Chapter Text
Sometimes the sound of the engine was comforting. A steady hum, a reassurance that the Tulpar was working as expected, that they weren’t going to die alone in some random parsec in the middle of nowhere.
Not that anyone believed that they would. Captain Curly was responsible and capable. Not only because he was the captain, but because he had proved himself to be reliable. He was more than the captain. He was a friend.
“Anya?” Swansea said, noticing her in the doorway. “Somethin’ wrong? Oh, don’t tell me I need another checkup.”
“No, you’re fine.” Anya reassured him. “I just like to listen to the engine sometimes. It’s calming, don’t you think?”
“Hm.” He didn’t look convinced. “All I know is, soon as it stops, we’re in big trouble.”
“Mm-hmm.” Anya said, stepping into the room. “Well, lucky for us, you and Daisuke are on the job. You’ve been easing up on your wrist, haven’t you?”
“Mostly. I’ve been delegating most of the jobs to Daisuke. Though whether the kid can handle it is anyone’s guess.” Swansea frowned at her. “And this isn’t the first time I’ve strained a muscle, you know. I’ll live.”
“I know you will,” Anya replied, “But sometimes it’s best not to risk further harm. Don’t you think?”
“Hmph.” Swansea said.
“As long as I’m here, I might as well check in.” Anya said. “Has it been feeling any better?”
“Yeah, a bit.” Swansea replied, looking at his wrist. “No cause for concern.”
“All right. You know best.” Anya said. “Remember your RICE, and don’t be afraid to take breaks if you need to. All right?”
“I’ll be fine. I can tough it out.” Swansea gave her a smile. “Thanks, kid.”
Anya heard the doors open behind her, and then running footsteps.
“Swansea, I looked in the toolbox but I couldn’t find the 11/16 and it isn’t on the desk in your room like you said it would be so I—” Daisuke skidded to a stop and looked at Anya, a pair of small wrenches in one hand. “Oh, Anya! Hey!”
“Hi, Daisuke.” Anya replied. “Just checking in.”
“Swansea’s not going to die, is he?” Daisuke joked.
Anya gave a soft laugh. “He’s fine. Actually, I came here to listen to the engine.”
“Did you bring your stethoscope?” Daisuke played along. “Usually Swansea and me are the ones who do engine checkups. Right, boss?”
Swansea grunted noncommittally. “Whaddya mean you couldn’t find the 11/16?”
“Well, I looked on your desk like you said, but it wasn’t there.” Daisuke said.
“Shit, you can’t do anything right, can you?” Swansea grumbled, pushing past Daisuke into the hall. “Come on, kid.”
Daisuke gave Anya a quick wave. “See you, Anya!”
“Good luck,” Anya said.
Daisuke responded with a wry smile before disappearing into the hall after his mentor.
Anya savoured the sound of the engine for a few more moments before turning and heading back into the hall.
Curly and Jimmy were in the lounge sitting at the table when Anya entered the room. Curly had a cup of coffee in front of him, and so did Jimmy. Given the bags under the latter’s eyes, it was likely the first of many.
“Hey, Anya.” Curly said. “How’s our favourite nurse, eh?”
Anya gave him a feeble smile. Curly’s usual cheeriness occasionally rubbed her the wrong way. He wasn’t a bad guy, she thought; they were just different.
“Hi, Captain.” She replied. “Hi, Jimmy.”
He nodded in her general direction before turning his attention back to Curly.
“Big day?” Anya asked.
“Nah, should be real quiet.” Curly replied. “We’re due to hit an asteroid field in a couple of days, but maneuvering around it should be a piece of cake. Nothing to worry about.”
“And you, Jimmy?” Anya asked, taking a mug out of the cabinet. “How is being a co-pilot?”
“Boring, mostly,” Jimmy replied, “But I can’t say I don’t enjoy it. Maybe things are starting to go right for me, at least a little.”
Curly gave him a wry sort of smile. Jimmy focused on his mug.
As always, Anya wasn’t quite sure what to make of Jimmy. He managed to keep surprising her, especially because he seemed to have such a bad attitude. He was a pessimist, but he seemed to keep it all inside and focus on his work instead. Sure, he was sarcastic, and he had a bit of a temper, but overall he seemed like a pretty decent guy.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Anya said, stirring creamer into her coffee. “And don’t worry. I won’t tell corporate you think the job is boring. Your psych eval will be all sunshine and rainbows.”
Jimmy’s mouth stretched into an ironic sort of smile, as though he didn’t think Anya’s joke was very funny at all.
“I won’t tell, either.” Curly smirked. That, at least, got a less frigid reaction.
Anya took her coffee into the hall. Sometimes Jimmy could be really confusing. She didn’t know what to make of him.
She sat at her desk in the medical bay and started sorting her reports. This needed a signature, this needed to be dated, this needed a follow-up report…
She didn’t mind her job, really. The paperwork was boring sometimes, but she managed. She really liked her work, looking after her crew and making sure they were in the best condition they could be.
Her crew. Anya smiled. Sometimes it did feel like they were hers somehow. They were her crewmates, her friends… maybe even her family. She knew she could trust any one of them if the need arose.
She glanced at the window and noticed that it had changed to the nighttime screen. It had gotten later than she’d anticipated.
Anya stacked the last file on top of her pile of documents and stretched. All her work was done for now, so tomorrow she would be able to spend more time exploring the ship and spending time with the crew.
She gave her desk a last once-over, then headed to her quarters to get some rest.