"Master System has not told us," he said.
"Master System? Your network?"
"Yes. The network weighs the options and gives us the best outcome for what our goals are."
"And what are the Rhimodian goals?"
"Today? To conduct peace negotiations with the Terran delegates and end the war between our two people."
She smiled. "After that?"
"That is a matter of what Master System wants to do."
"What is the further plan, the goals beyond war?"
"To find a way to grow our population. Become a people again."
"Not be cyborgs?"
"Not be ruled."
Silence spread between them as she fiddled with the last bits.
He laid the last layer on the rocks to dry out. A white tunic gown clung to her form, the thinnest layer she wore. He could see many of her curves and lines, and the Craving burned inside him.
She rubbed her arms to warm herself.
He wanted to yank her to him. To feel those curves pressed against his body. The sensation overpowered him, and it took a great deal of restraint not to move.
Not to pull her close for his own wanton cravings.
She moved closer to the fire. "All those layers, they really did stop the cold, even wet."
"Yes, I believe it." He ran his hand over his head and looked around the cave. He felt strangely at a loss for words, for he knew what he wanted was for selfish reasons, but it would also benefit her. That's what he believed, anyway. To help remove her chill. "Come here, would you--"
"Yes,” she said and stepped into his embrace. She pressed against him. "I hoped you would ask. You may need to take off your shirt for the full effect."
He glanced down at her and saw the bit of a smile on her face. "Is that for the heat, or is that for you?"
"Yes?"
“To both?”
“Yes.” Her cheeks flushed, and she bashfully looked away.
He did not mind, for he knew skin-to-skin contact would be better for warming someone. Besides, the Craving liked that idea. It pleased him that she seemed to feel the same way. Maybe, if he were a lucky soul, he'd be able to do more of the kissing again.
He very much enjoyed that.
He closed his eyes and told the suit to come off. Then, back down to a pair of shorts only, so his legs and upper body were exposed. The excess skin would help her get warmer.
She pulled away from him and gasped.
"What?"
She held out one hand and caressed his skin, following where the trail of the lysteel went back into his body. "It really is like water, just pulling into your skin like that."
He gestured to his back. "There are nodes on my back that control it." He twisted so she could see the gray-black circles on his back.
