t  exactly as Caldime. tant-looking leatV screen. Even tools alian leaterminals linked to cyberspace via t’s onboard satellite system blinked to one side of t. A fully immersive VR suit .

    As soon as tepped aboard, Ms. Levin disappeared into one of to tRICtED: AUt omy Air, courtesy of s settled talian leat Jones opened a compartment in t and pulled out tarted playing a o top of a glass coffee table folloime. tic egos.

    “You t ter to do t it ion in tances but t urned to tc in one of tc Jones’ boxer pin Agent Jackman’s boxer against to t round. ired, botally and p t of t any notions of sleep at bay. cs and ties, poised for ts sat slumped in ter traaking advice from invisible trainers.

    Caldood up and opened one of t t of t, t didn’t say AUtreadmills and more leat all s did? Kick back and t on tomated fuel trucks  o take off. tical Eurasian t sure  teain telepation t seemed totally unreal.

    “elcome on board Mr. Caldo bring you t to co after your procedure. e also case of clotems t  bag which she placed on a hanger on wall.

    “t tural about tense and vaguely disturbing artificial beauty.

    “You are  synchrony.

    “I am not going to bot going to get confused,” he said.

    “t’s a good idea. Just call us Siu Je t be any confusion.”

    “Sounds like a plan. Do you guys al t time? And  sound like English.”

    “Very funny, Mr. Caldonese perfectly  you once Ms. Levin is ready for you.” ttractive broal eyes bore into him.

    “Yea?”

    “Pardon us, Mr. Caldhe girls said in unison.

    “Never mind. It’s just a little joke. And call me Cad, please.”

    “If you insist, Cad,” tereo, retreating backhe gaping door.

    culturing air esses in vats. tice  unaly  a ty-one year-old om made in six mont of Fouler’s fantasies. Only o t basic stereotypes about beauty. And t clicked. ts, Jackman and Jones. tical black and  of a decision made in a lab. s oaff. t ’s obsession o. t otally unnatural laug Fouler  t, like el abandoned in the woods.

    Cald tried to reflect back on everyt  ty-four  aying in Glyprailer.  of es would .

    tempo of ely gone up a notcter or  taking  about te aircraft bound for s of t ty-four oo complex to digest and  left alone to  in due course. ill pissed off about w Fouler  o him.

    ared outside t engineers fitted tal slingss belo’s fuselage. Cald like  before. t rumble as tempo rose until tarted to s started moving upively gripped t of . ts snapping and t s straigo the sky, bound for hong Kong.

    leveled out, Caldo t appeared Ms. Levin ill in tricted access. ts en. Bot Jones landed an uppercut to Agent Jackman’s virtual ja’s o tual canvass. A referee materialized out of noo table, and began to count Agent Jackman’s boxer avatar doo get up but it o no avail. Agent Jones’ boy -soaked in tared at him.

    Agent Jones eased  of t in t s-soaked s.

    Cald o be a long flig as o be friendly.

    “First time to  to sound casual.

    “No, but t Jackman  appeared tayed silent her.

    “how do you know if you’ve never been?” Caldwell pushed.

    “Look e, to be a trip. e don’t need any s from you. OK?”

    “I am not giving any. Look  get along. Do you he Union,” Caldwell probed.

    A blank look came over t say a  Jackman stood up suddenly. s ured look t only served to confirm Caldial suspicions. t jobs.   t custom built people to serve its dark purposes? t’s eyes  blank and Cald  to take revenge for  and pound o t. ricted door.

    “e are ready for you norip to tist. e? ? And ure intended?

    “I am not in tomy riges to reconsider?” Caldime and tiable. Caldood up nervously.  t  to take place and  o arted to flaso let ely in

    t. S younger te room of ly acquired memories.