Lotto switched on two bright globes that were hanging from the ceiling and hung up a white sheet in front of which he instructed Andrea to stand. He then took a few headshots of her, trying to get one that could be used for the ID. Lotto had to make a few changes to the information that would go on the card since he initially had prepared it from Gem when she first made the order. But with the picture taken and some quick changes made, the ID card was printed in just a few seconds. 

  “Here you go,” Lotto said and gave the card to Andrea.

  “Thanks,” Andrea said, feeling warmth coming from the newly made plastic card.  

  “Thank you very much, and good luck with your cousin,” Gem said.

  “And good luck to you! I’m happy that I was able to repay you. These buds have been lifesavers and they’re extremely hard to come by here.” Lotto pointed to his ears. 

  “No need to mention it. See ya!” Gem said and opened the evergreen colored door.

  “Bye,” Andrea said as she raised her hand in a simple wave and exited the shop with the wagon behind her. 

“You have to grab my arm,” Gem said as soon as they left Elapsing Maps.

  Andrea took a deep breath and grabbed the upper part of Gem’s arm. She felt like an impostor, trying to act like a poised and respected young woman which was far from what she really was in her own eyes.

  “That’s not very convincing,” Gem commented as it felt more like someone only had placed their hand on her arm.

  Andrea tightened her grip a little. 

  The military base covered a large area north of the city and was completely surrounded by a six meter tall barbed wire fence except for the gates where the staff could enter and exit. 

  They arrived at one of the smaller entrances used by people who came by foot. There they had to pass a security check to enter. 

  “Good morning, ma’am,” the guard said who sat in the cubicle from which he operated the turnstiles. 

  “Good morning,” Andrea said, trying her best to keep eye contact.

  “Your ID, please.”

  She took out the fake ID that she had placed in the left breast pocket on the blazer and handed it over to the guard. The guard looked at the card and then back at Andrea with a frown on his face before scanning it. 

  “You should get a keychain for your card. It’s not safe keeping it like that,” the guard said as he gave it back to Andrea. He then looked suspiciously at the tall and blue woman Andrea had brought with her.

  “Oh, yea. She was found with an unregistered droid so I’m taking her in for questioning,” Andrea tried to explain.

  With a shrug the guard accepted the explanation and pressed the button to let them through the turnstile. 

  “Have a good day, ma’am,” the guard said. 

  “Thanks, you too,” Andrea replied.