Opening my wristband, I slide open the tab for my ship and consider tapping Connect. But if I do, my signal can be traced. If anyone is hovering, waiting for signals, that’s how they’ll find it. My backup hope is that no one wants a clunker of an outdated StarBuster.
“MONA, what kinds of creatures are on this planet that might hurt Elix?”
“Omenotau, hellacyna—”
I stop him. “Okay. You are aware of the threats. Can you scan for them?”
“Yes. There are many in the local area.”
“Enough to pose a risk to Elix?”
“Yes.”
“And what are the odds of him surviving with backup?”
My hope is that MONA will say twice as likely. Instead, it gives me a 1.5. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
“I don’t know this saying. But you are half his size, power, and knowledge and are barely familiar with the terrain. You are still healing. I felt that was a generous assessment.”
“Whatever. It’s still better than him by himself. Agreed?”
The door to the cockpit unlatches. “We do this on my terms, Zariah.”
Yes!I get up. “Just tell me what to do.”
MONA directs me to the medbay first, where I’m told to sit on a bed. An arm swivels out of a wall with a needle in its claws. It taps my neck then returns to the wall and comes out with a second. “Stimulant shot plus a nutrient booster.”
A cabinet flashes. I get down and open it, feeling better already. Inside is a medical kit. I grab it. “What’s next?”
MONA directs me to climb into the armored gear Elix stores in his closet and then don a space repair suit with a large glass helmet and life support inside. The helmet links to MONA’s network, so we can chat in my suit.
Then it recommends a smaller Hatchetgun that sends three bullets in a line instead of seven, like Elix’s Haxgun. “It should kick less and be easier for your fragile frame to fire.”
“Ouch?” I say.
“Are you hurt?”
“Only my pride,” I mutter as I clip the final weapon MONA recommends. It’s an iceblade enclosed inside a handle. I attach it to my belt. “Are you sure I’m not too weak for this, too?”
“You should be able to carry it. Wielding it may be a matter of concern. But I do not have enough data regarding these weapons for a creature of your size.”
I lower the ramp. “How far has he gone now?”
“Two miles on foot.”
I sling the medical kit across my body and walk down the ramp. MONA closes it behind me.
“Zariah, may I ask a question?” MONA asks in my helmet.
I trudge through the soft snow, sinking in up to my shins if I don’t stay in Elix’s path. My breath rasps in my helmet. “Sure.”
“Why did you sign up for the race if you want Elix?”
“That’s a sensitive topic.” Really, I just don’t want to answer him.
“I apologize. I am just trying to understand. I protect life, yet I do not comprehend emotion. But emotion is often what drives most humans. He has not contacted you despite the clear evidence that he wants you as his mate. I do not understand why you do not choose one another over all other things.”
“Sometimes life asks things of us that makes what we want not matter.”
