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attacking females as well as males, but a robot will be proof against their seduction.”
    “I have heard of them,” he agreed. “In fact we have a strict protocol: no vampires aboard ship. That is not facetious.”
    “Not at all,” she agreed.
    “It has been a pleasure meeting you, Mona.”
    “Mutual, Mike. Would you like to meet my companions?”
    “Actually, I would. They are unusual.”
    They went out and Mona introduced Mike to Brian and the animals. The Vulture and the Python remained aloof, but Bunky was happy to be petted.
    “You seem just like an Earth lamb,” Mike said. “But I know you're not.”
    “He's precognitive,” Mona said. “Try to surprise him.”
    Mike accepted the challenge. He abruptly jumped to the side.
    The lamb jumped with him, imperfectly because of his leg, but matching him.
    Mike made as if to jump back, but did not. Bunky held his place.
    The officer drew his service pistol. The Vulture and the Python surged forward, distrusting its nature, but the Lamb merely sniffed it.
    Mike nodded, putting away the pistol. “That could be interpreted as ignorance, but I think he knows I would not try to hurt him.”
    “He knows,” Mona agreed. “A dire wolf attacked him, and he nearly killed it.”
    “The colony manual says the sheep are the deadliest creatures on the planet.”
    “They are. But they don't look for trouble.”
    “I appreciate this encounter,” Mike said. “I wish you the best of your mission.”
    “Thank you.” They shook hands and she and the others departed.
    She checked the message center to see if Elen had responded yet. She had, and Mona was astonished again. It seemed that Shep and Elen had not only established their case as exchangees, they had made a public demonstration of the sheep's precognition. Now Shep was the effective governor of Colony Jones, with authority to approve and facilitate the spot exchange of both people and animals. He was working closely with her father, Moncho Maverick, to facilitate the group exchange, no questions asked.
    The sheep must have known.

Chapter 4:
    Earth
    They made the exchange in an enclosed garden near the Peterson's house, much as before. The technicians acted exactly as if doing a group of five, including three animals, was routine, though it had never been done before. The Ewe attended; she might not understand the technology of exchange, but knew she was needed to control the vulture and the python, because they were about to be replaced with genuinely wild creatures; they would remain in the garden a day and night. She would nurse the lamb, though it would be foreign to her. The Petersons would see to the privacy of the garden. Meanwhile, Shep and Elen would be back for this unexpected visit, and would make the most of it. At least they were familiar with the turnip farm and the Petersons.
    Then the scene changed. They were at Shep's house, and Mona was in her own body. “Mona,” she announced.
    “Brian,” Brian said from Shep's body.
    Moncho was there. He hugged her. “Good to have you back, girl.”
    “It's business, dad.” She disengaged and went to the cages, freeing the three animals. The Lamb was about Bunky's size, but not lame; it was the best they could do on short notice. The Vulture and the Python were not identical, but again, what counted was their minds; it was quickly evident that their exchanges, too, had been successful.
    “Dad, I have business with Brian,” Mona said. “Can you babysit our companions for half an hour?”
    He understood her perfectly. “Sure, if they'll mind me. There's a garden here they should like.”
    “They will,” she said. Then she took Brian to Shep's bedroom.
    “I've been here before,” he said. “But not with you.”
    She threw off her clothing. “Are you disappointed?”
    “No! You're beautiful!”
    Then they were making love the conventional way, for the first time. He was almost savagely hungry for her.
    “I told you you'd like me,” she reminded him