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to the screening chamber.”
    Jenny was setting up equipment.  As Krystal met Jenny’s gaze, a wave of despair swept over her.  Rocked by the unshielded emotions emanating from Jenny, Krystal grasped the nearest table.
    Realizing the problem Jenny whispered, “I’m sorry.”  She clenched her fists, fighting for control, and soon Krystal felt normal, freed from sharing Jenny’s distress. 
    To the children Krystal said, “This is Jenny.  She’ll be assisting us today.” 
    Jenny nodded and continued working.  Krystal said, “Angela, please lie flat on the table, and Jenny will show us how scanning works.  Try to relax.  Watch the monitor as Jenny activates the scan.” 
    Krystal scrutinized Jenny’s face as the children watched the colored graphs forming on the screen.  “You okay?” Krystal asked.
    Jenny bit her lower lip.  “I need to talk with you!  Can we meet?”
    Krystal nodded.  “After this tour, say 1400 in the lounge?”
    Jenny smiled, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
    Krystal forced her attention back to the group.  “A good technician uses empathic skills to enhance the mechanical readings.  What can you tell us about Angela?” 
    The group watched as Jenny’s hands hovered only inches away from Angela’s small body.  “Your mother has blue eyes and a tendency to overweight.  Your father is balding.  Mothers pass the balding trait to male offspring.  Your next clone would accept blue eyes.  We can make minor changes to hair or eye color, but drastic changes of skeletal structure or skin color cause rejection.  We monitor continually to prevent rejection.”                
    Angela asked, “How can she tell about my mother and father?” 
    “Jenny and I are both empaths, like most top level medtechs.  Empaths merge consciousness into your body’s cellular level to monitor on a cellular level.”
    “Wow,” Angela said. “How many spans does it take to become a medtech?”                      
    Jenny said, “A span at the boards can qualify an apprentice, then a span or two in direct contact will sharpen your skills enough to certify talent.  You exude empathic radiance, and with proper training, could become a good medtech.” 
    Angela grinned.
    Krystal felt the girl’s pride, like a warm glow.  She announced, “Let’s visit the Transfer Lab.” 
    With the tour nearly complete, Krystal regretted seeing the children leave.  She felt empty.  My life adds up to a big zero without children.  My dreams of children died during the war and now every Transfer I have increases my debt to the Institute.  I can never afford to leave the Institute and raise a family.  Her chest ached, and she felt lonely.
    Jenny touched her arm and Krystal winced in pain at the contact.  Krystal’s mental blocks slammed into place, automatically blocking Jenny’s pain.  Jenny blinked away a tear.
    “I’ll meet you at 1400 hours, Jenny.”  Krystal gestured toward the exit.  “Follow me, children.  The Transfer Lab is filled with delicate equipment, but you’ve behaved so well, I’m sure you won’t touch anything.  In this section of the space station, you may switch off the current in your boots.  The lab is at ENG.”
    “That’s Earth Normal Gravity!” Robert said, ignoring the harsh stare from his teacher. 
    “Very good, Robert, we appreciate people who respond quickly.  Emergency situations call for fast thinking, so you might be a good candidate for station work.”  Krystal cast a rebellious glance at the teacher.
    “Who will volunteer to help me demonstrate?”  All the hands shot up.  Krystal chose several children, placing them in position.  The overhead lights dimmed.  As she described the sequence of events, lights glowed over each position in the room. 
    “Robert, spread your hands over the patient and then over his clone to compare genetic structure.  Angela, watch the monitor for heart rate and