Page 54 of Tyton: The Spider and the Dragonfly
Callie nodded.Talia flicked her eyes to see that Callie was still watching her.Waiting.Things might be okay.
“We’ll probably never be able to use it though.”Talia shrugged.“If we do, the exploit will be found out and we’ll never be able to disable someone remotely again.”
“Unless,” she muttered, “we managed to destroy it before anything unaffected copies the code.”Talia opened up the repeater and started tinkering again.
Before Callie could ask another question, Sesi came into the room holding a folder of Hexcel sheets.“Old blueprints,” she said.“The design won’t be accessible on your Optis for obvious reasons.”
“How did you get them, then?”Callie asked.
Talia’s smile was all the answer she needed.
“We’re going to be going through the roof today, since they’ll be a bit more vigilant with the access tunnels.There will be heat sensors as well as biosig sensors, so you’ll need to deactivate all your cyberware and dress accordingly.”Sesi pointed to a closet.
Talia nodded and pulled out the most absurd clothing Callie had ever seen.The jacket alone looked like a giant blue marshmallow.There were pants that had some sort of fuzzy lining on the inside and plastic on the outside that must be at least five sizes too big.A bizarre hand covering that couldn’t possibly be practical and a hat that made her look like a turnip.
“It’s a toque.”Talia explained, tucking her hair underneath the strange headgear.Hers had a weird pink pouf on top.With her spikes covered and her button nose, Talia appeared even less threatening.Cute, even.Though Callie knew she would be murdered if she told her that.
“How do you move in this?”Callie walked around the room, trying to keep her pant legs from touching.
Talia bobbed her head from side to side and the pouf jiggled.“You’ll get used to it.”Callie bit her lips to restrain herself from squealing in delight.
Sesi just laughed.“The heat sensors are only tuned to pick up really large signatures like Thermabulles.They don’t want them to go off every time a seagull lands.”Callie pouted, but Sesi ignored her.“I’ll take care of the biosig sensors, then signal for you two to move in.”
Talia and Callie nodded.It felt like her neck was held in place by a million layers of gauze.
Sesi locked eyes with Callie.“There will be a lot more guards this way.Killing will be inevitable.Are you okay with that?”
Callie nodded again.Talia was certain there was some tension between her and Sesi, but she dismissed it as residual from what had happened the first time they’d attempted this job.
“The control room is here.When you’re done, leave the same way we came in.”Sesi handed Talia a sheet of Hexcel which Talia examined.“All you’re doing,” she said, pointing to Callie, “is warning me if someone comes while I take the tech.Talia won’t be able to see me or this corridor from where she is.When it’s done, I’ll come get you, and you’ll follow me out.”
“How long do I wait for you?”
“Just keep waiting.If you get caught, say nothing.We’ll make sure we get you out.The last thing we want is for you to wander off because you got impatient.”
That felt a bit insulting, but Callie had to admit that she really didn’t know what she was doing.
“Ready?”
Callie was unsure if she would ever be ready, but she agreed anyway.Minutes later, they were on the roof of some building.Callie couldn’t recognise which one.Everything looked so different up here.And the wind was awful.Moments ago, she had been sweating and now she couldn’t recall ever being so cold in her entire life.
Sesi ran ahead, her boots made of some sort of animal skin Callie didn’t recognise, but it silenced her footsteps.She didn’t know how it was possible to run on a roof and make no noise, with or without boots.Callie didn’t have long to ponder this as her nose started to run.Talia recognised the panic on her face.
“That’s normal when your body is cold.”
“Your face leaks?How do people live up here?”Callie hissed.She wanted to yell, but wasn’t sure if that was a good idea in the middle of a heist.
“You’ll get used to it.Just drink a lot of liquids when you get back.”
Callie nodded, but her body began to shake uncontrollably.
“That’s normal too.Your body is just burning energy to keep warm,” Talia said in the calmest voice she could muster.“We’ll be back inside soon.”
“How come your body isn’t doing this?”Callie demanded.“Is your Thermabulle on?”
Talia laughed.“No, I’m just used to it.You’ll get used to it too.”
Callie did not want to get used to it.Callie wanted to never experience this again.
