The Gravediggers of Orpheus [3]

Sci-fi flash fiction. An entry to the SciFriday.

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You don’t have to read the previous parts, but in case you’re interested…

Previous parts:

Part [1]

Part [2]

“Ashes to ashes… dust to dust,” Derek said, standing by  the rows of freshly dug graves. He usually said it when they buried the dead, although he wasn’t sure about the origin of these words, some religion from a distant human planet. His mother used to quote it.

The frozen earth of the Orpheus’ burial grounds was damn hard to work with. Most of their excavation bots needed repair after each burial. They buried the dead whenever all the Cryo containers of the Vulture05 were full.

Derek and his team took a reverent minute of silence to honour the dead. It felt right. The sight of the open graves and white organic-fibre coffins in them was frightening yet magnificent. Derek knew, one day he’ll join them…

He spread the ashes of the corpses too mangled to bury, the grey stream weaved with the wild winds of Orpheus, while the two excavation bots still functioning, buried the graves. The guys put simple, white tombstones on them.

Today was different. Derek couldn’t wait to return. He had to know if the survivors on the ship were still well. Doc Liz would inform him of their deaths.

***

There he stood again by the glass wall of the operation room 2 and observed the tiny survivor, baby Annuk. Yet again she extended her tiny arms and legs, as if reaching out to him.

“She’s doing surprisingly well,” said doc Liz, “these little ones feel the invisible worlds. She knows you want her to live.”

“I’m not the only one,” Derek smiled at doc Liz.

“Speaking of,” doc turned her grey head to operation room 1, “her mama is waking up. I think you, as the captain should greet her.”

Derek nodded. He went through the disinfection chamber and followed doc into the room.

The woman’s eyelashes trembled. She opened her warm brown eyes to Derek. He swallowed hard; dealing with beautiful women had always frightened him. He hadn’t met one in years, ever since Derek became the captain of Vulture05. It was always work, his team of fun-loving gravediggers and doc Liz.

“Welcome to gravedigger vessel Vulture05. I am captain Derek O’Connell and…”

“Gravedigger?” her desperate whisper interrupted his introduction.

“Yes, we found you among the dead civilians.”

“Mom?”

“I’m afraid we couldn’t save the woman we found you with. She died a brave death...”

The woman shook crying, but then she touched her stomach frantically.

“Your child lives,” said Derek.

Suddenly the woman grabbed his hand and held it tight. Derek stood blushing in bright red, blinking foolishly.

“Thank you…” she whispered; tears streamed down her beautiful face to her dark hair. Derek stood speechless, holding his breath.

“Close your mouth, captain,” doc Liz whispered and gave Derek a tiny wink, passing him by to check the survivor’s vitals.