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just high enough to clear the tallest of the mountains, though to her that was more than enough altitude. Still, since this craft was intended to sail the vast vacuum of space, she realized this little hop up into the atmosphere was as nothing to him. "It's beautiful from up here."
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    She meant every word as the rugged terrain of her homeworld dazzled her senses.
    From this altitude the suns were already lighting a good portion of the land below in shimmering golds, browns, and reds. It was breathtaking.
    "Pretty planet from this vantage point," Ezekiel agreed, "but damned inhospitable to live on. Someday, Angela, I'd like to show you the warm oceans of Pacifica or the rolling grasslands of Argentia."
    She heard the yearning in his tone but she also knew those worlds he spoke of were infected with the Jit virus. She couldn't go there now and probably would never be able to set foot off this adopted homeworld. Still, she could dream.
    "I'd like to see Espia. That's where our people originated." She remembered the beautiful green and blue forests she'd seen only in recordings. "The history cubes I've seen of it are lovely."
    He leaned back in his chair as she noticed him starting their descent sequence.
    "Espia is truly beautiful. The mists in the capital city burn off in the morning sun and the temperature is ideal all year round."
    "You've been there?" Only the oldest of the elders now remembered their home planet and they'd been children when the colonists fled.
    "Yeah, I had a stopover there last year. Spent a few weeks of downtime while my ship was serviced. It's a beautiful place, but they were hit hard by the virus. There are no males left there at all."
    "None?" She gasped, thinking of all her male friends and family that would die if the virus found its way to their colony.
    "Some worlds were luckier than others. A few males survived here and there on many planets, but almost all were sterile after their bout with the virus and they lived with the threat of recurrence. On a few rare worlds, the males suffered through the disease badly at first, then it went dormant, waiting to strike again at any moment." His face tightened into grim lines. "Espia was one of the few planets where all the males died in the first round of infection. Certain uniquely Espian DNA sequences and physiology made your ancestors much more susceptible to the virus than other human variants. Many of the Espian females died as well, though most females on other planets did not. Your ancestors were wise to leave." Angela sent up a silent prayer as she thought of all the dead. "The cities are pretty much empty now, with many buildings vacant. There are few people to live in the leftover spaces, but the survivors are resilient. They've learned to value what they have left of their world. Music and the arts flourish still, and new schools to study medicine and science have been opened. The few young born since the virus are encouraged to study hard and help rebuild their society."
    "They're still having children then?"
    "With Dr. Waithe's help." He turned away to focus on the landing as they approached the hills where the entrance to the settlement was hidden. "Sons of Amber were dispatched to the hardest hit planets as soon as we were able to perform our duties."
    "Your duties?" She had a sneaking suspicion what they might entail.
    He took a moment to settle the ship before answering. Once the ship was powering down, he turned to her.
    "I told you when I first woke, Angel. I and my brothers were designed to help repopulate human worlds. We breed true and have certain skills and qualities that are helpful to societies starting to rebuild. Some of my brothers were dispatched to Espia to help protect them from Jit raiders. Some were sent to help the scientists set up sperm banks and a breeding program. Whatever the assignment, we are always encouraged to have sex with any female that desires it."
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    Angela's heart plummeted. His voice