For what feels like the hundredth time this week, I wake with a pounding headache. I need a vacation. I don't want to open my eyes.

Where in the stars am I?

Everything is quiet except for a rhythmic beeping of a machine. It's a soft, barely audible sound, and the only sound, thankfully.

A soft, warm bed is under me. Heavens that feels good. The pillow under my head is fluffy and cradles my aching skull perfectly.

Maybe I can just stretch a little, roll over and go back to sleep. I can figure out where I am later.

***

I wake again, not knowing how much time has passed. Barely awake, trapped between dreams and reality, I hear voices somewhere in the distance.

Or maybe they are whispering beside me? I can't tell. My brain is in a fog I can't shake. Everything feels distant and not real.

"If she doesn't wake up, what do we do?"

"She will wake. It's just a matter of when."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I have known Zea a long time. She doesn't give up. She's too stubborn."

I know that voice. It is right there. The person's name and face are teasing me but refuse to surface.

It just won't come out of the fog that is in my brain. I know he is important to me. I want to shake my head, but I am not ready for anyone to know I am awake.

"I will agree. She is stubborn." Another male snorts his amusement.

I know that voice too. But that one makes me want to punch him in the mouth.

Who are these people? Then a third chimes in. A female. I don't recognize this one.

"Gentlemen, she is strong and strong-willed. I wouldn't worry. But with you two carrying on in here, like two worried mothers, I can't do my job. So if you don't mind?"

"Sorry, Doctor Turin. Excuse us. ... But you will -"

"Let you know as soon as she is awake. Yes, gentlemen. Now go, do whatever it is you males do, to relax. I prefer zero patients in my Med Bay, so there is already one too many."

The males grunted consent, and a door slides open then shut. Small feet lightly pad in the same direction. A sequence of beeping sounds follow the pause in footsteps.

Then a new voice speaks its clinical way of speaking, giving away the fact it is an A.I.

"Med Bay doors locked. Approved personnel admitted only. Privacy mode activated."

"Thank you, Yomdi."

The feet add back to me. I had been hoping she would leave, too, so I could have a moment to gain my bearings. That isn't happening.

Maybe I will just go back to sleep. I am not overly eager to find out where I am or why. Procrastination is something I mastered a long time ago.

"Major Zea, I know you are awake. I could have left the males here to fawn over you. However, I thought maybe you'd like to take a moment first."

Something was off in the way she says this. Like she is disgusted at the thought of any male fawning over me.

"I need to monitor you. I don't expect complications, but your condition is unknown to me. Better safe than sorry. I don't need Armada floating me for malpractice."

She snorts like this is a hilarious idea. However, Armada has executed people for less. And she is right. They usually got floated.

Groaning louder than necessary, I flop over onto my back. My head pounds in protest. I don't want to open my eyes. If she's a doctor, how come I am not medicated?

"D..dr...drugs." What the hell was wrong with my voice? My throat is dry and sore, my mouth feels like sand, and I can barely open it. What the hell had happened to me?

"I guess I should mention you have been in a coma for almost a week now. You may find it hard to move, talk and swallow. We will start slow. Here, sip this."

She places a straw gently between my lips. I give it a tentative suck. A sweet and slightly salty liquid fills my mouth. It tastes good, but not good enough. I want to chug it.

"This is a concoction of minerals, vitamins and electrolytes. It tastes slightly better than the IV drip you have been receiving. Unfortunately, though, without taking away from the nutritional value, I cannot improve the taste much more. Here, hold this." She picks up my left hand and wraps my fingers around a cool bottle.

I hear her shuffling around. Occasionally something beeps or clicks. Then I listen to her come back to my bedside.

"Bear with me, Zea. Slight pinch. Ahhh there. That should help with the pain you are feeling in your head. To be honest, I am at a loss as to what happened that made you go into a coma. When you are ready, I will need to ask a few questions. Please, keep drinking slowly, though. I am going to go to my desk and work on some overdue paperwork until you are ready."

Little feet softly pad away. There is a telltale sound of a cushion having pressure placed on it, then quiet, barely audible clicking sounds follow. She can't be far from me. But it is far enough I feel comfortable trying to open my eyes.

Whatever she had given me for pain acted fast. I already feel it fading. The fog won't go anywhere, though.

I feel pretty bizarre, to be honest, like someone punched me in the head one too many times.

I slowly crack my eyelids. I immediately regret it. Light pierces my pupils, causing a stabbing pain to bloom in my forehead.

Fucking mother of stars! Well, that was a stupid idea.

"Zea?"

Shit. Ufrik heard my mental scream.

I should have been more careful. I usually have my walls firmly in place. Maybe being coma toast for so long, my mind had let go of all my standard safety precautions.

Or is it paranoid safety precautions?

Wait, yes! Ufrik. That had been one of the male voices. The one I wanted to punch. Figures. But who had been the other male?

"Zea, I know you are there. When did you wake... oh that sneaky Zukrog!"

"Fuck, man. Shut up. My head hurts. Just give me a few minutes. She gave me drugs."

"Zea... You have no idea how good it is to hear you. After you went nuclear in the Game, I wasn't sure I could save you. You set off a chain reaction in the station. We got lucky... Never mind. Sorry. I will explain later."

He sounds genuinely upset. Does he care about me? So confusing. Hadn't he sold me out? He was the reason I had been in the damn game in the first place. He had said that he'd had to do it for some reason.

Oh fuck. The Game!

The fog vanished instantly. Maybe it was making a mental connection with Ufrik, or perhaps it was the drugs killing the pain, but finally, my brain started to work.

No idea. But it all came back at once. Like being throat punched. Shocking and painful.

My eyes flew open. The pain from the light is forgotten. I quickly analyze my surroundings. Nothing special. Typical med bay. Sterile, white and empty.

Except for the female Zukrog at the desk to my far right, I am the only other person here. Thankfully she is consumed with whatever she's doing.

No windows anywhere in sight. Am I on land or in space still?

Last thing I remember... Oh, no.

"OK. I am ready. I need to know what happened."

"No small talk as usual. Or good to hear you too, Ufrik." He laid on the sarcasm heavily.

Had I just hurt his feelings? No time for schoolgirl shit right now.

"Ufrik. Really?"

He mentally sighs at me. Showing his obvious dislike in my demeanour. What did he expect? Hugs and kisses?

I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for him. Stars. I still have a mission to complete. Dammit.

"Fine. But it's easier if I show you -words will not do this story justice, I am afraid. It would help if you let me see you. We need to be touching for this to work."

"Whatever. Let's get it done."

I feel his mental sigh more than hear it again. I can just imagine him shaking his head in disgust. I almost snicker out loud at the thought.

The door chimes, and the A.I. announces a visitor. The doctor's head shoots up at the sound. She instantly looks at me. Her eyes narrow suspiciously.

"I see." That is all she says.

She was small for a Zukrog, most likely mixed blood. Unusual for a half-breed to get such a good education, especially one that made her a doctor. Doesn't matter. I need to see Ufrik.

My eyes never leave her as she pads softly over to the door. Pressing the intercom, she says, "This better be good. Most do not request entry when the Med Bay's privacy sign is on!"

"Let me in, Doctor. I promise it is for your patients' benefit."

She snorts, which seems to be her version of a chuckle. "Her's or your's Commander?"

What? Did she just call Ufrik Commander? What the hell! More secrets. Probably thanks to Armada. I feel my lip curl. No wonder I don't like him.

"Let him in." Her sharp eyes pierce me with a glare. "Please. It's important." Her shoulders relax, and she shakes her head in frustration.

"Fine, but after, you answer my questions."

"Deal Doc." She nods. Turning to the door, she presses a sequence of buttons, which I observe, to unlock the door.

"Commander Sigma." She waves him in. Sigma? That better be his family name. I don't think I can handle more lies.

"Thanks, Annees." He speaks so softly I almost don't hear. His words are spoken tenderly, and he places a hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing, relaying reassurance and a thank you with his eyes.

They know each other well. Why does it bother me? Shaking the unwanted feeling away, I focus on what needs to happen and why he is here.

"Don't make me regret it, Ufrik. I don't need any more regrets." She is harder to hear than him as she turns away from him, walking back to her desk.

My ears are pretty sensitive, even by Zukrog standards, and not many species have better hearing than the Zukrog.

Ufrik's eyes slowly move from the doctor's retreating form to meet mine. Gold clashes with gold, and I see more than I want to.

He is either doing a shit job of hiding his emotions, or he wants me to see his anguish.

Intense emotions play on his face, ranging from fear, relief, anger and something akin to tenderness.

I wish I weren't seeing this. It does weird things to my insides, and it's very uncomfortable.