Maria slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him, trying to focus. Her lips moved a little, but nothing came out but laboured breaths and a few pink bubbles.

�He - created Man,� she murmured and closed her eyes, too weak to keep them open any more. �And Man - destroys himself.� She cringed as a spasm of pain gripped her, then let out a ragged breath and was still.

The creature's eyes flew open as she frantically gasped in her first breath of air. She thrashed about inside her tank as the last of the glowing embryonic fluid disappeared through the drain in the floor. She pushed her back against the wall, breathing heavily and straining to make out two shadowy figures on the other side of the glass.

A water-tight panel was opened in front of the creature, cold dry air rushing in and chilling her bare skin. The shadows became clear and she saw that they were two stern-looking men, each wearing a white lab coat. The creature cowered and shut her eyes as one of the men reached in to remove several electrodes from her head and chest. Then suddenly she was being lifted up out of the tank, moved and covered with something dry and warm.

When she opened her eyes again she was wrapped in a sheet and sitting propped up on a table, facing her creator, his assistant and several strange-looking creatures.

"Your name is Genesis," said her creator in German. "I am Dr. von Reichter, and you belong to me."

Genesis was told that she was a newborn and a female. She belonged to Herr Doktor like the others, and should be thankful to him for giving her life. She was given a thorough assortment of tests and deemed healthy and normal. But she was also more than normal. That was why she was now sitting in a bathtub, attended to by several female Technos. Genesis was Special.

"Close your eyes," instructed one in Spanish, doing it herself so that the girl could understand. The Techno then unceremoniously dumped a container of bathwater over the long, soapy red hair.

"Pfft," said Genesis, pursing her lips and spraying out a mist of bathwater.

"You don't have any idea how lucky you are, not a damn clue," Bathwater Techno complained as she rubbed out the remainder of soap suds and poured water on the girl's hair again.

"519," warned another Techno, "you'd better be careful saying things like that. Come on Genesis, let's get out now." She and 519 helped their ward to her feet and cocooned her in a fluffy white towel.

"I'm just saying it, that's all. It's not as if she can understand me." They kept a quick pace and soon a third Techno was helping the girl on with her clothes.

"Just don't slip up and say something around someone who can." 519 made a grunt of annoyance at her consequence-minded sister, who was tieing a tie. Genesis looked down at the Techno's hands with curious green eyes.

"Okay: there," stated the third Techno once they were all done. They made a final inspection before bringing Genesis out for presentation.

She was dressed in a form-fitting navy blue suit jacket and skirt. Underneath was a white dress shirt and black tie, all very formal. On her feet were a pair of black leather heels, resembling oxfords but very stylish. Genesis was wavering slightly, learning to balance in them.

Perhaps the most noticeable item she was wearing was a black ribbon at her throat. Centered just above her collarbone was a oval, dark blue stone in a gold setting.

Genesis was Special.

* * *

"Well, I - I wasn't expecting to see Maria's clone, sir," replied Krumens after having been asked by the doctor what he thought of the new creation. They were having a drink on the veranda overlooking a small tributary of the Amazon. Two crocodiles lurked just beneath the muddy surface, peering greedily over the water in anticipation of the next thirsty animal to come by.

"In all honesty, Krumens, neither was I. Not for many years. But now that she is here, I don't know why I didn't create her sooner." Von Reichter looked off somewhere into the distance and silently smoked his cigarette for what felt to Krumens like hours. Eventually he broke the uncomfortable silence to satisfy his curiosity.

"Um...may I ask a question, sir?" he ventured.

"Yes." The reply sounded dettached and a little mournful. He was in one of his strange moods again. Eccentric moods, Krumens corrected himself. Geniuses were eccentric.

"Well, how did you decide on the name Genesis?"

Von Reichter continued staring into space. "Her last words," he answered, sounding inexplicably amused. "Maria's last words were about creation. The book of Genesis."

Genesis stopped to smell the bright orange flowers on a climbing plant, being careful not to get pollen on her face. There were always flowers in bloom, and always pollen to be covered in. She brushed a wayward petal off her short white sundress as she continued walking, Spanish book tucked under her arm.

After a while, she came across a particular old tree with sagging branches. She had singled it out on previous walks as a good potential sitting place, but didn't think that von Reichter would like her leaping around in the tree branches while he had to wait for her on the ground. Besides, it was more of a one-person tree anyway, to sit in and read, or just think.

She tensed her leg muscles, sprang up several meters into the air and landed on the thickest branch, sending terrified finches and toucans screeching away to safer trees. Genesis didn't like scaring them, but knew they would be back as soon as she left. She dangled her legs over the path and slipped off her socks and shoes, which thumped to the ground with satisfying impact.

She opened her book and tried to study as she had planned, but she couldn't concentrate and soon began daydreaming. Genesis thought about all the places she had seen on the globe during her lessons. She wondered what it would be like to travel. She was only a few months old and had never been anywhere outside the compound and the forest, and the only humans she knew were von Reichter and Krumens. What were other humans like, and how did they live? What experiences were out there to be had?

Genesis was deep in curious thought when she was suddenly brought back to reality by the sound of feet barreling down the path toward her. She saw, as he came into view, that the feet belonged to a worried-looking Techno, obviously alarmed by the racket the fleeing birds had made a minute earlier. He spotted her shoes and socks under the tree, and looked up to see her in its branches. His expression became even more worried.

"Miss, what are you doing up there? What happened?" he cried frantically. "The Master will kill me if you get hurt!"

The Techno spoke in Spanish and though Genesis could only grasp a few words, she could easily see his distress and dropped back down to the path.

"Oh," he said deflatedly, seeing by her easy landing that she was built like a Cyber. "I guess you're okay, then." He looked awkward, not sure if he should stay or go back to his post. Genesis felt a little sorry for him and decided to go back inside and give him a break.

He walked her back to the compound, neither saying a word in either of their languages. At the door, Genesis turned to her chaperone and put a gentle hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

"Danke," she said, to let him know she appreciated him looking out for her safety. She then went inside and closed the door behind her.

The Techno and a another guard stood confusedly for a moment.

"What's a 'danke?'" wondered the Techno. His friend shrugged.

Genesis walked down a long, grey hallway that would have seemed dark and ominous to any outsider. For her, it was the only home she knew and looked perfectly normal and unthreatening. So did the variety of strange characters she encountered on her path.

As Genesis went along, she was suddenly aware of a wonderful smell wafting through the corridors. Following it, she turned several corners and eventually arrived at the compound's kitchen, where other creations were at work baking loaves of bread. They recognized the curious young woman and offered her some, which Genesis accepted with a childish grin. She was allowed nearly anything she wanted because of who she was but always prided herself on being polite, or as much as possible without knowing Spanish. Perhaps that was why many of the other creatures didn't mind having her around. They did not expect to be treated politely by anyone of a superior rank.

Genesis was happily chewing away and watching the breadmaking process when another, even higher ranking person appeared in the doorway. Krumens had been sent to collect her but he, too had been distracted by the smell of fresh bread and ended up running into both quarries at once. The others quickly turned to salute him and Genesis felt a sudden pang of nervousness in the blond man's presence. She quietly offered him some of the bread but he declined it curtly.

"As you were," he directed the chefs. He looked at the woman with displeasure. She looked back uncertainly.

"[Herr Doktor wants you to come back to the main building now. You have more studying to do.]" He turned sharply and Genesis followed behind unhappily.

Krumens was not amused at having to play roundup. He didn't like Genesis at all, and he knew that she could tell. Not that he particularly cared. She had never said anything about it and seemed a little afraid of him, which he was glad for. It wasn't fair that his master paid so much attention to her. He was the doctor's loyal second-in-command, the one who had come with him to the Amazon and helped build all that they now had. Genesis didn't particularly do anything, except be annoying. Just like Maria. Didn't von Reichter remember the way she used to argue with him constantly? She was an utter bitch! It was as if he had forgotten all of Maria's faults over the years and now saw her as perfect, leaving Krumens unable to compete.

She's an complete waste of resources. A complete waste.

Finally they arrived at the main building, and Genesis was relieved. She didn't understand why Krumens hated her, but he did and so she tried to avoid being alone with him as much as she could.

"She was in the kitchen, sir." Krumens nodded in her direction.

"Thank you, Krumens. What have you got there?" Von Reichter inquired, as if his creation were a child.

"Bread," Genesis answered and finished the last bite. In a sense, she really was still a child, although one born with the body of an adult.

Her master leaned forward in his chair. "Genesis, would you like to learn more Spanish?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's good. Would you like to practise it with others?"

"Yes, sir." She wondered what was going on.

"Excellent. You see, Genesis, if you can learn to speak enough Spanish by the new year, I will send you to Meridiana for a while and you will get to see the world beyond this forest. Would you like that?" He already knew the answer.

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Herr Doktor!" she exclaimed, unexpectedly throwing her arms around her master's neck. The city! She would finally get to see the city and the people who lived there!

Krumens was just as elated as Genesis, though he made sure not to let it show. At last, a vacation from that royal pest! And once she was gone, it would be the perfect opportunity to work his way back to the top and make sure he stayed there for good!

All summer, Genesis worked hard on her Spanish, learning a little more each day along with her other lessons. By January, thanks to an high learning capacity, Genesis was able to communicate quite easily, albeit with a noticeable accent. It felt liberating to be able to talk with everyone in the compound.

During a week of especially hot and humid weather, the big day finally came. Genesis had been up before dawn, making final decisions on what to bring and checking that it all fit into her luggage nicely. She was very excited, but also a little nervous. She would be in Meridiana for a week, and away from von Reichter, which had never happened before. He had given her a cell phone to call "just in case," but that too would be a new experience. And she didn't know what to think first about the airplane flight.

The doctor was not particularly concerned about her safety in Meridiana. He knew his creations would do anything to keep such an important guest safe. He had made very clear what would result if they didn't. Besides, he had taken precautions himself when she was only a tiny cluster of cells, giving her strength and speed equal to the Cyber series. She could defend herself in an attack and even, if necessary, him as well. The only thought that really gave him pause was how Jose would conduct himself when he met Genesis. That boy had an agressive fixation on his rank. And whenever he thought that it was being challenged...

Jose looked at the time and snorted. Genesis was probably off the plane and in the limousine right now. His limousine. She couldn't come in an ordinary car, oh no. His father didn't want his precious little creature to have to settle for anything less than luxury.

After being informed by von Reichter about the little visit a few days ago, Jose had been incredulous for a moment as he hung up the phone before bursting into laughter. What was she, some kind of girlfriend? Imagine him in love! It was just too hilarious!

But in a way, it was true. Jose later managed to pry it out of Krumens that she was a clone of the doctor's dead wife. That was even funnier. Marriage! How could he ever have persuaded a woman to marry him? She must have been crazier than he was!

As funny as it was, however, Jose couldn't help but wonder what this meant for him. After all, this Genesis was not just another experiment to von Reichter. She could wield a great deal of power if she wanted to. Maybe even take control of operations in Meridiana. He was becoming very worried about the whole strange situation.

The airplane had turned out to be good adventure for Genesis. She was nervous at first, holding on tightly to the armrests, but once the plane had levelled off she began to enjoy the flight. Arriving in Meridiana late in the afternoon, the journey began to wear on her and as the limousine left the airport she was fast asleep.

Genesis, two Technos and two Fixed Ideas sat in the back of the car. The dark-haired Techno had answered the phone first and was nervously bouncing his leg on the ball of his foot.

"Yes, sir, it's all gone smoothly. Well, she's fallen asleep now, sir. Of course, sir." He held the phone in one hand and gently shook the shoulder next to him with the other. Genesis woke up and turned to look at him sleepily.

"Miss Genesis?" The Techno began, covering the reciever with his palm, "the doctor wants to speak to you."

"Oh, thank you," she smiled and took the phone. Her fellow passengers tried not to pay attention to her conversation, but they couldn't help being curious when she started to speak in German.

"[It was fun. I could see the Amazon River and part of the ocean. Yes. No, I'm just tired. All right. Yes sir. Goodbye.]" She hung up the phone herself and sat back again. All eyes were on her, admiring but uncertain. Genesis suddenly felt self-conscious.

"So tired," she sighed, and stretched in an attempt to appear relaxed and nonthreatening. If it worked, no one made any indication. She looked out the window, embarrassed. It's as if they're afraid of me, she thought.

Heads turned as the doorbell rang, its deep tones reverberating all through the mansion. This was it. No screwing up. Jose yelled at his usual volume as everyone assembled in the front hall: "So get the door, huh?" He descended the staircase with arrogance and stood just below the bottom step, crossing his arms unamiably.

It was Helmut, opening the door, who was the first to be surprised by the visitor. Expertly regaining his composure, he pulled the heavy door all the way open and announced (as he had been instructed):

"Genesis von Reichter, welcome to Meridiana!"

Jose stared, along with his saluting minions, in astonishment at the graceful redhead they would be living with for the next week. This was the clone of his father's wife? But she was so...

Jose pushed his surprised emotions down inside and put on his usual airs. "All right, everyone's dismissed. Helmut," the boy paused, "Not you." Someone closed the door behind Genesis and soon the hall was quiet. Jose approached her with a critical look in his eye, as if evaluating her like a sculpture.

"So," he finally spoke, "You are the famous Genesis."

"Uh, yes...sir." She wasn't sure what to call him. She wasn't even sure what to think of him. He's just a little boy! How can be in charge here?

Jose perked up in amusement at her accent. "Aha! He taught you German first, didn't he?" Suddenly a smug grin crossed his face. "[Tell, me how much do you know?]"

Genesis was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. "I...well..."

"I suppose," he began to circle her, enjoying her shyness sadistically, "that makes sense. It looks as if this is going to be an interesting week." He came full circle and stopped with his back to the young woman. "Helmut, show our guest to her quarters. I'll be in my study."

The blond-haired little boy led Genesis to a spacious room on the second floor. It was handsomely furnished with old colonial pieces, framed artwork, and even had its own ensuite bathroom. Her luggage had been brought in already and everything looked perfect and orderly.

"If you are hungry, your dinner can be brought to you here. Please call if you need anything. Someone will always be nearby to get it for you," stated Helmut.

"Thank you, I'll remember that," replied Genesis as she walked over to the bed and sat down. "Good night, then."

"Good night, Miss Genesis." He paused at the doorway. "And Miss?"

"Yes?"

"Don't let Jose intimidate you," he smiled. "My job here is to control him."

Things were getting distinctly boring for Lucas Amato and Adrian Seidelman. Two months' vacation was a very good deal, but there was only so much to do, and only so much money to do it with before they were scraping by come the beginning of the school year. Lucas was fortunate to be able to fall back on his second job at the Independant, but Adrian had to make his one income stretch.

Adrian, of course, was really Cybersix. The truth had been revealed the year before to Lucas and Lori, shortly before the Isle of Doom sent a chunk of the coastline into oblivion. Finding herself and Data 7 alive but battered, Cybersix had made the decision to return to her routine out of safety and a need for steady income, among others. Lucas was becoming used to the situation, and would certainly keep her secret. Lori was unlikely to let it be known that the man she had been in love with was really a woman in disguise. She had gained a lot of respect for her two teachers after the disaster in any case, although she kept her rebel act up in public. Couldn't disappoint her fans.

Lucas and Adrian wandered the city streets one hot afternoon, faintly hoping to come across something to do. Frying themselves on the makeshift "patio" of Lucas' apartment building roof was getting old. Yes, it was somewhere Cybersix could freely dress as a woman, but there was often no privacy as many other tenants decided to come up as well. Besides, they had both been sunburned enough for one summer.

"Next year, I'm definitely saving up for a vacation," grumbled Lucas as he and Adrian rounded a city corner.

"It would be great to have a change of scenery," his friend agreed. "I'd love to go to Europe, or maybe - hey, what's going on up there?"

Lucas looked up the street. A polished black limousine shimmered next to the curb, pointed at and admired by passersby. A back door suddenly opened and a man emerged, only to stand and hold it. Presently, from the shop in front of the limo, came a well-dressed young woman carrying a shopping bag and two men who appeared to be bodyguards. None paid much attention to their audience as one by one they entered the car, and soon drove off.

Lucas and Adrian had continued to walk during the scene and by this time had reached the shop the party had come out of. As they stopped to watch the limo drive off, Adrian was pale under his tan.

"Well, that was pretty interesting," remarked Lucas.

"I wish we were still bored," Adrian said quietly.

"What do you mean? What's wrong?"

"That was Jose's limo. And every one of them was a creation. Every single one."

"...And then there was a very interesting collection of Incan goldworks, but I didn't have enough time to see it all today..." It was the fifth evening of her vacation, and Genesis and Helmut were on their way to Jose's study for a call from von Reichter. He had made several calls already that week, requesting updates.

"I'll go back tomorrow afternoon, I think." The door to the study was closed and Helmut opened it courteously. He liked Genesis. She was always friendly and quiet with him, and they had talked often throughout her stay. Jose made her very uncomfortable and occasionally angry, which in Helmut's book only added another point in her favour. He could tell that his father didn't like her very much, but it was probably just annoyance at the amount of attention she took from the doctor. Helmut didn't mind. Anyone who made his master happy was fine with him. (Besides, she had told him he was cute.)

Jose looked up as the door opened but pretended not to care. "Oh, it's you," he grumbled. Genesis gave him a toxic look. Helmut looked at the floor to avoid making any look at all.

Suddenly there was a buzz of electricity and everyone's attention was drawn to the immense portrait of von Reichter that loomed behind his son's desk. Jose hid his frustration under a front of presentability; Helmut was the model of servitude. Only Genesis looked unconcerned as she bowed her head before what was now a live monitor, the real von Reichter staring down at them like a god.

"And how are we all this evening?" he asked arrogantly.

The expected reply came in unison: "very well, Herr Doktor." Only Jose was permitted to call him Father.

"Jose, Helmut, I trust that your guest's stay is still going well?"

"Yes, Father."

"Yes, sir."

"Genesis?"

"It is, sir. I was just discussing the museum with Herr Helmut." She was all smiles. Jose rolled his eyes. Oh, please.

"It sounds like you had fun. Now Liebschen, I need to talk to Jose about some things, so I'll say goodnight and we'll see each other soon, all right?"

"Yes, sir. Goodnight." Genesis waved as she left the study.

Von Reichter's face hardened as he turned his attention back to Jose and Helmut.

"Now then, boys..."

Genesis changed into a pale pink nightgown and took out her earrings. She felt comfortable, but not very sleepy, and wandered to the guestroom window. She flipped the latch and pulled the bottom pane up to let the fresh night air into her rather stuffy room. It was nice to be able to open an unscreened window without something big and ugly flying in. Once at the compound she had seen a tarantula crawling onto the window sill which she could have sworn was a foot across.

Genesis leaned out the window and looked around. The lights of the city were strong and lit the night sky to a deep blue, obscurring many of the constellations she could normally see at home. The glow was reflected in the water of the bay. Somewhere the siren of a police car wailed. Genesis looked down into the yard, with its pruned shrubs and high fence. A Fixed Idea came walking along the side of the mansion, on watch for intruders.

"Hey!" Genesis called once he was under her window. The creature was startled and looked around to see where she was.

"Up here!"

He complied, and for some reason looked relieved to see that it was her.

She waved. "Hi!" The Fixed Idea aped her movements happily before continuing his patrol. Genesis smiled to herself and rested her arms on the windowsill.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, something darted across a rooftop. She snapped to attention. The being was about a block or two away and was wearing a black bodysuit, a wide-brimmed hat, and a long black cape with red lining. It was very obviously female. Genesis was puzzled when the figure stopped jumping and stood still, but soon understood when a huge cat appeared on a nearby tower and darted to the figure's side. It rubbed itself against her as she embraced its huge neck. Presently the two shot into the air and were off again.

"Wait a minute!" cried Genesis, although too quietly for the woman or the cat to hear. She pulled herself up into a crouch on the window sill and, making sure the Fixed Idea had gone around the corner, leapt into the air. She rebounded off the top of the fence and flipped up onto the roof. The strangers were far away now. "Come back!" Frustratedly she jumped onto a street light and across a few rooftops before giving up the chase. There was no way she would be able to catch up to them. Genesis turned back in disappointment.

Staring up at the canopy of her bed, she lay awake wondering about the mysterious pair. The woman was undoubtedly one of von Reichter's creatures; possibly the cat was too. The question was: what were they doing jumping around the skyline at night? Maybe they were on some kind of lookout duty. But if that was the case, why had she never seen them come into the mansion, or even close to it? She wondered why they could jump the way she could. Von Reichter should have told her about them, shouldn't he? Unless...maybe...they were rebels.

But why would a creation want to rebel against him? puzzled Genesis. Especially those two.They were affectionate in a way other creations seemed not to be. Wouldn't it make sense that they would love their creator too? She wanted badly to have her questions answered. She realized, however, that mentioning the pair wouldn't be a very good idea. That would mean revealing that she had left the mansion unsupervised, which she was not allowed to do. No, it was better for all involved, Genesis told herself, not to say anything about what she had seen.

Genesis sat curled up in a wicker chair on the porch, holding a mug of tea. It was still early and she had a robe on over her nightgown. Last night had brought another strange dream.

She had begun to have the series of dreams after coming home from Meridiana. They didn't happen every night; only once or twice a week was normal. Each time, Genesis found herself in the central role with the action seen from her point of view. She seemed to be the same person she was in waking life, but with different, shorter hair and clothes she didn't recognize. Everything in her surroundings looked dated and urban. Sometimes she even found herself inside one of the cars, huge and wide with soft leather seats.

Nothing particularly upsetting ever happened in the first few dreams. They were light and relatively noneventful. One would be about a party, another might take place on a street. They were funny things and Genesis thought they were entertaining, especially the ones which surprised her by adding von Reichter into their storylines.

But the dream she had just awoken from had been very different. Its atmosphere was heavy and almost foreboding, nothing like the pleasantness of the dreams before it. And that man on the steps...Genesis felt her insides knot at the memory of his face.

Footsteps sounded from inside and momentarily von Reichter appeared in the doorway, up early as usual.

"There you are," he said with a hint of relief in his voice. Then, seeing the weary look on her face, he frowned and came closer to feel her forehead. "What's the matter, Liebschen? Are you sick?"

Genesis shook her head. "No, it's not that. It was -" she paused uncomfortably, "-I had another dream."

"Another 'story' dream?"

"Uh huh."

"Darling, you said they were good dreams."

"Not this one. It didn't make sense and it was scary."

The doctor looked contemplative. "I see. Well, come have some breakfast and you can tell me about what happened. You need to eat something."

Around a shadowy corner, Krumens amusedly watched master and creation disappear down the hall. So the little princess had a nightmare. Well, good. Let her day be a little spoiled for once. He strolled off, feeling very pleased about the situation.

He felt a little less pleased later on, however, when von Reichter called him into his study with an ominous tone of voice.

"Krumens," the doctor began as his assistant shut the door, "I have come across a rather strange development. I wonder, has Helmut ever discussed his dreams with you?"

"Not that I recall, sir."

This answer seemed to disappoint him. "Not that you recall...hmm. You see, for the past few weeks, Genesis has told me about a series of pleasant dreams in which she apparently experiences life in an earlier era. She describes her role in the dreams as 'herself with shorter hair and strange clothes.'" He paused for emphasis.

Krumens began to catch on. "My God..."

"Unfortunately, last night she was disturbed by a dream about a huge crowd of people saluting someone she called 'a dark man in a brown uniform.'"

"Incredible! The clone inherits memories from the original! But...you don't seem very happy about your discovery, Herr Doktor."

Von Reichter was pensive. "No, Krumens, I am not. That dream has left her very upset despite my best efforts to stop her worrying."

"But surely there's nothing for her to be afraid of! German girls had no reason to fear the Fuhrer -"

"Damn it you fool, don't second guess me!" The doctor roared, rising to his feet. "She's frightened because she doesn't understand! What do you suggest I do, explain to her the history of the twentieth century and how Maria was killed? I very much doubt that it would help her!" He stood his ground, chest heaving in fury, as Krumens fell on his knees.

"I'm sorry Master, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" he cried. Von Reichter watched, disgusted, as the eyes of the grovelling man became wet with tears.

"Get out," he muttered, and Krumens promptly did.

Drying himself off, the assistant wandered the compound's halls until he had stopped sniffling and regained his composure. He shouldn't have questioned the doctor's worries. If he was concerned about something, then it was worth being concerned about. Cybersix, for example.

As he turned a corner, his foolish words to von Reichter repeated embarassingly in his mind:

"...surely there's nothing for her to be afraid of! German girls had no reason to fear the Fuhrer..."

A startling thought suddenly came running up behind Krumens and smacked him in the back of the head. Loyal, patriotic girls had no reason to fear him, yes. But what about a girl who was not so loyal?

He started giggling despite himself. What if Maria had been disloyal to the Reich? She would have been afraid of the price of treason, of what Hitler would have done to her, and so her frightened memories would have been passed on to frighten Genesis!

Krumens was beside himself with triumphant glee. A Techno walked by and stared in disbelief, but he just kept giggling. It was a perfect plan! Who even cared whether or not it was true? If, carefully and subtley, Krumens planted the seeds of doubt as to her loyalty in the doctor's mind, he might see Genesis as a traitor or a security threat and kill her. He might even declare her insane, lock her up and then kill her! At last Krumens would be free of that miserable woman in all forms - for good!

In the library, Genesis looked up from her book in surprise at the sound of someone humming. As she watched, Krumens strode in and approached her, still humming elatedly. Without a word, and against her loud protests, he grabbed her in a bear hug and planted an exuberant kiss on her cheek before sauntering off in the manner he had come.

"Yech, what's wrong with you?" yelled Genesis, rubbing any traces of kiss off of her face.

"Nothing, compared to what's going to be wrong with you!" Krumens whispered to himself in the hall, before bursting into giggles again.