Page 69 of Fallen from the Stars

Kane’s voice projected through the wrist piece. “The systems in this suit are almost obnoxiously primitive, but beggars can’t be choosers. There should be an accompanying mask. It’s required to seal the suit and make it fully operational.”

“It is in the container,” Vasil said. He stooped down and opened the lid, revealing a curved piece of glass inside.

Theo crouched and picked up the mask. Kane scanned it like it had the suit, displaying a series of connections within the glass that were invisible to her naked eye. Kane considered it primitive, but Theo found the device fascinating. Though it would be little more than a piece of glass to anyone else, she admired the intricacy of its inner workings — even if this sort of tech was outside her area of expertise.

“Is that glow in your eyes because of Kane?” Vasil asked.

“Yeah,” she said, setting the mask on the seat. “He can overlay information in my vision.”

Vasil’s brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”

“Um…well, I guess it’s like… He adds images to what I already see. Sometimes it’s to point out something I didn’t notice, sometimes to give me information on what I’m looking at. With this suit, he’s showing me all the internal components that make it work.”

“Interesting. I think the masks—”

Several heavy thumps on the outside of the pod interrupted Vasil. He glanced over his shoulder. “We are trying his patience.”

Theo chuckled. “I’m sure it’s safe to open the hatch now. My naughty bits are covered.”

Vasil looked at her again, his eyes roving over her body slowly, down and up, until they met her gaze. “I do not want to share you withanyone.”

Theo flattened her hand on his chest. Despite the suit covering her hand, she felt the rapid beating of his three hearts beneath her palm. “You’re it for me, kraken.”

He covered her hand with his own and held it for several moments, stroking her lightly with his fingers. Only when Dracchus banged on the pod again did Vasil release her and open the hatch.

“I know what it is like to desire your mate, Vasil, but we are wasting light,” Dracchus said.

Vasil straightened. “We did not—”

“We’re packing up,” Theo said, placing a hand on Vasil’s arm as she stepped forward to look down at Dracchus. “Shouldn’t take very long. I want to make sure we bring as much as we can because I don’t think we’re going to find any replacements on this planet.”

Vasil retrieved the other container and worked beside her to fill them with as many supplies as possible — the first aid kit, rations, blanket, clothing, blaster, water filtration containers, and, finally, her toolbox. Only a ration pack and a water-gel pouch remained.

“They’re waterproof, right? Airtight?” she asked as they closed and sealed the chests.

“Yes,” Vasil replied. “We use them often to transport items between The Watch and the Facility.”

“I’d ask how you could haul these things over long distances,” Theo said, flicking her gaze toward Dracchus, “but that’d be a dumb question.”

“It is not enjoyable, especially on long journeys, but we will manage.” Vasil lifted the first container onto the lip of the opening and passed it to Dracchus, who set it down on the sand. The second container followed a few moments later.

At Vasil’s insistence, she ate the ration pack — it was a bit more flavorful than the bar, but not by much — and swallowed the water-gel. When she finished, it was time to leave. Theo picked up the diving glass mask and cast one last look around the pod. The memory of them sitting side-by-side with the storm raging outside rose to the forefront of her mind. They’d grown so close since that night — closer than she’d been to anyone. It had been the best night of her life.

She turned to Vasil and smiled. “I’m ready.”

They made their way to the water, with Vasil remaining nearby Theo. The tide came in, sweeping past her calves, but she felt none of its chill. After tugging the diving suit’s hood into place and tucking her hair inside, she lifted the mask to her face. She heard — and felt — a faint hum as the mask attached, sealing with the material of the hood. The hum spread across her skin, creating the odd sensation that the suit wasn’t actually touching her anymore.

“Hi!” said a cheerful, unfamiliar voice. “I’m Sam, your System—”

“Shut up,” Kane muttered. His voice seemed to come from an audio system within the suit. “Sorry, Theodora. I was a bit slow in establishing control of the suit’s systems.”

“So that’s the Sam Vasil was talking about,” Theo said.

“Yes, thesystem assistant and monitor. An artificial intelligence so primitive and undeveloped that I cannot rightly attribute anyintelligenceto it.”

“Come on, Kane, no need to be so rude. He’s pretty much your great-great-great grandpa, isn’t he?” Her eyes flicked to Vasil, who was staring at her with mild confusion on his face. “What?”

“Nothing,” he replied, shaking his head. “I am sure if I ask what the two of you are talking about I will only become further confused.”

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