AWAKENING

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

(Where's the Grand Starlord Minstrel discovers

that he has a new problem.)

The last thing Minstrel remembered was Eoi's burp, then the sky went out. He awoke to the smell of overheated metal mixed with a mornings shower. Emma's moan caught his attention, even though his head was pounding he looked over.

Phileana, the she-teddy bear android was leaning over Emma, her paws on the young girls head. She seemed intent, distracted somehow. Whatever she was doing, it was taking almost all her concentration.

"M an Kujo?" he asked.

"Inthehouse, gettingherbedready" the teddybear answered, her eyes opening barely a slit. Somehow, she seemed... somewhere else. Minstrel reached over to touch Emma.

"No" Phileana growled, then closed her eyes again.

They stayed that way for almost an hour, when with a sigh Phileana released Emma's head. Minstrel almost thought he could see tiny tendrils retract into the teddy bears paws as she leaned back. Emma's face had calmed, there was even the hint of a smile.

"What did you do to her?" he asked, staring at the plump little furball.

"Iam, afterallonlyanandroid" Phileana answered, clasping her hands to her small breasts. "Nothingmorethanamobilecomputer." She reached out again, moving a lock of Emma's hair from her face. Her touch seemed gentle, like that of a mother with a sick child. "Ijust... editedhermemories." She smiled at Emma, "She'llrememberhertimewiththeABHA, butnotwhatreallyhappened."

Minstrel opened the starcars door, stepping out onto the rainslick street. Its hinges groaned with protest, there was a metallic snap and the door stopped. Score marks along the body showed how brutal re-entry had been, shards of strange colored metal had fallen from under the hood. Somehow, he didn't think the starcar was going into space again soon. Looking back into the car he noticed, for the first time, how exhausted the teddy bear really was. Whatever she had done to/for Emma it had taken its toll. Walking around the car he opened their door, "What will you do now?" he asked,

Phileana stepped out, stretching slowly. She looked about ready to pass out, great circles under her eyes were only half hidden by the soft fur there. Looking up into the low scud clouds, painted with false dawn colors she rubbed her eyes, leaning back against the car. It groaned from her weight, leaning slightly as the suspension took up the uneven load. "Idon'tknow" she answered, glancing at the slivers of metal. "Iseemtobestrandedhere." She looked at him, he could see the pain in her eyes, though she tried to hide it with a smile. "Youwouldn'thappentohaveaspareroom, wouldyou?" she asked.

     Behind us a soft feminine voice spoke to the brightening dawn. "Primary Sequence Complete, Ready to Fire."