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"Cinder?"

Her relieved gasp nearly knocked her backward "Iko! Yes, it’soverhead--a part of the engine, a part of the ship

And Iko was all of it

"Cinder So with ue jutting from her mouth, Cinder bent over to analyze the slot where Iko’s personality chip had found a new home It seemed to fit perfectly, protected and functional There was no hint of any compatibility issues Her s to be a little different for a while I’ve had to install you as the auto-control system of a spaceship A 214 Rampion, Class 113 Do you have net connectivity? You should be able to download the specs"

"A Rah there was only one speaker in the engine roo on a spaceship?"

"It’s a long, long story, but it’s all I could think to do with your--"

"Oh, Cinder! Cinder!" Iko’s voice ca a chill down Cinder’s spine "Where were you all day? Adri is furious, and Peony … Peony"

Cinder’s words dried up

"She’s dead, Cinder Adri received a comm from the quarantines"

Cinder stared duo It’s been teeks since Adri disabled you This is the first … body … I’ve been able to find"

Iko fell silent Cinder glanced around, sensing Iko all around her The engine rotated faster for a moment, then reduced to norht flickered in the hallway behind Thorne, as stiff and uncoeist had just taken over his beloved Rampion

"Cinder," Iko said after a few silent minutes of explorations "I’m enormous" There was a distinct whine in her metallic tone

"You’re a ship, Iko"

"But I’ gear--are those supposed to be ear"

"Oh, what’s to become of me? I’m hideous!"

"Iko, it’s only tempor--"

"Now, hold on just one minute there, little ine room and crossed his arms over his chest "What do you mean, ‘hideous’?"

This ti?"

"I am Captain Carswell Thorne, the owner of this fine ship, and I will not stand to have her insulted in my presence!"

Cinder rolled her eyes

"Captain Carswell Thorne?"

"That’s right"

A brief silence "My net search is finding only a Cadet Carswell Thorne, of the A prison on--"

"That’s hilare

Another silence as the heat in the engine room hovered just upside of comfortable Then, "You’re … rather handsoroaned

"And you, eous ship in these skies, and don’t let anyone ever tell you different"

The temperature drifted upward, until Cinder dropped her ar?"

The temperature dropped back down to pleasant "No," Iko said Then, "But am I really pretty? Even as a ship?"

"The prettiest," said Thorne

"You do have a naked lady painted on your port side," added Cinder

"Painted her hts flickered and released a diet a new auto-control systeet you a new body Eventually But I need you to watch over the ship, check the reports, nostics--"

"The power cell is alht I knew that part already Anything else?"

The engine huuess I could run a full syste a pleased-looking Thorne when she stood back up "Thank you, Iko"

The lights flickered out again as Iko diverted her energy "But why are we on this spaceship again? And with a convicted felon? No offense, Captain Thorne"