The backs of Sin’s hands still stung from the scalding hot water in the gas station bathroom. She rubbed at the smarting, red skin while she waited. The soft sound of voices coming from the clinic door to her right was her only company, aside from the flashing holographic posters set on the counter across from her, urging her to action and productivity, FOR THE GOOD OF THE COLLECTIVE. Watching them too long hurt her eyes; the clinic was cool and dim and gray, like all COE aesthetics. After a little while, she turned and looked out the small round window, through which she could see the familiar sloping gold of Europa’s hills in the autumn. A few trucks rolled by, but it was too early for too many people to be out and about just yet. Sin felt, very suddenly, quite alone, and she let out a small whimper in the back of her throat. Her heart hammered in her throat and her stomach began to twist and churn, as if someone was picking at her insides with burning forks. She pulled her knees to her chest rested her forehead, feigning rest. If anyone looked at her, they would think her a young child awaiting a parent or a girl so casual she didn’t mind exposing herself to danger. Either option was better than the alternative.

The soft woosh! of the door interrupted her journey to true sleep. Sin had to hope her face wasn’t too red as she looked up. The tall CIE nurse chirped at her pleasantly and stepped a bit to the side, indicating with one sets of arms that she was ready for her.

Sin’s nerves calmed as she entered the room. She stopped her fingers shaking by curling her hands into fists and she started counting loudly in her head until her heart began to stop and march to the beat she set. She continued to finger her burned hands thoughtfully.

The medical examination was no different than any other she’d ever had in her life. All the same questions, all the same instruments and poking and prodding. This CIE was almost familiar; though Sin only saw her maybe once a year, she’d been assigned here for the past five years, and was a lot nicer than the CAE who’d been stationed in their little colony most of Sin’s life. She was pleasant and quiet, and even managed a grating whisper in Italian: “Thank you for your service.” Then she began to usher Sin out and, in her own native tongue, informed her, “THE TRUCK IS WAITING FOR YOU.” She tapped her clipboard twice for emphasis.

The planet wasn’t fully up yet, but it was just up enough to blind Sin momentarily as she stepped out of the clinic. She blinked the dust and light out of her eyes and stumbled towards the truck that was waiting for her, roaring and humming as it squatted in the dirt. A few people ducking behind their own buildings to start the day stared at her and her very blatantly marked military vehicle, but she ignored them. If she’d seen anyone she’d known, she might have chanced a smile.