Altered Lives The Parody Chapter 12: 11 Escalation, an evangelion fanfic

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Altered Lives (The Parody)

Book 11 "Escalation"

Time - Late 2016 when Shakey is 15 years old (TV episode 23 to Movies)

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"Altered Lives (THE PARODY)" is Copyright (c) 2002 by DBM. This story is an Amateur, Non-Commercial work by an Anime/Manga Fan. This story was created in the Spirit of the Copyright Exemptions regarding Parodies & Satire.

If you like the story, you may keep a copy for your own personal records, but you may NOT post it on any websites/newsgroups, NOR may you include it in any printed publication for sale/public distribution. If printing out a copy for yourself or a friend, you may reformat it (paragraph spacing, page-breaks, font & font size, borders, bold/italic, etc) to fit the paper you use, but please do not change any of the actual words or wording in the document.

Sole web-posting at FanFiction.Net - Author's E-Mail address on File.

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Censorship Info & Disclaimer.

NOT Recommended for Children.

Intended for MATURE Audiences.

There are NO 'sex scenes', but, just like the original NGE series, the story will explore the results & side effects of such activities. Along the way, there'll be swearing, violence, drugs, Adult situations, & frank discussions of sex education/family planning information, as well as thoughts & opinions on the morals & ethics of sexual assault, dating, courtship, marriage, alternate sexualities, pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood, Family Values, etc.

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Fandom Alerts & Disclaimer.

AU Alert (Alternate Universe).

OOC Alert (Out Of Character).

ACC Alert (Author Created Character).

SI Alert (Self Insert - Author appears in the story as a character).

SPOILER Alert (May 'spoil' surprises in the Manga & Anime TV/Movies).

' ' denotes thoughts.

" " denotes speech

denotes other method of communication.

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Chapter - Initial Concept.

Glando Atari stood in an observation bunker, his attention focussed on an overhead monitor. Or rather, the image of a body-cast clad Rave Clone lying on a high-tech Hospital gurney.

"Still nothing, Sir," a nearby technician stated, "All sensors read normal…"

Glando frowned, then held a microphone to his lips & spoke sternly, "You must try harder… Try to remember what you did."

The Clone shut her eyes, a look of intense concentration on her face.

After several minutes of nothing happening, Glando turned to the technician in the bunker & demanded, "Anything?"

"No Sir," the technician replied, "Everything's still normal."

Glando straightened up, a disgusted look on his face. "Abort the current test," he ordered, "We'll try plan B…"

A short while later, the same Rave Clone was patiently watching a small monitor set up in front of her. An image of a rotating fractal pattern appeared on the screen, the colours changing subtly as the pattern swirled into nothingness at a central point.

"Look at the centre of the screen," Glando murmured softly, "Relax… relax…"

The Clone stared at the screen, her facial muscles relaxing as her mind calmed down into a trance state.

"Trance attained Sir," the technician noted, looking at a monitor displaying the Clone's vital signs & brainwave pattern, "She's completely under."

"Let your mind go back…" Glando breathed, "To when you walked Shakey home…"

The Clone stared at her screen, a blank expression on her face.

"You remember Shakey," Glando purred, "He's your friend… Someone you won't allow to get hurt…"

On Glando's monitor, the Clone's mouth twitched slightly.

"Everything is nice & peaceful," Glando prompted soothingly, "You see Shakey waiting at a cross roads… The walk signal comes on, and he starts to cross…"

In the test chamber, the Clone was breathing slow & evenly.

"Suddenly you hear squealing brakes," Glando said in urgent tones, "You look around & see a truck headed for Shakey. You can't get to him in time! He's going to be killed! SAVE HIM!"

"Shakey!" the hypnotised Clone shouted, "NO!"

A sudden static flashed through the monitors, many of them going off-line as the lights flickered.

"Field Spike!" the technician shouted, "It's… Huh?" he blinked in astonishment, checking what monitors still functioned, "Sorry Sir… It's gone…"

"Don't worry about it," Glando spared a glance at the dazed Clone in the chamber. He picked up a two-way radio & spoke quietly, "Did you get it?"

"Yes Sir," came the voice of a Rave Clone, "We sensed what she did…"

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Chapter - Sales Pitch.

Glando Atari sat at his desk, contemplating his latest visitor…

Before his desk stood a blue-Haired Rave Clone, a disturbed look on her face.

"But Sir?" the puzzled Clone asked, "How is it possible? How could any of us produce an E.T. Field without an AVE?"

"Because," Glando spoke slowly & carefully, "The E.T. Fields produced by the AVE's, are only 'processed' versions of what is produced normally by any living creature."

The Clone tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled by Glando's comment.

"ALL living things," Glando stressed, "Produce an electromagnetic field, as part of their natural biochemistry. The chemical reactions in body cells, use both positively & negatively charged compounds, to produce the event we call life…"

Glando paused to let that sink in, "Some creatures… such as the 'electric eel', can generate an electrical potential in their bodies, & use it for defence. Other creatures, such as the Australian Platypus, could actually detect the electrical 'signature' of various animals it used for food…"

"And then…" Glando hesitated, "There are the reasons WHY people are chosen to pilot AVE in the first place. They must have… certain rare traits… that… better allow them to interface with the AVE…"

The Clone remained silent, absorbing Glando's argument…

"The most important aspect of piloting an AVE," Glando continued smoothly, "Is that the Pilot must be able to synchronise with the AVE… Literally, becoming a part of the AVE's artificial nervous system… Because synchronisation is a two-way channel, the Pilot feels what the AVE feels… This enables the Pilot to make the AVE move, perform complex procedures, & even… expand its artificially magnified E.T. Field… Something a normal person would never know how to do… "

The Clone nodded slightly, accepting Glando's recital of what she knew as fact.

"Now," Glando added, "We had theorised for some time, that a Pilot might become so… accustomed… to how an AVE creates its E.T. Field, that the Pilot might begin to 'mimic' the procedure with their own body."

"I see…" the Clone said, "And you believe that is what happened to #12?"

"Perhaps," Glando stated, "As yet, it is still a theory, but one that appears to be supported by actual events. However… There is ANOTHER theory that may fit the circumstances…"

"Since time immemorial, there have been stories of normal humans who have exhibited extraordinary… abilities… Abilities so far removed from what the average person could do, that they were referred to… as magic… These abilities were mostly ascribed to practitioners of various Martial Arts & other esoteric disciplines, who practiced their art over decades… Many of these abilities, were supposedly passed down from one generation to the next."

"Such things were the stuff of Myth & Legend," Glando said dismissively, "And are mostly referred to only in works of fiction… But… It could be… that these stories were based on real life observations of extremely rare abilities…"

Glando looked intensely at the Clone, "We already know that AVE pilots have rare talents… What we do NOT know, is whether or not your talents are a modern indication, of these ancient abilities having actually existed…"

"I intend to find out, one way or another…" Glando insisted, "Whichever theory is correct, we cannot allow such an opportunity to pass us by…"

"Understood Sir," the Clone confirmed.

"I have arranged for special training," Glando advised, "That may help you develop, & control such abilities… If they exist…"

"Yes Sir."

"The training starts today," Glando ordered, "Security will advise you of the relevant schedules. Such training is Highly Classified, & is definitely on a 'need to know' basis… As are any… abilities… you may discover in due course…"

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Chapter - Getting Technical.

In a lecture theatre somewhere in the NERVIS Base, Rave Clones paid attention to the ramblings of an elderly physicist with a 'Mad Scientist Afro' haircut.

"Energy Fields are not flat, or planar," the Lecturer insisted, "They are ALL curved…"

High above the lecture theatre was a small film projection room. Inside it watching the lecture, was Glando Atari & his advisor, Fu2ok.

"Well, Professor," Glando asked, "Can you understand all of what he's saying?"

"Quite," Fu2ok had a smug smile on his face.

Glando turned away, "Than you can monitor it. I'm needed elsewhere."

Fu2ok made no comment, the faint click of the closing door having announced that Glando had already left.

In the room below, the elderly physicist was fielding questions.

"Even E.T. Fields?" One Clone asked, getting straight to the point.

"Especially E.T. Fields!" the physicist answered eagerly, "All E.T. Fields observed to date, can be shown to be curved. That they may APPEAR to be flat or planar, was merely a perception caused by inadequate observation! If we were to extend the Fields indefinitely, their curvature would become apparent!"

"Is their curvature uniform?" another Clone asked.

"Uniform curvature is not impossible, but due to the way space-time is affected by gravity… any Field LARGE enough to be observed, WILL be affected by local gravity fluctuations, especially if it's inside the gravity well of a planet… Now the actual amount may be almost negligible, but it WILL be there…"

"How does this tie-in with those Aliens we have already fought?"

"AH!" the elderly physicist smiled knowingly, "Let's look at the first Alien fought in this city… It survived conventional artillery, due to an internalised E.T. Field, one that followed the contours of its body… This was because the Field generating apparatus, was part of its 'nervous system'…"

The elderly physicist consulted a pile of notes on his table before continuing, "Later, it survived a point blank Nuclear explosion, with only 'surface' damage… I would attribute this, to the E.T. Field not being entirely opaque to the quantum level energies released by the explosion…"

"Later still, it exhibited the Field as what appeared to be a flat, or planar surface… That one was ripped apart by Unit Won, when it used its own Field to neutralise, or weaken the other one… The fact that Unit Won appeared to TEAR the other Field with its hands, is proof of the way in which the Field was generated by the nervous system… Especially how it was warped & buckled by the concentrated Anti-Field, generated by the extra nerves of Unit Won's hands…"

The Physicist paused, "A point I MUST make! When Unit Too fought the Intruder that penetrated to the Operations Centre of this base, the Field of Unit Too was not able to counteract the Field of the intruder. Any one care to venture why?"

All of the Clones raised their hands.

The physicist smiled as he pointed to a Clone in the first row, "You!"

"Neutralisation was insufficient, due to a different Field wavelength being used by the intruder, compared to earlier incursions."

"Correct!" beamed the physicist, "Correct Anti-Field use of a Field, requires knowing what the frequency of the Field to be neutralised is… Sometimes, 'near enough is good enough', as the opposing Field WILL partly affect the other Field, even if the frequencies are not exact! BUT! If the frequencies are TOO far off, you won't be able to do a thing!"

"Another thing I MUST point out… Is that when Unit Won TORE the other Field, it was 'up close & personal'. Meaning that the Anti-Field generated & channelled by Unit Won's hands, was at its strongest, regardless of frequencies used…"

"Why is it so?" the physicist asked, a gleam in his eye as he warmed to the topic under discussion, "Well now, it all depends on the 'distance effect'…"

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Chapter - Visual Aids.

Glando Atari stood in a hallway, staring intently through an observation port.

In the room beyond, a group of Rave Clones sat on mats in a cross-legged 'lotus' position. Dressed in Martial Arts Outfits, they breathed slowly in a universal rhythm, their eyes shut as they practiced an esoteric form of Meditation.

Their instructor, a wizened old man of uncertain Asian origin, sat in front of them, his voice sighing gently throughout the room…

"…feel the centre within you… the place of all balance, all power… the place where Chi flows… into you… through you… from you… the place where you are one…"

From his vantage point, Glando smiled at the old man's comment.

"…remember this place," the old man quietly ordered, "…remember where it is… remember how to find it… learn how to move with it… do not overstretch yourself… move from your centre… return to your centre… find the harmony… it is in you…"

A bass chime sounded, it repeated after the reverberations from the first note had died away.

"…and that is all for today…" the instructor announced, "…remember what I have taught you… practice as much as you can… until you truly know your inner self…"

"Hai, Sensei!" the Clones breathed as one. (NOTE Hai = yes, Sensei = Teacher)

Glando waited until the old man had left, before walking to the front of the room, & addressing the Clones.

"I have some Visual aids for you," Glando paused before continuing with a slight smirk, "Training films if you will…"

Glando took a remote control from his pocket, idly pressing a sequence of buttons as he walked to the back of the room. The lights in the room instantly dimmed, the room's sound system coming online as a TFT image projector started beaming images onto the blank wall in front of the Clones.

At the back of the room, Glando paused to watch as selected sequences from the Anime movie 'Akira' began playing…

- - - - - - - - - -

In another lecture room, a twenties-something female instructor was giving the Clones a thorough grounding in how to construct 3D models.

"A 'morph'," said the instructor, "Is where selected points are given a set of predictable variations from their original position. A 'morphed' point, will always move a preset distance in 3D space, based off the original orientation of that point, at the time the morph was activated. For example…"

The instructor referred the class to a large image projected on the wall. Created by the 3D program 'Poser', it showed two simple 3D cones, one sitting on its base, while the other was tilted at a random angle.

The instructor keyed some data into her desktop keyboard, & both cones turned into hemi-spheres.

"As you can see," the instructor stressed, "Both Cones are now Hemi-spheres. But! They are still aligned with the x, y, z, axes of the original cones. The computer took the original orientation of the models into consideration, when it plotted the new positions for the points…"

The instructor took a drink before continuing her lecture, "So, if you have a 'morph' loaded into a model, it should always be orientated to the model's internally orientated x, y, z, axes, & NOT to the model's EXTERNAL, or universally orientated, X, Y, Z, coordinates & rotation data. That is, the EXTERNAL orientation data determines WHERE in space the model originates from, & how its axes are aligned to the Universal Reference point of X=0, Y=0, Z=0. The INTERNAL data, decides the actual shape of the model…"

The Clones paid rapt attention as the instructor then proceeded to show them a series of 'morphs' using the cone models. She first turned the cones into a series of basic shapes such as cylinders, disks, & spheres, before showing how combinations of 'morphs' could create some truly bizarre curved shapes.

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Chapter - Practice Makes Perfect.

Glando Atari stood at an observation window.

"Any luck?" Fu2ok said, interrupting Glando's silent vigil.

Glando pointed at the window & murmured one word, "Observe…"

Fu2ok squinted slightly as he turned his attention to what lay beyond.

In a large hanger-like room below the observation window, a dozen concrete blocks stood Stonehenge-like in a 20-foot wide broken circle. The ten foot high monoliths towered up from four foot thick bases, dwarfing the single Clone who stood in their midst.

The Clone stood quietly with eyes closed, her hands held before her as she crouched slightly in a basic Martial Arts defence pose.

Suddenly the Clone screamed & whirled in a full circle, the blur of her outstretched limbs seeming to stretch much further than they should.

All around the circle, concrete blocks suddenly shattered & blew apart, pieces & sparks scattering across the floor randomly. The Clone seemed oblivious to the destruction, returning to the same Martial Arts pose for a moment before relaxing into a more restful stance.

Fu2ok stared, wide eyed with disbelief, "W-was that?"

"Applied use of a custom conformed E.T. Field," Glando informed wryly, "Just a little something they've learned…"

"…little…?" Fu2ok gasped in shock, "I… expected a E.T. Field… but this…"

"Is the current state of the 'intermediate' level," Glando said quietly, a smug smile on his face, "This morning it was the 'advanced' level, but now…"

"Intermediate?" Fu2ok exclaimed, "They've progressed beyond this? What to?"

"Now, now Professor…" Glando said apologetically, "It wouldn't be nice of me to spoil the surprise, now would it…"

Fu2ok gulped nervously, "How did you DO this Atari? It was only a few days ago that 12 created a Field…"

"She has created others since then," Glando replied, moving away from the window, "And the event was observed by the Clones."

Enlightenment dawned on Fu2ok, "You used their rapid learning ability?"

"Correct," confirmed Glando, "What better way to learn, than by their own… personal experiences?"

Fu2ok shook his head, "But that doesn't explain what I just saw! How did you teach them how to do… that?"

"Creative Visualisation," Glando stopped by another window, "I provided the Clones with material that helped them accept that not only could they create energy Fields, but also what they could do WITH them…"

Fu2ok looked through the window, & his eyes widened in shock as he saw what was in the other room.

Ranks of Clones sat in a lecture theatre, watching Japanese Anime.

"Dragonball 'Z'?" Fu2ok was nearly speechless, "Is THIS what you call 'creative visualisation'?"

"Anime covers a wide range of topics, & genres…" Glando murmured, "This particular show refers to an ancient Martial Arts technique. That of using 'Chi', or the life force found in all things…"

"…you used…" Fu2ok stared incredulously at Glando, "…children's entertainment…?"

"I think of it…" Glando paused, "…as a child's primer on the subject…"

"…what… else… did you use…?" Fu2ok croaked, struggling to reconcile the work done by NERVIS, with the 'training material' Glando was giving the Clones.

"Ranma 1/2, Akira…" Glando rattled off a LONG list of Anime that dealt with Psionics & Martial Arts, as well as several movies, "…The Matrix, Star Wars…"

Glando smiled, "And if anyone asks, they're only learning popular culture…"

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Chapter - Changing Course.

A young red-haired girl exercised in a Hospital gymnasium, trying to get her strength back.

"…two, three, hold!" Regina Wimble-Spoone called out, prompting Aesir to hold the aerobics pose before repeating the pattern at Regina's command.

"You're doing very well," Regina reassured Aesir, "Now we'll try some weight lifting to build some of that muscle back…"

Aesir sighed in exhaustion, & reluctantly went over to the exercise bench.

"Don't worry," Regina advised Aesir, "We'll start off with 10 kilo weights…"

Slowly, Aesir began to lift the weights.

"Schiesse!" Aesir hissed through clenched teeth, "I should be able to do this easily! Just how much muscle have I lost anyway?"

The answer to that question, lay in a classified doctor's report…

Aesir's years of training to be an AVE Pilot, had produced a lean, mean, human fighting machine, with nearly NO excess body fat. When Aesir had run away, she had been unable to eat food on a regular basis. What she HAD been able to get, was, often as not, something from a dumpster…

The dumpster food literally passed 'straight through' Aesir, due to the way the microbes in it affected Aesir's digestive tract. The effects of the diarrhoea was made worse, by the lack of body fat reserves Aesir could metabolise to fuel her nutrition starved body.

Considering the circumstances, it was only natural that Aesir's body would begin the process known as 'auto-cannibalism'. A safety feature whereby a starving body extends its own life, by consuming its own muscle & organ tissue.

Aesir had lost over a dozen kilos, body mass she COULDN'T afford to lose. Her 'feminine figure' changed as muscle wasted away, & the deposits of fatty tissue in her hips & bust line were reduced as her body tried to stay alive.

…An unexpected 'weight loss' Aesir found out about when she put her aerobics bra on, only to find the normally close fitting garment was somewhat 'loose'…

Aesir gritted her teeth & forced her recovering muscles to repeat the set of weight exercises she had just completed. When her arms came down after the latest set, she lay gasping from the exertion, like a fish out of water.

'It's no use,' Aesir thought to herself, tears starting to well up in her eyes, 'I just can't do this anymore… I'm finished…'

"Huh," a nearby male voice growled in disgusted tones, "Shoulda known…"

Aesir opened her eyes & looked around, fearing the worst.

On a bench not far away from Aesir was Toe-jam Snoozehard, onetime AVE Pilot. He was 'Pumping Iron', 50 kilos at a time with his one arm.

"Was haben sie jetzt gesagt?" Aesir asked in German, glaring at her nemesis. (NOTE! German for What have you just said?)

"Aesir, you WUSS!" Toe-jam sneered scornfully, "You 'Pump Iron' like a GIRL! Put some 'woost' in it, ya WOMAN!" (NOTE! woost = wurst, a type of spicy sausage popular in Europe…)

Aesir's reply was untranslatable, not just because it used 'Euro-Slang', but because the overly polite Japanese didn't have equivalents to the terms used…

"You think you're so tough?" Toe-jam jeered, "Why don't ya prove it?"

"Because I'm SICK, you Idiot!" Aesir nearly yelled back at Toe-jam.

"Ya got that right," Toe-jam mumbled under his breath.

"Which part, Monkey Boy?" Aesir spat back.

"Good thing Shakey can still pilot," Toe-jam shot back, "Cause there's no way a weakling like you ever could!"

"Leave him out of this!" Aesir snapped, her emotions getting unsettled at the mention of her fellow pilot.

"Why?" Toe-jam persisted, "Afraid to be compared to the only REAL Pilot left?"

Aesir's brilliantly acidic retort was silenced as something occurred to her.

'Shakey can still pilot…' Aesir realised, 'I can't… My AVE won't accept me… But… What about Rave? Are they putting her in **MY** AVE?'

"Who's using Unit Too?" Aesir asked with a sinking feeling.

"Who's using Unit Too?" Toe-jam repeated in surprise, "H--L, no one is… We only got the one usable AVE, & Unit Too ain't it…"

"What's wrong with Unit Too?" Aesir demanded, suddenly worried about her AVE.

"Huh," Toe-jam grunted, "Ya musta broke it, 'cause no one else can Pilot it…"

The small sense of relief that washed over Aesir, was quickly dispelled as a heart-stopping realisation arose.

'Unit Won is the only useable AVE…' Aesir thought, 'That means… We've only got one AVE to fight with…'

Aesir swallowed nervously as she remembered her second battle with Shakey's help, the one against an Alien that took two AVE's acting in synch to defeat.

'If he'd been alone…'

Other memories assailed her mind, of times when all three AVE's were needed to defeat the Alien Intruders.

…And of times when a single AVE had been of no use at all…

Aesir trembled as she remembered what COULD happen, should the AVE's fail to win even ONE of their desperate Battles…

'If he has to fight alone,' Aesir realised, 'He'll… he might…'

"…no…" Aesir choked on the word, contemplating dire possibilities that were now all the more probable, "…he…"

"What you mumbling 'bout?" Toe-jam wheezed, as he rested his aching arm.

"…I need to see Mazurka," Aesir hauled herself up off the bench.

…A little too fast, as her blood pressure fluctuated with the sudden change…

"Take it easy," Toe-jam grudgingly offered, "Ya get up too fast after exercise, & you'll probably fall over… Anyway, there's no rush… Mazurka's over there…"

Toe-jam swung his weight-laden arm to indicate a worried looking Mazurka, who was currently talking to Aesir's Trainer.

Aesir stumbled over towards Mazurka.

"Mazurka," Aesir said in her usual forthright manner, "How soon before I can take another synch test?"

"…ah…" Mazurka flustered, "…well, you really need to get your health back…"

"Don't give me that!" Aesir demanded, "Dr Akatlover once pointed out that physiological changes won't stop someone from piloting… How soon can you get me in a test unit?"

"Why the sudden rush?" Mazurka asked, trying to find a reason not to admit that the test units were completely taken up with Rave Clones nowadays.

"You've only got one usable AVE…" Aesir said darkly, "Isn't that right?"

"What if it is?" Mazurka retorted, "You still can't pi…"

"Don't tell me I can't pilot," Aesir snapped, her voice rising, "Unless you've got the results of a test that proves it! And even if you have, I'll take the D--N test again & again if I have to, until I pass it…"

Mazurka noticed how the young girl was trembling. "Aesir," Mazurka said softly, looking intently at the red head, "Do you really want to take the test?"

"Yes…"

"Why?"

Aesir drew herself up to her full height, & LOOKED Mazurka in the eye, "Because… I'm an AVE Pilot… And you've got an empty AVE with my name on it…"

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Chapter - Confirmation?

Aesir walked into the Pilot's changing room, & went straight to her locker.

"Haven't seen you in a while…" Aesir muttered, looking at her name on the door of an enamel coated steel locker.

Aesir opened the locker, & stared at the memories within the metal box. She sighed, then went about the process of changing into her Snug Suit. A look of concern ran over her face, as she pressed the 'seal' button on her left wrist, & the suit shrank to fit her frame…

She held her breath as it conformed to her body, as snugly as she remembered…

"Still fits like a glove," Aesir sighed in relief.

…Then she saw her reflection in a full-length mirror…

Aesir swallowed heavily, as she realised the sharply defined ridges on her sides were not her 'Ab' muscles, but her ribs…

"…at… at least it doesn't make me look fat…" Aesir joked, more to ridicule the moment & help her avoid dwelling on the sight, than to make herself laugh.

"Are you ready?"

The soft voice made Aesir jump with sudden alarm. She spun around, finally noticing that she wasn't alone in the changing room.

Standing nearby, dressed in her usual white Snug Suit, was Rave Imanonymous.

"DON'T DO THAT!" snapped Aesir.

"What?" Rave asked calmly.

"Sneak up on people!" Aesir stormed, "You should have said something to let me know you were there!"

Rave blinked, then walked off in the direction of the test units.

"HEY!" Aesir yelled, "Wait for me, Wonder Chick!"

Moments after Aesir ran off after Rave, another Rave Clone came out from behind the rows of lockers.

She has lost weight the Clone sent.

Yes agreed the one with Aesir, Her breakdown has resulted in muscle wasting

Did it result in her losing her ability to detect others near her? sent the Clone in the changing room, She did not notice either of us?

Should she heal more, before taking this test? sent a Clone who had just come out of the test units If her perceptive skills are any indication…?

Perhaps the Pilot tests will be used to document her recovery rate? sent Rave#3, from her place in one of the test units.

Did she want to be alone? sent the Clone with Aesir, She walks with me, but does not speak to me. Even with me beside her… She walks as if alone…

Shakey had difficulties accepting our existence sent the Clone currently impersonating 'Kuroko' in School, Aesir may also be having difficulties. Perhaps we should not let her see any more of us, in case it causes her problems?

Has Aesir even been informed about our existence? sent one of the tested Clones, I do not remember anyone saying she had been…

I believe Aesir thought I was the Second sent Clone#13 from the Clone Zone, She referred to me as 'the indestructible doll' when I saw her in Hospital

It could be, that she does not know sent one of the Clones that had just left the test units, We will hide ourselves from her view, to avoid disturbing her

The Clones coming back from the test units, turned off the main corridor & stood out of sight in a side room. They waited patiently until Aesir & the Clone she was with had walked past them & entered an elevator.

Aesir meanwhile, was lost in her own thoughts. So she was unaware of the enquiring way that the Clone beside her looked at her every now & then.

'Where are you Cagey?' Aesir thought longingly, 'Why haven't you gotten in touch with me? Even if you can't be here, you could at least phone…'

Aesir's face fell, as an unpleasant thought occurred to her, '…or have you given up on me too? Is that why you haven't phoned, or sent a card or flowers to me?'

'At least Shakey gave me flowers,' Aesir thought forlornly, 'Red roses too…'

'Red Roses…' Aesir shook her head in whimsical disbelief, 'How a Man tells a Maiden 'I love you'… Why couldn't Cagey have given them to me? Instead of some boring little boy who wouldn't even know the meaning of the word Love… Let alone how to treat a girl like a Lady…'

'No…' Aesir slumped slightly, 'Shakey was only being nice to an invalid… there's no other reason he'd give me red roses…'

'Unless…' Aesir frowned as a suspicion ran through her mind, 'He's starting to 'grow up' & he thinks I'll fall for his 'charm'… Huh! If he thinks he's Man enough for me, he needs to think again… Cagey's the only Man in MY heart…'

"You must not close your heart," Rave quietly advised, thinking Aesir's sour expression was caused by the stress of her upcoming Pilot test, "If your heart is closed, you will not succeed…"

"W-what?" Aesir gasped, spooked by Rave's sudden comment, "What would you know?"

"It worked for me," Rave replied, remembering how she had learned to control AVE Unit Null, "Do not ignore the fact, that you are not the only one who feels… Emotional acceptance… is as important as physical contact…"

'Is that why I couldn't pilot?' Aesir wondered, a shiver going through her, 'My AVE deserted me? Because I couldn't make other people accept me?'

"Are you cold?" Rave enquired, noticing Aesir's shiver.

"No…" a subdued Aesir replied, before she suddenly snapped back, "Why am I taking advice from you? You wouldn't even know the first thing about boys…"

"True," Rave admitted, taking the apparent change in topic in her stride, "Which is why I have been asking Mazurka."

"WHAT?" Aesir exclaimed in shock, "You're asking Mazurka about BOYS?"

"No," Rave corrected, "Not about boys. Just 'a' boy."

"I don't believe it…" Aesir moaned as she slumped against the wall, "The Ice Maiden is interested in a boy? Who on earth was Man enough to thaw your ice box?"

"Shakey," the Clone replied, not quite understanding the comment, but feeling relatively sure of the correct answer.

"**WHAT!**" Aesir screamed, the shock of Rave's statement forcing her mind into 'reset' mode, "What've you & that pervert been doing while I've been away?"

"He is not a pervert," Rave advised, acting quickly to stop Aesir from jumping to conclusions & possibly starting more rumours, "And he has been my friend…"

"F-friend?" Aesir gasped, all her recent assumptions about Shakey draining away, "Y-you mean… H-he's your… b-boyfriend…?"

"No," the Clone corrected, "He is my best friend. And he is your friend as well…"

Aesir stood in the elevator, stunned beyond speech, her mind whirling as she tried to sort everything out. '…her… 'best friend'? …he's… my friend?'

"What makes you think he's any friend of mine?" Aesir retorted automatically, as some part of her mind kept running on her usual personality.

"He cares more for another, than he does for himself," Rave replied, thinking of how Shakey had shown he cared for the Clones, "He shows how he cares for others, by what he does for them… The little things…"

Rave's words were like physical blows to Aesir, as the redhead remembered all the 'little things' Shakey had done for her since she'd first met him.

Shakey politely asking after Aesir's family. 'He took an interest in my life…'

Shakey trying to say 'Guten Morgen', even though he stumbled with it. 'He tried to appreciate my native culture…'

Shakey teaching her Japanese characters. 'He tried to teach me his culture…'

Shakey giving her a blanket & pillow when she had sleep walked into the Living Room. 'He looked after me…'

Shakey's AVE rescuing hers, despite the pain it caused him. 'He saved my life…'

Shakey trying to act in synch with her, even though he couldn't keep up with her. 'He put up with me…'

'…oh god…' Aesir concluded, thinking of all Shakey had done, '…sh-she's right… he really does care for me… he has all along… I-I didn't even notice… I only…'

Aesir shut her eyes as all the hard times she'd given Shakey floated in her mind's eye. All the put downs, all the times she'd blamed him, all the slaps…

'…he never stopped liking me…' Aesir realised, '…I treated him poorly, but he was always nice back to me… He was always there for me…'

'But…' Aesir wondered, 'IF he feels that way about me, why hasn't he said or done anything about it before? Was he afraid to tell me? Was he too shy? No… He couldn't be… He kissed me that one time when I…'

'…one…' Aesir suddenly paled as realisation struck her, '…he's the only AVE pilot we've got… If he doesn't win the next battle…'

'That… IDIOT!' Aesir thought savagely, 'He's done the maths! He KNOWS he might not be coming back from the next battle… That's why he gave me red roses! He didn't want to leave his feelings unsaid… In case he… he…'

Aesir swallowed hard, as tears formed in her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" asked a perplexed Rave Clone.

"…got something in my eye…" mumbled Aesir, brushing her tears away.

"Do you require medical attention?" the Clone persisted.

"I'm fine," Aesir said loudly, trying to be her usual brash self.

At the mention of the infamous understatement, the Clone tensed slightly, preparing to catch Aesir should she suddenly fall over…

"Why you looking at me like that?" Aesir asked irritably, "Never seen someone get dust in their eye before?"

The elevator doors opened before the Clone could answer, & Aesir roughly pushed past into the test facility's Control Room.

"Welcome back Aesir," Mayi called out, "You're in your usual unit."

"Thanks," Aesir said with as much cheer as she felt she could muster, "It's good to be back… Hurry up, Rave! I want to get his over & done with…"

Aesir went straight to her Test Unit, clambering in & closing the hatch.

"I can DO this!" Aesir breathed, taking a few moments to psych herself up in the closed twilight of the unpowered Test Unit, "I **WILL** DO THIS!"

'Rave' walked up to the Test Crew, & asked in perfect sync with the 'Rave' on their monitors, "Has Aesir has been told about us?"

"…uh…" Mayi responded, unsure of what to say.

"That's Mazurka's job," Moccona quickly declared, "She's your Guardian, so it's HER job! Right guys?"

"Yeah!" confirmed Uhoh, not wanting to be the one to tell Aesir about 'Rave', however much he wanted to see the expression on Aesir's face when she found out…

'Rave' nodded, then went to the empty Test Unit.

As the recently occupied Test Units started to power up, Mayi suddenly blinked, & frantically flipped some switches.

"Hey?" the protest came from Aesir as her Test Unit powered up, "I don't have any external visual feeds! I don't even have the other Test Unit! What's up?"

"It's… all right Aesir," Mayi ad-libbed, breathing a sigh of relief, "Today, we just want you to focus on synchronising… without any… external distractions…"

"Yeah!" Uhoh enthused, "Give it your best shot, we'll help you all we can…"

"…thanks…" Aesir was truly touched that the Test Crew would do what they could, just to help her pass her test.

"Get ready Rave!" Aesir challenged, "I'll beat your score yet! You hear me?"

"Yes," both Clones answered simultaneously.

"Hey?" Aesir whined, "There's something wrong with the Audio… It's echoing…"

"Cutting non-essential audio links now," Moccona covered smoothly, "Problem is noted, & will be taken into account…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Scoring Points.

Aesir sat in the metal womb of the Test Unit, straining with the effort of trying to force herself to synchronise with the neural interface.

Outside in the Control Room, Moccona Hoover analysed the data received from Aesir's Test Unit.

"Doesn't look too bad…" Moccona said hopefully, before taking a slurp of his coffee, "She's got a higher rate than her last battle at any rate…"

"Still pretty low though," Uhoh muttered.

"Give her time," Mayi insisted, "She'd only just gotten out of a Hospital bed…"

Inside the Test Unit, Aesir was trying to synchronise, although to be honest, her mind wasn't totally on the job at hand. Her thoughts kept wandering back to recent events involving Shakey.

"…hah…" Aesir frowned, as her latest attempt to clear her mind of all thoughts & synchronise with the neural interface failed.

"Take it easy, Aesir," Moccona advised, "You're trying too hard…"

"Yeah," agreed Uhoh, "Just relax & let it happen… Go with the flow…"

In her Test Unit, Aesir hung her head, scowled her eyes shut, & tried again.

All to no avail…

Instead of slipping into a 'trance state', the swirling mists in Aesir's mind that usually heralded the start of synchronisation, kept turning into vague images of a boy with flowers.

"Aesir?" Mayi chimed, "Stop trying for a few minutes… Calm down & clear your mind… Take as long as you need… We'll leave the connection active, to monitor you… Try again when you feel like it"

"…yeah…" Aesir reluctantly agreed, "…okay…"

Aesir stopped trying to interface with the Test Unit, & just sat in her seat.

"…gotta relax…" Aesir mumbled to herself, "…piece of cake…"

To the observers in the Control Room, it appeared that Aesir was indeed calming down. Her heart rate lowered, & her laboured breathing started to calm.

Her mind however…

'Shakey… cares… for me…' Aesir mulled the disturbing truth over in her mind.

'…idiot…' Aesir thought fondly as she curled up & hugged her knees, '…using flowers to say what he couldn't with words alone…

'but… it's nice to know… that someone cares for me…' Aesir thought gratefully.

'…someone cares for me…' Aesir reiterated the phrase humbly, tears starting to seep from her eyes, '…Shakey cares about me…'

'…so does Mazurka…' Aesir whimpered slightly as she remembered how Mazurka had comforted her in Hospital.

'…so does the Bridge Crew…' Aesir began crying openly as she remembered their promise to help her all they could in the current test.

Out in the Control Room, the self-same Bridge Crew noticed the way Aesir's curled-up body shook, & how her face contorted.

"She's pushing herself…" Uhoh commented, watching Aesir, "Too much, too soon…"

An uneasy silence fell as the Bridge Crew watched the suffering girl.

"Sh-should we abort the test?" Mayi asked, feeling concerned for Aesir.

Despite the question already being in their minds, Moccona & Uhoh didn't reply.

Back in her Test Unit, Aesir was still coming to grips with things…

'…people… care for me…' Aesir realised, her wasted body straightening its posture slightly as her emotional burden began to lift.

'…is it because they think… I'm… worth caring for…?' Aesir asked herself, '…is that why Shakey cares for me? Not because I'm pretty, or have a nice body… But because he thinks **I'M** worth caring about?'

Memories of what Shakey had been in her life, ran through Aesir's mind. All the times he'd been helpful, caring, polite or friendly to her…

'Yes…' Aesir decided, 'He does care for Me! Not my face… Not my body… Not my job… He Cares… For ME! FOR… **ME**!'

Meanwhile, outside in the Control Room…

Moccona choked on his coffee as Aesir's readings suddenly jumped ten points.

"What the…?" exclaimed Uhoh in disbelief, his eyes never leaving the unsteady display as he called out to the others, "What are you reading on Aesir?"

"Her ratio's gone up fifteen… no… seventeen points!" Mayi squeaked in surprise.

"Gahk!" Moccona finally cleared his windpipe, "Suh-same here…"

Back in her Test Unit, Aesir's morale was definitely higher than it had been.

'I… I haven't treated Shakey… as I should have…' Aesir thought ruefully, '…but he hasn't abandoned me… Even now, he's shown he's still there for me…'

'Well…' Aesir thought grimly, 'I can't change the past, but I CAN change the future! From now on, I'll treat Shakey better!'

'To start with…' Aesir mused as she started planning how her 'new' self would act towards the shy young man who had shown her he loved her, 'I'll HAVE to teach him how to act properly around girls! How to treat us like Ladies! Heh… With me taking care of his education, he'll soon grow up into a Real Man…'

'…If… he lives long enough… to grow up…' Aesir's mood deflated instantly, as she remembered that Shakey might not survive the next battle.

"…no…" Aesir whined, the possibility of losing the shy young man hitting her mind & emotions like a blow to the gut, "…it's not fair…"

Outside in the Control Room, Aesir's emotional roller coaster was making itself known in another fashion.

"Now she's dropped back to zero?" exclaimed Moccona, "Is this a systems glitch?"

"No way," Uhoh declared, "All systems checked out perfect this morning…"

"Pilot vital signs are within acceptable limits, but fluctuating…" Mayi rolled off automatically, "Probably due to emotional stress caused by…"

Mayi fell silent as she heard Aesir's whine of "…no… …it's not fair…"

'Poor girl…' Mayi thought, 'She's trying her best, but she just can't keep up the effort… She SHOULD have recuperated more before trying…'

In her Test Unit, Aesir was breathing hard, feeling a rising anger at the situation she found herself in.

'It's not FAIR!' Aesir fumed, 'I've only just found a boy who likes me, FOR ME, & NOW… some ALIEN B-----D will probably take him away from me in the next battle?'

"Like H--L!" Aesir growled through gritted teeth, "What's mine is MINE… The only way I'm losing anything is over my dead body!"

Out in the Control Room…

"Twenty Points!" Moccona crowed, grinning as Aesir's synchronisation ratio soared, "Do I hear any further bids, Ladies & Gentlemen?"

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Unexpected Assistance.

In a secret NERVIS Test Facility, the hatches on three AVE Test Units opened to the whir of servomotors.

The Rave Clone that had arrived with Aesir exited her Test Unit, & made her way to the nearby TLC retrieval facility.

The other Rave Clone, Rave#3, stopped just outside the entrance to the TLC retrieval facility. She turned to look thoughtfully at Aesir's Test Unit.

Long moments later, Aesir Skrewyou slowly crawled out of her Test Unit.

Aesir's face had an expression of weary suffering, & her trembling arms reached out to steady herself against whatever support she could find. The fact that Aesir was wet & slippery from the TLC fluid that had filled her Test Unit, combined with her physical & mental fatigue, led to the inevitable…

Aesir's hand slipped just when she needed support the most, sending her flailing off-balance towards the floor.

The sudden action of strong arms folding protectively around Aesir, was the only thing that prevented the young redhead from landing face first on the floor.

"Are you all right, Pilot Skrewyou?" a kneeling Rave#3 asked the red-haired girl in her arms.

Aesir blinked as she realised that Rave had just saved her.

"…Yeah…" Aesir admitted in embarrassment, "I'm… fine… Just tired is all…"

I thought so… sent the Clone in the TLC retrieval unit, as Rave#3 helped an unsteady Aesir back to her feet She needs assistance…

Then why does she not ask for it? sent a Clone in the Secure Hospital ward, while a Nurse gave her a 'bed-bath'.

Does she wish to test the limits of her current abilities? sent a Clone from a 'painfully healthy' physiotherapy session.

The better to highlight any weaknesses added another Clone, reviewing her latest activities involving an E.T. Field, Napalm, & a pipe bomb…

"…thanks…" Aesir mumbled, starting to squirm uncomfortably in Rave's embrace.

Rave#3 released Aesir, but remained close in case Aesir required saving again.

"Pilot Skrewyou," Rave#3 commented, "You are fatigued. You should rest."

"I said I'm fine," Aesir snapped back, as she tried to regain her composure.

Perhaps she does not know how to ask? sent the Clone who was impersonating 'Rave' in the real world Or perhaps she is… inexperienced… in asking?

Rave#3 watched Aesir intently, alert for any further need of intervention.

Aesir slowly hobbled over to the TLC retrieval unit, carefully picking her way so as not to embarrass herself with any more falls. She was so focussed into her own world, that she barely noticed that one of the TLC Retrieval cubicles was already in use. Instead, she slumped into the nearest empty cubicle, groaning as the auto-rinse came on.

Sprays of warm water rained down on Aesir, washing away the last of the TLC in her hair, & on her Snug Suit. The combined liquids drained away through the metal floor-grill, safely bound for the reprocessing plant.

After several minutes, the water jets water stopped, replaced by gusts of warm dry air from an overhead blower that buffeted Aesir, gently drying her off.

Several minutes later still, & Aesir was clean, & relatively dry.

…And still feeling like she'd run a marathon…

Aesir leaned against the wall of her cubicle, breathing heavily. "Why can't they have a shower seat in here?" she muttered under her breath.

"It would interfere with the rinse & dry cycle," said an unexpected voice.

Aesir jumped in alarm. Her eyes snapped open, only to see a clean & dry Rave was watching her.

"I SAID, DON'T *DO* THAT!" Aesir snapped.

"What?" Rave asked calmly.

"Sneak up on people!" Aesir stormed, "You should have said something to let me know you were there!"

Rave blinked, then walked off in the direction of the Control Room.

Aesir walked slowly out of the cubicle, leaning against the wall for support. She was surprised when an arm wrapped around & beneath her armpit, & gave her some unexpected support.

"I didn't ask for your help…" Aesir growled at Rave.

"I did not ask if you needed any," Rave replied.

Aesir blinked at the unexpected double meaning in Rave's words.

Rave continued, cutting off any comment Aesir could make "If a person wishes to be a friend with another, then they should look after the other person, as well as they look after themselves…"

"…but…" said a slightly bewildered Aesir.

"When… we first met," Rave continued, "You said, 'Let's be good friends'. If your offer of friendship is still open, I would like to accept…"

"…I…" Aesir's voice caught in her throat. She shut her mouth & turned her face away from Rave, the situation playing too much on her current emotional needs.

Rave waited patiently for any comment Aesir might make.

"…thank you…" Aesir eventually mumbled.

"Mondai Arimasen (No Problem)" Rave said with a small smile, "I will walk with you to the Control Room."

"Rave?" Aesir asked as she shuffled along with the help of her new friend.

"Yes?"

"You've… changed…"

Rave paused, then replied, "I am not the girl you thought you knew…"

Aesir hesitated, then continued in a low voice, ""Your last battle… When you blew up your AVE… It changed you somehow… didn't it?"

"Yes," Rave replied with a straight face, "More than I can say…"

"Is that why…" Aesir paused, "…you've been asking Mazurka about… boys…?"

"Among other things," Rave admitted.

"Oh?" Aesir asked her interest piqued, "Such as?"

Rave began to talk…

The two walked off towards the Control Room, the red-haired girl accepting the unrequested help of the other, & the blue-haired girl assisting her new friend.

- - - - - - - - - -

Elsewhere… Glando Atari & his advisor Fu2ok were watching the scene between Aesir & Rave unfold on a small monitor.

"See, Professor?" Glando smugly requested the other's opinion, "Just as I predicted…"

"I see," Fu2ok reluctantly agreed, "I just hope STEELY doesn't…'

"That won't be a problem," Glando said dismissively, "IF they should somehow learn of this… situation, they can be told that it's just another part of what they wanted the Clones to learn…"

"Espionage & Infiltration?" Fu2ok asked sourly.

"Correct," Glando smirked knowingly, "Everyone knows that the most successful spies, always 'make friends' with those they spy on…"

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Post-Test Analysis.

The NERVIS Base was a place where surprises were common, & often fatal. Today, a few of the minor surprises had made life more 'interesting' for the staff operating the Test Centre Command Room.

…Unknown to them, they had more to come…

"I'm all right, I tell you!" Aesir not-so-quietly insisted, "I feel fine!"

Rave turned her head to look at the girl she was helping to walk.

Aesir squirmed, her face turning red as she tried to wriggle out of the support the blue-haired girl had thoughtfully provided.

"Are you sure?" Rave quietly asked.

"Yes!" Aesir insisted, "Now Let Me GO!"

Rave nodded, & released her hold, allowing Aesir to stand on her own.

The reason for Aesir's embarrassment, was not just that a girl she had thought poorly of had helped her. Nor was it just the fact that Aesir had needed the help of another. No, it was the fact that Rave had continued to help Aesir, AFTER the pair had come into view of the crew in the Test Centre Command Room…

Aesir straightened herself, & tried to recover her dignity.

Moccona & Uhoh both suddenly seemed to find something of Great Interest on their computer monitors, leaving Mayi to act a buffer for the situation.

"Hmmm," Mayi coughed discretely, as she searched for the right thing to say.

"So," Aesir sighed in tones devoid of hope, "How'd I go?"

"Not bad!" Mayi replied with a genuine smile, "You fluctuated a bit, but you achieved a synch ratio of twenty-three points!"

Aesir's face lit up, "Tw-twenty three?"

"Ah-huh," Mayi nodded, "But… You WERE fluctuating a good deal. Too much for combat piloting…"

"Oh…" Aesir's shoulders slumped as her mood instantly deflated.

Rave tilted her head, her eyes flicking over the people present. "You have proven that you are still a viable pilot," Rave said, her soft voice startling the others in the room, "With practice, you will regain all that you have lost."

At Rave's unexpected comment of support, some of Aesir's old fire came back to her, her head lifted & a small smirk appeared on her face, "You got THAT right, Wonder Chi-… Err… Rave… Like General MacArthur, I WILL return…"

"Aesir?" Mayi said with a stern look on her face, "I really think you should recuperate more before taking any more synch tests. The reason for your fluctuations was no doubt due to your body being unable to handle the stress!"

Aesir's face fell, & her lips pursed as she heard what Mayi was saying.

"Now," Mayi continued as she turned to look at her computer monitor, "Your Physiotherapist, Doctor Whym-birr-Spoo-Neh?"

"Wimblespoone," Aesir muttered the correction automatically.

"Doctor Wimblespoone," Mayi repeated, "Has a multi-tiered program set up for you. Currently you're on tier one… I think we should leave any further testing until you've completed the third tier…"

"But," Aesir whined disconsolately, "…that'll be weeks…"

"Barely two," Mayi corrected, "If you keep to schedule…"

"…guess I'll have to…"

"Then we'll see you back here in about two weeks," Mayi said with a smile.

"You will," Aesir asserted, "Count on it."

Aesir left the room without a backward glance…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Palliative Care.

Shakey Atari squirmed in his bed, the numerous bruises on his battered body marking too many places that felt uncomfortable if he rested on them. With a sigh, he stopped trying to get comfortable & struggled to sit up.

'If I can't lie here,' Shakey decided as he reached for the pair of crutches leaning against the wall near his bed, 'I may as well get up & do something…"

Shakey's hand brushed clumsily against the crutches, & knocked them off balance. With a clatter, the aluminium walking aids fell to the floor. He was bending over, reaching out to pick up the crutches when a lightly tanned hand suddenly appeared in his field of view & beat him to them.

Shakey blinked as a dark-haired girl in a Maid's outfit handed him the crutches.

"Here," said Rave Clone#6, sometimes known as Kuroko.

"Thanks," mumbled Shakey, accepting the small gift of another's help.

Kuroko watched as Shakey struggled to his feet & hobbled out of the room. She followed, keeping near enough to intervene should Shakey need help.

Shakey made slow progress through Mazurka's apartment, noting with some surprise how clean & tidy everything was.

'They must be taking this 'Maid' thing to heart…' Shakey thought.

A rhythmic scrunching sound from the kitchen drew Shakey's attention, & he wandered over in that direction.

In the kitchen, another girl in a Maid's outfit, but with brown hair to Kuroko's black locks, was crushing Mazurka's empty beer cans for the recycling bin.

With her bare hands…

Chairoko picked up a beer can, her palms laying flat against opposite ends of the can, the fingers on either hand remaining parallel to the other hand, but rotated slightly out of alignment. With a single motion, Chairoko twisted her palms, bringing her hands together to assume a palm-to-palm 'prayer' posture around the suddenly crushed beer can between them.

"Wow," Shakey exclaimed in admiration, smiling as Chairoko 'scrunched' can after can without any apparent effort on her part, "Even Mazurka can't do that…"

"Do what?" Chairoko asked.

"That," said Shakey, gesturing towards the recycling bag that held the crushed lumps of metal that used to be beer cans, "She usually just leaves them lie around until I take them away…"

Chairoko said nothing, but a faint expression of puzzlement was on her face as she crushed the rest of the cans into a neat, manageable pile.

Shakey hobbled over to the fridge, & opened the door, taking his time to look over the food within. Truth be told, he wasn't exactly hungry, but his condition had made him restless & he was trying to escape the boredom.

"Are you hungry?"

Shakey jumped slightly at the voice that interrupted his thoughts. He turned his head & noticed Chairoko standing nearby, with Kuroko a short distance away. Both were watching Shakey intently.

"ah," Shakey mumbled, "Not really… Just looking to see what I can cook for supper tonight…"

"We…" Chairoko started, only to look at the floor & continue in a subdued voice, "…had planned to make omelettes & stir-fried vegetables for you, but if you…"

"No, no," Shakey suddenly interrupted in embarrassment, "If you've already got something planned, then that's fine…"

Shakey shut the fridge door, & stumbled into the Living Room, & flopped down onto the sofa. For several minutes, he idly switched through the various shows on TV. Not finding anything to interest a teenage boy amongst the TV Soaps intended for middle-aged housewives, Shakey picked up the game console…

A few seconds later, & Shakey was taking on the bad guys in the game, using the game to relieve his boredom, & vicariously beat the LIVING C--P out of the thugs who had beaten him up.

The video game was a 'renovated' version of a game released around the turn of the Millennium. In the years since the game first appeared, computer game technology had progressed significantly, & the game's original designers had decided to follow the lead of the Legendary 'Myst' series & release a fully 'updated' version that took advantage of all the technological advances.

The game Shakey was playing was more than capable of immersing the boy in its fully visualised 3D-world. The original low-polygon count characters had been replaced by fluidly moving Hi-resolution ones. Characters whose appearance was a match for any in the Classic 3D Movie 'Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within'.

However, even though game technology had advanced, it didn't mean that teenage boys like Shakey were able to use it any better…

"…aaaaggghhh…" Shakey's game character groaned as they were 'killed' yet again by a group of heavy-duty thugs.

"S--T!" Shakey swore viciously before slumping back in his seat & shutting his eyes with a grimace. The adrenalin surge within the teenage boy complicated the emotions he felt at his vicarious loss.

"Are you all right?" Kuroko asked, alerted by Shakey's comments & the fierce expression the boy wore as he forcefully punched in a request for another game.

"I'M FINE!" Shakey snapped, a wildish look in his eyes as he turned to face Kuroko. Realising how he'd just spoken to the girl, Shakey suddenly froze, the game console falling from his hands to the floor.

"I'm sorry," Shakey sighed, slumping forward to put his hands on his head.

Kuroko came over & picked up the game console, then sat down beside Shakey.

"Why are you so upset?" A concerned Kuroko asked as she noted the way a vein in Shakey's forehead pulsed at a rapid rate.

"It's…" Shakey whined, dragging his fingers through his hair in frustration, "I…" He fell silent, strong emotions making him unable to speak what he felt.

The computer game blinked a message on the screen, advising that the mere push of a button would restart the game segment Shakey had just failed on.

'I do not understand?' Kuroko thought, 'It is only a Tactical Simulation… It has not harmed him physically?'

Perhaps that is the reason sent Chairoko, who was sorting out the laundry His results with the Combat Simulator have reminded him of recent events?

Or of earlier injuries he received due to lack of proper training? observed a Clone from a hidden firing range.

The memory of a scared boy agreeing to pilot without having had any training flickered through the Group Mind of the Clones. As did the memories of the injuries the boy had continued to receive in battle, even after training.

Mazurka said… sent a Clone from an advanced E.T. Field practice session He is afraid of hurting others by actual word or deed… Or by LACK of same…

He was troubled by the harm done accidentally to Toe-Jam's sister sent #12 from the Hospital He was upset by what happened in the Doppelganger Lab, & by what happened to me. Is he afraid his lack of skill will endanger others?

He seeks to improve his skills sent a Clone in a Meditation session To prevent such things happening… He is unhappy with his lack of progress…

We helped him learn to Pilot an AVE mused the Group Mind We could help him learn hand-to-hand combat tactics… We have no orders saying not to…

Kuroko looked at the message still blinking on the TV screen. She looked at the game consol in her hand. We do not know this system. If we are to help Shakey improve his skills, we must be familiar with the aids he uses in his training…

Kuroko put a hand on Shakey's shoulder. When the startled boy looked at her, Kuroko hefted the game console & asked, "Please, show me how to use this?"

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Reading Room.

A badly bruised Shakey Atari sat on the couch in Mazurka's Living Room, teaching a Clone in a Maid's uniform how to play a computer game. Elsewhere in the apartment, another Clone was about to receive her own unexpected lesson…

Chairoko was still puzzling over Shakey's reaction to seeing her crush empty beer cans with her bare hands.

'He was impressed by what I did… Why? It was only logical to compact the cans to make a smaller, more manageable bundle… He said that not even Mazurka did that… Does that mean that not even he does it? Did I exceed the performance expectations he had of me?'

Chairoko paused, as memories of other Rave Clones rose up. Memories in which the NERVIS Base Commander, Shakey's father Glando Atari had quietly congratulated Rave on her results in various tests.

'Perhaps it is…' Chairoko thought with a slight blush, 'The Commander was often pleased when we performed better than expected…'

Having done the usual 'Maid' work of tidying the apartment, cleaning the bathroom, washing the dishes, vacuuming the carpet, & getting a start on the laundry, Chairoko now faced the final task on the list of things to do…

Mazurka's bedroom…

The 'jobs board' Mazurka had in the kitchen, made no mention of who was expected to clean the rooms. At the time, the Clones had been puzzled about such an oversight, especially since the only room actually mentioned was the Bathroom. The Clones had decided that the 'type' of jobs mentioned on the jobs board must apply to the entire apartment… And that meant…

'Vacuuming, laundry & tidying things up are the jobs most relevant to the contents of a bedroom, unlike bathrooms…'

And because Shakey's name appeared so often on the jobs board, the Clones quite reasonably assumed that…

'Mazurka often works long hours. Shakey must have adequate cleaning skills since she has assigned nearly all of the cleaning duties to him… Since he is unable to continue with his allotted duties, we will do them for him…'

Which left the little matter of how to organise the workload…

'Shakey is currently resting in his bedroom. If we try to clean it, we will disturb his rest… Mazurka has said, that he needs his rest… We will attend to the other parts of the apartment that Shakey is not currently using, but is most likely to require the use of…'

So the Clones started with the Bathroom, Kitchen & Living Room… After taking care of them, they started on the bedrooms, & immediately ran into problems…

While Aesir's bedroom had the usual 'lived-in' look any normal girl's room has, Mazurka's bedroom was messier than the rest of the apartment combined…

'Aesir's room will not take long to clean. Mazurka's room will take significantly longer… We will leave it until last…'

However, the Clones did take all the 'used clothes' Mazurka had left strewn around her room & washed them. When Shakey had finally hobbled out of his bedroom, Kuroko had waited to see if he was going to return to it. When Shakey had started playing computer games in the Living Room, Kuroko had taken the opportunity to go in & clean the room up. A five minute job at most, including vacuuming, as Shakey was such a 'neat freak'.

With the rest of the apartment taken care of, it was time for the Clones to 'bite the bullet'…

'Bedding… Books… Cosmetics…' Chairoko surveyed the disorder in Mazurka's bedroom, cataloguing everything as she formulated an approach to doing things.

Then the hardy Clone got to work. As the clothes were still going through the washer, Chairoko collected the futon & other bedding Mazurka used & stored them.

Or at least, tried to… The storage closets in Mazurka's bedroom were another level of chaos, with items crammed atop each other in no discernable fashion.

Chairoko blinked, then rapidly revised her estimates of the task at hand.

First, she cleared the storage closet out, so that she had room to put the bedding away. Then she sorted out the wardrobes, neatly arranging clothes & refolding the underwear that Mazurka had just shoved in the drawers. Cosmetics, hairspray, underarm deodorant applicators all went into a large cardboard box, regardless of how 'used up' the item appeared to be.

'Mazurka must have had a reason for keeping them,' Chairoko reasoned, 'Since there are many different brands & colour variations, perhaps she was testing them? Or is it another example of how variety is the spice of life?'

Mazurka's magazines & books presented another problem… One which Chairoko chewed over as she took a break from cleaning Mazurka's room to put the laundry into the dryer.

'I will follow the way Newsagents arrange their stock,' Chairoko decided, 'I will arrange the magazines by title, then sub-arrange by issue date… The books will be arranged by author's name…'

A simple enough plan. Mazurka's magazines were soon arranged in neat order, 'Better Homes & Gardens' & vacation guides standing side by side with copies of 'American Survival Guide' & 'Guns & Ammo'. Mazurka's books however…

'Real Romance Library…?' Chairoko read the logo emblazoned across the top of one of the books she was sorting, 'Is this the reference material Mazurka said she was going to get for us on 'Romance'?'

Intrigued, Chairoko put the book to one side, & checked for similar articles in the rest of the heap she was sorting. She soon had two piles, one of various books sporting the terms 'Love' or 'Romance' on their covers, either as part of a series logo, or as part of the actual title of the book, & a much smaller pile of books covering other themes such as spy thrillers & detective stories.

'Mazurka has a lot of 'Romance' research material,' Chairoko observed, 'It will take her some time to summarise the information in it for us… And she is so busy at work… Should we help her by reading the books for ourselves? It could save her some time…'

Chairoko ran an appraising eye over the chaos she had partly organised 'I can start after I have finished tidying things up & put the laundry away…'

Chairoko applied herself to her task, only stopping to change laundry loads in the washer & dryer, & to fold & store the clean clothes. Even so, sooner rather than later, Mazurka's bedroom had been organised & properly cleaned.

Chairoko surveyed the 'neat & tidy' room she now stood in, then turned her attentions to the pile of 'Romance books'.

'Which should I start with?' she asked herself, 'Perhaps there is an indication on the covers as to what level of information is contained in them?'

Unfortunately for Chairoko, all of the covers of the Romance books were much the same. Tall, handsome males in fashionable suits or with semi-clothed well-toned bodies, towered protectively over appropriately attired, glamorous looking females. There was nothing to set one book apart from the other, except…

'Desert Island Duet?' Chairoko paused as the image on the cover sank in.

There was the usual picture of a male protectively holding a female on the cover, but both of them wore badly torn clothes. The female's ripped attire covered her well enough, but the tattered rags on the male put most of his well-muscled body on public view. Another difference was the deep tan of the male's sweat-slicked skin, & the way stubble darkened his rugged jaw line.

'Odd,' Chairoko thought as she put the book to one side, 'The man on the cover reminds me of Commander Atari, although he looks nothing like him…?'

Chairoko puzzled over the sense of similarity as she took another break from Mazurka's room to sort & fold the final load of laundry from the dryer.

'Perhaps it is because of his skin tone & facial hair?' Chairoko decided, as she put the clean laundry away.

Having finished her tasks, Chairoko sat down with 'Desert Island Duet' & began to read…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Making the Grade.

Shakey Atari sat on Mazurka's couch, his jaw hanging slackly open in astonishment. Beside him, the disguised Rave Clone sometimes known as Kuroko was providing the major source of that astonishment, as she applied her personal skills to a computerised combat game Shakey had been losing badly at…

"…aaaaggghhh!" the death rattle came from another of the many thugs Kuroko's game character was battling simultaneously.

Within seconds, the group of thug characters had all been dispatched by hand, leaving Kuroko's game character to pick & choose what 'loot' was available from the fallen.

"H-how did…?" Shakey gasped in disbelief at how effectively, how EASILY Kuroko had wielded her game character.

…In a game Kuroko said the Clones had never played before, on a console system Kuroko said the Clones had never even SEEN before…

"Tactics," Kuroko advised, "When confronting Multiple Attackers, it is best not to try & take them all on at once, but to arrange things so that you can take them on one at a time."

Shakey was puzzled, "But you didn't do that?"

"Even," Kuroko stressed, "If that means retreating & luring them into disorder, or using one-off strikes on various opponents, to keep them disorientated until the cumulative effects of such one-off strikes incapacitates them."

Shakey looked at Kuroko in awe, "Oh Man… When you asked me to show you how to play, I never thought you'd be this good…!"

Kuroko blushed, "I have had relevant training with other… simulation systems…"

"Oh? What's your favourite game?"

"I… do not have one," Kuroko answered in all honesty.

"Ah," Shakey smiled as knowingly as any other unsuspecting teenage boy in his situation would, "You don't restrict yourself to any one game, but hone your skills by playing a variety of games…"

Kuroko nodded, unsure if 'playing' was the correct term for the extensive 'Hands-On' Hand-To-Hand Combat training the Rave Clones had experienced.

"So how are you at 'Sword & Sorcery' type games?" Shakey asked.

Kuroko paused, then replied, "I will not know until I play the actual game…"

"NO problem," Shakey grinned as he rummaged through a stack of game disks, "Here's one of my favourites! It's an oldie but another goodie…"

Kuroko stared at the illustration on the game disk package.

The picture was of a group of characters dressed in the Medieval equivalent of SWAT Gear, including a dark-haired girl in white clothing & cape, a tall blonde swordsman, a happily smiling dark-haired 'priest/monk' looking individual & a character that…

'???' the Clone thought in surprise on seeing the game cover illustration, 'The short red-head looks like Aesir…'

Soon enough, Shaky was showing Kuroko how well he could wield a mystic sword, & use other characters to cast magic spells, their magic fireballs laying waste to everything in range.

'???' the Clone thought in surprise on seeing the mystic capabilities of the game characters, 'The energy balls they discharge have similar effects to how our E.T. Fields can affect things! Is this simulation based on the ancient stories of such abilities Commander Atari told us about?'

"Which one do you want to try playing first?" Shakey enthusiastically asked his new game partner.

"I…" Kuroko considered her choices, "…will play the red-headed sorceress…"

"You sure?" Shakey asked, "Throwing fireballs isn't as easy as it looks… Making them is easy enough, but controlling them is another thing altogether…"

"Yes," Kuroko quietly agreed, "It is…"

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Comparisons.

'It was too much for the overwrought girl. She suddenly swooned, her imminent fall onto the sharp rocks stopped by the sudden intervention of strong arms.'

"Oh Rod…" she turned her tear filled gaze upon him, before hiding her face against his muscled chest, "I'm so scared! Please Hold Me! Hold Me Tight!"

'Rod Walloper, handsome stud muffin Test pilot, cradled her Manfully in his arms, trying to comfort her with gentle words & his gruff, yet caring Macho attitude. His dimpled jaw clenched resolutely as he contemplated their possible fate, now that they were castaways, marooned together on a remote deserted island… As she was a pampered Billionaire's Heiress, & was so tender & delicate, she would need a Real Man to care for her in a place like this.'

'Good thing,' thought Rod, 'That I'm MORE than Man enough for BOTH of us…'

The disguised Rave Clone sometimes known as 'Chairoko' sat in Mazurka's bedroom, reading one of Mazurka's many 'Pulp Romance' books.

The book's full title was "Desert Island Duet - A searing novel of Passionate Romance in the Tropics!" Printed by 'Pot Boiler Publishing', it was the usual sort of escapist romantic literature that people with nothing better in their own love lives often read…

The plot was simple enough, two healthy twenty-something people are thrown together by chance. Through working together to overcome a mutual ordeal they come to know & respect each other as individuals. Romance blossoms as their dependence on each other makes them realise they can truly trust one another…

The terminology used in the story telling was the usual sort of politely 'suggestive' imagery the Censor allowed in such publicly available works, even if things did 'Hot-Up-Quite-A-Bit' in later parts of the book.

None of which Chairoko was aware of, as not only was it the first 'Romance Novel' the teenaged girl had ever read, it was also the first work of fiction any of the Rave Clones had ever had the chance to read.

Chairoko absorbed the examples of how Adults acted towards each other in the book, never questioning if the scenarios were truly representative of how people WOULD act in such settings, or even if the characters themselves were 'unrealistic stereotypes'…

And as for the 'Hot Spots' later on in the book…

"So…" a deeply blushing Chairoko observed, "…That's how Adults are SUPPOSED to 'Consummate A Physical Relationship' with each other…"

Having finished the first book, Chairoko picked up another & began to read…

Some time later, Chairoko sat with a puzzled expression on her face.

'This book is unlike the first… The people in the first book were strangers to each other, yet they strived to work together, to overcome their mutual challenges… The people in this second book know & initially dislike each other. Yet, even though their separate occupations are a source of antagonism between them, they eventually become attracted to each other…? I do not understand?'

Chairoko looked at the large pile of 'Romance Novels' on the floor beside her.

'Perhaps things will become clearer as I assimilate the data in more books? There may be several types of working models involved, or a model's operational parameters may be more varied & complex than any one book can detail?'

Chairoko reached for a third book & began to read, searching for a better understanding of the complexity of the emotional relationships the book purported to detail.

Later still, & Chairoko was thoroughly confused…

'This is indeed a complex issue…' Chairoko concluded, "We will need Mazurka's guidance to understand what we have learnt…'

Chairoko consulted the digital clock in Mazurka's room, 'She will not leave work for some time yet… And there is still work to be done by the time she arrives…'

With that, Chairoko finished tidying up the 'Romance Books', putting them in a group by themselves, rather than with the few other novels Mazurka had.

Outside in the Living Room, Kuroko was proving just how effectively she could wield the most powerful magic fireballs her game character could produce.

Abruptly, Kuroko hit the 'save' button for the game, freezing the game & saving the current level for future use. Shakey blinked in surprise at the action.

"It is time to prepare supper," Kuroko replied in response to Shakey's bewildered look, "Will you be taking a bath before Mazurka arrives?"

"Uh… yeah… I guess so…" Shakey agreed, knowing from personal experience that Mazurka tended to 'hog' the bathroom when she used it.

"We will prepare the bath for you then…" Kuroko murmured, before leaving Shakey for the kitchen.

In the Bathroom, Chairoko began filling the bathtub, acting in synch with the unspoken intentions of her sister Clone.

Out in the living room, Shakey sighed, then reached for his crutches. He rose from his seated position with more than few creaks & twinges from his injured body, muttering under his breath at the unpleasant sensations as he shuffled off to his room to get a change of clothes.

In the bathroom, Shakey propped his crutches against the wall, then set about the process of undressing. He took his time, as his bruised muscles strongly protested the stretching required by his actions. It was with a grateful groan that he finally sat down on the low stool the Japanese used in their ablutions.

"What a day…" Shakey sighed as he poured the first ladle of warm water over his head, prior to 'lathering up' his hair. 'I never figured Rave as the 'Game Girl' type… Hmmm… I don't remember seeing a TV in her apartment, let alone any sort of game console unit… Maybe she plays in the Arcades?'

An image of Rave, standing at an arcade game with a neutral expression on her face & humming 'I'm A Pinball Wizard" as she broke the 'High Score' sprang into Shakey's mind, making him laugh. Unfortunately, the action caused the sudsy bar of soap to slip from his grasp & slither somewhere across the floor.

"Oh Great!" Shakey moaned at his bad luck, the soapsuds on his face preventing him from opening his eyes & finding the lost soap. He groped blindly…

"Here…" the quietly spoken word was accompanied by the feeling of a soft hand taking his, while a familiar slippery oblong shape was pressed into it.

Shakey froze.

"I will do your back for you," the familiar voice advised, just before Shakey felt the sensation of the washcloth running over the skin of his back.

"R-RaVe??" Shakey squeaked, his blush escaping the confines of his face & spreading over his entire body, "Is that YOU?"

"Yes," confirmed the Rave Clone.

W-what are you DOING in here!?"

"Washing your back…"

"…B-but…?!"

"We have orders," the Clone stated, "…to keep you safe. The bathroom is often a site for accidents in the home, & you are still hampered by your injuries…"

Shakey barely heard the Clone. Like any teenage male, he was going through the time of life when young men have severe insecurities about their appearance, & relationships with other people. That the current situation did not cause 'Terminal Embarrassment', was because the 'Humiliatingly Intrusive' medical examinations he had endured since arriving in the City, had partly desensitised him to being naked in the presence of others. The skin-tight 'Snug-Suits' the pilots wore, & the training exercise where he'd had to pilot nude also helped…

"…Th-thanks…" Shakey croaked out, unsure of what else to say.

"It is our pleasure," replied the Clone…

As Shakey radiated embarrassment, the Rave Clone continued to perform her duty as 'carer' & help him with his ablutions. As she did so, she couldn't help but notice the various lumps, bruises, lacerations & scratches that were the result of the recent gang attack on Shakey.

Or for that matter, other things about the frail-hearted Teenage boy…

'He is not very muscular,' Chairoko observed.

Her thoughts drifted back to the books she had read, especially the various descriptions of the Male characters as being 'strong', 'hard-muscled', or any of the other phrases that described their Macho-Manly Physiques.

'But then,' Chairoko remembered how Shakey had comforted Rave#3 by holding her, 'He did not need physical strength… He has…'

Chairoko's evaluation trailed off as her mind searched for the particular word that would delineate the elusive quality in the memory concerned.

'…presence…' Chairoko decided, combining various meanings of the word in her mind, '…like his father the Commander… You know when he is there…'

With Shakey's back now squeaky clean, Chairoko asked, "Do you wish assistance with the rest of your personal hygiene needs?"

"NO!" Shakey immediately said from behind a deeper blush, "I'm Fine! REALLY!" The embarrassed boy then proceeded to prove it, rapidly running through the rest of his ablutions before the Clone could intervene, "I'm clean, see!?"

"In that case, I shall help you into the bath…" the Clone's response shattered any illusion Shakey had that he was in the clear…

Shakey was too embarrassed to protest, his mind going into 'sooner begun, sooner done' mode. The feeling of bare skin as arms wrapped around him did nothing to help his state of mind.

The process of getting Shakey into the tub was over very quickly, as Shakey decided to try & use the water level in the tub as something to hide behind. He huddled in the tub, making himself as small as possible, the water level coming up to just below his nose, his eyes focussed firmly on the tiles of the tub.

'What do I do now?' Shakey asked himself in a rising panic, 'Rave might not have problems with being naked around others… But… I'm a BOY, & she's a GIRL for crying out loud!'

Shakey's eyes flicked sideways, trying to determine if he was alone in the room while his flustered mind tried to figure out what to do next. Shakey swallowed hard as he realised Chairoko was still in the room with him.

Chairoko waited patiently nearby, in case Shakey needed help.

To Shakey's immense relief, the female Clone was dressed in a white one-piece swimsuit, & not naked as Shakey had feared she might be. Chairoko stood quietly, her expression neutral as she kept a watchful eye on Shakey, seemingly unfazed by the situation the two were in.

Shakey meanwhile…

'Please God!' Shakey pleaded from behind closed eyes, 'Don't let me undergo 'Thermal Expansion'… Please make Rave leave the bathroom before I have to get out & dry off! And above all else, DON'T let Mazurka find out about this!!'

Shakey's first request was easily granted, as the amount of blood used for his body-wide blush prevented any 'Thermal Expansion' from occurring. The second request was something God didn't grant, as the Rave Clone diligently waited to assist Shakey with 'Towel duties'… The third…

"Nice meal," Mazurka congratulated her unpaid Housekeepers as they ate. With a mischievous gleam in her eyes, Mazurka asked, "Who's first for the bathroom?"

"Shakey has already bathed," one of the Clones advised, much to Shakey's horror.

"Oh?" Mazurka asked slyly, "Did he ask for help with his 'personal' hygiene?"

Shakey immediately choked on his food.

"No," Kuroko truthfully replied as Chairoko applied the 'Heimlich Manoeuvre' on the choking Shakey, "He took care of things himself…"

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Spatial Perceptions.

Mazurka yawned as she entered her bedroom, a great jaw-cracking stretch as her body announced that the long day had her more than ready for a hot shower & bed.

Mazurka opened her eyes from her yawn & stopped dead in her tracks, blinking in surprise at the vista of neatness & order that existed in the room.

"What the…?" Mazurka wondered as she looked around her.

A few seconds later Mazurka was back in the Living Room, & tapping one of the 'Maid' Clones on the shoulder…

"Err… Rave?" Mazurka began, "My bedroom?"

"We cleaned the entire apartment," Kuroko replied, "As per the Jobs Board."

Mazurka blinked, "But… My bedroom's not ON the Jobs Board?"

"Neither is the Living Room, Kitchen, Entry Foyer, Hallway or Patio," Kuroko responded, "But the jobs of vacuuming, tidying up, garbage disposal, washing windows, wiping down walls, & laundry are applicable to many of them."

"Yes, but… MY bedroom has been changed around…" Mazurka protested, "I can't FIND anything! Nothing's where I left it!"

The Clone blinked, "Nothing was removed from your bedroom except for Laundry & garbage. The rest of your personal equipment did not appear to be in any sort of recognisable hierarchy or order, so we re-organised for maximum efficiency…"

"Ah well," Mazurka muttered, "It wasn't exactly IN order, but I KNEW where everything was, & now that it's all changed I can't lay my hands on things…"

What were you looking for?"

"EVERYTHING!"

"I will show you where everything is…" the Rave Clone said as she walked towards Mazurka's bedroom.

In Mazurka's bedroom, the Rave Clone went about showing Mazurka exactly where everything had been put…

"…underwear in the drawers," the Clone advised, opening the drawer in question, "All dresses are either hanging in the cupboard, or neatly folded up as there were not enough hangers for all of them…"

The Clone rambled on, detailing the storage system that had been imposed on Mazurka's carefree lifestyle…

"What about the clothes I had in the heap on the floor?" Mazurka asked.

"The Laundry has been washed & stored in with the other clean clothes…"

"Rave," Mazurka sighed, "Just because the clothes were ON the floor, doesn't mean they were dirty…"

The Clone blinked, "But you did not have a laundry basket?"

"I…" Mazurka paused, then gave a deeper sigh, "…had my OWN sorting system…"

"…I see…" the Clone murmured, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment as her gaze dropped to the floor, "And we have disrupted it…"

"It's okay Rave," Mazurka reached out & patted the Clone's shoulder for emphasis, "No harm done…"

The Clone continued to look at the floor, an unhappy expression on her face.

"Hey," Mazurka gently squeezed the Clone's shoulder affectionately, "It needed a makeover anyway… A change is good every now & then, otherwise things can get stale…"

The Clone straightened up somewhat.

"However," Mazurka said in stern tones, "In future you should ASK before changing things in a person's room!"

"What about Aesir's?"

"What do you mean, 'Aesir's'?" Mazurka asked with a sense of growing unease.

"We also tidied her room," the Clone admitted, an unhappy look on her face, "Were we wrong to do that as well?"

'Hoo Boy!' Mazurka's face twitched at the thought of how Aesir would react to finding her personal possessions were as thoroughly 'rearranged' as Mazurka's were, "Just what exactly did you DO in her room? No, don't tell me… SHOW me!"

Shortly thereafter, the pair were in Aesir's room, the Clone advising Mazurka of what EXACTLY the Clone had done when tidying up Aesir's bedroom.

'It's not so bad,' Mazurka thought with a great sense of relief, 'The room was more or less organised as it was… If Aesir notices anything is out of place when she gets back, I can just tell her it was because of normal housekeeping…'

Mazurka turned to the Clone beside her, "Rave, everything's okay, what you did in here is not a problem from my point of view. However, I think Aesir would be more than a little upset if she found out that another person had gone through her things. So it's probably best not to tell her you did so…"

"I understand," the Clone confirmed, "Our actions are on a need to know basis."

"Err… You could phrase it like that, yes," Mazurka conceded, "However, if Aesir asks about it, just say that I was in here…"

"But you did not clean the room?" the puzzled Clone observed.

"I never said you should say that I did," Mazurka smiled, "Just tell Aesir that **I** was in here if she wants to know who moved her things around…"

"I… see…"

"It's one of the many things you'll learn as you go through life," Mazurka confided, "People can't always handle the full truth of a situation. Even if they do know the 'big picture', things are often easier for them to handle if they don't know all the small details… It's the basis for the old saying 'What you don't know, can't hurt you…'…"

"But," the Clone protested, "That is incorrect, what you do not know CAN hurt you, or even prove fatal…"

Mazurka sighed, once again she had to match wits with the overly analytical abilities of an under-socialised mind…

"What it really means…" Mazurka sighed, "Is that there are some bits of information that can cause people problems, mainly because the people will concentrate disproportionately on the particular piece of information & how it MIGHT affect them… In other words, they will 'obsess' over it, often working themselves into a harmful emotional state."

"Why would they do that?"

"Because… the information may concern some important matter in their lives, or may appear to be a warning to them. For example, Aesir's room… Aesir looks after it herself, & she takes pride in the knowledge that she CAN take care of it herself. Having someone else clean it for her, signifies that she is somehow incapable of doing it for herself."

The Rave Clone nodded, "So the fact another person cleaned her room might signify that her capabilities were failing?"

Mazurka shrugged, "It could be seen that way, but there's also the more important matter of having someone intrude in her 'Personal Space'…"

"Personal Space? But she is not here?"

'I need another drink,' Mazurka decided, 'An impromptu 'Life Lesson' after the day I've just had is asking too much…'

"It doesn't matter where she is,' Mazurka stated wearily, "All People have different types of 'Personal Space' in their lives."

"To start with, everyone has the 'inner space' of their bodies as a starting point. This type of personal space is the basis from which we define our physical & mental selves, & the effect the world around us has on us. Our perceptions about this 'inner space' are often subconscious, unless we experience a strong enough stimulus, such as pain, hunger, hot, cold, etc."

"The second type of Personal Space, is space around a person, or 'near space'. Like the first type of personal space, it helps determine our perception of our selves, & things around us, but more importantly, it determines how we see ourselves in relation to other people."

"Most people will consider any place they spend a lot of time in, or frequently visit, to be a type of 'Personal Space'. Public or Private, Work or Home, makes no real difference, just the amount of 'familiarity' with the place in question, or whether the place is seen as a source of status or other symbol of their own abilities."

"Like Aesir's bedroom?"

"Yes, but there's more to it than that… Places that provide Privacy, where a person can be alone & unobserved, also create a sense of refuge & security. The belief that a person is secure is highly important, as it enables them to relax, & offload the stresses of society. A person's home is a place where people will spend most of their lives. Because of that, it's considered to be one of the most 'Private Spaces' in a person's life. And of the many rooms in a home, one of the most important 'Private Spaces' is the place where a person feels secure enough to sleep. That is, the bedroom."

The Clone nodded, understanding dawning within her.

"Of course," Mazurka added, "…it's arguable as to whether or not the bedroom equals or exceeds the other 'most private' rooms in a house. The ones where people take care of their bodily hygiene needs, such as the Toilet & Bathroom…"

The Clone blinked, a blush going over her face as she remembered, 'We assisted Shakey in the Bathroom! Did we intrude on his personal space?'

"Mazurka…" the pink-faced Clone began, "If we… were to assist someone… with their bodily hygiene… would that be seen as intruding on their privacy?"

"Why?" Mazurka smiled on noting the Clone's embarrassed state, "Thinking of asking Shakey if he needs a hand washing himself? Hmmm?"

The red-faced Clone paused, then remembering Mazurka's recent words about people 'not needing to know all the small details', whispered, "…something… like that…"

"Ha!" Mazurka grinned, "Shakey'd probably die of embarrassment if any girl offered to wash his back for him… Let alone saw him in the nude…"

"…he… would…?" a very subdued Clone muttered.

'Poor thing,' Mazurka's sympathetic nature kicked in as she saw Rave's subdued attitude, 'I probably should ease up on her a bit…'

"OH Yeah!" Mazurka chuckled, "You should have seen Shakey's face the first time Ritzy gave him a medical examination! He thought he was going to have a MALE doctor! I tell you, he went as red as a tomato!"

Mazurka couldn't help herself, she broke down laughing at the memory.

The Clones' thoughts were in turmoil, We have… intruded… on Shakey's private space… We meant to help, but we may have… harmed… him instead…

"…may I go now?" the Clone meekly asked.

"Sh-sure!" gasped Mazurka, as she wiped tears from her eyes, "No problems…"

The Rave Clone fled the room, seeking the company of the other Clone in the kitchen. Mazurka shook her head as she laughed her way to her room, & shortly afterwards, to the bathroom with some clean clothes.

Meanwhile, the Clones had been having their OWN emotional reaction…

What should we do? Our actions in the bathroom have upset Shakey! He went red! We cleaned his room too? Is he upset over that as well? He did not say anything about his room? Was he trying to protect our feelings? Is he upset with us? Does he think it is 'not a problem'? What if he does?

An unpleasant feeling began spreading through the Group Mind, it was one of wanting to do something, but not knowing how to start…

We do not like this feeling… the Group Mind decided This… uncertainty…

We do not know Shakey's thoughts on these matters…

We do not… know… how to deal with what we have done…

We could ask Mazurka for guidance?

But…

An unspoken feeling of trepidation passed over the Group Mind.

Mazurka helps us understand things…

She teaches us so that we do not make more mistakes…

We have failed her…

The Clones fell silent as they remembered the prices they had paid for earlier failures in training…

We… must find out Shakey's thoughts on these matters…

He promised he would talk with us about things concerning the two of us…

While Mazurka luxuriated under the warm needles of a hot shower, the two disguised Rave Clones in Mazurka's apartment made their way to Shakey's room. They paused outside the closed door of Shakey's room, then in perfect, albeit hesitant unison, they both reached out a hand & gently knocked on the door.

"Yeah?" came a non-committal sort of reply from within Shakey's room.

"Shakey?" the two Clones chorused, "May we come in?"

"Sure!" came the muffled response, "It's not locked…"

The Clones opened the door, revealing Shakey sitting at his desk, a battery tester in one hand, & several batteries scattered over his desktop. His Walkman lay nearby, the battery hatch open & the battery compartment empty.

"What's up?" Shakey asked casually.

"…shakey… we…" both Clones began, before stopping.

Shakey looked at the two Clones, a perplexed look on his face.

"…are you…" both Clones breathed, "…upset… with us?"

"Upset?" Shakey repeated in surprise, "Over what?"

"…cleaning your room…"

Shakey blinked, "Why would I be upset that you cleaned my room? I certainly wasn't able to do it myself?"

The hearts of the Clones skipped a beat, He does not hold that against us! Then perhaps he…

"…the bathroom," both Clones murmured, their eyes peering timidly out from beneath their lowered fringes.

Shakey blushed, then reacted as many other teenage boys would when confronted by such an embarrassing situation…

"Oh that's… that's all right!" Shakey blushed, one hand fluttered randomly for emphasis while the other assumed a self conscious pose at the back of his head.

The Clones breathed a sigh of relief.

He does not seem to be as badly upset as we feared he might be…

Is that because he does not see us as an intrusion in his Private Space?

The Group Mind paused to consider this.

The Commander… trusts us enough to let us near him…

Even when we were being held after neutralising Shakey's assailants, the Commander still interviewed us, face to face…

Well within attack distance…

He knew our abilities, but did not treat us as if we were a… threat… to him…

In Shakey's room, the two Clones relaxed, their faces smiling serenely at a person whose acceptance of them, was as much a part of the Clones own 'Private Space' as any building ever had been…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Lending Library.

Mazurka sauntered out of the Bathroom, feeling refreshed in mind & body. The good meal she'd eaten was helping her sense of well-being, as her digestive system started assimilating the healthy fare.

A satisfied burp escaped her as she entered her room, & shut the door.

Mazurka's face fell slightly as she considered her too-neat room, 'Now then, futon & bedding should be in the airing closet…'

The items were still where the Rave Clone had said they would be, & Mazurka lugged them out & set them up on the floor of the room.

Mazurka yawned, then turned off the light, & climbed into bed.

Five minutes later…

"Mazurka?" the soft feminine voice echoed slightly through the darkness.

"Mmmmph? Whazzit?" Mazurka mumbled as she struggled back from the brink of peaceful oblivion.

"…we need to ask you something…"

Mazurka rubbed her bleary eyes & peered through the gloom, trying to see who was talking to her in the dark…

…And nearly had a heart attack as she saw four glowing ovals in the dark.

The two Rave Clones knelt near Mazurka, their pupils dilated to reveal the cat-like glow of their retinas.

"Puh-put the light on…" Mazurka stammered out.

One set of ovals disappeared as the Rave Clone owning them went & switched the light in Mazurka's room on. The sudden appearance of two rather ordinary looking girls in Maid outfits helped Mazurka's heart resume a more normal beat.

"What about?" Mazurka asked tersely, returning to the Clones request.

"We know that you work long hours," the Clones began, "And we noticed that you have assembled many reference books on Social matters. We were wondering if you would prefer us to read the books, then ask you any question we have?"

Mazurka's mind was still half asleep, & so she didn't really register what the Clones were saying.

"…yeah… …sure…" Mazurka mumbled, "…whatever… Just lemme get some sleep before asking any questions…"

"Thank You," the Clones chorused.

The Clone near the door of Mazurka's room turned off the light, leaving only a few soft rustling noises as the only indication of the Clones presence.

"…nodda bad idea," Mazurka slurred in her sleep, "…homework with a test… ZZZZ"

As Mazurka dropped off to sleep, the Clones quietly extracted the many copies of 'Romance Novels' that Mazurka had in her room.

Outside in the kitchen, the two Clones set up their 'Homework' in the kitchen.

There is a lot to get through Kuroko observed.

The two of us will manage by morning Chairoko estimated If we merely scan the words, the Others can take the time to evaluate the data while we sleep

Mondai Arimasen (No Problem) the Group Mind confirmed Standing By for Data Download… Proceed when ready…

You cannot spend all night reading Clone#77 countered You will have to sleep or your ability to protect Shakey may suffer

True Chairoko agreed Standard combat sleep shifts will enable one of us to always be awake & alert in case of danger… As I have already read three of the books, I will sleep while Kuroko scans

Agreed Kuroko confirmed I will wake you in three hours

Things sorted out, the Clones got down to business…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Morning Glory.

The day dawned bright & clear with the promise of another beautiful day…

In Mazurka's bedroom, a radio alarm clock switched on, a trendy pop tune wafting from its speakers. Mazurka stirred beneath her covers, drowsily waking up to the light & noise that seeped through her curtains from the world outside.

"…aagghh… whodtymeizzit" Mazurka yawned incoherently, "…uuhhhhh… why's it so early? Oh, thass right… godda 'nuther BIG Day…"

Mazurka stretched under the covers, then kicked them off & stumbled groggily to her feet. Once up, she turned automatically to the pile of clean clothes that lived on the floor, with intentions of getting something to wear…

"What?" Mazurka blinked as she noticed her 'ground-level wardrobe' wasn't where it should be. Nor for that matter, was any of Mazurka's OTHER gear. She turned her head about in bewilderment, wondering…

"Hey? Where am I? Did I get 'Lucky' last night or…?"

Mazurka's memory suddenly brought her up to speed…

"Oh yeah! The Girls cleaned things up! Huh, never would of guessed how much the place could change 'till it did…"

A short time later & Mazurka was sauntering out to the bathroom. On her way, Mazurka passed by the Kitchen & noticed that the brown-haired Clone called Chairoko was sitting at the breakfast table reading a book…

…And surrounded by a large pile of Mazurka's 'Romance Novels'…

"ACK!!" Mazurka exclaimed as he realised what 'type' of book the Clone was reading, let alone the title of the book in question…

"What are you doing with THOSE?!" Mazurka demanded, her shower forgotten.

"Reading them," Chairoko replied, "As per your permission…"

Mazurka stopped as part of her mind replayed a memory of the Clones asking if they could read 'reference books'…

"…oh… GOD…!" Mazurka groaned as she slumped onto one of the chairs at the table.

"Mazurka?" queried the alarmed Clone, "Are you all right?"

"Is that," Mazurka ignored the Clone's question & gesticulated at the pile of 'Romance Novels', "…the reference material you said you wanted to read?"

"Yes," the Clone confirmed, her worried gaze never leaving Mazurka…

Mazurka's head slowly dropped forward to rest on the table. She took a deep, DEEP, cleansing breath, held it, then slowly let it out…

"…I didn't think you meant THOSE books…" Mazurka said in a small voice.

"Oh?" the Clone asked, a note of interest in her voice, "You have others then?"

Mazurka opened her mouth to speak, then thought better of it as she reviewed the actual material she had been evaluating for the Clones' educational needs…

'Great!' Mazurka began stressing out as the reality hit her, 'I get the usual 'Everything A Teenage Girl Should Know' books, INCLUDING up-to-date ones dealing with AIDS, VD, contraceptives, Underage Pregnancies & **ALL** the rest of it… And they read my 'Adults Only' romance novels before seeing ANY of it!!'

Mazurka lifted her head & looked at the pile of books on the table.

'At least,' Mazurka started grabbing at straws in an attempt to see a bright side, 'They've only had them since last night…'

"We will start immediately on the others, if that is all right with you…" said Chairoko, as she started bundling the books in her arms.

"YES!" exclaimed Mazurka, relieved that the girls would be getting 'real' information about such matters, instead of unrealistic fantasies.

"As we have finished these," the Clone added, "I will put them in your room…"

Mazurka's head fell back on the table, 'I forgot they were 'Speed Readers'…!"

As Chairoko started off with the load of books, some low words from Mazurka stopped her in her tracks…

"Rave?" Mazurka propped herself up as best she could, "When you've put those in my room, come back here 'cause we REALLY need to talk!"

Seconds later & Chairoko was back at the table, along with a freshly woken Kuroko. Mazurka was nursing an 'Irish Coffee', made from equal parts of 'paint thinner' strength coffee, & 'High Octane' fine Irish whiskey…

Given the situation Mazurka was in, it was the only way to start the day. A jolt of caffeine to kick-start the brain, & a dash of alcohol to keep it happy…

"Girls…" Mazurka began, "Those books… were NOT the ones I intended for you to get your Sex Education from… You should NOT have been reading them…"

"Were they too advanced for us?" Kuroko asked innocently.

"OH YES!" Mazurka readily agreed, "They are… MUCH… too advanced for you…"

Mazurka took a large swig of her coffee, pausing to savour the feeling as the caffeine-flavoured alcohol hit her bloodstream…

"Those books," Mazurka continued, "Are designed for Adults, who KNOW enough about Human Relationships to be able to appreciate that a different… viewpoint… on something, is like ANY other viewpoint on the same topic… That is, although they have points for & against them, ultimately they are JUST viewpoints, they are NOT the final & total be-all & end-all of the topic under consideration…"

The Clones considered this before asking, "Were the varied relationship models in the books a type of 'Lateral Thinking' as applied to Human relationships?"

Mazurka sighed, "Sort of… Sort of… But most people would refer to them as 'Fantasies'… Creations of the imagination that safely allow us to explore the limits of our psyches, without having to worry about doing harm to anyone in the real world… As such, they are ONLY intended to be accessed by those Adults able to handle viewpoints that are radically different to their own. Adults who have enough 'Life Experience', to be able to see beyond the situations described in the books, & see into the hearts & lives of those involved…"

"And YOU," Mazurka indicated the Clones with a commanding gaze & slight incline of her head, "Have NOT yet had enough 'Life Experience'… You've barely had enough to understand such simple concepts as 'Friendship'…"

The Clones lowered their gaze, accepting Mazurka's appraisal of their limitations without question.

"The books I INTENDED for you to read," Mazurka raised an eyebrow, "Contain information that can protect you from the hidden dangers in the relationships you've been reading about. Dangers that most people DON'T want to think about, so they deliberately leave them out of the fantasies they create…"

The Clones looked thoughtful, "So, those books have fed us misinformation?"

"Yes & No… Yes & No…" Mazurka paused to take another swig, "Yes they have, in that they haven't warned you about some of the bad things that MAY happen if a person tries the things they've read about, & No they haven't, as there was no obligation on the author to mention dangers most Adults already know about…"

"Is that ethical?"

Mazurka shrugged, "It's like buying a car… The seller is not obliged to enquire about the Driver's training, knowledge, or abilities… Only to ensure that the car is roadworthy… Since a car is designed to be driven on a road, it is always assumed that the buyer knows how to drive a car, & knows the rules of the road."

"As I SAID," Mazurka stressed, "Most adults already know about the dangers, either having learnt the hard way from their own mistakes, or having learnt the easy way, from the advice & examples of others. Of the two, the latter is preferable over the former… It's not only less painful, but less dangerous…"

"We understand," the Clones chorused, "A person learns from their own mistakes, a Sage learns from another person's mistakes, & a fool learns from neither…"

"And a Smart Woman," Mazurka smirked, "Thinks before acting, & thus avoids making the mistake in the first place…"

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Bowing Out.

The alarm clock rang tinnily, forcing consciousness on the nearby sleeper.

Shakey Atari rolled over in his bed, one hand flailing out to hit the alarm clock's 'snooze' button with practised precision. Having gained a few minutes of dreamy respite, Shakey rolled back & stared at the ceiling in his room.

"…another day…" Shakey muttered, "…wonder if Mazurka will let me go to school? Hmmmph… probably not… haven't been cleared by a doctor…"

Shakey lay in his bed until the alarm clock repeated its call to get up.

Sighing, Shakey gave into the inevitable, & started to get out of bed. A pained scowl on his face, the injured youth ignored the silent offer of help from his crutches, opting to stand on his own two feet. He stood up, his bruised & abused body protesting the demands he now placed on it.

"…at least I CAN walk…" Shakey thought with triumph, sparing a disdainful glare at the unused crutches, "…I hate using those things…"

As if to prove a point, Shakey hobbled his way around his room, trying to prove to himself that he was not some crippled invalid.

The sudden knock at his door startled him so much he nearly fell over…

"Yes?" Shakey called out, recovering from the unexpected shock.

"Breakfast is ready," the voice of a Rave Clone came through the door.

"Be out in a minute!" Shakey yelled back, heading back to his crutches.

'I suppose I should use one…" Shakey wore a sour expression on his face as he picked up a crutch, '…just until I get my balance back…'

Soon after, Shakey was moving slowly through Mazurka's apartment on one crutch.

"Good to see you're feeling better," Mazurka stopped drinking beer long enough to chirp happily at the sight, "Does this mean you're half-healed?"

"I wish," Shakey groaned as he flopped down onto a chair at the Breakfast table, "I can stand without them, but I still need the extra balance…"

"Do you feel funny?" Mazurka asked, all trace of humour gone from her face & voice, "Any Nausea? Blurry vision? Vertigo?"

Shakey shook his head, "No, nothing like that… My sense of balance is okay, it's just that my muscles don't like moving… Bruising, I guess…"

Mazurka looked relieved, "Well if you DO feel funny, or 'not right', tell one of the Girls here & we'll get a doctor to have a look at you. All Right?"

"All Right," Shakey agreed without any enthusiasm.

"Good!" Mazurka emphasized, before downing another beer.

"Breakfast is served," Kuroko laid a large bowl of muesli in front of Shakey, as well as a freshly opened carton of milk. She & Chairoko stood nearby, waiting patiently to offer whatever assistance Shakey should ask for.

"Thanks," Shakey said as he poured the milk, "I…"

The Rave Clones suddenly turned away from Shakey's comment & faced towards the door of Mazurka's apartment. As one, they fled into Aesir's room & shut the door behind them. Shakey heard the click of the door's lock.

"What's going on?" Shakey turned to Mazurka with the obvious question. Mazurka merely shrugged her shoulders in reply.

The sudden sound of the doorbell provided some clue.

"I'll get it," Mazurka said loudly, twigging that the Clones didn't want whoever was at the door to see them. 'But how did they know?' Mazurka asked herself.

Mazurka opened the door to reveal Kantsee Hayeater & Rave Imanonymous…

…flanked by Kuroko & Chairoko Musume, the two Rave Clones who were acting as Shakey's bodyguards & Mazurka's unpaid maids, the two Rave Clones who were currently hiding in Aesir's bedroom…

"Good Morning Major Kutsarug," Kantsee said politely, "These young ladies & myself have come to pay our respects to Shakey. Is he receiving visitors?"

"…ah…" Mazurka was dumbstruck as she looked at the two disguised Clones standing behind 'Rave' & Kantsee.

Unseen by Kantsee, the Clones all raised a hand to their face & pressed a finger against their lips in the universal 'stay quiet' symbol.

"…yesss," Mazurka recovered beautifully, "You can come in & see him. He's having breakfast, but he'll be able to see you for a short while…"

The quartet trouped in, heading straight for Shakey at the breakfast table. Mazurka tapped the shoulder of 'Rave'. Rave stopped & turned to Mazurka. Mazurka didn't speak, instead he raised an eyebrow questioningly & tilted her head towards Aesir's bedroom. The Clone responded with a small nod.

'So that's how they knew…' Mazurka realised, a shiver going through her as she remembered a recent talk with another 'Rave' Clone, 'When one of them knows something, they all know it…'

At the breakfast table, Shakey was having mixed reactions…

"Shakey!" Kantsee said with genuine concern, "I would have come to see you sooner, but I only found out late last night… What happened?"

'What the…???' Shakey stared at the two girls behind Kantsee, the two who had just been dressed in Maid uniforms, & who were now wearing school uniforms.

Unseen by Kantsee, Mazurka was frantically shaking her head while pointing at the two school-uniformed Rave Clones, & mouthing the words, 'Not Them!'

"…uh…" a bewildered Shakey tried to respond, "…I met some people…"

"Good morning Shakey," chorused the 'Twins', "How are you feeling today?"

"…ah… m-Much better…" Shakey stammered, "Thank you…"

Kantsee leaned in close & whispered conspiratorially, "First a truck, now you happen to 'meet some people'… I hope NERVIS has you under surveillance…"

"…it's… not like THAT…" Shakey replied to Kantsee's 'Conspiracy Theory Mode' insinuations, "…I ran into a group of thugs, & they… they…"

Mazurka suddenly stepped in & answered for Shakey, "Returned the favour by running over HIM… Please be patient with him, he's on medication, & has only just woken up… He'll be a little slow until he gets warmed up…"

"We will not stay long," the Clone impersonating 'Rave' spoke quietly, with a small smile at Shakey as she did so, "We know that Shakey needs to rest…"

Mazurka's face twitched slightly at the Clone's words, 'Who exactly does she mean by 'we'?'

Kantsee reached out & clapped a hand on Shakey's shoulder, a simple act of Manly type Male-Bonding that was broken when he said, "Don't Worry! I'll make sure you get all your home work assignments…"

"err… Thanks…" Shakey replied, still off-balanced by the sight of the Clones.

"Who wants a lift to School?" Mazurka came to Shakey's rescue.

"YES!" being a typical teenage boy, Kantsee was more than enthusiastic at the prospect of being chauffeured by a beautiful woman…

"All right then," Mazurka smiled, "Parking lot in two minutes, I've got to get to work early…"

Mazurka followed the group of teenagers out of the apartment, pausing before she locked the door behind her to yell back at Shakey, "See you later…"

The door closed, & there was silence in the apartment. Shakey ate his soggy muesli, chewing automatically on the mush as he tried to appreciate what had just happened. A few seconds after the door had closed behind Mazurka, the door to Aesir's bedroom opened & the two Rave Clones came out.

"I take it," Shakey said slowly to the two Clones, "They were… others?"

"Yes" the Clones replied as they cleared the breakfast table, "They were…"

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Filling In The Blanks.

Shakey had just finished breakfast, & was hobbling over to veg out in front of the Television when another knock sounded at the door.

The two disguised Rave Clones in Mazurka's kitchen immediately turned towards the door with an air of polite wariness on their faces.

"I'll get it!" Shakey called out as he changed course for the door.

Shakey pushed himself, increasing his speed so that he could answer the door instead of the Clones. His efforts were not just an attempt to be helpful on his part, but were also an attempt to reassure himself that he was still capable of doing the little things for himself.

"Just a minute!" Shakey called out to reassure his unseen visitor. Shakey fumbled with the door latch, opening the door to reveal…

Natsumi Iwakawa, the young girl who had recently become part of Shakey's circle of friends.

"Good morning," Natsumi said with a cheerful smile. Her bright expression fell away as she stared at the crutch Shakey was supporting himself with. In more sombre tones she quietly asked, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Shakey admitted with an embarrassed smile. Then as much to change the topic as to prove he was still capable of being hospitable, Shakey gestured into Mazurka's apartment with his free hand & said, "Please come in…"

Natsumi shuffled past Shakey into Mazurka's apartment, sparing the injured boy a look of sympathetic pity.

…And stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the two disguised Rave Clones…

Natsumi's eyes went wide, & her body trembled slightly as a frightened look took hold of her face.

"Good Morning Natsumi," the two disguised Clones chorused politely, "And how are you this morning?"

Natsumi fainted by way of reply…

"Natsumi?" Shakey asked, blinking in shock as the girl crumpled onto the floor before him.

The two Clones moved into action, kneeling beside Natsumi's unconscious form & checking pulse & pupils with swift precision. Apparently satisfied with what they found, the Clones slid their arms under the comatose girl & carried her to Mazurka's lounge. Within a few seconds of Natsumi's collapse, the stricken girl was lying on Mazurka's couch, her feet elevated above her head with several cushions, & a blanket draped over her.

"What?" Shakey asked, proving that he was so much in control of the situation, that he knew when to ask for information.

"Sit," one of the Clones said to Shakey as the other Clone brought a lounge chair over & arranged it to face Natsumi's head, "She has fainted from emotional shock, & will need someone to be there to reassure her when she awakes."

"…um…" Shakey said as he sat down on the chair, "…emotional shock?"

"Yes," the Clones confirmed with a slight blush, "She had been living under a lot of stress before we met, & she had not recovered sufficiently when…"

"…hnnn…" the soft moan forced the Clones into watchful silence as Natsumi began to regain consciousness.

"We will be in the kitchen," the Clones stated quietly as they turned & walked off, "Should either of you require our services…"

Natsumi struggled awake, & sat up gasping for breath, a faint sweat on her brow.

"Natsumi?" Shakey said as he reached out to lightly tap her shoulder, "Are you…"

Natsumi startled at Shakey's touch, turning to regard him with a wild, frightened look in her eyes before collapsing against the bewildered boy.

"…oh God!" Natsumi sobbed, as tears ran down her face, "…they're here…"

Shakey sat in Mazurka's lounge room, cradling a nearly hysterical girl, offering what comfort he could as the girl suffered through an emotional overload.

'What's going on?' Shakey asked himself, the job made harder by the slight fog his painkillers had him in, 'Why did Natsumi faint? The Clones said it was an emotional overload? But why would it hit her here…?'

Enlightenment suddenly struck Shakey, '…wait a minute?… Natsumi said… They're here…? Was she referring to the Clones? Hmmm… she arrived just after Mazurka left… Did she see the other Clones with Mazurka & get confused on seeing them here in the apartment so soon afterwards? Yeah! That's got to be it! The Clones DID hide themselves rather than let others see them together'

Shakey breathed a sigh of relief as once again, his Intellectual Prowess proved equal to the task.

"It's all right…" Shakey murmured, patting Natsumi's back for emphasis, "It's all right… Everything's fine now…"

Over the next several minutes, Natsumi slowly regained her composure. When she had regained enough to realise the position she & Shakey were in, she pulled away from him in girlish embarrassment.

"…thank you Mr Atari," Natsumi's red face whispered, "…i'm better now…"

"That's okay," Shakey replied, his own boyish embarrassment prompting him to continue, "But I don't deserve all the thanks… You should thank…"

Shakey suddenly stopped as he realised that he didn't know to refer to the disguised Clones in front of Natsumi. 'Should I refer to them as Chairoko & Kuroko? Or should I try & pass them off as Real Maids that just look like them? Ah… What should I do?'

While Shakey pondered, Natsumi shivered & she hugged the blanket around herself, her voice low as she whispered, "…I suppose… I should be thankful to them…"

Shakey heard Natsumi's words & hit on a brilliant strategy, 'I know! I'll get the Clones out here & follow THEIR lead as to how I should refer to them!'

Shakey tilted his head towards the kitchen & called out, "Could I please have some drinks & munchies out here? For two I mean?"

From the kitchen the two Clones came carrying trays. The dark-haired Kuroko carried a pair of cups & a water jug on her tray, while the brown-haired Chairoko had a selection of cut sandwiches & various 'nibblies' in plates on hers. The coffee table made an impromptu self-serve buffet, & the two Clones stood silently off to one side, awaiting further requests.

"Thanks Ladies," Shakey said with a smile, "Um… Have you been introduced yet? If not, now's a good time to do it…"

Shakey's smile faltered as he looked at the faces of the three girls in the room with him. The Clones had their usual neutral expressions, while Natsumi's face seemed to be stuck somewhere between a forced smile & a nervous tic.

"Please excuse him, Natsumi" the two Clones chorused, "He is on medication, & both it & his injuries are affecting him."

Natsumi nodded warily, "No problem… Kuroko… Chairoko…"

Shakey smiled in relief, his Master Plan was working perfectly!

'Great!' Shakey enthused inwardly, 'All those times I've fallen foul of Mazurka's schemes must have helped develop my own Inner Machiavelli…'

"But," Natsumi breathed as she stared intently at the Clones through narrowed eyes, "There's one thing I have to know…"

'Uh-oh!?' Shakey's elated mood deflated explosively, 'She's gonna ask how they could be in two places at once… Ah… Um… I'll let the Clones handle this one!'

"How come…" Natsumi paused to swallow & collect herself, "How come the Police are letting you two walk around free… after you killed people like that?"

Shakey sat in Mazurka's lounge room in stunned disbelief, not comprehending the accusations Natsumi had just levelled at his most trusted friends.

'Nih-Natsumi!" Shakey exclaimed, "Wh-what are you talking about?"

"Perhaps you don't remember," Natsumi's eyes never left the pair of quiet Clones, "But the reason you're here now, is because of them… Because of what they did to the gang who attacked you!"

"…th-they saved me…" Shakey repeated what he'd been told, his voice faltering as an unspoken doubt reminded him that he didn't know HOW they'd saved him.

"Yeah…" Natsumi agreed, "They saved you… But only by 'taking out' the others!"

Shakey's world started breaking up around him, 'But… that CAN'T be! Rave was never a violent person, much less a killer! The Clones are all… HER… and…'

The touch of hands rested lightly on Shakey's shoulders as the two disguised Clones reached out to him.

"Shakey?" the Clones murmured, "We did what we had to… To save you…"

"…no…" Shakey put his hands to his face, his head shaking slowly in denial.

"Had to?" Natsumi exclaimed in disbelief, "Don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna miss any of those creeps, but you could have used more… shall we say, 'restraint'?"

'…Natsumi?' Shakey had a horrifying realisation, '…she was there with Kuroko & Chairoko when I was attacked! She saw what happened to me! She saw what… they…'

'…they… killed people…' Shakey's distraught mind was no longer aware of the room he was in let alone the presence of others, just certain select memories that he hadn't paid much attention to…

Shakey waking up in Hospital after having been attacked by the thugs, & hearing Kuroko#6 say, "We neutralised your assailants…"

'…I didn't understand what she meant…'

Kuroko#6 instructing Shakey on how to win at Computerised Combat games, "When confronting Multiple Attackers, it is best not to try & take them all on at once, but to arrange things so that you can take them on one at a time. Even if that means retreating & luring them into disorder, or using one-off strikes… …until the cumulative effects of such one-off strikes incapacitates them."

'When she asked me to show her how to use the game console, I was surprised at how good she was, especially since she said she'd never used that game console, or played that particular game…'

Kuroko#6 saying "I have had relevant training with other… simulation systems…"

'…I thought she meant computer games… But… like Aesir… Rave was already a trained AVE Pilot when we first met… She knew how to Pilot AVE… how to fight…'

Kuroko#6 telling Shakey that the Commander had taken steps to ensure that such attacks against Shakey would NOT happen again, "He called a 'pre-emptive suppressive action'… Squads of Rave Clones fought all of the various gangs…"

'…oh… …God…' Shakey felt sick as the reality soaked in, 'Rave… My Rave said… she wouldn't let me die… she would protect me… She died saving me! The other Rave said, they would protect me… Twelve nearly died saving me… K-Kuroko & Chairoko… they… they killed… to save me! Di-did the others… kill… as well?'

"The Commander thought we performed adequately," the Clones said in response to one of Natsumi's comments.

'My father?' Shakey's mind snapped back into semi-awareness of the others at the mention of his estranged parent, 'HE'S the one who ordered the 'pre-emptive strike'! HE'S the one who MADE Rave fight… The one who made Rave a… a killer!'

"The Commander?" Natsumi asked in surprise, "The one who interrogated me over what happened? The bearded man with the tinted glasses & white gloves?"

"That… B-----D!" Shakey growled.

"Oh?" Natsumi seemed taken aback at Shakey's response, "Have you met him too?"

"He's my Father!" Shakey ground out.

Natsumi stared at Shakey in surprise.

**********************************************************************

The END of Book 11 of 'Altered Lives'

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Initial Concept.

"Field Spike!" the technician shouted, "It's… Huh?" he blinked in astonishment, checking what monitors still functioned, "Sorry Sir… It's gone…"

"Well?" Glando asked eagerly, "What area of her brain controls the effect?"

"…ah… well…" the technician flustered…

"Out with it!" Glando demanded, "Tell me!"

"…th-the one…" the nervous Technician stuttered, "…that handles… 'sexuality'…"

Glando blinked. "I knew they liked Shakey," he muttered, "But I had no idea they liked him THAT much…"

"Well," Glando decided, "There's only ONE thing I can do now… **IF** I want the Clones to develop their powers…"

Later…

"You wanted to see me Father?" Shakey asked.

"Yes," Glando confirmed, "I think it's time I had a talk with you about the Birds & the Bees…"

"HUH?" Shakey exclaimed, showing his disbelief that Glando could act towards his son in so thoughtful & Fatherly a fashion…

"I have no objection to your… 'consorting'… with the Rave Clones," Glando stated euphemistically, "Here's a gross (144) of condoms… 'Play safely' now…"

Once again, Shakey's low opinion of his Father was proved correct…

"Buh-bih-but…" Shakey stammered, as a sudden Tidal Wave of emotional insecurity, culture shock, teenage angst, & 'relationship dilemmas' rolled over him…

THUNK! Shakey hit the floor with a meaty thud, as he fainted dead away.

"Shakey?" Glando asked.

"TYPICAL!" said an irate Mazurka, who by merest Plot Contrivance, just HAPPENED to walk in on the scene…

"What?" Glando was more than a little surprised, "What are you doing here?"

"My Woman's Intuition told me I should be here," Mazurka smugly advised, hiding a stolen copy of the script for the 'Initial Concept' OMAKE behind her back.

"Listen," Mazurka advised the Fan Fiction Writer, "If you ever tell a MALE CHAUVINIST PIG like Glando here, that a woman is using the area of her brain that controls 'sexuality'… He'll immediately think she 'wants some'…"

"But…" Glando protested, while the Fan Fiction Writer wisely stayed silent…

"Tell me, EINSTEIN," Mazurka sneered scornfully at Glando, "What part of the brain controls the MATERNAL INSTINCT? You have heard that term, haven't you? That facet of Female psychology inextricably linked to HUMAN REPRODUCTION?"

"…err…" said Glando, getting NO HELP WHATSOEVER, from the Fan Fiction Writer…

"Give Me Strength!" Mazurka pleaded towards the Heavens, "So #12 used 'that' area of her brain when she saved Shakey? So What? 'Maternal Instinct' often enables mothers to perform superhuman acts when their child is in danger…"

Mazurka suddenly paused, then looked nervously at the unconscious Shakey. Seeing he was 'out of it', she proceeded in an angry, albeit subdued roar, "I mean, WHY do you think Unit Won went berserk all those times defending Shakey? It's SO obvious to anyone who thinks with their BRAIN! Since it absorbed your wife's MIND, it quite naturally thinks of Shakey, as a Mother does her Child!"

Glando sat at his desk, looking rather embarrassed…

However, Mazurka wasn't yet finished, "And since the Rave Clones have subliminal memories from all the times 'Rave' has piloted Unit Won… Why SHOULDN'T they think about Shakey, & treat him, in a Maternally Instinctive, CARING way?"

Mazurka shook her head sadly, "Didn't you ever wonder WHY Rave first started to 'watch over' Shakey when he was in Hospital?"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Sales Pitch.

Glando Atari sat at his desk, contemplating his latest visitor…

Before his desk stood a blue-Haired Rave Clone, a disturbed look on her face.

"But Sir?" the puzzled Clone asked, "How is it possible? How could any of us produce an E.T. Field like an AVE does? I mean, we don't even have a socket for the power cord?"

Glando leaned his head into his hands & wept, knowing that once again, the Fan Fiction Writer had it in for him…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Getting Technical & Visual Aids.

Later, in the changing room, one of the Clones looked at herself in a mirror, as she remembered what the Clones had recently experienced…

- - - - - - - - - -

"I wonder…" the Clone murmured to herself, before looking furtively around, to make sure no-one else was in the room with her.

"Expanding E.T. Field!" the Clone said, her face contorting with concentration as she brought the Field into existence, & mentally wrestled it into shape.

"Hmmm…" the Clone critically appraised the contoured Field she had created, "Bullet proof, flexible, gravity has almost negligible effect on it, & I can make it any size I want…"

"Looks like I won't be needing that 'Wonder Bra' after all…" the Clone happily concluded, as she walked out into the training hall.

"Now…" the Clone muttered, "To see if it gives as much comfortable support as a sports bra does…"

Whereupon the Clone put her new… err… 'wardrobe accessory' through a VERY thorough 'Gymnastics' test…

The Fan Fiction Writer hopes this settles once & for all, the reason why the 'physical dimensions' of the First Pilot seemed to… 'vary'… so much in the Official illustrations from the show…

And you thought it was just the Snug Suits? Ha!

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Practice Makes Perfect #1.

Glando pointed at the window & murmured one word, "Observe…"

The Clone stood quietly with eyes closed, her hands held before her as she crouched slightly in a basic Martial Arts defence pose.

Suddenly the Clone screamed & fell to her knees! A hemi-spherical shockwave began to roll outwards from her, smashing everything in its path.

"S--T!" Glando screamed as he ran for dear life, "She's gone into 'Akira' mode…"

NOTE! 'Akira', is an Anime about a psychic, whose power is so great, he can destroy a City, using a hemi-spherical psychic shockwave… A mental A-Bomb…

As the slogan went, "Akira… He leaves nothing to rebuild…"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Practice Makes Perfect #2.

"…what… else… did you use…?" Fu2ok croaked, struggling to reconcile the work done by NERVIS, with the 'training material' Glando was giving the Clones.

"Ranma 1/2, Akira…" Glando rattled off a LONG list of Anime that dealt with Psionics & Martial Arts, as well as several movies, "…The Matrix, Star Wars…"

Glando smiled, "And if anyone asks, they're only learning popular culture…"

"So," Fu2ok tried to joke about it, "…you taught them how to use the Force…"

"Monkey see, Monkey do," Glando shrugged, referring to ANOTHER series he'd used…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Changing Course #1.

"Aesir, you WUSS!" Toe-jam sneered scornfully, "You 'Pump Iron' like a GIRL! Put some 'woost' in it, ya WOMAN!" (NOTE! woost = wurst, a type of spicy sausage popular in Europe…)

Aesir's reply was untranslatable, not just because it used 'Euro-Slang', but because the overly polite Japanese didn't have equivalents to the terms used…

However, that didn't stop Aesir from 'communicating effectively' with Toe-jam…

A short time later in the Casualty Ward of the Hospital, a Doctor stared incredulously at the X-Rays of his latest patient…

"GOOD LORD!" the Doctor choked, "I can understand how a dumbbell handle could get rammed up there… But while it had weights attached to it?"

"She used lubrication…" Toe-jam groaned in Mortal Agony from where he lay facedown on the examining table, half a dumbbell protruding from between his buttocks…

"Lubrication?"

"Yeah," Toe-jam's face was a mask of pain, "Mentholated Muscle Liniment…"

And the Moral of the OMAKE? Never P--S OFF a weightlifter…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Changing Course #2.

"Take it easy," Toe-jam grudgingly offered, "Ya get up too fast after exercise, & you'll probably fall over… Anyway, there's no rush… Mazurka's over there…"

Toe-jam swung his weight-laden arm to indicate a worried looking Mazurka, who was currently talking to Aesir's Trainer.

Unfortunately, Toe-jam forgot that since he was missing an arm, he didn't have a weight in his other hand to counterbalance his movement…

Toe-jam crashed off balance to the floor, muttering a string of obscenities…

"CUT!" yelled the Fan Fiction Writer, wondering if he should rewrite the scene.

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Changing Course #3.

"Aesir, you WUSS!" Toe-jam sneered scornfully, "You 'Pump Iron' like a GIRL! Put some 'woost' in it, ya WOMAN!" (NOTE! woost = wurst, a type of spicy sausage popular in Europe…)

Elsewhere, some of the Rave Clones were finishing her own workout.

"This weight does not feel right," said one Clone, indicating a heavily laden barbell on the floor, "It does not seem to be as heavy as it should be…"

A second Rave Clone picked up the suspect barbell one handed, & began to do a series of standing, single arm bicep exercises with it.

"I see what you mean," said the second Clone, "It does feel lighter than it should. Is it the new Carbon fibre handle? They are lighter than metal ones?"

"Perhaps," the first Clone agreed, "I know it does not feel like 200 kilos…"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Confirmation?

The soft voice made Aesir jump with sudden alarm. She spun around, finally noticing that she wasn't alone in the changing room.

Standing nearby, dressed in her usual white Snug Suit, was Rave Imanonymous.

Aesir gaped, as she realised that Rave seemed to have 'gained a few pounds', in (as Male Chauvinist Pigs would say) 'ALL the right places'…

"How'd you get so 'top heavy'?" Aesir wanted to know.

"I'm a growing girl, & I'm not anorexic…" Rave replied, deciding not to say anything about her new & improved, 'cross your heart' conforming E.T. Field…

"You're vegetarian, aren't you?" Aesir said suspiciously.

"Yes I am," answered Rave, "What of it?"

"Figures," Aesir sniffed, "Cows are vegetarians, & they've got udders too…"

Vicious Catfight followed…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Palliative Care #1

In the kitchen, another girl in a Maid's outfit, but with brown hair to Kuroko's black locks, was crushing Mazurka's empty beer cans for the recycling bin.

With her bare hands…

"Wow," Shakey exclaimed in admiration, smiling as Chairoko 'scrunched' can after can without any apparent effort on her part, "Even Mazurka can't do that…"

"That's nothing," Chairoko said, before showing how she could crush the beer cans by placing them in the crook of her elbow & flexing her biceps muscle…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Palliative Care #2

'I do not understand?' Kuroko thought, 'It is only a Tactical Simulation… It has not harmed him physically?'

Perhaps that is the reason sent Chairoko, who was sorting out the laundry His results with the Combat Simulator have reminded him of recent events?

Or of earlier injuries he received due to lack of proper training? observed a Clone from a hidden firing range.

Let's face it the Group Mind concluded The clumsy B-----D needs all the practice he can get…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Making The Grade.

"Tactics," Kuroko advised, "When confronting Multiple Attackers, it is best not to try & take them all on at once, but to arrange things so that you can take them on one at a time."

Shakey was puzzled, "But you didn't do that?"

Kuroko shrugged, "Hey, I'm good enough to break their A--Es first go…"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Comparisons #1.

Having finished the first book, Chairoko picked up another & began to read…

Some time later, Chairoko sat with a puzzled expression on her face.

'This book is unlike the first… The first book was a decently written narrative exploring the Psycho-emotional interactions of two people thrown together in mutual ordeal… The second book, barely has enough plot to set the scenes for the mindless porking that the protagonists indulge in at the drop of a hat…'

Chairoko looked at the large pile of 'Romance Novels' on the floor beside her.

"Thank God I don't have to do book reports on this drivel…" Chairoko's 'Internal Critic' decided.

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Comparisons #2

"Oh Great!" Shakey moaned at his bad luck, the soapsuds on his face preventing him from opening his eyes & finding the lost soap. He groped blindly…

"Huh???" Shakey's hand closed around something, "That doesn't feel like a bar of soap?"

"Oooh, Shakey!," a familiar female voice giggled, "Didn't we already do this cliché in the fifth TV episode?"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Comparisons #3

"Oh Great!" Shakey moaned at his bad luck, the soapsuds on his face preventing him from opening his eyes & finding the lost soap. He groped blindly…

"Here…" the quietly spoken word was accompanied by the feeling of a soft hand taking his, while a familiar slippery oblong shape was pressed into it.

"R-RaVe??" Shakey squeaked, his blush escaping the confines of his face & spreading over his entire body, "Is that YOU?"

"Yes," confirmed the Rave Clone.

"OH THANK GOD!!" Shakey wailed, "For a moment there I thought you were Aesir!"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Morning Glory

"We have some questions about the books we have read…" Chairoko said.

Mazurka sighed again as she remembered agreeing to answer questions about the 'reference material' the Clones had offered to read.

'Better get this over & done with now,' Mazurka decided, as she lifted her head to looked at the pile of books on the table.

'At least,' Mazurka started grabbing at straws in an attempt to see a bright side, 'They've only had them since last night…'

Chairoko produced a thick notepad & asked, "Question #1… In 'The Story of O', what were the underlying causative factors for O's submissive nature?"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Filling In The Blanks

"The Commander?" Natsumi asked in surprise, ""The one who interrogated me over what happened? The Nazi Beatnik with the Rose-Coloured Glasses & the White Glove Fixation?"

- - - - - - - - - - - - -The END of the OMAKE- - - - - - - - - - - - -