The Secrets of the Planets

Machala opened her mouth to form words, but failed on the first few attempts. A sour, metallic taste peppered her saliva as she swallowed it down. Her fingers stiffened like her legs and her torso inside the gloves, she felt no pain. She could think as well as someone on the brink of death possibly could. Varo wasn't human, much less organic. She was a cognitive bot, illegal, presumably. Parao watched one hand in fascination, they didn't touch the probe. Instead, they'll deplete my energy as soon as they're done with you. It doesn't matter. I'm truly grateful to you, little mica. Your sacrifice will achieve a