“Oh, sure.”She thought about Zoey and the tufts of hair sticking out on a scarred skull, the holes where her nose had been.The bare eyes with limited eyelids and a milky coating to her irises.And then the rest of her.
Birun exhaled.“How did she survive that?What happened?”
“She lit our beacon to bring the shuttle, and someone had been tampering with the fuel.There was ice and snow, and when she lit it, she was standing in a pile of dumped fuel.She went up with the beacon and rolled into the snow.From there, she walked back to the cave opening to meet us as the first shuttle arrived.The medics didn’t know where to touch her, so they put her in a gel capsule and left her there while we were prepped for transport.She used to look like this.”She showed him an image of a golden-skinned woman with azure eyes and thick black hair with a slow smile.“She’s a good friend and is saving up for her own repair.Even with the Ra rebate, her repair is going to be expensive.”
“Ra?What does he have to do with this?”
“Oh, we are from Ra’s planet.Geb.Or Terra or Urth.Depends on how you want to pronounce it.As such, we are under his protection and not required to pay the Education Station for our bonds.So any contracts we make are free and clear.”
“Who is her bondholder?”
“Yvetorskia.She values Zoey as an analyst but is becoming addicted to the finances.Zoey is excellent at what she does.”
“How did you meet her?”
“She and a group of her friends had been out snowmobiling in the area when an avalanche hit.They pulled buried people from the snow, ran rescues, and brought everyone to the caves we had set up for survival.They kept going until we ran out of fuel, and then we made fuel to keep them up and running.They were amazing guards, and their snow skills were stunning.”
Birun raised his brows.“Are any of them available?”
“Only Zoey survived.Toward the end, we were attacked nearly constantly, and our guards could take out a dozen attackers, but for every twenty killed, we lost one of our own.She used every weapon I made for her, and she was amazing.Her analytical skills were in every move she made.”
He smiled.“She was a friend.”
“Sheisa friend.She’s helped me set up my own investments and prepare for Grandpa’s death.She helped me make a plan to leave.She talks to Boss a lot.”
“She does indeed.She provides me with enough information to ensure solid investments on Trin’s behalf.We are due for a chat with her today, actually.”
Birun smiled.“How much are we talking about?”
Trin paused.“Enough for a nice, quiet home on a nice, quiet world.A big workshop and plenty of equipment at my disposal.”
Birun smiled.“I can offer you that.I would love to offer you that.”
Trin blushed.“I...um...not yet?I have known you for less than two hours.”
He grinned.“Understandable.I will appear more intelligent as I continue to wake.I promise I can actually be charming.”
“I do not need charming.I need...I don’t know what I need.”
Birun inclined his head.“An honest answer.”
“Subterfuge doesn’t serve a purpose.”She shrugged and yawned.“I am sorry.I was asleep for hours.”
“You were healing for hours.Your body was working.Would you like to see your quarters?”
She blinked.“Um, yes?Please.”
He grinned and held his hand out.“Come with me.When you wake up again, I will show you your workroom.”
“Really?”
“Really.Come on.The base is at your disposal.My quarters are down the hall from yours, but I will not enter your rooms unless requested.”
“Okay.”She put her hand into his, and he nodded while continuing that grin.
She didn’t need to speak to Boss.He was there.
They walked through the halls, and she took in the facility.“How big is this place?”
