My eyes open slowly at first, reluctant to leave the embrace of Somnus, but they gradually part with increasing wakefulness. What first meets my gaze ...s the image of infinitesimal dust motes, invisible in all by this softest of dawn light, dancing in the air. Sheets of light play across my face and the wall as the sun slips between Venetian blinds, wavering slightly as if touched by an unseen wind. There is no perceptible breeze, but the air is cool and fresh. A symphony of bird calls signal. .. it is I who has cared for you these last days." The dark haired female spoke again, this time almost shyly. "I have already seen all you have to offer Milord. We were ordered to watch you dress by the Empress. Renata will not watch you dress if it pleases you, but I must I'm sorry."Cha'talla felt strong ... stronger than he had at any time in his life. He didn't know what was happening but he was not in the Land of the Eternal that much he knew. He pulled the sheet aside and planted his feet. I consoled myself with the thought that the people back at base would surely try to pick us up to recover the very expensive AIs, if for no other reason.Anfon said, "Bill, we could be in trouble. When they don't get the usual report from us, they will know that we have run into a difficulty, but they will have no idea what that difficulty could be. We may be stuck on this gods-forsaken planet for some time while they figure out what to do. Fortunately, we have the replicators, so we will not. The only thing left to do was fill it, if she understood fully the details the 'Female Dom' had shown her this was the best way to produce something close to a 'pure strain.' Of course it wouldn't be a pure strain, human brains were too primitive for that, most of the mutants cerebellum would contain sexualized information, but if she was right, and it was by no means certain there would be enough capacity for the thing to follow basic instructions.Kate shivered involuntarily, the perfect.