Steel Beneath the Skin Read Online Free PDF Page A

“fridgy.” I figure that’s like “cool”?’
    ‘Like cool,’ Ella replied, affecting a slight drawl, ‘but cooler.’
    Aneka shook her head, grinning. ‘So, I’ve got this computer in my head which is translating for me without me even realising it?’ Gilroy nodded in reply and Aneka frowned. ‘I’m not sure I like that. I mean, how do I know it’s not messing with my perceptions?’ Her gaze flicked to Patton and Drake.
    ‘That’s why Shannon is a little cold toward you,’ Drake said. ‘Monkey too. His father’s in the Navy so he’s heard plenty of stories about what the Xinti were capable of. You seem like a nice woman, but there’s something of a prejudice against mechanically altered humans, intelligent robots, that kind of thing, due to the Xinti and we don’t know what kind of conditioning they may have put into that computer of yours.’
    ‘I don’t know anything about the Xinti, but I’d have to agree with you. I don’t like it either.’
    Drake nodded. ‘Didn’t think you would. And that’s why I’mgiving you the benefit of the doubt.’
    Aneka bowed her head to him. ‘Thanks. I’m not sure I’m willing to give me that.’
    ~~~
    Ella’s cabin was built for two people, like most of the cabins on the ship. Drake and Gilroy had single occupancy rooms, though Ella said that Patton usually slept in Drake’s. There were actually rooms enough that everyone could have had their own, but sharing cut down on the life support requirements.
    Two bunks took up one side of the room, what would have been a headboard at home being replaced by some sort of computer equipment, and there was a small table with two chairs, one of them located so that it could be turned around to use the console which also acted as an entertainment centre. Off to one side was a cubicle with a sink and shower, and Ella vanished into it to wash as soon as they got back to the room. Aneka sat on one of the chairs, her eyes scanning the room. Everything was gunmetal grey; somehow Aneka had expected space to look more like “Alien” with a lot of white plastic and smooth surfaces hiding jagged, crusty metal.
    Ella clearly used the bottom bunk. The bed was made, but not as neatly as the upper bunk, and there was a small, tablet-like computer lying on the pillow, maybe some sort of digital book. The wardrobe beside the shower cubicle was open and Aneka could see another of the ship-suits hanging there, a helmet on the floor, and a few other bits and pieces of clothing which looked unsuitable for use on a ship.
    ‘Aneka?’
    She looked up at the sound of Ella’s voice. The cubicle door was not fully closed to let them talk. ‘Yeah?’
    ‘I was wondering…’
    When the sentence did not look like it would continue, Aneka decided it needed a prompt. ‘Wondering what?’
    ‘I was wondering whether you’d like to have sex.’
    Aneka blinked. She had figured out that Ella was interested, but she had not expected quite such a direct approach on the matter. What the hell should she say? She realised as the water stopped that she was not saying anything and Ella probably expected some sort of answer, but there was no answer forming. She figured that the surprise was still showing when Ella stepped, naked and still wet, from the cubicle, rubbing at her hair with a towel.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ Ella said, ‘I shocked you.’
    ‘Uh, yeah, a little.’ Trying to make herself sound more cosmopolitan, she added, ‘I didn’t figure you as gay.’
    Ella frowned. ‘Gay? I’m usually pretty cheerful.’
    Okay, that was obviously a word that had changed meaning. Back to the original meaning at that. ‘Uh, a lesbian?’
    ‘Oh, I’m not.’
    ‘But…’
    ‘Sexual bias is pretty much non-existent these days. Some people have preferences, but we pretty much have sex with whoever we’re attracted to. I’m attracted to you, in case you hadn’t noticed.’ Her face fell. ‘Oh… damn! I hadn’t thought. Sorry. You’ve probably