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In any other context, he would've ignored the sound, but in the relatively still and quiet halls of the Rozinante, the only sound that the Security Officer noticed or paid any mind to was the odd-sounding speech of S'pht Compilers,
discussing whatever new and incomprehensible technology project Durandal had set them to work on at the time. The Security Officer had plenty of friends and acquaintances among the Compilers and S'pht'Kr, but on long walks between his (admittedly luxurious) quarters, and the other parts of the Ship, he often didn't attempt to make conversation with any of them. But this sound was odd, it had a slightly warbling quality similar to that of S'pht vocalization, but resembled more of
a low whimpering or cry. intrigued, he went to investigate.
The sound originated from a small offshoot room, the rows of shock staffs led him to believe it was some kind of armory, he noticed one of them had fallen over in front of a terminal. The source of the sound was a violet-robed S'pht Compiler hovering in the corner, their gem shifted from varying
colors of muddied blue and hairball-gray, their only motion aside from the flowing of their cloak was a barely perceptible shuddering throughout, it looked like they were trembling. He recognized the Compiler via the various dents in their armor.
"F'tha?" The Officer asked, concerned.
They did not seem to acknowledge his presence.
"You okay?" As he walked closer to the corner, he noticed that the 6 purple compound-looking eye structures that he assumed the Compilers used to see had gone gray as well.
The Officer tentatively stepped forward and gently tapped the center of their featureless head; With a sudden jolt, the Compilers eyes reignited again, they jumped back and in a small flash of yellow, a bolt of energy was released from their gem.
The Officer's attempt to sidestep the attack was only somewhat successful, it grazed one of the less armored parts of his uniform, and he griped the singe on his uniform in pain. The Compiler quickly rushed over to him.
"I am Sorry, I am Sorry, I did not mean to.." Even though the slightly verbose and awkward S'pht method of speaking English remained intact, their voice seemed to quaver, and they continued to tremble, more visible this time.
"It's, fine, are you... Jesus, you're shaking like mad."
"I am... Shaking?" the gray of F'tha's gem took on a slightly orange hue.
"Yeah.. are you okay.. what was that?"
"I... do not know... I could not see or hear and I was afraid... I do not know why I could not see... It was... I am afraid.." F'tha backed into the corner again.
"Hey.." The Officer walked forward and put an arm around the frightened Compiler. "It'll be alright buddy.."
The Compiler's shaking slowed. The Security Officer was very concerned, he had never seen a S'pht be startled or tremble like that before.
"Would you feel any better if we went to a different room?"
"Yes... I would prefer that.."
The S'pht floated slowly with their friend still keeping his arm around their shoulder, Durandal's silence made the Officer equal parts proud and confused.
once they had arrived at his room, F'tha sunk onto the couch (or rather, couch-adjacent piece of Pfhor furniture), their cloak lying flat against the floor, and the Officer sat beside them.
"Are you feeling any better?"
"Yes... I think I can.. talk about it now.. if you tolerate it."
"Of course."
"Thank You. I was writing on a terminal-I chose the armory since most others were being utilized- and one of the weapons on the rack dislodged and hit me in the head. it was set to the highest setting. It disabled my ability to hear and see temporarily."
"Are you sure you're alright now?" The Officer gently moved his other hand over the slightly blackened dent where the shock staff had hit, he felt kind of bad for not noticing it earlier.
"Yes. I am functional. however when I could not see or hear... I... I had... I believe the equivalent word in your language is a.. nightmare?" F'tha's gem slowly faded to a more consistent gray color.
"I didn't know you could... do.. that"
"I remembered how the Pfhor used to hit us like that.. they made us deaf and blind when they did not want us to see or hear... I remember being afraid.. most of us do.."
"That's.. awful... I.." Instead of speaking the Officer decided to take his friend into a hug, F'tha gratefully leaned into it.
"Thank You," F'tha said, slightly nuzzling into the Officer's chest. "you've already done so much for-"
"It's fine, you don't owe me anything... I just wanted to make sure you're alright.."
F'tha considered answering, but elected to remain silent, their gem faded to a softer yellow color, and the two stayed on the couch for a while longer. F'tha felt safe.