‘Henry’ smiled thinly. “James.” His hand went on my shoulders and he squeezed tight and long. “He’s all yours. He’ll be no trouble. I guarantee it.”

James’ smile was wide and his voice drew out. “Excellent.” He turned toward Henry. After a few seconds of impassive staring, Henry got the hint and got back into the car. It lifted with no sound, then flew off into the distance. I lost track of it within the quick air traffic.

God. I’m alone here... with the Volardi and maybe one human? Probably not.

I looked into his blue eyes. “So uh, you’re...”

“A simulation of sorts to acclimate you to your next thirty days and eventual new life.”

“Like a robot?”

His lips curled into a smile. “That’s a grotesque definition. I’m a recreation of the first Omega.” He grinned. “Omega One has a nice sound to it but you can call me James. The Volardi figured, since the first James was human, he’d be the best to welcome new Omegas. No way I could meet everyone. My men keep me busy if you know what I mean, so they duplicated me in a way. Currently, there are seven hundred and twelve versions of me on this ship and others. The numbers fluctuate over time, of course.”

“Of course,” I repeated.

He raised his hand, and I felt a slight tap on my back legs. Two curved, white seats hovered in the air, although mine was smaller. James sat in his while the grey ‘foam’ molded against his body like a seat-belt. I followed, and it did the same for me. With a soft jerk, we flew toward our destination where I would lose my maleness or at least a good part of it.

Hopefully, not forever.

***

The seats stopped in what looked like a white medical laboratory. A flat, upright purple-grey table was in the middle under a white and grey ‘cone’. Around were control panels and monitors flashing yellow letters I couldn’t understand. Heavy tubes ran along the top.

James snapped his fingers as if he were a magician. Tiny grey globs dripped out of the ceiling and landed on my clothing and arms. I instinctively shooed them away, but they avoided my hands and settled on my clothes. Within seconds, I was naked and feeling like I showered.

Holy hell.

My hands went down to my cock, and I gave it a reassuring squeeze. I didn’t read anything about losing your dick or anything like that. Still, they would change me.

James spoke, “We find it’s best to start the process right away. A new start as we Earthlings would say. You won’t need your clothing.”

“But I’m naked.”

“Yes, it’s best you get used to that. It’s a necessary step you know. Birds and the bees as they say on Earth.” He gestured toward the grey table.

“Don’t I uh... have time to you know... get ready?”

He tilted his head. “You’ve had time. Before you took the test and after.” His eyes narrowed. “Please tell me you don’t have a complaint?”