The box drone stopped scanning.
A bright light burst from it.
In the next moment, the cube changed into a sleek chest-shaped container.
Its surface looked like polished white metal and reflected their faces like a mirror.
It floated slowly toward them and stopped an arm's length away.
"Elvira, let me open it first," Ben said as he stepped forward.
His voice sounded firm.
He believed his body was tougher than hers.
If there was a trap, he could endure it.
He also had a lot of biomass to regenerate.
In his mind, he was clearly the best choice.
Elvira did not agree, but she did not argue.
A warm smile curved her lips. "Alright, my beloved," she said.
Her gaze stayed on him instead of the box.
Her heart beat faster.
A complicated warmth spread through her chest, a mix of fondness and guilt.
Ben took a deep breath.
His chitin armor started to crawl over his skin.
Before it could fully form, a mechanical voice cut in.
"Warning.
Unauthorized interference detected.
