He did intend to visit Artemus--after all, Linwolse might inquire, and he was interested in seeing the Nothingness Drive installed. But when Valencia had arrived to visit with Linwolse, he had been glad for the opportunity to get away. He had been thinking about Lisa, and wanted to see her. It had been at least twenty-four hours since he sent her away, and if he knew Lisa, she would be hopping mad about being held captive in her quarters. He could imagine her arguing with Serp, and getting nowhere.

The speedlift stopped at the transport level. He exited and almost stumbled over Eletel as she passed in front of him.

"Oh! Sorry. I didn't mean to run over you," he said.

She glanced at him and smiled briefly. "It is okay. I should have been watching where I was going myself."

Eletel was carrying a large metal container. Forrest had no idea what it contained, but it seemed heavy, even for an Enonian.

"Where are you headed?" he asked.

"To relieve Jerac, and bring some couplings Artemus requires."

"That's where I'm going. We can travel together?"

"Okay," she said. She seemed to have difficulty making eye contact with him.

Linwolse was right. Eletel was the Shy One. He could see that now that he knew to look, but he found it hard to imagine how anyone who had lived as many years as Eletel could still be shy. But then, he reminded himself, she was Enonian, and he was just learning how the Enonian mind worked. He took the metal container from her and carried it to the nearest shuttle. He didn't know if the human custom for males to relieve females of manual tasks applied in Enonian society, but she did not resist or seem confused by his action. He opened the cargo door of the shuttle and pushed the container in. He then offered her his hand and assisted her onto the cradle platform. She entered the shuttle, and he followed sitting next to her. He programmed the shuttle for the thruster cylinder, and they accelerated into the dark tubes.

They rode in silence, and Forrest was nervous. He kept thinking of his promise to Linwolse that he would make love to Eletel. There was no doubt that he wanted to--like all Enonian women, at least the other two he knew, she was quite beautiful and desirable. He remembered watching her naked body as she masturbated, and felt the desire for her grow in his mind. He accepted Linwolse's belief that Eletel desired him. But for some reason that did not make it easier to approach her.

"So, how's it been going?" he asked. No sooner than the words issued out of his mouth, they sounded stupid.

"How has what been going?" she asked.

"Recent events. Your life," he answered, looking at her.

She returned his look and gave him a perplexed expression. "Life is life," she said. "I am sorry, I am not sure if I understand the question."

So much for small talk, he thought. Before Melinda, he had found it difficult enough to approach human women, so how does one approach an Enonian woman? He decided on the direct approach.

"Eletel, I want to tell you something."

"Okay." She gave him a questioning look.

"I--since I became a part of all of this, it seems to me that you have always avoided me." She turned and looked straight ahead, and he saw he had hit a nerve. "I'm not sure why that is--I hope you don't dislike me. But in any case, I have always liked you. I feel exceptionally attracted to you, and to be honest, I want to make love to you. If you want to--"

"Why do you think I would want to have sex with you?" she asked, curtly.

Forrest did not expect this. "Nothing! I didn't mean to presume anything."

Jesus! What is going on here? Has Eletel been taking lessons from human women? He decided to drop the subject. Later he would explain what happened to Linwolse, and suggest that her theory about Eletel must be wrong.

They remained silent for several minutes as the shuttle wound its way through the transport tubes.

"I did not mean to sound defensive," she finally said.

"Think nothing of it," Forrest responded, perhaps not as politely as he should.

The silence continued. In time, Forrest stole a look at her, and saw that a tear had formed in her eye and was slowly easing down her cheek. He then realized his mistake. Despite her Enonian background, she did not have the aggressiveness of Lasandra, or the directness of Linwolse. She was more like a delicate flower--a flower many thousands of years old, but a flower nonetheless--and she needed to be treated as such.

"When was the last time you took a walk in a park, Eletel?"

"A park?"

"Yes. When did you last bask in the light of your star, and smell the flowers, feel the breeze flowing through your hair, and listen to the chatter of small animals hiding in the trees?"

She looked at him and smiled. "A very, very long time."

"Well, then, I think it is about time." Forrest entered a new destination into the shuttle controls, and they felt the shuttle alter its course.

"Artemus will be waiting," she said.

"Artemus will just have to wait."

The shuttle switched to another track, and soon they felt themselves plunging downward for many minutes. It then swerved to the left, and came out into the open expanse of the artificial Earth. They were at ground level, and soon the shuttle stopped at a transport station near a large park. The doors opened and Forrest took Eletel's hand and pulled her out of the shuttle. He sensed her hesitancy at exposing herself to the sunlight, but she knew the light was artificial and not harmful, and did not resist for long.

Forrest did not release her hand as they walked, and she did not seem to mind. The park was maintained by androids programmed for the task. Everything was in perfect order. There were many flowers of every color, the grass soft beneath their feet, the trees laden with leaves and blossoms. The only thing missing was the park animals that were still in cryogenic stasis. But this was close enough.

They continued their walk in silence for several minutes, and then she stopped them, releasing her hand from his, facing him.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked. It was not a rude question. Her voice was pleasant, expressing genuine curiosity.

"Because I am your friend. I care about you," he answered.

"Do you still want to make love to me?"

"I only want from you, what you want to give."

She stood on her toes and gave him a soft kiss. "Thank you."

She took his hand into hers, and they walked deeper into the park. Soon they came to a small pond of clear water. Vegetation could be seen growing in the water, and Forrest was surprised when he saw a variety of small fish darting about. The pond was designed for viewing, not fishing.

They sat on the embankment, close to each other, and watched the activity in the pond.

"After all my years," she said, "I am still amazed by the simpler forms of life. They spend their lifetimes doing only what comes natural to them, unfettered by the abstract concerns that we intelligent forms seem to squander so much time in agonizing."

Forrest contemplated her with wonderment. This was not something he would have expected an Enonian to say. He could see that Eletel had a depth to her he had not recognized before.

She noticed his gaze. "What?" she asked, her eyes smiling at him.

"Nothing. I was just admiring you."

She returned her attention to the water. "I am sometimes called the Simple One. Most Enonians would consider that an insulting moniker, but I do not. The Great War was raging when I was born, and like most children, I was raised and trained for the military. I was not really suited for the task, but that did not matter. My people were being killed by the millions, and children could not be produced fast enough to replace the dead. I hated the war. I longed for a simpler life--a life without war, a life of contemplation, of music and poetry. I think I learned this from my parents. After I was born, they chose not to transition back to immortality. They aged and died a natural death. I grieved them terribly. But I understood, and loved them all the more for their decision. They did not want to live in a world that only knew war. I think I may have refused the Gift of Immortality, had it not been forced upon me by the military. The keepers have retained the memory of my parents, and I can recall images of them anytime I wish. I do so often. It reminds me of what is really important in life. Does any of this make sense to you, Forrest?"

Forrest was mesmerized.

"Forrest?"

"I'm sorry. I was lost in what you were saying. Yes, it does make sense."

"I am glad you understand. I thought you might."

She looked back into the water. Forrest did not remove his eyes from her. It was obvious that she was enjoying herself. He was seeing a pleasure, a contentment, in her eyes that he had not seen before. And it brought a warm feeling to his heart--he was not sure why. Was he starting to love her? Was it the love of platonic friendship, or something deeper? He had learned to love Linwolse in a matter of hours, it seemed. So, if he was able to feel love for Eletel so quickly, it did not surprise him. But it was happening so fast, he could not be sure what he was feeling--only that it was warm, and fulfilling.

Eletel met his gaze, and smiled. "You keep watching me."

"It brings me pleasure," he said. "I don't mean to cause you discomfort."

"I feel no discomfort, Forrest. I enjoy the attention you are paying to me."

"Good."

"Thank you for bringing me to this place. It is so beautiful. I will come here often, hopefully with your companionship."

"I would like that," Forrest said.

She leaned over and placed a hand into the water, moving it in small circles. The nearby fish swam away as fast as their little bodies would let them, and she laughed joyfully.

"The water feels so good," she said. "May we go into the water? I do not think the fish will mind." She smiled radiantly at him.

"Okay. The pond was not designed for swimming, but I can't see where it would do any harm."

She stood, unzipped the front of her jumpsuit, and pushed it to her waist. Forrest watched her, entranced with the sight of her breasts. She did not wear a bra--did not need the support. Linwolse had told him that when Enonian women transitioned to immortality, the keepers maintained the youthfulness of their bodies, and no support was needed to prevent stretching or discomfort.

"I was planning for you to join me," she said, noticing his stare.

"Of course. I was just overwhelmed by your beauty."

She laughed and pushed the jumpsuit and her panties to her feet. She stepped out of the clothing and walked down the gentle slope into the water. Forrest could only watch. To say he was overwhelmed by her beauty was an understatement. He didn't know if she was born this way, or if the keepers had changed her--and he really didn't care. All he knew was that she was the perfect female form.

He quickly undressed and followed her into the water. She swam to the center of the pond and stood facing him. The pond was no more than a meter deep, and her wet breasts glistened in the artificial sunlight. She seemed to be waiting for him.

He swam to her, and stood before her. Her eyes locked on his, and he felt himself fill to a full erection. He was still not accustomed to the aphrodisiac effects the keepers provided, and he felt lightheaded--the vision of her nakedness seeming almost unreal. She continued to look into him, her eyes smiling, inviting him. He moved closer to her and could feel the sexual energy pass between their bodies. She took his hands and placed them on her breasts. She then reached down and took his organ into her hands and stroked him.

"Oh, my god," he said, his voice expressing urgency. "If I faint, you will not let me drown, will you?"

"I prefer my men alive," she said, and started to laugh--but Forrest kissed her with flaming passion. She returned the kiss with equal fervor.

They embraced, pressing their naked bodies together with such vigor that if they had been any closer, molecular bonding would have occurred. Forrest could not believe the libidinous eruptions that ignited his mind. Was this the experience he had to look forward to for the thousands of years that would follow? Would it always be like this? If so, then he was glad he had been made immortal, no matter the price.

Eletel pushed him back from her and began to kiss his body. She worked her way down his body, and he had to concentrate just to remain standing. His height was such that the head of his organ just poked out of the water. Eletel got down on her knees and took his organ into her mouth. She stroked and squeezed him with her mouth and tongue, knowing exactly when and where to apply pressure. He felt the tension build within him as she brought him to the brink of climax--and then she would let him subside, only to bring him to the threshold again. She repeated the procedure again and again, and each time the threshold would rise to a higher level. And finally, when he could go no higher, she brought him over the edge and he exploded into her with such a force he almost thought he would hurt her. But she clung to him as his body pumped, taking the seed into her. And when he was done, she put her arms around him and pressed her cheek against his belly.

Forrest looked down at her. She held him tight, not moving, her eyes closed. He stroked her hair and vowed that he would give her the same pleasure. But before he could tell her so, someone spoke from the shore.

"Very good show!" the man called.

Forrest turned and looked at the man, and Eletel stood beside him.

"Get behind me, Eletel," Forrest whispered.

"Why?" she whispered back.

"Just do it! I don't want them looking at you."

She did as told.

Two guards stood on the shore. They held blasters aimed at them. Forrest cursed himself. They were humans, not genoclones, and he should have realized they might choose the City as a hiding place. The City was not yet fully functional, and it would be easy for a small group to hide within its boundaries, avoiding the security sweep.

"Who are you?" Forrest demanded.

"I should be asking you that," the guard who seemed in charge said. "And your green lady friend. I have not seen the likes of her before. What is she?"

Forrest studied the shoreline. Their clothes, including their blasters and communicators, were apparently stuffed into a satchel the second guard held. They were trapped, and if he tried to use his mental powers on them, they would fire and that would be the end of them.

"What do you want?" Forrest asked.

"Answers! Come with us."

Forrest did not move.

"We must go with them, Forrest," Eletel said into his ear. "We are defenseless here. Tell them I am a genoclonic sex slave, and you are an engineer that missed the evacuation."

Forrest was not sure what she had in mind, but he had no ideas of his own. They approached the shore and were soon standing in front of the two guards. The men had difficulty keeping their eyes off of Eletel.

"Who are you?" the leader asked.

"I am--John Adams." It was the first name that popped into his head. "I am a computer systems engineer. When the order came to evacuate, I did not hear it. By the time I knew what was happening, it was too late for me to locate a ship."

The man eyed him, trying to gauge his expression, and Forrest tried his best to look honest.

"Who is the green female?"

"She is--"

"Amory," Eletel said. "At your service." Forrest almost expected her to curtsy, but she did not.

The man looked her over, and then returned his attention to Forrest.

"What in hell is she?"

"A genoclone. From what I understand, she was designed for giving sexual pleasure. A sex slave of sorts. She does whatever I tell her to do."

"I've never heard of such a thing."

"Neither had I, until I found her and took her captive."

The man gave him a suspicious look. "If she is your captive, then why did we find a blaster with her clothing?"

Forrest feigned impatience. "I told you, she does whatever I tell her to do. When I understood that, I gave her a blaster with instructions to protect herself, and me."

The second guard spoke. "If you have such control over her, then give us a demonstration."

"Such as?"

The man thought for a moment. "Tell her to lie on the grass and spread her legs, showing us her pussy." It was probably the most audacious thing he could think of.

"I'm not going to make her do that!" Forrest returned, with real indignation.

"Why not?"

"She may be designed for sex, but she is still a person with feelings and dignity."

"I do not mind," Eletel said in a little girl voice. "Such is my purpose in life." She smiled at the guards.

Forrest looked at her. "I will not have you do that!"

She looked at him, pretending innocence. "I do not understand. But if you wish me to not do as they want, then I will not."

The guards had stepped back and were speaking to each other. They seemed to be in disagreement.

Finally the leader spoke. "We did not find any identification on your clothing to prove that you are who you claim to be. Until we are satisfied that you are not the enemy, we will have to hold you. If we are wrong about you, then you have our apologies. Until then we must assume the worst."

"I understand your position," Forrest said.

"Good. Come with us." He motioned with his blaster.

"May we have our clothing?"

"Not until we have you secured."

"What difference does that make?"

"You are less likely to try and escape without your clothing."

Forrest could see no logic in this, and that made it difficult to argue the point. He took Eletel's hand and went in the direction the guard indicated. Eletel continued her role as the compliant sex slave, resting her head on his arm as they walked, and occasionally stroking his chest with her hand. Forrest enjoyed the attention, but not the circumstances.

The guards led them into the town proper. It was a ghost town--but without ghosts. It was an odd effect. Everything was so new and unused--untouched by human hands. Yet he could almost see the ghosts of future inhabitants spying upon them from windows and storefronts--the ghosts of people yet to be born.

The walk lasted about thirty minutes, and then they came upon what appeared to be a government building of some kind. The guards led them up the steps and into the front room. There were about twenty people milling about, with equal numbers of each gender. When they noticed the newcomers, they stared at them with a mixture of shock and amusement. Forrest was not sure if it was their nakedness or Eletel's green skin that caused their reaction. Perhaps both. No one spoke as they were led through the room--whoever commanded them, if anyone, was apparently not present. They were led down steps to a lower level, and into a dimly lit room containing rows of barred cells. The leader opened a cell and told them to enter. The other guard threw their clothes in behind them. He then slammed the cell door shut, and entered a code into the electronic lock.

"Someone will come to speak with you as soon as possible," the leader said.

The two men left, leaving them alone in their cell.

And Eletel started laughing, her breasts bouncing up and down.

"What is so funny," Forrest asked, all seriousness.

"Everything," Eletel said, tears of laughter in her eyes.

"I'm afraid I must be missing something here."

She came to him, put her arms around his neck, and looked into his eyes.

"'I will not have you do that!'" she said, mocking the tone he had used when the guards wanted her to spread her legs.

"Well, I wouldn't have!" he said, genuinely confused.

"I know that." She kissed him, holding her body next to his. Finally, she released him.

"Will you please explain things to me?" he asked.

She smiled at him, and he thought she was the most beautiful creature in the universe.

"In Enonian society, men and women are considered equal. There is no weaker sex. The difference between the sexes is a matter of style, love, and procreation. In human society that is not the case. I find the need that human males have to defend the honor of their females to be very charming. And that was what you did. You made me stand behind you so those men could not see me. Then you refused to let them look at me in a compromised position. If one of them had tried to touch me, I think you would have exploded."

"I care about you," he said, only a little less confused.

"I know you do, and I love you for that."

She put her arms around him, and put her head on his shoulder, holding him close. Forrest felt himself becoming aroused. He pushed her from him.

"Eletel, put your clothes on."

She grinned and did as she was told. When they were dressed, they sat on the bench next to the wall.

"We've been lucky so far, " Forrest said.

"We have?"

"Yes! I'm a pretty notorious character on the Network. I'm surprised that no one has recognized me."

"They did not recognize you because they did not see you."

"They--you were controlling them?"

"Not controlling. Humans can sense if we overpower their will, but we can plant images in their minds. The two guards did see you at first, while we were making love. But they were too busy watching what we were doing, to be concerned with who we were. When I became conscious of them, I turned you into someone that does not exist. The others upstairs saw that same someone."

Forrest laughed. "I've used those powers myself, at least to the degree I know how. But I keep forgetting I have them, or at least how to use them properly."

"You are not accustomed to them. It takes time."

"Yes. In any case, we have got to figure a way out of here."

The door of the cell suddenly swung open.

"We can leave anytime we want," Eletel said.

Forrest grinned at her. "You did that?"

"I do not see anyone else here."

The door swung shut.

"Why did you do that?"

"We cannot leave now."

"We can't?"

"No. Our presence will lead the others to the humans."

"They know we're here?"

"Yes. When I did not show up to relieve Jerac as expected, Artemus called the bridge to inquire. Our communicators were signaled, but we were . . . busy at the time, and did not respond. They became concerned and started searching for us. When the guards discovered us, I opened my mind to them, and they felt me. They could also feel the circumstances and the discovery we had made. They are on their way. All we have to do is sit back and wait."

"The humans never had a chance."

"No. They did not."

They heard blaster fire in the distance.

"Our rescuers have arrived," Forrest said.

"Yes, but it is too far away! I spoke too soon. They did not detect the sentries the humans have guarding the area. Those here will come for us to use as hostages. We must leave now!"

She stood and opened the cell door. They went to the rear of the cell block and stopped at an emergency exit.

"It will set off an alarm, if we open this door," Forrest said.

"We have no choice."

She concentrated, but the door did not move. They heard someone coming from the stairway.

"Hurry, Eletel!" Forrest said.

"This door is more complex--I have to determine its structure before I can open it."

"Can I help?"

Before she could answer, a voice shouted from the opposite side of the cell block.

"Halt!" the voice said, as if they could walk through the solid door.

They turned and saw two men and a woman holding blasters on them.

"Come with us!" the woman said.

The three guards slowly approached them. And then their faces took on bewildered expressions.

"Where did they go?" one asked.

"I don't get it. They were standing right there. They couldn't just vanish into nowhere," another said.

"They're still here. It's a trick," the woman said.

Eletel nudged Forrest. "Open the door while I keep them occupied," she whispered.

Forrest turned and focused on the door. He tried to visualize its internal structure, but could only get vague images. He tried to make sense of the images--to determine what needed to be pushed, and what pulled. But he could not see well enough to unravel its mechanical logic. He intensified his focus. Fuzzy impressions of several rods came to his mind. The rods extended from the sides of the door within the adjacent wall, preventing the door from sliding. He turned his attention to one of the rods and tried to move it backward. It would not move. He tried harder, and could feel the rod trying to retract, but the more force he applied, the more it resisted. He then realized that while each rod was mechanically independent, they were electrically connected in such a way that all rods must move together, or none would move. Forrest did not even know how many rods there were, much less know if he could move them simultaneously.

"May I help you?" a voice said inside his head.

It was Serp's voice. He did not know how Serp could be speaking to him telepathically, or whether Eletel could hear him too, but now was not the time to get into a discussion on the matter.

"Open the door, Serp!" he said, silently.

The door slid into the wall. He grabbed Eletel's arm, and pulled them through. The door slid shut behind them without Forrest needing to give Serp instructions. They were outside the building.

"Run!" he said to Eletel, who was already doing so.

Forrest ran after her. They ran around the corner of a building just as blaster shots were heard impinging against the closed emergency exit. Serp was apparently refusing to let them open it, and they had decided to blast their way through. That bought them some time.

They ran for several blocks, staying close to the storefronts. Eletel then selected an entrance, and they entered the building. They stood silently, listening and feeling for the presence of humans.

"There is no one here. We are safe," Eletel said.

Forrest agreed. He studied the room they had entered. It was apparently intended to be used as a retail business of some kind, but he could not tell what, since all the shelves and displays were empty. A door was at the rear of the room.

"Come," he said.

She followed as he led them through the door. They found a large, empty storeroom with a bay door to its rear. A stairway led to the second level. Forrest took her hand as they ascended the stairs. When they reached the landing, they found two doors. The one on the right led to office space, and the other into living quarters apparently intended for whoever would manage the store. They went into the apartment.

Eletel went to the window of the front room and looked down onto the streets below.

"See anyone?" Forrest asked.

"No. We have lost them."

She turned and looked at him. "I have not had this much fun in years!" She smiled.

Forrest laughed. "I didn't exactly plan all of this, you know."

"I know. But if it had not been for you, none of this would be happening--and the humans would not have been discovered hiding in this place, at least not so soon."

"Just lucky, I guess."

She pulled him to the sofa that sat against a wall, and sat next to him, gazing into his eyes.

"You were able to open the security door very quickly."

"It didn't seem quick to me. I didn't think I could do it. It had a complex mechanism."

"I felt you call out to someone. Who?"

Her question told Forrest that she had not heard Serp's voice, but she had heard, or felt, him conveying instructions to Serp.

"I don't remember doing that. I may have been thinking to myself. It's a human habit I have not lost."

"I have noticed that in humans before. A curious species they are--carrying on conversations with themselves. What good does it do to talk to oneself?"

"Sometimes it helps to put things into words. If no one else is around to bounce your thoughts off of, then you bounce them off yourself. At least that's the way it seems to me."

"Interesting. Enonians do not usually think in words. That would slow down the thought processes."

"The same is true for humans, I think. It works both ways."

Eletel laid her head on his shoulder, and they were quiet for a while.

"Could we finish now?" she asked.

"Finish what?"

"You know."

Forrest did know. First they were making love, then they get thrown in jail, execute a daring escape, and now she wants to pick up where they left off. This was not the way Forrest was used to doing things. But then, very little that happened now was normal for him.

"Sounds like a good idea to me," he said.

They did nothing.

"Aren't you suppose to carry me into the bedroom now?" she asked.

"You've been watching too much holovision," he said. But he did pick her up and take her into the bedroom. He put her on the bed and removed her boots. Sitting next to her, he kissed her warmly. She smiled at him--the same look in her eyes she had had when they were in the water.

Forrest unzipped her jumpsuit and pulled it down the full length of her body, taking her panties with it. Once she was naked, he tossed the jumpsuit aside and removed his own. He then moved on top of her, but did not enter her. He kissed her face, her shoulders, arms, breasts--every part of her, gradually working his way down to that special place between her legs. But he did not stop there. He continued down her legs until he was kissing her feet. Next, he worked his way up, focusing on her inner thighs, kissing and licking her as he went. And then that most intimate part of her was before his eyes. He separated the pubic hairs with his fingers, exposing her soft, luscious flesh. He kissed her ready flesh, and explored her with his tongue. He searched with his tongue and found her clitoris. He stroked the small organ with his tongue, and she immediately climaxed. He allowed her time to subside, and then stroked her once more. She climaxed again. He found that he could not touch her clitoris without her directly climaxing. Finally he just plunged right in, and allowed her a state of continuous climax. She shuddered and quavered, pushing her legs up and down the bed, uttering incomprehensible sounds. Forrest lost track of time, but he continued to stimulate her until his tongue began to ache from holding it out so long.

He then crawled up on her, and pushed his organ into her. She immediately grasped his organ with her vaginal muscles and it felt like she was trying to suck him into her. She stroked and massaged him, and all he had to do was lay on top of her. The delectation was almost too intense, and soon his mind exploded as he came into her. It felt like he pumped a liter of semen into her before he abated and felt himself relax, but he knew that was impossible. She put her arms around him, holding him close to her, and the touch of her bare flesh against his was bliss. He didn't want to move--to ever leave this place.

"Thank you," she said.

He rolled off of her, propped his head on his arm, and looked into her eyes.

"No need to thank me. I enjoyed it too, you know."

"I know."

The way she was looking at him told him something was coming. They were about to have a Big Discussion.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he said.

"How is that?"

"Like you've got something to say."

She seemed to be thinking, and started to speak once or twice before finally getting it out. "I was just wondering--well, if we would ever do this again."

"I hope so. Why shouldn't we?"

She smiled. "Because you are bonded to Linwolse."

Forrest realized that Enonian women had at least one thing in common with human women: they like to make things complicated.

"I guess so. But that does not preclude out relationship."

"I know Linwolse sent you to me."

"No she didn't!"

"You are not a good liar, my lover."

"Why do you think I'm lying?"

"Because I know Linwolse. And I know she knew I had feelings about you. Nothing escapes her. She sent you to me because I needed you."

"Okay, she suggested I approach you. Does that really matter?"

"It might."

"Eletel, I approached you because I wanted to. I wanted to make love to you. And it was good. It was very good!"

She kissed him. "Yes, it was. It was too good. I do not want it to stop."

"It doesn't have to stop!"

"Linwolse will become jealous."

"She suggested this--"

"She felt that my need was merely sexual. She sent you to me to fulfill that need. Even I thought my need was no more than sexual. But I was wrong. I began to realize this when you started making moves in my direction. And then as we walked in the park, and sat by the pond, I knew I was feeling something deeper for you. I was feeling a happiness I have not felt since . . . since someone long ago. I love you, Forrest. I should not, but I do--and I cannot prevent it."

Forrest stretched back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I'm confused by all of this. Linwolse and I bonded so quickly, and it felt natural--the right thing to do. She said she learned to love me during the blood sharing, and that we were meant to be. I don't really understand why that should be, but I accepted her love, and loved her in return."

"It is the keepers, Forrest. We passed the keepers to you, but you also passed something to us. We are not sure what the process is. But we do know it has to do with the keepers. Blood sharing is a dangerous procedure for us--we do not always remain unaffected. That is why we tried to induce the change in you orally. But you were too strong. The blood sharing was necessary. And Linwolse and I were both very affected by the procedure, and perhaps Lasandra as well, I am not sure."

"So it is the keepers that make us love one another?"

"The keepers are only the medium. The love we feel is the natural love that arises from our hearts. Do not think that it is artificial."

"What about the others, the males?"

"They are affected, too."

Forrest eyed her, concerned.

She laughed. "Do not worry! The males will not approach you sexually. Homosexuality does not exist in Enonians. That phenomenon is unique to humans. The effect on them is to respect and admire you."

"Good. I don't think I could handle Mandoss making advances to me."

Eletel laughed again, and kissed him lightly. "Your humor is part of your charm."

"I was serious."

"I know you were."

Forrest drifted off into thought, and Eletel cuddled close to him. They remained silent for several minutes.

Finally, Forrest spoke. "So, if I had responded to the oral administration of the keepers, then you and I would not have these feelings for each other--and I would not be bonded to Linwolse."

Eletel sat up and faced him, a look of concern. "The keepers cannot make us feel emotions that are not natural to us. It would have taken longer, perhaps. But the feelings between us, and you and Linwolse, might have developed on their own. The keepers only sped the process up. Please believe that I truly love and care for you. The keepers are not making me feel that."

"I believe you, Eletel. It is true, then, that the feelings I have for you are also my own, and not something the keepers have created."

"Yes! That is true."

Forrest did feel love for Eletel, somehow. But when he asked that question, he was thinking of Lisa.

"Might it not have to do with the way the emotions and senses are enhanced by the keepers?" he asked.

"Perhaps. Experience is enhanced, and mental processes quickened--but our thoughts and emotions are still our own."

"I've noticed that I seem to have greater influence over the behavior of humans around me, aside from the direct mind control."

"The keepers give us a kind of charismatic power over humans--especially of the opposite sex--it is part of the blood lust. It makes it easier to lure prey."

"So, without even trying, we attract humans to us?"

"Yes."

"Do they know this? I mean, do they recognize the charisma?"

"Usually they do. Humans are not unintelligent. The more perceptive ones will recognize when they are being influence by the charisma of another."

"Can they resist our influence?"

"Yes, if they want to. Their instincts with tend to make them naturally suspicious of charismatic individuals. But their response depends on whether they see the influence as negative or positive. Why are you asking these questions, Forrest? Did something happen between you and a human?"

He was startled by her question. "I--yes. There was this girl--she was my teammate while I was on the Newton 6--and she seemed attracted to me. She was rather aggressive in her attentions to me. I think I hurt her feelings when I did not respond, but what else could I do? Anyway, it seemed like she just came out of nowhere. The whole thing was totally unexpected to me. I was just wondering why that happened. I didn't think about the keepers at the time."

"The keepers were setting her up as a blood source."

Forrest remembered being with Lisa when the thirst came. Had it not been for Sharon, he might have drank from her. The thought of how close it had been made him cringe.

He stood. "We best get dressed and check in with the others. They might be wondering where we are."

"Yes," Eletel agreed. "Are the showers functional here?"

"Maybe. The same pumps that provide the main water source for the farm land, also provides water to the township."

Forrest went into the bathroom and twisted a valve. Nothing happened.

Eletel stood behind him, her breasts gently pressed against his back. "No water. We can go to my quarters to shower. I do not want us smelling like sex around the others."

"Okay."

The trip back to the officer's quarters was uneventful. Fortunately the shuttle holding the container intended for Artemus had remained in its cradle. When they arrived at Eletel's apartment, she signaled the bridge. Mandoss told her that the humans not killed had been captured and placed with the others. He reprimanded her for not following orders, even though her sexual dalliance had led to the discovery of the humans, and instructed her to immediately report to Artemus. Forrest noted that she took Mandoss' attitude in stride, and even had a mischievous grin on her face when the connection was terminated.

They showered to together, put on fresh jumpsuits, and then went to Supply to retrieve communicators and blasters to replaced the ones the guards had taken. They then boarded a shuttle and headed for the thruster cylinder.

They were silent for several moments, and then Forrest looked at her.

"You must know quite a lot about the Nothingness Drive."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because you're helping Artemus with the installation."

She paused briefly, as if considering her response. "All military personnel are required to receive training in superluminal physics. So I suppose I do know a little. But it is not my specialty. I just do what Artemus tells me to."

"You remember what you were taught? I mean, considering how long ago that was."

"I remember what I was told--the keepers store that information--but that does not mean that I understand the physics very well. It is mostly just theory, anyway."

It seemed that she did not wish to discuss the subject. Forrest remembered what Artemus had told him about Enonians not applying themselves outside of their function. But he prodded her anyway.

"Everything is theory. But the Enonian theory of superluminal physics must be very practicable theory, otherwise the drive would never have been developed. I want to try and understand how the drive works. The physics I was taught says that superluminal travel is physically impossible, at least for baryonic matter."

"What kind of matter?"

"Ordinary matter--made of atoms with protons and neutrons in the nucleus."

"I would suggest you put your questions to Artemus."

"I plan to. But I would like to hear your version."

"Why? I am not a physicist."

"That is not your function, but you have had the training."

"My function is communication."

"Then communicate to me what you know about the Nothingness Drive."

Eletel laughed. "You do not give up, do you?"

"Not easily. Artemus tends to talk in circles, little he says makes sense--"

"He is trying to prepare you."

"For what?"

"To unlearn much of what you already know."

"I see, I think. Eletel, if you share your knowledge with me, I will be better prepared to understand Artemus. Just give me an overview, something Artemus can build on."

"Okay, I will try. But I may just confuse you more."

"Artemus already has me confused. I doubt you could add to that."

She sighed--an almost human gesture--and began.

"Superluminal travel is an illusion. The Nothingness Drive builds a kind of energy field around a ship, although it is not really energy in the physical sense. It is more of a shape, but a shape that cannot exist in normal spacetime as we know it. Because it cannot exist, the shape and anything within its boundaries--if you can call it that--is crushed out of existence. At that point you are no longer a part of the physical universe, and not restrained by its physical laws. The traveling is done in another existence--a kind of super universe, which contains the one we know and in theory an infinite number of others. Once the correct time and place is reached, the drive pops the ship back into normal spacetime, our universe. From the point of view of someone who remains behind, it will seem as if the ship has traveled many times the speed of light to get from one point to another. But the ship was never located at any point in-between. It is called bouncing."

Forrest scratched his head. "Sounds like falling into a black hole at one point in space, and then popping out of a white hole elsewhere or elsewhen."

"Artemus will get quite a chuckle if you suggest that to him."

"In other words, the analogy is not valid."

"I am not comfortable with the physics of black or white holes, and certainly not superspace. But my training did emphasize that the principles that govern the Nothingness Drive bear little relationship to black holes or wormholes, if any."

"Okay. Artemus told me that the inside of the drive did not exist and that the drive had no dimensions. He said it was a point source, despite its apparent size and shape. How can that be? I touched it, and it felt solid."

"I think he was probably referring to the mathematical point that defines the drive's locational interface to normal spacetime. The drive itself, does not exist in the universe as we think of it. It cannot, since it has properties that cannot manifest within normal spacetime. The sphere you touched is the span of its influence in its idle state."

"Its idle state? You mean when it is not doing anything?"

"In terms of its intended function, yes. It does necessarily maintain contact with superspace at all times."

"This energy field--or shape as you called it, how is it generated?"

"The drive is bombarded with high energy particles. That is why the drive is being installed with the fusion drives--they are the source of the particles. I have no idea what happens to the energy, but the result is that the drive expands its volume of influence. It is in the way the drive is bombarded--the energy levels and approach vectors--that determine the shape of the field and the resultant displacement."

"So by controlling the shape of the field, you determine where you will pop back into normal space?"

"That is the way I understand it. The theory that explains how and why it works is given in a dense mathematical language. You would be better off going to Artemus for the mathematics."

"I will, but I have a feeling I will not be able to understand it."

"Very few do."

"One thing bothers me, though. Since the theory concerns superspace, something which I would think is impossible for beings that evolved in normal spacetime to visualize, then how did anyone ever think of it? Was it discovered in pure mathematics, or as a side effect of some other physical theory, or what?"

"I am not sure about that. I do know that this phenomenon--the interface between superspace and normal spacetime, I mean--does occur naturally under extreme circumstances, but is very rare. I think the mathematics was invented as theories about the interface were developed to try and describe it. The mathematics has it own logic, of course, and that would have led many theorists to extrapolate new ideas. Eventually, they were able to recreate the phenomenon under controlled conditions, and that led to experimentation."

Forrest scratched his head. "Sounds dangerous."

"It was. In the early days whole research facilities and the asteroids where they were located would sometimes vanish into superspace, never to be seen again. Only the tiny black holes left in their wake, gave any evidence of their prior existence."

"Black holes? I thought that was no relationship."

"As it was understood when I received training, there is not. No one knew why the black holes were created. There were many theories, but no consensus. I always liked to think that the black holes were created as a result of the sudden inrush of surrounding matter filling the perfect vacuum created when the drive and its load vanished from normal spacetime."

"Sounds plausible to me."

"Yes. But the calculations say the matter would have to travel at near lightspeed, and perhaps faster. So that is not a likely explanation."

Forrest felt the shuttle drop suddenly and begin deceleration. They entered the axis of the thruster cylinder and stopped at the transport station. The shuttle doors opened, and the computer voice announced their arrival, as if they couldn't tell for themselves. The steady drone of the two working thrusters filled the cylinder.

Eletel leaned over and kissed Forrest on the cheek.

"I want you to know that the time we have spent together has been very good for me. Thank you."

Forrest caressed her face. "It was good for me, too."

They exited the shuttle and Forrest pulled the container out of the cargo hold. They then began the long walk to where Artemus was working. The walkway led to a large platform located about sixty meters behind the central reactor. As they approached, Forrest could see that a decahedron frame constructed of metal trusses had been built around the Nothingness Drive. The drive was centered within the frame, suspended in midair, oblivious to the artificial gravity field. It shone with shimmering false colors, just as it had when Forrest first saw it back on Earth. Although Eletel's description of the drive had been no more than a brief overview, it was enough to heighten his awe of the device. It was, somehow, a tap into another universe, one he could not begin to imagine.

Artemus was standing on a truss, attaching a long flexible tube to the frame.

"It is about time you got here, Eletel," he said, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"Sorry about the delay. I got sidetracked," she responded. Her voice was not defensive.

"So I heard. Jerac had to go join your rescue team. Did you bring the couplings I requested."

"I've got them," Forrest said.

Artemus looked at him as if he had just discovered he was present. "I was wondering when you would show up, my friend."

"Eletel has been telling me about how the drive operates."

"Good. You have much to learn if you are to be an effective engineer."

"From what I gather, I have some doubt that I will ever understand the theory."

"Do not worry. You do not have to know theory to know how to control it. I will teach you what you need to know."

"I look forward to that."

"You may think differently, when we start," Artemus said, smiling at Forrest. He then turned his attention to Eletel and adopted a serious look. "Well, Eletel, get your ass up here and get to work."

"Aye, sir," Eletel said, blithely.

Forrest watched as Eletel climbed the scaffolding. "What should I do with this?" he asked, indicating the container.

"Put it down where you stand. We will come get it when we need it," Artemus answered.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Not now. You would just be in the way. I do not have the time to teach you."

"Oh, okay. Well, I guess I'll be going then."

Forrest turned to leave and Artemus called. "Do not feel left out, my friend. You understand we are pressed for time. When we are ready to calibrate the drive, you will be very much involved."

"Understood," Forrest said, and walked away.

He did not feel left out. Despite the diversion offered by Eletel, he still wanted to see Lisa. That was, after all, what he had set out to do when he left Linwolse and Valencia at the apartment.

When he got to the boarding dock, he checked for the presence of others, genoclone or Enonian. He then pulled his communicator from his belt and punched in a special code.

"Serp?"

"I am here, Forrest."

"How's it going?"

"Is there a particular process you are interested in?" Serp asked.

Forrest realized that Serp would be running hundreds of thousands of routines simultaneously, and that he would have to be more specific when speaking to him. In a sense Serp was the Forever, and not just a secret process running in the Worldly Machines computer, spending most of his time essentially idle.

"Nevermind. I have a question."

"Okay."

"When I was in the City with Eletel, you spoke to me in my mind. How did you do that?"

"I am not sure. I felt you. You were part of my circuitry."

"I was focusing on the security door, trying to open it with my mind. That must have been when you felt me."

"You were trying to bypass the security procedure. That triggered an interrupt routine. I then became aware of your presence."

"Can you feel me now? Can you speak to me in my mind?"

"No. You have to merge with me first."

"I see. We will have to explore this later. In the mean time, be careful about communicating with me telepathically. The others can sense it."

"I understand."

"Good. Now, where is Lisa?"

"In the thruster cylinder, engineering station sixty-three, crew quarters, room five."

"I will speak to you later, Serp. Forrest out."

Forrest put the communicator into standby mode. The thruster cylinder was not the best place for Lisa to be hiding. But he had instructed Serp to take her as far away from the bridge as possible, and this was it. He identified the walkway that led to the engineering station. He began the long walk, keeping his mind as quiet as possible. Artemus and Eletel could be seen working in the distance--hopefully they would be so focused on their work, they would not detect his presence. It could be no more than luck that no one had sensed Lisa, since all had been on the lookout for stray humans.

He stood in front of the door. He was not sure if he really felt like facing Lisa, especially after just having sex with Eletel. He was about to turn and leave when the door opened. Forrest peered in, but could see no one. He entered, and the door closed behind him.

"Serp?"

"Yes, Forrest."

"Where is Lisa?"

"She is in the shower."

Forrest studied the place. The quarters were intended to house crew members on a temporary basis, and were anything but extravagant. The main room consisted of a living area with a small kitchen to one side. A sofa and two matching chairs occupied the living area, and they appeared comfortable enough. They were arranged with a holoviewer as their focus. A single door led to the bedrooms. Forrest sat on the sofa and waited. While these quarters were huge compared to what Lisa was used to on the Newton 6, they did not satisfy him. He decided he would arrange to have her moved to something better when possible.

He heard Lisa stirring in the bedroom. She came to the doorway and was about to enter the room when she noticed him.

"Oh, Forrest! You scared the shit out of me!"

Aside from the towel she had wrapped around her head, she wore nothing, and Forrest found his senses momentarily overloaded. He could not speak.

She moved her head to one side and gave him a crooked smile. "Do you like what you see?" she asked. She then turned and went into the bedroom. He could hear her dressing.

"Where th' hell have you been?" she called, her mood turning to anger.

"I got here as soon as I could," he responded, defensively.

She returned to the main room. She had put on a fresh jumpsuit, and was now combing her wet hair. "It's been over thirty hours." She sat in one of the chairs.

"I told you it might be days," Forrest said.

"Why am I a prisoner?"

"You are not a prisoner."

"Oh, I see. That explains why I can't get the fucking door to open!"

"Lisa, there are two Enonians installing the new drive right now. What do you think they would do if they saw you traipsing down the walkway?"

"Kill me, I suppose."

"They just might!"

Lisa looked away. "So what am I supposed to do? Just sit here and watch holovision the rest of my life?" She had tears in her eyes, and Forrest knew she was hurting.

"No, of course not."

She looked at him. "Then what?"

"I've been studying the possibilities. And I only see two. We will be arriving at Eros in about thirty-six hours. There we will complete the installation of the drive. There are three WG warships pursuing us, and there is a good chance they will suspect we are hiding behind the asteroid. In addition, there is a genoclone ship, the Rising Star tailing us. There is likely to be fireworks. I'm thinking that if I can get you to a lifeboat during all the confusion, you might be able to get back to Earth orbit--or else be picked up along the way. It's risky, and you will certainly have legal problems back on Earth, but you will at least have a chance at getting your old life back."

"You don't want me to stay with you?"

"I didn't say that, Lisa. I trying to save your life."

Lisa shook her head. "It won't work, Forrest. The lifeboats aboard the Forever are designed for emergency rescue, not for prolonged spaceflight. I could never make it back to Earth. The Rising Star might or might not pick me up. The warships would certainly blow me away."

"There are larger ships aboard--"

"It doesn't matter. The WG will take no chances. Any ship of any size launched from the Forever will be destroyed, no matter how convincing a story I give them. They will be suspicious and take the safe route."

"Then that idea is out?"

"That's the way I see it. You said there was another possibility."

Forrest studied her for a moment before speaking. "Do you believe that I care about you?"

"Yes."

"Then listen to what I have to say very carefully. I did not have time to give you the complete story about the Enonians before. The Enonians aboard the Forever are not the descendants of the Enonians exiled on Earth a hundred-thousand years ago. They are what is left of the original exiles."

"I don't understand."

"They are immortal. They don't age, don't die a natural death."

Lisa stared at him, dumbfounded. "You're saying they are a hundred-thousand years old?"

"Yes. And there's one of them that may be as much as a million years old."

"This is hard to believe. I'm no biologist, but even I can understand why nature would not have evolved such creatures--"

"They did not evolve this way. It's technology. They invented immortality, and it works. The immortality is maintained by what they call keepers--microscopic machines, nanomechs, that exist within the body by the trillions. The keepers prevent the body from aging. In addition, they provide enhanced mental and physical powers."

"So what does this have to do with me?"

"You remember I told you I had been converted to one of them?"

Her eyes lit up. "You are immortal?"

"Yes! There is enough biological commonality between Enonians and humans so that a human can be converted. In effect, you become an Enonian."

"How?"

"By blood sharing. If the blood of an immortal is pumped into your system long enough, the keepers will take hold and transform you."

"You want me to be converted?"

"Yes. Think of it, Lisa. Your dream is to visit the stars. With the new drive, we will arrive at Tau Ceti in a matter of weeks--weeks, not centuries. With that kind of drive capability, and an unlimited lifespan, we can explore the galaxy!"

Lisa's eyes were wide. "You're telling me the truth?"

"It is the truth. The transition is a difficult and painful process. But it is worth it."

"What about the blood drinking?"

Forrest flinched. He had forgotten about that. "That's an aberration. The Enonian exiles were supposed to transition to mortals and become as humans. Most of them did. The keepers needed human blood for the genetic material it contains. Those that did not transition, are still cursed with the blood lust. That is one of the reasons we are going to Tau Ceti--to get the blood lust programmed out of our keepers."

"So, if I am converted after that, I will not have to drink human blood."

"True."

"How do you plan to convince the Enonians to allow me to be converted?"

"I don't know, yet. But they don't know about Serp. And Serp controls the Forever. They need the Forever, and I control Serp. If necessary I will force them."

"You would do that for me?"

Forrest stood up. "Serp?"

"Yes, Forrest."

"From this point forward, Lisa's life as well as my own is your first priority. If anyone threatens Lisa's life, kill them immediately. If anything should happen to me, you will obey Lisa's command only. If we are both killed, set the Forever for self-destruct. Are these instructions clear?"

"Yes, Forrest. They have been entered into my emotive functions."

Forrest looked at Lisa. "Does that answer your question?"

She smiled. "Yes, it does." She stood and approached him, putting her arms around his neck. "I don't know why you are doing this."

"Maybe I love you."

"Maybe I love you, too," she said, and kissed him.