Chapter : 4
Tittle : Leaving the Ghost behind
__________________________
A heavy silence hung in the shuttle as Maya cradled the feverish Elara. The little girl whimpered softly, her small body radiating heat even through Maya's environmental suit. The image of Elara's mother, her final act of love, was etched in Maya's mind, a stark reminder of the precious life now in their care.
In-Guk piloted the shuttle back towards the Stardust Drifter, his usual stoicism tinged with a palpable sorrow. The devastation outside the viewport seemed even more oppressive now, knowing that individuals like Elara's mother had endured such unimaginable hardship.
"Her temperature is rising," Maya said, her voice filled with concern. "We need to get her back to the Drifter. We have some basic medical supplies there."
Eunwoo's voice crackled over the comms. "We're ready for your return. The atmospheric conditions are deteriorating rapidly. We need to leave orbit soon if we want to avoid getting trapped."
The shuttle docked with the Drifter, the magnetic seals hissing into place. Maya carefully carried Elara inside, followed closely by In-Guk. Ana rushed to meet them, her eyes widening with concern as she saw the small, frail child in Maya's arms.
"Oh, no... what happened?" Ana whispered, her usual playful demeanor completely gone.
"We found her... with her mother," Maya explained, her voice catching. She couldn't bring herself to say more.
Eunwoo quickly guided them towards the small medical bay. "Lay her down here. Let's see what we can do." He began scanning Elara with a handheld device, his brow furrowed. "High fever, signs of dehydration... and some kind of respiratory infection, likely exacerbated by the pollutants."
Time was critical. Not only was Elara's health deteriorating, but the dying planet outside was becoming increasingly hostile. The weight of their decision to answer the distress call now felt heavier than ever. They had saved one life, but the cost was precious time, time they desperately needed to reach their only hope for the future.
As Eunwoo worked to stabilize Elara, Maya looked back at the swirling brown clouds of Earth visible through the Drifter's viewport. A profound sense of loss washed over her, mingled with a fierce protectiveness for the small child now relying on them.
Their journey had just begun, and it was already stained with the tragedy of a dying world and the heavy responsibility of carrying its future in their hands.
The Stardust Drifter broke free of Earth's gravitational pull, beginning its slow drift into the deep expanse of space. Through the main viewport, they watched as their former home, shrouded in a brown-grey haze, dwindled in size – a dying ghost fading into the darkness.
Inside the medical bay, Elara lay quietly on the bio-bed, her breathing still shallow but her fever slightly reduced. Eunwoo monitored her vital signs closely.
Maya sat gently beside the bed, stroking Elara's small hand. The little girl's eyes still held a trace of fear and confusion, occasionally fluttering with unease.
"It's alright, little one," Maya murmured softly, her voice filled with tenderness and pity. "We're safe now. You're going to be okay."
In-Guk stood nearby, his usually stern face softened with a hint of compassion. He retrieved a small, makeshift toy from a storage compartment – a few pieces of salvaged metal and fiber optic strands cobbled together to create a flickering light. He offered it to Elara.
Elara watched the softly glowing object with curiosity, hesitating for a moment before reaching out a small hand to take it. Her gaze became fixed on the shifting light, a flicker of wonder momentarily eclipsing the fear in her eyes.
"Uncle In-Guk made it for you," Maya explained, offering the little girl a warm smile. "He's very clever, isn't he?"
In-Guk looked away, a touch of awkwardness in his expression, but the gentleness in his eyes betrayed his inner softness. He rarely engaged in such tender interactions, but Elara's vulnerability and the profound loss she had suffered resonated deeply within him.
The spacecraft continued to move away from Earth, the once vibrant blue planet now a dim shadow receding into the distance.