Consolidated Report of Lab Analysis

"And the king of Sheshach shall drink after them." - Jeremiah

-----

Office of the District Medical Examiner

Concordiate Coordinates: Al Raqis, Araxes, Mu Draconis System, Arsenal-Denobula Wormhole Nexus, Solomani-Geminga Sphere, Orion–Cygnus Arm - OA Sector 2814.

Consolidated Report of Lab Analysis Ordered by Acting District Medical Examiner

Reference: Blood sample and particulates collected from floor and jade rabbit from crime scene of Magistrate's Office in Al Raqis. Blood used to write on wall.

Subject: Lab Analysis



Part 1 Blood Sample

Telomere length of genetic sample indicates naturally grown uncloned female in her early 20s.

Subject was probably alive when the blood sample was taken, at most recently deceased.

Genetic markers indicate tetra-calcium phosphonate related congenital defects, colloquially known as "moon-babies". Usual defects include albinism, sensory, immune system and cognitive side effects.

Sample is not a match for the other "moon-baby" samples we have in storage, neither is it likely to be a relative.

Genetic markers indicate green eyes and albinic skin coloration.

Tox screen shows high concentrations of unknown compound with similar properties to the drug Solproperal which is commonly prescribed for treatment of tetra-calcium phosphonate related congenital defects. This unknown compound possibly an unregistered experimental treatment. 15% of the compound appears to be a direct match for the subject's standard DNA sequence, indicating that it is either a designer version of the medication or the subject has been genetically engineered/modified to secrete it. 10% of the unknown compound appears to exhibit bonding agent/anti-rejection properties. The sample is too degraded to get an exact composition.

Negative for any protozoic/bacterial/viral agents, recreational pharmaceuticals, nor alcohol present in the blood.



The sample lacks the high concentrations of Araxes Desert-Spice cinnamaldehydes in bloodstream, ruling out Araxes Desert-Spice prospecting condition exposure and consuming foods in Araxes for a long period of time.

The sample lacks the varieties of chordopoxvirinae variola virus antibodies in bloodstream, ruling out exposure to the various epidemics that manifested Araxes in the past months.

The sample showed no traces of SonnenTreppe, Thiotmioline, Utnapishtim Lycium, Lotophagi, Ziziphus, Moly, Haoma, Sauma, Amrita, Amarantos, Bandaloop Jitterbug extract or any other known locally available neurotropics, geronotologicals or pharma.

Subject is probably a recent arrival, most likely within the last 6 months or living under more controlled conditions such as aboard a ship.

Trace amounts of dust and typical cleaning products which contaminated the sample.

Part 2 Sand sample from the floor

Sand contains individual particulates of superdeformed nucleus mono-atomic and microcluster transition metals, Ketranite-Blue, Araxes Desert Spice, Lattice Crystalized Diatomic Lithium Telluride, Lattice Crystalized Diatomic Lithium Diallosilicate HeptoFerranide and FushigiNoUmi (LiCuSiFeO) 518 & 521 Crystals.

Mineral particulates and general chemical composition consistent with sand from various areas of Araxes, in particular with samples that originate in the Azaadi settlement in the Araxes Tribal Autonomous Zone and the excavation site near the Mount of the Sacred Totem in the Deep Desert Administrative Region.



Part 3 Particulates sample collect from the Jade Rabbit

Ordinary chlorite-quartz with a trace of spice and sand on the surface. Within the chlorite are small relatively harmless radioactive particulates. The composition of the Jade is consistent with jade mined in Haven in 34 Tauri and not the jade sold in the Al Raqis square for tourists.

Declaration: I hereby attest that after accepting custody of evidence bags that I made all of the required inquiries and testing in accordance with the applicable regulations, statutes and establish procedures/protocols established for the jurisdiction and that the information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Doctor Manda Soldi Westminster, Acting District Medical Examiner

Cc: Colonel MacMoragh
    Major Siamendes
    Major Muircastle

-----

Sealed Appendix to the Consolidated Report from the Office of the District Medical Examiner

To: Colonel MacMoragh, Special Projects
From: Major Pepper Siamendes, Special Investigations Unit

Subject: Cryptography



Examination of the jade rabbit statue found in the Magistrate's office revealed a small crystal containing the following ciphertext:

Lfi kvixvkgrlm lu vevmgh rh mlg zodzbh gsv dzb rg kozbh lfg. Nztrhgizgv, gsviv rh z gizrgli rm blfi nrwhg. Gsvb droo hgirpv dsvm blf ovzhg vckvxg rg zmw dsvm blf ziv nlhg efomvizyov. Droo gsv kvlkov nlfim gsvri Nztrhgizgv zh gsvb nlfimvw gsv Nvhhrzs?

The message is encrypted with Azby, a simple mono-alphabetic substitution cipher, also called the alphabet reversal cipher.

The plaintext reads:

Our perception of events is not always the way it plays out. Magistrate, there is a traitor in your midst. They will strike when you least expect it and when you are most vulnerable. Will the people mourn their Magistrate as they mourned the Messiah?

This cipher is the Latin equivalent of the Hebrew Atbash cipher used in the Book of Jeremiah.

Considerations on China Street

June 11 - Spinwheel City, Paquin

"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." - Jorge Luis Borges

-----

There is a little bookstore on the corner of China and Shuttleside. I found the place on one of my walks.

It sat on the second floor of a wooden building that it shared with a small herb and tea shop. The outside was decorated with a string of colourful paper lanterns. It had a long balcony with some chairs so you didn't have to wait until you got home to sit and enjoy a good read.

Inside, the shelves were well stocked, and there were books here that I have had difficulty finding anywhere else.




I was in this store when a call came in from Consulari Raghilda.

"Hello Major," she said.

"Hello Consulari," I replied.

"Are you still in the Mu Draconis system?"

"Why do you ask?" I said, giving question for question, thus avoiding an answer.

"I had hoped to speak to you about the Jadeist issues," said the Consulari.

"That would be useful," I remarked. "Have they made any more threats against you?"

"No," she replied. "I had an interesting meeting with a non-albino Jadeist who I think was a native."

"Perhaps this movement is expanding," I suggested.

"I know of four Jadeists," she elaborated. "I originally thought it was just one person. Perhaps others did too, which is why they did not take the threats seriously at first. Jadeist propaganda started cropping up soon after Jade's death, but there were no threats."




"It started with an idea," I said, browsing through the selection of non-fictional historical works. "It always starts with an idea."

"Ideas are a lottery," answered the Consulari. "I have lots of ideas but very few revolutions."

I smiled, then re-focused my remark. "It was an idea that found fertile ground in the resentment and dry heat of Araxes."

"The heat makes people cranky," agreed the Consulari. She continued, "My position at the embassy has changed as you probably know. But I would still like some of the lab results to discuss with my fellow delegates on the Beit Dawla. They are taking the Jadeist threat seriously."



"I do know," I acknowledged, "and I am hoping that the increased UAP security makes you feel safer."

"Do I ask you? the monitor officer? or someone else?"

"You will have to go through channels now," I replied. I selected a book and slid it carefully from the shelf. A reprint of Burhham's Celestial Handbook.

"Do I have to go thru channels to find out what those channels are?" she asked.

"Put your request in with the Monitor," I said. "He will contact my office."

"Is that the basic protocol for all local UAP requests?"

"At this point yes," I said. I paid for my selection and stepped out of the store into the cool evening air.



"I have a request from the NavCorpus asking about flight logs," added the Consulari. "Do I forward that to the monitor also?"

"Yes please," I replied.

An auto-taxi turned the corner of the street and slowly came to a halt before me. I climbed on board and the vehicle accelerated gently.

"I must go now Consulari," I said. "Please stay safe."

"I am taking care to," she replied, "Thanks."

-----

Shadows and light played across the window of my cab as I passed through the streets of Spinwheel.



Ardra Aurotharius had been successfully retrieved from Mu Draconis, but it was becoming apparent that I needed to make an appearance on Araxes to cover our tracks, to complete the illusion that I had never left. Knowing that the Navigator Corpus might be looking our way increased the need for stealth.

Stealth sometimes required a circuitous route.

Uzuldaroum Xomotron

June 10 - Paquin

The machine made a horrific sound.

Whirring and squealing, and the wild noise of mechanically generated suction. The brush tore at fiber and thread. Bits of sand and the debris of the day clattered and hissed as it slammed into the inner wall of the canister. The carpet protested, clinging to the floor, struggling against the inevitable power of the vacuum.



It was just like cleaning up a crime scene.

I could get used to this.

I could.

I'm sure I could.

---

A message from Araxes suddenly interrupted. I quickly killed the power to the machine.

It was a direct communication from the Magistrate, Joan al Jofar. "Uzuldaroum Xomotron contacted me for an arrest warrant. One of the Space Navigators' Corpus navigators has been abducted."

Interesting. This could get tricky. I paused for a moment before engaging the signal.

"Thank you Magistrate. Do you have further details?" I asked tentatively. How much did she know?

"Yes I do," she replied, "I'll send you the folder once I get back into my office."

Exactly nineteen minutes later, the data arrived. There was an image like the one we had intercepted from our monitoring station. Lily in her ship.



It was accompanied by other images that could only have been taken inside the Terminus. They showed Lily and what could have been AuroraBlue near an Ardra hologram.

Also enclosed was a transcript of discussion between the Navigator Uzuldaroum Xomotron, and the Magistrate. It was a different being than the navigator that had visited Major Muircastle.

I acknowledged receipt. "Thank you.. I will review this file. Who has been assigned this case?" I scanned the transcript quickly. "I see Kaden Director Gustav..."

".. and you it seems. Yes," replied the Magistrate.

"I'm sorry," I interrupted, seeing an opening, "Are you granting me police powers?"



"I did not imply that," she resisted, "I only said that I would contact you on behalf of The Space Navigators' Corpus. Are you offering your services? I don't think we have a contract on file for you."

"The UAP does not do contract work, Magistrate," I said plainly.

"That must be why I can't find a contract," she responded.

"I see that the missing Navigator is Ardra Aurotharius," I continued, "You are aware that the Alliance wishes to question this person in connection with a number of incidents."

"I am aware of your interest in this navigator," she said, "I do believe this means that you owe me a favor?"

I smiled. As if.

"Let us see where this leads, shall we?" I asked rhetorically.

"Leads are for you to follow Major. I have a planet to administer," she replied, washing her hands of the matter.

"Of course, Magistrate," I said, "and I will not keep you."

I terminated the call. Still reflecting on the conversation, I flicked on the vacuum cleaner. Again, the room was filled with the noise of inevitability.


----

- Transcript begins. -

The Navigator Uzuldaroum Xomotron addressed Magistrate Joan al Jofar, "The Space Navigators' Corpus has need to discuss your warrant procedures."

"Greetings Uzuldaroum," replied the Magistrate, "There will have to be a short hearing in the court where your evidence for issuing a warrant is presented."

"Would that be during the Laandsraat Council?" asked Uzuldaroum. "One of our navigators has been abducted."

"I think the other Laandsrat members would enjoy the hearing," reflected the Magistrate, "If there is an active crime being committed then a warrant is not necessary.  But that is only if an officer sees it going on. If you are acting on suspicion then you need a warrant...I think that's how it works."

"Should we speak to your police force in the meantime or utilize one of the paramils?" asked the Navigator.

"We have contracted with KPS to provide security," said the Magistrate.

"I did not understand."

"Arnold Gustav is the contact person for Kaden Private Security," she explained.

"We will have a representative attend the Laandsrat Council," said the Navigator. "In the meantime, we will employ Kaden to gather further evidence."

"Yes," replied the Magistrate, "I am also contacting Major Pepper Siamendes. She is investigating the Jadeists."

"The SIU officer is known to the Corpus," said Uzuldaroum.

"She is well known," remarked the Magistrate, "That is why we have engaged her services." A moment later she added, "I have also contacted Arnold Gustav on your behalf."

The Navigator commented, "It might be easier to have the SIU retrieve the Gatherbot and it's spawn, but we are bound to obey the forms."

"Yes," agreed the Magistrate, "The forms must be obeyed."

"The Corpus thanks you for your assistance, Imperial Servant," said Uzuldaroum. "We will follow up with Gustav and Siamendes."

"Thank you Mr. Uzuldaroum," replied the Magistrate. "I hope your navigator will remain safe."

"Your sentiments are noted."

"And we will do our best to see that they are returned safely," the Magistrate added.

"We will keep you informed as progress occurs," said the Navigator.

"I will begin preparations for issuing a warrant," said the Magistrate, "Thank you again."

Uzuldaroum Xomotron continued. "There are only two who have access...."
 

"...One recently accessed the Terminus. BlueSun Single Seeded Genetic Construct 041295, LilyBell Snoodle...."



"... The other is a Genetic Construct Hybrid by the Name of AuroraBlue LittleBoots."

"Are LilyBell and AuroraBlue going to be named in the warrant?" asked the Magistrate.

"They are our main suspects," said the Navigator. "Both have means and motive and opportunity."

"I will begin the paperwork," promised the Magistrate.

"The Corpus thanks you for your cooperation on this serious matter," said Uzuldaroum, "Ardra is a critical gatekeeper of the Arsenal Wormhole of the Imperial Nexus. Both suspects had taken an interest in Ardra."

"Yes," said the Magistrate, "Ardra would be a tempting target. I will add that information to the folder."

"The Genetic Construct has previously accessed Corpus technology," added the Navigator, "for its own purpose."

- End of transcript. -

Migou Ceriaptrix

June 10

"The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth" - Sun Tzu

-----

A communication arrived from Major Muircastle, UAP Monitor for the Mu Draconis sector. An image and transcript. The scene was the main reception hall of House Zenobia, on the planet Araxes.

Light from the twin suns filtered through the deep champagne coloured window panes, bathing the stone walls. In the center of the hall, covering the floor mosaic, squatted a Navigator's tank.

Within the vessel, partly obscured by a cloud of spice, moved the figure of the Navigator Migou Ceriaptrix of the Spatium-Tempus Navigantium Corpus. The figure was mutated beyond recognition, covered with spines and chitinous armour plate. It had grown too many appendages, each ending with two long, thin claws.

The creature was accompanied by a drone, no doubt to do all the tasks that may require hands.

Facing the Navigator was Major Aodhfionn Muircastle, his uniform looking pressed and crisp despite the oppressive heat. Military discipline at its finest.

-----



- Transcript begins. -

Major Muircastle stood formally. "Navigator," he said.

"Major," acknowledged the Navigator.

"To what do I owe the honor of a visit from the Space Navigators?"

"One of our navigator's went missing at 2200 June 8th," said Migou.

"Did your systems go offline at that time?" asked the Major.

"Correct," answered the Navigator, "our systems went offline for almost an hour."

"Ours also," said Major Muircastle, "I am afraid I can't provide you with anything helpful in that regard other than to corroborate the timeline."

Migou pressed on. "We understand that Ardra Aurotharius is a person of interest to your government."

Major Muircastle was undeterred. "That is not my division, I am merely a monitor officer. You would be better to speak to Major Pepper Siamendes. She is with the Special Investigations Unit."

"Is she currently in the Mu Draco system?" asked the Navigator.

"Yes, she is," said the Major with conviction, "currently on the Jadeist situation." This was, of course, a misdirection. I had left the system two days before.

Migou continued. "Where was Major Siamendes during your system shutdown?"

Major Muircastle gave a standard response. "All UAP personnel were in lockdown as per standard protocols during a systems blackout. Any UAP personnel will corroborate that." He was effectively circling the wagons.

"Your flight logs," said the Navigator.

"All systems were offline," said the Major, "all flights were grounded until the systems came back online."

Migou Ceriaptrix then took a different approach. "We have evidence of a Taurean ship flown during near the Terminus." The Navigator projected an image of Lily's ship. "That is a civilian vessel," Migou added, "not one of ours."

"You have any other information about this?" asked the Major helpfully.

"Blue Sun Single Seeded Genetic Construct 041295 has a long running interest in Navigator Aurotharius," the Navigator replied.

"Miss Noodle."

"As she is known, yes," said Migou.

"We have been monitoring Miss Noodle since 3rd June 2010," said Major Muircastle, "since she scared a couple of school children at a former post of mine. She has people in Blue Sun and UAP intel covering for her."

Migou Ceriaptrix continued. "The Genetic Construct was the last person to contact Navigator Aurotharius before the system outage."

"We are not authorized for law enforcement in this jurisdiction," said the Major, "and we are not bounty hunters. I can speak to Major Siamendes, but she can't investigate with any police powers locally. She would have to cooperate with local law enforcement."

"That would suit our needs," replied the Navigator, "We want the return of our navigator and a subpoena for the GC."

Major Muircastle continued, "Major Siamendes is not under my command and she has a full billet of cases, but I will see if she is willing to take this on."

"That is a weak answer, Major," accused the Navigator.

"I would not want to give you a strong answer that is untrue," replied the Major, "I am sure we will be able to find something of use to the Corpus."

"I think we understand each other," said Migou.

"Thank you for visiting, Navigator."

"Your sentiments are noted, Major."

- End of transcript. -

Like Lightning from Heaven

June 9

Seven days from the beginning of the Process.

Dr. Moira Aristocrat of the Zenobian Medical Centre, Albion City, sent a quick update on the condition of the Young Audrey clone.

"The patient's fever is under control, but neural activity is very high."

-----

June 10

The next day, Captain Manda Westminster sent word on secured comms from Zenobia.

"We have managed to block any kind of electromagnetic radiation that could be used for signalling, but there is no change in the patient. Magnetic imaging shows neural pathways being built up. Neural activity is very high but currently not at a dangerous level. The neural activity leveled off abruptly at 2200 hours June 8th. Doctor Moira has managed to control the patient's temperature. Doctor Qui has a theory about how the signalling might be coming about based on his study of the downed Arudra class drone. The patient is out of critical care and nothing much left to do except monitor and wait. Her sister, guardian and one of her teachers are keeping vigil."



Captain Westminster also forwarded a full report on neural implants. She began by detailed the research of José Manuel Rodriguez Delgado into the control of behaviour and mental function through the electrical stimulation of regions in the brain. Delgado experimented with radio-controlled neural implants on both humans and animals. On one occasion, he stopped a charging bull by remotely activating the electrodes implanted in the caudate nucleus.

According to Captain Westminster, the basic technology has not changed as the years have progressed. She states,

"Smaller chips are implanted and even nano-scale swarms of chips are injected into the system of the patient and either pre-programmed or are remotely controlled.

"The study of so-called 'readers' and certain other classes of special high functioning individuals has allowed great advances in the coding of brain signalling.

"The actual brain signals is the same in all humans, but the signals do not actually contain the information; their only function is the stimulation of the brain centers which do contain the information. Knowing the signalling allows us to know with monitoring what type of action is going on, but still does not allow us to know the information content.

"The alephs inside of A.A.W. are functioning analogous to the stimoceiver, sending signals at thousands of locations of the brain. We can know what kind of functions, but not know the content. Our best bet based on our monitoring is that the alephs are inducing a dream sequence of the subject's life with additional sensory stimulation.

"We are currently unable to determine what if any type of signalling is coming to or from the patient. We have attempted all manner of screening out of any electromagnetic signalling.

"The alephs that we have extracted via the nanobot bloodquest process have defied analysis. Professor Qui Von Wer Foreman Serendipity of the Zenobia Institut Polytechnique has analyzed the materials and found them to be transition metals whose nucleus has been made asymmetrical causing them to have atypical characteristics. According to Qui, such super-deformed orbitally rearrange mono-atomic transition metals can somehow be used for quantum signalling because they can isolate themselves from quantum interference. The super-deformed nucleus makes their analysis extremely difficult.

"Suspiciously ironic, subject A.A.W.'s guardian, Constance Zdychava, is a noted expert in quantum communications, a known acquaintance of Professor Qui, and was attached to Project Aurotharius. Quantum signalling using quantum entanglement is the basis of the Cortex network."

The Girl Who Cheated Death

June 8

The silence was relieved by the echo of my footsteps as I walked through the gloom of the Terminus. 

The walls of the chamber arched upwards until they were lost in the dark. A navigator's tank sat empty. Its glass stained orange. The odor of spice still lingering in the air.

Before me, on the deck, rested an egg shaped vessel flanked by two cuboid panels. The panels were covered with an array of miniature screens. Within the egg floated a figure, small and shriveled, curled into a fetal position.



"The figure spoke, "My life might not look like much from appearances."

It was the voice of Ardra Aurotharius.

"Hello Audrey," I greeted her.

"Salutations to you, Major Siamendes," she replied. "This is me stripped of all adornment."

I knelt down and examined the readings on the machine.



"The minimum life support and communications," she explained.

"And the Process?" I asked, speaking of the process of linking the Audrey/Ardra mind to the young Audrey clone.

"This part of the process of this entity is complete," she said. "How is Audrey progressing?"

"She developed a fever," I reported, "We have been doing everything we can to stabilize things."

"We rushed," confessed Ardra.

"Can you not feel her?" I asked.

"She dreams. She is reliving her memories and incorporating new memories."

 

"I will contact people who can help her," I said, "teach her breathing and relaxation exercises." I immediately thought of the Bai Feargananym from the Bihar Sanctuary.

Ardra cautioned, "When she awakens, she will want to see Wylder."

"I will arrange it," I said.

"It would be better if she did not know of me like this," she continued. "Let Wylder and Audrey forget this terrible mistake."

"Understood. We will keep you safe."

"Do you know who Henrietta Lacks is?" she asked.

"I do," I replied. "Your father told me about her."

"She was the first immortal," said Ardra. "Her cells anyway. It is an immortal cancer cell line. This body is similar. They will want to study it." She added, "Mercedes thinks she took the original."

Professor Wylder Aurotharius thought his efforts were a failure. He used all his resources at his disposal to save the life of his daughter. When he thought she had passed away, he loaded her corpse into his craft, put himself into cryo sleep and launched himself into the Black.

Mercedes Celestalis hired a crew to salvage the ship and remove the corpse, leaving the frozen Wylder for me to find. But Audrey's body was never aboard the Colchester. Audrey was here.

Audrey had never died.



"The spice treatment your father attempted... this is the result," I said plainly.

"Yes," she replied, "They did not know about overdoses."

"You will have the best doctors in the Alliance looking after you," I promised. "There is much you can teach us."

"Umbrella, Weyland, Blue Sun, all have operatives within the Alliance," she warned.

"Then we will have to be careful," I added.

Ardra continued, "MacMoragh will not repeat his previous mistakes I hope."

I paused, considering her words.

"Someone tried to clone him," I said, "Three years ago. About the time your drone came in contact with LilyBell. They used material stolen from Angels of Mercy. Blastomeres."

"It was a prototype process," she replied, "not yet perfected."

"What can you tell me about the incident?"

Ardra explained, "There are two processes they are hoping to perfect. Clones are detectable by various means. They look to make it possible to mask that."

"Who is 'they?'" I asked.

"Blue Sun, Weyland, Umbrella."

"Working together?" The thought was chilling.

"No."

I nodded. "Who cloned the Colonel?" I asked directly.

Ardra replied. "Zebes rents out to Umbrella and Weyland. Faith Industries has the other part, but it is imperfect yet. Treadstoning. Over-writing memories. They have experimented with the Faith scion himself and the Rhiadra person."

I thought this over. "Faith had yet to acquire blastomeres when the Colonel's clone was found.... he purchased them later. That leaves Umbrella and Weyland as candidates."

"Neither has the treadstone," said Ardra.



"Treadstone?" I asked.

"It is the name of the original MKULTRA program to over-write memories and personality," she explained. "Our observation of Faith and Rhiadra is that it is still primitive. Surface changes, many gaps. Neurological maladies such as migraines and seizures, blackouts."

"And that is the second process they are trying to perfect," I said.

"The masked cloning is the first project," she said, "Treadstone is the second."

"Undetectable clones with memories and personalities of the prime," I said, adding things together.

"Correct," she confirmed. "You will be tempted to ask Wylder for assistance. It would possible destabilize him to see this." She spoke of herself. "Let him forget and tell himself it did not happen."

"what would you suggest, Audrey?" I asked.

"Let him have his wife and daughter as if nothing ever happened."

"And what about you?" I said, "You must want to see him."

"I am distributed," Ardra said, "I live my life everywhere. It is only my body that is imprisoned."

"Will you be able to speak with him," I asked further, "through the young Audrey?"

"I won't."

I nodded slowly, solemnly, acknowledging the sacrifice.



Ardra continued, "Audrey will live out that life for me. I will experience it. William James was the inspiration of the original ARDRA program. The multiplicity of social selves. Separate selves that do not see themselves as separate. Audrey will live her life without the tragedy and subsequent problems. I will be able to experience that."

I felt moved by both duty and compassion. Our Great Alliance would protect Ardra. We would keep her safe. She might well represent humanity's first toddling steps to significant life extension, to immortality. She was precious to us all.

"Are you fit to travel?" I asked gently.

"This is the travel pod, ready for pickup."

"Then," I said, "we should get you home."

"Avalon or Zenobia?" she asked.

"We will take you to Zenobia."

"Thank you, Major," she replied, "it has been a long time."

"You're welcome, Audrey." I stood up. A hologram of Ardra in her exo-skeleton flickered nearby.



"I accept my fate as a special project," she said almost formally. Then she added, "My tear ducts ceased being able to function 20 years ago."

Silently, I summoned my shuttle and then, with the greatest of care, I carried Ardra Aurotharius into the waiting craft.

-----



"The time will come, when long increase of days will so contract me from my present size and so far waste away my limbs with age that I shall dwindle to a trifling weight, so trifling, it will never be believed I once was loved and even pleased a god. Perhaps, even Phoebus will not recognize me, or will deny he ever bore me love." 
- Ovid