The Cycles of Revelation Series

Artifact of the Dawn: Worried (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)

Episode 69: Ardyn worries about Jevan as his friend waits for a Medellan-sized healing bed to be constructed for him.

Later that day, Ardyn accompanied Jenira down to Med’nor in a shuttlecraft. She was too scared to take the transmat again, especially now that she knew she was pregnant. As they approached Yanen, Ardyn was glad to see the village looked undamaged. “It looks like the Maara’dahl spared Yanen. Do we know if they hit any village or settlement?”

The pilot shook his head. “Based on preliminary scans of the planet, the Maara’dahl concentrated their attack on the Rahn’naa. Probably because that was the largest gathering of people on this continent, and they thought they could break through the forcefield.”

“That’s when they destroyed the communications system,” Ardyn recalled.

“Yes. The last blast they fired before the battalion destroyed the Ora’laa breached the shield at the top of the observation tower. They reported around a dozen casualties, but they were lucky. Another blast could have destroyed the entire tower.”

More lives lost, and for what?

Jenira’s mother and bondmate were waiting for them as they exited the shuttle. As soon as she saw them, Jenira ran into her bondmate’s arms, hugging him tight. It made Ardyn smile to see they were a happy pair, considering Jenira’s condition.

After hugging her mother as well, Jenira happily informed her family. “I’m so happy you’re all here because I have news. I’m pregnant! Micah, we’re going to have a child!”

“That’s wonderful!” Micah said, giving her a warm hug. Ardyn smiled to see how happy the two were together.

“That is good news, but what of Jevan?” Asha asked.

Ardyn’s ears lowered at the thought of Jevan lying on that small medical bed. “He… he is badly hurt. During the battle, a support beam fell. It was going to hit Commander Keryth and Jevan pushed him out of the way, and the beam hit him instead.”

A look of concern crossed Asha’s face. “How bad?”

“The beam broke his back, hips, and cracked his skull,” Ardyn replied. “Unfortunately, the special medical beds that they used to repair injuries like these are too small for a Medellan his size. They had to put him into a deep sleep until they can fly him down to the Rahn’naa safely. They have been working on adding Medellan sized beds. One is almost ready to use. Then they can heal him.”

“With a broken back, how?” asked Micah.

“I know you have seen little of their technology, but I believe it’s possible,” Ardyn replied with more confidence than he felt. “After I was injured, they used a device on me to close my wound right before my eyes. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought it was magic.”

“Will they let me see him?” Asha asked.

“Once they have transported him to the hospital wing, I’m sure they’ll let you visit,” Ardyn reassured her.

“How soon will that be?” Micah asked, putting a comforting arm around his bond-mother.

“The Wah’kah’ria is a mess right now, but they were hopeful within the next day they could coordinate moving him,” Ardyn replied. “Jenira has a communicator, so I will let you know as soon as he’s settled in, and a shuttle is available to take you.”

“No,” Asha said. “I think I would prefer to walk. How long is the journey?”

“You will not be running the way Jevan and I did, so I think about three or four days,” Ardyn replied. “If you leave in the morning and travel northwest from here, you will reach the bhat’laa’arh that marks the perimeter of the Aria’una before nightfall. Then continue due north until you reach the valley, and you will not miss it. In fact, you will probably find the outskirts of the Athla’naa encampment before you even reach the valley.”

A hand on his shoulder made Ardyn turn to see the shuttle pilot next to him. “We should go. After I drop you off at the Rahn’naa, I need to shuttle more of the refugees back to the surface.”

“Yes, of course,” Ardyn said before turning to make his farewells. “I will be in touch as soon as I know anything, so please keep your communicator on.”

“Thank you, and take care of yourself, Ardyn,” Jenira said as they waved at him.

Ardyn sat next to the pilot and watched as they flew over the tops of the trees that he and Jevan made their way through all those weeks ago. It felt like a lifetime, with how much their lives had changed. Please be okay, Jevan.

As they approached the Rahn’naa, Ardyn saw the extent of the damage to the top of the tower. There was an entire section missing, a hole rent in the side of it. Thankfully, it was the side facing away from the encampment, so the debris likely fell into the ravine next to the tower. Looking at the encampment as they landed, he realized that things could have been a lot worse.

After checking on his parents, Ardyn returned to the control center. As soon as he entered, Takyra rose from her station and pulled Ardyn into a hug. “How is Jevan?”

“Not good. They put him into a deep sleep until they can transport him down here. His injuries were severe. When will the larger bed be ready for him?”

“Aramys sent down several of her engineers to help complete the construction,” she replied. “It should be ready by the time they can fly him down here. Why don’t you go back to your quarters and get some rest?”

Nodding, Ardyn agreed. It had been a long couple of days, and the exhaustion was catching up with him. “You should do the same,” Ardyn said, noting the dark circles under Takyra’s eyes.

“I know, and I will, soon.”

“I keep telling you, I have it under control,” Aerys said from behind her. “Go, rest.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll go already,” Takyra said with a chuckle. “I’ll walk with you, Ardyn.”

They took their time as they returned to their quarters, Ardyn catching Takyra up on everything that had happened. “Jevan’s going to be an uncle? Oh, I’m sure he’ll be excited about that news when he wakes. I think he’ll make a wonderful uncle.”

Ardyn stopped, as the worry he’d been holding back overwhelmed him. “Do… do you really think he’ll be okay?”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Takyra tilted Ardyn’s face up. “Yes, I do. What they’re able to achieve is nothing short of miraculous. I’ve seen what their medical beds can do. Given enough time, Jevan will be fine.”

“Thank you. I cannot help worrying,” Ardyn replied. “The injuries he has would have killed him if it were not for your medicine. I wish there had been more you could have done for Druyndar, Taeglyn, and all the others that lost their lives.”

“So do I,” Takyra agreed as they continued walking. “Unfortunately, once someone is dead, we do not have the means to bring them back. Jevan was fortunate to have survived long enough for them to stabilize him. Now, it’s only a matter of time. You’ll see.”

They approached Ardyn’s quarters, and Takyra took her leave. “Please, try to get some rest. If you need to, replicate some kala’dak tea. It can help you sleep.”

“I’ll try that, thank you,” Ardyn replied before opening the door to his quarters and giving Takyra a wave before the doors closed behind him.

Staring at the empty quarters, with Jenira’s and his mother’s belongings no longer cluttering up the living space, it hit him how alone he suddenly was. There was a time he cherished being alone, away from those who didn’t approve of him and his endless curiosity. Yet, after all this time spent with Jevan, he couldn’t fathom life without him anymore.

Takyra’s reassurances ran hollow as Ardyn looked around the empty quarters. How much will our lives have changed when he finally wakes? Our world is changing around us so fast.

Ardyn slumped against the closed door and let himself slide to the floor, unable to take another step. Everything that had happened since he’d found that key swirled through his head. Especially the events of the past few days. His heart hurt in ways he never thought it could, when images of Jevan, laying so deathly still on that medical bed, flashed before his mind’s eye.

As tears flowed unbidden down his face, Ardyn made a silent plea. Jevan, come back to me.