Chapter 21: Dr. Evelyn Ashcroft, Mercenary

After the mission on Zephyros, Evelyn had made a clear decision: she would become a mercenary alongside Vykhor. She realized that fighting the current that had pulled her into this life was pointless. She was now tied to Vykhor in a way she couldn't ignore, and if she wanted to survive and make a difference, she needed to learn everything she could to become useful.

She spent the following days immersed in discovering the Narak'Tharr. The ship’s advanced technology fascinated her, and she threw herself into studying its systems, determined to become an indispensable asset. Yet, the incident with Vykhor continued to haunt her thoughts. Her feelings for him were a tangled mess of confusion and curiosity. What exactly did she feel for this imposing, complex being? And now that she had chosen to work by his side, how would their relationship evolve? The question gnawed at her, but she knew she had to keep moving forward.

When she finally felt ready, two days after the mission, Evelyn headed to the control room. Her heart pounding, she found Vykhor, who turned to look at her, his brows slightly furrowed, as if sensing an important announcement. "What's going on, Evelyn?" he asked, his deep, inquisitive voice echoing in the room.

Evelyn took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I’ve spent time studying every aspect of the Narak'Tharr, with Kryna's help," she explained, her voice revealing a mix of determination and tension. "I’ve memorized its systems, security protocols, and defensive and offensive capabilities. I want to be useful on board, Vykhor. I genuinely want to be involved in your missions, not just as a spectator, but as someone who can make a real difference."

She held his gaze, hoping he would understand the sincerity of her words. She was ready to fully commit, to embrace this unpredictable and dangerous life, and to face the complexities of their relationship, whatever direction it took.

Vykhor remained silent, the shadow of surprise still visible in his piercing gaze. Few beings, human or otherwise, could have accomplished what Evelyn had in such a short time. Learning a complex language in a week was already an impressive feat, but mastering the intricacies of a Kael'Tarien ship, with all its technological nuances, was nothing short of extraordinary. It spoke volumes about her intellectual capabilities, and even for him, someone used to the extraordinary, it was astonishing.

"You're truly exceptional," he finally said, his voice calm but carrying genuine respect. His tone, usually neutral, revealed a rare note of admiration. "Very few could have done what you did."

Evelyn felt a warm sense of comfort spread through her chest at the rare compliment. Vykhor wasn’t the type to give praise lightly, and hearing those words from him meant a lot. She offered him a shy smile, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Thank you, Vykhor." She took a breath, gathering her courage for what she had to say next. "And that’s why I’ve made another decision."

She paused, searching for the right words. "I want to work alongside you," she declared with determination. "I want to put my intellectual abilities to use for you. I want to be part of this adventure, not just as an observer, but as a true partner, actively involved in every mission."

Vykhor studied her, his scrutinizing gaze weighing her words. For him, choosing to partner closely with someone was never a decision taken lightly. He had experienced too many betrayals, too many disappointments to trust easily. Yet, Evelyn was no ordinary person. She had proven time and again that she could be more than just an intellectual asset. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly nodded.

"Alright, Evelyn." His expression hardened slightly, his seriousness returning. "If that's what you want, then we’ll work together. But know this won’t be easy. The world I live in is dangerous, and I don’t want you to put yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily."

Evelyn nodded, her eyes shining with determination. She understood the implications of her decision. "I know, and I’m ready to face the challenges." Her voice was firm, with no hint of hesitation. "I want to learn from you, Vykhor, and I want us to support each other."

Vykhor held her gaze for a moment longer, perhaps searching for any sign of doubt, but he found none. Evelyn was resolute, and he liked that. A faint smile, almost imperceptible, tugged at his lips. It was a simple movement, but for someone like Vykhor, it was a significant acknowledgment.

"Welcome aboard the Narak'Tharr, Evelyn," he said at last. "From now on, you’re not just a passenger. You’re part of the crew."

Evelyn felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her, a feeling of pride and excitement. It was the beginning of a new adventure, a partnership that promised to be as complex as it was fascinating. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly at home, ready to face whatever the universe had in store.

Vykhor took the time to explain to Evelyn the inner workings of the vast bounty system and the galactic network of mercenaries and bounty hunters. With a patience he rarely showed anyone, he demonstrated how missions were cataloged in databases, how bounties were assigned and logged, and how each mercenary was tracked and evaluated in this intricate web. Every contract, every mission was meticulously archived, and a mercenary’s standing influenced their reputation and the opportunities available to them.

Evelyn, with her hypermnestic mind, absorbed the information effortlessly. In just a few hours, she grasped concepts that had taken Vykhor years to fully understand. The system’s complexities, the nuances of contracts, the strategic implications, and the political subtleties of various missions all seemed to fall perfectly into place in her analytical mind. Vykhor, who was rarely impressed, couldn’t help but be astonished by how quickly and clearly she understood it all.

Despite her rapid understanding, one question still lingered. "I get why some contracts are listed," she said, her brow furrowed slightly, "but why would a mercenary risk registering officially in a system that could make them traceable? Some of these missions are dangerous, even illegal. What’s the advantage?"

Vykhor nodded, having expected the question. "It’s a matter of protection," he replied. "For legal missions or those that toe the line, being registered provides a form of cover. If the galactic police get involved, it allows the mercenary to take responsibility, negotiate, or prove they were operating within known parameters. It gives a semblance of legitimacy in a world where everything is gray."

But he added with a darker look, "Of course, not all missions are listed. There’s an underground network, a sort of black market for contracts, where the missions are far riskier but also far more lucrative. That’s where the real stakes are, and it’s where mercenaries take the greatest risks, not just with their lives but with their freedom. Those who choose these contracts know there’s no legal protection, but the rewards can be immense."

Evelyn nodded, her expression serious. The choices these mercenaries made were far more complex than she’d imagined, and she now understood that every decision in this universe had deeper consequences.

Kryna, the Narak'Tharr’s AI, played a crucial role in helping Evelyn adapt to her new environment and manage her body’s unique needs. Recognizing the massive energy demands of her hypermnestic brain, Kryna developed tailored solutions to compensate for the strain. Not only did she design optimized energy meals packed with nutrients for Evelyn’s specific condition, but she also went further. A sophisticated device was installed in Evelyn’s cabin, capable of continuously delivering nutrients and supplements via a biomedical bracelet she wore at all times. The bracelet monitored her metabolism and administered regular micro-injections to sustain her energy levels, countering the toll of her ever-active mind.

Evelyn found these meals and the injection system innovative, even if she still had to get used to the exotic flavors and the strange sensation of automatic injections. Despite that, the constant support kept her operating at peak efficiency, even when she spent hours studying Kael'Tarien technology or analyzing complex missions.

However, despite these physical improvements, one dark cloud continued to trouble her nights: recurring nightmares. Almost every night, Evelyn woke up in a panic, trembling, her heart racing. The memories of her traumatic past refused to leave her alone, resurfacing with vivid intensity. Visions of cold laboratories, the harsh voices of scientists, and the suffocating feeling of being trapped haunted her uncontrollably.

Vykhor, though not one to easily show concern, couldn’t ignore her restless nights. He observed in silence, attentive to every sign of fatigue or tension, and tried to find discreet ways to support her. Sometimes he adjusted their schedule to give her more rest or suggested training sessions that he believed might help channel her anxiety.

But no matter how hard Evelyn tried to manage her stress, even with Kryna’s practical advice, the nightmares persisted. It was a delicate subject between them. Though Vykhor had offered his help, Evelyn preferred not to talk about it much. She kept that pain to herself, focusing on work instead. Immersing herself in learning and missions gave her a sense of control, a way to feel active and useful.

By the end of that first week of adjustment, a routine had developed. Evelyn and Vykhor, despite their differences, formed an unlikely but remarkably complementary team. Vykhor had discovered in Evelyn a valuable ally, someone reliable, with extraordinary intelligence and genuine commitment. Evelyn, for her part, grew increasingly comfortable in her role as a mercenary in training. She learned to face the challenges of a life where every day brought new dangers and opportunities, determined to overcome her own demons while striving to meet the expectations of her Kael'Tarien partner.