Worlds Apart by Zimmerman A.J

Author:Zimmerman, A.J.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: scifi space adventure, hard science fiction, handicapped hero, near future rescue mission
Published: 2023-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The coffee had become cold and annoying where it soaked through her clothing. Vi tried to ignore the discomfort and studied the slot, attempting to visualize the keycard in her mind.

Quick footsteps approach and a lanky man in his late 20s appeared in the elevator doorway. He had sandy blond hair and a scruffy beard of the same color. He wore a blue jumpsuit with the name ISSAC sewn over the left breast pocket.

Jetta's plan had worked perfectly so far. It had put her in contact with an employee that serviced cleaning bots. Either he had access to the bot that cleaned the vault or he knew who did. If she were lucky, Issac would have an elevator keycard on him.

“Hey there!” Issac said in surprise when he saw her slouched in the corner halfheartedly dabbing at her blouse. “I didn’t expect anyone to be here… are you OK?”

“I twisted my ankle,” Vi explained, “so I’m giving it a little time before I put weight on it.”

He winced apologetically. “Did you slip on this coffee?”

“No, I’m the cause of that mess too. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t you worry about it.” The about sounded like ah-boat. “Anyone can have an accident, hey?”

“True enough,” Vi said. “You’re not from Austin, are you?”

“No ma’am. Grew up in Alberta.”

“Ah. What brought you here?” Vi asked.

“My wife’s from Austin. After we got married, we moved here. I like the weather for the most part, but I do miss the snow.”

He bent to the robot and began removing the tanks and setting them aside.

Vi surreptitiously looked for the keycard. It wasn’t attached to his belt. No lanyard. Most of his pockets appeared empty save for a large rectangular shape that was too big to be the keycard. Probably Issac’s canvas.

It didn’t appear to be on him, so where could it be? With a different employee? Locked up at the front desk? In Issac’s office? How could she check those places?

Vi remembered Jetta's parting advice. “Be vulnerable. Let them help you.” An idea struck.

“I think this towel is useless,” Vi said, tossing it down with disgust. “I need to soak this blouse before the stain sets… do you know of a sink I could use?”

“There are sinks in the ladies’ room,” Issac suggested.

The keycard is not in the ladies’ room, Issac.

“They don’t have stoppers. I need to soak it; not rinse it.”

Isaac scratched his head then said, “I don’t think the break room kitchen has a stopper, but the utility sink in the maintenance room does. It’s probably overkill for the job, but you’re welcome to use it.”

Vi let out the breath she held.

“That would be fantastic. Thanks!” Vi made a show of struggling to her feet and brushed at the wettest parts of her slacks. The wetness ran from her ass to her ankle and the material clung to her skin as if glued there.

Isaac was unsure how much assistance she needed and hovered close by.

“I think I’m OK to walk. Just go slowly and lead the way to that sink.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.