Late Night Plans

I woke up to the sound of murmurs echoing into my room. I looked around in the darkness but did not see anything out of the ordinary. I looked towards the door and judging by the dimness of hallway light that creeped through the crack it was still nighttime. I slowed my breathing and perked my ears in an attempt to hear the voices clearer, but they were still too muffled.

Curiosity got the best of me as I slowly pulled myself off my cot and crept towards the door, careful to not make a sound as I opened it. The voices were coming from the main lab, and as I stood in front of its partially opened door I could discern who was inside: Geo, Thana, and Marea. I hesitated before entering. I did not want to invade their privacy when I clearly was not invited in the discussion, but there was no doubt in my mind that the topic they were discussing was me, or at least I was a big part of it. That always seems to be the case, and I am tired of being left in the dark about my situation.

My determination set in and I slowly slipped through the narrow opening. I was thankful that the lighting in Geo's lab is fairly dim save for his main workbench as I inched from scrap pile to scrap pile until I was near enough to understand what was being said. I crouched low to avoid being seen and tilted my head to listen.

"It has been nearly two days and you still have not found anyone else?" Thana asked incredulously.

"We are asking a lot from them," Marea said sadly, almost pleading for Thana to be empathetic.

"Eshmun," Thana growled. "Does he serve this pod or his own personal grudges?"

"Thana, it is not as if he had placed an order to not cooperate with us. Everyone already knows our history and does not want to get involved," Geo reasoned.

"Then there is a weakness in this pod that needs to get sorted out," Thana said coldly, forcing a shiver down my spine. Recalling Geo's emphasis on needing to be of value to the pod in order to stay, I could only imagine what Thana meant by that.

"It is not only that," Marea said with a slightly defeated tone. "Word has traveled that Albin does not agree with Flora staying here. Eshmun relies on the trade routes Albin protects, so everyone knows Eshmun will not cross him."

Thana let out a long, frustrated sigh and then there was silence. I glanced over the pile to see what was happening and saw the three of them gathered around the workbench. Both Geo and Marea nervously glanced from each other to Thana waiting for her decision. In the corner of my eye just out of the halo of light I noticed two cots set up close to one another and felt a small pang in my chest. This must be where Geo and Thana have been staying the last few nights.

"Keep trying, Marea," Thana said firmly. "Someone in this pod must have a backbone. Help them find it. I do not want Flora falling into Albin's hands." She turned to look at Geo before continuing. "She needs to stay allied to us. Do whatever it takes to make sure it stays that way."

Geo looked at her for a beat but then nodded. I looked at the three of them and felt a chill wash over me. What part did I play in their games? Have they been treating me this way out of sincerity or have they been manipulating me this entire time? I tried to replay the memories of the last few days and didn't know what to think, but Thana's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"The sooner this is resolved the sooner she can be treated and we can all get out of this place," Thana gesturing dismissively at the clutter.

"Some of us find it perfectly fine here," Geo said a defensively.

"We know," Thana and Marea said in unison. A sisterly warmth flowed between the two as they smiled at each other, which for me was simulatenously endearing and isolating. Seeing that they were preparing to end their meeting for the night, I quickly slipped back into my cot without anyone noticing.

My thoughts were jumbled making it difficult to sleep. Even after I convinced myself that there was nothing that could be done at that moment and only time will reveal what is happening I still tossed and turned. Eventually I must have fallen asleep becaues when I opened my eyes the light in the hallway was mimicking a pale golden dawn.

I had work to do today and discoveries to share which was more than enough motivation to get me out of bed quickly despite last night. After dressing as quickly as I could I opened the door to discover Thana quietly padding down the hallway. Her hair was slightly dishevled and the sleep not completely gone from her eyes, but when she saw me her eyes grew with surprise.

"Good morning," she said quietly with an awkward smile. It was unusual to see her so unpoised, it almost made her seem human.

"Morning," I whispered back with a forced smile.

"He is still asleep," she said gesturing to the main lab, "but I need to get ready for the day." As if she suddenly realized her appearance, Thana straightened her posture and held her head high. She placed her controlled, calm smile on her face before turning to me again. "Let Geo know if you need anything, for your health or your work," she said in her official tone.

She watched me, waiting for my response. Eventually I nodded and said thank you which was enough for Thana. She quickly left the lab, and once the door shut my fake smile fell. With a deep breath I headed towards Geo's office because I had a call to make.