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“Tiri, prepare for landing.” I stretch my arms over my head, glad that I’m finally at the end of this trek. Even though my ship is specially designed so that I don’t need a crew, after two months of evading space pirates and making our way across the solar system, I am sick to death of Tiri, my onboard computer.
“As you wish. Akiyra, would you like a shower before we land?” Tiri asks, his clipped, upper-crust British accent grating on my nerves.
“No, thank you. I’m fine as I am.” I did shower...I think.
“Well, don’t blame me if everyone runs from your Eau de sweat.”
“Why did I upgrade to the system with a personality?” I glare at the console before me, then lift my arm and sniff. Maybe Tiri is right and I could use a shower.
“Because you’re too stubborn to have a crew, and I am the next best thing. You would forget to eat if it weren’t for me.”
“Computer, off until I manually turn you on.” There, you overgrown pile of metal. Want to snark me, I will put you in time out.
Pushing my chair back, I stand to make my way to the living quarters. I usually crash in what was the captain’s office instead of my room on the deck below. I don’t want to be far from the controls in case something happens.
Grabbing the rails, I slide down the stairs, stopping for a piece of jerky on my way to my bedroom. There should be just enough water left for a quick shower, especially if I use the sand cleaner first. I don’t know who designed the sand cleaner, but comfort was not the goal. Instead, it’s a torture chamber as the sand is whipped around your body and in your hair, scrubbing you clean as it abrades every surface of your body.
Grimacing, I step into the tube and push the clean button. No matter how I try to prepare myself, I still wince as the sand scrubs the sweat off my body. Then the wind starts, to remove all the sand from my hair and skin. Once the cycle is finished, instead of opening the tube and going to get dressed, I set the water to hot and push the button, sighing as the heated water pours over my body, soothing my battered skin. Knowing that it will only last a minute, I scrub any remnants of sand away, whimpering as the last of the water trickles down my body. Before I leave Xistrosie, I will have to make sure to spend a day at the spas to freshen up before hitting space again.
I forego the wind tunnel for an old-fashioned towel, loving the soft fabric running over my skin. Tossing it on the floor, I walk over to my closet debating what to wear. Sick of the coveralls I usually wear while shipboard, I eye one of the costumes designed for partying, short skirts with bodices that leave little to the imagination. Sighing, I turn to the other side of the closet. I still have business to attend to before I can hit the town. Grabbing black pants, a black corset and black bolero jacket I start to dress. At least I can look professional and if I remove the bolero, I will look a little sexy. Sensible black boots and my coded purse finish off the outfit.
“Tiri, how soon ‘til we land?” I ask my shipboard computer but am met with silence. “Crap!” I have to turn him back on manually. “Why does he irritate me so?” I grumble as I stomp out to the console in the living area and jab a few buttons.
“How was your shower, Akiyra?” His crisp voice asks.
“Shut it, or I will change your wiring so that you have no personality.” I flip a finger at the computer.
“I saw that. What would your mother say?”
“She would have taken a hammer to your circuits months ago. Now, how long till we land?”
“We will be entering the atmosphere in twenty minutes. Would you like me to contact the station now?” His voice is a combination of annoyed and repentant. How do the designers create these systems that can mimic human emotion?
“Yes, please.”