterminators when she did, rather than go to the mines as commanded her. She didn't want to imagine losing another caregiver, nor what kind of treatment she would receive from Lurio should she have come home to tell him that now his son-in-law was gone. By law, he would be in charge of her next, and she doubted his tolerance of her would last.
Sio never feared harsh punishment under her grandmother's care, but she was disciplined accordingly. Her grandmother would not permit her on her outings, or command her to handcopy long theorems from the Book of Metaphysical Properties. To think of it even caused her wrist to ache. A man like Lurio surely would resort to something cruel. Auburn was gentler, she hoped. Now she had time to think of consequences, she feared what they would be.
Dr. Tausidi was still talking to Tomak, when Sio heard her name mentioned in conversation. She crept up from the side of the doorway and leaned her head against the wall careful not to let herself show she was eavesdropping.
"-for Sio, they both would be dead." said Dr. Tausidi. Tomak grunted in response.
"Otheyo has grown careless with his men, I will admit that Dr. Tausidi, but it was my understanding Auburn volunteered to search for the data himself without asking for help from the village."
"I'd blame his sense of service on that one, Tomak. Auburn has always been one to self-sacrifice. Which brings me to my point. Sio is not ready to undertake training as a Dunestrider under such a reckless man." Tomak sighed heavily.
"Auburn is the perfect teacher for Sio. His honor–"
"Has nearly gotten him killed." Dr. Tausidi hissed her interuption. Tomak sighed once more and a brief silence followed.
"What would you do, then?" asked Tomak.
"Let me guide Sio. Iridia Yuka was a scientist before she ever became a Dunestrider. Those skills she was honing in Sio before letting her mother and father would teach her the ways of the mines."
"Then it will be so, but I will honor Iridia's dying request. Auburn is to be her caretaker."
"Then it will be so." Sio heard Dr. Tausidi let out a breath of relief then lowly say to Tomak. "Thank you, old friend."
"Let us hope this goes over well with the young man before you thank me, Gene." His voice grew closer, and Sio made to quickly seat herself beside Auburn's cot trying to look as though she didn't hear the entire conversation. Dr. Tausidi caught her gaze, focused heavily on Auburn's forehead, and a small smile from the reptilian made Sio squirm. She wasn't getting away with it. But rather than say so, Dr. Tausidi wordlessly began checking Auburn's vitals as she would routinely do.
"How are you, Sio?" asked Tomak kindly. Sio turned a bit too quickly to face Tomak, almost hitting Dr. Tausidi in the process, but recovered by stepping aside from the cot and bowing to Tomak.
"I am well, sir." She said with her head down, cursing the fool she was making of herself. But Tomak didn't seem to notice, rather his attention was wayward. He looked past Sio and Dr. Tausidi to the window. He approached it tiredly as he watched the everyday commotion outside people going to and from places. In truth, Sio never met Tomak face to face. Her grandmother would tell stories of his wisdom, but never of his age. His eyes carried a weight to them emphasized by the crevices that touched his forehead and jowls. His face was sunken ever so slightly, enough to tell a tale of hardship every leader of their village bore through the ages. He turned to face Sio and looked at the features of her face. She held the village signature black hair and steel eyes, and her features were the makings of a defined face only dulled by the softness of youth. She wondered what he was thinking as he stared for some time until he broke the silent with one of his thoughts aloud.
"We here know much pain, Sio. Speak of it plainly." He said softly. Sio swallowed the lump forming in her throat. In truth, she had little time to think of her own pain. She had little time to ponder the strange things that happened in that cavern where she was found. But she didn't know how to word it plainly like Tomak was asking. It just felt like everything wrong was her fault somehow. Noticing her silent struggle, Tomak nodded to Dr. Tausidi who spoke up gently in their exchange.
"Sio, it's alright." She said as she knelt beside her. Her tall figure was made less imposing, but not less intimidating.
But it's not, she thought. Nothing is alright. But Sio said none of this. Just when the silence was becoming awkward. The sound of footsteps filled the room. Dr. Tausidi stood and turned toward who was entering the room. It was Laura, the village herbalist. Her short brown hair swayed to her steps as she crossed the room and held out a parcel for Dr. Tausidi.
"Ah thank you, Laura." said the reptilian. Noticing Sio, stepped forward and whispered something to Laura who turned to Sio and smiled. Sio saw her extend her hand to her and she took it wanting nothing more than to leave this room. Laura nodded toward Tomak and placing an arm around Sio's shoulders began leading her out to where Sio didn't know. But she was grateful. Laura knew how to put Sio at ease, whether it was a small nudge to the shoulder or a kind smile, that was Laura. And right now, she needed a friend like her.