Most research and weapon manufacturing is now outsourced to private corporations. This was one of the last projects directly managed by the now defunc...t Fleet Technology Development Bureau.”“If we are not here for the robots why are we here?” The Kermac wanted to know.Swybar stepped onto the lowered hand of the robot. “To make me once again independent and equal and not a slave. You saved my life I grant you that, but you treated me like a servant. This ends now. Arrogant Kermac, I am tempted to. He was to spend his school time in book learning, the arts and sciences, gentle pursuits in readiness for the throne. And Thad knew how good Arrik was at book learning. Arrik was strong, too, being his father’s son.Although he had not been taught how to ride, wield a sword or draw a bow, Arrik could ski better than anyone in the area, climb mountains as well as any goat and was a deadly game hunter, extremely accurate with a slingshot. Thad laughed at the thought. His father, the Count, had. I’m slick and you can feel me when you arc up over your abdomen. Your hands firmly on my legs, you rub from calf to thigh, up and down, and down and then up. Slow and firm. You’re grinning that grin, the one that makes me narrow my eyes and want to even the score. I lean in close and murmur your name into your ear. I groan and say it again. Your voice nearly drops an octave in reply. You pull me further up your body so I’m back in range, and then you’re at my entrance and sliding in. Your eyes. Shannon was like something out of some crazy spythriller, or some action movie with helicopter stunts and budgets largerthan the GDP of many island countries, and here she was doing it all forCarla-Jean. Carla-Jean pushed aside her moral concerns with a growingsmile. For the first time in years, she felt a hint of real power behindher decisions."I want to choose what kind of 'hunk' he's looking for," Carla-Jean saidsuddenly, surprising even herself. Shannon grinned, eager to plot.