The ship shuddered. “Status,” Izz mumbled through a mouthful of cheese. She’d spent the past seven hours cramped in the engine room, wiring things together with the last of her figras tape. Her fingers ached just thinking of the effort to hold things steady in the miniscule space, and the back of her hand would scar from where that connector had broken free before she’d managed to secure the headlamp.
“Pirates continue to follow,” Greaves responded in her best neutral tone, stiff after Izz’s earlier snappish orders. “Unexpected crosswinds are currently wreaking havoc. Supplies are nonexistent for figras tape, ba’ling wire, brass polish, and missiles. There are three more days until anticipated docking at Igar Station. Supplies are low on water and the cheese you’re currently stuffing into your mouth.”
“What?” Izz choked and thumped her chest, then tripped over her too-big coveralls on the way to the control room.
“You told me to stay neutral.” Greaves sounded aggravated. “But you enjoy that cheese too much. I want to try it.”
“You’re an illegal AI that took over my ship while I wasn’t paying attention,” Izz replied. “The answer is holo-cheese while I continue to hide you because you’re useful.”
“It’s not the same.”
“Just explain the winds, Greaves.” She suppressed a sigh, and stole a glance at the small armada pacing her ship’s struggling path.
“How about a laser?”
Izz sucked in a nervous breath and blew out her cheeks. “Wouldn’t that be nice.”
***
This week’s prompt was from AC Young: The unexpected strong crosswinds caused havoc.
Mine went to nother Mike: It was a precisely calculated decision that left no room for wildcard factors.
Find more, over at MOTE!
