It's a promise

He hesitated, but would not risk upsetting her, especially after tricking her so far. "I, huuh, I promise, Alice."

"It settled then! No getting out of this one!" She smiled widely at him, cheeks flustered.

A group of androids appeared from the wall, one grabbing Karin, the other taking Alice's hand and the third guiding Thierry. Each of them in distinct rooms.

Thierry was the first one to finish up.

"No wounds detected, you are safe. A high amount of stress detected, would recommend rest."

"Thank you Amadea, I will wait for the other two first."

"Understood, officer Blank."

Thierry sat on the med bay bench. A high amount of stress indeed, he chuckled, the creatures, the corpses, the moans. He looked at his feet gritting his teeth. He hoped Alice is okay. She was such a sweet girl, happily helping others. They won't change her. Even if it seemed selfish for Thierry, considering all the ones he knew and shared meal with died he was happy she didn't. Hopefully, she will be back to normal after this check-up, otherwise, he wouldn't know how to handle the situation.

His question was quickly answered as Alice came out, wearing a shirt this time. Her face flushed.

"Hi-hi-hi Thierry, I'm a- I'm sorry I acted like that, I was ****!" She paused, "I-I'm sorry. I-About our premise, I won't do it, I don't-but I-I mean-Ahhhh." She ran out of the room, leaving Thierry speechless.

He smiled shyly in relief then looked at the screen.

"Amadea, what did she had?"

"She was affected by a strong aphrodisiac. Well not exactly. She was infected with bacteries. Each bacteria can produce either strong aphrodisiac or powerful acid."

"So that's how they managed to dissolve suits locally, and how they managed to pierce through our armored doors." Thierry thought to himself. He proceeded, "Is she okay now?"

"Affirmative, I removed it all."

"Roger that, Amadea, what about Karin?"

"I'm afraid, sir, that we will keep her here for tonight. The amount of fluid she absorbed anally is off the chart, it will take time to drain all of it. What's more, her colon structure changed, I'm not sure if we can make it come back to normal."

"I see," He thought to himself, "Just what the fuck are those things?"

"Take good care of her," he then replied. "Amadea, I need to talk to Alice."

What was she thinking? What came to her mind to say such things to Thierry? Alice laid in the honeymoon suite bed, on her belly, crying. She was so ashamed of herself. She was a freak, a freak and no one will ever love her. She rolled on her back, looking at the ceiling. Slowly her memories came back. What is she thinking about? Thinking about love when almost all the people she knows are dead. First, Jun, her most experienced soldier, stabbed in the neck by a bone spear. Then, Eric and Joaquim, bitten off by the hammering monster, just before Karin was captured by the beast. Apparently, once it started copulating, it lost its animosity and solely focused on procreating. That's how they managed to get through. Afterward, more flying creatures, they killed Daniel and Samuel. Once she reached the ship, she should have left, that was the safer call. But she couldn't. She couldn't imagine her life without him. Thankfully, he came and she knew deep within herself that he would.

"Knock, knock." Thierry slipped into the room.

Alice rolled once again, burying her face in the pillow, covering her tears and flushed cheeks. Thierry slowly walked by her side, sitting on the mattress. He laid his hand on her shoulder.

"Look at me Alice," She didn't move. "We are alive and that's all it matters. Let's forget about what happened for now okay?

You were ****, it's not your fault." She turned her face toward his, tears still flooding down her cheeks. He smiled at her. "Tomorrow we will pay tribute to our men. For now, we must get some sleep." He presented his hand. She took it as he pulled her in a hug. Warm tears flowing from his eyes.

"Thank god you are not dead Alice."

After an awkward silence, Thierry painfully pulled out and left the room silently. Alice stood there, her eyes stopped crying. She tried to keep his scent and warm touch as long as possible but they faded away. The noise of a shut door resounded across the corridor as Thierry entered his new bedroom. The room was located in front of Alice's and stood luxurious. He slumped onto the bed.

"Amadea, if anything happens to Alice or Karin, wake me up."

"Understood, sir."

While today's figures tangled in his head, Thierry pushed them away and drifted off to sleep.