Page 52 of HaL

“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.