And fully sated and ready for the signal, the Jackal watched the synthvixen twin to Vikki take a flying machine and fly toward the light in the sea on a pillar of fire.

Time was short. Was one little machine enough? Aurica cupped Amelie's chin, and directed her to look her in her eyes. Aurica then said, “remember” and put the cat back in its full mind. The cat reeled and Aurica pressed back into its mind, stripping out intrusive thoughts and distractions.

Without shoving the command in, Aurica said, “I see you don't trust those machines any more than I do. Take your machine and go help her.”

The cat’s face turned to steel. It looked down at the slave bag and it wilted under the stare. It reached in and took out the watch, put it on, and made the gesture, and then it too was aloft on a pillar of flame. Two amber lights flying to the southwest at speeds approaching that of sound.