For the past month, Nora had been unusually restless, unable to connect with her mainframe. Even now, in the open city, she couldn't establish a link to any satellite. Though she could faintly sense a signal, it was constantly disrupted by some kind of magnetic interference. Still, the chance to connect, even briefly, lifted her mood.
"Please give me a gaming laptop," Eleanor said.
"How many hours will you be needing it for?" the attendant asked.
Eleanor mentally calculated the time left before sunset. "Seven hours, please."
The attendant was momentarily taken aback. Cadets rarely used the internet for long… most browsed for an hour or two before heading off to bars or other amusements. She hesitated, then decided to confirm.
"Miss, do you mean to book a gaming laptop for seven hours? Are you sure? Payment must be made in advance, and we don't offer refunds. If you're uncertain, you may wish to reconsider."
"Yes. For seven hours," Eleanor confirmed firmly.
