Cassie held there tightly, her hands clinging so hard to the slippery rocks that it hurt. The ice cold water rushed around her legs, at some points even splashing up at her as if trying to knock her off of her safe hold, leaving her soaked to the bone. She was scared. Fear. Panic. It was an emotion new to her, yet sure she had felt before in her human life from its familiar way her body reacted. Her breathing hitching in her throat, her heart beating so fast in her chest it hurt. She was so scared. She just knew she was going to fall in. It was only a matter of second before she would loose her hold.

But then she heard Lucien's voice, just a little ways above her. What he was saying was dangerous. If one of them slipped, they would both fall to their deaths into the frigid rapids. But, she knew there was no way he would leave her there, and if she fell, she knew with his unstable mind set at that moment he would follow her in if she fell. This was the only chance they had to both make it out safe. Even if that chance was slim. She felt sobs of fear racking through her chest as she struggled to pull herself up enough to grab onto his leg. It took even more effort to climb the rest of the way, making her muscles burn with effort. Her grip loosened a few times and she would slip again, only to try again, until she was nestled onto his back. She positioned herself there, trying to catch her breath, her arms tight around his neck, but making sure it wasn't tight enough to hurt him, "J...just like we used to..." This feeling did seem familiar, just more wet and frightening this time.

She held onto him as he moved and as she rode on his back, whispered soft words to him, telling him everything was going to be okay, and that they would both get out of this safely. She wasn't even sure herself if those words were true, but she felt the need to say them to him and encourage him to keep going.

Finally, she felt the incline begin to become less steep and gradually begin to become flatter. It wasn't until they had reached the safe spot at the top of the cavern toward the entrance that she slid off of his back, shivering, her arms wrapped around herself, so cold she felt numb. But despite this, she moved herself slightly to hug onto him, her grip light and weak, "D-d-don't ever...do that....again. Please."

Trembling word of encouragement filled his ears as Lucien slowly crawled back up the slope, being careful to move only one limb at a time in case the slippery incline gave way beneath fingers or toes. He wasn't even sure what the words were, but that didn't matter. They were Cassie's words. That was what mattered. His own breathing was labored from both the effort and the fear of death, the fear of losing her again. As Cassie slipped off of his back, it was all he could do for several moments to regain his breath and calm his pounding heart. The adrenaline fueled zen clarity was fading now to let his anxieties flow back into his consciousness. Yet the moment had also helped to diffuse at least some of the confusion in mind, to give me a small measure of peace. When his love gave him her light hug and weakly scolded him, Lucien was surprised by his own reaction.

His arms were flung about her shivering frame to draw her into a fierce hug, nearly crushing her. She felt slightly heavier than he remembered but just as warm within his arms. Eyes closed, he held her fast in the frigid cavern and did not want to let go. It was Cassie. There was no doubt about it now. Between how his own body had reacted to her kiss within Uncle's lab and how he automatically had responded to her when she was in distress, how could he doubt?? "Just don't leave me again," he whispered through chattering teeth, "Just... not again, Cassie."

Finally realizing that the freezing cold the River Bank cavern was not the best place for a reunion of any sort, Lucien reluctantly stood and hefted her into his arms. With her body cradled close again his cave moist sweater, he carried her up and out of the darkness and back towards the oil and paraffin lit tunnels of The Colony. His heart was still at war with itself, only not over her identity and his guilt (which still lay beneath to be resolved). Instead, his confusion now stemmed from accepting that Cassie had returned with accepting that Casey had been... changed. How much had they altered her and what did those alteration mean for her and Lucien now? As he carried her back towards the lab, he did his best to ignore the startled stares of those few other survivors that they passed. No doubt tongues would wag, speculation adding to rumor and distorting facts amongst the humans as to why Lucien was carrying this Android unsupervised throughout the lower tunnels, and why were they both wet? It was, from his cynical experience, more trouble to be dealt with later.

"So what now?" he whispered to her as they neared the lab. "You say you love me, that the kiss brought back some memories or whatever. And for all that I took up with Pony, I still love you. I love you, Cassie. But I don't know what to do now."

"I know what to do," a voice growled as they entered the lab. Uncle stood there with three of the beefier Colonists and none of them looked pleased. Without turning his head from Cassie and Lucien, he ordered one of the men to go find Toni immediately. Then, "I am... greatly disappointed in you, Cassie. I asked that you not leave the lab. Liana told me what happened. I realize that you may have been motivated by more human feelings to take action, which is good in its own way, but you must understand that at this time you are far more important to us than Lucien is." He looked up at Lucien unapologetically. "I'm sorry, lad, but there it is. Cassie is a wealth of information that could turn the tide for us, while you have been a liability for most of the past year. Your death or injury, while regretful, would not balance against the loss of an Android finding its humanity again."

Uncle gestured towards them. "Restrain him and get him out of here. Chain her."

Weaked by the cold and his own mental state, Lucien wasn't able to move fast enough. One of the men was on him before he could react, pulling Cassie from his arm and kicking him hard in his too sore ribs. The man's foot managed to find one of the spots Uncle's fists had left their mark upon earlier, leaving Lucien to drop his love even as he crashed against one of the empty tables. The second man advanced upon Cassie with heavy chains, chains that even an Android would not be able to break. Neither Cassie nor Lucien knew this, but the restraints had been designed specifically to hold Android: a heavy leather collar for the neck trailed a length of thick steel from which heavy cables radiated to bind the wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. "I'm sorry, Cassie," Uncle offered, "but until you prove you can be trusted, you will have to be imprisoned here in the lab."

Cassie was all together surprised when Lucien considering responded to her hug by throwing his arms around her in a all too tight, yet much wanted by Cassie, hug. She snuggled into his grasp, basking in the warmth of him against her. When he spoke to her, telling her to not leave him again, she nodded, looking up at him, "I'm not going anywhere, Lucien....I'm here to stay....no one is taking me away from you....I promise."

She snuggled more into his grasp when he hoisted her up into his arms and sighed softly in relief as she rested her head against his shoulder. When he carried her through the caves, she noticed how the humans they passed stared at them though she did her best to ignore the stares they gave. All she wanted to focus on was that she was in his love's arms.

Looking up him when he spoke to her, asking her what they would do now, she opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Uncle's comments.A glare came to her face when he spoke, saying Lucien's life was nothing compared to hers. And then had the nerve to tell them to restrain him and chain her up. Her hands clung tightly to his shirt, and when the men tugged her out of his arms, causing her to hit the floor, she kicked her leg out hard, hitting one of the men in the legs as hard as she could, hearing a successful grunt of pain from him. Scrambling to her feet she saw the other man kick Lucien and grew even more angry.

She moved forward and grabbed the man by the back of the shirt, throwing him back so that he slid across the floor. These men may have been strong, but Cassie was stronger. And more so, trained to disarm and hunt humans. She wasn't going to let these men separate she and Lucien. The man she kicked stood up and though he was limping went after Cassie again, going to punch her. The fist came not even an inch close to her face when Cassie grabbed his wrist and used that to twist him around, throwing him face first onto the hard cave floor, her foot on his back and pushing him arm up, threatening to push the arm out of socket. By this time Toni had quickly entered the lab, but stayed back, watching as his sister look at Uncle with that same stubborn and brave look she always had when fighting authority, even as a human, "You will not harm Lucien anymore. You were the one to send him here. If anything were the to happen to either of us, it would be on your shoulders. Not his. And you will not put those chains on me. I am not some animal. While I am indeed an Android I am still a person. I have thoughts feelings as well as having a say in what happens to myself. If you wish for my cooperation then you must treat Lucien and myself respectfully. Do I make myself clear?"

Uncle took in the sight of his goons laid out upon the floor, the one still tight in Cassie's armlock. The grimace on the man's face more than indicated the amount of pain he was in, and Uncle had little doubt that Cassie was holding that arm just the barest millimeter from dislocation... if not worse. He also viewed Toni's reactions, but most importantly his attentions were on Lucien. The young man had been one of the best fighters they had up until a year ago. Self destructive tendencies and idleness had weakened him far more than the young man might suspect; the old scientist firmly believed that physically Lucien was retained much of his strength. It was the boy's reflexes that had suffered the most. However, Uncle saw what he wanted to see, which was Lucien getting to his feet on his own for once. While he might have been swaying from the effects of being beaten twice in one day, he had gotten up and looked ready for more.

Cassie was not the only one undergoing testing at the moment. Lucien passed. For now.

When the girl fiercely declared her independence, Uncle looked at her curiously and then smiled broadly like a proud father. He started to laugh and clap his hands together. "Perfectly. You make yourself perfectly clear." He leaned towards her just a tad. "Did you hear yourself? Did you listen? THAT... was your voice. That was how Cassie talks, not the Android who just came to us with its flat tones and rhythmic cadences! That was you! A little formal, perhaps, a little stiff, but it was you! And reasoning! And not only defiance couple with self preservation and independence, but defiance on behalf of another! This. Is. EXCELLENT!" Head upturned and fists raised above his head, Uncle laughed in a choking mix of joy and madness in what could only have been called the classic mad scientist pose of milking a giant cow.

The laughter trailed to giggles as he lowered his arm to negligently wave off his men. "Let him go, Cassie, let him go. He was only playing his part in this and he knew what was coming. Toni, stow those chains away, would you, lad? Just in case we ever get an Android who is less cooperative in the future." He paused. "No. Not an Android. Not any more. Androids are robots in human form, without free will or self awareness. You, Cassie... You are something right out of the science fiction books of old. We've used technology to supplement injured and sick humans for years, but never on this level. You Cassie... are a Cyborg. An uglier than Android, I grant you, but as you are the first... true... Cyborg, it will be up to you to made that a label people respect and not fear."

Lucien, scowling at Uncle's duplicity, staggered over to Cassie's side and put a hand to her shoulder even as he glared at their leader. "You played me. You played us. Again."

Uncle shrugged. "Of course, I did. I told you before that just because I find certain tasks deplorable or regretful, it does not mean I will abstain from them if I believe them to be necessary and beneficial to the Colony as a whole. Cassie... the Cassie we all knew from before... understood that and even accepted it herself, albeit to a lesser degree. Although I fear my original assessment still stands. She is still far more valuable to the community than you are, Lucien. That is... not likely to change any time soon."

"The real question is what to do with you now, Cassie. As you have so adamantly declared, you are not an animal to kept locked up in the lab. But at the same time, I must insist that you have a... chaperone. Someone to help you readjust to life among us. So! Where should we put you?"

"With us," a high voice came drifting from the back. Pony edged her way into the room, her braid swinging behind her as she shyly came in. "You know there aren't any more nesting hollows available. They're all taken up. Even Toni and Jodie are crowded in with their son. But Cassie and Lucien are still engaged, aren't they?" Her innocent question hung in the air. "And Cassie's my friend, even if I annoy her now and then. She and I are both pretty small, so even there'll be plenty of room for us even with Lucien scrapping his head on the ceiling. I'm not suggesting... oh, what's your word for it?! Cohabitating, that's it! I'm not suggesting cohabitating. Just... she stays with us until we figure out what's what!"

Lucien opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it firmly closed to shake his head before answering. "That's not true, Pony. Cassie's nest is still there. With all her things. No one wanted to move them. At best, she would just need new blankets and every, because those we couldn't afford not to share. So she could always go back there... if she wants. Or if Toni and his wife are willing, she could try and squeeze in with them." He turned towards Cassie, his face drawn and bruised. When he spoke, his voice was softer than it had been since she had first been captured within the Colony. "It's your choice, Cassie." The expression on his faced conveyed his own dilemma. While he pined to be near Cassie now that he accepted who she was, he could not simply drop Pony so callously. Nor did he feel the right to pressure Cassie into joining them. She had declared herself to be a sentient being with thoughts and feelings of her own, and all Lucien could do now was to give her the right to chose her own course of action.

Cassie was....slightly annoyed to find out the truth behind what was going on. So, this had been a test. A test of her will and where she stood. And apparently she had passed. She slowly let go of the goon she had in an arm lock and took a few steps back to allow him to stand up and move with the other men. She moved a little closer to Lucien when he put his hand on her shoulder, listening to the new name Uncle had for what she was. She was no longer an Android. Mentally, now it was obvious she was human. But physically? Well, her body still had humans traits, like a heart, lungs, brain, and such. But mixed in were her metal bones, strange human looking robotic eyes, and the chip in her brain(which as far as Cassie knew was slowly loosing its power over her). Cyborg. That name...it wasn't the prettiest name and was often spat upon by the robots and androids int he main cities now. But it was a label Cassie accepted, as she didn't exactly have any other fitting label for herself at the moment.

Then came the question. Where would she stay? And who would watch over her? She couldn't help but frown when Pony walked in, suggesting that there was no where else she could really stay besides with she and Lucien. Cassie REALLY didn't like the idea of that. With Lucien? She would have been comfortable. She seemed to feel safe and at ease with him. But with Pony? That was a different story. The girl seemed to be kind enough. But....she just seemed....strange. A little on the mentally unstable side? Possibly. And worse, this Pony girl wanted to have Lucien(and possibly herself thrown into the deal). And Cassie was not willing to share. She just couldn't share a room with both of these two.

She looked up at Lucien, frowning slightly, "Well...if my room is still an available option....I would like to stay there."

Toni this time stepped up, "I can get the new blankets for her room. But we do need someone there with her to keep her safe. No offense, but I don't exactly trust how the people in the Colony will react to a An...Cyborg living among us. Even if it is Cassie."

Cassie nodded, "I don't mind having someone there with me. But who--"

"I'll stay with her." This was a new voice that was familiar to Cassie, but didn't recognize. Over by the entrance of the cave, leaning against the cave wall there, was a young man around Lucien and Cassie's age, with short brown hair and green eyes, a grin on his lips, "Good to see you again Cassie. Its been a while."

With a confused look on her face, she looked at the man, then at her brother, and back at him, "Um....I would say the same....but I don't exactly...know you."

The man feigned a hurt look before chuckling, "Cassie, It's me Hassle. We were quite good friends when you were human. Although, I'm hoping that won't change now that your not." He flashed her a charming smile, walking forward, giving her a side hug, "We've really missed you 'round here Cas. Hopefully now things were be even better ten they were before."

Toni wasn't sure what to do about this situation. While Hassle was annoying and pushy, Toni surely didn't want Lucien staying with his sister. Lucien could stay with Pony for all he cared. And who knew? Maybe Hassle would be able to win his sister over. That would be better than Lucien in his mind. Anything was better then the bastard who traded her out for another woman during her disappearance. And Hassle was a trusted member of the Colony, as well as very fond of Cassie. Toni was fairly positive he wouldn't hurt her. He thought for a moment, before glancing over at Lucien. This would surely annoy the man. During Cassie's time as human, the two men had battled it out silently day after day to win Cassie over. And while Lucien had won Cassie over then, there was no promises the man would win again. And to be honest, Toni hoped for that. Looking between Cassie and Uncle, he shrugged, "I don't see any problems with it. To be honest, we all know I'd prefer to keep her either with myself and Jodie or in her room. Hassle's earned our trust here in the caves time and time again. I think we can trust him to ensure he won't let her get hurt."

Grinning more at the approval of Castille's brother, he looked to Uncle, "So, whatcha say Uncle? Can I show her around and stay with her until she can go about on her own?"

Lucien looked distinctly bothered by the idea of Cassie and Hassle together. In her current state, the overly suave man might well take advantage of her and confuse things even further. He wanted to protest right then and there that whomever Cassie stayed with, it sure as hell should't be Hassle! Actually, what he really wanted to do was punch the asshole in the mouth. Only the way Toni was grinning, Lucien knew all too well whose side he would jump in on if Lucien started a fight then and there. Even if he thought he could take them both on a good day, he was simply too beaten and exhausted today and he knew it. Besides which, he was the one who had spoken up for Cassie, allowing her to chose where she might go. He couldn't very well deny her who she might go with. All he could do was to give her a pleading look and a small shake of his head, giving a sidelong glance at Hassle so she would know exactly what he meant.

Uncle spoke up before things could get any further. "Yes, well. As generous as all the assorted offers have been so far, I would rather not our lost little lamb become too distracted all at once. Each of you have your own agenda in this, yes, even you Toni, and I would prefer to give Cassie time to grow into her recovered home. Sharing quarters with any of you will cause what I shall delicately refer to as 'dissension in the ranks.' We've had quite enough of that as it is, thank you. Cassie, you may have your own quarters back, if you want them. Your brother can procure anything you might be lacking as far as clothing and bedding. Your chaperone I will assign to you. It is someone without an ax to grind but still has a vested interest in your well being: your nephew. Jacob, should have some time alone with his aunt anyway."

He held up both hands to forestall the oncoming rush of protests from all parties, save Lucien who stood close to Cassie with his hand still warm upon her shoulder. Uncle continued in a firm voice that brooked no argument. "No one in the Colony is crazed enough to attack her in front of a child, as we all know how precious children are to us given the current population and circumstances. No one would risk the chance of him getting hurt. Jacob has also endeared himself to practically everyone in the Colony anyway, which adds to their mutual protection. Even should someone be made enough to try, Cassie has demonstrated already an instinctive urge to protect her nephew. He can help teach her again how to be fully human, help her regain what parts of her humanity she may have lost while at the same time loving her unconditionally without pressure from... outside sources. This is not a test. This is not negotiable. Cassie and Jacob will quarter together for the immediate future."

"I thought we were going to give her a choice," Lucien snarled hotly. "To let her decide on her own, whether any of us like it or not."

Uncle gave an impressing 'harumph'. "Well, I'm glad you 'thought' that, Lucien. But I said nothing of the sort. I merely said she could have her liberty within the caves on the condition of someone to watch over her and help her readjust. It was you who put forth the idea of 'choice', not me. But since you seem so insistent on the idea, let me ask her." Turning towards the Cyborg, he raised an eyebrow. "Cassie? Would you prefer to stay in the labs with Liana, free but without much privacy? Or would you prefer to return to your own nesting hollow with your nephew as your guide and your charge?"

Cassie had to admit. Uncle had a pretty good idea of sending her nephew to keep watch over her. It was smart. No one would dare to attack her in front of the child(and even if she did she would rather kill them before they laid a hand on the little boy). Though, Lucien didn't seem all too pleased with the idea. Or pleased about any of this for that matter. Neither did Toni nor Hassle. Both looked sour about it, but said nothing against the old man, knowing they wouldn't win even if they did. Lucien on the other hand protested, saying he thought they were going to give her a choice. In an attempt to amuse the young man, Uncle turned to her, asking her if she wished to stay in the labs or to be able to go freely to her nest with her young nephew as her guide. She thought about this for a moment. She had nothing against the labs. It was just....not very comfortable. In a moment she decided and looked to the man, "If those are my only two options....my preference will be in my nesting hollow with my nephew."

With that, Toni sighed raking a hand through his hair, "Fine. But I'm warning you, Uncle. You might have to face Jodie's wrath before she agrees to let Jacob stay with Cassie." Not that Jodie had anything against the girl. Quite the opposite in fact. She was overly excited to have her 'sister' back. But Jodie was always a extreme mother bear. If there was a chance any situation might get her baby boy hurt, she would fight against it. And she did. The moment Toni went back to the nest to fetch Jacob and Jodie, she stomped into the labs, raising up a storm. It took over an hour of arguing, but finally, the mother saw reasoning and agreed to it. On the condition that when outside of the nest Jodie would accompany the two. It was agreed and Cassie was free to go.

It was late and Cassie was not only still soaked and cold from the little incident at the river, but also exhausted from a very eventful day. Toni scrounged up some clothes and extra blankets for the nest. The clothes were big and were actually men's clothes, but they would have to do until they could find some women's clothes for her on another raid. She changed and made it to her nesting hollow, and made up the pallet of blankets before in burst the very happen little boy, "Cassie! Cassie! Mommy says we're having a sleepover! Are we?! Are we?!"

Cassie smiled softly at the little boy and nodded, "Yes...we are....it's very good to see you again Jacob. But, isn't it your bed time, its rather late."

"Awwww! But Cassie--!"

"No buts." She said with a small laugh and nodded to the nest, "Get some sleep. I'll still be here when morning comes." She lead the little boy over to the nest and tucked him in, laying there for a long time until she knew he was asleep. It was when she was sure of that that Cassie stood up, exploring about her small room. It did indeed have many familiar things here. But...it was all different as well....she felt as though some things were missing. But maybe that was just her faulty sense of memory. Sighing, she went to move back over to the bed when she heard someone whisper her name. She blinked in confusion, looking toward the entrance of her room. She glanced over at the sleeping boy before she crept over to the door way, pushing back slightly the thick curtain that acted as a door.

And there stood at her door was Hassle, grinning down at her. She blinked in surprise, "Oh....um.....hello?...what are....what are you doing here?"

The boy grinned at her and leaned against the cave wall, "I just wanted to check on you. I know you've had it really rough this first day. What with Lucien acting like such a bastard to you when you arrived."

Cassie had a slightly hurt look on her face at being reminded of the harsh words Lucien had used with her, but tried to shake it off, "N-no.....it's fine now. That was nothing but a misunderstanding. Lucien and I are okay now. We love each other."

Hassle gave a incredulous laugh, "Cassie....I know you're feeling very confused right now. I don't blame you for thinking that to be true." He stood up straight now, taking a few steps closer to her, "If he really loves you, then why is he in the same nest as Pony right now? Surely if he loved you he would have stopped that, right?" The pain in Cassie's eyes was there and he could see he struck a nerve. This was all too easy. Stepping up in front of her now, with her back to the wall, he ran his hand over her cheek, his face inches from hers, "Castille, do you release how beautiful you are. As well as sweet. And smart. And yet...you let that man treat you like trash. Like the girl in second place. And you know who's in first place in his life right now? Pony." He moved his lips to her ear, "But with me, Cassie? You would be my number one. My only...all you have to do is say the word."

"How about 'bugger off'?" The fist came flying out of nowhere to crack Hassle across the side of the head. Uncle stood there, looking very much annoyed as he glared at the boy. He shook his hand loosely, the boy's head having been harder than he thought. "I knew one of you was going to try something," he growled. "I thought it was going to be Toni, actually, but I shouldn't be too surprised at any of you, I guess. Pony's the only one with enough sense to listen to me and understand what I mean half the time." Uncle glowered at Hassle beneath thick eyebrow, his eyes narrowed. "Get back to your nest, Hassle. Let Cassie get her rest and get settled before any of you start whispering sweet nonsense into her ear."

Uncle was old, yes, but he was fast and strong. Quarreling with him was no one's idea of a good time, and while he preferred verbal debates using logic and rhetoric, he certainly never shied away from settling things physically when he thought the situation demanded it. Thankfully, it wasn't very often he felt he had to. Today, however, had been a rather unusual day for everyone. He stood there, powerful and commanding, until Hassle finally relented. Only then did he turn to Cassie with a solemn expression on his face. "Some advice? Don't trust any of them." Then he grinned brightly. "Including me for that matter."

Whistling, he strolled away back down the hall towards the lab.

Unseen, a slight figure slipped from one shadow to another and then down the tunnel to nesting hollow further along...

Cassie didn't know how to react. She was so confused. So stunned. So afraid. But not afraid of this man. No, if he tried to harm her, she could most likely fight him off. Maybe. But, what she was truly afraid of was his words. If the words he spoke were true or not. They did make sense to her. And that was what hurt. She was so vulnerable right now in her confused and hurt state. He seemed to know just how to get to her. For a moment she wondered what else he might say or do. But, thankfully she didn't have to find out because a fist collided with the young man's head, making him fall back. Hassle scrambled to his feet, ready to throw a punch, expecting either Lucien, or maybe even Toni, but when he saw it was Uncle, gave up on trying to start a fight real quick. He growled under his breath and did as the man turning, mumbling something about a 'crazy old bat' and 'always getting in the way' before he disappeared around the corner, going toward his own nest a few halls down.

When the man was gone, she looked over at Uncle and his words confused her more. He was saying to not trust anyone. Not even him. But, if she was expected to get her memories back....if she was to become a part of this Colony again, how could she not trust the people here? It was hard to think about. This had been a long and draining day. Maybe if she got some sleep it would be better for her to think about all of this in the morning. She watched as Uncle strolled off, whistling a tune as he did, and she stood there for a long moment before she slowly made her way back into her room. She stood there against the wall next to her doorway for a moment, before her mind began to wander back to what Hassle had said, and once again, her whole body began to wrack with the emotional hurt she felt by his words.

Lucien sharing a bed with another woman at the moment was almost too much to think about. Before she knew it she felt sobs escaping her and she had to cover her mouth to stifle them so she wouldn't wake the child in the pallet of blankets up, hot tears running down her cheeks. She didn't know how long she stayed there crying for. It was a long time though. After a long while, when she managed to get a hold of herself, she crawled over to her pallet and moved to lay under the covers, only silently crying now, tears still escaping her eyes as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

......

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

Cassie groaned slightly as she covered her head up with a blanket even more, her little nephew laughing with glee as he bounced up and down on her back, "Jacob, it is too early. I may not be human but I still require sleep."

"But you've had enough sleep. Momma says if people sleep in too late they get lazy! Besides we'll miss breakfast soon if you don't get up! I can't go without you!"

Sighing heavily, Cassie slowly sat up and nodded, rubbing her eyes, "Okay. I'm up." She was practically dragged out of the room and down the hall by the young boy, straight to the makeshift dining hall, the boy happy as can be to have his aunt back, despite the stares people gave them.

Pony slipped into the hollow she shared with Lucien, quickly shedding excess clothing and snuggling close to his turned back. It was a bad idea to sleep in too much clothing in the caverns; too much warmth and a person would begin to sweat, filling the clothes with moisture and making it all the colder when they got out of bed. Lucien was still awake but said nothing to her. He simply stared into the darkness that was their shared corner of the world. Pony stroked his bare back gently and felt her own tears start to well up. She knew what was coming, sooner or later.

"You're going to leave me. Aren't you?" she whispered to him sadly. "She's back and you don't need me anymore."

Still, Lucien said nothing. What could he say? She was right. Yet it hurt him even to admit that much to himself, for he was fond of her. He also owed her a great deal since she was the only one in the Colony who kept him going after he had to accept the inevitable acknowledgement of Cassie's loss.

"I know I'm not as smart as everyone else. And I know that... people feel weird around me. You and Cassie were my only real friends. When she was gone, you were the only one I could turn to. I've never had anyone else. And I tried to be there for you, too. I do love you, Lucien. Just like I loved Cassie. Love her, I guess I should say now, huh?" She leaned her forehead against his back and closed her eyes. Pony felt she at least had to make the attempt. "I'm still willing, you know. Remember?"

Lucien remembered. Oh, how he remembered. Months before the planned wedding date, Pony had made her suggestion to the happy couple, a suggestion that both shocked and intrigued him at the same time even as he realized that it would never work out. And not just because Pony talking about it made Cassie incredibly uncomfortable. The girl meant well and had been sincere in what she was offering, but she couldn't see the stresses it would put not only on the marriage but their friendship as well! Pony had wanted (from Lucien's point of view) to 'share' Cassie; Cassie had seen it as wanting to share Lucien. It hadn't set well with either of them, and when gently rejected the blonde girl had attempted to correct both of their viewpoints: she wanted them to share her! Pony had wanted to be subservient to them both because she could not think of anyone she loved or trusted better than the pair of them! Still... unacceptable.

"Cassie would never go for it," he murmured, "And I'm... I can't be that kind of person anymore, Pony. Not with her back again."

Pony sighed and pouted. "But you did it so well, Lucien. Who will I go to if you leave me? I don't have anyone else, only the two of you." She bit her lower lip and then braved another option. "If you decide to leave... and you and she get back together... I want something. Something that will last, Lucien. Please? You owe me that much, yes? Something so I won't be alone and will still have something of you."

Puzzled as to what she was getting at, Lucien rolled to his back and looked at her over his shoulder, brow furrowed. "Pony, what are you-"

"I want a child, Lucien. I want your child. Give me that and... and I won't stand in your way with Cassie. I'll even help where I can." In the darkness, he could still make out the shining tears that ran down her elfin cheeks. Pony's body was shaking with the effort to contain her own sadness at the recent turn of events. Putting a hand to his lips, she shook her head. "Don't... don't answer now. It's too late and it's been a hard day for everyone and no one is thinking clearly right now. I'll give you whatever time and space you need, you know that. Right now, just... think about it and get some sleep, my love." With that, she buried her face against his shoulder and said nothing more as she fell into a grief ridden sleep.

Lucien, still shocked at the request, could only continue to stare at her. Life, as it often does, just became all the more complicated for him.

*****

Come breakfast time, Lucien was nowhere to be seen. Pony, however, sat by herself in a far corner of the hall with a small bowl of oatmeal and a half cup of juice. Everyone else studiously ignored her, as always. The girl's eyes were puffy and swollen as though she had been crying, but her face lit up with a small smile at the sight of Cassie and Jacob. Biting her lower lip in nervousness, she gave a small wave to Cassie to indicate there was space by her should she chose it. She had only had the vaguest idea where Lucien had gone so early in the morning. Left to her own devices, Pony was at a loss of what to do and felt incredibly lonely.

Upon entering the dining hall, Cassie looked about as she got a small breakfast. She never had eaten much in the morning. This morning, she just got an orange and a glass milk. She paused, looking to see where she and Jacob would sit. Toni and Jodie didn't seem to be int he hall yet and she wasn't exactly comfortable with the looks everyone was giving her. She was tempted to just suggest to little Jacob they both go eat their breakfast somewhere else, when she caught sight of Pony sitting by herself in the corner. Cassie had to admit, she felt torn. This girl. She seemed so sweet and nice, and would clearly make a good friend. But at the same time, with her bunking with Lucien....it hurt. It made her less open to trying to be friends with this girl and at the same time, made her think poorly of her Lucien. But still, she really had no where else to sit, and the girl did look pretty lonely over there by herself.

Sighing, she finally gave in and walked over to the table, sitting across from Pony, Jake sitting next to Cassie, eating his cereal quietly. It was pretty obvious the little boy didn't want to sit there and Cassie could guess Toni had told him to stay away from Lucien and Pony. Or something of the sort anyway. Cassie took a sip of her milk before she went about to slowly peeling the orange she had in her hands, looking up at Pony, doing her best to keep a good attitude toward the girl, "Good morning." She said simply. She really couldn't think of anything to say to the girl. What could she say to her rival for Lucien's heart without being mean? She bit her lip, trying to think of something when she noticed something. Where was Lucien anyway?

She looked back to her, pausing slightly. Was Lucien's current lover really the best person she wanted to ask about him? Well, she could ask someone else in the dining hall, but from the bad looks they were giving her, she had a feeling her saying anything to them would just result in smart mouths and bad names. Right now, the only person she could ask that would even have a chance of knowing the answer was Pony. She finished peeling the piece if fruit and ate one of the orange slices before speaking, "Where is Lucien? He's not skipping breakfast, is he?" She asked curiously, trying to make herself sound curious and keep bad tones from slipping into her voice toward this clearly sad(and slightly unstable) girl.

Pony gave a shy but sunny smile as the two came over to sit with her, lifting her spirits. She gave a timid little wave to Jake, undiscouraged by his obvious reluctance to be near her, and then shook her head at Cassie's question. "No, I haven't seen him. I know he got up really early this morning? But he didn't say where, just that he had some stuff to take care of." A thought came to her, and she cast her eyes downward in embarrassment. Her lowered, quiet voice and slight blush confirmed her state of mind. "I think he needed some time to think about things. About you. And me. He wants to be with you, I mean... he really wants to be with you, Cassie. I can hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes. But Uncle told him, Hassle and Toni to stay away from you for now, so Lucien has nowhere else to stay but with me. He also feels bad about me. We talked about it. Well... I talked. He listened."

Raising her head to give Pony a smile smile of resignation. "I think... I think we reached a compromise, Cassie. One where you get him back and I... I won't be alone. It won't be as good as having him to myself or the three of us together, but... It would be something at least."

Before she could elaborate further, Pony cocked an eyebrow. "I saw Hassle talking to you by your nest last night, by the way. I don't like him. When you and Lucien said you were getting married? He was suddenly all friendly and touchy with me." She gave a slight sniff of distain, then took a sip of her juice. "I think he thought that because I'm a little slow sometimes that I'm stupid, too. And easy. i had to knee him in the-" Pony broke off as she remembered that Jacob was sitting there watching and listening to them. "In the hallway," she finished lamely.

"Anyway, I wouldn't trust him." Setting down her juice cup, Pony got a far away look in her eyes. Silent for a moment, she suddenly spoke very slowly as though being sure of her words as they left her mouth. "I would only trust someone who... listened... to what I wanted... and... who didn't tell me what I should want. Does that make sense?"

***

Lucien had sat in the Armory long before anyone was up - dismantling, cleaning and reassembling the spare rifles, shotguns and handguns that had been scavenged for The Colony's defense. Most of the humans carried some sort of sidearm, but the narrowness of the tunnels and confines of some of the smaller caves made toting about the longer weapons difficult. Normally they were only broken out for guard duty and missions to the surface. The act of inspecting and making sure each and every weapons was at its best possible operating proficiency busied his hands while leaving his mind free to think. Not that it was helping this time. There was just too much to think about! By breakfast time, Lucien had cleaned every single firearm in the lockers and had started in on sharpening the assorted knives, axes, and machetes on hand as well. His own breakfast earlier that morning had been a bit of jerky and fire-baked hard tack, washed down with well water.

It was just as well. There was a mission planned for later that day, a scavenging party being sent out to gather whatever materials they could find. The target site was chosen from information provided by one of Hassle's reconnaissance patrols, and if his survey of the area was accurate then the Colony's food and clothing stores would be well stocked for some weeks. And it was in an area where there was little robot activity of late, or so the report said. Lucien was cynical. It smelled too good to be true, and the fact that he disliked Hassle didn't help. Considering Hassle's sudden reappearance in the lab the night before to (as Lucien saw it) woo Cassie, Lucien distrusted the whole thing all the more. He had said nothing, however, putting it down to his petulance and ill-temper. Uncle had approved the mission, and that was all there was too it.

Lucien was still there well past breakfast when other patrol members started to saunter in to claim gear and weapons. Toni passed by him, neither man saying a word to another as they prepared. Still sharpening the last of the knives, Lucien warred with himself over whether or not he should finally say anything. They had once been the best of friends. While it was doubtful they could ever be that again to one another, he had to admit it was at least partially his own fault that their relationship had come to what it now was.

"I didn't, you know," he finally spoke to Toni as he bent over the honing stone and blade, not looking up from his work. The metal rasped along the oiled stone cleanly. "Sleep with Pony, I mean. Not at first. Not right away. I just couldn't stay in the same nest that Cassie and I... But me and Pony didn't start until long after the rest of you gave up on Cassie. Not until long after I gave up. Think what you want, but nothing happened until about two months ago. Before that, all Pony did was keep me from killing myself and give me a shoulder to cry on."

He fell to silence for a few more whisks of the blade. "So believe what you want, Toni. Take what I'm giving you as truth or don't. You're as stubborn as Cassie so I doubt anything I say is going to change your mind now. But you never asked. You just assumed. just like everyone else. Even Uncle. So if Cassie does ask you? Do me one last favor and tell her the truth: that you never actually asked me what the deal was between me and Pony."

Cassie grew somewhat worried when Pony said she hadn't seen Lucien since that morning. Her thoughts drifted back to the night before when he had been in caverns with that river about to jump in. She worried he might try something like that again, but had to remind herself that after she asked him to never do that again, he said he wouldn't as long as she didn't leave again. She took comfort in that and decided he had just gone some where to clear his mind. She was a little annoyed at the news that Uncle had told Toni and Lucien to stay away from her for now. She could understand telling that to Hassle, seeing as he had disobeyed orders by coming to her nest the night before, but why her fiance and her brother? But, as much as she knew she could argue with the older man, she felt she might be pushing what she could get away with. Especially after all that had happened yesterday.

Her eyes snapped up when Pony stated they may have come up with a compromise. The way she spoke about it didn't seem....right. Whatever it was, Castille could already tell she didn't like it. She opened her mouth, about to ask what exactly this 'compromise' was, when Pony suddenly switched topics to her seeing Hassle in the hall way. Yes, Hassle wasn't one to be trusted. Cassie didn't think he would hurt her, but something seemed.....off about him. But the question running through her own mind was, what was Pony so close to her room? A question she would definitely have to ponder.

"I've already been warned by Uncle....he informed me to not trust anyone...."

---

Toni was already annoyed when he was ordered to stay away from his sister. What did Uncle think he would do?! She was his sister for goodness sake! So, when he walked into the Armory and saw none over than Lucien sharpening blades, he began steaming even more. He took a deep breath, trying to contain his annoyance as he walked past the man, going over to a wall where some of the weapons were displayed and chose his choice weapons. A pistol and a switch blade. He had turned to walk out when Lucien spoke, the man lamely trying to explain himself in a nonchalant way. Toni's face hardened as he listened and he walked over to where the man sat, "You've been rooming with Pony for three months. That means over half the time you've been with her, you've been sleeping with her. And not even a year after Cassie's disappearance. How the Hell do you think that would make her think if she could truly remember the years she spent with you. For you to betray her like that."

"Or even now, Lucien? Even if she doesn't remember, I see it there. She even told me herself. She loves you. How do you think you sleeping with another woman sits with her? Sure you can say she forgives you and all that shit you bring yourself to believe," He leaned down close to him, his voice full of venom, "But it will always be there....in the back of her mind....killing her....knowing that you didn't love her as much as she loved you."

Pony looked at Cassie calmly, a placid look of seriousness that looked out of place on her elfin face. "Right now, Cassie? I think that's the same thing."

***

Toni words tore through Lucien, causing both jaw and fingers to clench in anger, anger at Toni and at himself. The memories of the past year all burst forward, fighting for priority in his mind as he found himself rising to his feet. The knife was still tightly gripped in one hand, the whetstone in the other. Lucien was actually conscious of holding them, but there they were. He stared daggers at the older man. Snarling, he unleashed some of those memories upon him in a snarling voice.

" 'She's gone, Lucien,' " he mocked her brother, " 'You've got to accept it and move on, Lucien.' Your words, Toni. Your words to me. You gave up first, remember? You gave up and crawled back to your wife and kid and never gave a single fucking look back at me, you self-righteous, hypocritical, arrogant bastard!! Where the fuck was I supposed to move on to, huh? Where did you want me to go? Stay in the same nest and be reminded day and day out of everything I lost, is- is that it? I couldn't even bring myself to take anything of hers with me when I moved out because of how much it fucking hurt. And when I finally 'accepted' that she was gone, where the fuck were you, 'best bud'? When I tried to kill myself, were you the one who stopped me? Stitched up my wrists? No. It was Pony. You, Toni, and the everyone else turned their fucking backs on me and told me I was goddamn nut job for thinking your sister might have made it."

"Uh-oh," someone else muttered, "Someone better got and get Uncle." Lucien paid no one else any attention, not seeing two of the salvage team run off down the corridor towards the labs. No, his attention and hate was solely fixed on Toni and himself. Without thinking, he jabbed the knife in Toni's direction for emphasis. He wasn't actually attacking, merely pointing with it, and they were a far enough distance apart that there was no way it was going to get close to Toni. Still, there was the knife and there were witnesses who saw Lucien with it... There would be rumors, later.

"You all thought I was nuts for thinking Cassie was still out there somewhere, that we could get her back. Every single fucking one of you danced around me on tip-toe because you thought I was crazy. And the funny thing is? When I finally gave up? I thought you were right! I thought I was mad!" He gestured towards the rest of the Colony where Cassie was. "Who's crazy now, huh?"

The knife point flickered back towards Toni, it's keen edge honed to razor sharpness. "Maybe I did betray her memory. If I did, that's something for her and me to work through. Just remember, asshole. In the back of your mind, killing you, will always be the fact: You. Gave. Up. First. You gave up on your sister, and then you gave up on your best friend. And I bet you don't even got the guts to tell her that."

***

As breakfast wound down and the survivors began to slowly move off to their assorted routines and duties, the shout was heard by all. "Lucien and Toni are going at it in the Armory! And they've got knives!"

Cassie looked up at Pony when the girl spoke and nodded, "I think you're right Pony....why can't things just....be easy." She said quietly, rubbing her forehead with her hand, when a shout came to her ears, making her eyes widen in panic. Toni and Lucien. In the Armory. Trying to get at each other with knives? She should have known something like this would happen sooner or later. She was stupid for not seeing it. She quickly stood up and looked at the scared looking boy sitting next to her, "Stay here, Jacob. I'm going to stop them. Don't worry, everything will be fine." Then she was gone, running down the hallway. She hadn't even been shown around the caves yet, so she didn't exactly know where the armory was, but it seemed her feet did. She without even thinking about it went straight to where she wanted to go.

She could already hear some of the shouts of men yelling at them, but none daring to get close to either man. She had to practically push her way through the small crowd that had built up and whens he finally got clear of it, she saw both Toni and Lucien, glaring at each other, Toni's switchblade out and in his hand, Lucien holding a freshly sharpened knife in his grasp. Her eyes widened at this sight and when it really looked like Toni might go at him with the blade, she run forward, getting between the two, holding her hands out on either side of her to stop them from very possibly killing(or at least badly wounding) each other, "Stop it!"

It was silent in the room for a moment and when Cassie turned her glare onto her brother, he took a step back, an ashamed look on his face, "What is the matter with you two?! Toni, you know better than this! God damn it put that switch blade down before you hurt someone!" Obeying his younger sister, he with a slightly guilty expression on his face, flicked the blade back into its safe position, sliding it into his pocket. She turned to Lucien now, ready to chew him out as well, only to see by the look on his face and the way he held tightly to that knife, that wasn't what the man needed at this moment. Chewing him out could come later.

She carefully stepping up to him until she was in front of him, much to the surprise of the men standing around, not even seeming scared of the man. She knew he wouldn't hurt her. Those men just didn't realize it. Gently she moved her hands up to put one of her own over his on the hilt of the knife and the other one over that hand, "Lucien....its okay......everything is fine......please....give me the knife..." She said, looking at him with a soft expression, almost begging him to listen to her and do as she asked.

Pony only blinked in surprise as Cassie hurried off, leaving her with the boy. Hoping the boy might open up to her, she gave a friendly grin and cocked her head to one side. She was now hoping for a child of her own, and perhaps sitting with Jake would be good practice. Whether she had a boy or girl, that child was going to need a friend, and what better friend that Cassie's nephew?! "I'll stay with you, Jake. How about I read you some stories while we wait for your mom, okay?" From the haversack she carried everywhere with her, she pulled a much loved and heavily worn book; the battered leather cover was in such poor shape from age and use that both title and author were scoured away. Pony leafed lovingly through its pages to find a story the boy might like. "My mom gave this to me when I was about your age, Jake. I wasn't ever able to read too good, and there's no pictures. Well, a few, but only here and there. And I don't understand some of the stories. But it's my most favorite thing in the world. Oh, here we go!"

In a faltering, hesitant voice, Pony began to read aloud. It was clear she was having trouble with many of the larger words, but she continued onwards in hopes of entertaining the boy and maybe... just maybe... becoming friends with him. "In the beginning of years, when the world was so new and all, and the Animals were just beginning to work for Man, there was a Camel, and he lived in the middle of a Howling Desert because he did not want to work..."

***

Lucien stood there, a frozen tableau with knife raised and eyes staring right through Cassie to where Toni stood just beyond. Her words took time to register in his mind through the thick cloud of fury and guilt that had so enraged him, longer still for his fingers to slowly release from the hilt one at a time until Cassie could pry it out of his hands. When the weapon was taken from him and his rage ebbed away, Lucien was left to stand in agitated confusion. His eyes were wide and wild, his breath panting as he recovered from the sudden surge of adrenaline that had overtaken his body and senses at Toni's sneering. Those grey-blue eyes locked on Cassie's as though seeking some answers before the realization struck as to what had just happened. Closing his eyes, he lowered his head wearily. He hadn't meant to threaten with the knife, not really. It had simply been in his hand at the time of the confrontation, as was the whetstone which his left hand still clutched. It didn't matter. Lucien knew what it must have looked like, and perhaps unconsciously he did want to attack his former best friend; he had more than enough cause to want to.

Then there was Uncle, shouldering his way through the crowd and glaring at everyone from beneath shaggy eyebrows. His jaw was near clenched. The news that something was going down had obviously reached him, and he looked less than pleased. Lucien and Toni both shame faced and red, Cassie standing there with Lucien's knife in her hand... He would be a fool not to know that some near tragedy had almost occurred. Running a hand over his face, he paused to rub at the bridge of his nose. "Right. Who's the first to tell me a really big lie about what's going on here?"

Cassie was relieved when Lucien slowly released his hold on the knife and she was able to take it away, looking at him softly, about to say something when mummers about Uncle coming reached her ears. She looked over to see Uncle push through the crown as well, and seeing the position the three of them were in, asked someone to tell him a really big lie about what was going on here. Toni was silent, looking down and rubbing the back of his head and Lucien didn't seem to be in a talking mood at the moment either. She paused, looking down at the knife in her hand before she looked back to the older man, "It was my fault, Uncle.....I wanted to learn more about your human tactics in fighting...so I asked Lucien if he could show me how to use a knife....but then Toni wanted to help....and I suppose people seeing the two with knives and speaking to each other must have seemed strange...so they came and got you." Well, he asked for a lie and he got one. It was just up to him whether he wanted to accept it or not. But whatever he said, it was obvious she was ready to take the complete blame for this mishap, as she was rather sure it had been about her anyway.

She moved to take the whetstone fro Lucien and put both it and knife on the table before she turned to Uncle, doing her best to give him a convincing smile, "No danger here....Everything is fine....I promise next time I wish to do something like this I will ask your permission." Though hopefully nothing like this would happen again. She didn't know why her brother and Lucien had it out for each other, but she was planning on making this stop as soon as she could. If she was going to back here with them than they couldn't be at each other's throats everyday.

The sour look on the old man's face showed he clearly did not believe a word of Cassie's explanation, but he said nothing more about it. Shaking his head, Uncle waved everyone away. His voice was hard and flat. "Right. Show's over. It's a 6 kilometer trek to the vehicles and it just peaked 102 degrees on the surface; you need to get moving before it starts to cool off. Without that heat to hide you, the robots' sensors will pick you out in no time flat. You got ten more minutes to get your gear settled, say your goodbyes and get your asses to the entrance for a final briefing."

Turning towards the two feuding men, he scowled again. "Toni, you come with me now. There's some a specific goal that I'm assigning you that I want to go over. Lucien? You be in the lab in five minutes; I've got a job for you, too."

"Move it, people!" He clapped his hands sharply together. "Move it! It's 'Movie Sign' time!"

As the mob of team members began to break up, Lucien sighed and tossed the stone back into the locker with a thunk. With Cassie still standing there, he felt ashamed at his actions yet wished she had been there to hear him, to hear his side of what had happened. Now, with the clock ticking and Uncle expecting him in a matter of minutes, there would be no time for explanations until after he got back. Knife-less, Lucien checked the hang of the automatic pistol on his belt before grabbing the sawed-off shotgun. The heavy 10-guage only held six rounds (with one in the chamber), but those shots were lethal to even the metal skeletons of the Androids at close range. The rest of his pack contained more or less the same as everyone else's: canteen, rope, duct tape, flashlight, magnesium strip and so forth. The only other addition to his gear was the weighty pry-bar he slung over his shoulder, a monster of steel some three feet in length with a crooked end that twisted into a wicked hook.

Getting his stuff settled about his person, Lucien spoke quietly to Cassie without being able to bring himself to look at her. "I'm moving out of Pony's nest," he told her softly, "When I get back. I hadn't told her yet, but she's figured it out already. I'll... crash in one of the side tunnels or something until... until we figure something out. If you want, that is."

It was then that he looked up at her, his young face solemn and serious beyond it's years. "I love you, Cassie. But... I don't want to force or trick you into anything. If you want me back in your life... and in your nest... you got me. If you want to wait, I'll wait." The others were heading out, a fact that did not escape his notice. Feeling the pressure to be on his way as well and yet reluctant to be parted from her, Lucien just stood there with hands half raised as though wanting to hug her but unsure if he should dare after... everything.

"Got it Uncle." Toni said with a quick nod, before waving bye to his sister and walking out with him. Once they were out of ear shot from the two, h looked at him, ;raising an eyebrow, "So, what's this specific mission you have for me?"

Cassie could easily tell Uncle wasn't buying what she said, but he seemed to be in too much of a hurry to really say anything about her excuse. A small sigh of relief escaped her and she looked a little confused when he told both Toni and Lucien they had specific jobs he needed them to do. It seemed a little strange to her, but then again, she didn't remember anything about any of the missions they went on, so maybe this was normal? The two males didn't make it seem as though it were strange anyway. She waved goodbye to her brother as he walked out and looked over at Lucien, blinking in surprise when he said he was moving out of Pony's room. It was a surprise to her, considering she hadn't expected him to move out of Pony's room until much later.

But it made her....happy. Happy that he was taking one more step in her direction. Though she frowned when he said he would be sleeping in one of the side tunnels. From what she understood, it got rather cold in the caves at night without the blankets and warmth of another. It made her feel bad that he was considering a thing. If having him back in her nest with her(which she really didn't mind with or without the temperature being so low) kept him warm and comfortable, then she would surely allow him to sleep in the same nest as her. That would just be something to talk about later when he got back from this raid, as they didn't have really any time at all to talk about anything at the moment.

When Cassie noticed his hands raised halfway, as if considering whether or not he should hug her, the soft smile came back to her face and she carefully approached him before putting her arms around him in a hug, resting her head against the front of his shoulder, "I love you too Lucien. We'll talk about all that when you get back, okay? What ever mission Uncle is putting you on, be sure you're safe." She said, looking up at him, a slightly worried look on her face. She was afraid something might happen to him. She didn't want to loose him after just getting him. She could only hope he was safe and didn't endanger himself like these past few times she had seen.

Uncle didn't even look over his shoulder at Toni as they headed towards the lab. "It's actually a simple enough matter," he was saying, "But if the other found out about it, it could cause panic. So I'm leaving it to you to handle it."

Once in the lab, Uncle sat at one of the table to stare at the young man candidly. With a gesture towards a pile of printouts that teetered precariously nearby, he continued. "There's been evidence that the robots are exploring other possible uses of humans. Or rather, human bodies. Having exhausted their supply of experimental stock, they are taking whatever they can get and may not be converting them immediately. If fact, there is the possibility that they are becoming more interested in the possibilities of using humans who are recently deceased. So your job is very simple. Do not leave anyone killed behind. I know it has not been our standard operating procedure to retrieve our fallen, but in the interest of denying the robots that additional edge we must change that standard. If you can not bring the body or bodies home, then see to it that they are as unrecoverable as possible, but I would rather the whole body be returned to us."

Uncle then gave Toni a pointed stare. "That includes Lucien, Toni. Especially Lucien, I should say. It would be in the best long term interests of the Colony and the best interests of you sister. I am expressly not telling you to do anything untold. But should he prove as reckless as he has in the past and should he die by whatever means, make sure the body is returned." The old man then gave Toni a wide grin. "But then again, Hassle assures us that this should be a piece of cake run. So there really shouldn't be any need to be overly concerned about it., should there?"

***

The meeting with Lucien was far more disciplinary, with Uncle firmly reprimanding the young man for his past foolhardy actions during missions. The dressing down was as good as any army sergeant might have given. Lucien could only stand there, nearly at attention, while the Colony's leader berated him for his actions and the chaos he was causing in the Colony itself. It only took a few minutes, but it felt like hours. Finally, Uncle wound down.

"Now on this mission, you have a unique role. In addition to helping with salvage, foraging and recovery, I need you to place a piece of equipment in the highest place outside that you can find once you get to the target zone. It's a very specific type of sensor." The piece of equipment in question was a small metallic box with a number of wires running in and out of it thickly. Two silvery toggle switches stuck out. Each switch had a wad of what looked like chewing gum placed underneath to keep them from being switched in the other direction. Two small cylinders were attached with thin copper tubing to the other side. All in all, the package was a little large than a man's hand. "It has an adhesive backing. Plant it, switch both toggles and then just leave it alone. It will broadcast its findings on shortwave bursts that will make it difficult for the robots to even notice it, much less find it."

He clasped his hands and rested his elbows on the table to stare at him much the same way as he just as had looked at Toni. "The readings this sensor will provide will give me better insights as to the Androids. The scans Liana was able to perform on Cassie answered many questions and left several others in their place. But if I am right, this will help me find a way to enable more of Cassie's memory. Behave yourself. Do your job, Lucien. And I will... try and help smooth the way between you and Cassie. Understand?"