Shen frowned. His next question wasn't expected. "How long has it been?"

"Since you locked yourself in here?" Leo asked. "One hundred two years, six months, three days . . . or maybe four by now. I'm getting rather hungry and thirsty, and I haven't had a chance to use a bathroom for several hours. I'd appreciate it if you'd make up your mind to trust me, at least long enough so I can can."

"You're definitely definitely not a malfunctioning program." He stared at her a moment, then glanced down at the tight way she was holding him, still clad in her black-and-white clothes, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed to his sternum. not a malfunctioning program." He stared at her a moment, then glanced down at the tight way she was holding him, still clad in her black-and-white clothes, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed to his sternum.

His naked sternum, she realized belatedly. They were too closely pressed together, with her arms wrapped around his bare, steel-banded back, to tell if he was wearing pants or not, but his upper half was definitely shirtless.

"Do you have to hold me so tightly?" Shen asked her.

"It's the nature of my piggyback program. The moment I let go of you, I snap back out of the system . . . and given the sheer strength of the security protocols I've just slipped past, I might be knocked unconscious if I have to do it in a hurry. You have a few too many defense robots patrolling the physical corridors of this place for me to risk losing consciousness.

"I know you don't have reason to trust me," Leo added candidly, "and I wouldn't if I were you, having endured all that you have . . . but part of that lack of trust is your own fault. You You destroyed all of the external relays that could have connected you with the outside universe. To use the metaphor of that entertainment program we were just in, you were your own evil fairy G.o.dmother, and grew your own barricade of briar thorns to keep everyone out." destroyed all of the external relays that could have connected you with the outside universe. To use the metaphor of that entertainment program we were just in, you were your own evil fairy G.o.dmother, and grew your own barricade of briar thorns to keep everyone out."

"I did did it so no one could override my mind and reopen this facility. I didn't . . ." He broke off and looked past her shoulder. She could tell he wasn't looking at their virtual surroundings. it so no one could override my mind and reopen this facility. I didn't . . ." He broke off and looked past her shoulder. She could tell he wasn't looking at their virtual surroundings.

"You didn't want the s.a.d.i.s.tic b.a.s.t.a.r.ds in charge of the Borgite Project getting out and recapturing your fellow Gengins," she stated. He stared at her again. Leo nodded. "Well, you're not the only one who had to kill his creators in order to escape. Or to let others escape."

"So you're really here to rescue a murderer?"

"The first obligation of all all prisoners is to seek a means to escape, and that includes by any means necessary. You weren't imprisoned because you broke the law. You were imprisoned because you were prisoners is to seek a means to escape, and that includes by any means necessary. You weren't imprisoned because you broke the law. You were imprisoned because you were enslaved enslaved . You are a human being, Shen Codah, just like everyone else in this galaxy. You have the same right as anyone else to defend yourself, and to defend those around you. You have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness-I should know; I'm a Minutemaid," she reminded him dryly. "My progenitors' Project was based on the ancient Earth belief of being ready to fight for one's freedoms and rights on a moment's notice. You fought to give others their freedom, as you had every right to do. Now I'm here to fight for yours. . You are a human being, Shen Codah, just like everyone else in this galaxy. You have the same right as anyone else to defend yourself, and to defend those around you. You have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness-I should know; I'm a Minutemaid," she reminded him dryly. "My progenitors' Project was based on the ancient Earth belief of being ready to fight for one's freedoms and rights on a moment's notice. You fought to give others their freedom, as you had every right to do. Now I'm here to fight for yours.

"But I can't do it without your your help," she stressed. "Yes, I broke into the entertainment files. And I just about gave myself a headache doing so. I'm surprised I don't have a nosebleed. But this is as far as I can get. From here on in, the physical and virtual security systems are under help," she stressed. "Yes, I broke into the entertainment files. And I just about gave myself a headache doing so. I'm surprised I don't have a nosebleed. But this is as far as I can get. From here on in, the physical and virtual security systems are under your your active control. From what I uncovered in the reports of the fleeing Borgite Project survivors, whatever you did to hook yourself up fully to this complex, it has to be physically unhooked by a second person. But you also sealed yourself in your inner sanctum so that only active control. From what I uncovered in the reports of the fleeing Borgite Project survivors, whatever you did to hook yourself up fully to this complex, it has to be physically unhooked by a second person. But you also sealed yourself in your inner sanctum so that only you you can unseal the place." can unseal the place."

"How do I know I can trust you?" he challenged her, lifting his chin.

"Because I came alone. There were three attempts to get to you, roughly a hundred years ago. The records hold the speculation that the first two failed because you thought both groups were infiltration forces sent from the people backing the Borgite Project. The first two were sent by the Gengins you rescued. The third one . . . that that group was backed by the Project managers, but civil war broke out on this colonyworld, and this corner of the continent was torched and abandoned. All three times, large groups were sent in to get you, and you treated them like hostile invasion forces. group was backed by the Project managers, but civil war broke out on this colonyworld, and this corner of the continent was torched and abandoned. All three times, large groups were sent in to get you, and you treated them like hostile invasion forces.

"In the intervening decades, there were five more known attempts at getting into this facility. Most of them were tech treasure hunters. The only ones who got in past the first layers of security were solitary hunters. They didn't get very far, but it was far enough to know you're still expecting a large force to try to retake control of this place. I took a chance that a single visitor wouldn't trigger a ma.s.sive counterattack . . . and it's finally paid off. Provided you don't trigger the system to actively hunt me down and kill me."

"I still might. How do I know you're telling the truth?" Shen demanded. He tried pushing her away again, but she clung stubbornly.

Leo kept her eyes locked with his. "Send a robot to sector B, level five, in the southwest room off the junction of corridors five and G. You will find a hardstate scholastic comm unit, one of the old Jayvisi 47s, sitting on one of the desks. I picked the Jayvisi 47 scholastic model because all all it can do is transmit and receive signals from the hypercomm info channels. it can do is transmit and receive signals from the hypercomm info channels.

"Pick it up, and do a remote search on all information pertaining to either 'Raider Clan' or 'Enalia System,' which is where the Raider Clan is based . . . or you can even do a search on 'Borgite Project' or the history of this colonyworld. There's no government left on this colonyworld strong enough and rich enough to spend its resources on reclaiming this place. It's a safe method of checking up on all of these things because there's no way the Jayvisi could threaten your control of this facility either; all it does is send and retrieve static information. But . . . do me a favor, and don't break it. Please," she added as he frowned at her. "I only have two of the 47s left in my functioning tech collection."

He gazed off over her head for a long moment, lifting his hand and gesturing with his fingers, then nodded. "I've sent a robot to pick it up. But I can't examine the truthfulness of your claim while you're clinging to me. If you're an electrokinetic like me, you could could be trying to distort my perceptions of reality versus virtuality." be trying to distort my perceptions of reality versus virtuality."

"That's easily fixed," Leo promised. "Take us back to the Sleeping Beauty program. It's a far less sensitive subsection of the system. I can safely let go of you once we're there, and from there, I can make my way back to my body with no problem-and you do do want me to get back to my body with no problem for one very important reason: if I'm telling the truth, then I want me to get back to my body with no problem for one very important reason: if I'm telling the truth, then I am am here to rescue you . . . and somehow I don't think that's a chance you'll want to throw away. Not when you're the man who saved three hundred and fourteen fellow Gengins so here to rescue you . . . and somehow I don't think that's a chance you'll want to throw away. Not when you're the man who saved three hundred and fourteen fellow Gengins so they they could have a chance at freedom. Now it's your turn, and you could have a chance at freedom. Now it's your turn, and you do do deserve your freedom." deserve your freedom."

Shen didn't say anything. Lifting his hand, he flicked his fingers. The long corridor they were in dissolved again, and again Leo clung tightly to him . . . until her arms were dragged free by the force of his programming. They were were back in the Sleeping Beauty entertainment program, but back in the Sleeping Beauty entertainment program, but she she was the one now tied to the bed. Fully clothed, but bound hand and foot to the four posts of the canopied bed and gagged with a leather strap. was the one now tied to the bed. Fully clothed, but bound hand and foot to the four posts of the canopied bed and gagged with a leather strap.

He was definitely the better electrokinetic; she hadn't even sensed him reversing their positions in the programming. Then again, after more than a hundred years, he probably knows everything there is to know about how to program this place on the fly. Then again, after more than a hundred years, he probably knows everything there is to know about how to program this place on the fly.

"You will stay here until I have examined the veracity of your claims," he ordered. will stay here until I have examined the veracity of your claims," he ordered.

His hand swept through the air over her body, making her skin tingle from the invisible layers of security he was adding. Her heart skipped a beat, speeding up with adrenaline-tinged fear. Not a lot of fear; she was fairly sure Shen Codah was taking her invasion and her claims seriously enough to investigate in full rather than just mindlessly terminate. But he was definitely the better electrokinetic.

The sight of him stepping back from the side of the bed prompted her to speak. "Heh! Ar' hyu gomma fiff me?"

Shen frowned, confused. "What?"

Leo winced. Oh, dear stars in heaven, why did I try to say Oh, dear stars in heaven, why did I try to say that that? She wanted to berate her subconscious, but he was patently waiting for a reply. As she tried to think of a way to tell him "never mind" without the leather gag m.u.f.fling it beyond all recognition, he leaned over and tugged the strap out of her mouth. She wanted to berate her subconscious, but he was patently waiting for a reply. As she tried to think of a way to tell him "never mind" without the leather gag m.u.f.fling it beyond all recognition, he leaned over and tugged the strap out of her mouth.

"What did you say?" he repeated. did you say?" he repeated.

The tingle of the security measures was still there. Licking her lips, Leo gave in and repeated herself. "I said, 'Hey! Aren't you going to kiss me?' "

The befuddled look he gave her was rather cute. "Aren't I going to . . . ? Why Why would you ask would you ask that that?"

"Well . . . here I am, in a romantic entertainment program, tied spread-eagle to your bed. I'm lying here at the mercy of a handsome man, prepped and ready for you to do all manner of kinky things to me . . . and all you're you're planning on doing is leaving me here alone," she stated as boldly as she could. planning on doing is leaving me here alone," she stated as boldly as she could. In for a processor, in for a program, and all In for a processor, in for a program, and all . . . "It's probably just the setting stirring up the mood, but . . . well, I'm feeling a bit disappointed." . . . "It's probably just the setting stirring up the mood, but . . . well, I'm feeling a bit disappointed."

"Disappointed?" Shen repeated skeptically.

"Yes. Disappointed. When I had you you tied to this bed, bound and at my mercy, tied to this bed, bound and at my mercy, I I kissed kissed you you. I was just . . . you know . . . Just because I was hired to rescue you doesn't mean I don't find you you, the person, attractive," she pointed out. Then she shrugged as best she could, given her tied-down status. "Because I do. I am am human, as well as a Gengin." human, as well as a Gengin."

He surprised her by kneeling on the bed and bracing his arms on either side of her head. "Tell me, Leo Castanides . . . how much are you being paid to 'rescue' me?"

The question made her smile. It was a lopsided smile, but mostly because she didn't know if he'd believe her or not. "Aside from enough to cover my operating costs? The same thing they pay a lot of the other Gengins who work for them. A priceless treasure beyond compare. There's the sundry fees for itemized expenses, of course, plus hazardous duty and potential medical coverage . . . but the bulk of what I'm being paid, no one else can afford to give me."

"And that is?" he prompted, lowering his head close enough to block out some of the virtual sunlight slanting in through the castle windows.

"A home home."

He blinked, visibly confused. Leo took pity on him and clarified her meaning.

"The Raider Clan has offered me amnesty and political asylum. Like a distressing number of Gengin settled worlds, my homeworld has turned a bit insular . . . and rather Project-like in its regards as to who can breed and even when. I'm just genetically 'superior' enough to qualify for Minutemaid status, and and I'm expected to go out and be a Minutemaid, a mercenary-for-hire . . . but I'm expected to go out and be a Minutemaid, a mercenary-for-hire . . . but as as a Minutemaid, I'm not allowed to breed until I've proven I can survive to my thirty-fifth year. Plus, once I do, a Minutemaid, I'm not allowed to breed until I've proven I can survive to my thirty-fifth year. Plus, once I do, if if I do . . . I'm supposed to breed only with a Minuteman. While I'm sure any number of my fellow Minutemen are worthy enough individuals, I don't like being I do . . . I'm supposed to breed only with a Minuteman. While I'm sure any number of my fellow Minutemen are worthy enough individuals, I don't like being told told I can or cannot do something as intimate as . . . well, intimacy itself. I can or cannot do something as intimate as . . . well, intimacy itself.

"There's not a single government outside of the Core Worlds which could offer me a better deal than my freedom to choose my own life . . . and the Core Worlds don't like dealing with Gengins. Particularly not ones who were bred for violent purposes . . . though at least if you look look like a Normal, they're a little more tolerant." like a Normal, they're a little more tolerant."

"It sounds like the universe hasn't changed much in the last hundred years," he muttered.

"Some places are worse. Some places are better." Leo shrugged. "But it's reality . . . and reality will always be more interesting than virtuality. Living in a virtual world is safer safer than reality but it's not actually than reality but it's not actually living living, is it?"

He stared at her, his short-cropped hair stained gray with middle age at his temples, his expression shuttered, inscrutable . . . and leaned down, touching his mouth to hers. Slanted it over hers, claiming the kiss she had offered. Leo lifted her chin, parting her lips and returning every nip and taste. Holographic or not, he was a talented electrokinetic, putting every sense into full play in his kiss. Touch, taste, scent, sound, and sight-for all that Leo knew she was only seeing and feeling these things inside her mind.

Breaking off the kiss, he backed off the bed, stood, and vanished. Left on the bed, tied and bound, Leo gauged her programming ability versus the tingling pressure of the security programs keeping a close eye on her virtual location. In the end, she stayed where she was. It was was likely that once she left, she would have a very hard time getting back in again. But that wasn't the reason she stayed. likely that once she left, she would have a very hard time getting back in again. But that wasn't the reason she stayed.

She stayed because she didn't want to break his trust. Breaking into the entertainment subsystems had been a risky move. Hacking his defenses so that he had taken her with him into the main access command zone had been very risky. But he was was searching for her Jayvisi comm set . . . and he searching for her Jayvisi comm set . . . and he had had left the gag out of her mouth. left the gag out of her mouth.

And he is is one heck of a kisser. At least in virtuality one heck of a kisser. At least in virtuality, she acknowledged. I hope he believes me, because I'd love to know if the real Shen Codah can kiss like that, too. I hope he believes me, because I'd love to know if the real Shen Codah can kiss like that, too.

It wasn't as if she had anything else to think of, bound as she was to a bed in virtuality and crouched in a closet in reality.

SHE was telling the truth.

Shen remembered being educated on a Jayvisi 49 model; they were popular with educators because all they did was access information, ensuring that their users studied, and only studied. They were boring for students, because they couldn't be used to communicate. But the scholastic units did connect to the archived files of hundreds of worlds in a vast, redundant library of information. The Jayvisi 47 was old and slow, but it did what it was supposed to do: collect and collate data.

The history of his colonyworld was turbulent. There were now five separate governments, none of them claiming territory within a thousand kilometers of his location, and only three of them strong enough to have reestablished interstellar trade with the other worlds out there. More worlds than he remembered . . . and many of them shattered by civil wars, including his own. The Borgite Gengins had abandoned this world shortly after his self-imposed isolation, but because he had destroyed all means of anyone gaining remote access to his systems, he hadn't known that the old government and its Gengin Project funding had completely collapsed within the first five years.

It was a sobering thought. All this time . . . all this time I've been barricaded behind my briar thorn walls, sleeping my way through virtual worlds . . . and I could have been free . . . All this time . . . all this time I've been barricaded behind my briar thorn walls, sleeping my way through virtual worlds . . . and I could have been free . . .

Given the layers of security he had coc.o.o.ned himself in, it would have taken a fellow electrokinetic to reach him. With the other Borgite Gengins offworld and the rest of the planet rocked by strife, no one had made a concerted effort to come back for him, beyond the three group attempts she had listed. That was in the history files, dispa.s.sionately collated by the archival programs of the Core Worlds, which even a model as archaic as the Jayvisi 47 could still access. He could even tell who had accessed and collated all that information, and from where, since that was part of the scholastic archive's information gathering parameters.

Who was Leonida Castanides? was Leonida Castanides? Where Where was Prism Station in the Enalia System? was Prism Station in the Enalia System? Why Why . . . was not listed. But he did find a number of footnotes when searching for the "Raider Clan" she mentioned. Some rather interesting history files of their own. . . . was not listed. But he did find a number of footnotes when searching for the "Raider Clan" she mentioned. Some rather interesting history files of their own.

She was was telling the truth . . . as far as he could tell. telling the truth . . . as far as he could tell.

The question now is, what am I going to do about this information? Do I stay where I am . . . safe but running out of supplies and thus out of time? Or do I take the chance that what I've read is is real, and risk returning to reality? real, and risk returning to reality?

Returning to the real world meant disconnecting himself from the facility. After literally more than a century, Shen feared it would be like trying to amputate his own legs. More than that, disconnecting himself didn't mean just freedom; it meant abandoning his sense of safety and familiarity for the unknown.

It wasn't an easy choice to make. I can't make it blindly. I need to know what awaits me, if I do choose to disconnect. I need something more-a lot more-than an abstract like "freedom." I need . . . I can't make it blindly. I need to know what awaits me, if I do choose to disconnect. I need something more-a lot more-than an abstract like "freedom." I need . . .

Snapping his fingers, he rematerialized in the entertainment program. Leonida Castanides still lay on the bed where he had bound her, though she stared up at the canopy with a glazed, unseeing expression.

"Leo?"

She blinked, focus returning to her gaze. Twisting her head, she peered at him. "Ah . . . you've returned-you believe me, too."

"What makes you think that?" he asked warily.

"You're too integrated into these programs not to project your feelings; it's the blessing and the curse of a really good electrokinetic holoprogrammer. Now that you do do believe me, could you believe me, could you please please deactivate all the security systems and robots in sector C? deactivate all the security systems and robots in sector C? Just Just sector C," she added quickly. sector C," she added quickly.

"Why?" he asked. There wasn't much in sector C beyond some offices, though he did realize there were a lot of remote access sensors in those offices. That's how she's accessing my virtual zones, isn't it? That's how she's accessing my virtual zones, isn't it?

Her answer was fervent. "Because I really really have to pee, I have to pee, I don't don't want to do it in a corner, and I'm want to do it in a corner, and I'm not not suspended in a self-cleaning biomaintenance tank like you are. And I'd suspended in a self-cleaning biomaintenance tank like you are. And I'd really really rather not be shot while running for the nearest facilities." rather not be shot while running for the nearest facilities."

Shen chuckled. He couldn't help it; none none of his former captors had plea-bargained for bathroom access. Bargained and threatened for other things, but not for that. Lifting his hands, he summoned the security task panels into the entertainment subprogram. "As you wish. Sector C . . . is now in safe mode. You're free to move about the corridors. But of his former captors had plea-bargained for bathroom access. Bargained and threatened for other things, but not for that. Lifting his hands, he summoned the security task panels into the entertainment subprogram. "As you wish. Sector C . . . is now in safe mode. You're free to move about the corridors. But only only sector C." sector C."

"Thank you!" you!"

Her reply was so forceful, he almost expected her to leap off the bed in spite of her bonds, but she didn't move beyond a few twitches of her muscles. Curious, Shen tipped his head, accessing the cameras in that sector. It took him a few moments to find her in reality, but there she was. A black-and-white-clad woman with an actual ancient three-pointed hat on her head, her blonde hair caught back in a braid, all but sprinting down the hall toward a door marked Women Women.

She did so, he noticed with a twinge of shame, by leaping over a trio of mummified corpses left long ago on the hallway floor, fallen where the security robots had slaughtered them under his control.

I killed all of those people. It was long ago, and it was for a good cause, or so I believed. But . . . I still killed killed them. Do I them. Do I deserve deserve my freedom? Do I deserve to live in reality? my freedom? Do I deserve to live in reality?

Did the real Prince Charming-if there ever was one-ever ask himself if the sleeping princess deserved to be awakened? On the surface, of course she deserved to be awakened; the princess hadn't murdered anyone. His had been a deliberate slaying of hundreds of research workers and guards. On the surface, of course she deserved to be awakened; the princess hadn't murdered anyone. His had been a deliberate slaying of hundreds of research workers and guards. Not to mention, the whole royal court had been put to sleep alongside her, not slaughtered, so that she would awaken surrounded by familiar faces. I don't have that option. Everyone I know is most likely long dead. Not to mention, the whole royal court had been put to sleep alongside her, not slaughtered, so that she would awaken surrounded by familiar faces. I don't have that option. Everyone I know is most likely long dead.

Leo drew in a deep breath, recapturing his attention. She let it out in a long, happy sigh and blinked, refocusing her gaze on him. "Thank you. Your civility and courtesy are deeply appreciated. Now. How do we go about freeing you? I know you have to have someone else physically disconnect you, and that only you can let that person into your inner sanctum to do so, but beyond that, the details I researched were rather sketchy." you. Your civility and courtesy are deeply appreciated. Now. How do we go about freeing you? I know you have to have someone else physically disconnect you, and that only you can let that person into your inner sanctum to do so, but beyond that, the details I researched were rather sketchy."

Shen was somewhat surprised; he had expected her to ask to be released from her bonds first. Folding his arms across his chest, he didn't answer her question. He still had a few of his own.

"First, you tell me what is supposed to happen to me after I've been disconnected from this facility. You say you're here to free me, but what then?"

"That's easy. I'm authorized to offer you amnesty and political asylum in the Enalia System, under the governance of the Raider Clan. You'll have a six-month trial citizenship, to include housing, feeding, and rehabilitation services-strictly in the educational sense," Leo clarified quickly. "While the various civil wars have made certain advances in technology sporadic at best as governments collapsed and formed and collapsed all over again, you have have been out of the loop for slightly more than one hundred years." been out of the loop for slightly more than one hundred years."

"And how do I pay for this housing and feeding and reeducation program?"

"Well . . . the Raider Clan would would like access to the tech of this place," Leo admitted. "Anything deemed commercially revivable, they'd like to market on your behalf at an even fifty-fifty ratio of the profits above production costs. Plus you'd get free housing beyond the initial six months of your adjustment period, which is how long they calculated it would take you to adapt to the future. If you like access to the tech of this place," Leo admitted. "Anything deemed commercially revivable, they'd like to market on your behalf at an even fifty-fifty ratio of the profits above production costs. Plus you'd get free housing beyond the initial six months of your adjustment period, which is how long they calculated it would take you to adapt to the future. If you don't don't want to accept their offer, either of amnesty or of tech rights and split residuals . . . I'm offered to set you up with an official ident.i.ty as a worldless free-s.p.a.cer under whatever name you like, arrange for an account in that name filled with ten thousand Core creds-which is the maximum allowable untaxable gift by Core World law, or half a year's minimum wage salary-and give you a lift wherever you want to go, whether on this world or to any other." want to accept their offer, either of amnesty or of tech rights and split residuals . . . I'm offered to set you up with an official ident.i.ty as a worldless free-s.p.a.cer under whatever name you like, arrange for an account in that name filled with ten thousand Core creds-which is the maximum allowable untaxable gift by Core World law, or half a year's minimum wage salary-and give you a lift wherever you want to go, whether on this world or to any other."

"That's it?" Shen asked, taken aback by the offer. "If I don't want to work with this Raider Clan . . . I go free? With money and an ident.i.ty?"

Leo shrugged. "You don't know how the modern world works, so turning you lose isn't exactly doing you a favor, but you're not being kicked out the door, either. I wouldn't wouldn't advise trying to stick around here. Once you get outside the complex, the local region is a war-torn wasteland. There aren't any farms within six or seven hundred kilometers of here, let alone towns and cities. At least with ten thousand Core creds in your pocket and a free ride elsewhere, you'd have enough money to get yourself established somewhere, with enough time to start figuring out what you want to do to make a living. The Raider Clan isn't heartless, and they aren't thoughtless. They give these options to all the Gengins they help set free. advise trying to stick around here. Once you get outside the complex, the local region is a war-torn wasteland. There aren't any farms within six or seven hundred kilometers of here, let alone towns and cities. At least with ten thousand Core creds in your pocket and a free ride elsewhere, you'd have enough money to get yourself established somewhere, with enough time to start figuring out what you want to do to make a living. The Raider Clan isn't heartless, and they aren't thoughtless. They give these options to all the Gengins they help set free.

"Oh-I almost forgot, I'm also also authorized to offer the services of the Raider fleet in destroying this facility, if you decide you'd rather see it obliterated than allow any of its tech or information to fall into other hands. But only at authorized to offer the services of the Raider fleet in destroying this facility, if you decide you'd rather see it obliterated than allow any of its tech or information to fall into other hands. But only at your your command," she emphasized. "It's not meant to be a threat in any way, shape, or form, just an offer of a.s.sistance if you'd like to see this place blown off the map once you're free of it." command," she emphasized. "It's not meant to be a threat in any way, shape, or form, just an offer of a.s.sistance if you'd like to see this place blown off the map once you're free of it."

If her previous words hadn't rocked him to the core, Shen might have indeed taken the thought of blowing up this place a lot more like a threat. But her words did disturb him all the same. To start figuring out what you want to do . . . to make a living. But . . . I To start figuring out what you want to do . . . to make a living. But . . . I haven't haven't been living . . . been living . . .

Needing to think, he sank onto the edge of the bed, staring at the tapestry-covered wall across from him.

"Shen?" the woman lying next to him prompted after several moments had pa.s.sed. "Hey, if you're going to sit and think for a while, can you at least untie me? I know I'm only bound in virtuality and all, but if you're not going to do kinky things to me anytime soon, I really don't think there's a point in keeping me tied up like this. I'd rather not break your programming or myself in trying to get free, so there's no reason. You've only turned off the security measures in one sector out there in reality. You haven't done anything to the security measures here in virtuality."

Shen turned to look at her. An idea formed in his mind. "You say all these things are being offered by this Raider Clan . . . but the only person I know from the current era is you you. What are you you going to promise me, to hold as a bond that all these things you're offering are true?" going to promise me, to hold as a bond that all these things you're offering are true?"

She blinked, considering his words. "Well . . . lessons in modern tech, I suppose. As a fellow electrokinetic, I can teach you what you need to know in ways that a non-Psian couldn't."

Bracing his hand on the other side of the mattress, he leaned over her. "What about tangible tangible benefits? You offered me an opportunity for 'kinky things' in virtuality. Would you be willing to try them out there in reality, once I'm free?" benefits? You offered me an opportunity for 'kinky things' in virtuality. Would you be willing to try them out there in reality, once I'm free?"

Her brows rose at his suggestion, but it didn't take more than a moment for her to smile. "Well, if I get to do kinky things to you in return, out in reality, then I think that could be arranged."

Another thought crossed his mind. "What about that offer to explore all the 'archaic tech' of this place? Would you be one of the people working on it?"

"I suppose, if the Raider Clan extends my contract."

He wanted to kiss her again . . . but a virtual kiss was nothing compared to a kiss in reality. A kiss and much, much more.

"Tell them to extend your contract. I'll accept the offer of amnesty and six months of rehabilitation. They can have access to the physical tech of this place, but not not the research files. Not that it would do them any good. I destroyed most of it long ago, physical and virtual," Shen stated, lifting his chin a little. the research files. Not that it would do them any good. I destroyed most of it long ago, physical and virtual," Shen stated, lifting his chin a little.

"I would've been surprised if you hadn't. Most Project escapees tended to destroy or steal away their creators' research notes. Now, are you going to unbind me and help me get safely to your inner sanctum out there in the real world?" Leo asked him, smiling slightly. "Or are you going to take advantage of my virtual vulnerability and do some preliminary kinky things with me?"

Tempting as her offer was, the thought of doing kinky things to her in reality was too compelling. A simple sweep of his hand dissolved her bonds. Shen shifted back to the edge of the bed so she could have the room to sit up now that she was free. "It'll take me over half a day to disable the security measures between sector C and my location. If you're still in that bathroom, go out the door, turn right, and enter the second room on the right; there's a couch large enough to sleep on and a sink with still potable water. You're out of luck for edible food, but otherwise you should be comfortable."

"I brought nutribars. They probably taste as old as the age-powdered packets of food that used to be in the staff vending machines I've seen, but they'll keep me going. And I can always head outside and go back to my ship if necessary. Sector C has an emergency exit tunnel that emerges not far from where my shuttle is parked."

Curling her legs to the side, Leo leaned forward, braced her palm against his thigh, and swayed almost close enough to kiss him. But she didn't. Shen frowned in disappointment.

Pulling back, she grinned at him. "Oh, no. I still need to motivate you. You'll have to wait for a real real kiss, with kiss, with real real lips. Go on. You've got a lot of work to do. I can't rescue you without your help on the inside; I'm good, but I'm nowhere near as good an electrokinetic programmer as you." lips. Go on. You've got a lot of work to do. I can't rescue you without your help on the inside; I'm good, but I'm nowhere near as good an electrokinetic programmer as you."

Her smile was too tempting. To h.e.l.l with it. I want something to tide me over while I wait for that rescue. My Princess Charming will just have to deal with it. To h.e.l.l with it. I want something to tide me over while I wait for that rescue. My Princess Charming will just have to deal with it.

Cupping the back of her head, almost dislodging her tricorn hat, Shen pulled her close enough for a very thorough kiss. It wasn't completely satisfying, but it was enough for now. Releasing her, he stood up and vanished, taking himself back to the main corridor of the research facility's virtual systems.

Now, where the h.e.l.l did I put those release codes?