“Tell me, is Big Mama sensitive enough that you can tell when I turn over in my bed ?”

“Big Mama, as you so flippantly call it,” she said acidly, her eyes snapping with anger, “can even tell me if you’re having a bad dream.” This was a slight exaggeration, but not much. She started away, then spun around. “And the sooner you start taking Central Monitoring and our abilities seriously, the sooner you’ll get some serious consideration for release from implantation.”

“Why, Miss Lambert,” he drawled, “what ever made you think I don’t take Big Mama seriously?” A sudden glint of hardness darkened his eyes. “I can’t think of anything I have ever taken more seriously.”

“Well,” the Major said, looking around the table, “shall we begin? Clayne, you’re on. By the way, is your wife glad to have you back?”

He chuckled. “It’s been three days now. I think it’s starting to wear on her.”

“I’ll bet,” Nicole interjected. “I saw her down at the supermarket the other day with a flatbed truck getting ready for his return.”

“I know, and that was only for my welcome home dinner. Well, anyway,” he said, turning back to the Major, “I really don’t have much to say. Eric is a model trainee. He learns fast and is quick to take the initiative. If it weren’t for the other question, I’d recommend that he be transferred to the Perimeter Forces.”

“But unfortunately,” Travis spoke up, “there is the other question.”

The Major tapped his pencil on the table thoughtfully. “He was in training for four weeks and has been on regular duty for two more. Has he at any time acted in a way that is erratic or unacceptable?”

Clayne glanced at Travis. “Other than that first day when he lost his temper and nearly decked Travis? No. His behavior has been exemplary.”

The Major turned to Nicole. “How many times has he triggered the Punishment Mode from his wrist computer?”

Nicole pursed her lips as she scanned the computer printouts quickly. “Five. The worst was that day he started to attack Travis. Other than that, they’ve been relatively mild responses. Nothing unusual in any way. Two at night during dreams.”

“I’ve warned him,” Clayne said. “I told him if he triggers pain responses too often, he’ll start conditioning himself so heavily that he’ll lose his usefulness to us.”

“So what’s the bottom line, Clayne?” the Major pursued. “His behavior is above reproach. Does that mean we have really turned him, or is he just biding his time?”

Clayne traced circular patterns on his napkin for a long moment. “I have nothing to base it on except for a gut feeling, but no, I don’t think we have turned him. I don’t even think we’ve bought a serious glance in our direction as yet.”