Chapter 92-Weak life signs

Chapter 92: 92-Weak life signs

The medical bay door opened. Nathaniel lay on the bed, an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth while the monitor beside him tracked his heartbeat.

His eyes were open. When he saw her, he attempted to sit up but Aymara pointed at him. "Don’t even think about it."

He settled back against the pillow. She approached the bed and pulled a chair close to him. "How are you feeling?"

He considered the question and lifted the oxygen mask a little bit to answer her. "Better."

"On a scale of one to ten, how much does your chest hurt?"

"Three," he replied but then the monitor beeped. The medical unit spoke immediately.

[Patient’s reported pain level may not correspond with observed physiological indicators.]

Aymara slowly turned toward him. His lie had been called out right there and she wanted to see how he defends himself.

Nathaniel stared at the ceiling. "Traitor," he muttered at the machine.

For the first time in several minutes, Aymara almost smiled but she couldn’t bring herself to be joyous in such a moment. "Good. At least one person in this room understands the importance of telling the truth."

She reached for his hand with a gentle touch. His fingers curled around hers as though they have always belonged them.

"I’m sorry," he led with an apology.

She lowered her eyes to their joined hands. "What are you apologizing for?"

"Making you worry."

Aymara’s throat tightened unexpectedly. She had faced the end of the world with a calmness that would have frightened most people. She had watched the dead rise, fought creatures that shouldn’t have existed, and turned a luxury cruise ship into a floating fortress.

Yet a simple apology from Nathaniel nearly broke through her composure. She inhaled deeply and refused to lose control of her feelings before him.

"Don’t apologize for being sick," she whispered. "Just promise me you’ll stop pretending you’re fine when you’re not. That will make me worry less."

He was quiet for a moment and then he squeezed her hand. "I promise."

She nodded though the knot in her chest remained. "That’s good. Because I still intend to make you eat the meal I prepared. Getting sick doesnt excuse you from having your food."

Nathaniel’s eyes widened slightly. "Even after all this?" He asked, with the taste of medicines lingering on his mouth, he didn’t have the appetite for food.

"Especially after all this," Aymara spoke. "I spent a fortune on those ingredients so you’ll have to eat and regain your strength."

He laughed softly, then winced as the pain that had eased slowly sharpened. He waited a full minute while he practised his breathing.

Aymara immediately leaned forward."Don’t laugh!"

"You just threatened to force-feed me expensive food. How can I not laugh at that?"

"I will personally supervise every bite," she insisted. His health was her first and top priority.

"That sounds terrifying," he joked to lightened the mood, a little something he used to do back then when she’d come see him at the hospital. He worried about making her worry too much and being uncomfortable.

"It should be."

His laughter faded into a gentle smile. He glanced into her eyes and took in her expression. It was a nice feeling to see her care for him after so long.

The system interrupted.

[Alert: Three life signs detected in the surrounding waters.]

Aymara’s head snapped toward the display. "What now?"

[Three individuals detected approximately four hundred meters from the vessel.]

[Life signs are weak.]

[One individual appears to be carrying a firearm.]

[Unknown vessels detected: None.]

Aymara stood up. The pirates had already taught her that an apparently empty stretch of ocean could conceal a threat. Survivors could hide beneath debris, cling to wreckage, or drift silently through the water while waiting for an opportunity to approach an unsuspecting ship.

But three people? So close to her vessel? She studied the display. "Show me the external cameras."

The screen flickered to life. Three figures floated among the wreckage of the pirate ship. One was clinging to a broken wooden panel, another had tied himself to a piece of metal debris, and the third appeared to be using an overturned lifeboat to stay above water.

Even through the grainy image, Aymara could tell they were exhausted. The man on the overturned lifeboat suddenly raised his arm. He waved desperately toward the cruise ship and then he began shouting.

"HELP! PLEASE! HELP US!"

Aymara’s expression remained unreadable. The man pointed toward his companions.

"WE’RE NOT PIRATES! PLEASE, WE’RE JUST SURVIVORS!"

She watched them for several seconds and then she glanced back at Nathaniel.

He had pushed himself up slightly, watching the same screen. "They might genuinely need help," he said.

"They might but that doesn’t mean we should give it."

"Are you going to rescue them?"

Aymara returned her attention to the monitor. In her previous life, she had made the mistake of believing every desperate plea for help. She had shared food with strangers, opened doors to people who claimed to be victims, and trusted those who looked helpless.

Some had repaid her kindness with gratitude while others had stolen everything she owned and left her to die. She had learned that desperation could make people cruel, and cruelty could wear a convincing mask.

Still, she wasn’t going to let people drown simply because the world had become dangerous. But she wouldn’t be as naive as to welcome them with open arms.

"System, scan the three individuals. Check for weapons, injuries, and any signs of hostile intent you can reliably detect."

[Scanning...]

[One individual possesses a firearm.]

[All three individuals display signs of exhaustion and possible hypothermia.]

[No additional vessels detected within the current surveillance range.]

Aymara narrowed her eyes. Her mind refused to accept that they were innocent. "Can you determine whether they were aboard the pirate ship?"

[Insufficient evidence.]

"Very well."

She studied the three figures again. The man on the lifeboat was still waving. His companions seemed barely conscious, their heads dipping dangerously close to the water.

Aymara sighed. "Prepare the rescue platform. Keep the surface defenses active, and do not allow anyone to enter the ship without authorization."

[Command confirmed.]

She turned to Nathaniel. "I’m going to bring them aboard," she said on the surface but deep down, she had no intention of letting them stay, the ship wasn’t big enough to host the two of them and other survivors.

He nodded. "Be careful."

Aymara gave him a small smile. "Always."

She headed for the exit, then paused and looked back. "And Nate?"

"Yes?"

"If you try to get out of that bed while I’m gone, I’ll have the system lock the door and forcefully strap you to that bed until you learn to behave"

He stared at her in shock. "You wouldn’t."

She smiled sweetly. "Try me."