“Fuck.”
“Not until you build me a body, Trin.”
She blushed and got up to find clothing to make a run to the base.Her bodysuit was good but only down to about ten degrees Celsius.
“You didn’t respond to my body reference.”
“Well, that isn’t my forte.I work smaller.So, when I get to the base, which way do I go?”
“I will be with you.”
“You are in the ship.It doesn’t seem likely that you will be with me.”
“Grab that tablet.I am already inside it.”
“You are acting a little weird.”
“You designed me to be intuitive.You need someone to take care of you.In lieu of anyone else, I will do.”
“I take care of others.It’s my thing.”
There was a deep chuckle, and her knees went weak.
“Stop that.”
“Tablet, Trin.You are taking me with you.”
“Fine.I don’t have any cold-weather gear.”
“It is a five-hundred-metre distance to the base.You can run it.”
“You are sure about this?Should I bring rations?”
“I will have them brought to the base.Go.”
Trin grabbed the tablet and headed down to the lower level.It took her fifteen minutes to get to the airlock.She looked at the frost encrusting the door and knew that this run was going to be way colder than she was comfortable with.
She paused, freed one of her braids, and loosened it so it covered her mouth and nose.She fastened it to keep icy air from her lungs and focused on the door straight ahead of her.
“Straight ahead?”
“Yes.The door will open when you are near.”
“Great.I will go in a few seconds.This is going to be cold.”
“Understood.When you are ready, hit the exit marker.”
Trin looked across the enormous hangar, saw the distinct gleam on the floor, and flexed her knees.This was going to involve black ice and a lot of skating.
When she had calmed her thudding heart, she slid the tablet into her suit and sealed it.Carrying it wouldn’t be great.The moment she was sure, she hit the exit marker and started to move the moment she had clearance.
The floor was as slippery as it looked.Frost over stone made for a delightful surface.It took her a dozen steps to get used to the slick surface, but once she had the motion remembered, she picked up speed.
Bent over and sliding her feet, she went faster as she aimed for the door.Her breath froze in the braid of her hair, and the frost helped filter the icy air.
Her focus on the door brought it closer with every stride, and then she was pressed against the door, and it was still locked.
“Access granted.”The voice sounded like Boss.
