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Adler stared up at the book on the top shelf. Due to the extreme heights of some units, all the ceilings in the compound were raised significantly. Along with them, shelves were also extended up, leaving shorter units at a disadvantage. While he may not be as short as the Kolibris, Adler certainly had difficulties many others did not. No place showcased this better than Falke’s office.
A quick glance around the room showed that there was no stepladder or chair around. Falke was seated at her desk, diligently working on her computer. A few papers sat in front of her keyboard, documents that Adler himself had meticulously filled out for her.
Adler looked back up at the book. It had to be a good two feet above him. Not the top shelf, but certainly a challenge. Before he could think to complain, Adler felt his feet leave the ground. He let out a little yelp of surprise. A calming sensation slipped into his thoughts, soothing his panic. Falke’s voice spoke into his mind, filling up his every thought.
Shh… I’ve got you.
Once he was in range, Adler grabbed the book off the shelf. Then, he was gently lowered back down by an invisible force. Only once he was on the ground again did he fully relax.
“Commander,” Adler started.
He stopped when he caught her eyes. Falke’s presence always commanded authority, and eye contact with her never failed to make him shudder.
“Pardon my insolence, but was that truly necessary?”
The faintest hint of a smile graced Falke’s lips. “Of course. I am a generous commander who is always willing to help out those in need.”
Adler pursed his lips. “I was perfectly capable of reaching the book on my own.” He cleared his throat. “What I mean to say is that such trivial matters are a waste of your time.”
“Would it not be more efficient to handle matters this way?”
Adler could feel small waves of bioresonance urging him to agree. Falke may not have even meant to send them to him, but the overwhelming aura she always exuded tended to make him weak in the knees. It would be so easy to give in and agree with her. Adler stood his ground.
“I wouldn’t want to distract you from your very important work, commander.”
Falke rose from her desk, Adler’s neck craning back to stay eye level with her. In just two strides she was beside him. Falke gingerly removed the book from his hands and placed it on a shelf even higher than it was on previously. Then, she returned to her desk. Falke leaned back in her chair and turned toward him. “Go on. Show me how you plan on getting it down.”
Adler stepped back to look at the shelves again. It had to be at least eight feet in the air, a comfortable height for someone whose chair had to be custom built, maybe. An impossible height for the second shortest Replika.
Falke’s chair was already taken. He wouldn’t dare defile his commander’s desk in such a way. Adler saw no other choice. He placed one footpeg on the bottom shelf. Slowly and carefully, Adler began to climb. Against all odds, he made it to the top without knocking anything down. Right as he grabbed the book, Adler’s grip faltered. He clenched his eyes shut and braced himself for a fall.
After a few seconds, Adler opened his eyes again. He was suspended in the air. Falke gently lowered him back to the floor.
“Are you afraid of heights?”
Adler straightened his back. “No.”
Falke did not look convinced.
When he felt his feet start to leave the ground again, Adler let out a small yelp. Immediately, Falke let him go.
She gave him a smug smile. “You can ask me for help if you need it.”
Adler shifted nervously. “Commander, with all due respect, I wouldn’t want to interrupt you with something so insignificant.”
“You can interrupt me anytime you need. I don’t mind.” Falke lifted up one of the papers on her desk. “Besides, you’re more important to me than this.”
A strange feeling welled up in Adler’s chest. He cleared his throat. Clearly, he needed to stop by to get his routine maintenance done early. Something must be wrong with his internal systems for him to be getting all warm inside at Falke’s words.