"I know you say you can feel yourself getting fuzzy when I apply the probe, but I promise the drop in voltage is in the microvolt range. You experience more fluctuations when your fans spin up!" I jot another set of numbers down, completing the second row of battery terminals, all with near-perfectly aligned voltage readings; signs of a healthy internal battery.
"I understand your explanation, and I understand the technical literature, but I am also asking you to accept my experiences," she retorts back with a flat tone. She's powered down to only one bank of batteries for testing, so registering her tone is exceptionally hard, but the words are enough.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply you were lying. I guess I just find it interesting that even the smallest of changes in your chest can have profound impacts on your perception. You do look healthy from the readings I did get though, which is a relief. Thank you for trusting me with this." I go to button her back up, noticing as I do there is a small, paper maintenance log on the inside of the largest of the interlocking chest panels.
"Do you know an 'A. Bits'?" I gingerly trace the handwriting, noting the faded date of 'XX18'.
She hesitates for a second, thinking, "No that name doesn't match any registry. Why do you ask, love?"
"Well, seems I'm not the only one who's been in here. Must have been when you were asleep and some guided maintenance was done. Can I...?" I start but falter, realizing the intensity of what I was about to ask. "Nevermind, that was foolish of me to even think."
"Please." She almost whispers, one of her cool, soft hands lifting mine towards the exposed panel.
I steel myself for a moment, to make sure the scribbles are as clean and legible as possible, before the emotion of the moment takes over.
"We'll figure it out, okay?" I manage to choke out before tears wash the view from my eyes.
"I trust no one else to." She affirms, pulling into a deep embrace.
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