It's all there is to lose

James could hardly count how many of the Novaxans they passed. His guide was currently taking deep breaths, unable to hide the flickering yellow on his spine. Most simply gawked. Some chattered at each other, some to his guide who seemed to be giving brief answers without stopping. They came to a room with a closed door. The Nova nearly screeched, though James could make out a similar chittering noise inside of the painful wail.

Quickly, one rather small Nova came running while flashing orange and blue while holding an odd sphere. As soon as it got close, the door opened. The Nova that had brought him this far stepped back. "Go.", he said.

James didn't waste a moment heading in. A chair. A cube. An empty tank that had drops of water clinging to it...and her. Curled and drier than the day they had met, baking herself under the lights. He nearly screamed. Clinging to the last bit of hope he had, he grabbed her and lifted her. That night flashed back through his mind...how she'd just barely been alive. She was worse off now. No give remained on her skin. He stood and turned quickly.

"Where else can she rehydrate?", he asked hurriedly.

"I...h-here, we'll take her to another room.", his guide said while beginning to walk quickly.

James followed close behind, whispering to her. "I'm here now...I'm here and you aren't allowed to die, okay?"

As soon as a new door opened, James glanced around and found the water tank, dumping her inside.