> The universe loves unexpected plot twists. The human is still alive, just barely, suffering oxygen deprivation. A cranky old space-trucker manages to haul them into the otherwise empty cargo hold, turn the air on, and help.
> [https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04503-l119-so-long-and-thanks](https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04503-l119-so-long-and-thanks) -- The New Guy
The odds of being picked up by a passing vehicle when close to death in a Livesuit are millions, possibly billions to one. Fortunately for Human Zain, million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten[1].
_...a nightingale sang in Berkely Square,_ sang Vera Lynn. _I know, 'cause I was there..._
Zain opened his eyes. Very surprised to see an Automed's servos tending to his body. One of them unplugged his headset and Vera gave way to the zip and whine of the motors, the beep of the monitors, and the underlying hiss of the air recycling system. This air smelled differently to the Lizard ship.
Zain knew enough to sit put and stay still until the machine was done. Moving would just mess with its programming and might cause something Zain might not survive. It was a repaired Automed, given the little bell that went 'ding' instead of the synthetic voice announcing that the patient was fit for work.
So... this might be a Human vessel. Zain hadn't seen any of his own kind since the Lizards abducted him from the industrial mess of his home planet. That was the one thing that made him seek a comfort weapon as he slid into his Skins and crept out of the Automed chamber.
There was a chance that this was someone sent to take Zain _back_.
He found his saviour with a paddleball and their feet up on a console. They were clearly not from his forsaken home - they were way too dark-skinned to come from Individia[2]. They were also clearly human. Just like him.
"Hey, yerup," they chirped. "Glad yer breathin', cuz. I gotta drop this [EXCREMENT] off at Distro, but I can getcha back homebound. Where ya hail from?"
It took Zain a moment to decipher those words. "Uhm. Lizard planet?" He pointed vaguely in the direction the Lizard survival ship went. "I got scooped up from my Homeworld and... I'm never going back."
The dark face split in a wide grin, showing off brilliantly white teeth. "Ah, one'a _them_ buggers. You gotta lucky lift, mate. No worries, cuz. I can getch'a as far as Buggrit Station. You'll find 'em from there. Bob's yer uncle."
Their name was Manda, and they were trucking for a cluster of Terran colonies that included the ever-baffling _N'Oz_. Generally keeping away from the Alliance and not bothering anyone. Unless that anyone was in considerable danger. Floating alone in a wreckage field with just a livesuit between himself and certain death was definitely a sign.
In return for the trip, Zain kept Manda company, mostly telling stories of "his Lizards". Who would likely lose their tails when he turned up alive after telling the Last Lie.
"Turn up with a tea cake," advised Manda. "Never goes wrong."
[1] With a tip of the hat shop to Sir Pterry (GNU)
[2] You can say "a Greater Deregulation"
[Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@stephenmabbs?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Stephen Mabbs</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-slice-of-cake-on-a-plate-with-a-fork-IlLYlORfZ-s?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>]
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