Key to Survival

Chapter 25 Filia

Opaline went out to her private place in the forest. She closed her eyes and concentrated as hard as she could.

Havoc! I need you.

Havoc appeared. "You suffer from a lack of passion?"

She smiled. "That, too. But I was calling you because I think Oak is ready to perform at interstellar distances, but I have no way to verify it."

"Ah. We shall see to that."

"But, while we're alone, if you—"

He swept her into his embrace and kissed her enthusiastically while his hands slid into her waistband and squeezed her buttocks. Then he fell backward, bringing her down on top of him. Somehow their clothing dissolved and she found herself delightfully impaled. She continued kissing him.

She felt his spurt within her. That allowed her to have her own climax. She did, milking the member of its remaining juice. "Joy!" she breathed.

"I like you, Opaline," he said. "You're so innocently expressive."

She laughed, feeling her vagina squeezing his member as she did so. "I've had so much sex, with you, Oak, and Fifth, yet I am innocent."

"Perpetual innocence," he agreed. "Perpetual appeal."

"Yet I am a creature of the machines, reporting to them. I hate that."

"Don't hate it. It doesn't interfere with your mission."

"Because it's a decoy. Oops!"

"Question?"

"I didn't mean to say that. I once feared that I was betraying you by my nature, but I talked with Fifth, and he thought Oak could be a decoy. So when the machines read my mind, they will be concerned about Oak, and divert resources they might better use elsewhere. But it won't work if I know it's a decoy project. Oh, I'm confused!"

"No decoy," Havoc said, kissing her breasts.

"But then the machines will attack Oak, because of me. That's worse." She wriggled to give him more of them.

"Reassurance," he said. "Oak is protected. The machines can't hurt him." He resumed motion within her, starting a second sexual effort without ever withdrawing.

"Relief," she said, thinking of both Oak's safety and Havoc's decision to continue sex. She knew she was purely incidental to his larger interests, but it was such a delight to have him around her and in her that she was greedy for all of him she could get.

"You are also protected," he said. "Oak can't function without you, so we must see that you are safe."

"Yes, Flame came to save me from brigands," she agreed. "Even though I am no-faulting with her boyfriend.

She says she would rather have him do it with me than with Weft."

"She would," Havoc agreed. "You have no designs on Fifth. That makes you safe."

"As if I could compete with a Glamor."

"You could, for you are innocent in ways that no Glamors are. Men like that in women."

"I wish I could stop being so innocent, and accomplish something truly momentous!"

"You will." His tempo increased, and soon he spurted again, setting her off again. He kissed her continuously as they climaxed, adding to her delight.

"Oh, Havoc!" she gasped when he freed her mouth. "I know you have mistresses galore, all of them lovely and experienced, but I don't believe any of them can have more joy of you than I am having at this moment. I love you!"

"I love you too, no fault."

"No fault, of course," she agreed. But she knew he knew that wasn't really true. She loved him regardless.

Finally they let it end. She cleaned herself out, and he let her clean him off too, knowing how she delighted in touching him. Havoc was a real gentleman in ways that counted. Maybe the luscious palace bath girls had trained him in, so he was used to having girls handling his private parts. But she thought that he was attuned to her mind, and let her do what she liked doing.

"But about Oak," she said as they dressed. "Can you test him between stars? I have no idea how this can be done, but there is no further I can take him here on Charm."

"We will test him," Havoc agreed. "I will take you to Filament, fifty light years distant. The Filaments have agreed to lend us facilities for the test."

"Question?"

"Apology. I forgot to explain that we looked into the near future, and anticipated your need. We were unable to fathom the result of the test from the future paths; Oak's talent is independent of our abilities. So we will do it, and hope to confirm his powers."

"The Filaments—are a galactic culture?"

"Confirmation. They are not like us, but you should like them. Are you ready to travel?"

"Negation!" she exclaimed. Then, embarrassed, she explained. "I have to see to Oak. I can't leave him for long; he gets restive. My free time is about done. He needs—I must—you know. Then, while he rests, I can be free for up to an hour. Apology for delaying you."

"Needless. Your mission is to see to Oak and hone his talent to its ultimate. You deal with him on his level, as you deal with me on mine." He smiled. "Sexual, both. This is the nature of men."

"Agreement. You taught me how. I do not wish to inconvenience you. Can you come back in an hour? I promise to be ready."

He put his hands on her shoulders, lifted her up with his awesome strength, and kissed her mouth. "You are such pleasure to be with, Opaline, in myriad little ways. But I will enable you to travel sooner."

"Put me down," she said. "Kiss me again first. Then explain."

He kissed her again, then lowered her to the ground. "You must be with me on Filament Planet to verify the test. You must also be with Oak to direct him in it. Since there are not two of you, we must make an emulation."

"Confusion. Do you mean to bring in another fifth? I don't think she could do it on such short notice."

He snapped his fingers. "Weft."

His striking yellow-haired beauteous daughter appeared. "Dad."

"We are about to test Oak's ability to sense and move small objects at a distance. I will take Opaline to Filament. You will emulate her here."

"Understanding."

"But Oak wouldn't be fooled," Opaline protested. "He—I—we have our own little ways. And it is needful to—"

Weft oriented on her in the disturbing manner Glamors had. "Open your mind." It was not a request.

Opaline looked at Havoc, then stood, letting the woman explore her mind. It was like standing naked in public.

Weft nodded. "I will tend to him this hour, and direct him in the test." She glanced at Havoc. "Thirty minutes from mark."

"Mark," Havoc agreed.

Weft shifted into a perfect likeness of Opaline and walked back toward the farmhouse.

"Doubt," Opaline said, disgruntled.

"Then let us watch. There is time."

"Question?"

He touched her hand. Her hand disappeared, and her arm. He produced a small mirror, and held it up so that she could look in it.

There was nothing there. She was invisible. "Amazement," she said. But there was no sound.

"Focus your thoughts like speech," he said. Then he too disappeared.

My thoughts?

Agreement.

They were invisible and inaudible. Glamor magic.

What next? she asked, bemused.

We observe. Walk toward the house.

They walked. Their treading feet made no sound. The only way she knew he was there was his hand in hers, and his mind contacting hers.

They reached the house. Oak's father was snoozing in his favorite chair. His mother was baking bread. Neither noticed the entry of the two of them, unsurprisingly.

They went upstairs to Oak's room. There was the image of Opaline, nude, bestriding naked Oak on the bed, as was her normal practice. It kept his weight off her and gave her control of the sexual act, which helped, because he lacked imagination. Her image lifted his stiff member and slid it into her vagina, then squeezed, as he bucked, harvesting him efficiently. Then she lay down, spreading herself on him, kissing him, letting him soak. "You're great, Oak," she said in Opaline's voice.

It was clear that Oak did not know the difference.

Weft read your mind, Havoc reminded her. She garnered your technique, and is applying it.

She certainly was! But the sight affected Opaline, who felt her nether juices flowing. Frustration, she thought.

Havoc turned, put his hands on her shoulders, and lifted her as before. Catching on to his intention, she hastily reached down to draw up her skirt, spread her legs, and pull her panties aside. He lowered her torso onto his firm member, got it well lodged, then let go of her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her body. She was largely supported by being mounted on that pulsing pedestal. She brought up her legs and closed them around his hips.

She felt his ejaculation, and went into her own orgasm. It was intense despite the recency of their prior sex. There was something about seeing herself do it, and then doing it herself invisibly, that stimulated her to peak performance.

Kiss me! she thought. For somehow the kisses were even more evocative than the orgasms.

He did so, standing there with his member still pumping into her crevice. They remained clinched, pleasure focusing at lips and groins. It was divine. Oak stirred.

Will you two lay off? Weft's thought demanded. You're stirring us up again. We'll lose the schedule.

Opaline froze. Weft knew they were there!

Havoc smiled against Opaline's mouth. Then they were back in the forest, now visible. He had conjured them there.

She held the position a rapturous moment longer. Then she broke the kiss, and he lifted her off his member.

She grabbed a tissue before her cleft leaked copiously onto her clothing. She stuffed it into her vagina, then got another and wiped off Havoc's member as it lost elevation. Their clothing was badly rumpled, but Havoc made a small gesture and it was abruptly pristine.

"Weft gets jealous," he said. "Sometimes she wishes she were not my daughter."

"You—" She lost her way and tried again. "You get turned on too? By seeing others do it?"

"Voyeurism," he said. "Affirmation. But of course I get turned on by anything young and female. You could make a sexual gesture, and I would want it. I'm a man."

She was intrigued. "Like this?" She made a circle with her left thumb and forefinger, then poked her right forefinger through it.

Havoc caught hold of her and drew her to him, kissing her. Was he pretending, playing the game? She reached down to feel his penis. It was hard. So she hoisted up her skirt again, drew her panties aside, and half leaped on him.

She came down around his member and it thrust in, surly guided by his Glamor ability. She jogged, and in moments felt him spurting yet again, right into her core. Followed by her own eager climax. She could do it in short order, when triggered by the hot gushing within her.

"Remind me not to even think of sex when I'm near you," she said, laughing. "I'm as bad as you are."

"Wonderfully bad," he agreed.

They cleaned up yet again. "We have used up much of our time," Havoc said. He put his hands on her, but this time not for sex. There was a flicker.

Opaline looked around, startled. They were in a bright dome, like none she had seen on Charm.

"Filament?" she asked. "Fifty light years distant? Don't you need your ikon?"

"We placed it earlier, and Shee set up the wormhole." Seeing her blank expression, he clarified. "A way to travel far distances instantly" He picked up a small gem on a necklace. "Wear this. It is a translator. They do not speak our language. In fact they don't speak at all; they use magnetic fluxes. This will facilitate mutual understanding."

She accepted the device, putting the cord around her neck.

A pretty young woman approached. She had floating red hair and a statuesque figure. "Greeting, Havoc," she said. It was the translation gem that actually spoke; Opaline couldn't see, hear, or feel the magnetic fluxes.

"Greeting, Filia," he said. "This is Opaline, human."

"She has the look of one of your mistresses. Envy." Now it seemed as if the sounds were emanating from her mouth; Opaline was adapting to the system.

"You were doing her too?" Opaline asked, astonished. "I assumed she is far more alien than she looks."

"Confirmation, both," he agreed cheerfully. "Filia, request: show your natural form."

"For you, anything," the woman agreed. She faded, and in her place appeared a small open cube with what looked like iron filings pinned magnetically to its sides.

"Confirmation," Havoc said. "Those are filings, and they are guided magnetically. To emulate other forms, they project the filings around themselves in the correct patterns. They have marvelous magnetic finesse, beyond anything known in our culture."

The filings flowed out into the air around the cube, forming lines, then curtains, then an expanding shape. It became humanoid, like a child's drawing, then refined. Color and texture appeared. Soon Filia was back in all her beauty.

"And she can—with you?" Opaline asked, amazed.

"Affirmation. In fact, now that you mention it—"

"Needless!" she said. Too late.

Havoc stepped up to Filia, who opened her seemingly solid arms to him. They kissed, and there was a faint sparkle where their lips met. Was that short circuiting, or pleasure?

"Both," Havoc said. Then his stiff penis was out, and driving into Filia's cleft, and there was more sparkling. They were indeed having sex. Filia's presented body might be composed of metal filings held in place by magnetism, but it evidently could do anything a normal flesh body could. She surely felt exactly like a fleshy woman, outside and inside.

Well, Opaline had been warned. She had foolishly asked. Now she had to watch, turned on, frustrated. She was made to be turned on by sex, and this was the second time today—assuming time was similar here—that she had witnessed it and thus wanted it.

They finished. "Do her," Filia murmured. "It isn't kind to tease her."

Havoc turned to Opaline. She didn't argue. She accepted him, standing, once more, while Filia watched. Havoc lifted her up while she tore open her shirt and dropped her skirt and parities. He kissed her bared breasts, licking the nipples. This really tantalized her. Then he set her on him, and held her in place while he bucked in and out, evoking his liquid orgasm.

Opaline was surprised at herself; now she was performing public sex. But it was that or be without it, really no choice. Her orgasm followed his immediately. Yet again, it was intense. "Oh!" she gasped, catching his head to bring it down so she could madly kiss him during the climax.

"There is something about Havoc," Filia said. She had been observing closely, surely checking for techniques to use herself in future trysts with this species.

"Agreement!" Opaline exclaimed as they finished.

Havoc lifted her off and set her down. She quickly cleaned up and put her clothing back in order. His clothing had faded during sex, and now reappeared.

"News," Havoc said to Filia. "I visited the origin planet of the machines, with their cooperation. They were created by a culture we call the Makers, for want of a better identification. They look like our millipedes." He projected an illusion picture in the air between them, showing a huge bug that was a Maker. Opaline was vaguely disappointed; that creature did not look noble or powerful. Rather it looked unkindly pedestrian. "We thought the machines had revolted and slain the Makers, but learned they did not. They are still serving them."

"Confusion!" Filia exclaimed, mirroring Opaline's own astonishment.

"We learned Maker history," he said. "They were a prey species, suffering such predation as to need to breed a hundredfold every generation just to stay even. They had no magic, but had to forage in magic zones where predators lurked. They developed machines to help them forage, and these became so successful that it became their way of life.

Their population multiplied, but they became too lazy to work, letting the machines do everything. Until one group realized that this indolence was destroying them, and departed. That was fifty thousand years ago. The machines have been searching for them ever since, to serve them too, but they don't want to be found, because they don't want to be served."

"Remarkable," Filia said. "So why are the machines destroying all other living species?"

"We conclude they are systematically eliminating any species among which the departed Makers might hide.

They will not serve any but the Makers, but mean to serve all of them."

Filia shook her head. "This makes little sense to me. But I am not a machine."

Havoc glanced at Opaline. "Perhaps you have an insight. Can you make sense of it?"

Opaline was nervous about expressing her unimportant opinion, but had to answer when Havoc asked. "Maybe—maybe they are communicating with the Makers, in their fashion. Sending them a message. That they will destroy everything until the Makers return to be served. Then they will stop."

Havoc exchanged a significant glance with Filia. "Sense," he said.

"Sense," Filia echoed.

"Opaline, assuming this is true, what should we do about it?"

"Find the escaped Makers. Tell them to return to the machines, for the sake of the galaxy. It might be the easiest way to end this war."

He nodded. "This is surely why the machines gave us their history. They want us to find the Makers for them. They know that Glamors might accomplish what they can't."

"We must search," Filia agreed. "But if we find the Makers, will they cooperate? They surely already know what is happening."

"Some persuasion may be required," Havoc said grimly.

"But—" Opaline began, then stopped, abashed.

"Speak," Havoc said.

"I just thought that maybe—maybe the machines only told you they want to serve, so you would help them. Maybe they just want to find the Makers so they can destroy them. Because they are the ones who rejected the machines."

"And the first story was the true one," Havoc said. "They seek to make dupes of us."

Filia approached her. "Havoc can't kiss you, because that would get you all worked up and frustrated. But maybe I can." She kissed Opaline, and there was the crackle and sparkle as their lips touched. Opaline received a jolt of magnetic pleasure. "Appreciation for your insight, Opaline. We shall consider it carefully before acting." She stepped away, leaving Opaline half stunned. She had no taste for love with women, but this creature could probably seduce her if she tried.

"We shall indeed," Havoc said. "Meanwhile we shall continue opposing the machines. It is time for the test."

Havoc showed the way to a small stand where half a dozen small chips of wood rested on the surface.

"Now the chips should move to the right, then away from us," Havoc said. "In half a minute."

They watched. The chips moved to the right, then away. That was all.

"Oak did it!" Opaline exclaimed. "From fifty light years away!"

"I detected no magnetic force," Filia said. "How does he do it?"

"We conjecture he adapts gravity," Havoc said. "Borrowing from its future timeline at the specific site, compressing it, so that the force focuses on that spot, now. We are equally impressed with his ability to sense the objects, so that he can touch them correctly. This, too, must be instantaneous, bypassing the limitations of magic and physics. It is a very special talent. We do not believe it can be blocked. Opaline has been working with him, developing it. We owe this success to her."

Opaline was silent, but she glowed internally because of the praise for Oak and herself. She had long since appreciated that while Oak's conscious mind was simple, his ability was unique.

"Your prime weapon against the machines is ready," Filia said. "We must celebrate."

Of course that meant more sex, and Opaline, flush with the success of the test, was more than willing. This time Opaline kissed Havoc's face while Filia addressed his member. When that member spouted, Opaline felt his pleasure and went into her own climax, triggered by the kiss. Her body did not care how he got his orgasm; it still gave her leave to join it. There were ways in which his kiss was more potent than his penis.

Filia no longer seemed at all strange. She was just another of Havoc's mistresses of the moment, every bit as lovely, smart, and magical as the others.

After that, Havoc made ready to depart. Opaline went to join him, but he demurred. "I will be making several trips back and forth, to set up alternate tests. You might as well remain here until all are done."

"But I have no knowledge of this culture," Opaline protested. "I suspect I can't even breathe outside this dome. Maybe you should take me home and leave me there."

"Not until Weft is done with Oak," he said, and vanished.

"He is thoughtless," Filia said. "He is male."

Opaline smiled ruefully. "I love him, but he does frustrate me. I don't want to be a burden here."

"I will give you a tour. We can converse."

"But you surely have other business."

Filia addressed her squarely. "I am Queen of Filament, and a Glamor. I have no more important business at the moment than safeguarding you, for you are promoting the weapon that will defeat the machines."

"But I am nothing!"

"Nothing once removed. Your human being Oak is the secret weapon we must have. You guide and support him. Without you he can't function. For this purpose you become the most important creature in the living galaxy."

"I can't believe that!"

"Nor do you need to. We believe it, and will assist you accordingly. May I show you around our planet?"

Opaline was at a loss how to handle this. "Maybe if you have an assistant who isn't busy."

"You are painfully modest, a considerable contrast to a Glamor. I appreciate why Havoc likes you. This way."

Opaline followed her to a small bubble with two seats. They sat in these, and the bubble angled up and through a vent in the dome. The alien landscape spread out below them: metal spires and cubes. "Wonder!"

"We are a semi-living species," Filia said. "Our essence is alive, but our larger forms are composed entirely of shaped bands of filaments, as you have seen. Regardless, we side firmly with the living cultures, because the machines will destroy us otherwise."

Opaline, trying to stave off an overload of impressions, fixed on one thing. "You are a Glamor?"

"The Glamor of filings," she agreed. "We have other Glamors, but they are busy elsewhere."

"And Havoc—you are not at all his species. Do you really enjoy sex with him?"

"Confirmation. He is a Glamor. There is a camaraderie of association among Glamors that rises above species, with a strong sexual component. Glamors have sex together, if it is even remotely feasible. Fortunately I am able to assume a shape to accommodate him."

"Other alien Glamors want sex? I mean, with other species?"

"Affirmation. It is in our makeup. It is almost as though we are our own species, apart from our physical species.

We are curious about our origins, which are relatively recent. No Glamor is older than several of your centuries.

What triggered our appearance so widely across the galaxy? We have no answer."

"I wonder—could it be that the common threat of the machines evoked the Glamors? To fight the machines?"

"Perhaps. Yet there needs to be a mechanism. Many Glamors appeared before the threat of the machines was generally known. So it seems coincidental. But we don't trust coincidence."

"I—I need to warn you of something," Opaline said. "The machines—I am a synthetic human, made by the machines to gather information about the culture. They can read my mind, when they come close. You must not tell me anything you don't want the machines to know."

Filia was surprised. "Havoc knows this, of course. Why would he trust you with this vital mission?"

"He says I am qualified. I am doing it, but I think there must be thousands of others who are as qualified. I don't know why he picked me." She smiled, embarrassed. "He does like to plumb me, but I don't think that could be it."

"He likes to plumb anything with plumbing. He must want the machines to know," Filia said. "This surprises me. Why would he arrange to give them such vital information?"

"I thought Oak might be a decoy, to distract the machines, but Havoc says no. He says Oak and I are protected."

"Correct and correct," Filia said. "Oak's talent is real, as we have demonstrated this day. Very small movements can control the functioning of machines, including ships of space. And you are protected by the Glamors, there in your stronghold. And by me, at the moment. We do value you."

"Yet if Oak really is our secret weapon, why assign me to train him, knowing that the machines will know? It isn't secret any more."

"Conjecture: just as the machines sent humanoid robots to your culture, to impress you with their powers and make you reconsider your opposition, maybe Havoc is sending information to the machines to make them reconsider their campaign. If they see what Oak can do, and know they can't stop him, perhaps they will stop their attack."

"Possibility!" Opaline exclaimed, delighted with the conjecture. That could explain everything.

"This war is being waged on many levels. Both sides would profit greatly if the other desisted short of victory."

"Do you think either side will quit?"

"Negation," Filia said. "The machines are locked into their program, trusting to force to remove all obstacles.

The Glamors will not allow all living cultures to be destroyed. So the war must be fought."

"Do you really think the living cultures can stop the machines?"

"Affirmation. But the way may be devious. Both sides are peering into the future, seeking those courses that lead to victory. This is one of the ways it becomes devious. What seems obvious in the present may not be true for the future."

"My head feels dense."

The craft landed on the top of one of the cubic buildings. "We live in these," Filia said. "Thousands of little shelves where the magnetic essences can be stored, and common areas suitable for fully animated Filaments."

"Stored?"

"You would call it sleep. It is our inactive state. We assume it for space travel, compacting our filings, then animating when the ship finds a suitable harbor. I could show you the interior of the building, but I think you would not find it interesting."

"Affirmation. I prefer forest, fields, streams, and the embrace of a man."

Filia laughed. "You must tell me more of the last, for that is what we have in common. Are there nuances that set Havoc off? I noted that you are stimulated by observing the sexual act; is that the case for him too?"

Opaline considered, trying to remember. When they had watched Weft, in the guise of Opaline, having sex with Oak, the sight had turned Opaline on. She had turned to Havoc, and they had had immediate sex. She had assumed he was being kind to her, and that he was always ready for sex. So had it been the sight, or Opaline's eagerness that turned him on?

"Problem," Filia murmured.

"Question?"

"My instruments indicate a machines attack craft in the vicinity, closing on our position."

"It's after me!" Opaline exclaimed, horrified. "They must have read my mind, and discovered where I was, and are striking because I am not in the stronghold now."

"This may be the case," Filia agreed. "We shall evade them."

The craft accelerated, swinging to the side so rapidly that Opaline was crushed against the protective harness that held her in place. The landscape of the planet zoomed dizzily by. She had had no idea that this little bubble was capable of such ferocious maneuvering.

"Obscenity," Filia muttered, the translator rendering her actual expression into Charm dialect. "We are not shaking the enemy. It has locked onto us."

"Throw me overboard!" Opaline cried. "Then you can escape."

"Negation. I undertook to safeguard you, and I shall do so. Hang on." The bubble suddenly lifted, moving straight up into the sky. Now the machines gunboat was visible, drawing closer. It looked horribly menacing.

"Wormhole," Filia said tightly. There was a gut-twisting wrench. Then the scene shifted. They were floating above another planet. Opaline knew, because the sky had changed color from gray to blue and the cubic buildings below had been replaced by blue trees.

"Wonder," Opaline said. "I never traveled in a craft like this before, only in Havoc's arms."

"Fortunate you," Filia said. "We seem to have lost them. We shall have to get you back home soon, because we can't match the protection that location provides you."

"I do miss Oak," Opaline said. Then she realized that this was beside the point, and was embarrassed.

Then the machines boat popped into view. "Infidelity!" Filia swore. "They used another wormhole!"

"They're still tracking my open mind," Opaline said. "Please, this is dangerous for you. Put me down somewhere and flee."

Filia glanced at her. "I can see why Havoc likes you. Your innocence is touching."

"Apology," Opaline said, feeling wholly inadequate.

"Wormhole," Filia said again. There followed the wrenching and relocation.

This time the planet was a barren red moon. "Question?"

"We haven't colonized this one yet," Filia explained. "The threat of the machines preempted our attention."

"Understanding."

The enemy vessel appeared again.

"Blasphemy!" Filia seemed angry rather than afraid.

"If you would just—"

"Negation! I will save you if it kills me!"

They used another wormhole, taking them to a giant planet with roiling bands of clouds. And soon the machines ship followed.

"I will go where not expected," Filia said. "Beyond my venue. That will foil them."

"Please—"

"Negation! Now you will have to pilot this craft. Put your digits on this panel and move in the direction you wish it to go. You will catch on quickly enough. I am turning on the planetary communicator. Speak, and someone will hear."

"But where—"

"To your planet of Charm, where you are safe. The environment is hostile for me, and I have no ikon there, so I will not be able to manifest or talk with you. Havoc will find me and take me back."

The enemy craft was looming close. In moments it would fire and wipe them out.

"It will enter the hole in twenty seconds. Move over as I contract," Filia said. "Now." She withdrew into her filing cube, which landed on the seat.

Opaline didn't try to argue further. She picked up the cube, slid into the seat, and set the cube in her lap. She put her hand on the panel.

The craft wrenched. The scene changed. And there before it was the patchwork world of Charm. She was home, in a manner.

She moved her fingers on the panel. The bubble leaped forward, the restraints closing about her body to prevent her from being hurled against the side. She jerked her hands back, and the bubble jerked back just as violently.

She steadied herself, and the bubble steadied. She was getting the hang of it.

And the machines gunship appeared before her.

They had followed her here after all. Her safety in this region was illusory.

"Desperation!" she exclaimed. Then she oriented the bubble carefully, centering the gunship on the screen, and jammed her fingers forward.

The craft leaped, hurtling toward the enemy, accelerating. Opaline kept her hands steady. She knew she couldn't hope to escape the gunship, but she could at least take it with her.

The ship loomed close, filling the screen. Opaline didn't flinch. She plunged straight at it, not slowing. She closed her eyes, anticipating the collision.

Nothing happened. She opened her eyes. The view ahead was clear. What had happened?

Then she saw a flicker in a screen inset in the corner. It was a view of the rear. And there was the enemy craft, turning around.

It had avoided her and let her pass it by. Now it was orienting on her tail.

What could she do? "Help!" she cried. "I am Opaline, back from Filament, fifty light years distant. The machines are chasing me. Help!"

"Granted."

Startled, Opaline looked. There beside her was a woman in the uniform of an Amazon. "Flame!"

"Open your mind."

Opaline did, gladly.

"Maintain course. I will take out that boat." Flame disappeared.

Opaline continued forward, slowing. Nervously she watched the vessel behind.

Then it changed course. It veered away from the planet and accelerated into deep space. It was no longer pursuing her. But where was it going?

"Void," Flame said, reappearing. "I adjusted its controls. It will find its destination."

Void. The black hole companion to the star Vivid. The gunboat was doomed. "Relief," Opaline said. "But—"

"I know. It's in your mind. Queen Filia is in your lap. We must take her home."

"I don't know the way. She set the course."

"I do. Give me the controls." Opaline held the cube in one hand while she stood to move over. Flame slid across and put one hand on the panel. "Wormhole," she said.

Then they were back by the giant planet with the roiling clouds. Flame had taken them back through the same wormhole.

The cube in Opaline's hand quivered. Filings coursed out, forming a curtain. Filia was taking form.

Opaline hastily moved over to give the Queen room. Filia took the center seat gracefully.

"Appreciation," she said. "You handled that well, Opaline."

"All I did was yell for help."

"That sufficed." Filia glanced at Flame. "Greeting, Glamor Flame. You are Havoc's daughter?"

"Affirmation," Flame said, moving over. "I felt you would be better off in your own frame, now that the machines' boat has been dealt with. Appreciation for your support."

"Necessary." Filia took the controls. The bubble went through another wormhole and was back at the home planet.

Filia guided the bubble back to the main dome and settled it into its hamper. They climbed out.

There was Havoc. "You lost interest in the test?" he inquired with a straight face. Of course he knew what had happened. "I can handle it alone. Oak continues to score."

"I'll be going now, Havoc," Flame said. "Parting, all."

"Request," Filia said quickly. "Take me with you."

Flame paused, reading her mind. Then she spoke to Opaline. "Take her ikon."

Opaline looked where mentally guided, and found a tiny cube resting on a pedestal. She picked it up. Then she walked to Flame. "Parting, Havoc," she said.

Then Flame put one hand on Filia's arm. Filia shrank into her cube, sitting in Flame's hand. Flame put her other hand on Opaline's arm.

They were back in familiar terrain, in sight of the farmhouse.

The cube Flame held expanded into Filia's human form. This was an alien environment for her, but with her ikon present she was able to handle it.

"I would like to meet Oak," Filia said.

"Regret," Flame said to Opaline. "You must be invisible and silent for this, as my sister still emulates you."

"Understanding." Then Opaline disappeared, unable even to see her own body.

The farmhouse door opened. Oak and Opaline emerged. She was holding his arm, guiding him. He was tall and handsome, his simplicity not showing physically. She was surprisingly pretty, with a cute face and slender yet evocative figure. Opaline realized that what Havoc had told her was correct: with her nature being fulfilled, she was slowly transforming from reasonably attractive to beautiful. Weft was merely emulating her present state.

The pair approached Flame and Filia.

"Greeting, Opaline, Oak," Flame said. "This is Filia, from a culture fifty light years distant. She wanted to meet you."

"Greeting, Filia," Weft said shyly, exactly as the real Opaline would have. Her irises were orange; Opaline realized with a start that she had never seen another fifth so wasn't accustomed to that color. The mirror didn't count; this looked like a separate person.

Weft jogged Oak's arm. "Greeting," he said belatedly.

"Oak, you are doing a great thing for the living cultures," Filia said. "We of Filament appreciate it."

Oak looked at her more directly. His pupils expanded as he noted her beauty. Weft jogged his elbow.

"Welcome," he said.

Filia stepped forward and kissed him. He looked pleasantly amazed. Weft quickly guided him back to the farmhouse, lest he misunderstand Filia's gesture and try to have sex with her. Weft would give him sex instead.

Opaline felt jealous. It was true that Oak did not know he was not with the real Opaline, but the idea of another woman satisfying him bothered her. She had had a monopoly. Now she fully appreciated Flame's earlier statement that she would rather have her man Fifth with Opaline than with Weft. Opaline would rather have Oak with her than with Weft.

"My sister Weft, emulating Opaline," Flame reminded Filia. "He needs special attention."

Opaline reappeared. She saw her body again. The need for her to be hidden had passed. "He is simple," she said.

"But what a talent!" Filia looked at her again. "Still, I am uncertain why such a significant weapon should be handled by a person the machines can read. Is it really a power play?"

"Negation," Flame said. "But it is intricate." She looked at Filia, and Opaline knew she was sending telepathic information.

"Understanding," Filia said. "Now at last I make sense of it." She looked at Opaline. "You are essential. Now it is clear why the machines are trying to destroy you, even though they have been using you."

"Confusion."

"You will direct Oak, when the climactic battle comes," Flame said. "They will block his direct impact on the ships. Then you will have Oak affect the broadcast instructions to those ships. They will track and block that. Then Oak will interfere with the blocking mechanism. So it will continue in a battle behind the apparent one. The machines know they can't be certain to block every avenue Oak will use, so they prefer to take him out before the fact. By killing you, because by himself he is no more threat to them than a defunct machine is to you."

"Intricate," Opaline agreed, seeing it. "But how will I know how to direct him?"

"I will be with you, or another Glamor will be, providing the coordinates of his targets."

"Understanding!"

"Comprehension," Filia agreed. "Now I will go home."

"Opaline will carry your ikon," Flame said. "Then Havoc will bring her home."

"Parting," Filia said, taking Opaline's arm.

"Echo," Flame said.

And they were back in the dome. Opaline set the cubic ikon back where she had found it.

There was Havoc. "Test complete," he announced. "Oak is ready."

"Then you will be done with us for a while," Filia said. Her clothing faded out; it was merely filings in the proper shape. Opaline, thus invited to participate, dropped her clothing. "We are going to make out with someone, and you are the only man within reach."

"Next month?" Havoc asked, teasing them.

They tackled him together, bringing him down on a couch. This time Filia took Havoc's upper section, wrapping her legs about his head so that his face was buried in her crotch, while Opaline got his nether section, sitting on it and taking his rising member in. He climaxed almost immediately, and she followed. Joint sex was new to her, as of this day, but she found she liked it well enough. She liked Filia too; she was made of filings, but she was still some woman.

All the same, Opaline would be relieved to get back to Oak. She was ready for a siege of simple uncomplicated familiar sex that would make no demands on her intellect or emotion.

Still she had a nagging doubt. She suspected that they had not told her all of the nature of her assignment with Oak.