Efaen flushes at her mistake, dropping her gaze momentarily, her own confidence faltering. It is one of many examples of moments that serve only to remind her how many holes still exist in her memory.
"Yes, that would be fine," she says, trying to recover with a smile. "And you mentioned a simulator, yes? Surely those do not require launching."
Terenia wordlessly accepts the protein bar, taking a deep inhale of breath before going over to one of the cots and sitting down. She doesn't look at Keshin or Illim, slowly unwrapping the bar and nibbling on the end.
On the bridge, Keslin steps back from his holoscreen, rubbing at his eyes. Chris' exhaustion is taking its toll, the symbols floating in his field of vision incomprehensibly.
<<Kes, man...I need some sleep,>> Chris whispers apologetically. <<I'm dead on my feet.>> He automatically winces internally at his word choice, thoughts going to the tiny, still form of his unbreathing son.
Keslin sighs a little and nods. Shutting down the Andalite holoscreen, he turns to approach Ossanlin, who appears to be working with one of the other Andalites involved in their rescue. The female who stayed with Tess.
"Ossanlin," Keslin says, pulling to a halt in front of the Andalite, disregarding the use of the Andalite's official title. "Unfortunately, I will have to take a few hours to allow Chris to recover. He is exhausted, both emotionally and physically, and I am of little use to you if my host cannot function." He swallows, not mentioning how exhausted he is himself, for a creature that does not sleep. The tension of the night, the loss of one of their children...all of it has put a strain on Keslin that he isn't allowing himself to show. "I am going to return to my quarters, but I would like to be contacted when we emerge from Z-space near the first rendezvous point." He purposely doesn't request permission to leave the bridge, instead politely informing Ossanlin of his plans.
