Dribbles - 31. A Broken Wish

“I’ll get the vectori.”

Battle raged around the tent. Explosions and screams couldn’t mask the barely controlled chaos inside. I was overwhelmed by the sight and sounds of men and aliens bleeding red and white. Men groaned and screamed, and the doctors and nurses snapped information and traded tools as they struggled to patch up humans and Ta’An so they could live another day.

Taloo was quiet. Taloo, my blood-bonded partner, had taken a shot meant for me. Our link was all that kept him going as I fed him my blood. I prayed, desperately, for a miracle. The doctor moved on to another patient, and the nurse had already left to fetch the priests.

Vectori sang the Ta’An last vigil.

I couldn’t lose him. At first, the idea of sharing the bond with one of our allies, the Ta’Ans, freaked me out. But living without kind, light-hearted Taloo was unthinkable.

“Please,” I begged. “Don’t die.”

“Wish I… could stay.”

I shook my head, denial on my lips and rage in my heart. It couldn’t be true. We’d fought for so long to free his people. The tide had turned; the enemy was retreating. Their ships were blasting off from every major ‘port. We couldn’t have come so far to fall now.

Because without him, I wouldn’t last long. “Take more blood. Please. You can’t die, Taloo. If you go, I go.”

“Wanted more… too. Love you.” Scarlet bubbled at the edge of his lipless mouth. “Hope… love again… for both of us.”

The vectori sang, their ethereal forms surrounding Taloo’s unattended surgery table. The poignant swell of their final benediction was underscored by my sobs as Taloo’s hand went limp in mine.

“I love you!” I whispered brokenly, hoping he heard me, praying the words followed his spirit forever.