I moved from station to station.
Each one taught me how to use it by responding when I did the right thing. I didn't stop to think about how I knew. My hands learned faster than I could keep up.
After a while, I stopped hesitating. I reached before checking. Nothing bad happened.
The body settled into the pattern.
At the last station, the surface went dark.
I waited.
"End of intake," the voice said.
I stepped back. Not relieved. Not confused. Just aware that something had ended.
I stood there until the floor beneath me cooled slightly, as if I had stayed long enough.