“Ten kilometres around or so.I have a file with the specs on it.I can send it to your tablet.The full access unit is waiting in your quarters.Bots change bedding, you have a sonic, solar, and water-based shower available, but I would not use them at the same time.”He smiled.“Once we are better acquainted, I will take you to the hot springs.”
“Why later?”
“On the first part, you are too tired today.Hot springs need you awake.The second is that no clothing goes into that water, so take that under advisement, the third is because I said so.”
There was a bit of steel in his voice at that last statement, so Trin nodded.“Okay.”
He glanced at her and smiled.“No curiosity?”
“Not worth getting me into trouble for a hot soak.I haven’t had a hot bath in five years.I can wait.”
He frowned.“No?”
“No.There were too many people around, so we bathed in minimal water about twice a week.Lots of snow melt.”
He blinked.“Now I want to take you right there.”
She laughed.“I just want to rest and see my new environment and get a tablet to play with so I can figure out things that I want to replicate.”
“Fair enough.I am just amazed that you don’t flinch from my touch.That is new.My previous companions didn’t enjoy contact at all, so they were assigned, and then they chose their urge to fade.”
Trin looked at him.“Religion?”
They were still walking.
He nodded.“Yes.I had not realized that their people despised me so much.”
“Well, if they are still like that, buy new colonists and assign them to the better lodgings.Take away the rights they think they have just by being born to the social structure in which they exist.What is their military like?”
“Their environment protects them.You are rather brutal.”
She wrinkled her nose.“Nearly two years watching out for shadows around every corner, participating in the organization of our little community, and watching for those who would take our meagre supplies.Some folks still prayed, but since our world was over, religion lost its meaning.Ritual took its place.Daily tasks, daily requirements, meetings, and results.There were a few people who got married, pledging themselves in front of the community.Some babies were born.Some died, and some lived.”She didn’t mention the frantic attempts to make incubators and the vote to save the power.She had to watch those babies die in their parents’ arms in the depths of winter, and it hurt.
Birun stopped and turned to hug her.Oh, right, psychic.
She pressed her face into his chest and resisted the urge to rub left and right to enjoy the soft texture on his skin.Now wasn’t the time.
She let the hot tears of despair, sorrow, and frustration flow for the first time.He rubbed her back, and they just stood there until she got control of herself.
She sniffled.“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.You were made helpless by circumstance, and you did what you could.”
She shuddered as he said the words she had needed when the parents screamed at her for breaking down the units according to the popular vote.
“You tried and were outvoted.I am telling you now, it will happen again.I get ten votes to your one because this is my world.”
She chuckled and leaned back, looking up at eyes that were swirling stars in deep space.
“Okay, there is the similarity to Symo again.”
He grinned.“He sounds like an excellent copy of the original.”
“Well, he’s a little bit shorter.Not much but a little.”She stroked his chest.“Do you have patterns under here?”
He grinned.“You will know when we hit the baths.”
She realized that she was petting him and jerked her hands back.“Sorry.”
