Snippet #2442999

Corki felt Andromeda go tense when Orion called falling into the water “fun”. She let go of the catgirl, who looked ready to show Orion a very fast way to leave this world. Was Orion deliberately antagonizing Andromeda? Why would he do that, after enjoying the fire and food provided by Andromeda?

“Oh,” Andromeda said, “my plan was to mine for metal and whatever else goes into electronics, reinvent electricity and faster than light communication, and then send a message asking for help. But your idea is much more practical. Thank you, Captain Obvious.”

Corki put her hand on Andromeda’s arm to get her attention. She shook her head.

Andromeda got the point: don’t fight. She wasn’t sure if she could do that. She took a deep breath, and continued speaking, now less aggressive. “So you want to go drag bits of spaceship around. Would you like me to tell you where you can find some clean water to drink before that exercise, or shall I start working on making a shovel?”

Corki was a little shocked. That same morning Andromeda had said people scared her, and that she needed Corki with her to dare to be around Orion and Tom at all. Now the same girl was showering angry sarcasm on Orion, who Corki was a bit scared of herself? A phrase occurred to her, fight or flight. Andromeda had been pushed pretty far by the situation, and she couldn’t run away from the worst things in it, which were pain and illness. Corki wondered how violent Andromeda could become if she snapped. Orion probably had no idea what kind of fire he was playing with by annoying that girl. Should she talk to him, ask him to be nice? That was a scary idea. But was it scarier than an angry Andromeda with a machete? Something told her Andromeda wouldn’t hurt her no matter what happened, but she was not so sure Andromeda wouldn’t attack Orion when provoked too much. Corki would have to talk to him, but she didn’t know what exactly to say yet. She started scribbling on her arm.