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an opaque barrier between myself and my memories – I can see enough to know that something is wrong, but I won't allow myself to see it clearly enough to identify it. That idea in of itself is troubling. Even this line of inquiry is hurting my head.
    I design and build humacoms. I know most technicians can only do one or the other, or only like to do one or the other, but I have always liked the whole process, from conception, to the formulas, to the construction. Choosing the right programs for the AI, designing the chassis male or female, picking its intended occupation. Security? Domestic? Data archives and analysis? I think that way I have more involvement in the humacom, and that is why they are always so unique, so humanlike -
    Maybe if I think of something else, besides work, I won't have such a hard time. I remember one time, when Freya and I were little, we used to make our own picnics and explore the family estate. The Tarkubunji estate is a large one, a prime piece of real estate just outside Corinthe city. One summer, we even decided to camp out all by ourselves and pretend we were explorers on a new, undiscovered planet. Of course, mother would never have allowed us – we were five and six at the time, me being the eldest – to go out and camp alone, so we ended up taking Maj and mother's securicom, Julian. I'm sure she was really worried about us, but Anetta Tarkubunji was never one to fret too much. Now, father –
    Danwe, does my head hurt! I feel as though someone is trying to jam shards of glass into my skull. Mundane things.
    I need to send Pablo out for groceries. For whenever I go home.
    Maj needs her mechanical files defragmented.
    Zultan needs to be updated on the outcome of the Belthane project. I really should check-
    Project Cassie needs to be moved on to stage 3
    Father's lab –
    Father -
    I'm trapped locked in being watched can't get out the lab potential recall why why WHY
    somebody help me. I think I'm losing my mind

Chapter Four
    S ix hours later, Adri was drinking her third cup of coffee in the command center and instructing the cleanup grunts. The camp was secured, the Belligerents removed from the surrounding area, and she still hadn't made it back to bed. Captain Heedman, on the other hand, was currently sitting down to his luncheon with her field lieutenant. Both idiots were doubtlessly having a dandy time talking about masculine superiority and the proper place of women.
    Adri was awake enough to know that her annoyance with Field Lieutenant Grayson was mostly due to lack of sleep. The knowledge that he was eating a real meal instead of military grade simulations didn't help. The captain, of course, traveled with his own victuals, his own cook, and a portable kitchen. But the rest of her disgruntlement with said field lieutenant had to do – she was sure – with the ridiculous level of ‘just-rightness’ he exuded. The man was a good officer, no question about it, and handled well under pressure. He took orders intelligently, had useful suggestions, good stamina, excellent aim, and was efficient. He was Adri's dream subordinate come true. That was the problem. The man was frighteningly perfect. Although she was grateful for his military expertise, and knew his mental capacity should be seen as a plus, there were some things that her field lieutenant had to change.
    He made her shiver. In a romantic, my-you're-handsome-and-make-me-wish way. That had to go; there was no way they could work out a good officer to officer relationship if she was drooling over him every time he talked with that sexy voice. Adri knew the situation was bad when, after an acquaintance of a mere twenty-two hours she was obsessed with the man. Obsession was dangerous. Nearly as dangerous as love. Both emotions – if obsession was an emotion – would inevitably lead to heartache, and Adrienne Rael, battle tried Lieutenant Commander of the Galactic Commonwealth, had a large