"You know, I think this robot has temperature sensors," Taron said. "It's cold to the touch. It's been laying here naked, so to speak, and has been since you dashed up the stairs and hauled them in after yourself."

"Point taken. Wrap it in the blanket I use for sleeping if you can find it. I was too busy thinking to bother with it." Lorelei rolled onto her knees. "Speaking of the door, let's see if I can get it open."

"Why would it have temp sensors?"

"It seems very advanced. Behavior is quite accurate for a child of the same size. Whoever built it was a genius," she answered.

"Never mind, getting out of here is first priority. If we intend to survive, then we'll need water as the next priority. We've only got a dozen bottles aboard."

Taron flipped the overhead storage open and pulled out a fluffy white microfiber blanket. He could have sworn the robot stretched and settled as he tucked the ends of it together to form a secure swaddling.

I might not want kids, but I sure as hell learned the lessons of taking care of a baby. What other surprises does this robot have?

He watched as Lorelei struggled to her knees and grabbed the door release handle to haul herself to her feet. She braced her left leg on the cockpit wall, and her right one was bent at almost ninety degrees. Firmly toned arms yanked on the handle and she gave it a cautious push.

"It's stuck there, and I'm not risking a fall trying to push it further. It's warm out there." She turned to face him.

"At least it's fresh air. Catch!" He tossed the cocooned robot down.

"Nice work. Where did you learn to do this?" She backed away from the door making room for him.

"My baby sister," bitterness colored his words, he couldn't help it.

"Sounds like there's a story there, I'm sorry."

No wonder she writes such amazing songs. Sensitivity isn't her problem. What will she think if I tell her?

"We need to get out of here. I can't get comfortable with these angles, and my neck is starting to really hurt." Lore's statement reminded him of their current predicament.

He grabbed the hand hold beside the door and put steady pressure on the center of the door with his other one. Hopefully, the distance to the ground wasn't too bad. There were only three steps to get in. A groaning creak warned him of the coming pop as the door slammed down.

"Okay, we're going to able be to get out. Have you done any mountain climbing or zip line adventures?" He hoped she had, otherwise this was going to be a huge issue.

"Hmm, yes. My nieces' kids are addicted to them, and so am I. Love the rope courses. Makes the gym worthwhile." She inched her way up behind him and grabbed his waist as she peered under his arm.

As he pointed, he spoke, "That's the challenge. We have to inch our way out to the end of the stairs using the handrail for our feet and the edge of the stairs to hold onto. It's about a three to four foot drop to the ground at the end. I'll go first. That way I can catch you if you loose your footing."

Lorelei made a rude noise. "Like I said, it made the gym worthwhile. I'm their fun honorary grandmother, and cause I don't bake cookies, we go for activities. I roller blade and mountain bike with them too."

Taron nodded and thanked his lucky stars he wore sturdy hiking boots to fly in. The soles stayed steady on the chrome rail and when he reached the bottom of the stairs, he pushed away and let himself drop to the sand.

"That looks easy enough," Lorelei said.

"It's too quiet out here. I should be hearing at least birds. It's been long enough since we landed," Taron said. "Hurry up, I don't like this at all."

"Be right there."

He noted her sure steps as she made her way down the handrail. Even the huge first step out didn't phase her. She dropped her hands onto the lower curve of the chrome tubing, kicking her legs out behind her in a classic gymnast's move. Landing lightly on her feet beside him, she grinned and then laid her right hand against her neck.

"That was a stupid move, I swear I've got whiplash."

"I don't know, it looked pretty brilliant to me," Taron said, "but how bad is your neck?"

"I'm wishing for a brace right about now. Who's going back up there to get Gus?"

He jumped for the edge of the door and pulled himself up, using a foothold on one of the stairs to boost himself through. Picking up the blanket wrapped robot, he gave it a backhanded toss out the door.

"Got him. Nice work."

"Get yourself into the shade back in the trees." He turned to check on her and saw her stooping to take her shoes off. "Be careful. We don't know what kind of plants we have here. Don't want you to touch anything irritating."

She paused for a moment turning her head back over her left shoulder. "Give me some credit. I'm not some blonde bimbo."

Thank God. Now, water bottles first, from the fridge in the galley, and then I'll come back for the life raft and survival supplies. Maybe we have a chance. The emergency beacon should bring help soon.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lorelei tucked Gus under one arm and used the toe of one shoe on the heel of her other to pull it off. Almost tripping, she tossed the bundled robot onto the sand, and dealt with the other shoe. Crocs™ were the best travel footwear out there. But bare toes were still better on sand. A breeze riffled through her hair, and she wondered if she could get away with shedding her clothes.

Of course, she would make sure she kept away from the bushes and plants, but as she got closer to the dense undergrowth, there was no way to keep from brushing the foliage. There was a narrow trail with a variety of footprints, but one set stood out. Boots with a narrow heel made them, digging into the musty ground cover.

Lorelei backed up, slowly, carefully keeping to her own footprints.

"Taron!"

"What, I thought I said you should get yourself into the shade."

"We're not alone."

"Christ on a stick! And we're not going to get rescued easily either. Our emergency beacon is missing."