Talking Nate into collaring Brianna so she could spend time with her potential matches turned out to be an easy sell. She and Angus silently lifted eyebrows as Nate quickly summoned Darcone. He sent the alien off with a collar and matching set of metal wrist cuffs.

Erin watched in fascination as Darcone glared at the devices. “Color me surprised. Nate likes the idea, but someone else doesn’t seem very happy with our plan.”

Angus chuckled. “Probably because Darcone now has to worry about Brianna’s safety in a whole different way. On the upside though, Brianna won’t look like a prisoner with more metal on her. People will just assume Brianna is accessorizing her face jinglies.”

Erin’s conspiratorial grin as she ducked her head made him want to drag her off to bed. Only it was the middle of the fecking day and they still had a huge discussion ahead of them. Angus turned his head back to Nate, who had rejoined them at his desk.

Nate nodded as he sat. “I told Darcone to put Brianna in the quarters next to yours since she seems to truly believe that the two of you are clones of her parents. That could work to our advantage over all. Got any other bright ideas today?”

Angus nodded. “Yes, actually. We want to throw Mia and Kor-el a wedding at the castle.”

Silence fell in the office. Nearly a full minute went by while they waited for Nate to take it in. “You’re joking,” he said finally.

Angus shook his head. “No, we’re very serious. We’d invite the next four or five rounds of alien suitors and women to go along as guests. It would be a simple matter for me to arrange some games as entertainment. They play these games in their common area already.”

Angus snorted in frustration when Nate shook his head. The man took no chances at all.

“Angus… there’s not nearly enough security at the castle to risk that. There’s barely enough on our airship. We keep moving all the time so that we don’t become a target for those still trying to kill the women. Sure, we’re a deterrent with all the aliens on board, but criminals in Universe 1 are stealthy. ”

“So the aliens aren’t the main problem,” Angus concluded, seeing Nate’s logic at last.

“No,” Nate replied. “It’s the safety of the women. When they’re out in the open, they’re back to being at risk. On the airship, I can constrain the threats to them. This is why I think this whole idea is crazy.”

Angus nodded. “What would it take to make the castle grounds secure enough for ya?”

Nate sat back down in his chair and leaned back. “An underground fence set up to warn us about intruders. Manned guards to make sure no one got in that shouldn’t be there. Building a giant bubble over it would be optimal. Security would take more money than the Guardians are going to be willing to spend on any experiment of that nature.”

Erin put a hand on Angus’s arm to stop him from arguing. He gave her a chastising look, but she interrupted anyway. “Director John was supposed to set up a meeting between the Guardians and us. Can we do that and ask them ourselves?”

Nate snorted. “The Guardians are not going to listen to your crazy ideas about throwing weddings as part of your matchmaking. They have too many graver concerns. The meeting with you—if it happens—will be nothing more a cursory exchange. It’s merely political. You had politics in Universe 6, didn’t you?”

“Of course. But they would do us the courtesy of hearing us out though, don’t ya think?” Erin protested.

Nate shrugged. “I don’t know. I met with them once. They aren’t like the rest of us. My grandfather wasn’t a person anyone messed with. He refused to discuss what being a Guardian was like, even with my grandmother. I know it takes all the Guardians approving a person to elect a new one, which does not happen often. They’re the only world government we allow to influence life on this planet. Actual governing is done at a province level. There are seven provinces left in the world.”

“Who runs the province where we’re located?” Angus asked.

Nate let out his breath slowly. “My mother,” he said tightly.

“Yer mother?” Erin repeated. She rolled her eyes. “Is there anyone in yer family not involved here at the highest level?”

“Not really,” Nate answered.

Silence fell in the office for a second time. They used it to glare at each other. She and Nate were still staring when Angus cleared his throat beside her. She knew he’d find a way to let go of his irritation first. The process was never as easy for her.

Angus rubbed his chin. “Let me ask a question, Nate. This is a pertinent one now since I’ve decided to stay. Are Erin and I to receive any sort of compensation for our matchmaking? Back in Lisdoonvarna, I often got paid in live chickens, or my customers paid off my tab at the pub. Perhaps another form of currency might be more useful in Universe 1.”

Nate nodded. “You will receive compensation for all current and future work. You also have complete access to the existing accounts of the original MacNamaras. As far as the world is concerned, and that includes their children, you are still the originals. Using the accounts will make that even more provable at large. If Brianna accepts you, even as clones, then no one else will blink about your sudden youthful appearances again. But that wasn’t what you asked, was it? Yes to your question about wealth—the MacNamaras had a large amount of credits accumulated.”

Angus smiled. “Good. Did Angus 1 leave enough to fix yer security concerns?”

Nate frowned. “You could probably fix one thing and still retain enough to continue the maintenance of the castle.”

Angus nodded. “Good again. If that’s the case, then I would choose to fix the underground security ya mentioned. Erin and I wanted to fix the music anyway. No one will suspect that we’re improving the security. Carleton would have to know though. As keeper of the castle, it couldn’t be accomplished without him and I don’t want to be keeping secrets from the man.”

“I haven’t said yes, Angus.” Nate glared as he stated the obvious.

Erin threw up her hands. “Nate… can ya not see the value in these women leaving here feeling like their planet considers them heroines in New Earth’s fecking alien abduction stories? Or do ya just want to just keep heartlessly sending them off to Goddess knows what kind of situation thinking no one back here gives a good damn about them? Because that’s what Mia is thinking right now. She’s resigned to her fate even though she’s more than half in love with Kor-el already. But she still sees leaving here as a punishment. If they’re not fools where she’s going, they will eventually figure out that Mia didn’t come of her own accord. What kind of problems will her reluctance cause for her?”

“The current process has been working for nearly four hundred years. I don’t see any real benefit in changing it.”

“Define working, Nate. How many have ya placed in that time?” Erin asked.

“Just over one hundred and fifty. I won’t say those results are impressive, or that the aliens aren’t often impatient about the small number. Lots of women stall the process for a very long time. Some have a meltdown before they get through it all. The original MacNamaras refused to push them when things went sour… much like you’re doing.”

Erin held Nate’s irritated gaze with her own determined one. “Angus’s idea—if it works—could get the number of alien matches up to fifty in the next year alone. We need to be working with the natures of these women, let them do the picking as organically as possible, and then send each off in grand style with a wedding. It’s a bonus that we can use the same event to launch the next set.”

“And if Angus’s grand plan doesn’t work?” Nate asked.

Angus snorted. “It will work. It might not on a jaded man like ya have become, but it will work on desperate aliens willing to do anything to court an Earth woman.”

“There are other benefits too,” Erin added. “These women need to know when times get hard that they are doing something heroic for their planet. The memory of choosing their match might be the one thing that sustains them.”

Nate puffed out his cheeks and blew out a breath as he made a concession. “Okay. I’ll arrange for you to speak to the Guardians about this matter. If they agree, I’ll help. If they don’t… we go back to normal.”

“Until we think of something else,” Angus added as a contingency.

Nate snorted. “Yes. That’s what I’m most afraid of.”

* * *

Brianna looked around their quarters and frowned. “These quarters are pathetic.”

Angus chuckled. “Are ya comparing this to how much nicer things are at the castle?”

She nodded and turned a smile his way. “Yes. I can’t believe Mom and Dad lived like this on the airship. I don’t think I was even in their quarters here, but this can’t be the right place. Mom would have gone nuts in this confined space.”

Not wanting to interrupt their intriguing conversation, Erin rose to answer the quiet knock on the door that she knew meant dinner had arrived. In the hall, their food server was busily moving Brianna’s meal to their cart while a frowning Darcone looked on.

“I am Toorg.”

Erin turned to their blond guard. “Evening, Toorg. Berg got the night off?” Her answer was a cryptic nod, but it confirmed that the blond giant guard understood her question.

She turned a smile to their food server, but lifted her gaze above his head to Darcone. “Thank you letting us have dinner together, Darcone. We’re still in the process of getting to know each other.”

She got a similar cryptic nod in reply, but smiled more when Darcone stepped forward until he had Brianna in his sights. His gaze remained on her, but seemed to soften as he took in Brianna nodding at something Angus said.

Erin stepped aside as the food server spoke to her in his strange language. Apparently, he was insisting on rolling the now full cart in personally.

Smiling her goodbye, Erin followed him inside their quarters. She was nothing but impressed when Brianna walked to him and spoke to the man in his own language. He beamed at her and didn’t seem at all put off by all the metal on her. At one point, Brianna motioned to Angus and to her, carefully pronouncing their names. The food server bowed to each. Putting his hands together, he said one final thing—Erin took it as a blessing for their meal—then turned and left.

After the door closed behind him, Brianna looked at the plates and frowned. “Airship rations. Wonderful. We better eat it while it’s hot. Gross happens fast to this sort of food.”

Erin snickered as she set places for three at their table. Angus disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a tray and three glasses. She hid her smile when he offered one to Brianna. The girl lifted it to her nose and sniffed.

“Is this what I think it is?” she asked, her eyes glowing with excitement.

Angus chuckled. “If you think it’s something cold and refreshing, ya would be right.”

Brianna laughed. “I haven’t had this stuff in… oh, I can’t remember… but it’s been many years. Since I don’t have to worry about my sex life… cheers.” She lifted the drink and let a swallow roll down her throat. “Now that is good stuff.”

Angus set the tray on the table and passed the glass to Erin. He lifted his in the air. “To family… of whatever sort we are.”

After she saw Erin and Angus touch glasses, Brianna chuckled and lifted her glass to touch against theirs. As customs went, it was very nice.

“I really have to find out where they got your life memories. Sheena told me they had learned how to program them into a clone’s developing brain, but I never thought I’d live to meet real programmed clones. Not that the Guardians haven’t done a lot of illegal things that I have seen. Actually… now that I’m thinking about all that, I shouldn’t even be surprised.”

She paused both her thinking and speaking when she saw the sheer amount of confusion on their faces. Chuckling, Brianna set her ale glass next to one of the plates. “Let’s eat. After dinner, I’ll try to help you guys adjust to our technologies. You’ve been so nice to me. It’s the least I can do in return.”

“That would be wonderful, Brianna,” Erin said, setting her own ale down. “Ya can start by showing us how we can get in touch with Carleton.”

“Done,” Bri declared, pulling out her chair. “But call me Bri. When I hear my full name, I feel like I’m in trouble. Not that I care, but let’s just stay friendly for as long as possible here.”

* * *

Bri studied the communication screen’s menu and made sure the rapid contact information was set to go to Carleton first. She put in Sheena’s private number too. Her parent’s clones would need it when she was sent off-planet.

“You’re a marvel to be sure, Bri. It’s too hard to say what’s more surprising—the fact that you found a hidden screen in our room or that contacting Carleton can be done with that little black thing with all the buttons.”

Erin snorted. “The black thing is called a remote controller, Angus. All those buttons operate something in the room. Bri’s going to teach us.”

Bri chuckled at their discussion behind her back. No matter how much she ordered herself not to like them, she just couldn’t prevent it. “How did you all get around Nate so well? I could tell he was struggling when he could barely talk about the pair of you without snarling. You’re so innocent.”

“Are we now?” Angus asked, grabbing Erin’s knee to keep her from barking out a laugh. “Or are we just more simple minded and direct about speaking what we consider to be God’s truth?”

Bri laughed. “I don’t know about any deity’s truth, but you do tend to speak your own.”

Erin watched as Bri pushed a button. Moments later, some room in the castle came into view. Shortly after that, Carleton appeared.

“Hey Carleton.”

“Brianna?”

Bri nodded. “Yes. I’m on the airship with…” She turned to look at the two people behind her. She turned back to Carleton. “I’m here with my newly cloned family.”

Angus and Erin both waved, then Angus lifted a finger to his lips. A barely perceptible nod from Carleton was their only answer.

“We didn’t really need anything,” Bri explained. She waved the remote. “I’m just showing them how to get in touch. Tell Elsa hello for us.”

“Brianna,” Carleton began, clearing his throat. “I can’t help noticing you’re wearing some new adornments.”

“These old metal thingies? They’re presents from Nate,” Bri answered.

Carleton nodded. “I see. Well, there is something you need to know. You see…”

“Don’t bother announcing me, Carleton. I’ll say hello for myself.”

They watched as Carleton left their view and a woman who could have been Erin’s sister stepped into it.

“Sheena,” Bri said quietly, lowering the remote. “What the fuck are you doing at the castle?”

Sheena lifted a hand. “Running from the same men trying to kill you, I believe. I’ve got a whole team watching this place, but they’re needed elsewhere. Where are you, Brianna?”

Bri swore under her breath, wishing she could just not answer. “I swear I never meant to involve you.”

Sheena shrugged. “It was going to happen sooner or later. This set is more determined than the ones you’ve pissed off before.”

“Carleton and Elsa?” Bri asked.

“Don’t worry… I’ll leak where I’m chasing you. They’ll leave when I do. I shot them all with next generation bionetic darts anyway. I also made sure they knew I did it too. A cyber patrol has been coded with their capture.” Sheena straightened. “Now… where are you, Brianna? Tell me.”

Bri sighed loudly. “I put myself in the alien abduction program. It was all I could think to do.”

Sheena sighed heavily in return. She tilted her head up until she could stare at the ceiling in the room she was standing in. “And is the admiral…”

“Yes,” Bri said, interrupting the uncomfortable question. “He’s still here and he hasn’t changed a bit.”

Sheena lowered her gaze and nodded. “Okay. Well, I guess it was going to happen eventually. I managed to avoid him for a hundred years, but everyone’s luck changes now and again. I need to see you in person to fix this, so tell him to grant me access when I request it. I can make it happen anyway, but I don’t want to go over his head if I don’t have to. This will go much smoother if Nate cooperates.”

“You don’t have to come here yourself. I would never…”

“Brianna—shush,” Sheena said sternly. “I’m coming. I wish you’d come to me for help when this first happened. All this alien abduction nonsense could have been avoided.”

“It’s not nonsense,” Bri argued. “I’m actually tired of New Earth struggles. I was getting careless and sloppy in my work. That’s how they tagged me, Sheena. I brought this on myself.”

“Stop with the self-flagellation. I’ll be there tomorrow to fix you… and to fix this atrocity. Let Nate know. And while you’re at it, tell him I’m extremely pissed he didn’t contact me himself. You’re my damn sister. If he’d sent you off-planet without telling me, I’d be coming to kill him instead of to rescue you.”

Bri nodded “Okay,” she said. “Do you want to meet the new MacNamaras they’ve made?” She stepped out of the way and waved a hand to Angus and Erin. “They don’t have a clue about much of anything. I think they’re clones.”

Sheena shook her head. “I don’t see how they could be clones. Mom and Dad’s DNA was not viable. I tested it myself.”

Bri shrugged. “Maybe they came from the stores in the vault.”

Sheena shook her head again. “No. Two years after the first samples were collected, there was a power failure that took the vault offline for several months. Nearly all samples were ruined. The material still exists for a study of differences, but the cells wouldn’t have been able to self-replicate in their damaged condition.”

“Well, explain this to me then. They’re not Mom and Dad, yet they look and act just like them. The similarities are eerie.”

“No, they’re absolutely not Mom and Dad,” Sheena agreed.

“Do you know what they are?” Bri asked.

Sheena snorted. “Yes. They’re temporary… if I have any say in the matter. Now hang up and call Nate immediately. If I can’t sleep tonight, he doesn’t get to either.”

Without saying goodbye, Sheena stomped off. Carleton popped back into view.

“Do you need anything else, Brianna?”

Bri nodded. “Yes. I want you and Elsa to take extra precautions for your safety.”

Carleton cleared his throat. “Already being done. Your sister brought some guards, which I understand are staying until this matter is resolved. They seem to have things under surveillance well enough.”

“Are they some of Sheena’s Self-Directed Droids?” Bri asked.

“Yes,” Carleton answered.

Bri nodded. “Okay. Robocops are a good choice, I guess. Just don’t argue with them. They’ll lock you up. That’s their back-up protocol for protecting their assignments.”

“Don’t worry about us, Brianna. Just take care of yourself… and watch out for the new MacNamaras. I’m glad you’re with them. They could use a little of your street smarts.”

“Hello Carleton. Bri’s setting us up to communicate with ya. We’ll be talking through the telly more now,” Angus yelled around Brianna.

Rolling her eyes, Erin lifted a hand and waved without commenting. She suspected Carleton hid a smile… and his dread… behind the hand covering his mouth.

Bri rolled her eyes since there was nothing left worth saying. “Guess I better let Nate know that Sheena’s coming. He’s going to need some time to deal with this too. Be well, Carleton.”

Carleton bowed his head. “Goodbye, Brianna. Be well.”

Then the screen went dark.

* * *

Bri walked to a chair and fell into it. “Why is this always my luck? It never occurred to me Sheena would be at the castle at this precise time.”

Angus laughed. “I’m not surprised at all by her being there. I’d have gone looking for ya too. Ya are just in the last place she thought to look.”

Bri nodded as she leaned her head back. “I guess you’re right. I suppose I would have gone looking for Sheena if she’d disappeared. Got any more of that ale, Angus?”

Laughing, Angus patted her shoulder as he left the room.

Erin said what nobody had said up to now. “Sheena looks just like me.”

Bri rolled her head to look at her sister’s replica. “Yes, she does. Mom was already silver haired when Sheena was born. But you two definitely look related. I would be guessing sisters if I didn’t know you were cloned from us somehow.”

Erin grunted in frustration. “I don’t see why everyone in this fecking place needs scientific proof for every blessed thing. We are part of yer family regardless of yer sister protesting the matter. I may not understand her educated musings, but I know well enough what my eyes are telling me. That woman I saw at the castle was made from the same divine stuff that made me. In my book, that makes us family of some kind or the other.”

Bri nodded again. “That’s what I’m thinking too. So I don’t care what Sheena says either. You’ve got to be clones of Mom and Dad… or of us… or of someone in our family.”

“A rose by any other name is still a fecking rose,” Erin said as she took the ale a chuckling Angus offered her. Now she was quoting the great bard. All the secrets and lies must be finally getting to her.