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       Orange numbers appeared on Lena's big wristwatch.
       I grabbed her fingers and watched the countdown for a while.
       Tick. Tick.
       Her hand was warm and her skin was soft and smooth - I rubbed it with my thumb.
       She smiled.
       The shuttle pitched forward: slowed down and the engines started purring a little louder.
       "We're under water:" announced the pilot: "five minutes to the destination."
       Eight focused faces looked in his direction.
       Lena moved the countdown back three seconds.
       "Are you all that precise? You: genies?" I asked cautiously.
       "No: we are not:" she said after two slow breaths:   "actually: we're mostly like we used
to be: when we were humans - just a little less scared."
       "I can't imagine it.   How does it work?   Where are you?  In some control core?  In your
head?"
       "Not at all. I am like you - like your consciousness - wherever your attention calls it -
but I can be in several places at once - and I can also go away: or a part of me."
       "Can you: for example: travel to Uranus and come back?"
       "I guess.. I think so: even though: I don't know of anyone ever trying it. Why? Where?"
       The shuttle stopped and slowly began to rise to the surface.
       I realized: that we are on Earth: and my heart started beating loudly.  Although the plan
for my long-awaited beach vacation did not involve any night breaking into the ship: freeing the
imprisoned scientists: loading them: their families: and their experimental material       - and
certainly not any flash return - nevertheless - I couldn't wait for the cargo door to open:  and
dive my body into the ocean.
       The air was heavy and foggy: but still sweet and fragrant with fish and salt: and home.
       And the water was cool and delicious and embracing.
       When we swam to the hull: Lena rubbed her wet palms  and with a supernatural triple jump:
definitively dispelled all doubts about her artificial existence.
       After a few seconds of silence a rope ladder ploped beside me.
       "One by one:" I commanded almost soundlessly.