Chapter 17
DAWN
“SAGE, my love, you have outdone yourself.”
“Yes, I do agree. This was not the easiest assignment at all, but I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I also adjusted a few things in your room as well, do you wanna come see?”
“Lead the way, little lady.”
SAGE twirls around, her small holo form dancing across the air, and I find myself playfully mimicking her movements, both of us laughing as we walk into and through the membrane.
This space has also been completely transformed and it now resembles a private closet and dressing area rather than a bedroom/living space.
Huge wardrobes stretch along one wall, while oversized beanbag chairs sit in front of the viewers.
Shoes, scarves, coats, and other belongings are neatly arranged throughout.
“Dawn, I placed most of the things from your room on ANDI in these drawers and then hung up the rest. I don’t think you will be in much need of the bathing suits and summer dresses here, but I had him pack them anyway.”
“Yeah, I do believe those days are over unless I wear them while in here. At least the planet is not completely void of any warmth because the hot springs were quite enjoyable.”
“I am hoping this suit will help you not feel so sheltered and closed in.”
SAGE twirls her hand and a cabinet I had not noticed opens, and I giggle when I swear it looks like space suits from a Sci-fi movie hanging inside.
“They seem rather large now, but that is only to help you get them on. Once you have them on correctly, they will shrink down to your size.”
“SAGE, let’s see if they work, because I am already getting cabin fever. Even though I didn’t go planetside much, I could still move around ANDI at will, and not being able to leave these rooms sucks.”
I slide off my jumpsuit thingy and start wrangling this massive garment. “Damnit, SAGE, I feel like I’m wrestling alligators. Isn’t there an easier way to get this thing on?”
Looking up, I find her holding her hand over her mouth, laughing.
“Okay, forgive me, Mistress Dawn, but you must realize this is quite comical. Here, let me help you, but you must keep my secret to yourself.”
Before I can blink, there is a woman standing directly in front of me, and I just catch myself from screaming when I realize it’s SAGE.
“Son of a … when did this happen?”
“Oh, I have always had the ability, but I just don’t advertise it. Here, lift your leg and place it in this one first, then we will wiggle the rest up.”
It takes us a minute or so, but before I know it, she is sealing up the sides, and I feel the material start to shrink immediately.
“This part goes over your hair once it’s all tucked in and you pull the hood all the way to your forehead and then hit this right here.”
SAGE moves my hand up to show me where the button is.
“When you press this, a clear cover will come over your face. Once you are in this, you should be completely protected from not only the cold, but the wetness of the snow and ice here as well. CIP even informed me that the suit is durable as well and should not be easily pierced.”
I hit the button once I feel like everything is where it should be, and a cover lowers not half an inch from my face.
“Now that you are all sealed up, here are the controls. This button controls the heat. I would leave this one alone, as I have no idea what it’s for, but CIP did say something about oxygen.”
“Can I eat or drink anything in this?”
“Not without removing the clear face shield.”
“Good to know. What do I look like?”
“Come see.”
SAGE pulls on my arm, leading me as I try to figure out my steps in this suit, because I feel like I’m walking on a cloud instead of the floor. Inside the bathroom, there’s now a huge dressing mirror, and I giggle when I see my reflection. I look like a kid playing dress-up in a yeti suit.
“CIP and I decided it was best for you to blend in as much as possible with everyone and everything here on Hallister, in case anyone is still scanning the skies. The covering over your face is reflective, so unless they are looking directly at you, no one would think you were anything but a youngling. Do you want to go try it out?”
“Let’s do it. Should I call for HaL?”
“No, we will only step out onto the balcony. He is sparring with Master Oset at the moment, and both of them are trying to maim each other as usual.”
“Nothing like beating the hell out of your best friend to ensure your friendship.”
“I also do not understand the workings of the male mind, Mistress Dawn.”
Both of us are laughing again when she leads me toward one of the viewers.
Waving her hand in front of a panel on the wall I had not noticed, that viewer starts to retract, and out of it emerges a beautiful ice balcony.
Instantly, she is back in her small holo form as I take a few unsteady steps out into the cold, only to feel nice and cozy.
I had almost expected the clear face cover to fog up, but it is still clear.
“Do you feel the cold anywhere in the suit?”
“No, I’m snug as a bug in a rug.”
“YAY! I can’t wait to tell CIP how well the suit is performing. Move around on the balcony until you get used to it on your feet and hands. I know it feels like you have a pad between your feet and fingers.”
“It does, but if it means I can walk around and possibly help the others here, I’m sure I’ll get used to it in time. Now having to pee is really going to suck, but maybe I’ll just refrain from drinking too much if I know I’m gonna be in this long.”
“There is a flap in the back that will help with that. I do believe you can activate it just like you do the clear opening, but be warned … your bare skin will be exposed to the elements when you do.”
“Nothing like the thought of your own pee freezing mid-stream, huh?”
I giggle when even SAGE scrunches up her nose, only for her to stop … a stillness that I swear only an AI can achieve.
“Sorry, I blanked out on you for a moment there, but Master DaR was simply inquiring about your health. I told him you were healing and adjusting fine, but you may want to reach out to Lacie and Vedece at your next convenience, as they are both still quite concerned.”
“Will the holopad you left the other day be okay to do that with?”
“Yes, it works on a private channel that only SCOUT monitors, but I almost forgot, here is your new communicator. ANDI was adamant that you put it on immediately.”
“Ohhh, I just love him.” I press it to my wrist, watching it seal around it.
“I was scared to reach out before, so thank you for bringing me this and all you have done for me, SAGE. Us girls would be lost without you guys. It’s been an extremely busy day for me, so I will call all of them tomorrow. I feel like I’ve been chasing my tail.”
“Your body still needs to recover by eighteen percent before you are at your peak, Dawn. It is only natural that you would become tired at odd intervals. I will notify the girls that you are doing well and that you will contact them at your next convenience. Between the strain of your allergies and the trauma you just experienced, you are healing rather well and are in great spirits. A positive outlook is always the fastest way to any recovery.”
“Ain’t no point in dwelling on yesterday since I can’t change it any more than I can the next ten seconds.
That is something that hit me like a brick when I found myself in that cage.
I decided I’d live life to the fullest if I ever escaped.
I wasn’t going to let my nerves, embarrassments, or cultural differences dictate my happiness.
If I want something, I’m simply going after it.
Life is too short to wait for the right time. ”
“I recorded all of this to reflect upon when someone else is in your predicament. I’ve witnessed much, but the one thing I have learned and come to respect is the willpower of the human female. Are you planning on staying out here much longer?”
“No, get me out of this rig. I think I’m going to lay down and take a nap. Suddenly, I feel like someone has pulled the rug out from under me, and I’m exhausted.”
I waddle back into the room, catching the viewer out of the corner of my eye as it closes. SAGE walks me through how to get out of the suit on my own, then helps me into a thin gown. Instead of getting into the bed, I settle on one of the huge beanbag chairs.
“Here, Mistress Dawn, this will help you relax.”
She hands me a cup of warm hot chocolate, and I feel tears form in my eyes at how this one little thing really reminds me of home …
Earth. I tuck one of the many blankets she has brought around my legs and lie back, simply absorbing the scenery.
But I jerk suddenly when I see blue flames appear on the wall closest to me.
“Forgive me, I should have shown you this earlier. It’s a moving fireplace and all you have to do is point the remote, and it will move to where you’d like it.
The flames are more ornamental than warm, but I have seen them comfort some of the girls more than once.
The records we have all reviewed from ANDI confirm that many of your kind enjoyed the sound of a crackling fire on cold days.
Can you explain it to me in your words, Mistress Dawn? ”
“Snowstorms once meant being stuck at home until the roads became safe again. During those long winter days, many of us enjoyed sitting by a warm fire with a hot drink while watching the snow pile up outside. I remember playing games and putting together puzzles with my parents and brother during those storms. Even when the wind was howling outside, a pot of chili and a cup of warm cocoa made everything feel cozy and peaceful. Of course, some storms could be dangerous, especially when the power went out. Falling trees and heavy snow could damage homes and create serious risks. Still, as a child, I mostly remember the sense of wonder I felt while watching individual snowflakes land on the windowsill and watching the fire late at night, my imagination playing along with the flames as they danced me to sleep.”
“I will try to recreate that for you here, Mistress Dawn, as sometimes memories are the things we pull strength from. Hallister is harsh, but I hope we can find a way for you to make new memories here and find happiness along the way.”
“My happiness is not your responsibility SAGE, even though I appreciate everything you have and are continuing to do for me. For reasons unknown to all of us, I was meant to be here, and I’m going to see why.
HaL is my mate, and even though we don’t have the same pull to our other half in the same way they do, I found myself fascinated by him after meeting him on ANDI.
But thanks to you and all your little inventions, I can now walk beside him instead of being hidden away. ”
“You are most welcome, Mistress Dawn. SCOUT is calling out for me, something about Zura and OrO on Xulas. They are preparing for the Warrior trials and need my assistance.”
“Go on, if I need you, I’ll yell.”
SAGE bows, and in the blink of an eye, she’s gone.
I take another sip of my hot chocolate, gazing out over the massive hills as the wind sends snow swirling just beyond the window.
When the cup is finally empty, I set it on the little stand beside the chair and pull the blanket snugly around my arms.
I close my eyes, and despite the warmth surrounding me, it’s the memory of HaL’s hands on me earlier that lingers. It follows me into the darkness, the sensation carrying me swiftly into a deep, peaceful sleep.