“What’s a California?” Izz idly asked her ship’s AI. She spun a disc in her hands before running a finger over the purple label.

“A defunct state in North America on Earth, now underwater after the earthquake of 3142. Its former location will pass under the viewport in seven hours, two minutes.” Greave’s voice was comfortingly robotic. Enough to pass for non-sentient when they encountered the next port inspection team.

Izz tossed the ancient tech into the pile of potential funds and moved onto a bookshelf next to a dirty porthole. “So a California girl is just someone who lived there.”

“The holodisc may display stereotypical images if you can find a player under all this dust.”

“Ooo, an old respirator, nice. And yeah, this base is filthy, but it’s got some great artifacts buried under all the mess. Anyway, can’t you do it? Play the vid?”

“I suppose,” Greaves answered with obvious reluctance. And let out a distinctly unrobotic sneeze.

***

A snippet inspired by Leigh Kimmel’s challenge. My prompt went to nother Mike, who walked on the wild side. Join the fun at MOTE!