Eryn’s eyes darted from one futuristic looking contraption to the other. Walking slowly began to feel more natural the more she kept at it, and before long she went from an elderly shuffle to a mildly encumbered but dignified hobble.

Next to the dusty and eternally sandy facilities at Groom Lake, The medical facilities at Titan Station seemed like something out of a science fiction novel. Everything was clean, pristine and glistening. The facilities staff all wore one-piece uniforms that resembled hospital scrubs back home. For the most part she was ignored as she continued down the hall.

Occasionally Eyrn peeked back to check if she was being followed, but Nurse Talec and Dr. Leuron were nowhere in sight.

Eyrn’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. She wasn’t being followed? She was always followed. She could hardly sneak away to take a dump in peace, let alone meander down an inconspicuous hallway she wasn’t supposed to be meandering down, without an entourage of soldiers and other military personal charting her every move.

“Heh….” Eyrn smacked her lips and pried her eyes away from the door to the room she had exited, and set forward to the unexplored hallway.

A commotion could be heard coming from a room just off to Eyrn’s right. Her undying curiosity led her closer and closer, like a timid shrew Eyrn grasped the door frame and peeked her head in.

Eyrn’s eyes beheld a strange looking creature, it was about as tall as she was, with thick grey skin and stout strong limbs. It had four stubby digits on each hand and a short snout. Its skin was a dark green with a grey tinge, and it had a long slender tail. Its eyes were located on the sides of its head, and its attire was almost nonexistent. It had no visible genitalia of note, but a well-defined set of scaly ridges down its back. A long whip like tongue protruded quickly and licked one of its eyes, and then the other.

A nurse was approaching the creature, using abrasive, purposeful and determined gestures. She spoke loudly and maintained eye contact.

“This one will treat you now!” The Titan nurse spoke, nearly shouting.

“That is acceptable!” The lizard-like creature shouted back, its tail smoothing across the floor. It looked to be almost the child of a gecko and an alligator.

Eyrn backed away; she felt a presence behind her and turned sharply.

“When speaking with a Ler, one must remain confident, never look away when speaking, and always project your voice. It is considered rude to whisper….” Nurse Lorrayne smiled and set her hand on Eyrn’s shoulder.

“A-huh….” Eyrn nodded.

“They really are a pleasant species…but are prone to projecting poisonous barbs from their neck when frightened…so never approach one from behind….”

“Your arm is broken! I will fix it!” The Titan nurse shouted from inside the room.

“It was a glorious injury!” The Lizard like being, with its distinct hissy voice responded.

“Please hold still! This will not hurt a bit!” The nurse once again shouted angrily.

“Why do they always sound mad?” Eyrn backed away a little more, apprehensively.

“They often ask why we always sound so quiet and dispassionate….” The blue-haired nurse shrugged. Eyrn would have said she was Asian, but that seemed rather unlikely. She stood about a head taller than Eyrn and had odd, purple eyes that looked to be artificially colored. “All a matter of perspective really.”

“The pain will cease as I treat the injury!” The shouting commenced.

“A shame! It was glorious pain!”

“You will function better with a healed arm!”

“Smooth-skinned Titan is correct! I will accept puny medical assistance!”

Eyrn narrowed her eyes, she wasn’t sure which was stranger, the odd shouting Godzilla gecko…or the funny-looking, purple-eyed, blue-haired nurse.

“It’s good to see you up and about? How are you feeling?” Nurse Lorrayne smiled.

Eyrn smiled somewhat forced, and offered a casual shrug. “My head hurts and I feel heavy and sluggish…but I guess I’m okay.”

“It must be a lot to take in eh? I mean, being raised by savages…this must all seem so strange!” The chipper nurse spoke innocently enough, even if her words were poorly chosen.

Eyrn simply gave her head a slight alarmed shake and let her jaw hang agape. She didn’t quite know how to respond to that.

“I…er…yea….”Eyrn stifled a laugh and pushed past the Nurse and continued down the hall. To her annoyance, Lorrayne followed.

“What was it like? Being alone and lost, not knowing where you came from or what were? Was it scary? I can’t imagine being raised by -humans-…what was that even like?” There was an amused but highly curious tone to the Nurses voice.

Eyrn gritted her teeth and kept walking, she was driven by fury to push past the awkward heavy feeling.

“Oh, well you know…I made it work somehow.” Eyrn attempted to sound pleasant, but her annoyance was dripping like molasses from her voice.

“No parents, no relatives…nothing but teeny little savage humans…you’re such an inspiration….”

Eyrn turned on her heel and narrowed her eyes bitterly. “My mother’s name was Marcy! She had chestnut-brown hair and was a refined and dignified lady! She loved tea, and read me stories and called me ‘dumpling!’ My father was Zebulon Fitzgerald and he had more honor and pride in his little finger than anyone I’ve met here so far! They loved me and cared for me like their own, you Kool Aid-haired hippie! My father was a gentleman and scholar and a pioneer! And don’t you forget it! Call my family a band of savages one more time! One more time!”

Lorrayne’s stunned expression was all the response Eyrn cared to receive. The petite Titan didn’t wait around long enough to entertain anything further.

Eyrn came to the end of the hall and turned left. She made her way down it, her anger and frustration blinding her. How could she come from such a terrible race of monsters!? This couldn’t be where she came from, the stuff she was made of?

A flood of thoughts distracted Eyrn from paying attention to where she was going. Her father had often told her that her size was not the measure of her. She was more than the sum of her height and weight. Her mother always encouraged her to be herself, and to never be ashamed of who and what she was.

But that is precisely what she felt right now: Ashamed and embarrassed. If her mother and father had known what sort of creature she was, the sort of place she came from, what would they have thought? Would they have been able to accept her still?

Her thoughts fell to Darren. He was her caretaker. He had always been strict, but fair and kind. He didn’t deserve to be stuck in the world he found himself in, either.

“It’s her!” A strange voice called, and Eyrn snapped to attention.

“It’s the wild girl!” Another excited voice shouted.

“Wow! Is that really her! Look how small and little she is!” One voice roared above the crowed

Eyrn’s eyes went wide at the sight, at least two dozen, maybe more. Mostly Titans, male and female, but a few of the blue fish people, and even one of the loud lizard like people could be seen in the mosh of people.

The crowd advanced on her with lightning speed. Eyrn backed herself up against a wall and cringed as she was approached from all sides.

“What was it like?”

“Can you talk? Do you speak Galactic Archavian?”

“Is it true they eat their young?”

“Did they worship you?”

“How did you get there? What was it like?”

“What does it feel like to finally be back to civilized society?”

“Can you sign my data pad?”

“Can I get a picture with you?”

“Was it hard to tame all those wild humans?”

“Will you miss being a savage?”

“Did you ever make out with one of them? What was it like?”

The mish-mash of voices began to meld into one intangible mess. Eyrn pressed herself against the cold metallic wall. They were so close, all of them! So huge! A wall of chests and necklines cornering her against the wall. Trapped like a rat!

Eyrn’s breathing began to quicken, her face went white and her palms sweaty. She swallowed repeatedly and felt a metallic taste in her mouth. She wanted to scream, but she couldn’t, she wanted to run, but she was stuck, she wanted to be anywhere but here!

“Wild girl! Over here! Can I get a picture?”

“Hey! Hey wild girl! Why are you so short!?”

“Wild girl!”

“Wild girl!”

“Hey wild girl!”

A loud siren like horn sound off, followed by a deep surly gruff voice that broke through the crowd.

“Alright you lot! This is a hospital, not the Grand Royal Players! Get on now! Shoo!”

Eyrn’s eyes searched for the source belonging to the thick masculine voice. As the crowd began to disperse, a thick barrel-chested man with graying hair and a uniform that looked almost military broke through and approached her slowly.

“You alright miss?” The man said, keeping a respectable distance.

Eyrn, who was still in fight or flight mode simple nodded, looking the man over, with spastic and jerky movements.

“Easy now…breathe…are you supposed to be this far out of your room?” the older man spoke with a grin.

Eyrn had managed to meander so far, she had likely found herself in the midst of one of the common rooms of the station’s hospital.

“Can ya speak?” The man asked softly.

“Y…yes.” Eyrn whispered.

“And what’s yer name then?” He asked next.

“E…eyrn.” She whispered.

“I’m Peacekeeper Kir Oden, do you need help getting back to your room?” Kir asked.

Eyrn nodded meekly, studying her feet.

***

Izzy sat against the windowpane and looked out at the swirling white psychedelic blur that greeted her. She was moving at speeds Einstein insisted was impossible, in a spacecraft society had told her didn’t exist, in the company of beings far too outlandish be real.

And yet, she felt at peace.

Isabel could hear the rustling of her acquaintance made roommate as she moved about in the distance. Even a room away, Junior Crewmate Lauryna Gwenn’s presence could not be ignored.

Maybe she was teeny, just a small mouse of a woman in relation to her own kind, maybe Lauryna wasn’t all that big at all, but to Izzy she was no less than a goddess. A terrifying, benevolent goddess. It was all Izzy could think about. Not her family, her friends, her career, those who would never know what happened to her on that fateful night out in the Nevada Desert.

Just Lauryna Gwenn, the gigantic alien woman whose grace and goodwill was all that was keeping her alive.

“So…I used some rations to fabricate you come nightwear, wasn’t sure if you liked to sleep au naturale or not but….” Lauryna’s soft and melodic voice broke Izzy from her trance.

“Oh?” Izzy turned and watched her roommate come into view. From the distance Lauryna almost seemed normal, but once she closed the gap, that same chilling realization came back. It didn’t matter how long Isabel Ibanez had worked with Eyrn, it was not something she would ever completely get used to.

“Yeah, but I had to guess on the size.” Lauryna sat on the armchair under the window and rested her arm on its back, handing the newly-fabricated clothes to Izzy.

“They’re…pink?” Izzy smiled, attempting to remain grateful.

“Yea…I wasn’t sure what you wanted…maybe should have asked first…sorry?” Lauryna winced and smiled hopefully.

Lauryna herself was wearing a simple white pair of underpants and a sleeveless matching tee shirt. Her legs, much like the rest of her, was milky white, likely due to her prolonged time in space and lack of sunlight. Most of the crew was on the pale side, Izzy had noticed.

“No, it’s okay. I appreciate the gesture.” Izzy eyed the one-piece pink sleeper with a bemused smile.

“Its a scaled down replica of standard issue sleeping attire…I normally don’t wear mine as…well I think there a little warm.” Lauryna twirled her finger nervously through her hair.

“Are they normally pink?” Izzy chuckled as she ran her finger over the Imperial naval insignia that was present on the sleeper’s chest.

“Well…no…that much was my own doing. I thought you might like it?” Lauryna smiled hopefully once more.

“Heh, pink really isn’t my color….” Izzy looked up to the hopeful and desperate glaze of her ginormic companion. It was almost adorable, how eager Lauryna was to please. “But these look comfortable…so thanks!” Izzy smiled, genuinely.

Lauryna lit up and bounced a little. She re adjusted herself in the chair and rested her chin on the window ledge.

“So, um….” Lauryna searched for something to say.

“Is this glass? Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” Izzy questioned as she tapped the clear circular window that gave her a view into space.

“Oh? That? No, actually it’s a synthetic reinforced alloy — stronger than you’d think. You’re perfectly safe.” Lauryna smiled.

“Ah….” Izzy nodded. The tension was thick in the air

“Look, I’m really sorry about all this. I know it may not mean much, but I honestly didn’t intend for this to happen.” Lauryna spoke quickly. She sounded ashamed, disappointed even.

“I know.” Izzy whispered. She wasn’t trying to guilt her new host, but it was a lot to take in. “It’s not so rough…knowing Darren and Eyrn are out there. I don’t feel so alone, ya know.” Izzy smiled weakly.

“Mmhm! And Izzy, you know…this doesn’t have to be all formal and official…I know I was ‘ordered’ to take care of you so it might feel that way but…I would have anyhow. I mean, this isn’t a chore or anything for me…I don’t mind at all, okay?” Lauryna fumbled over her words.

Izzy chuckled, for a goddess, Lauryna sure was adorably demure. “Well, that makes me feel a little better. I don’t want to be a burden or anything.” Izzy looked away towards the window.

“Izzy…can I be honest for a second?” Lauryna spoke up tentatively.

“Sure.” Izzy looked back suddenly.

“I’ve had more than a few ‘pet’ humans in my lifetime…but you’re the first…er…friend…human…I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. So, this is new, and at the same time terrifying. I’m gonna need your help okay? It’s a learning experience, and I can’t promise I won’t make a mistake or two along the way…but…I just want you to know…I meant it when I said you weren’t a pet, ok?”

Izzy looked pensive and sullen for a second, and then without warning began to chuckle.

Lauryna frowned anxiously. “What? No I mean it…I didn’t mean to….”

“No, nono it’s not that. I was gonna say ‘well you’re the first giant building-sized friend I’ve had’ and then it hit me…you’re not!” Izzy’s chuckling became a belly laugh. “It’s kinda funny, I have more experience with this than you do!” Izzy laughed a bit more, and turned to face Lauryna, who was also smiling, and let a reserved giggle escape.

“I guess you do!” Lauryna’s expression relaxed and she held back her urge to scoop Izzy up and coddle her. The giantess’ face however gave away her sentiment.

“Will we be able to contact them? To, uh, let them know I’m here and all?” Izzy changed the subject quickly. She was no stranger to smothering Titan hugs…and Lauryna was visibly larger and far more affectionate then Eyrn. She didn’t want to bring on a cuddle attack!

“Oh? Right! Well we can, yes! Actually I can help you with that right now if you like?” Lauryna set her hand palm up before Izzy and smiled hospitably.

Izzy eyed the offered palm. There was really no point in being reserved or hesitant. She would have to learn to place a great deal of trust in her new companion. Hand travel was going to likely become a common affair. So without reservation, or at least with as little reservation as she could muster, Izzy hopped aboard and positioned herself in the center.

“It’s really as simple as pushing a button!” Lauryna stood, holding her hand before her chest.

“It’s not expensive? Like long distance or something?” Izzy felt the signature wobble that came with riding palm on a Titan. That at least she had grown used to long before her time with Lauryna.

“Huh? No it doesn’t cost anything. Short-range communication is no big deal aboard a star ship. Every member of the crew has access to monitored long- and short-range communications. We are not too far from Titan station, so it’s no big deal at all.” Lauryna sat at her desk and set Izzy beside her computer terminal.

“Heh, and I thought I had a good long distance plan!” Izzy laughed.

Lauryna fiddled with the screen, and before long a Titan male could be seen on the other end.

“Hey Jax, I’d like to make an outgoing call to Titan station, do I have clearance?” Lauryna asked casually.

“Ummm, yup, don’t see why not. You have plenty of comm time left this cycle. All clear!” Communications officer Jax responded, with a smile of his own.

“Thanks Jax!” Lauryna’s face lit up as she entered more information into the terminal.

“Just waiting on the other end…it could take anywhere from a few seconds to….”

“Titan station dispatch, how can I direct you?” A female face appeared on screen, middle aged with tan skin and black hair.

“Infirmary please?” Lauryna said. She had a very social and pleasing voice. She was upbeat and chipper, but professional.

Izzy watched as Lauryna flipped through the different menu prompts and dealt with various different Titans on the other end. Eventually she came to a red haired Titan woman in blue scrubs.

“Talec speaking, how can I help you?” The woman on the other end spoke in a hurried tone.

“Hello, this is Junior Crewmate Lauryna Gwenn of the Gyfjon. I was calling to check up on the patient we dropped off recently?” Lauryna asked with a polite demeanor.

“Oh? Actually she is asleep. Wasn’t expecting her to have any incoming calls, so we didn’t set up a terminal in her room. Was there a problem, Miss Gwenn?” Nurse Talec spoke with caution.

“No, not at all, I was just concerned is all.” Lauryna was careful with just how much information she wanted to divulge. She sent a curious glance down to Izzy before looking up to Nurse Talec. “Is her…eh…human friend, awake?” Lauryna held her composure.

“You, want to talk to her pet?” Talec asked, bemused.

“Actually I would, yes.” Lauryna spoke with a straight face.

There was a heavy sigh on the other end as Nurse Talec vanished from sight.

Lauryna looked down to Izzy and winced a little. Izzy was technically a stowaway, and Lauryna wasn’t sure it was a good idea to alert anyone outside of the Gyfjon to her presence.

“Alright, he was awake. But please make this quick, this is a priority channel you know!” Talec sighed and brought her hand into view. Centered was Master Sergeant Darren Avery.

“Good’afternoon, and how can I help ya?” Darren spoke, not having lost his wit and signature Texan charm just yet.

“Darren!” Izzy shouted and nearly crawled over Lauryna’s arm to come into view.

“Sweet bloody Mary! Ibanez?” Darren’s eyes went wide, he crawled to the edge of the Nurse’s palm, if he could have crawled through the screen he would have!

“Sarge, it’s good to see you!” Izzy smiled, a lot more than she had figured she would. She felt a deep sense of relief just talking to someone she knew. A friend, another human!

“Izzy ah…what’n…how’d you…Izzy!” Darren, for once was at a loss for words.