Eternal Legacy

“The media? No, I haven’t actually….”

X’s disposition turns very, very meek.

“Oh no X…X!” Alia shakes him, and receiving no response, she takes him into her arms and starts out of the room and towards the medical bay, “Out of the way”

“M…my room?” Alia blushed slightly, not for the fact that she’d be alone with X in her room, but the fact that her room looked like it had just been through several natural disasters. She didn’t want him seeing the mess she actually lived in!

But…looking at him and how badly he’d taken the last mission…she decided to set her pride aside and place him first and foremost, “R-right.” What was a little scolding later?

Gently, she helped him to her own quarters, which weren’t much further than X’s anyway. She opened the door and shuffled with him to the couch. Thank goodness the disaster wasn’t as great in this area…

As she sat him on the couch, X let his guard down some, beginning to visible shiver. At the kiss to his cheek, he was reminded that there was a trustworthy presence in the room with him, and allowed himself to lean against her shoulder, staring off into space with wide, trembling eyes.

“I...” X’s voice came a hoarse whisper at first, before he swallowed thickly and began speaking a little louder, “I...was assigned to look into a...operation we’ve been keeping out of the public...”

He coughed twice, before wetting his lips so that he may simply continue speaking at all.

“Oh no X…X!” Alia shakes him, and receiving no response, she takes him into her arms and starts out of the room and towards the medical bay, “Out of the way”

“I do know what you’ve been hit by, X. That’s why I’m worrying.” She continued to provide support for him, helping him stay on his feet, “Can’t you at least get yourself looked at?”

She gently adjusted him, looking him over. There was no doubt that he was tired, especially after the beating he just took. Maybe some rest before getting looked at by a medic would be good.

“Alright, but...”

“N-Not my quarters. Please. I can’t... I can’t give a debriefing right now. They’ll look for me there first.”

He tilts his head to look Alia in the eye. Something about this mission has been particularly taxing on him, and not in terms of physical damages. His eyes have no spark to them, and the vibrant hue of his artificial skin seemed almost grayed...his vitality had been sucked away, leaving him seeming feeble -- almost helpless, exhausted and desperate to get away for a bit.

No government facilities could treat this. Only a tender hand could.

“Oh no X…X!” Alia shakes him, and receiving no response, she takes him into her arms and starts out of the room and towards the medical bay, “Out of the way”

X gently pushes against her as he tries to stand upright, giving a hearty cough.

“Sickbay resources are spread enough as is...” He takes a few stumbling steps, attempting to gain some independent distance. “You...know what I’ve been hit by; I’m fine.”

A heavy sigh.

But guys. Be realistic. If we figured out a way to mass produce reploids?

“Well, Alia, I didn’t want to be blunt, but--

You two bring this up at least twice a week. Nnnot counting weekends, because honestly, when you’ve had a bit much to drink, hoo boy...”