It's dead o'clock. Or, at least, that's how it feels as the connection implanted in your skull buzzes you awake.
Nutrient shake's just out of arm reach, so it takes a few minutes for you to come to enough for the realization it's Uplink's voice in your ear. Even, but mildly annoyed. Not that you've ever heard her speak in a non-even tone. Presumably annoyed because she sees you're awake and just aren't responding to her.
You're probably the component of the mech with the worst bootup times, aren't you? Eventually, wake comes to you fast enough that you can actually comprehend what she's saying.
"--be ready to be deployed in 20 minutes, Du. Are you awake yet? I'm not going to keep repeating myself if you aren't going to listen."
Your guardian demon awaits under line noise, and the small tinnitus of the link.
