"Tomorrow you will join us for breakfast. Tonight we will bring bread and cheese, fresh greens, apple slices, tea, and cookies to your room."

Outside, a peaceful dusk silence was suddenly broken by the howling of predator machines. Their voices circled Anyaclaver with a deceptively high-pitched chorus of screams -- like many women crying out in pain. "You are safe as long as you stay in Anyaclaver," Brinn said. "I know that this is not your intended destination. But if you leave, they will find you. Your mother gave up the life of an Anyaclaver researcher to be with you for most of your young life; she would not forgive us, if we sent you alone into the wilderness."