The Space Spoon novel Chapter 84

Maybe too accustomed to breathing air, living underwater felt peculiar to Tejeda. Every time the rush of liquid barged inside his gills, he thought he was going to drown. Even though both breathing organs diffuse oxygen from the environment across thin membranes into the blood vessels, the difference in structure felt awkward for him. He needed a lot of time until he could coordinate the entire procedure and run it at a normal pace.

Looking around, he noticed he was near the outer reef of the spa island. The sun was shining bright and hot, but the cool water running through his gills allowed his body to keep cool.

A salty sensation remained stuck on his pointed tongue, and he imagined what food might taste like now. The transition had not triggered his psionic powers as he was in the darkness of his non-organic core. He had to find out how things worked within this species on his own since he didn't have any memories to help him. Their culture, language, and social traditions were all unfamiliar to him.

This task required a great deal of hard work. Adapting to a new way of life wasn't easy, especially one that was so different from his previous experience. He realized he couldn't afford to squander any more time. A fish-like humanoid swam in front of him as if responding to his mute request.

Tejeda couldn’t quite look at himself. That was why his slit pupils expanded at the sight of another one like him. Four tiny tendrils floated in the water from each side of his jaws. Spikes protruded from his spine, small at first, growing in size in the middle of his back. The large ones had red tips, quite distinct next to the otherwise green skin with scales.

The spikes on the tail got shorter as the tip got sharper. It was impossible for Tejeda not to turn his head back and look at himself. Yes, the tail was there indeed. Marvelous!

The other creature stopped swimming and raised its three-fingered hand in what had to be a salute. Then, he clicked his tongue, and the sound rippled through the water. As it reached Tejeda’s fat-rich region in the lower jaw, the receptors sent the info straight to his brain, where it got translated. Well, not quite translated, but more like he immediately knew what it meant.

“Come, Princess Allanna. The Airarium Keepers have acquired the new specimens. Now you’ll have more air-breathers to watch and relax.”

This way, Tejeda discovered he was a girl, a princess even. He came up with a response and reflexively pressed his tongue on his palate, relaying his message, "Splendid!"

Proud of his capacity to communicate, he slithered through the water, swinging his tail along with his dorsal and lateral fins.

Some other similar creatures swam around them, but they didn't pay much attention to him. Some even averted their gazes as if not wanting to be seen by him. He wondered what kind of jobs these people did.

After a smooth ride of no more than two minutes, he arrived near the glass cage. So this was an airarium. Perfect analogy.

Tejeda approached the translucent wall, and Cato exclaimed in surprise. Even though he couldn't hear her, her wide lips provided all the necessary information. And it didn't seem to be a nice gasp, such as "Oh, you look gorgeous!" It was more like, "An ugly creature is staring at me!"

Soon, C1313 and Jackeye came too, and shortly after, Shayla joined them, all goggling at him. Tejeda humphed, and a swirl of bubbly water rose from his mouth. They were the ones in the cage and had the audacity to stare back at him, a princess!

"Your Highness, you are well aware that he is a busy man."

In all the worlds Tejeda had visited, all the princesses were demanding and childish. Well, Shayla was an exception, though she pouted enough to prove his point. Also, her trademark move of crossing her arms over her chest was also sort of a pout. Tejeda shook his head. His mind wandered once again, instead of focusing on the present conversation.

"I demand that the High Chancellor explain himself immediately!" Tejeda landed on his muscular feet at the bottom of the water, his fins no longer flapping. "I'll not move an inch until he arrives."

To underline his resolve, Tejeda crossed his arms over his chest. Learning it from the best, he did it like a pro. He sure hoped this gesture didn’t mean another thing altogether around here. That would have been awkward.

The guard gave a single click in approval and swam away.

Tejeda turned to the glass cage and gazed upon his crew. Hopefully, he would be able to get them out of there one way or another. But first, he had to find out how and why they got into this situation.