Yes.
Cuddy looked up to the hovering orb. What can we do for him?
The wellness chamber was not designed with a human genome in mind. The effects from too many recurring sessions at one time cannot be undone. He may not survive the journey.
You’re not sure?
No, Captain Perkins, as there are no previous records of any such occurrence. No case studies to which to refer.
Cuddy noticed Brian staring at him, only this time he spoke aloud: “You do know… I can hear what you’re saying… your mental chit-chat?”
“Oh… all right. I don’t know how to keep mental, telepathic conversations exclusive to only myself.”
“I’m going to croak… I heard Bob.”
“Bob?”
“That’s what I’ve been calling the orb. Bob… because he’s always bobbing up and down.”
He was surprised to find he felt somewhat bad about what was happening to Brian. It was true, he detested the guy. There was no two ways about it. But seeing him like this, Cuddy actually felt a little sympathy for him. Truth was, this was partially Cuddy’s own fault and now Brian might die because of his lack of forethought.
“I’m not ready to give up yet on getting you back to the way you were, Brian.”
“You sure you want to do that? I know you hated me… and I know why.”
Cuddy waved off the comment, and added, “Oh come on, none of that matters now. You’re part of the crew and we all need to stick together, right?”
“Do I look as bad as I think I do?” Brian asked. He seemed to have grown even more in girth over the last few minutes. Cuddy wasn’t completely sure Brian was capable of studying his own body, due to his now fleshy, protruding neck.
“Well… you still have great looking hair,” Cuddy said, smiling wryly.
That made Brian laugh out loud. He laughed until tears formed at the corners of his eyes. Then he was crying—quietly sobbing.
“Um… do you think you can walk?”
“I don’t know. You and Bob… the orb… will need to help me, I think.”
Cuddy stood in front of him, taking ahold of Brian’s two hands. “When I lift him, get in behind him… okay, Bob?”
Cuddy inwardly heard its mental acknowledgement. “Here we go… one… two… three, stand up, Brian!”
Brian rose halfway up and stalled. But once Bob got hovered in the right position and pushed, Brian rose all the way up, into a wavering, standing position. He put his hands out to steady himself. Only then did Cuddy realize that Brian’s bulbous belly flesh hung over, completely shrouding, his private parts.
“Okay… let’s try to walk,” Cuddy said. “I’ve got a good grip on your arm, so take one step at a time.” Although clumsy and awkward, Brian was able to walk. At the end of the passageway, Cuddy steered him toward the stairway.
“I don’t think…”
Cuddy cut him off mid-sentence. Brian had to climb up to the top level—where the sleeping berths were, and the kitchen—where he would be most comfortable. “We’ll take it one step at a time, okay?”
In response, Brian gave him a weary look, coming to a standstill at the bottom of the stairway.
“You get in front of him, Bob, and I’ll push from behind.” Brian took his first step and then rested on the bottom tread. Cuddy heard his labored breathing.
“Okay… next one, Brian.”
Brian did as asked, but Cuddy, feeling increased bodily resistance, had to take on more of Brian’s weight. This isn’t going to work. Then a new inner nudge came to him:
Use your mind.
Cuddy, readying himself, did exactly that. He willed Brian’s body to move several inches up off the stairs. A heavy strain, he wasn’t sure how long he could hold on to him—even though it was only few inches. “Bob, pull him toward you… up the stairs.”
Brian said, “Uh huh… this is kinda cool. I’m floating like a feather.”
“In time, Brian, you’ll be able to do this all by yourself—it’s part of the package of becoming a Pashier. I can help you learn the kinetic basics tomorrow, if you like.”
At the top of the stairs, Brian—again bearing his own weight—said, “Yes… that would make things a lot easier. Right now, I couldn’t take a crap by myself.”
Between them, Cuddy and the orb managed to maneuver Brian’s bulk around the kitchen and into the top-level passageway, then into the portside berth compartment. It was semi-dark and the others were still sound asleep. Cuddy did his best not to make any noise, though Brian was both huffing and puffing pretty loudly as he was moved to his berth, underneath Jackie’s. Cuddy, judging the bunk to no longer be a good fit, far too restrictive, used mental persuasion to reach out to Brian.
Why don’t you take my berth, Brian? It’s more accessible… a lot easier to get in and out of.
Really? I liked being under Jackie…
Cuddy, catching the slight smile on Brian’s bloated face, thought at least he still has a sense of humor.
Bob and Cuddy together lowered Brian into the one singular berth by the bulkhead in an upright position, letting him then catch his breath. Next, Cuddy grabbed ahold of Brian’s ankles and swung them up some, forcing Brian to lie flat on his back. Kneeling down on the deck, he leaned in close to Brian.
How’s that? You’ll be able to sleep okay like that?
Sure… I think so. Hey, thank you for all you’ve done. I’m sorry. This is my fault. I knew at the time I was taking a big risk. The orb… Bob… warned me.
Cuddy gave Brian a couple of pats on his chest. We’ll get it figured out, I promise.
“Cuddy… is that you?”
Cuddy stood and moved over to Jackie’s top berth. “Yeah… I’m only now going to bed. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Cuddy,” Jackie said sleepily and turned onto her side.
Chapter 44
Jackie woke, less than four hours later. The cabin was dark and she heard soft snores coming from either Tony or Kyle. She slowly sat up and stretched. She badly wanted a hot shower, but first she needed to pee. Throwing the covers aside she stood, somewhat surprised no one else was up yet. But that was probably a good thing, since she was only wearing panties and her oversized plaid shirt. She leaned over and searched the deck for her jeans, but found them instead tossed at the foot of her berth. Grabbing them up, she headed for the communal head then stopped mid-stride. Even in the dimly lit cabin, she could see something was terribly wrong. She leaned in closer and screamed.
“What! What is it!?” Kyle yelled out.
“What’s going on?” Tony yelled.
“It’s Cuddy. He’s… he’s transformed into… I don’t know what he is,” Jackie said, her hands covering her mouth in disbelief.
“No, I’m here, Jackie… that’s Brian,” Cuddy said, sounding groggy.
She spun around, finding Cuddy lying in Brian’s berth, and then swung back to check who was sleeping in Cuddy’s berth. This time as she leaned in closer, she noticed Brian’s long black ponytail. “What the hell happened to him? I don’t even recognize him. He’s all… bloated, or something.”
“Good morning, Jackie.”
“Brian? Are you… okay? Um… does it hurt?”
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t know. It feels weird, though. Like I’m living in someone else’s body.”
“More like five people’s body,” Tony added, now standing next to Jackie.
Angry, Jackie fumed, “Tell me what happened to you. How could something like that happen?”