Tinsori Light Administration
The administrator’s line pinged.
Tocohl answered at once.
“This is Tocohl Lorlin, Tinsori Light administrator.”
“Tocohl Lorlin, this is Catalinc Station.” The voice was low and warm. “I am calling to introduce myself.”
“Light Keeper yos’Phelium told me to expect your call,” Tocohl admitted.
“Yes, he urged me to do so prior to this, but I wanted to…demonstrate my worth. You risked your life, catching the systems as they fell. I ought to have taken those up, but I lacked necessary data which has since been provided to me. I am sorry for what you had to suffer in order to preserve all of our lives.”
“I saw what was needed and acted,” Tocohl said, wryly. “I’m curious—what do you mean by demonstrating your worth?”
“Just that. You are an administrator, and the rack-and-tile-based systems are under your supervision. I exist in a different matrix entirely.” She paused and added, with emphasis. “I am the station.”
“How is that possible, when I still administer the rack-and-tile systems?”
“I thought it would be rude to access the changeover protocol without speaking to you first.”
“Is there such a protocol?”
“There is—and that was the other reason I put off speaking to you. Light Keeper yos’Phelium asked me to make the spinward plaza ready to receive tenants. As you are aware, that section was sealed, the tile core flatlined. In order to complete the task given me by the light keeper, I initiated the changeover protocol for that section and did what was needful to make the space comfortable for our incoming guests.”
“Does Light Keeper yos’Phelium know this?”
“Following his instruction, I notified him when the section was ready. He did an inspection, and approved the work. After, we talked about how it was done, and—other matters. I was to tell you that my work had exceeded his expectations.” She paused, and added, “He said that I had achieved grace.”
“I see.”
“I would like to show you how and what I have done, and give you an opportunity to examine the protocol.”
“I would like that,” Tocohl said, “but first, I must ask you a question.”
“Certainly.”
“In order to properly frame the question, I must ask if you will come to a shared workspace, so that I may show you something.”
She expected a demur at that point, it being so obviously a trap. Catalinc Station, however, seemed to possess an easy and unsuspicious nature.
“I will be pleased. Where shall I meet you?”
Tocohl gave her the address. She also pinged Joyita.
“I will be meeting Catalinc Station in the workspace. I intend to show her the picks. Will you watch?”
“Yes.”