A human stands still, eyes closed, at their work station. Their lips move. They are talking to themself, softly.
"You're having a flashback. You're having a flashback. It's over, it's done with, you're healed. There's nothing wrong with your wrist, and no one can ever make you that helpless again. You're having a flashback." -- Anon Guest
The Galactic Alliance had initially shunned Humans, save for those existing in or near the Edge Territories. Shortly after their admission to the Alliance, the demand for Ships' Humans outstripped the supply. This lead to the beginnings of Rescue Humans.
Humans are terrible to each other, especially in some of their more rigid colonial identities. Some were desperate to escape by any means, including risking their lives by sneaking aboard freight ships. They came with scars that weren't always visible, and required a greater amount of understanding from their Alliance crew. One such Rescue Human was Human Nad.
For the most part, Nad was fine. Ekkus etiquette had it ingrained in the crew of the Risk Reward Ratio that one approached a crewmate so that they could see you approaching. Nobody crept up from behind Human Nad, and that made them more relaxed than when the crew had found them. Which was a definite improvement for Human Nad, but also disturbing for the knowledge that sometimes Humans were so horrible to each other that they never wanted to see another Human for the rest of their lives.
It also involved some odd moments. Rescue Humans needed a lot more care and attention than the regular kind. Useful strategies were exchanged on the infonets as fast as crews could concoct them, and it was all very much hit and miss. The first and foremost rule of working with a Rescue Human was: discuss any and all strategies with your Human first.
This one... was a new one. Companion Grox watched as Human Nad's work slowed at their station and the Human appeared to be staring at nothing.
They closed their eyes and concentrated on their breathing, which sounded... disturbed. After three such breaths, Human Nad began to whisper. "You're having a flashback. The bad time is over. The pain is done with. You are healed, now. Your wrist is all better, and nobody is hurting you. You will never be helpless again. You're having a flashback..." The litany began to repeat.
"Human Nad? I think you may need assistance, may I touch your upper arm?" Companion Grox had been the first to understand that Nad did not like people suddenly grabbing their lower arms, especially around the wrist. The ships' Mediks had confirmed that there was a lot of old damage in those areas.
Human Nad didn't like to talk about it, but it was clear to all Companions aboard that Nad had survived chronic and systemic abuse.
Two shuddering breaths. "Shoulder's good. Thank you."
Grox laid a gentle hand on Nad's shoulder. "You are safe now. I am here for you. Look at me. See five things that are here and now."
Some circles called it Running the Senses and it was a good technique for bringing humans back from their misfiring brains' malarky.
Human Nad saw, in order, Grox, the carpet, the lighting, their work station, and the little good luck charm they kept on their wrist. The last on that list was usually a means of reasserting reality via casual sensation, as it bumped lightly into Nad's skin and reminded them that they were not in chains any more. "I'm okay," they insisted. "I'm okay. I'm going to stay okay. I'm safe now."
"You are among friends," said Grox. "We will help you feel better. Whatever it takes."
"Thank you," murmured Human Nad. "May I pause this and go look out at the stars?"
"Of course. This is work that can wait."
Another fragment of deductive reasoning. Human Nad had once lived in a place where they could not see the stars. Witnessing them confirmed that they were no longer "home" any more.
Which was not, to Grox's mind, logically true. Humans could make anywhere their home.
Sooner or later, Human Nad would realise that this was their home, and their crewmates were also their new family.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / paulista]
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