Chapter Text
There had been a setback. A slight blip if you asked Grace. A catastrophic disaster in the making, if you asked Rocky.
Grace was dying…again. Not quite so quickly this time. But that really wasn’t the point.
As it turned out, the Eridian scientists had done a great deal of research on what nutrition Grace needed. The only problem was, it took a long time to replicate those nutrients. Surviving on Taumoeba was indeed keeping him alive and giving him calories, but that was just about the only thing it was giving him.
The symptoms Grace had been valiantly ignoring were now concerning, not just irritating. His bones ached, his hair was falling out and his gums were bleeding. Exhaustion had once again become a constant companion, worsening Grace’s already fragile state of mind. If something wasn’t done and quick, all of Eric feared Saviour Grace would be lost.
It wasn’t all terrible news, as Adrian tried to assure him. Some of the minerals he needed could be derived from the many rocks and minerals already found on their planet. Iron for instance was an easy one. Although in liquid form on Erid, it could be found easily enough and after extensive testing, pieces of it could be cooled in water and then drunk to combat iron deficiency.
Grace worried about his teeth. If he lost those, replacing them would be a long and likely painful affair. Vitamin C for example, was a tricky vitamin to find, though after further testing, Eridian scientists were able to salvage it from his tissue samples and begin the process of reproducing it in large enough quantities. It was the same for most of the other vitamins and minerals that he needed.
Since his body had everything he needed, it didn’t take long for the Eridians to come to a realisation. They just needed more Grace. Another Grace. One he could eat again and again to get all of the things his body needed.
Was it really cannibalism if he was eating himself? Grace tried not to think about it.
With a whole host of diseases setting in, like scurvy and beriberi and even night blindness which was terrifying to think about, time was of the essence.
This unfortunate setback did mean that the Eridians were even more reluctant to let Grace be there, when Rocky spoke to the families. Grace had tried to argue, he tried to claim he was fine, but anyone could sense that was not the case.
Then, word somehow got out. An unknown source (who would later turn out to be Adrian), notified one of the family members. Who in turn notified the rest.
Saviour Grace and Saviour Rocky wanted to see them. They wanted to explain what had happened to those they had lost.
No official or scientist or even doctor was any match for a cluster of grieving Eridians, just looking for the truth. They wanted to finally sing and guide their mates’ wandering souls back to the centre of their planet, so that they could be reformed anew. In conversations that would happen much later, Grace would explain a human concept that was similar; something called reincarnation.
A meeting was arranged.
Grace slept as long as he could beforehand, preserving his energy. While he slept, the Eridians once again surprised him by managing to create a two-way communication system that would be operational within his small chamber. It allowed the Eridians to observe them from the outside. While Grace, Rocky and of course Adrian, spoke from within.
If anyone found any of this strange, they kept it to themselves. Most understood the difficulties both saviours had faced. As well as the bond they now shared, as evidenced by the scars they both bore. If Adrian, mate to the great Saviour could accept it, how could anyone else not?
“Grace, wake up.”
Grace opened his eyes. His mind was fuzzy, his body was weak and he could feel his bones ache. It took a few moments to process where he was, then a few moments more to check how much he remembered from the days before. Brain damage was a very real risk for him. Something he’d found difficult to explain. Not just because of his illness, but because of how Rocky would take it. He couldn’t let Rocky lose him, like he’d lost his crew. Even if they were no longer alone, he knew it would devastate him.
“I’m up,” he mumbled. He blinked, slipping on his glasses that Adrian so kindly offered.
“Families here.”
“Hi, families!” He waved, facing the darkness in front of him.
“No. Behind.”
The sleeping pod, which Grace called a bed, was rotated. Eridians of many colours stood just outside his chamber. Each of a similar size, many with shiny gem-like materials placed somewhere on their carapace. They all wore clothing in similar earth tones. Some wore jumpsuits, others wore long robe-like gowns and a few wore clothing that separated into two pieces, to create a top and bottom. For Grace, it was oddly fascinating to see.
For years, Rocky had worn the same clothing he always did. His worksuit. Then, upon their rescue, he took to wearing loose fabrics that swayed around him as he moved. Not quite a dress, no. It was closer to a cloak.
Grace shot Rocky a glare. “You could have told me.”
“Rocky did.”
Grace scoffed. One of the scientists made yet another note. “You know what I mean.”
“Rocky does. Funny.”
“Oh, ha ha.”
Rocky shoulders lifted up and down. The little bastard was laughing at him, letting out a string of thrums and trills.
Grace was surprised by it. Could…could the families not hear them yet? Was Rocky really okay with laughing in front of them, right before he told them what happened? That didn’t sound like the Rocky he knew.
A piercing screech suddenly echoed through the chamber. Adrian pressed a button on the wall.
“-ear us, question? Can hear us, question.”
“Can hear, statement,” Rocky responded.
“Can hear, good. We ready.”
Grace was thankful for his laptop’s translations. Thinking was already difficult and he feared the toll that would occur from trying to decipher the thrums around him.
So did that mean that they hadn’t heard Rocky before? Is that why he had been willing to joke around with him? But surely they still sensed his movements, didn’t they?
Rocky shifted next to him, suddenly looking so much smaller than he had just a moment ago. Gone was any trace of amusement. Now he just stood still. Too still.
“Buddy? You okay?”
Rocky let out a light thrum, a sigh it sounded like. “This hurts. Wanted happy, one more time.”
Was that why? He wanted one more moment of happiness, of teasing Grace and laughing at his expense, before having to deliver news that would break the hearts of many? Was…was that normal?
Grace let out a sigh of his own. Adrian followed. Together, they each reached out to touch the exterior of Rocky’s xenonite suit. Though he couldn’t feel their touch, he could sense their movement. Their support. With that, Rocky finally stepped forward.
“Greetings, loved ones of the lost crew. As you know, a few months ago, I was the only one of our kind to return. Your…your mates and loved ones never gave up. I think it is important for you to know that.”
Rocky tried hard to forget about the high pitched thrums that tortured his ears for days. Or the way many begged for mates that would never arrive in time. Plus the emptiness he felt, each time one of them failed to wake up.
“Saviour Grace, the alien who saved me and helped me find the solution, has a better understanding of what caused their deaths. On his planet, there is something called radiation.” He paused to let that word sink in, then turned to Grace nervously.
From Grace’s perspective, he only understood bits and pieces. But when Rocky turned to him, looking small and lost, he knew what he was asking before he even had a chance to say it.
“Want me to explain?”
Rocky perked up. “Yes, explain.”
The pain was getting worse, Grace’s heart was starting to race and he knew his energy was already running low. But he couldn’t let his little buddy down now, could he?
Behind him, one of his doctors, an Eridian he’d affectionately named Doc, tapped at his monitors. Doc didn’t look happy. But she, Grace liked to think of her as a she, decided to wait before intervening.
“Radiation is something found on my planet as well. It is the release of energy as waves or particles. It is invisible and does not move in a way you or I would be able to sense. You need special equipment to locate it. Radiation has different levels. Some kinds will not cause harm, while others will. For the type that can, it can break down the chemical structure of our DNA, that is the material all living things are made up of. It can change our DNA and make living things very sick. Eventually, if nothing is done to stop the exposure, those affected will die as a result.”
Grace explained it all to Rocky first. Then, after some thought, Rocky translated what he could to the awaiting families.
They gave them time to let it sink in. Several Eridians fell forward, carapaces pressed against the floor. A few others clutched at each other, keeping the other upright. Obviously caught up in their grief. Many had likely hoped the crew, their loved ones, would not have suffered. To learn the truth was quite horrifying indeed. Even if Rocky had done his best to soften it.
Adrian, sensing Rocky was near breaking point, actually helped field some of the questions that followed. Although they could not touch each other to give comfort and reassurance, Rocky’s form gradually increased in size. Standing taller and more confident once more.
Grace wanted to help more, really he did, but just as Doc feared, it all became too much for him to handle. By the time he awakened once more, the family members were gone. Rocky and Adrian remained.
“Rocky thanks Grace. Grace was big help. Grace explain when Rocky cannot.”
“It’s like I told you, buddy. I got your back.”
There was a pause.
“But Rocky back still on Rocky.”
Grace, who knew damn well Rocky understood what he was trying to say, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Remind me to teach you about jokes some other time.”
“Jokes?”
“Funny things humans say.”
“But Grace say many funny things. He do many funny things too. Rocky laugh many time. Adrian too.”
He wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. So rather than try to explain further, he decided to change the subject.
“Are you okay?”
Rocky’s responding thrum was lower than normal. Sadder.
“Rocky give many answer. They sad. Very sad. But thank Rocky and Grace for answer.” Adrian explained, pressing against Rocky as much as they were able to.
“I’m just happy I could give them the answers they needed.”
Rocky thrummed in agreement, nudging his hand.
“Grace can sleep. Rocky watch.”
Grace huffed, giving Rocky an unimpressed look. “No, Rocky can sleep. Grace will watch.” Adrian nudged him next. “And Adrian. We both will,” he corrected.
There was a moment of silence as the two tried to argue through body language alone. Before Rocky gave an almighty squeak, which Grace interpreted as a huff. Looking sullen, Rocky scrambled onto the nearby cot and pointedly lay still. A few moments passed and he did not move. Grace sighed. A few more moments passed, Rocky still had not moved.
“You’re still awake, aren’t you?”
“Yes, statement.”
Adrian didn’t look impressed by either of them.
It took a while before the first samples were ready for Grace to try consuming. In that time, everyone did what they could to keep him from getting any worse. He was made to drink iron water repeatedly, to ensure he received the appropriate levels. While it was not the magical cure all he wished for, he appreciated the positive impact it had on his energy.
Only Doc stayed to watch him eat, though she too seemed to find it disgusting in the same way Rocky had. As the fleshy lumps were served, Grace couldn’t help but agree with that assessment.
“Down the hatch.”
Having solid food again, if it could be called that, was an experience unlike no other. It took everything he had not to immediately retch, when those fleshy lumps hit his tongue. The texture definitely left much to be desired. If he could compare it to anything back home, it was almost like eating raw fish. Firm to the touch, slightly slimy and he could feel the fibres breaking as he took that first bite. The taste wasn’t terrible either. It was meaty, though it could have used more salt for his liking.
After just a few days of surviving on the so called meburgers, Grace was already beginning to feel the effects. The pain was lessening, his mind became clearer and he finally felt like he had energy once more.
Eridian scientists continued to monitor him, using the data they obtained from his laptop. Having sold food again, specifically tailored to meet his nutritional needs again, was certainly having a positive impact, but there was no telling how much damage had already been caused.
It was a waiting game for everyone. Waiting to see how his body reacted. Waiting to see when the construction of his biodome would be completed.
There was at least one positive. Following Grace’s explanation on radiation and the dangers it possessed, scientists began crafting detection equipment. With this, they hoped to assess their own planet for dangers. There were some shafts and tunnels all Eridians knew to stay away from, thanks to stories of sudden sickness and abnormalities in pebbles, once they hatched. Thanks to Grace’s knowledge, they now had an understanding as to why.
With Grace’s strength returning and tales of his new exploits spreading, Eridians’ interest in him renewed once more.
“Rocky has question.”
“What is it, buddy?”
“Erid wants celebrate. Big celebrate with all of Erid. Grace important to Erid. Celebrate Grace. Celebrate Rocky. Have…what is word, question?” Rocky mimed cheering and celebrating so that Grace could understand.
“A party?”
Another video was needed to explain.
“Yes, party! Grace come. Big party. Erid celebrate Grace, yes, question?”
So a celebration then. In his honour apparently. What else could Grace say to that except, “Yes.”
Grace’s Day would be a day all of Erid would remember, for many years to come.