Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 6, 2013 21:18:06 GMT -8
*This was it. The real test. Eli walked over to the terminal without saying a word and sat down. The droid deserved an explanation of some sort. Aw frak. She had to type the words. Well, this would be interesting, to say the least.
LE-03 toid me tx rescue you. I nrxmised I would brlng you back sajeiy. I have a temnorary chell to house your core, lj you wxuld ilke to mxve aroupd.*
*Well that looked like utter crap. Even if she couldn't tell what was right, she knew she spelled everything wrong. Hopefully the droid would be able to figure out the message because screw it, dyslexia kriffed everything up.*
--------
*LE-03 told me to rescue you. I promised I would bring you back safely. I have a temporary shell to house your core, if you would like to move around.
|
|
|
Post by Lanette Shan Terr on Jul 8, 2013 14:07:05 GMT -8
*The AI had a lot to process. She started to ponder how to respond to the new young typist, but was then interrupted by the doctor's typing.. There was someone here to see her? Her name was...*
Mom?!
*It couldn't be. Her mom was dead, there was no way that she was alive, let alone here to see her, but that didn't stop LE-02 from getting her hopes up, her core flooding with excitement and trepidation and hope, and she pictured herself bouncing up and down from happiness, all in the space of time since Doctor Rollins had typed the letter "i" in her visitor's name..
And then he typed the space and a "T", and she knew that her hopes had been incorrect, and her positive processes came to sudden, grinding halts, then cycled themselves out, leaving her feeling.. empty. She didn't even pay active attention to the rest of his message, until the typing pattern changed again.
The screen flickered, another electronic blink, at the new typist, "Eli Terr." Rather, her apparent lack of typing skills. But the typist did mention her younger sister. It was a simple task to run the words through a lexicon and apply auto-correction.
An escape? Absolutely. But this "temporary shell" raised questions, specifically...*
"Would I be able to speak?"
*It was deliberately simple language again, with an almost sad tinge to the words. The letdown of finding out that Eli Terr was not her mother was still fresh in her mind..*
|
|
Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 8, 2013 23:26:52 GMT -8
*Some strange feeling stole over her, like 02 was... sad. About Eli being there or something along those lines. But that was ridiculous. 02 had never met Eli, hadn't even known about her existence before now. Why was she sad?*
Px. I dldp't have tlme tx bulid a pew chell fxr you. You have a celilng xj 10 jeet, 180* jlied xf vislon, apd cxmnuter access. A vxcoder wxuidp't jlt.*
*She hoped 02 would be okay with that for now. It was, after all, only a temporary fix and she had drafted several sketches of ideas back on the freighter. She may be terrible with typing but damn, she could draw.*
-------
*No. I didn't have time to build a new shell for you. You have a ceiling of 10 feet, 180* field of vision, and computer access. A vocoder wouldn't fit.
|
|
|
Post by Lanette Shan Terr on Jul 9, 2013 11:54:18 GMT -8
*It was getting easier to translate the girl's typing. There was a pattern to the typos, and it made it simpler to run through her lexicon. She wanted to speak in order to ease the girl's burden; it was obvious that she was unable to type properly, different than the young girl who had been typing before.*
"Okay."
*She waited for a few seconds -- a lifetime, for her -- before finally opening up to the girl. She felt bad for her coldness before..*
"You're not my mom."
*Another second passed.*
"I thought you were, at first. I'm sorry."
|
|
Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 11, 2013 13:57:16 GMT -8
*Well that explained things. Leigh had told her a little about Eliana, enough for her to know that she was dead. 02 must have seen her name and assumed it was her creator come for her. Normally, Eli didn't try to be empathic. Feelings were terrible things, in general. But right now, she felt for the droid. She knew what it was like to be an orphan.*
Nx. L'm pot. I'm sxrry. Lts xkay. Wxuid you ilke tx come xut?*
*Eli fingered the orb in her pocket. She was nervous about this. Temporary though it was, it was still her work, her craft. If it didn't work... If 02 didn't like it... Well, she'd prefer if both those outcomes didn't happen.*
-------
*No. I'm not. I'm sorry. It's okay. Would you like to come out?
|
|
|
Post by Lanette Shan Terr on Jul 12, 2013 13:50:06 GMT -8
*She shivered slightly inside, causing the monitor's display to suddenly wobble. She wanted to leave, but to be unable to speak... To finally be able to perceive the world around her, but be unable to comment on it where anyone could hear.. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
As such, she went with her first instinct.*
"Yes please. ...Please make it fast, though."
*There was another second's pause.*
"I don't like being trapped."
*She wondered idly if the girl would realize what she meant: that she didn't want to be trapped in a world without speech, unable to satisfy her need to point out every curiosity that drifted into view..*
|
|
|
Post by Gracie Rollins on Jul 12, 2013 15:01:25 GMT -8
*As their guest and the AI communicated silently, Doctor Rollins stood patiently, hands folded behind his back. He could not deny his curiosity, but at the same time he wasn't going to intrude on the conversation. That was, assuming this Eli Terr did indeed know who this AI belonged to and could deliver her to them. He was simply waiting for the right opportunity to ask.
Gracie, however, had no such patience, and, after only a couple of minutes, made an impatient sound, walked up to Eli's side, and piped up,* "What's you sayin' to da robot bwain?"
*Doctor Rollins quickly took a step forward, gently placing his hands on Gracie's shoulders and pulling her back toward himself, away from the stranger's side. It was both a courteous gesture, so that she wasn't getting in Eli's way, and protective of Gracie; he still didn't know if he could trust her yet. Still, he forced a smile.* "She's just excited to see an AI like Elly." *Not that he was going to tell Eli why.* "Though I admit my own curiosity. If that's not too personal, that is."
|
|
Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 12, 2013 16:03:58 GMT -8
*Her response was quick. Her fingers flew over the keys as she typed it out.*
L'ii get you out as sxxn as I cap. L nrxmlse.*
*Eli suppressed the irritation that arose from the child's petulant demand. The doctor thankfully pulled the child back but added his own inquiry. She didn't answer him. At least, not at first. She stood from the chair and found the AI memory core. She'd have to be careful, but she could definitely pull it out.*
"I don't have time for long explanations," *she said, pulling the shell out of her coat pocket.* "She's scared, alone, and an orphan. I can take her to her family, but I have a crude shell to house her and the longer I'm delayed, the more upset she'll become. Do you have any idea how hard calming a hysteric AI is?"
*Eli slowly ejected the memory core from the computer and slipped it into the shell. Now she just had to wait for 02 to power up her temporary platform. Nothing pretty, like she'd told 02, but hopefully, it would do the job.*
"As soon as she powers up, I need to get her the hell home."
-------
*I'll get you out as soon as I can. I promise.
|
|
|
Post by Gracie Rollins on Jul 12, 2013 17:05:03 GMT -8
*No immediate response. Perhaps she was trying to pick her words carefully. That always led to some suspicion. As she stood, Doctor Rollins subtly edged closer to the console, peering at the monitor out of the corner of his eye. Everything Elly had spoken was clear as day. Everything the woman had typed... wasn't. First he perhaps thought it was some code, then when he deciphered a small bit of text, he realized the true issue: Dyslexia. Damn. He would have been able to more quickly skim the conversation if he didn't have to carefully decipher the text.
One sentence though, typed by Eli, jumped out at him: "LE-03 told me to rescue you." LE... Elly. Was this Elly merely part of a series of AIs then? Elly didn't seem to be protesting either, based on what he could read. Perhaps it was safe, then, to trust this Eli woman.
Maybe.
Eli explained that she could indeed take Elly to her "family," using a "crude shell" that she'd extracted from her coat. She then asked—somewhat exasperatedly even—if he had any idea how hard it was to calm a hysteric AI. His expression turned just a touch indignant, but his voice remained calm as he replied,* "I'm no stranger to it." *It wasn't merely Elly he was referring to either; Elly wasn't the only AI he'd had to interact with in the past. Pushing his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose, he asked,* "Where is 'home,' might I ask?"
"Daddy, she said a bad wold," *Gracie suddenly commented, pointing her finger at Eli.
He quickly reached out to lower it.* "Everyone says those sometimes, sweetheart. You'll understand when you're older."
|
|
|
Post by Lanette Shan Terr on Jul 12, 2013 20:15:58 GMT -8
*There was a sudden emptiness as she was withdrawn from the console, a sudden "coldness" that reminded her of her year spent in the void.. and then, another lifetime later, there was a spark of a connection. LE-02 eagerly flooded the shell with her consciousness, and was immediately and violently bounced back into the memory chip, a sudden whining noise emitted by the shell's hardware as the AI's full consciousness tried to task it beyond capacity.*
Oops...
*She had forgotten that this shell wasn't designed to carry someone of her.. intelligence.. at full capacity. As such, she spun up a miniature program -- "miniature" being a relative term, that is -- and sent it out as a probe into the shell, to check its capabilities. Within a few hundred cycles, it had returned with the results, and she sent out more programs tasked to control the shell and perceive what it perceived, while she sat in her chip, controlling and watching, a spider sitting in the center of her web.
Three seconds from the moment Eli had plugged the core into the shell, it powered up completely, floating up into the air and spinning around wildly, then began rocketing around the room for 1.4 seconds before finally coming to a complete halt. It whirled, allowing LE-02 to finally get a visual on everyone: Dr. Rollins, his daughter, Eli..
Eli...
The shell sank a little bit in midair, a gesture of emotional defeat. If she could have, she would have cried. To add insult to injury, the girl not only shared a name with her creator, but shared an almost identical appearance as well. She couldn't say any of that, though. Her voice had been silenced; she had traded speech for sight, and this was the result of it.*
010110010110111101110101001000000110010101110110011001010110111000100000011 011000110111101101111011010110010000001101100011010010110101101100101001000 00011010000110010101110010001011000010000001110100011011110110111100101110 {You even look like her, too.}
*LE-02 didn't even realize that she was vocalizing anything; the emotions were getting the best of her again. She turned around, facing the doorway, and sat there in midair, resolutely unmoving, waiting to leave this place..*
|
|
Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 12, 2013 22:22:16 GMT -8
*She said a bad word. Oooh, who frickin' cares! Surely the doctor swore on occasion. That child couldn't possibly be dumb enough not to know a few cuss words. Eli had heard more than "hell" by that age and could properly use any swear. Hell, she'd spoke saltier than some spacers. Not that she ever let the orphanage director hear her. She had the same ideas about "bad words." But before Eli could say anything, the droid in her hand sprang up.
She watched carefully as 02 spun and soared around the room for a little bit. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. It might not be what 02 was used to but she could have fun with such a device. And almost just as suddenly as 02 jumped into the air, she sank. Almost deflated. Eli cocked her head to the side, eyebrows furrowed, as 02 chirped and whistled. Looked like who? ... OH. Eliana Shan. Were they really that similar that even Shan's own creations thought them identical?* Leigh, why didn't you tell me?
*Ignoring the doctor's question, for now, Eli walked over to 02 and gently touched the back of the casing.* "Otoo, I promise, I'll make this up to you. I know this isn't what you hoped for, that I'm not who you hoped for. But it will get better."
*She turned back to face the doctor.* "Home is the Praxeum on Yavin four. I'm a... initiate there. LE-03, Otoo's sister, is there last I knew." *Eli glanced back at the droid then turned back to the doctor.* "I need to get her back home so I can make her more comfortable. You have a child. I'm sure you understand."
|
|
|
Post by Lanette Shan Terr on Jul 12, 2013 23:26:05 GMT -8
*LE-02 slowly turned back around to face the young girl, considering her.*
01011001011011110111010100100000011011010110010101110100001000000100110001000101001011010011000000110011 00101110001000000010000001001001011100110010000001110011011010000110010100100000011000010110110001110010 0110100101100111011010000111010000111111 {You met LE-03. Is she alright?}
*She spun slowly again, facing the youngest being in the room, lowering herself down to the child's level, staring at her as if deep in thought, before looking back up at Eli.*
|
|
|
Post by Gracie Rollins on Jul 13, 2013 0:45:28 GMT -8
*When the shell went live and hovered about the room, Doctor Rollins merely looked upon it with a mildly-impressed expression, though slight control when he worried perhaps Elly hadn't taken complete control of the pod. But then it stabilized, with an almost human-like sinking sensation that even Doctor Rollins could see.
Gracie, meanwhile, was watching with widened, excited eyes. She even grinned and clapped as she watched the pod dart around and then stop. Suddenly, she turned to look up at her father.* "Daddy, can I fwy fings wike dat too?"
*Doctor Rollins had been focusing on the noises it made, wishing he knew how to interpret the binary. Surely it was something he should have been knowledgeable in considering his field, but nearly all communications he'd dealt with were in either spoken or written Basic. At Gracie's question, he looked down at her and chuckled, shaking his head, thinking it an innocent question.* "No, Gracie, humans can't be put into tiny pods like that."
*Gracie didn't seem convinced. She shook her head, looked behind her shoulder to spot the pod again, then pointed at it as she looked back up at her father.* "But its bwain was put in it! Why can't mine be?"
*... of course. That was what she was referring to. He had completely forgotten that the body Gracie inhabited was almost completely mechanical, her mind electronic. In a very brief, proud moment, he was pleased that his work had been so flawless that he'd forgotten her body wasn't human. But the moment was over in an instant, as his eyes darted toward Eli, hoping she didn't pick up on any of this. Quickly they flashed back to his daughter, as he shook his head.* "Because it's a human brain, human brains can't be..." *"Can't be" what? Transferred? That was untrue, just not in the capacity Gracie was suggesting, and it would also contradict Gracie's own existence. She was smart enough that she'd question it. And possibly blow her cover. Trying to force a chuckle as he spread his arms, he improvised,* "Well, I could always build you a toy you could control with your thoughts using a special headband, but you can't just put a human brain in something so small. And why would you want to? You can do so much more with your body."
"Oh." *Gracie stuck a finger in her mouth for a moment, then removed it.* "I just fought I can put it in a fwying pod den put it back in my head!"
"No, no, that's far too complicated." *No it wasn't. Not for Gracie. He knew it, but now wasn't the time. He had already missed something Eli had spoken to the pod, and he didn't want to miss more. Fortunately, Gracie seemed to be satisfied with the answer, for now, and Eli was speaking to him. Yavin IV? The Jedi world? She was an initiate? He wouldn't have guessed. He'd always had the impression that Jedi would have a more, well, distinct persona. But she did say initiate.
There was that designation again: LE-03. The name Eli had given Elly was instantly deciphered in his mind, and now he knew Elly's designation: LE-02. Sister to LE-03, according to Eli. Fascinating. He almost detected a bit of impatience with Eli's closing statements—weren't Jedi supposed to be patient?—but he only nodded and looked at Gracie, who was staring fascinated at the pod as it hovered close to her. Then he looked back at Eli.* "I—"
"Who's Otu?" *Gracie suddenly asked.
Doctor Rollins shut his mouth, considered how to explain it, then, deciding to spare some time, simply answered,* "That's Elly's last name."
"Oh."
*That was simple enough. As she repeated the words "Elly Otu" under her breath a few times, Doctor Rollins said to Eli,* "I do understand."
*Then he looked away, at the lab, its equipment, and the tools and machines within. "Make her more comfortable." The words repeated in his head, not as an explanation, but sounding almost like a command. He looked down at Gracie again. She'd lived here all her life, with just him and her mother, and little human contact. That's why she was always so eager to meet new people or learn new things: She was trapped, and wanted more. The gardens were provided as a source of a change of scenery, a way to be in touch with nature when there was none here on this ice ball. How long had he been doing this? Sealed away on this rock doing whatever research or contracts he'd found himself building? It provided, but it wasn't living. They were probably the only living organisms on the planet; that wasn't the proper place to grow up.
Suddenly, his head snapped around to face Eli again.* "I'd like to come with you."
*Gracie immediately gasped and looked up at her father, starting to bounce up and down in place.* "Daddy, does dt mean I can be Elly Otu's fwiend?"
*She seemed so excited. And it was for that reason he knew he must pursue this.* "I can work anywhere, I have much technological expertise. Maybe the Jedi could use a man of my skills. Perhaps I could assist with any technical issues with the AI." *He was speaking from a stance of mere usefulness. And who knew whether this girl could even grant any such authority. Still, he would insist. Briefly he entertained the notion of locking down the facility until she agreed to take him, but that was too... drastic.*
*And rebuilding your child as a droid that only mimicks her isn't?*
*Dismissing his thoughts with a frown, he looked down at Gracie, then back at Eli.* "... and my child needs a better environment to grow up in than..." *Instead of finish his sentence, he merely raised his arms and gestured around at the room. He lowered his arms and waited for her answer. This was what was best for Gracie, a true, living environment to grow up in. And she seemed quite heavily interested in "Elly Otu," a kinship shared by their vast similarities, despite their surface differences... ? If Doctor Rollins had lived on his own, he wouldn't have cared. He would have handed over the AI and bid them farewell.
But Eli was right: He had a child, and thus knew the need to make her comfortable.*
|
|
Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 13, 2013 15:07:37 GMT -8
"Oh-three is fine," *Eli said. She knelt so that she was on eye level with 02, though perhaps the gesture wasn't necessary.* "She's had a few adventures, got a little scraped up, but she's alright."
*There was so much behind the doctor's words. Too much. She could understand speaking on a child's level, changing how much information was given. But this... things were omitted, changed far too much. Yes, it was in a way that the child understood but his words seemed chosen. Picked, sorted, and said. And the way he emphasized the human-ness of the kid when the girl herself believed otherwise. Eli scanned over the girl with a practiced eye. No visible seams, no subtle whirring of gears... even the eyes were identical to real ones. But beneath all that human outside, Eli felt the pulse of data running through circuitry, the electric currents flowing to components. She didn't know how she knew but she knew.
The child was a droid as well. Nigh impossible to tell without crossing that invisible line the doctor had made. Smooth motions, complex personality, realistic feelings. She even irritated Eli like a real child would.*
"It's not impossible," *she said quietly, rising from the floor.* "Otoo is proof. That Ay-Eye doesn't mimic life. It is alive."
*The doctor then asked to come along. Well, he didn't so much ask as say he wanted to. Eli looked around at the lab while he spoke. Really looked. Machines, instruments, computers, writings and equations on the walls. Tools by the dozen, spare parts cluttered in corners, a few work tables scattered around. And that's what she could see right now.*
"Wish I'd grown up in a place like this," *she muttered to herself. Eli tucked her hands into her pockets as she focused back on the doctor.* "Yeah, you can come. Not one for long talks though so entertainment's on you."
|
|
|
Post by Lanette Shan Terr on Jul 13, 2013 20:29:37 GMT -8
*If she could have, she would have smiled at the news that 03 was fine; as it was, she had to settle for a contented beep. So she sat there, listening to the exchange, and then...*
"Otoo is proof. That Ay-Eye doesn't mimic life. It is alive."
*It was straight out of her mother's mouth.* "Not everybody abides by the same definition of life..." *Whoever this girl was, regardless of her physical and nomenclatural similarities to LE-02's creator, that had clenched it right there: Eli was someone special.
Without a sound, 02 floated back up to just above shoulder height, then pressed herself against the side of Eli's head, an approximation of a nuzzle, in exactly the same manner as a pleased child would do to a mother figure who had just rewarded her or given her praise. After that, she moved away to float just over the young woman's shoulder, essentially perching herself there.
She had found someone worth looking for.*
|
|
|
Post by Gracie Rollins on Jul 13, 2013 21:55:01 GMT -8
*As Doctor Rollins waited for her answer, he'd heard her say something else: AI doesn't mimic life, it is life. Doctor Rollins didn't dare look at Gracie, for that could be quite a tell, but it was definitely something that hit home with him for obvious reasons. Indeed, AI was life. He knew it to be true, he must have, or else he wouldn't have endeavored to rebuild Gracie the way he had. She was still alive. She wasn't a mimic. She was only Gracie.
He kept his composure, briefly blinking rapidly but then his eyes remained open when Eli confirmed that they could, in fact come with her. He grinned, for perhaps the first time in years, folding his hands in front of his chest and giving her a bow.* "Thank you. You've no idea how much this means to me. To us."
*Gracie was similarly excited, making little soft squealing sounds before looking up at the pod, who had relocated to Eli's shoulder.* "You hear dat, Elly Otu? We gonna be fwiends!"
*Doctor Rollins laughed again. Truly, he was happy for Gracie more than he was for himself. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he looked at Eli and said,* "We'll only take what little things we need, data, clothes, other personal effects. Anything else I can come back for later, you must be eager to depart." *"As am I," he added to his thoughts, before taking a datapad to his coat and walking toward a different console in the lab.* "We can meet you at your ship. Unless you prefer to wait, then by all means, we won't be long."
|
|
Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 13, 2013 22:27:13 GMT -8
"I'll be on the freighter," *she said, reaching up to gently brush her fingers against 02's pod. Her clothes clung to her skin, what with her layers and the much warmer temperature of the lab. Not good. Means she'd be even colder outside. Eli groaned inwardly as she stalked back towards the doors. Damn this planet.
She rearranged the wraps around her face—oh gods, the air on her face felt good—and made sure they protected her face. She turned to 02, holding her coat open.*
"Might wanna get inside. I don't know how well that platform works in freezing temperatures."
|
|
|
Post by Lanette Shan Terr on Jul 14, 2013 16:33:55 GMT -8
*She rotated to regard Doctor Rollins and his daughter once more, then turned back to Eli. LE-02 had once been a starship AI, able to withstand most temperatures, able to do so much more, and now she was reduced to this...
It was a rare moment of humbling for her, and she didn't like it, so she focused on something more important. Like staying safe, with this woman who had given her the title she had been programmed for.
Without another sound, she floated into the woman's open coat, grateful for the protection, and nestled contentedly inside the folds..*
|
|
|
Post by Gracie Rollins on Jul 14, 2013 20:33:13 GMT -8
*Doctor Rollins nodded without looking for Eli, then went about linking up his datapad to the computer in the room. He then downloaded all data he had in the systems, all project history, recent information, lab records, schematics, blueprints, everything. This was still his livelihood, and he needed all the info he could take with him. And it wasn't like he wouldn't return for more items as soon as possible.
Like Gracie's body...
But he definitely needed to move it in secret. What would these people think if they learned of Gracie's true identity? But then, why was he suddenly so keen to hide it? Gracie knew it already, and Eli had just affirmed that AI was still life. What would it matter if others knew? Regardless, he felt it better to keep that information to themselves... for now. Not everyone accepted droid life for easily, and he'd rather not risk subjecting her to persecution or teasing for that fact. The body could stay. For now.
Gracie was excited as they moved to their quarters, chattering on about she'd be Elly's friend and could go see new places. She then, upon passing the gardens, asked if their new home would have any like that. Doctor Rollins replied that the entire world would be like that, but quickly calmed her excitement by warning her about the dangers of the planet, and that she wouldn't be able to go anywhere unsupervised.
There wasn't a ton of things Doctor Rollins himself had to pack. Clothes, some equipment, that was about it. It was mostly the same for Gracie, though her "equipment" was some of her favorite dolls and toys. Then, after helping bundle her up as warmly as possible after also wrapping up, he took their bags himself and headed to the entrance.
They stepped into the entrance chamber between the actual laboratory entrance and the entrance to the cold outside. He input a code that put the entire outpost into low-power lockdown mode, which would deny all access and to all outsiders would appear powerless. Then, they stepped outside.
He hadn't been outside in quite a while, because he forgot just how biting the howling winds of cold were. Gracie brr'd and huddled against his side. Doctor Rollins did his best to put an arm around her as they walked toward the ship, the doors to the entrance chamber slamming shut and sealing behind him. He'd return, of course, but it felt like a major departure, a step forward in life. To something bigger, better, and a good life for his child.
They ascended the ramp of the ship, and, upon locating Eli, said,* "Thank you again. Just tell us where to sit and put our things, and we'll not bother you throughout the duration of the trip."
|
|
Eliel
Member
Life is hard. Suck it up.
Posts: 57
|
Post by Eliel on Jul 15, 2013 12:51:07 GMT -8
*Once 02 had nestled herself inside the jacket, Eli made sure it was closed securely before she ventured out into the cold. Heat radiated from the little orb as 02's processes conducted electricity throughout, generating heat. It gave her a warm feeling, both literally and figuratively. Someone needed her. It was exhilarating. It was new. It terrified her. A life relied on her, depended on her. Trudging along the ice, she wondered how Eliana Shan had ever had the guts to create life.
Once inside the freighter, she ran into the cockpit, leaving the boarding ramp down for the doctor and his kid. It'd be warmer in here while she waited, and she needed to warm up the engines. 02 also probably wanted out. Eli draped the coat around the pilot's seat and sat down, letting 02 wander as she wished. A few buttons punched, a couple switches flicked and the engines were humming. She sat back in the chair, waiting. Maybe once they were in hyperspace, she'd make herself a cup of hot chocolate and take a nap. While this hadn't been as easy or as difficult as she thought it'd be, it still wore her out. And she hated cold planets.*
*Well that was fast. Eli spun the chair around to look out the cockpit then shrugged.* "Anywhere in the back is fine. I'll be in the cockpit most of the time."
*She hit a control on the console in front of her, closing the ramp and sealing in the warm air. Then it was a mere matter of inputting their course, taking off, and plotting their jump to hyperspace before she could relax and get that cup of hot chocolate. All things said and done, this had been a productive trip.*
|
|