ILLUMINARRPG: (6 - 1032) ACSO Ensign jg Zara Khatri

[Zara Khatri]

Mission: Exogenesis
Day 6
Stardate: 2446.06.06

(USS Illuminar - Isolation Ward - ACSO Ensign jg Zara Khatri - 1032)

Yevan was getting worse.  Her hearing was almost gone and she was nearly blind.  Like a raging specter, the Andorian engineer was possessed by a high fever requiring constant treatment.  Any food eaten was regurgitated back out.  Her antennae had stopped moving.

Zara was so terrified, it made her stomach churn.  Only able to imagine how her strickened friend felt, it was to the point where Zara was holding her hand, never leaving her side.  To talk, Zara had to be centimeters from Yevan's ear.

"I see her," said Yevan, only able to whisper.  "She's more beautiful than I imagined."  A smile spread across her blue lips.

"Who?  Who do you see?"  Zara looked around the room, but saw only other patients and medical personnel in protective gear.

"The Earth Guardian,"  Yevan was still smiling.

"Tell me about her," said Zara.

Yevan paused, licking her lips.  "My people... have no..."  She coughed.

"Do you want some ice chips?" said Zara.

Yevan slowly shook her head.  "We don't know where we came from."  Yevan paused to gulp several deep breaths.  "There's nothing in nature or the fossil record of our origins."  Yevan closed her eyes.

After a few moments, Zara thought Yevan was sleeping until she felt a tighter grip on her hand.

"Stay with me."

"I'm not going anywhere."  A feeling of dread was beginning to take Zara.  It was like the dancing, haunting shadows chasing a lost child in the forest in the darkest of nights.  It took all Zara's strength to hold back her tears.

"The ancient beliefs say we're from... we're from... the First Kin.  Four Guardians."

"Yours is the Earth Guardian?" said Zara, her own voice now a whisper.

"Mine... the zhen... the Earth Guardian."

Zara didn't know if Yevan was aware of her anymore.  Clutching Yevan's hand in both of hers, Zara leaned close, their faces almost touching.

"We... the zhen... carry the baby.  Nurture...  teach... very spiritual.  Now I..."  A tear rolled down Yevan's cheek, landing on Zara's hands.  "Never will"

A large gasp escaped Yevan.  In it, Zara could feel sorrow and regret so strong, it was almost something she could actually touch.

"Yevan?  Yevan?"  Zara shook her friend's hand.  "Yevan!"  Panic was her voice now.  "Yevan?"

"Yevan."

Normally strong and unfazed by adversity, Zara's entire being; body, soul, spirit, and anything else she was, crumbled in grief and loss so unbearable, she fell upon Yevan's breast, weeping like she never knew was possible.

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(posted by Mary Lou)