Page 44 of Temple

Zell paused. “The Designers?”

“Yes. It seems that they have put a computer virus into cross-system computers. The moment a Terran is identified who has a suitable genetic makeup, it enacts a protocol of melding them with a known species, and they seem to be a proto version of Hmrain if we were designed to be cute and fuckable.”

Sage was stunned, but Harwin went up on her knees and put her hands on either side of Ra’s face. “Aw, baby, you are very fuckable.”

Ra grinned. “As she has an issue with being watched, contact me when you are closer.”

Sage grinned as the screen went black. “Well, she’s definitely human, even if she doesn’t look like it anymore.”

“Yes, and no. She is new-generation Hmrain. She and Essan’s consort, Kris, were crushed in a cargo accident. The machine was strangely not set for the right species, but the ladies looked human when they came out of it. Big humans but humans. Harwin is very strong, and Kris is a pyrokinetic.”

Sage blinked. “And I make tea.”

He grinned. “It is a dance I love to watch.” Zell pressed his forehead to hers. “But I think it is time that we leave our quarters and share a meal so the captain doesn’t think I am just in here by myself.”

She grinned, looking down at the very gauzy robe. “I think I need a few more layers.”

“If you insist. I will look forward to removing them later.”

Sage chuckled and got up to get dressed. She was looking forward to it as well.

* * * *

Three weeks from theconversation on the com, Harwin straightened up to her considerable height and smiled at the women around her. “Welcome to Aten, children of Terra. We have been given a new name or a very old one, considering. Daughters of Geb. Ra is chatty in bed, or hallway, and I like to gossip, so let me tell you about all the species who visited Ra while he was living there and which ones left bits of themselves behind. Spoiler alert: some of us might be less human than we thought.”

The ladies looked at each other and shrugged. It made as much sense as surviving the end of the world, after all. Sage poured tea, and they sat around to listen about what could be lurking within their genes.

Ra had machines to draw out the most distant DNA, and the ladies were going to use them as soon as Bailey finished handing out cookies. Priorities were important.

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