Chapter Text
Cause and effect.
Possibly the most simple rule of the universe.
You do something and it makes something else happen, right? Easy. It's only when you want the effect to be a certain way that things get complicated.
And that's the basis of any science really. Just finding ways to get a desired effect from your actions. There's a beautiful order to it. Rules. Frameworks. It's what I like so much about it. If you know the rules you can do anything...within reason.
So what do you do if all you know is the effect...and not the cause? That's when chaos bleeds into the system...and it all starts to crumble.
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I was staring at the sky.
Well I guess...the programmed projection of a sky actually.
Not important.
What was important was the fact I had no idea why I was staring at the sky.
I just blinked and tried to think...an act that was surprisingly slow.
Ok, Grace, think, what were you doing last thing you DO remember?
I was heading to class.
That's right, I was heading to class early to set up the activities I had in mind...and...then...I started feeling really tired. I sat down to rest briefly.
Now I was staring up at the sky from my back, flat on the sand dusted platform I used as my classroom.
Had I...fallen asleep?
Suddenly a large xenonite encrusted rock leaned over into my view, blocking out the artificial sunlight. No, not a rock...an Eridian. A familiar one. They were black and white with a sandstone like texture like someone had taken pepper and mixed it into a salt shaker. They also kind of looked like one of those stones you find on a beach that is perfect for skipping.
I didn't tell them that part when I named them.
~Savior-Grace, question? You have...not responded for some time. Are you well, question?~ They sounded nervous. Pepper was not a doctor or any kind of medical expert...just eyes and ears...metaphorically speaking of course. They were a member of my care team who regularly monitored my Dome activity in case something unusual happened.
Something like me passing out on my classroom floor...for example.
They were also the one who hit the emergency alarm during the Dome breach and likely saved me life.
I groaned and lifted my hand, my right at first which made me huff briefly as I was reminded that I didn't have one anymore, and then my left to rub at my eyes under my glasses which were still amazingly secured on my face. I wondered if Pepper fixed them for me first.
"I'm ok, Pepper. Sorry if I scared you. I guess I was more tired than I thought I was."
~Savior-Grace sleeping, question?~ They sounded confused as they rotated their carapace slightly and tapped to take in their surroundings, ~Is not safe place for sleep. Cannot watch properly here.~
That was what they were officially before they volunteered to be here. A Sleep Watcher. They worked in places where Thrums and other important official business was done. Places where the Eridians inside would be spending long amounts of time, unable to return home for their sleep cycles. So they would leave and go to a designated space where a Sleep Watcher was assigned to watch them sleep. There were also Sleep Watchers who manned stations along long transit routes.
Sounded simple but it was immensely important to the functions of their society. It also meant they were trustworthy beyond all reproach. There was no higher position of trust than a Sleep Watcher. Accusing a Sleep Watcher of anything was a huge deal. If you messed up you didn't get fired from this kind of job...you got imprisoned.
Pepper had been a volunteer for the Astrophage task force on Erid and had actually asked to join the crew in space as their assigned Sleep Watcher...but another had been chosen instead. Now they were here. I was quietly glad. They were too good to die of space radiation.
Besides...being the personal Sleep Watcher for Erid's only resident alien and their savior at that was a pretty huge honor.
"No, you're right." I said as I pushed myself upright. I was expecting something to happen. Maybe I'd get dizzy...but...no. I felt fine. Still a bit fatigued and my back twinged as I pulled myself off of the hard surface but...nothing something caffeinated wouldn't fix.
"I'm fine. Promise. Do you think you could fetch me some coffee though?"
Pepper hummed, ~Savior-Grace has already had their allotted caffeine ration for the day...~
I sighed heavily. The fact humans couldn't perfectly regulate their bodily needs to what we need to consume...and tended to overindulge in stimulants that damage our bodies...made the Eridians a little over controlling when it came to my nutritional needs.
~Pepper does not have authority to give extra rations...~ Their claws were clicking nervously.
I knew that. I shouldn't have put them in that position.
"It's ok. Don't worry about it. I'll live."
~Good good good! Yes! Must live! Look very bad on Pepper if Savior-Grace die while they watch.~
I chuckled slightly, "It's a human phrase. It means I'm accepting that I can't have something, I'm not happy but it won't hurt me."
~Oh! I like! Yes yes, human phrase. Pepper will remember!~
Did I just give an Eridian a vocal stim?
Wouldn't be the first time.
"Help me up." I said and Pepper didn't even hesitate to put their own carapace under my hand and wrap a claw behind my back to help support me as I stood up. I was a little bit lightheaded as I stood but it faded after a minute. There was that bit of shaky tingling energy throughout my body that reminded me of a sugar low...but...that shouldn't have been possible after I had already eaten my morning meal and vitamin supplements.
I shook it off and pushed it aside. I had things to do. I could worry about this later.
"I'm ok now, Pepper, you can go."
~Yes. Will return to Watch station unless Savior-Grace need help again. Will update Doctor-Pearl when they are available.~
"Oh no, that's ok. I'm fine! I promise!"
~Yes yes yes. Believe Savior-Grace believes is true...will let Doctor-Pearl decide final, statement.~
I sighed dramatically, "Fine!"
I stretched, hearing my spine give a few crackling pops as I did so.
Pepper made a familiar sound of disgust which made me smirk as I let my arms drop to my sides, "Alrighty...I'll see you after class, Pepper. Thank you for checking on me. Always appreciated."
Pepper waved to me with a back leg as they scuttled away across the sand. I looked down at my watch and hissed, “Ah...shi-oot.”
I’d lost an entire hour...I was going to have to do the rest of the setup in a hurry if I wanted it done before anyone started to show up.
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I was finishing up the Light portion of my class which had always been my favorite. I’d gotten help this time from my new “make Grace feel less like a zoo animal” morale team to mix and provide colored paints for the pebbles to have access to, thick enough to provide texture on the surfaces it was placed. Each bucket labeled in Eridian so the pebbles would know what light spectrum each contained even if they couldn’t see it.
There were thick boards provided for each pebble to paint on themselves as well as various tools...though many were choosing to simply use their own claws. When they were done they would all be broken up into puzzle pieces to be put back together by me as a full larger collage...over time. When finished the completed board would be framed and hung in the tunnel leading to the classroom with all the students names on it.
I was not expecting to get any of these large puzzles finished any time soon...I was not expecting many intact cohesive images that would be easy to match together.
It would certainly keep me busy, that was sure.
They were currently hard at work doing just that...and the silence was...impressive.
Eridian pebbles were rarely silent unless they were intensely focused.
It was a relief if I was to be honest. Whatever had affected me earlier was still hanging over me heavily. My eyes burned and I was starting to get a headache. Maybe I hadn’t slept well the previous night? It hadn’t seemed it…
A sudden cacophony of trills and honks sounded in the class room and jerked my head up.
One of the pebbles, a smaller one I called Jay, so named for their black ringed bright blue carapace, was dancing around on another larger Pebbles board with all five feet dipped in different colors.
~No no no! That my board! Get away! You’re ruining it!!~ The larger pebble, named Penny, yelled in protest. He flailed his legs in distress as Jay trilled with laughter. Penny was a rather unique looking Eridian. He looked like a living raw amber colored citrine, even the edges of his carapace were somewhat translucent. It was a rare genetic trait.
When pebbles first hatch their carapace is completely semi translucent. Less dense. This allowed their parents to see their organs and internal structures in order to better track their health. They were also incredibly vulnerable during this stage in their lives and kept in their nests until their first molt. Normally the carapace fully hardens into it’s full density after the first molt...but Eridians with Penny’s trait kept the translucent layer over top of their normal carapace.
A harmless aesthetic mutation...kind of like humans and red hair.
~Improving! You too serious! Have more fun!~ Jay trilled.
~My fun not in question! Go away!~ Penny trilled back.
I stood up, “Hey! Everyone please keep to your own boards! Jay...think of how you would feel if someone damaged your hard work.”
Jay leapt off of Penny’s board and returned to his own...faster than I expected.
~Apology apology, Savior-Grace. Jay won’t do it again!~
“Uh...ok. Thanks. Good.” I blinked and stared at him for a moment.
My teacher senses were tingling.
“Penny, would you like a new board?”
~Yes, thank. Jay is very mean mean mean.~ Penny said...again...a little too quickly.
“Uh huh. Tinsel could you put Penny’s ruined board in the recycle box and fetch him a new one, please?”
Tinsel had already passed this class but had returned to serve as a student assistant. Since she now had her own xenonite suit she could come and go from my atmosphere as well as attend classes she’d normally miss. She was currently enjoying her own paint board which had not existed when she had first attended the class, but she popped up immediately.
~Yes!~ and she ran over to take the old board and moved it towards the recycle box...but while I turned my head I kept my focus on her through my peripheral. She was very clearly dropping it behind the box...and not into it.
Oh, so this was a full on operation they had going here.
As she took out a blank board and gave it to Penny I turned my back on them completely. With my back still turned I spoke, “Soooo...how were you planning on getting the paint out with you?”
Instant silence. Not even the sound of feet painting.
~...How did he know?~ one of the pebbles in the room whispered.
~...He doesn’t know...how could he?~ Another replied.
My mind instantly filled in the blanks with a silent ‘He’s gonna know’ and the remembered meme made me almost break character. Whelp...time for every adult humans favorite pass time. Telling children harmless lies as a means of control.
“I’m a teacher. Teachers know everything.” I said as I turned back.
~...Eridian teachers don’t.~ One of them mumbled.
“Well, human teachers do. It’s why they choose us. It’s a gift. So, keep that in mind next time you try to pull a fast one on me.” I said, smiling and keeping my tone light.
“It’s ok guys, if you wanted an extra one to take home you only had to ask.”
I’d barely even gotten the words out of my mouth before multiple pebbles were jumping up and down and trilling eagerly. They were also...getting paint...everywhere. Not that it really mattered much. They couldn’t see the difference as starkly as I could and it gave the room more character.
~Yesyesyes, want keep!~ Penny cried and went to fetch the hidden board, clutching it protectively.
~You like my claw marks!~ Jay teased with a happy trill.
~I do! Claws pretty shapes!~ Penny said to which Jay made jazz hands and wiggled happily.
~Happy happy happy! You keep!~
Awww! The scene was so tooth rottingly cute that I almost forgot my growing migraine.
The rest of the class passed with little fanfare and most of the pebbles left with at least one extra board painted to keep at home.
I was glad...because I was exhausted. I had no reason to be but for some reason that class had taken so much out of me. The thought of having to walk home across sand...was not a happy one. What was I thinking when I asked to live on a beach on a planet with twice my usual gravity?
I hate past me with a burning passion right now.
But it didn’t burn as much as my shins did by the time I got back to my house.
As I opened the door the only thing I could think about was falling face first into my bed and taking a nap…
...unfortunately what I walked into was Doctor-Pearl waiting for me, medical tools laid out across the table.
I groaned, “Oh...you got Pepper’s report huh.”
Pearl made an affronted honk, ~Report? Pepper say Grace pass out on classroom floor! Statement!~
“I fell asleep. I didn’t pass out.” I tried though the argument fell flat since I barely believed it myself.
~Sit!~ They demanded, pointing at the chair next to the table with one claw.
“Ok ok. I really am just a bit tired today. I must not have slept well. I feel fine otherwise.”
~Pearl will be judge, statement. Arm out.~
I winced and reluctantly held my arm out across the table as Armando’s robot arms came down from their tracks to gently hold my wrist.
~Armando, full blood panel, request.~
Without the Mary’s computer Armando couldn’t verbally confirm orders but it had been programmed to understand Eridian commands since it had been moved and the arms quickly went to work. I just sat there and pretended I was anywhere else. I practiced the breathing techniques I’d been taught as the needle pricked my arm...and then it was done. The second my arm was released I jerked it away...wishing not for the first time that I had another hand to rub it with.
There was nothing but awkward silence as Pearl worked with their various tools to read the test results. They gave a low hum which I couldn’t quite get a full read on.
“So, am I dying? Give it to me straight.” I joked, they didn’t seem to notice.
~Concerning.~
Oh…
“Concerning how?”
~Moderate Vitamin deficiencies and elevated white blood cell count.~
Well that couldn’t be good. I instinctively tried to view the results on his texture tablet but couldn’t make much sense of what I was seeing. I may have had a doctorate in biology...but I wasn’t a medical doctor to be able to identify what exactly this meant in a systemic sense.
The white blood cell count being elevated was a no brainer. My immune system was reacting to something. The what was a complete mystery. My wounds were fully healed and I’d been promised that my Dome had been fully sanitized of all potential microbes after the breach...what could I possibly be...oh.
“Could the white blood cell count be left over from...the implant rejection?” It would make sense for my immune system to be up in arms. My prosthetic arm was technically completed. The arm itself was Xenonite and mostly resembled my old arm...but with a three fingered hand that more closely resembled an Eridians claws. I didn’t mind less fingers, even Earth prosthetics usually went the three grip option.
It was cutting edge in every way mixing alien and human technology could be, designed to interact with my muscles and nerves to allow me full movement. For that though it needed a surgical anchor to attach to. This had led to a deep dive into understanding my immune system, a thing completely foreign to Eridians who utilized extreme temperature and a fully closed system to deal with biological threats.
I had to explain allergic reactions...and it was a good thing I did. They decided to insert a small piece of Xenonite in the intended spot to see how my body would react to it.
The answer? Not well. Not only had my immune system gone completely haywire panic mode...it had also started to break it down into Xenon chemicals and THAT had not been pleasant by any means. Xenon does not belong inside the human body. Not only did it try to knock me out like I was being drugged...it caused significant tissue damage around the implant site before they removed it.
They were now debating removing some materials from the Hail Mary to create a different anchor using Earth materials with the hope being that my body would be less likely to reject it. I had to explain that implant rejection was still very much a thing on Earth so I might still have a negative reaction, but at least it wasn’t going to poison me at the same time.
The engineers were not as familiar with using Earth alloys to build so it was taking longer to perfect the new anchor.
~Hmm possible, yes. Human immune system...very reactive. Will monitor.~
The vitamin deficiencies...that was...more concerning. It would explain why I was so tired though. Smart as I was I just wasn’t seeing how anything beyond neglect would lead to this so quickly.
“How could my vitamin levels be so low?”
~Do not know. Does not make sense. Grace eating all provided rations as directed.~
“A supply line issue maybe?”
~Grace think food synthesizers committing sabotage? Question? Is serious accusation, statement.~
“What? No no no, nothing on purpose! Of course not!” I waved my hand in an attempt to emphasize.
~Hmmm...equipment malfunction? Some other mistake? Could be. Will have rations checked for nutrition levels to make sure. Will give extra for tonight until find supply problem.~
Now that he mentioned it...I was pretty hungry. More than I usually was at this time.
“That would be great, thanks.”
He tapped out commands on a wall tablet and the delivery system, basically a dumb waiter, brought in a container with my usual dinner rations...as well as double the usual vitamin tablets. The tablets reminded me of those peanut shaped marshmallow candies in texture...if a bit more chalky in flavor. There was a good reason I had restricted access to them.
I’d absolutely accidentally poison myself like a child with unguarded access to Flintstones gummies given half the chance.
They were the closest thing I had to my favorite snacks back on Earth.
~I leave you to eat now. Will return in morning to check levels again.~ Pearl explained as they gathered up their tools and packed them away in a satchel that they placed in the open dumb waiter to be stored in a human safe environment until they needed them again.
I nodded and lifted my hand to wave a goodbye. I would wait until they were safely out of hearing range before I started eating. It was only polite, after all.
Once I was done, far too soon for my bodies liking, I settled in my nest. After Rocky, Adrian, and I decided to become Mates the house underwent some renovations. Where my bed once sat alone...was now something more akin to those old 70’s conversation pits where the couch was built into an indent on the floor. Only instead of couches it was a giant bed built in a crescent shape around a dome of Xenonite where Rocky and Adrian could also sleep or relax.
It was still early so the bed dome was empty...but I was too tired to wait on either of them tonight like I usually would.
As I got myself settled in my piles of blankets and pillows I heard the bed domes airlock hiss and a familiar black and white Eridian took a loafing position on the other side of the Xenonite barrier.
~Grace sleep early?~ Pepper asked.
“Yeah, I’m beat.”
~Is ok. Pepper watch until Mates arrive.~
“Thanks, bud…” I said...already drifting away.
~Is Pepper honor. Rest now.~
The next morning...I woke up sick.