At least for the first six minutes, then I started trying to figure out how to keep the rest of the cabin from distracting the staff.”“John, you h...ve all the instincts of a guide and the skills. I watched you do that fire the other day. Textbook and even Andre was impressed. I’ve read the reports from your other trips up here. You can set and strike a camp, get the important stuff done, and with wet feet. I know about your canoe work. You have what it takes to be a guide.”“Thanks.”“Don’t. "As we speak, nanites are being up into your systems and re-writing youfrom an atomic level. You'll see and hear everything around you. Thetiny robots are even program to give you mental orgasms when some worktouches your bare plastic skin during your dressing and undressing."Holding their poise became easier and easier. Soon even if they thoughtof moving an arm or leg, they found they could. Evening blinking becameimpossible as Sam moved around them and saw a blank gaze staring backat her.. Poor Tharg and the unhappy Adele were tortured each night after Gottman had whipped Francine and put her to bed. If she did badly, she would join that pair. The thought frightened her, but it frightened her far more to think she might shame her Mistress. That would be the real agony of being defeated. At all costs she must be worthy of the Great Lady Fortescue. She would not fail. She must not fail!Lady Fortescue and a retinue of attendants came out into the courtyard. The Mistress's delicate. Jack had seen the relay station a few miles back, but he must have gone by before the stage arrived. Anyway, Jack moved to the side of the road as the stage rushed passed him and exchanged a friendly wave with the shotgun guard.Not long after that, Jack heard gunshots in front of him, so he picked up speed to see what was the cause of the ruckus. He came around a bend and saw ahead of him that the stage was stopped and four men on horseback were gathered at the front of the coach. Jack could.