"What can I do for you," Caleb asked, his tone dropping into a dry flatline.
A soft laugh vibrated through the terminal speaker.
"You always skip the pleasantries," she murmured. "I spent a considerable amount of capital bypassing the regional security grid just to watch the cameras on this floor. I must admit, the visual is striking. You tore that steel door entirely off its frame."
"The hinges were stuck."
"The hinges were magnetically sealed to withstand a hurricane," she corrected gently. "The anomaly finally assimilated the calories. It rebuilt your muscle density. You are beautiful."
Caleb crossed his arms over his bare chest. "I need clothes. And I need a ride back to the Seventh Division base before roll call."
"Walk out the ground-floor exit," she offered. Her voice dropped, carrying absolute control. "I am waiting."
The call clicked dead.
The purple text dissolved, returning the screen to the standard blue standby logo.
