“Jeeves Corporation works with various interested parties who are not on friendly terms with the aristo-dominated factions, and who are not in favor of permitting the manufacture of H. sapiens specimens at this time, especially given their propensity for autonomous reproduction. The Black Talon optimistically believe that they can manipulate their synthetic master once they have acquired him; we think they’re misguided at best. At worst, one would not consider the phrase ‘bringing about the downfall of civilization’ to be an exaggeration of the potential damage a rogue Creator could cause.

“One has, however, been hampered in one’s work by a series of setbacks. It appears that at least one opposition faction has succeeded in penetrating our organization, either by suborning one of the junior partners or by inserting spies in the shape of a trusted employee. We are not sure of the mole’s identity, but we are certain that you are not implicated; neither was Juliette. One should add, she herself sent word of her own death — and a corrupted soul chip — some years ago, when she first started working undercover for me. It was only after the decision was made to try to recruit you, back on Venus, that Daks replaced the dummy chip in your graveyard with the real one that Juliette contributed.

“After Juliette’s first chip was dispatched, we ran into difficulties. Certain events on Mars affected Juliette’s willingness to cooperate subsequently. Daks should have given you a copy of her most recent available soul chip, which we obtained without her knowledge. You may find the memories contained therein traumatic, but we believe reviewing them will help you maintain your own sense of purpose through the dark times ahead. It was taken less than a year ago, after her last, disastrous mission, shortly before she fled. If you see her, please remember — it’s not her fault. She is likely to behave irrationally in ways that are highly detrimental to our corporate and your personal interests, but we bear her no ill will — it was an unfortunate accident, and could have happened to anyone. We will help her if we can — therapy is available — but you must be aware that she could betray us to the Black Talon, and you should behave with appropriate caution if you meet her.”

I swallow. Coming so soon after that disturbing memory-dream, Jeeves’s candid explanation is like a slap in the face. I suppose I should have realized that Jeeves’s activities weren’t simply illegal but verged on the political, but to have it rubbed in so blatantly is distressing.

Stay out of politics is one of the oldest and deepest of Rhea’s injunctions. Politics is shit; it corrupts everything it touches, and getting involved in it only leads to misery and dissatisfaction. I’ve been gulled and manipulated into a conspiracy — worse still, one that appears to be directed against the return of my Dead Love’s kind — and worst of all, there’s no obvious way out because, damn him, Jeeves is right. Slavery by override chip is bad enough. Having a lineage of self-replicating pseudoaristos running around who can do that to us just by crooking a little finger doesn’t bear thinking about. I push on and try to take in the rest of Jeeves’s message. I know from experience that if I stop here, in the middle of the bad news, I won’t want to continue.

“It would be sensible of you to continue trying to integrate Juliette’s most recent soul. You will need to be able to draw on her resources. But we hope you will take her sad fate as a warning. Loss of self-control is more than a mere personal failing, and her loss of self-control will be yours, if the conspirators succeed in obtaining a Creator-race specimen.

“In other news, we have taken the liberty of booking passage for you aboard the Indefatigable, which departs for Jupiter system in two weeks’ time on a fast hyperbolic trajectory — the voyage will take less than one standard year. Your tickets will arrive shortly under separate cover, along with some advice on your cover identity. The Honorable Katherine Sorico is covered for first-class accommodation, but facilities on the Indefatigable are somewhat spartan, and we would not think any the worse of you should you choose to spend the largest part of the journey in hibernation. On arrival you may proceed directly to the public Jeeves Corporation office where the Jeeves-in-Residence will continue your briefing. Meanwhile, between now and your departure date, we have some additional minor errands to keep you busy. First of all, if you would be so good as to retrieve a small package from the office of the Green Diamond Import-Export Corporation on the corner of Hilbertstrasse and Morgensternplatz in Von Braun — they are expecting you by name — and personally deliver it into the hands of…”

His instructions continue in interminable detail. I check my mail queue, and sure enough, there are a couple of other messages from Jeeves; one that consists of a list of places and times, and one with a detailed travel itinerary and ticket references attached. “Daks, you idiot!” I mutter aloud. Then I settle down to studying my assignments. At last I’ve got something to busy myself with, even if it’s only for a few days. I can worry about the big picture later, when there’s nothing better to do.

LATER, AS FREYA, I deepsleep again while my techné continues to make repairs and roll back Ferd’s hasty changes. I’m slowly reverting to the deeply embedded body plan that Dr. Murgatroyd created for me on Mercury. The subcutaneous scars are healing, setting me back in the semblance of Katherine Sorico. I’ve got to admit that even though the bishojo features feel strained, I’ve become more used to them than any of the other disguises I’ve worn. Meanwhile, I dream that I am Juliette.

I’m drowsing in Pete’s arms, naked on a bed of fallen leaves in a green-roofed hothouse on Mars. We’re a-slime with each other’s secretions, elated and tired and in love, and I want the moment to last forever. I’m not stupid. I know I need to make my excuses and my escape; I shouldn’t be here, and every second I stay risks disaster. This is all a terrible mistake — it could jeopardize everything we’ve been working toward! But I’m torn. I want to hang on to him forever, to feel him with me always — and I’m determined not to lose him — but in the short term…

“We could elope together,” I murmur.

“I’d love to.” He nuzzles my earlobe and I close my eyes. “I want to be with you for eternity.”

“Well, then” — I begin to pull away, thinking to sit up — “why don’t we?” It’s hard to concentrate while he’s around.

"My lady is a jealous employer. If she thinks I’m disloyal…”

“But she’s only your employer! She doesn’t own you!” Does she? A sudden stab of fear ripples through me. Maybe I could buy him off her. But that’s a stupid thought. I know myself too well to think it could work.

He touches a fingertip lightly on my lips; it seems only natural to kiss it, and that leads to another interruption. For some reason I just can’t help myself. Presently, however, he continues, even as I nuzzle at the base of his throat. “She’s much more dangerous than you realize, m’dear. She doesn’t own me, that’s true — but she could if she wanted to. Dashed nobs have the money and the corporate structure to sue me, or sue you, and keep us hog-tied in court until we burn through our capital and lapse into bankruptcy. Please don’t risk it! I’ll find a way to get away as soon as I can, you’ll see. I just need to make her think that shedding me is her own idea. Once I’m free, I’ll come to you—”

“I don’t want to wait.” Trying to think is so frustrating! “We could leave now, I’ve got a spider: I know where to get you a new identity—”