Dev turned around in a circle, looking at the vast, open barrenness on one side, and then out across what was now becoming a familiar venue of open ocean.
“When the new class comes in, we’ll all gather here for the induction ceremony.” Jess told her. “With any luck I’ll get you started on the right foot with them and we can work from there.”
“It’s difficult isn’t it?” Dev said. “
“Hm.” Jess looked at her. “Would it be easier for you if you stayed down with the rest of the bios?”
Dev put her hands behind her back. “Of course it would”
“Do you want to do that?”
“No.” Dev replied without hesitation.
Jess smiled. “Good.” She waved her hand. “Let’s go. I’ll show you the gym and the rad facility, that’s on the next floor, and then we can go past the reference center and stop in at the exchange.”
“For the stuff?”
“Yeah, we’ll get some stuff. “
**
They had, in fact, gotten stuff. Dev sat cross legged on her bed, surveying the items around her with a sense of bemusement. She had learned a lot of new concepts including what rad was and why it was important to her, what the concept of luxury was, and the answer to the mystery of what to sleep in.
It was a little overwhelming. Dev looked around her living space. Now not only did she have this place but she had another place, sort of like the little cubicle in the crèche, where she could study and do research while she was getting her required dose of sun replacement.
She had more space to herself here than anyone topside, even the most important people. It was amazing and a little strange, but she suspected she’d get used to it after a while.
Now, this stuff. Dev sorted among the items. The exchange was full of stuff that Jess had called luxuries, items that were not given to them, but must be earned. This included stuff from topside, she was surprised to see and she’d gotten a package of the little sweet puffs they’d eaten on rare occasions in the crèche.
You could also get things to wear, and Jess had told her it was easy to see the most successful agents and techs because they didn’t wear jumpsuits in off-time – they wore some of the things you could get in the exchange or – this was very interesting – things they bartered for in the living spaces outside.
For now, Dev had gotten a few pairs of soft short leggings and sleeveless shirts to sleep in, as that’s what Jess told her she used. She set those aside and the puffs, and pulled over the box she’d found when she’d gotten back.
That was from the man with the gun, Jess had told her. The box was full of things like insulated drink containers and a pack she could take on the carrier with her with compartments to carry things in. It had straps and hooks that would fasten to the console near her seat.
It was nice. She liked it. There was also a folding tool she could use to get into hatches, that also had a knife in it – she’d seen Jess carry one and a thing to wear that was thick and heavy and had a hood that was very warm when she put it on.
A jacket, Jess had called it, for when they were outside and had to leave the carrier.
Very interesting.
Next, she removed a sanitary kit she could take in the carrier also. It had wipes and little bottles of something you could put on your skin and mouth rinse. She could, Jess had told her, order more for it when she’d used it all.
Also very interesting.
Dev got up and found places for all her new stuff, in the drawers of the big cabinet mostly. Once that was done, she picked up her book from her workspace and climbed up into the relaxing area and sat down on the couch.
She had some time before Jess came back and she settled back in the couch, opening the book and reading from where she’d left off.
**
Jess finished requesting data, then she logged off the intel system and sat down at the small desk, using a stylus to make a few notes on the folder she was carrying. She wrote in silence for a few minutes, then glanced up as the door behind her opened.
Shit. She cursed silently. “Hello Jared.”
The tall, spare medical director came over and sat in the seat next to her. “How long did you figure on ignoring the request to med?”
“I’ve been busy.” Jess said, continuing to scribble. “Besides, what would be the point? Bain put me back into service. He ranks you.”
“Yeah and I heard what he does to people who disagree with him.” Jared spared a brief smile. “I wouldn’t have said no to him either. But you still have a hold on your chart – want to spend ten minutes with me and get it cleared legit?”
Jess checked the time on the console. “If its only ten minutes, sure.” She finished writing and stood up. “I’ve got an appointment to get to.”
She followed Jared down the hall, out of the gray section into the white, passing suite after suite of examination and operation rooms most fortunately now not in use. She’d spent her time in those rooms and like any other agent hated the place.
Jared led her into a small exam room, the one she knew was right next to his offices. She sealed and put the folder down on the desk and lay down on the exam table, feeling the warmth and tickle of the diagnostic systems.
“You look like you’re feeling better.” Jared commented, from behind the console. “Your back still giving you problems?”
“No.” Jess shook her head. “A little tender, that’s all.” She clarified. “Still a little heat sensitive.”
Jared nodded. “Hold still.”
Jess felt the scan focus on her head and she closed her eyes.
“How’s your sleeping?”
“Okay the last few days.” Jess cracked one eyeball open cautiously, then opened them both as the scan faded. “Been too busy to think about it.”
“Hm. That’s what I thought.” Jared came from around the console and appeared next to her. “I can still see adherence in there. You could have gotten into trouble going out.”
Jess lifted a hand and wiggled it’s fingers. “The only thing I exercised yesterday were these. “ She said. “I shot the hell out of everything while sitting on my ass.”
Jared snorted, then chuckled a little. “I heard. About that, and about your new pilot.” He studied Jess’s face. “How’s that going?”
“She’s fine.” His erstwhile patient said. “Pretty good pilot. Not a bad personality. “
“For a bio alt, you mean.”
“For anyone. She’s a nice kid. We’re getting along pretty well.” Jess responded. “Bain’s just sending orders down to make her permanent.”
“I saw. I got them.” Jared said. “I want to see her too, to get a baseline. You think that’s going to work? Most people I talked to didn’t.”
Jess half shrugged. “Most people you’ve talked to haven’t worked with her. They think bios are walking jelly bag brains. Dev isn’t. She’s not one of us, but she’s not one of them either.”
“Huh. You sure that’s not just wishful thinking?”
“Talk to her and form your own opinion.” Jess said. “Done now? I’ve got places to go and people to see.”
Jared leaned against the table. “I’m done. You look like you’re finally on the right track again, Jess. You had me worried there for a few weeks. Maybe everything going to shit was good for you.”
Jess smiled wryly. “Kicked my head out of my ass, you mean.” She interpreted. ‘Yeah, maybe. At least I’m not upchucking all night from nightmares.”
“No you aren’t.” He turned off the scanner. “Your bodyweight’s stopped dropping. I’m going to release you officially so they don’t have to keep overriding me from ops.” He said, in a droll tone. “Nice to know just exactly how much authority I really have.”